Page 41 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

Chapter 15

Snowdrop

My eyes were captivated on the neck of the man in front of me.

The sound of his heartbeat quickened. I had to leave before I did something I would regret. Yet, I could not move, could not escape the temptation.

“Do it,” Francis’ raspy accent swept through the room, as he took a step forward. “We both know you want to,” he whispered.

My nostrils flared, taking in the aroma. The smell of jasmine and dew in his veins welcomed me in. Failing to calm my treasonous mind, I closed my eyes shut.

“It’s all right,” Francis’ breath tickled my ear. “This is how it should be, Princess.” His hand brushed over mine, sending fire through my skin.

My head shook in disagreement or simply in an attempt to strip my restless mind of any thought—I was unsure.

The sound of the clasp on his tunic being undone reached my ears. Despite the winter, my whole body felt like the sun itself. My stomach ached and twisted with new desire.

Good Gods.

My treasonous body was at this man’s mercy despite my mind’s protests.

Who was this stranger living inside of me? Where was the delicate self control I’d been taught since birth? Where was my dignity and self preservation?

Like a starved man, the beast within me longed for its next meal.

My eyes flew open. Francis’ tunic slid down his shoulder, revealing his smooth bronze skin: revealing his neck. His pulse sang serenades as I lost this unfair battle. In a mere second I stood before him, unable to refuse my body's demands any longer.

I devoured his blood as my teeth pierced his thin, soft skin.

Pleasure overwhelmed me, refusing me any clarity. His blood was as fresh as a dewdrop on a summer morning, as fresh as the rain, and as cold as the snow. It melted on my tongue in delightful satisfaction, corrupting me into the unknown. Sweet as honey, raw as briar, it consumed me, depriving me of my own mind: how could one go a whole life without this pleasure?

Slowly I relinquished any remaining control left within me. What a luxury it was to let go of everything and just be. A luxury I’d just been granted and was taking every bit of, not letting a drop go to waste.

Suddenly so aware of our bodies in the embrace, I felt Francis’ heartbeat slowing. The sound of his pulse excited the beast within me, and I begged this joy to never end. Like the rain after a hurricane, we found our peace.

I was at peace.

A peace I already longed for, addicted to it, willing to exchange my own life for it.More.

My mind calmed, allowing clear thoughts to reenter my nature, allowing me the privy of his low moan.

Oh, Moon! Did I hurt him?The realization hit me in my chest, the danger of the situation I’d welcomed made my body freeze.

I slowly opened my eyes, ashamed of my desires, ashamed of what I’d allowed to happen. I slowly pushed myself from hisneck, fighting through the craving, fighting with my own hands to let go.

The crimson wound I’d left on his neck challenged me to repeat our ritual: bright red, deep, delightful wound.

“Are you all right?” He cleared out his throat.Me?I should’ve been askinghimthis question. “You didn’t hurt me.” He read into my expression.

Francis let his hands fall from my waist slowly, as though afraid I would collapse without his support. Our gazes collided. Mesmerized by the intensity of his hypnotic amber eyes, my heart stopped.

You are a fool, Cordelia.A fool indeed. Yet I could not force my body away.

“Cordelia?” He crooked his head.

His low voice vibrated through my chest, warming my heart, poisoning my mind. My name on his lips sounded heavenly and peculiar all the same. Like the first snowdrop flower blooming in the cold winter, decorating nature with its beauty despite the cool cruelty of the surroundings. I wanted him to say my name again. And again.

Francis’ gaze dropped to my lips before his hand gently grabbed my chin. I held my breath in anticipation and excitement.What would his lips taste like,I wondered, as he cleaned the blood off my lips with his thumb.