Chapter 34 Axel #3
Fingertips were at his chin, turning his face to hers. Shadows drifted in her eyes. So much power there for the taking…
“Axel, my love,” she said softly, her touch leaving him as she moved her wrist to his mouth. “Drink. You can’t hurt me.”
And before he knew what was happening, his fangs sank into her. Warm fire slid over his tongue, coppery and divine. He drank deeply, forgetting everything around him. His entire existence was narrowed in on the life flowing into him.
Life must give, and death must take.
Pull after luscious pull, blood slid down his throat, a low groan sounding from his chest.
Until shadows wrapped around him and a slight burn prodded at the back of his mind. It flared a little more, enough to make him annoyed. Enough to make him snarl at whatever was trying to interrupt him.
He blinked as a lick of fire traced along his jaw. “Later, my love. We’ll finish this later,” she said, her voice breaking through everything.
And for the first time since he’d turned, he felt somewhat sated. Even though he still wanted more, needed more… But it was her. Nothing would ever be enough when it came to her.
A throat cleared down the table, and it was only then he remembered they were with a roomful of people.
It was only then he remembered the godsdamn snake at the other end of it.
Reaching over, he took Kat’s chin, pulling her closer. He brushed his lips over hers. Once. Twice. Three times before he said in a low purr, “Thank you, kitten.”
“Well, I think this little…issue is the perfect way to bring up the concern I’ve asked you all here tonight to discuss,” Bree said, sitting back in her chair.
Axel’s gaze slowly slid to her, his eyes narrowing. She was feigning concern, but he could see the touch of smugness beneath the mask.
“And what concern is that?” Kylian asked, picking up his glass of liquor and swirling the ice.
“I know tension has been high in the Underground. Alliances, both here and in the kingdoms, are being questioned. Some broken. New ones born,” Bree said. “And let’s not ignore the obvious. Everyone at this table knows of the escalating conflict between myself and Axel.”
“The conflict between us is personal, Bree,” Axel said tightly.
“Exactly,” she said, eyes widening. “And you are bringing others into a personal matter.”
He barked a harsh laugh. “You cannot be serious. Everyone here knows you’ve been scheming to overtake the Underground. To seize control and power.”
“Not from them,” she argued, gesturing to the other leaders. “We don’t deserve to be locked away down here.”
“And I agree. That’s why I am working with Theon to make changes. You know this.”
She scoffed bitterly. “A Legacy cannot help us.”
“Not alone, no,” Kat interjected. “But Theon is not alone. Theon is different and so is she.”
“Tessa is uncontrollable,” Bree sneered. “You know that as well as I do.”
“How can you possibly know that?” Axel asked. “You’ve never even met her.”
“The Fates watch all the power players carefully,” she returned. “The realm has been waiting for her. The Decree is proof enough of that.”
“You’re wrong,” Kat cut in again. “But let’s pretend you aren’t. Let’s pretend she is a potential problem. Theon is the best chance at controlling her. Theon is the best chance at seeing the Underground liberated. And Axel is the most logical path to Theon’s ear.”
“And what has he done as of late?” Bree countered.
“For starters, he is staying Theon’s hand at retribution for sending us the head of an Arius general,” Kat said simply, picking up her glass of juice. “If anyone is escalating tension in the Underground, it is you, Miss DelaCrux.”
The room was silent for several seconds before Cade said, “I find it interesting your wife is speaking for you, St. Orcas.”
“She is more than just my wife,” Axel replied coldly.
“If she wishes to speak, then she will. She is my equal as much as anyone at this table. As nearly everyone at this table can attest, I have no desire to rule over you. If we can work together and present a compromise of sorts to the kingdoms, we can start negotiations on different…living arrangements.”
“And if they decline? What then?” Bree asked, clearly having collected herself. “When negotiations die and we are denied?”
“We deal with that if we must and not before.”
She scoffed. “Going in without a plan is foolish.”
“I do not want a war, Bree, but I never said I wouldn’t fight if it came down to it. I think you know that better than anyone, wouldn’t you say?” he replied, arching a brow.
