Page 75 of Tempting the Dhampir

Jamie picks up her thread. “We ambled down to the beach the morning when everyone left, and there was no evidence of your little picnic. Not even a cushion or a piece of litter.”

Adelbert takes over the explanation. “It seems that the boat was sent by the fates. That they nudged you along, so to speak, all the way to the island and past all the wards.”

Helena lets out a long, slow sigh. “And everyone remarked on how easy it was for us to get random women we met to join us on the cruise. We thought it was all organic. My trust issues just climbed to brand-new heights. Thanks, fates.”

That gets a couple of giggles from the women, nods abounding on the screens. All the while, Everett’s fingers continue their lazy pattern on my thigh.

Adelbert continues, “I’d like to expound on the bond. The fated bond causes forced proximity, but it still gives you the choice of getting to know your partner. According to the lore I found, this is a rare occurrence, only to appear about once every thousand years, depending on if the fates deem it necessary.”

“Ah, Bertie, you saying we’re special?” Jasper jokes, pouting his lips and batting his eyes at the screen.

I’m curious about where they’re located now. All three of them in that screen are dressed in wintery sweaters.

“That’s precisely what I’m saying, Jasper.” Adelbert’s tone is solemn as always. “Can I continue, or does anyone else have a joke to make?” He lets out an exasperated breath and runs his hand through his platinum hair.

Cece glances up at him, her eyes wide with concern. If I can pick up on that nervous tick, she surely did too.

“As I was saying, the fates orchestrate your meeting and then give you the choice of staying together. If you get to know your partner and choose not to pursue a romantic relationship, the bond will dissolve after a certain amount of time, the distance limit will be erased, and you can return to your life as if nothing had happened. I believe the marking will also fade at that time.”

Cordelia, looking down at her wrist and then at Erik’s, asks, “Why doesn’t he just say tattoo?”

Pretending he didn’t even hear her, Adelbert goes on, “Though, if you make physical contact with your partner, the bond will grow stronger. I believe the urge to be close to your partner becomes intense and perhaps even uncomfortable, so please proceed with caution.”

“What if we like the touch and ‘urges’?” Jamie mimics Adelbert’s tone and throws a wink at the camera.

Adelbert’s deep inhale is loud, his shoulders rising with the effort to not respond to the taunting from his friends.

Cece leans toward Adelbert, her voice low with a sweetness all her own. “Don’t mind them. Just keep telling us what you found.”

Everett says, “Sorry, Bertie. We’re listening. What does it mean if we choose to pursue a romantic relationship?”

“Thanks, Everett. If you choose to pursue the relationship, grow genuine feelings for each other, and make a conscious choice to be together, then the fated bond becomes a mate bond.”

A couple of gasps come from the screen, but I can’t quite make out from who. It sounded like a mix of masculine and feminine gasps.

“So we can become fated mates?” Edmond asks in wonder, his wings splaying out a bit at the question.

I wonder what that means in gargoyle body language.

“Yes. If you choose it. Fate only brings you together, but becoming mates is a choice.” Adelbert looks weary, older, as he finishes his explanation. “Any questions?”

Daehan unmutes himself and asks, “How does that work for different species? Rollo, fated mates are plentiful in your species, right? Could similar traits be found in others?”

“My guess is that you’ll have to research species-specific resources. I have not found sufficient time for that yet but wanted to provide you with the information I currently have available,” Adelbert explains.

“If I may?” Everett says, his hand now cupping my pussy under the desk, fingers leisurely tracing my lips, not quite entering. I know he’s aware of the state of my desire as it’s dripping down my thighs and onto his pants.

Without waiting for a reply from Adelbert, Everett continues, “Sadie and I have chosen to pursue a romantic relationship. We’ve chosen to stay together.”

Cece’s head snaps up at that, and I wince. I was hoping to tell her myself, but things happened too quickly. I give her a small apologetic wave and gesture with my hands that I’ll call her later. She purses her lips to keep her smile at bay, an “I told you so” dancing in her eyes as she wiggles her brows at me.

“We were the first couple to make physical contact, and our bond definitely strengthened over time. It’s always been present. Our personalities, though, took the lead in our connection. Some things I noticed about my nature also came to the forefront. I’ve had elongated canines my whole life, but now, at certain times, I have fangs that descend. I’ve also never been drawn to blood, but Sadie’s calls to me. And it tastes fucking extraordinary. Her scent…. Don’t even get me started.” Everett clears his throat and shifts in his seat. “This is just to say that some of my more primal urges come out with Sadie. I don’t know what that would be like for each of your species. Just thought it would be good to be made aware of it,” Everett adds as I squirm in his lap and grind back on his hard cock pressing against me.

The fact that he just told all his friends how much he likes me and how good my blood tastes turns me on. Now I want to reward him for this bold declaration, and I have the perfect idea for how I can achieve it.

On the inside, I have a full-blown Grinch smile stretching my face when I think of how he’ll react to my plan.

Everett continues his humble boasting. “Since we made the choice to be together and, um, consummated it”—cheers rise up at that as I watch my face turn bright red on the screen—“both Sadie and myself have felt a bond develop in our chests. We have a slight read on each other’s emotions and a general sense of awareness of the other. It’s not intrusive or anything, I rather like it,” he says, planting a wet smack of his lips on my cheek.

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