The woman at the vampire’s side did not ease her hold on Roman’s arm, making the scene more embarrassing by the second. Ella wondered why the vamp would behave this way toward Isabella, acting as if he didn’t care. She had witnessed his feelings for the witch the morning of the wedding. Feelings didn’t change this fast. Or did they? She pressed her lips tight as Roman opened the box and snapped it shut, handing it back to Zephra.
“Isabella, the jewelry is yours to keep. It’s not returnable.”
The vampire stepped forward, but Isabella grabbed his sleeve, halting him. The flawless woman next to him glared at the witch.
“That’s rich. Your costume jewelry isn’t returnable, but I am. You make me sick. Maybe, your new lover would like them? You know how I like to reuse and recycle. Surely, she deserves a reward for her hard work.”
Roman’s female assistant’s lips widened as she peered down at the witch, being almost equal in height to Roman. Her blood-red nails clamped around his arm. “Roman said you were volatile and moody, but he left out the part about how clingy and human his pet was.”
As the insults flew out of the blonde’s mouth, Isabella launched at the vampire, scratching her flawless skin and drawing blood. A clash of claws and hair swirled around until Roman shoved his assistant aside and snatched Isabella’s wrist, dragging her away and stepping between them as the rest of the vampires closed in.
“Enough—you’ve had your fun, Isabella.” He let go.
“Fun? You call this fun?” She swept her arms around. “You always did have an odd notion of what that word entailed.”
Ella sighed and longed for someone to end this mess, wishing Marcus would interrupt. Just as she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Jake appeared, wandering to Isabella’s side.
“Come on, Sparkles. Let’s get a drink. This stiff isn’t worth it, and I say keep the damn jewelry. He owes you that and a hell of a lot more besides.” Jake wrapped his arm around Isabella’s shoulders, corralling her away.
But Roman flew at them, his cheeks more prominent than ever as his dark eyes flashed. “Just remember what I said about human attachments. We may not be together anymore, but I’m still your master. Your conduct reflects upon me, and I don’t need to remind you of the strict rules that govern our kind. There will be harsh consequences.”
Isabella leaned into Roman’s face. “I remember every word you ever said. How could I ever forget? It’s tattooed on my heart. My soul. But I’m not looking for any attachments—you cured me of that. And it’s none of your damn business.”
Jake heaved her away and Isabella slipped through the crowd, leaving the vamp hissing at her.
****
Later, long after all the guests had left, Marcus kneeled before Ella, dressed in snugly fitted black boxers and a wave of deja vu rushed through her as he dropped tender kisses over her slight baby bump, holding her hips.
“Tell me what Roman wanted that was so important he had to burst in and make such a public spectacle, knowing Isabella would be here?”
The tender kisses stopped, and he lifted his head to stare at her, pressing her hips tight. “Only what I feared. There’s a battle going on between the vamps. Roman confirmed the guards were killed by vampires, but he doesn’t know who. He’s carrying out a secret investigation, but it’s not easy. He believes the emperor is spying on him through his secretary. But enough—I don’t want to talk about them anymore.”
More fighting—now between the vampires. Would it ever end? But Marcus was right; tonight should be about the two of them, no one else.
“Okay, changing the subject. Do we have to shift the balance of power between us?”
“Yes. I’m asking you to do this for me. I want to protect you. Drink from me and take my strength, Ella. You’ll need it, and I can leave happy that I’ve done all I can.”
The significance of what he asked was not lost on her. His mission against the shadow queen was dangerous and taking his strength would leave him vulnerable. But what they faced was not just about the two of them. Feeling his coarse thumb brush along her skin, with his eyes glued on her as if she were the most precious and delicate possession in the world, dissolved her resistance.
Nodding, she wove her hands through his dark hair, sliding her fingers through as she gripped the ends and tugged the thick strands. She didn’t want tender. Not tonight. Studying his broad shoulders, decorated with black tattoos, that carried the world, she placed her hands there and ran them across his sculptured chest, down to his hard-defined abdominal muscles. Her husband was a fighting machine of utter control and sheer perfection. One she adored. Right now, she needed to feel his touch everywhere, obliterating the terror of losing him.
“Show me the power you have. Show me. I need you—right now.”
A husky laugh escaped from Marcus, and he lifted his head, all smiles gone as his cheek muscle flinched. His intense gaze reached deep inside her soul, anchoring her to him. When he stroked the soft skin at the edge of her lace panties back and forth, shivers descended. Ella wanted him to consume her. To make them one. The tingles of desire and pleasure rose sharp with each intake of oxygen as he trailed a painfully slow path with his fingers down to her throbbing core.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be away, but I want tonight burned in my mind like a tattoo. I need that.” The pain in his deep voice was unmistakable as she contemplated the truth of their situation.
“We’re cursed. Maybe we’re destined to repeat the same journey over and over, tearing
