Page 23 of House of Darkness (The Fallen Star #1)

ROMAN

The moment her eyes sparkled with wonder, I knew I was done for. There was no turning back—not when I would willingly set this godforsaken city ablaze just to keep that smile on her face.

I couldn’t quite grasp what it was about her that unraveled me so completely.

Perhaps it was the way her eyes transformed into exquisite aqua pools, shimmering with excitement.

Or maybe it was how those perfect lips curled, illuminating her delicate features and making me yearn to fulfill her every whim.

She remained blissfully unaware of my falling, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Now, we were carefully packing the carriage with her new houseplants.

I wondered if Estrella and I would fit inside; if we did, it would be a tight squeeze.

I turned to her, extending my arm. “Let’s start our way to dinner.

We wouldn’t want to arrive too early, and there is still much I want to show you. ”

If I had a heart, it would have melted at the sight of relief washing over her face.

She was testing the waters of her newfound freedom, and I would do anything to protect her right to choose—even if it meant being buried under a mountain of plants in a stagecoach for an hour.

I’d have to send poor Avram back to the castle with all her new belongings once we returned to the Levis House, but I knew he wouldn’t complain.

The sensation of her heartbeat thrumming against my palm was electric.

I was acutely aware of how easily I could destroy her—just one accidental squeeze.

My mind flashed to my mother’s mangled body, a stark reminder that I would never, could never, hurt Estrella like that.

So, I kept a tight check on my arm as we walked, steadying it as if it were a live bomb.

A light afternoon breeze floated through the air, ruffling Estrella’s starlight hair and enveloping me in her sweet scent. We passed an ancient stone cathedral, and I paused to point it out, more for my own distraction than to educate her.

“This is St. Drake’s Cathedral. Do you know the story behind it?”

She shook her head. “We didn’t spend much time on history.”

“It was rebuilt after the war between my grandfather, Asterios, and Mihal, one of the original vampires and the tsar at the time. Do you know what started the war?”

She shook her head again, so I continued.

“Mihal led a cult—the House of Krevlan. He preached the natural superiority of vampires over humans and treated them horribly. My grandfather wasn’t involved until his acolyte, whom he loved deeply, was kidnapped by Mihal.

Asterios led an army into Greford to find her, tearing the city apart.

Eventually, Mihal escaped, leaving Asterios and his acolyte the crown.

But Asterios set the world ablaze for his love.

The front arch of St. Drake’s Cathedral is the only remnant of the original city. ”

Estrella paused, gazing up at the cathedral in awe. I marveled at how her eyes sparkled with wonder. “It’s crazy to think someone could love an acolyte that much.”

“I don’t think it’s crazy.”

She looked at me, surprised. Heat flooded my cheeks, and I quickly backtracked. “Everyone deserves love. That doesn’t change just because you’re part of a corrupt system.”

Estrella nodded. “My sister believed in love. She thought she would find it once she was sold off. I was never so foolish. Back then, I was sure only one thing would happen once we were sold.”

“And what about now?” I asked, a foolish level of hope filling my chest.

She turned back to the cathedral. The jagged remains of the red-stained glass glimmered in the setting sun, and that bloody glow reflected in her eyes. “I’m not sure of anything anymore.”

I couldn’t help but share the sentiment.

We continued through narrow cobblestone streets, stopping at every storefront or attraction that lit up Estrella’s face until we finally turned onto the boardwalk.

I had been anticipating this moment, what was sure to be an exquisite reaction.

The glittering Mai Sea stretched out before us like a sheet of diamonds.

She stopped in her tracks a few steps from the railing.

“What is that?” Her voice was barely a whisper, and if I didn’t have remarkable hearing, I might have missed it over the soft breeze rustling her pastel skirts.

“It’s the Mai Sea—the Sea of Glittering Stars.” I hadn’t realized how perfectly the name fit until I saw its reflection in her gaze.

“It’s… amazing,” she breathed.

Leaning over the railing until her little feet no longer touched the ground, she exclaimed, “Look at how big it is—how big the world is! I bet you’ve traveled all over the world.”

I lost my words for a long moment as I stared back at her, awestruck. I gulped and forced myself to focus. “Not everywhere, but I have traveled. My father would take me with him to meet other Houses.”

