Page 31 of House of Darkness (The Fallen Star #1)

ROMAN

She was a magnifier.

I had suspected it since the first time I tasted her, but now there was no doubt.

My power had practically exploded the moment I bit down.

Thank the Gods I hadn’t hurt her, but I had come alarmingly close.

If she had argued with me any longer, I wouldn’t have been able to deny her—or myself.

I hoped she could forgive me. The sound of her begging nearly shattered me.

To be the cause of her tears felt wretched, but the alternative was far worse.

Who would have thought she was actually a magnifier? I couldn’t recall the last time I heard of one, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. Any vampire who found one would hoard them like a dragon and take the secret to their grave.

Just like I planned to do.

It was late morning, and the bloodlust from the full moon was finally receding.

My generals would be arriving soon, and I needed to talk to Estrella before then.

I strode to her door, my vision so sharp it was dizzying, and my wings refused to fold away.

With her blood coursing through my veins, I felt alive.

I made a quick trip to the kitchen to throw together a breakfast of water, toast, and jam.

I also brought a pot of ginseng tea and two cups.

Though vampires’ throats were too small for solid foods, we found some things like tea and broth flavorful, and ginseng tea was my favorite.

Tray in hand, I marched to Estrella’s room.

I hoped the tray was acceptable. I’d watched Bells cook enough times to have an idea, but the bread looked a little dark.

Not sure what that meant, but hopefully, it was good enough.

I knocked on Estrella’s door and smiled when she opened it. She looked absolutely delectable like this, still wearing that blue slip from last night, now wrinkled against her body. Her normally massive blue eyes were half-closed from sleep, widening as she took me in.

“Are you… bringing me breakfast?”

“I am. I thought it was the least I could do,” I said sheepishly.

She frowned but stepped aside. “So, this is your apology for last night? Burnt toast?”

I scowled at the tray, now resting on her tea table. Overcooked—that’s why it was dark. Human food was unnecessarily complicated. I rubbed the back of my neck. “I brought this to help with the blood loss. But yes, it was also supposed to make up for last night.”

She crossed the room, picked up a piece of toast, and slathered it in jam. “You just dropped me!”

She bit into the toast, shooting daggers at me while she chewed. It would have been funny if I didn’t feel so guilty. I slid into a chair with a sigh. “I owe you an explanation.”

“Obviously.” Estrella sat across from me, finishing off the last of her slice of toast before dutifully moving on to the next. Guess it couldn’t taste all that bad.

I took a deep breath. She deserved to know how much danger she was in, but this could change everything between us. The thought of going back to a time when she was terrified of my presence made me feel physically sick.

But she needed to know. “You’re a magnifier, Estrella.”

She looked at me incredulously. “What?”

My finger absently spun my teacup back and forth on the tray between us. “Some humans have special blood. No one really knows why, but their blood acts like a power boost for vampires. It triggers our beast form, heightens our senses, makes us more aggressive and stronger. You have it.”

Her fingernails clicked against the wooden face of the tea table, the only sound in the room besides her steady heartbeat. I was surprised it hadn’t quickened by now. “So that’s what happened last night? You went all beast mode because of my blood?”

I snorted. “That’s one way to put it.”

“That’s why you made me leave.”

“Yes.”

She nodded, though her nails sped up. My poor table’s finish would be ruined if she kept at it. “What a coincidence.”

Now it was my turn to be confused. “What’s a coincidence?”

“You’re the ruler, supposedly the most powerful vampire in the world, and your acolyte just happens to have power-boosting blood. Something I’m guessing is pretty rare since I’ve never heard of it. You just got the keys to ruling for the rest of my life.”

Her words struck like a knife to the heart, a feeling I knew all too well. My reply came out harsher than I intended. “I would never, never do that to you.”

She blinked in surprise. “You don’t understand. It’s like we’re meant for each other. Don’t you think that’s strange?”

