“You bitch!” Ash masterfully extricated herself from my mother’s grasp before turning on Scarlett. “What the fuck did you do that for?”

“I couldn’t listen to her anymore.” She pouted.

“Oh, you’ll listen, you miserable whore!” Ash pulled a dagger out of her pocket.

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “What did you call me?”

“A whore. Seemed appropriate. Isn’t that what you did, took some form of payment to chase after Jax?” She pressed the dagger to the skin over my mother’s sternum.

Then her father closed in and batted her out of the way. “No one disrespects the queen or her followers,” he muttered.

Ash rolled on the ground and immediately maneuvered to her feet again. “Let’s go, old man.”

“This ought to be good.” My mother grinned and rubbed her hands together.

She watched them sparring for several minutes. Ash had youth on her side, while her father had experience. The queen’s excitement made me uncomfortable. I understood why. The outcome of this fight mattered little. If Ash was killed, she planned to keep me under her thumb. If Frank died, she wouldn’t have to deal with him any longer. Really, both outcomes were favorable. My only hope was getting through to Frank, especially when he managed to slice Ash with a dagger he’d pulled from his pocket.

I knew the smell of blood would draw the rest of the hive. They would swarm like sharks while waiting for the potential kill. As he yanked her close to where I stood anxiously waiting, I grabbed the long sword from her back and in one fluid moment, held it to my mother’s neck. “Put the dagger down, Frank.” My voice was low and serious. Finally, he turned and noticed me.

“You won’t do it.” He chuckled. “After all, killing her means ending your life as well.” I could see Ash fumbling in her pocket for her stake.

“Not true.” I laughed. “Scarlett made me a potion.” My brow rose. “Remember when you had her locked up in the dungeon? Remember how she was supposed to be making you immortal?”

His face clouded over and he glared at Scarlett. “What did she do?”

“She made a potion to break the sire bond.” I watched Ash carefully, concerned she’d shout out that the potion had never been tested or proven. She stared evenly at me while slowly drawing the stake from her pocket. “See, now I can do this safely.”

“What if it doesn’t work?” He narrowed his eyes. “What if you die too?”

I shrugged. “I’ve lived many lifetimes. At least now I’d have an honorable death. I’d die happy because I saved the woman I love.” I blew her a kiss and winked.

Ash’s cheeks turned pink, then she positioned her stake and drove it into her father’s chest. At first, I feared she hadn’t hit his heart. It took him a moment longer than normal to burst into ashes. She smiled at me and I could feel the relief pouring out of her. I nodded.

“We’re good,” she murmured calmly.

“Almost.” I agreed. Then while she stared on in horror, I used the sword to sever my mother’s head. My ears were filled with the sound of her screams as I toppled to the ground. There was nothing but darkness. And for a split-second I wondered if I’d made a horrible mistake. The thought of never seeing Ash again ripped my heart in two. Then the darkness turned to nothing.

* * *

When I woke some time later, I realized I was inside the hive and my face was wet with tears. I wiped them away again and again until I found the source. Ash was standing over me.

“Stop crying or I’m going to drown,” I joked.

She sniffled once, then sat back on the bed. Immediately, she worked to dry her eyes. “I hate you,” she mumbled.

“Oh, is that why you were crying? All those tears of hate.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Come on, admit it. You thought the potion didn’t work.”

She punched me in the arm. “Of course, I thought that. You collapsed on the ground with the rest of the vampires. What was I supposed to think, asshole?”

“Asshole, huh?” I laughed and sat up. I glanced around the space and even though I lived for more years than I’d care to recall in here, it looked different to me now. “I see you found my room.” I reached out and cupped her face.

“Well, Grant helped. Vhorg and the witches also helped. You’re ridiculously heavy.” She sighed. “I may have pulled some muscles in an effort to keep you out of the sunlight.”

“Ah, dawn has arrived. And you saved me. Allow me to express my gratitude.” I leaned toward her and pressed my lips to hers. I wanted her more now than ever.

“By the way, how come you’re the only vampire with a bed?” Her brow furrowed.

I know what she expected to hear. “I’m the only vampire with a serious sex life.” I laughed as her face turned crimson and she prepared to punch me again. I blocked her efforts with ease. “I’m kidding!” Then I nuzzled her neck. “I’d like a sex life. I aspire to a sex life, but I haven’t had a sex life in a very long time.” I kissed my way up to her ear. “I’ve been waiting for the right woman.”

