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18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Leander

Seeing my heirloom earring grace Hayden’s lovely head does something funny and curious to my insides. I don’t think he realizes the meaning behind the gesture. He couldn’t. He’s not versed in vampire culture yet, but I will teach him everything he needs to know once this fiasco is over.

There is no rush. My mate is not going anywhere. I won’t let him.

We arrive in Munich just before noon. A quick lunch and we are headed to Veltz Veste, which is about four hours away. Tucked in the Alps, it’s a fortress-like castle few humans are even aware exists, its lush grounds sprawling deep into the mountains for miles. A shimmering barrier that’s invisible to the human eye surrounds it, ensuring it remains hidden unless its guardian wishes otherwise.

My Aunt lives at the castle a couple of months every year, throwing balls and events and sipping blood in the company of European nobility. I’ve met most of them, but no lady or lord has ever piqued my interest despite their attempts to charm me. I’m sure half of them have been put up to it by her, but the others are either after status or wish to combine the gifts of our bloodlines.

Neither is frowned upon. I just have no interest in such political moves. Besides, as science progresses, so do the ways to continue and preserve the purity of a bloodline without the need for old-fashioned coupling.

“Whoa. This place is sick.” Hayden guffaws at the turrets and stained-glass towers of the gothic castle when we get out of the car. “It looks like a real castle. I’ve never seen one before.”

I study the building, its shape and fa?ade not particularly impressive to me. Then again, having lived with my aunt for most of my teenager years, I am used to such style. My own mansion is loosely designed to resemble it.

“I think you will appreciate the interior as well. It’s very traditional,” I muse, guiding him up the bifurcated staircase with my hand resting at the small of his back while servants handle the single suitcase we brought. We won’t be staying long, so there was no need to overpack.

“Do they have, like, those preserved deer heads? You know, the creepy and weird ones. And statues. And pictures of all the family members. Kind of how you have the landscapes in your entry hall, but less tasteful.”

“Taxidermy? They do. I believe our guest room has a wolf one.”

“Of course it has a wolf one.” He snorts, skipping up the stairs while still facing me. “A deer would be way too uncool and not broody enough for Leander Adetu’s room.”

“I agree. Though my nephew would never confess to such a thing,” my aunt says and laughs. She’s at the top of the stairs, leaning in the doorway as a royal blue gown billows around her.

Hayden jumps, his heart doing a startled skip in his chest. Flushing a lovely red, he whips his head at my aunt and properly faces forward. His hand squeezes the banister, his breathing a little elevated. But he recuperates, at least externally, and offers her a slightly awkward but still charming smile.

“Ah. Did I startle you? My apologies,” Auntie says, dipping her pearls-adorned head in a greeting and spreading her arms wide. “Welcome to Veltz Veste. I’m Andrea Adetu. And you are…?”

She knows exactly who Hayden is, Montgomery would’ve made sure of that. But I decide we’ll play along regardless.

Walking up to Hayden, who’s now reached the landing, I coil my arm around his waist and pull him toward me. His firm body molds to mine in a sideways hug, the contact stirring heat in my gut and pleasant fluttering in my chest.

“This is Hayden Johnson. My companion and partner.”

Hayden’s heart beats faster, the frantic vibrations flowing from his body into mine. I want to soothe it, the urge instinctual like the need to suddenly taste him. His scent sharpens with his agitation, the want and desire he seems to possess for me so desperate I can’t get enough of them.

Auntie’s eyes glaze over a little. I know she can feel this silent declaration Hayden professes that likely matches my own. Triumph washes over me, but it doesn’t last as long as I expect it to, diluted by a strange but not unpleasant feeling of wonder.

Is Hayden doing this knowingly? Channeling attraction and yearning toward me because he knows my aunt can sense it? Or… A sweet hum spreads through my insides, turning them to almost mush. Or is he unaware of that? Is his reaction genuine? Something he has no control over?

A group of vampires pass by us, heads bobbing in greeting as their eyes linger on the human at my side. Their green gazes intensify and their nostrils flare on deep inhales as they too seem to catch a whiff of Hayden’s titillating scent.

I pull him closer, my fingers digging into his side. His pretty eyes bounce from my aunt to me, dark and a little confused.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Hayden,” Auntie says, not hiding her curiosity as she roams Hayden from head to toe. She approaches us and pats me on the shoulder, a conceited smile tugging at her lips when her fingers stroke the earring adorning Hayden’s ear. “You look lovely.”

“Um, thank you, Andrea. You do too,” Hayden tosses with a nod at her blue ensemble. “I love the golden accents on your corset. They make your eyes pop.”

Pleased, my aunt steps to the side, letting us through. “They do, don’t they? I had them embroidered last minute, but I do think the tailor did a splendid job.”

“Terrorizing the servants again, Auntie? You’ll give them a heart attack,” I pitch in, proud at the small talk Hayden so expertly handles.

