Hours of Pleasure
“This is nice,” Matilda said as they strolled hand in hand through the town square.
“For once, I agree with you.”
“I have an idea.”
“I’m not entertaining this idea of yours. It’s guaranteed to be all buffoonery.”
“Some, not all. I think you should relinquish your title as Vampire King of Night Falls to Lord Gustafson, and we can retire in the countryside.”
The thought had briefly occurred to him, but the fantasy flitted away as quickly as it came.
“You have that look on your face. I assume the answer is no.”
“What look?” he questioned.
“Like your bowels are in traction.”
“You should relinquish your title as Queen of Night Falls to become the court jester,” he teased, gently tugging on one of her curls—something he’d grown fond of doing.
It became a habit—one Matilda didn’t mind him forming.
The small gesture was intimate in nature—something only he was allowed to do. She’d behead anyone else who tried.
“Hm,” she replied without a quip, which he found more than odd.
“You look unwell,” he muttered before leading her to a shaded area where residents took their midday meals under mulberry trees.
“I’ll admit I’m not accustomed to the southern climate. A moment to recuperate would be much appreciated.”
“My word. You must be more ill than I perceived. My stubborn queen is admitting her limitations without protest? The world must be coming to an end,” he teased gently, easing her to the grass.
“Not yet, if I can help it. There are still things I wish to accomplish,” Matilda remarked, accepting a goat skin satchel filled with crisp water from the surging spring behind the cottage.
Her eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head when the liquid touched her tongue.
It was cold, as if it came from a melted iceberg, and immediately lowered her body temperature to normal.
She wiped the back of her hand against her lips and handed the pouch to Luka. He took his own swig before speaking.
“What are these things you wish to accomplish?”
“I must spar with Ezra.”
“Leave Ezra be.”
“Afraid I’ll put him on his ass?” she taunted, wagging her brows.
Luka snorted. “The opposite. Do not take Ezra lightly. He is highly skilled in combat and has centuries of experience over you.”
“Weapon of choice?”
“Spear and war hammer.”
Matilda shivered at the thought.
“And you?” Matilda giggled when he snapped his teeth at her.
He chuckled when she shoved him away and reached into their basket, teeming with produce to accompany the game Matilda procured.
He tossed an apple into her lap, prompting her to unsheath a dagger from her boot.
He watched her make short work of the apple—splitting it into wedges.
She moved swiftly, and secretly, he prayed she’d nick herself.
He’d be right there to soothe her wound with his tongue.
His fangs elongated as he thought about his plans for the evening.
“You are quite lecherous, indeed,” Matilda said, snapping him out of a forbidden fantasy he sought to make a reality.
“I beg your pardon?”
“If you’re wondering why everyone scattered, it’s because you started growling, snarling, and baring your fangs like some wild beast. The gods only know what you were thinking.”
“I was thinking nothing of the sort,” he lied.
“I choose not to believe you,” she said, handing him an apple slice she cut into a bunny.
“This is childish, yet delightful.”
“Why hasn’t Prince Lykaon come for Beta David yet?”
“We are on retreat. You shouldn’t concern yourself with such things.”
“I will oblige; however, I’ll ask again as soon as we set foot in Night Falls.”
“I expect nothing less,” he said, reaching for another apple slice. “Tell me more about your family.”
Matilda regarded him with a questioning look. “What is there to know? Sever vampire’s head and exchange it for money.”
“There is much more to life than killing vampires. I’ve told you about Anastasia. Now, you must share with me.”
“As you wish. While you may believe that there is more to life than killing vampires, my parents and their parents before them and their parents before them felt otherwise. Hunting was in our blood and gave us purpose and a sense of community. Hunting was a craft, and it was how we provided for our families. Hunting was how we survived. You want to eat? Hunt. You want to live to see another day? Hunt. For too long, vampires were the predators, and we still are the prey. Even I, Matilda Helsing, betrothed to King Luka Alesi, am prey. My safety is not guaranteed by a crown.”
Luka diverted his eyes away from her. She spoke the truth. He nearly failed to protect her at the recent town announcement. She could’ve died if it weren’t for Ezra.
“And yet you’re still willing to be crowned Queen of Night Falls. Why is that?”
“I am forced to be with you, and now that I’m with child, I doubt I’ll ever escape your evil, contemptible clutches,” she complained with an exaggerated groan. She covered her eyes with the back of her arm and fell into the grass.
Luka smirked. “It is in my evil, contemptible clutches where you wish to be.”
“Mmm. There are worse places I could be,” she whispered.
“Your parents are deceased?”
“They are. They left on a hunt and never returned.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “That is the way of a hunter’s life.”
“You must miss them.”
“At times. And you?”
Luka lay beside her and plucked a blade of grass from the lawn. “I do not know.”
“You don’t know?” she asked curiously.
“It has been so long since their passing.”
“How long?” she mumbled, sleep catching up to her. Luka’s lips softened into a smile. There was nothing more that he wanted to do than lie beside his queen and take a cat nap; however, he needed to remain vigilant and couldn’t let his guard down, no matter how convincing their disguises.
“This is nice,” Matilda mumbled once more.
“So, you’ve said. Sleep, Beloved.”
“I cannot.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I have to make sure that young maiden by the fountain who has been shamelessly begging for your gaze doesn’t make a move.”
“What, young maiden?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
He, too, had noticed the woman. Since he was an ancient vampire, he had the ability to unintentionally influence those around him when he hungered.
