Page 158 of The Vampire's Bride

“Why not?”

“Because if I end up like the others, I do not want you to blame yourself. I want you to be happy.”

“You are my heart.” He drops his forehead gently to my own. “You are mine, and I will not allow anyone or anything to take you from me. Not even this curse.”

Before I can reply, he leans toward the bedside table, retrieving something from one of the drawers.

“Here.” He presents a blade, holding it out for my inspection.

“What is this?”

“An enchanted blade. If you nick your opponent and draw even one drop of their blood with that blade, it will remember.” He presses the hilt into my hand. “Prince Raine gave it to me. It is called ‘Oathrend.’ After it has touched the blood of your enemy, you can throw it, and it will find its target.”

“Why would he give you this?” I frown. “And more importantly, do you trust him?”

“As far as this is concerned, I do.” He meets my gaze evenly. “The prince is a vocari. This power allows him to read the thoughts of others. He can also manipulate them with his mind.”

The memory of Valaric writhing in pain before the prince flashes through my mind. “Is that what he did to you at Darkhall Manor?” I touch his face. “Did he use his powers to hurt you?”

“Yes.” He grits his fangs. “I was able to resist, but not before he discovered my curse.” He looks down at the knife. “It’s thereason he gave me this. He believed I could use it against the witch.”

“Do you think it will work?”

“I hope we never have to find out,” he replies grimly. “With any luck, she will simply leave us alone.”

He folds me up in his wings and drops his forehead to mine. As much as I want to believe that everything will be all right, I know that there are no guarantees. We could spend our time dwelling on what may or may not come, but I would prefer to enjoy what we have now.

As if he can read my thoughts, he pulls me close and presses his lips to mine in a kiss full of desire and longing. His hand trails down my outer thigh before he cups the back of my knee.

In one smooth motion, he pulls my leg over his hip and rolls me beneath him as he settles between my thighs, his length hard and insistent against the entrance to my core as his mouth meshes repeatedly with mine.

“I can scent your need,” he growls.

My heart hammers as he slices my silken nightshift away with his sharp claws, and his mouth lands hot and needy on my chest. I gasp as he closes his mouth over my breast and rolls his tongue over the sensitive peak.

“Valaric,” I breathe out his name as I grip his hair and arch up into his mouth, wanting more.

He turns his attention to my other breast as he slides his hand down my body. A low growl of arousal leaves his mouth as he drags his fingers through my already slick folds. “You are perfect,” he whispers against my skin. “And all mine.”

“Yours,” I agree.

He slips two fingers inside me and I arch into his hand as pleasure ripples through my body. “Valaric, please.” I’m not even sure what I’m asking for. I only know that I want more of him.

His eyes flare a moment before he captures my mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue stroking against mine. He removes his fingers and grips his hardened length, notching the crown at my entrance.

His gaze holds mine, full of fire and possession as he begins to push deep inside me.

CHAPTER 67

VALARIC

Fierce possessiveness surges through me and a low growl rises in my chest as I sink deep into her warm, wet heat. Exquisite pleasure ripples through me as I sheathe myself fully inside her. “Mine,” I growl.

She’s so tight and she feels so good as her body clenches around mine, I struggle to hold back my release.

“Valaric, please,” she breathes out my name.

I groan as she arches against me, and then begin a slow and steady rhythm.

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