I somehow pulled my gun out and attempted to bring it up to the head of the person dragging me away.
Master Niallan slapped it away. “What the hell is your problem?”
“Someone just tried to kill me, you assbag.”
He dropped me to my feet and pushed me out the door of the celebration rooms and into the foyer. “You just beheaded two influential vampires in front of all of the castle and two thousand humans!”
Ugh. The Original was talking to me.
I tried to play nice. It wasn’t going to get any better with him, the situation not changing. He was the possible candidate for King.
So I acted like I gave a damn what he had to say.
Holstering the gun, I shrugged. “They thought it was a show. They’re all drunk and horny anyway. What do they care as long as they get laid and get more of the punch?”
“You should be more concerned about the vampires who just saw you behead an old vampire and her companion—possibly friends of theirs.”
“Then they chose the wrong friends.”
“Don’t be fucking flippant!” He jerked a finger at the room. “Those vampires are going to want retribution.”
I stared him dead in the eye. “That was retribution. They fed me and who knows how many other vampires poisoned blood. Blood, dying blood from laudanum. If the corrupted blood doesn’t get them, the poison will.”
He paused. “Fuck. Why didn’t you lead with that?”
“Because I’m positive Lord Otto and Lord Cato knew what was happening. I didn’t need to tell anyone. They already knew and wanted to see how I would handle it. And, besides, everyone in that room is blood drunk and screwing whatever they could grab!” I tore my arm out of his grip. “I should have done the same. I should have had a nice dick in there, got drunk off the blood, and had a good night instead of trying to keep myself sober and rational for my Challenge tomorrow.”
My feet pounded hard against the rock floor as I turned to march away from him.
Growling, he caught up with me. “Regardless, you caused a scene in there that didn’t need to happen. If the overlords knew, then you should have let them handle it. So what the hell is your problem?”
I glanced at him. “Back there? Hortensia. Now? You.”
“What kind of bullshit answer is that?”
“There’s nothing bullshit about it.”
“Are you drunk? Or just this childish?”
I ground my teeth together, a fleeting embarrassing flush staining my cheeks. “I was surrounded by two thousand willing humans! You think I didn’t partake?”
“Didn’t anyone—”
“For shit’s sake, Master Niallan—”
“Call me Nial.”
“Whatever. As you wish. But, like I was saying, I’m not childish like you said. I just didn’t expect to have an attempt on my life during the Blood Rite. So, yes, I enjoyed myself.” I growled under my breath, conceding one issue. “Maybe a little too much.”
“You’re a stupid girl, you know that?”
“And you’re an asshole. And now, I’m probably not even going to find a couch arm to rub off on thanks to this mess.”
“Why the hell would you rub off on a couch arm?” His anger was gone, replaced with confusion.
“Because I’m a candidate, and I’m not just going to sit and spin on any old unknown dick that points my way, no matter how blood drunk and horny I am!”
“Are you horny?”
“Oh for—” I started to walk away and then trudged right back. “I had one guy come while I was drinking, and I helped another come while my best friend rode him. Do you think I’m horny?”
“You really want to take a ride on a dick, don’t you?”
I muttered, “Go away.”
Lifting an eyebrow slowly, he considered me. “I wouldn’t mind getting laid.”
I tripped over my own feet, barely catching myself from taking a header into the floor. With my arms braced out away from my body, steadying myself, I cast a glance at him from the corner of my eye.
Oh. My.
Play it cool, Gwen. Play it cool.
I choked on a laugh and started walking. “Be careful. I might have taken that as an offer.”
He followed, his hands shoved into his pockets. A little smile curved the edges of his mouth as he stared at the ground. Quiet. Oh so quiet. He asked with casual curiosity, “And if it was?”
Although I still couldn’t stand this asshole, if I were ever looking for an opening into his life…
I muttered, “I think it would make for an interesting fuck.”
“That’s very true.”
I peered in his direction, not hiding the direction of my gaze as I blatantly checked out his impressive form.
“You’re thinking about my dick.” He smirked.
“Oh, you think about that enough for everyone in the stronghold. You don’t need my help.” I turned my regard back to where I was walking.
A magical cool breeze tickled my neck, which was one thing, but when it focused in and pinched my nipple, I turned and growled, “Keep your magical mitts off my tits, you shit.”
“She’s a poetess!”
“Fuck off.”
His voice was right in my ear. “I’d rather fuck you.”
With a sidelong glance, I sized him up again. I was still wet and wanting from the Blood Rite. But I couldn’t stand this arrogant buffoon. “You’re serious?”
“If you’re interested in finding a bed and not a hallway.”
