Page 80 of Princess Redeemed

The look on his face is pure torment.I ache to go to him, kiss him, whisper reassurance in his ear.

But that is no longer my place.

I wait for him to continue.A moment.Two.Three.Until?—

“For the love of God, Rogan, what?”

“I couldn’t do it.I couldn’t mate with her.”

Sheer happiness overtakes me, and for a moment the fear, the doubt, the pain—everything else—just fades.I open my mouth to speak, but he gestures me to stay quiet.

“Please, let me finish.”He shakes his head, runs his hand over his face.

“You can finish later,” I say.“Your cut… You need medical help.I have supplies, and I’m trained to?—”

“Stop it!”he roars.“Just stop it now, princess.Do you have any idea what it cost me to come here?To come to you?How much my body wants to be with her?”

Something in me snaps at those words, and I lunge at him, sinking my fangs into the soft flesh of his neck.

49

This isn’t justabout blood lust.This is about claiming him, marking him mine against the primal pull Eris represents.

His blood explodes in my mouth, warm and spicy.The dark nectar I’ve come to crave more than air.

Rogan stills underneath me, his gasp of surprise echoing in the silent room.I know he’s hurting, but I need him to understand.This is about me too.About our child.Aboutourneeds.

He can’t just come here and expect me not to react when he talks about another woman.Especially not when that woman is Eris.His blood slides over my tongue and down my throat, and I swallow, letting it coat everything inside me, letting it infuse me with the strength I need.

Alara may have shown me that I don’t have a physical need for it.But damn…I sure as hell love it.

Once I’ve taken a good amount, I withdraw my fangs and look at him.His green eyes are wide, mouth slightly open, a mix of shock and something else playing across his face.Understanding?Anger?

I lick the small wound closed.

He cups both my cheeks.“I’ve missed you, princess.”

“You say that after I take your blood?”

“I’ve missed…” He runs his hands through his hair.“It surprises the hell out of me.I’ve become accustomed to feeding you.Maybe I need it as much as you do.”

I roll my eyes.“I seriously doubt that.”

His irises swirl.“Never doubt me.”

“Would you let me take care of that cut now?Please?”

I look around, puzzled.Where did Alara go?I thought she was staying with me.She made me tea, for God’s sake.Told me my father would want her here.

“Later, princess,” he says.He runs a hand down his face, looking utterly worn.“Right now, I need?—”

I close my eyes and take in a deep breath.Even though I’ve just fed, his musky lupine scent washes over me like a tidal wave.

“You need?”I ask.“What do you need?”

“You.”

All the air leaves my lungs at once, as if he’s struck me.Sex?He wants sexnow?