Page 117 of Blade's Battle
“I want to blood-bond you today,” Anna said.
“We’ll talk about that once you’re healed,” Blade said.
“No, we’re going to talk about it now. No more delays. You need this, today, yesterday, last month in fact. Too much time has passed. Every time I see that strained look on your face I know you’re battling your wolf, and you’re too proud to let me know. You want honesty, Blade, then here it is. I won’t reset and take care of myself until you blood-bond me and it’s done.”
“You’re using your own health to blackmail me?”
“Yes.”
“You’re devious, Anna. I have a counteroffer.”
If looks could kill, the one she was throwing him would certainly fry him to a crisp. “You’re stalling. You’re not afraid of weakening your shifter abilities. You’re afraid of failing your pack, of failing me. Shifting is important to you, so I’m going to do whatever I can to safeguard your abilities, and I’ll keep taking risky shortcuts because you’re running out of time.”
“There’s plenty of time,” he said, trying to sound lighthearted and innocent, but he wasn’t fooling her.
“There isn’t.”
“You need to rest—”
She placed her fingers on his lips as her voice softened. “I know you’re worried about me, and I’m just as worried about you. I didn’t expect to be knocked out by this virus, but it’s not lethal. I can’t rest knowing what’s happening to you. I promise, after the ceremony, after your wolf is permanently calmed, I’ll stay in bed for a month if you wish. Please, Blade, if you love me at all, you’ll blood-bond me tonight.”
Panicked, she was truly panicked. “An entire month in bed doing nothing?”
The corners of her mouth crooked up. “Well, maybe you can help keep me occupied, so I don’t get bored.”
Hell, she had to go there, and with Frank and Pryce in the room. What happened to his shy Angel who didn’t like anyone hearing her?
“Take the offer,” Frank whispered behind him, but not low enough that her human ears couldn’t hear him. “It’s the best someone with your ugly mug will ever get.”
“You’re not helping, Frank,” Anna said, throwing a playful glare in his direction.
“Really? I’m on your side. Voting with you.”
“You don’t get a vote,” Blade pointed out. He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed the back. “Tomorrow then, if you can stand up there without collapsing. The first sign that you’re not up to it, and I’m carrying you back to bed.”
“You can carry me to bed and tie me to the posts for all I careafterwe bond.”
For once, Frank was right. That was an offer he couldn’t turn down.
Chapter Nineteen
ANNA
Anna felt as if she was going to throw up, and it had nothing to do with the damn virus still plaguing her.
“It’s wedding day jitters, or rather the shifter equivalent. Nothing more,” Tess said as she slid the white robe onto Anna’s naked body. “Everyone gets them under normal circumstances, and you have to admit, yours are far from normal.”
“I feel like I’m racing his wolf to a finish line and he’s going to set a trap for me along the way that I’ll be too blind to see.”
“That’s why you made me yourmaidof honor. I’ll be standing right behind you, looking out for those pitfalls, right?”
Anna sank onto the bed.
“Hey, I wasn’t finished tying the robe.”
“I feel like shit.”
“Because you’re sick. Relax. Before you know it, Damien will slip the golden cord around the two of you, slit your palm, and then Blade’s and then you’ll join. Your blood will mix, and your souls will intertwine forever.”
