Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
He groans at the bite, and I flutter around him as his blood hits my mouth.
“Annika,” he growls, pumping into me faster as my orgasm builds. “Mate.” He thrusts into me harder, dipping down to sink his fangs into my neck.
“Dagon!” I gasp as he drinks from me while pumping into me at the same time. It’s electric. It’s world-shattering. It shoves me right over the edge until I’m completely at his mercy.
“You’re mine,” he growls, spilling inside me, sending me into another release that has me seeing stars.
We catch our breath, our bodies slick with sweat, that connection between us burning with solidification at being accepted and acknowledged by us both.
Dagon smooths my hair back, eyes drinking me in. “I love you.”
“I love you,” I breathe the words, practically buzzing with the storm of power racing down our bond.
“Good,” he says, rolling us so I’m atop him. “Because you’re stuck with me forever now.”
CHAPTER 17
Dagon
Ihead into evening repast, grateful it’s being held in the residence today and not the formal setting in the Domum. I can only stomach the slew of aristocratic vampire nobles for so long, and they’ve been coming—and staying on the king’s property—in droves since the war between us and the Sons became critical.
A quick scan of the room lets me know Annika isn’t here yet. Instinctively, I check the bond between us, the one we solidified and accepted a few days ago, and sigh when I feel she’s not too far away. I can’t even hide my smile as I take my seat near Ajax and Grace, Talon and Cassandra on the other side of the table. Zachariah and Talia are at the opposite end, near the king’s assassins—Hawke and Avianna, Ransom and Olivia and their baby, Benedict and his witch Jocelyn, and Lachlan sits alone. Valor must be running late to repast, just like Annika. The king and queen are at the head of the table, lost in some quiet conversation that looks easy enough. Which is a relief, since lately we’ve all overheard some of their more delicate arguments regarding their unborn child.
I understand the king’s fear—having a pregnant mate, let alone the vampire queen, would set anyone on edge. We all saw poor Ransom go through it with Olivia, but looking at them now, it’s easy to see how their experience was worth it. No one is denying that vampire children are close to miracles with how hard it is to conceive, but I support the king’s need for extra protection during this time. It’s bad enough we’re at war, but being the queen makes her an even bigger target.
Like being a hunter’s mate.
Ice fills my veins and the room’s temp drops a couple degrees. I reel my power back in, checking on that mating bond another time to ensure my primal instincts that Annika is okay.
She’s fine. She’s safe in the residence somewhere. No doubt getting lost in a catch-up call with Daphne or checking up on Aurora and coaxing her to come to repast.
Warmth fills my chest. I love that female. Her heart is bigger than any I’ve ever seen, and she matches that fierce compassion for others with an equally passionate sense of loyalty. She’ll do anything for those she loves, those she considers family, and I’m somehow one of those lucky beings.
Another wave of doubt crashes over me. Her attachment to me is an immediate threat, but I decided the other night when we accepted the bond—I won’t let anything happen to her. Ever.
I wave off the talem who tries to pour some of the canned shit into my empty goblet. He dips his head and moves down the table. I’m still full and sated from my mate, a deeply intimate act I never thought I’d be privy to. But now I am, thanks to Annika. Thanks to the once responsibility who did everything to drive me insane. Thanks to fate tying us together in a way I’m still discovering.
When Olivia awoke us from stasis, it took a minute to adjust to the modern world and battles we’re facing. But I never, not once, thought I’d wake up and find a mate. And now, part of me knows that going into stasis was part of some grander picture, because despite the suffering that demanded it, it led me to Annika.
Alek stands up, drawing my attention as he looks over the tables in the residence’s dining hall. There are some a few feet away, hosting a slew of rookie assassins who somehow snagged an invite. Even that fucker Corbin, who joked about taking my mate to the queen’s ball. Sure, Olivia had put him up to it to give me the shove I needed, but that prick agreed. He’s on my shitlist.
“I know times have been trying,” Alek says to the room. “But I wanted to host this repast to give me some space to offer my gratitude for the family that has formed within this room. We’ve gone to war together, sometimes battling each other along the way, but ultimately, we’re stronger together and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather create and protect my future with than those of you that are here.” He raises his glass, and I scoop up my water, holding it up in solidarity along with everyone else. He’s a good king, and we’re lucky to have him in power. “You have my gratitude. Especially as we continue to face the unknown—”