“And we are to put our trust and faith in you? A scarcely turned vampyre who can’t control his bloodlust? What happens if she isn’t here next time? What happens when the other rulers overrule your brother?”
“What, exactly, are you hoping to gain here, Bree?” Miara cut in sharply.
“I am trying to understand how and why a turned Legacy has managed to overturn centuries of alliances and peace in the Underground in a matter of months,” Bree snapped, her composure finally slipping completely.
“Perhaps it is because you came to me with a proposal to take control of the Underground and rule at your side. Perhaps it is because you want to control Devram altogether,” Axel said coolly. “Perhaps I don’t play games.”
“Everything is a game,” Bree sneered. “If you don’t understand that, you are already dead. My point stands that you are unreliable and uncontrollable as evidenced moments ago when you couldn’t control your bloodlust.”
“Did he attack anyone?” Katya asked angrily. “Did he spill blood? Did he cause any kind of disturbance?”
“If you had not been here, it would have escalated to that point,” Bree said.
“The fact that he allows himself to depend on others speaks to his ability to lead,” Kat replied.
“He does not pretend to know it all or be able to do everything. Everyone has weaknesses. He knows his and has taken measures to mitigate them. More than that, he knows his limits, which is why he understands the value of the alliances he has formed. If you cannot see that, Miss DelaCrux, it is you who are the foolish one at this table.” Turning to Axel, she added, “I am tired and growing uncomfortable.”
“Then we will take our leave,” he said, immediately standing and extending a hand to help her to her feet.
“Bree, I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but I’m not in the business of lying for the sake of flattery.
The rest of you, I apologize you were brought here for what appears to be a personal vendetta.
I will be in touch to set up meetings with each of you soon. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Kat’s hand in his, they started for the doors, but they paused when Bree called out, “Safe travels home. I would hate for something unfavorable to befall you or the life you carry.”
Axel slowly turned, but before he could say anything, everyone was gasping and shooting to their feet.
Everyone but Bree.
She was on her knees, shadows and flames at her throat, hissing in pain.
“If you ever threaten my husband or child again, you and I will start a game of our own, Miss DelaCrux,” Kat said coldly.
“You cannot kill me,” Bree gasped out. “You have no idea what you are dealing with.”
Kat’s head cocked to the side, and by the gods, she was terrifying as embers sparked in her curls and flames flared along the skirt of her gown. But her smile was all controlled rage. “The Fates are fickle, aren’t they, Miss DelaCrux?”
And Axel could swear Bree paled.
“Good evening, everyone,” Kat said. “Again, our apologies, but sometimes dramatics are indeed necessary.”
Then she was grabbing his hand, and he followed her out of the dining room. Neither of them spoke until they were crossing out of the Dispensary District. Only then did he drag her down a side street and have her pressed against a building, his mouth on hers.
“You are so incredibly exquisite, kitten,” he breathed before sliding his tongue into her mouth once more.
When they did finally break apart, he let his brow rest against hers. One of his hands was on her hip, the other at her nape, and he swiped his thumb along the pulse in her throat.
“You shouldn’t have let me drink from you tonight,” he said softly. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” she murmured, pushing her fingers into his hair. “Just a little tired.
The hand on her hip slid to her stomach. “And the babe?”
“He’s fine too, Axel,” she said with a soft smile.
“How could I be so weak that one taste of blood sent me into an uncontrollable bloodlust?” he muttered, his eyes falling closed in shame.
“You are not weak,” she said firmly. “It makes you relatable to show that you don’t have everything figured out. It shows you are like them and not above them. It makes us stronger.”
“How are you so utterly perfect?” he asked, opening his eyes to stare into hers.
Tipping her head back against the wall, she gave him a small smile.
Brushing his lips over hers once more, he took her hand and tugged her to him. “Send Luka a message, kitten. Let’s get you home.”
But her brows pinched, a hand going to her stomach.
Axel immediately tensed. “What’s wrong?”
“It seemed too easy tonight, right?”
“Nothing about that was easy,” he said.
“I think I just thought…” She shook her head, giving him a too bright smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Let’s go home.”
But he was still thinking about her words hours later as she slept beside him.
It seemed too easy.