Purebreds and Power
Chapter 12

When Han exited the Ready Room and buttoned his jacket, the laughter lingered through the servants’ quarters. His enhanced hearing didn’t fail to notice the hushed whispers emanating from hand-covered mouths.

“He hasn’t taken one of us in so many days.”

“I’m glad the lord is back.”

“And in the Ready Room? Lucky her.”

And he didn’t miss the calming smell of lavender.

The heavenly scent disappeared suddenly, and Han whirled around in place.

The slaves all dropped their heads, but Lilly did not. Deep wrinkles marred her forehead, and a rogue tear dropped down her cheek. Then she lowered her gaze and folded her hands in front of her.

Han started to reach for Lilly but quickly placed his hands behind his back and strode away.

Sera caught up with Han and matched her steps with his. “Sated, my lord?”

“Yes.”

“Shall I let your favorite choose a bauble then, my lord?”

“Do.”

As he walked off, Han’s focus remained on Lilly. And, although the distance between them grew, Han didn’t miss her sobs echoing in his wake--but he continued on.

---

Darkness set in and Han stood in the window, watching the moon-lit shadows play across his lush lawns while the wind blew and heavy rain soaked the earth. Only the chiming of the grandfather clock let him know exactly how long it had been.

Hours.

Hours since he may have destroyed what had just been started.

Hours since he longed for Lilly’scalming touch to settle his raging heart.

But he could not call for her yet. Protocol wouldn’t allow it.

He spun ice around his empty glass when an unexpected chill climbed his back.

“Jun. Don’t you have things to do?”

“Ah, Father.” Han sighed. “What brings you here this wretched evening?”

“I am receiving pressure from the council. I need to know your thoughts on possible matches.”

“Matches. Matches! Bloody matches!” Han threw his glass at Gideon’s head. Shards sprayed the room and clinked across the wooden floors. “I don’t need more power. You do!” He stalked toward his father. “Stop making me the pawn in your game!”

“Han.” Gideon pressed a hand against his son’s heaving chest. “You know what is expected. You are well past your age to sire and mate.” He prepared another drink and held it out. “You refuse to create a vampire that would be bound to you, so you must wed and produce an heir. Our kind depends on these things.”

Han refused the drink and rubbed his hands over his face. “Duty. Duty. Fucking duty! Is that all anyone cares about?”

Sera stood in the archway. “Is this a bad time?”

“What do you need?” Han returned to the window.

“Oh! What do we have here?” Gideon’s footfall resonated across the room.

Han glanced over: Lilly kneeled on the floor with his father a few feet away.

“I’ve brought your new tribute, Han.” Sera gripped Lilly’s braid.

“My son doesn’t seem in the mood.” Gideon licked his lips. “I am more than happy to have a taste of this delicious-smelling beast.” He stepped toward Lilly. “You didn’t mention you had a werewolf, Jun.”

Han appeared instantly in front of his father, twisting Gideon’s dress shirt in his fist. Then he turned to Sera. “Take her back.” He growled. “Now.”

“But, my lord, your hunger.” Sera furrowed her brows.

“Now!”

“By your leave then, my lord.” Sera jerked Lilly’s hair, pulled her to her feet, and dragged her head long from the room.

Gideon pried his son’s hand off. “Don’t tell me you’ve finally gone soft for a slave.” He straightened his shirt. “Pity you will have to kill her when you marry.”

“Father.” Han huffed and then slowly took a breath. “I cannot do this right now. I can’t.”

“Then you leave me no choice: I will take the elders’ recommendations into consideration and present you with all of the options. In two weeks’ time, you will choose one.” Gideon patted his son’s chest. “I suggest you clean house before then.”

As soon as Gideon left, Han buzzed for James.

“You rang, my liege?”

“Have Sera bring the new tribute to my library.” Han stood and smoothed his hair. “I have work I must attend to and need a snack.”

James pressed his lips together and raised his eyebrows. “As you wish, my lord.”

---

He didn’t smell Lilly when Sera shoved her into the room but heard her knees hitting the wood floor.

“Your snack. As requested, my lord.” Sera smiled at Han. “Please let me know if she needs attitude adjustments. I will be happy to fine-tune her--for the time she has left.”

Han waved Sera away, and she shut the door behind her.

“Lilly.”

“Don’t.” She sniffled, and Han moved to her.

“Lilly. Stand and look at me.”

