Vampire Enslavement (Lords of Bondage) (16 page)

“No, absolutely not.” Diermont’s lips twisted as if he had bitten into a sour lemon. “You cannot be that desperate for heirs. You’re in need of a bed servant. I can sympathize with you since you were in captivity so long.” He rubbed his jaw and stroked his goatee with his fingers. “I will match you with one of Snotti’s ladies for a mating test and that will give your cock a workout.”

“Those ladies are ineligible. I’ve had failed mating tests with all of them except for Kiera.”

“Kiera is to be matched with Sulian. I’ve already promised her to the druid. But I could match you to another lady. She wouldn’t be a possible mate, but she could provide relief for an aching cock.”

“That violates protocol.”

“I make the rules here, Lord Ross.” Diermont picked a hunting knife from the table and inspected its blade. “I would be willing to forget that you had previously failed the mating test with one of our ladies. I would do this for you.”

“No, Your Royal Highness. I must decline.” Those mating tests were exercises in futility, and now that he had Cassia, they were completely unnecessary. It was such a relief. “I again ask that I be allowed to take Cassia to the breeding camps for treatment.”

“I forbid it. We are in Rome on official business, not to help you get heirs off a human woman.” They were interrupted by a knock on the door and Diermont waved the servant forward before turning his attention back to Cabrian. “Your personal business can wait until you return to Asstrumnia.”

The servant, squirrelly-nosed Patrick, carried a squealing pig into the room. He hog-tied it and left it suspended over a bucket.

“A trip to a breeding camp would take no more than half an hour.” Diermont paid more attention to the pig than to Cabrian. He suppressed his irritation. “Surely you could spare me the time. We haven’t seen any evidence of Roman intrusion into this area in days. There is hardly anything to do here.” His down time would be so much more pleasant if he could spend himself inside his little human.

“Your time is too precious to spend within the thighs of a Roman bitch. You need a good hybrid female, not this human.”

Diermont handed Patrick the hunting knife. Patrick sliced into the pig’s stomach and blood poured into the bucket while the pig thrashed and squealed.

“I lost my desire for hybrid females years ago.” Years of failed mating tests had taken their toll. “You know we are wired to respond only to compatible females. I am not compatible with any of the hybrids.”

“You just haven’t found your true mate. She exists.”

Patrick poured brown liquid into teacups and added a ladle full of pig’s blood into each cup. He carried the beverages to the table and set one each in front of Diermont and Cabrian. “Tea is served,” Patrick said as he bowed in front of Diermont. “I will bring the biscuits.”

Diermont thanked Patrick and took a sip of the tea, declaring it superb. “I refuse to believe any hybrid has to resort to human matings. You will understand this one day and then you will get rid of this human.”

“I respectfully disagree.” Cabrian declined the tea. The pig continued to squeal in pain and the thought of drinking its blood as it slowly bleed to death turned his stomach. “I’ve bitten all I care to bite. I dare say I’ve bitten nearly all the females here and it’s not an experience worth repeating.”

“You have bitten all of them except for Kiera, but that one is not for you.” Diermont sighed heavily. “I would hate to be you. Your constant failure in the mating arena is a sign that you should not reproduce. You risk passing on the flaws of your father.”

“My father is a sick individual, but his crimes have nothing to do with me. I am not my father and I assure you that I carry none of his traits.”

“Your interest in this human concerns me. Like your father, you have perverted tendencies.”

Cabrian knew what Diermont did in the dungeon. If anyone had perverted tendencies, it was the prince. “There is no comparison. My father kidnapped hybrid females who were already mated and forced them to break their bonds with their true mates. He drove those males insane, and all for sport. It was a game to him. He was fucked up and all, but he never had a thing for human females.”

“Your father ravished his own kind and you ravish the humans, so it is much the same thing.”

The hell it was, but Cabrian couldn’t defend himself. Like the rest of the nobles, they had all learned the virtue of holding one’s tongue. Those who had not learned that lesson had their heads on spikes outside the palace gates.

