Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella (6 page)

Chapter Ten

M
arissa had spent the last three weeks very simply. Training to fight Arnaud and spending time with Dominic. He sat with her while she ate, went for walks with her in his garden, listened to her hopes and fears, entertained her with stories from his youth and made her realize that her feelings for him had become something much greater than just a plan. Love had taken hold of her heart, and denying it was no longer possible.

But love was not on her mind at the moment. Now, bent over, sword in one hand, fists on her thighs, Marissa took a moment to let her breathing even out. “Well, that made a difference. How much did you give him?” These past weeks, she’d dispatched a handful of fringe vampires, but this last one had been more of an effort.

Dominic came to her side, concern marring his handsome face. “A full vial of the Bellona.”

“How much did you give me?”

“Half.” The furrow between his brows narrowed. “I will give you the full vial as well before you face Arnaud.” He checked his pocket watch. “Almost four minutes.”

She straightened and lifted her braid to cool her damp neck. “The fight with Arnaud won’t go much longer.” She smiled, trying to ease the alarm in his eyes. “Because I’m ready for him.”

Dominic tucked his watch away and nodded unconvincingly. “I hope you are right. I cannot help my worry.”

“Don’t. Not one of these fringe has laid a hand on me. I’m not saying the fight ahead will be easy, but with this practice and your serum, I feel very confident.” Her smile deepened and reached out to him, taking his hand. In these past weeks, he’d fed from her numerous times and the bond between them was now almost a tangible thing. But more than that, the unthinkable had happened. She’d come to genuinely care for him. To miss him during the daylight hours when he slept and her mind wandered to unhappy outcomes. “I don’t like it when you worry.”

His mouth bent in a half smile. “How can I not? The prospect of an eternity without you,
bella mia
, is not something I care to contemplate. Not after this wonderful time we have shared. I want more of that. Much more.”

“So do I.” And that was the truth, so help her. She let him pull her in close, protesting only slightly. “I need a shower.”

He ignored her words to kiss her wrist, his fangs grazing her skin, his eyes shutting briefly. “Our time comes to a close.” Still clasping her hand, he pressed her palm to where his heart had once beaten. “You’re sure you feel confident?”

“Very.” Or at least as much as she could feel when her next meeting with Arnaud could be her last. In more ways than one. “I could fight him tomorrow.”

“Three days from now is time enough.” Dominic nodded. “But I am glad you feel this way. And…I would like to propose we take a break from the training.”

“And do what?”

His eyes crackled silver. “Get to know one another more than we already have. We are anticipating a very long future in each other’s company.” The silver died a bit. “Or perhaps not.” He squeezed her hand. “Either way, I know better ways to spend these nights before we return to Corvinestri.”

She tipped her head back. A shiver of anticipation ran through her already-flush body. She was no innocent virgin. If she was going to die at Arnaud’s hands, she would prefer one memory that was purely her own, untouched by comarré law. If that’s what Dominic was suggesting, she would gladly agree. “Such as?”

“Wine and song, revelry, and the chance to be whoever we desire.” He stroked a fingertip over the signum on her cheek and whispered, “
Carnevale di Venezi
,” like he tasted sunlight on his tongue. “We shall go and lose ourselves in the crowd and forget, at least for these few last days, what awaits.”

He stepped away and held out his hand to her. “What say you,
cara mia
? Shall we dance in the streets of Venice and take our pleasure where we find it?”

The idea of walking among mortals, hidden by masks that would allow them to go unnoticed and unfeared caused her head to spin. Embolden by the ephemeral ticking of fate’s clock, she reached for his hand. “I say we go. I say we live like we have no tomorrow.”

Because she knew very well they might not.

Waves of masked revelers flowed through Venice, turning the streets into a sea of iridescent silk and shimmering satin. “It’s unbelievable,” Marissa whispered as their gondola passed beneath a bridge and turned toward the Grand Canal. Lights from other gondolas dotted the waterway, bobbing up and down on the gentle swells. “I can see why you keep a home here. It’s perfect.”