“Sure, you have,” she muttered breathlessly.

“I have. I mean it.” I leaned back so she could see the truth in my eyes. “This is a big deal, this claiming you’ve heard mentioned. I don’t take it lightly.” I chewed on my cheek while I considered how to explain it to her. “If I claim you, it’s as good as marriage in the vampire world. Only, there’s no divorce. The only way to ever break the bond is death. If you choose to stay mortal, I’ll suffer intensely when your life ends. If you choose to become a vampire and you’re killed before me, I’ll suffer then too.”

Ash reached up and cupped my cheek. “Sounds like nothing but pain.” There was a sadness in her eyes.

I nodded. “It is, somewhat. This scares the hell out of me. I’ve never done it before, not in all these years, but for you, I would.” I reached out and hauled her into my arms. “You’re worth all the future pain for all the current happiness.”

“And pleasure,” she corrected.

I smirked. “The pleasure goes without saying, but yes. So much pleasure.” I watched her head tilt to the side. I could see her considering my words.

“So, the claiming is sex?” She bit her lower lip and it made me want to take her right then.

Inhaling deeply, I murmured, “While I feed from you.” I shrugged like it was no big deal, but it was. The claiming was huge.

“And then I’m yours?” She smiled shyly and her pony tail bobbed in the most adorable way.

“Yes. You’re tied to me. You’re under my protection. We’ll live together. We’ll have to. I won’t be able to function if we’re too far apart.” I blew out a breath. This part was hard to admit. “Claiming someone is a strength and a weakness. This is why it shouldn’t be done lightly. This is why I haven’t done it and even the love potion wasn’t strong enough to force my will with Scarlett.”

Ash smiled. “Makes sense.” She tugged her jacket off. Then removed her sword and set it on my nightstand. She slid off the bed and removed the thong sword holder and dropped it on the floor. Then she started to tug her shirt over her head.

The reaction in my groin was swift. I could feel my erection pressing against the fabric of my boxers. “What are you doing?” I tried to sound casual, but my words came out all strangled.

“I’m getting undressed. You know, for the claiming.” She peeked over her shoulder at me, then turned so her back was to me.

I watched as her bra straps slid down, and she unhooked it. Her skin was so smooth, but with just the right amount of body fat. My woman had some healthy curves. I liked the sound of it. Ash was about to be mine. In an instant, I slipped off the bed on my side and kicked off my boots. Then I wandered around to her side of the bed.

When she saw me closing in, she covered her breasts with her hands. I laughed. “Allow me. Yours aren’t big enough,” I teased as I pushed her hands aside and cupped her with mine. My thumbs rubbed her nipples and I watched in fascination as they hardened from my attention. “You’re perfect,” I murmured.

She laughed. “I’m far from perfect. Look at this.” Ash pointed to the way her sides spilled slightly over her waistband. “Muffin top.”

“I love muffins.” I bent down and nipped at her skin. “Nothing, Ash, nothing will ever be able to turn me off as far as you’re concerned.” I tugged her yoga pants past her hips and slowly yanked them over her thighs before pulling them off her feet. As I stood, I rubbed my body up hers--the entire length.

“You’re cruel,” she murmured.

“Nah, cruel would be if I walked away right now after turning you on.” I chuckled.

“What makes you think I’m excited?” She glanced at me from the side of her eye.

I leaned close and breathed into her ear. “I can smell it.” I could feel her shivering in response. While she considered my words, I made short work of every remaining scrap of clothing. For now, she had no use for panties or socks. Then I pulled back the covers and helped her climb into our bed. I closed my eyes. I hadn’t even shared her body and already I was prepared to share every possession. Then I swallowed hard. “You know, if we do this, you’re accepting a childless life.”

She nodded. “I rather figured that.”

“Yeah, I can’t have children.” I stared at her, waiting for her to back out.

“Come on,” she urged. “It has been an incredibly long night. Claim me already.” Then Ash winked at me and for the first time in a long time, I believed everything could be alright.

“You win.” I shrugged as I peeled off my clothes and joined her under the covers.

“Oh no. We win.” She giggled against my chest.