Page 96 of The Vampire's Lament
If not him, then no one.
He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes on the sky. “Shit.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Becoming the next king was a cruel ask, I knew that.
“Shit,” he repeated.
“I have to leave soon,” I said. “I need a decision.”
“Do I get a say?”
“Yes.”
He released the longest sigh I’d ever heard. “But not really. Not with the fate of our kind resting on my decision.”
I understood his suffering. After seventy years as king, I still didn’t feel worthy of it. And I never would. But someone had to do it.
Vaughn leaned back, folding his arms. “I’ll do it.”
Relief hit me with endless tsunamis. “Thank you, in more ways than I can convey.”
He cocked an eyebrow and snorted. “I’ll try to be a less dramatic king.”
I laughed, getting to my feet. “Ready to begin?”
He stood, brushing down the front of his black silk shirt. “Do it.”
I spoke the words. “The crown of blood I beseech to thee.” Biting my wrist to draw blood, I pressed it to his lips.
He grabbed my arm, sucking on my royal blood. He moaned, clearly enjoying himself from the exuberant licks of his tongue and the gluttonous slurping.
The Heart of All beat with ten intense pulses, each one a bell of sorts to signify its new home should I perish.
To seal the deal, I marked him on the neck. The scratch flared scarlet, then faded away.
Done. As easy as that.
Lord Vaughn Rosen, the next vampire king.
Vaughn released me, licking his lips, my blood running down his chin. His eyes shone a magnificent ruby glow, his skin radiant with pleasure.
My wrist healed quickly. “Thank you again.”
He wiped his chin with his sleeve. “Don’t mention it. But I’m going to need to fuck some of this fear out of me.”
“Of course.”
“I’m thinking Bobby’s throat would be a good place to stick my dick tonight. He loves a face fuck.”
Bobby. A vampire elf and a keen badminton player.
I glowered at him. “I don’t need to know the details.”
He chuckled. “So, Glimmer City, eh?”
“Indeed. Thank you again for letting us use your house.”
