New Normal
Seven nights of tutelage from Oddo and four nights training with a seemingly reformed Dommik, mentally and physically drained me.
I deserved a night off. The toll of the Hive’s expectations were counterbalanced by evenings of thoughtful gestures from Rhazien.
And tonight, he swore this evening’s surprise would be my favorite of them all.
I wasn’t sure how he would top the stunning thoroughbred mare he’d gifted me three nights prior.
When I saw the animal, my eyes welled with tears.
It was like he’d resurrected my childhood horse, Biscuit.
What Rhazien didn’t know was that Biscuit had thrown me more than once and was the most fear-inducing mare I’d ever owned.
But the thoughtfulness had stunned me into a silence so concerning to Rhazien, he apologized for misstepping.
I assured him, this was my favorite gift I could ever receive and thanked him vigorously with my body once we’d retired to my chambers.
I just hoped I could conjure enough bravery to ride her.
Now, I gave him my full trust and marched blindfolded over uneven landscape outside the grounds of the Hive. The regent at my back, holding my shoulders, guided me forward.
“How much farther?” I laughed, nearly stumbling over the folds of my gown.
“Just about there,” he coached, his breath hot against the shell of my ear.
I stopped abruptly. “Oof,” he grunted, catching me as I ricocheted off his frame. A folly of my own making.
We both laughed until he said, “You mischievous creature.” He squeezed my arms and pressed his lips into the nape of my neck. I sighed at the sensation. He dragged a fang across the exposed skin, a teasing motion he’d become a fan of.
I had never thought I would come around to the idea of him feeding on me, but he was caring and kind to me in all ways a partner could be.
And with how generous he’d been, sex didn’t feel like an even exchange, considering the nature of his being.
But he refused to feed from me, and withholding the experience only made me that much more curious.
He held me there, his hard length pressing into my lower back. I stretched my neck to the side, encouraging him.
“Do it,” I prompted, my heartbeat thundering.
“You’re tenacious, Reyva.” His hands pushed my arms down until his fingers wrapped themselves into mine. Every sensation heightened from my absence of sight.
He wrapped our arms into a hug, his full frame pressed into my back, before gently kissing the same spot he’d teased. “Not yet.”
“Then when?” I groaned.
“We’ve talked about this,” he grumbled into my hairline. “You know why we’re waiting.”
I rolled my eyes beneath my blindfold, recalling his explanation—blood is sustenance and it’s sacred. That my blood specifically, due to my abilities, is especially potent and addictive. And finally, because I needed to remain unbitten to wake Lorana.
“Right. I must remain unbitten for the ceremony.” I huffed. From standing on the execution stage to living—somewhat harmoniously—within the Hive and pouting like a young maid when Rhazien didn’t feed on me, I’d come far in the last few weeks.
There were few stones unturned for us after our consecutive evenings together. My things were still separated from his, but he stayed in my chambers without fail ever since my horrific experience with the shade, just as I had requested.
My affection for Rhazien grew daily. We shared whispered stories over pillows when we curled up in each other, bringing us closer each night.
“Exactly, my jewel.” Rhazien squeezed me once more and nudged me forward again. He whispered a promise that it was just ahead of us. Whatever it was.
I obeyed Rhazien’s instructions to wait and listened to his footsteps crunch away from me.
I pulled my cloak tight around me, covering the small snowflakes melting against my skin. Day by day, autumn retreated from winter’s threatening approach. Soon, there would be heavy snow, and the evenings would outlast the days. A time of year the vampires longed for and celebrated.
“Ready,” Rhazien called from his position and I tore at my blindfold.
The material fell away from my face, revealing first, the sight of Rhazien’s palpable excitement and second, glowing torches. The lights lined a newly constructed, waist-high stone barrier. Rhazien opened the decorative iron gate, complete with his rose sigil, and gestured for me to enter.
I stepped forward and a sly smile stretched across my face as I asked, “What’s all this, Majesty?”
“Another attempt at making you feel at home here.” He ushered me beyond the gate and I clasped my hands over my mouth once I’d realized what he’d done.
He…he built me a garden. Raised beds matching the stone barrier were constructed in neat rows of various sizes, creating a symmetrical, geometric design.
