Dark Awakenings (Danse Macabre Book 2)

by Christina Quinn

  “No, Silly Girl. You’re going to learn to take control. This was Aleksi’s idea. He was actually enthusiastic about it almost more so than Nikolai…almost.” She snickered and those bold eyes slipped to Nikolai for a moment before returning to me. “You know what to do.”

  “B-but what about his…his tattoos?” I furrowed my brows. I was worried about ruining the careful artwork that covered his torso.

  “As long as you don’t break the skin they’ll be fine. Now, look at him. He wants this, Autumn. He’s probably wanted this since the first time he laid eyes on you. And whether you realized it or not, you have too. Subs make fantastic doms if they can find enough courage to push themselves… find that courage. We’ll be back in a bit to check on you.” After her speech Estella turned to Byron and swatted him hard on the bottom with the crop. He yelped as that white leather made contact with his flesh and she pointed at the door with the flogger and he followed obediently. Estella closed the door behind her leaving us alone in the room of mirrors.

  Nikolai and I stared at each other in silence as my fingers nervously fidgeted with the handle of the crop. You can’t do this. You’re not a dominant, you’re a natural submissive. I can do this. Do you think Aleksi will still want you if you do? I shook Miss Manners’ nay saying sentiments from my head and Nikolai took a half step towards me.

  “N-no. H-hands at y-your side… b-back wh-where you… where you were.” I pointed with the crop like Estella had and like he had done so many times to me. He returned obediently to the space he had occupied prior. I had seen what he liked on the extreme end of things. I had pulled needles from his flesh as he moaned in pleasure and canned his bottom until he came without stimulation. I didn’t have it in me to do that.

  My pulse leapt in my throat as my body was flooded with adrenalin from the possibilities. It was almost ten minutes before I was able to gather the courage to touch him. My hands were shaking as I unzipped his coat and pushed it from his shoulders. The heavy fabric hit the ground with clunk as the zipper struck the wood floor. I secretly lamented the loss of his living warmth, even when freshly fed he still was far from as warm as he used to be. My fingers sought out the buttons of the black polo he wore. I unbuttoned them before I pulled the shirt over his head revealing that amazingly defined tattooed torso. His Adam’s apple bobbed as my fingers stroked down his lower abs to the waistband of his jeans that rode just under his hips. I felt his whole body freeze as I unbuttoned the button fly and pushed them down making certain to slip my thumbs into the band of his underwear to take them down too. There was something beautiful about his desperation. I could read the tension in his body as he fought to keep his arms at his side.

  “Would it be easier if we played out a scene?”

  “Shh!” The reaction seemed automatic, my wrist flicked the tail of the crop against his upper thigh with a loud crack. He moaned and I gasped at what I had done.

  “Apologies, Mistress,” Nikolai whispered in a soft, calm and almost dreamy voice. However, as soft and calm as his voice was his body was the opposite. I watched as that swollen flesh between his thighs raised to its full turgid length. Seeing that visual sign of his enjoyment and desire tickled something inside me, making me stand up a bit straighter. I trailed the crop down his chest and watched as he trembled a little with that sensation that I knew oh so well. I traced his jaw with the leather of crop and took a step back from him.

  “St-step out of your clothes a-and t-tell me what you did,” I said as I took a seat on that beautiful couch crossing my legs. Nikolai practically drooled as he watched me, swallowing he took a step forward out of the pile of his clothes and stopped a foot or so in front of me.

  “I don’t understand, Mistress.” His brows furrowed.

  “What you did when they took me. You said Estella grounded you, t-tell me how.” I commanded balancing the crop on my knee. The door creaked and Aleksi walked in, missing his scarf. Without hesitation he walked across the room and sat beside me placing a kiss on my cheek.

  “Don’t let me interrupt you,” Aleksi chimed as he leaned back watching me.

  “She brought me to her penthouse at The Arms, and we—her, Byron and I—played games. Mostly fetch and carry, where she would have us crawl across the room and pick up an item in our teeth and carry it across the room while she flogged us. Sometimes we would play endurance games, where she would… find creative ways to cause us pain and see who would cry first.”

  “Did you enjoy the games?”

