Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
SOPHIE
Vaughn is fading fast, so I don’t think, just offer him my vein. For a second, I fear I’m too late and he’s already gone into hibernation. But then he sinks his fangs into my skin, and his eyes fly open, burning crimson.
My body lights up from within as if I was hit by lightning. Every cell in me becomes alive, and with each swipe of his tongue over my skin, I unravel. My breathing is uneven, which should be a sign to pull my hand free, but I don’t want to break the connection.
It’s Vaughn who releases my wrist of his own free will, and for a moment, we don’t speak…
we just stare at each other as if we were both trying to understand what’s happening.
His eyes are wide as he gazes at me in bewilderment.
I don’t think I’m the only one who’s feeling the charged air between us where a single spark could start a fire.
He sits up, facing me. I don’t know what to say or do. All I can hear is the sound of my pulse drumming in my ears, and the only thought in my head is how I want him to touch me again.
“You saved me,” he rasps.
“Of cour—”
He reaches for the back of my head faster than a flying arrow and slants his lips over mine. Here it is—the spark, turning me into flames. I should resist, push him away, but I’ve been craving this kiss for longer than I care to admit.
I throw my arms around his neck, moving so I’m now straddling his lap. I’m burning up from the inside out, and I want the fire to consume me. Vaughn kisses me as if he wants to drown in me, nicking my lips with his fangs as he tilts his head to deepen the kiss.
I throw my head back so I can come up for air. But that only exposes my neck for Vaughn’s feverish caresses. He licks my skin in a slow and sensual stroke before biting my earlobe softly. Desire rolls down my back, clouding my mind, and making me delirious. What am I doing?
I grab his handsome face between my hands and whisper, “Are we crazy?”
“If we are, I don’t want to be sane.” His eyes drop to my lips, and that’s my cue to capture his again. I need more of his hungry kisses… more of his scorching touch.
He switches position, pushing me onto the ground to lie on top of me. Things are escalating fast, and it’s what I want, but this change in dynamics makes my body freeze. Panic takes hold of me as old memories flash before my eyes, soiling the moment.
I want to stay here with Vaughn, but all I can feel now is rough hands tearing my clothes, followed by a putrid breath as someone evil laughs at me. There’s a flash of crimson, followed by a glimpse of platinum blond hair. Then comes the pain of violation.
“No!” I shove Vaughn off me so hard, he hits a tree a few feet from me.
“Ouch!” He rubs the back of his head, looking a little stunned.
Guilt and shame hit me straight in the chest as the severity of what happened comes crashing down.
I know what sent me into early hibernation and why my brain blocked those memories when I woke up.
I know who hurt me, and the knowledge makes me sick.
I push myself to a sitting position and hug my knees, shaking.
“Sophie… I didn’t think… I let lust cloud my judgment. I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t you,” I reply through a choke, then hide my face so he won’t see my tears.
He moves closer, but he doesn’t touch me. “What can I do to help?”
His kindness breaks something in me. As much as I don’t want him to see me in this pathetic state, I can’t decline his offer.
Lifting my chin, I say, “I want you to hold me, but I’m afraid.”
His eyes search mine. “What are you afraid of?”
“That your touch will trigger me again. I don’t want to hurt you more than I already did.”
“You didn’t hurt me that much. I’m tougher than I look.” He pulls me into a hug. “Is this okay?”
“Yes.” I’m still tense, but after a couple of deep breaths, I’m able to relax. Vaughn’s scent, so different than the one from my memories, is grounding me in the present.
We don’t speak for a while, but Vaughn rubs my arm in a soothing motion while I keep my face buried in his shirt. When I feel calmer, I lean back to look at him. “Thank you.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. You don’t need to thank me.”
“Why are you so nice to me?”
He touches my face with the tips of his fingers and grins. “Don’t know. I guess I like you despite everything.”
His smile draws one from me too. “Yeah, I like you too, despite your sire.”
At my mention of Lucca, Vaughn’s grin wilts. “I wish you weren’t the enemy. There was a truce before I met Lucca, but I guess there was too much bad blood for it to last.”
I frown. “I never really understood the war. My father kept me apart from it. He hid things from me for my own safety—or so he claims. But now I know he was just waiting for the right moment to use me.”
“What do you mean?”
I’m not sure what it is about Vaughn that makes me want to tell him everything. It’s not prudent—it’s downright insanity. “He wants me to take Queen Tatiana’s place.”
Vaughn winces. “What? Why?”
I close my eyes for a second. I don’t need to confess. I shouldn’t confess, but hell, I want to. If trusting Vaughn is my doom, so be it.
“Because I’m Queen Tatiana’s heir. I’m her daughter.”