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My mouth dropped open. “You. . .you’re blood?”
He stared ahead as he nodded. “Yes, along with a good dose of wine to better the flavor.”
I pointed at the decanter. “But you’re blood is inthat?”
“Yes.”
I looked at the decanter with fresh eyes and an upturned stomach. “That. . .that’s disgusting.”
A bittersweet smile slipped onto his lips. “It is rather primitive, but there’s no other way. Without our blood, our bride would age and die long before us.”
A memory surfaced in my mind. “And you only mate once in a lifetime.”
He gave a nod. “Yes.”
“Then if she dies-?”
“We are left alone for the rest of our days.”
I felt as though someone squeezed my heart. The deep sorrow in his voice nearly brought tears to my eyes. “I. . .I see. That’s can’t be easy.”
“Many of those who lose their brides perish within a decade, and often by their own hand.”
I winced. “I’m sorry.”
Thorn sighed. “There’s no need to apologize. That is merely the way of things. Sorrow and happiness struggle against one another until death takes them both in its forgiving embrace.”
I pursed my lips as I looked him over. His expression reflected the deep sadness in his voice. “Couldn’t you. . .can’t you make anybody else like you?” I wondered.
He lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“What’s to stop anybody from draining you dry? Besides all the fangs and claws, I mean.”
He shook his head. “The magic doesn’t work like that. For anyone else, my blood would be poisonous and they would die an agonizing death before they took five steps, but to my bride, it would grant you that long life.”
A thought struck me and a little color drained from my face. “What happens if the dragon is wrong about their bride?”
“We never are. We feel the connection in our very souls.”
“Then are you. . .are you going to make me drink your blood?”
Thorn dropped his eyes to me and he studied my face. “I will not force you to imbibe the drink. You yourself admitted you desired to return to your home.”
“And then you wouldn’t have a bride ever? You’d be alone?”
“Yes.”
I bowed my head and bit my lower lip as I studied my hands in my lap. “And I’d be back to my old life.”
“Were you not happy there?”
I shrugged. “It was okay, but I just felt like, I don’t know, like I was just going through the steps. Like I was just living until something came along. Something or-” I raised my eyes to him and searched his face, “-someone.”
Reluctant hope was kindled in his eyes. “Then you have decided to remain?”
A great sigh escaped me as I dropped back against the plush pillows behind me. I stared up at the lavishly decorated canopy above my head and a smile curled onto my lips. “I think I could get used to this.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
