The generous swells.
Her ni**les strained against the thin material.
To see her like this made his heart twist in his chest—and blood pool in his groin. He no longer felt his old injuries.
To see her like this, he could forgive her anything.
How am I to wait two years?
He’d had no idea what to say or do once he finally found her. Now the answer was startlingly clear: sit beside her on the bed, wake her with a caress, and explain the truth of that night to her.
He hated the pain he was about to bring her, knew she would feel guilt for her actions. But he had to clear the air between them—
An older vampire traced into the room, carrying bottles of wine. Thronos tensed to attack, to protect his mate.
“Lanthe, I’m back,” the male said, unaware of him, gone motionless in the shadows.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes with a smile. “Marco.”
The vampire Marco smelled of her. And she . . . of him.
Thronos was frozen, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Melanthe was too young to be bedding anyone!
His senses were mistaken.
The vampire caught sight of him then, eyes going wide. Both males leapt for her, but the leech traced, reaching her first. He teleported Melanthe across the room.
She blinked in astonishment. “You?”
“Who the hell is this?” the vampire demanded.
Thronos found his voice. “Melanthe, I need to speak—”
“He’s an enemy,” she interrupted. “One I’d hoped never to see again.”
“As you wish, sweet.” The vampire traced them away.
“Nooo!” Thronos bellowed.
To be this close! Frenzied, he scanned the room for some clue to where she might have been taken. He would find her again!
He frowned at the bed—at the blood on the sheets.
Her virgin’s blood? The room seemed to spin. Can’t . . . this cannot be . . .
But it was. She’d given that male her virtue on this very night. Despite belonging to me!
Clawing at his chest, he threw back his head and roared like an animal. All the physical pain in his body flared, nearly putting him to his knees.
Aristo yelled for him, arriving seconds later. His narrowed gaze took in the scene. “Another male?” He didn’t sound surprised.
The vampire’s skin had been unmarked and smooth.
Blood on the sheets. He claimed my Melanthe. Thronos turned away and vomited.
Aristo snapped, “Will you forgive her now?”
Dazed, he let his brother lead him away. Before long, he was swilling the spirits Aristo offered. Not long after that, Aristo suggested they enter a forbidden house of flesh. Thronos deemed this an excellent idea.