Sweet Cravings (5 page)

He was so delicious, so sweet, so desirable.

Whatever warmth he had had transferred from him to me, and I became warm, a nice warm, but it quickly changed into a hotter state.

“That’s enough, my dear.”

I retracted my fangs while they were inside him, which I guess hurt, but Darius was still as a wall and moaned and panted when I pulled from him.

Hey, I should be the one panting here.

The gaping holes in his pale neck instantly healed, and he lay on the bed, hair fanning out around him. He lifted a finger and pointed to the closet. “My formal clothes are in there. Please, be a darling and choose them for me, as you promised last night.”

I pouted.
Oh shit, he remembered that?
I licked the blood off my lips and cheeks, and I took a moment to let his blood course through me.

The closet was a darker wood than the rest of his furniture in the room and was beautifully painted with red and white calla lilies. It slid to the right and there were his formal clothes. I imagined his casual clothes were in his dressers.

I decided to pick a crisp black jacket and an expensive lavender long-sleeved dress shirt. I wanted to choose one that was almost identical, but it had ruffles on the collar and chest with belled sleeves, but I chose otherwise. I also picked out a silk lavender tie and black pants, matched with polished black shoes.

Darius started to laugh. I looked at him, lying on the bed, hands clutching his stomach.

“What? What’s so funny?” I raised my voice, embarrassed.

His laugh was so smooth and perfect it sent tingles down my neck and spine. Darius got out of bed and strode to me, a faint grin on his face. “I told you to choose what you
wanted
me to wear, not what you
thought
I should wear.” He caressed my jawline, and I skipped back at how cold he was. He put some of the clothes I chose away and took out the ones I had liked and let his robe slide to the floor. I turned the other way as I heard the shuffle of him dressing.

“All done, my dear,” he announced. I turned quickly and was baffled with his looks. It was like he had walked out of a painting. He wasn’t wearing the jacket, just the belled-sleeve lavender shirt with the ruffles cascading down the collar to his chest. His pants were tight black breeches, and a pair of black lace-up leather boots covered his feet.

My jaw mentally dropped. “You look…stunning. But I thought this was formal? Shouldn’t you wear a jacket or a suit?

He combed a hand through his thick mane. “It is vampire formal, my flower. No one cares what another wears. These clothes are my favorite to wear; I am astonished to see that you chose them. Lavender is my favorite color.”

An air of relaxation blew over me.

“Now, my dear, it’s your turn. Would you like some assistance with your clothes, or would you prefer to help yourself alone?”

I was not letting him see any more of me today, tomorrow, or the whole goddamn next month. “It’s all right. I’ll do it myself.”

“Then I shall escort you back to your quarters.”

“Don’t you have a butler or something to do this?”

“Yes, but it’s
my
duty to show you where everything is as your sire.”

When we approached the door to my room, I went inside and saw a bright column of sunlight settling on my bed and drawers.

“Mr. Crowley, would you please draw the curtains in Lily’s room?” he commanded in a loud voice.

In a few seconds, a tall, black-haired man in a suit came and rolled two midnight-blue velvet curtains down over the windows. He bowed before leaving.

I asked, “Is he mute?”

“No, and he is my butler.”

“Oh.”

Darius took my hand in his and gingerly kissed my wrist. “I shall leave you to dress. When done, call out to me, and I will come. Then we will drive to the party.”

“I thought that no one is supposed to know I’m a vampire.”

He sighed. “We will make it known. You must, however, say that you wanted to be turned.”

“But I didn’t. You threw it on me!”

“If I hadn’t gotten you, someone else would have. It was simply a matter of time. I accept your hatred and anger toward me, but it was the only way. I couldn’t let them kill—I wanted you safe, and this was the only way I knew how to perform such an action.”

His amber eyes dove into mine, and I could see a pool of indescribable sorrow lying just beneath those glimmering jewels. I kissed his wrist and went farther into the room. “I’ll let it slide—for now. You have to promise to answer all my questions.”

He nodded. “I will when the time is right.” He closed the door and left, and a stabbing pain in my chest started thrumming painfully.
What just happened? Am I the nasty one here?

