Page 91 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

“Zev,” I plea, reaching for the arm at my hip. He lets me take it, let’s me yank his muscled forearm to my lips.

I sink my fangs into him as my orgasm snaps through me, sharp and edged with so much pleasure I nearly double over. I would’ve, if I hadn’t been clinging to Zev’s arm while I drank. His free hand at my clit, sending me from one orgasm to the next before he spills inside me.

I drink him down, shivering around him as the Linked bond snaps into place, the connection threading through my soul like lines of unbreakable string.

“Livana,” he growls as I lick his wounds closed. He gently pulls out of me, turning me to face him. He smooths my wild hair away from my face, lowering his mouth to mine in a kiss that isn’t punishing, isn’t frantic.

It’s soft and vulnerable and makes metremble.

I pull away, looking from him to Jagger. “My Linked,” I say, breathless. “My Linked.”

It’s only seconds before I’m between them again, descending into the demands of the newly formed bonds until I’m not sure where they begin and I end.

Jagger and Zevare fast asleep, our Linking having thoroughly worn us all out.

It's hard to describe the sense of fullness I feel from the two new bonds blazing bright inside me.

I should be sleeping, should be recovering, but instead I've left the safety of our little covering, and I've come out to look at the stars. There is one bond I’ve yet to face, and it's the one I've been avoiding the most.

Despite feeling so complete and content with Zev and Jagger, there’s still a piece of me that’s missing. A piece of me that I’ll never be able to complete.

And he deserves the truth.

I do my best to peel back the mental shields I’ve locked down over this bond, using my strength to ensure that Six hasn't sensed my emotions tonight.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, preparing myself to break my own heart.

I mentally send words down our bond, writing to what I assume will be a sleeping Six, using his arms and thighs to ensure there’s enough space for him to read everything when he awakens.

I have loved very few things in this world, but you’re one of them.

I want you to know before you read what I'm sure will feel like a betrayal.

I was selfish with you, Six, and I apologize for that.

Despite trying to keep things casual between us, I allowed you into my heart because it was impossible not to. And not just because you’re my Matched, but because you became this bright light in a well of darkness that I’d been trapped in for so long.

Every word, every tease and encouragement and support filled me with hope and life in a way nothing ever has before. You made me believe in love, Six. And I can't thank you enough for that.

And I can't apologize enough for the fact that I'll never be able to meet you.

I'll never be able to run my hands over your face and kiss your lips and tell you how much I love you. You see, I haven't been honest with you. I'm somewhat of a forbidden fruit. Not only am I a succubus, which I think you’ve suspected, but I'm half tress.

I don't know why fate Matched you to someone like me, someone doomed for a quick end not only because of what I am but because of an ailment I carry in my heart. I was not meant to be in this world for long, so I don't pretend to know why Aletha tied you to me, but I’m sorry.

My only consolation and hope in not completing our Match is that it might spare you some of the pain when I die. Because it will be soon.

I have one purpose. To take out the male who murdered my family.

I’m finally within an arm’s reach of that goal, and will carry it out tomorrow. That's why I'm telling you all this now because I didn't want you to feel me leaving this earth and never know why.

I love you. I wish things were different.

Even though we didn’t have time in this life, I’ll find you in the next.

I open my eyes, my vision blurring with tears as I seal the magic between us, ensuring the tattoo stays present until he reads it. My heart races as I wait, both hoping for and dreading his response.

After several minutes, I realize he’s either deeply asleep or he has nothing to say. Which is completely fair. It's a lot of information to digest, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t tell him.

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