Chapter 79

Hadrian held my hand firmly as we made our way back to the castle. His silence was heavy, his gaze distant, lost in thought. Each time our eyes met, I offered him a smile, and though he returned it fleetingly, it was clear his mind was elsewhere. A nagging feeling settled in my chest, a sense that something weighed on him, something he wasn’t sharing. I couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired during his private conversation with the Princess. Whatever it was, I felt certain it was the source of his current unrest.

“If I may... Master...” Gareth’s hesitant voice broke the quiet.

“Count Patel will likely visit the castle soon, demanding an explanation for his eldest son’s death.”

“I’m aware,” Hadrian replied with a sigh, his brow furrowing in concern. “Yash Patel is no fool. He’ll understand why his son’s actions required punishment.”

“I’ll make preparations to receive him properly,” Gareth assured him.

I cast a worried glance at Hadrian. “This is my fault. I should have kept quiet—”

“You did nothing wrong,” Hadrian interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “In fact, your presence has helped me immensely. Everything that happened worked to my advantage politically.” His lopsided smile was meant to reassure, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“But you fought because of me,” I murmured, guilt tightening my throat. “You could have been hurt...”

A low chuckle escaped him. “There isn’t a noble vampire alive who could match me,” he said, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “And thanks to your blood, I grow stronger every day.”

“But Vikram Patel drank my blood too...” My voice faltered. “I was afraid—”

Hadrian silenced me with a kiss, his hand firmly cradling the back of my head to prevent any escape. His lips demanded surrender, and I gave in, losing myself in the passion he stirred.

When he finally pulled away, giving me a moment to breathe, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers through me. “Don’t ever mention other men in front of me,” he said, his voice edged with possessive steel. “And if anyone dares to taste even a drop of your blood again, they’ll meet the same fate as that bastard.”

My heart betrayed me, quickening at his jealousy. A shy smile played on my lips, despite myself. Something about his possessiveness awakened a yearning within me, a part of me that reveled in being his alone. Somewhere along the way, I realized, I’d become willing to surrender my freedom if it meant staying locked in his embrace for eternity.

When we reached the castle, Hadrian wasted no time. He pulled me from the car, his grip unwavering, and led me inside. His stride was purposeful, almost urgent, as he guided me to his chambers. Once inside, he closed the door firmly behind us, the finality of the lock echoing in the air.

His eyes burned with desire as they roamed over me. With slow, deliberate steps, he approached, his gaze drinking in every detail. He turned me around without a word, his fingers brushing against my back as he unzipped my dress. A shiver coursed through me as his touch lingered on my bare skin. When the fabric pooled at my feet, he deftly removed the last of my clothing, leaving me exposed.

“Turn around,” he commanded softly.

Though he’d seen me like this before, I felt a fresh wave of vulnerability under the bright lights of the room. My heart raced, but I found the courage to face him. His smirk grew as his eyes explored me, unhurried and appreciative. Shrugging off his blood-stained jacket, he instructed, “Take off my shirt.”

Trembling, I stepped closer, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. As I revealed his chiseled chest, inch by inch, his unwavering gaze tracked my every move. When I finished, he pointed to his belt, silently urging me onward. I hesitated, but he took my hands, guiding them as he removed the remaining barriers between us.

Moments later, he lifted me effortlessly and carried me into the shower. The water cascaded down, washing away the blood that clung to him, revealing his alabaster skin beneath. Pressing me against the cool tiles, he whispered against my damp skin, “I want you.”

The sensation of his touch, heightened by the water, sent waves of heat through me. I moaned as his hands explored me, each caress igniting something primal. His lips found mine, and I melted into him, tangling my fingers in his silver hair. He lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around him, clinging to the solid strength of his body. His movements were deliberate yet fervent, each one pushing us both closer to the edge. When we finally reached the peak, it was together, an electric crescendo that left me trembling.

As he set me down, my legs threatened to give way. He caught me, laughing softly at my weakened state, and pulled me close. “My lovely, fragile Thalassa,” he murmured, his voice tender.

He carried me from the shower, wrapping me in a towel and settling me on the bed. After a moment’s rest, he returned, still dripping, with a second towel in hand. Sitting beside me, his eyes traced the cut on my cheek. Without a word, he drew a claw across his palm, letting blood well up. “Lick it,” he said with a smirk, holding his hand to my lips.

I hesitated but obeyed, my tongue darting out to taste the crimson streak. The moment I swallowed, the cut on his hand healed as though it had never been. My own wound tingled, the skin knitting itself back together.

“Impressive,” Hadrian remarked with a smile. “Your body is adapting to my blood remarkably well.”

I touched my cheek, marveling at its smoothness, but his smirk returned, and with a gentle tug, the towel slipped from my shoulders.

“I’ve let you rest long enough,” he whispered before pulling me into his embrace once more.

This time, there was no hesitation, no resistance. I was his completely, and together we discovered new heights of passion that left me yearning for more.