Page 24 of House of Darkness (The Fallen Star #1)

ESTRELLA

Iwas spiraling. Isabella had styled my hair and makeup, but the tight ringlets were already loosening into waves.

My lips matched my dress, while smoky black powder lined my eyes.

Yet all I could focus on was the red monstrosity enveloping me.

I hadn’t worn red since the academy, and for good reason: It made me feel exposed, and this dress only amplified that sensation.

I had certainly achieved the look of a seductive acolyte, ripe for temptation, in a floor-length gown with a slit going nearly to my hip on the left side.

I doubted anyone would see past my exposed flesh to appreciate the gown’s craftsmanship.

I wasn’t sure I even wanted them to. It was audacious of me to think my skills could compare to the seamstress work that will be on display tonight.

Fingers fiddling with the split at my hip, I scowled at my reflection.

The bathroom door opened behind me. I looked back at Roman, and my breath caught.

He was as much a contradiction as my feelings toward him: part devil, part angel.

His wings blended seamlessly with the velvet details of his black suit.

Part of me had wanted to believe that the night before was a mistake, but looking at the magnificent man in front of me, I knew it wasn’t.

Roman tore some feral part of me forward.

If I had my way, we would be on the bed with that red silk dress shirt of his torn open right now.

“You look amazing,” I breathed.

He stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes burning into me with enough intensity to make me flush. “As do you, doll. Absolutely lovely. You have me starstruck and my heart frozen for you.”

My face heated even more, and I fiddled with the rouching of my dress. I would have added more fabric if I knew he was going to undress me with his eyes. “Your heart doesn’t beat anyway.”

He smirked and stepped forward, prowling across the space between us like a predator pinned on his prey. “Right you are, doll.”

As he approached, I noticed the black jewelry box in his hands, almost blending into his suit. My chest warmed. “Another gift?”

He faltered at that, his eyes going wide and his gaze snapping to the box in his palm like it was a viper primed to bite him. “Not… Exactly. More a favor I wished to ask of you.”

He shifted his feet, his wings realigning themselves on his back. “There are certain expectations of acolytes at parties like this, but you don’t need to if you don’t want to. I would understand if you didn’t want to—”

He was rambling, which only made me more anxious about the contents of the box. “Just give it to me,” I demanded.

Roman's eyes narrowed, but he placed the box in my hand. I untied the bow with trembling fingers. What I saw made me release a shaky breath.

Inside the box lay a neck cuff of black lace, adorned with chains of rubies and a massive black diamond at its base.

A collar. I understood why he wanted me to wear it though.

Acolytes wore these to cover the bite marks on their necks.

It was as crucial to their attire as the color red, if not more so.

To convincingly play the role of the doting acolyte, it was necessary.

It just also felt like the return of that golden collar from my acolyte days.

The return of shackles. I choked back those thoughts.

I had done nothing but leech off Roman’s kindness and given nothing in return. I needed to succeed in this for him.

“It’s beautiful. Can you help me put it on?” I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I tried to steady my shaking hands as I pulled the cuff out, then positioned myself in front of the full body mirror.

He approached from behind me like my very own shadow, towering above me even in my heels. Yet his face was scrunched with worry that made my stomach twist. “Are you sure? You don’t need to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

“I agreed to this, Roman. Besides, I’d rather wear your collar than another’s."

Roman’s jaw tightened, but he did as I asked.

I shuddered as his hand brushed my hair away, his calloused fingers sending shivers across my skin.

The coolness of the jewels left goosebumps where they touched my flesh.

The lace was stretchy and comfortable compared to my old Kulta collar, but as he fastened it, I felt my breath catch.

Just as he brushed my hair back in place, his fingers lingering over my shoulders, he leaned down to my ear. “You shouldn’t say things like that, doll. You’ll tempt me to think indecent thoughts.”

My eyes went to the size of saucers, and my face blossomed to the same shade as my dress.

I didn’t want to acknowledge how his words went straight in my ears and down between my legs.

He leaned back and smirked, all too aware of the effect he had on me.

