Purebreds and Power
Chapter 9

The gentle woosh of the grandfather clock served to regulate Han’s heartbeat. Following a deep breath, he sat back down in his armchair and toyed with the destroyed arms.

He chuckled.

And waited.

The annoying tick of the clock hands began to grate on Han’s nerves, and he cracked a piece of carved wood from the chair frame and threw it at the incessant timekeeper, cracking the face.

An hour had passed.

And no Lilly.

Using the intercom, Han buzzed for James once again.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Where the hell are you?”

“Give me one minute, my lord.”

Han heard the sound of shuffling and then a muted “this way” before James’ voice continued. “One minute.”

A quick knock and the door flew open without Han’s acknowledgment.

“I’m sorry I didn’t explain, my lord.” James stood in front of Han, bowed at the waist. “She came as tribute.”

Han leaned forward and grabbed James’ chin, lifting his head. “Care to repeat that?”

“Tribute, my lord.”

“Take me. NOW!”

“She’s being prepared.” James looked up and then right back down. “I tried to explain. To stop her.”

“Now!”

Han buttoned his jacket and tugged on his cufflinks before he smoothed his hair back from his forehead. With long, strong strides, Han moved through the expanse of his castle. He had always preferred the distance between his living quarters and the slave quarters--a perfect distance for defining roles within the walls.

They could never be close enough now.

A trio of giggling girls nearly bumped into the rushing vampire as he cut a corner. Two blondes and a brunette froze in their tracks and bowed their heads.

“Master,” they addressed him in unison.

Han became instantly hard behind his zipper.

The sweet scent of lavender lingered behind a mask of strong citrus.

“Permission to speak, Master?”

“Granted.”

“We have readied this new tribute for you, and we’re on our way to the ready room.”

Han stepped back and fisted his hands behind his back. “You may proceed.”

The vampire lord stood in stunned silence for a moment before he turned and watched the ladies scurry down the corridor and out of sight. He wiped his hands over his face before he adjusted himself in his pants.

“I take it you are pleased, my lord.” Sera stood behind Han.

“We shall see.”

“A bit homely, that one. But a werewolf.” Sera stepped around Han, still looking down the hall until the slaves disappeared from sight. She turned back to her master. “I had her scrubbed down with lemon oil to get rid of her dog smell, but it seems that wolf skin can be as sensitive as human skin. Who knew?” She chuckled. “Hopefully, she will sate you. Try not to kill her this time.” Sera patted Han on the chest, and he looked down at her resting hand.

Sera moved it and clasped her hands in front of her. “I will return, my lord.” Then she bowed and walked away.

Han paced in the hallway, rubbing his chest before he took a seat in the dining room. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin, then spun it on the table. The room had begun to grow lighter as the sun threatened to rise.

And Han began to calculate his path through the castle. The sunlight would burn, but he would do that for his beloved.

“She’s ready for you, my lord.”

Han’s shoulders dropped, and he hunched back in the chair.

“About time.”

James covered his mouth before clearing his throat. “We hurried as best we could, given the circumstance.”

“I know.” Han stood and advanced toward the door. He spun back to James. “And thank you.”

“As always, my pleasure, my lord.”

Step by step, Han advanced toward the Ready Room. He fixed his hair, smoothed his eyebrows, and buttoned his top jacket button. Then he tugged on his cufflinks.

But his usual routine could not stop the tightening in his chest.

The two blond slaves from the hallway stood posted at the Ready Room door.

“The new tribute has been presented as you prefer, Master.”

Han nodded. “Go pick a bauble.”

The girls squealed in delight and disappeared down the tiled hall.

With a deep breath, Han pushed the heavy metal door open. The shrill creak pierced the silence and caused Han to wince.

“You may need some lube.”

Lilly’s lilting voice calmed Han’s frenzied state with ease.

“Is that so?”

“And it would help if you turned on some lights.” Lilly squirmed, shifting her head back and forth on the leather at her back.

“I can see all that I need to, my love.”

Han stalked toward the woman spread before him, digesting her image with his suddenly voracious appetite.

Han bent down and whispered in Lilly’s ear. “You look simply delectable, my dear.” She jumped in place and then giggled.

“That tickles.” Lilly wiggled her fingers before opening and closing her fists. “Is all this necessary?”

“When used properly.” Han blew across Lilly’s bare stomach, and goosebumps spread across her skin. “The pleasure is exquisite.”

Han traced a finger from Lilly’s bare shoulder up to her wrists. Then he tapped on the silk bindings. “Are you comfortable?”

“Um, yes? Awkward.” She wiggled and bent her knees, tugging on her secured ankles. “But not uncomfortable.” She moved her head back and forth across the leather again. “I’m going to have quite the rats nest in my hair if you keep this blindfold on.”

