Ty nodded. “In Blood Kindred these are used for injecting essence—an agent which can heal the Kindred’s mate and also bonds her to him when he bites her. But I am a Modified Kindred—my fangs can also detect poison. And the essence they secrete neutralizes it automatically and thoroughly upon contact.”
“That’s amazing,” Ellina breathed. “Can…could I touch them?” she asked softly.
Ty considered her request for a long moment. He was reluctant to allow this intimacy—not because he didn’t want to let her touch him but because he did want to—very much. Even now he could feel himself wishing to submit, to give the curvy little female complete access to his body—which should not have been the case.
I’m too eager for her touch, he thought, not liking the feeling. Too willing to give myself completely.
But that was foolish, wasn’t it? He shouldn’t make more of his body’s reaction to a beautiful woman than it was.
“Or…perhaps you’d rather I didn’t,” Ellina said and he could hear the note of uncertainty—the formality returning to her voice. “Forgive me—it was an improper request.”
“No,” he said. “No, I’m here to protect you and I use my fangs to do that—they’re just another tool or weapon in my arsenal. You have a right to see and touch what keeps you safe.”
It was the same as though she’d asked to touch the hilt of his blaster, he told himself. Or the transparent, lightweight expanding shield that grew from his left forearm at the touch of a button hidden deep in his flesh.
Only it wasn’t like that at all. Not really.
Still, he settled himself on the couch beside her and tipped his head back, watching her from the corner of his eye. It would be like a visit to the dentist, he told himself as he opened his mouth to allow her access to his fangs, which were throbbing for some reason.
Only it wasn’t like that either, and he knew it.
“Hmm…” Ellina hummed with interest as she leaned over him, her long, wavy blue hair falling like a sweetly scented curtain around his face. She cupped his cheek in her soft little hand and looked down at him searchingly, as though she was trying to discern his true motive.
Ty wished he knew it himself. Why was he putting himself in such a vulnerable position? Why was he giving her such intimate access to his body when he had strenuously avoided allowing any other woman to touch him in this way?
You’re making too much of this, he told himself firmly. She asked to see your fangs, not stroke your shaft, you idiot! Be still and relax.
But the thought of those slim, blue fingers—the ones that felt so soft against his cheek—wrapped around his aching shaft, only made matters worse. Ty found himself holding his breath as she reached in with one curious finger to explore his fangs.
“Oh—they’re very long and sharp, aren’t they?” she murmured, as she slid the tip of her index finger down the length of his right fang, which ached and throbbed under her light touch. “I wonder how I never noticed them before?”
Ty frowned and closed his mouth, giving her finger an involuntary kiss as he did.
“They’re not supposed to be,” he said, sitting up, which made him feel considerably less vulnerable. “A Kindred’s fangs aren’t supposed to get sharp unless—” He broke off abruptly, clearing his throat.
“Unless what?” Her eyes were wide with interest.
“Unless…unless the circumstances are exactly right.” Ty cleared his throat again. Actually, A Blood Kindred’s fangs never got sharp until he met the female he wanted to bond to him. But that was ridiculous—it wasn’t as though he could bond with Ellina. She was royalty and he was an off-worlder commoner, as the High Priest has been quick to point out. Plus, he had sworn never to bond with any female and never to give his heart, due to his genetic vulnerabilities.
It’s not as if I’m fully a Blood Kindred, anyway, he comforted himself, a bit uneasily. My fangs probably react differently than a full-blooded Blood Kindred’s would—that’s all.
“So this essence you produce—it comes from your fangs?” Ellina asked, breaking his train of thought.
Ty nodded.
“As I said, the presence of poison causes my fangs to automatically produce it.”
“So I suppose it gives you immunity to any kind of poison as well as to the person you’re guarding,” she said thoughtfully.
Ty nodded again.
“I never need to fear any kind of poison or venom. I could ingest even the deadliest substance and it would have no effect on me.”
Ellina looked at him enviously.
“That must be nice! I wish I could gain such immunity.”
Her words gave Ty a sudden thought but before he could speak it, she looked up at the elaborate gold timepiece affixed to the wall and sighed.
“Well, as tired as I am, it’s almost time to get ready for the banquet tonight. I suppose my styling team will be here soon.”
As if on cue there was a knock on the door and Commander Zerek, the leader of the Kindred guards, stuck his head in and said, “Excuse me, Commander Ty’rial, but the Potentate’s style team are here to get her ready for the banquet tonight.”
“Very well, let them in.” Ty nodded and watched as a gaggle of gossipy Chorkay women with skin tones that ranged from bluish-lavender to bright turquoise entered the room with baskets of styling products over their arms.
In retrospect, he was glad he had been interrupted before he could speak of his idea. It wasn’t really proper and no doubt it was better left unspoken.
Chapter Eight
The banquet was as long and tiresome as such events always were. Ellina had been attending them occasionally for the past few years, getting ready to step into her grandmother’s place, and she thought they
