Page 25 of Blood Bound

She studies me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. I can almost see the battle raging inside her – the desire to find her sister warring with her distrust of me.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to say. “Rowan, you can’t deny what’s between us. What happened…it wasn’t just physical. You felt it, too; I know you did.”

Her eyes flash with a mix of emotions – anger, confusion, and something deeper that she’s trying to hide. “That was a mistake,” she says, but her voice wavers.

“Was it?” I step closer. “Because I’ve lived for a hundred lifetimes, and I’ve never experienced anything like that. Never felt a connection so…profound.”

Rowan’s breath catches, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. She wants to believe me, but her distrust is holding her back.

“I know you’re scared,” I continue, my voice softening. “Hell, I’m scared too. This thing between us, it’s…it’s something I can’t even begin to understand.”

Her gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the same longing I feel. “Darick, I—”

“You can feel it, can’t you?” I press, taking yet another step closer. “This pull between us. It’s not just about the blood or the magic. It’s something…more.”

Rowan’s lips part, but no words come out. She’s fighting her own fears, her own desires; I know it.

“I’m not asking you to forget everything else,” I say softly. “I’m just asking you to acknowledge that there’s something here.”

Without realizing it, I’ve closed the distance between us, and now, I’m surrounded by the scent of her, the sweet, intoxicating heat of her. And it’s fucking irresistible.

I lean in, unable to resist the pull between us any longer. My lips meet Rowan’s, and for a moment, the world falls away. The kiss is electric, charged with all the unspoken feelings between us. I feel her respond, her body softening against mine as she parts her lips.

But I can’t cross the threshold of her fucking doorway. The invisible barrier keeps me just outside, an unyielding reminder of the divide between our worlds. Still, I pour everything I feel into the kiss, trying to convey what words have failed to express.

Rowan’s hand comes up, fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. I can sense her internal struggle, the way she fights against her own need. Her heartbeat races, a staccato rhythm that echoes in my ears.

I break the kiss, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. Her eyes are wide, pupils dilated, desire and confusion swirling in their depths. Her breath comes in short, quick gasps, and I can smell the intoxicating scent of her blood rushing just beneath her skin.

“Rowan,” I murmur, my voice rough with emotion.

She blinks, as if coming out of a trance. Her hand is still fisted in my shirt, but I can see the moment reality crashes back in. The conflict in her eyes intensifies.

“I…” she starts. She swallows hard, shaking her head as if to clear it. “Darick, I can’t…” She releases my shirt, and I can feel her pulling away, both physically and emotionally. The barrier between us seems to grow stronger, more impenetrable. But I’m not ready to let go, not yet.

“Please,” I say, my voice urgent. “Just listen to me. We can figure this out together.” The hunger is rising within me again – a damning reminder of how weak I am. I need her blood – not just any blood, but hers specifically. “There’s no reason for us to change our arrangement. I’m willing to look beyond what happened.”

“Our arrangement?” She seems bemused.

“Your blood, Rowan. It’s what saved me when—” I don’t want to say that it’s how I survived her attack, but at some point, I’m going to have to let her know that I don’t just want her blood; I need it. “Your blood strengthens me,” I admit.

Her eyes narrow, suspicion creeping into her gaze. I press on, hoping to appeal to her desire for power. “But this can work for both of us. I can still give you stronger magic in exchange for blood. It doesn’t have to be complicated.”

Rowan freezes, her body going rigid. For a moment, she’s utterly still, and I can almost see the thoughts whirling behind those expressive eyes.

Then, like a dam breaking, her anger floods out. “Are you kidding me?” she hisses. “After everything that’s happened, you think I’d just…what? Go back to being your personal blood bank?”

I flinch at her words, but I can’t back down now. “That’s not what I meant—”

“Oh, I think that’s exactly what you meant,” Rowan interrupts. “You’ve been playing me from the start. All of it. The bond, the dreams, the…the… What we did together…” Her cheeks grow pink. “It was all just to get my blood! And now you’re back for more.”

Her accusation stings more than I care to admit. “No, Rowan, that’s not true. Dammit, I—”

“Save it,” she snaps. “I’m done with your lies, Darick. Done with all of it.”

I force myself to remain calm. There’s no point in both of us losing it. “Rowan, listen. I’m not in the best shape right now. That blast of magic…it took a lot out of me.” I fucking hate how vulnerable I feel. “Your blood, it’s different. Special. It’s what I need to recover fully.”

Her eyes flare, but I press on before she can interrupt. “I know you don’t trust me, but we could help each other. If you work with me, I swear I’ll do everything in my power to find Mia. And there are other dangers out there, Rowan. Dangers you don’t fully understand. I can protect you.”

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