In me.
The pinching fetters of so many stones around my neck, the initial cramp when something too big filled a place that seemed incessantly wet. I found bliss.
He fucked me. Right there as I clung and gasped.
Coming too soon, earning cruel laughter from an incessantly hard bull, I braced. Because there was always more.
So much so that we were late for the gathering. My hair, once beautiful, was a half-fallen mess. And yes, he was dripping down my leg.
Not yet recovered from the bending world that went from dressing room to riverside wedding, I stumbled. I clung.
I knew I was ridiculous.
Many approached my guardian.
“Husband,” he whispered at my ear, giving it a lick despite the audience of immortals.
Languages were spoken that I didn’t know. Addresses were made, even to me—polite, tolerant nods in many cases. Wide-mouthed grins in others.
Fangs were on full display, glittering in the moonlight.
Though when I forced a smile in reply, I saw how vampire eyes went straight to my stumped incisors. There were looks of pity, looks of disgust.
“The groom tore them out himself!” Vladislov chuckled, though the very tone of his laughter was menace.
Under my breath, I tried to stop him. “Vladislov!”
“She asked me not to kill him.” My less than delightful companion eased nearer the latest supplicant. “But she never asked me to spare you. Leave.”
A man I hardly noticed may as well have pissed himself, vanishing into the night as if he’d never been there.
Could this be more uncomfortable? “That wasn’t funny.”
“He looked at your throat.” As if that was explanation enough.
Like a king approaching his throne, Vladislov entered the fray, literally dragging me into the masses. Tripping over my skirt, one arm flailed, and a spray of glowing, white flowers began to fall.
Caught before the crash by Maya. Who gave me a wink before a goddess in the flesh moved back into the crowd. I didn’t have a chance to say thank you.
“I’ve known Maya for thousands of years. Believe me when I say, she is genuine, unforgiving, and willing to spend her time getting to know you. That is rare.” With a pout on his lips, my face red and posture shrinking, I heard him add, “I suspect you will be fast friends and that I will be very jealous.”
“Can you please stop? Just stop, Vlad!”
He didn’t stop, but all around us did. It was as if time froze, the stillness of all in attendance. A mercenary indrawn breath to see what would happen next.
“For you, my bride, anything.” Leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek, he added, “I’m sorry.”
Everyone turned my way. A chilling unison of movement. A sea of people, of costume, of fanfare. Of years and years and years of life. This was not an event for the unimportant; even naïve as I was, I grasped that. And all of them were staring at me.
With a smile, Vladislov wrapped his arm around me and addressed the mob. “My bride’s name is Pearl. Be respectful.”
Cocked heads, low spoken greetings, far too much interest.
But Vladislov was on to the next thing. Snapping his fingers for a tray of snacks to be delivered by a beautiful woman dressed like a sacrifice for the gods.
Smiling, eyes downcast, she displayed what had been prepared for the humans in attendance as she described the offerings. And that is when I realized there was a clear divide between immortal and mortal.
Some came on the arms of lovers. Most came to serve.
Every last one of them was stunning.
Such as this woman, her neck marked from bites. Her wrists, her arms. Her exposed thighs. “I am of Grecian stock. My line has been fostered by Ivan. O negative, if it suits your taste.”
Her plate of food was for the human pets, and her body was for the guests.
And she was happy. I had faced enough smiles serving ungrateful men and women to know the difference.
“Ah, Cassandra. Never could I forget you.” He popped a savory bit of deliciousness between my slack lips, taking up the beauty’s arm. “I will enjoy this.”
Chewing, cheeks puffed from too large a bite, I could not respond. Instead, I watched her moan when my lover pierced her glowing skin.
He sipped.
And I hated seeing it with every fiber of my flawed being.
Before I might stop the hiss, it came from my mouth. Automatic, utterly embarrassed, my hands covered my crimson lips. I knew mortification.
And I worked to justify all of it. Of course he ate. I ate. We all ate.
But I had never seen him partake.
Had I not refused the bath of immortal blood? Yet here I was acting like a monster.
And Vladislov drank deeper.
He drank until the poor girl swooned. Until I put my hand to his bicep and asked him to let her go.
Others came to cart her off, yet her pretty figure was soon replaced. Other immortals taking a sip of the next beauty offered as a snack to the guests.
There was no need to speak of how embarrassed, confused, horrified, enticed I was.
It was so much so that I took a glass of wine from a passing human’s tray. He too was dressed as an offering and marked with the wounds of the vampire’s trade.
Drinking too fast, I coughed, spilled red wine on a red dress… and knew I was a fool.
“You’re charming when you’re jealous.”
My lip shook as I cut a glance to my right, to my tormentor. In that moment, I saw in him the window I had so desired, so needed, in my past. I saw something worth working for. And I had no idea what to make of myself or these feelings.
My thighs were already
