Moonlit Surrender
Chapter Twenty-Five

The following evening she was given a new dress to wear, black lace that floated down to her toes, though still sheer enough it could barely be considered clothing. Once she was dressed and her long hair combed out, Doris ushered her down to the dining hall.

Lucy was surprised to replace the room well lit. Every candlestick in each holder of the gold encrusted sconces and hanging chandeliers over the long table flickered with soft light that bathed over Lerexus sitting regally in robes of deep burgundy at the end and John seated adjacent in one of his expensive suits. Both men found her immediately, the former trying to hide his wandering gaze and the latter looking her over worriedly.

"Sit," Lerexus motioned towards the seat to his right. "Doris, pour us all a glass, yourself included." He watched his lackey take the pitcher and move around the table to fill both of the men's goblets obediently, though with a visible tension in her posture. “Squeezed fresh this evening." He made a poor attempt at hiding his self-satisfied smirk, then waved for Doris to sit.

The woman glared daggers at the back of John's head, clearly wishing to occupy his seat next to her master. Her eyes didn't flick over to Lucy for even a second, not a single thought wasted on the absurd notion of sitting next to the girl. Reluctantly, she gracefully slid into the chair next to her old paramour.

Lerexus turned to Lucy then snapped his fingers and the vampire that had tracked mud through the foyer nights ago appeared with a steaming plate of food. With a humble nod to his master, he glided in and set the dish down in front of Lucy. "Thank you, Maurice."

"Always a pleasure to serve, my lord," he answered so genuinely even Lucy believed him, then exited the way he had come in.

A hot meal. The master suite. Is he the world's worst kidnapper or is he just trying to confuse me?

She saw John's fingers drumming on the tabletop as he watched her, still painfully clasped in the silver cuffs.

"Well," Lerexus commented jovially, "isn't this nice? All of us together at last. One big happy family."

Doris snorted, John grimaced harder - if that was even possible, and Lucy ignored the asinine comment, glad to be eating something other than power bars or stale sandwiches.

"Is this what you wanted?" John asked as he continued to drum his fingers and eye his sire's captive from across the table.

"It is very close, indeed. It is good to have you home, boy. You strayed far and for so long. And for what?" He waved his hand at Lucy. "This? In exchange for godhood?"

The vampire lord's once-apprentice chuckled condescendingly, "You did not hold up so well to the temptation yourself."

"Don't be an idiot," the master sneered with a hateful glare. "The only interest I have in your precious toy is to spoil it for you so you can at last lose interest and move on, just like all the other little girls you played these ridiculous games with, isn't that right?"

John's posture stiffened. "Have you not also left a string of lovers in your wake over the millennia of your long life?"

Lerexus laughed loudly and startled Lucy out of her haze. "True. The two seem to go hand in hand."

"You will note, though, this time is different." His luminescent gray gaze landed back on the girl to whom they referred. Lucy started to feel a bit more lucid with a full belly and looked up in surprise to replace all three vampires staring at her.

"I've seen a thousand like her," Doris commented disinterestedly. "I don't get what all the fuss is about. It would take a positively exceptional creature to be worthy of such a great and powerful vampire lord's attention." She flitted her lashes in her master's direction, who barely took notice of the remark.

"She is an excellent student. Sharp. Obedient," John commented.

"I disagree, old friend. There is fire in her, the ability to lead. Can you imagine what she could accomplish with the right group following her?"

"She is rebellious," Doris corrected coldly, "manipulative, irreverent. She thinks she's better than everyone."

Lucy felt a small sense of outrage at the nasty accusations from the jealous woman but chose not to acknowledge them since it seemed the men hadn't either. The discomfort did not leave her though at having a group of immortals telling her what she was. "Perhaps what makes her so unique," John continued, "is there is both in her."

"You are not worthy of her, boy and you know it. You would have her kneel, make her weak, force her to follow for the rest of her short days. I am interested in seeing what she can do if she accesses that inner fire. She has already shown great promise. I think I will take her under my tutelage now. Consider yourself relieved."

His fingers stilled and the room was quiet but for the soft sound of Lucy's rhythmic breathing. John's brow lowered and his lips pressed together tightly. "I will not," he answered with a cool decisiveness. "Lerexus, you've had your fun. You got your way and I am here under your control once more. You even got to have your way with her. Now let it be done. Let her go."

Lerexus' mouth stretched into an ominous grin. "No."

John's nostrils flared, a new level of irritation and anger Lucy had never witnessed in him yet. She felt a guilty sense of relief that he was upset by the situation. He had thus far been so calm she had wondered if she had ever meant anything to him.

