3#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Thorn) (8 page)

His
hot breath was on her neck as he crouched forward. It sounded like he sucked on
his finger before putting his hands around her waist where he held her in
place.

“If
it’s too much for you…”

“Yeah,
yeah I’ll yell fire.” She said, feeling her heart pound with anticipation.

Xavier
chuckled and she felt the rumble against her back. “I was going to say that you
should open your legs and I’ll ease you.”

“Oh.”
Her voice came out sounding really high pitched.

“Don’t
be ashamed or embarrassed. Just open up and I’ll take the pain away.”

“It’s
going to hurt?” She tried not to sound worried and failed.

She
could feel him nodding against her. “Yeah, but not in the way you think. Just
do as I say okay, princess?”

She
swallowed thickly. “Okay.”

“You
don’t sound so sure about this anymore. I don’t have to do this you know?”

“I
want you to.” At least it came out sounding confident. When the truth was, she
was more than a little afraid.

“You’ll
feel a small pinch and then it should feel really good.”

“I
thought you said it would hurt.”

He
chuckled softly. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Just
do it already.” She said, gasping as he bent down.

She
felt his fangs pierce her skin with a sharp jab that made her gasp even louder
this time. His hot breath fanned her for a second before his lips closed over
her skin.

Xavier
made a sound of utter rapture as he sucked. Esral felt her blood course through
her veins. It was as if she could suddenly feel each and every cell, each and
every nerve ending. When he sucked a second time, the hard pull caused her
nipples to pebble to the point of actual pain. Her flower filled with nectar.
Her rosebud throbbed. It felt as if he were sucking on her there, only way more
intense. The air hissed through her teeth as she tried to suck in a breath.
When he took another suck, her back bowed off the bed and a cry was ripped from
her. It was desperate, needy and yet didn’t come close to expressing the
urgency that filled her. Her womb clenched. Every part of her ached. Xavier was
right. She hurt with the all consuming need to cum. She writhed, trying to pull
away from him but he held her in place with arms of steel.

When
his finger flicked over her clit she melted against him on a hard sigh.
When
had she opened her legs?
Sure as all hell, they were open. Her inner thighs
burned from being so stretched. His fingers splayed her flower as he continued
to strum on her rosebud in fast, firm circles. When he sucked on her, she felt
her mouth slacken as an orgasm plowed through her with an intensity that took
her breath away.

Just
as she was coming down he sucked again, moaning as he swallowed. Her back bowed
so heavily she was sure she was about to break herself in two but she couldn’t
help it as another even stronger wave of rapture seized her. She trembled
across her entire body as her muscles spasmed hard.

“No
more,” she cried. “I can’t possibly.” Her voice was so thick and husky that she
didn’t recognize it.

Another
hard pull had her body shuddering violently as yet another orgasm tore through
her.
Hard and fast
. Her mouth opened but no sound came out. Her eyes
widened. There was a god-awful noise. It sounded like a wild animal. She
realized with utter horror that it was her making those noises. She rocked
against his hand for the longest time before slowing as she finally came down.

She
gave a cry of both pleasure and loss as he retracted his fangs. Then moaned as
he licked the spot. A zing of pleasure shot through her. Her flower wept. Her
head lolled back. It was the most fulfilled she’d felt since meeting Xavier and
yet she instinctively knew that there was so much more. Her stem felt empty.
Her body achy.

“Soon.”
He whispered, causing her to moan softly sounding more needy than she ever had
before. “I will take you so hard and so deep that you will feel me there for
days after.”

She
nodded, fighting hard to catch her breath. Wishing he could take her now. It
would help her forget everything going on around them.

“I’m
going to get a washcloth to clean you up and then you must sleep.”

She
shook her head. “I don’t know if…”

“I’ll
stay as long as I can.” He gave her the most devastating, heartwarming smile.
“That is, if you will let me hold you.”

Esral
nodded. “Knowing you are close will help me sleep.”

“It
would be my pleasure. Lie back and, Esral…” She locked eyes with his. “Thank
you. I’ve never tasted anything so sweet and delicious. For a second there I
wasn’t sure I would be able to stop. I sure as hell won’t ever be able to drink
from anyone else ever again.” He clenched his jaw.

“You’d
better not.”

He
smiled. “I told you that you were it for me and I meant it. I’ll starve to
death if you can’t be my mate.”

“Don’t
say such a thing.”

He
smiled, looking sad. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”

“I
can’t mate York while my father is so ill anyway. I refuse.” Her lip wobbled so
she bit down on it. “If he doesn’t make it…”

“Shhh.
The healers know what they are doing.” He paused for a few beats. “I came here
after checking in on him and they said he was resting peacefully. I don’t want
to give you false hope but your elven healer said that he was doing much better.
Still not out of the woods yet, but much better.”

