Chapter 24 Already Bounded
My god. Are vampires really sweet-tongued, or is Kaizer Alaric Lancaster simply built different?
“If you touch me, Kaizer, I’ll get really angry. Stop coming near me! Remove your damn clothes and give it to me.”
For a split second, he looked genuinely alarmed, his brows knitting together, his lips parting as if he hadn’t expected those words from me. But the moment didn’t last. It never does with him. That familiar wicked grin slowly curved on his lips, dangerous and maddening.
This isn’t good. This is never good.
“As you wish,” he said smoothly, his crimson gaze glinting beneath the moonlight. “My Saera Yvaine Merriley.”
I shut my eyes immediately as he began to remove his clothes, slowly. Painfully slowly. Every movement felt intentional, theatrical, like he was savoring my frustration. I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to shove him into the freezing water just to wipe that smug expression off his face.
He could have done it quickly. Peacefully. Like a normal person but no, he had to stare at me with that intense, heated look while biting his lower lip like it was some kind of invitation.
“Stop biting your lips, Kaizer!” I snapped. “God! Don’t look at me like that!”
He was damn seducing me. Deliberately. Shamelessly. Naughty vampire.
“Should I put this on you?” he asked, holding out the clothes, his voice laced with amusement.
I felt the ice beneath us shift slightly, the cold water lapping against its edges, a reminder of how thin this situation really was. One wrong move and everything could collapse.
“Don’t come closer!” I warned. “Throw it to me. Damn you, vampire.”
If my grandmother were here, she would have shoved ten chili peppers into my mouth already. I had never cursed this much in my entire life until I met this snow prince.
When he finally tossed the clothes to me, I caught them and glared at him sharply.
“Turn around,” I ordered.
“What?”
I swear, sometimes I wonder if men with fangs are selectively deaf.
“Should I repeat myself, dear prince?” I asked sweetly, lacing my words with sarcasm.
He stiffened instantly. He hates that nickname. Sure enough, he turned around without another word, his jaw tight.
“Face me when I’m dressed,” I added. “You don’t have eyes in the back of your head, right, Kaizer?”
“I have fangs, Saera,” he replied dryly. “Not third, second, or fourth eyes.”
“Good,” I muttered as I started putting on his clothes. “It’s enough that you just have fangs.”
The fabric was warm, still holding his body heat and far too big for me. His coat fell past my thighs, sleeves swallowing my hands. It smelled faintly of frost and something distinctly him. I hated how comforting it felt. Hated how my heart calmed just a little.
It was a good thing his clothes were long enough to cover my nakedness. A very good thing.
“Done?” he asked. “That clothing is hard to button. I can help you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Cut the lies, Kaizer. Face me. I’m done.”
When he turned around, he let out a sigh, long and frustrated like a man disappointed by life itself. His gaze flicked over me, dark and unreadable, before he took a step forward.
I immediately raised my hand, stopping him.
“I told you,” I said firmly. “You can’t come near me. I’m not happy with your jealousy.”
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
“This can’t be removed, Saera. Fuck.” He laughed humorlessly. “I am a jealous man. There’s no hope here.”
Then his voice lowered, raw and unfiltered.
“When it comes to you, I’m jealous of everything. Randall. Astrid. The fact that they were the ones who picked you up from your world. I’m jealous of your grandmother because she was allowed to bathe you. Enid because you sleep beside her. Even the maids.” His jaw clenched. “They see your body when you dress.”
I froze.
“I wanted to kill Gavin when he touched you. I don’t want my brothers staring at you for too long. I almost lost my sanity when I smelled that wolf’s scent on you.” His eyes burned. “My system can’t accept that another blood has mixed with yours.”
He stepped closer, ignoring my warning.
“I want only me in you, Saera. My blood on your lips. On your tongue. Through your neck. I want you to draw strength from me alone.” His voice cracked. “Only me. Fuck. Only me.”
I was stunned, utterly, dangerously stunned.
Kaizer Alaric Lancaster… what am I supposed to do with you?
Against all logic, against all sanity, heat crept up my spine.
Fuckshit. I think I’m getting excited.
“Kaizer,” I asked carefully, “are you like this with the vampires you’ve been in a relationship with?”
In an instant, he was in front of me, his hand gripping my waist possessively.
“Never,” he said without hesitation. “I have never been like this before.”
His forehead pressed against mine.
“I thought I had lost my mind when my brothers chained me while waiting for you. But I didn’t know I could go even crazier.” His breath brushed my skin. “Then I tasted your blood.”
His eyes began to glow red again.
“I am insane for you, Saera,” he whispered. “Don’t drink anyone else’s blood again. Please. Only me.”
“Kwaizer…” I murmured, suddenly sensing something wrong.
Movement.
I looked up just in time to see a small boat approaching, cutting silently through the dark water. Two men stood aboard it, along with a woman holding an umbrella beneath the moonlight.
My heart dropped.
Travis and Randall appeared beside us, stepping onto Kaizer’s piece of ice.
“What’s with the water?” Randall muttered, stretching his arms. “We can’t use our power.”
“Where have you been?” I demanded.
Travis didn’t look at me. His gaze was fixed on Kaizer.
“Ask the one who planned everything,” he said flatly. “He moved us away first so he could do what he wanted.”
Randall sighed. “Kaizer, you angered the King of Aetherio. We’re dead again to Larkin.”
The boat drew closer, and I finally saw him clearly.
The king.
His presence alone was suffocating, power radiating from him like a storm barely contained. A massive crow perched on his shoulder, accepting food from his fingers. Beside him stood a woman with a dazzling, curious smile.
“I don’t recall sending an invitation to Wisteria,” the king said calmly, authoritatively.
Randall and Travis bowed deeply.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” they said in unison.
The woman gasped. “Oh my god! So it’s true!”
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling. “The second prince of Wisteria really is handsome! Brother, arrange me with him.”
She clung to the king’s arm, pointing directly at Kaizer.
I felt something ugly twist in my chest. I regretted taking his clothes. Deeply.
“I’m sorry,” Kaizer said coolly, stepping forward, his hand finding mine without hesitation. “But I am already bound to someone.”