by Sarra Cannon
He didn’t reply and she hesitated briefly. “I – I think you should feed from another slave tonight. It will lessen Darius’ suspicion and restore your strength.”
He swung around and stared angrily at her. “Is that what you want, little dove? Do you want me watch me feed from another woman? To fuck her?”
“You – you don’t have to sleep with her.” Abigail whispered.
“So you want me to feed from another and fuck you. Is that right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I won’t feed from a slave without fucking her, little dove. She would beg me to fuck her and I am not so cruel as to deny her what she needs.”
“Oh, but I am?” Abigail snapped.
He reached out and yanked her against his hard body. He cupped her neck, holding her firmly by the collar as his gaze dropped to her mouth. “Do you want me to feed from another?” He asked slowly and deliberately.
“No.” She muttered. “I do not. But it doesn’t mean I want you withering away, either.”
He snorted. “I am not nearly as weak as you believe me to be, Abigail.”
He stared hungrily at her breasts. She could feel his erection pushing against her and she swallowed hard, trying to ignore the ripple of lust that went through her.
“Val, I—”
He released her abruptly and stepped away, turning his back to her and staring into the fire again. “Enough. Leave me alone until we are back downstairs and must continue our charade again.”
Violet landed on her shoulder and Abigail, blinking back tears, hurried to the window. She stared out into the darkness as Violet stroked her hair and kissed her neck.
— —
Abigail paused as she walked down the hallway. She could see the common room below them and she groaned inwardly. The festivities had already begun and the vampires were feeding and fucking their slaves with unrestrained hunger.
Faren, his eyes closed in bliss, was reclining on a chaise as Sienna sucked his cock enthusiastically and another slave, this one a sleek blonde, kissed and licked his chest. As she watched he tugged her upward and sank his fangs deep into her throat. The girl shuddered with ecstasy and a soft moan slipped from Abigail’s lips.
Val stepped closer and pressed himself against her back. His cock was hard against her ass and another moan slipped out as he reached around her and cupped her breasts. He kneaded them firmly as her back arched helplessly.
“Do you want me to fuck you, little dove?”
“You know I do.” She whispered. She continued to watch the orgy below them, at the naked twisting, writhing bodies of the vampires and the humans, and felt a deep aching throb that only Val could take care of.
He reached for the clasp of her top. She didn’t try and stop him as he popped it open and pulled it from her upper body, leaving her upper half naked. He dropped it to the floor and cupped her naked breasts, pulling firmly on her hard nipples. She moaned loudly and reached behind her to rub at his cock.
She didn’t care that the people below them could see her if they raised their heads. She didn’t care that anyone who walked down the hallway would see the way she was rubbing herself against Val. What she wanted - what she needed - was Val’s cock inside of her, and she could have cried with the knowledge that she would be denied again.
Despite knowing he would stop, that this wouldn’t end with him fucking her the way she so desperately needed, she leaned back against him and arched her back again, pushing her breasts into his hands. He stared over her shoulder at her breasts as he pulled and rubbed her swollen and throbbing nipples.
“Does that feel good, little dove?”
“Yes.” She moaned.
He pulled the back of her skirt up and she widened her thighs as he unbuttoned his pants and then pushed his erect cock between her ass cheeks. He rubbed it up and down and she ground her ass against him until he moaned loudly.
“You win, Abigail. I’m going to fuck you.” He breathed hotly into her ear.
She gave him an uncertain look. An odd combination of anger and lust was crossing his features and he shook his head before pushing her head roughly forward.
“I won’t feed from you.”
“You don’t have to do this.” She said quietly. “You don’t have to—”
She cried out loudly when he shoved his cock deep into her soaking wet cunt. After days of being denied, her pussy gripped him eagerly, sucking him deep into her body and holding him there as he panted harshly into her ear.
“I’ve missed your tight pussy, little dove.” He muttered. “It clings to me so tightly, I can barely stop from coming.”
“Please.” She whispered.
He was deep inside of her but not moving and when she tried to thrust back against him, he cupped her throat and held her firmly. His fingers traced the collar around her neck as she moaned her need.
“Do you like wearing my collar, Abigail? Does it please you to know that it marks you as mine?” He whispered before moving roughly in and out.
She cried out with pleasure and pushed back against him desperately as he stopped once more. “Does it? Tell me the truth.”
“Yes!” She cried. “Please!”
“You’re mine. Say it!” He demanded.
She shook her head, her dark hair brushing against his chest, and he reached around and cupped her pussy. His fingers found her swollen clit easily and he stroked it roughly before turning her head and kissing her hard on the mouth. She sucked eagerly at his tongue, her hands rising to tug on her hard nipples, and he made his own groan of pleasure.
He stilled his fingers against her and tore his mouth from hers. She made a gasping whine of need. “Please don’t stop.”
“Tell me what I want to hear, little dove.” He kissed the line of her jaw as she moaned and wiggled against him.
