Purebreds and Power

“Have you considered selling her?” Han stood by the fireplace, one hand on the mantle while he swirled an amber liquor around his glass.

“We’ll see.” Chamberlain dragged his palm over his chin, smearing fresh blood then licked more from the she-wolf on his lap. “She has a certain savory flavor. Quite delicious.”

“Perhaps I’ll gift her to you for your wedding, Jun. You’ll need all new servants.” Gideon smiled. “And it seems you’ve acquired quite the appetite for wolf blood.”

Chamberlain rested his head on the chair behind him and sighed. He shoved his slave to the floor. “Blue for her, Sera dear.” The she-wolf dropped her head and followed Sera from the room while Chamberlain patted his stomach. “I can see why you’re obsessed, my lord.”

“Enough about their blood.” Rising from his wingback, Gideon crossed the room and placed his hand on Han’s shoulder. “What are we going to do about Eckhard?”

“Nothing.” Han turned and tapped his father’s shoulders twice. “Your business is your own.”

“Oh, come now, Son.” With a heavy exhale, Gideon closed his eyes, then opened them. “The wolf land is quite extensive. The amount–”

“Rumor is, that Aurus fellow has quite the hidden gem on the northern part of his land. Silver, from what I understand.” Chamberlain lit his cigar and puffed a few times. “No wonder Whiteshadow is willing to send his daughter to the middle of nowhere.”

“She’s inconsequential.” Gideon took his seat and leaned forward. “With your resources in the west, Jun, I’m sure I could bring Whiteshadow to an agreement. Especially if that bear land is under your control as well.”

“Enough.”

“I just think Adorna is a smart match–”

“Enough!” Han slammed his fist down on the mantle.

The den door quietly opened, and James stepped in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, my liege. But the sun will breach the horizon soon.” He walked toward the windows, drawing the curtains shut. “Will you be staying or going, gentlemen?”

Chamberlain stood and straightened his suit. He paused and looked at Han when he reached the door. “I look forward to your selection, my lord. I expect you’ll make the smart choice. Good evening.”

Han flicked his hand over his shoulder and sipped his drink.

Gideon stretched and stood. “Think carefully about what I said.” He patted Han’s shoulder as he left.

Han watched the fire die as daylight appeared beneath the velour window coverings. After a final swig of his drink, Han walked toward the sliver of brilliance that dared into the darkness.

“What are you–” James took a step forward.

Han held a finger to his lips as if mere whispers would scare the sun away. He snuck his fingers around the edge of the heavy material and pulled.

“Sir! No!”

—---

Han paced back and forth in his bedroom. His dark maroon satin robe clung to his muscles like a second skin, exposing a hint of his bare chest. For once, he relished the feeling. One by one, Han’s senses–as undead and unfeeling as he–shifted from numbness to awareness–the fragile tenderness of a rose petal, the aromatic richness of aged bourbon, the sharp sting of Lilly’s long nails down his back.

One by one, his senses changed. As a supernatural being, he had tremendous gifts.

But he felt different as blood began to flow through him.

He felt alive.

The sunlight had warmed his fingertips but did not burn.

He flipped his hand over, cradling the rays, but did not burn.

Without hesitation, Han had stepped into to early morning light. But did not burn.

As James watched from across the room, Han had greeted the new day, bathing in its full, shining glory.

And he did not burn.

Han had basked in the ever-elusive light–the splendor of the glow–heating his skin.

But Han did not burn.

“When will she be ready?”

“She just fell asleep.” James lowered his head.

“You know that’s not what I asked.”

“The girls were preparing her. We have fewer–”

“When?”

“Patience, my liege.” James straightened. “I’ve never seen you leave your private quarters in such attire. Are you certain–”

“James!”

“I’m sure they are done now.” James looked at his watch before yawning. “The Ready Room as you directed.”

—--

The alternating pendulum ticks of the tall-case clock echoed from the grand foyer, marking Han’s silent steps through his home.