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “Would you like me to play those kinds of games with you?”

  “If you think you would enjoy it, Mistress.” Aleksi sucked his teeth at Nikolai’s answer and leaned over my shoulder.

  “That is a non-answer,” Aleksi whispered into my ear. His hot breath on my neck made me grab the crop white-knuckled as my teeth set into my bottom lip. “A non-answer should always be met with the harshest reaction on a bottom like Kolen’ka. Even though you are testing the waters don’t hesitate to spare the soft spots, but even then ten gentle taps under the glans should remind him that the response is undesired.” His phone vibrated and he checked his text messages before stuffed his phone back in the pocket. “My rules,” he whispered as he slipped his hand between my thighs, his dexterous fingers immediately finding that needy throbbing nub at the apex of my sex. Those slow tiny circles he traced made me point my toes and stifle a moan. “He’s yours, Autumn. I only have two rules. Rule one, he is not allowed to cum inside of you. And rule two, he cannot make you cum. Maybe I’m greedy, but I want your pleasure all to myself.” As if on cue I shivered into an orgasm as Aleksi slipped a finger inside of me to probe at that my fluttering folds. “Mm, you’re so tight,” he breathed against my ear as I shuddered. He held me until I stopped trembling and then stood. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.” He approached Nikolai and smeared my juices across the younger vampire’s lips before leaving the room as he licked the remnants of me from his fingers like a happy cat savoring cream.

  The door closed and I held the crop in my hands bending the semi-ridged leather a little. My heart was still thudding and I could feel Nikolai’s anticipation. I didn’t even process what Aleksi had said until the door clicked and then my head snapped towards it. Was that what acceptance looks like? Don’t get your hopes up. With a sigh I turned back to Nikolai.

  “Come here. You gave me a…non-answer and you know that’s not part of this.”

  “Of course, Mistress.” His tongue snaked out and licked at my nectar that Aleksi had left on his lips. I stood and his eyes followed me as I walked over to him and trailed the tail of the crop up his shaft. The quick caress of the leather made his throbbing length drip a large drop of pre-cum from the tip. I watched the slow drip and resisted the urge to trail my tongue across him to catch it on my tongue. Instead I raised my gaze to his and tapped just under the head of his drooling member with the crop. He cried out but made no motion to stop me.

  “Did you know what Aleksi says? You’re not worthy to cum inside of me. I agree with him.” I purred sweetly as I continued to tap him with the crop. His hips twisted.

  “Oh please. Please touch me, Mistress.” He begged as I increased the intensity of my smacks, keeping a steady rhythm. “I’ll do anything, please my love.” He pleaded as his hips danced seeking out the pain of the crop instead of moving from it.

  “Mmn, no.”

  “May I please… please cum, Mistress.” He panted digging his nails into his thighs. I leaned against him as I continued to flog his member which was harder than steel.

  “Yes. Cum for me, Niki.” I whispered into his ear as I continued plying his length with quick harsh caresses from the crop.

  “Ah! Fuck!” He hissed between clenched teeth as his hips jerked forward and I dropped the crop. He sobbed into my mouth as I seized his lips and kissed him hard. His hips rode the air as he spattered himself with that thick white saline discharge.

  With a giggle, while he was still t
rembling from his climax I pushed him down and slowly licked up every last drop of his cum. I played special attention to every spot that I knew would gain the softest sigh of pleasure from him. He moaned softly and wrapped his arms around me.

  “Fuck, I love you.” He murmured sleepily kissing the top of my head even as tears still glittered in the corners of his eyes.

  “Umm… do I need to put cream on you? I know after care is important.”

  “You didn’t hit me that hard.” He smiled at me. “Everything I’ve been through was worth that.”

  “After care is important! You’re still crying.” I reached up and wiped away one of his tears.

  “I’m fine, but I wouldn’t mind being held.”

  Nodding I sat up and pulled him into my arms, leaning back against the chaise. We just sat in silence as I held him and ran my fingers through his hair like he once did to me. I felt so much better for it. It was like someone had opened all of the windows and aired out my soul like it was a musty attic. Aleksi eventually returned while we were still on the floor. He had changed, and was wearing a red tank top and black satin pajama pants.