“And what if I like fucking in hallways?”
“I’ll have to reconsider my offer and find a hallway.”
Oh. He wanted me.
This was a motivating development.
I hummed softly. “Find me a bed, then.”
I could do this. I could.
He magically tweaked my nipple again, but this time didn’t let go. “I think I can manage that.”
The magic continued to caress my nipple, flutters of sensation curling my toes. I wiggled my shoulders. It tickled, and not in a horrible way either.
“Stop that.”
Grinning, Nial took the lead, his magic finding the second nipple as we walked.
I didn’t mind walking behind him.
He had very nice broad shoulders.
His attitude, though, left a lot to be desired.
It took me only a moment to realize we were heading to his bedroom. That was a bold move, but if it meant I wouldn’t be bent against a wall, I was all for it.
I waited silently behind him as we stopped in front of his door. Though, my eyes flicked in the direction we had walked from when a flash of darkness caught my eye. My attention stalled for a heartbeat.
At the end of the hall…
Lord Belshazzar rested against a doorframe.
Was he following us?
What…had he overheard?
Did he know this was Nial’s bedroom?
His arms were crossed over his muscular chest.
His eyes slowly glanced between the druid and me.
Gradually, he pushed off the doorframe.
The overlord winked at me, a measured grin curling one side of his plush lips. His light eyes scanned my shocked features once more, holding my wide gaze. Then he was gone before I could breathe.
Unlocking the door, and holding it open, Nial turned back in my direction, inviting me into his room. “Are you coming?”
I blinked ever so slowly, then nodded quickly before the druid could question my behavior, brushing away the overlord’s peculiar, spying actions.
I couldn’t see anything except the clock on the nightstand. He had to have some weird druid bullshit spell going on to keep the room dark. He shut the door behind us, and the dark completely overwhelmed me.
It was disconcerting.
As a vampire, I wasn’t used to being robbed of my sight.
A shiver ran up my spine, freezing cold air rushing around my feet and ankles, slithering up my calves.
Pressing against my back, Nial’s hand took hold of my chin and turned me toward him. His breath passed over my eyes, and the room immediately lightened up, gifting me with the magic to see through his spell—as his magic also kept my breasts entertained.
Although, the gold mist slithering around his floor didn’t disappear. It covered the entire area in its freezing touch. Nial didn’t appear to mind it, but it was entirely unpleasant to my skin—unnatural and magical.
“Undress, Gwen. I don’t want to waste time doing it for you.”
“You’re bossing me around?” I shivered again, rubbing my arms. I was dawdling. I knew it.
Dammit, I could do this.
“Do you want to get laid or not?”
“You’re crude.”
“Because asking for a fuck is so haute?”
“Will you stop with my tits? Goddamn it!”
I tried to swat the magical fingers away as I also attempted to unbutton my shirt. The magic stopped there, but a second later, there was a caress on my pussy.
“That better?” Mocking laughter filled Nial’s voice.
“Are you naked yet, Niallan? You talk about wasting time…”
Strutting around in front of me, he provided proof he was, indeed, naked, and already aroused. I had a moment to admire his physique, and he was nicely made.
He caught me looking, and grinned.
“You’re so damn smug.”
“I can smell your sex, Gwen.” He took a stride toward me. “I could smell your sex in the hallway. Are you always this horny, or is this just for me?”
I huffed, stepping out of my pants, finally free of my own clothes. “Blood Rite. Get over yourself.”
Reaching out a hand, he caressed my breast without his magic. “Mm. A perfect handful.”
His cock was reaching for me, and I reached back, wrapping a hand around him. I wasn’t going waste any more time, leading him over to his own bed by the erection. I really could do this, and I needed to get laid, as he said. Most vampires sought a good bed partner at least every night. I’d been fucked only once since my last Rest, but what Lord Belshazzar did to me that night...left me looking at every other eligible male as lacking.
Which really sucked.
I needed to find another way to get some.
Overlords were not on the regular menu.
But for now, I had an impressive cock in my hands.
That was all I needed to remember. Nial was a man. He had all the male parts I needed to get off tonight. I would try to forget that he was an asshole druid.
I slid my hand over the delightful cock that was ready, willing, and able.
Nial didn’t give me a chance to get on the bed and drag him with me. I found myself horizontal with his very large body nestled between my legs, his mouth on my tit sucking as if his life depended on it.
“Men and boobs.” I sighed. “What is it with that?”
“Tasty, soft,” he mumbled around my nipple in his teeth. “Pliable, fun, sensitive.”
