Page 30 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody (Elven Fantasy Romance #3)

Chapter 29 Rhianelle

“ N othing happened.” I lower my head, refusing to meet his eyes. “I got them in the battle.”

Svenn snarls, low and vicious. “I want names.”

He knows.

Cold wrath rearranges his feature into something terrifying. World ending.

His body is slowly shifting again.

Either that or my vision has become blurry and doubled. Pain spears through my lung with every breath I take. It reaches to the point that it is too unbearable for me, and I crumble to the ground.

Svenn catches me before I hit the floor. “Nel?”

“Yes, I lied…” I confess to my husband. “I have no one to turn to. I’m in so much trouble, Svenn. Help me.”

His eyes fall to mine and I see his vengeance dissolving away into agony.

“I’ll take you to the healers,” he says, his eyes intense, near glowing.

I blink back my tears. “I can’t go to the Hlaryan elves. No one can know I’m hurt. Not even my knights. Can I trust you?”

I really have no shame. I just stabbed this man in the chest and now I’m asking for his help.

“You can trust me,” he vows. His voice is far too calm for his eyes. “Tell me what you need.”

“Can you help me sneak out to the Hlaryan elves’ tent?” I ask quietly. “The one on the northwest side of camp?”

He pauses for a beat, then nods.

If the Aeonians sense even a whiff of weakness on my uncle, they will open an enquiry. Avalon, Myrkheim, Darvan, and Hel are coming for us. We can’t afford a civil war in Aelfheim right now.

“No one must see me.” I grip his black tunic. I gaze deep into his eyes to make sure he understands.

Another nod.

He carries me in his arms effortlessly, in complete stealth. We reach the empty tent in no time. I chose this one because I know no one would be here. The support line doesn’t have any losses.

All thanks to Svenn.

My strength wanes and I leave my fate entirely up to Svenn. I watch him silently as he fills the Hlaryan elves’ malachite crystal slab with water and healing salt. All those books he reads are not for nothing. He rips my armor off easily. His eyes rake over me, assessing my injury.

A shallow gasp escapes me as he cups my breast. His hand slowly lower to my fractured ribs. “Exhale slowly, Nel. You need to let the air out.”

I listen to him, fighting against the sharp pain.

I lather the pomegranate soap on my skin when he suddenly stops me. “Let me do it for you.”

Because I’m too tired, I let him.

The man handles me with a tenderness that breaks my heart. He washes my body and untangles the knotted, bloodied mess of my hair. I must have dozed off in the tub because the next thing I know, I’m in his arms, bundled in a bathrobe as we reenter our tent.

The healing crystal has patched most of my injuries, or at least the superficial ones.

“I feel so much better,” I mutter against his chest.

He smiles a little, but it fades too fast and I’m scared again.

“I’ll be all right, Svenn,” I say, asking for him to set me down. I quickly wear my nightgown and dry my hair. After making sure I’m proper, I turn to the man who’s been watching me all this while from the chair.

Despite seated, the vampire feels tall, his presence eating up the shadows in the tent. My heart is hammering wildly as I move closer to him.

“Did my dagger cut deep? I’m sorry.” My voice heavy with regret. If Svenn was not an immortal, I could have actually caused some serious damage.

A frown creases his forehead for a moment. His eyes search my face. He still hasn’t spoken a word since the bath. Nothing in his expression gives away his emotion.

“You’re unbelievable,” he finally says, shaking his head, his voice laced with disbelief. “Rhianelle, I’m the one who needs to—”

“You can take my blood to heal faster,” I interrupt, raising my wrist in offering. “Take as much as you need.”

The vampire suddenly grapples my waist and pulls me into his lap before I can say another word.

He places his head on the groove of my spine, remaining there for a long while.

“I’m the one who is supposed to crawl to you for forgiveness,” he whispers against my skin. “I lost control today.”

I release a silent breath, something loosening in my chest over his words. “It’s not your fault. I know about the dwarven dagger.”

He shakes his head slowly, kissing me in between the shoulder blades. “I could have hurt you, Nel. Maybe I already did.”

