Page 79 of Liar Witch

But they won’t be able to help me. They’re still sworn to obey her.

So I’ll have to get in, kill the guards and free the prisoners, and get out without them noticing. If I’m lucky, I might be able to extract some information about the building’s layout or guard numbers without triggering their fae-bound bargain.

At least Klaus isn’t bound by it.

Between him, Opal and I, we have to be able to get this done. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, or because I promised it to the Empress, but because doing this will set the Eagle back significantly.

If we disrupt the chain of supplies she needs for her fake immortality, at least it will buy the other races some time if I fail to send her to the stars again. If she senses her world crumbling away beneath her, she’ll start to panic. That will make her sloppy enough that she’ll start to make mistakes.

It might even drive a wedge between her and her allies if we’re lucky.

I wrap myself in a towel and wander into my bedroom as I consider it.

Only to stop short at the half naked male on my bed.

“You picked the lock,” I accuse.

“I broke it,” Rysen confesses, unrepentant. “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“I’m fine,” I insist. “Just a little tired.”

“That’s all?” His eyes search mine even as his hands come up to my shoulders and start to rub soothing circles.

Rysen always touches me like I’m made of glass, and I lean into him. He spins me softly until my back is to his front, and I can’t help moving my neck to one side.

It’s instinct now, the craving for his bite.

“Are you hungry?” I whisper.

Soft, warm air flutters against my neck, making my pulse skip. “You’re worn out.”

“Never too much for you.”

The soft brush of his lips against the column of my throat makes my breath hitch.

“Rysen,” I murmur. “Bite me.”

I don’t need to tell him a third time. His fangs pierce my vein with a flash of pain, but I ignore it, knowing what comes next is worth every second.

Sure enough, the first draw on my veins is euphoric. Heat flares, then pools low in my belly. I want to turn, to run my hands over him, but his arms are steel bands around my shoulders. Burning like brands as my blood ignites.

I let out a breathy moan as my nipples pebble. The shiver that passes over me makes my grip loosen, releasing the towel to crumple into a pile at our feet.

My vampire lets out an approving hiss. One hand stretches over my collarbone to brush lightly over my nipple, then pinches it in an exquisite contrast that has me arching against him.

“Ry,” I whisper.

He just takes another draw against my throat, sending my head spinning. My whole body aches as his hand reaches down to my neglected breast and repeats the teasing. When his hand envelops my breast and squeezes, I combust.

My fingers flex, searching for something to hold onto against the maelstrom of sensation and finding nothing.

“More,” I demand.

“Whatever you want, little mate.”

His hand doesn’t stop tormenting my breasts, but the other one slowly releases his grip on my shoulder, tracing delicate lines along the side of my ribcage and down to my hips.

I twist, trying to force him where I want him, but he just chuckles against my neck. His hand doesn’t head for my clit, as I so desperately want it to. Instead, it takes a path over my buttock, leaving tiny fireworks in its path.