Mortal and immortal.
Human and monster.
Us.
“I love you,” Tessa gasps, her body tensing beneath mine as she climbs toward release.“God, Vex, I love you—”
The words shatter the last of my control.
I bury my face in her neck, fangs extending, and Ineed, not blood, not yet, but something more primal.I bite down gently, just enough to break the skin, and the taste of her floods my mouth.
The bondexplodes.
Light, cold and brilliant andours, fills the room.The mark on her shoulder blazes like a beacon, reacting to the blend of our essences, and for one perfect moment, we’re completely, utterly connected.No barriers, no fear, no holding back.
Just us.
Tessa comes apart in my arms with a cry that echoes through the cabin, and her pleasure crashes through the bond and triggers my own release.I hold her through it, through the waves of sensation that threaten to drown us both, and when we finally collapse together in a tangle of limbs and sweat and satisfaction, the mark slowly dims to its usual faint glow.
For a long moment, neither of us speaks.
I can hear her heartbeat, fast and steady, slowly returning to normal.Can feel her contentment through the bond, warm and golden and uncomplicated.Can smell myself on her skin, a claim that goes beyond anything physical.
“Okay,” she says finally, her voice muffled against my chest.“That was...intense.”
I huff out a laugh.“That’s one word for it.”
“Did I survive?”
“You survived.”I press a kiss to her hair.“You did more than survive.You were perfect.”
“We’re in so much trouble, aren’t we?”
“Probably.”I pull her closer, tucking her against my side.“But I don’t care anymore.”
“Me either.”
She yawns, and I feel exhaustion pulling at her through the bond.The sex was intense, the emotional release even more so.She needs rest.
“Sleep,” I murmur, running my fingers through her hair.“I’ll keep watch.”
“You always keep watch.”But she’s already drifting, her breathing evening out, her body going soft and pliant against mine.
I lie there in the darkness, holding the woman I love, and make a silent vow.
I’ll protect her.Not just from the ice-devourer or heaven’s tests, but from anything that tries to harm her.The club, the land, the ancient forces stirring beneath Alaska’s permafrost, I’ll stand against all of it if I have to.
Even if it means changing my nature.Even if it means becoming something more than just a vampire.
Whatever it takes.
Tessa makes a small sound in her sleep, burrowing closer, and I tighten my arms around her.The mark on her shoulder pulses once, twice, then settles into a steady, almost peaceful rhythm.
Outside, the night deepens.
And as my eyes finally drift closed, I notice something.
Silence.
