Blood and Redemption (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) (14 page)

“More than anyone
; he saved my life and Balor almost never involves himself with anyone but Barghest. You must be special.”

“I’d settle for a little less special and way more normal.”

We turned and walked slowly back to the castle. I enjoyed the quiet and peace. When we reached the castle, I saw a single rose rising amongst the rotting garden. It was pale pink and it was striking against the backdrop of decaying vegetation.

It reminded me of Na’min a
nd that reminded me of Quintus. He would come and not because of his love for me this time. He would come because Killian had taken something he had taken that he considered his and he would need to be punished. I was actually starting to think like a vampire. I was making progress.

“Can we go back to the cabin without going in the castle?”

“Yes, but I thought you would want to meet the Light Queen.”

“Can we save that for another day? That way we have an excuse to go for another walk.”

His face lit up like a child who gets just what he wants for his birthday. “I would like that too. You are… gentle.”

“Whatever was done to you
, Conal, I’m sorry you had to go through it.”

He stopped walking and looked at me. “Why? You didn’t cause us to be imprisoned and you have never hurt me.”

“I know, but you seem sweet and I don’t like the thought of anyone hurting you.”

“I…I like that you feel that way.”

Was I winning over a sweet man who was tortured or was I starting to like a crazy psychopath that would one day wear my skin for a jacket? It is so hard to tell these days. “Can you have Dominick released? He was just trying to protect me.”

“Yes, of course. You should tell him I’m not someone he has to protect you from.”

“I will, Prince Conal. I don’t want either of you hurt.”

We walked back out the large door I had opened not long ago. Conal went back inside to release Dominick and I went back to the cabin. It was dark already
, and Killian was probably having a fit.

Chapter Thirteen

“Where have you been and where is that mangy dog?”

I walked in on him pacing in the cabin’s main room, cursing under his breath. “I was taken to the fae realm by Conal. He had Dominick taken away. He put up a fight if that makes things better.”

“Is he alive?”

“Yes, he should return shortly. I asked to have him released.”

He stopped his pacing and narrowed his eyes at me “So the fae do your bidding now?”

He was angry and jealous. I snorted.
“Hardly. I told Conal you would be mad and he agreed to have him released.”

That calmed him and he seemed more subdued. His smile returned. Vampires were so easy. You just had to let them think they were in charge.
I was starting to enjoy this thinking like a vampire thing.

He looked at me and licked his lips. “I think I’m thirsty.”

“Killian, I need more time to recover. You’ve made me very tired. I had to sleep most of the day.”

He crossed the room in a flash. Embracing me
, he ran his fangs down my neck. “I know I shouldn’t, but you taste so good. Those poor humans in the castle are my only other source. I can’t bring myself to drink from them.”

I didn’t see any way out. Agreeing was better than being forced and I couldn’t stand the thought of him hurting those poor people in the castle. They had suffered enough.

“Okay, just take a little, please. Killian, I mean it, I feel exhausted.” If he only took a small amount, I was sure I would still be okay.

“You can feed from me
, dead one.”

A stinging wind whipped around the room
. Dominick was standing in the doorway. He had bruises all over his face and his eye was almost swollen shut.

“Dominick
, you need your strength to heal. I’m sorry you got hurt.” I walked towards him. I wanted to see how badly hurt he was.

He waved me off
. Wolves are so stubborn. “It looks worse than it is.” He limped across the room, gingerly holding his side. “She’s pack and I can’t let you harm her.”

“You don’t get to decide
, dog.” Killian’s anger darkened his pale features.

“You’ve never had were blood
, have you? It’s more potent than human blood and it will last longer.” They stared at each other so long, I thought they might come to blows. Then Killian smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Okay
, my curiosity is peaked. I’ll drink from you.” In a blink, he was happy again. The man couldn’t even commit to an emotion.

Dominick had offered, but he clearly didn’t want to do it. He had gone pale and wouldn’t look at me.

“You don’t have to do this. I’ll be fine.”

“Leave
, Cassandra. I don’t want you to see this.” His eyes stayed glued to the floor.

I walked towards the bedroom. If it made him feel better
, then I would go.

“Stay
, Cassandra, he’s doing it for you; it’s the least you can do.”

“Killian, don’t do this. You’re a better man than this. It’s just cruel.”

“Sit, Cassandra. You’re not in control here. He’s not in control. I am. I want you here.”

Killian and I sat on either side of Dominick
. I took his hand and held it. His hand was cold and clammy.

“It doesn’t take long
,” I whispered.

I was scared for Dominick. I hadn’t been around wolves for long, but they were masculine and proud
. If Killian made his bite sensual, Dominick would feel violated. The scars on his face would heal, but the ones inside would fester and open every time his mind would wander back to this. I squeezed his hand and leaned my head against his shoulder.

Killian bit into his wrist. Dominick growled
. I looked down to see that he was hard already. He leaned his head to mine. A tear fell onto my cheek.

“You can’t help it
; it’s just what happens. It’s me; look at me. You’re smelling pack and I’m a woman. It’s me.”

He nodded. Dominick gritted his teeth and I knew Killian was doing everything he could to make it more pleasurable. The air was heavy with the smell of arousal. On impulse
, I kissed him. I didn’t think, but it felt right to do. If I could make even a part of him think it was me that brought him over, he might be able to forgive himself. He placed his spare arm around me and pulled me closer. My hand covered his stiff cock and rubbed it through his jeans.

