Court of the Vampire Queen

by Katee Robert

I’m only fifty percent human,

“He gave me to you.”

“Fuck!” My curse turns into a breathy moan. I knew to expect this, but being lectured on the pleasure of a bloodline vampire’s bite does nothing to translate how good it feels.

“I’m half bloodsucker.”

I start to cover myself, but he catches my wrists, easily overpowering me. He does another of those long inhales and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt he’s scenting my arousal. He shifts my wrists to one hand and reaches for my panties with the other.

“You know why you’re here.”

“Say it.” I don’t want to. I very much don’t want to. But the words spill from my lips, almost as if he compelled them with his low voice. “I’m here to satisfy your hunger.”

“Hungers, little dhampir. All of them.” He strokes me again. “Lift your hips.”

“You said we’...

“Yes, after.” Still, he hesitates. A drop of blood drips down his chin and I dazedly realize he’...

“Yes.”

“What the fuck just happened?”

My life has been hell since I was old enough to realize my position within the vampire colony my father rules. I am the worst of all things. Magic-less. Bastard. The product of my monster of a father and one of his human mistresses he pretends is there of her own free will, rather than an exotic pet he likes to keep to prove his power. Unlike other dhampir children of bloodline vampires, I have no magic to speak of. I fit nowhere, and so every move I made was an insult deserving punishment.

Malachi Zion.

“So the bloodsucker likes a little modern convenience after all.”

“Such charm you have, little dhampir.”

He looks…amused. And healthier. There’s a flush to his pale skin from my blood. The thought sends a pulse through my body, directly to my core. I didn’t hate being his snack as much as I want to, and even as I tell myself I’ll fight him to a standstill before I let him bite me again, part of me wants it, and wants it now.

“Why not tattoo sacrifice on my forehead in case I forget?” His brows inch up. “The last one wasn’t so mouthy.” “And look what happened to her.”

“Are you mad I didn’t fuck you earlier?”

It looks like someone tried to hack out his heart.

“Even a few dhampirs before you.” His gaze coasts down my body, lingering on my breasts. “None of them tasted as good as you.”

“You don’t want me to back off.” “Wait.” “You keep saying wait, little dhampir. Not stop. Shall I slow down farther?”

“Just call me your resident blood bank and womb. Suck me, fuck me, do whatever you want. It’s not like I’m a real person to you. I’m just a little dhampir, after all.”

“You’re my little dhampir now.”

“I might have been traded like a possession, but I’m not yours. I never will be.”

“I’m not hungry for your blood.” He leans down and his lips brush against the shell of my ear. “I want to feel you come again.”

My knees buckle, and he eases us to the floor with me straddling him. Careful. He’s so fucking careful. He’s not really taking blood right now, not more than a few drops. His hold on me is tight, but nowhere near tight enough to hurt me.

“Don’t worry, little dhampir. I will fuck you, and soon. This was simply a little taste of what it will be like.”

I brace my hands on his shoulder to push to my feet, but somehow my wires get crossed and I rock my hips against him. Just a little. I bite my bottom lip. “What are you doing to me?”

“Nothing.” He very slowly, very gently, replaces his hands on my hips. “Nothing at all.”

“As I’m sure you’ve probably figured out, I didn’t exactly volunteer for this gig. I tried to run. My father made sure I wouldn’t be able to again.”

“Blood is power, little dhampir.” He leans in, pressing against me, until his neck is a few spare inches from my mouth. “Drink from me enough and your knee will mend itself.”

I shouldn’t. It’s another tie linking me to him. His bloodline’s power might not be glamour like my father’s, but sharing blood back is what vampires do to mind-fuck humans.

“But not yet. If you still want my cock when you wake up, you’re more than welcome to it.”

“Surely your father didn’t leave you completely defenseless. Show me what you can do.” I snort. “You have a heightened opinion of my father he doesn’t deserve.” He clenches his jaw. “Trust me; he deserves everything I think of him.”

“With proper nutrition and a steady diet of vampire blood, you’ll be easily as strong and fast as a turned vampire. Possibly as a born vampire, albeit without the magical abilities.”

“What bargain?” “Train with me. Exchange blood. As long as you’re doing that, sex is off the table.” I stare. “You’re lying.” “I think you’ll find, Mina, I never lie.” He shrugs a single shoulder. “Sometimes I withhold the truth, but I give you my word I won’t fuck you while you’re meeting your end of the bargain.” He flashes me a hint of fang. “Unless you ask nicely.”

“I won’t fuck you until you ask me nicely while my fangs aren’t inside you.”

I dig my fingers into his hair and moan. Malachi growls against my skin, but instead of sucking harder, he lifts his head and drags his tongue over the spot where he bit me. “You taste too fucking good. I don’t understand it.” “Keep going.” “No.”

“I don’t think you can break skin effectively with these little things.” “Wow, I didn’t realize you were a size queen.”

His grin is quick and nearly knocks me on my ass. “We’ll have to improvise.” As I watch, he drags his tongue over his tooth, cutting it. Malachi shifts his grip to the back of my neck. “Come here.” He doesn’t even have to pull me. I’m already moving, diving down and taking his mouth. He tastes of blood and man and, gods, I can’t get enough.

“When I fuck you, it won’t be with a little tongue.” Another of those slow smiles. “But if you’re feeling needy and want me to kiss your pussy better, I’m more than happy to.”

“Prove it.”

“Mina.” My name sounds like a sin on his lips.

“Yes?”

“Are you a v...

He watches me closely. “Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“Please.” “Give me a second.” Give him a second? What the hell kind of game is he playing right now?

“Is that going to happen every time we make out?” He slumps on top of me and gives a hoarse laugh. “No. I lost control.”