  “Join us?” I asked flashing him a smile, that he returned pulling me back against him and placing a kiss on my forehead.

  “How do you feel?” He whispered softly nosing against my ear.

  “Better.” I leaned my head back and kissed his neck.

  “They finished repairing everything, so we should probably head back to the room.”

  “Are you going to attack Nikolai?”

  “Did you break either rule?”

  “No.”

  “Then, no. I’m perfectly fine. Vlad was right about us needing to strengthen our bond.” I blinked up at him. No way.

  “Who are you and what have you done with Aleksi?”

  “Ha. Ha. Nothing. I’m simply being practical. In reality, Nikolai is an extension of me so you’re still mine. In the end, the world could explode and I couldn’t give two fucks less as long as you still loved me and were still mine. Almost losing you…really almost losing you taught me that some things aren’t worth fighting against. Am I a little jealous? Not as much as before. I like Nikolai. I got to know him more while you were missing and I guess that’s helped. He’s not a rival. He doesn’t want to take my place. He’s fine being at your back while I’m at your front. And I’m fine with that as long as you love me best.” He kissed my shoulder. “C’mon let's go sleep in our rooms. After spending all day either standing or sitting on the plane my back needs a bed.” He stood and held his hand out to me. I nudged Nikolai with my knee and took Aleksi’s hand. We walked back to our rooms and I fell asleep sandwiched between the two of them with Nikolai’s forehead pressed to my shoulder and my head against Aleksi’s chest.

  Leading up to the wedding everything seemed to almost be too perfect to be true. For once Aleksi seemed to be genuinely accepting Nikolai’s affection for me. The three of us were stronger for it. We spent most of our time sequestered by choice in our suite watching Netflix and that angry tension between the two of them faded. Nikolai also stopped acting like a brat. After that night he quit intentionally provoking Aleksi and we fell into a happy little routine.

  The rehearsal dinner was awkward for me, but more or less uneventful. A few people gave toasts praising Vlad and Elizabeta, dutifully stroking the egos of those who were more or less their King and Queen. I spent the entire meal on my knees on a satin pillow of Aleksi’s bright color. Trying to eat a meal with the plate on the floor while on a pillow was almost impossible. Nikolai remedied it for me by feeding me bite by bite while Aleksi smiled down at me smugly. If I didn’t know better I would have thought this was what he had wanted all along.

  On the morning of the wedding I showered before Claudia showed up and dressed me. She pulled a red sheath dress from a rack under her cart and chose everything I wore right down to the lacy bright red panties. She curled my hair, and applied my makeup and then left flashing a smile to Aleksi who was lounging on the couch flipping through the channels on the television wearing only his pajama pants. When I walked out of the bathroom he stood and walked over to me sweeping me into a tight embrace. His mouth found my neck and he fed from me for the first time since I had been kidnapped. I moaned as his fangs sunk into my throat just above that collar of red leather. My fingers trailed back through his long dark hair as I trembled in his arms.

  “Oh, Aleksi.” I panted with heady desire as he tapered his feeding to lazy laps of his tongue.

  “Mmm, my Autumn.” He purred against my throat before raising to his full towering height. He then turned towards the room and yelled something in Russian. I picked out one word in the flurry that left those lips flushed with my blood, he said Kolen’ka. Nikolai left the bedroom rubbing his eyes. “I have to go for a little bit. I’ll meet you two at the wedding sit near Estella.” His arms almost reluctantly released me and he sighed a little.

  “Where are you going?” I asked. I grimaced a little. Should I have asked it? Was it my place? Yes, you’re his girlfriend. He said on national television you’re not his submissive, Autumn. You’re more than that, stupid girl.

  “I have a meeting with someone. Nothing to worry about it’s just some old business I need to take care of.” That is one vague answer, the only way it could have been vaguer is if he said he was going to take care of some stuff. I ignored Miss Manners and nodded to him.

