The female vampire stroked his chest, purring as he puffed it up more. The fool was going to entice her to bite him right then and there.
Vexley looked Camilla over disdainfully, his cool blue gaze raking over every inch of skin he could see past Blade. His attention fell to the slit of her gown, narrowing on where Blade’s hand moved beneath the silk.
Camilla gritted her teeth, hoping she hid her snarl. The damned vampire was stroking her bottom, his smirk daring her to ruin their show.
“When you tire of the vampire,” Vexley said at last, “come find me. There’s a chance I may forgive your transgressions. Especially now that you’re so… uninhibited.”
Camilla was going to murder him. She tried to shove her way around Blade, but he was as immovable as a mountain range.
Blade jerked his head in a quick approximation of a
Camilla glared at him, wondering when they’d formed this uneasy alliance.
“Let’s join them for dinner, my love.” The female vampire’s hands were now caressing Vexley in places Camilla never wished to witness. “It promises to be fun.”
Vexley grabbed a fistful of her silky black hair, guiding her to her knees.
“Convince me, lover.”
Blade shoved off the wall and escorted Camilla quickly toward the dining chamber, leaving Vexley and his vampire to their games.
Once they rounded the corner, Camilla paused.
“Is she going to kill him?”
Blade shook his head.
“He’s been granted asylum.”
“Why?”
“When the Unseelie King submits a request, it’s wise to accept it. Even Zarus recognizes that.”
Camilla’s blood chilled.
“Vexley is playing the game.”
“Appears so.”
“Do you know what’s at stake?”
Blade slanted a look her way.
“Don’t know, don’t care to know. It’s nothing good if the Unseelie are involved.”
Blade stopped outside a wide set of double doors, carved with more scenes of death. They were an off-white like bones bleached in the sun. Camilla realized with a start that they
Looking at them closely, she saw places where they’d been gnawed, the teeth marks unmistakably created by fangs.
She stepped back, a surge of fear urging her to run the other way.
“
Blade’s tone implied he’d chase her and that would be ill-advised. He was a predator first, the need to hunt in his blood.
His large hand gripped her arm, a cold manacle tethering her to his side.
“Try not to speak to Zarus or draw his attention. We’ll sit as far away as is acceptable. At the first opportunity, we’ll leave.” He looked her over, his expression harsh. “If you cannot control yourself, I
Camilla inhaled deeply, then nodded. If she lost control around the vampire prince again, she
With his free hand, Blade pushed the doors open, revealing a dining room that was more bordello than banquet hall.
Floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto a wide terrace overlooking the sea, the warm, salty breeze snaking lazily through the chamber.
A long dining table was divided by a deep plum runner straight down its center.
Glasses filled with various dark purple and red liquids—wine and blood and God only knew what else—were placed at each setting, while trays of purple fruit sat untouched in the center. Plums and grapes and figs and fruits she had no names for glistened in the soft candlelight.
Several alcoves were fitted with sheer panels that fluttered with each sea breeze, showing off private areas stacked with pillows where vampires lounged.
Some talked, some made love, others sipped from chalices filled with what could only be blood. The moment Camilla’s gaze landed on the prince a wave of panic rolled through her; thankfully he was otherwise preoccupied and hadn’t noticed her.
Blade tugged her toward the end of the table and slammed a glass down in front of her.
“Drink.” Blade blocked her view of the prince. “Now.”
“Wine is the last thing I need,” she whispered. “Are you mad?”
“If your bodily senses are dulled slightly, you might not succumb to royal appeal so easily if he touches you.”
That logic made little sense. When the doors opened behind them, bringing two more blue-eyed royals into the chamber, along with a new wave of fear that rivaled the one caused by the prince, Camilla downed her glass. Blade had been correct; it somehow eased the power of their magic.
He poured another.
“Sip this only when necessary.”
Camilla settled into her seat more comfortably, then slowly took in the room.
Murmured voices carried toward them, low and soothing. If it hadn’t been for the occasional biting, it would have seemed like a quiet, intimate affair among close friends.