“Hence the braid, my darling.” Han lifted the edge of the fabric across Lilly’s face and Lilly squinted before locking eyes with Han. He beamed at her and placed his palm on her cheek. The warmth of her skin sank deep into his soul. “The eyes.” He touched the bridge of Lilly’s nose with his fingertip. “And the mouth.” He bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her painted lips. “Are very intimate.” He pulled the mask back down. “And wholly unnecessary for a satisfying meal.” Then he bent back down and lingered his mouth just above hers. “Unless you prefer your dinner stuffed.”

Han stepped away from the table, unbuttoned his jacket, and yanked out his tie. Then he untucked his shirt. The sound of his belt buckle hitting the floor and the echo of his zipper bounced off the concrete walls. His shoes clunked on the floor.

Lilly’s breath froze, and she bit the side of her lip.

“Don’t bite your lip, Lilly. They are mine now.”

“Han, I—”

With one finger over her mouth, Han stilled Lilly. “This is what you wanted. Isn’t it?” He walked to the end of the padded black leather table, and stood between Lilly’s sprawled legs.

His beloved lay before him, clad only in traditional sheer garments--a black dot on her wrist the only flaw on her silky skin.

Han placed a knee on the edge of the table. “You came as a tribute, my love.” Han traced a fingertip along the length of Lilly’s muscular legs. “Do you know what that means?”

With one flick, he undid the sides of her undergarments. He pulled and bunched the fabric in the center of her body, just below her belly button between her legs. Then he placed his other knee on the table.

“You have,” he whispered as he skimmed the skin on her torso with the tip of his nose. “Given.” Han placed on hand on the table next to Lilly’s covered breast. “Your body.” He untied the side of her top and collected the string. “Willingly to me.” He undid the other side and did the same. “Now.” Han lowered his pelvis, splaying his pants and sliding them down just a bit. “Your pleasure.” Han placed his palms over Lilly’s breasts. “Is mine.”

The vampire lord wrapped his body around Lilly, and her everything halted.

“Han—”

“You will call me ‘Master,’ my slave.” Han rubbed small circles across Lilly’s ribs with his thumbs as he closed his eyes, relishing the tender flesh he longed to feel beneath his skin. He inhaled and held his breath, savoring the delight before him. “And beloved…” Han licked the edge of Lilly’s ear. “My pleasure is yours.”

Lilly let out a stuttered breath and tilted her head. Han nuzzled into Lilly’s shoulder. “But right now,” he pulled away. “There is something I must do.”

Lilly nodded.

The vampire lord pressed his nose deep into Lilly’s shoulder and moaned. “Forgive me.”

With the slightest prick of his razor-sharp fangs, Han caused Lilly’s blood to flow. Lilly gasped. Han pressed a kiss down into the holes, allowing his lips to spread blood across the surface of her shoulder. His stubbled chin caused the slightest pink irritation. Han’s well-defined body pressured Lilly into the table, and with their combined weight, Han jerked the apparatus so it smacked into the wall several times.

The creak of the door announced Sera’s arrival, but she did not disclose her presence when she entered the room. Han stilled his movements.

And he waited.

Lilly bit down into her lip and began flicking her nails. Han pressed his clad groin up into her, and she gasped.

“To your liking, my lord?” Sera stepped forward.

“Adequate. Bring her to the Blue Room when I am done.”

“As you wish, my lord.” Sera looked from Han back to Lilly, then turned on her heel and let the door clang shut behind her.

Han pressed himself back into Lilly, engulfing her small body in his. He wrapped his arms under her shoulders and laid his head on her still-covered chest.

And sighed.

“I can’t believe you are here. Like this.” He kissed her collarbone. “With me.”

“I’m nuts, aren’t I?”

“You are.” Han kissed a bit lower. “And we have much to discuss.” Han pushed himself up and tapped on the black mark on Lilly’s wrist. “Like this.”

“Actually, Han—”

“Master.”

“Well, shit. That’s going to take some getting used to.”

Han tapped Lilly’s mouth. “Beautiful mouths do not use guttural language, Lilly.”

“Yes, Master.” Lilly wiggled her hips under Han’s.

Han groaned and then squeezed the woman in his arms one more time.

“James will bring you to me when the girls situated you.” Han pulled himself up into a kneeling position and lifted Lilly’s blindfold.

Lilly nodded.

“The sun is rising, but you need to trust me.” Han stood from the table, and Lilly smirked as Han adjusted his shirt over his rippled torso. She watched with rapt attention as he fixed his clothing. Standing near her head, he put his fingers back on the edge of the blindfold and leaned down so their breaths mingled. “Do you trust me, my beloved?”

Lilly nodded.

Han pressed a kiss onto her lips and tugged the blindfold back into place before walking to the door. “Good.”

The grind of the concrete under the edge of the door announced Han’s departure.

And the cool breeze that pebbled Lilly’s nipples following the snap of his fingers announced the departure of Lilly’s clothes as the door clanged shut.