She
smiled, feeling a little better herself. Xavier disappeared into her bathroom
returning moments later with a cloth. He carefully wiped her neck, which felt a
little tender. The cloth was warm. It felt good against her skin. His eyes
heated as they moved down her body to the juncture of her thighs. “Here you go,
princess.” He handed her the cloth.

It
was becoming a common occurrence, yet it still irritated her as her cheeks
heated. Xavier dropped a kiss on her nose before turning. She got the distinct
impression that he was trying to give her some privacy. Really sweet
considering what had just taken place. He removed his shirt making a big show
of folding the garment and hanging it over the back of the chair. For a second
she felt spellbound as her eyes tracked the ink lines on his lower back.
Thankfully, she snapped out of it long enough to wipe between her legs and down
her inner thighs. She had to bite back a moan as the rough cloth abraded her
sensitive flesh.

As
soon as she was done, Xavier turned towards her. He held out his hand, his eyes
on the cloth.

She
shook her head. “I’ll take care of it.” Her cheeks must be glowing. They felt
like she had spontaneously combusted.

“You
stay right where you are. Give it to me.”

She
shook her head, feeling mortified. Esral had the irrational urge to put the
hand that clutched the cloth behind her back.

He
smiled for a half a beat looking up to the ceiling before locking his eyes with
hers. “I have to insist, princess.” He clenched his jaw. “You forget that I’ve
had my tongue inside your pussy, I think I can handle that cloth.”

She
swallowed hard, feeling parts of her respond to his words.

“Don’t
do that, princess.” His eyes heated as his lids became hooded.

“Do
what?”

He
gave a half chuckle which spoke more of frustration than humor. “Just give me
the cloth. I’m trying to be a good male here. You need sleep and I’m seconds
away from touching you…again.” A low growl.

Chest
heaving, she nodded once and handed him the cloth. Xavier gave her a half
smile. She gasped when he put the cloth to his nose and sniffed while groaning
in what sounded like pleasure. “Fucking delicious,” he growled as he strode
from the room.

He
returned and kicked off his boots. Xavier slid under the covers with her,
leaving his pants on. He spooned her. His front to her back. The hard ridge of
his root dug into her.

“Xavier?”

“Yeah,
princess.”

“Let
me ease you.” Her voice shook just a little.

“No.
Go to sleep.”

“But…”

“No
buts. It’s late. You’re exhausted. I should never have taken your blood and I
definitely won’t let you…ease me.” He spoke softly.

“You’re
really hard. It can’t be comfortable for you.”

“I’m
fine,” a soft growl. “Goodnight, princess.” He kissed the top of her head.

Esral
snuggled more firmly against him knowing that this was an argument she was
never going to win.

“Forgive
me, my lord, but you look like shit.” York said as Xavier exited Esral’s room.
It had been a huge gamble spending the night with the princess, but quite
frankly he didn’t give two shits. Chances were good that if they had been
disturbed, it would’ve been to report that her father was dying. In which case,
him sleeping with Esral would be the least of everyone’s concerns.

Xavier
ran a hand through his hair and shrugged.

“Hard
to sleep when you’re hard,” York said. “I can’t say I’ve ever been there but I
can imagine.”

Lazarus
chuckled.

York’s
smirk turned serious in an instant. “Did the princess get some sleep?”

Xavier
shook his head. “Not much. Little bits here and there. She’s worried.”

“Rightly
so,” York whispered. “His chamber smelled of death. I must be honest”—York sighed
deeply—“I’m surprised he made it through the night.”

“Yeah.”
Xavier had scented it too. He clenched his jaw for a few beats. It killed him
to see Esral like this. If only he could find a way to make it all better. He wished
even harder that he could be there for her properly. In the cold light of dawn,
he was once again the vampire prince and Esral was to be mated to another. A
ruse he wasn’t sure he could hold onto for much longer.

“I’m
heading back to my room for a quick shower before this place wakes up.” Xavier
gestured around them.

“Gideon
will relieve you at six.” York turned to Lazarus as he spoke.

The
big male nodded once. “I hope he got some sleep. Twelve hours can really drag
after an all-night fuck-fest.”

Xavier
shook his head. “He knows better than to pull that kind of shit.”

“Call
me if anything changes.” He addressed York. “I’ll be back before six,” he said
as he locked eyes with Lazarus.

The
male nodded. “You should try and catch some z’s.”

Xavier
shook his head. “There’s too much going on. I need to be present for Esral even
if I can’t do anything for her...publicly at least.” He clenched his jaw. “If
anything changes…”

“I’ll
call you. Go get cleaned up.” York gave a toothy grin. “You scent of sweet,
cherry blossoms. Elves might not have our senses but they definitely would
scent one times princess all over you and know exactly what went down.”

