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No. Don’t. Her voice. I didn’t hear it with my ears. Her lips hadn’t moved. She was in my head.

Understanding hit me like a slap in the face. She’d done it. She’d dared. I felt the bond between us, stronger than it had ever been. She hadn’t just tried to kill me—she’d tried to kill me to save me. Then she’d fed me.

My hands twitched at my sides, uselessly at first. Then they lifted, locked around her waist. She was real. Solid under my fingers. I tightened my grip as her blood poured into me, strength rushing through me like a fire in my veins. I swallowed her sweetness, feeling the rush of power. Once, then again. I couldn’t stop, couldn’t resist. Fuck, I’d never been able to resist her.

She moaned softly against my neck, and then I felt it. I felt what she was taking from me in return. I felt dizzy. The pull of the bond feeding back on itself was so strong, tightening around me until there was no room to breathe. I tasted her—longing and fear and hard resolve. I tasted her grief threaded with something unbearably raw and tender. She destroyed me, always had. I’d told myself a thousand times that I could resist, that I could want someone else—even try to fucking be someone else. But I’d been lying to myself the entire time. This was inevitable. We were inevitable. That day I’d found her, the road had always been leading here.

She moaned again.

Pendragon, I thought desperately, what the hell do you want from me?

Her answer left no room for doubt. All of you.

My throat constricted. Once all it had taken was a single whiff of a drop of her blood to send me over the edge. So this? I was drunk, lost. I was a starving animal, unable to restrain himself as I moved to strip everything separating us aside. The world narrowed. Outside, the world was growing dark. Sunset was washing away, rich violet fading to streaks of gold. Down below, the waves smashed onto the rocks. But I barely noticed any of it. I was too aware of her.

I pushed myself up, still holding Pendragon on top of me. Behind me, my wings uncurled and expanded, the last of the sun hitting them and turning the light crimson. My hands moved on their own, slow and reverent. I tugged at her straps and buckles, pushed fabric aside. She didn’t stop me. Instead she leaned into me, her lips still wet with my blood, her breath hot on my neck, fingers clutching my shoulders as she urged me on.

Yes, yes, yes.

The shared pulse of need and relief and something that threatened to become joy. I pressed my lips to her body, breathing her in: salt and blood and autumn leaves. She was my anchor. My rider. My mate. I had been starving. Not just for blood, but for this. For her choosing me—and being chosen in return.

I lifted her, then eased her down onto me, filling her. She tilted her head, exposing her long neck, her pale throat, the freckles that covered her collarbone and breasts. She moaned as I thrust into her, slowly, languidly, determined to seduce all her senses.

“Fucking you is always a holy experience, Pendragon,” I whispered, seeking her mouth. My tongue glided hot against hers. The kiss stretched on, heat rising and growing, threatening to spill over like the tide. We shared one breath. We spoke mind to mind. Our bodies were connected, sharing pleasure, sharing power. And it felt so fucking good I could hardly breathe. She spread her legs a little wider, and I thrust hard, filling her completely.

Her mouth broke from mine. “Blake, please …”

“Do you know how much I want you?” I whispered. “Do you know how beautiful you are to me, Medra Pendragon?” I pulled back slightly, looking her up and down. She was covered in blood and sweat and tears. She was incandescently lovely. I lifted my hips, joining with her, my pace moving faster. I could see her nearing that peak, but I wanted to draw it out a little longer. “I don’t want this to end,” I murmured against her lush mouth. “I want to fuck you forever.” I kissed her as my hands smoothed over her breasts, cupping them and cradling them, skimming fingers over the tips as she moaned with pleasure.

Her body pressed hard against me as my rhythm quickened. I lowered my hand to rub my fingers against the aching spot between her legs as I thrust, and her head tilted back in abandon as she cried out. We came together, pleasure as powerful as dragon fire, her name a moan on my lips. I came harder than I had in my life, dreading the moment I’d have to let go of her.

I closed my eyes as she swayed against me, her body limp. “Couldn’t scare you away, could I?” I murmured against her cheek.

“I’m not going anywhere. When will you learn that.”

I chuckled. “Can’t even murder me properly.”

“I stabbed you as hard as I could. Should I do it again?”

I chuckled. Still, as she nuzzled her forehead with mine, guilt washed over me.

I can feel that, you know.

What? I said sheepishly.

“The shame taking over you,” she said aloud. “Don’t do that. I’ve already seen the darkest parts of you. My love didn’t flinch.”

I kissed her lightly. “Might take some getting used to, that’s all. You being inside my head.”

Her face softened. My edges are broken, too. I’ve seen your sins and your scars. I’ve seen what you think makes you unlovable. And I love you anyway. She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice was thick with emotion. I’ve fallen for you so hard, Blake. When I thought I’d lost you … She met my eyes. “Don’t make me say it out loud,” she whispered.

I gripped her close and shut my eyes. I didn’t think I could handle seeing her face as I said, I fell with you. I fell harder. I fell first.

“Ouch!” I yelped.

She’d punched my arm. “It’s not a godsdamned competition.”

I grinned. “Sure, but I won, right?”