Page 62 of Seared Fates

Golden’s defeated look softens, and he beams. “Thanks, Vidar.”

Lucero hands me a fresh drink, and I knock it back, washing away the taste of blood while scanning the dance floor.

In the distance, Ramy leads a man away, either to fuck or feed. Probably both.

Summer’s joined a group of women in sashes and tiaras. Screaming like shieldmaidens readying for battle as they down shots. I grin, in a thousand years, some things have stayed the same.

I keep scanning the crowd and then…

Kai.

His back pressed against a man’s chest as they dance together.

The glass in my hand shatters.

“Jesus! What the fuck?” Golden shouts.

Rage pushes me forward, the kind I’ve only known on the battlefield—when it was either my life or theirs. And that piece of shit, whose undeserving handsdaretouch what's mine, is no warrior.

I move through the crowd like a shark sensing blood, and I swear to every god I once believed in that cunt will take Kai over my dead body.

My hand wraps around the man’s neck, my grip unforgiving as I yank him off my soulmate.

“What the fuck—” The stranger stops when I bare my fangs, then I shove him away, and the fucker scampers off like a filthy rat with his tail between his legs.

I expect Kai to be angry. I don’t expect him to roll his eyes and shake his head, but come willingly into my arms when I tug him forward, pressing his back to my chest like a missing puzzle piece.

“You’re so fuckin’ annoying,” Kai laughs, tossing his head back and then looping his arms around my neck.

“I know.” I brush the tip of my nose around the shell of his ear, inhaling his lavender scent to chase away this cloying rage. “But that little boy wouldn’t know how to handle you.”

And how lucky am I when Kai begins his slow dance, swaying his body into mine. “And you do?”

“I do, you need a real man.” I take hold of his hips, groaning as I move into him.

“Aren’t you straight?” Kai purrs.

“Like I give a fuck.”

With Kai flush against me, my confusion over why I lust over him is the last thing on my mind. Why bother even thinking when I can let instinct take over, and dance to the same rhythm his hips are setting.

“Now move what belongs to me.” My lips ghost down the thin skin at his ear, a deep rumble leaving my chest when he shivers. “I wannafeelit.”

Kai pushes his ass, the thing that’s driven me to madness, against my straining cock, and my body becomes fever-hot. I dig fingers into his sides, desperate for a feel of his naked flesh against mine.

“Oh yeah?” he breathes. “Then I want what belongs to me, too.”

My hand roams up from his hips and to the pure silk of his skin. A groan of agony and ecstasy rips from my throat.

“And what belongs to you, little prince?” I’d give himanything.

I bury my nose deeper into his hair, inhaling the scent of his sweat—lavender and pencil shavings, all tangled with a burst of freshly cut oranges. I groan into him, the bittersweetness of his arousal causing my mouth to water.

Another scent is folded into his natural perfume, one that I can’t quite grasp, yet it is all I’ve ever wanted.

“Did you feed?” he moans as I continue to stroke up his soft chest. The sound shoots straight to my rock-hard cock.

“Yes.”