FORBIDDEN BLOOM

VANESSAThey nicknamed him the Great Khal. Maybe it was because he lumbered like a giant bull or because he was as aggressive as one. Whatever the reason, I did not care.“Open the gates!” A man yelled from below the balcony where I stood with a glass of wine in my hand, watching distinguished guests come in. People paved the way, jostling one another to create room for the King’s convoy. Hushed conversations rippled through the crowd as the cars slowed to a stop and several men in black hurried out toward one of the cars.The door opened and out came the man of the night. The flute trembled in my grip as I stared at the wonder before me. He had a rugged beauty like I’d never seen, wild and untamed, oozing pure male sensuality. The paparazzi went wild, taking snapshots after snapshots of him, blinding white lights enough to make one dizzy.Then somehow in the midst of this madness, he looked up and our gaze met. My breath caught in my throat. I found myself frozen in time, lost in t

VANESSAAnd so, I failed my mission before it even began. I was right back to square zero. When the music stopped, we each courtesied and he walked off to deal with some more important function. To him, it was probably better than having to deal with me, the woman who still had a dagger strapped to her thighs. Unstained too. Good for him, I guess. “That’s the one reason why I hate and love him.” Someone had slithered their hand around my waist. Only one person had the audacity to say a thing like that. In fact, it was the scent of his cologne that gave him away. I bristled at his touch.To indulge him, I quizzed, “They are?”“He knows when to back off from something that belongs to me.”Although being referred to as a thing irked me, I was curious. “And the other?”He came round to stand in front of me. “He can be very stubborn, holding on to what is rightfully mine.” After a pause. “Did you look into his eyes?”I let out an exasperated sigh. “What do you want?”His chest puffed

VANESSAPatting the small dagger still pressed into the nook of my inner thighs, I watched him dash out the door. There was nothing more frustrating than watching an unfinished business still breathe. “Wait for me,” I mimicked Leonidas, scoffing. “In your dreams.”What if the fire alarm was a ruse to capture me? What if he had indeed learned of my true identity? That meant my position was already compromised and waiting meant brutal death. I stole a shirt and tossed my ruined dress aside. Pulling it over my head, my gaze drifted to the window. The drop wasn’t so bad, especially as it was the only exit available.One minute, I was still in the King’s bedroom. The next, I swung both legs over the ledge and let go of the window sill. The ground rushed to meet me and I folded my body the moment I landed, rolling over as pain flashed through my legs. Thankfully, nothing gave. Before the shock could settle in my bones, I pushed on my feet and fled into the night, expertly managing to a

VANESSA Heat bloomed on the spot where he touched, sending my pulse hammering too hard. What did ‘Mine’ mean? What was he doing to me? The pull I’d felt at the ball last night was nothing compared to the intense electricity crackling between us right now. What manner of creature was he? Dark red liquid seeped through his shirt, drenching the cream colored material and pooling by our feet. Right between us. He ignored it. The knife was stained alright, but he didn’t look affected in the least bit. He still gazed at my face with so much devotion it scared me. I flatted myself against the wall, afraid that moving might awaken whatever beast had settled within him. Fuck! How did I even get myself into this mess without proper research? They only said he was a dangerous man. Nobody talked about what degree of danger he posed to my life if he survived the kill. “Mine,” he said again, louder this time, flinging my dagger to the side like the useless piece of meta

VANESSA My wrists were free but my chained legs were spread wide enough that I could not close them. There was still enough room to shift my legs apart or draw my knees up if I wanted. “Stop fighting it, Leo,” I whispered, burning with need. My nipples were aching points pressing against the thin fabric of my dress. Between my thighs were soaked, clit throbbing so hard that it made my breath hitch every few seconds. Three feet away, Leonidas stood and watched me. “And you don’t think the beast is waiting for a chance to strike?” His cock was a thick strain against his trousers. A delicious sight that made my mouth water and my pussy clench. “Oh fuck that, he won’t mind. You’re the host. And you’re trembling,” I murmured in a husky voice. “Let me help you with that, Your Majesty.” I reached out slowly and cupped him through the fabric. His massive body shuddered at the touch. He was burning impossibly hot and hard, precum wetting the front of his pants. He didn