Page 81 of The Guardian's Curse

He shook himself and gently kissed Lucia’s outstretched fingers. “I’ll play for you this evening while she sleeps.”

After gulping down the lukewarm remains of his breakfast, he returned to the piano to play quietly. He played a Liszt etude from memory, letting his mind drift away on the intricate melodies and cascading flurries of notes.

His playing was interrupted by a phone call from Paris. He answered gruffly. “Hello?”

“Allie, I do hope I’m not interrupting,” he said. “If I were you, I’d have my face between Shoshanna’s thighs as often as possible.”

“You know me well,” Alistair said. “I just put her to sleep.”

Paris laughed. “I’m proud of you. You were always good with your mouth.” He sighed. “I’m afraid I didn’t call for tales of your amorous exploits, though I’m certainly pleased that you’re both enjoying the carnal rewards of this little arrangement. Just a while ago, I met with a representative from the Casteron. I told them that Shoshanna York was ours, but they refused to acknowledge it without a blood bond to Eduardo.”

He was silent. “Then what does that mean?”

“That means that she’s fair game as far as they’re concerned,” he said. “They will take no action against Elliott McAvoy until Shoshanna is bonded to us.”

“Which she has repeatedly refused,” Alistair said quietly. “Stubborn witch.”

“That fiery personality will be the end of her,” Paris said.

You have no idea. “And what are we doing about Elliott?”

“That’s just it,” Paris said. “If Shoshanna was ours, then I would be the first to remove his testicles for laying a hand on her. But she’s neutral. And as far as vampire law is concerned, she is not our territory. Therefore, our hands are tied. And Eduardo was very clear about rogue action.”

“Then I must convince her to swear loyalty to us,” he said.

“Keep her in bed for a few more nights, and she’ll be addicted to you,” Paris said.

He chuckled. “I don’t think I’m quite that charming.”

“You underestimate yourself, Mister Thorne,” Paris said. “Has she had any luck with the curse?”

“She’s making progress,” Alistair said. “But I fear that her efforts are going to kill her. And I would carry the curse forever to protect her.”

“Oui,” Paris agreed. “I will not let her hurt herself for me, and no offense, but not for you either.”

“Agreed,” he said. “It may be a futile hope.”

“We have lived with it this long. We will survive.”

After his conversation with Paris, he returned to playing the piano. Soon, he heard a low moan and a yawn, then the soft shuffle of Shoshanna’s feet. Her floral scent, mixed with the rich, warm scent of her desire, drifted into the room just ahead of her. It was the sweetest perfume he’d ever smelled. She sat on the bench next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Sex with Shoshanna was incredible. But he liked these quiet moments almost as much. She was comfortable with him, something he had never imagined possible. Given the run of this huge house, she wanted to be in this tiny real estate next to him. Until she had come along, he hadn’t realized just how much he missed simple closeness.

“Did I wake you?” he asked, leaning his head against hers.

“Sort of, but I wanted to play with you,” she said.

He squeezed her thigh gently, then reached across her to change the music to one of their duets. As he arranged the pages, he hesitated. “Paris called. He spoke with a representative of the Casteron.”

Her brow lifted. “And?”

“And they still consider you fair game,” he said reluctantly. “Until you are bloodbound to the Auberon, they consider you neutral territory.”

She sighed. “I’m not territory or property. I’m a person.”

“I understand,” he said. “And as long as you are under my roof, an act of violence against you is an act against the court.”

“But if I want my normal life back, then I’m a sitting duck,” she said, shaking her head. “This is so unfair.” Her breath hitched. “I had to quit my job at the coffee shop. Elliott was showing up there.”

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