Chapter 11 Aurelia
Aurelia
Icursed internally but fought for it not to show on my face.
How does she even remember that?
I kept that part of us far back in the past, not even thinking about it after Vesper stabbed me in the fucking chest.
It was the price of her helping me bring Vesper back.
This is a punishment.
The look in her eyes told me she had been holding on to it for a moment exactly like this. A time when she could force me to do whatever she wanted. My body vibrated with anticipation at what it could be.
The salacious part of my mind wanted me on my knees for her.
The other part just wanted to feel her skin against mine.
I deserved whatever it was she was about to unleash on me. Maybe if it was extra painful, it’d help me get over this grief I was feeling. Though my back ached at the idea of physical punishment, still sore from the one my brother bestowed upon me.
But what choice did I even have at this point? If I didn’t get them back on my side, there would be no winning against Adrian.
Something told me her favor was one I wouldn’t want the others seeing. Especially since I was newly married and didn’t need anyone outside those stupid fucking parties knowing just how fake our marriage was.
“And you will get it,” I said before turning to the rest of the vampires. “As for all of you, we need to start gathering more clan heads, royal families, anyone with even an ounce of power that is able to keep their mouth shut. I don’t care if you have to cross borders to get it done.”
Some vampires looked around, unsure if they should listen to my command, but in the end, they all bowed their heads to me.
As they should. I might not be the head of the Castle family, but the power still ran through my veins.
They would be idiots not to recognize that I was one of the only people that could get an in with my brother.
Each vampire in the room had been affected by Adrian one way or another. He had been indiscriminate in his killings before ascending the throne, which meant most of the people here had probably lost someone, even if it was just a clan member.
Atlas cleared her throat. “It is decided then. Everyone here is to go out and start recruiting. And don’t think I don’t have eyes in each of your ranks. I will know if one of you has so much as a thought of betraying us.”
“And I won’t hesitate to come collecting heads,” Vesper added, her deep growl sending a shiver up my spine.
The tattoo on her skin shone under the dim light like a bright warning light. Her eyes turned red, daring anyone to try and fight her.
“Now, if there are no questions, everyone except the hunter and witch—leave.”
The vampires started filing out, but Atlas stopped at my side, waiting until the others left.
“Are you safe?”
I tried not to flinch at the softness of her tone. It was so disarming that I almost spilled everything to her. Almost.
“Thank you for your concern, but Caspian isn’t—”
“I mean General Lee,” she cut me off, causing me to rear back in shock.
He wasn’t my favorite choice of guard, but he hadn’t hurt me. Not even after my obvious ploy to get him out of the engagement ceremony.
“No,” I said in a whisper. “What do you know about him?”
Atlas looked back at Cedar and Vesper, who were watching us with narrowed eyes and matching cross-armed stances.
“I knew of him in another life, and he was never this strong. Not enough to get rank in the council. Whatever he’s done, I would guarantee it’s the same thing your brother’s doing.”
My mind swirled with possibilities.
“It would make sense since he tied himself to Adrian,” I murmured. “Though he acts more like a lapdog than a council overseer.”
“Be wary of him,” she advised. “I’ll try to see if I can get eyes on him. In the meantime, I’ll let you—”
“Can we get on with it?” Cedar asked with a sinister smirk.
Atlas let out a growl and turned, leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
Well, looks like those two aren’t on the best of terms.
I let out a sigh, both relieved and stressed to be stuck in a room alone with them.
“Look, Cedar, I get that you’re mad, but this is bigger than us—”
“Shut up, Brat.”
Anger, desire, and shock burst to life in my veins as Cedar commanded my attention not just with her voice, but with the magic that burst out around us.
“Cedar—”
“This is my favor, Vesper,” she hissed at the hunter. “You weren’t the only one she abandoned.”
Her words were like a thorn digging into my heart, but I took them in stride.
“Say it,” I growled and puffed up my chest. I couldn’t deny how hot her anger made me. I had been fantasizing about this day since the moment we’d been separated.
