Page 53 of The Book Reader
A low, sinister growl fills the room, echoing around it and casting a dark shadow over it. It’s a deadly sound, and if I didn’t know where it was coming from, I’d be terrified. The sound turns into a snarl, causing me to laugh and spit a mouthful of blood onto the floor. It must piss off whoever is in here with me because my cheek explodes in another burst of pain as I’m hit; my abuser grabs my chin hard and lifts my head. I fight through the pain to open one eye, grinning maniacally at them. “You’re going to wish you’d never touched me.”
They laugh before they’re pulled away from me, a gut-wrenching scream of pain reaches my ears, making my grin grow wider. The sounds of ripping flesh and growling are all mixed into one, the smell of blood thick in the air. This time, it’s not mine.
Some form of wards protects most realms in the underworld; hellhounds can go wherever they want, which is why Tate banished them long ago—too risky for his enemies to have them.
The chains tethering me to the wall are suddenly ripped away, and I fall onto the back of a warm and furry body; Rex’s smell invades my nose. “Good boy,” I grit out as he shimmers us to my castle in the Dream Realm. Shouts of fear and worry echo around me; every single part of my body hurts, so I can only imagine what state they left me in.
The softness of Rex is replaced by a cold floor. Grimacing in pain, I know what I need right now. My wounds won’t heal without blood. I refuse to drink from anyone else that isn’t my Rose. Now that I’ve found her again.
“My lord, you must heal. We have fetched some females for you.” I shake my head and groan as pain reverberates through my body again; the wounds ripping deeper. My voice is a whisper as I say, “Take me to her.”
“My lord?—”
I cut Mark off. “Take. Me. To Her.”
He exhales harshly before his warm hand touches me. I struggle to stay awake and fall into a deep, dark sleep where nothing hurts and I am with my Rose. A knock sounds seconds before the scent of roses envelopes me.
“Gaelan? Oh god, it was true!”
My eyes roll back in my head when I feel softness under my back. I can feel the sting of my fangs lowering in my mouth, my body knowing what it needs and wants.
Soft hands touch me, anchoring me to this reality. Something hot stings my chest, making me fist my hands at my side, trying to hide the pain from my Rose. “Leave us,” I growl out. The way I need to heal right now, no one else gets to see.
I need my Rose.
The door closes seconds before cold water runs up one of my arms—she’s trying to heal me—I would think it was sweet if I wasn’t so hungry, if I wasn’t so badly hurt. The healing won’t work, though, without her book; it’s too much to heal. Groaning, I turn my head, peeling my eyes open as best I can. She looks horrified and scared. “Rose.” My words burn my throat like I have swallowed thousands of razors
“Gaelan, my healing spell isn’t working.”
She’s crying, I hear it in her voice. I want to lift my hand to comfort her, but I can feel burning pain from the bruises andcuts that I know mar my skin. I’m too broken right now. “Blood,” is the only word that comes out of my mouth as I fight the darkness threatening to retake me.
“Gaelan?” I hear her, but she seems so far away. Trelor pushes against my skin, begging to come forward, but the last thing I need right now is for him to take over; his hunger will be too much for Ari in the state we’re in. I don’t want to scare her. I turn my head; my fangs are lowered in my mouth. “My Rose.”
She leans in closer, trying to hear me better. Her neck is so close to me. Leaning forward and striking quickly, I sink my teeth into her soft flesh and groan as the taste of her blood floods my mouth. I can feel her body shaking as her hands try to push me away. I don’t want to hurt her, but I know I am. She fights against me, grabs at my arms, and whimpers.
“Gaelan, stop it, you’re hurting—” Her voice cuts off, and she lets out a moan of pleasure.
That’s my girl.
She molds her body to me as we connect; my body slowly begins to heal, my skin starting to knit back together. It’s just enough for me to pull her on top of me, my arms wrap around her, holding her tightly as I sink my teeth in a little deeper.
“Gaelan.” My name on her lips makes me groan. I run my hands down her back to cup her ass. Her legs are on either side of my body, making it easy for me to grind her pussy down on me—I want to make this as pleasurable for her as possible, feeding to heal is different than feeding during sex.
Feeling my powers surge, I shimmer us both naked, my cock is still slashed, but a few seconds of pain will be worth all the pleasure and the healing. I reach between us to find her clit, pressing down lightly before circling it, her hips buck forward, and she moans. Her fingers clutch onto me as she rides my fingers. Needing to feel more of her, I reach for my cock and guide it gently into her, hissing at the feel.
“Fuck,” she whimpers. Moving my hands to her hips, I clutch onto her and start thrusting my hips slowly up into her, pushing myself deeper. Her whimpers of need make me desperate to give her more. Holding her tightly, I start to piston faster into her, fucking her as I drink deeper. Her pussy starts to tighten around my cock, and as her orgasm rips through her body, I keep going, not ready to let her go just yet. She screams my name and digs her fingernails into my shoulders. She’s trying to move her hips, but my grip on her holds her in place.
My cock is now fully healed, with my body following closely behind. I roll us so I’m on top, pulling back, I look down at this beautiful woman; her face is flushed,
She has tears in her eyes, and I know I’ve hurt her. Wanting to give her something more, I move and reach for one of her thighs, lifting it high onto my hips and grinding down onto her pussy, her clit rubbing against my pelvis. I slow my pace, making sure to curl my hips upwards each time I thrust to hit that little bundle of nerves that will make her break apart for me.
“Mine,” I growl out before lowering and sinking my fangs into the top of her right breast, and blood flows out. My healing is almost complete; now it’s for pleasure.
Her hands find my hair, and she grips it tighter, pulling me to her. My balls draw up, both of us close to breaking apart. I know she needs to bite me, so I offer her my neck. She gently sinks her teeth in and then explodes over my cock, coating it with her cum. I thrust a few more times and then empty into her, filling her up.
My chest heaving as I whisper, “Rose… fuck, I missed you.” My body is healed, but I’m still a little weak. My eyes flash bright blue before everything goes black.
Chapter 23