Some were more susceptible than others, and it wouldn’t be long before she gained the courage to approach and offer herself to him. He’d politely turn her away, of course.
Matilda released an incredulous scoff. “You take me for a fool.”
“A very enchanting fool.”
Matilda shot up and spoke softly into his ear, sending a shiver down his spine when her warm breath caressed him.
“Let me make this abundantly clear to you, Luka Alesi.”
“No honorific?” he asked with a teasing lilt in his tone.
“To hell with your honorific. I do not share.”
“I meant to speak with you regarding this delicate matter. I wish to take a mistress.”
“That can be arranged,” Matilda answered, standing on her feet.
“It can?”
“I’ll consult a wigmaker once we return home—short hair, long hair, straight hair, red hair, copper hair—I can be a different woman every day.”
Luka released a snorting laugh as he gathered their belongings. “I applaud your flexibility.”
“And yours as well when I establish my harem of men.”
He rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around Matilda’s waist. They fell in step and journeyed through the town center to the main road that would lead them back to the summer cottage. “Tell me about your harem of men.”
“No, thank you. I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
“You’ll have a harem full of orcs.” Matilda’s lips curled in disgust at the mere image of the bulky and tusked green creatures.
“What a foul suggestion. If I wanted a smelly and barbaric grunting man, then I’d stick with you; I wouldn’t enlist another.”
Luka’s lips curled into a smile. “Smelly?”
“You’ve heard correctly.”
“We should fix this affliction at once.”
“And how do you suggest we do this?” she asked.
“You shall see.”
***
Water splashed loudly onto the floor as their bodies slid together.
Matilda’s fingers were tangled in Luka’s lustrous locks, and his face was buried in her neck as he delivered on his promise to give her five hours of pleasure.
His hands slicked over her ample breasts, squeezing them and pinching her nipples as he mated her.
Her swollen pussy clenched around him when his fangs scraped teasingly across her neck, leaving thin, bloody scratches.
“Bite me,” she whispered harshly, fingers tightening around the tub’s edge. She wanted to feel it—that euphoric rush that left her gasping and writhing and throwing herself at her mortal enemy.
He spun and weaved an intricate web and laid his sticky trap.
He coaxed her to come in more ways than one, and she willingly flung herself into the center, practically begging for him to take her.
To hell with her life, mortality and immortality, hierarchy, and a centuries-long feud—none of it mattered.
Her back would arch off the web, but she was still stuck…
powerless… vulnerable… subject to his mercy.
“Beg me, Beloved,” he whispered, licking away the blood that pebbled on her flesh. She shook her head furiously. She wouldn’t beg, knowing he wanted to sink his teeth into her just as badly.
Matilda yelped when he pounded into her, sending a tidal wave of water over the rim of the wooden tub. She sucked in a breath when his fingers teased her clit, pinching it firmly between his middle and forefinger.
“P-please.”
He grinned against her neck. “Please, what?”
“P-please choke on a stake!”
He tsked before saying, “Why do you always have to be so difficult, Tilda?”
His teeth penetrated her neck as gently as he could, but that didn’t stop her from jolting from the initial shock of pain.
He took from her and fucked her as she melted in his arms. Blood poured from her neck, slipping down her breast and slightly rounded abdomen before spilling into the bath water and staining the white flower petals.
The forbidden lovers came together and fell boneless into the tepid water.
Luka cradled Matilda as she came down from her orgasm; however, the venom still left her legs shaking and her breath stuttering.
He hummed an old tune that Anastasia would sing as he stroked Matilda’s damp curls.
The song was about two lovers who unfortunately met a tragic end; however, their love was so strong that they found each other in the afterlife.
It comforted him because he had believed the same could be said about them—that they would always find their way to each other again.
But now, he had a new love, and life would run its natural course, and she would die. Given the choice, who would he follow?
“You’re quiet,” Matilda commented, running her hands up and down his thighs.
“I thought you preferred me silent.”
“I thought I did, too.”
“Are you lightheaded?”
“Only slightly.”
“Hm,” he grunted. “I took too much. My apologies.”
“You’re always forgiven.”
“I don’t like this,” he announced. Matilda leaned her head back and looked into his dark eyes.
“What ails you?”
“This,” he replied, motioning at her.
“Me?” she asked in disbelief.
“Precisely.”
“Why? Whatever did I do?”
“You’re being too kind to me.”
Matilda snorted and caressed the grumpy vampire king’s face until he nipped at her fingers.
“Would you prefer a dagger to the chest?” she questioned. “Or would you like another arrow to the back?”
“No need to resort to violence. A witty remark would do.”
Matilda grinned and rolled over to face him. “I think I want to turn over a new leaf.”
“Please don’t.”
“From now on, I’ll be gentle—”
“Ugh.”
“—and kind—”
“The gods save me.”
“—and soft—”
“I’m living in a nightmare.”
“—and obedient—”
“Put a stake through my heart.”
“—and submissive—”
“How repulsive.”
“—and I’ll never wear leather britches again—”
“You are pure evil.”
“—and I’ll play the harp and sing to the animals—”
“My ears will bleed.”
“—and I’ll bow when you enter the room—”
“Please stand up.”
“And last but not least, I’ll never shoot an arrow again.”
Luka tugged on a strand of hair that was starting to coil again. “Then you simply wouldn’t be the woman I fell in love with.”
Matilda leaned in and claimed what was hers, softly caressing her king’s lips with hers with a low moan.
“You still have yet to prove your love to me.”
Luka swallowed roughly. “Well, the night is not over, and I still owe you three hours of pleasure.”