to lash against it as his cock did my pussy. I gripped his ass, writhing up to meet him.
I needed this.
Needed him.
Then his teeth pierced through the mark, and I went rigid as pleasure rolled over me in waves. If someone had put me inside a bell and struck it, I couldn’t have vibrated more. I clung to him as the world splintered and fractured. My vision whited out, and I floated on an endless sea.
Slowly, I grew aware of his breath against my neck and the weight of his body holding me down. I was boneless. Liquid. Destroyed.
And when I opened my eyes, I smiled up at him.
I was whole.
What an unnerving fucking thought that was.
We lingered in bed for most of the day, toying with each other, kissing, and sometimes just being. It was altogether bizarre and somehow…
“Hellion, what are you worrying about?” The nudge of his voice pulled my attention up from where I had been stroking his chest. We were sprawled together on a thick fur in front of the fire. Food had been brought, a bit of a feast really.
“Where are they?” I flicked a look up at him. “Rogue was here and now he’s gone again. I haven’t seen Fin or Maddox since you sent them away on the isle.” I hadn’t even heard from Fin. That was unusual enough, and after weeks of absence, I found myself missing them.
He let out a sigh and spread his hand over my ass. Apparently, he’d grown rather fond of that part of my anatomy. He kept gripping it. “How much do you know about the seven?”
I shrugged. “Seven brides or seven brothers?” I mean I kind of knew a little.
One arched eyebrow, and I huffed out a breath. He didn’t always appreciate my humor.
“In time,” he said slowly, “I will adapt to your references. I will insist you teach them to me so I can join in your games.”
The corner my mouth kicked up. “Fair. So…where are they?”
Because I didn’t want to get distracted from what I needed to know. Right now, I did need to know, as abrupt as that seemed. Alfred wrapped his hand around my throat again, and I didn’t even flinch. He’d bitten me twice more since I’d given him permission, always on my mark, and fuck if I didn’t get off every single time.
Nothing more faithful than a convert, I supposed.
It helped that he’d meant every word about me not being a servant. The stroke of his fingers teased me as he settled his hand into place. “Tell me what you know about the seven, first.”
I sighed. “Not much. They’re like the seven dwarves or something. Specific ancient vampires, of which, I’m guessing you’re one. Which makes you one hell of a cradle robber.” I paused. “Or me a grave robber, depending on how you look at it.”
Laughter eddied up through me. That was a whole new kink to consider.
But the faint quirk to his lips and the flicker of exasperated impatience in his eyes silenced me. Probably sensitive about his age.
Guys were like that.
A snort escaped before I could stop it, and this time, he just exhaled.
“You are incorrigible.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “I am.” But he’d asked a question, so I bent my knee and swung my foot back and forth in the air as I studied him. It was nice to just be sprawled over him, the heat dancing over our skin. I loved the way the light played against his eyes.
And I was officially turning into an orgasm-soaked sap. I needed to slap myself.
“The seven made all vampires, but they are a legend. Boogeymen. Or at least, that’s what some vampires say when they are in their cups.”
A single nod.
“You’re one, right?” I didn’t really need him to answer, but confirmation couldn’t hurt.
“We were more than seven initially,” he told me. “Only seven survived the last war.”
Oh. “That doesn’t sound ominous at all.”
No smile or mirth. He stroked his thumb over my pulse, circling his mark, but not quite touching it. Probably better not to have my brains leaking out my ears while he educated me.
“All of us drink blood,” he said slowly. “But each of us is gifted in other ways. Gifts…that carried over.”
“Does that make you a hybrid?”
“After a fashion,” he said. “Though that is not the word we would use for it.”
“Okay, we can play twenty questions, or you can tell me whatever it is you think I’m going to freak out about and I’ll let