Page 178 of Immortal Bastard

He followed her to the kitchen.

“This isn’t right, Christian. You’re being deceitful to your mate.”

“This is best for everyone. Delilah’s suffered enough. Everything will revert to normal once my strength returns.”

“You’re newly mated. I find it hard to imagine you’ve experienced normal yet.” She placed the mason jar of blood on the table. “Here.”

He unscrewed the lid and guzzled down the potent blend. The glass was still warm from the contents. Her aged blood took immediate effect on his aching nerves. “Thank you.”

“I need a favor.”

Anxious to return to his mate, he moved toward the back door. “What do you need?”

“I want one of your hunting rifles.”

Of all the favors he expected his mother to ask, that was not one he anticipated. “Are you going hunting?”

“Der schrim.”

“For protection from what?”

She met his stare and he understood she wasn’t going to justify her actions. “How much more blood will you need?” She was bartering.

“Have you asked the bishop’s permission?” Weapons were not permitted in the hands of females, and males were only allowed to use firearms for hunting, but immortals had little need for such things.

“Eleazar doesn’t understand. He actually suggested I find a husband if I feel unsafe.”

“Not a terrible idea,” he muttered. “Mother, you know the laws.”

She snatched the empty jar from the table. “I want a gun, Christian. Bring one with you tonight when you come to feed again.”

Truthfully, his mother was such a hardheaded female he wasn’t sure a husband could rein her in after so many centuries of being on her own. He pulled the carrots from his pocket. “These are from Delilah.”

When he returned home, his mate’s attempt at the homemade pie was cooling on the windowsill. He smirked at the lopsided crust and concave surface.

“It doesn’t look like Gracie’s.”

He turned to find Delilah watching him from the door. “I’m sure it’s delicious.”

“Did your mother appreciate the carrots?”

“She did.” He crossed the room, holding her stare. “What do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

She’d been settling in and exploring the house, which filled him with immeasurable pride. Each day he found little touches that never existed before. Jars of fresh-cut flowers. Cloth draped over furnishings. And dishes set out on display.

Holding his stare, she pulled the strings of her kapp loose, exposing her hair and revealing her throat. “You must be hungry.” She tipped back her head and looked up at him, challenge in her astute stare. “Drink.”

He frowned, not used to her initiating such things. “Delilah…”

She pulled the pins from her apron and let the garment fall to the floor. “You haven’t fed in days and you’re still not fully healed, so I don’t understand why you won’t accept what I’m freely willing to offer.”

He took a step back. “Delilah—”

“I know you’re feeding, Christian.” She loosened her gown, stripping down to her underclothes as she stood before him, certain he would not be able to resist her laid bare for him as she was.

Her bare chest lifted as she faced him, the twin piercings stark against the sharp pink tips of her breasts. His mouth watered and he swallowed tightly, hungry to taste her.

“Why won’t you take my blood?”

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