Purebreds and Power

Lilly entered Han’s darkened bedroom well after the sun had risen. Her tender skin glowed an angry pink, and Han moved to her side the moment he saw her.

“What— Lilly, your skin!”

Lilly folded her arms across her body, hugging herself. The blue silk chemise did little to cover her.

“Apparently, I stink. Lemon oil fucking burns!”

Han scowled and then popped Lilly on the lips with a finger. “Language.” With his hands on her hips, Han spun Lilly, surveying the damage. The abused skin had already begun to heal by the time he turned her back around.

“Hey!” Lilly held her arms out, flipping them ever and back. “That’s faster than normal.”

“An expected benefit, my love. The closer we get, the more we will share.” Han enclosed Lilly’s hands within his own. “Let’s sit.”

A small fire crackled in the fireplace, illuminating the grand room and its focal point– a large four-postered bed. Heavy silver velvet ensconced the windows, shuttering out all light, while brighter jewel-toned silks highlighted the couch and chairs.

Han leaned backward at the head of the bed, propped on some pillows. Lilly nestled in beside him.

“Tell me what happened, my love.”

“Well, after your rousing performance, some tall, lanky bit—” Lilly pressed her hand over her mouth. “Ahem. Some servant woman—”

“Sera.” Han kissed the top of Lilly’s head.

“Yeah. Sera.” Lilly traced circles on Han’s smooth chest. “Sera came in and inspected me. Stuck her finger right into the hole you poked in my neck.” Lilly’s long lashes tickled Han as she turned her head and nuzzled closer. “Then she licked her fingers.”

Han growled, rubbing his palm up and down her arm. “Continue.”

“She said she would gladly drain me dry if I didn’t reek of filth. Then she ordered a cleansing bath.” Lilly looked up at Han, eyes wide. “Let’s just say, no one should have a cleansing bath.” She shuddered. “If I were human, I would be dead.”

Han took a deep breath and grabbed Lilly by the shoulders, setting her upright. “You came here as a tribute, Lilly. Do you know what that means?”

“It means I get to be with you.”

“It means you are a slave to my whims. Subjected to degradation at the hands of vicious gluttons.” He cupped her cheeks. “As a werewolf, my father will prize you. And powerful men will desire you. What if I can’t protect you?”

“I trust you, Master.” She pressed her lips to his heart.

“Oh, beloved.” Han pulled Lilly to him and kissed her forehead. “My sweet, innocent love.”

The vampire lord picked up Lilly’s calloused hands and brushed the black mark with the pad of his thumb.

“How is this still here? Can you let me see the real you?”

“It’s a magic mark.” Lilly rubbed back and forth over the spot, muttered a few words, and the spot disappeared.

And there she sat before him. Han’s fated mate. The other half of his broken soul. Lilly beamed at him before pushing an errant strand of dark hair off his forehead. “Rhia gave it to me. It changes only my outside appearance. But retain my werewolf abilities.” She stroked his cheek before resting her hands on his chest. “And apparently my taste and scent.” Then she pulled her hands into her lap and began rubbing her fingers together. “And one other thing.”

Han stilled his anxious love with his hands over hers. “What is that thing, Lilly?”

“ShesaidIcantgetpregnant.” Lilly dropped her head and turned so her feet dangled off the bed.

Han smirked. “Care to repeat that, love?”

“Contraception.” She sighed. “She said I can’t get pregnant when I have it showing.”

Han reached down and pulled Lilly’s lower extremities back onto the bed beside him. “Remind me to reward your friend Rhia.”

“Master!”

“Han.” He tilted Lilly’s face toward his and waited until she looked at him. “When we are here. When we are alone. I am your Han.”

Lilly smiled, and a deep dimple appeared. “Yes, Han.”

Han matched Lilly with his own dimpled grin as he wrapped his arms around her and leaned back into the pillows behind him. With expert precision, he snaked his hand under the back of her nightgown and caressed the firm skin under his palms. The beating of her heart resonated within his chest.

“Are you hungry, my love?”

“No. Quite content.”

The fireplace cracked as the last of the embers faded.

“What about you? You look pale.” Lilly threaded her fingers through Han’s thick hair.

Han closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. “You must be joking.”

“Okay. Pale-er. And warm.” Lilly’s hand pressed into Han’s cheek.

Han quirked an eyebrow.

“Okay. Warm-er.”

Han moved his head and kissed Lilly’s palm. “My heart has begun to beat for you.”

“How is that—”

“And we will grow and strengthen each other as our connection grows.” He opened his eyes. “Why are you here, Lilly?”

Lilly laid back down on her back, putting some space between their bodies. Han furrowed his brows and dragged her flush with him again.

“Han!” Lilly let out a big breath and set her hand back on Han’s chest, rubbing her thumb up and down his sternum. “I couldn’t do it.”

“Do what?”

“Let them die. For me. Because of me.”

“Lilly, look at me.” He wrapped his large hands around her tiny shoulders. “They did not die for you. Or because of you.” He stroked her hair. “They died because they lied. They pretended to be you. My beloved.”

“Seriously?” Lilly scowled. “Why the hell would anyone do something like that?”

Han patted Lilly’s ass, and she squeaked. “Sorry, Master.”

“Power, my love.” He rubbed a soothing circle over her pinked buttcheek. “Prestige. Selfish idiocracy.” He raised one eyebrow and held his hands out to his sides. “And, of course, me.”

Lilly rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Careful, slave.” Han grabbed Lilly’s arm. “You may be my beloved, but I will not tolerate disrespect.”

“My apologies, Han.” Lilly pecked Han’s lips with her own.

Han deepened the kiss with a hand on the back of Lilly’s head, and Lilly readily responded by leaning in. When the tingling and pressure in his gums and chest became too great, Han released her. His chest heaved under his desires, and he rubbed his hands over his face.

“Han, when is the last time you fed from a source.”

“Lilly, I—”

“Answer the question, Han.”

“The day we first met.”

Lilly squinted her eyes. “At the dinner party?”

“Yes.” He looked down and toyed with Lilly’s fingers.

“Drink, Han.”

“Lilly.” Han knitted his brows. “You don’t understand.”

Lilly traced her thumb over the wrinkle in his forehead. “Then explain it to me.”

“You are the only source that will satisfy my thirst.”

“So I don’t see the problem.” She tilted her head to the side, closed her eyes, and pulled her hair from her shoulder.

“My sweet, mate.” Han cupped Lilly’s cheek and brushed the pad of his thumb over her parted lips. “The first time my teeth plunge through your skin, I will not be able to stop.”

Lilly shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Your blood calls to me. Your scent entices me.” He dragged his hands down her arms. “Your entire being will be mine.” He dragged a nail across her collarbone. “I will consume every part of you.”

“You will kill me?” Lilly frowned and her eyes began to well with tears.

“Kill you?” Han threw his head back and laughed, long and loud, before blood-red eyes greeted her. “Oh, no, my sweet.”

He kissed her eyelids and then licked the salty wetness from his lips. “The first time I plunge my teeth through your silky, soft skin, I will have teased you into a frenzy.”

Han leaned down and kissed up the length of her neck. “And then, while you beg me, I will fuck you into tomorrow while I mark you as mine for eternity.”