Page 174 of Red Ruin

Rhat doesn’t answer now.

I only hear his voice when I’m rampaging.

This time, I swear his skull gives Iris the nod.

Nanny’s body was long gone by the time I killed my way out of the dungeon. Rhat’s bones were all I could save.

Without him, I’d still be underground, tortured and used.

Joke’s on the dead, old duke.

Nobody tortures me better thanme—hellfire runs in my veins.

Only Iris can make me whole.

I prop her carefully against the rock wall, cupping her cheek and watching her face.

I pulse into her steady and slow. I feel her pleasure like it’s mine, only it’s sweeter. More intense. I could fuck her forever, just this slow, chasing the tremble in her muscles and kissing the spots that make her glow.

Unconsciously, Iris hugs me tighter. Her energy flows through my meridians, working my silks, even now.

She’s too fucking magical.

Too fucking special.

I stroke her hair, then reach past her and spin Rhat’s skull to face the wall.

Just because we’re brothers and he’s dead doesn’t mean he gets to watch.

I don’t thrust hard, letting her sleep.

Following her heartbeats, I just pulse, hitting deep.

I want to go deeper.

Merge our souls.

“Vhex,” Iris gasps and clings to my shoulders. Her hips start to twitch. Even her silks writhe—desperate, just like mine.

“Imprint,” she mutters, still not awake. “Can’t… I can’t…”

Guides read emotions better than Sentinels. But even I can’t miss the sad, bitter tang, pouring off her silks.

“I’m yours.” I thrust as deep as I can reach and hold us there, drenched in her wetness and the sweetness of her soul.Let her feel what I feel. “There can never be anyone else. Only you.”

I kill the ones I love.

But nother.

Not this time.

I flick my fin, teasing her favorite spot.

She comes in little bursts, shaking and softly moaning, never fully waking up. But her silks burrow into me, craving more.

When her writhing slows, she slumps against me, so perfectly content. My heart near fucking bursts.

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