Page 4 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
He would toss out this life as inconsequential. But it’s not, Ryder thought.
The General has no time for weakness, Weryn’s voice fluttered across his brain. He blames himself for what happened, even though he was gone…
“If you’re sure then I am sure. I would never turn down a chance to kiss you, to taste you, to make love to you,” Ryder told him.
Grayson’s head shifted to the side as he looked at Ryder with such deep affection. “I already felt connected with you when we first met. It was terrifying to me. To feel that for a stranger? For a predator? For the person who could reveal all my secrets to the world, but had no reason to save me from that revelation?”
Ryder leaned in and kissed a crown across Grayson’s forehead. “I’m so sorry that you felt that way.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t make me feel it. It was a coping mechanism.” Grayson’s eyes grew distant as if remembering. “I’m glad I told you about my stepfather and mother. The memories are getting fainter.”
Ryder felt that same thrill of alarm he did whenever Grayson talked about forgetting this life.
But why? It was not a good one. And he’s here now. There is plenty he must deal with. Do I want him stuck in that misery?
Grayson shook himself and his gaze focused once more on Ryder. He was smiling again. “I wonder if I’ll seem different to Mairead and the others. We didn’t have much time together. So maybe they won’t notice.”
“You’re really intent on being a student with them?” Ryder felt his fangs come out a little at the thought of Grayson, exposed somehow, as a student to whatever dangers there were.
Grayson nodded. “We must find the people the Sect sent here and how they got through our defenses. Traitors cannot be allowed.”
“No, they can’t.”
Grayson’s eyes had shone as he’d said that. Ashyr was ever Daemon’s loyal General. His greatest duty was to their king. Whatever others might criticize of him, Grayson would know his faults, but Daemon was king. And that, in the end, was all that mattered.
“We’ll find them. We’ll get things sorted,” Grayson said softly. Then that bright smile returned and he raked his fingers through Ryder’s wet hair. “I do love your face. I can’t remember the other one. But I can just see you behind those eyes. This is you. I am me. We’re together.”
“Always.”
The diffuse golden light scattered across Grayson’s bare chest, lighting up a coffee-colored nipple in the half-dark room. His Vampiric senses didn’t need any light to see Grayson perfectly. He could see him as if it were high noon, but he kept his eyes half lidded to keep the joy of erotic, half-light. His lips dove down Grayson’s chest to latch onto one of those nubs.
Grayson hissed and his head jerked back, thudding against the tile, but--though still human and fragile--he didn’t seem to mind. A low whine made its way out of Grayson’s parted lips. Grayson’s eyelids were closed as he clearly concentrated on the sensation of Ryder sucking on his sensitive areolas.
Ryder allowed his tongue to follow the circle of softer skin on Grayson’s chest and linger over the tightening nub. It was like licking an ice cream cone, but the only sweetness was the taste of Grayson’s skin. His fangs lengthened and the desire to sink his fangs into Grayson’s chest and feed nearly overwhelmed him. He sought to pull back, but Grayson’s hands were pushing on the back of his head, keeping Ryder’s mouth right where it was.
“Don’t stop,” Grayson got out with a shuddery breath. “We don’t when… we don’t how many times we can… I don’t want to miss out on this.”
In case he’s drinking from someone other than me in the future? And they are drinking from him? Master and Childe. Master and fledgling. Or more like Witness to Immortal.
Ryder shut his eyes tightly. He felt a quivering rage inside of him at the thought. But he wasn’t a fool. He had heard all of Grayson’s arguments, his own counters, but, more importantly, Daemon’s non-committal answers. Their king did not seem keen on their union.
Making Ashyr and Weryn pack would threaten some of the other Bloodlines, Ryder realized. But it’s already begun. Kaly and Eyros are intertwined. So why not us?
His mouth opened and his teeth sank into sweet, supple flesh. The burst of blood flowed over his tongue and down his throat. His fingers trailed along Grayson’s sides. Grayson trembled, quivered, gasped. A low moan left him that continued on like a single note in the darkness. It was musical. It was primal.
Ryder drew another sweet mouthful of blood into him. He could sense Ashyr now in every pull. The sizzle of something other than human, but so slight yet getting stronger pooled in his belly like the finest of wines. Sparks danced behind his eyes.
Blindly, he reached around Grayson to his ass cheeks. He pulled them apart, searching for that secret place where bodies can join and be one. His fingers found it. A tight swirl of muscle that allowed his pointer finger reluctantly in then with more eagerness, swallowing that finger whole.
He knew there was lubricant, or at least, soap somewhere that could ease the way, but it was too far for him to get. He would have to stop what he was doing, set Grayson down then--something lightly pressed against the back of one hand. He grasped it.
“Lube. Bedside table. I managed to get it even though it wasn’t in my sightline,” Grayson sounded proud and a little breathless.
“You shouldn’t be using your powers, Grayson,” Ryder chided even as he eagerly opened the tube of lubricant and dumped some on his palm.
“I know, but it was better for me than you leaving me alone while you searched around for it,” Grayson told him.
He has to agree. One, two, three kisses before he said, “No more though. You need to rest.”