“His mate left him for a more powerful male with a more binding bite.” Diermont sipped his tea and sighed in obvious pleasure as he consumed the bloody drink. “He was jealous of the males who had found happiness with their true mates so he had to destroy them. Like your father, you haven’t found a true mate. Like your father, you are envious of those who have what you have always been denied. And that makes you a dangerous male.”

Patrick returned with a tray that held the biscuits. Cabrian knew better than to think they would be made of simple flour. The flat, circular discs were topped with Asstrumnian sea worms. “Imported just for you, Your Royal Highness,” Patrick said. “I know how much you miss your favorite dishes from home.” Diermont thanked him and put the wormy biscuit in his mouth.

Cabrian declined the offer of biscuits since sea worms had never appealed to him. “I accepted long ago that I would have no hybrid mate. I do not envy those that do. Many of our kind lack mates and I believe that a solution lies with the humans.” A worm wiggled from the biscuit Diermont launched to his mouth, falling upon the table. Cabrian tried not to look at the creature as it tried to make its escape. “The ones compatible for breeding should be utilized. The original Asstrum did the same when they interbred with the humans to create our race. It is time to introduce new bloodlines again. It will make us stronger.”

“Diluting bloodlines will make us weak, not strong.” Diermont swallowed the biscuit, and seeing the worm on the table, he quickly captured it with his tongue. It made a horrible crunching sound as Diermont chewed on it. “I have tried to convince the king of this, but he has been swayed by the arguments of those human-lovers. By people like you.”

Cabrian bit his tongue so he wouldn’t respond to Diermont’s comments. It wouldn’t help matters to provoke an argument with the crazy prince. It would leave Cassia vulnerable to retaliation, and he knew he couldn’t protect her all the time because his work duties interfered in his ability to do that. “I cannot delay the making of heirs indefinitely, you understand. I am getting on in years.”

Diermont laughed. “You are in your prime, overlord. That argument won’t work with me. You are looking for an excuse to fuck that human, just like the rest of our blue rot injectors. But too much human cunt will ruin a hybrid male. You must pace yourself like a woman on a diet.”

“Diets are for those with appetite problems. I am a healthy blooded male with self-control. I can handle it.”

“That is what all the addicts say. I must insist on abstinence, Lord Ross. Indulge sparingly and only when warranted.” Diermont took a third biscuit from the tray and paused as he placed it before his mouth. “But I can understand your dilemma. Your slave has an exotic appeal. She is not as revolting as most humans and her body proportions are…interesting.”

“Excuse me?” Cabrian thought he had misheard the prince since it sounded like Diermont had almost complimented a human.

“Do bring your slave to the mating ceremonies tonight.” The prince swallowed the buggy biscuit whole in one gulp. “Unclothed, of course. It will help set the mood.”

“What mood are you going for?”

“The loving mood.” Diermont thrust his hips to demonstrate his point. “Your companions will all be participating in the mating tests and they will be expected to perform, if you know what I mean. And not all of Snotti’s ladies are as lovely as Snotti. Some are downright hideous.” Patrick nodded vigorously as Diermont made his speech. The prince stretched back in his chair, striking a casual pose. “The cocks may be doing some shrinking tonight.”

“And you think Cassia will stimulate them?”

“I’ve noticed some of our warriors enjoy the sight of a human female.”

“Yes, like all of them,” Patrick said under his breath.

“Of course it disgusts me and I don’t understand the attraction.” Diermont shot Patrick a look of annoyance. “But bring your slave and display her properly. That’s an order.”

Cabrian shook his head in disgust as soon as he departed the prince’s chambers. Diermont was more transparent than he realized. The prince was the one who wished to look at Cassia. He refused to admit he found humans appealing.

Cabrian entered Cassia’s room and sat on their bed. His breathing was harsh and he tried to calm himself. He was beyond frustrated with the prince.

“What’s wrong?”

He sighed and turned to face Cassia. She wore nothing but the slave collar. It almost hurt to look at her, knowing he was forbidden to enter her body. “Diermont refused my request to go to the breeding camps.”

“Oh. So that means we must wait.”

“Not the four years. Just until we are cleared to leave New Babylon. The prince wants to concentrate on finishing his business here.”

“You mean Lucine.”

