pain.”
Out of nowhere, my face warmed. I hadn’t expected it to be so noticeable, but it was. Flooding my chilled body was a surge of heat.
“Haven’t got all day,” he crooned again, urging me with the intensity in his stare.
You can do this. Sure, it’ll hurt him a bit, but he likes this sort of thing, right? Easy peasy.
My fingers locked beneath his elbow, drawing him closer. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how to bear my fangs, but it turned out there wasn’t much thought involved. It was reflexive, like breathing.
He was smiling again, but there was a deep fascination I hadn’t missed either. It held as I leaned in, and it intensified when I flashed my teeth just before sinking them into his skin.
His chest swelled when he drew a breath. Our gazes were locked on one another the entire time. As I sank my fangs in deeper. As I swallowed the cool blood. It wasn’t the human variety I unfortunately craved now, but it was still oddly satisfying all the same.
Stop!
The sharp command from my subconscious prompted me to pull away. A bit more abruptly than I meant to, but … I didn’t like how performing this act made me feel. I hated it. Because … I liked it.
Levi’s eyes were glued to me, staring as I swiped the back of my hand over my lips. If I’d still been human, I would’ve likely been panting as I focused intently on him. Continuing to stare, he stepped back, letting his eyes trace every inch of the black fabric that hugged my figure. No, he hadn’t said a word, but that look in his eyes said it all.
The dress had his seal of approval.
“Si,” Julian cut in, gesturing with a short movement of his hand, “you should go next.”
My gazed slipped to Silas then, at the precise moment his settled on mine. Taking Levi’s place before me, he stepped closer while pushing one sleeve of a white thermal shirt up his forearm. This time, worry had been replaced with intrigue.
Would he taste the same?
Would he enjoy the pain like Levi seemed to?
Silas—my quiet storm—was hard to read.
Cool skin met my fingertips when I took his wrist. Unlike before, I didn’t hesitate. The room was completely silent as I bit down, puncturing his flesh. I was less timid than before. This time, when that forceful voice urging me to retreat bled into my thoughts, I didn’t heed as quickly, either.
After a moment, I managed to pull away. I’d heard more than once how it would kill most Ianites to feed from another, but, apparently, I was immune to that rule. Like the guys.
Silas stared with a deep sense of fascination as he pulled away. Perhaps because I’d been able to feed from the princes without facing death. Or … perhaps because he realized I didn’t hate this.
Didn’t hate the taste of him. Of Levi.
Julian stepped forward next and I took the liberty of exposing his wrist myself. Gently, of course. Or at least I meant to be gentle. When his brow quirked, and one corner of his mouth lifted with a half-smile. The sight of it inspired my lips to match the curve of his.
I didn’t hesitate. Instead, I worried little that the feel of my teeth against his skin would bring him discomfort. I bit down, welcomed the bitter warmth of his blood when it met my tongue, and then released him slowly.
My eyes were fixed on the small puncture wounds I left behind. However, within seconds, they had nearly vanished. One of the many convenient aspects of being an Ianite.
We were almost done here. My gaze flitted toward Aaric next—the last of the four to step forward. He wasn’t afraid, wasn’t timid in the least. He did, however, wear his high esteem for me almost on his sleeve. Now that he knew my true identity—knew I was the woman behind the name so many had idolized—I sometimes got the impression he was a bit starstruck.
As preposterous as that seemed.
I reached for his hand and ran my thumb over his skin, along the thick tendon that flexed in his wrist when his fingers drew together to form a fist.
Of the four, he and I were the least acquainted. Time nor circumstance had been on our side. However, in that small corner of my mind—the one I tried not to visit often—I knew that wouldn’t always be the case. At first, I’d mistaken him for a monster. Now, I