Page 55 of Worse Fates

I wonder—how many times will I gaze upon Golden and know, without a shred of doubt, he is the most beautiful creation to have ever graced this world? And to also know I do not deserve him.

But I am a greedy man, and Golden is mine as much as I am his.

“That's because…” I run confident fingers down his thigh and Golden’s breath hitches. “This bite is mine.” And I press down on the two small puncture marks.

His back arches off the bed, the sheets twisting in his fists and his head thrashes to the side with an almost pained expression. His slick cock pumping up and down.

A growl rises from my chest. Could Golden cum from this alone?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Golden flinches at the knocking. His sweet flustering shifting away from aroused and into true embarrassment as he scrambles away.

I cup his jaw to keep his skittish eyes on mine. “Shh, love. It’s oka—”

More knocking and Golden struggles into his jeans.

Annoyed at whoever disturbed us, I growl and speed over, nearly ripping the thing off its hinges as I open the door, ensuring my body covers Golden from view.

“What!”

“Holy shit.” Kai holds up a comb, water bottle and a small tub of cream as if to defend himself.

“What. Do. You. Want.” I bite out between gritted teeth.

Behind me, the sheets rustle before quick footsteps dart to the bathroom. Followed by a smallsnickof a lock going into place.

“Golden wanted me to help him with his hair before meeting this Vidar dude.”

The wood under my hand cracks and Kai steps back, fear written all over half the face he shows. Inhaling through my nose, I exhale out my mouth and attempt to calm down. ‘Kai is Golden’s friend,’I remind myself as I move out the way and invite him in much to my displeasure.

After a long pause, Kai steps in.

I manage to shut the door without cracking the wood, the sound of running water from the bathroom in the background. I smother my frustration as I watch Kai lay his implements on the coffee table.

When he starts to fiddle with the hair supplies, my impatience rears up and I have to physically hold myself from snapping at the human.

“Alright, so. I’m not gonna pretend I could kick your ass if you hurt Golden,” Kai says as he turns to face me.

My eyes roll, having no time for this boy’s jokes. “I am not going to hurt him.”

However, his light green stare cuts deep enough to hit bone. “Well, you already have.”

Too late I realise Kai is serious and his words are a blow to my chest.

“You love him?” he asks, demands really.

I nod, the memory of Golden and I’s fight is still a fresh wound.

“Well, I love him, too And I can’t let him end up with another Jace.”

I cross my arms. “I’ve only picked up clues about Jace. But I can promise you this, I’ll never do anything to scare Golden.”

“And I can tell from the murder in your eyes, that you plan to kill Jace and it doesn’t have anything to do with him being a blood mage, right?” Kai puts his hands on his hips. “It’s Golden’s story to tell, and I don’t even know half of it, but Jace had a hold over him I’ll never understand and kept him on a short leash. Sometimes I’d go weeks without seeing him, then he’d pop up covered in bruises but acting like nothing happened.”

“Bruises?” My arms drop.

A coldness steals my breath—then, rage. My muscles strain under the sheer force of will it takes to hold me back, my every instinct screaming to hunt Jace down like the rabid dog he is. But when I do find him, and my fangs rip into his flesh, there will be none of the pleasure Golden receives.