I coughed and shook myself, then spun to face him and put some space between us.

My hands instinctively went to my skirts to straighten them. “So, you like my dress? It was my first time using the machine, so I’m not sure if the lines are right—”

I was silenced by his finger pressing to my lips. “Your dress is perfect. All eyes will be on you tonight.”

He scoured me, his eyes heating with every inch. Electricity crackled between us, and the tendrils around my legs warmed. He closed the small distance between us like the angel of death drifting on wisps of smoke.

“It’s times like these that I know I must be a monster. Because the thought of other men seeing you like this makes me irrationally angry. I want this view to be only for me,” Roman said, his voice dark.

He stepped closer, and I managed to back away without tripping over his tendrils. I hit the edge of the bed and froze. His hand brushed over the slit at the top of my thigh.

“I want to fucking devour you.”

A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions crashed through me at his words, none of them what they should be. The absence of fear or revulsion was alarming, and the ache in my stomach was even more so. I had no time to process before he struck.

Our bodies collided. My breath hitched as his lips hovered over mine, pausing just a breath away. His pupils dilated; his face contorted with desire.

“Do you want this?”

He was asking, as he always did—offering me the freedom of choice even now. My heart twisted, and I nodded.

“Thank the gods.”

His lips met mine in a fierce clash. I responded with equal fervor, as if his kiss was the air I needed to breathe. His hands found my thighs, lifting me into his arms.

The urge to feel every inch of him overwhelmed me. We were completely entwined, but it wasn’t enough. I leaned into him, savoring the sensation of his chest against mine.

“Estrella,” he groaned.

I greedily recaptured his lips, pressing my tongue against his teeth. The sharp prick of his fangs only heightened my pleasure as our tongues twisted together. My eyes rolled back as his hard length pressed against me, my fingers clawing at the fabric of his shoulders, desperate for it to be gone.

“Fuck,” Roman broke away, much to my protest. “I want to taste you, doll.”

Perhaps later I would be concerned about how willing I was, but in that moment, I didn’t care. I wanted to give him everything I had. My head fell to the side, exposing my decorated neck.

A growl tore from him as he dipped his head. He pressed his lips to the delicate lace covering my neck, and I shuddered.

“Tempting, but not what I meant,” he murmured against my skin.

My confusion must have shown, because he laughed softly and gently lowered me onto the edge of the bed. His hand wrapped around my neck, and the sensation of his fingers below my jaw consumed my every thought. I should have been terrified, but I trusted him implicitly as he guided me back.

“You can stop this at any time, okay?”

My hand brushed against his blade on the nightstand beside us. “Or I could always stab you again to get you to stop.”

He leaned over me, pressing his weight into my throat. “If you do, I’m going to bend you over this bed and fuck the brat out of you, and there’s nothing you or I will be able to do to stop it.”

My eyes widened, and if I wasn’t currently suffocating, I would have gasped—or moaned.

I wasn’t sure anymore. He kissed my jaw, slowly easing some of the pressure from my neck and allowing me to gratefully gulp down air.

His power spiraled up my thighs, locking them in place as his kisses traveled down.

Realization hit me as his lips reached the split in my dress. “Roman.”

He groaned. “I love the way you say my name.”

I could have stopped him; he said as much, but I kept silent as his thumb moved the fabric aside. My thighs instinctively tried to cover the small scrap of lace that his gaze was fixed on, but his power held them firm.

“I can’t wait to taste you.” A squeak escaped me, the only sound I could make past his grip on my neck and the chokehold he had on my soul.

He moved the fabric aside as easily as he had brushed aside the dress, and his mouth found my center. A moan tore from my chest as intense pleasure surged through me. My body writhed, but his power held me tight.

“You’re so wet for me, doll. Do you like me on my knees for you?” he moaned before plunging his tongue deep, demonstrating the advantage of that extra length.

“God, yes,” I whimpered. He growled, sending vibrations through my center that had my mind spinning.

There was a loud knock on the door, causing my blood to run cold. Suddenly, reality crashed back in, reminding me that we were supposed to be getting ready for a party while I was currently bound to a bed, being feasted upon by a man I wasn’t supposed to have feelings for.