"She needs medical attention, you fool!" He raised his voice in outrage. "Look at the poor girl! Any paler and she'd be dead. Your greed has allowed you to drink too much from her." His hand gripped the lip of the table and there was an audible crunch of wood as his fingertips depressed into the hard surface with his preternatural strength barely restrained despite the silver still burning his skin. "And these ridiculous dresses you've been putting her in. She'll catch her death wandering around this frozen castle like that." He turned to Lucy. "Are you cold, dear?"

She faltered, unsure what to answer. Even though she knew now what they had shared was real, she still couldn't shake the anger from the fact everything that had happened was his fault.

If he really cared, it wouldn't have taken him a week to get here. And aren't I supposed to be rescued by now? Why am I still in this fucking castle if this is a rescue attempt?

Oh god. It isn't. He's not here to save me. He failed.

"Perhaps my appetite has been a little overzealous, but can you blame me? You've tasted her. She's the sweetest of your collection yet."

They continued to argue, but Lucy fell away into her thoughts, pushing the remainder of her food around with her fork as she watched it grow cold.

She could feel Doris' icy glare on her the more heated the men debated over what should be done with her. She could hear John pleading for her release, but it was obvious Lerexus would not let her simply walk out. Even if he did, she wouldn't get very far in her current state. She was weak, possibly already dying, and had no idea where she was. Then, above the cold stare across the table and the gravelly hum of John's protests and debating, she felt another set of eyes. She looked up and saw Lerexus' violet gaze settled fixedly on her even as he indulged his once-protégé in their argument.

No one is going to save you. Stop waiting and save yourself.

Was Lerexus right about her? Was there a fire locked away somewhere deep in her? Could it be accessed? Did she even want to if it meant he was right about something?

She saw then that just as John had laid out his own games of submission, so had Lerexus. Whereas John's games were meant to offer the opportunity of submission and teach her the art of surrender, his sire's games seemed centered around force to either crush her into that submission, as Doris had obviously allowed herself to be, or to rise up and push back. Did he actually want her to fight back? Why?

Those pale eyes watched her intently, as if he could hear the private process of her thoughts, his very gaze leaving her feeling violated.

Forget what he wants and these stupid games. He's tipped his cards and shown a soft spot for you. Take advantage of it.

"Enough," Lerexus raised his hand and broke away from Lucy's blue eyes. "You've spoken your piece. I will not let her go and you are indeed under my control. I suggest you spend this time in quiet meditation on your transgressions and what you need to change going forward if you are to rejoin the brood. I will not suffer a traitor in my ranks. Bear your punishment in silence like a good boy."

It was odd watching the vampire lord talk down to John. The master of the castle did not look in appearance much older than Lucy, yet condescended to her old professor who had not been immortalized as a vampire until middle age.

"I trust the handcuffs will not be necessary moving forward?" he asked John who tightened his jaw, but nodded.

"Doris, escort him back to his quarters. I'm sure you two could do with a little catching up."

The woman sneered in disgust as she looked over the man she had once worked beside. "Hardly." "Are you disobeying me?"

Her eyes widened. "No, my Lord," she whispered in contrition. "Forgive me. I'd do anything for you."

He nodded then motioned for her to lead John out. Once they were alone, his eyes settled back on Lucy. He rose from his seat, then extended his hand.

She looked at it confused for a moment, caught off guard by the chivalry.

Games. Don't be Doris.

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She slipped her palm into his slowly, then allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"I must admit, I was expecting a lot more resistance from you upon your darling John's arrival, but here you are, sweet as ever. I'm glad to see you took our little chat to heart. You deserve better than him." Certainly better than you.

"And what do I deserve? To starve and bleed out in your cold dungeon? What's with your own sudden change of heart?"

"Hardly, sugar. I told you every hospitality I have to offer is yours, so long as you behave."

"So as long as I do every little thing you tell me to, you'll be agreeable and hospitable?"

Anyone can honor those terms.

"For now, yes." He gently grasped her elbow and began to lead her out. "I have other plans, but that's a conversation for another time."

She halted and turned to look up into his ghostly face, letting her body remain close enough her breasts brushed his torso. "To make me your queen?"

The candlelight twinkled in his eyes. "If you can prove worthy."

She played coy and aimed a coquettish smirk up at him. "You want to make me a vampire, don't you? That's what this is all about. You're going to change me and then what?" "Wright did not exaggerate when he said you were a quick student."

She leaned in a little closer, pressing her body into his as she looked up and felt his grip on her elbow tighten. "Why wouldn't you have just asked? Maybe I would've said yes."

His white brow furrowed slightly as he dropped his hand to her lower back and positioned her between the end of the dining table and his body. "Because a god does not ask for anything. He takes."

She licked her lips. "So I've noticed." She leaned back and grasped the lip of the table and arched her back so her breasts pushed forward and strained against the delicate lace hugging them. That chilling grin spread across his face as he watched her invitation.

