Read Online Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella by Kristen Painter - Free Book Online Page A

champagne she’d been sipping all night. Courage swelled in her chest, filling her with a lightness born of pure joy. She took his face in her hands, his mask cold from his skin, and kissed him. “I want to be alone with you. Do you understand? Alone the way a man and woman who love each other are.” She smiled at her boldness, but she was past caring what she said or how she acted so long as it did nothing to derail her plan. Her skills in the art of love might be limited, but that wouldn’t stop her from taking this last step with him.
    Desire swept the confusion from his eyes. “ Cara mia , what you ask is not allowed, is it?”
    “No,” she whispered. “Which makes the breaking of it that much sweeter.”
    “Are you sure?” He breathed the words out like a plea. Or a prayer.
    “Never more so.” The truth of the words surprised her. She did want him and not just because he was helping her.
    He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, then took her hand. “Come.” Without pretense, he led her through the crowd and back down to the gondolas, commanding one immediately to return them to his palazzo.
    Several times on the ride back, his gaze left her to scan a passing boat or examine someone on the street, but it was never for more than a moment and then he was hers again, whispering things in Italian that spun her head and body to the point of near madness.
    Once they disembarked, he swept her into his arms and raced them through the lingering crowds. They were back in his palazzo before she knew it. After a brief word to the servants that they were not to be disturbed, he carried her to the bedroom and deposited her gently on the bed.
    She reached for her mask, but he held up his hand. “Let me, bellissima . I want to savor every moment.” He untied his mask first and tossed it away, then removed hers, kissing her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose. “Since I first saw you, I dreamed of this. Now that you are finally in my arms, I will not let you go. No matter what happens.”
    A shout from downstairs stilled them both. Then the doors burst open and three black-masked figures stormed in, brandishing swords. One pointed at Dominic. “Take your hands off the comarré. She belongs to Lord Arnaud.”
    “ Caedo ,” Dominic snarled, reaching for a wall-mounted short sword. “Get out of my house before I turn you all to ash.”
    One of the men grabbed Marissa and hauled her off the bed. “We plan on leaving. But you’re both coming with us. You have a lot to answer for.”
    Dominic swung, slicing through the shirt of the intruder closest to him, but the second sprayed Dominic in the face with something. His eyes rolled back in his head; then he collapsed to the ground.
    Marissa screamed. “What are you doing?”
    The intruder turned toward her while the third restrained her. He aimed the small canister toward her and sprayed her with it as well. “Exactly what I was paid to.”
    A cloud of sweet mist covered her face. She held her breath, but it was too late. She’d already inhaled. A second later, everything went black.

Chapter Eleven
    D ominic awoke with claws scratching at the inside of his skull and the taste of pine coating his tongue. “Marissa,” he mumbled. When there was no response, he opened his eyes. They were not in Venice anymore.
    At least they were upright. Marissa sat on the couch beside him, slumped against the arm. The well-appointed room’s beauty was marred by Arnaud sitting across from them.
    “It’s about time you woke.”
    Dominic cleared his throat. “You had us drugged.”
    Arnaud nodded to an older comarré. “Wake her up. I’m tired of waiting.”
    The older woman snapped a small white tube, then waved it under Marissa’s nose. She came to with a start. “What…where are we…oh.” She blew out a breath. “The Primoris Domus.” She eyed the woman who’d woken her. “Rennata.”
    “What have you done, woman?” Rennata slanted her gaze at Dominic, her words