Purebreds and Power

“Han!” Lilly hopped off the bed--her cheeks beet red. “Language!” She touched Han’s mouth with the tips of her fingers.

Han laughed and swiped toward Lilly’s waist.

But she dodged.

With one hand on her hip, she wiggled a finger in the air. “Never underestimate your opponent.”

Han lunged, but Lilly bent backward and sprung, flipping across the room until she landed on the duvet.

The smile hadn’t spread across Lilly’s face when Han pinned her arms and legs--his body on top of hers. “And never disrespect me. My house. My rules. I am master.”

Lilly yanked her hands free and pushed Han backward. “But here. Now. Between us?” She gestured back and forth. “You and I must be equal.”

She wrapped her arms around him “I know when and how to submit. And for you, I will.” Lilly pulled back and took Han’s hands in her own. “But you have to trust me. And no double standards.”

Han studied Lilly’s face for a moment and then clutched his belly in laughter. “You are indeed my soulmate.” He pecked her lips. “Strong. Willful. Gorgeous. Mine.” He wrapped her in a hug once more. “But now, we need to get you to bed.” Han walked toward the door, pulling Lilly with him. “James will take you.”

“But I thought . . . I mean, aren’t we . . .”

“Lilly, my beloved. You can’t even say it. How on earth do you think you are ready to do it?”

Forehead first, Lilly leaned into Han’s chest. “I’m sorry.”

He nuzzled the top of Lilly’s head and kissed it. “Why ever are you sorry? I will not take what you don’t freely give.”

“But you need to feed.” She looked up at him. “You will grow weak.”

Laughter filled the soundproof room. “I am an ancient demon--neither fully dead nor undead. I could survive in a coffin for hundreds of years if need be. Few things can truly weaken me.” Han pulled Lilly’s body flush with his once more. “A couple of missed meals won’t affect me.” He breathed deep and squeezed. “Only your absence will.”

At the gentle knock on the door, Han stepped back. “Go and sleep. Your days and nights will be reversed, so try your best.” He kissed her palm, took another step back, and dropped her hands. “And don’t forget your persona.”

The corners of Lilly’s lips turned up, the corners of her eyes down. “I’ll see you later then, I guess.”

Han pushed the button on the wall, and the door opened, revealing James.

“Take good care of her.”

“Of course, my lord.”

---

The piles of papers on Han’s oversized mahogany desk begged for attention. He flipped the contract pages, re-reading the same page for the third time. Thoughts of Lilly’s soft skin consumed his mind. Her scent lingered in his room and on his sheets, and he had spent the day languishing in it. He adjusted his seat.

She called to him--every part of him. His chest tightened with the thought of her blood in his mouth, and he licked his upper lip.

Seeing Lilly splayed for his pleasure earlier? He groaned recalling the restraint.

Han thrived on the interaction between himself and a tribute in the Red Room--the exchange of power and satisfaction during their initiation. Could they willingly submit to a vampire master? Could they give, body and mind? Many women had. Others who came willingly but could not or would not submit left freely--despite what rumors claimed.

And, with those who stayed, Han fulfilled his darkest fantasies.

When Han discovered his most beloved soulmate lying there, he nearly ravaged her on the spot. Her pert nipples and moist pussy begged to be sucked, licked, worshiped.

But he could not, would not do that to her.

At least, not yet.

Her calloused hands had surprised him. And her course language intrigued him. Both seemed so out of place for the beautiful female specimen. After their interaction in his bedroom, it all made sense.

His warrior.

His beloved.

The one who would complete him in every way.

He grinned and then groaned.

The sun beckoned from the edges of the room-darkening curtains--a failure on someone’s part.

The light called to him.

What if…

Like a moth to a flame, Han drifted toward the window. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over his fingernails and then stuck out his index finger.

With careful precision, he touched the light.

And it burned.

Instantly.

With a wince, Han pulled his hand back and examined the charred skin. The damage would need some time to heal.

Wishful thinking.

Han plopped into his desk chair. He pushed over the pile of papers and kicked the desk.

Hearing a knock, Han sat uprigh and folded his hand in front of him.

James peeked around the door. “Excuse me, sir, but Sera is here with breakfast.”

“I noticed you hadn’t eaten this morning when I found your favorite trollop still in bed.” Sera pushed past James, dragging a smiling blonde behind her. “You need to feed, Han.”

Han took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Take her to the Ready Room.”

Sera chuckled. “That she-wolf must have revved your appetite, my lord. You should reward her.”

“I don’t appreciate your commentary, Sera. Ready Room. Now.”

Sera snickered as she pushed the slave out the door.

James started to leave, then turned back and dropped his head. “If I may be so bold, my lord.”

“You may.”

“I know you have needs, but you can’t—”

“You don’t have to tell me my duties.”

“By your leave, then, my lord.”

Han walked around his desk. And then he walked around again. He rubbed his hands through his hair and then kicked the desk. With a huff, Han stilled. He smoothed his hair back, buttoned his suit coat and tugged on his cuffs. Then he marched through the castle.

The aura rolling off the vampire lord sent his servants and slaves scurrying well out of the way. The click of his shiny leather wingtips on the polished marble floor resembled the sound of the grandfather clock--steady and resolute. Lilly emerged from her room just in time to see him striding through the servants’ quarters, and she smiled.

But Han did not look at her.

Curiosity filled more than one daring servant’s mind, and they followed their lord and master at a respectable distance. Han heard their hushed whispers. He fisted his hands and frowned but did not stop.

In the recesses of the castle, a single bulb lit the way to the heavy metal door. Han pushed it open and found his slave prostrate on the cold cement--naked, legs and arms spread wide, Han walked around her body. She didn’t move.

The vampire lord inspected his meal, ignoring the giggles from the hallway.

The smell of lavender accosted his nose.

With his back to the open door, Han unbuttoned his jacket and his cuffs.

“Kneel.”

The slave got on her knees in front of him and opened her mouth as the jingle of Han’s belt, and the sound of his zipper echoed down the corridor.

Then he kicked the door shut.