His breath makes my skin erupt in goosebumps. I’ve stabbed him, humiliated him. I’ve even imprisoned him. I expected anger and retaliation for what I did. But I get cuddles and kisses?

“Svenn, please let me see you,” I say desperately. If he doesn’t let me, I think I’ll cry. I wriggle and twist from his grasp to turn around, and this time he lets me.

His face is as painfully lovely as the first time I saw him. I can’t quite place this haunted look in his eyes. It’s making me sad.

“I’ve missed you,” I say out of nowhere. I trace the line of his jaw and he shudders at the touch.

His eyelids grow heavy and he presses a surprisingly sweet kiss on my lips. But I’ve waited all day for this, for him. I press my mouth harder against him, lashing my tongue against his. A feral sound rumbles from the back of his throat as I deepen the kiss. His fingers lace into my hair before fisting it at the nape of my neck. He pulls back to take in my face. “I’ve missed you too. So fucking much.”

The temperature in the tent increases to a hundred degrees hotter than it was seconds ago.

“Svenn, I meant what I said earlier. You can regain your strength faster by feeding from me,” I offer again.

A dark chuckle leaves him. “All my wounds are healed. If you want me to bite you, just ask.”

The beautiful sound makes my toes curl involuntarily. I have to ask him something that’s been bugging me for a while. “Does elf blood—my blood taste bad?”

His brows furrow together. “Why would you say that?”

I lower my head. “You don’t take from me often… Is it not as good as a human’s?”

A gasp escapes me when his warm hand grasps my chin, forcing my gaze to his. “Some blood sings… and yours is a siren, Nel. It’s the most heavenly thing I’ve tasted in my entire existence. There’s no other like it.”

My heart stills at that answer. I close my eyes briefly in a prayer.

“That’s a relief,” I whisper softly. “I almost begged Aelfric and Garrett to donate their blood for you, in case mine isn’t good.”

For a moment, it feels like time has paused with that look in his eyes. The scowl from the taut cringing in the lines of his face is unnerving. I think I may have insulted him. The scary look quickly passes, replaced by a resigned expression. “I’m going to pretend I never heard that rotten suggestion because you’re my sweet darling Nel.”

I don’t focus on anything else but the last part of his words. I’m sweet. I’m darling. And I’m his. It feels almost like a fever dream to hear him say that.

The pain in my ribs reminds me that this is real. I lift my nightgown to check on the fracture. The bruise is uglier now after the healing and I feel like crying. There’s no way it will heal in time for tomorrow. I need to wear the Astraea’s temple dress in the morning to address the war generals.

“Nel?” Svenn calls to me, concern brimming in his face. “Let us go to the healers now.”

A knot forms in my windpipe and I shake my head. “I’m not in pain much.”

I’m just scared. So, so scared if anyone finds out about Rainer. My knights and Lady Deirdre will definitely start asking question because they’ve seen me unharmed after the battle.

Svenn stares at me in confusion before the emotion bleeds into anger.

“Point me who to kill, Nel,” he says hoarsely. “Let me help you.”

Hope sparks in my chest at the brilliant thought crossing my head. “Svenn, you can help me! Please heal me with your venom.”

He did it for Shade in the sewer and he healed my palm once.

Svenn’s brows lift with surprise before they scrunch with concern. “But the amount of venom needed for bone-deep injuries… I won’t lie. It’s going to hurt.”

He would never warn me if it wasn’t serious.

“How bad?” I ask, trying to keep myself calm.

He visibly swallows. “Remember that terrible morning when I bit your wrist?”

I nod. Svenn was possessed by the Grimsbane’s armor back then.

There is a moment of hesitation before he continues. “This will be far worse.”

“Svenn, I need this. Help me,” I plead, tears gathering in my eyes.

His chest rises with a deep, heavy breath. “Nel, it will be the worse pain you’ll ever experience in your life.”

I am no stranger to pain. “I can take it.”

He strokes a rough hand over my hair. “High doses of my venom do strange things to the body. Pain will come first, then the healing, followed by the final state, heightened sensation and loss of inhibition.”

“Do it. I trust you,” I say slowly.

He remains convinced. This is the first time I see him so undecided and unsure. I whirl from him and tilt my head, letting my long hair fall back.

