Page 7 of Moth & Flame (Gothika & The Blackspire Empire)

HELLA

THE NEXT MORNING

“ Y ou fucking cunt. How dare you try to deny Payne’s offer.” My eyes close on a discrete sigh as the soul-crushing weight of Alister’s presence settles upon my shoulders, and my chest. I’d slept so fucking peacefully knowing Draven was nearby, and Alister was out busying himself with his mistresses. I don’t even offer him a glance, and merely continue to sift through our cryo-vault for my favorite blood before I head to my office. When I don’t respond, Alister appears behind me, fisting the collar of my silk shirt.

“Unhand me at once, or I shall liberate you of the vile appendage.”

Alister replies by burying his face in my neck and inhaling deeply before sheathing his fangs in my flesh. His bite is deliberately vicious. If I attempted to force him off me, I’d tear my own throat out in the process. “I fucking hate you.”

Alister hums his pleasure against my throat in response. A moment later, the venom seeps in, eliminating the pain and causing arousal to burst through me like fucking dynamite. Alister yanks my skirt up, and under the force of the venom, I only manage a feeble struggle that ends the moment his cock slides inside me and the swift build of my climax begins.

Draven, Draven, Draven. His name is a mantra in my mind.

Alister’s fangs release me as he shoves me onto the white marble countertop. The blood from the ungracious wound trickles onto it, painting it red as he bends me over, and his thrusts turn sadistic.

No matter the cost, I will soon be free of you.

My eyes clench shut, and I visualize it’s Draven’s powerful form behind me. Gradually, my body relaxes, and another orgasm rises within me. A tremulous smile lifts my face, and the hatred tainting me bleeds away. A soft moan of pleasure escapes me as the vision of Draven becomes clearer. It’s a balm to my soul until Alister fists my hair, pressing my face hard against the marble counter as he goes rigid behind me, filling me with his cum, and leaving my heart and soul more hollow than ever.

Alister slides out of me, tucking himself back into his trousers.

“Leif gave me the courtesy of notifying me of your betrayal. You know how I would feel if this deal fell through. Thankfully, the entire board outvoted you, and Lord Payne was remarkably forgiving and happy to proceed.”

Seething, I tug my dress back into place. “I have spent my entire career trying to right the wrongs of Blackspire Blood Vaults, and ever since you?—”

Alister throws his head back with a sardonic laugh. “Since I what, Hella? Since I saved your family’s company, their entire legacy, from bankruptcy because of your misguided idealism? Your family would have nothing without me and my family.”

Tears of righteous anger burn my cheeks as my hands tremble with the desire to tear Alister’s head from his body. “Words cannot describe the depths of the hatred I have for you.”

Alister huffs, rolling his eyes. “So you’ve said. I’m bored of you, Hella. So very, very bored.”

With a deep breath, I push down my anger.

“Alister, please don’t do this. Lord Payne hurts his donors. The male is a stain on our community, our people, and our life’s work. ”

“Gods, you’re dramatic. Payne provides the best blood on the market. I don’t know why you assume his methods of extraction are nefarious. Perhaps his donors suffer from depression. Is that his fault?”

“All of them, Alister? You really find it plausible that all the blood in his vaults is tainted?—”

”Seasoned,”Alister corrects.

—with virtually every form of suffering.”

Alister gives me an incredulous look. “That’s the best part. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Did you even look at his revenue reports? They’re insane. You should be thanking the gods he’s merging with us.”

My vision gradually turns red. Instinct screams at me to bleed him dry. Unfortunately, I have no doubt I would die if I tried. So the next best thing bursts from me. “I’m leaving you.”

For the first time in our excruciating engagement, Alister’s face slackens with shock, as if I’ve just slapped him in the dick. A moment later, his head tips back with raucous laughter. When he straightens, tears of amusement brim his eyes.

“Oh, darling—you’re hilarious.”

“I wasn’t joking.”

“Hella, if you truly think I’ll ever let you leave, you’re more delusional than I thought.”

My blood turns to ice. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll stay. I’d rather die than spend the rest of my life with you.”

A malevolent grin tilts a corner of his lips. “That can be arranged.”