I awoke in a chilly, rigid state.When I opened my eyes, the sun had set, and the room was pitch black with no lights.To begin, I slowly straightened my legs by bending them at the hips instead of the knees.Once I could sit up straight, I waited for the prickling to subside before I attempted to stand.I had to relieve the pressure on my bladder to get my thoughts in order.As I dried my hands, I walked back into the bedroom and started flipping switches.It appeared that Aric had not yet returned, and the rumbling in my stomach had increased in volume.It was May; he was back, and I had missed it. When I walked to the window, I could see that the garage door was open and that his car had not returned.A sensation of hunger made my stomach knot up, but I forced myself to relax and focus on my breathing until it passed. It had been so long since the previous meal that I had forgotten all about it.It felt like at least a whole day had passed.As I bit my lip, I weighed the possibilit
Throughout the night, Aric and Henry chatted, and during that time, Aric realized that his buddy Henry had more layers to his personality than he had previously realized.For over a decade, he had been researching whether or not he could legally transform his pet into a full vampire.Only humans who had earned Aric's father's approval via merit or exhibited a particularly vicious trait were eligible to be converted.Vampires caught turning humans without proper permission were dismembered, and their body parts were scattered around North America areas that they ruled over as a deterrent to others.The families were defanged, disenfranchised, and abandoned to starve in the streets.There was a form of punishment that neither he nor Henry had ever witnessed, but the stories they had heard as kids had given them both nightmares.Aric grumbled as he finished his fourth mug of spiced blood and declared, "This isn't helping."In agreement, his companion stood up and said, "No, it's not. Let
Flora was the name of the woman who had fed me, and she was the one in charge of keeping the house in order and quiet, as was Aric's preference.It all started when I started asking her questions while eating, and she started answering them.We were now seated in the kitchen, talking and cleaning crystal candle holders. She had grown up within walking distance of mine, but we had never met because of our different life paths; hers was intended for service, while mine was destined for employment in the power plant.We discovered that we shared many mutual acquaintances and had dated several of the same men.With a grin nearly knocking me off my perch, I said, "I remember Joseph." His whole family always had mushy, rotten cloves of garlic stashed away in their pockets.Flora chuckled as she dried her eyes and said, "I know; he swore up and down that the fragrance was the reason vampires never came for any member of his family when the hunt came around."My daughter had left me gasping f
As Aric led Liberty up the stairs to his chamber, he almost stripped her naked while he carried her away.As it became more difficult to walk, all he could think about were the many positions he might attempt with her there.When they finally reached his room, he let Liberty walk in first, but he didn't even wait for her to close the door before he was on top of her, pressing her against his body and locking the door behind them as his lips explored the hollow of her neck.He enjoyed hearing her squeal of surprise as his hand crept beneath her shirt and cupped her breast.He grabbed her chin with one hand and twisted it so his aroused fingers could explore her throat with the other.Aric had just finished a binge drinking session with Henry, yet he still wanted to sink his teeth into her veins. He gently lifted her chin and bandaged the cut when he finished drinking.His moist lips and tongue left fresh tracks on her neck and shoulders as his fingers wandered over her breast, down pas
I thought Aric would punish me for leaving his room when he initially escorted me upstairs. I was sure it would be days before I was able to walk normally again if he punished me for whatever I had done to make him leave in the first place, and if he punished me for talking to Flora, then he would have to punish me for disturbing her from her job.Instead, he'd swept me in his arms and carried me off to his bed.I sighed and laid my head on his chest, enjoying the feel of his fingers on my back and the multitude of little kisses he was leaving there.Several guard uniformed guys burst through the slamming bedroom door and dragged me away from Aric.One can ask, "What does this mean?" When I was being forcibly removed, I heard him demand.A deep, furious voice muttered, "We need to talk to my kid," and the door opened.As I looked, I recognized Lothaire, the Master Vampire of the Northwest Territory, as Aric's biological father.When I saw the terror on Aric's face, my entire body went
Aric battled his way to Liberty by killing guard after guard, disregarding any and all wounds he received.When he made it through the crowd of guards, he was just in time to catch her body as his father threw her to the ground, his lips smacking at how tasty she was.Aric's heart was pierced by the terror in her green eyes as he watched her clutch to life while gasping and gurgling.Lothaire replied, towering above them both, "I advise you to put some clothes on and join me in your office for a conversation."Aric looked at his father and said, "I'll murder you." "January, I promise to you, I will murder you.""His father teased, tousling Aric's hair as if he were a youngster, "You will try, but you will fail. Get out of bed and into some clothes."That's it! Aric turned on his father, screaming, and was prepared to murder him for his actions.His father sidestepped and threw a backhand at him, sending him flying across the room.As Aric dropped to the floor in a heap, his body rocke
