Victor stood shaking in the doorway of the kitchen, Nellie turning to stare at him, wiping her hands on her apron slowly before asking, “What’s wrong?”

Shaking his head, he went to the large island, perching on a stool and putting his elbows on the marble top and lowering his head into his hands before muttering, “Give me a minute.”

Nellie pottered about, pouring herself a cup of tea before returning to stand opposite him and appearing nonplussed at his disheveled stated of undress and his obvious distress. He’d snatched a pair of jeans as he’d flown from Kimber with such speed that she’d barely had time to shout his name before he’d slammed the bedroom door behind him. His beautiful woman had no idea how close she’d come to him sinking his razor-sharp fangs into her soft skin and sucking her sweet blood down his damn throat.

What the fucking hell was wrong with him? He was about to ruin the best damn thing in his life with his craving for the crimson liquid that ran through her veins.

He needed help and the only person he knew that had any knowledge of Bloodmates was in this room with him. Maybe, just maybe, Nellie could offer him some insight as to what in blue blazes was going on with him.

“Care to tell me what’s going on?” Nellie asked before taking a sip of her Earl Grey. “You look bedraggled, worried, and although I’m not averse to seeing your fine body, Victor, it’s not like you to parade yourself around like this. And I didn’t expect to see you, or Kimber, for a few days yet.”

Taking a long breath in and releasing it slowly, he looked up at the ageing Fae, her eyes holding knowledge that spanned centuries and he prayed some of it could help him. “I had to get out of the room before I did something . . . wrong.”

Raising an eyebrow, she canted her head. “Wrong? I think I’ll need more than that if you’re looking for my assistance. I assume the reason you’re here in my kitchen is because you are hoping I can help you in some way.”

Victor gave her a curt nod, hating to be in this position of having to ask her . . . or anyone for help. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Nellie shook her head. “One word again. Victor, I’ll need more so why don’t you just tell me what it is you need from me and I promise I’ll try my best to assist you.”

His eyes dropped because he couldn’t look at her as he admitted, “I almost, no, that’s wrong. I’ve been craving to feed from Kimber. It’s been building inside me and I’ve got this weird feeling that I want to feed from her and her alone. My fangs descended of their own volition. I didn’t do it, Nellie. They came out by themselves and I almost bit her! I was right there at her neck and I was a hair’s breadth away from sinking inside and drinking from her. I had to run and get away as fast as I could before I did. Shit! If I did that she’d never forgive me. She’d be out that damn door as quick as she could fly and I’d lose her forever. What’s happening to me?”

He jumped up, shocked he’d blurted everything out. He never spoke freely and although he’d come looking for advice he’d planned on doing so in a more discreet manner. His thoughts were jumbled and his heart thundered in his chest at the mere thought of losing Kimber. She’d only been in his life for such a short period of time but it felt as if he’d lose his soul if he lost her. It was such a shock to him that he was certain he was losing his mind and he wasn’t sure how to cope. He was Victor Fucking Strong and this was not how he conducted himself, no matter the situation. He had to get a grip on himself and his emotions . . . but how when the mere inkling of Kimber walking out the damn door was like a knife through his damn heart and he couldn’t draw breath inside his lungs.

Shit. He couldn’t breathe. Literally couldn’t breathe. Grabbing hold of the worktop he leaned forward, gasping like a fish out of water as he fought to draw in a breath but nothing happened. His heart stuttered in his chest, that damn knife twisting painfully as he pictured his love storming away from him in disgust with fear in her eyes.

“Victor, you’ll be fine. Calm down. All is as it should be. You have to understand what’s happening and then all will be clear.” Nellie’s hand ran small circles on his back, her voice low and calm as she spoke into his ear. “You’ve met your Bloodmate and that doesn’t just mean she’s your love and will be by your side for eternity. The word alone should tell you more, Victor. You will be able to feed from her and she can be your sustenance. It’s nothing to fear, so please, calm down. You won’t harm her, this I promise you.”

Whipping his head around, he knew his eyes were wild as he sought hers. “What? What did you say?”

“I said, you can feed from her. It is safe to do so.” Nellie gave him a smile. “My boy, it’s not wrong for you to feel this way. It’s how you should feel. She’s your Bloodmate and made just for you. Her blood will be calling to you and I’m not surprised that you’re in this state. It must be driving you insane being so close to her and not tasting her. I would, however, talk to her and explain this to her first before you go sinking your fangs into her. I doubt she’d be happy if you just pounce on her and start draining her dry. Dragons can be touchy about such things and she might just fry the balls off you. I think you’d like to keep those attached . . . yes?”

Victor finally managed to breathe easily, his heart no longer feeling as if it were being ripped apart as he righted himself and stood tall with a smirk. “Yes, Nellie, I’d prefer she didn’t do that. But, are you sure about this? Absolutely sure?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m an ancient Fae?” Nellie tutted. “I’ve read about such things as this and I’ve even made some calls since all this started. I’m sure and I’ve even heard tell that those who find their Bloodmate can even have children. So, I’m a mine of information on the subject and anything I don’t know I just need to make a call, or two, and I’ll have the answer.”

“Feeding from her and children. Goddammit, this day just gets weirder,” Victor whispered to himself as he turned and retraced his steps.

Nellie chuckled before replying, “Yes, it does, and I’m making a tray up for Kimber. She must be famished. She’s not had anything since breakfast, so I’ll sort that and leave it outside the door. Make sure she eats, Victor. You need to take care of her needs too.”

He waved at her, muttering over his shoulder as he realized she was right. “Sure.”

Kimber did need looking after. She wasn’t like him and couldn’t go days without food so he’d need to step up his game if he were going to uphold his promise to take care of her. Thank goodness he had Nellie to deal with that side of things. He stopped, turning back to shout. “Just keep the food coming at regular intervals, Nellie, thank you.”

“Yeah, I will, so long as you remember to feed the girl.”

“I will,” he promised as he leaped up the stairs, heading toward the most difficult conversation of his life.

How do you tell someone that they were going to be your food source for the remainder of their life? Especially when they basically hated Vampires. At least he was one Vampire she didn’t hate and he hoped that would help. No, not hoped, he prayed with every fiber of his being as his stomach roiled with nerves . . . another emotion he wasn’t accustomed to. He’d encountered a gamut of them in the last twenty-four hours and he felt strung out and on edge as he walked down the corridor to the bedroom where he’d abandoned his Bloodmate.