Arching up a little, involuntarily against the press of his mouth, he started a journey that involved licking, nipping, and sucking his way across the valley between my peaks. But as he got to the other breast, I noticed the first wasn’t left alone. The magic fingers were back, and they were working in tandem with his mouth.
This druid with the weird magic was talented in the sex department.
I went with it. I was here, and I was getting some. I needed some. I needed more of… Well, of this apparently.
And the sexy play of Nial’s tongue and body over mine was pleasurable, no doubt.
His lips and tongue started a trail to where his body was lodged between my legs. Moving down the bed, inch by inch, he made his way to my pussy and started to kiss and suck and lick the sensitive flesh that hooded my clit. The bright green of his gaze seemed to glow as he caught my eyes in his stare.
I hadn’t realized how clear green they were, or how intense. I allowed myself to keep contact with those eyes until the dance of his tongue and lips pulled me away and made me toss my head back, rolling my eyes in pleasure.
I arched, my shoulders pressing into the mattress. The druid knew how to work his tongue. I groaned long and heavy, his mouth grinning against my intimate flesh.
But there was a new, soft heat on the skin of my stomach.
Confused, I peered down.
A warm yellow flame danced on my flesh.
My entire being froze.
I was on fire!
Fire could kill me—kill the whole stronghold.
Nial reached up, and the fire leapt into his hand as though it were a pet. It twisted, the fire…pleased with itself.
I bared my fangs. “If you’re trying to scare me, Nial, you did a damn fine job.”
Without moving his mouth off my pussy, he put his hand down on my stomach and let the flames dance off his palm and onto my stomach again. Laying tense beneath him, he traced a finger over my skin, creating a trail for the fire to follow. And it did. It followed him around the flesh of my stomach, up my ribs, over my pearled, excited nipples, and down to the valley of my sex.
Nial controlled it, and its heat on my hot skin was an entirely new level of sexy.
My body melted under the bizarre, intimate attention.
The druid whispered, “Someone likes it.”
I didn’t trust myself to talk, so I nodded instead.
Nial split the flame in two, the little yellow licks of heat racing up my skin and focusing on my nipples, heating them, dancing softly on and over the taut skin.
Shit, I was so bothered. I felt like if anything even remotely sexual happened, I would come.
What happened was more than remotely sexual—it was delightfully so. While I lay there, trying to stay even and keep breathing, I heard a soft buzzing sound. A second later, my curiosity was satisfied when a cool, buzzing sensation tickled the entrance to my sex.
A vibrator.
I didn’t know where the hell it had come from, but it merrily buzzed between my legs.
I started to squirm, a lot.
“You like?” he asked, resting his chin on my mons.
The slick silk from my depths glistened on his chin, and that was also wantonly delicious to me. I had to answer, but I didn’t trust my voice at that point. I had a vibrator in my pussy, a tongue on my clit, and magic fire playing with my nipples.
Shit.
It was the only word my brain came close to finding.
I nodded at Nial, who immediately went back to licking me to the heights of orgasm.
Come I did, this time, not holding back my scream of pleasure. It echoed off the walls, and I was shocked to hear the heights of pleasure in my own voice. The climax didn’t just disappear this time either. Slowly, Nial coaxed more of it out of me and had my body shaking and sweaty in the throes of delight.
He was above me a moment later, and I hadn’t even realized he’d moved.
The big blunt head of his cock waited at my entrance.
When he leaned down, his breath tickled my neck. “You have such a fine, fine cunny to bury my cock in.”
“Do it,” I whispered, trailing my sharp nails over his chest and finding his own peaked nipples. I pinched, and he gasped, shoving into the depth of my sex. He found the end of me, and my body shivered in the not quite pain of him as he seated himself fully into my depths. “Damn, you feel good.”
The man needed a compliment, right?
I think he did. It seemed warranted for the time.
“I hate you so much, Gwen.” Pulling himself back out and thrusting back in, he crushed my breasts as the heat of the little flame disappeared. “I hate what you are. And I especially hate your pussy because it’s fucking perfect.”
I almost laughed.
I guess the gifted compliment was well-timed.
“Shut up, Nial. I’m here for you to fuck me, not make conversation.” I reached up behind me and grabbed the bars of his brass headboard. “I hate you too—so just take what you need, and give me what I’m here for.”
Wrapping his elbows under my legs, he pushed my legs back and up and opened my sex like a flower. Cooled air flowed over me, helped by Nial’s magic, and heightened the contact of his hot skin slapping and plunging into me.
His cock glided over my clit at this angle—and I was glad for that. I was busy playing with his nipples and getting little purrs and moans out of him as I did. He was rewarded with my bellows and shouts as he continued to try to thrust himself deeper and deeper.
