***
Marius stared up in appreciation of Cassia’s white-bodied perfection. Her cool unblemished skin reminded him of the ancient statues he’d seen, which time had faded to reveal the purity of the original marble. Her gown had been like the old painting on the sculptures, gaudy distractions concealing the true beauty hidden underneath. He could only vaguely remember how they came to be here, it was all rather a blur, but he had a faint recollection of her cool hand in his, as she led him up two flights of stairs to this strange chamber under the roof of the palace.
Cassia threw back her head, and her dark tresses swirled around, then fell forward to create a seductive curtain. Her eyes flashed as she dropped her head to his mouth and held his face with both hands, so she could kiss him deeply. Marius grasped at her cool skin and pulled her closer to him. He was lost in his desire for her and at that moment nothing else in the world mattered. She was flawless, a goddess come to earth and now in his arms. Never in all his years had he known a woman so sensual and earthy. The wine was certainly influencing his judgment, but not everything. Not since he’d been a much younger man had he known nights of such raw and sustained passion. He hadn’t thought that he still had it in him, but he’d surprised himself, and at last he could understand Junius and his infatuation with Belinda.
Sated, he lay on his back staring up at the moon, which shone down from a huge opening in the ceiling. There was a similar window opposite the bed, which had also revealed the huge silver sphere earlier in the night and he wondered if the room had been designed to permit maximum moonlight. The rest of the chamber was in darkness, but he could make out the shapes of painting and murals on every wall, which glittered and glimmered, indicating that no expense had been spared in here.
Cassia was curled around him and nestled against his neck. She whispered something and gracefully sat up. He watched as she glided away into the shadows then returned holding out a cup and smiling at him. He grinned taking the proffered vessel. Quickly he downed most of the contents then handed it back offering the rest to her. She shook her head indicating that it was for him. Marius shrugged and finished the wine. Carefully she took it from him and placed it on the floor. Then she reached out to stroke his arm and let her cool fingers move up to trace the outline of his face. Marius knew that he wasn’t a bad looking man, and in good shape for a veteran of almost fifteen years, but he’d never in his wildest dreams ever expected anyone to regard him with such animalistic desire as this astonishingly beautiful woman did now. Already he could feel his ardour returning. She reached for him and once again he was lost in her scent and cool sweetness. Nothing in the world mattered except to be beside this woman and to feel her wrapped around his hot willing body.
She laid him down on the bed and stroked his chest, playing with the hairs, and then followed them down to his belly and beyond. Marius gasped and watched with hot eager eyes as she caressed him with exaggerated slowness. When he couldn’t take any more he reached for her. Cassia grinned and pushed him down, then lay down next to him and repeated the teasing with her hot urgent tongue. Marius heard himself moan in suppressed desire, as he felt her warm breath against his skin. With an effort he controlled himself until they were face to face, then she grinned and kissed him, her tongue and hands moving to a strong urgent rhythm. Suddenly, she pulled away and dropped her head down to his chest. Marius didn’t care, all he could think about was her hand against his skin and his building release. Somewhere through his mounting pleasure he was aware of her hot lips against his neck and her other hand clutching his shoulder, he moaned as the sensations coursed through his body. Grasping her body roughly and pressing it against his own, he let out a cry of both pleasure and pain as he succumbed to her ministrations.
Marius opened his eyes. He was sure that he’d drifted off, but it couldn’t have been for long as Cassia hadn’t moved and was still lying across his body and still locked onto him. He could feel her mouth at his neck, but detected only a small ripple of unease. The feeling of wellbeing and comfort was overpowering. He dropped his head back and stared up at the moon, which seemed to fill the whole opening, bathing the room in its glow.
He felt her give a small shudder and then her hand relaxed its hold and she shifted her head slightly. For the first time he felt pain at his neck, it was the tiniest flicker but it broke through his stupor.
Cassia lifted her head; she licked her lips and sighed with contentment, then smiled dreamily up at him. She moved towards him and took his head in her hands then kissed him deeply as if exploring him for the very first time. Marius almost recoiled at the taste of blood, but it faded quickly and soon he’d forgotten his distaste.
Reluctantly he let her go and she sat up at the edge of the bed smiling at him.
“Do you want what comes next?” she asked quietly through lowered lashes.
Marius smiled and reached for her. “Of course I do, why do you even have to ask?”
“I have to, it’s what we do. Are you sure? You were never very easy in our company before.”
Marius smiled. “I didn’t know you properly then. Things have changed. Now I understand Junius’s point of view.”
“They’ve had many nights like this, he’s almost part of our family.” She smiled bashfully. “So could you be.”
So that was how his friend had fitted in so easily here, he should have guessed. “I’d like that,” he replied.
She grinned, then told him to lie back. Marius did as instructed and watched intrigued as she turned her back to him. After a moment she clambered over the bed to straddle him, though she held her arm out at an odd angle. Marius frowned, suddenly aware of a strange rich, sweet smell in the room. Cassia lifted her arm and moved her wrist to his mouth.
“Drink. You won’t regret it. One taste and you’ll crave more.”
Marius stared in surprise at the black ichor that was welling at a tear on her wrist. It smelt bad, like putrefying blood and it moved like the sludge at the bottom of the Tiber. He shook his head and pushed her away, but Cassia was stronger than she looked and pressed him down.
Desperation made Marius angry, but he realised that strength wouldn’t free him, so momentarily he relaxed, and soon felt the pressure lift. Cassia smiled at him, readying herself for another try, but as she leant forward, Marius pushed up and threw her from him so that she fell awkwardly onto the floor. He heard her hiss and snarl furiously like a wild cat.
Without hesitation he ran to the door and flung it open. A quick glance behind him revealed that Cassia was up from the floor and coming after him. With a yell he slammed the door shut in her face, then dashed across the landing searching for the stairs. Eventually he found them and raced down to the sanctuary of his own room. Once inside he shut the thick wooden door firmly behind him and rammed the bolt across.