Page 48 of From Frost to Flame

“Not like that.” Silas chuckled. “It’s a ritual where I accept what the stars have decided and mark you as mine.” Silas kissed his wrist once it was all wrapped up again.

“How’s that work?” he asked curiously. He could see a flicker of excitement in Silas's eyes as he asked, but he held back.

“We can talk about how sealing works when you’re healthy. Doing it now wouldn’t be responsible.”

“Fine,” Lex said slowly. “Until then, how do I practice controlling the visions at least? It’s scary when I get stuck in them.”

A coolness washed over him, and Silas's voice bloomed in his mind like a rose.“Focus on me as hard as you can, then try to tell me something.”

“Ah! I don’t know if I like that,” he said, shuddering a little.

“Why don’t you give it a try?”

Quirking his lips, he focused as hard as he could.Can you hear anything?When Silas didn’t answer, he slumped, a little defeated. “It’s not working. I can’t do it.”

“You only tried once, darling. Give it time.”

“Quit it.” Lex scowled, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

“Eye rolling is rude.”

“So is being a show-off,” he spat back childishly.

A hint of a smile tugged at Silas's lips, and his eyes darkened with lust. Those things alone would have made Lex’s mouth go dry, but then Silas went quiet. No witty response, no warning to behave, no change of subject. Silence paired with a smug smirk meant there was no going back. Lex had gotten himself delightfully in trouble.

The last time he gave me that look, he bent me over his desk. No, I was tied to the bed.Memories flooded his mind of Silas twirling a cane as he leaned in the doorway, watching Lex try to wriggle out of ropes.Definitely the bed.

Silas laughed to himself, and it pulled Lex back to reality. “What’s so funny?”

“You always daydream about sex when I take care of you. It’s rather sweet. You might have a bit of a caretaking fetish.”

It took a few moments for Lex to understand and then heat spread over his cheeks. “Quit reading my thoughts!”

“Fine.” Silas patted his lap. “We’ll use our words. Come here.”

“Why can’t I just sit here while we talk?”

“You always focused better when you sat on my lap. If you don’t want to, you can always sit on your knees instead.”

“I’ll sit in your lap,” Lex squeaked. He crawled over and settled between Silas's legs. Unsure what to do next, he peered up at Silas.

“Look at you being such a good listener.”

“What did you want to talk about?” he asked quickly. He needed a distraction from the shivers Silas's praise sent down his spine. Silas proved he wasn’t hiding it well.

“Let’s talk about that toxic venom of yours.”

“What about it?” Lex asked, watching Silas's hand travel closer to the hemline of his robe.

“I think when you bite me, you experience the impact your venom has on me in your own body. Our bond allows me to feel your pain and pleasure. Maybe it’s the vampirism, but you seem to only experience my pleasure at this point. It might account for why you finish a bit quick.”

“I guess that makes sense.” He shifted in Silas's lap as he spoke. “Do we have to talk about this right now?”

“We do. I believe it’s best if we talk about what you want while you’re still mentally with me. So, tell me, Little One. What do you want me to do to you?”

“I, um...” He was unprepared for the question and the way Silas's growl vibrated against his back. “I don’t know.”

“That won’t do.”

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