“Mistress Eleanora?” A familiar voice called me out of my trance and I snatched my hand back, afraid at what I had almost done. I looked to the staff entrance and there was Bonnie, her hands clasped primly in front of her, but her chin wavered as she held back.
I shot upwards, the fire shoved back down deep within me, the chair nearly falling to the floor in my haste to get to my friend. I threw my arms around the woman with a cry and felt her arms come tightly around me. I buried my face in her neck, relief filling me.
“Titania said she dismissed everyone,” I said, clutching the woman.
“And I reminded everyone that she didn’t have the power to do so, not anymore,” Bonnie explained, her hands rubbing circles on my back. “Not everyone stayed, but enough of us have been here since your mother that we’re loyal to you and not your stepmother.” I could only squeeze her tighter; it was that or cry again, and I was done crying. She tutted and pulled back to inspect me with a critical eye. “Well,” she said, a satisfied glint in her eyes, “you look none the worse for wear for that harpy’s machinations. I cannot tell you how pleased I am for that woman to finally be gone from this house.”
“It’s thanks to Brom, Merlin, and Romulus,” I said, a soft smile on my lips. She may not have been able to see the smile, but she certainly heard it in my tone.
“Those three gentlemen not so subtly inspecting the estate for any unfortunate curses?” She harrumphed, not seeming to expect a response. “Well, I may not have much magic in my blood so I could very well have missed something. They were quite fearsome when they came for you that morning. I was certain the vampire was going to paint the entrance with Madam Jupiter’s blood.”
“While it would have been satisfying,” Brom’s smooth voice answered, and we turned to look towards the elegant vampire as he approached us, “I believe it would have been a rash action with far-reaching consequences. Consequences that would hamper a preferred future.” There was no mistaking his meaning with his eyes filled with heat.
“It would have also been an annoyance to clean,” Bonnie said, clearly ignoring the laden explanation. Brom’s eyes slid slowly to Bonnie, an elegant eyebrow arching at her tone. Bonnie met the vampire’s gaze as if she were another predator, sizing up a rival. “Master Tepes, I believe? Thank you for assisting Mistress Eleanora and returning her to her home.”
Brom placed a hand over his heart and bent at the waist in a respectful bow. “It is my hope that I shall always be able to provide Ella with the safety and comfort she deserves.”
Bonnie looked at me with an arched eyebrow that clearly told me we would be having a very thorough discussion later.
“Will your guests be staying for dinner?” was all she asked instead.
“If that would please them?” I asked of Brom, and he smiled. My heart raced as the devilish smirk spread and he held my eyes.
“I believe I may speak for all of us when I say we would very much enjoy the evening with you.”
I chewed on my lip as I fought a blush. Certainly the blush was hidden by the veil, but there was no doubt the vampire could hear my heart racing.
“I will let the kitchen know,” Bonnie said with a bow before leaving through the same door she entered.
Brom approached me, reaching for my hand, and clasped my fingertips gently with his own. “Romulus and the warlock are sniffing out any potential . . . misfortunes your stepmother may have left behind. I have been sent to retrieve you so that you may show us which room shall be yours, so that we can ensure your well-being.”
“Thanks,” I said sincerely. I doubted Madam Jupiter would truly leave a magical attack hidden for me, it was too blatant of a move for her, but it warmed me to know my men took such precautions for me. I looped my arm through the vampire’s and tugged him towards the hall once more. “First, I would like to retrieve something from my old room.”
I sounded braver than I felt as I guided him towards the short stairwell that would lead down to the servants’ dormitories. Brom, elegant wealthy Brom, was about to see the sparse room I had essentially grown up in. I wasn’t actually ashamed of it, but Brom had shown himself to be a creature of comfort and extravagance. I wasn’t certain how he’d react to my austere living quarters.
Thankful that we had avoided any of the remaining staff, I could feel Brom brimming with questions as we approached the plain door. I grasped the cool handle, opening it to see it nearly exactly as I had left it when I was dragged out of the room. My veils were missing from where they’d hung, but that would have been Beatrice in her attempts to help me. The chair had been righted from where I’d kicked it over, but the blankets were still a mess from where I had sobbed.
