Chapter 20

The bang on the door sends Dorian to his feet, dropping me to the floor with an undignified scream.

‘Owww…' I groan, winded.

He takes a double look down at me. ‘Shit. I forgot you were there.'

‘I'm all for some rough and tumble, but this isn't quite what I imagined, Dorian.'

‘I'm sorry, poppet,' he offers, leaning down to help me as I rub the back of my head. ‘You okay?' he asks, having a quick look for any injury.

‘I'm fine.'

There's another gentle knock on the door.

‘Yeah. Yeah. Hold on,' Shaw grumbles, slowly getting to his feet and groaning in exhaustion. He must have spent the entire night sat by the door.

He glances at Dorian and me as he rests his hand on the handle. We step away from each other.

I am Shaw's fiancé, after all.

The door opens.

‘Good morning, My Lord,' comes a well-spoken male voice. ‘My king has instructed me to deliver you and your men's… erm… breakfast.'

‘Oh,' Shaw replies, throwing a side glance my way.

‘Shall I leave them here with you?'

Them? I walk quickly to the door and see three females in white robes standing behind a steward. A blonde. A brunette and a redhead. The blonde bites her lip and looks at Shaw like she wants to eat him for breakfast.

‘You had them on your previous visit and were satisfied,' the steward continues. ‘The king thought that perhaps you would like them again. If you would like an alternative, I can arrange that.'

My fists curl. I'm about ready to slam the door shut when Shaw replies calmly.

‘No girls are necessary. Thank the king for his consideration, but my men and I are currently well satisfied.'

He goes to close the door. The steward clears his throat, so Shaw reopens it.

‘It was noted that you did not arrive with luggage. Do you require a change of clothes for this afternoon's ceremony? Or anything refreshed? Your shirts, perhaps? Anything at all.'

‘No,' he grinds back.

The door goes to close again. Another throat clearing has Shaw growling under his breath. When the steward speaks again, his voice trembles.

‘Apologies, My Lord. However, the king insists that your fiancé attend the ceremony this afternoon, and he made it clear that the dress she wore last evening is unsuitable for a swearing-in.'

‘Well, considering it was the king who ordered we spend the night when he was fully aware we had not brought anything with us, he will either be content with her in her dress, or she goes naked.'

My stomach flips. Surely, that's not actually an option.

The steward hands him a key.

‘What is this?' Shaw asks.

‘A key to the royal wardrobes. A rail has been prepared for Miss Nectan with suitable gowns for the occasion.' He looks past Shaw to me. ‘A gift from Her Majesty. The rail is black and to the left when you enter. I believe a letter with your name has been left on it. Her Majesty welcomes you to choose one to wear this afternoon and keep.'

I take the key.

‘I can keep the dress?'

‘You may.'

‘Any dress I want?' I grin, struggling to contain my excitement of owning a royal gown. Shaw finds amusement in how my voice raises as I grip the key. ‘What? Can't I want a pretty dress?'

‘Of course you can. I just…' He thinks for a second, softly smiling as he does. ‘Remind me to take you dress shopping when we return home,' he chuckles. ‘I would like to be the one to make you smile like that.' He turns to the steward. ‘Is that everything?'

‘Indeed.' He offers a slight bow. He then takes a tray the redhead holds and offers it to me. ‘For you.'

I take it and lift the lid to see a platter of food, all of which has my mouth watering.

Shaw closes the door as I take the tray to the bed and heartily tuck in.

‘Did you get any sleep at all, Shaw?' Archie asks him.

‘Not particularly,' he replies.

‘Find anything useful on your walk?' Archie leans in and sneers at the fruit platter I'm working my way through, poking at a slice of melon like it's something that slithered onto my plate and died.

Shaw glances at me briefly and doesn't say a word.

Like I ever expected he would.

‘Pixie. After you've finished eating, why don't you go and choose that dress and bring it back here so you can get ready. We have some things to take care of before the swearing-in.'

I look between them.

‘You want me to go alone?' I ask.

‘You're a big girl. I'm sure you can handle it.'

‘Does this have anything to do with the three pretty blood banks with big tits?'

‘Excuse me?'

‘I already told you. If you're putting that-' I point at his cock. ‘Into anyone else, it is not coming anywhere near me, Shaw. And if you think I'm going to beg you not to accept your bodacious breakfast bouncing about outside, then think again.' I drop the food from my fingers, my appetite suddenly lost. ‘But if you do, this deal is off, and the only thing you'll get from me is a glass of blood to share between you once a week.'

Archie snorts before sealing his lips shut in response to Shaw's glare.

He strolls towards me and leans down so his eyes align with mine. I swallow dryly, unsure what to expect.

‘We have no intention of putting our cocks anywhere else but inside you, my foul-mouthed little pixie.' He taps the end of my nose. ‘You wanted some more freedom. I'm giving it to you. Go and pick your dress. Come back here. Give us a show, and then we'll ravish you in it. After that, I'll have you standing by my side as Cole kneels and pledges his loyalty and obedience to me. The man who will marry the woman he loves.'

‘I've already told you. He doesn't love me.'

His hand settles on my cheek.

‘Sweet Pixie. You have no fucking idea just how wrong you are. Now. Eat your breakfast.' He lowers himself to his knees and slowly, so fucking slowly, eases my legs apart. ‘And allow us the same pleasure.' He hitches my skirt up, bunching it around my hips. His fangs glint as he leans down, and he bites my inner thigh, drinking deep. I offer my wrist to Archie, who takes it and pierces my skin, moaning deeply as he pulls my blood into his mouth. Dorian sweeps my hair over my shoulder and kisses my neck before biting.