Page 90 of Dark & Dreadful Brutes

She’d need to drink from me if she was going to survive.

Though I was still bleeding from many wounds, I sliced through the skin at the base of my neck before hauling her higher and setting her mouth against me.

“Drink, Lae,” I commanded her, tapping into her mind so the words echoed there, too.

She didn’t respond.

I repeated the words, louder, and she finally moved.

Her teeth pressed lightly against my skin as she took my blood into her mouth. A moment later, they cut into me, flooding me with the same fierce pride that had hit me the last time I fed her.

Blood rushed to my cock as she started to rock a little, moaning and groaning softly against my skin. My hands stroked her lower back. She was much colder than usual—she typically radiated heat when her desire grew. Even at her coldest, her skin always felt warmer than my own.

My cock ached and throbbed as she drank, until my eyes closed and the world began to spin. “You’ll have to stop, Lae.”

She slowed.

“Ria wounded me too badly. I need some of my blood to heal myself.”

She pulled away, gasping for breath. When I forced my eyes open, I found her dazed. Her eyes were dilated, and her face was red with the lust coursing through her veins. She probably hadn’t heard everything I said. “What? You’re hurt?”

I dipped my head a bit.

“Where?” She tried to slide away, but I held her too tightly.

“I’m fine. I’ll heal.”

“No. Show me.” She pushed on my chest, but her touch was too light to move me. “Ravv,” she growled.

“Lae,” I growled back.

“You’re an ass.”

I made a noise of agreement, closing my eyes again to fight the spinning of the room.

“Are we—” She cut herself off. “I just heard Coarse’s voice in my head. It felt different than usual.”

“You’re bonded.” I was growing more tired by the minute.

Healing her had thoroughly drained my energy.

“Veil, really? He’s grumpy, though.”

“Only when Gleam pushes him, which she does often. He likes it more than he admits.” I brushed my lips against her forehead.

“Show me where you’re hurt.”

“Later.” I tugged her closer, and she pushed at me again.

“We need to wash up, at least. And I’m freezing cold.”

“You burned yourself out,” I grumbled at her.

“I almost killed the enchantment in that stone; I could feel it.” Her voice grew more excited, though she was still leaning against me heavily. “If I’m more careful, I can get rid of it entirely next time without knocking myself unconscious.”

“No.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.” She patted me on the arm, as if comforting me.

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