Lucy told herself it was to stay in his favor and perhaps slowly lure him into a false sense of security. She hoped endearing herself to him would offer her at least one moment where he would lower his guard enough for her to slip away. But in some dark corner, even she did not dare explore, a part of her tingled with excitement at the thought of becoming a dark vampire queen. John may have offered her the violent love she had been craving, but Lerexus was offering her more power than any mortal could ever have hoped to possess, and despite herself, she was tempted.

His hand slid up her back and grabbed a fistful of her long hair and yanked it back so her scarred neck was exposed.

She recoiled slightly, scared he meant to change her right this moment. She doubted she could live through one more casual drink. The next time he bit her, it would be the last.

He leaned in and inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of her fear, but did not sink his fangs back into her. His mouth closed down on her neck, but it was in a lusty kiss, his lips caressing the goosebumps that formed there, then dragged up along her jawline.

She swallowed her fear and accessed that recessed corner of herself.

How would a vampire queen act?

She kept her hands on the table but breathed softly. "Is there something here you'd like to take, Master?"

An inhuman growl rumbled in his chest, low and primal. His fist closed around her throat and he forced her onto her back. "You cannot take what is already yours." He pushed up her skirt with his other hand and then nestled himself between her open thighs hanging off the table. He kept his hand firmly on her throat to pin her securely down, then lifted his robes and pressed the head of his cock against her pussy lips. "Say it," he ordered gruffly. "Say you belong to me." Just like a petty, jealous child. It's not enough to take away what was John's, he has to own it.

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"I am yours, my Lord," she lied sweetly.

He sucked in an excited breath and then forced himself into her.

Lucy groaned from the sudden plunge but was shocked to replace herself enjoying the feeling of him stretching her around his shape once more, and despite all the hate she felt burning inside her for him, he really was quite handsome. He was thick and filled her all the way to her delicate cervix easily and his free hand groped the roundness of her hip and pulled her into each of his thrusts, digging his nails into her soft skin with each forceful tug. He leaned forward and moved his hand to support himself on the table beside her as he used the angle to grind over her swelling clit with his fevered movements.

"Are you going to make a mess again, sugar?" he taunted. "Don't think I didn't see that smile when you ruined my sleeve and the sitting room floor with that first shameless orgasm last night."

She hated herself for the moan that slipped out despite her absolute revulsion at the new nickname he had given her.

"Go on then," he growled as he fucked her harder, angling his thrusts to grind over her, "make another mess in my dining hall. Squirt your filthy pleasure down my legs and the expensive furniture beneath you. Ruin it all with that spiteful cunt.” Her hands left the table and brazenly fisted in his velvet robes and tugged him into her as she arched and bore down into his thrusts. She stared defiantly into his pink eyes, accepting the taunt.

You think you're in control, but you just can't resist fucking me, no matter how superior you think you are.

Beneath all your grandeur, you're just as weak as any mortal.

Her eyes closed as she moved with him, letting her body take control, glad to oblige his dare.

Salt and pepper stubble. Piercing gray eyes. Rough hands on my body.

"Come for me, princess."

"God damn it!" she cried in frustration with herself. "I'm a fucking queen!"

Lerexus laughed triumphantly. "Yes! Now make that greedy cunt come, little queen!"

Lucy came loudly and shuddered against the table. Her legs squeezed his body tightly between her thighs and shook violently as she gushed and writhed through the pleasure.

His sharp nails pressed into her throat and the other hand clawed at her shuddering breast as he spilled his vile seed in her and joined her cries with self-satisfied grunts. He moaned with that Cheshire smile that made her stomach turn and then slowly slipped out of her. He released her throat and breast and pushed her legs up by the backs of her thighs and spread them in the air to view his work, watching their mingled pleasure drip out of her and down her spread cheeks. "Gods, look at you," he chuckled.

She caught her breath and tried to hide the anger welling in her at his attempt to humiliate her by putting her on display in such an undignified manner.

He let her legs fall down and turned to wipe himself off. "You're becoming quite the bad habit for me."

She sat up and pushed the hem of her dress down as if it hid anything. "I'm shocked you'd stoop so low. Again."

He turned back to her with an icy glare. "You sass me again and I'll have you flogged." He stepped closer and stared down menacingly at her. "Let's be clear here: I am still your master. That doesn't change. Even if I make you my queen, it is my hand that elevates you and my hand that will strike you down should you try to surpass it. I am your lord and will always be thus. Do you understand?"

Rage hummed through her body, replacing whatever shameful ecstasy still lingered. "Of course, Master."

Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you.

"Now get up. I have chores for you tonight."

She suppressed the heavy sigh that wanted out, reminding herself that ingratiating herself would lead to escape. She had to get out of this nightmare of a castle, away from everything. She obeyed each order sweetly, reciting her mantra of escape quietly to herself and ignoring the ever present pull she still felt to John. Rage was the answer. As long as she stayed angry, she could ignore every other complicated emotion in her and focus on her singular goal: get out.