Cabrian winced. “Yes, he wants Lucine. I’m sorry. I know she’s your family.”

“Do they know where she is?”

“They think she’s gone underground. Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to help with the hunt.”

The bed sheet that Cassia had fashioned into a toga fell an inch, exposing the tops of her breasts. “I only ask for mercy, for Lucine and the rest of the family.”

“I can promise little since she did hold me captive. She is responsible for the deaths of many hybrids.” He didn’t want to give Cassia false hope. Lucine had a bounty on her head and her days were numbered. “She will have to answer for her crimes. But if it comes to that, I’ll help ensure a painless death. Diermont will want to torture her first.”

“Oh God.” Cassia’s expression was pained. “I can’t think about that right now.”

“I have to take you to a mating ceremony tonight.” Cabrian explained what that meant. “The prince requested that I bring my slave.”

“For what reason?”

“It’s part of the entertainment, Cassia. He’ll expect us to put on a show.” Diermont tested him; he wanted to ascertain the overlord’s willingness to follow orders.

“And you must give him what he wants?”

“He’s a prince. The king’s favorite son. Everyone gives Diermont what he wants.” Else a lord was dispossessed of his lands and his head was separated from his body. “And what he wants is to see a human female in a humiliating position. So be a good pet. I would not have you punished for disobedience.”

Cassia glared at him, but there wasn’t a way to appease her. Her position was vulnerable and he wouldn’t feel comfortable until they were gone from New Babylon.

Chapter 12

Kiera felt energized upon awakening. Physically, she had never felt better, and mentally, her mind worked at lightning speed and enhanced efficiency. For the first time since her illness, she felt like a fully functioning person. Had Modez’s blood cured her? It would be too much to hope for that the effects would be permanent, but even a quick-fix was appreciated. The Halloran blood really did have enhanced properties and she could actually feel it rushing inside her veins, making her stronger.

She dressed in her nicest gown, taking special care with her appearance. She arranged her dark hair as best she could without a ladies maid, letting it fall in ringlets to her waist. She would be presented to Sulian today, and even though there would be no mating test, she wanted to make a good impression.

She met Druscilla outside her room. The other woman was filled with enthusiasm. Kiera was excited, but mostly because she felt
alive
for the first time in forever. She walked with Druscilla to the gardens where everyone had gathered. Diermont made a speech and then began to announce the pairings. The couples came forward and made vows that bound them to each other for a month. Kiera watched as every single lady present, except for her, gave their vows. She had hoped that Diermont would allow her mating test to proceed, but it looked like Modez had gotten his way. Anger surged inside her as she looked at the lord who had screwed things up for her. She should have taken her place in that line. It was humiliating to be the only female deemed unworthy to be a mate.

Kiera felt a frisson of alarm shoot up her spine as she made eye contact with Modez. He looked pale and wearied. It made her wonder just how much blood she had drained from him last night. He stared at her with suspicion in his eyes and it made her feel jumpy. She licked her lips nervously and looked away.
He couldn’t possibly know it was me
.

Kiera made her way to where Sulian was standing. He wore his ceremonial white robe and carried a bronze sickle plated in gold. His hood concealed much of his face but she had always liked his kind, amber eyes that were swirled with emerald. She had expected to be presented to him as his future mate, but Diermont had failed to do this. Sulian started walking toward her as soon as he saw her coming and they met half-way.

Sulian’s eyes appeared more green than gold against the backdrop of the leafy verdant vegetation that had been artfully arranged in the courtyard. Ropes of ivy wrapped around the columns and trailed from golden urns. “Diermont bid me to come and I was honored to learn I would be matched with you. But Diermont now tells me that you are not ready to be mated.”

Kiera felt herself color with embarrassment. “I am as ready as I’ll ever be.” After an awkward pause, she said, “It was ridiculous to invite you here for this only to withhold the opportunity.”

His eyes appear troubled. “I am sorry to say I cannot remain here. I have to return to my duties. But before I go, I want to look into your future to see if you’re destined for a mating bond.”

Kiera nodded and watched while Sulian turned his head to the clouds. She knew he was proficient in divination and she was anxious to hear what he would say about her future.