79

79


I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the hypnotic mark blooming across my neck. A slow smile crept onto my lips as I traced it with my fingertips. It shimmered faintly beneath my touch disappearing for a moment, only to reappear once I withdrew my hand.

"Do you like it?" Gosto’s voice drifted from behind me. This time, it didn’t startle me. I had sensed his presence just moments before he spoke, like a whisper brushing the edge of my awareness.

I turned to face him. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured.

He chuckled, brushing his fingers across the mark. “It’s not just mine,” he said softly. “It’s ours. A symbol of our bond.” Then he leaned in and pressed his lips to it, and a shiver of pleasure unraveled down my spine.

“Don’t do that,” I whispered.

“Do what?” he teased, voice dark with mischief. “This?” His tongue traced the mark in a lazy stroke.

I gasped, my fingers gripping the collar of his half-unbuttoned shirt. I pulled him close, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re cheating,” I said, breathless. “This mark is insanely sensitive.”

He gave me a wicked grin. “I know. And now, I’ll always know how you feel. I’ll sense when you’re aroused… when you want me.” He dipped his head again, lips brushing my pulse point. “Like right now. You like this.” His mouth traveled lower, and a whimper caught in my throat. “You don’t want me to stop.”

In a blink, I was in his arms and the next, flat against the bed with him looming above me. My nightgown vanished like mist, and his mouth closed around my nipple. One hand gripped my hip; the other slid between my thighs. His fingers parted me, stroking deliberately, and he lifted his head, eyes catching mine.

“See? I knew you were already wet.”

“That’s not fai--” My voice broke off in a gasp as two fingers slipped inside me, curling just right.

He hovered above me, his gaze locked to mine. His fingers stilled.

“Do you want me to stop?” he purred.

A growl rose from my throat. “Don’t you dare.”

His lips found mine in a rough kiss as he thrust his fingers deeper. “Yes, my Queen.” He moved lower again, mouth trailing over my collarbone, my shoulder, until he found the mark. His lips closed around it, sucking gently and I shattered beneath him with a cry of release.

When I could breathe again, he wrapped me in his arms, pulling me close against his chest.

“So… how do you feel about the mark now?” he asked with a chuckle.

“It’s…” I panted, “interesting,” I admitted hoarsely.

His laughter rumbled in his chest as he smoothed his fingers through my hair and kissed the top of my head. “Now I’ll be able to sense you, even from miles away. And only a vampire as strong as me or stronger can ever drink from you again.”

I gave him a sidelong glance, my lips curling into a half-smile. “Aronne might be that strong now… right?”

His jaw clenched. “Yes. That’s why I want you to stay here in the Shadespire Mountains while we strike Alighiero’s territory. I need you safe away from him.”

I sat up, scowling. “You’re not serious.”

“You can’t leave me here while you fight!”

He cradled my face between his hands, eyes fierce. “Domitilla, you’re too important. If anything happens to me”

“Don’t say that!” I cried, trembling all over. “I love you. You have to survive. Swear you’ll do everything you can to come back to me.”

He held me tighter, lips brushing my forehead. “I’d do anything to stay with you…”

But the unspoken “but” hung heavy in the air, and it made something in my chest ache.

Swallowing a thick knot, I asked, “Just tell me does my blood make you stronger? Twice as strong?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. But something in me has changed. I feel it. I just hope it’s enough to defeat them.”

He kissed the crown of my head.

“I hope so too,” I whispered, resting my cheek against his chest. “I love you, Gosto.”

“Finally!” Diamante clapped and laughed when I showed her the mark. “Took you long enough!” She grabbed a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass. “This calls for a celebration.”

I gave her a dry look. “You make it sound like Gosto proposed.”

She giggled. “Back in the old days, a mark like that was as serious as marriage. It symbolized trust and an eternal bond.”

I nearly choked. “Eternal bond?”

She nodded. “Yes. Gosto is now the only vampire who can drink from you.”

“Unless someone stronger tries,” I corrected.

She rolled her eyes. “Even then, the mark is nearly impossible to overwrite.”

“So I belong to Gosto,” I muttered, arms crossed.

She arched a brow and grinned. “You’re missing the best part. It doesn’t just mean you belong to him it means he belongs to you. He can only feed from you now. And since drinking blood during sex is intensely pleasurable for vampires… well, let’s just say, only you can satisfy him. Ever again.”

“Oh.” My face flamed. “That’s… good to know.” I coughed and took a large sip of wine, and she burst out laughing.

Then she squeezed my hand, smiling softly. “I’m really happy for you. They say the mark shows up when the blood bond is balanced just right. But there’s an old legend it says the mark only appears when there are mutual feelings between the vampire and their donor.” She winked. “Call me a romantic, but I like the legend better.”

A chill ran through me. “No… that can’t be,” I whispered. “Gosto said he’s cursed. He told me he can’t love me.”

She lifted her hands. “Maybe it’s not love. But whatever he felt had to be strong.”

She raised her glass. “Either way, the mark is a reason to celebrate.”

I tried to quiet the anxious flutter in my chest and smiled faintly. “I guess you’re right.” I drank deeply from my glass.

The Shadespire Mountains filled quickly with warriors from our new allies. The army swelled in numbers, and with it, my hope grew. Gosto, Ermes, and Fosco spent every waking hour planning the attack on Alighiero’s lands, while Diamante busied herself gathering supplies. That left me alone in the main house save for Leandro, who remained at my side.

I planned to wait up for Gosto, but word came that he would be occupied until morning. Finally, I gave in and went to bed. The moment my head touched the pillow, sleep claimed me.

A cold touch brushed my cheek.

I flinched awake, eyes snapping open. The room was dark, and a tall figure sat beside me.

Not Gosto. Not Leandro.

Shivers wracked my spine.

“Hello, Domitilla.” That voice low, cold, amused sent ice through my veins.

I shoved him back and scrambled for the lamp.

“Aronne,” I gasped.

He smirked. “I came to take you with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I snarled, jumping out of bed.

He laughed a hollow, mocking sound. “You really think you can fight me? Stop resisting.”

“Never!” I shouted, power buzzing to life beneath my skin. I threw my hands forward, gathering everything I had, and released it in a brilliant burst of light. It struck his chest with a blinding flash.

When the light faded, he was still standing. Barely singed. Smirking.

“Did you think I’d fall for that again, little bitch?”

He vanished into a blur. Pain ripped across my stomach, and I crumpled to the floor. Four long gashes burned through my skin, paralyzing me. Poison there had to be poison.

The door burst open.

“Domitilla!” Leandro’s voice boomed across the room.

“No!” I screamed as he lunged for Aronne but he was too late.

Dark smoke curled from Aronne’s fingertips and swallowed Leandro whole. In a blink, Leandro dropped, lifeless.

Aronne’s hand was soaked in blood.

Then I saw what he held Leandro’s heart.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Just stared.

Then Aronne crushed it in his palm.

A sob tore from my throat as the world twisted around me. My gaze dropped to Leandro’s body. Still. Broken.

Tears streamed down my face. Rage, white-hot and merciless, surged through my chest.

“You monster,” I spat.

Aronne only laughed. “Why, thank you, Domitilla.”

Then his hand came down hard and darkness swallowed everything.