Page 40 of Heir of Blood and Moonlight

His throat bobbed. “I’m trying to keep you alive,” he said.

“I know.” I offered him a small smile. “And I appreciate that. I really do. I haven’t had much of a choice in anything in my life—ever—but Ididchoose to bond with Bastian, soplease, just give him a chance.” I searched Gavin’s gray eyes, no longer silver or luminous now that my powers were suppressed, but striking nonetheless. “That’s all I ask.”

Gavin closed his eyes and dipped his chin in assent, then turned his face into my hand, brushing his lips over my palm.

“Thank you,” I whispered and pulled my hand away.

At the sound of a buzzing device, Thane pulled a phone from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. “The portal is active,” he rumbled. “We should go now.”

“Get your purse,” Gavin told me. He looked past me to Bastian, then down at Micah before returning his attention to me. “We’re leaving.”

21

Gavin strode across theloft to the front door. I grabbed my purse off the coffee table and followed, Thane and Ash falling in step on either side of me. Micah hoisted his backpack off the floor and slipped his arms through the shoulder straps, trailing close behind us, while Bastian brought up the rear.

Pausing with his hand on the door handle, Gavin peered back at me, his expression considering. “You have nosightright now?” He wasn’t asking about my mundane vision, but my ability to see those things visible only on the ethereal plane, like sigils and ghosts.

I stopped a few steps behind him and shook my head.

“I don’t like that,” he murmured, frowning. “You should be able to see while we’re en route.” His focus shifted to Thane on my right and then to Ash on my left before returning to me. “You should feed.”

Brow furrowing, I shook my head. “But I’m not—” Hungry? Thirsty? I wasn’t quite sure of the right word. “I feel fine,” I assured Gavin.

“You only think that because your access to your gifts has been blocked for so long,” Gavin said. He nodded toward the door. “When we step beyond the protection wards in this building, we’ll be exposed. Yoursight, when active, is far stronger than ours, and your sister has already proved she’s keeping watch over you. If she has another warning for you while we’re outside the wards, I want to make sure you can receive it.”

I swallowed roughly, both excited about and dreading the prospect of seeing Amaya’s ghost again. But it was the prospect of seeing another that made me nod. If Amaya was real, then Wes had to have been too. I could see him again. I could show him our son.

As soon as my chin dipped, Gavin took hold of my hand and pulled me toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

I glanced over my shoulder at the cluster of people waiting at the door. We were on our way out, and now they would have to wait for me to, what, haveanotherimpromptu blood orgy? Couldn’t a feeding everjustbe a feeding?

“Gavin, I hardly think now is the time for—”

“This will only take a moment,” Gavin said. “Thane, you’re with us.”

I peeked over my shoulder again to see Thane behind me, his long strides eating up the distance between us until he was a dark, hulking shadow. Gavin didn’t intend for me to feed from himself but from Thane.

I suddenly felt overheated. The attraction between Thane and me was undeniable, and according to the prophetic dream from the other night, he was destined to become one of my consorts, but I hadn’t expected tobewith him so soon. We had barely exchanged any words. I didn’t know the first thing about him.

Gavin led us into the large, luxurious hall bathroom, which was a striking clash of classic and modern styles, with a pale, marble tile floor and concrete countertops. He gestured to the doorway with a sweep of his hand.

I paused at the threshold, wondering if the bathroom was warded to be soundproof like the blue room. I really hoped so.

“Go on,” Gavin said, nodding to the doorway.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the bathroom. Thane followed, then Gavin, who shut the door with a faint click. The spacious bathroom suddenly felt cramped, and I backed toward the glass wall of the shower, my heart hammering. I licked my lips, my mouth already watering at the prospect of getting a taste of Thane, and a dull, desperate longing started between my legs.

Thane seemed too big for this space. The setting sun shone through the window behind me, the oranges and reds gleaming off his dark skin and turning his nearly black irises a burnished bronze.

Gavin crossed the space between us and held out a hand for me to take. I placed my hand in his, allowing him to pull me forward. Closer to him. Closer to Thane.

“Don’t be nervous,” Gavin murmured, likely feeling my hand tremble. “Blood only this time.” His words were both a relief and a disappointment.

My stare locked with Thane’s, and I planted myself directly in front of him. He leaned back against the edge of the counter, bringing him closer to my height. His chest rose and fell with breaths that were quicker than before. I offered him a slight, shaky smile, and his full lips curved with genuine warmth.

I stepped closer until my feet were between his. “Thanks for doing this,” I told him, feeling a little breathless.

Thane settled his large hands on my hips and bowed his head. “It’s my pleasure.” His thrumming voice resonated with something deep inside me.

---