I shook my head, even as my body jolted at her words. We’re meant for each other—that wasn’t what she meant, but I couldn’t stop my soul from interpreting it that way. “I guess… you’re taking this well.”

“I don’t really care about any of that,” she said, fingers fiddling with the hem of her gown, something she did when she was uncomfortable. I frowned. “I thought you decided you didn’t want me last night.”

“I wanted you too much. You weren’t safe.”

She shrugged. “I’m always safe when I’m with you. That’s why I went to you last night.”

I had no response, mostly because a stone was rising in my throat, making it hard to speak. Even now, she felt safe with me. I set down my teacup, which began to shake in my palms, then pushed back my chair. “Come here, doll.”

She didn’t seem surprised; in fact, the only change in her expression was a small curl of her lips. She walked over without a word, and I tugged her onto my lap. There was still that rightness in how her body fit against mine. I never wanted to let go.

“You still trust me after last night? Even knowing how you affect me?” I rested my chin on her head, willing her to sink into the embrace.

“I’ll always trust you.”

I hummed at that, letting my eyes close, but they blinked open when she spoke again.

“Does this mean no more kissing?”

I laughed. Good Gods, I wanted to devour this girl. “Probably for the best on the full moon.”

“Oh.”

Something predatory within me purred to life at her disappointment. I leaned back to look at her face, tilting my head in the way that made her heart skip. “But today isn’t the full moon.”

She grinned, the expression purely feline, and her arms twisted around my neck. “Well, why am I bothering talking to you?”

“I like to think I’m a good conversationalist.” I barely got the words out before her lips met mine.

She grinned against my lips. There are many better uses for that mouth.

I growled, and I hardened between us. The way her nails dug into my neck told me she felt it. I wanted to carry her to the bed right then, but there was something I had come here to do… right, she was a target now.

I tugged back, breathing hard. She reached for me, but I held firm.

“Estrella, I need to make sure you understand that you being a magnifier needs to stay between us. Magnifiers in the past have been used to wage wars. Leaders use them as personal blood banks to fuel their armies. No one can know, or you will be in incredible danger. Do you understand me?”

She shifted uncomfortably, a flash of worry crossing her face. In that moment, she looked so fragile—a girl fighting to exist in a world built to consume her. It made me want to swallow her in my darkness so she’d never have to know anything else. “I understand, Roman.”

I let out a breath. “Good.”

“Are you done trying to scare me now?” She snapped, and in an instant, that worry vanished, replaced by a look fit for a vampiress. “I think I’m ready to be an enthusiastic participant.”

I smirked. “With all my houseplants, it was only a matter of time.”

She giggled. “Still cocky, I see.”

I stood, holding her tight in my arms. I needed to get her to the bed before I completely lost control and took her against the chair. “And yet you still find me ridiculously good looking.”

She hummed, pressing her lips to mine just as I sat her on the edge of the bed. Not sure about that—I still haven’t decided.

I growled and nipped her lip, careful to avoid using my fangs. She began to work on my shirt buttons, but I placed my hand over hers, relishing the soft feel of her delicate fingers. Are you sure about this, doll?

She sighed and tugged back, looking me over. Good Lord, I’d turn a city to ash if she just stared me down with those eyes and told me to. “I’m sure. It doesn’t have to be anything—let’s just enjoy each other.”

My stomach turned to lead. Of course, it didn’t mean anything. Why should it? Not like my entire universe was realigning with her at its center. She would never feel that way about her captor, and I couldn’t blame her for it.

I should have broken away then. No good would come from staying, not when my very soul hung precariously in her fingers. Not that it would have mattered. I was too far gone, had been since I first saw her in that godforsaken plant shop, glowing with a light I wanted to keep for myself.

I’m not a good man, not even a kind one. I’m a possessive, fucked-up monster. I’ve been coming to terms with that for a long time. Now, I was spiraling toward damnation with her lighting the way, and I just couldn’t let go.

