The Emerald Lily

by Juliette Cross

  “But that’s not what I want.” And she’d been setting her own desires aside all her life, hiding from her true nature for far too long. She set the goblet back on the sideboard and stepped closer to him. “I want to feed from you.”

  “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Why not? You thought it was a good idea in the cave.”

  “That’s because there was no alternative.”

  She stepped closer. His shoulders and chest stiffened. “I’ll make you a bargain.”

  Amusement softened the lines around his mouth. “A bargain?”

  “I’ll drink the human blood. But only after you let me feed from you first.”

  The hot and heady scent of him stirred her desire to a fever pitch. Her chest rose and fell at a quickening pace, her fangs lengthening at the thought of sinking them into his flesh. Like a caged animal, he looked as if he might rush from the room.

  Placing a hand on his biceps, she implored, “Please, Captain. I need it.”

  She spoke the truth. The fervent need was crippling her with hunger. Not for a cup of secondhand blood but for the pulsing hot fluid straight from this vessel of masculine power. She wanted it. She wanted him. She’d been a complacent good little princess all her life. Now, she wanted what she wanted. And she wasn’t afraid to say so.

  “Captain?”

  “Lay on the bed.” His command was terse and dominant.

  Mina choked on a grateful sob. If she wasn’t so consumed by her painful longing, she might have been embarrassed. All she could feel was relief that he’d give her what she wanted. Crawling onto the bed, she lay on her back, her robe falling open to reveal a bare thigh. She flicked the sheer fabric closed, but it did little to hide the curves beneath. The captain caught the flash of her bare skin, his gaze roving her body in a heated caress.

  Unstrapping the harness of daggers across his chest, he let it fall to the floor with a clunk. Then he unbuttoned the top of his shirt and climbed onto the bed beside her. The sight of his bare throat sparked a tingling, pebbling her skin and raising her nipples. She squirmed, rasping them against the silky fabric.

  Straddling her hips on his knees, his gaze flicked to her breasts and still she didn’t care how inappropriate this was for a woman of her breeding. She only felt want, need…heavy, flaming desire. The proof pooled between her legs.

  His nostrils flared. “I’m going to need you to promise me something if we do this.”

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t touch me.”

  A shocking request. She frowned. “Why not?”

  He laughed, but it sounded more like a man in pain. Gently, he gripped her wrists, his rough calloused hands dragging hers to the wooden slats cut into the ornate headboard.

  “Hold on.”

  She did as he commanded and gripped two slender slats, his words launching her hunger a notch higher. Then he braced his hands on either side of her head and lowered his body, caging her in a wall of deliciously hard vampire. Pleasure spiked along her spine. She was sure she couldn’t feel any sensation better than this.

  But she was so wrong.

  …

  Bloody, fucking hell. What was he thinking?

  Her thrumming heartbeat and obvious arousal at the thought of feeding was the reaction of a newly made vampire, not a vampire born. Her sea-fire eyes blazed, dilating with desire. The sight of her was an aphrodisiac that threatened to strangle him with overwhelming lust.

  “Mina, listen to me.”

  She licked her lips, her gaze focused on his throat.

  “Look at me.”

  She did.

  “I’m going to let you drink from my throat. You’ll get more blood than from the thinner veins in my arm.” And the ball-tightening torture of having her fangs in his flesh would end sooner.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  If she licked her pink tongue over her lips one more time, he was going to come in his trousers.

  “It’s natural to feel a certain amount of pleasure during feeding. Just go easy. Slow. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  He eased his weight on top of her, cupping the back of her head and lifting her to his arched neck. She licked his pulse. He hissed a breath between his teeth, his own fangs sharp and aching.

  “Bite, Mina.” His gravelly command did the trick.

  With a sweet moan, she sank her canines into his throat. And his world came apart.

  Molten, liquid heat flowed into his veins, her elixir racing straight to his cock. She sucked hard, the piercing pain rolling over into ecstasy. Her knuckles turned white where she gripped the headboard slats, but keeping her hands off him did little good. She arched her spine, pressing the supple mounds of her breasts against his chest.

  Then she opened her legs, cradling his cock between them, the thin fabric doing nothing to hide the scorching heat of her body. The scent of her arousal filled his lungs.