Hell, it did feel so good. His delightful erection sawed in and out, in and out of my entrance. His dark skin glistened with a sheen of sex sweat and was magnificent above me.
He closed his glorious eyes and his strokes shortened, harder. I twisted and pulled on his nipple, scraping my nails along his chest this time. Popping his eyes open, his gaze bore into mine, burning me with the lust and desire in the bright, green, fiery depths.
“So wet, so hot,” he managed to grunt. “How does a tiny little thing like you manage to take so much of my cock?”
I grinned, and with a push, rolled us so I was on top of him. It was time for me to dominate him and finish this.
I dropped down hard, my head dropping back. “Oh, fuck! That’s deep!”
He had no answer except a long, guttural moan.
Also, I didn’t care about any inhibitions at that moment. I was taking my climax out of his cock. I started rocking myself over him, sliding his shaft against my clit as it left and returned to my depths.
I dropped myself hard on his cock, over and over.
I squeezed the muscles that caressed him, holding him tight inside my pussy. I panted, “I’m gonna come, I’m gonna come.”
Hands found my bouncing breasts, my tight, excited nipples. Erotic sensation passed through me from his calloused hands. I was driving us both to the brink as fast and as hard as I could.
“Keep going, Gwen. God, that pussy’s so tight.” He grabbed my hips, shoving his own up against me hard. Again and again. “So damn good. So damn good.”
I squeezed him as I bobbed up and down on his shaft.
He grunted the whole time, each time.
“I’m coming!” There was no stopping it as I shoved him deep inside again. With an unexpected brush of his finger over my clit, I flew.
The climax took me hard, and I snapped my eyes open, catching his gaze at the moment his own orgasm took hold and rushed his cum up into my cunt.
My body shook as I landed hard on his chest, my breathing labored. My eyelids fluttered as reality settled down onto my shoulders. I had done it.
And it hadn’t been terrible…not at all.
Shit.
Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.
* * *
He was snoring next to me.
I stared at the ceiling, wide awake and naked.
It felt…good.
Warm. Almost…cozy.
How much of that was the Blood Rite, how much of it was me, and how much of it was the insufferable asshole who had fucked me—I didn’t know.
And the damn overlord. The man had fucking winked at me, as if he were proud of my actions. Proud to see me slipping into another man’s room for devious purposes—because he damn well knew what I was doing. I had thought… What the hell had I thought?
That the overlord and I had a special connection?
Fuck me.
I was screwed in the head for even thinking that.
Sitting up, I swung my legs off the bed. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror. I still had on the stupid makeup, now smeared and gruesome. I wanted to laugh, but I had to stay quiet. I extracted the shift from the golden, weird magic on the floor and dropped it over my head, grabbing the rest of my clothes and carrying them. Trying to get dressed in the freezing, clinging mist snaking up my legs was not appealing.
There was no way I could stay here and roll in for the Challenge from his room. No way. Some of them already wanted to pair me with him, and I didn’t need to encourage that.
Naked under my shift, I walked out of his not-nearly-as-dark room into the hallway and made my way back to my apartments through the dozens of drunken bodies in the corridors, sleeping, fucking, giggling—all hung over or still partying from the Blood Rite.
I closed the door to my room and sat on the edge of my bed. The sheer lust and fulfillment the druid had given me passed through my mind again. I flopped back.
Different ceiling. Same thoughts.
Oh, to hell with that.
I rolled out of bed almost immediately and took a long, hot shower, erasing the druid’s smell from my skin and scrubbing off my makeup. A cup of hot tea would be nice right now. It would—hopefully—go a long way to soothing my runaway thoughts about opposing men.
Once patted down with a plush towel, I dressed quickly in a pair of black, fleece pajama pants and an oversized black sweater, and then proceeded to slink through the royal corridors. My nose wrinkled, noticing all the guards outside the different overlords’ bedroom doors. They pretended to ignore me, so I pretended to ignore them.
I started pulling my wet hair up into a ponytail and stepped into the shared private kitchen. A long sigh flew past my lips as my gaze ran over the two individuals inside the room. Apparently, the kitchen was never empty in the late hours. My muscles tensed, waiting to get harassed yet again.
Their kitchen from Hell. It wasn’t the place to be.
Lord Xenon glanced up from the white, round table where he sat. He sipped on what smelled like coffee from a red porcelain mug. His gaze traveled over my features while he drank. He watched as I finished yanking my hair into a ponytail, then he set his cup down gently on the table. With a wave of his hand toward the counter, he stated simply, “There’s coffee brewed already.”
My shoulders sagged, relaxing.
There would be no fighting tonight.
