Page 128 of A Vow of Blood and Tears

For a moment I couldn’t place his words. I’d been expecting a rejection so deeply that it took my mind a second to catch up.

Then… you’ll give me your blood?I asked, reclaiming my hands to speak.You’ll keep me?

He hesitated. “Cirri, we’re both old enough to know that life is not a fairy tale. You have only seen… what I’ve allowed you to see. This is not all there is to being a fiend.”

Bane touched his face, the same tentative gesture I’d seen him make when he was ashamed of himself, when he didn’t want to speak of what he was.

“There will be times when I’m not myself. Not civilized.” His lips drew back, exposing his fangs. “Times when I’ll be a danger to you, as much as I am to anyone else.”

I already know that, and I still want you. I lifted my chin, staring at him.

Bane dropped his hand, making the face that meant a smile. “I know, and I want you despite knowing what I am. I am a very selfish man.”

Then be selfish. Keep me for yourself.

He exhaled, staring out over the balcony into the darkened Bloodgarden. I allowed him to think, keeping my hands still, admiring him as he considered.

He was beautiful to my eyes, monstrous as he was. The silver moon on his ashen skin, the perfect symmetry of the organic armor of his body, even the strength in those broadened jaws and clawed hands.

Once I might’ve found the nobleman’s clothes a silly affectation for a being like him, but now I saw my lover, as handsome as any lord.

“I propose an agreement,” he finally said, his deep voice pitched low.

I tipped my head.I’m listening.

“As I said, life is no fairy tale. We’ve both experienced our fair share of disappointments.” He took a breath, looking at me. “I don’t want to be one of yours. Live with me for a year and a day as a human. See me as I am, both the good and the awful. When that last day comes, if you still want me, I will not hesitate. I will make you mine for eternity.”

I gazed up at him, reading the emotions in the ash-scattered gold of his eyes.

He wanted me. The crushing weight lifted from my chest.

And I could agree. Life would not always be roses. We would disagree, fight—as our vows had claimed, there would be hardships. There would be pain to temper the sweet.

A year was nothing next to eternity. If it would prove to Bane that I was sure about him, more sure than anything in my life, a year was a perfectly reasonable compromise.

You must do the same, I said.You must see me as I am, every virtue and flaw, before you decide.

He smiled slightly. “My lady, I’m already sure. My only fear is that you’ll wish one day to be free. Once you’ve had my blood, there is no freedom. I will feel you, every second, for as long as you live. And I would never be able to let you walk away.”

Never, I said fiercely.One year and one day, Bane. And then I’m yours.

I rose onto my toes, gripping his shoulders, and kissed him. I wasn’t careful, and the tip of a fang caught my lower lip with a bright flash of pain. Blood welled, a single crimson bead, and Bane’s forked tongue lapped it away.

He grunted low in his throat, pulling me closer, and I opened my mouth for him. The prongs caught my tongue, wrapping around it and stroking, teasing me as he’d teased my clit to an orgasm with the prehensile tips.

I gasped into his mouth, my body crushed against his, and I felt his cock throbbing hard against my belly.

There is one flaw between us now, I signed, grazing my teeth over his tongue as he withdrew.We’re not in bed. If you’re willing to take me, I want you willing to give yourself to me. I want to fuck my husband, Bane. I want to feel all of you.

Bane’s eyes were wild, burning with inner heat as he stared at me.

How can we have children one day without practice?I smiled up at him sweetly.

Without another word, he scooped me up in one arm, clasping me against him.

He launched himself upwards, clinging to the stone walls of the keep with his clawed feet and one hand. My arms tightened around his neck, the crimson petals of my skirt flapping out into the open air, and my stomach flipped.

It was a long drop to the Bloodgarden below.

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