Page 144 of Blood Day

Her mind soaked up the information like a needy sponge, lost to the world I once knew.

I also supplied her with a glimpse into the current political games and told her how any sort of relationship with a mortal was considered to be a sign of weakness.

Only two humans could be turned immortal every year, a rule I didn’t technically break, asErositaswere still allowed, just frowned upon.

I could fight to keep her. I might even try. Political nonsense had never appealed to me. There was also a sovereign in Jace Region who had recently taken anErosita. The difference, of course, was that I answered to a self-proclaimed sadist, while the other sovereign reported to a proverbial saint.

Oh, Jace wasn’t perfect. He had his own tastes. But he wouldn’t try to destroy his sovereign’s new toy the way Silvano would mine.

It helped that Darius, the sovereign in question, had mated a rare blood virgin. Her addictive flavor would protect her, assuming he willingly shared her with Jace—which rumors confirmed he was doing. And frequently, at that.

Lily possessed a sweetness I found alluring. But it was a sweetness Silvano would sour immediately.

I would sooner kill her myself than place her in his path.

She shivered, hearing that threat.

But rather than slide away from me, she rolled closer and pressed her lips to my jaw. It served as a silent kiss of forgiveness, one I didn’t deserve.

I should have killed her months ago and saved us both the eventual pain. However, I’d been too consumed by her to end this unhealthy infatuation.

All I had been able to think about while away from her was how soon I could return.

Just for a month.

Not even thirty-one days.

Where she could be mine.

I palmed her cheek, my thumb tracing the hollow beneath her eye. “Good evening,” I whispered, my voice deep with false sleep. I had never really rested, but I hadn’t spoken either.

“Hi.” She pressed another kiss to my jaw, then moved to hover near my lips.

I didn’t speak or issue a demand. I merely waited for her to do whatever she desired. I owed her that much after everything I’d put her through, after everything Iwouldput her through, too.

She heard every thought. Every intention. Every regret. I kept nothing hidden, including the knowledge of my ability to shut her out. Which meant she knew I freely gave her this access to my mind. She marveled at that, stunned by how easily I’d let her inside me.

But when she realized the extent of my feelings for her, she understood.

It surprised her. I heard that shock in her thoughts as she tried to process her reactions to everything I’d shared.

Then she shut it all off and kissed me.

She didn’t want to think; she wanted to feel.

And I was very on board with that decision.

I pulled her over me, loving the way her legs automatically parted around my hips.

Already wet for me,I mused into her mind.My beautiful, weeping flower.

She hummed back, her tongue sliding along mine as she pressed herself against my hardening cock.

Fuck.I arched up into her.You’re so goddamn perfect, Lily.

Maybe she was my weakness after all, an addiction I couldn’t stop tasting.

I threaded my fingers through her hair and deepened our kiss, needing more of her. She acquiesced, giving me all the control.