Beside her, Dominic nodded, but his gaze picked through the crowd peering over the bridge. “It’s only perfect because we are here together.”

She smiled and leaned into him a little more. Thanks to his wide web of influence, they were also perfectly outfitted. A favor owed turned into matching costumes and masks, both elaborate designs in white and gold. They looked like a grand lord and lady from centuries past. Her hair was tucked into a tall white wig, while long, white curls covered Dominic’s dark locks. Pearls and crystals decorated the gold masks that hid everything but their mouths.

Dominic had insisted on that, refusing, he said, to be kept from kissing her. His bold words had made her blush; she was thankful that she’d have the mask to hide behind all evening. “When are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

He tipped his head toward a grand palazzo ahead of them. “Now. We’ve arrived. The ball will already be under way.”

She studied the gorgeous coral mansion ahead of them on the Grand Canal. Colored smoke curled up from large gold pots outside the entrance. “A ball? What house is that?”

“The Palazzo Pisani Moretta. And the ball is the
Il Ballo del Doge
. The most famous ball in Venice.” He smiled. “Impossible to get tickets for.”

She laughed. “But somehow you managed two.”

“Of course.” He nodded as the gondola pulled up to the steps, looking once behind them and scanning the other gondolas.

Masked footmen helped her out, and as soon as Dominic was beside her, he took her hand and led her forward. At the door, he showed a gold coin, and after its inspection, they were granted entrance.

Inside was another world.

Fire-eaters, jugglers, and musicians greeted them as they strolled through the house. Acrobats hung from the ceiling in the main ballroom, twisting and spinning on yards of red and purple silk, while others dangled from enormous metal hoops dressed as exotic birds. There were so many things to look at, she felt a little dizzy. “Wow.”

Dominic laughed and snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing server. He held one out to her.

“No, thank you, I can’t. At least not until…things are settled.”

“Ah, yes. The comarré laws prohibit alcohol, don’t they?” He smiled sadly. “It’s unfortunate you won’t taste this, considering…” He moved to set both glasses down on a side table.

“Wait.” A thousand alarms went off in her head, all telling her what she was about to do was wrong. Let the blasted alarms ring. She might die in a few days. A sip of champagne was not going to change that. “Give me the glass.”

With a new smile, he handed her a flute, then lifted his and clinked it against hers. “To us,
cara mia
, and whatever future lies ahead.”

She raised hers a little higher. “And to this evening. Whatever it may bring.” She drank and the bubbles tickled her nose. Her quick swallow was followed with a laugh. “Oh! That
is
fun. It tastes…how I feel.” She took another long sip. “I might have another of those.”

He laughed and took her hand. “We should find you something to eat. Too much champagne and the night will end before you wish it to.”

Across the great hall, music swelled as the orchestra began. Couples filled the floor, each more elaborately costumed than the next. The longing to join in was too great to be denied. And for once, it didn’t have to be. “I can eat later,” she said. “Right now, I want to dance.”

And dance they did. So long, she forgot that she was not a free woman. In Dominic’s arms, her bonds fell away. He treated her like a queen, doting on her the whole evening. Anything she wanted to do, they did, whether it was watching the magic show or simply escaping for a moment of quiet on one of the secluded terraces overlooking the Grand Canal.

There, with the night sky wrapping the city in a blanket of stars and the gentle lapping of the water below them, she again remembered what awaited her. Her deep sigh must have betrayed her, because Dominic leaned in behind her, his hands beside hers on the balcony, his broad chest pressed to her back. He nuzzled his mouth near her ear. “What is it,
tesora
? Are you not enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, I am. I just remembered that this night will end.” She glanced at the horizon. “And in only a few hours.” She turned to face him, her hands coming up to his shoulders. “You have given me so many wonderful new memories, I could almost accept my lot if death awaits.”

“Almost?” Behind his mask, his eyes filled with confusion. “What else can I do for you,
amore mio
? Name it and it will be so.”