  “Well, hurry back. I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you more.” He blew me a kiss before he stepped into the bedroom to change. Less than three minutes later he emerged dressed in a European cut black suit with a bright red pocket square and a black button down shirt with a few buttons around his collar unbuttoned to show a flash of his glabrous pale chest. “Grand ballroom on the ground floor, once you get up there just follow the signs. I’ll be back before you know it.” He pulled me in for a quick kiss before he left.

  Nikolai paused as Aleksi left, I watched him tilt his head to the side as the door closed like he was listening to something. He then turned to me and his lips turned up at the corners just a little.

  “I need to take a quick shower. Will you be okay?” He asked lingering near the bathroom door.

  “I’ll be fine.” I actually meant it too.

  “Alright, I’ll be fast.” He added before closing the bathroom door. Once that door closed it wasn’t at all what it had been like before. I didn’t panic, I didn’t feel that apprehension that made my hands shake and my pulse beat like a desperate caged animal. Instead I sat on the couch and flipped through the channels searching for something in English. I still hadn’t found anything when Nikolai opened the bathroom door towel drying his hair. My eyes watched hungrily as he practically glided across the floor with that innate dancer’s grace. What drew my eye the most though was that tattoo on his back that read my name in that clear script. A few minutes later he stepped out of the dark of the bedroom dressed exactly the same as Aleksi. They looked so similar when clothed that it was astounding. Nikolai’s hair was now the same length, the only difference was the once golden brown had not quite darkened to black yet. Instead his hair was almost tarnished bronze in color. In certain lighting they could pass for twins if not for Nikolai’s smaller mouth.

  “Ready?” He asked as he buttoned his jacket.

  “Sure.” I stood and smoothed my dress.

  “Just think, before you know it you’ll be getting married.” He smirked at me and kissed my cheek.

  “I’d have to get engaged first and then…what about you?”

  He scoffed. “What about me? Do you think I’d leave your side just because Aleksi put a ring on your finger?”

  “Wouldn’t he expect it?”

  “I don’t think he would. I think he’s finally accepted that the three of us need each other.”

  “Maybe.” I shrugged as we started down the hall. We were silent as we made our way to the grand ballroom.

  Even outside there was a wall of noise, tha
t persistent murmur of a crowded venue. The walls and ceiling were draped in white silk and red roses were everywhere. It was a very romantic setting, the light of the room was muted candle light that came from a large crystal chandelier lit with actual taper candles. Music started to play and every rushed to their seats. We sat next to Estella on Elizabeta’s side. Tristan was one of the groomsmen, and Colette a Bridesmaid. Evan was there but Garrett wasn’t, he sat on the other side of Byron and waved to me with a small smile as I sat down. Then the Violinist stood up and they started playing Pachelbel’s Cannon in D. I watched as the procession started their way down the aisle. The flower girl was actually Margot who walked beside another slightly older girl I didn’t know. They threw red rose petals a top the white that was already there.

  The procession was dressed in Elizabeta’s pale shade of blue. Once everyone else was in place, we all stood as Elizabeta started down the aisle with Aleksi beside her. She was actually crying behind her veil and for a moment I forgot I hated her and Vlad. Aleksi whispered something to her and she smiled and squeezed his hand. There was something beautiful about him giving her away even if he looked glaringly out of place in almost all black. I couldn’t place my finger on it but my eyes misted a little as he raised her veil presenting her to Vlad. He left a thumbprint of blood behind on that immaculate white tulle.

  The vows started once we had all returned to seated. They weren’t in English or any language I could place, I was betting they were in Elizabeta’s native tongue—whatever that was. Aleksi returned to sit beside me and Nikolai scooted down one seat. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles drawing my attention. When the ceremony was over and everyone stood to clap at the exit of Vlad and Elizabeta and Estella leaned towards me.

  “I know why they took you,” she whispered, her voice so quiet I could barely hear it. “They were looking for a link back to the first known vampire, a Thracian King named Illyrian. Vlad knows if someone has enough of Illyrian’s blood they’ll have power to rival him. What he doesn’t know is the link to Illyrian has been under his nose the entire time.” She turned and looked at Aleksi for a moment before her attention shifted back to the exiting party. I turned to Aleksi and looked up at him, he smiled at me he clearly hadn’t heard what she said, then again I could hardly hear myself think with the deafening applause.