Page 33 of The Coven’s Sacrifice

Nicco had done as Alexander had told Sienna and delivered my breakfast to be enjoyed in bed. With the regular trolley, he’d added a small table thing I could eat off of as I sat up in bed. Only I hadn’t imagined Alexander would be the one feeding me, not that I minded one bit.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping now?” I asked, a hand covering my mouth as I chewed.

“We do not need to rest,” he answered, picking out a piece of strawberry next. “We chose to sleep for time to pass faster. But it is not something that is necessary.”

I blinked at that, then accepted the strawberry. Once I’d swallowed it, I knew what to ask next. “But why did you sleep next to me then?”

He looked up from my plate, a smile on his lips. “Because I wanted to.”

“Oh.” I felt a blush forming at those words, slowly spreading from my cheeks and down my neck. I’d been so starved for any affection and I felt weirdly shy and giddy as we sat there, newly bonded.

“I used to wonder if I would ever find my sacrifice,” he said, sounding sad. “I figured I would be left alone to rot in the end, left to live in solitude without a chance of freedom.”

Now was as good a time as any to ask further questions. “Jacob told me about Jaspar.” It was also my way of asking if my suspicions were correct and that us sacrifices saved one vampire each by falling in love with them.

Sadness shone in his eyes, and I felt it through our bond as well. It was so weird feeling someone else’s emotions, but not foreign. It felt like watching someone smile or laugh and knowing they were happy because they showed that emotion. I just simply felt it inside.

“I was so afraid of being stuck here forever that I latched onto Jaspar, giving him all my attention in the hope he would choose me. But I never truly loved him. I almost lost Jacob because of my foolishness, but instead he forgave me and even brought Harland into our lives. I must admit I feel sickened over my past actions.”

I nodded, feeling all of his mixed emotions war inside of me. “How was I different from Jaspar?” I dreaded his answer. I’d begged him to be mine, but perhaps he only said yes to get his freedom?

He held his hand on top of mine, his dark green eyes so open as they met my own. “I fucking hated everything about you from the moment you walked through those dining room doors.”

“Oh.” I retracted my hand, no longer wanting his touch.

“Hey, now,” he smiled, taking my hand in his again. “I felt that way because I had never wanted anyone more than I wanted you. I did not even know you, but the monster inside of me had already claimed you.”

“I don’t understand?”

His smile turned sad again. “When Jaspar chose Eric over me, it was not a surprise. Once Eric grew closer to Jaspar, he became feral, attacking anyone who fed from Jaspar in front of him. It was clear his monster had some sort of claim on Jaspar; one I had not felt myself. Jaspar felt the same claim.”

“And you felt that claim? With me?” I asked hopefully.

Sadness rushed through him, scaring me at first, until he spoke the words that only hurt more. “We all did, my precious.”

A thunder storm was brewing outside, lightning lit up the sky. Alexander had opened the curtains, allowing us a clear view of the sky as lightning flashed again and again. We were laying on my couch, lazily snuggling. It felt nice just relaxing and being held.

“I should really shower,” I said, knowing I had to stink.

He let out a low growl. “I like that you smell like me.”

I rolled my eyes, secretly pleased by his words. “But shouldn’t I clean myself after, you know?”

He chuckled low and warm. “After I filled you with my cum?”

I blushed. “Yes, that.”

He nuzzled my neck. “You can bathe with me once the storm is over, I am not ready to leave this spot with you yet.”

“Deal,” I grinned. “Also, now we’re on the topic… why didn’t it hurt? And why am I not sore?”

“Vampire saliva,” he rumbled, nibbling at my neck.

“As lube?” I breathed, feeling so fucking turned on.

He hummed against my neck. “We can use the same when we bite, making it pleasurable for you. It only works if you are attracted to us though, as we need to match it to your lust pheromones.”

I moaned as he started licking up my neck.