Cato snorted, also perusing my features. He placed his cell phone down on the table and tapped his fingers on the hardwood. “I don’t believe coffee is what she needs right now. There are tea and whiskey on the lower shelves.”
I must look as wonderful as I felt if my long lost asshole of a father could read my expression that plainly.
I didn’t even bother disagreeing.
I merely searched the bottom shelves until I did, indeed, find a bottle of whiskey and tea bags. I set about boiling water and then dropped a tea bag inside a mug with the scalding water. Then I rested with my forehead on one of the white cabinets, my back to the two overlords, and stared…stared…stared at the black speckled counter as if it had all the answers I searched for.
Maybe if I stared long enough, I’d figure this out.
A voice, a voice I knew too intimately, asked gently at my ear, “Are you hogging the whiskey?”
I screamed, jumping in place, like a damn child waking from a nightmare. I twisted in a blur, my hands gripping the counter behind me, my knuckles white. My chest heaved in enormous, labored breaths, pumping up and down as I stared at the new overlord who had joined the “party” in the kitchen. Eyes wide on my face, my cheeks paled under the blue and direct regard staring right into my soul.
From his perch at the table, Lord Xenon groaned and rubbed his temples. His voice was dry and not amused. “It’s too late for screaming. Please don’t startle her again.”
Lord Belshazzar took a step closer to me, our bare toes almost touching. An even tone flowed past his lips, even while his gaze held mine without mercy. “Scared, not startled.” His head cocked, his long, black hair slipping over his naked shoulder, the man barely dressed in only black dress slacks. “Did I catch you deep in thought about something?”
I swallowed. Or tried.
My fist flew up in front of my mouth as I coughed through my attempt to wet my dry throat. I peeked at him from under my lashes.
Caught glancing at him, his remarkable gaze never left mine.
I rubbed my forehead while we eyed one another. He was not a man I wanted to see tonight, a man who was plaguing my whacked thoughts.
In the end, I threw my shoulders back, finding my backbone—finally. I grumbled, “Yes, you did.”
His head was still cocked. He asked plainly, “I’m intrigued. What was it about?”
I ground my teeth together, not pleased with his line of questioning. He knew damn well what was upsetting me—some of it, anyway. But I kept my answer smooth. “I found pleasure tonight with someone, and that wasn’t the plan. I actually had…fun.”
“Ah.” Lord Belshazzar took a step back and crossed his arms. A tiny smile began to flirt with his lips. “Just to be clear, you’re only talking about sex, correct?”
I nodded.
Now I was curious what he would say.
He was older.
He had more experience than I had.
The overlord shrugged his right shoulder, his arms still crossed over his perfect chest. “Would it have been easier if your partner was bad in bed?”
My mouth opened. Then snapped shut.
My black brows puckered. “No. That would have been terrible.”
“And you expected it to be terrible?”
“Yes.”
His eyes flared red for a beat, then turned normal once more, unseen by the other overlords. Pleasure flittered over his features at my answer but swiftly disappeared, hidden behind his normal persona. He chuckled quietly under his breath. “Then you—”
Cato, the unwanted, cut him off, leaning on an elbow, grouching, “Why the hell would you have sex with someone if you thought it would be terrible?”
I instantly held up a stopping hand in his direction, not even glancing at him. I kept my eyes on the overlord in front of me. “Please continue.”
“I was saying that you got off easy.”
I blinked in instant confusion. “Huh?”
Lord Belshazzar unfolded his arms. He pointed at himself, then jerked his left thumb over his shoulder to the other overlords. “Do you know how many times we’ve had horrible sex with someone? Just so we would benefit in some way in the long run? Too many times to count, that’s how many. It’s part of the life we lead—its many deceptions as a leader—and your partner or partners will know that. Or they should if they’re halfway intelligent. What is best for me? What is best for the crown? What is best for our people? If you actually had good, fun sex, then you got off easy. If you’re not mated, hardly any sexual acts are for pleasure alone once you become a ruler.”
Lord Xenon’s eyes glazed over, quiet in his response. “He speaks the truth. There have been…,” he visibly shuddered, “…well, be thankful if it was pleasant.”
Even my asshole father sat back, peering off into the distance. “Be very, very thankful.”
I almost gagged, quickly turning my head away from my father and his sexual memories. “Okay. Okay. I get it.”
But he didn’t stop talking!
“No, listen, my sweetling—”
“I’m not your anything,” I spat.
“You see, my sweetling, Lord Belshazzar forgot to mention the most important part.”
My nostrils flared.
Though, I waited. Silent.
Cato continued, “The most important part to remember in sexual intrigues is to never let your heart get involved.”
