Several alcoves were fitted with sheer panels that fluttered with each sea breeze, showing off private areas stacked with pillows where vampires lounged.
Some talked, some made love, others sipped from chalices filled with what could only be blood. The moment Camilla’s gaze landed on the prince a wave of panic rolled through her; thankfully he was otherwise preoccupied and hadn’t noticed her.
Blade tugged her toward the end of the table and slammed a glass down in front of her.
“Drink.” Blade blocked her view of the prince. “Now.”
“Wine is the last thing I need,” she whispered. “Are you mad?”
“If your bodily senses are dulled slightly, you might not succumb to royal appeal so easily if he touches you.”
That logic made little sense. When the doors opened behind them, bringing two more blue-eyed royals into the chamber, along with a new wave of fear that rivaled the one caused by the prince, Camilla downed her glass. Blade had been correct; it somehow eased the power of their magic.
He poured another.
“Sip this only when necessary.”
Camilla settled into her seat more comfortably, then slowly took in the room.
Murmured voices carried toward them, low and soothing. If it hadn’t been for the occasional biting, it would have seemed like a quiet, intimate affair among close friends.
Perhaps a little too intimate. Skin slapping against damp skin, softened by dewy perspiration, added a sensual applause much too close by. Camilla certainly was not in Waverly Green anymore. She didn’t look even when the heavy breathing turned to soft moans of rapture.
Blade slung an arm around her chair, his head canted toward her. To anyone observing them, he would seem interested. Possessive. Like she belonged to him.
He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, almost absently, but she knew Blade didn’t do anything without reason.
Camilla hid her cringe when a group of humans was brought in, dressed even more scantily than she was. They paired off with vampires immediately, and Camilla could sense the new couples drawing the approval of the room.
As the first bites took place, Camilla watched the bliss unfold. The human woman nearest to her was already climbing onto the table and lying back, her legs spreading wide in invitation. Two female vampires moved to stand near her feet, each caressing a different leg, drawing her skirts high, then leaning in to suckle the artery in each of her upper thighs. After they’d sipped her blood, they began licking at the woman’s sex.
The mortal arched up from the table, her fingers trailing down her breasts, dislodging the flimsy fabric of her dress. Her hands traveled down, across her stomach, then slipped into her own folds while the vampires began lathing her breasts.
A male vampire strolled over to join their little group, standing across the table by the mortal’s head. When she noticed him, she cried out, begging for him to let her taste him. The vampires around the table called out in approval. One of the vampires replaced the human’s fingers, pumping her own in and out as the woman moaned.
The vampire at last released his cock, then granted the woman’s wish, pulling her toward him until her head hung off the table, allowing her to take him fully down her throat. The two other vampires continued pleasuring her—one stroking her sex, the other tending to her breasts while the male thrust into her mouth.
It couldn’t be comfortable, Camilla thought, having the blood rush to her head, allowing the male to guide himself even deeper.
Still, he took the human’s wrist, fangs at last penetrating her flesh, and groaned with pleasure as he drank.
Camilla couldn’t look away.
The passion, the desire, it flowed as freely as the blood they sipped, and no one batted an eye. The vampires sitting nearest them turned back to their conversations.
It was as if an orgy weren’t happening while they mingled with old friends.
Camilla couldn’t imagine Waverly Green’s nobility witnessing such an act and remaining as cool and calm, they’d all been scandalized by the kissing at Envy’s masquerade ball. She laughed softly at the absurdity of her thoughts. Camilla had been just as shocked that night.
“Dinner and a show,” Blade said, startling her. He, at least, understood this wasn’t par for the course. At least not in Camilla’s world.
Soon the whole quartet was moaning, pleasure rippling through them as the first waves of their orgasms hit.
Envy’s taunt came back to her. You’d come as you died and beg for more with your last breath.
“My brethren have unique tastes.” Blade leaned in, his voice dark with amusement. “But I’ve never understood the appeal of playing with one’s food.”
A shock of blond hair skirting the perimeter caught her attention.
Vexley and a new vampire had arrived. This female wore something much bolder than the last—leather that hugged her curves, showing off flawless skin and a pair of batlike wings Camilla hadn’t noticed on anyone else. She had a whiplike tail she was using to swat at Vexley, which he didn’t appear to mind in the slightest.
They went straight to one of the private alcoves, her long wavy hair flowing behind her.
“Do you have wings?” she asked Blade.
He leaned in, breath cool enough to make her shiver as it whispered across the shell of her ear.
“Nyghtshade is a succubus.”
Camilla’s attention shifted back to Vexley. Of course he’d get tangled up with a demon who lived for pleasure almost as much as he did.
Perhaps they’d have long-tailed demon children and live happily ever after in hell.
One could only hope.
“Zarus won’t allow anyone to harm him until the game ends. But he’d better be gone before then. Asylum only lasts so long. Like I said, I don’t play with my food, but others obviously enjoy it.”
Camilla was relieved that Vex the Hex wouldn’t become someone’s dinner this evening. If he was stupid enough to outstay his welcome and bed every vampire and demon that caught his attention, then he deserved whatever fate he was dealt.
“I need to speak with him again.”
Blade pressed his lips together, his attention sliding toward the end of the table where the prince now stood, his face buried in the neck of a handsome human. The mortal dropped his trousers and stroked himself as the prince fed, a beatific expression on his face.
If Camilla wasn’t careful, that could be her.
“Make it quick.”
Blade pulled her chair out, escorting her around the far edge of the chamber, keeping as much distance between her and the royals as possible.
He flicked the sheer curtains back, then followed her inside. Two large velvet pillows were unoccupied, so Camilla sat on one and Blade took the other, his knee brushing against hers.
The slit on her gown parted, baring her almost entirely. There were no undergarments in her suite, not even daring lingerie. Years of human modesty kicked in and she gripped the two sides of her skirt, attempting to cover herself, to no avail.
Blade dropped his tailcoat in her lap, his look cautioning her not to comment.
Vexley lay back, one arm bent under his head, the other fondling the succubus kissing her way up his neck. He watched Camilla get situated, eyes slitted as he slipped a hand down the front of his lover’s pants.
“Crawling back so soon, darling?”