Page 159 of On Wings of Blood

I’d lick long and deep, tasting her sweet saltiness, while she moaned. She didn’t want this. And yet she did. That was what made it so fucking good. Knowing we couldn’t stand each other. Yet knowing we couldn’t keep our hands off one another.

I’d reach a hand up to cup one perfect breast, rubbing my finger over her nipple until it was taut, while my tongue circled her clit and she arched her hips against me.

I’d bring her to her climax, swift and intense, and then I’d climb over her, letting her get a good look at me. I’d tell her this was what she’d done to me. She’d bite her lip and tell me she needed me inside her, couldn’t wait another minute.

I’d bend down and kiss her sweet lips while I wrapped my hands in that gorgeous mane of red curls, all spread out around her head like a halo of flame, and then I’d slide inside of her. I’d try to be slow and gentle, but soon I’d be out of control. She’d be clawing at my back, begging me to take her harder, faster...

Visha cleared her throat and I jerked out of my reverie, suddenly remembering where I was.

I sighed and ran my hands over my face, shifting on the bench to get more comfortable. It was fucking humiliating. It was also ironic. Pendragon had been given to me as a prize and yet I couldn’t even claim her. She was untouchable. I couldn’t even feed from her without our bond getting stronger first. Of course, she didn’t know that. If she did, she’d never let me get close to her ever again.

Regan and Quinn were standing up to go. They pecked each other on the cheek as if they actually cared about each other. It was sweet in a nauseating kind of way.

“You’re not coming, Visha?” Regan said, looking down at the dark-haired girl.

Visha shook her head. “I’ll just hang here until supper time. See you back in the tower.”

Regan looked at me with a question in her eyes. “Blake...”

I shook my head. “I’ll see you back at the tower later on, too.” Then I looked away.

Regan stood there a moment longer then walked off. I heard her start chattering like a magpie again as she ran into Larissa and Gretchen. The third and fourth meanest girls at Bloodwing, after Regan and Quinn.

I watched as the girls approached Pendragon’s table. Her friend, Sharma, started looking uncomfortable. They were putting him through the ringer, no doubt. Pendragon’s face grew more and more angry. Then she snapped at them. I watched Larissa’sface redden with embarrassment and had to stop myself from bursting out laughing.

Then their conversation seemed to wind up. To my surprise, Regan lingered. Pendragon stood up and followed her. She talked to the other girl for a minute. Whatever they were discussing didn’t seem to make her happy.

I thought I knew what it was about.

I turned back to Visha. She pushed a hand through her short-cropped white hair. She liked to change up her style. Last week she’d shaved it down almost to the scalp. She looked pretty badass. Unlike Regan’s other friends, Visha had a mind of her own.

It had taken me a while to realize that. I still didn’t think Regan had.

“You still pissed at me for what happened with Pendragon?” She said, with typical Vaidya bluntness.

I met her violet gaze. “I was for a while. I told you to test her. Not fucking beat her to a pulp and try to knife her.”

She shrugged. “It was too tempting to resist.”

I nodded. “Fine. Let’s move on. You got a taste. But I won’t tolerate it if you take another. Do you understand?”

Slowly, she nodded. Unlike Coregon, Visha knew what I was really capable of. I knew she’d fall in line.

“The Consort Games are coming up,” I said to her. “Have you decided?”

She blew out a breath. “Fuck, Blake. That’s a big decision.”

“I know,” I said carefully. “The biggest one of your life. Don’t wind up like me.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m more worried I’ll wind up like Regan, if I’m being honest.”

“I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that happening,” I said quietly.

She studied me. “You really don’t think she’ll listen?”

I shook my head. “I doubt it. She’s not usually a risk-taker, but I think I know her well enough to know this is one risk she’ll think is worth taking.”

Visha nodded. “I think so, too.”

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