“Go on,” I say, baring my neck to his mouth, to those sharp teeth.

I wait for his canines to sink into my flesh, but he doesn’t do it immediately.

His hand ventures to the aching underside of my breast, just above my broken ribs. “Breathe, Rhianelle.”

I hear him breathe in my hair. “You’ve seen terrible things today?”

I nod. Scary things I may never forget my whole life. War is a terrible, cruel thing.

His fingers venture to my inner thigh and I gasp from the sudden thrill.

“It’s been a long day. Neither of us is in the mood for this,” he murmurs, his tone calm. “But I have to do it. Do you understand?”

Nervousness pokes at my resolve, but I need this.

“I trust you,” I tell him.

“Good, now just listen and focus on my voice.” I hear him mutter against my temple. “This is a distraction, so you won’t focus on the bite. It won’t help with the initial burn but afterwards, once the venom starts circulating, you’ll feel better.”

His fingers draw lazy circles on my inner thigh, feeling the slick wetness in between them. I may not die on the battlefield today, but I’m going to die of embarrassment.

He curls two fingers on my lace undergarments, tugging it to the side. His movement is more methodical than passionate, but my body is still responsive to his touch.

Svenn slides two fingers in and arousal spikes into my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I dig my fingers in the powerful muscles of his forearm. “Svenn…”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

I nod and he starts thrusting those wicked fingers in earnest. My eyes flutter shut and I exhale. It’s too much and not enough, all at the same time.

I lay my head on his chest, letting him take charge. If he says I need this, then I need this. Pleasure crests in me as he picks up speed.

“Keep going, please,” I beg him.

He’s building me up with every stroke and I am utterly at his mercy. But there’s something so freeing in the way he takes control of me. The throbbing ache between my legs nearly drowns the pain in my ribs.

Svenn adds his thumb to my torment, moving it against my clit in circular motions. A small whimper falls from my lips. I’m so desperate for more friction my hips start moving, seeking for my release.

“That’s it,” he praises, trying to bring me to the heights of pleasure. “Ride my hand like you did with my face last night.”

The tent is filled with my little helpless sounds. I’m too light-headed to be embarrassed by it. His thumb rubs me in a harsh stroke, pressing until I buck in the motion.

Sparks of pleasure cascade through me, lighting up my body like fireworks. I come fast and hard, just as he intended. My body arches and my head drops against his shoulder. I am still shaking from the aftershocks of my release when he suddenly grasps my chin, turning my face to the side. A soft cry leaves me at the sudden movement. I feel the scrape of his teeth against the nape of my neck, his final hesitation before he sinks them into me.

“Oh gods,” I gasp at the sharp sensation of the bite. The promised pain doesn’t start immediately, but when it comes, it arrives like a raging tempest.

I try to withstand the torture of the liquid flame moving through my body. But it’s too unbearable. I take it back. I don’t want to be in this torture.

“It’s too much,” I exhale slowly.

To say the pain is excruciating is to make light of whatever it is that is happening to me.

My neck is on fire. “Svenn…” I cry out.

It hurts so bad it feels I could die from this. I try to wriggle free from him, punching, kicking, but his strong, muscular arms remain unmoved. My strength is leaving me.

“Please, don’t hurt me.” Unshed tears burn in my eyes.

He wraps my hair around his fist, drawing my head back for better claim. Every bone and muscle in me locks up from the pinprick of tiny needles poking on me.

“Don’t do this to me, please,” I start begging.

He lifts his canines from my skin, but my suffering does not end. I begin to spasm, my muscle tightening and convulsing.

How is this cruelty healing me?

Just before the pain crescendoes to its peak, a warm tingling spreads in my chest. My agony slowly blends with the delightful sensation I felt from his touch.

Pain finally gives way to pleasure.

“I’m sorry, little fawn,” he whispers, soothing me until the violent shakes turn to trembles. “There’s my good girl. You’re so brave.”

He runs a soothing hand over my shoulder, comforting me with his touch. His venom hasn’t just healed me, it has heightened every sense in my body. I can feel my skin getting a little too sensitive.

He carries me to the bed as though I weigh nothing. I think my bones have melted, turning me soft and languid.

