Jill paced in the living room. She was aware that Fray watched her with amusement.
“Lord Aveoth is safe. You’re fretting for no reason.”
“Where did he go?”
“He didn’t exactly tell me. He just grabbed the head and flew off, but he said he’d return soon. Lord Aveoth won’t be gone from you long.”
“He should have come right back.”
“My guess? He needed to fly the head to all four VampLycan clans to show them proof of death. It would be best to do that before decomposition sets in.”
She stopped moving, gawking at him. “Ewww.”
“To view a fresh head is much better than one days old. It otherwise might have started to fall apart while it was being flown around.”
“Okay, I don’t want to hear any more. That’s gross. I’m so glad you talked me into eating a sandwich when we first got here or I’d have just lost my appetite.”
Fray winked. “I don’t want you mad at Lord Aveoth.”
“You’re a weird man.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, my lady.”
She liked Fray. “Are you hungry? I could fix you something while we wait, since you’re stuck with me.”
“I’m fine but thank you. May I speak freely?”
“Of course.”
“You shouldn’t offer to fix your guards meals. It’s not done.”
“I’m already screwing up, huh?”
He shrugged. “It’s okay with Aveoth’s trusted circle. You do need to learn more about what will be expected of you as Lord Aveoth’s lady.”
“I’m going to be so bad at this.”
“I disagree. May I sit?”
“Take a load off.”
“I really do like you.” He laughed as he sat on the couch. “Everyone here is pretty formal and stuffy.”
Jill dropped into a seat across from him. “I noticed. The bad news is that I break into a sweat when I go to semi-nice restaurants. See my problem?”
“Why?”
“I grew up poor. I feel so out of place. I remember going on a date with this guy a few years ago, who took me to one of those really fancy restaurants. They asked what kind of water I wanted. I panicked.”
“Water is water.”
“I know!” She nodded. “But I guess you can get it carbonated or whatnot. I’m still confused about that. I just remember feeling like I wanted to run out the door. My date laughed when I got that deer-in-the-headlights look and ordered for me. I don’t do well in situations like that. Now, here I am.”
“You’ll have to learn for Lord Aveoth’s sake. His mother will help you, and so will we.”
“Great. I hated school.”
He chuckled. “So did I.” Fray stood suddenly and his gaze went to the open balcony doors. “Here he comes.”
Jill stood as well, and clasped her hands in front of her. “Don’t bring me a head,” she chanted. “Please have dropped it.”
Fray softly snorted. “He’s got something in his hands. I have excellent vision.”
“Shit!” She bit her lip. “Okay. Don’t puke. That’s so not sexy.”
Fray glanced back at her and arched one eyebrow.
“Pep talk to myself.”
A grin flashed before he faced forward. Aveoth landed on the balcony, and Jill couldn’t help but notice the blue box he held. It looked like something that should store a hat, but she knew it was something much worse. He’d brought the head home to her after all. Maybe she wouldn’t have to open it.
He tore his gaze off her to nod at Fray. “Thank you.”
“I’m leaving,” Fray announced without hesitation. Then he quickly walked out onto the balcony, extended his wings, and leapt into the air.
Jill darted nervous glances between the box and Aveoth.
“Are you hurt at all?” He put the box down on a nearby table and closed the distance between them, reaching her face.
She jerked back. “Head-hands!”
He smiled. “I washed up at Velder’s home while I was there to inform him of Decker’s death.” He cupped her cheeks and leaned down so their faces were almost level. “Are you hurt at all? Tell me the truth.”
“I’ve got some bruises, my shoulder is tweaked, and I have a slight headache from being hit in the face. I’m probably not looking my best. Fray suggested I go take a bath but I wanted to wait for you.”
He released her and slid his hand down his thigh, withdrawing a dagger. “My blood will heal you. Just a few swallows should do it.”
“I don’t want you to have to do that for me.”
“You’re my mate, and there’s no way I’ll allow you to be in pain.” He offered her the dagger. “Hold this.”
She took it carefully. “I’m not cutting you, Aveoth.”
He tore off his shirt, baring his chest. “You’re too tenderhearted.” He took the dagger from her.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but you haven’t pissed me off lately.” She felt tears prick her eyes. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“You’re stuck with me forever. Of course, I won’t ever allow you to leave the cliffs again.”
“I should argue with you about that but after what I’ve been through, I don’t really want to leave.”
He lifted the dagger and pointed it at his chest near his nipple. “No goblet this time. I want to feel your lips on me. Are you ready to be healed, Jill?”
His eyes were changing colors, flashing a lot of silver and bright blue. “Yes. And I’m turned on too. We are so going to have sex.”
