Page 121 of The Vampire's Mercy

Taking a swing, I stabbed at air as he dodged. He was too quick, sidestepping every attack. But that didn’t stop me. I went for it, dancing with him, never giving up. Being the executioner. Twirl, stab, leap, spin. All of it. My rage let loose, an inferno with no signs of stopping.

It wouldn’t die down until I saw him die.

I felt him try to stop me, giving me commands, each one turning to ash. They were useless now, his control broken.

Apart from the blood thing. By Aidan, I wanted his blood.

Frustration spurred me on harder, rage getting hotter.

The king grabbed me by the throat, slamming me into the wall. I grunted as my spine complained from the impact.

“Enough of this,” he seethed, pressing himself against me. “This is the end for you.”

“Then bring it.”

He didn’t act. Showing mercy again, was he? Still wanted me around to restore his memories? He’d regret it. By Aidan, he’d regret ever bringing me here.

I went to knee him in the balls but he dodged me, squeezing my throat harder.

“You filth,” he said, his eyes burning fires of scarlet. “I won’t make this quick.”

I might not be able to break the Heart of All yet, but what about other places?

“I’ll peel the skin from your body,” he continued. “I’ll salt the wounds, I’ll?—”

While he waffled on, I stuck the stakeblade into his neck.

His grip loosened, his mouth freezing in a surprised ‘O’.

I pulled the weapon free, blood spurting from the artery I’d hit. His eyes bore into me, both of us frozen in a staring match, the air filling with the scent of his blood. Rich, delicious blood. Gushing, gushing, gushing. Running down his chest, fresh from the source.

“I found the spring,” I whispered, the stakeblade vanishing, my attention drawn to the magnificent flow of crimson.

Desire flooded my anger, my bloodthirst taking over again. It’d crossed the line, in need of sating right now. No more waiting, no more holding back.

I shot forward, clamping my mouth over the wound. Silvanus’s blood shot down my throat, liquid heaven packing warmth and flavor beyond anything else in the world. It flipped the bird at caramel shortbread, winning the yummy race by miles.

The power of the blood filled me, an incredible wave of energy reaching every part of me. It was sparkling. Yeah, sparkling. Moonlight on the water, liquid diamonds and incredible beauty. Made everything full color, made everything better. Anger be gone, sorrow take a hike. I was too busy reveling in ecstasy.

Ecstasy. I needed more of it. This blood wasn’t enough, only the starter.

I pulled back, meeting his gaze again. He pinned me with eyes, promising death with a side of?—

He grabbed me, spinning me around and slamming me into the wall again. I turned my head, cheek crushed into the ruby stone. His hands were on my waist, my heart rate quadrupling, my skin buzzing with an intense lust that threated to shatter me if he wasn’t inside me anytime soon.

I had to have him.

I had to have all of him.

His breath tickled my neck, his lips so close.

“Do it,” I whispered. “Do it.”

You’ve lost your mind,the weak voice of reason rasped.

“Do it.” My tone became a plea. “Just do it.”

He growled and plunged his fangs into my neck.