Svenn is staring at me ardently, it makes my heart swell. I blink up at him, dazed from the pleasure moving through my body. He slides to rest on the bed beside me, pulling me close to rest my head on his arm.

“I cheated on you,” I confess immediately.

What am saying?

Well, this must be the third state, the loss of inhibition. My emotion is a jumbled mess. Apparently, his venom is truth serum too.

He narrows those sharp eyes, the striking lines of his face contorting with pain. A small sigh leaves him and he smooths his hand over my hair gently.

“You can tell me, Nel. It’s all right, I will forgive you for it,” he whispers like a reverent priest in the temple. “But I’ll kill whoever the fuck the other guy is.”

I inhale a sharp breath.

“I made love to your bond in my dreams.” Tears well in my eyes with every passing word from my unfiltered mouth. I’m shattered and heartbroken by my own confession. “He felt like you. He even tastes like you.”

Svenn pauses, sucking in a deep breath. He simply stares at me for the longest time until my heart squeeze.

Finally, a dark laugh slides out of him. It shakes his entire body.

I frown at his reaction. “This isn’t funny at all.”

“I’d be angry if you dreamed of other girls.” I spear a hand into his hair, pulling his head back. He stops laughing and levels me a pointed look.

“Svenn, I don’t share,” I warn him.

Threatening a deadly vampire? Well, I’m extremely drunk on the venom.

“Vampires don’t sleep, Nel,” he says with a smirk. “I worship you in every breath, in every waking hour.”

I blink. My throat tightens from the emotions strangling my chest.

“That’s right… vampires don’t sleep,” I mumble. “You didn’t cheat… I’m the one who cheated with the bond.”

Another chuckle leaves him. The reverberating feel of it does strange things to my hypersensitive body. “He is me, Nel.”

My eyes widen. I knew it. “He is?”

He nods. “A part of me anyway. I’m going to take it as you want me so badly, you would even fuck a part of my soul.”

“Next time I want all of you,” I demand, looking into his eyes.

“You have me,” he says easily.

My fumbling emotion takes another sharp turn and I shake my head. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”

“I have always been yours,” he murmurs against my skin. “From that first moment I opened my eyes in that dungeon, you claimed me right then.”

I swallow the tightness in my throat. “I did…?”

His gaze drags from my lips back to my eyes. “You’ve taken everything, little fawn. My heart, fuck, even my soul if I have one.”

That look on his face warms my heart. It burns like someone has stoked a real fire in my chest cavity. “I love it when you’re mine.”

He looks at me straight in the eyes, his gaze piercing me.

“When did you start wanting me?” he asks carefully.

I never stopped.

Just like Svenn, I’ve fallen for him from the very start. And I’ve been falling ever since.

But I don’t say that. Instead, I inhale deeply and say, “That day before you started chasing me in the forest at Wesley’s keep, I saw you with your hand raised, trying to capture the sun in your palm. You were so handsome and breathtaking.”

“I wasn’t trying to capture the sun,” he says with a light laughter that sends waves of shivers through me.

My eyes dart to him. “What’s so funny? Tell me.”

“Never mind. I caught something better,” he mutters into my hair, kissing my temple.

Between the venom and the exhaustion from the battle, I feel a little delirious, but I remember Dream Svenn’s warning. We need to claim the bond soon.

I don’t care about anything else. I want him. Now.

I smooth a hand down his chest and a small string of curses leaves his lips. He arrests my offending hand immediately.

“There’s a heavy load of my venom in your bloodstream,” he says, pulling back to look at me, his gaze unbearably tender. “You need to rest.”

“Kiss me,” I demand. I want Svenn to kiss me more than I have ever wanted anything.

He lowers his mouth to mine and I claim his lips desperately. I cannot put into words how good it feels to have him in my arms. I sift my fingers into his hair, pulling him closer because I can’t get enough. Svenn doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back, but he is careful, so careful.

“I need you,” I whimper against his mouth. “You belong inside me…”

He bursts out laughing. “You’re drunk as hell.”

Stupid venom.

“You belong in my heart,” I amend quickly.