She smiled, his sweet words mingling with the champagne she’d been sipping all night. Courage swelled in her chest, filling her with a lightness born of pure joy. She took his face in her hands, his mask cold from his skin, and kissed him. “I want to be
alone
with you. Do you understand? Alone the way a man and woman who love each other are.” She smiled at her boldness, but she was past caring what she said or how she acted so long as it did nothing to derail her plan. Her skills in the art of love might be limited, but that wouldn’t stop her from taking this last step with him.

Desire swept the confusion from his eyes. “
Cara mia
, what you ask is not allowed, is it?”

“No,” she whispered. “Which makes the breaking of it that much sweeter.”

“Are you sure?” He breathed the words out like a plea. Or a prayer.

“Never more so.” The truth of the words surprised her. She did want him and not just because he was helping her.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, then took her hand. “Come.” Without pretense, he led her through the crowd and back down to the gondolas, commanding one immediately to return them to his palazzo.

Several times on the ride back, his gaze left her to scan a passing boat or examine someone on the street, but it was never for more than a moment and then he was hers again, whispering things in Italian that spun her head and body to the point of near madness.

Once they disembarked, he swept her into his arms and raced them through the lingering crowds. They were back in his palazzo before she knew it. After a brief word to the servants that they were not to be disturbed, he carried her to the bedroom and deposited her gently on the bed.

She reached for her mask, but he held up his hand. “Let me,
bellissima
. I want to savor every moment.” He untied his mask first and tossed it away, then removed hers, kissing her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose. “Since I first saw you, I dreamed of this. Now that you are finally in my arms, I will not let you go. No matter what happens.”

A shout from downstairs stilled them both. Then the doors burst open and three black-masked figures stormed in, brandishing swords. One pointed at Dominic. “Take your hands off the comarré. She belongs to Lord Arnaud.”

“
Caedo
,” Dominic snarled, reaching for a wall-mounted short sword. “Get out of my house before I turn you all to ash.”

One of the men grabbed Marissa and hauled her off the bed. “We plan on leaving. But you’re both coming with us. You have a lot to answer for.”

Dominic swung, slicing through the shirt of the intruder closest to him, but the second sprayed Dominic in the face with something. His eyes rolled back in his head; then he collapsed to the ground.

Marissa screamed. “What are you doing?”

The intruder turned toward her while the third restrained her. He aimed the small canister toward her and sprayed her with it as well. “Exactly what I was paid to.”

A cloud of sweet mist covered her face. She held her breath, but it was too late. She’d already inhaled. A second later, everything went black.

Chapter Eleven

D
ominic awoke with claws scratching at the inside of his skull and the taste of pine coating his tongue. “Marissa,” he mumbled. When there was no response, he opened his eyes. They were not in Venice anymore.

At least they were upright. Marissa sat on the couch beside him, slumped against the arm. The well-appointed room’s beauty was marred by Arnaud sitting across from them.

“It’s about time you woke.”

Dominic cleared his throat. “You had us drugged.”

Arnaud nodded to an older comarré. “Wake her up. I’m tired of waiting.”

The older woman snapped a small white tube, then waved it under Marissa’s nose. She came to with a start. “What…where are we…oh.” She blew out a breath. “The Primoris Domus.” She eyed the woman who’d woken her. “Rennata.”

“What have you done, woman?” Rennata slanted her gaze at Dominic, her words an angry hiss. “Lord Arnaud says you were taken
in flagrante delicto
.”

“Worse than that,” Arnaud added. “I believe he’s fed from her. And all the while doing nothing to fulfill the task I’d given him.”

“How do you know?” Dominic asked. “Were you watching us?”

“Yes. I almost lost you when you went to Venice, but my comarré is easy to track.”

Marissa lifted her head. “How?”

With a snort, Arnaud’s gaze dropped to her hands. “Your ring. Did you think I would give you a gift for no reason? I am no fool. I actually expected you to run.”

Rennata tsked. “I do apologize, Lord Arnaud.”