“I can’t. I need to leave.” She wiped her cheeks. “I won’t give you my tears. My weakness.” Lilly lifted her chin and glared at him. “You are not worthy of them.”

Instantly, Han knelt face to face with her, grabbed her chin, and returned her glare. “Repeat that. I dare you.”

“My father ingrained in me the need for strength. The need to hide your fear, your anger, your tears. Tears show weakness.” Lilly sniffed. “And I won’t be weak in front of you again.”

“Do you doubt me, my beloved?” Han brushed the tears off her cheeks. “Do you doubt my fidelity? My love?”

“Love?” Lilly swiped his hands away. “Do you call fucking some slave in your room of depravity ’love?” On her feet, Lilly shoved past Han. “That blond talked about how satisfied she was all day.” Lilly spun to face her mate. “All damn day!”

“Ask me what you want to ask me, Lilly.” He walked to his desk and sat down. “And watch your language.”

“Fuck my language and fuck you, Mate.”

Han’s chair crashed into the wall when Han stood. The muscles in his jaw pulsed under his clenched teeth. Han wiped his hand over his face and closed his eyes. “Ask me, Lilly.”

“Did you have sex with that woman after you said you would faithful to me?”

“No.”

“Did she suck your cock like she told everyone?

“No.”

“Did you feed on that woman?”

“No.”

“Then tell me, Jun Inhan Kang.” Lilly moved into Han’s space and poked his chest. “What did you do to that girl in the Ready Room that she walked around praising your prowess all day?”

“Ah. There’s the question.” Han pulled Lilly into a hug, stuck his nose into her neck, and licked along her throat. “The way you ask, the words you use, they are important in a question.”

Lilly shoved him away. Han chuckled.

“Answer the damn question, Han.”

“I used toys.”

“Toys?”

“Yes, my sweet innocent love. Sex toys.” He brushed her pinkened cheeks before reaching down and holding her hands. “There are many ways to give and receive pleasure, to replace satisfaction in a release.” Han pulled Lilly across the room to a wingback chair near the fireplace. Then he pulled her down into his lap. “I gave her toys to use on herself. A forbidden activity normally, because as a slave, their release, their chemical high is mine.”

“But she said you drank from her.” Lilly fiddled with Han’s tie. “She had the bloody shoulder to prove it.”

“Milked.”

“What?”

“I blindfolded her and milked her.” Han pushed Lilly’s braid off her shoulder and rested his head there. “How do you think we get goblets of blood for our guests?”

“I thought it was all bottled.”

“Much of it is, but that collection only comes out on rare occasions since that blood comes from desired and sometimes extinct species.” Han pressed a kiss to Lilly’s chest. “Much like a mother can milk her breast, with a clamped device, and the power of compulsion, I can get the delicious nutrient from a post-orgasmic specimen quite easily.”

“But the Ready Room, your jacket.” Lilly looked down, feeling Han’s arousal pressing in her bottom. “Your belt and zipper.”

“Privacy.” He traced a finger over the top of her cleavage. “Pretense and a good show.” With a finger under her chin, Han lifted Lilly’s face to his. “Forgive me for not explaining. But I can’t always.”

Lilly sighed and closed her eyes. “Why not?”

“Because sometimes I need your honest reaction.”

“I don’t like it.” Lilly looked into Han’s silver eyes. “I don’t like you around naked, orgasmic women.”

Han chuckled. “Jealousy looks good on you, my beloved.”

Lilly hit his chest. “Stuff it, you ass.” Then she kissed his lips.

“I didn’t touch her. But I will change some things. For you.” Han kissed her back. “And I need you to trust me.” He kissed her again. “Trust my yearning for only you. My need for only you. My love for only you.”

With the tip of his tongue, Han deepened their next kiss, wanting to explore every inch of the woman before him. Their mouths engaged in a heated battle of dominance, and she moaned into his demanding touch.

“Did you say ‘love,’ my mate?” Lilly mumbled as she played with the button on his shirt.

“Yes, my beloved. I did.” Han tapped the tip of Lilly’s nose.

Lilly smiled and lounged against Han’s chest. He lifted her legs and body further into his lap as he adjusted his seat.

“I love you too, my mate.”

“I know.” Han sighed. “The depth of your feelings tells me so.” With a gentle touch to her chin, Han lifted Lilly’s gaze to him. “But from now on,” Han brushed his hand over the side of her head. “Never doubt me.”