But I do mean what I said… Svenn belongs inside me. My body craves relief desperately. The venom is wreaking havoc in my mind, telling me to touch Svenn the way I did in the shower. I can’t fight against the temptation. I make another daring attempt. He snatches my wrist just in time.

“Nel…” he says my name in warning.

“Please, Svenn. It’s painful,” I beg.

Something like sympathy flickers in his eyes. He brushes his knuckles over my arm, the gentle movement sending tiny webs of pleasure crawling up my spine.

I’m so sensitive from his venom that the mere touch is enough to send me into overstimulation. My breathing turns into short, stunted gasps when his large hand suddenly covers my breast, squeezing gently.

“Svenn, please,” I beg again, swallowing a moan down my throat.

He toys around the tip of my breast before flicking it without warning. The pleasure doesn’t hit me in waves. It explodes. My entire body jerks forward and trembles at the simple act.

“You come when I touch you,” he says in a sultry whisper, smoothing his hand down to my stomach. Warm tingles spread over my skin and I squirm from the sensation.

“You come when I kiss you,” he continues, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. “You will surely come when I fuck you.”

He brushes his thumb over that bundle of nerves and heat ignites once again. My eyes drift close and my head hangs back from the sheer bliss.

He nips the delicate tip of my ear and my toes curl from another wave of pleasure tingling down my spine.

“You’re too excitable. How the hell am I going to have my fun without breaking you?” he asks.

His fun?

At this moment, I’m a little selfish. I just want to have my fun. “Make love to me. I want more. I want it harder.”

The deep hunger in his eyes startles a gasp out of me.

“You have no idea what you do to me, do you?” His voice comes out strained.

I shake my head and shrug.I drop my mouth to his neck, pawing on his clothes. It’s embarrassing, but between the venom and the pull of the bond, I can hardly resist him anymore.

Svenn scrubs a hand over his face. “How hard do you want it?”

“Like the girls in Blaire’s books,” I say with utter confidence. My voice doesn’t waver, thanks to the venom.

He kisses the crown of my head and whispers, “Close your eyes then.”

I do as I am told.

When I open them again, I’m beside Svenn in a strange but familiar room.

“Where are we, Svenn?” I turn to him.

“You tell me, sweetheart.”

I move slowly towards the window to open it. I am greeted by the sound of seagulls and the sight of the deep blue sea. I inhale the briny, fresh air into my lungs.

“It’s my room in Volundr,” I mutter in awe, watching the galleons and ships floating around Anne’s harbor.

“That’s right. We’re in your mind, Nel,” Svenn says with a smile.

“Why are we here?” I ask.

“Confirmation,” he replies easily as he moves closer to me. “How are you feeling?”

I blink at the question.

The fog of lust clouding my mind is no longer there. I feel sane in this place. His venom is not messing with my head or my emotions here. I run to him and he pulls me into his embrace.

I lift my head to look at him. “I want you to make love to me.”

He cocks a dark eyebrow.

“Now you know, Svenn. This is not the venom. I truly want you.” I stare up at him.

He has his confirmation now. I wrap my hands around his arm and tug him. “Let’s go.”

But he lingers lazily in my mind, looking around at the furniture. Svenn strides to the large poster bed and settles down. I grow impatient, but I have no choice but to follow him. He picks up the book by the nightstand and skims it silently.

I sit on the bed beside him and look at the cover of the book in his hand.

Heavens above…

It’s my current read. Dusk and Dawn.

He flips through the book with his amazing vampire speed. In just ten seconds, he finishes the entire thing.

I stare at him in horror.

“Let me get this straight. This girl is in love with a werewolf, then she’s in love with a vampire,” he summarizes, tilting his head in deep thought. “And in the end, she chooses to be with both of them?”

I nod, heat blazing through my cheeks.

Svenn pauses for a beat. “So, this is Nel’s favorite book—”

“It’s Blaire’s favorite book,” I correct him quickly. “Mine is the Pandorium Occult, the Halifax tomes, and the Zephyr codexes.”

“Yet not one of them is by your bedside,” he says, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Is this what you want, Nel?”

“No.” I shake my head fervently.

“It’s perfectly all right,” he assures me in a matter-of-fact tone. “Some girls like it.”