“This was your room?”
Brom’s voice caused me to shiver, and I looked over my shoulder at him. His eyes were dark as he took in the lack of comforts. My gaze traveled down to his hands, balled into tight fists at his side, his face carefully blank.
“It is an apt reflection of Madam Jupiter’s opinion of me,” I said with a shrug. “Or maybe not, since she hates me more than I ever realized. I should be thankful there were not bars on the windows.” I turned towards my small chest of drawers, opening them quickly. I could feel Brom’s eyes on me as I searched through the linen clothing. It didn’t seem as if Beatrice, or anyone else for that matter, had inspected these drawers, and I breathed out a silent thanks. I felt the velvet satchel at the back and pulled it towards me. I opened it quickly to reassure myself that my mother’s jewelry was still hidden within. I slammed the drawer shut once more and stood. “I’m done here.”
Chapter 10
Merlin
It had been easy to tell which three suites had been used by Jupiter and her daughters. If the hastily packed and emptied wardrobes hadn’t been clear, the stench of their magic was enough. Neither Romulus nor I could feel Ella’s room among the upper levels, and we had shared an angry look at the implications.
Only Titania’s room had held petty hexes, ones meant to annoy and mildly injure—stinging hexes, tripping wards, paltry things that were more annoying than anything. Madam Jupiter’s suite had been swept clean of every personal effect, clearly the priority for the woman’s staff. The daughters’ rooms had the random forgotten item, and one trunk of interest—full of extravagant masquerade masks. It seemed the women could not decide on their outfits and had ordered an excess of options. Ella, if she chose to cover her face, might prefer these instead of the veils.
We heard Brom and Ella as they climbed the stairs and Romulus shoved off the wall to greet them.
“Floor’s clear,” the lycan said with a gruff sniff. “If there’s a trap remaining, it’s something I can’t smell and Merlin can’t sense. We didn’t see your room, though, Ella?”
“Because I did not live on this floor,” she said, confirming our suspicions. Her blue eyes contrasted beautifully against the black of her veil, and I fought rubbing my chest as my heart ached at the sight. Her eyes weren’t bright with pain, they were bright with freedom, and it was glorious. “Madam Jupiter and my stepsisters never went into my mother’s suite, though it was the best beside my father’s. I don’t think Jupiter could stand the memory of my mother.”
“Is that the room you wish to reside in?” Brom asked her and I finally pushed off from the wall.
She nodded in silent response and we followed her in comfortable silence as she showed us her choice. It was towards the end, and when I had walked through it, my magic washing over every piece of furniture, searching out any curses, I had gotten the sense of long disuse. Now that made sense.
Ella pushed open the door and pulled her hand away from Brom’s arm before going to the windows and opening the thick drapes. She was silhouetted beautifully against the setting sun, the room washed with the deep purples and oranges from the evening sky. Romulus leaned against the doorway and Brom slowly traversed the length of the room, inspecting it. I went right for the bed, sitting on it with a heavy bounce.
“Bed
’s comfortable,” I said, leaning back on it. Romulus snorted, but Ella looked over at me, her eyes crinkled clearly with a smile.
“Merlin,” Brom chided from where he looked through a door set to the side. I knew from my explorations earlier that it led to a bathing chamber—nowhere near as elegant and pompous as the fastidious vampire’s, but extravagant enough for our phoenix.
“What?” I let my head tilt to the side, a sly grin on my face. “It’s an important part of a room. Debauchery shouldn’t occur on an uncomfortable bed.”
“What makes you think Ella would let us debauch her in here?” Romulus asked, and I raised an eyebrow before looking back at our girl.
“He’s got a point, Ella,” I said. “You could be like that one book character who has a room just for sex. You’ve got enough spare rooms here. I certainly wouldn’t object.”
“It couldn’t be red though,” Romulus continued to tease, as Ella sputtered with indignation. “Too cliche.”
