Page 94 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

Iheld Evie close in my arms as I fed her blood replenishing potion. I stroked her soft blonde hair, and I praised her for being so good for me. When she finished, I carried her to the bathtub.

She curled against my chest in the soothing, warm water, and seeing her this sweet and docile only shattered my heart all over again.

I hadn’t wanted to give in. Those words had left my lips against my will. But Evie’s mind was made up. And my only choices were to break her trust all over again, tell her I didn’t believe in her beautiful magick and resiliency, or to trust that the same gods who had bound us together would protect Evie until the end.

I could see it in those vengeful gray eyes. Evie saw this as an opportunity, and she was going to seize it one way or another. This was the only way I maintained any sense of control in protecting her.

I held her tighter, washing her depleted body with immense care.

Emotion after emotion rolled through me, but I didn’t show it. I’d already unleashed as much as was safe for her. I’d never hurt her again.

Even if I destroyed myself in the process.

“I promise, Kylo,” she whispered, her small hand wrapping around my fingers. “I promise I can do this. Just like I rose Idris from the dead.”

“Shhh. Relax and let me take care of you.”

After our bath, I scowled as I applied enchanted ointment to Evie’s throat, erasing all visible evidence of my ownership. It might provoke her targets and put her in greater danger.

She wore one of my shirts as she sat on the edge of the bed. I enjoyed how my clothing swallowed her whole, and I could tell she loved being wrapped in my scent just as much.

“Would you, angel?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

She cocked her head in question.

“Marry me?”

Her cheeks turned my favorite shade of pink. It wasn’t fair to ask such a thing when she was venom drunk and barely on this plane of existence, but nothing felt fair right now, so I did it anyway.

“That’s so traditional for a vampire clan leader,” she teased, biting her lower lip. She winced, realizing how bruised and wounded I’d left it.

I rubbed the healing salve there next.

She looked up at me with those big, adoring gray eyes. My thumb was gentle as it skated across her lip.

When I retracted my touch, she rubbed her soft pink lips together.

I pretended not to be waiting with bated breath, but I wasn’t sure how convincing it was.

Her silence squeezed my chest. Only Evie could make me feel this damn human and vulnerable.

She placed her hand over my heart. Her eyes widened, deepening with beautiful, complex emotions. She knew how hard my heart was beating. And even after all of this, she still seemed surprised. That was how deeply Evie’s sense of unworthiness had been ingrained.

Like soulmate love was for other people and not for her.

Her own heart picked up its pace, leaping to meet mine.

She finally opened her mouth. “It’s too soon…” she said softly, staring at her hands in her lap.

My heart panged. Everything inside me suddenly felt heavy and crushing, not to be dramatic or anything. Still, I nodded in understanding. I’d hurt her, and that had set us back. Maybe she didn’t feel as strongly about us anymore. Or maybe she’d always been a step behind.

She slowly moved her gaze back up to my eyes.

“But maybe if you ask properly, next time.”

My exhale was slow. Evie ran a hand through my hair, her smile a blend of earnest and devious.

I lifted her by the waist and threw her higher onto the bed. She squealed as she landed back on the pillows.