Page 36 of House of Darkness
“I wanted you to bite me, Roman.” Her tone was laced with irritation. She tugged against me, trying to pull my head down to hers again, but I resisted. If I leaned down, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.
“I know.”
Gods, did I know. Once she felt the pleasure that came with it, she wouldn’t stop me. She would let me take as much as I wanted and revelin it. “I just don’t trust myself to stop, doll. Not yet. Not this close to the full moon.” As if I could blame the moon cycle for the fact that I wanted to devour her right now. No, that was all me.
Later.
I loved that she had taken to nonverbal communication, and I smiled half-heartedly.Later.
I held a plant in one hand, but the rest had fit on the seats and floor. There hadn’t been much room left for us, so Estrella and I stuffed ourselves into the corner together. My free hand wrapped around her back, her head resting on my shoulder. She had fallen asleep, but my mind was too restless to follow her. Even now, I couldn’t stop tracing the curves of her face and watching how her hair cascaded over my chest. I was completely, utterly infatuated.
I was screwed.
Chapter 19
ESTRELLA
Iwas spiraling. Isabella had styled my hair and makeup, but the tight ringlets were already loosening into waves. My lips matched my dress, while smoky black powder lined my eyes. Yet all I could focus on was the red monstrosity enveloping me. I hadn’t worn red since the academy, and for good reason: It made me feel exposed, and this dress only amplified that sensation. I had certainly achieved the look of a seductive acolyte, ripe for temptation, in a floor-length gown with a slit going nearly to my hip on the left side. I doubted anyone would see past my exposed flesh to appreciate the gown’s craftsmanship. I wasn’t sure I even wanted them to. It was audacious of me to think my skills could compare to the seamstress work that will be on display tonight. Fingers fiddling with the split at my hip, I scowled at my reflection.
The bathroom door opened behind me. I looked back at Roman, and my breath caught. He was as much a contradiction as my feelings toward him: part devil, part angel. His wings blended seamlessly with the velvet details of his black suit. Part of me had wanted to believe that the night before was a mistake, but looking at the magnificent man in front of me, I knew it wasn’t. Roman tore some feral part of me forward. If I had my way, we would be on the bed with that red silkdress shirt of his torn open right now.
“You look amazing,” I breathed.
He stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes burning into me with enough intensity to make me flush. “As do you, doll. Absolutely lovely. You have me starstruck and my heart frozen for you.”
My face heated even more, and I fiddled with the rouching of my dress. I would have added more fabric if I knew he was going to undress me with his eyes. “Your heart doesn’t beat anyway.”
He smirked and stepped forward, prowling across the space between us like a predator pinned on his prey. “Right you are, doll.”
As he approached, I noticed the black jewelry box in his hands, almost blending into his suit. My chest warmed. “Another gift?”
He faltered at that, his eyes going wide and his gaze snapping to the box in his palm like it was a viper primed to bite him. “Not… Exactly. More a favor I wished to ask of you.”
He shifted his feet, his wings realigning themselves on his back. “There are certain expectations of acolytes at parties like this, but you don’t need to if you don’t want to. I would understand if you didn’t want to?—”
He was rambling, which only made me more anxious about the contents of the box. “Just give it to me,” I demanded.
Roman's eyes narrowed, but he placed the box in my hand. I untied the bow with trembling fingers. What I saw made me release a shaky breath.
Inside the box lay a neck cuff of black lace, adorned with chains of rubies and a massive black diamond at its base. A collar. I understood why he wanted me to wear it though. Acolytes wore these to cover the bite marks on their necks. It was as crucial to their attire as the color red, if not more so. To convincingly play the role of the doting acolyte, it was necessary. It just also felt like the return of that goldencollar from my acolyte days. The return of shackles. I choked back those thoughts. I had done nothing but leech off Roman’s kindness and given nothing in return. I needed to succeed in this for him.
“It’s beautiful. Can you help me put it on?” I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I tried to steady my shaking hands as I pulled the cuff out, then positioned myself in front of the full body mirror.
He approached from behind me like my very own shadow, towering above me even in my heels. Yet his face was scrunched with worry that made my stomach twist. “Are you sure? You don’t need to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
“I agreed to this, Roman. Besides, I’d rather wear your collar than another’s."
Roman’s jaw tightened, but he did as I asked. I shuddered as his hand brushed my hair away, his calloused fingers sending shivers across my skin. The coolness of the jewels left goosebumps where they touched my flesh. The lace was stretchy and comfortable compared to my old Kulta collar, but as he fastened it, I felt my breath catch.
Just as he brushed my hair back in place, his fingers lingering over my shoulders, he leaned down to my ear. “You shouldn’t say things like that, doll. You’ll tempt me to think indecent thoughts.”
My eyes went to the size of saucers, and my face blossomed to the same shade as my dress. I didn’t want to acknowledge how his words went straight in my ears and down between my legs. He leaned back and smirked, all too aware of the effect he had on me. I coughed and shook myself, then spun to face him and put some space between us.
My hands instinctively went to my skirts to straighten them. “So, you like my dress? It was my first time using the machine, so I’m not sure if the lines are right?—”
I was silenced by his finger pressing to my lips. “Your dress is perfect. All eyes will be on you tonight.”
He scoured me, his eyes heating with every inch. Electricity crackled between us, and the tendrils around my legs warmed. He closed the small distance between us like the angel of death drifting on wisps of smoke.