“Mmmmh,” I agreed and stood, slowly striding towards Ella. I let my hands land on her waist, tugging her against me and ignoring her squeak. I dropped my head towards hers, wishing I could take off the veil and kiss her. “What do you say, luv? Should we designate a room just to fuck you in? We could fill it with all manner of things. A place to tie you down and have you at the mercy of our cocks.”
I felt her inhale at my words, my cock springing to life at the idea I’d presented. She pressed harder against me, a challenge in her eyes making my cock grow even harder.
“Or maybe I could tie you down, Merlin,” she whispered, her voice deep with arousal. She scratched lightly at my beard, and I leaned into her touch, hypnotized by her gaze. “I could ride your handsome face while Brom fucks you.”
I growled at the picture she conjured, grinding my hips against her soft stomach, and nipping at her fingers. “I’ll gladly bury my face between your thighs.” I lifted one hand to her face, my fingers dipping below the veil over her cheek and tugging it down over her face. I felt her startle as I bared her to me, but I didn’t give her long to be self-conscious before I captured her lips in a hungry kiss.
My blood and my soul surged within me as I pressed my lips to hers, my tongue demanding entry into her sweet mouth. I felt her hands clutch at my shoulders, holding me to her as if I would ever let her go. This kiss was not sweet and loving. It was demanding, greedy, and full of lust. Our mouths clashed as the lust built between us, my cock straining against my pants. I buried my hand in her hair, holding her to me as I took what I wanted, licking into her mouth even as my other hand trailed down her waist to cup her ass, hitching her up against me so she had no doubt of my desire.
I would have her, and Romulus and Brom could join us or they could fuck off.
I heard the door close behind us, and that seemed to spur Ella on. I felt her hands slide down my chest, nails scraping me through the thin fabric of my shirt, until they tugged at my jeans. I groaned, breaking off the kiss, as I felt her hand slip in and grab me.
“Shirt off,” Ella panted, her lips swollen from my kisses. “Now.”
Far be it from me to deny her anything. I reached back, grabbing my shirt and yanking it off before throwing it somewhere behind me. I hissed as her mouth latched onto one of my nipples, nipping and then soothing the sting. I felt Brom press up against my back, one hand holding the back of my neck tightly, tilting my head to the side as he traced his teeth over my shoulder.
Ella looked up, watching us, her bright blue eyes now the color of the ocean, filled with desire.
“I believe our little bird has expressed an interest in me fucking you.” Brom spoke lowly and I grumbled. It was a natural response; Brom and I had never been tender lovers towards one another.
“We have dinner soon,” Ella said, a slight frown on her face, even though she kept stroking me in my pants.
“Fuck dinner,” I growled, bucking into her hand.
“Romulus?” she asked Brom, ignoring my small thrusts. They were driving me insane and they were hardly touching me.
“Off to oversee your effects being brought into the manor,” he answered, his breath hot against my skin. I could feel his cock hard against my ass, desire coiling in my stomach as I remembered the last time we fucked.
“Well then, it wouldn’t be fair to have sex without him,” Ella said as she let go of me.
“Fuck the man,” I whined, even as I felt Brom’s hand on my hip, holding me tight enough to threaten to bruise. I felt Ella’s hands run down my thighs and I looked back towards her to see her lowering herself to her knees. “Yeah, okay, this works instead.”
The first touch of Ella’s tongue to my cock had me gasping, my stomach dropping, and I reached back, grabbing Brom’s hair as the vampire pressed a hot kiss to the column of my throat. Between watching Ella’s lips wrapped around my cock and feeling Brom’s fangs scraping tantalizingly over my skin, I had no hope of lasting long. Especially not as Ella took my cock as far in her mouth as she could and I felt the back of her throat, her eyes looking up at me. I couldn’t help the shallow thrust into her mouth, and she moaned, causing me to nearly roll my eyes back in desire. I felt her hands on my hips, her fingers lacing through Brom’s, as she encouraged me to thrust myself into her mouth.