With one final deep breath, Han pushed the heavy metal door open.

Lilly laid on her back, in traditional attire, with bindings locking her ankles and wrists in place. Small swatches of fabric covered her nipples while a thin, sheer cloth hung between her legs.

When Lilly saw Han, her eyes widened, then softened.

“Ah, my beloved. Look at you. Ready and waiting for me.” Han hung his robe on the rack and turned, bare-chested, toward his mate. Satin pants hung low on his hips, revealing a deep v at his pelvis. He licked his bottom lip as his eyes danced from Lilly’s head to her toes. “What fun we are going to have.”

Lilly attempted to wiggle the ball gag from her mouth, then scowled at Han.

Han chucked, circling Lilly like prey. His bare feet padded across the floor silently, effortlessly. His breathing remained settled and controlled. “So now you would like to talk.” He pulled the ties of her top until it came undone, laying precariously on her chest. “There were many chances to tell me. But you didn’t.”

Thrashing her head back and forth, Lilly fought her constraints, then her eyes went wide, and her cheeks went pink as her top slid off completely.

“Oh, my beautiful beloved. Your impatience, your lack of trust, does nothing for you.” Han dragged his fingernail up Lilly’s side and across her chest. “You’ve given me more to play with.”

Lilly took a sharp breath in, closed her eyes, then opened them again. The stress left her muscles, and she relaxed into place.

“There you go.” Han smiled. “Do you know why you are here?” He placed his hand on Lilly’s thigh, drawing his thumb over his mark. The beautiful design had fully filled in: the Kang family crest.

Lilly frowned and twisted her lips in confusion.

“Not sure? I’ll clarify.” Han’s fingertips danced along the string holding her bottoms together. He undid one side, then the other. “Be careful of your next moves.”

Following a shallow breath, Lilly gently nodded.

“Now you understand.”

Lilly closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she held Han’s gaze.

“The first time we met,” Han ghosted the inside of Lilly’s left leg. “Do you remember what happened?”

A dark crimson coated Lilly’s cheeks as she nodded once.

Han growled and undid the restraints around her left ankle. “Was it at dinner?”

Slowly, Lilly shook her head.

Han squeezed his eyes shut and fisted his hands. His teeth clenched then his eyes were on Lilly. “Tell me, Lilly. Was the first time we met in the forest?”

With a slight nod, Lilly responded.

Han skimmed his fingertips up Lilly’s leg, and her sensitive skin prickled in their wake. He traced across her belly, then down the other leg. When he reached her ankle, he undid the binding there as well. “Your honesty is always rewarded.”

Lilly wriggled her feet but kept her legs in place.

“Did you recall the events of the forest?” Han stepped back and waited. “I expect your continued honesty.”

Lilly closed her eyes. She took one, two deep breaths. Then looking directly at Han, she nodded her head.

Han stared at Lilly. He brushed his hand through his hair and turned away from the table.

Impossible.

No one could break the direct command–the compulsion–of an ancient vampire such as Han.

It was unheard of.

After smoothing his hair back into place, Han took a step toward the table. He began to loosen Lilly’s wrist, but she shook her head. Han stopped and looked at Lilly. Her eyes left no question about what she wanted.

With a small smirk, Han undid the gag but did not remove it from her mouth. “Did you recall the events later that day?”

Lilly gave an agitated sigh as she shook her head no.

Han knitted his eyebrows. “Later that week?”

Lilly, once again, shook her head. Her tongue pushed at the ball in her mouth, attempting to dislodge it.

“You came to me soon after.” Han strode around the table. “I expect you to be honest with me.”

Lilly mumbled and nodded her agreement.

“You’re being honest with me?”

Lilly nodded once more.

He moved toward the table once again.“No half or partial truths, Beloved.”

Lilly shook her head, and Han removed the gag. She opened and closed her mouth, limbering her joints before frowning and looking right at Han. “You never compelled me.”