Untouchable Lover by Rosalie Redd Page B

down her spine. She’d come to the Grand Hall, intent on getting this meeting over with as quickly as possible. Demir was here. It was only a matter of time before he would hunt her down. This way, she could meet him on her own terms. The smell of turkey and baked bread infiltrated her nose, making her stomach rumble.
    “Ah, Melissa, fancy finding you here. We’ve been looking for you high and low.” Demir raised an eyebrow, an expression Melissa saw often.  
    The point of his goatee tightened against his face as he smiled, and his short ponytail held back all but a few wisps of his dark brown hair. His scent of musk and incense wafted into her senses, spiking her anxiety. He stroked her face in a soft caress, his coarse thumb rubbing down her hot cheek.  
    She flinched and backed away. A scream threatened to escape her lips, but she held it in. She stood as still as possible, but her hands trembled, betraying her fear.
    Demir wiped his hand on his pants as if he had touched something filthy. His face tightened, his eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry, you’ll get another chance to make that up to me.”  
    His hot breath sent a tremor of dread from her ear to the base of her neck.  
    “Melissa.” Noeh towered behind Demir, his Stiyaha height overshadowing the Panthera leader. His breaths came hard and fast, his eyes flecked with gold.  
    “Noeh.” She took another step back from Demir, relief pouring through her like a cool shower on a hot summer day.  
    Noeh moved closer to Melissa, standing between her and Demir. “Is there anything I can get you? An ale perhaps?”  
    “An…ale?” Melissa gave a stilted laugh. “Yes, please.”
    Demir backed up and rolled his shoulders. He tilted his head from one side to the other in a nonchalant manner. “Ale is not what she needs, Stiyaha.” He peered at Noeh, tsked, and shook his head.  
    Noeh’s face reddened, and his jaw clenched. He stood with his legs apart, his right hand tapping the hilt of his sword with his king’s ring. “And what would that be?”  
    Demir was going to tell him. She didn’t want Noeh to know the extent of her need, but she couldn’t bring herself to confront Demir. She swallowed and anticipated Demir’s response.
    Demir examined his fingernails on his left hand, as though interested in every minuscule detail. “She needs to feed. She has all the classic signs of blood starvation.”  
    “Blood starvation?” Noeh raised his eyebrows. He glanced at her.
    A quick heat raced from her chest to her cheeks. Her embarrassment complete, she couldn’t hold his gaze, so she stared at her feet.
    Demir smiled. “Pale skin, dark circles under the eyes, and general malnourishment are all signs of blood starvation.” He winked at Melissa. “She’s weak and needs to drink blood from a male. She will come to my quarters. I’ll take care of her needs.”  
    Adrenaline rushed through her body at the thought of feeding from Demir. “I’m fine, really.”  
    “I’ll do it,” Noeh said.
    “As her master, it is my right.” Demir’s upper lip curled into a nasty snarl. He lifted his shoulders, his chin firm, his arms loose at his sides.
    She didn’t want to feed from Demir. He’d push her to be his concubine. The thought sent goosebumps up her arm.
    “She is my responsibility. Alora placed her in my care.” Noeh stood his ground, determination and conviction etched into the lines of his face.  
    Silence stretched between the two males and spoke louder than any words could. Deep within, the Keep rumbled. The ground shook. Melissa felt a slight swaying as the rumbling subsided.  
    Demir lifted his head and rubbed his chin while he evaluated Noeh. “Very well. I couldn’t possibly go against the wishes of a god, now could I?” He raised his hands in mock surrender and took a step back. He pointed to Melissa. “We will meet up again soon, slave .”
    As Demir walked away, Melissa’s body shook and her mind spun. There would be a