Page 6 of Dark Fire Kiss

But his warriors didn’t. Vampires prized strength and power—and I had neither.

A female moan drifted from the dais that held my father’s throne. He sprawled on the red cushions, his throat working as he fed from the thrall. She straddled him and cried out, her hips rolling as she orgasmed. The thrall at his knee slid a hand up his thigh to his groin. He’d bed both—and likely others—before the night was through. The only question was whether he’d bother to take them to his chamber first.

The thrall Aleksander had rejected moved toward the dais, her gaze now focused on my father.

Which was hardly a surprise. As an ancient, the venom in his fangs was rich with sila. A few drops would keep her sated for weeks.

And if she didn’t get more, the withdrawal would kill her. Sila was more potent than any drug. It flooded the human brain with endorphins, causing euphoria and sexual gratification. Once hooked, a vampire’s prey grew increasingly dependent on it, until they craved nothing else.

My father’s nostrils flared as he noticed the approaching female. He withdrew his fangs from the first thrall’s wrist and shoved her off his lap, causing her to tumble from the dais in a tangle of limbs.

The tattooed thrall stepped over her, straddled my father’s thighs, and proffered her arm. “My prince, I’d be honored.”

He lifted her wrist to his nose and inhaled. “The honor is mine, dushenka.” Sweetheart. He yanked her close and struck with a hiss. As he gripped her arm, the ruby on his finger reflected the firelight. The jewel was thousands of years old, passed down through generations of princes. It would go to Aleksander next, assuming the Blood deemed him strong enough to rule.

The scent of blood swirled thick in the air. Suddenly, my fangs ached and saliva flooded my mouth. Biting back a grimace, I lifted my goblet and took a sip of blood wine. The taste of copper coated my tongue, and I quickly set the goblet back down.

“Something wrong with your blood wine, Niece?”

Grigory’s voice was quiet, but it cut through the sounds of feasting like an arrow. His words might have been solicitous, but there was no mistaking the hostility in his eyes. He despised anything that made Krovnosta appear weak. So, naturally, he despised me.

My heart rate sped up. “Nothing, Uncle, except I’m not really hungry.”

His fangs flashed in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Drink anyway. Blood is life.”

Around the table, the warriors lifted their goblets and repeated the mantra in voices that thundered off the stone walls. “Blood is life!”

Grigory gave me an expectant look.

Clenching my teeth, I lifted my wine. “Blood is life,” I murmured and took a small sip.

“A pity you can’t stomach the taste of it. The territory needs strong females to breed strong sons.” He looked toward my father’s throne and raised his voice. “It’s past time Halina was wed.”

I froze. He wanted to marry me off?

My father lifted his head. “Eh?” He licked blood from his lips. As he looked between Grigory and me, the bloodlust faded from his eyes, the red giving way to blue. His brows pulled together. “Halina?”

Surprise jolted me. He didn’t always remember my name. Occasionally, he confused me with my mother. She’d died birthing me, and I knew nothing of her, but Aleksander had once let it slip that my hair was the same dark red shade hers had been.

My father made a negative sound. “Who would have her? She can’t hunt or channel.”

My cheeks heated, and my skin prickled as dozens of eyes focused on me.

“Slow your heart rate,” Aleksander said in a voice so low it was more breath than sound. “You make yourself prey when you let them sense your fear.”

I took several deep breaths as a mix of confusion and gratitude clouded my brain. It was always that way with him. He was capable of both cruelty and kindness, and I never knew which one he’d choose to display.

Grigory spoke. “I’ve received inquiries about her. She might not make a bride but maybe a concubine. There is more than one prince willing to take her. The smaller territories are eager for an alliance with Krovnosta.”

My stomach clenched. As a concubine I’d be worse off than a thrall. My mother’s pregnancy was a rare event. Most humans couldn’t breed with vampires, but dhampirs conceived easily enough. Alliances were cemented with offspring. If Grigory convinced my father to sell me to another prince, I’d spend my days as a blood bank and broodmare.

“I’ll think on it,” my father said. “But I fail to understand why anyone would want her. She has all of our weaknesses and none of our strengths.”

Humiliation washed over me in a thick wave. Without thinking, I rubbed my fingertips over the back of my opposite hand, where the skin was discolored and wavy.

Grigory was undeterred. “Given the right sire, the weak blood can be bred out.”

My father waved a hand. “As I said, I’ll—” He made a choking sound.

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