Lord Dekaris Licks Ru's Fear

Dekaris took another step, his gloved fingers trailing along the back of the divan. The leather creaked under his grip—too tight.

"Such a lively party," he mused, his gaze raking over Ru's exposed thighs, the wine-dark stain spreading across the chiffon veil.

As he instinctively shielded himself, Ru's gilded bracelets shivered—a futile gesture given the purpose of his entire outfit. The thin veil clung to his skin, transparent as regret, leaving nothing to Dekaris' imagination.

Heise's claws flexed on Ru's shoulder, a silent warning. "Dekaris," he drawled, "meet our guest." There was a pause, sharp as a scalpel, before he added, "Ru volunteered for tonight's... entertainment."

Dekaris' smile widened. "Did he?" He crouched suddenly, eye-level with Ru. "Then why," he whispered, "do you taste like panic?"

Ru's pulse fluttered like a trapped bird caught under fangs.