Page 74 of Kingly Bitten

“That color brings out your eyes, just like the blue one,” Jace said as he approached from behind, his focus on my reflection in the mirror.

He’d changed into an all-black suit, but his hair was still tousled from my fingers running through it.

My cheeks heated at the fresh memory. It was almost as though Jace had awoken a dormant side of me, creating a whole new person in this jet. I barely recognized myself. And if his goal had been to make me fear him, he’d failed.

However, I did recognize the dangers of others like him.

I also understood the purpose of obeying.

Jace might not be a monster, but Lilith’s allies were. And while I’d not met any of them, I knew she had them. Somewhere.

Otherwise, I’d be dead.

Because my bloodline was linked to at least one other immortal, potentially more.

“What has you perplexed?” he asked, his voice soft. “Are you concerned about what happens when we land?”

I blinked. “No. Not really. I’ll just duck my head and follow your lead.” Similar to what Juliet did with Darius, only I wouldn’t have the comfort of knowing Jace actually cared about my well-being. I wasn’t naïve enough to think that our sexual interlude had created any feelings on his part. As he’d said, vampires enjoyed playing with their food.

His palms slid up my arms to my shoulders as he stopped behind me. “Then what are you thinking about?”

It took me a second to consider the meaning of his question, my mind having already moved on to my personal security. But that was caused by his previous question regarding what I expected for our arrival.

Before that, I’d been thinking about my lineage. Which I told him now, and concluded with, “The fact that I’m still alive tells me I’m still tied to at least one vampire through a link similar to theErositaconnection.”

“Unless you’ve started aging normally and are no longer immortal,” he replied, frowning. “When anErositabond is broken, the mortal just resumes their standard ages.”

“Yes. But my case isn’t normal. I have lycan genetics from my mother. However, that line was severely repressed by myErositasperm-donor father. Then Lilith linked me to her in ways never explained to me. And I’ve been told there is at least one other. I… I can also sense it.”

“The link?”

“No.” I fought for words on how to explain the feeling. “The ties were dulled decades ago, and I can’t even really feel them. But I can sense my immortality. Like, if it was missing, I’d know. And nothing feels wrong.”

“I see. And you don’t know who you’re linked to?”

I shook my head. “No, but I’m hoping we might find something at Bunker 37.” It had been one of my first thoughts when he’d said we were heading there. I also wanted to review the logs from the server farm, but Damien had them.

“You’re telling me this so I know you’ll be cooperative on our journey because it benefits you,” Jace replied, his hands giving my shoulders a squeeze. “Well played.”

“Actually, I was just telling you what I would like to discover. The next two days will provide proof of my willingness to cooperate.” I met his gaze in the mirror. “I also believe my behavior on this jet has proven my intentions as well.”

I’d also behaved during our trip to the server farm, but that fact seemed moot since this next journey had nothing to do with my research experiences and everything to do with my ability to play the part of a broken, docile human.

He studied my reflection for a moment, then turned me to face him. “You won’t be able to speak to me like this once we disembark the jet. You also won’t be able to look at me or anyone else. Not until I say otherwise, anyway.”

“I’m aware of how the human Vigils acted in Lilith’s presence. I will do my best to mimic their behaviors.”

Jace’s expression turned thoughtful. “Vigils have more benefits than most humans in this world. But my harem members are typically treated with a similar respect, so that should work for our purposes.” He leaned down to kiss my exposed neck, his teeth sinking into the wound he’d already created.

A tremble worked through my limbs, his touch and mouth eliciting an array of sensations throughout my core. Lilith’s bite had never done this to me. But she’d also never done any of those other things Jace had done… like bite medown there.

My eyes fell closed as I indulged in the sensations. His palms slid downward to cover my breasts, his thumbs stroking my nipples through the barely there fabric.

A moan caught in my throat, my body reacting to the female inside me—this wanton creature who craved more.

I’d been starved of touch my whole life, having no idea what I’d been missing. Until Jace.

And now I feared I’d never be the same again.