Pebbles surrounded stepping stones between the planters.
And at the opposite end of the garden was a small structure only large enough for a workbench and supply storage.
“Rhazien…” My sentiment muffled beneath my hands.
He appeared at my side, vibrating with excitement. “What do you think?”
“I—I can’t—You didn’t need to—” Tears welled as I searched for the words to properly express my gratitude. This was so much more than I’d ever expected.
His arm wrapped around my shoulder and we stood, examining the gift. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? No. I love it.” I turned to him and tilted onto my toes, inviting a kiss. Rhazien obliged. The tickle of his perpetual stubble greeted my cheeks. I pressed into him. I wanted him to feel how sincere I was.
He had done so much more for me than any man ever had in the space of two weeks and I wanted to shout about it from the rooftops.
I wanted other women to know that there were men in the world like him.
Men who would go to such lengths for their partner instead of a simple conversation about a dowry, followed by the expectation to spread their legs as a part of their duty.
Granted, he had an advantage with his advanced age, status and acquired wealth, but his thoughtfulness was overwhelming nonetheless.
“Mmm.” He moaned into the kiss, a primal sound that I learned was a precursor to exploring tongues, eager fingertips, and throbbing body parts. And I wanted him, but I wanted to explore my garden first.
“You just had me.” I squinted up at him.
“And?” He leaned down again but I ducked, evading him.
“It seems I’m not the only tenacious one,” I jested, breaking our embrace and walking deeper into the garden.
I plunged my fingers into the cold dirt and mentally compiled a list of crops I could plant now and harvest in the Spring.
Not that I needed the food. From the humans mining the Irriset caves for gems to the shadowbound partners of vampires, it seemed everyone was well fed and cared for in Rhazien’s Hive.
But the gesture—the gift of a place to grow things—was appreciated all the same.
I turned to meet his gaze again. “It’s perfect.”
Warmth swelled in my chest and I fought back another wave of tears, unsure why I was so susceptible to the emotions Rhazien inspired.
“You’re perfect,” he said, running a hand down my cheek.
I scoffed, “Far from it. But thank you.”
Then he kissed me, slowly. And this time I didn’t retreat.
I didn’t tell him to stop when his tongue pushed past my lips to meet mine.
I didn’t shy away as his hands slid beneath my dress to grip my thighs and perch me atop the stone barrier.
And I let the sounds of pleasure fly freely into the early evening air—there, in the garden he’d built for me.
“We aren’t going to arrive together?” I grunted as Alba finished lacing my corset. She was dressing me for one of Rhazien’s citizen receptions—another common thread between the Illica and vampiric courts.
It was just as, if not more, important to show well tonight than my welcome ball.
Residents of the Hive had the opportunity to speak directly to Rhazien about their concerns or grievances, and I would be seated next to him as he delivered his rulings.
At my welcome ball, I was presented as his guest. Tonight, I would be his ruling partner.
His equal. At least, that’s how Rhazien had described it.
But, as had become more common as the days passed, he needed to attend to other business first.
“I’ll be there as soon as I’m able,” Rhazien called over the partition.
Gossamer tickled my skin as the dress slid over my head and down my frame.
The deep red gown was a work of art. Perfectly hemmed to my height and bustled to complement my frame.
Its long, wide sleeves featured intricate roses and vines in rich, golden stitching.
“By the Four,” Rhazien huffed as I walked out from the partition.
“Thank you?” I said, not sure if calling on the Originals was a compliment or a curse.
Rhazien dismissed Alba with an absent wave before burying his face in my hair, lost in the long waves. “How am I supposed to focus on a kingdom with you sitting next to me looking like this?”
I laughed at the ceiling. “Hundreds of years old, but at your core, still just a man.”
I hooked my arms behind his neck as he buried his face in my chest, the keyhole neckline of my gown giving him access to the tops of my breasts. He hummed in satisfied agreement.
“Just a simple, unworthy man.”
“Majesty,” I breathed as his grip tightened and tongue threatened to descend below the fabric, “Majesty! Your subjects are waiting.”
“I swear,” Rhazien said to the skin he had just kissed. “I will give you the attention you deserve later.”