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My jacket tightened as her grip increased; her chest mashed against me. Her lips parted slightly, and I gently slid my tongue between, my senses quickly being overcome. She tasted as good as she smelled, the sweetness of her mouth intoxicating me.
I couldn’t get close enough to her, clasping her so tightly her slim body was melded to mine while I nipped and sucked at her lips.
She wasn’t unaffected by my attention. The scent of her desire circled the two of us, and it was the realization that everyone around us would imbibe upon her heightened pheromones that made me pull away.
I let out a breath and scanned her face. Her eyes were glassy and her lips plump, swollen and red. She had enjoyed our kiss.
My gums ached as my canines longed to push through, claiming more than just her succulent mouth.
Cassia gasped, peering up at me, but I let her see. Allowed her to witness the effect she was having on me. My pupils were dilated, and the rings of my irises a liquified bright green that would be alien to her. There was no reason I should hide what I was.
Again, the room was silent. The crowd’s focus was centered on the three of us, waiting for their Queen’s decision. Would she allow us to walk free or force a price? That was the question.
The heavy atmosphere pressed down on my shoulders while I kept myself coiled for action. I knew it’d be useless, but that didn’t mean Cassia’s head would be the only one to roll. Annalise would be Queen no more if she made any move against her.
I felt rather than saw Kiam come closer and was grateful for his stoic support. I’d never fought beside him, but I knew he would be highly effective. He kept himself fit and was a master of dark art. His interference would be highly welcome.
Cassia met Annalise’s gaze head-on, defying protocol. “Did that answer any questions?” She asked.
“Hmmm...,” was the drawn-out answer. “You place me in a precarious position. You are aware that a coupling between a human and a vastly superior being such as Lukas is strictly forbidden. Are you aware you’ll never be able to bear a child? Should you become pregnant, the fetus will eat you from the inside out. Neither of you would survive.”
She blanched. “I... I’ve never thought about having kids.”
Annalise lightly rolled her eyes. “It is not common among us, for obvious reasons, but to ensure the survival of our species, children must be born. Lukas’s children, should he find an appropriate mate, would be worshipped. You can’t provide that.”
Cassia’s chest sank, the message sinking in.
Aware of the risks, I never intended to impregnate her. I’ve never had any desire to have children. Many do, but not me. I had enough responsibility without trying to keep my own babies and children alive in an environment that practically guaranteed a premature demise. Most were stolen for their fresh, pure blood. I had enough people to kill as it was and if someone stole my child, I’d burn the Realm to the ground.
Cassia retorted, “I have no intention of giving birth to a blood drinking monster. Plus, I get the shot so I can’t even get pregnant.”
Cassia’s words didn’t match her physical condition or her appearance. She was barely hanging on, her voice wavered, and yet her inner strength was demonstrated through her voice. A deep admiration spread throughout my chest.
Not even I dared to speak to Annalise in this manner.
“You won’t ever give birth to one, however you are surrounded by them.” Annalise tilted her chin up, and her tongue slid out, swiping at her bottom lip. Then she grinned, displaying long, pointed teeth.
Cassia held her breath, swaying very slightly on her knees. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that.”
Suddenly, the Queen clapped her hands together. “Well then, shall we do lunch sometime? We do serve a delightful spread of delicacies here that you may enjoy.”
It was my turn to waver, and then my body ran cold, my blood rushing to my feet before roaring back to my head. “Lunch?” I asked.
“Yes, Lukas. Lunch. Or do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” I replied and cleared my throat. “As long as my wife isn’t on the menu.”
“I’m not your wife.”
CHAPTER 11
Cassia
My head hurt and the room spun. Carefully, I lifted my fingers one by one from Lukas’s arm. They ached. I stretched them, bending them back and forth, feeling the blood rushing back in. I caught Kiam’s eye and he gave me a small smile and a nearly imperceptible nod.
The strength to smile back eluded me, and I turned my attention to the Queen and Lukas. He suddenly had one of his fingernails extended, hovering over the side of her neck while she grinned. She batted it away.
“Cassia, I’ll be in touch.” She canted her head before she strolled away, clutching the hem of her gown and exposing bare feet. Her toenails were painted pink. The sight shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did.
