Page 104 of Bitten

ChapterThirteen

Bedside vigil…

Caelian sat at Ralnur’s bedside, holding on to the hope that the warlock hadn’t weakened himself in that blast. His actions had made one mate bloodthirsty and left the other in a hospital bed. He gripped Ralnur’s hand tight, sending all the hope and strength he could while praying to the elvish gods.

Hours passed. Ralnur slept.

Finally, his eyes fluttered and then opened. And Caelian sighed in relief. “Ralnur?”

Ralnur squeezed his hand. “How’s Kane?”

“Better. Back to himself, it seems.”

Ralnur squeezed his hand again. “And you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m only worried about you. That blast of yours and the amulet left you weak. And then you offered up your blood? He nearly drained you, the healers said.”

“But he didn’t.” Ralnur smiled up at him. “You were there to save me.”

Caelian lowered his head and pressed his forehead to their clasped hands. “I was afraid I’d lose you both.”

“You didn’t,” Ralnur whispered. He sighed. “Can you ask one of the nurses to come?”

“Are you in pain?”

“Yes—I need blood.” He cringed. “As vile as it is—I need it.”

Caelian rose from his seat and crawled into the bed beside Ralnur. He lifted his chin. “Take mine.”

“I can’t,” Ralnur spat.

“You read the histories. Kane can feed from us—which likely means you can feed from me, too. You’re part dhampir now. Our blood sustains him. Let my blood sustain you.”

Ralnur shook his head. “What if I go too far? I’ve nearly done so twice with Kane. He had to force me away. I won’t hurt you.”

“I’m stronger than I look,” Caelian said, brushing back some of Ralnur’s hair and pinning it behind his ear. “And I want to see you—not the you through Kane’s perspective. I want to feel the bond like I do with him.”

Ralnur’s eyes met his, a longing there he’d only seen before in Kane’s. Since meeting, their focus had been on the dhampir. Not each other. Now that Kane was out of the darkness, they finally had a moment to share one another.

Ralnur leaned in, worry in his eyes. Caelian felt the points of Ralnur’s fangs against his neck and shivered from the sensation. He wanted the bite… he wanted that sensual bond with Ralnur. Especially now, when it felt broken with Kane.

A moan came to his lips as those fangs pierced him. Ralnur moved in close, their bodies melting together. Caelian’s mind erupted with memories… he saw all of Ralnur, bonded with him soul deep.

It stirred his lusts. His body grew harder, his cock thickening with need. Soon he felt a hand there and knew it was Ralnur’s. Closing his eyes, he hovered in a sensual haze, his mind, body, and spirit drunk with desire.

Ralnur’s hand moved over his cock to the beat of his heart. It had quickened with the hint of fear the bite brought. He came into Ralnur’s hand, his back bowing to the need within. A cry tore from his lips, echoing around them.

But still Ralnur drank.

Caelian felt his heart begin to slow. Dots speckled in his vision, and he felt fatigue settle in that had nothing to do with any afterglow. He fought against Ralnur.

“Please, my love. Stop!”

Finally, Ralnur broke the bite before licking the wound closed. He rested his forehead against Caelian’s and breathed hard. “Never again without Kane. I went too far.”

“I don’t know that he wants me now,” Caelian murmured.

Ralnur wrapped his arms around Caelian. “He wants you. Even now. He just needs to be reminded.”

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