A man's voice whispered in my ear, "Wake up."Slowly, I opened my eyes, and the grin on my face vanished as I saw Lord Lothaire's unfriendly gaze.As I struggled to my feet on a slick, soft surface, I realized I was no longer in Aric's bedroom. I appeared lying on a leather couch in a circularly shaped room.A man I had never met before, with curly brown hair and a cocoa-colored complexion, lay asleep next to me. He appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties, though his perspective made it difficult to tell.Lothaire, seated directly across from me, murmured, "Good morning," the rich crimson liquid in the crystal glass in his hand, drawing my attention back.My eyes swiveled frantically to the left and right, searching for a way out, but none could be seen.Lord Lothaire, seemingly reading my mind, remarked, "We are on an airplane; you are welcome to open the door, but it is a long way down."When I realized there was nowhere to go, I stopped looking and brought my knees to
The two were inseparable as they tried to figure out how Lord Lothaire had heard about Liberty and Alfie and why he had traveled to Spokane.He never ventured out of his Seattle fortress with his groveling courtiers, lovers, and toys. Never!Henry lamented when they ran out of ideas, "The only thing I can think of is that the privacy charms at the bordello were too weak to prohibit someone from listening in on our talk last night."'Those spells are meant to be impenetrable,' Aric shook his head.Do you seriously doubt that Maddie would have allowed the spells to expire? Henry looked at his companion and inquired.Aric's voice hardened at the prospect that one of his own people might betray him: "She would if she was seeking for a knowledge she could exchange that would get her sent to Seattle or Portland."His friend's eyes widened at the thought of the potential influence one piece of knowledge could purchase, and he said, "Do you think she'd do that?"With that, Aric pushed himself
The following morning, Liberty's mother came. She was saddened by the little details she knew about her daughter's ordeals, but overjoyed to learn that she was still alive. She embraced her daughter and her new husband, albeit with some reluctance.The newlywed couple's private apartment, located in a brand-new structure that Aric had selected as his seat of power, served as the setting for the day's festivities honoring them.The tower of suffering built by his father was going to be dismantled and lowered to the ground since this was already in the planning stages.Henry was given permission to transform Alfie, and a ceremony was arranged for them not long after his love awoke into his new existence not long after the ceremony was held for them.Two days after their hasty wedding ceremony, an announcement was made publically declaring the new Lord and Lady of the Northwest Territory. This notification was sent out by the law.Even though many of the lesser lords agreed with Lady Lea
When Aric's mother glanced at her son, completely disregarding my presence in the room, I couldn't help but nibble the inside of my lip nervously.Aric began by giving my hand a firm squeeze before rising to his knees and bending over his mother. "Mother," he said, "You did come to me earlier and tell me that Liberty was concerned that I might become like my father, did you not?""Well," Lady Leanor started, no indication that she was ashamed or trying to be deceptive, "sure I did since that's what she said."Aric continued, his tone becoming increasingly agitated as he vented his frustration, "You also insinuated that she had merely been using me until she could find someone with more authority to go on to.""What?"Emily inquired as she abruptly jerked herself upright, interrupting the conversation as her eyes swept over her mother, her brother, and me."Because she did," Leanor yelled at me while directing her murderous glare in my direction. "She leaped at the chance to abandon y
Aric took Liberty in his arms and led the way back to the chamber that he had staked a claim as their own.After temporarily leaving her to make arrangements for her mother's arrival, he returned to find Liberty standing naked under the stream of hot water coming from the showerhead.When he saw the scars that disfigured the previously smooth surface of her back, he couldn't believe that he had ever had any reason to distrust her.He undressed and joined her, then let his fingertips run over the scars his father had left in her flesh.While his arms were wrapped around her waist, he whispered into her ear, "For each and every one of these, I guarantee you a million wonderful moments."Liberty let out a contented sigh as she lay her back against his chest. She cherished the sensation of his strong arms surrounding her and protecting her at that very moment."Well," she continued with an invisible smile that suggested she was being playful, "you have eternity to do the work."Aric renew
