Page 110 of Bellamy

“It will,” Lazarus said, but he didn’t sound too pleased about it. “You place yourself in danger too often, witch.”

“I’m a good judge of character,” she said. “I even saw right through your grumpy ass. Just leave him to me.”

“Let’s begin our preparations, then.” Lazarus turned from the window. “In two days’ time, our mission begins.”

***

Phoenix sat in the backyard, staring up at the moon. Horns jutted from his dark auburn hair, and that tail I adored slowly swished behind him in the grass.

“You like the moon, don’t you?” I dropped to the ground beside him.

“In the same way you like the sea. I used to stare at the two moons in the underworld when I needed to think. But for the past year, I’ve looked at the night sky and thought of you. Like the moon, you were untouchable.” He glanced at me. “Don’t tell anyone I said that. I have a reputation to uphold. Corny lines don’t suit me.”

Lightly laughing, I nuzzled the top of his arm. The September air made his skin smell even better, like woodsmoke and leaves. It complimented the slight chill as the end of summer bled into autumn.

“We should talk,” I said. We hadn’t gotten a chance to yet. Things had been too hectic with Penemuel’s arrival and the news he’d brought with him. With only two days until showtime, we had a lot of shit to do.

“Talk about what?” Phoenix asked. “You and me? There’s no need to.”

“Why not?”

His whiskey eyes focused on me. “Because I already know where we stand, Bell. I feel it in your touch, and I see it when you look at me. Nothing needs to be said.”

My chest warmed. “I really am an idiot. Who in their right mind falls in love with a demon?”

The edge of his lips curved up. “Demons fuck better.”

Lust growled his agreement. Sex with Phoenix was the best I’d ever had. But not because he was a demon. It was just because ofhim.The warmth of his skin, the rasp of his moans, and the way his body clung to mine so damn perfectly.

“Speaking of fucking…” His expression hardened. “I heard your favorite twins will be here in the morning.”

After Lazarus left, I’d called Daman and told him everything. He and Warrin had started making arrangements to leave the ice dragon kingdom shortly afterward. They would be taking King Nikolai’s private jet and were bringing Warrin’s second-in-command, Lev, with them, as well as Viktor, the youngest prince turned soldier, and Ivan and Efrem.

Their jet would land in Echo Bay early tomorrow morning.

“You have nothing to worry about.” I took hold of his chin. “I might have a past with them, but I’m yours, Nix. Only yours.”

“We’ll see if you still feel that way when they show up with their nauseatingly perfect muscled bodies, blond hair, and horns. Because I know how much you love horns. Well, they only have them when they shift into their hybrid forms, but still.”

“Their horns aren’t nearly as hot as yours.”

Phoenix’s eyes narrowed. “Actually? I should probably just kill both of them. Rid you of the temptation. That sounds like a good idea.”

“Dial that villain talk back a notch,” I said with a chuckle. “You’re not going to kill them. Or maim them. You’re gonna behave yourself, or I’ll throw another collar on you.”

“Promise?” He smirked.

I touched the side of his neck as a possessive growl rumbled in my chest. I could’ve blamed Lust, but it was all me that time. The fated mate bond surged between us.

“I miss it being here.” I pressed my thumb against the pulsing vein in his neck. “But it gives me better access to do this.”

I lowered my face to the base of his throat before kissing up to the place his collar used to sit. And then I bit him.

Phoenix tipped his head back and softly sighed my name, his fingers curling in the back of my hair. I drank deep, groaning as his blood trickled down my throat. He tasted both spicy and sweet, and I couldn’t get enough. Our bond deepened as I marked him once again.

Marked him as mine.

“More,” he moaned. “Bite me harder. Make me yours.”