  She moaned, still sucking hard, and rocked her pelvis up, rubbing her sweet cunny along his rigid length.

  “Mina,” he warned. “Easy.”

  His warning seemed to have the opposite effect, for she whimpered and rode his cock harder. The wall he’d erected—his code of morals—was being bashed apart by the most sweetly sensual creature he’d ever known.

  She broke free from his throat, pressing her head back into the pillow. The action thrust up her breasts and arched her neck, presenting him with the most vulnerable part of her. An act of submission. A temptation that commanded his sudden attention, calling to the predator inside him who wanted to pounce, to take. He imagined burying his fangs into her slender throat and his cock inside her, marking her for his own.

  “For fuck’s sake.”

  He pressed both hands into the mattress, leveraging to launch himself off her.

  “No!” She let loose the headboard and gripped him at the shoulders, her nails sinking into his shirt. “Please,” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. “I ache…please.”

  The despair in her eyes ripped his heart right out of his chest. He couldn’t fuck her. She was a virgin, meant for her husband. Which would never be him. But he could ease the pain. Something told him she’d never done this for herself. To herself.

  “Please,” she begged again, closing her eyes as her body quivered with longing. He could smell it, taste it on his tongue. A tear slipped into her hair.

  “Shhh. It’s all right. I’ll take care of you.” He pried one of her hands loose from his shoulder, shifting his weight to her side. “I’ll show you,” he crooned.

  Her panting breaths increased as he untied her robe and opened it at the hips. Taking her hand, he lifted it to her mouth.

  “Open.”

  She parted her lips, her canines still sharp, her mouth reddened from his blood. A possessive thought flickered through his overheated brain. He pressed two fingers inside along her tongue. Cupping her hand with his, his index and middle finger along the back of hers, he slid her fingers down her body into her slick cleft.

  She gasped, her mouth opening wider, her eyes tightly closed.

  “That’s it.” He guided her own fingers around the swollen nub, sliding farther down to her entrance, then back up. “Just like that.”

  She rocked up to meet the downward trail of her fingers, her undulating hips dislodging the top of her robe. The flap over her breast nearest him slipped free. Her perfect, rosy-pink nipple jutted up as she rolled her body to the rhythm he’d set. Losing focus, his fingers slipped from atop hers, gliding into her drenched folds. Like silken heaven.

  She moaned and thrust her hips up harder. He couldn’t take his eyes off her writhing body—her thatch of dark-blond hair, pert breast, pale throat, and mouth open in ecstasy. A temptation no man could endure.

  His fingers took control, gliding into her soaked folds, pressing against her engorged nubbin. Hot desire spiked his heart rate like a rocket, stealing his breath.

  “Yes.” She clenched her fingers around his wrist, ur
ging him on. “Please…more.”

  “Just a little taste,” he murmured on a rumbling growl.

  He lowered his mouth over her taut nipple, rolled his tongue in a circle, then sucked hard, grazing with teeth.

  “Mikhail.” She cried out and thrust her hand into his hair, pressing him closer.

  Sliding two fingers into her tight heat, he circled her clit with his thumb and flicked her nipple with his tongue, knowing for certain he’d lost his fucking mind.

  Her panting cries filled the room, growing quicker, louder, as she plummeted toward her orgasm. Her nails dug into his scalp. He thrust his fingers faster, deeper as she pumped her pretty hips up to meet him. Pressing his cock into her hip to ease his own ache, he groaned at the pink flush heating her body. Then her fist tightened in his hair.

  “Mikhail.” A long moan let loose from her throat. Her sex squeezed and pulsed with her climax. He continued to brush his lips gently over her kiss-swollen nipple, easing her down as the ripples of her orgasm slowed.

  When her breathing had evened, he removed his fingers gently and closed her robe. Her expression showed only a woman well-satisfied. No regret. He was glad of that. Though he wished he could say the same for himself. He crossed a line he should not have, and the torture of knowing her so intimately would only kill him slowly.

  Easing off the bed, he picked up his harness and strode for the door.

  “Captain.”

  He paused, the door ajar.

  Her whisper was feather-soft. “Thank you.”