Xavier
growled. “They would assume what went down.”

York
chuckled. “They would mostly be right.”

“Bull-fucking-shit
and you know it.” Xavier had to work to keep his voice down.

“Easy.”
York held up a hand. “I’m referring to a few orgasms. It’s easy to scent that
you didn’t rut her. Calm down! So you touched her a little. Big fucking deal.
It’s not like you—”

“Tell
Keto that.” Xavier felt his blood run cold as the male in question made his way
across the walkway that led to Esral’s tree house. His first instinct was to
high tail it out of there, instead, he widened his stance. Bring it the fuck
on. He was done with hiding. Done with pussy footing around this male.

“Oh
fuck!” York mumbled. “You should go.”

“No,”
Xavier growled. “He knows.”

“Knowing
and
knowing
are two different things.” York sighed heavily. “At least he
is alone so he won’t be able to kill you.”

“As
fucking if.” The male could try. Esral was his future mate and it was time Keto
came to terms with that. One way or another the elven fucking prince would have
to deal.

Keto
was still a few strides away when he halted mid-step. His face contorted into
momentary rage and a low snarl erupted from somewhere deep in his chest. He
looked from Xavier to York and back again, his blond hair jerking from side to
side.

Xavier
realized that Keto didn’t know which male carried his sister’s scent. What a
fucking idiot. It was as if their earlier conversation had never happened.

Keto
closed the distance while noticeably sniffing at each male in turn. “You,” he
finally growled. His icy stare colliding with Xavier’s. “You dared touch the
princess? I thought I made myself clear earlier. Your little declaration”—he
narrowed his eyes—“sweet as it may have been, changes nothing.” The male turned
his gaze to York. “You claimed Esral. You will mate her. Do you vampires have
no honor?”

Xavier
bit back a growl. It took him a few seconds to compose himself enough to talk.
“And I thought that I had made myself clear.” Xavier spoke under his breath not
wanting to wake Esral. “I don’t give two fucks about what you or the rest of
the elves think or want. I only care about Esral. The reason I agreed to go
along with this whole thing in the first place is because of your father’s
precarious health and the strain it would put on him.”

Keto
snorted. “My sister claims to love my father but if she carries on the way she
has, she’ll fucking kill him.”

Xavier
took a deep breath, letting the air out slowly. He tried hard to unclench his
fists and failed. “We need to postpone the ceremony.”

“Not
fucking happening.” Keto growled, his chest heaved under his silken robe.

“I
can’t believe I am being forced to ask him this again.” Xavier muttered under
his breath before looking Keto head on. “Do you care anything for your sister?”

“My
feelings don’t matter. You said so yourself the other day.” Keto’s smartass
reply irritated the hell out of him. It made Xavier want to punch the male hard
in the face. This time, he wanted to feel bone and cartilage crush beneath his
fists. Maybe loosen a few teeth in the process.

“I’m
asking you to think about your sister. Not your fucking self. How would you
feel if you were made to spend the rest of your life with someone you didn’t
love?”

The
elven prince paused. Xavier could see that he was thinking and a frown appeared
on his forehead.

“It
would be hell, Keto. Do you want that for your little sister?” Xavier could see
that his words had, had some effect on the male but before he could assess
exactly how, he schooled his expression.

“I
care,” his voice sounded choked. “More than you think, but my father must come
first. He needs to pull through this and it’s not going to happen if he’s
worried sick about Esral. If he thinks he ruined her reputation and that of the
royal oak… I know it doesn’t mean much to you but to us it is everything.”

The
urge to punch Keto was back. The male was fucking stubborn. “All I’m asking is for
you to help us. If you are on our side then half the battle will be won. We
need to delay the mating until your father is better.”

Keto
ran a hand through his hair, his whole stance eased just a touch. “I wish I
could help you but my hands are tied.” The look on the male’s face made him
want to actually believe him. “My father is lucid. He’s also very afraid. He’s
waiting to suffer another attack and he doesn’t think he’ll survive it this
time.” The elf pursed his lips, turning his hard stare to a point somewhere
between he and York. Xavier could see that his thoughts were internal and that
the male wasn’t actually looking at anything in particular.

Keto
blinked a few times and ran a hand across his face before finally locking eyes
with Xavier. “He has requested that the blossoming ceremony be held today. He
wants to be present when his ‘little girl’ is given to York.” Keto clenched his
jaw for a few beats. “According to my father, it is his last fucking dying wish
to see his daughter mated and happy.” Keto choked out the word happy while scrubbing
a hand over his face.

Xavier
cursed under his breath, still trying not to wake Esral, a string of hard words
that would freak his princess out if she were to hear them.

