11. Prince

A siren soundedin the distance, dragging Tallulah from the fog.

"Hello, little mouse." Lucien's sultry voice greeted Tallulah like a caress.

Tallulah's body lay broken and battered as she blinked up at her prince. He removed the black masquerade mask to expose his handsome face. His gray eyes were a perfect accompaniment to his caramel skin. His left brow was marred with a scar that she was tempted to run her finger across, but she didn't have the strength to raise her arm.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Not from fear, but something else. Was it simply an attraction to this man or something more?

"Lucien—" Her voice was a hoarse whisper. "I waited for you."

"Shh!" He touched her cheek. "Don't waste your strength."

Lucien's smile made Tallulah swoon. He caught her in his strong arms and lifted her bridal style. She snuggled against his tattooed chest. The words Strength Through Loyalty took up residence across his collar. An enormous horned skull was centered with his nipples in the dark eye sockets.

The tattoos on his strong arms were visual depictions of heaven on one side and hell on the other. She heard the choir of angels sing while the eternally damned screamed in torment.

"You're beautiful," she sighed.

He chuckled lightly.

"You wouldn't say that if you knew me."

"I do know you," she said with a wince and blacked out.

* * *

Tallulah awoke floating on a cloud.Lucien smiled at her with a gleaming grin. One sharp tooth poked over his lower lip.

"You're the sexiest vampire I've ever seen." She giggled.

"I'm your vampire, little mouse." He winked. "Watching you through the trials excited me. I'm proud of you."

Lucien's words wrapped her in warmth as much as his strong arms. He was home.

"Make love to me, my prince."

"You're insatiable. Haven't you had enough tonight?" He chuckled.

"I'm hungry for you."

"Oh, little mouse, I crave you." His gray eyes clouded with desire.

She squealed as he pounced on her. "I've missed you."

He gently brushed her cheek and pushed her hair behind her ear.

"I'm here now."

"Please make love to me," she begged.

Lucien closed his eyes and sighed. "It's dangerous, given the state your physical body is in."

"This isn"t real, is it?" She frowned.

Lucien ran his thumb across her quivering lower lip. She chased it with her tongue and sucked the tip in. He probed her mouth for a moment.

"What do you think this is?" he retorted.

She shook her head. The truth was apparent, but more than anything, she was willing to indulge her subconscious.

"I don't care. I ache for you."

"How can I say no to you?"

Tallulah spread her legs wantonly. She quirked her finger, enticing him. His eyes slowly perused her body, making her squirm. She caressed her fevered skin, stopping to squeeze her breasts and tweak her nipples.

"Yes," he hissed. "Show me where you want me."

She trailed her hand down her body until she reached the apex between her thighs. Tallulah spread herself open for Lucien's gaze as she circled her clit with her fingers. Her breath quickened as she pleasured herself before her captive audience.

"That's enough," he said. "It's my turn now."

Lucien vaulted over her. He lowered his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. His tongue met hers in a tango. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and clung to him, pressing her chest against his.

Tallulah lowered her hand to grasp Lucien's throbbing member, but he stopped her.

"Slow down," he said against her lips as she pouted. "I want a taste first."

Lucien kissed down her neck, leaving love bites along the way. He nibbled, sucked, kissed, and soothed every spot with his tongue. When he lingered on her breasts, he wrapped his arm around her, causing her back to arch so he could suckle her nipple.

He kissed her soft belly and licked around her navel, dipping his tongue in her belly button. She squirmed and giggled because it tickled.

"If you're laughing, clearly I'm not doing a good job."

Lucien split her lower lips with his hand and dove right in with long licks between her folds. Her engorged clit beckoned him closer, but he ignored it. He slipped a finger inside her tight channel.

"I need more," she whined.

"I love when my little mouse proves what a needy little slut she is. Beg for it, gorgeous."

"Please, Lucien. Please let me come."

"Almost."

He withdrew his finger and held it up before her. Tallulah eagerly sucked it into her mouth, tasting herself on his caramel skin.

"Your tongue is magical," he groaned as she swirled around his finger. "Would you like your reward?"

"Yes, sir," she whimpered.

He lowered his head again, this time paying homage to her clit. He sucked her pulsing desire into his mouth, and she bucked and cried.

"Scream for me," he said, flashing his pearly white fangs.

Tallulah obeyed and howled, coming like a freight train as he pierced her nub. He sucked her blood as she writhed and thrashed. He wrapped his arms around her hips to hold her steady.

Lucien released her clit and moved to her dripping slit to enjoy the juices she squirted.

"Naughty mouse. You soaked everything."

She giggled, still trying to catch her breath. "You brought it out of me."

"I hope you aren't finished yet."

"Never."

He smiled and licked the blood from his lip. Lucien bit his tongue with his fang and let the blood pool before kissing Tallulah. He transferred his blood to her, and she eagerly swallowed.

She was so desperate to feel Lucien, so ready. As he drove into her, her head fell back with a cry. She spread her legs wider, trying to take him as deep as she could. There was a space within her that only he could fill.

Though she was wet and well-prepped, he still stretched her to the point where pleasure met pain.

"Your pussy is so delicious. It weeps for me."

"Yes," she moaned as he thrust into her.

He was gentle only a moment for her to accept him within her. His movements became fast and furious as he loved her deeply and hard.

With eyes darkening like a thunderstorm and his handsome features twisting into a monstrous guise, he slammed his hips into Tallulah's. He lifted one of her legs over his shoulder to push deeper. He gripped Tallulah's wrists in his hand and held them over her head.

"Take me," he growled.

"Yes!" she cried.

Their slapping flesh met relentlessly until he roared his release. Before Tallulah's cries subsided, Lucien's fangs descended into her tender throat.

Tallulah screamed and convulsed as he swallowed her blood.

"I know it hurts, love. Just hold on. Come back to me, Sadie."

She didn't know who Sadie was, but something about the name resonated within her.

* * *

Tallulah's eyelids fluttered.Lucien's face swam before her, making her dizzy.

"Stay awake."

He shook her gently, causing her to groan.

"Did I win?" she asked.

"Shhh. Don't worry about the trials right now."

Lucien's voice soothed every ache she had. Somewhere, the lines between their realities became blurred. It wasn't a game as the lovers clung to one another.

"You have a choice to make, my tulip. Accept the prize money, and I can remove the burden of your memories. Or remain cognizant and accept the next invitation."

Before Tallulah could make a choice, she fell unconscious in his arms.