Page 48 of Bound in Blood

But how? You do not share a bond with them.

I know, but you do, don’t you? The blood oath? I’m pretty sure that’s how. Like with Ani and Elpis.

None of this should be possible. Those powers of the mind are usually built over hundreds of years. She breached the veil without my help. Contacted Lucian. Reached out to people I have never even established a mind connection with myself, likeCadence. While the young witch did swear me a blood oath, that does not explain Ophelia’s ability to connect with her.

That’s okay, isn’t it? Me speaking with Cadence and Enora? We were stuck and didn’t know what else to do. They really helped us.

I pull her closer and rest my lips against her neck. It should come as no surprise that Ophelia can achieve the extraordinary when she is herself extraordinary in every conceivable way. And now that my own abilities have grown so exponentially, I am sure I can communicate with many beings whom I could not before. Now is the perfect time to try.Of course it is okay, Ophelia. I am merely surprised… and impressed by the strength of your abilities. I am going to speak to Osiris, and you may listen in.It would take too much effort to keep her out, and there is nothing I need to say which I would not wish her to hear.

I focus on Osiris, the amber flecks in his eyes and the deep timbre of his voice, and it takes but a moment to establish a connection.

Alexandros!comes his rapid reply, his relief apparent from thousands of miles away. I considered for a moment whether anyone at Montridge could be trusted, especially given Nazeel’s involvement in my recent imprisonment and the fact that my own brother was able to mask his intentions from me. But the wolves have nothing to gain from betraying Ophelia and me. His reaction only reassures me further.I don’t know if you can hear me, friend, but I hope you can. I am so fucking glad you’re alive.

I can hear you, old friend.

Are you safe? Are Ophelia and the boys with you?

Yes, I am safe. Ophelia rescued me, and we are both well. The boys will join us shortly. But we are in need of some assistance.

Of course. Anything. What can I do?

I need some time, a few days or maybe more, to try to make sense of Giorgios’s actions and determine what his endgame is. Time to figure out what other forces are at work in all of this. To do that, we need someplace safe.

How can I help?

Does your family still have the house in Venezuela? The one on the private stretch of beach?He and I visited there once a long time ago, in much less uncertain times.

Yes. My sister and her kids stayed there for a few weeks before Christmas, but there’ll be nobody there until the spring now. It’s yours until then if you need it.

Relief washes over me. This will give us time to reconnect and regroup, to formulate a plan.Thank you, Osiris. I owe you a debt.

It is my pleasure, old friend. The spare key is underneath the elephant flowerpot. You will find the pantry fairly well-stocked and some clothes in the closets should you need any. Feel free to use whatever you find there—the Brackenwolves have collectively left all manner of things in that house over the decades. It’s something of a free-for-all.

Ophelia gives the fur coat she is wearing a sniff and wrinkles her nose.I could use a change of clothes.The thing does indeed smell offensive, as does the one she kindly provided for me, but the scent is largely masked by her natural aroma, and that is all I am able to focus on.

Ophelia?Wha—I mean… How?

It is a long story, one we will bring you up to speed on as soon as we are able.I thank him again and bid him goodbye before directing Anikêtos on where to take us.

With nothing left to do but sit patiently on the back of the dragon, I endeavor to enjoy the remainder of our flight. And I enjoy it immensely with Ophelia’s warm body curled into mine. The scent of her hair, her skin, and the reassuring, steady thumpof her heart beating has need coursing through me like it is my lifeblood. She shifts on Ani’s back, no doubt seeking a more comfortable position, but the motion has her perfect backside sliding against my rapidly hardening cock.

The surest sign my strength has fully returned is that I can think of nothing but burying myself inside her tight heat. My eyes rake over the vast expanse of Ani’s back, noting the large swaths of dark, weathered skin between his horns. Like the apex of his neck where we currently sit, a space large enough for me to lie Ophelia down and?—

Anikêtos’s vicious growl reverberates around my head.Do not even think about it, Dragon Whisperer.

I cannot help but smile at his ire, so strong it makes his scales shudder from nose to tail.And how would you know what I am thinking, Anikêtos? Have you mastered the ability of mind reading during your time in the netherworld?

One does not need to be a mind reader to feel the lust spiking in you. I will throw you both off without a second thought if you so much as try.

Ophelia giggles, shifting her hips and rubbing against my now-aching cock again.You made Ani mad.

I would never disrespect you in such a way, old friend.No matter how much I desire to. Tuning him out, I rest my lips against her neck and nip gently, careful not to break the skin.It is all your fault, little one. Stop squirming, or I will be forced to do something about it and risk our certain death. Anikêtos does not make idle threats.

Sorry. I was just getting comfortable.

I band my arms tighter around her waist and pull her flush to my chest.Comfortable now?

Yes sir.

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