“Yeah,
it’s a triple cluster fuck,” Keto spat. “So you see, even if I wanted to help
you, I can’t. My hands are tied unless you want to turn down a dying man.”

Xavier
shook his head before turning to face York who had turned pale.

****

There
was a knock at her door. Esral waited for the person to barge in, instead there
was another knock.

“Come
in.” She drew the covers more firmly around herself praying that whoever it was
wouldn’t scent Xavier through the spritz of rosewater she had given her chamber
after he left. She berated herself for not having showered. Hopefully the wet
cloth would have removed most of her nectar.

Esral
had to work hard to keep her heart rate down but failed as Keto rounded the
door. She almost shouted at him to leave. Instead, she drew the covers to her
chin and closed her eyes for a second, praying to the gods of all that was
green that he didn’t catch any telltale scents.

Keto’s
eyes narrowed. “You can stop that,” he growled.

“Stop
what?” She tried to sound calm and nonchalant and failed…dismally.

“I
had a chat with Xavier outside. Your scent was all over him.” He lifted his
chin and sniffed. “So that’s why you’ve been smelling so much of rosewater
lately.”

“Please
don’t be mad. I really don’t want to fight with you right now.” She couldn’t
help it when her voice hitched and her lip quivered. “How is father? Please
tell me he’s…”

“Much
better.” To her astonishment, her brother walked over to her bed and sat down.
“He pulled through. The healers are cautiously optimistic. They’ve taken a
small blood sample and have given him another sleeping tonic to counter the
effects of the silver needle.” His blue eyes bore into her.

“Thank
the lord.” She let out a heavy sigh of relief. When her eyes locked with Keto’s,
she felt her blood drain. “It wasn’t like that,” she forced herself to retain
eye contact, “with Xavier.”

“What
wasn’t?” She could see by his expression that he knew exactly what she meant.

“Xavier
drank from me. He was…hungry. I wish I could explain, it’s complicated.”

Keto
half smiled, he had a faraway look for a few seconds before he made eye
contact. “You don’t have to explain. You’re right, it’s very complicated. I
don’t particularly wish to discuss such things with you, Esral. You’re my”—he
smiled at her.
Actually smiled
—“little sister.”

She
had to smile back. How could she not? “You sound like you know what I mean, but
a vampire drank from me. You couldn’t possibly understand that.”

Keto
chuckled, he shook his head. “I know exactly what it’s like to have a vampire
drink from you because I’ve had the experience.”

She
sucked in a breath, a million questions on the tip of her tongue.

“It
was a long time ago. A vampire female. We snuck around for a few weeks. I fell
for her…hard, but it wasn’t to be.” His eyes narrowed in on her. “I know what
you are going through, Esral. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve wanted
to try and find her?” He paused, raising his eyebrows.

Esral
was so shocked that the most she could do was snap her mouth shut.

“No
guesses?” He shook his head, clenching his jaw. “Countless times, but I’m
successor to the throne and have no business pursuing a vampire female. That’s
why I ended it with her regardless of what I wanted.”

“All
along I thought you hated vampires.” It just slipped out.

Keto’s
eyes turned stormy. “I do,” he growled. “That fucker Zane had better stay far
out of my way.” He clenched his jaw.

“Oh.”
She felt her brow crease. “So it’s only Zane you hate then?”

Keto
pulled some loose strands of hair behind his ear. “There are others…it’s
complicated. I don’t want to talk about it. Drop it.” His eyes narrowed in
thought. “Those few weeks with that vampire female were a lifetime ago and I
would sooner forget it ever happened.”

“I
never knew about the vampire female. I thought you loved Cheri.”

“The
vampire thing happened way before Cheri.” He sighed. “I love Cheri in my own
way. She is strong, beautiful and highly intelligent. An asset to any king.” He
sounded like he was naming a list of features straight off the spec of his
latest car.

“She
must be really good at a lot of things to have you so blinded.”

He
frowned, looking confused. Were males really so stupid?

“Never
mind, you need to find your own way.”

“You’ve
never liked her,” he growled. “You should give her a chance.”

“She
lies. Would do anything to become queen. There’s not much to like. I don’t
think she really loves you. She wouldn’t have…” Esral pursed her lips and
sighed. “Forget I said anything.”

“Tell
me.” Keto leaned forward.

Esral
debated whether to say anything.

“I’m
planning on officially announcing our blossoming ceremony as soon as you are
mated. If you have anything to say, you’d better say it now.”

“I
hadn’t planned this…” She made a sound of frustration. “Do you promise not to
get mad?”

Keto
shook his head. “No.”

Esral
made an even louder frustrated growl. “Cheri tried to seduce Xavier on the day
he arrived at Pulamor.”