Dark and primal instinct rises from deep within at her words. My stav is hard and painfully erect with desire to join my body to hers. I long to mark her and seal her to me in the ancient blood bond of my people.
She digs her nails into my back as she arches against me. I grasp her chin, forcing her gaze to mine. I want to watch her as she finds her release.
Her golden-brown eyes stare deep into mine. She moans softly as I brush my thumb over the softly hooded flesh between her thighs. This spot is sensitive for her, more so than anywhere else on her body.
“Caelen,” she pants. “This feels… I don’t know what I’m supposed to—”
“Let go,” I whisper.
Her head falls back, her lips part, and she cries out my name as she shatters.
A growl of arousal vibrates my chest. My eyes fall on the artery along her neck, and my fangs extend, yearning to claim her, and give her my dark kiss.
She inhales sharply and the acrid tang of fear thickens the air.
I quickly pull back, retracting my fangs. “Forgive me.”
She lies completely still, her eyes wide as they search mine. “It is true, then,” she says, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“What is?”
“You mark your mates and seal them to you with blood.”
“It is the blood bond, yes. We call it the dark kiss.”
I look away. I cannot bear the sight of fear in her eyes as she regards me. “I… did not mean to frighten you, Lyana. Please, forgive me.”
She takes my hand, threading her fingers through mine as she smiles faintly. “It is all right,” she says, although I note the slight tremble of her voice. “I was simply… startled. That’s all.”
Lyana moves close to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and tucking herself against my chest.
The acrid scent of her fear still lingers in the air, burning my lungs with each inhalation. I hate that I am the reason she was afraid, when I want only to protect her… to cherish, and love her.
Cautiously, I curl my arms around her smaller form and run my fingers through her long dark hair. Her skin is petal soft and her entire body so pliant and giving. She is fragile, my mate, and I can hardly bear the thought of hurting her.
The ritual of the blood bond is not gentle. She deserves to be worshipped and taken tenderly. For the first time in my life, I wish I were human. How can I bond her to me when I know it will hurt her? I saw the fear in her eyes and I’ve no wish to see it again.
“Caelen, I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“You have nothing to apologize for. I understand.” I hug her to my chest. “Rest, my Lyana. We must leave as soon as the sun is up.”
Reluctantly, she nods and I listen as the sound of her breathing becomes soft and even.
My eyes trace gently over the delicate contours of her face, while she sleeps. Pain stabs through my heart like a sharpened blade.
She looked at me as if I were a monster. I hold her close, relishing the feel of her in my arms, and fearing this may be the last time she will ever allow me to touch her like this.
I did not intend to fall in love with Lyana, but I cannot undo what is done. If she decides she does not want me, I will have no choice but to accept her decision… even if it shatters my heart.
