Page 98 of Alastair

“And long after.” Lazarus cradled my head, his hand a barrier between me and the pillow. He pecked kisses along my jaw as he rocked into me.

Something powerful surged in my chest then. The feeling shot from my heart vessels and sparked through my entire body. Our fated mate connection had been building since the moment the seal broke, but as we moved together, entwined in the silky sheets, that bond deepened. Consumed me.

“Laz.” His name sounded like a plea as I trembled from the intensity of the heightened emotions and the overwhelming need for something more.

“Tell me what you need,” he rasped in my ear in a low, husky voice. He nipped at my jawline.

My teeth ached. And the understanding of why left me a bit breathless.

I wanted to mark Lazarus. Wanted to possess him body and soul. More than that, I wanted to claim him so every being would know he was mine. It was a soul-deep desire that had me writhing in frustration—in need.

I wanted to possess him and be possessedbyhim.

But I couldn’t get the words out. I couldn’t tell him. As an angel, he didn’t have a taste for blood like fallen angels and Nephilim did. I didn’thaveto drink his blood to mark him—a bite without breaking the skin would work—but drinking his blood on top of that would also place his mark onmeso everyone would know whoIbelonged to.

Would he be disgusted with me for suggesting it?

“Alastair.” He seized my chin and forced my eyes to his. “Tell me. I won’t ask you again.”

“I…” My voice shook. “I want to mark you.”

His fingers slid through my hair before gripping it tight and inclining my head. He guided my mouth to his neck. “Make me yours. Officially.”

His voice shook a little as well. Did he feel that same twisting sensation, then? One that begged for him to strengthen our bond. It was a huge step. Once my brothers marked their mates, there had truly been no turning back.

“Biting an angel feels… wrong,” I said, nuzzling his neck. “Like I’m tainting you.”

“There’s nothing wrong or sinful about this. About us.” Lazarus exposed more of his throat. “I’ll wear your mark with pride.”

I groaned against his skin as he angled his hips and pushed them forward, then back, hitting my sweet spot. Pleasure was building. As I placed my teeth at the base of his throat and bit down, that pleasure skyrocketed. For both of us.

“Harder.”His voice filled my head.“Bite me harder.”

“Any more and I’ll draw blood.”

“Good.”Lazarus pressed closer, forcing my teeth deeper.

As his blood landed on my tongue, electricity sizzled through me. He tasted crisp and sweet with a slight tartness, just like those apples he loved so much.

“That’s it,” he moaned, petting the back of my hair. The pace of his thrusts increased. “Take all you want. Every piece of me belongs to you.”

Marking him wouldn’t bind our life forces, but as his blood ran down my throat, our bond strengthened. His essence interwove with mine, deepening the intensity of our pleasure as our impending orgasms built.

I had never felt so close to someone before. It was scary and exhilarating all at once.

I pulled from his throat and licked the bite marks. His healing ability sealed the punctures, but the mark remained. My mark. A possessive growl escaped me, and I moved my hands up his back. The indentions of his scars beneath my fingertips brought out another emotion: anger. I wanted to tear Uriel apart for hurting him.

“Shove those thoughts aside,” Lazarus said, taking hold of my face. Desire darkened his blue eyes. “You and I are all that exist right now.”

I trailed my hands higher and stopped at the slits in his shoulder blades. Slowly, I pressed my fingers inside both at the same time.

“Gods!” His thrusts faltered as his hips jerked. “That’s…”

“Amazing?” I smiled up at him. “Then you’ll love this.”

A loud grunt left him as I moved my fingers in slow circles. I rubbed the soft inner lining of the wing slits before dipping lower and teasing the very tips of the feathers concealed within.

Lazarus slammed a hand beside my head on the mattress and took me harder. Faster. I came moments later, groaning hard as my body quaked beneath his. He buried his face against my neck as his abdomen went taut. And then he was coming too, moaning softly in my ear.