Page 56 of Blood Feast

She remembered her first night in Orthros, when she had watched him feast on her in his glass mirrors. Now in his mirror spell, she saw her own fangs sink into his throat. She beheld her mouth, fastened onto his vein. And this vision changed her, just as that one had the night he had welcomed her into his world.

A shudder moved down his back, and his hips tensed. His reflexive response to her bite drove him deeper between her legs. Caressing his hair, she began to suckle his throat. As his pleasure-laden blood filled her mouth, she watched the rhythm of his body change, now pumping in time to her drink.

His blood spilled onto her from her bite. She caught the precious elixir and ran her hands over his shoulders and down his back. Making her own marks across his skin, she imprinted her vows next to his in bloody handprints.

“Cassia,” he uttered, low and rough. Then his fangs clamped on her throat.

They overflowed into one another. She saw her body buck under his, saw him thrust down to meet her. They were so beautiful, feeding, undulating together, hard and slow. Then harder, faster. The flowers shook, scattering petals down over his rigid muscles.

Just as her vision began to haze, the spectacle above her fragmented. His shattered spell sent his magic flying into her. Her power, all hers, snapped out of her to entwine deep within him. They broke on each other, holding one another togetherthrough every spasm of release and rough groan against each other’s throats.

Their Union only deepened to hold more pleasure. More time. Their vows could not break. No matter what was to come, Grace would remain.

6

Nights Until

WINTER SOLSTICE

A BADGE OF HONOR

Cassia and Lio wanderedin and out of their avowal celebration as they pleased, joining in the dancing and laughter, then sneaking away again for more private gluttony. The hours flowed into nights, she knew not how many. Swept up in the current of emotions in the Blood Union, Cassia began to understand the immortal perception of time.

Eventually she found herself in one of the courtyards, sitting on Lio’s lap with Knight at their feet, to watch the drinking contest Solia had promised. Her sister faced off with Tendo over a flask of ora, the finest spirits from the Sandira Kingdom, while their Trial circle and the Ashes looked on. Captain Ziara and First Mate Huru, the privateer queen and her beloved consort, took bets on the outcome with their favorite gambling partner, Kassandra.

Through an open archway came the fragrance of mangrove trees and reeds. Orthros’s spymasters had joined the celebration as quietly as they glided in and out of enemy territory. Cassia and Lio stood to welcome the Queens’ Master Envoys, clasping their wrists.

“Basir, Kumeta,” Lio greeted them, “it’s wonderful to see you.”

“We weren’t sure you would be able to make it home for this.” Cassia could only imagine what dangerous corner of the Magelands the envoys had escaped from to be here.

“Of course we came,” Kumeta replied. “We were there when you first met, after all.”

A smile broke through Basir’s usual dour expression. “On that journey to Tenebra, when Lio nearly destroyed our carefully laid plans by sneaking out for trysts with a certain mortal lady, I certainly failed to predict how this would end.”

“He made a long list of possible disasters.” Kumeta shook her head at him.

“This outcome is far better than anything I imagined,” Basir said.

“You mean a best-case scenario came true?” Cassia covered her mouth in mock astonishment.

Lio widened his eyes at Basir. “Do I detect another shred of optimism?”

Basir frowned at them, but his aura smiled. “Optimism seems to befall me unusually often when you two are involved.”

Solia and Tendo tossed back another shot, and the privateers clapped. But Mak and Lyros drifted away from the festivities to join Lio and Cassia near the envoys.

Basir hesitated, then a veil spell took form around them. “We have news for you from Cordium. We have debated how much to tell you. We would never want to tarnish this night.”

“But we also understand that not knowing is seldom a comfort to you,” Kumeta added.

Lio slid his arm around Cassia.If you want to hear their findings, I will bear them with you.

Cassia bit her lip. Once, she wouldn’t have hesitated. Lady Circumspect would have gathered every secret to herself, no matter how painful, to use as a weapon. In this moment, though, Firstgrace Cassia wanted to forget about all of it.

What I want to do is dance with our friends until our heads spin.She glanced at their loved ones.But for their sake, we cannot afford to squander a single weapon, can we?

Lio sighed.I don’t disagree.

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