Page 113 of Claimed By Blood

We’re both panting like we’ve run a marathon and my muscles are still trembling as he releases my wrists and sits beside me on the bed. He wastes a few seconds righting his clothing and then pulls me against him, holding me against his chest.

I just had one of the most out-of-this-world sexual experiences of my life, and he didn’t even get undressed.

“Shhh, princess, I got you.” His voice—so domineering and low earlier—has gentled into a softer, comforting tone, and he brings his hands up to cup my face, using his thumbs to brush away my tears. “C’mere.”

He draws my face closer to his neck, and reaches up using a claw to slice a line along the muscular line of his jugular. “Drink up, then we can talk about how that went.”

I sink my fangs into him without hesitation and I sigh against him a little more as the taste of him hits me. His massive arms surround me completely, protecting me from the outside world as I suck in greedy pulls. My venom sneaks into his veins, but I don’t push too much his way. Just enough to keep the bite from hurting.

Even that still draws a stir of interest from beneath me, but we both ignore his renewed erection.

This time… doesn’t feel sexual. All of the intense desire I felt from Vane before has dissipated, replaced by care, comfort and… concern.

That’s when it happens. The bond solidifies, becoming ironclad. Just like Draven and Finn, except Vane’s bond is unique to him. Protective, watchful, and with a hint of wildness.

When I pull away, lazily licking the wounds shut, I expect him to let me go. He doesn’t. Instead, he drops his head to kiss the top of mine.

“You okay?” he whispers.

I nod, then remember his earlier edict. “Yes… it was… more than I expected.”

“Look at me.” This command is soft, but I can feel the edge to it, so I tilt my head back until our eyes meet.

For a second, I can’t breathe. His hazel eyes bore into mine, searching out every invisible piece of my soul that I’ve never dared show anyone else and acknowledging them. It’s such a quiet, intimate moment that when he speaks again, I almost jump out of my skin.

“More in a good way, or was it too much?”

“It was too much,” I agree, only to regret the words as he tenses beneath me. “In the best way. I liked it alot. More than I should’ve.”

I was a general once. A commander of men. I don’t understand why I liked being ordered around so much, but the lingering hum of pleasure still radiating from me doesn’t lie.

He shakes his head. “There’s no shame in liking it. Plenty of strong women need somewhere safe to let go.”

“And being beaten with a riding crop is safe?” I can’t wrap my head around it.

Vane runs a hand through my hair. “You spend all day making decisions, giving orders, using that sexy mind of yours to lead others. Letting go and finding a place with defined limits, roles, and punishments, where you’re under no pressure to do anything or make any decisions, is a kind of relief. You know I’d never really hurt you, and we both know there’s an instant out when it comes to our safe words.” He smiles. “Is that your only objection to what we just did?”

“What other objections can I possibly have to multiple orgasms?” I grumble. “I’m not too sure about it continuing outside the bedroom, though.”

He shrugs. “Then don’t put yourself in danger or talk badly about yourself. Those are my only rules for outside of playtime.”

“The bond is complete…” I trail off, wondering what to say.

His happiness winds through my blood—bright and more than a little smug.

“I’ll treasure it—and you—forever, princess.” Without warning, he lifts me up and carries me back into the bathroom. “Now, let’s clean you up.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY

EVELYN

I haveno idea what I expected when we decided to return to the site of Cain’s old court, but it wasn’t this.

We landed on the outskirts of the Old Country, then drove into the mountains. Vane, Frost and Gideon are all sandwiched on the front bench, and currently arguing quietly between themselves about where we’ll stay. Draven is asleep with his head pressed against the heavily tinted glass, and Silas is doing the same, even though he’s not compelled to by the sun. Finn is busy scanning the web for any news of Cain’s reaction to what happened in Egypt.

Which leaves me with Immy, who chose to sit beside me in the back after mumbling a half-arsed apology for her earlier behaviour. My few attempts to get her to talk to me haven’t really amounted to anything, leaving me with nothing to do beyond gazing out at the forests that seem so alien.

The trees have aged, and they’re not the only things.

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