As he kissed me back, his hand pressed down on mine. Now that we were touching
, I could feel the sexual energy Killian was giving off. Dominick’s tongue fought with mine and he humped against my hand. Kissing him felt so comforting and familiar. I could hear Killian slurping and sucking on his wrist. Both men moaned at the same time. Then it was over. Dominick had come and Killian was full.

He ripped himself from my embrace and ran from the cabin as soon as the vampire pulled back his fangs. Killian was basking in the power he had received from the blood, but he didn’t
look happy. His eyes were hooded, but I could feel them on me. My kidnapper leaned over, close enough that his still moist lips touched my ear. I had to fight not to pull away.

“You kissed that dog. You touched him intimately. He’s good enough for you, but I’m not?” His eyes were still glowing. I knew Killian didn’t have feelings for me, but his pride was hurt.

“I did that because you knew making him feel aroused would make him ashamed. You knew that would devastate him. I did that so he could convince himself it was me.”

“You touched him when you are supposed to be mine. Do you want Mab to think we’re not an item anymore? Do you want to share her bed?”

“Do you think Dominick will be telling anyone about what happened here?”

“No
, I suppose not.”

“You’re truly a bastard
. You know that?” Tears started to fall. I wasn’t sad; I was mad, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I was frustrated.

“You hurt me.” He plastered a fake pout on his face. It made me even angrier.

“I doubt that. I can’t believe I actually enjoyed spending time with you. I must have been crazy.”

“You really enjoyed our time together?”

“It doesn’t matter because I really don’t enjoy it now.”

He relaxed a little, but not totally. “Now what were you doing with that fae prince
? He didn’t touch you, did he?”

“What do you care?” I yelled it a little too loud
ly. Right in his face.

“He should respect what’s mine and I don’t want you hurt
, Cass. I know you don’t believe that, but it’s true.”

I ignored his concern because he was right
. I didn’t believe it. “He took me for a walk to show off the fae world. I wasn’t overly impressed.” Killian didn’t need to know what happened in that field. I wasn’t even sure I knew what had happened.

“We have been invited to a party tonight. Your outfit’s in there on our bed. I can’t wait to see you in it.” He waggle
d his eyebrows in a suggestive manner and it made me want to rip them from his forehead.

Mab liked to dress up her little playthings
, apparently. It was a leather corset and very short shorts. The top-off was the shoes. My feet were going to fall off. The heels had to be at least five inches.

I went into the bathroom and put everything on. I couldn’t help but preen in front of the mirror. I had to say it looked good in a slutty dominatrix kind of way, but I had never shown this much skin
. The corset was impossible to do up properly by myself. I thought it would be really uncomfortable, but the leather was so soft and warm, it felt like a second skin. I didn’t have the corset tightened yet, though.

I came out to find Killian sitting on the bed with his hands in his lap. He was already dressed for the party
; a pair of tight leather pants and no top. I at least felt grateful I was allowed a top, even if it was skimpy. “Can you tighten this?”

I turned to the mirror and it reminded me of the night Lucius helped me in the dressing room with a similar outfit. That had been intense. Killian just looked sad. I couldn’t understand where he was coming from. He quickly went to work
, tightening the strapping.

“You don’t have to go through with this
, Killian.”

He gave me a half smile and shook his head.
“All done.”

I was tall for a woman and Killian was my height when my feet were flat on the floor, but tonight I towered over him like some crazed
Amazon. I had a knot in my stomach. This night was going to be terrible; I could feel it. I was walking towards a nightmare play directed by the Queen of Darkness herself.

“Now remember when we are there
, you are to pretend to be with me. If you don’t, Mab gets to have you. That was our deal.”

“Let’s just go
. My outfit isn’t getting any bigger and these shoes aren’t getting any more comfortable.”

He held out his arm. I hesitated, but I didn’t think I could walk in these shoes without help. “You look amazing in that outfit. Good enough to eat.” His eyes gave off a slight glow.

“Well, you should be full already.” What he had done to Dominick was unforgivable, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to play along as the adoring girlfriend.

Once we made it to the castle
, we wound our way through a maze of corridors. I was completely lost after the third turn. Killian seemed to know exactly where he was going and I hoped we made it sooner than later. The stiletto nightmares on my feet were giving my
blisters
blisters. We finally arrived at a huge set of doors made of oak with a carving of a grand feast in each of the four panels.

Killian reached out to open the door and I placed my hand on his. He turned and what he saw on my face made him put his arms around me. I didn’t know how I looked, but I felt like I was about to lose my mind. This was too surreal. I was about to go to a party thrown by the woman who
had killed Declan. I had seen her already, but I was too terrified to think. Now I had to sit and eat with her. I didn’t know if I had it in me to play nice.

“Cass, I’m sorry for all this. I know that doesn’t change anything, but… I promise to protect you. Please just cooperate and I know everything will be okay.”

I didn’t believe either thing he said, but it calmed me anyway. I took his hand and gave him a smile. He shook his head and placed his mask back on his face.

The giant oak doors opened with barely a touch. The room was enormous and was horseshoed by several large tables, with the open end at the door. Mab sat at the cent
er top; fae and goblin guests filled out most of the seats. Two empty seats were positioned directly to her left. I gripped Killian harder as he guided me into the room. The fae around the table, with exception of Mab and Conal, were light fae, one per goblin. Their eyes were hollow and never shifted from their laps. The goblins idly groped their guests and talked amongst themselves in a guttural language. I needed to calm myself. My heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest.