Page 8 of Light Fae's Love
It’s yet another subtle reminder that far more came out about Quinn’s plans tonight than he has even admitted to his closest allies, as Quinn goes still as stone beside me. “I hope I do not have to encourage you to keep such information to a limited circle, Gunter.”
“And yet, you just did.” Gunter gives the smallest smile now—showing his cunning and displaying why the seemingly calm, innocuous Master of Bavaria is part of Quinn’s inner circle. As I glance around, I realize everyone standing here with Quinn is like him; they like to play games of power and are good at it, but are doing so for non-classical Vampire reasons. Each of them believes in Vampire progress and modernity.
Just like Quinn himself.
“How is it going with the returned Revenants, by the way? Have any of them Kissed to your Dark Haven yet? Those who have not already returned to other Dark Havens they once belonged to?” Eduardo Romero asks now, as he pins Quinn with a shrewd gaze.
“We are letting them rest, Eduardo,” Quinn says, with a dire look at his ally. “They have been through much, and one does not simply return from being a mad creature for countless eons and step right back into one’s saner mind. Certain things… linger. We are doing all we can to help them before I approach them with taking my Master’s Kiss and becoming permanently bound to the Dark Haven of Florence.”
“Do it sooner rather than later, Quinn,” Gunter says, giving a pragmatic snort. “Someone on the Council is bound to step in and do it for you, if they hear of what you have begun but not finished.”
“I will take that under advisement.” Quinn nods at the Master of Bavaria.
He’s not shaken by Gunter’s statement, however; I know Quinn has pondered what to do with the returned Revenants for long hours this past week, in addition to why and how our trio’s bound power could return them to their saner selves. Even as I’m about to ask why some Vampires go Revenant, while others become ancient, like Master Ilyov, Quinn gives a deep nod to our present company.
“Friends. Ariana and I are heading out for the night. I do hope you will enjoy the last of this party, and thank you again for attending the Meeting this year. You are all instrumental to Vampire progress, and I deeply cherish it.”
No one seems surprised that Quinn is taking his leave after such an insane opening to the week, followed by a busy time planning everything and orchestrating the entire Meeting. Only I’m left astonished as he moves forward to give embraces and exchange cheek kisses with his closest allies, then takes me on his arm and departs. I had been enjoying myself at the relatively relaxing midnight soirée—though I’m curious now about where Quinn and I are going and what he has planned next.
Only Arturos catches my gaze as I’m escorted out.
A deep frown upon his features, as if the Master Ilyov situation still troubles him.
Quinn puts aside concerns with Master Ilyov, however, until we can digest them more fully later. Pure relief flows through him now that the weeklong Meeting is over. As a tremendous sigh pours through his aura, echoed by an actual sigh that heaves from his lips, I cuddle close on his arm, enjoying walking with him in the Hotel’s midnight Gothic-Baroque halls.
“Tired?” I ask as we walk, enjoying finally being alone with him, as we’ve not had much time together this week with all the crazy events Quinn has had to orchestrate and attend.
“Not even remotely,” Quinn says. He smiles at me sidelong as we take a corkscrewing staircase down, back to the underground of the Hotel.
“Then why did we leave the party? It was just getting good,” I am teasing as we move on, lit by the sorcerous blue-gold torches of the Hotel’s underground.
“I have a different party in mind for the end of our night. If you’re interested,” Quinn says. He lifts an eyebrow at me, simmering with dark passion as we turn another corner. I realize we are heading back to his cathedral-like suite of rooms in a far wing of the Hotel’s underground.
“Quinn. Are you absconding with me to go have sex?” I feign affront, setting a hand to the pearls on my gown.
“Sex is the least of what we’ll do tonight, I think,” Quinn says with dark heat now as we arrive at the tall obsidian doors of his suite. As he pushes them open, admitting us to the enormous cathedral space with its towering glass ceiling and crystal-onyx chandeliers, I smile to see the moon still full high above.
Laid out on his massive ebony dining table, a sumptuous meal is waiting for us; but Quinn eschews it as he takes me by the hand, leading me up the tight corkscrewing wrought-iron staircase to the balcony second level.
Stars devour the night sky, seeming so close now that we’re in his lofted bedroom up above the main floor. Nothing but glass vaults and chandeliers are above us now, and Quinn’s dark eyes shine with their light, along with his own blistering fire as he leads me to his massive ebony four-post bed.
And then lays me down upon it.
“I want you tonight.” He crawls over me, making my pulse spike at the hot look in his eyes. His tux jacket is already gone somehow, along with his bowtie, and he’s halfway through unbuttoning his shirt already, hauling it from his pants as he holds me with his dark gaze.
“Then take me,” I say back, my breath high in my throat, my heart beating so fast now it’s like a bird’s heart fluttering at a bright snake in the grass.
Quinn’s slow smile is diabolical as he strips his shirt away, laying his long, lean-muscled body out atop me. I’m pinned beneath him now, his hips pressing me down to the bed with subtle force as I feel him, so hot and hard through my thin silk. Even though I writhe to have him pressed against me, between my thighs, I can’t get away. Quinn’s strength is impossible to escape, even for me.
And he knows it, as something deliciously wicked takes his eyes.
“Tell me what you want, Ariana,” Quinn says, as he eases his lips over mine. He teases me as he thrusts slowly against me, digging in though I’m soaking wet now, needing so much more.
“Fuck me.” I strain up and try to kiss him, though Quinn knows this game and presses me firmly down with his body, keeping me away.
“Say it again.” His lips whisper over mine, decadent and slow, maddening.
“Fuck me, Quinn. I want you. Take me tonight.” I’m heating so hard now a roll of my Dark Fae power blossoms out from me, flowing in wings from my spine and surging through the bedroom balcony in dark rainbows that flicker with silver and gold light.