Page 47 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

Because I can't.

Because despite all my logical reasons to push him away, to not allow myself the dream of having a Matched, I like him.

Did you have someone else stealing your attention?Six asks when I don't respond.

My smile deepens.

Maybe, I write back.Why? Does that make you jealous?

Not at all, he writes back instantly.I like the idea of someone taking care of you.

A flush bursts over my cheeks, desire that feels foreign pulsing down the connection we share. It's enough to make me gasp, and my toes curl in my boots as I lean into the sensation.

Six, I write back.I never knew the idea of me with other males would work you up so much.

Intrigue joins the desire fluttering down our connection, and my head spins with the newness of it.

I must say I don't hate the new side effect of our connection,Six writes back.I like that you can feel me.

The desire intensifies, making me shift where I sit, making it harder to think about anything else. I do my best to latch on to that feeling, to imagine myself gripping onto it and sending a jolt of it his way in whatever direction I can sense him.

Fuck, he writes back.Now I really like it. What are you doing over there, my Matched? And who are you doing it with?

I bite my lip, glancing across our little camp to see Jagger and Zev talking to each other near the fire.

I hate how much my heart skips at the sight of Zev next to Jagger, looking menacing and angry and all kinds of beautiful at the same time. Hate that my body reacts to the sight of him, even though he gets on my every last nerve.

Jagger on the other hand... Jagger I could never hate. Even though he's technically my captor, I appreciate his sense of fun and pleasure, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't already thirsty for another taste of him.

That's all for you right now, I write back.But I am traveling with two very formidable males.

And if I know you at all, Six writes back.I know that two isn't enough to satiate you. If you would let me come to you, I would be able to join in the fun. Give you what you really need.

Just like that? No qualms that I have two other males with me right now?

We’ve spoken about it many times before, and I know that Six understands my nature even if he doesn’t really understand what I am yet. He knows me better than most people do and he doesn’t even know my name.

I’d never be able to be just Matched with one male, not when succubi are built with many tastes that need sating on any given day. We also have the ability to Link with multiple partners. Not that I'd ever let that happen again.

Just like that, Six writes back.We're matched. That's something that no one else will ever be able to touch, but that doesn't mean that no one else can touch you.

It's a wild sensation, this connection between us that feels more real than even the ground I sit on. I just wish that I lived in a world that would allow us to explore it.

Well at least I've given you something to dream about tonight, Six, I write back, exhaustion settling in my bones as I lean heavier against the tree.

Every night, Six writes back.I always dream of you.

I close my eyes, letting the comfort and warmth of his words wrap around me like a blanket as I allow sleep to take me.

I startle awake,my body tense, as if sensing danger.

I blink away the sleep, gripping a dagger I ripped from my satchel before I fully register what's happening.

My heart is racing, but there’s no visible threat that’s stumbled into our camp.

No threat except my condition.

Jagger and Zev are asleep by the recently died fire, and I do my best not to groan as I shove the dagger back in my bag.

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