Arnaud stood. “It’s not your concern, Madame Rennata. From you, all I expect is that this comarré is dealt with. I did not pay good money for her blood rights only to have my authority disregarded. She is—”

Rennata spun. “As I told you when you arrived, Lord Arnaud, I am sorry for your troubles, but you signed a contract agreeing not to return her. If she has caused you a problem, deal with it as you see fit.”

Silver gleamed in his eyes. “I do not believe you will care for my solution.”

Marissa struggled to her feet. “You would give me over to his whims, Rennata? Do you know what he wanted done with me? To have my blood—”

Arnaud flashed to her side and backhanded her. “From now on, you will not speak unless you are spoken to. Is that understood?”

Rage propelled Dominic forward. He caught Arnaud by the waist and took him to the ground, rearing back to strike him. “Touch her again and I’ll kill you myself.”

Marissa gasped.

“Enough!” The
shush
of metal punctuated Rennata’s command. A long ornate sword glimmered in the space between Dominic and Arnaud. This close, Dominic could feel the weapon was hot with holy magic. “This is my house,” she continued. “If you want to kill each other, do so on your own property. I do not wish to breathe ash for the next week.”

Neither vampire moved for a moment. Then slowly, Dominic retreated. He struggled not to show the residual effects of whatever he’d been drugged with, but his head swam and he knew his leap across the room had taxed his strength. He held his hands up in surrender for Rennata’s sake. “As you wish.”

Arnaud jumped to his feet and brushed himself off, his eyes never leaving Dominic. “You’ve made a fatal mistake, Falconetti.”

“No,” Marissa said. “You have, Arnaud. Because one way or another, I’m done with you.”

Arnaud looked past Dominic and laughed. “I own you, comarré.”

Dominic turned to see her. Even after their abduction, with her hair wild about her face and her eyes like shards of blue ice, she looked like a goddess. Like Bellona come to life.

“You don’t own me, vampire, just my blood rights. And I’m about to change that.” With hard purpose, she glared at Rennata. “In front of you and Lord Falconetti as my witnesses, I claim libertas.”

Dominic wished he could go to her and tell her how proud she made him, but any show of emotion between them would serve no purpose at this point. He stayed quiet but hoped she saw the pride in his eyes.

Rennata’s face blanked, then twisted into contempt. “You
cannot
be serious.”

Marissa straightened. “I am.” Her voice was eerily quiet. “How soon can the challenge take place?”

“Challenge? Libertas?” Arnaud pushed past Dominic to stand beside Rennata. “What is this bloody nonsense?”

Rennata raised her brows and pursed her lips, her look coolly appraising. “Marissa has claimed libertas. It is every comarré’s right, although I’ve never known one to do it.” She glanced at Marissa before turning back to Arnaud. “It means that she believes she has the right to her freedom.”

“Like hell she does—”

Rennata held her hand up. “This is all detailed in the contract every vampire signs upon purchase of a comarré’s blood rights. Not that any of you bother to read the fine print.”

Dominic snorted. He hadn’t. But then the thing was nearly three hundred pages long and he’d merely inherited his copy.

When Arnaud stayed silent, Rennata continued. “The challenge of libertas is that the comarré and her patron must battle each other. If the comarré wins, she also wins her freedom.”

Arnaud grinned like he’d just heard something funny. Dominic sneered and wished for a short blade to run him through then and there. Arnaud crossed his arms. “And if I win?”

“You may have your choice of a new comarré.”

He practically beamed, which did nothing for Dominic’s disposition. “Then by all means, let us do battle and see who comes out the victor. Tomorrow at sundown?” He shook his head at Dominic. “That should coincide nicely with Lord Zephrim’s arrival.”

“You called the Dominus of the House of St. Germain?” Not that it mattered. Too much had been set in motion already.

“Yes,” Arnaud hissed. “I thought he should decide what to do with you.”

Rennata glared at him. “There is a little more you should know.”

Arnaud waved his hand and strode toward the door as though he’d just been invited to a picnic. “I’m sure it’s all fine.”

“It’s a battle to the death,” Rennata called after him.

He paused, then slowly turned around, eyes sparkling metallic, smile unchanged. He tipped his head and stared directly at Marissa. “Even better.”