“Tell me and I’ll give you the relief you need.” He was nearly frantic with the need to come and Abigail’s wet pussy was driving him insane. He gritted his teeth and waited. He needed to hear her say it, he needed to know that she was his and –
“I’m yours!” She suddenly cried and with a loud growl he plunged in and out of her as his fingers pulled on her clit.
She threw her hand over her mouth and screamed as she came uncontrollably around his cock. Her pussy, squeezing and tightening in rhythmic surges, drove him over the edge and he threw his head back and climaxed.
His fangs lengthened and he moaned loudly as he studied the smooth, pale flesh of Abigail’s shoulder. He could bite her now, he could take from her what he needed, and she wouldn’t be able to stop him. His thirst for her was nearly out of control and, with a strangled curse, he pulled out of her and staggered a few feet away. He rested his hand on the wall in front of him, breathing heavily as his pulse roared in his ears and his body shrieked at him to feed.
Abigail, her legs trembling badly, quickly slipped into her top. She closed the front clasp and waited patiently as Val leaned against the wall. She wanted to go to him, wanted to stroke his broad back and kiss his warm mouth, but she knew instinctively if she went near him now he would feed from her. She kept her distance and waited.
After nearly five minutes, Val buttoned his pants and turned around. His face was even paler than normal and guilt flooded through her when he wiped his mouth harshly and gave her an almost desperate look of hunger.
“Are you alright?” She whispered.
He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. “Go back to our room.”
“What? No, I—”
She reached out to touch his arm and he pulled back from her.
“Do not touch me, little dove!” He said sharply.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered.
“Go back to our room. I only have so much control and it’s not wise for you to be around me right now.” He muttered.
She gave him a guilty look and he sighed harshly. “Go, Abigail.”
“Will you feed from another?” She couldn’t stop hersel
f from asking.
“Please, Abigail!” He whispered fiercely. “You must leave now!”
He took a step toward her, his face twisting, and she turned and fled. He slammed his fist into the stone wall, hissing at the pain, before wiping the blood from his hand and walking down the stairs to the common room.
Tavien, his eyes gleaming, stepped out of the shadows. He stared thoughtfully at Val, before abruptly turning and striding away.
Chapter 14
“My lord. I must speak with you.” Tavien spoke urgently into Darius’ ear. Darius frowned irritably at him.
“I’m busy.”
“It is of great importance.”
“Then speak, Tavien.” Darius snapped.
“Not here, my lord.” Tavien glanced around the common room.
Darius pushed the woman from his cock. She gave him a disappointed look and he patted her head like she was a dog and buttoned his pants before standing. “This had better be good, Tavien.”
He followed him out of the common room and down the hallway to Tavien’s room. There was a large book sitting on the bed and Tavien leafed through it quickly.
“I was in the library and—”
“I have a library?” Darius interrupted.
“Yes.” Tavien replied with an edge of impatience in his voice. “I knew I had seen Lord Joven somewhere before and—”
“How long have I had a library? How many books are in there?” Darius asked curiously.
“Lord Darius! Please, pay attention.”
Darius sighed and glanced at the door. “I cannot ignore my guests, Tavien.”
“I know. But you must look at this.” He nearly shoved the book into Darius’ hands and pointed to the page in front of him. There was an ink drawing of a young man standing next to a larger, older man.
Darius blinked in surprise and studied the older man. “Is that the king of the north? Maridus?”
“Yes. But look at the man standing next to him.”
Darius squinted at the picture. “What of him?”
“What do you mean, what of him?” Tavien snapped.
Darius’ nostrils flared and he gave him an angry look. “Watch your tongue, Tavien.”
“My apologies, my lord. It’s just – I believe that man, the king’s son, is the very man who pretends to be Lord Joven.”
Darius gave the picture a cursory look before glancing at the door again. “There is a resemblance.” He admitted.
“More than a resemblance, my lord.” Tavien insisted.
Darius gave him a curious look. “How often do you go to the library and read, Tavien? And when do you do it?”
“My lord,” Tavien said with barely-restrained impatience, “do you not see that this man in the picture is, in fact, Lord Joven?”
Darius narrowed his eyes and read the wording below it. “You’re telling me that this Valkyn is masquerading as Joven?”
“I am.”
Darius scoffed loudly. “Why would the king’s son be here? Hmm? The idea is ridiculous. Although I am not entirely sure that he is Joven, I am most certain he is not the future king of the north.”
“The king’s son disappeared many years ago. Some say he died of the sickness but there are many who believed he sought to escape the pressures his father put on him.” Tavien said.
“How do you know this?”
“I read, Lord Darius, remember?”
Darius studied him. “You really do believe he is this man, don’t you?”
“I do.”
Darius examined the picture more closely and Tavien nodded eagerly when he said, “He does bear a remarkable resemblance to him.”
“There is something else, Lord Darius.”
“What?”
“Earlier, I was in the hallway when this Joven and his slave girl walked by. They fucked in the hallway above the common room.”
“So? That is hardly surprising.” Darius frowned.
“He did not feed from her.”
“What do you mean?”
“He fucked her but didn’t feed from her. Didn’t even give her a friendly love bite. In fact it seemed he was doing everything he could not to bite her. I have never seen a vampire fuck a human without feeding from them. Have you?”