  He nodded without turning and left, knowing for certain he had wandered off the path he’d set for himself. For the first time ever, he felt lost.

  Chapter Five

  “Your Highness, you look so beautiful.” Irena sighed. “I must’ve looked like a haggard witch in that dress compared to you.”

  Mina laughed and spun around, shaking her head. “Highly doubtful. You are quite lovely, Irena. May I ask a favor of you?”

  “Anything.” Irena beamed, standing in a gown of coral silk, the square neck accented with delicate lace. She truly was a beautiful young woman.

  “Will you please call me Mina? I’d rather forgo all the formalities. It’s been so long…”

  Her thoughts wandered yet again to Kathleen, her lady-in-waiting. She swiveled back to the mirror, blinking away the tears that caught her off guard. Her dearest friend in all the world had been murdered right before her eyes by order of the queen. That bastard, her closest bodyguard Radomir, had gripped Kathleen under the chin, then slit her throat before she even knew she was in danger. When Mina had fallen to the ground, wailing in despair, he’d flicked his hands, and two of the queen’s Legionnaires dragged her away. The last thing she saw was him grinning as they carried her off.

  “Yes, Your High—I mean, Mina. I’d be honored to use your first name. I’d be honored to call you a friend. Though, if I know my brother, you won’t be staying long.”

  “I doubt we will. But you may still count me as a friend.” She admired the champagne-ivory gown with a heart-shaped neckline. She appreciated the clean chemise and undergarments even more. Mina had rested all afternoon after her encounter with the captain, until Irena’s lady’s maid, Therese, had come to assist her in dressing for dinner. Truth be told, Mina did little resting at all. She lay in bed, reliving the most glorious experience of her life. While Therese coiled her hair into intricate braids atop her head, drawing attention to her slender throat and delicate shoulders, Mina had tried not to laugh at her own lack of worldliness. The captain probably thought her pathetic for losing self-control so easily. And yet, she wanted to do it again with him. She wanted more, actually. A strange sensation for someone who’d kept herself locked so long within a shell of self-restraint.

  She turned from the mirror and held out a hand to Irena. “I can’t thank you enough. For making me feel so welcome. For everything.”

  “But, Your—” she stopped and bit her lip—“Mina, you are the Princess of Arkadia. The one we wish would rule the south. Not that damnable Steward Thorwald. I would do anything you asked.”

  Mina opened her mouth to reply, but then the door opened, and Therese stepped in. “Pardon, my ladies. But the guests have gathered in the dining hall and are awaiting you.”

  “Shall we?” asked Irena, leading the way.

  “Absolutely.” Therese closed the door behind them when they stepped into the hall. “I find it fascinating and wonderful that your mother keeps the proper routine of human dining. Not many vampires do.”

  “Oh, yes. Mother loves food. Especially dessert. Sometimes, I have to remind her if she hasn’t fed from her host in a week. Honestly, I think she forgets she’s a vampire at times.”

  Mina laughed at that, admiring Lady Galena a great deal already.

  They strode down the grand staircase together. Irena regaled her of what it was like having a brother who encouraged her to do all sorts of naughty things, like coerce her into sliding down the winding marble banister when she was little.

  “And when my nurse caught me, she whipped me with a switch till I was black and blue.”

  Mina was laughing loudly as they strolled into the dining hall. All five men stood at once. But Mina’s gaze landed squarely on one in particular. Mikhail. Her heart stuttered at the sight of him. His cheeks were ruddy from feeding, his sable hair glistening by the candlelight, his otherworldly gaze fixed intently on her. Like the other gentlemen, he wore fine formal wear. His black-on-black suit fit to perfection.

  “Come, Your Highness,” said Aleksei, seated at the head of the table as the master of the house. “Please take a seat.”

  “You all look so—”

  “Yes, don’t we mercenaries in the Bloodguard clean up well?” He winked.

  Dmitri smiled and pulled out a chair at his side. “Please have a seat, Lady Irena.” Gavril was on her other side. Aleksei shot Dmitri a dirty look, but the man just smiled amiably.

  Mina broke her stupor and made her way to Aleksei’s side to the empty chair across from Mikhail.