He grinned. “We are.” He sliced into his skin, making a small cut, and tossed the dagger toward the couch.
She stepped toward him, putting her hands on his warm chest, and went up on her tiptoes. He was really tall. She glanced at the blood, licked her lips, and opened her mouth. The taste of his blood probably wouldn’t ever be something she craved, but she found she didn’t mind it. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she drank from him. The wound sealed pretty fast, and she pressed a kiss to his skin where it had been.
He lifted her off her feet, walking and carrying her toward the bedroom. Her gaze went to the opening in the living room they’d used to leave the previous night. “You aren’t going to close that?”
“Later.”
“Good plan.” She wanted him so much. “Are you mad at me for the bullshit I said when those goons had me?”
He growled low and took her into the bathroom, then gently put her on her feet. “Strip.” He backed away and released her.
“Are you?” she pressed.
“I was too worried they’d set that bomb off. Killing that bastard felt good.”
“Fray said they’re all dead. He was telling the truth, right? Nobody got away?”
“All dead.” He bent and tore off his boots. “Get naked or I’ll rip those clothes off.”
She took off her shirt and shoved her pants down her legs. “The sad part is that we went to all that trouble and I still don’t have my things.”
“We have the stuff you wanted.”
She stilled. “My backpack?”
“Your mother’s ashes are intact. The urn wasn’t even chipped. I checked.”
She fought tears again. “Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me for anything.”
He turned on the water, and she couldn’t help but stare at every bare inch of him. “You are my superhero, Wings. Do you know that?”
The corners of his mouth curved upward. “You are my super-sexy mate.” His gaze ran down her, then he growled, hooked her waist, and spun her, bending to inspect her skin. “You said you weren’t really hurt. Your entire hip is red.”
“It was probably black and blue before the blood you gave me. I’m feeling fine. It doesn’t even ache anymore.”
He straightened. “You’re never leaving my side again.”
“That could get awkward.”
He frowned.
“I mean, what about when you need to take a book and sit on your bathroom throne? I so don’t want to be near you then, or have you with me when it’s my sitting time. There’s love and then there’s T.M.I in a relationship. We do have to have some boundaries, Wings. I do drink blood for you, after all. Compromise is important.”
He chuckled. “Are you always going to tease me and give me hell?”
“Probably. I bet your life was boring before I came into it. I’ve been told on good authority that everyone at the cliffs is a bit stuffy and formal. You’re being saved from that—and you’re welcome.” She beamed.
He wrapped his arms around her, scooped her off her feet, and stepped into the warm spray of water. His mouth took possession of hers, and Jill moaned, opening up to him as she wrapped around his big body. Wings was super strong, and she had a feeling she was about to have sex up against the tiled wall at her back. She would have told him how she’d always wanted to do that, but heat flooded her body and her clit began to throb. Every inch of skin tingled.
Oh boy. Here we go again. The mating drug is back. I’m so lucky! This is one thing I will never complain about.
Aveoth realized what was happening when Jill clawed at his back and bucked her hips against him. The scent of her arousal almost brought him to his knees. For whatever reason, his body seemed to keep releasing ravage hormones. He broke the kiss.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“Only say that if you plan on stopping.” She reached up and fisted his hair. “Fuck me.”
He adjusted his hold on her, braced his thighs, and aligned his hips until his very stiff cock slid against her wet folds. She was ready for him, and he needed her. He slowly pushed inside her, loving the way her pussy sheathed his shaft.
“Yes!” She threw her head forward and bit him on the shoulder.
The feel of her smooth teeth clamping down on his skin hard enough to almost hurt broke his restraint. He drove into her deep and hard, stilled there a moment, and then began to frantically thrust.
“My mate. My Jill,” he rumbled.
“Faster,” she urged. “Harder, Wings. I love this drug. The feel of your chest rubbing against my nipples is going make me come… Shell a little.”
He did, and her moans grew louder. He nuzzled into her neck and bit. The taste of her blood as she climaxed, her pussy squeezing him tight, and those muscles fluttering around his dick did him in. He groaned, holding her pinned as he pumped into her until the last of his seed stopped flowing.
Aveoth carefully retracted his fangs, bit his tongue, and licked the puncture marks. “I love you.”
“I love you too. No wings this time?”
“You said shell. It’s easier to get them out before I do that.” He played with her earlobe with his mouth. “And to think I worried that I might frighten you when we mated.”
“I’m all in, Aveoth. The wings, the shelling, and the biting.” She lifted her head and peered into his eyes. “I accept you. I was afraid at first, but no more.”
He brushed a kiss on her lips. “Sorry about the hormones.”
“I’m not. Sex is always going to be so hot between us. That’s like apologizing over stupid shit. No need. I’d call this a bonus.”