“I’ve only seen the sea on maps. It’s so beautiful.”

“You’d like my general of commerce then. Catina spends all day on ships, mostly up in Molvon.”

She looked over at me, a smile plastering her face. “I would love to see a ship one day. Maybe we could sail together.”

My face warmed, and I struggled to control my excitement at the thought that she might want to be around me as much as I wanted to be around her. A foolish, lovesick thought. “Let’s go. We don’t want to miss the sunset from the best view in the city.”

Estrella took my hand but kept her gaze on the sea, just how I wanted it.

Her basking in her new freedom filled some part of me I hadn’t known was empty.

I tore my eyes from her and let my feet lead the way.

This was one of my favorite spots in the city; the view was even worth the constant barrage of thoughts.

The building’s facade was whitewashed stone, adorned with large planters overflowing with flowers.

It reminded me of the Koraki Island, which might’ve been why I loved it so much, though I’d only visited a few times.

A waiter led us up a spiraling staircase to an open rooftop.

Jasmine vines wrapped around the railing, filling the air with a sweet floral scent that blended beautifully with Estrella’s.

She looked like she belonged here. She sat in a white iron chair, surrounded by fragrant vines and framed by the magnificent ocean. Even her dress seemed to belong—the soft oranges and pinks mirrored the sun as it dipped beyond the horizon.

I knew I didn’t belong. Monsters like me weren’t meant to enjoy dazzling sunsets and pretty flowers. Yet I found myself basking in her light. Even my wisps of power recoiled, fearful of darkening her shine.

Food was ordered and served. They brought me a deep, tulip-shaped glass filled nearly to the brim. It was freshly bottled, mixed with a hint of sea salt that deepened the coppery taste. My mouth watered, easing the reservations I always felt before my first sip.

Dusk settled over the city as we strolled out of the restaurant. Estrella skipped to the railing, leaning over it once more, her gaze locked on the sea below.

“I wish we could get down there,” she sighed.

I stepped to her side. “Do you want to?”

She turned to me, her hair cascading over her shoulder. Gods I wanted to run my hand through it. “We can do that?”

“We can do whatever we want.”

“That’s amazing.”

I laughed, straddling the iron railing and beckoning her over. “Come on.”

Estrella’s eyes widened, first in uncertainty, then in determination.

She kicked off her heels and hoisted herself onto the railing.

I caught her hips, that sweet scent of lilies and her warmth seeping into me like the electricity of life.

Holding her tight, we jumped to the sand several feet below.

The sand and sea brought back memories of different times, when I swung from the sails and dared to sweep over the water on unsteady wings.

Not necessarily good times, but I loved the freedom of escaping the castle in those days.

I kicked off my shoes as sand threatened to fill them, stuffing my socks inside.

Estrella held her skirts up with one hand, spinning through the sand.

She looked from her toes to me and grinned with pure joy.

“Is it everything you imagined, doll?” I kept my voice steady—a facade, really.

“And more!” she squealed, kicking up sand.

She turned toward the water, anticipation lighting her features. The rapid thrum of her heartbeat warned me of what was coming. “Don’t! It’s freezing.”

Even in the dim light of dusk, I caught the mischievous glint in her eyes. Before I could say another word, she leapt in, dress and all. Shit. I sprinted to the water’s edge. She disappeared beneath the surface—one second, two seconds, three seconds...

Panic crept in as time ticked by. Had her dress pulled her down?

Fuck. What was it with this woman and jumping into bodies of water in the dead of night?

I tore off my suit jacket and plunged into the icy depths.

The cold water soaked my shirt and tangled my hair around my face.

My hands found the corset bodice of her gown, and I breached the surface with her in my arms. We both gasped as water showered around us, and she wiped her face with a grin.

“I knew that would get you in the water,” she proclaimed triumphantly.

It took a moment for my body to register that she wasn’t drowning, then incredulity surged. “Are you kidding me? You gave me a heart attack!”

Estrella giggled. “Got you in, didn’t I?”

“You could have just asked.”

“You would have said no.”

“Exactly.”

