Page 86 of The Vampire Castle in the Sky

“You will teach, like you’ve always wanted.”

“I will… assist. When my assistance is required.”

“Perhaps the Queen will make me one of her emissaries.”

“Emissary?” Hector challenged. “With your magical talent, you can become the most fearsome and sought-after seer in the history of the Asteria Realm. Temples will be raised in your honor. I will make sure of it.”

I chuckled, holding the starry image of the Castle’s heart in my mind. I pictured it pulsing wildly, reshaping and reforming itself. “And the Castle will never be alone again.”

Hector’s smile was brighter than my hope. “Exactly.”

I got on my toes, dangling my lips a breath from his. “I can’t believe you arranged all of this behind my back. I don’t know if I ought to be impressed or mad at you.”

He shook his head. “I just didn’t want to overwhelm you. I’ve been so absent these past few weeks…”

“You were grieving. You needed time.”

“You were grieving too, and I made you worry, and I hate myself for it. From now on, I’ll take care of everything, okay?” he said, pressing a tiny kiss at the tip of my nose.

I let my fingers wander up the valley of his back until I was met with resistance, my wristlet tangling on one of the two buttons that cinched the waist of his coat. It surprised me. I’d grown so used to wearing it, I had stopped feeling its weight.

As I drew back, my eyes slipped to Hector’s wrist. His coat sleeves were set perfectly at the top of his hands, so I couldn’t see if he was still wearing his.

“I should probably take it off now,” I murmured, running a finger along the cool, glossy band and feeling stupidly disheartened at the thought of being separated from it.

Hector hooked two fingers under my chin, tilting up my head. He had thatlookon his face. That dark, sleepy-eyed look he always had when he was on the cusp of kissing me. “Don’t take it off,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to my jaw. My heart exploded as I waited for the sweet shock of his lips on mine. “In fact, it’s the only thing I don’t want you to take off.”

He whirled us around, and the backs of my thighs pressed against the edge of the desk, his hands roaming over my body with the same urgency and sparkle of discovery as the first time we touched. Every squeeze, every trace, every tug sent a new pang of want through me, making my fingers shake as they tore over his coat. I wanted nothing between us. No clothes. No space. Not even air. Except for the one he breathed into me as he caught my lips with his. Quick, messy kisses dotted over my mouth, my jaw, my throat, all while his hands worked through the layers of my clothes until I felt the living warmth of the room dancing across my bare shoulders.

He let my dress fall down my hips but did not relieve me of my underclothes. Instead, he pressed closer, molding his body to mine, his fingers in my hair keeping my neck wide open. His kisses fell over me like stars, hot and dazzling.

When he found the hem of my chemise, he did not lift it up but let his hand slip under to trace the edge of my undergarment. For a few tantalizing moments, the sensation of the silky fabric gliding down my damp thighs was the only thing I knew. I was still. Breathless. Brimmed with anticipation. Then the liquid fire of his touch knocked me off balance. We fell back against the desk. He stepped between my parted knees, bracing his palms on the wooden surface around my thighs.

“Do you want to slow down?” he asked, breathing hard in that tiny sliver of space from his mouth to mine.

My legs inched up the sides of his hips and nudged him closer so I could feel the heaviness of his hardness against the melting softness of my body. “Not unless you want to.”

He nearly laughed. “If you only knew how much I want this. How much I need you.” His mouth descended over the base of my throat, and his fangs scraped my skin, then soothed it over with the slow lapping of his tongue. “Only when I’m with youdo I recognize myself. Only when you touch me do I no longer wonder where I belong. I know I’m yours and yours alone.”

Moon-struck, I cupped his face and echoed, “Yours and yours alone.”

The words were cast like a spell—a spell that had him instantly undone, lifting me up in his arms and dashing out of the room. The world around us spun into a whirlwind of colors before he put me down on my feet again, my windblown chemise swishing around my ankles.

The bedroom was warm and dark save for the few streaks of moonlight shining through the window. It was a spring moon. Full and pink. I would never forget it.

When my eyes darted to the bed, the most unexpected prickle of fear mixed with my desire. Not of him, but of the moment itself. We waited so long for this. Suddenly, I was terrified to ruin it.

“Now?” I asked, anxious and at the same time shaking with eagerness.

Hector began unlacing the collar of his shirt, and as his eyes held mine, my desire grew stronger than my apprehension. I realized how silly it was to be afraid of making love to him. He and I made love every time our eyes touched.

“Now would be preferable,” he said, letting the garment fall to the floor, “but as always, I’m open to your schedule.”

Emboldened, I went to help him with his trousers. “Such an obliging friend you are, Lord Aventine.”

He wound an arm around my waist, and I went spinning, my back colliding with his chest. I let my head fall against the curve of his shoulder and felt his fingers dance between my thighs. “Do you get this wet for all of yourfriends, Lady Aventine?”

“You’re special,” I sighed. “Despite your foul mouth.”

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