Page 42 of Vows Forged in Blood

“Not helpful,” I growl.

“But youwon’t.” I might just throttle him and he must see it in my eyes because he cuts me off with a raised hand. “I don’t think you’d be physically able to hurt your mate. Your entire being would rebel against the idea, and the mating instincts would take over in the event your mind was…otherwise occupied. They are far stronger than our primal vampiric instincts to fuck and drink.”

I open my mouth, but snap it shut again, frowning. That…actually makes a bit of sense, I suppose. But is it worth the risk? Could I possibly put it to the test? I think to the attack, to seeing Dahlia coated in blood with her arm nearly severed, so near death that I could smell it on the air. I shudder and shove the images away. No, I couldn’t risk hurting her—or worse.

“For arguments sake, say I believe that. Say I believe I can give in to these urges and not hurt her…it doesn’t mean she’llwantme to. That’s the other reason mates are never human, Elias: humans don’t have mates. The mating bond can’t go both fucking ways if my mate isn’t a vampire.” It was something I’ve been thinking about all these months, from the moment I knew she was mine. In the deepest, darkest part of my mind where I allowed myself to think about claiming her as my mate,entertaining the idea of us being together, this fear slept: she might be mine, but I couldn’t be hers, not in the same way.

Elias gives me a secretive, knowing smile. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Though, to be fair, you may have to work a bit to bring her around after ignoring her for months after you dragged her from her warm, loving home to a war camp in the Northlands surrounded by bloodthirsty vampires…” I punch him in the arm and he winces, but laughs. He rubs the spot and then, a bit more seriously, he adds, “Listen, just because she might not have the same instincts to call you her mate doesn’t mean that she can’t come to love you, Alaric.”

Love me.

Gods the warmth that those words send through my body and soul, like a low, soothing fire after too much time in the cold. Could she truly? I don’t know if it’s possible or if she would even want that, but I refuse to stay away from her any longer. I can control myself. I fuckingwillcontrol myself. I won’t allow anything to happen between us other than…friendship, perhaps? Is such a thing possible? I think that it…is, actually. She’s smart and strong and cunning, with a sharp tongue and a quick wit that makes my lips quirk more often than not. She doesn’t act like a Consort or a noble, and I enjoy her all the more for it. She’s kind and generous—her Keeper told me of her arrangement with the apothecary in the village to pay for any medications or supplies that the villagers couldn’t afford—and is fiercely loyal to those she cares about.

Friendship? Gods I might be falling in love with her already.

I groan and put my head in my hands. Elias laughs and claps me on the shoulder.

“All will be well, my friend. All will be well.”

Chapter 21

DAHLIA

Idream of blood and fire and agony, of crimson eyes and dripping fangs. I flinch away, as if I can outrun the nightmares.No. Not nightmares. Memories.

I gasp and shoot upright, a scream caught in my throat. Warm, firm hands clasp my shoulders.

“My Lady.Dahlia,” Takara corrects. “You’re alright. You’re safe.”

I meet the vampire’s gaze, but I can’t really see her. All I can see are the bodies, the blood soaking the earth, the menacing glee in those crimson eyes.

“You need to breathe, Dahlia.”

I try, but I can’t find a way to get the air into my lungs. I claw at my chest, gasping. It feels as if my ribs are closing in, squeezing my insides, stabbing me and crushing me as they shrink smaller and smaller…

Something pricks my arm and a moment later, blissful darkness swallows me again.

“Keeva, you must wake. Youmust…”

I hear Alaric’s voice drifting soft as the wind through my mind. Or, I think I do. It’s probably just a dream, but I cling to his voice, wrapping my arms around it and holding on as strongly as I can, letting it buoy me in the dark waves trying to drag me beneath the sea, down into the memories again. I push against them, clutching at the soft sound of Alaric whisperingKeevaover and over and over…

I’m moreprepared this time as I slowly rise out of unconsciousness. The memories are still there, but they aren’t so sharp and intense now, not enough to overwhelm me completely. Even now, I still cling to Alaric’s soft whispers. The ones I most surely concocted in my mind, but I cling to them all the same.

I blink my eyes open slowly. The room is dim, only a fire burning low in the hearth lighting the space, but everything looks clear and sharp.

Takara sighs in relief.

“There you are.” I try to push myself up, but Takara reaches forward. “Here, let me help you.” I try to protest that I’m fine, but I’ll admit that I’m exhausted and weary down to my bones, and decide to take the vampire’s assistance. She helps to ease me up into a sitting position, my back against the smooth wooden headboard, and a second later, a cup of water is being pressed to my lips, a touch too forcefully. I take in Takara’s worried darkeyes, the strain clear on her beautiful face, and I take the cup from her, drinking deep.

Takara watches worriedly as I drain the cup and take a deep, settling breath before speaking.

“What…how…” I rub my face, trying to organize the hundreds of questions trying to escape my mouth all at once. I settle on the most important: “Is everyone ok?” The memory of Victor’s body lying limply in the dirt, blood soaking the ground around him, of Kane roaring at me to run while he fought two of those creatures, rears up behind my eyes and my chest twists painfully. I rub the heel of my hand there while I wait for the answer, dread hanging over me like the hangman’s noose.

“Isaiah, Kane, and Descartes were slain,” Takara says, bowing her head. Grief floods through me, my eyes burning with tears. I know that those in the army view a death in battle as a great honor, but I can’t help the spears of guilt stabbing my heart. They had died because ofme. They’d only been on that road because I’d wanted to go to the village. Kane had tried to fight two of those things off alone so that I could run. It’s a long moment before I can push past the lump in my throat and speak again.

“And everyone else? Viktor…I saw him fall…” I swallow hard as memories rise but I try to push them away.

“He’s alright. He was injured and knocked unconscious, but he’s already healed.” I nod.Healed. That reminds me…

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