Luka held Bliss' limp body in his embrace then sat down with his long legs crossed on an oversized black suede chair.
Unwilling to immediately return the little beauty to the Brownstone he gazed at the girl on his lap with intense possessiveness. His dark eyes flickered with red flames as he leaned down and kissed her half parted pink lips. Not satisfied, his lips eagerly trailed down to her neck as he greedily licked and sucked savoring Bliss' unique flavor.
Comfortably curled up leaning on his chest, a moan escaped from her lips as his hot tongue slid across her soft and sensitive skin. She involuntarily quivered and arched her back from the pleasurable sensation.
His body craves Bliss' intoxicating blood and his fangs scratch her slender snow white neck. Unable to control the desire clouding his reason, he pierces her skin and sucks the addicting sweetness he has been longing to taste. I told you I wouldn't feed on you but I can't keep my promise…I'm sorry…I think I will go crazy if I can't have just a taste. It is your fault for catching my sight that night in the park causing me to be mesmerized by your alluring beauty. I had no idea once I drank your blood I would become addicted. It has never happened to me before and the euphoric feeling that consumes me I can't explain or resist. I want you...I want you to love me and willingly allow me to feed on you. If you would let me possess you I can make you feel pleasure beyond your wildest dreams.
His passion ignited, he caresses Bliss' body as the effects of her blood make the last string of his rationality snap. Breathing heavily he slides his hand under the short sweater she is wearing while blood trickles down her delicate clavicle. Licking the crimson liquid he groans as his body hardens.
Suddenly the bedroom door opens and Rafael leans in the doorway. He has a mischievous gleam in his golden eyes, "I never thought I would see the day the great cold King sets aside his haughty principles…for a tiny human no less. Didn't you agree to compel the little fool and take her home?"
Instead of showing his inner rage at being disturbed, Luka licked his blood stained lips then smiled.
His hand still placed under Bliss' sweater Luka controlled his breathing but his raspy voice was tinged with lingering desire. "Why the interest in what I do to a mere human? You even have the audacity to enter this King's bedroom and question my choices."
Rafael starts to approach Luka and Bliss when he is stopped by an invisible force. "A barrier? I just wanted to get closer to smell the girl's blood…her striking similarity to Margot …you are quite correct… is intriguing."
Luka noticed Rafael's lustful gaze and narrowed his eyes, then sarcastically quipped, "But Bliss Quinn, is not Margot… Old Man is your memory fading…Margot has been dead for over two hundred years…I can still picture her slim body lying lifelessly in a pool with her still beating heart in your hand. Presenting it to your father…hmmm..so filial of you."
Rafael bristled and his razor sharp fangs appeared listening to Luka taunt him. Regaining his composure he quickly retracted them. "Don't you think reminding me about the past every time i see you, will create a greater schism between us? I misguidedly came here to warn you about Francesca, but was understandably caught off guard by the scene I witnessed."
Luka ran his fingers through Bliss' messy blond hair as he said, "Rafael, after what Francesca did to my woman, she and her clan are only still alive because of Mother. I am forgiving your transgression because you saved the girl in my absence."
Still seething Rafael gave the Dragon Tear necklace to Bliss he continues, "If I see you have any intentions towards Bliss Quinn, I will set aside our family connection and not hesitate to eliminate you."
"I know my place." He goads Luka, "But, from what I could see from Miss Quinn's personality, if you were to kill her benefactor…well…I don't think she would forgive you. After all, if I didn't intervene she would have been tossed about and tortured by several Vampires before losing her little life."
Luka knows he can't dispute the fact Rafael did save Bliss. He affectionately kisses Bliss' forehead, "She is an innocent and naive little girl that's true…so killing you might not be an option but I could banish you and your whole clan. Your little sister, Maria, is of the age to get married isn't she? It would be a shame if her only choice for a husband was one... or a few according to their customs...of the hideous looking Barbarians in the outer regions."
His threat infuriated Rafael, their family and the families of the neighboring clans are beautiful and sophisticated. The thought of his delicate sister being exiled to that barren land inhabited by uncouth and weathered Barbarians was unsettling. He knew Luka had the power to destroy his family without killing them.
He lied, "Luka, although I feel a connection, I have no intention of pursuing Bliss Quinn. Rafael had every intention of using her as a substitute for his dead wife but Luka's words made him realize he can't be hasty.
"I think you know if you want the little human to survive you need to give her up. You are the King and have obligations, your mother will eventually make sure you marry Francesca DuBois. Having a concubine isn't out of the question…your father has several, but I don't think the role suits a feisty girl like Bliss Quinn."
