Page 39 of Dhampira

Vander hauled me back. His fangs flashed as a growl rumbled in his throat. “You go too far questioning my honor, Corinthe.”

“Let go of me!” I jerked against his grip, my elbow knocking into the books behind me. The blue light wavered.

He hissed, his fingers biting into my skin as we tussled. “Settle down!”

“No!” Panic flooded me as his fangs appeared between his lips. I fought harder. My elbow struck the shelf, and fiery pain streaked up my arm. “Ow!”

Vander loosened his grip. “Are you all—?”

I wrenched my arm free and punched him in the mouth. His head snapped back. Fist throbbing, I started for the door. Hard fingers gripped my shoulders, and I was spun around and pressed against the bookcase. Shelves bit into my back, and Vander’s blazing silver eyes and long, pointed fangs filled my vision. His lip was split open. Blood seeped from the wound and dribbled down his chin.

A sweet, intoxicating scent hit my nose. It filled my lungs and sizzled through my veins like wildfire.

The monster inside me snapped its restraints. Hissing, I seized Vander’s jacket in both fists and jerked him into me. I got a split-second glimpse of widening silver eyes before I latched on to his lip. Blood splashed my tongue. Something wild and potent followed. It charged down my throat and danced through me. Pounding drums beat in my ears. Swallowing, I deepened the kiss. Glimpses of unrestrained bonfires and a thousand flowers opening and closing flashed in my mind. Stars pinwheeled behind my closed lids. Power built, and it was thick and green, its tendrils wrapping around and around my heart. Stop. I had to stop. But I couldn’t. The drums pounded harder. A swift, bubbling river flowed down my throat, its essence sweeter than honey. The river gushed faster. Power swirled, and it was beautiful and terrible.

In my mind’s eye, Vander stepped into the river. He muttered something I couldn’t catch. Then he turned toward me. Dazzling sunlight spread around him, turning his hair to flame.

A tongue stroked mine, putting a gasp in my throat as the kiss turned more intimate. Long fingers speared my hair, and a masculine groan rumbled into my mouth. The wild, bubbling river became the hot, silky sweep of a skilled tongue. The honey on my lips flowed deeper into my body, pooling between my legs as a restless ache built. Stubble scraped my chin, the prickling rasp sharp but not unpleasant. Rain-soaked air surrounded me. The tongue sucked at mine, sending more liquid heat flowing to the juncture of my thighs. I whimpered, and a surge of boldness made me flick my tongue against the larger one thrusting deep into my mouth.

Vander tore his lips from mine. My fingers slipped from his jacket, and I slumped against the bookcase. We stared at each other, our chests heaving as we caught our breath. Pink stained his cheekbones, and the pulse in his neck fluttered wildly. The cut on his lip was gone.

I touched my mouth, then realized what I was doing and quickly lowered my hand.

“Are you all right?” Vander asked gruffly.

I pushed away from the bookshelf. “Yes. You taste different. Is it because you’re turned?”

He gave no reply. His silver gaze was unwavering, all of his doors latched and bolted.

Except he’d kissed me.

“You kissed me,” I said, the words jumping from me before I could stop them.

He swallowed, his eyes flicking to my mouth. “You kissed me first. But you’re right. I…shouldn’t have done that.”

“Then why did you?”

His eyes didn’t leave my mouth. “You’re beautiful,” he muttered. “And I’m stupid.”

Wait. He thought I was beautiful?

“Sorry to interrupt,” a cold voice said.

Vander and I jumped. Lorcan stood in the doorway, his dark eyes locked on us. He stared at Vander for a long moment before looking at me.

“Come, Princess. Your father worried you got lost. He sent me to fetch you.” His hard smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I believe he wishes to speak to us about our wedding.”

Anxiety fluttered in my stomach as I kept pace with Lorcan. How long had he stood in the doorway? Had he seen me kiss Vander?

Gods, I’d kissed Vander. Of all the reckless things I could have done, that topped the list. But his blood had beckoned, and the monster had answered. It could never happen again, especially now that I knew how good Vander tasted. His blood was invigorating. Addictive. But it was also a tempest. Drinking him had felt like standing in an open field with a storm approaching. Kissing him had felt…better.

I licked my lips.

“Keep up,” Lorcan said as we turned down another corridor.

Aggravation spiked as I quickened my pace. “I haven’t fallen behind.”

He said nothing, his gaze straight ahead as we continued toward our destination. His dark hair was gathered at his neck. This time, however, he’d forgone the knot, and the silky-looking mass fell to the center of his back. He’d changed after the hunt, but his clothes were the same unrelieved black he favored. Maybe he had a whole wardrobe of black trousers and jackets. Black boots and mantles. He probably slept in black pajamas.