Purebreds and Power

“Never?” Han scowled.

“Not once.”

Han climbed onto the table, and straddled Lilly’s hips while his feet and ankles held her legs in place. He searched Lilly’s face for signs of betrayal.

But he found none.

“So you remember it all?” He dropped his head down to the crux of her neck and nuzzled his nose into her jugular vein.

“I remember it all.” Lilly closed her eyes and leaned her head against Han’s. “And I don’t care.”

“Lilly–”

“Seriously.” Lilly pulled back so she could look at Han. “I don’t give a shit what you did before me. You’re a vampire, for fucks sake.”

“Lilly.” Han pushed up on his arms.

“Yeah, yeah. Swearing. I know.” Lilly sighed. “You had a life before me. But it’s after you met me that matters.”

Han leaned down and brushed his nose back and forth across hers, smiling. Then he gently pressed his lips to hers. “You deserve punishment for disobeying me.”

“You mean not staying put when you attempted to compel me? Then you left like a bat at night?”

Han peppered Lilly’s chest with small love bites. “Exactly.”

“I should be mad at you for pulling that stunt. Twice!” Lilly closed her eyes and sighed, then opened them again. “I had a reason to come back.”

“Tell me.” Han continued pecking his way down Lilly’s torso.

“My marriage is set for next month.”

Right below Lilly’s belly button, the kissing stopped.

Without a word, Han sat up. moved off the table and began to pace. His elegant fingers scrubbed his stubbled chin, and his once silent gait turned into a menacing plod.

Faster and faster, he moved–his hands fisted behind his back, and his jaw clenched.

Then, without warning, he dumped the contents of the cabinet, sending whips and gags sprawling across the floor.

And he laughed.

The angry, maniacal sound filled the cement room. Gooseflesh crawled across Lilly’s skin.

“I’ve lived well over a century, and now–now–time decides to challenge me.” Han stalked toward Lilly, determination set on his face. “You must go.”

“Han–”

“You cannot be here when I am not. And things must be done.” He turned away, shut his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. He heard a metallic pop. Then another. He swiveled and stared.

Lilly stood–her coverings spread across the floor and wrist bindings in shreds. She grabbed Han’s biceps and firmly tugged him into a soul-soothing kiss.

The affectionate connection settled Han’s perturbed thoughts. Stunned, he pulled her close–his hands wandered over her smooth skin. Their arduous admiration matched as they calmed the angst inside.

“It seems you really have inherited all of my strengths.” Han laid his forehead head on Lilly’s shoulder. He clasped his hands around the base of her spine. “I’ve never met a fated pair.”

“Not even your parents? You never talk about your mother.” Lilly brushed Han’s silky hair to the side.

“She cheated on my father, and he killed her.”

Lilly opened her mouth and then took Han’s hands in her own. “I’m sorry, Han.”

“There’s no reason to be sorry. Her actions had consequences.” Han spun and grabbed his robe. He draped the oversized material over Lilly’s shoulders and covered her. “My kind take marriage and mating seriously.” He smoothed the delicate fabric and then cupped her cheeks, looking her in the eye. “After all, it’s for eternity.”

Lilly snuggled into Han’s strong chest and sighed. “Why can’t we just tell everyone we’re mated?”

“Would your father believe you?”

“He– no.”

Han stroked Lilly’s hair. “And the council would demand reparations what for not arranging my future. Foolish old lot.”

“So, now what?”

Han pressed his cheek to hers. “We get everyone to agree that our union is perfect.”

Lilly laughed. “Simple.”

“Indeed.”

“I know you’ll work this out.” Lilly pushed back, looking up at Han. “I’ll go home and wait for you.”

Han grinned. “The next time I see you, I owe you a punishment.”

“Are you going soft for me, Master?

“Only for you.”

—--

Crisp wind rattled the trees. Their branches swayed, groaning and creaking in angry resistance. Eventually, the weakest among them failed and broke, twirling to their death alongside countless leaves. Billowing anvil-shaped clouds covered the sun like a shroud conceals a casket while a sweet, pungent aroma permeated the air.

Han strolled the grounds around his home.

The day felt like night, threatening, scary, and yet rain had not come.

Lilly left earlier that day. Han smiled, remembering her shock at seeing him comfortably walk in the sun.

His next steps to secure his future with Lilly pranced through his head on repeat–a waltz of precision. Each move calculated. Considered.

He could find no flaw.

And there could be none.

As he rounded the mansion, a sleek black car rolled in on the driveway.

Han halted. A predator watching his prey.

When the back car door finally opened, a lilting laugh rode the breeze. Sera stepped out and straightened her misaligned skirt. She leaned in the door and giggled, then stepped back from the car as it pulled away.

Sera wiped the corner of her mouth, pulled her shoulders back, and sauntered inside, letting the heavy front door slam behind her.

Han paused still, watching the car move down the driveway. The gusty wind had made the conversation impossible to hear, and the nondescript sedan left no clues as to its owner. Tinted windows suggested his kind, but Han could not be sure.

Covert affairs, perhaps?

His own plans became that much more imperative.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Han moved toward his home.

Sera opened the door before he could. “Han, dearest. I’ve had quite a surprise!”

With a low growl, Han stepped around her toward his study.

“Chamberlain declared my candidacy as your bride today.” Sera stepped into the room behind Han and sat down on the accent chair near the fireplace. She leaned back and rested her head. “And several members of the council agreed to make me their candidate as well. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“What do you want, Sera?” Han hovered over Sera, grabbed the arms of the chair, and caged her in place.

Sera crossed, then uncrossed her legs. Clearing her throat, she stared at the empty fireplace. “I, of course, have the right to annihilation based on that candidacy.” Sera looked down at her shoes and angled her body forward. “Excuse me, my lord.”

Han stepped back, and Sera took a position by the wet bar. “Can I get you anything?” She grabbed a glass and poured herself some wine, sniffing the bouquet with a swirl of the liquid. “Oh, this is nice.”

Han continued to glare.

“No for you? More for me.” Sera took a dainty sip, then chugged the glassful. With a long, audible sigh, she set her empty glass down and faced her lord. “I don’t want anything, Han. But I will have my right.” With a tentative step, she moved towards him. “Chamberlain stationed guards in the woods around your home, thinking this sort of thing would happen.” She stopped just shy of Han’s position. “They caught your favorite she-wolf trying to escape during the day. I officially announce that as a potential bride, she is my right to eliminate.”