Do You Take (Vampire Assassin League) by Jackie Ivie

Author:Jackie Ivie [Ivie, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire novella, paranormal romance, vampire romance, vampires, vampire series
Published: 2013-12-30T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Lucien?”

Lucien didn’t hear Ashley at first. His entire being seemed surrounded by a bubble of bliss. Satiation. Contentment. Sound didn’t break through. Neither did smell. He was having a bit of trouble bringing anything into visual focus, as well. He only knew she spoke because of the vibration of her chest against his. And then she slid an arm to his cheek and tipped his head toward where she rested. At his side. In his arms.

“Lucien?”

Oh. Wow. She took his breath away. Well beyond any painting he’d studied or dream he might have pursued. Some of her hair had come undone from the braid, for tendrils of it trailed along her cheeks, framing her face with red-brown tones that brought out her beauty. He smiled and watched her eyes drop due to what the expression must’ve done to the marked side of his face. He blanked his expression and cleared his throat.

“Yes?”

“What did you do?”

Oh...hell.

His vision blurred with tears. He was thankful she was looking at his scar and seemed to miss them. He didn’t know how to answer. He’d done it wrong? How could the most incredible experience of his life have been wrong? Had he hurt her? Shamed her? Or was there something worse that he didn’t know?

He might have stiffened, but weakness seemed to accompany the horrid realization that he was near sobs. He decided then he’d rather be facing the torturer’s rack, or even the Strappado, where they tied a victim’s hands behind their back before dropping them in a series of jerks, sometimes even adding additional weight to make it more effective. Those behind The Inquisition had been monsters, but they were effective. They’d stop at nothing to get a confession. They usually succeeded.

And that actually sounded better than answering her query.

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

She had a hint of tears in her voice, adding to his torment! Using such pain-lanced words! Lucien rolled his head slowly, facing the ceiling again. It wasn’t a fire-filled blend of colors and scent. It was back to normal. Chiseled and shaped black rock, interspersed with long tubular fluorescent lights. Examination bright. For his experiments.

“Aren’t we mates?”

“Yes.”

The word was croaked, but emotionless. It didn’t match the series of goose bumps lifting his skin. Or alter the moisture that just kept filling his eyes, no matter how he blinked. Clearing. Blurring. Clearing. He could only hope she didn’t notice.

“Then tell me. What did you do?”

Lucien pulled in a long breath and answered. Maybe if he’d had a bit of time to recuperate, he wouldn’t be shaking, baring everything.

Maybe.

“Forgive me, Ashley. I can’t tell you...because I don’t know. I—.” Damn everything. This was difficult! He had to swallow again. “I’ve never been with a woman before. I don’t know what I did wrong, and—”

“What?!”

She sat up, and then put both hands about his head and pulled him into a sitting position as well. Cross-legged. She’d also made certain he faced her before she let go.

“Oh no, Lucien. No. No. I only wanted to know why they stuck you on a rack.

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