Page 71 of Vow of Darkness
I shiver. I know what fun Gabriel is talking about. Him claiming my body. I never knew I could be so desperate for anything in my entire life but Gabriel has made me feel like I can’t even breathe if he doesn’t touch me.
“Aurora,” Ginevra says, approaching me. “I’ve seen you look better before.”
I grit my teeth. “Nice to see you again, Ginevra.”
She sneers. “Yes, well… I was surprised you were hosting another party like this, Gabriel. I thought you were done with them. Especially after my husband died.”
The image of George lying dead in the maze hits me.
Gabriel doesn’t show any sort of emotion. “I was done with them but I have decided I want to bring my wife into this part of my world. Now, let us all eat. We have a long night ahead of us.”
All of us go into the dining room where a huge feast has been prepared. Gabriel has me sit on his lap just like he did before. This time, I don’t mind it. Ever since he opened up to me, things have been better between us. I get to see my father. I get to know my husband. Everything is… good. Genuinely good.
Ginevra glowers in my direction as Gabriel feeds me. The delectable wine. The delicious steak. The creamy potatoes. It’s all so decadent. I have to admit: I don’t want to leave this life of luxury. It’s nice to not have to fight so hard for my next meal.
It’s nice to feel safe.
The guests speak about business and politics and pop culture. I zone most of it out. My eyes are glued to Gabriel’s as he places a piece of meat on my tongue. He watches me chew it. His eyes flick down to my neck as I swallow. I thought I would feel self-conscious doing this in front of others but with Gabriel, it feels right.
Once the dinner ends, Gabriel announces that it’s time to go into the maze.
“And I’ll remind you all one more time to never touch my wife. She is mine and mine only. But the rest of you may have at it with each other. I don’t judge here.”
That gets a chuckle from the table. Ginevra continues to shoot daggers my way but I ignore her. In fact, I feel quite smug. Gabriel is mine, not hers. It feels good to have some power in my life.
Gabriel’s guests walk ahead of us into the maze. I watch as they quickly tear their clothes off and chase each other. Ginevra gives me and Gabriel one last annoyed look before following Leo into the maze. He tries touching her but she walks right past him.
“How do we do this?” I whisper, feeling suddenly afraid.
“I’ll chase you. And then I’ll catch you. And then I’ll claim you before my guests. You want this still?”
“Are you giving me an out?”
He looks me right in the eye as he answers. “Yes. I am. I care for you, Aurora. I don’t want you to hate me at this point.”
“I don’t want an out,” I answer honestly. “I want this. I want to claim you as much as you want to claim me.”
His smirk is dangerous. “Good girl.” It makes a heat spread through my body. “Now, run.” The darkness in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.
I run into the maze without any more hesitation. I can feel Gabriel behind me but he keeps his distance, giving me a chance to get ahead.
As I run through the hedge maze, I come upon couples who already are having sex. I see Rocco with one of the women. He’s taking her from behind and her moans fill the night air.
I can’t help but blush. I run past them until I come upon another couple. A woman is sucking a man’s erection. I haven’t done that to Gabriel yet. I’m not sure if I have the bravery to do it but it does make me curious: how powerful would I feel having Gabriel’s most intimate area in the palm of my hands?
I keep running. I don’t stop until I reach the center of the maze. The first place Gabriel claimed me. And the place I know he’ll claim me again.
Another loss of innocence.
I wait for Gabriel to find me. I can feel his presence behind me once he reaches the center. I would know him like I know the back of my hand. His power. His strength. His darkness.
Gabriel wraps his arms around my waist. “You didn’t make it hard for me.”
“I know.”
A couple of the other guests arrive in the center and stop, watching us. Gabriel nods at them, silently telling them to stay. My heart is pounding so hard, I can’t even think.
Six of the guests are here with us. Watching us. Waiting. Some are naked. Some are half-dressed.