  She examined these five men of the Bloodguard. She’d witnessed firsthand their use of deadly force. She couldn’t deny that they were efficient killers, but underneath there was a resonating thread of nobility tying them together. For the first time, Mina looked at her saviors with new eyes. They belonged in this gallant finery, yet they chose a brotherhood of blood instead. She yearned to know why.

  Lady Galena sat to Mina’s right when she took her place. “You know, my dear, it was a shock when my only son confessed he’d joined the Bloodguard. Forgive me, is it all right if I address you without the title?”

  “Please.” Mina unfolded her napkin in her lap. “I would prefer that.” She kept her gaze on Lady Galena and not on the man across from her whose intense stare heated her cheeks.

  The footmen carried in platters and set down a bowl of rich beef broth before each of them.

  Aleksei smiled seductively like the rogue Mina was sure he was. “You look well-rested, Your Highness. You have the prettiest rosy blush to your cheeks.”

  “Thank you, my lord. I believe it was the blood the captain gave me.”

  Captain Mikhail coughed, having just swallowed a spoonful of broth.

  Mina froze with her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Are you all right, Captain?” she asked innocently.

  He lifted a glass of wine and knocked back a big swallow. “Fine,” he answered gruffly, eyes averted.

  “Glad to hear Fanny’s blood was to your liking.” Aleksei swirled his glass of claret. “We need our princess on the mend.”

  “Truth be told—” Mina dabbed her napkin to her lips—“I feel absolutely divine. I’ve never felt better in all my life.”

  Mikhail sat back in his chair, glowering at her as if she’d said something monstrous. Rather than acknowledge his obvious distaste for the present thread of conversation, she lifted her wineglass and smiled at him over the rim.

  “That’s wonderful to hear, my dear.�
� Aleksei’s mother had obviously recovered from her emotional episode earlier that day as her happy gaze alighted on her handsome son.

  “I am delighted to know my son and the Bloodguard came to your aid. Aleksei never was an obedient child. A loyal son, to be sure, but never good. A scoundrel, more like. I’m happy to hear his escapades could be of service to the Princess of Arkadia.”

  “Oh, Mother. Don’t go extolling all my virtues. Princess Mina will think you’re matchmaking.”

  Mina smiled at his teasing smirk. They fell into silence, eating the soup quietly. But Mina was distracted. She stared at her broth, stirring it absently.

  “What is it?” asked Mikhail, drawing her gaze across the table. “You have a question on your mind, Your Highness.”

  The footmen removed the bowls of soup and set down the next course, sliced roast pork and herbed potatoes.

  “Yes, Captain.” She took her fork and knife in hand, focusing on her plate. “Forgive me, but my reports of the Bloodguard have extolled your men as nothing more than mercenaries. That is obviously not so. You’ve saved me from the hands of the queen and King Dominik for the Black Lily. But, the Black Lily is the human resistance against the crown. I don’t understand why you would involve yourself in such a venture.”

  “The resistance is not composed of only humans anymore.” He held her gaze, hands in his lap. “Since you’ve been…asleep, others have joined their cause. The Duke of Winter Hill for one.”

  “And us,” chimed in Dmitri.

  Mikhail gave a nod of assent, a knowing glance passing between the brothers that made Mina think there was more they weren’t saying.

  “I understand you men wanting to help the prince and the duke,” chimed in Lady Galena, her brow pinching together. “But why would you risk your lives for a human revolution?”

  Aleksei tensed. But Mikhail seemed calm as ever. Rather than address Lady Galena, he kept his focus on Mina—dark and serious focus.

  “We saved you, Your Highness, because it was the right thing to do.” His steady voice, rife with power and command, riveted her to his every word. “Because injustice, wielded by the hand of the monarch who proclaims to be protector of her people, is not only a crime, it is a sin. Because tyranny over a weaker people is the worst kind of corruption. Because murder inflicted upon innocents when the ruler of the land maliciously and intentionally spread the foul disease sanguine furorem for her own pleasure—” he paused, his voice vibrating with such fury it zinged along Mina’s skin “—is the greatest depravity of all.” He inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled, steadying the tenor of his voice. “And because we, the Bloodguard, though deadly mercenaries, fight for something greater than money or spoils of war.”