Chapter 38 #2
That potentially encompassed a whole host of problematic labels, depending on how much Cosette had revealed and how much Baz had already known about his infamous rival: crown princess of his mortal enemy, in line to inherit the throne; assassin who’d broken practically every diplomatic treaty in existence; who’d secretly killed royals across the world while pretending to be a carefree socialite; the woman who’d sworn her vengeance on him, and whose determination to complete her assignments was barely short of legendary; sister of Mateo, the one half to her whole, inseparable twins who drew strength from each other; the only s?nglure who’d ever exhibited complete dominion over blood, who, before her abduction, had been the most powerful vampire ever to live; the female whose beauty was so extraordinary that it entranced anyone attracted to her.
“I know what you are,” Alobaz said.
“If you know all that, then you know who my brother is.”
“I do. But Velle”—no one had ever called her that before—“I didn’t kill your brother.”
I blinked. Blinked again. “What?”
“I didn’t kill Mateo.”
“You … what?”
He clutched my upper arms. His gaze dragged across my collar, probably noting the blood smeared across the iron, then jumped to my bloodied hands.
Eyes back on my face, he said, “I didn’t touch your brother. I met him before, but never did a thing to harm him.”
I blinked some more. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Despite what you may have heard about me, I take every death I deal very seriously.”
“But … I felt him die.” Immediately after, I pursed my lips. That was more than I should have revealed. Not even Alonso and Rafaela knew how closely Teo and I sensed each other. We’d never told Marina either, though the goblin was extremely observant and might have figured it out on her own.
My world was spinning. Even well aware the prince of the Rubor Empire was the very last person I should lean on, I sagged into his grip.
He held me up. “I’m not the one who killed him.”
“Then … who did? Where is he?”
“I don’t know. But I’m going to help you find out.”
My world spun faster.
“Why? Why would you ever do something like that?”
His lips pressed together. His eyes flared. “I need to figure that out too.”
No. He had to have killed Teo. Rafaela and Alonso were fully certain, and Alobaz was a scheming, bastard liar.
“So … I’m not going to be your prisoner anymore? You’re going to let me off the spit for trying to kill you?”
“Only because I understand why you did. But if you attack me again—or worse, anyone under my protection—I will make you pay.”
“Fair.” More than fair. Fairer than the Razer or the Ghalubu was said to be.
“I can’t release you though. Not yet, anyway.”
“And why not?” I demanded, though it was a bit cheeky of me.
“Because my friends out there don’t know who you are. They think you’re a threat to me.”
I still was, wasn’t I?
“Plus, they saw you trying to carve my heart out.”
I didn’t apologize. As Teo’s murderer, it was the least he’d deserved.
“If I show you leniency, there’ll be bigger problems than I’m ready to explain to you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t trust you.”
“Also fair. Just so you know, I don’t trust you either.”
“I wouldn’t expect you too, Velle the Viper.”
No one had ever called me that either.
“The legendary terror of the D’Arcos,” he said. “Believed to be unstoppable.”
I scoffed and lifted a hand to tap my collar. “Yeah, well … just don’t tell anybody.”
“Your secrets are safe with me.”
“Why?” It seemed all I was asking. The man was a mystery I wanted to unravel.
“All you need to know right now is that they are. And that I’m gonna need you to scream for me.”
I jerked my eyes to his. “What?”
He tipped his head toward the door. “For their benefit.”
“You said they couldn’t hear us.”
“When I want them to, they can.”
“Ah. More secrets.”
He flashed his fangs at me. “More secrets. A brilliant strategist such as myself trades in them, don’t you know?”
“And how exactly do you intend to make me scream?”
“Oh, I have some ideas.”
He released my arms and unwound the ties holding together his pants. When he pushed me back onto the bed, my legs automatically parted for him.
Whatever and whoever Alobaz Hawxley truly was, whatever he had or had not done, my body wanted him regardless.
When his cock sprang free of his pants, I’d already made quick work of my own, and was yanking them down my legs.
Baz lowered himself on top of me. His breath was hot through the cotton of my shirt as it grazed the swells of my breasts, hot against the shell of my ear.
“Ready to scream for me, my vicious viper?”
My pride, however tenuous my hold on it was, refused to submit so easily.
He traced his tongue along the sides of my earlobe. Bit it softly with his fangs.
My arousal scented the air like perfume.
He groaned in appreciation.
“You know I still hate you, right?” I said. “You’re a Rubor. You conquered my kingdom.”
“Of course, my vicious D’Arco. I hate you too.”
What else was there left to say?
I smacked my hands to his ass—and pulled him inside me.
He moaned.
I moaned.
I arched my back.
He stretched me and filled me so perfectly, so completely.
When I screamed, my pleasure sounded like pain.