Page 55 of The Vampire's Mercy

He didn’t want to make me a vamp, but a thrall.

That was much worse. Thralls were caught somewhere between vampire and mortal, bound to the vampire king, dependent on his blood. Servants, staff, even fuck buddies. If I didn’t get his blood in me every three days, I’d first go mad, then die.

“Don’t…” I tried. “Don’t…”

“It’s too late, elf,” he whispered.

The sudden rush of his blood blew my mind, healing me, chasing away every ache quicker than my own power.

The flavors, the way the blood turned the cold fire into an erotic warmth were beyond awesome. I lay there, rock-hard, filling up with him, binding to him. My mind reached to His Majesty, sliding into the gates of his special core. Joining with him, already wanting to please him.

Kind of.

The executioner part of me kicked and screamed, rejecting him. It was confused by this desire, hating him harder. A real conflict of emotions, making my heart sputter and my stomach flip.

I’m his.

I’m mine.

He sat up, straddling me. “Done.” He snapped his bloody fingers, my body returning to my control.

But I still couldn’t move, the weight of this change heavy, the firmness between my legs a raging ache. My mind lurched from side to side, confused at my next move. I wanted to hurt him, but the notion of violence against my king was slapped down immediately.

Not my king! Not my king! Not my fucking king!

“Now you are mine,” Silvanus said. “The first of your kind. I’ve never had an executioner thrall before.”

Kill him…

Serve him…

“Lucky me,” I bit out, as weak as a puppy, my desire still growing.

He raked a hand through his hair. “This is worse than death, isn’t it?”

My dick says no.“Yeah… You’re… You’re…” I swallowed, sweating just about everywhere.

Why was it suddenly so hot in here?

“You’re one cruel prick,” I said.

He laughed. “I could say the same about you.” He climbed off me, noticing the tentpole in my jeans. “You will be sleeping here tonight.”

Kill him…

Serve him…

I pushed myself up on my elbows. “Isn’t that dangerous for you, my king?” Dammit! I never meant to saythat!

He laughed, poking my inner beast. “No, Paris. Your nature might be resistant, but a thrall bond forces you to be a pacifist. You can’t commit a violent act unless I allow it.”

Yeah, I did actually know that.

Damn. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t tainted with vampire shit, disgracing my sister’s memory, forced to turn away from Aidan.

Never. I’ll never forsake you, Aidan. Please save me from this. I beg of you…

I had to be strong. Prayers weren’t enough. Aidan would want me to fight, to be strong, to not let this scum bag win.