My Most Precious Human novel Chapter 68

I woke up naked in Sariel's embrace. This time he left a different type of mark: love bites. He left them all over my body. He didn't drink my blood. He didn't need it. He simply wanted to be with me and was unable to hide how much I was glad about it. A stupid grin didn't leave my face as I lied in his arms, pretending to sleep just to prolong this moment as much as I could. Although my rationality kept sending all kinds of warnings, I chose to ignore them. I wanted to cherish this morning while it lasted without thinking if this would change anything within me or not. I just laid my head on Sariel's chest and listened to his amazing, slow heartbeat while breathing in his scent.

"Are you awake, love?" His sleepy voice sounded like the sweetest reward for trying not to move in his arms for about an hour.

"Um…" I nodded, hiding my flushed face in his chest once more.

He chuckled and stroked my hair with one hand while the other pulled me closer against his naked body. I started to get used to being so close to him. I enjoyed the intimacy between us; not only sex, but his touch, his scent, and the way he reacted to me. It stirred up something within me, something I had never felt before.

"I don't want to let you go…" he murmured, tightening his embrace.

"Then don't," I whispered, running my fingers through his chest.

"The gathering starts in three hours, and it takes an hour to get there," he stated and kissed my forehead. "We need to prepare."

I sighed. I guessed our carefree morning just ended. I wrapped myself in sheets and tried to get up from the bed. I saw my night gown lying on the floor, a little away from the bed. I wanted to stand up so I could reach it, but my legs were so weak that I immediately sat back on the bed. Sariel snorted.

"I told you, you should exercise more." He smirked.

I glared at him but was unable to keep my serious expression. My exhaustion wasn't a heavy price for the pleasure he had been giving me all night. Suddenly, he jumped over the bed to get to my side and reached out both of his hands to help me stand. I leaned my weight on him and stood up. He grinned wickedly, watching me struggling to take a single step.

"I'll make it all up to you tonight," he declared, winking at me.

I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I could already predict it would end up being another sleepless night in his arms. A dumb smile popped out on my face once more. It all felt surreal.

He walked me to the bathroom so I could take a shower. He barely resisted the urge to enter the shower with me, but we both knew we could have easily missed the gathering that way…

When I walked out of the bathroom, he was already wearing a fitted black suit and a dark grey shirt, ready to go. I stood in front of him, wrapped up in a towel, with my movements resembling those of a ninety-year-old. He smirked, then took my towel away, leaving me naked.

"Hey!" I called out, trying to cover myself.

He leaned over me, observing my bare skin. "I will help you get dressed," he whispered and kissed my neck.

I was embarrassed, but I told myself that it would be faster this way… or not. He took his time slipping on my underwear, making sure his fingers grazed my skin with each of his movements. He could easily find the tiniest spot on my body that increased my arousal. He did it all on purpose. He wanted me to anticipate the satisfaction he would give me. He wanted to conquer my thoughts and fill my mind with him throughout the entire day. His eyes devoured me restlessly, and I craved that gaze of his badly.

"Whatever happens at the gathering, remember that you belong to me. Use that and no one will touch you," he claimed firmly.

There was something severe and cold in the tone of his voice, something that shattered the warm and seductive air of our morning. He might have meant it in a different way, but his words reminded me that in the vampire world, I was nothing more than a blood bag… with benefits. Pathetic.

We ate breakfast together, smiling at each other, although Sariel's words kept ringing in my head. It made the food taste sour. I was anxious. I had yet to find out where the marked future king's woman stood in the vampire hierarchy. I didn't hope for power, but a glimpse of respect would have been nice. Moreover, it was better to familiarize myself with all my options once Sariel took over the throne and my position would change.

Our trip to the gathering seemed official. We were driving in a limousine with two bodyguards, Mr. Gotha, and a driver. They were all dressed up in some kind of uniform, looking like royal guards, protecting the future king. I felt as if I was the only one who didn't match this picture. I was tense and restless. I got into the car and sat stiffly straight, dreaming of the moment when it would all be over.