Page 85 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Fear has been so ingrained into my upbringing that I’m nothing without it. It’s now warped my need into something twisted.

“Is that so wrong?”

Kaden grinds into me, my core fluttering around air. “Not at all. In fact, it makes you even more delectable. A berry for me to taste, who can withstand by brand of darkness.”

His fangs scrap my chest, over my pulse point and I turn my head, silently begging for more.

But then he stops, frozen. Looking up, his eyes are narrowed, watching my heartbeat in my throat pound under his touch.

“What?”

“You needto leave.”

“You’re joking,” I say incredulously. “After all that, you want me to leave?”

He can’t mean it. Not after this entire journey.

“As amazing as it is to hear how badly you want my cock between your thighs,” he winces again, growling, “you need to get out of this bed and leave me.Now.”

“Fine.” Sitting up, I shove at his chest. “But don’t think I won’t turn down another man because you don’t want me.”

It shouldn’t hurt to say those words. That the one male I’ve ever felt seen by, now doesn’t want me.

Lunging forward, Kaden grabs my throat, holding me down.

“If you so much as breathe near another man, I’ll rip out their still beating heart and feast on it in front of you,” he threatens, fangs glinting in his rage. “I’m doing you a favor by denying you right now, pet. My beast wants your blood and if I give into your sweet cunt, I might end up actually killing you.”

Exhaling harshly, I jerk my chin, captured in his strong grip. My body responds, growing damper and more aroused the longer he holds me.

“That would put a damper on everything.” Swallowing, I ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?

Shoving me down with more force than necessary, he pulls back so our chests are no longer touching and I mourn the loss.

“Unless you feel like sharing that delicious blood in your veins and pray I don’t drain you dry, no. Now,leave.”

Licking my dry lips, I hesitate, pulling the end of my tunic higher up my throat.

“What if I gave you blood?”

Kaden’s eyes widen, but he laughs.

“Do you want to die?”

Do I?

“You won’t kill me.”

He tilts his head, eyes bouncing from my neck and back. “You sound so sure.”

Strangely, I am. The heir is ruthless and arrogant, who would letinnocents die if it meant gaining the advantage. But I know, somewhere in my heart, he won’t kill me.

“I am.” Lifting my hair, I turn my head, baring my neck to him. “I’m offering. If it’s what you need to satisfy the beast, to put it back into your cage, then take it.” Lowering, I whisper, “You can’t scare me.”

Grabbing my hair, he twists so I’m bent, pliable and his fangs skirt my flesh, twin sharpness willing to give me pleasure and pain.

“I should,” he says quietly. “You should be terrified of me.”

“But I’m not,” I insist. “Because you’re not afraid of me.”