My heart tumbles a little now that Svenn knows of the books Blaire and I read. I nuzzle my head over his arm. “I only want you.”

His eyelids grow heavy and he takes a deep breath like he’s trying to inhale the words into his lungs.

“I just want you,” I repeat, just to catch his little reactions.

His intense dark eyes stare at me without humor this time. “Good. Because I don’t think I have it in me to share.”

A shiver goes through me at the possessiveness of that voice. The tension from before melts from his shoulders and he turns to the book again. That smirk on his face is making me antsy. “Still… this scene is bookmarked.”

“It’s for research…” I panic when I glimpse the page he mentioned.

But Svenn’s eyes are no longer looking at the book or at me. He is staring at the door.

“Come on in,” he invites.

Who is he talking to?

My breathing goes shallow the moment I see the person leaning by the doorframe. Dream Svenn—the bond is staring at us quietly. I move closer instinctively towards Svenn and he wraps his arm around my shoulders protectively.

Unlike my husband, fully clothed in his black leather and tunic, the bond is just clad in his usual black breeches. I let out a slow breath. The bond is obsessive and a little insane, but I’m not afraid of him anymore now that I know he’s just a part of Svenn.

My husband leans forward and presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?” I turn to him sharply.

“You said you want it like the books,” he says sweetly, his warm breath tickling my ear. “How about we test it here? The scene you liked.”

“We can make it into a game?” the bond suggests, settling beside me. The bed groans with his weight.

“What game?” I ask with a nervous swallow.

Dream Svenn chuckles softly. “How many times will Nel orgasm before it becomes too much?”

This is evil, evil bond.

“I’ve seen your stupid plays. Stop messing with her,” Svenn cuts him off sharply. “Let the girl decide.”

I lean closer to Svenn where it’s safer and tilt my head to look at him again. Heat floods my cheeks as my gaze collides with his. His eyes are looking down at me with warmth and comfort.

I know I am always safe with Svenn.

“You are in control here,” he whispers to me, his knuckles brushing my arm softly. I love that reassuring touch.

My heartbeat picks up speed as I look between Svenn and the bond. The thought of being completely at their mercy until my body gives out sends a rush of heat flushing down my core. It’s too embarrassing to say what I want.

I take the book in Svenn’s hand and point at another scene. A tamer one. Something I’m much more confident in. I think.

A slow burning smile spreads across his lips. “Are you sure?”

I just nod.

His hand softly tangles into my hair and he kisses me tenderly. I feel precious and the world falls away.

I don’t let my hand tremble when I tug on his belt buckle. This time he leans back and lets me undress him. I do it quickly like I’m unwrapping my Nameday present.

Svenn tilts his head back and laughs. “Impatient, are we?”

I wipe the arrogant look on his face with another kiss. His hands tunnel under my nightgown, tracing a path that ignites fire in their wake. I moan into his lips when he caresses my breast.

One second, I’m on top of Svenn, kissing him, the next, I’m laying on the bed with him nestled between by thighs, his hand on my throat. He edges me closer to his body with one hand spreading my legs.

My head hangs over the edge of the bed. I watch the bond as he takes off his breeches. His cock springs free and my eyes are drawn to it as he strokes it once.

Oh gods… did I really ask for this?

This position makes me feel a little vulnerable. I’m trying not to let my panic show, but Svenn notices it almost immediately. His gaze takes me in like he can see straight into my soul. “You can stop this at any time.”

I blink. That’s right, I’m here with Svenn. He’s doing this for me. I want to be brave and good for him. I shake my head and he smiles.

“It doesn’t have to be him, Nel,” Svenn says callously, jutting his head at the bond. “If you want to be restrained, we can fulfill this scene by calling out Coinneach.”

My sweet Ken?

Just the thought of that sends a jolt of pleasure down my spine. But I stop smiling when I look at the bond.

Pain contorts his features, like his heart has been ripped out from his chest. I don’t like that look, especially when he has Svenn’s face on him.

My brows pinch together as I gaze up at Svenn. That’s not nice…

Do they hate each other? I don’t know what is going on between Svenn and his bond.