Gradually, I turned back around to my tea and scratched at my cheek in thought. Curious advice.
I lifted the little string on the tea bag and pulled it free of my mug. My tea should be ready by now. I tossed the tea bag in the trash, firmly ignoring the extending silence—and a specific overlord who hadn’t moved from directly behind me, his heated stare blazing on the back of my head.
I could literally feel their disappointment in me.
Cato eventually cleared his throat, stating ever so carefully, “She has much to learn yet. Give her time. We didn’t have it all figured out either when we were candidates.”
I sighed and glanced over my shoulder, glaring at each of them in turn. “I didn’t say I had feelings for this man.”
Lord Belshazzar returned, “You didn’t deny it either. That’s why it really bothered you that it wasn’t terrible. You wanted it to be horrible, but it wasn’t. It was…fun.” He shook his head, rubbing his chin roughly. Then he pointed with a fast finger at the whiskey. “I have no patience for this tonight. Hurry up and pour what you want so I can have the damn bottle.”
My forehead scrunched in revulsion. “I’m not some lovesick woman who can’t keep her feelings in check after sex—even good sex. I’ve used sex before to take down men and women. Hell, I’ve taken down a kingdom once with it. Sex is easy. I just didn’t expect to have fun, that’s all.”
His eyes flashed red, and his response took a good long moment like he was considering each word. He finally growled, “Like I said, then you got off easy.”
I crossed my arms and eyed him.
Cato’s lips twitched, breaking the tension in the room. “Ignore Lord Belshazzar’s surliness. He did the same as you tonight, and, apparently, it wasn’t as pleasant as your experience.”
“Fuck you.” The overlord glowered at him.
“And I thought you preferred redheads.” Cato raised his hands, laughing softly. His eyes returned to me, faking a whisper, “Normally, he’s not this grumpy after a work-fuck with a beautiful woman with red locks.”
My eyelashes fluttered as I blinked. Twice.
Lord Xenon and Cato started chatting together about Lord Belshazzar’s exploits with—many—redheads in the past, tossing bantering comments at him every so often.
“Do you want me to remind you of your exploits?” Lord Belshazzar growled quietly in warning. “Because there have been just as many. Some of them have been damn memorable too, you twats.”
I turned, my shoulders stiff, and poured whiskey into my drink until the liquid reached the top of my mug. With my mouth shut and my eyes down on my drink on the counter—while the three continued to badger each other—I merely shoved the bottle over my shoulder.
When it wasn’t immediately taken, I wiggled it in irritation.
The bottle was jerked from my hand…and a blue-eyed demon’s voice, barely audible, rumbled in my ear, “You still smell like him. His cum is leaking out of you right now.”
I turned my head to the side, sniffed once, inhaling deeply. I snarled with quiet fury. “At least I took a shower. Her pussy juice is still on your face.”
My mouth snapped shut. My eyes flew wide.
I stared in utter shock at the white cabinet in front of me. My entire body didn’t move, no air entered or escaped my lungs. I might as well be in Rest right now.
Whereas the overlord had simply been informing me, helping keep my time tonight a secret, I had just reacted like a jealous harpy.
Was I jealous?
Was I?
I digested my feelings, nibbling on my bottom lip.
A redhead. His magic damn cock inside her…
His sculpted body moving over hers, glistening with sweet sweat. Each muscle bulging as he moved.
My eyes flashed red…
Oh. Fuck.
I was jealous. And I had no right to be.
Overlords were not on the goddamn menu.
I grabbed my mug in a hurry, and quickly skedaddled from the kitchen, barely managing a wave over my shoulder to the others. Once out of their sight, I was racing down the hallways to my bedroom.
What the hell had just happened?
I never thought this day would come, but it was quite possible I needed to take my jackass father’s advice. I never imagined he would be right—on any subject. But the squishy, stupid heart had no place in politics. And Lord Belshazzar and I were definitely in the political arena together, as were Master Nial and I.
I slammed my door behind me and rested my back against it. My gaze caught on the mug I had in my hand. I’d managed to keep from spilling even a drop of the liquid inside. I exhaled a shaky sigh and took a large gulp from my cup, allowing my head to fall back against the door. I closed my eyes, attempting to calm my racing heart, letting the alcohol warm me from the inside out.
I needed to regroup. To focus on my mission.
Lord Belshazzar was off limits.
One night of pleasure, no matter how fantastic…and perfect…it had been, did not make his cock mine.
Master Nial had no hold on my heart.
An embarrassing past crush turned into a night of sex as adults, no matter how fun it was, did not give him a piece of me.
My mission here was to be queen.
Not to further my love life.
