Page 133 of Fated In Blood

“Yes, let’s hope,” Blake agreed, his fingers tightening on my cheeks before he released me. His fangs flashed like knives. “But if Tyrell starts some shit tonight, I’m burning that fucking mausoleum down with him still inside.”

Adrenaline slammed into me at the thought, some of Blake’s wildness spilling over as I contemplated this nightmare being over. I would have my sister back. Riordan would have his kingdom. And Blake…

“Oh, I have a surprise for you.” He pulled me back out into the bedroom. “Since I know how much youloveto dress up andRiordan got to pick out…all of the fancy stuff”—he waved his hand down my gown and across the jewels—“I brought you some special accessories to complete your ensemble.”

He winked as I ground to a halt. “Nice rocks, but you don’t much seem like a jewelry girl.”

There, on the bed, lay four knives and two thigh sheaths made from buttery soft leather lined with velvet. “We’re walking into a serpent’s den, little slayer. I had these made especially for you, since I refuse to let you go in there unarmed.”

My mouth went dry when he dropped to his knees beside the bed and crooked his finger at me. “Come here. Let me get you set up.”

I felt impossibly awkward as I tottered toward him, practically falling on my face when my foot turned in that damned heel, but finally I stood in front of Blake Marten, who was staring up at me like I was his entire world.

“Foot on the bed,” he ordered in a raspy growl that sent a bolt of heat streaking between my legs. I obeyed, shivering when his hand slipped beneath my dress, fingers encircling my ankle before he pushed the layered skirts up over my knee.

“Let’s hope two knives in each scabbard will be enough,” he murmured, running rough fingertips over the sensitive skin on my inner thigh, then tightening the first leather sheath around my leg. “I want you to make me a promise, Evie.”

I swallowed. “Okay.”

“If things go poorly tonight, I will shield you long enough for you to escape. Like I did at Valentine’s.” He tightened the belt then slid the first knife in, fingers caressing my skin as the deadly blade slipped into place. “Other foot.”

I obeyed, barely breathing when he repeated the process on my other leg, this time leaning close enough to drag his lips slowly over the inside of my thigh before fastening the sheathand sliding the knife in slowly, his fingers massaging my calf with deliberate thoroughness.

I wanted his lips higher, wanted his tongue sliding through my wetness, wanted him to pin me down on the bed and do rough, unspeakable things to me. “Blake, please…”

“With me shielding your mind, Tyrell can’t compel you.” His voice was a rasp of sound, fingers tightening around my ankle like he couldn’t let go. “You take down Bosch, I’ll handle Collum, and Riordan will keep Tyrell busy long enough for you to reach the edge of the grounds. Then I need you to promise that you’ll run. Ineedyou to swear you’ll leave Thorndale, Evie, and never look back.”

“I…”

Blake lunged up, his lips slamming into mine, no warning, no finesse, just a desperate, hungry kiss that stole every rational thought from my head. We devoured each other, tongues lashing, teeth and fangs clashing, his hand gripping the back of my head as I clung to the lapels of his tux.

Tell me you’ll run, Evangeline. Promise me. Fucking promise me, or I swear…

Fine. I’ll run. I promise.

Then he was back on his knees, his lips wet and swollen, pupils blown wide. “We have to go. Are you ready?”

“No,” I said honestly. “I don’t want to do this.”

“For the record, neither do I.” Flashes of green gold cracked through the black in his eyes. “If I could leave you here where its safe, I would. But I can’t. He’d send Valaine after you, and this way we stay together.”

I bit my lip when his knuckles skimmed down the inside of my thigh, so wet between my legs Blake had to smell my arousal. He pressed his lips to my knee one last time, tugged my skirts back down, then smoothed his big hands through the sparkly material until they draped perfectly.

“There.” That was actual mischief sparkling in his eyes when he offered me his arm. “Beauty and the beast. A night of dinner and mayhem. Are you hungry?”

“I am famished.” I grinned up at him, his eyes darkening as I reached down, cupped him through his pants. “But not for food.”

“Evangeline.” Blake’s fangs slid out when I dropped to my knees, fingers pausing on his waistband. “We shouldn’t.”

“Oh, I definitely think we should.” I smoothed my hands down the fronts of his powerful thighs, muscles flexing beneath my palms. “Let me make you feel good, Blake.” I breathed in a rush of musk and heat, that delicious ache building between my thighs.

“Evie, youalwaysmake me feel good.” Blake rimmed his thumb along my bottom lip, spreading moisture back and forth as I unbuttoned his pants, drew down the zipper.

“But I can make you feelsogood, you’ll forget all about this stupid dinner.” This was foolish, but I wanted one last taste of him, one last piece of him before tonight stole everything away. I pushed up to my knees and pulled out his cock, hard, veiny, pulsing.

I ran my tongue around the tip, then caught him in my mouth and went down and down and down, taking every last inch, tasting salt and shadow and power all mixed together as I slowly came back up, dragging my tongue along the underside until he barked out a rough curse.

“Fucking hell, you could make me forget the world existed with that clever mouth.” His thumb drew circles on my cheek and I sucked him back in deep, teasing and taunting, drawing out a husky groan, then another, until his fingers tightened my hair.

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