Page 99 of Walking in Darkness

“Sure,” Connie said.

“While you do that, I’m going to duck back into my hoard for a moment and get a ceremonial dagger I have. We’ll, ah, use that for the blood.” Hudson kissed Kit’s fingers. “We’ll do it in the living area. That way, you don’t have to see.”

Connie liked that plan. Plus, if Kit struggled to drink it, they didn’t want Kit to associate that with anything having to do with the bedroom.

The trauma of what happened to Kit aside, itwasblood. Most paranormals didn’t have a problem with it, but Kit was human. Even if the deal with Nox hadn’t happened, most humans didn’t have a blood fetish.

“I’m totally on board with that,” Kit said.

Hudson hesitated before getting up. “Kit?”

Connie had a feeling he knew what was about to come out of Hudson’s mouth.

“Yes?”

“As we have told you before, a bond cannot be undone. Once souls are tied together, they cannot be untied. You need to be sure before we take this step,” Hudson said. “We can just do the blood sharing.”

Connie understood why Hudson had to mention that again. He hated it, of course, but he understood. Still, he huffed. Which Kit heard.

Oops.

“I am. I’m sure.” Turning, Kit picked up Connie’s hand and stared into his eyes. “I’mvery, verysure I want to bond you both, not just share blood.”

A sense of rightness flooded Connie, and the bond fluttered in his chest. That made his dragon ecstatic.

Grinning, Kit mashed their joined hands against his chest. “You like that answer.”

“I’mvery, verysure that I did,” Connie said, throwing Kit’s words back at him.

Kit nipped Connie’s knuckles. “Damn straight.”

Could they get on with it now? His dragon was literally thumping his tail in excitement in Connie’s head, the overeager creature.

“Is there anything special we need to do?” Kit asked. “Outside of the blood deal?”

“There are words exchanged, yes,” Hudson said. “But first, we each drink the wine. After that, I’ll say my pledge to you, then Connie will.”

“He goes first since he’s the oldest,” Connie added. “Plus, he’s higher ranked.”

“After we say our pledge, you say it back to us,” Hudson continued. “You see, making love is not what makes the bond official. Certain words need to be said, yes. And there is a blood exchange that’s done to tie our souls together and complete the bond.”

Then Connie spoke up. “It’s not even really the words—the person saying them must truly mean them. They literally have to come from the soul. That’s why when dragons in the past forced humans, the bond was incomplete and weak.”

Kit released their hands and blew out a breath. Then he rubbed his forehead. “Words? There are certain words?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m going to need one of you to write those words down. There’s no way I’m going to remember them on such short notice, plus I’m kinda nervous.” Kit pointed at Hudson. “Nope. Don’t even.”

Hudson raised an eyebrow, but he closed his mouth.

“I’m nervous because this is a big deal, not because I have reservations. I understand the seriousness of the situation. This… this is the equivalent of a human wedding—”

Hudson opened his mouth again.

“Oh, for crying out loud, yes, I know it’s bigger than that—but I’d be nervous too if we were standing before an officiant.” Kit patted Hudson’s cheek. “It’s happy nerves, okay?”

A human wedding. That was certainly something Connie hadn’t thought about, because why should he? Before Kit had entered his life, he had never seriously entertained the thought of having a relationship with a human.

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