Bound by the Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill Read Free Book Online Page A

be going with me, Mason. That’s final.”
    “You think I’m a child you can order around?” Those amber eyes glinted.
    “Hardly. You’re the vampire we’re trusting with our son while we’re gone.”
    That stopped whatever he was about to say and still ed Jessica, both of them forgetting modesty as they looked toward her in surprise. When Lyssa freed a now-sleepy Kane from her breast, Jacob leaned forward, blocking the view. He teased the twin punctures closed with his mouth and gave the silken skin a more personal cleaning. It caused a catch in her throat, a sound much like Jessica had made, masturbating herself for Mason’s pleasure.
    When Jacob raised his face, the hair over his forehead brushed her lips. She gazed at him with a mixture of tender exasperation and desire.
Male vampires and their insatiable needs, indeed. You feed off of one another. Behave, so I can have this conversation with Mason.
    Offering an unrepentant look, he dried the area with his T-shirt and slipped her bra back on to her body. Since he had to lean into her to fasten it in the back, she let her lips touch his shoulder. When she shrugged back into her blouse, he took a far quieter Kane from her arms, offering his free hand to help her rise. Lyssa faced Mason. “You know better than anyone what happens to a vampire child not protected in our world.”
    Shadows crossed the male vampire’s gaze. “I was fortunate in your patronage, my lady.” The stiffness to his tone came from the pain of memory.
    “I will always wish you’d had it much earlier.” The regret was there, but then she arched a brow, giving him her usual haughty look. “You wouldn’t have turned out so surly and difficult.”
    “Yes. Having your gentle nature and flexibility in my life earlier would have been such a great influence on me.” He snorted.
    Lyssa almost smiled, but then her gaze shifted to Jess. “Kane is very fond of you already. I know you will protect him with your life if needed.”
    “Yes, my lady.” The girl seemed overcome by the vote of confidence, but when she looked toward the baby, her expression eased. “He’s so stubborn and fierce, he could fight off enemies all by himself.”
    “With his lungs alone,” Mason noted. “She’s already playing tag with him, building up his strength.
    He'll be walking more than crawling in no time. He doesn’t like not being able to catch her.”
    “Predator instinct.” Jacob chuckled. “As inevitable as rain.”
    “Indeed.” His lady slanted him an ironic glance, even as her fingers settled on the bite mark at her throat, drawing his attention to that sensual reminder.
    For all that she teased him about his appetites, Jacob knew she was a master… or mistress, as it were, at keeping those appetites gnawing. He knew that was the way she liked it.
    Mason sighed. “You outmaneuvered me. As capable as Jacob is, I do wish you had more reinforcements. However…” He offered a more formal bow. “I am deeply honored. Your son shall be safe with us.”
    “Thank you.” Lyssa reached out, pressed his hand.
    “Don’t worry about us. Based on what Brian has said, even an army of vampires couldn’t defeat the magic of a handful of Fae. Our greatest weapon will be our wits. That’s one weapon I wield fairly well without reinforcement.”
    “With a skill that makes a man’s blood run cold,” Mason acknowledged. But as he briefly met Jacob’s gaze, Jacob saw his own concerns reflected there.
    “You better be back before our next Council meeting,” Mason said lightly. “Else we'll have to take Kane along. He’s likely to stage a coup to overrun Council.”
    “Do your own dirty work.” Lyssa gave him a fond look, then returned her attention to her son. He leaned backward over Jacob’s arm to grab a strand of her hair that the breeze had carried over his tender head. “We leave tomorrow night. If all goes well, we should be back before that next meeting.”
    Chapter 3
    MANY in the vampire