“I want it this way, Svenn,” I say quickly. I give them both a sweet smile to defuse the tension.

The bond perches on the bed, his length near my mouth. I see the bead of precum at the tip. “Open wide, Nel.”

I don’t know if the girth will even fit my throat. The fact that Svenn is watching me sends a wicked thrill through me. He is so relaxed, so at ease, it gives me courage.

“No. We shouldn’t be doing this.”

My eyes fly open. I’m surprise that it’s not Svenn who says that. We both stare at the bond.

What?

“Nel is not really that curious. She’s just doing this to impress you.” The truth of his words stuns me.

A small gasp leaves me when Svenn yanks me a little from the edge. He arches a dark brow.

“Is that true?” he asks, searching the truth in my face. I fidget under his scrutiny. Of course I’ll always want to impress him… Is that really such a bad thing?

He looks at his bond, something in his gaze softening. “Good catch.”

That’s right, Svenn. The bond may be mean, but he always knows my limits. He’s still you. I want him to not be angry at the bond anymore, but his gaze returns to me. He is staring at me the same way he did when Coral did something naughty.

And now there’s two of him…

Now that I’m the subject of their cruel attention I look to the door. Svenn clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “Nel, you don’t have to be choking on my cock to impress me.”

Maybe that’s exactly what I want to do.

If I were mouthy like Blaire, I would have bitten back. But I just press my lips together and glare at him.

The bond kneels by the bedside and kisses my temple. “She’s been through hell today. Go on. Make love to her.”

Once again, he surprises me as he strokes my hair gently. The bond cares… he knows what I need. And all I need right now is Svenn.

I slowly look at my husband and he is smiling. “Is that so?”

I nod. For this first claiming at least.

“Then I’m happy, Nel.” Svenn thrusts in one swift motion until he’s seated to the hilt. I let out a loud moan.

Happy is the exact word I feel when he starts sliding in and out of me. I lock my legs around him, trying to meet every rough thrust. Pleasure seizes every inch of my body when he slams at the angle that makes my toes curl.

Svenn is perfect, beautiful. But he feels so far from me. I find myself wanting to touch the ridges of his abs, wanting to be close to him. I reach for the planes of his body, but he catches my trembling hands.

He bends forward and laces our fingers together as he worships me with every purposeful plunge of his hips. “You don’t have to lie to get what you want. Just say, Nel.”

I know now.

“It’s what happens when you’re too nice,” the bond whispers as his hand wraps around my throat.

What is he doing? I don’t have enough air as it is.

“Make her say what she wants next time.” My jaw nearly drops. I thought the bond was being kind, but he is as cruel as ever. I can’t stop the shaking that overtakes my body when he begins licking and sucking my ear.

Not my ear, please. I’d rather be gagging on his hard length than being bullied like this.

With the bond toying with my earlobe and controlling my breathing… it’s becoming too much for me to take. Svenn pulls all the way out before plunging back into me, and the orgasm that sweeps me through my body this time stuns me. My head thrashes into the mattress as an intense sensation wrecks through my body.

I find myself staring at Svenn, at the potent dark desire in his eyes.

“You’re breathtaking, Nel,” he says with labored breath, clearly struggling for control. “So fucking beautiful.”

My heart feels so full with every word that falls from his lips. I wriggle my fingers free from his because I need to hold him. I want a hug after that intense feeling.

“Svenn, please,” I beg. He leans closer to grant me what I want. I throw my hands around his neck, pulling him to me. I’m a sobbing, quivering mess as I cling to him.

“In the washroom…” I whisper to the crook of his neck. My words are clipped because I can’t quite catch my breath. “You said you’ll have me against the wall.”

I want to cover my face after saying that.

Svenn pulls back to look at me. His eyes have darkened with raw lust, I don’t see his pupils anymore.

“You got it, sweetheart.” His lips catch mine in a scorching kiss and he lifts me off the bed. I’m forced to wrap my legs around his waist.

In the span of a breath, I’m exactly where I want to be, between him and the wall. His body is the only thing that’s keeping me from falling to the floor. He plunges into me in slow strokes at first, letting us both get used to the position. Then he thrusts upward, fast and hard.

