"Only briefly. I doubt his psyche was in true danger when his dragon was wholly in charge."
Maven absorbs that, nods, and moves on, her dark gaze flicking around this festive space.
"Why the fuck is there a tree inside?"
"It's tradition," Silas supplies. "It will look better decorated for Starfall."
"Decorated with what? Bones?"
"Why the hell would we put bones on it?" I ask, disturbed.
She shrugs. The movement once again draws my attention to her pretty tits and the tempting curve of her hips.
"It's what monsters in the Nether do to mark their dens. They also hang up the skins of their kills and stain tree trunks with blood. They actually make decent decorators whenever they're not using human skin."
Oh, dear gods. "Baelfire was right. We need to put you in therapy."
She seems genuinely confused by the suggestion, but the conversation derails entirely when Crypt leans over to lick a streak of the remaining blood from her neck.
Silas pulls Maven away from the incubus freak immediately, glaring at him.
"What?" Crypt asks innocently, licking his lips as he gazes at Maven, who looks like she's fighting a smile. "It was only a taste. You get both her blood and her thoughts right now. Consider me jealous."
"Still, what the hell? You can't siphon from her blood," I huff, noting that Maven is now eyeing the paper bags on the table. Meanwhile, we're all eyeing her from head to toe.
"What's your point, Frost?"
Never fucking mind. I keep forgetting that logic is useless against this psychopath.
Maven finally notices that we're all practically drooling over her body. She twists her wet hair up out of her face, turning toward the bedroom. I have to physically bite my tongue to keep from groaning at the sight of her round, flawless ass.
"I'll be right back," she says over her shoulder, closing the door behind her.
Silas immediately glares at us, brushing still-dripping black curls off his forehead. "You three need to figure your shit out and bond with her."
"Fuck off," I scowl. "I told you, we're not going to just use Maven to break our curses?—"
"It's not about the curses anymore." He checks to make sure the bedroom door is still closed before lowering his voice. "The magic in Maven's blood tastes stronger now that we've bonded. I think completing the quintet bonds will help her be even stronger than she already is—and if that fuckingbastardis after her, I want our quintet to be as strong as possible to help keep her safe."
My teeth clench at the reminder of the wraith who came for Maven. I'm no empath, and she's good at hiding her feelings—but the hollow, haunted expression she wore after the run-in with the wraith was clear as day.
I can't imagine the horrors in Maven's past, but if I have anything to say about it, her future will be nothing but comfort and pleasure.
So even though I'm nowhere near good enough for her, even though I've hurt her and been a complete asshole…if there's a chance that bonding with her will help us take on whatever comes next, then I'll try anything—any of the theories.
My expression must reflect my new determination because Silas nods, smirking.
"I need to gather some final ingredients for my Starfall Eve gift to Maven out in the woods. Otherwise, I’d stay and watch. Just remember: no edging."
Heat floods my face. This damn blood fae is just as much of a voyeur as I am, but the jackass also seems to have figured out that I happen to like the idea of an audience.
"Don't worry. I'll show our innocent virgin how to treat our keeper right," Crypt drawls, patting my shoulder.
I smack his hand away, my face red. “I’m not innocent, and shut the fuck up, both of you."
"I'll return shortly," Silas goes on, "but if you three are still at it, I'll happily?—"
Crypt's markings light up, and he visibly cringes. He mutters something about wisps, and the air warps as he blurs out of existence to take care of Limbo.
