Page 86 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Pensively, he hums as if to agree. “No. What I feel for you isn’t fear, Max. It’s something much worse.”

Then his fangs rip into my throat.

Chapter 30

Max

His teeth sink deep as agony erupts along my ripped flesh, heat so intense, it scalds me from his bite. Shouting out, I grip him close, body shaking as fear and adrenaline pump through my veins.

This was a mistake—he’s going to kill me.

Lapping at my neck, Kaden growls, pulling me close, teeth sliding through the flesh. The slick noises grate on my ears as nausea rises up my throat.

Is this what it sounds like when a beast eats its prey?

Blindly, I grab the dagger at my belt, fingers twisting until it’s free. Raising it, Kaden pulls my wrist until it rests under his neck.

He leans too close and I know he’s cut.

My heart beats in time to his draws, drowning out the sighs of euphoria.

“Kaden, I—” my vision edges black and I inhale, fighting the pain.

Just as I’m about to scream, do anything to get him off of me, his grip relaxes and the pain turns to intensepleasure.

Gods.I close my eyes, falling back against his pillows, body humming between elation and need.

He shifts, eliciting a moan from me as he grinds into my pussyand disgust wars with arousal for dominance. I should hate this—this is grotesque, but it’s soothing a dark itch inside my soul.

Here, I can be monstrous and he’ll still see the good in me. He can be the monster and I won’t run.

He purrs, pleased, when I turn my head, offering more.

Cradling me close, he shifts us so we’re perfectly aligned. Slowly, reverently, Kaden pulls back, bloody lips kissing my throat and wound.

He peers down at me, awe shining in his face.

“From the moment I met you,” he begins, “I knew there was something about you. I felt drawn to you. Called into your orbit. As if a piece of my darkness resided inside here.” He taps my chest with two fingers, amber eyes bright. “I’ve never felt that before. Never had someone give me their blood. No one has trusted me since—” he breaks off. “Well,ever, Max.”

He nuzzles my neck and my body hums, want flaring so strongly, I whimper when his lips find mine. Tasting my blood on his tongue, I suck it down greedily. Blood has always been a part of who I am—my magic, my being, but with Kaden it feels likemore.

“You’ve given me a gift. One I can never repay.”

My body arches as he drags his mouth over my cheek, my jaw and further still. “What is this?” This build, this need. It’s strange—and I find myself leaning into it.

He grins against me, nipping at my skin. “I’m not sure. Should we test it?”

Ripping the blankets from the cot, his kicks off his boots and the shirt from my head. Laying in nothing but my bindings and leather pants, he looks at me as if I’m a goddess, come to Neevea.

“You’re dangerous, kitten,” he breathes, kissing my covered chest.

“Dangerous?” My hands dig into his locks, pulling them tight as he sighs in pleasure.

“To me. Because now, that I’ve been given this gift, I cannot bear to be without you.” He lowers himself further, looking up at me between my thighs. “I’m doomed.”

Chuckling, he unfastens my pants, pulling them down, locked in with my boots. Without warning, he flips me, lifting my ass into the air, hands molding overmy flesh.

I mewl, pushing back into his hands and he chuckles. “Greedy.”