“No, no such thing. And I made sure any stress induced was compensated generously.” She claps both hands, the sound echoing off the stone walls around us. “Anyhow, dear nephew. I have more guests to welcome. I will see you in an hour at the banquet hall. Please make sure to get settled and arrive promptly. There are many who wish to meet you.”

I nod, knowing that a simple introduction to Hayden won’t be enough to deter her from marrying me off. But she will come around before the night is over, there is no question about it.

“Of course,” I agree, rubbing circular patterns along Hayden’s flank to ease off some of the tension from his body as she walks away.

Once we are on our own, he turns to me. “Your aunt has your eyes.”

Humming, I guide him inside and up another set of grand stairs, the wall along their side riddled with portraits of vampire nobles and candles in sconces. “Every pureblood from the Adetu Clan does. There are subtle differences, if you know to look for them.”

“Oh yeah! The glow of hers had a hint of gold in it. Yours is greener, with a bit of blue.” Oh, he noticed something like that by himself? Satisfaction spears through me, the need to have him mounting.

We reach our room. I let him unlock it, following him inside. The four-poster bed in the middle is dressed in black silk that matches the drapes tucked to one side of the window and balcony. The door has been left open and cool breeze wafts in, carrying the smell of pines and rain clouds. Twilight seeps in as well, coloring everything in a fiery orange-red that makes Hayden look like a fairy creature from another world.

“Wow. You weren’t joking.” He jogs over to the fireplace and couch tucked in the far corner. “There’s an actual wolf head here.”

Fluffy red rugs cover the hardwood, calling out to me to sit or lie on them with Hayden in my arms. They are thick enough to cushion his knees and elbows were I to take him from behind. The plush armchair looks just as tempting though, and so does the bed and the huge jacuzzi I know occupies the luscious bathroom.

“You are having dirty thoughts,” Hayden whispers in my ear, his breath warm and tingling. His fingers trace the curve of my arm, the touch featherlight in its teasing.

“When is that not the case if you are around me?” I counter, twisting my head to the side.

He smiles at me, his mouth an inch away. “That is very true.”

I erase the small distance between us and capture his lips. His tongue welcomes me, slick and hot and a little desperate as it tangles with mine. I push him back until he’s caged between the wall and my body, deepening the kiss as I chase after his irresistible taste.

“Leander, I’m really horny.”

I bury my nose in his neck and inhale him, my head spinning at dizzying speeds as I push one leg between his and feel his erection rub against my thigh. He smells so fucking good, he smells mine , and it’s taking me everything I have not to rip his clothes and give us both what we so desperately want.

“I know. And it’s driving me crazy not being able to touch you when all I want is to sink my cock into your tight hole and make you beg me to fuck you.”

He whimpers, humping my leg. “Shit, this is unfair. Don’t say stuff like this if you don’t plan to oblige.”

I place my hands on his hips, digging my fingers into the fabric of his pants so I can feel the heat of his skin underneath. “Oh, but I do plan to. I just need you to be patient for a while longer.”

“Fuuck, I really want your cock in me.”

Desire and budding pleasure crackle inside me, almost too much to resist. But it’s not long now until the ball begins and the edging we’ve been enduring so far pays off. I will claim what is mine in the best way possible so that everyone knows whom Hayden belongs to.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Hayden. But you will soon. You’ve been so good for me.”

“Yeah?” He pulls on his bottom lip with his teeth, lust burning in his hazel eyes. “I’ve been the best for Daddy, haven’t I?”

I rake my hand through his hair and pull back, exposing his neck. Mouthing along it, I let my fangs protrude, though I don’t bite him. I just nip along, alternating between licking, kissing and sucking.

“If you do that biting thing right now, I’m gonna come in my pants.”

I chuckle, pulling away so I can hold his twinkling gaze. “Tempting. But I think you’d prefer it if you had my dick inside you when I make you lose your mind from pleasure.”

He groans, shoving me away with a strained smile. “I love and hate how fucking dirty your mouth is.” Adjusting himself does little to hide his bulge, so he opts to stare at me in warning. “This—the entirety of me—is a no-no square for the next thirty minutes. You are not allowed to touch me in any sexual way or, I swear to god, I will be the one ripping your clothes off so I can impale myself on your monster pole, public show be damned. Got it?”

He sounds like he’s only half-joking, which means he’s half-serious. It’s endearing, especially since he delivered it as if something like this is an actual threat.

Breaking his rule immediately, I ruffle his hair. “Go and get yourself in order. You are a mess.”

He scoffs, swatting my hand away and trying his hardest not to laugh. “And whose fault is that?”

I watch him disappear in the bathroom, grinning when his awe-s and wow-s and ‘oh my god, why is the damn bathtub made from fucking gold’ reach my ears. Giddiness twists in my stomach, sending pulses of pleasure and satisfaction.

Mine. Hayden is mine. And after tonight, he will be ready to know it, too.

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