Annoyed because what Rafael said made sense, Luka responded, "I am the King. I make my own decisions. And if I want Bliss Quinn to be my Queen… she will be my Queen. Leave."
Rafael walked towards the door then turned around and warned, " You should keep that thought to yourself. Now that Francesca is aware the little human is important to you, she won't let her go. In her mind, the position of Queen is her undeniable right."
After Rafael left, Luka hugged Bliss tighter and buried his head in her neck inhaling her intoxicating fragrance. His heart was pounding and he didn't care about the consequences…no one can prevent me from having you…you belong to me. Not that poisonous bitch Francesca or the scheming woman I call Mother.
He bit his tongue and licked Bliss' neck, the fang marks and love bites instantly disappeared.
Standing up he held Bliss in his arms and strode out the door.
Passing by his elder brother in the hallway, Lucien pursed his thin lips into a straight line then snapped. "Luka, we have business to discuss, where are you going with that girl?"
"I compelled her to forget everything that happened and am taking her home."
"Let one of the servants drive her back to the city or one of the crew members, this can't be delayed."
"Whatever the matter is, we can discuss when I return."
"You need to get your priorities straight. I indulged your little infatuation with the human, but I can't let it interfere with business."
Luka's eyes turned red as he glared at him, "If you didn't sabotage the program there would be no problem."
"I wanted you to realize your absurd fantasy was just that…an unrealistic dream you can never realize. I thought you would see she wouldn't accept you being a Vampire and the consequences of bringing her into your life."
He arches an eyebrow staring at Bliss held tightly in his brother's embrace. "I never thought you would let an insignificant human cause a rift between the families. Now, we have to deal with the backlash, Mother is quite upset after Francesca cried to her. If you don't want Bliss Quinn to die… distance yourself from the girl. You can't protect her twenty four hours a day." He has a disgusted expression, "She is frail and weak, not worthy of you, Brother."
"Handle the matter yourself. I'm leaving."
Lucien watched him walk away and growled, " Very well. But, you might not like my decision."
Ignoring his brother, Luka carried Bliss down the stairs and to the garage. He opened the passenger door and gently placed her on the seat. Once he buckled the seat belt he got into the driver seat of the black Mercedes.
Mandy had a blank look in her eyes as she followed them to the garage. She banged on the driver's side window.
The window came down and he impatiently asked, "You need something?"
"Where are you going with Bliss?"
"Miss Quinn has been eliminated and I am taking her back to the city."
"Why are you taking her? Where is her agent?"
"I didn't want to wake her to make a call because she was depressed when she got the news from the Director."
"Shouldn't you stay? The remaining cast is getting ready for dinner."
"Too many questions." He abruptly presses a button and closes the window then pulls out of the garage.
Mandy stiffly walked out of the garage and was met by Kendra, "Where is my Uncle taking the slut."
"He didn't say."
Frustrated, Kendra slapped Mandy, "Useless!"
Mandy held her cheek and her eyes were watery, "I'm sorry I failed." She knelt down, "Please forgive me…"
Kendra's pretty face twisted into a sneer."Get up you idiot. What if someone saw you. Do you have any idea where he might take her?"
Mandy blinked, "She was eliminated so most likely home."
Franco lazily walked up to Kendra and knitted his eyebrows together, "Did my sister tell you to compel this woman?"
Kendra quickly denied it, "No. I just don't like the fact my Uncle has a human pet. "
Towering over the little Vampiress, he patted Kendra on the head, "Sweetie, don't lie. What did she promise you?"
Kendra swatted his hand, "I'm not lying. I have a vendetta with that little whore. The lowly human seduced Uncle and he got angry with me because of her."
He had a condescending tone, "A word of advice, unless you want to suffer, don't interfere. Leave it to the elders to take care of the situation."
He glanced at Mandy standing motionlessly with a blank expression. "Have your maid put healing cream on this woman's cheek. We are filming soon and your Uncle Lucien won't be happy if he sees your handiwork."
Kendra stiffens and her eyes flicker with fear, I forgot about Uncle Lucien…He is definitely not someone I want to provoke. She smiles brightly, "I can count on you to keep this a secret, right? I did help you dispose of…"
He puts his long slender finger on her lips, "Shhh…of course. You know you are my favorite, that is why I gave you a preemptive warning not to indulge your petty jealousy."
Kendra's face turned crimson red and she sputtered, "I..I am not jealous! How could I be…I am Kendra Isonolov, a princess! She is a pathetic human not fit to wipe my shoes!"