“No, I have not.” Darius said softly.
He shut the book with a snap and handed it to Tavien. “I believe it’s time we had a talk with Lord Joven. Don’t you, Tavien?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. Have my men meet me here in five minutes. Make sure Joven stays in the common room.”
— —
“Faren! Faren!”
“What?” Faren opened his eyes and stared at Val. “What is your problem?”
“Something is going on.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’re the only ones left in the room.” Val hissed at him.
Faren sat up. Sienna had fallen asleep against his chest and she made a soft whimper of disapproval when he moved her to the chaise beside him before covering her face with her hand.
Faren rubbed her ass lightly as he stared around the common one. “We’re not the only ones.”
“With the exception of Jaxen,” Val pointed to the old vampire who was reclining on a couch and kissing a young man lazily, “the rest are all slaves.”
A look of alarm crossed Faren’s face. “Well, this can’t be good.”
“You think?” Val snapped. He raised his voice and called to Jaxen. The vampire pulled away from his slave and wandered to where he and Faren sat.
“What is it, Lord Joven?”
“Where are Darius and the others?”
Jaxen stared around the room before blinking in surprise. “I – I do not know.”
“We need to go.” Val muttered. “We need to—”
He broke off as Darius, Tavien and his men entered the common room.
“Lord Joven! Enjoying yourself this evening?” He asked jovially.
“Very much so. But it grows late and I am tired. I believe I will say my goodbye and retire for the day.” Val rose from his chair as Darius held up his hand.
“Of course, of course. We will let you return to your room in a moment.”
He clapped his hands loudly. “Slaves – get out! Now!”
The slaves, most of them dozing or weak from being fed on, stumbled to their feet and hurried from the room.
Val’s hand went to his sword and he gripped the handle tightly as Darius’ men elbowed Faren and Jaxen back and surrounded him in a tight circle.
“What is going on, Lord Darius?” Jaxen asked.
“You’re looking very pale, Lord Joven. Are you sure you’re getting enough to eat?” Darius asked softly.
Val didn’t reply and Jaxen gave Darius a troubled look. “Lord Darius, please, what—”
“It occurred to me today that I really only have your word that the man standing in front of me is Joven.” Darius arched his eyebrows at Jaxen.
“I can assure you, Lord Darius, that this is Joven.” Jaxen said firmly. “I have known him for many years.”
“Yes, but who knows how long a man is willing to pretend to be another?” Darius said thoughtfully. “Why, if they were desperate enough, they might go years impersonating someone.”
He turned his gaze to Jaxen again. “Or, someone who I believed to be a trusted friend is lying to me.”
“I am not.” Jaxen answered immediately. “He is the Lord Joven and he—”
“You spent time in the north, did you not, Jaxen?” Darius interrupted.
Jaxen nodded. “I did. Many years ago.”
“I suppose you remember the king of the north.”
“Yes, Maridus is his name.”
“Lord Joven bears a remarkable resemblance to the king’s son. What was his name? Do you remember?”
Jaxen shrugged. “No, my lord, I do not. Besides, the king’s son is dead. The sickness took him, along with many others, in the royal castle. From what I remember, K
ing Maridus himself grew ill and it was only his discovery of the immune that kept him from dying.”
“The king’s son is dead? That is not the rumour I have heard, and it is interesting that I would have someone in my home who resembles him so closely.”
Jaxen shrugged again. “Many people have similar features, my lord.”
“That is true.” Darius acknowledged. “But you must understand if I do not take your word for it.”
He made a small, almost imperceptible nod, and Val’s eyes widened before he turned quickly. He was reaching for his sword when the vampires behind him threw the long silver chains against his body. Already weak from hunger, Val hissed in pain and collapsed to the floor as Faren gave a startled yell.
“Hey! What is the meaning of this? You cannot—”
He held his hands up and backed up a step as another vampire held a sword to his throat.
“Stay quiet, please.” Darius said politely. He watched as his men threw more chains on to Val’s body. Smoke was beginning to rise into the air and he wrinkled his nose at the smell of burning flesh before holding his hand out.
The vampire closest to him handed him a pair of leather gloves and he slipped them on before squatting next to Val. He traced his cheek with one finger and Val snarled at him, his fangs glistening in the light of the candles, before jerking his head away.
“I can’t imagine how badly this hurts.” Darius tugged on one of the chains before holding his hand out. “I’ll admit, I’m impressed that you’re not screaming.”
Val hissed again as Tavien placed a silver rod in Darius’ hand. It had been sharpened to a deadly point at one end and Darius poked it against Val’s face. It left a burn mark and he grinned slightly before slapping Val across the face.
“You and I are going to have a little talk, Joven. If you can convince me that you are in fact who you say you are, I will let you live. I won’t lie – this is going to be excruciating.”
He laughed loudly and Faren and Jaxen both winced when he slammed the silver rod against Val’s face. His cheekbone broke with a loud crack and Val made a muffled groan of pain before falling silent.
“Let’s begin, shall we?” Darius smiled gently.