Page 52 of Bound in Blood

You’re almost here.My girl’s excited voice infiltrates my thoughts. She’s been quiet for several hours, and I felt the block on her feelings. Whether that was her or the professor, I don’t know, but we all know they’ve spent the timereconnecting. It’s exactly what I would do if I’d been away from her for weeks. And even if I wasn’t addicted to her, it’s the vampire way. We are physical creatures.

Can’t wait to see you, princess.

We missed you, Cupcake.

We sure did, Malachi adds.Is Alexandros okay?

Her sweet snorting laugh echoes around my mind, and it has been too long since I have heard the infectious sound. Sure, there have been occasional giggles over the past few weeks, but that particular sound has been sadly and unsurprisingly absent.He’s doing really well. He’s pissed because he can’t bite methough. I think he’s currently working on a plan to erase blue poppy from the world.

I bet he is. Imagining his frustrated grumbling makes me smile, but the strangeness of not sharing this conversation with him wipes it away. He’s been inside my head for over two hundred years, and I miss him being there more than I thought I would.

Are you all warm and soft and naked, Cupcake? Because that is how I’m hoping to find you when we get there soon.

She laughs again.I am. And this bed is huge. We’ll all fit.

Xavier growls while Malachi grunts his appreciation for our sleeping arrangements. I can’t wait to see them both. After everything we’ve been through these past few weeks, us all being together again feels too good to be true. The entire way here, I’ve been convinced something would go wrong, and until I am actually with them both, touching them, I won’t believe otherwise.

We thankElpis for the comfortable flight, although the landing was decidedly less so—we all had to hold onto her horns to make sure we didn’t roll off down the back of her tail. Something tells me she’s a minx of a dragon and she did it on purpose.

I have no idea if she understands our words of gratitude, but she blinks her fiery orange eyes at us before joining Anikêtos. He was resting when we made our descent, his vast form taking up half the beach.

As soon as we step foot inside the house, both their scents surround me, and although I’ve never been here before, it feels like we’ve come home.

Malachi’s and Xavier’s relief and happiness mingle with my own, and the three of us have goofy grins on our faces as we sneak along the hallway, following the sound of their heartbeats. Like there’s a chance in hell we could sneak up on them. But as we reach the bedroom and I place my hand on the door, another emotion hits me—trepidation.

My relationship with Alexandros is deep and profound, but I don’t think it could ever be described as warm. My respect for him comes from deep-rooted loyalty and a sense of family. But will he believe me foolish if I’m unable to mask how much I’ve missed him when I step inside this room? His absence in my life felt like a piece of my soul was missing. And not because I believed I was going to die with him gone, but because I felt less of a reason to live without him here. Alexandros Drakos is about to realize how much I’ve missed him, how much I love him, and I’m not sure I’m ready for him to know that.

Malachi places his hand on the back of my neck.He won’t reject you.

I swallow down the anxiety clogging my throat.

Malachi continues.I know you two don’t truly believe it, but he needs us as much as we need him.

Not sure you’re right about that, Kai, Xavier says with a snort, trying—and failing—to hide his own insecurities.

We run out of time to discuss it further because the door opens and he’s standing right there in front of us. I wince. Our bond isn’t in place, but he can still read minds without a bond. A bond is impenetrable, but he’s so powerful, I can’t help but wonder if he heard every single thing we said. I bet he’s hearing this right now. So shut the fuck up, Axl!

He opens the door wider and beckons us inside. “It is good to see you boys.” His voice is calm and steady, his face devoid of emotion. No change there, then.

We file past him and stand at the edge of the room while he closes the door, all three of us awkward and unsure. I want to hug the fuck out of him, but he’s not a hugger by nature, and there’s a distinct possibility he’ll kick me in the nuts if I try.

Ophelia kneels in the middle of the bed, clapping her hands and squealing at the sight of us. Thank fuck for our girl. I focus my attention on her, and everything feels better. But before we can join her, Alexandros blocks our path, his imposing presence enough to prevent us from taking a step closer.

I swallow. Xavier’s and Malachi’s heart rates spike.

Alexandros clears his throat. “I missed you boys.” His eyes dart between us. “All of you.” And then he does the last thing I expected.Hehugsus. Hewraps one arm around my neck, the other around Xavier’s, and squashes Malachi between the two of us. His hands rest on Malachi’s shoulders. “Thank you for believing in me. For rescuing me. Ophelia told me you stayed behind to make sure Giorgios could not transport. How you refused to let him sire you even when you thought it might save your lives.”

Oh, shit. I’m gonna cry.

Xavier sniffs. Has he already caved? “It was nothing.”

“No.” Alexandros’s tone is stern. “It was everything.” Then he presses his lips to my ear. “You really think I would kick you in the nuts for hugging me?”

I shrug. “You are kind of hard to read.”

He barks out a laugh.

Are you going to bond with us again?I can’t stop myself from thinking the question, but he simply gives each of us a kiss on the top of our heads.

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