I would be quee—
Knock. Knock. Knock-knock.
I stifled a groan and pushed off my door.
As I turned, I took another large drink and glared daggers at the offending door. I was not in the mood for company tonight, not even from my best friend. Perhaps if I ignored the person they would leave.
I took another sip. Silent.
Knock.
Just one.
And clearly pissed off since my entire door shook.
I sighed and pulled my door open.
My jaw dropped slightly, not at all prepared.
Lord Belshazzar leaned against my doorframe, still in his black dress slacks, no shirt, no shoes, and tapping the bottle of whiskey against his right leg. While glaring directly at me.
He hissed in irritation, “Are you going to let me in?”
The overlord glanced either way down the hall.
I stood like a statue, until I shook myself internally, and then opened the door wider. I gestured with an arm for him to enter, shutting my gaping mouth at this surprise.
The vampire growled quietly under his breath, then waltzed inside my room. He grabbed my door from me, shut it, and locked it right afterward. The man stood glaring at me. The overlord watched me stare back at him.
He snapped, “What?”
“Why are you here?” I sputtered.
What. The. Hell.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No.” I shook my head in slow motion. “No, it’s not.”
He waved his free hand up and down his frame, motioning at his attire. “My room shut down before I was able to get back to it tonight. I’m locked out unless I want to raise the alarm to get in there. I need a shower, as you not so politely told me. And I’m not in the mood to sneak around my own damn home until I can find a free bedroom.”
I blinked. Stunned. “You should really get the security system on your room changed.”
“No shit,” he grumbled. He glanced around my apartment, eyeing the feminine clothes flung around here or there in the living area of the suite. “So, may I?”
My brows furrowed. “May you what?”
“May I stay the night?”
My lips thinned, remembering my mental focusing from only minutes ago. “I don’t…think that’s wise.”
I wasn’t sure if I could stay strong in my conviction if all of him were to stay with me tonight.
His regard snapped back in my direction, and his eyes flared red. I stood extremely still as his furious gaze ran down my body, and stopped full force on my crotch hidden behind my black pajama pants. His nostrils flared, and when he peered up at me, his fangs were slightly lowered.
He snarled, “I don’t take a druid’s sloppy seconds, so you have nothing to worry about.”
My jaw started to slacken again in embarrassed shock.
Then my blood warmed in anger, my hands curling around my mug, and I hissed, “Good. I don’t take another cunt’s sloppy seconds either.”
We eyed one another in the awkward silence, both of our eyes glowing a warm, furious blood red.
His fangs lowered to their full intimidating length, glistening in the light. “We both had business to take care of tonight. Let’s just leave it at that.”
My nostrils flared, but with his truthful words—and his attempt to defuse a slippery situation—I nodded in jerky motions. He was giving us an out, which was needed.
I flicked a finger to the side, speaking as nicely as I could, regaining my inner calm. “You said you wanted a shower. It’s over there.” I glanced up and down his frame, really taking in his apparel. “Are those all the clothes you have access to?”
The overlord snorted and took a drink straight from the bottle. It wasn’t a large one, but it was enough to make my throat burn just by watching it. He winced as he swallowed, his fangs now retracted, relaxing too. With a slight scowl marring his masculine features, he muttered, “You don’t want to know what happened to my clothes this evening. I’ll sleep naked after I shower.”
I gulped, my eyes wandering down to his crotch.
We were both crotch-ogling fools tonight.
He rocked back on his heels, a reverberating chuckle sparking from his chest. All male. Confident. “My eyes are up top, Gwen.”
My gaze snapped up to his with my head tipped back so I could hold his sexy eyes with mine. I lifted one eyebrow, not bothering to deny my actions. I kept my words blunt, the disgust only noticeable if you listened hard. “And your dick is still covered in her cum.”
Apparently, he was listening.
Lord Belshazzar sneered and turned his back to me, sauntering to my bathroom. The overlord glanced over his shoulder, grousing, “And if you ever want to have sex with me again, never ask while you have another man’s cum dripping out of your sweet cunt. I find it rather repulsive.”
My mouth bobbed, but before he slammed the bathroom door closed behind him, I growled, “I wasn’t asking for sex! I already had my fun tonight. Good, fun sex. Remember?”
Boom.
The door closed with a wobble.
I rubbed my forehead.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have said that last bit.
I tipped my drink back and finished it off.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
Glared at the door. Set my empty mug on a table.
The water sprinkled on the tiling in the shower, loud to my sensitive ears. I moved on slow feet, my gut churning with pathetic, weak guilt. I knocked on the bathroom door, then opened it just a crack. The slap of fabric hit the floor—his only clothes, his pants—and I froze, not looking inside.