When Aric looked down into my eyes, he muttered, "I know you worry, and I promise that with you by my side, I can cope with everything."I drew his lips back to mine and whispered the words, "I love you."I needed to feel him against me now more than ever. As I reached up, I fumbled around frantically, trying to undo the buttons on his shirt, and I was almost in tears since it felt like such a challenge.At long last, I could get it out of the way and get a feel for the velvety smoothness of his chest beneath my palms.Aric's hands were fumbling at the hem of my own shirt, pushing it up and over my head as I heaved a sigh of relief.After he freed his lips from the cloth, he kissed a path down my chin, going agonizingly down my neck and finally latching on to my nipple after pressing the cup of my bra down.I couldn't help but sigh in contentment as I ran my hands through his thick hair and gently cradled his head in my arms.I murmured, "Aric," with a longing for buildup buried deep
Aric's determination was almost shaken when he saw the agony in Liberty's eyes, but he managed to keep it together.If his mother's statement was accurate, he has been led to believe that she lied to him during their relationship. She has exploited her body to win his love and ensure her own future success.It seemed as though the evidence had been staring him in the face the whole time, didn't it?Because he had more authority, she ended up being his father's plaything, but as soon as that strategy backfired, she instantly found a way to get back into his bed.Aric muttered an expletive under his breath as he watched the woman who had once been his darling struggle to stand."Aric," she pleaded, tears streaming down her stunning face, "Aric, please, let me explain."While he had her by the shoulders and was choking her, he spat, "My mother explained enough." "You are more than a deceitful person who took advantage of me.""I never once exploited you," Liberty said under her breath as
Before I can continue, I need a few moments to collect my thoughts and proceed.I was finally allowed to talk to Lady Leanor when I told her that Lord Lothaire had brought me here and that he had made me one of his slaves."Did he cause you any pain?"Aric's mother questioned with sadness and anxiety on her face.I could not stop the tears from falling as I said, "Yes, ma'am," but "in ways, I wish I could forget."Lady Leanor groaned as she took another sip from her cup and remarked, "He was a dreadful beast."I nodded in agreement as I wiped my cheeks and said, "Yes, he was."When I looked up, I sniffed and said, "You know, I always wondered how a guy as violent as your father could have a kid as great as Aric, and I think I know the answer.""He had you," I said as I stood up and maneuvered my way across the cramped room to embrace the other woman. "Thank you."She was perplexed as she questioned, "For what?"I conveyed it to her while gazing down at her and saying, "for your compas
Liberty followed Lady Leanor into a cozy sitting area close to the office where Aric was working.Leanor stayed standing as she gazed down on the younger woman who had been chosen as the companion for her son and gestured for her to sit down."Are you hungry?"she enquired, noticing that she was beginning to feel hungry.Liberty said gently, "No, thank you," while wriggling uneasily under the inspection of the more experienced vampire.After nodding, Lady Leanor walked to the other side of the room and picked a blood bag out for herself. After ripping it apart, she transferred the blood-red liquid into a nearby cup before returning to her seat across from Liberty.Leanor couldn't help but emit a tiny giggle at the other woman's puzzled expression.Her voice was filled with mirth as she remarked, "I despise the taste those plastic bags leave behind in my mouth." "Call me old school, but if it's not coming directly from the vein, I prefer to drink it out of a cup," you can say that abou
"My mum!" I said, startled to realize that since I had sent her the little letter, I hadn't given her a second thought.As I whirled around to face Aric in a state of terror, I could hardly get the words out.I choked out the words, "I have to get to her!" "I don't want her to learn from anybody else about what happened to me.I pleaded with him, "Please, Aric," as tears filled my eyes.He reached out to wipe the tears from my face as he said, "Of course, my darling. We can board the plane and be there in forty-five minutes."When I heard the word "plane," the recollection of the last time I had been on a plane with Lord Lothaire caused my legs' knees to weaken.When I started shivering because of the recollection, Aric grabbed me about the waist and held me close while he seemed to understand that he had made a mistake.Despite Januarius's gift of peace, the recollection horrified me. All the atrocities I'd been forced to endure at Lothaire's hands rushed through my mind as though th
Aric's dispute with his mother continued until he discovered that Liberty was no longer in the area.As he looked around the room, he noticed that she was nowhere to be found at that point."Mother," he replied, holding out his hand to prevent her from offering yet another scathing response, "I am going to marry her regardless of what you think. I love her!""Love is not enough," Leanor said angrily in her response.A voice came behind them and said, "Love is enough."As Aric turned around, he noticed Liberty standing in the doorway, her chin lifted proudly over her chest.As she proceeded, she moved closer to Aric and intertwined her hand with his as she stood next to him. "Januarius informed me that our love was extraordinary," she said. "If he believes in us, then what gives you the right to doubt us?""I know you think you..." Leanor paused, staring at Liberty with a suspicious expression on her face. "I know you think you..." "Did you say Januarius talked to you?"Liberty said, "