Page 49 of Surrendered to Mate

"The Change... it's permanent. You'll be immortal, stronger, faster. But you'll crave blood, need it to survive." I swallow hard, hating the fear I see creeping into her gaze. "And the magic in my blood... It's not pure. It might make you feel different."

"Cass-" A shudder rushes through Faye as a wave of pain seems to hit her.

My hands tremble as I stroke her cheek. "I need you to know everything before I do this. You might lose parts of yourself,Faye. Your humanity." I pause, the weight of what I'm offering crushing me. "And..it's hard to survive it. I can't guarantee you will, but I know you won't-" My throat squeezes the word so tight I can barely get it out. "You won't survive this."

The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken fears and possibilities. I've never felt so conflicted, so torn between desire and duty. I want to save her, desperately, but the thought of cursing her to this existence...

"I can't make this choice for you, sweetheart," I whisper, my voice raw with emotion. "But I need you to understand what you'd be giving up. What you'd become."

"I want it," she mumbles, barely audible. "Change me."

I gaze into Faye's eyes, searching for any hesitation. Finding none, I nod, my heart clenching with a mixture of relief and dread.

"I trust you," she whispers, her voice barely audible.

Without wasting another moment, I lean down and press my lips to hers. The kiss is gentle, filled with a tenderness I didn't know I possessed. I pour every ounce of emotion I've discovered since meeting her into it, silently promising to guide her through what's to come.

Carefully, I lay Faye back on the cave floor, cradling her head. My hands shake as I lift my wrist to my mouth. I tear into my flesh, feeling the sting as my blood begins to flow. Pressing the wound to Faye's lips, I murmur, "Drink, sweetheart. It's the only way."

Her eyes widen, but she doesn't hesitate. As she begins to drink, I take her wrist in my other hand. My fangs extend, and I push them into her skin, immediately flooding her system with venom.

The euphoria hits her instantly. I feel her body relax, the pain momentarily forgotten as the venom works its magic. But I know it won't last. The real agony is yet to come.

I drink deeply, my senses overwhelmed by Faye's essence. Her blood sings to me, carrying the promise of life and death in equal measure. With each swallow, I feel her heartbeat weakening, her life force ebbing away.

Panic rises in my chest. What if I'm too late? What if the Change doesn't take hold?

"Stay with me, Faye," I growl against her skin. "Fight, damn it. You're stronger than this."

Her grip on my wrist tightens, and I feel a surge of hope. But then her body goes rigid, a strangled cry escaping her lips. The Change is beginning, and with it comes unimaginable pain.

I pull away, gathering Faye in my arms as she starts to convulse. Her screams echo through the cave, each one tearing at my soul. I've never felt so helpless, so utterly powerless in the face of her suffering.

"I'm here, sweetheart," I murmur, holding her close. "I've got you. Just hold on."

As Faye's body fights against the invasion of vrakken blood, I can only wait and hope that she's strong enough to survive the transformation. The next few hours will determine everything, and for the first time in centuries, I find myself praying to whatever gods might be listening.

I watch helplessly as Faye writhes in agony, her screams tearing through me. The Change is brutal, and I can't bear to see her suffer like this. An idea strikes me, and I act on instinct.

Leaning down, I press my lips to her forehead, then trail kisses down her face, her neck, her shoulders. With each spot that my lips meet her skin, I bite, sucking in a couple of mouthfuls before licking the wound closed.

I whisper soothing words against her skin, hoping to anchor her through the pain. "I've got you, sweetheart. You're doing so well."

I nip at her collarbone, letting my venom flow into her system, working my way across her body. And thankfully, the effect starts to take place — her whimpers soften, her body relaxing slightly. Encouraged, I continue my ministrations, alternating between soft kisses and careful bites.

My lips brush her wrist, her palm, the crook of her elbow. Each spot receives a small dose of venom, dulling the pain of the Change. I move to her other arm, then down her legs, leaving no inch of skin untouched.

Faye's cries fade to soft whimpers, then to silence. Relief washes over me as I see the tension leave her body. Her eyes flutter open, hazy but no longer clouded with agony. And I see the lust swirling there as my venom warms her body, making her feel euphoric and needy.

"Cassius," she murmurs, her voice weak but steady.

Before I can respond, she reaches for me, pulling me down into a kiss. Her lips are soft against mine, and I am so relieved to have her still. I kiss her back, pouring all my relief and newfound emotions into it.

When we break apart, I search her face anxiously. "The pain...?"

She can barely keep her eyes open as she shakes her head. "No, I need…" A moan escapes her as my body brushes against her. "Cassius," she whimpers.

Knowing what her body is begging for and hoping to distract her more, I kiss down her body, kneeling between her legs. I peel her clothes away, kissing the healing wounds as I settle on my stomach before her.

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