I sighed in exasperation but kept my hands on her sides. I told myself it was out of caution, especially with her soaked dress possibly dragging her down, but if I were honest, I just liked holding her.

She ran a hand through my hair, her delicate fingers tugging at the slick curls and pulling them back from my face. Then her hands dropped to my shoulders, digging in deliciously so she could get closer. Such simple touches, yet they nearly unraveled me.

Then she dunked me.

I yelped as my head went under. She did all that just to distract me—what a brat. I sprang back out of the dark water, sputtering and trying to see through my matted hair.

“You are… a heathen.”

Estrella laughed. A true, deep-seated sound that made me shove my hair back to watch her in awe.

Her arms twined around my neck, and soon I found myself laughing too.

She actually dunked me. Maybe it shouldn’t thrill me, but it did because it meant she didn’t fear the monster that would spring back out.

“I could kiss you for today,” she whispered. Her eyes searched mine for an answer to the question she didn’t need to ask. My breath caught in my throat. If I were a better man, I’d end this now.

But I was not a better man. “I wouldn’t stop you.”

Time slowed as her gaze dipped, her sigh warming my wet skin.

Then… stars. It was as if the chains of restraint fell away the moment her lips touched mine.

I craved to explore every inch of her. I lifted her by her thighs, and she responded by practically climbing me to get closer.

The monster inside reveled in her desire.

I felt her every curve as her body pressed against mine—the way her stomach grazed my hips, her breasts. My hand tangled in her silky hair, that magical sweet scent overpowering the smell of brine and hazing my mind in a blissful fog of her.

Her tongue brushed against my fangs in a quiet request. I parted my lips in invitation, twisting my tongue with hers.

My fangs grazed her bottom lip, and I savored her sweetness.

She was utterly delicious, just like last time.

My vision reddened at the edges, but I pushed past it, refusing to heed the monster within.

I groaned as her fingers found the top button of my shirt and began to undo it. “Fuck.”

Everything accelerated. My fingers slid beneath her skirts, each inch of her silky skin scorching into my memory. She grew impatient with my shirt and tore it open. Her hands splayed across my chest, each heated touch searing into my flesh.

I want you. I pushed the thought to her, unwilling to sever the connection of our lips.

You have me. Her fingers trailed over my pecs, slowly working their way down to my stomach, leaving a trail of electricity in their wake.

I growled, dipping her backward, pressing harder into her, needing more, more, more.

My breath turned ragged, one hand gripping her hips, the other cradling the nape of her neck, controlling her descent into the icy depths.

I stared in awe at the beauty before me, her hair spread through the water like a golden halo.

It wouldn’t take much—just a tilt of her head to expose that pretty little neck to me.

Then I could sink my teeth in and truly taste her sweetness.

I knew she would taste even more exquisite from there.

As if to prove I could, I tweaked my wrist, tilting her head back.

Her heartbeat raced to a staccato rhythm that blurred my vision, but she wasn’t afraid.

No, she was excited. So perfect, yet so utterly wrong. She should be terrified.

I closed my eyes and brought her back up, softening my grip. I had come too close to losing control. Even now, I didn’t entirely have it. I focused on the crash of the waves and the smell of brine—anything but her racing heartbeat.

“I wanted you to bite me, Roman.” Her tone was laced with irritation. She tugged against me, trying to pull my head down to hers again, but I resisted. If I leaned down, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.

“I know.”

Gods, did I know. Once she felt the pleasure that came with it, she wouldn’t stop me.

She would let me take as much as I wanted and revel in it.

“I just don’t trust myself to stop, doll.

Not yet. Not this close to the full moon.

” As if I could blame the moon cycle for the fact that I wanted to devour her right now. No, that was all me.

Later.

I loved that she had taken to nonverbal communication, and I smiled half-heartedly. Later.

I held a plant in one hand, but the rest had fit on the seats and floor.

There hadn’t been much room left for us, so Estrella and I stuffed ourselves into the corner together.

My free hand wrapped around her back, her head resting on my shoulder.

She had fallen asleep, but my mind was too restless to follow her.

Even now, I couldn’t stop tracing the curves of her face and watching how her hair cascaded over my chest. I was completely, utterly infatuated.

I was screwed.