Page 32 of Kiss of Magic

“Darian, I can’t stay here. Not if my people are in danger. There’s no fucking way I’d leave them to face it alone.”

“This isn’t up for discussion, shaitun. We’re trying for a child, remember? And Palissandra is your home now, not Nush’aldaam.”

“Screw that. I don’t turn my back on a fight. You knew that when you married me.”

His face darkened.

“The operative word here is ‘married.’ I’m your husband and you’ll obey my wishes.”

“Are you fucking serious right now? What about duty? Honour?”

Suddenly she was slammed against the wall, the vampire moving so fast she only saw a blur. Her hands were pinned above her head and she found herself staring into the face of a dangerous predator.

His eyes had bled black all the way to the edges and dark veins snaked across his skin. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. Yep. His canines were unsheathed. Gods, he was really,reallyangry.

“You are the wife to the heir of this principality,” he growled. “Your duty ishere.Tome. To our future child. Do you understand?”

She didn’t bother struggling. Darian was faster and stronger than she was, even on her best day. And right now, on the gods-damned fertility herbs she’d been taking, she was barely stronger than a human.

“I don’t know why you’re being such a dick, but this caveman shit won’t work on me.”

He snarled softly and the sound of his contained fury vibrated through her bones.

“You aremine,Tala Lemar. I don’t like risking the things that are mine.”

“Seven hells, why are you being such a fucking prick?” She stopped as the answer came to her. “Darian, how long has it been since you fed?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I beg to differ. Your temper is on a hair-trigger and you’re not being reasonable.”

His lips pulled away from his teeth and she focused on the fangs. It had been a long time since she’d seen him this tense.

“My temper is being stoked byyou,shaitun. Not by hunger.”

“Answer the question. Did you feed in Arjhan?”

“You know I only feed from you.”

“Then do it now. And afterwards we can talk.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Are you trying to manipulate me, shaitun?”

She didn’t answer but instead turned her head to one side and offered him her neck, knowing he could sense the warmth of her blood, the pulse fluttering beneath her skin.

“Feed, Darian.”

He glared at his wife. He was still furious with her and her ridiculous notion of honour, but now he was fighting the edge of hunger that always came when he scented her.

He knew he should walk away. Feeding from her would give her the upper hand, put him at a disadvantage. But she was so damned biteable. With a groan, he pressed his face into the well of her neck.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her throat, enjoying the way his mouth teased her skin. He slid a hand under shirt and she arched against him. She seldom wore bras and he growled approvingly as he cupped a pert breast.

She felt him rub his fangs over her neck and pressed harder against his mouth, eager for the aphrodisiac effect of his Vetali venom. Liquid desire pooled between her legs.

“Feed,” she urged him.

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