Yesenia lightly swatted his arm. "Keep trying to charm me and I won't stand a chance."
He found the strength to reach for her hand and squeeze her fingers. "Promise?"
She sucked in a breath, and if not for his weakened state, he would've kissed her again and then followed through on his vow to bring her to orgasm in private.
They stared at one another for a long moment, and Yesenia's cheeks flushed. Maybe she was having the same idea.
A knock on the door made Yesenia jump and forced him to release her hand. She answered and Nora entered his bedchamber. As she made her way toward him, she said, "Rebecca is here for your lessons, Yesenia. Dark Lord Khan will be here this afternoon as well."
Leo blurted, "I slept the night and morning away?"
Nora nodded. "It could've been worse."
He knew that. Weaker vampires could be out for days, or even forever, depending on their age, health, and the severity of their lie.
Yesenia replied, "I should go." She met his gaze. "I'll check in on you again later, okay?"
He nodded, resisting the urge to haul her back into his room and keep her there. Maybe forever.
As soon as Yesenia left and closed the door, Nora placed her hands on her hips and said, "Are you ready to stop fighting your pull toward her, brother, and realize you want more than a one-time claiming?"
Damn, he must've worn his emotions on his sleeve around Yesenia, which was dangerous for a male in his position of power. Thankfully it was only his sister who'd witnessed it. Leo would have to work on hiding his true thoughts better for when he was in public. He grunted. "Right now I'm just trying to muster up enough strength to meet with Khan and Black later today."
Nora frowned. "You're still going to have that meeting?"
"Of course. With some food and blood, I'll be strong enough for a short chat. To cancel would anger them, or stoke their curiosity, and I don't want either of them to know about me falling unconscious."
She sighed. "I know you too well to try to convince you otherwise. But until you get ready for the meeting, you're going to rest. I'll get Ambrose and John to tie you to the bed if need be."
Leo didn't try to be contrary for the sake of it with his family. "I won't fight you, as long as you don't ask me what I lied about."
She studied him a beat, her mismatched eyes trying to find the slightest clue to what he was thinking. "Yesenia wouldn't say why either. Although everyone in your proximity last night could scent her on you. So, at the very least, you must've drank some of her blood again."
He grunted again but didn't say a word.
Nora shrugged. "Right, well, you can keep quiet for now. Although if I find out you hurt Yesenia in some way, you'll be hearing from me,andI'll make good on the threat to have Ambrose and John tie you to the bed."
He replied in a serious tone, "Yes, Miss Yates."
She rolled her eyes. "As if I believe you'll just agree with me. Regardless, Ambrose is going to help you bathe and I'll have a meal sent up. Do you need more blood or did you get enough from Yesenia?"
"I need a full cup, if possible."
Her brows shot up at that. "I see."
No doubt she did. If he'd had a proper suckle from even his bride's finger, it would've been enough for a day. But a light nip and lick from something like a kiss—either on the mouth or on her cunt—wouldn't have been.
But he wasn't ever going to discuss such things with his sister, for a number of reasons. "Can we save your questions and unasked enquiries until I'm stronger? Dealing with Everett Black alone is going to require every bit of strength I can muster."
Nora had only met the wolf once by accident, and she laughed. "I can't help it if you find his charm annoying. He's one of the few males who doesn't frighten me."
Most likely because they both knew Nora wasn't his fated one. If he were, she might've avoided him like every other male who hadn't worked inside the building for long enough to earn her trust. "Regardless of what I think about him, he's an ally I can't ignore. Can you ensure everything's ready for the pair of them in the meeting room?"
"Of course." His sister looked at him a beat before adding, "I don't say it enough, but you've done a wonderful job since taking over as Dark Lord, Leo. I hope you know that."
Any sort of praise made Leo uncomfortable, but more so from his sister. "I do what I can to protect my family. That's all."
"If you say so." She turned toward the door. "Just remember there is more to life than trying to protect everyone else whilst neglecting yourself, brother."
She left and Leo sighed as he closed his eyes. Nora hadn't pestered him this much in years, maybe even for decades. While Yesenia bringing his sister out of her shell bit by bit was a good thing, it would no doubt bring him a mountain of trouble in the near future.
Not that he could do anything about it right now. No, for the next hour or two, Leo needed to eat, sleep, and focus on his upcoming meeting. Everything else would have to wait.
Although he couldn't hold back Yesenia naked and under him in his dreams.