them lay hands on me.”
Kurt took my face in his hands. “I swore to never hurt you, from the first night we were together.”
“I told you not to make promises you couldn’t keep.”
Diego called out, impatiently. “How long will this take? Get on with it!”
Kurt took a deep breath. “Forgive me.”
I sat in the heavy chair, placing my hands behind my back as Kurt shackled me. Gaius leaned forward in his chair, immensely turned-on.
I looked up at Kurt’s anguished face. “I’m ready.”
He kissed my throat, his tears running over my skin as he whispered, “I’m so sorry.” His lips searched for the artery. I braced for the pleasurable prick of his fangs, not wanting them to enjoy this any more than they did already. A quick sharp stab— I willed myself to not cry out. Kurt held me gently. Heaven at first— but then hell opened. I choked back a scream. Kurt pulled back.
Brovik admonished him, “I’ll tell you when to stop!”
I writhed in the chair as Kurt took more, struggling to remain quiet, but the pain was too great. A vise wrapped around my head and I screamed.
Kurt pulled back again. “More will kill her!”
Brovik nodded, “Enough, let her stay until she’s ready to speak.”
I panted, weak, and in pain, but Kurt didn’t let go. “I’m here, Mia, tell them.”
I gasped, “I did nothing wrong!”
Gaius rose, staring at my face in fascination as he circled us. “Let her stay so for three hours… ”
Kurt was infuriated. “She’ll die!”
Gaius wasn’t impressed. “She’s made of the iron of Vesuvius. She’ll withstand a great deal more.”
Kurt soothed me, as I drifted in and out of consciousness, screaming with searing pain. No pain is greater to a vampire except the sun. Diego yawned loudly. Visions of Dirk’s severed head haunted me. I was terrified I’d scream out what I’d done, but the horror of his threat to Kurt made me hang on. I’d done nothing wrong. It was the truth.
Finally Brovik put a stop to it. “Enough. She’s withstood a full fifteen minutes longer than most. Ask her again and be done with this.”
Gaius rose, crossing the room. Kurt hovered protectively over me.
“Move aside, little Amor.”
Kurt’s eyes blazed. “No.”
“You are bold, my beauty.” Gaius reached out to ruffle Kurt’s hair, but Kurt pushed the hand away. The alphas sprang to their feet. Gaius backed them off with a casual wave of his hand. “Very well, I’ll ask you a final time, Mia. Are you guilty of these crimes?”
I struggled to look up at him. “No!”
“Indeed?” Gaius took my chin in his hand, whispering, “You could’ve been an empress, girl.” He released me, straightening up. “She sticks to her story, I cannot ask you to prolong this torture without taking her life. But hear me Brovik, if I find evidence of her guilt, I’ll execute her myself.”
“Understood.” Brovik stepped forward, laying his hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “Revive her.”
Kurt gave his throat, breaking skin with a fingernail, because I was too weak to do so myself. The pounding, burning subsided, and I was soon able to breathe normally again. But Kurt’s uncontained rage swirled, a million screaming harpies inside me. Things would be very different with him from now on.
Gaius called his alphas, “Come.” He clasped Brovik’s hand. “Thank you for your hospitality, and consideration in this matter.” Brovik nodded as the Wolf scrutinized his face. “You realize if such events come to pass it will be war between us?”
Brovik remained ever serene. “Understood Gaius, but the woman is innocent.”
The elders bowed politely to one another, but once Gaius’s party left the house, Brovik turned to Kurt and me, seething. “I don’t believe either of you for a moment. Mia killed Dirk, and stole something precious to Gaius. I allowed this little romance to blossom but it seems you’re both bent on defying me. I’ve given you freedom, boy, to come and go as you please, entrusting you with responsibility far above your state, never treating you as my thrall, demanding others respect you. Indeed, I’ve lavished love and protection I’d have given a son of my body. You want for nothing. I defied custom to grant you this concubine. Above all, I granted you eternal life. I deserve undying gratitude but instead you defy me.” He paused for a moment to let Kurt reply, but as usual my lover kept his counsel. “You say nothing?”
Kurt shrugged. “Everything you say is true.”
“Despite the old head on your shoulders, lust has rendered you adolescent. I can’t