Lothaire

“I say it will.”

“Do you remember the rest of our conversation that first night in the woods?” Saroya asked, her voice velvety. “I do. Often.”

He’d thought of it often as well. . . .

Tracing within inches of her, he cupped her nape with a shaking hand. “The only thing greater than my need is my strength. Your mortal form is too fragile for me to claim. But I must finish this.”

“Then I will not yield this body until you destroy Elizabeth’s soul and make me whole,” Saroya said. “For now, you may take your physical release in some way—after you swear you will do these things you’ve offered. Vow to your Lore, and make this unbreakable pact with me.”

They stared into each other’s eyes, and he felt as if time had slowed just so he could appreciate how momentous his next words would be. “I vow to the Lore that I will do everything in my power to extinguish Elizabeth’s soul forever, then make this body undying.”

She seemed vaguely surprised, then pleased. “Very good, my king. . . .”

Now Saroya said, “You made your vows, Lothaire. You will be compelled by them to find the ring in order to make this body immortal—and to rid it of Elizabeth.”

He’d been right that night; his words had been momentous. Just not for the reasons he’d assumed. “Release me from this pact.”

Her lips curled, almost a smile. “I vow to the Lore that I will never release you.” She was enjoying this. “These vows are so compelling, are they not? Remember my acolytes? Your fate is sealed, Lothaire.”

It is. He knew it. His path was clear.

“Console yourself, vampire. If you remain steadfast, you’ll soon have everything you’ve ever wanted. Everything Ivana wanted for you.”

But he might have begun to want more.

“Now, Lothaire, shall I summon your—temporary—concubine?”

Eyes narrowed, he grated, “Yes, flower. Have her bathed and dressed in red silk in my bed. Oh, and skip the garish makeup.”

32

Ellie woke to shivers glancing up and down her body.

Lothaire lay beside her in his bed, trailing the backs of his fingers from her navel to the valley between her breasts.

She was dressed in a sexy teddy; he was naked.

“I like you in red,” he said, his voice raspy, making her shiver even more. “I’ve been awaiting you.”

“What . . . what are you doing?”

“I’ve decided to give you a chance to atone for your earlier insolence. With head.”

“My insolence. Did Saroya just recede on her own?” That would mean . . . “Oh, God, she delivered me like this to your bed? Or did you just get through with her here?”

Ellie didn’t feel like they’d been intimate. But how could she tell for certain?

“One or the other, it matters naught.”

“You’re right—either way, it’s sick. You and Saroya are sick!” She shoved at his chest but couldn’t budge him. “Get away from me!”

He easily captured her wrists in one of his hands, pinning them above her.

When he covered one breast with his free hand, gently kneading, she cried, “Don’t touch me! I don’t want you!”

He bent down to kiss her, but she craned her head away. He pinched her chin, holding her still . . . she clamped her lips closed against his.

He jerked back. “What is this? Be like you were with me the other times! When you melted for me.”

“That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are.”

“Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it’s not as if I went around cock-slapping gnomes.”

Her jaw dropped. “You are amazing! A deadly, wretched, friendless monster. Pretty on the outside and not much more. God, just find the ring and put me out of my misery!”

“Be like you were with me! That was not a request.”

“Fuck you, vampire.”

“Soon.”

“Let go!” When he didn’t, she screamed, “Let go, let go, LET GO!”

“Dark gods, shut up!” he yelled, but he did release her.

She scurried from the bed. “Why would you be unfaithful to Saroya? The first time we were together was because she was late for a date, the second just happened, but this would be premeditated. Why can’t you just wait for your Bride? It isn’t me you want—you’ve told me a thousand times how inferior to Saroya I am. I swear I will let her rise.”

Ignoring her, he commanded, “Return to this bed now.”

“Did she recede because she didn’t want you?”

He gave a raw laugh. “What female wouldn’t want me?” Lothaire-speak?

“Me! You asked me why I was still a virgin? It’s because of men like you—the takers. Selfish, stupid men! I don’t want you!”

“Of course you do, Elizabeth. Just looking at me gets you wet.”

“Looking at you reminds me of the kind of man I should be with.”

“And what kind of man is that? Drunken, poor, pathetic?”

“No. I’ve never met him, but I see him plain as day. He has crinkles around his eyes when he smiles and tanned skin from working outdoors. Honest labor has callused his hands. He and I will hunt together, cook and eat big family meals together. He’ll marry me and love my family, too.” Voice gone soft, she said, “He’ll give me a baby boy and a girl.”

Lothaire’s eyes narrowed. “No. He won’t. You’ll never know another but me. Now, come back to bed and stop behaving as if this is some kind of event. We’ve pleasured each other before, and all I want from you is to exchange a couple of orgasms.”

“I’m not the type of woman who’ll let a man treat her like trash, then get him off whenever he likes. You’ve done nothing to deserve being with me.”

“But your honest, tanned, imaginary husband has? Think about him all you like, yet it will be me who wrings screams from you tonight. I can make you want this. One bite, and you’ll be begging for me to touch you.”

“A vampire roofie? Can’t get it any other way?”

“Do you want me to work for it, then?” Lothaire’s voice grew husky. “I will, Elizabeth. I’m not above seduction to get what I want.”

His eyes locked on hers with that predatory glint, and she again felt like his helpless prey, the object of a merciless vampire’s lust.

For some reason, the idea of that made her breaths shallow. She felt her skin growing flushed as if to attract him—

One instant she stood beside the bed; the next she was in it, lying back under the firm press of his hand.

Before she could even think about defending herself, he’d worked the silk down off her shoulders to pool at her waist.

Indignation burning inside her, she threw a wild punch, but with that supernatural speed, he easily secured both of her wrists in one hand. “Ah-ah, you’ll only hurt yourself. And amuse me. Now, relax.”