“You’re amazing.”
“I’m also super horny. I tingle and ache.”
He set her down. “Let’s get clean first. You have scents on you that make me want to go re-kill corpses.”
She grabbed the shampoo. “You have better things to do. Me.”
He loved her. It reminded him of her gift waiting in the living room. He helped her clean her hair and they washed each other. He took her against the wall again until they were both breathless and sated.
“Go get in bed.”
“Okay. Aren’t you coming with me?”
“In a moment.” He watched her go, then grinned. “Payback is alive and well, baby.” He hustled out of the bathroom and went into the living room to get the box he’d taken from Velder’s home.
Jill sat naked in the middle of the bed with a smile on her face as he walked into the bedroom—until she spotted the blue box.
“Oh no. I was totally kidding about bringing me the head. I said it had to fit inside my purse, and I don’t have one. Such a shame, right?”
He sat down and scooted closer, placing in between them. “I always keep my word. Honor is important to me.”
She kept her hands clutched in her lap. “I respect that. So, I’ve been given head.” She laughed and looked up. “I think I should give it to you instead.” She reached out and gently pushed the box closer to him.
His dick hardened. “I would love your mouth wrapped around that part of me, but you have to actually open this and look inside.”
She licked her lips, making a show of her pink tongue. “Sweetie, I’ll do just about anything to not do that. Be a man and take a hint. Blow job or traumatizing your mate. Easy decision, right? Let’s toss the head off a ledge.”
He had to dig deep to keep the grin off his face. “I killed for you. The least you could do is peek inside.”
“That was a low blow.” She grimaced. “Okay. Do you have a good shrink at the cliffs? I might need a session or two after this but I don’t back away from a challenge. I might have to change my motto, though, of meeting things head-on.” She lifted her hands and gently used her index fingers and thumbs to pinch the lid. “I can do this. One quick flash and it’s done.”
Aveoth grinned.
She glanced up. “Find this amusing, do you, Wings? I wasn’t raised in a cave, barbarian. I know. Adjust to my new forever-caveman lifestyle. Here goes.”
Aveoth watched her face as she jerked up the lid and then slammed it back down fast. She frowned, looking up at him. “I didn’t see a head. Or smell one. Not that I know what that would be like, but I imagined yucky.”
“Take another peek.”
She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. “You’re so messing with me, aren’t you?” She sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re busted, Wings!” She lifted the lid, and this time kept it off.
The small black box inside had her dropping the lid on the bed. She jerked her head up, holding his gaze. “Is that what I think it is?”
He reached in and opened the smaller box. “You’re my mate, but you’re also mostly human. I know that a wedding ring is an important tradition when you make commitments.” He showed her what was inside.
Her lips parted and tears filled her eyes. “Blue sapphires set in white gold. It reminds me of your eyes…” She held out her left hand and smiled at him. “I love it! Put it on.”
He gently eased the ring out of the case and pushed it on her finger. It fit perfectly. She shoved the box out of the way and threw herself at him. He caught her, adjusting her so she was on his lap.
“I love you. This was so sweet. Thank you.”
“We could hold a wedding if you want. It won’t be in a church or official, but the ceremony has meaning to some humans.”
“I’m touched but it’s not necessary. Thank you for offering, though.”
“Our relationship needs compromise. You said it, and I agree. I don’t ever want you to feel that you have to leave everything you once where to mold yourself to life here.”
“I’m so glad you said that. The corsets women wear should be outlawed and let’s take off at least four yards of material from their dresses.”
She amused him. “That’s going to take some time.”
“Like a hundred years or two, and then we’ll be dressing like people are now?”
He kissed her lips. “You’re such a smartass. Never change.”
She admired her ring. “We should celebrate.”
“Do you want me to arrange a party for the clan to rejoice our mating?”
“I was thinking of something more private. We are naked and in your bed.” She winked. “And you’re still giving off the sexy hormones.”
He cupped her face. “Our bed. I was so lonely before you came. Thank you for coming to me.”
“Well, it wasn’t as if I was asked. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m so glad I got kidnapped.”
“We’ll have quite a story to tell our younglings one day.”
“Yes, we will. Our bat babies will be cute too. I just know it.”
“You don’t really plan to keep calling them that, do you?”
“Sure. It’s like Batman but cuter. They’ll love it. I mean, right after you get me a television so they know who that superhero is.”
He cuddled her closer. “I will get you a TV.”
“And cable. The internet might be nice in this century, too.”
He twisted and pinned her under him. “Do you want to know what I want to give you right now?”
“Is it big and hard?” Her hand trailed down his stomach. “Am I getting closer?”
“Yes.”
“Bring it, Wings.”
“Always, Jill.”