“Why are you doing this? Marrying him? Leaving us in the middle of the night? Abandoning Vesper and forcing her to live out her punishment without so much as a second thought?”
Guilt shot through me so potently it turned into a knot in my throat, making me go from hot and horny to ashamed far too quickly.
“I’m doing what I need to do. Have you even considered that?”
With each passing moment, she took another step forward, stalking me like she was a big bad wolf and I was small, quivering prey. I couldn’t help the steps I took back, but I was cornered when my back hit the wall.
“I’ve been filled in,” she spat. “You’re being na?ve if you think this will fulfill the prophecy.”
I stood firm as she came to stand in front of me.
“I made a calculated choice. I am positive it will fulfill the prophecy requirements,” I said, my voice wavering. The way she spoke had such sureness, I was scared that I truly made the wrong decision for a moment.
My life, and theirs, hinged on this. If I made one wrong move, I would doom all three of us.
“Do you feel him right now? The blood bond?” she asked, her hand moving to rest on my chest.
The contact burned. My breath hitched.
“Yes.” It seemed to stir whenever he was mentioned. There was a bit of confusion and annoyance, which meant he could likely feel what I was going through.
Cedar let out a long breath, her eyes trailing down my body. I became acutely aware of every single curve shown through my tight dress.
I dressed to show the crowd I was in charge, but her undressing me with her eyes made it obvious who was truly in charge here.
“First Vesper, now this random fucker.” Her eyes shot to mine. “I have to admit I’m a bit jealous.”
The air felt like it was knocked from my chest.
“You want to bond me?” I asked, unable to come to terms with what she was asking.
A witch, bonded to a vampire… Would it work? Would a witch even want to be connected to a vampire like that? We’d never been on good terms as a species.
More importantly… Would she?
I had been so angry when Vesper bonded me, taking the choice away from me, but I never thought any other being would actually want to be bonded to me.
I felt… needed. Desired in a way I never felt before.
The look in her eyes told me she knew what she was asking. The weight of it.
“I want to do so many things to you, Princess,” she whispered. “But a bond sounds like the perfect way to start.”
She lifted her wrist to my mouth. My fangs ached to sink into her skin. I could smell the blood just below the surface, calling to me. Vesper’s venom was mixed in with it, making it that much sweeter.
“I’m calling in my favor. It’s up to you if you want to be a woman of your word.”
I smiled and grasped her wrist.
“Vesper, come hold our witch.”
Cedar raised a brow at me, but Vesper obediently obeyed, like the little sub she still was. But there was something more than that. It was the way her eyebrows were pulled together. Her pupils dilated.
And her scent. Maybe it wasn’t that she was being subby, but that she couldn’t hold herself back any longer.
“Precautions,” I murmured and brought her wrist closer, licking her pulse point. “I would have bonded you even without the favor. All you had to do was ask.”
And with that, I sank my teeth into her wrist.
She’d taken my venom well before, but how would her magic react when the bond was settling?
I guess we’re about to find out.
She leaned back into Vesper, a sigh falling from her lips, but I kept my gaze on her as my venom pushed through her veins. Only when that delicious redness rose on her cheeks did I start to take down gulps of her blood.
Her flavor exploded in my mouth. Earthy, a bit tangy, and a whole bunch of sweetness. Different from before, or maybe I had just forgotten how mouthwateringly she tasted after being gone for so long.
Heat started gathering low in my belly, the need to touch her becoming unbearable, especially as she let out the smallest moan. Vesper was there, her hands rubbing up her sides. I tried not to gasp when red eyes met mine.
I forced myself to pull away.
Bringing my wrist to my mouth, I sank my teeth into my flesh. Pain flashed through me, but then Cedar was there, grabbing my wrist and forcing it to her lips. She took gulp after gulp, her eyes closing as if she was… enjoying it.
The voracity of her drinking had my breath catching.
She moaned into me, acting like my blood was the most delicious thing, just before her eyes snapped open.
It was the only warning we got before her magic started expanding around us.