“Svenn…” I moan his name on my lips like a prayer. The dark god in front of me answers in kind.He hits a spot so deep it makes my eyes roll to the back of my head.

Sparks burst at the corner of my vision and I almost pass out. But I force my eyes to look at him. He likes it when I hold his gaze as he brutally thrusts into me. I want him to let go, to lose control.

“Don’t hold back,” I say in a breathy whimper, keeping my eyes on him.

And so he doesn’t. Even when I’m clawing at his back, even when I’m pulling his hair. His movements become more unhinged, primal. I love watching him take his pleasure from me.

“Oh fuck, Nel…” He growls to my neck and I feel it reverberating through me as he thrusts into me again and again. I’m coming apart with every rough stroke.

“Hey…”

A voice breaks through the cloud of lust in mind.

No, it’s not coming from Svenn. It’s the bond. I don’t realize he is still there, watching us in the dark. I see hope flaring in the bond’s eyes as he looks at my husband.

“For the mating bond to be cemented, I need to be one with you,” the bond says to Svenn. “Let me in.”

Svenn ignores him. His eyes are wholly focused on me, focus on wringing every last ounce of pleasure from me. My lips part from another cry of his name when he slams deep into me.

“What do you think, Nel?” he asks, his fangs gleaming in the shadows. “Are you a werewolf’s girl or vampire’s girl?”

“I think I am Svenn’s girl…” my pleasure addled mind answers dreamily.

Laughter rumbles from his chest. “Good girl.”

A sudden warmth seeps in me as he drives in deep and I feel him shuddering against me. The tension in my body snaps as we both fall apart together. Svenn nips the tip of my ear and whispers, “Let’s get out of here.”

My gaze lands on the bond right before we leave. He is perched on the bed with a dejected look on his face, staring blankly at the floor. Something in my gut twists at the sorrow on his face. Svenn hasn’t accepted this part of his soul.

I reach my hand to the bond… but there’s nothing I can do when Svenn brings us back to the real world.

I open my eyes and return to my hypersensitive body. Svenn is hovering over me, his eyes swirling with darkness as he looks at me.

“You have your confirmation, Svenn,” I whisper softly.

He brushes his knuckles on my cheek. “I do.”

My chest tightens with that soft gesture. I love it when he handles me gently. But I like it better when he’s rough.

“I’m not glass, Svenn. I won’t shatter.” There I go again, making promises I know I won’t keep.

His features turn taut and strained. I don’t wait for his command to spread my legs. There is nothing gentle in his movement when he drives inside of me. My mouth falls open but he swallows that scream with a kiss.

“You’re so tight,” he curses under his breath. Svenn locks his gaze with mine, as if reminding himself I’m real and he needs to be careful.

He slips in an inch, then another one, until he is all the way in. I inhale sharply at the slight pain laced with pleasure. The twinge of discomfort from the stretch turns into heady pleasure when he starts moving.He keeps thrusting into me in slow, languid strokes. This sensual rhythm was how Svenn made love to me on our wedding night. Every time he sinks in his weight, his body presses against the bundle of nerves, making me cry out in utter bliss.

“Svenn!” I cry out.

I lose track of the number of times I scream his name. Stars sparkle behind my closed eyelids as the orgasm courses into me in pulsating waves. I break and I shatter. I break and I shatter. Over and over again.

He smiles at the sight of me unraveling before him. “Better keep your voice down, Nel. It’s echoing inside the tent.”

I don’t care if the entire camp hears us. I forget the war, I forget the Wild Hunt, I forget my name.

Nothing matters.

All that matters is the man in front of me.

Pleasure weaves through me and I clench my thighs together. His pounding becomes less graceful and a hoarse groan breaks free from him. With one deep thrust, he finally let go. His chest heaves and he shivers on top of me, jerking wildly as he comes.

It takes long for me to recover because of the stupid venom, but Svenn is there to comfort me. When he is done making me gasp, moan, and writhe, he starts kissing me over and over again. I think I’m smiling a stupid smile, but I don’t care. I’m just so happy and full.

“You’re mine, Svenn…” I look into his eyes and I know he is. Not just because of the bond. He truly belongs to me.