The Underglow by Teshelle Combs

Aurelie Kendrick hasn't spoken a word since she was a young girl. Lucky for her, vampires, known in her world simply as "pyres" like Alexander don't speak either. But in a dark world where pyres are enslaved, forced to drink the blood of their masters, can the speechless find a voice?

From the episode entitled, "A Cross Pyre And An Impatient Young Woman."
I confessed to myself that I had paid very little attention to the countless governesses who attempted to explain the general rules of romantic engagement for Femmes of my stature and upbringing. But despite my lack of knowledge of general rules, I had a general sense that I was breaking them, whatever they were. Generally speaking, of course.

Closer should have made me nervous. I was not nervous, however, and so closer I went until there was no separation between his hips and mine. This was a relief to me—one difficult to explain. For I did not think there could ever be such closeness between another living thing and myself. Truly, I did not think, though they claimed to desire it, that any other living thing wanted to be so close to me.

"You withhold", Alexander meant to me, pulling my bottom lip between his before pressing his mouth fully to mine. I felt only the slightest prick of his fangs, for he had not lengthened them. With my head nearly swimming, I wondered if he would sink those fangs into me as he once did. But no. Instead, he intended. "I will be patient".

I detested patience. It was a monster that society told its victims was required, but really, it only convinced us all to work longer hours while they fattened us up for the slaughter. What is the point of patience? Who does it serve but the impatient ones?

I wrapped my arms around his waist and held firmly, but he released my grip rather easily.

"Patience". With a last touch of his thumb to my lip and a final probe of his considerate eyes, he stepped away. "I will find who hurt you".

The Underglow
An Elegant And Haunting Tale Of Romance, Intrigue, And Adventure
From the Mind Of Teshelle Combs