I looked at the neatly folded clothes on my bed. Beside the clothes was a pair of ivory high heels decorated with ribbons and bows. I loved them. Now I had to pull them off. I sucked at wearing those monsters, but hey, a girl’s gotta try. I unfolded the clothes and found myself holding up a long, sleeveless dress. It was lavender with a tied corset torso and it had lace trimming along the pleated skirt. The material was soft and cotton-like. I was so in love. It had satin purple roses in different locations, and it fit so well when I tried it on.

I slipped on the heels, and they were rather comfy, but I admit I did wobble a bit. I brushed my hair and let it down. I couldn’t keep it straight like I wanted to as some curls resisted my efforts. I thought I was finished, and then I spotted a necklace hidden in the folds of the blankets. It was a pendant on a white-gold chain. The stone was purple, so it could’ve been amethyst, purple sapphire, or purple diamond. I had no clue, but I knew that it couldn’t really be amethyst since Darius seemed to be overflowing with money. The pendant also had a set of matching earrings and a ring. Overall, I felt wonderful in my outfit and happy that it matched Darius’.

It matched Darius’?

That sneaky bastard; he had already planned things out.

I glanced at the mirror one last time before calling in my head,
“Darius! I’m finished!”

He came into my room and froze as he examined me. His gaze raked across my body like I was some expensive and rare gemstone at an exhibit in a museum. The way my eyes met his and locked I wanted to ravage him so badly, but I knew now was not the time, and I had to stop forgetting that he was the reason I wasn’t human anymore.

“Gorgeous,” he uttered. I had been amazed at how well the purple brought out my eyes. They were blue, so you’d think purple wouldn’t do the trick, but it did.

Darius grinned and gestured toward the door. “Come, my dear. We don’t want to be late.”

I walked to him as if I were a puppet. I gazed at everything as we walked through the main hall. The ceiling was a deep scarlet and every door was arched and made of a dark wood. The floor was made of lighter wooden boards.

We eventually came to a large set of arched doors etched with wonderful carvings of wolves, tigers, lions, and leopards. I went outside and admired the same etchings outside, but they were black with bronze brush strokes. The only word I could come up with for the house was “enormous”. It was a mansion, no doubt. There was a limo parked on the curve of the entrance.

Darius opened the back door. “Make yourself comfortable.” I picked up my dress and sat near the window on the other side. It was so relaxing, but I shivered. I should’ve worn a jacket.

To my miscalculation, Darius took a seat right next to me and stroked a hand through my blonde hair. The shampoo I used sure made it soft. I flinched and scooted closer to the window. He reached farther and dragged his long fingers down from my ear to my collarbone, sending a chill through my body. I didn’t like to be touched this much and he was crossing so many boundaries. I’d have to lock the door when I’m in the same house with him next time.

“You are going to say what I tell you,” he said. “If you do not say what I tell you, there will be a punishment waiting for you when we get back.”

I hissed, “I’m not fifteen! I’m fucking twenty-six, and I decide what I say.”

He sighed and relaxed his head back on a dark red cushion. I spent my time looking out the window. This ride must be a long one and I asked the driver how much longer and he said the drive was usually five hours. I watched as we came onto a highway and passed miles of sagging golden corn and trees with various bright colors. When we had two hours to go, I lay my head against the door and tried to fall asleep. Darius just sat there, unmoving, staring straight ahead, drinking a glass of—was that wine? I whispered to myself in my mind, “Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep.”

I finally did.

* * * *

“Lily, we have arrived,” Darius uttered in my ear. I woke up with his cool breath against my face and his hand settled on mine. The limo was parked in a lot beside an old, pale blue Victorian house. I gasped in delight at what the inside might look like.

Darius got out and opened the door. He extended a hand to me, and I begrudgingly took it. He pulled a little too hard, and I ended up pressed against his chest. He smelled like candy, and in that tiny amount of time, I just wanted to bite into his neck and drain all his delicious blood as if he were a juice box and I a thirsty little kid.

“You must control yourself,” he said with a smile. “I will let you have my blood when the party is over. I promise.”