Her mouth was exquisite and I groaned as I watched myself slide against her lips. I could feel my balls tightening as my orgasm coiled at the base of my spine.
“Brom,” I demanded and broke into a groan as the vampire sank his fangs into my shoulder, sucking greedily. Bliss washed over me, and pleasure arced from where his mouth was on my skin straight to my cock between Ella’s lips. I felt my knees buckle as the sensation overwhelmed me, hurtling me towards the edge. I tried to croak out her name, my hand landing on her hair to pull her away. I groaned as she took my cock deeper, and I spilled into her mouth.
I brushed my hand over her hair, twitching even as she licked the last of me clean. Brom had released me, and my mind was hazy between the blood bond and the orgasm. I tugged Ella upwards, crushing her against my chest and kissing her, chasing the taste of myself on her tongue.
“Mmmh.” She hummed against my lips and pulled back. She had a teasing smile on her lips and I felt my heart lurch. I loved this devilishly seductive and brilliant woman. “Dinner is probably almost ready.”
“Yeah, I’m not going down there until I return the favor,” I mouthed against her neck. I felt the veil being tugged away and I nodded in thanks to the vampire before kissing the newly exposed skin.
“Indeed,” he said, and I felt his hand slide down her side. “We would be remiss in attending to your needs.”
“I—” She gasped as Brom’s hand slipped into her jeans and I was immediately jealous of him. “I can wait.”
“But we can’t,” I said, and my hand followed Brom’s, helping him tug her jeans down around her thighs. Fuck, I could smell how aroused she was and my cock twitched again. Brom’s arm wrapped around her waist, holding her to his chest and I dropped to my knees, mirroring her actions from earlier. I grinned up at the vampire as I saw the pale lace panties, knowing he had a preference for such material.
I swatted his hand away, and as soon as he slipped from her panties, I spread her legs as much as her jeans would allow and covered her with my mouth. Her cries of pleasure were my favorite sound. I tugged the lace material aside and greedily licked at her pussy, teasing her entrance with my tongue before seeking out her clit. I felt her fingers clutch at my hair, pulling me tighter against her. I pressed two fingers into her hot channel, stroking her and seeking out that spot that made her mewl with pleasure, my lips never stopping their teasing of her clit.
I smirked against her as I heard the sound of foil being rent open. The damn bastard was a vampire Boy Scout of sex, it seemed, always prepared. I pulled my fingers from her, knowing she was close, her thighs twitching beside my face. Brom’s cock replaced me and I felt her shudder as he thrust into her from behind. I licked at her lips, circling her c
lit with my tongue, my face covered in her arousal. Her moans had turned to breathless gasps, her fingers digging into my scalp. I sucked her clit into my mouth and felt her shatter between us as her orgasm rocked her.
I pulled back, standing swiftly, and captured her cries in my mouth, my hand going to where she and Brom were joined, stroking her.
“Two’s only fair, love,” I whispered before kissing her harshly, my fingers teasing her clit. Brom hissed as she moaned, clenching down around him. “He’s close, love. But he won’t come until you do again.” I snuck my other hand under her shirt, cupping and teasing her breasts, my hand relentless on her pussy below. I was awestruck by her beauty as we braced her between us, forcing her pleasure higher until her back arched, her mouth open in a silent scream, as her orgasm gripped her. Brom followed quickly, burying his mouth against her shoulder with a hoarse grunt as he ground inside of her.
She stood limply between us and I gently slipped my hand from her, holding her steady as Brom pulled out. We pressed kisses to her neck, a blissful silence enveloping us as we felt the high from our orgasms. At last, Brom pulled away to take care of his condom, and Ella braced herself on my shoulders as I pulled her jeans back up.
I kissed her nose, unable to help the stupid grin I felt on my face.
“Okay, now I think dinner is probably ready,” I said, and she rolled her eyes with a laugh.
“Eleanora,” Brom’s voice called from the bathroom. He came out a moment later, a dark box in his hand. “Do you have any idea what this is?”
Chapter 11
Eleanora
Beautiful Secrets: The Complete Trilogy Page 20