Roman lifted his head and glared at the door. “I’m going to kill him.”

Without a second thought, he sucked my clit into his mouth. I ground my teeth together, fighting back my moans.

“Roman, stop,” I gasped. As I spoke, another knock sounded at the door.

Roman snarled irritably but stood nonetheless. My entire body heated at the absolutely indecent vision of his glistening lips. He leaned in, pressing his mouth to mine. The taste of him mingled with the lingering flavor of my excitement in a horribly intoxicating way.

“You tasted fucking exquisite,” he purred in my ear before straightening, releasing his hold on me.

He licked his lips clean, sending a sharp ache blooming between my thighs. For a fleeting moment, I wondered how wrong it would be to ignore the knocking at the door. Unsure if I could stand, I sat up, running a hand through my hair in an attempt to appear composed as Roman strode toward the door.

Sorin stood on the other side, his arrogant grin making it clear he knew exactly what we’d been up to. “Hello, Roman—Estrella. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Roman's glare could’ve cut through diamond, but Sorin seemed completely unfazed. He sidestepped Roman into the room. “If it was something fun, don’t stop on my account.”

Roman growled. “You know, they say walking into rooms uninvited can significantly shorten a vampire’s lifespan.”

Sorin’s eyes roamed over me, lingering in a way that made my cheeks flush. “Totally worth it.”

I was certain my face matched the deep hue of my dress. My hands flew to cover myself, but Roman moved between us. “Maybe I wasn’t clear, brother. Leave, or I’ll divorce your head from your body.”

The two men stared each other down in tense silence. It was a few moments before I realized they were speaking using Roman’s powers. “Can you not talk like that when I’m right here?” I snapped.

Sorin glanced over Roman’s shoulder at me, then back to him. “You’re right, of course. It’s rude.” He flashed a crooked smile, which made Roman hiss like a cat.

“I was sent to remind you that we need to head to the ballroom. Wouldn’t want to be late,” Sorin added, winking at me.

“We’ll be right down,” Roman snapped, gesturing firmly toward the door. Sorin stepped toward it reluctantly. He paused, looking back at us with faux innocence. “You’ve got five minutes.”

“Remember to use protection. We don’t need little fledglings flying around here.” With that, he dashed out of the room before Roman could unleash his fury.

“That fucking asshole,” Roman seethed.

I couldn’t help but giggle. Now that Sorin was gone, my heart steadied slightly. “He certainly knows how to get under your skin.”

Roman ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I’m convinced he derives some sick pleasure from it.”

He stepped closer, positioning himself between my legs and hooking my chin with his finger. “I’m sorry about that interruption. We could pick up where we left off.”

That ache between my thighs returned with a vengeance. I adjusted my dress, nervous. “We’re supposed to be going to a party. We can’t do that with your head between my legs.”

He grinned maliciously. “We could always try.”

He pressed his lips to mine again, and good lord, his tongue was addictive. It took sheer willpower to finally pull away.

“Roman,” I managed, but one look into his eyes left me breathless. Why had I stopped kissing him?

“Hmmm?” He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. His fingers trailed up and down my back, sending delicious shivers through me. His fangs brushed tenderly below my ear, eliciting a gasp from me.

“You’re going to ruin my makeup,” I protested, pushing him back.

“I prefer it like that.” His voice was distracted as he continued to explore my neck, making his way toward my collarbone. This was utterly unfair; he was like the devil tempting me to sin.

“Roman, I’m serious,” I managed to choke out.

Reluctantly, he pulled back, tossing me a cheeky grin. “I’m sorry, doll; I got carried away. As we agreed, only when you’re an enthusiastic participant.”

Was that the stipulation? If so, I was doomed. If he knelt between my legs right now, I wouldn’t be able to resist. I stood, smoothing my dress as best I could. Daring a glance at the mirror across from me, I took comfort in the fact that my makeup wasn’t ruined.

Roman extended his hand. “Let’s go, doll.”