Then she bitesmyneck.
I immediately see stars, slamming into her as I come so hard I can’t fucking breathe. As soon as my cock stops jerking and the relief washes over me, I wrap myself around her, her ass to my lap.
Holy shit,I groan through the bond.
Maven is breathless, smiling over her shoulder at me—and gods, thatsmile.
Still my favorite thing.
“You like it when I bite you.”
“Likeis a fucking understatement,” I laugh.
Gods, I feel good. Better than I ever have, actually. My head isn’t splitting, there is no growling and snarling interrupting my thoughts, and I’m not so on edge that I want to spit fire.
Instead, my inner dragon is just as ridiculously happy as I am. He feels…different, somehow. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but maybe he’s not the asshole he was before…now that my curse might be broken.
I realize Maven is studying me thoughtfully. I trace her jaw, unable to stop touching her. Which reminds me…
“So, how many times did you have to freeze my ass with magic so you could take a beat without me mauling you?” I check, anxious at the idea of making my mate uncomfortable.
“Thrice, but one of those times was to keep you from killing the others.”
I blink. “They were in here?”
She shakes her head, amused. “In between fucking, you got fussy about taking care of me and went to get food and water inthe middle of the first night. They were waiting outside plotting your death for holding me hostage—their words, not mine. I explained this was my idea and that I’d blocked them out on purpose. Then you carried me back in here over your shoulder, caveman-style.”
I blink and sit up, noticing the small collection of protein bars, water bottles, and other random snacks on my desk.
“Oh, fuck. I don’t remember any of that.” Then I pause, her words sinking in. “Wait, firstnight?”
“It’s been two and a half days.” She studies me. “How do you feel?”
To be completely honest, for the first time in my life, I feel disappointed that my shifter system heals so damn fast. I reach out to gently feel where Maven’s mark is scabbed over on her neck.
I frown, thinking. Then I grin when I realize the simple solution.
It’s my first time doing this, but I try to push the thought to the right person.
Can you bring liquid silver to me?
Why the fuck would I have liquid silver?Everett demands telepathically.And if I find out you’ve been fucking our keeper for two days straight without giving her a rest, I’m going to?—
Nah, wrong one. I block out Snowflake and try again.
Si?
“What are you doing?” Maven asks, arching a brow. “Are you blocking me out on purpose?”
“Not on purpose, I just don’t get how this telepathy shit is supposed to?—”
Silas’s reply cuts me off. Somehow, I can tell he’s speaking only to me and Maven.
Look who finally decided to join us.Sangfluir, are you all right in there? Why would you need liquid silver?
Maven frowns before understanding crosses her face. She grins at me.For help marking my mate.
Her mate. Gods, I will never get tired of hearing her call me that.
