She leaned her head against his chest and nodded quickly, her eyes shut tightly. "I've never been armed like this in my life."
He had to look up at the clouds for a moment to remember the message he was going to send Carlos before he traced her waist and upper thigh with the pads of his thumbs to tie her bow to her. Stooping before her, he French-kissed her navel and then nipped her hip, and her bow and its leather tie very slowly dissolved until she cried out.
"Now let me inside your head, baby," he said, sliding up her body to stand. "So I can deliver the message."
She held up her hand, breathless."Just one moment to regain my composure. I am a warrior . . . this is unfitting to be seen like this by the Neterus."
Yonnie smiled and kissed her earlobe. "Believe me, they'll understand."
Not allowing her the moment she'd asked for, he cradled her skull between his palms, causing her soft locks to spill between his fingers as he took her mouth hard.
Cascading images made her twist to pull away, but then he sent a pleasure balm behind each one that caused her to arch against him with an agonized moan.
He stopped for a moment, panting, and quickly turned his head away from the temptation of her jugular. Reliving the coronation was wearing him out, but not half as much as Val's responsive body. Her pelvis was welded to his in just the right spot, her movements torturous as her hands framed his back,then her palms slowly slid up his forearms so that her hands could shadow his.
"Yoube sure to let my boy know that delivering this particular message in broad daylight kicked my ass, all right?"
She opened her eyes and spoke softly, trembling. "Tell me you're not done . . . there is more?"
He was rendered mute and had to close his eyes, nodding once, before resting his forehead against hers for a second. "Yeah," he said panting. "There's more. Just give me a minute to pull my shit together."
She fell so hard that she tore a gash in her black leather pants, skinning her knee. Metal chariots with no horses screeched to a stop and angry drivers bellowed foul words at her as she got up, felt along her body for weapons, and looked around semi-dazed. The smell of grilling meats made her run toward a redbrick building, one like Yonnie had described.
Her body hurt, more like ached. The blinding pulse that he'd thrust into her that then sent her hurtling still made her face burn with shame.
Strange two-wheel chariots lined the front of the establishment. It was lively and filled to capacity, but she didn't know where to find the proprietor.
"Yo, sis, you can't just walk in-you see all these people here waiting for a table?" He smiled at her, but it was a gentle smile. "You must not be from around here, 'cause that's a good way to get a beat down."
She looked at the human patrons. "I don't think they can take me."
He rounded the host stand with concern in his eyes."Who you looking for?"
"Carlos the Neteru," she said flatly. "I am Valkyrie of Nod."
"It has only beentwenty minutes, " Nuit said between his teeth, slightly leaning over so that only Yonnie could hear him.
"Man . . . I woulda waited at least an hour to call us back, just for the sake of pride," Yonnie muttered.
Nuit nodded but sat back before the new councilwoman took offense. He squeezed Lucrezia's hand as she tried to pat her hair into place.
"Permit me to introduce the newest member of council, Elizabeth Bathory," Sebastian said with pride.
Lilith smirked. "Welcome, how does it feel to be back after all these years, and elevated at that?"
"It is a great honor, Madame Chairwoman,"Elizabeth said, her thick Hungarian accent adding to her exotic appeal. She smoothed her hands down the black lace that clung to her lean, statuesque body. Severe hawkish eyes looked around as though she were expecting someone, and disappointed that she didn't see them.
"Countess," Nuit said, standing to bow before her. He smiled a half smile, knowing the use of her old title would pique Sebastian. "The pleasure and honor is all ours."
Following protocol, Yonnie stood and offered her a bow. "Welcome to council. My best regards to your late husband."
Sebastian snarled, butElizabeth floated over to Yonnie.
"You knew him and were a supporter of his?Perhaps a turncoat Ottoman . . . or a mercenary from the fallen Moorish empire?"
"Naw," Yonnie said, taking up her hand and kissing the back of it. "Just a brother with much respect for the legendary . . . if he ever comes back, make sure he knows me and him are cool."
"I shall do so," she said, smiling to show off a wicked length of fang.