Excitement surged through me, and my patience chewed its nails as we walked to the door. Darius had my arm looped through his, and he was smirking like a cat.

When we ascended the small steps and stood in front of the door it immediately opened and squealed on rusted hinges.

“Hello,” a woman greeted. She was beautiful. She had silver—or platinum blonde, I couldn’t tell—hair that streamed to her knees and skin as pale as Darius’. Her hair glowed like a pearl, and her eyes were an amazing midnight blue. She was kind of small, and wore a Victorian dress. It was white with frills and bows and lace sleeves, with a corseted torso and a pleated skirt that went past her feet, so I couldn’t see her shoes. She also wore a white and purple ribbon headband. Her features were soft and elegant, and I was astonished by her beauty. I knew my cheeks still radiated a light pink from last night’s feeding.

I felt so unworthy and useless in her presence. She was like a goddess, and I a poor beggar. What did Darius see in me that surpassed this woman? It made no logical sense in terms of finances or appearances.

“Darius, so nice to see you came.” Her thick English accent had a sweet, mama’s-here quality. “And who is this gorgeous lady beside you?”

He bowed, and I curtsied out of common sense. “Her name is Lily, and she is who I’ve been searching for,” he answered.

Who he’s been searching for? Why? Why me?

She held out a hand with black-painted nails and long fingers. I shook it and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m Lily White.”

She smiled and replied, “Hello, Lily. I’m Nyx. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I glued on a fake grin. “You, too.”

Nyx grabbed Darius’ hand and started to walk. “Follow me over here. The cake Jade brought over is to be undead for.”

Darius wrung his hand free but continued to follow her. He said in my mind,
“How dare she touch me. Although she is of a high status, I am higher.”

I relaxed. Good. She was just fodder to him, the bastard.

The cake was almost gone, a mess of white crumbs and fondant flowers.

Some man came over to me and sniffed the air. “Oh, what have we here? A beautiful woman I’ve never seen before.”

All the people were either drinking from teacups or wineglasses. They were dressed in a mannerly fashion with very expensive clothes. As I wriggled to pass through, they all glowered at me with blank eyes as if I were an exhibit at Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Not very welcoming.

“This woman smells delicious,” said the man.

I became stiff and ignored him.

“Hey, honey. I’m talking about you.” He stood a few inches from me. “You’re not an old vamp like us. You’re probably someone’s servant. May I take this opportunity to have a bite, gorgeous?”

I shuddered and snapped in a low voice, “Go find someone else, asshole. Trash like you disgusts me.” I paused and growled, “Pig.”

He was taken aback and gasped. “Did you just say
no,
to me?”

“Yeah, I did say
no,
to you.” I crossed my arms and gave him a hateful glare.

He was super pissed now, and he actually came at me. Before he even noticed, Darius was right in front of him, and he had the guy by the wrist.

“She is my servant, and I did not permit you to speak to her, Leo.” His eyes were angry and, I bet, black with madness.

Darius twisted his wrist until everyone in the room heard a
crack
. Then, the most interesting thing happened. Leo’s whole hand started to fall apart, and nothing remained, not the bones or the skin, with no evidence that he’d ever had a hand at all.

Darius uttered in his ear, “Go outside.” Leo ran past everyone to the door, and when he made it outside he screamed like a boiling lobster.

“What just happened?” I asked Nyx.

“Oh, just ignore it. Bad behavior is all.”

I said, “Thanks,” to Darius, but he was already somewhere else, speaking to some people while sipping a glass of red wine.

Nyx came over to me and asked, “You wanna go to a different room where we can talk?”

“I’m not sure,” I replied.

“Don’t be afraid, honey, I’m not like these other vampires. I just want to get to know the woman who stole Darius’ heart.”

I grumbled, “I didn’t steal his heart.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“I’d love to get to know you more. Meeting new people is really fun.” Her eyes shone brighter.

I shrugged and said, “What the hell? But what do you wanna talk about?”

“I’d like to get to know you. How old you are, where you’re from, what you like…”

“I’m twenty-six, I’m from Pennsylvania, and I like unicorns and champagne.”