I ripped off my shirt and tossed it aside. She gasped, looking me over like I was beautiful, though I knew what was under her little nightgown would be far more remarkable. I tugged it up, splaying her back on the bed like my own personal feast.

My breath caught in my throat as I took her in. Soft ivory curves met beautiful, perky breasts. She was a piece of art, and I wanted to know each inch of her canvas intimately.

She tried to cover herself under my gaze, but I captured her hands. “You are perfect, doll. I’ve traveled all over and have never seen anything as remarkable as you.”

Her cheeks turned pink, somehow making her even more beautiful. I never subscribed to my house’s belief system, but I understood it now. This reincarnation of Aphrodite staring at me like I was worth something made me a happy man. I didn’t deserve it, but I’d take it anyway.

My words came out as a barely masked growl. “I want to devour you.”

“Do it.”

There was demand in her tone, and I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. I took her nipple in my mouth, and she arched off the bed at the contact. Her moans rose like a symphony in the room, but I was only getting started.

My hand trailed down her front to her already wet pussy, pressing into her clit. She squirmed, but I had her pinned in place. You can stop this anytime, doll.

Why on earth would I want it to stop? The question made me chuckle. I rubbed my fingers back and forth, building her excitement, before finally sliding one in, keeping my thumb pressed to her clit. Her body shuddered like the strings of an instrument under my fingers, her moans climbing higher.

She gripped my finger like a vise. Holy fuck, I wanted to be inside her, but patience is a virtue, and I would exercise it. I rocked my finger back and forth slowly, giving her time to adjust, while sliding my other hand over her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps.

I trailed my tongue up her chest to her neck, torturing myself with her heartbeat and the taste of her.

“Roman.”

That sweet voice would be my undoing. We moaned together, and my lips crashed into hers, inhaling her soft whimpers like they were my air.

I broke away for a second, panting. “You like that, babydoll?”

“Yes.”

“You want me to add another?”

It was better this way, breaking her cherry with my fingers rather than later. She squirmed against me, grinding into my palm. I groaned at the friction. “Will that hurt?”

“It might for a bit,” I admitted, “but it’ll feel good after a while.”

I nipped her earlobe, loving how she moaned at the touch. “I trust you—do it.”

“Good girl,” I purred.

She squirmed and moaned softly. She liked praise. Fuck, it was like she was made for me—even if she never saw it that way. I used my knee to push her leg aside, granting me full access. Then I slid in my middle finger.

Her nails dug in hard enough to draw blood, but I loved the pain. I pumped my fingers in slow and steady, building her up until it happened. I pulled back as blood coated my fingers. Her eyes widened at the sight. “I’m bleeding on you; I’m sorry.”

I huffed a nervous laugh. I was worried she might spiral into those horrors in her mind, but of course, she was worried about getting me bloody. “Doll, I’m a vampire. Blood doesn’t bother me.”

To prove my point, I sucked my bloodied fingers, letting my eyes roll back at that sweet taste.

I shouldn’t have, but damn, she tasted amazing.

I worked my way down her front until I reached what I wanted, sliding my tongue up her pussy.

Good Gods, the absolute sin of her pleasure mixed with her blood would bring me to my knees.

So sweet and perfect. I could live on it.

My body throbbed with energy, urging me to give in to my inner demons, but I fought it, losing myself in her sweetness instead.

Her fingers twisted into my hair. “I’ve been thinking about this since last time,” she whimpered.

Fuck, so had I. It was like the taste of her had been scorched on my tongue, leaving me addicted and begging for more.

I hummed in agreement and flicked the tip of my tongue across her clit, in awe of how her body twitched with each touch.

She was enjoying it now, so I slid two fingers back in, not relenting the torment with my tongue.

“Oh my god, Roman.”

“That’s it, pray to me, babydoll,” I purred.

I pressed a kiss to her inner thigh and thumbed her clit, loving how she screamed in pleasure. “Roman,” she moaned, “I’m ready.”