Page 30 of Surrendered to Mate

"Patience is a virtue, you know," I tease, earning an eye roll from her.

"Says the immortal to the human. Some of us don't have eternity to wait around."

I chuckle, surprised by how easily she's getting under my skin. "Fair point. It seems to be… a location."

Faye's eyes widen. "Well, that could be valuable intel for your mission."

"Our mission," I correct her. "You're in this now, sweetheart."

Faye leans in closer, her shoulder brushing against mine. "And how exactly are you reading all this? I thought you said you couldn't decipher it before."

I hesitate, weighing how much to reveal. "Let's just say our little session earlier might have opened up some new abilities."

She raises an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate on that, pretty boy?"

"Not particularly," I reply with a smirk. "A vrakken's got to keep some secrets, doesn't he?"

Faye snorts. "Fine, keep your mysteries. As long as it helps us figure this out, I don't care where the knowledge comes from." Her eyes cut to me. "For now."

I nod, returning my attention to the tablet. As we continue to decipher its contents, I can't help but marvel at how quickly Faye and I have fallen into an easy rapport. It's been centuries since I've felt this comfortable around anyone.

"You can't understand any of it?" I ask after a moment, thinking over my earlier assessment.

She shakes her head. "Nothing."

Probably because she doesn't have any magic…

I look at Faye, sensing her frustration at not being able to read the tablet. An idea forms in my mind, but I'm not sure how she'll react.

"I think I know a way to help you understand it," I say, reaching for her wrist.

Faye's eyes narrow. "What are you doing?"

"Trust me," I murmur, bringing her wrist to my mouth. "This might sting a bit."

Before she can protest, I sink my fangs into her soft skin. The taste of her blood floods my senses, and I have to fight tomaintain control. I focus on giving her just enough venom to share a little magic without overwhelming her.

Faye gasps, her body tensing. I pull away, licking the wound closed.

"What..what did you do that for?" she demands, but her voice lacks its usual bite.

I smirk. "I wanted to see if my venom would give you a little magic, help you read it. How do you feel?"

She blinks rapidly, her gaze drawn back to the tablet. "I... I can read it. Well, sort of. It's still fuzzy, but I can make out some of it."

"See? Told you to trust me," I tease, earning a playful glare from her.

"Don't get cocky. Your bite's not that impressive."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh really? Your moans earlier say otherwise."

Faye's cheeks flush, and she quickly changes the subject. "Look, it's talking about some kind of gate."

I lean in closer, our shoulders brushing. "An underwater gate, protected by powerful magic."

"Sounds like a party," Faye quips, but I can hear the slight tremor in her voice.

"Scared of a little swim, sweetheart?"

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