Page 188 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
Kat.
He turned to her, finding her engaging in polite conversation with the Fae, because of course she was. She was perfect and well-spoken. Beautiful. Divine. Powerful.
No.
A bead of perspiration slid down the back of his neck because now he couldn’t focus on anything but the blood.
Just drink it. It’s right there.
No.
It would have a cost. Bree wasn’t just going to give him blood. She had a reason. She had to.
“Axel? Can we arrange that meeting?” Kat asked, and why did she sound far away? Muffled?
He’d drank plenty of blood before they came here. This shouldn’t be an issue.
But if he didn’t do something, this night would get a whole lot worse because he wouldn’t be able to focus. He wouldn’t be able to stay ahead of Bree and her games. Everything they’d worked so hard to secure these last weeks and months would be in jeopardy. All because he couldn’t fucking control himself.
“Axel?” she said again, her voice a soft whisper. “Are you all right?”
And she’d shifted closer. Too close. Because all he could smell was her. Jasmine, citrus, smoke. Fire. Power.
He lifted a trembling hand, reaching for the goblet, but warm fingers wrapped around his wrist.
“No, Axel,” she said, quiet and firm. “Drink from me.”
He shook his head, at least still sane enough to do that.
“Is everything all right, Axel, darling?” Bree called from down the table.
“Everything is fine,” he gritted out.
“Are you sure? You appear a little out of sorts,” she continued.
“He is fine,” Kat snapped.
“He looks like he’s fighting bloodlust,” Cade said flatly, everyone having picked up on the tension now.
“That is not surprising,” Bree said, faux sympathy in her voice. “He has been a Night Child for a handful of months. He is a youngling. A mere infant, if you will. It takes years—decades—to learn to control the bloodlust.”
“He controls it just fine,” Kat said tightly.
“His restraint seems fine,” Giselle said with a slight frown. “He hasn’t touched his blood all evening.”
“A fool’s move,” Cade said with a roll of his eyes. “Especially that newly changed.”
“He just prefers his own,” Kat cut in. “He thinks he needs to spare me in present company.”
“Spare you? You are a Fae and his blood source.”
“Watch it,” Axel snarled, his vision going blurry. Why was everything taking on a red haze?
“He is honorable and respectful, unlike some of our present company,” Katya retorted, and if he weren’t riding this dangerous edge, he’d notice that endearing irritation creeping in.
Fingertips were at his chin, turning his face to hers. Shadows drifted in her eyes. So much power there for the taking…
“Axel, my love,” she said softly, her touch leaving him as she moved her wrist to his mouth. “Drink. You can’t hurt me.”
