Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarre Novella by Kristen Painter (the unexpected everything TXT) 📗

Shelooped her arm through the crook of his elbow, every moment becomingmore surreal. “Are you like this with all your guests?”

“Guests?”

“Likewhat?” he asked as they headed down the hall

“So…accommodating.”

“Inever have guests, but if I did and they were as beautiful andcharming as you, I guess I would be.”

“Thereyou go again.” She tried not to focus on the way his hip subtlybrushed hers, how the breadth of his body accentuated the slendernessof hers. How being this close amplified how very male he was. “Beingaccommodating.”

Hestopped and the first thought was that he would try to kiss her againand how this time she might not refuse him. “Your room.”

“What?”She blinked, trying to parse out what he’d said.

Hereleased her arm and opened the door before them.

“Yourroom. If anything isn’t to your liking, please let me know.”

Shedidn’t take her gaze from his face. “I’m sure it’sfine.”

“Untilthis evening, then.” And with that, he was gone.

Chapter Five

“Sciocco,”Dominic muttered to himself as he entered his suite.

He’dbeen a fool in more ways than one this morning. He’d letMarissa’s beauty and intelligence sway him into revealing farmore than was prudent. He’d let his desires get the best ofhim.

He’dbeen without wiling companionship for so long that the smallestencouragement from her and he’d become a blathering loon withthe libido of a schoolboy.

He’deven been so distracted he’d ignored an entire goblet of blood.Now he would face the coming night hungry. And that meant he’dbe even more vulnerable to Marissa’s charms.

Hethrew his suit jacket onto a chair. His valet rushed forward toretrieve it. Dominic waved the man off. “Leave it until thisevening. I wish to be alone.”

“Yes,my lord.” The man ducked out.

Impatientwith the buttons of his shirt, Dominic tore it off and added it tothe pile. The rest of his clothes followed He tugged on a pair ofsilk pajama pants, then headed for his bed. He stopped as he passed afloor-length mirror. The gold backing meant he’d see whateverface he wished, human or vampire.

Tonight,both sides had betrayed him.

Hestared at his reflection, scowling. “You chose this life. Andnow one woman makes you question it? A woman who belongs to another?A woman who could be your undoing? She would laugh if she knew yourthoughts.” Or would she? Marissa made it plain her life withArnaud was less than ideal. He growled at his image. “Traveland lack of blood has muddled your brain.”

Hestalked to the bed, got under the linens, and stared into the silkcanopy draped from its four posters. How was he going to appeaseArnaud without hurting Marissa? Nothing he’d done in the pastgave him any answers. Even alchemy had its limitations.

Hischoices in this were narrow. Do as Arnaud commanded, or spareMarissa. Both had consequences. If Dominic succeeded in this task forArnaud, the man would never leave him alone. Nor would any othervampire who heard of it.

Spendinghis life turning vampires into daywalkers held no appeal. He knew hiskind could be monsters. He still had familia in the world,generations removed, but blood was blood.

Hefelt duty bound to protect them from what he’d become as muchas he felt duty bound to protect Marissa from harm.

Butsparing her meant his days as nobility would end. Arnaud did not makeempty threats. He’d expose Dominic without compunction. Oncethat happened, Dominic would have little compunction. Once thathappened, Dominic would have little time to flee, leaving behindeverything he’d worked so hard for.

Orworse, if they captured him, they’d turn him to ash.

Nomatter how much life was behind him, he wasn’t ready to give uphis future so quickly. Not when he’d just remembered howenjoyable the company of the right female could be.

Daysleepclosed in as the potion he’d taken wore off.

Perhapsthe twilight would bring him an answer. But even as his eyes closed,he knew what lay ahead would change his life forever.

* **

Eveningbrought him no solutions, so as he did most nights, he secludedhimself in his laboratory and went to work while he awaited Marissa’sarrival. She didn’t keep him waiting long.

Hishead lifted from his tools at her entrance. “Buona sera. Itrust you slept well?”

Shenodded and greeted him with a weak smile. “As well as I couldknowing what I’m here for.” She closed the door behindher and leaned against it. “I don’t blame you for it, youknow.

Youare as much a pawn in this game as I am.”

“Iappreciate your understanding. You would be well within your rightsto be cross with me.”

Shelaughed, a sad sound very different from the one he’d firstheard on the plane. “I am a comarré. I have very fewrights.”

Heput his things down and moved away from his He put his things downand moved away from his workbench. There was little he could say thatwould make her feel better. Instead, he fell back on his heritage.“Would you care for an espresso? I don’t drink it, but Istill enjoy the smell” He smiled. “That must seem foolishto you.”

“No,not at all” She came toward him, her gaze flitting from theoverflowing shelves to the stuffed-until-they-could-barely-closecabinets. His laboratory must look like a junk shop to her.

“Iimagine there are a great many things you must miss. Thank you forthe offer of espresso, but I’m still full from breakfast. I’drather we just get on with whatever it is you intend to do.”She raised her brows as she leaned against his workbench and gave himan intimately appraising look. “What do you intend to do?

“Didyou come up with a plan?”

“Atthe moment, the only plan I can think of is trying to introduce myexisting daywalking serum into your bloodstream.

“Therewill be testing required, but it should give Arnaud the desiredeffect. It won’t last, of course, so the next time he attemptsto breach the day, he’ll be in for a shock.”

Shefrowned. “He’ll be furious with you.”

Heshrugged. “I’ve already told him what he wants isimpossible. If he calls me back, I’ll simply tell him I’vedone everything I can.”

“Andthen he’ll turn you in to the Council of Dominus.”

Dominicarranged a few things on his bench, trying to focus on somethingelse. “I will deal with that when it happens.”

Onsomething else. “I will deal with that