“What, Gwen?” he growled. Exasperated.
I cleared my throat, my voice raspy. “I apologize. That was wrong to say.” There. I had taken the high ground.
“Fuck off,” he snarled.
My head snapped back as he slammed the door closed. That was close. I almost got my head bashed by an extremely solid door.
Apparently, he wasn’t taking the high ground too.
I sighed, knowing he could still hear me. “Look, I am sorry. I knew it would irritate you, so I said it. I shouldn’t have.”
Though, why it would irritate him, I wasn’t sure.
It wasn’t like the overlord was jealous.
My brows puckered. “Actually, why did it irritate you?”
Splashes in the shower. After a second, he finally responded, “This is why I don’t let women in my room. I can’t even enjoy a peaceful wash without being pestered.”
I rolled my eyes. “This is my room.”
“Same concept.”
More splashing. More water hitting the tile.
“Answer my question.” And since he was an overlord, I added a little respect. “Please.”
His sigh was profound. “Can we not stray to this topic tonight? I doubt either of us would handle it well.”
I snorted and rubbed my forehead again.
Could I handle anything else right now?
Probably…not.
I lifted my eyes skyward. “You’re right. I’ve got my hands full, and you’ve got your hands full too.”
He grunted in agreement. But he did add eventually—his tone gentle and teaching, “Gwen, business is business. We do what we have to do—no matter what. You know that.”
I nodded slowly, hearing the water shut off. I responded just as softly, picking at the doorjamb with a fingernail, “Agreed. Our people are all.”
I walked into my bedroom and grabbed clothes off the bed that I had thrown there without a care, folding them meticulously while he finished in the bathroom. I was pretty sure I heard him brushing his teeth—and only my toothbrush was in there. I rolled my eyes and pulled the comforter and top sheet down on the bed, fluffing each pillow hard as he entered the bedroom behind me.
He walked around to the other side of the bed. Thankfully, he was still wearing a white towel around his waist. He pulled the cover down further on his side…
I slapped my right hand over my eyes. “Goddammit! Couldn’t you have waited until you were in bed to remove the towel?”
A naked overlord was just too much right now.
He snickered, his evil smirk clear in his humor. The bed creaked as he got in. It sounded like he freaking bounced a few times as he got comfortable. “I’m sorry. Did that bother you?”
I turned my back on him, lowered my hand from my eyes, and marched to the light switch. I grumbled with bite, “You are a jackass.”
More confident laughter until he hissed softly, “What? Two dicks in one night are too much for your innocent eyes?”
I flicked the light off and closed my bedroom door, only the light from the living room beyond shining around the cracks in the doorframe illuminating the room—even if I could see just fine in the dark. I slid into bed, curling the blanket around my body—ignoring how he hadn’t even covered his delicious naked body with the blanket yet—grumbling, “That was a low blow, my lord.”
“No lower than yours earlier.”
I closed my eyes. “Fine.”
Neither one of us seemed to know what to do with each other. Passion and duty were warring with one another, battling it out without our permission, making confusion the emotion of the hour, smacking us in the face when we least expected it.
A good fifteen minutes later, he murmured in the quiet dark, “What Lord Cato said, about not involving your heart, it’s true.”
I didn’t pretend to be asleep yet, but I did keep my eyes shut. “I know.”
He hummed in thought, his tone quiet and intrigued. “Then what is it about the Original that has your panties in a bunch?”
I punched my pillow a few times, fluffing it again. “I’d rather not talk about that.”
He lost his cool.
A quiet growl. “So you do like him.”
“No,” I argued easily. “I think he’s an asshole. But it’s complicated. On the flip side, it’s nothing I can’t get over.”
He turned on his side, facing me. Even with my eyes shut, I could still feel him staring at me, his potent gaze a tangible touch across each of my features. I didn’t think he was going to say anything further he was quiet for so long, but he surprised me, finally mumbling, “Be careful until you get your shit figured out.”
I yawned, my teeth flashing in the night. “I know that too. Already working through it.”
“You are still so young.” He sighed. The blanket on his side finally moved as he slid under the sheets, and he switched topics of conversation. “Do you think you can handle staying on your side this time?”
My lips twitched. “No promises, my lord.”
“That’s what I thought.” He snorted. A second later, he hedged, “As you know, I’m not allowed to say anything to a candidate about the Challenges. But I am allowed to say this: get some sleep.”
My eyes did fly open then.
I blinked at the overlord across from me.
His eyes were closed as if he had never spoken.
Gently, I closed my own. I whispered, “Thank you.”
Morning would be here too soon.