The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 12

Not wanting to startle his mate, Viktor ported to the balcony where he could see through the glass paneling. Eden was kneeling in front of the dark chair across from his own, her head bent towards the floor.

Instead of entering, he watched as she scrubbed at the rug with stiff arms, concentration and determination upon her face. The scratch of the rag sliding across the wool nettled him. Acutely.

She was erasing the resulting evidence of his touch, scouring it away and leaving no trace behind. His gut clenched when she stood and threw the cloth into the fire. It sizzled and hissed, an acerbic resonance to match his mood.

It was drizzling outside, but Viktor barely felt it. He was angry. Angry with fate for her atrocious timing. Angry with himself. Angry with Eden. The longer he stared at her, the more aggravated he became.

Though he was in the wrong, he was especially upset with his sieva. She was wiping away what he’d done to her, as if she’d meant to forget. As if she could not bear any hint of their activities.

Their passion would not be so easily forgotten. Aside from his actions in that final moment, it had been perfect. She had been perfect. She had been his, fully giving herself to him.

Eden had not shied away from him, had not acted as an innocent might. She’d accepted him. She’d wanted him—and, Goddess help him, how he wanted her in return.

Viktor opened the door and stepped inside, pausing before quietly closing it behind him. He approached her slowly, cautiously, unsure what her reaction would be when she saw him. Eden’s attention remained on the flames currently consuming the cloth.

He waited, but still she did not acknowledge his presence. Viktor did not like her lack of notice. He wanted to be the center of her attention, even if it was undeserved.

Normally, he would say as much, but he was distracted by the fact she was wearing one of his shirts. No being in existence could possibly be lovelier than his sieva, or more desirable.

The silence stretched as they waited out one another. Viktor knew, if he touched her skin to skin, she would not resist. The cicatrice would compel her to respond to him.

He didn’t want her to have to be compelled. He wanted Eden to want to touch him, to choose to touch him.

He would hold off as long as he could, but he needed to be close to her. In a single stride, his chest was against her shoulder. He strained to keep his arms at this sides.

Where were you? Her voice was almost inaudible.

I had to leave. I was not myself, Eden.

She turned her face, glaring at him with such intensity he nearly stepped back.

That was not what I asked.

You do not want me to answer. Trust me, he said, bending to nuzzle her hair.

Eden turned her body and pushed with both hands to back him away. Viktor did not budge, but the message was clear enough.

You mean to deny me? he asked, disbelief and anxiety gnawing at him. He had never been denied.

I can smell another’s perfume on you.

Guilt, dark and ugly, ate away his other emotions. It was a dangerous thing for one such as he to allow. The last time he’d felt it, he’d behaved recklessly.

It had been a mistake fleeing to the Komora, but he did it for her. If he explained, would she understand? He wasn’t used to explaining anything to anyone.

Eden—

What was her name? Did you enjoy it? Did she? she asked rapidly.

Viktor ran his hand through his hair.

Did my … taste make you stop? Was it so abhorrent you would seek another to replace it?

Viktor was appalled Eden could think such a thing. What made it worse was there was no anger in her voice. She was hurt. He had hurt her by leaving. He had known it would, but seeing what he’d left in the wake of his departure tugged at the place where his heart should have been.

No, don’t be ridiculous.

Then why did you leave?

I told you.

Not being yourself tells me nothing. I do not know you. You are a stranger to me. But I wanted to know you. I felt something the first time I saw you, Viktor. When you declared I was yours, I knew it to be true. I did not question it. I came here willingly. I let you …

Eden couldn’t bring herself to describe what he’d done, so she motioned towards the chair.

I thought being your sieva meant—well, that it meant something far different than it does.

Viktor stepped towards Eden and she backed away. He growled at her retreat.

“I am the King of Prajna. I am in control of myself at all times. I do not feel. I do not act on emotions. I do not behave in this manner. Not ever, Eden. The cicatrice is driving me to tear open your neck and feast upon your lifeblood. The second your essence hit my mouth I wasn’t sure I would be able to stop myself. I would sooner take my own life than harm my mate. Do not penalize me for protecting you.”

Protecting me? You ran to someone else for my own protection? If this is how you shield me, then I do not want to be protected.

His glimmering irises grew brighter. She did not want his protection? She’d have it whether she wanted it or not. He reached for her again and she sidestepped him. He could easily get to her, but they needed to resolve this before he did.

Why are you resisting me? he demanded.

Is that a serious question?

Of course, it is.

I. Can. Smell. Her. On. You, she seethed, her temper building with each word.

Viktor lowered his eyes, as if to hide his shame. Eden hadn’t expected any sort of submission or acknowledgement of guilt. She didn’t think hardened men capable of it.

His reaction was short-lived. Viktor raised his face, now turned stony, effectively erasing his indignity.

Whatever he’d done, he felt bad about it. But his pride would not allow him to admit his mistake. Eden would not let it go.

Where were you, Viktor? she asked again.

Viktor threw his hands in the air. His little witch was beyond infuriating. If she wanted truth, she would get it. He would test her resolve to be his sooner than he would have liked.

I went to the Komora.

The Komora, she repeated, contemplating his meaning.

Do you know what a Komora is?

No.

It’s a pavilion, home to hundreds of Prajna. All female. My father built it for all his mistresses, his favorite ones that would do anything he asked. After his death, I dismissed his harem.

Some sense of relief entered her chest. It was instantly annihilated with his next words.

Then I replaced his with my own. When I’m hungry, I send for them. When I want s*x, I send for them. Every single one of them has been in my feeding room to service me. Most of them to give me both b***d and s*x. I take at least one every day. That’s why there are so many in the Komora. My appetites are large, and it takes that many to keep me satiated.

Eden’s eyes bulged, her hand flew to her clavicle. Hundreds? She could never take the place of so many. Had Fate thought she would voluntarily be one of hundreds? The cicatrice eased her and she silently cursed it.

The second I knew I might harm you, I went there to feed. I thought if I consumed enough, it would take the edge off, so I could be what you needed. I only went there for b***d, Eden.

He moved towards her, until their bodies were an inch apart.

“Normally, one feeding would suffice. I was so unhinged, I fed from seven. I assure you I had no interest in bedding any of them. Not when you’d been so perfect. Are so perfect.”

Eden’s hurt lessened the more he spoke. She could easily hear the truth in his declaration. Worry laced his words, evidence of his torment.

Viktor hadn’t gone to his harem to couple. He’d fed. She didn’t like it, but she understood it wasn’t done to upset her or to betray her. He was a male losing control, desperate to regain it.

They would need to revisit the Komora issue later. For now, she was willing to let it go.

Her cicatrice pulled so hard she stumbled into him. Viktor caught her easily and his face softened. He lifted Eden until she was eye level. Her l**t had her wrapping her legs around him.

“You didn’t resist its pull this time, mala vestica.”

No, I didn’t. Perhaps now you’ll know to answer me honestly.

Viktor chuffed. We will not be ourselves until we finish this.

Eden could feel small tremors moving through his body as he labored to restrain himself. He held himself back, doing so for her benefit.

Promise me you won’t leave again, she said.

He looked indecisive and she knew he was warring with himself. Eden wanted to allay his fears. She was not as breakable as he believed.

I am not powerless, Viktor. If at any time I sense danger, or if you harm me in any way, I will set you on fire.

Viktor let out a hearty laugh and her stomach fluttered. His hands tightened around her.

Yes, well, that would certainly get my attention.

Eden nodded towards the bed, but Viktor shook his head.

No, little witch. Not yet. There is something else I want to do first.