She stares up at me with defiance, her chin lifting as she meets my gaze head-on. "As I was saying before, you so rudely interrupted me," she says with attitude. "It happened so fast I couldn't stop it. He was on me as soon as I landed in my apartment, almost draining me."
I see red.
The world around me fades away until all I can see is the image of Lucian's mouth on Dani's throat, his fangs tearing into her soft, tender flesh. I want to kill him, to wrap my hands around his scrawny little neck and squeeze until his eyes pop out of his fucking skull. I want to rip his balls off and shove them down his goddamn throat, to make him suffer for ever daring to lay a hand on what's mine.
I gently pull her hair back off her neck, my heart pounding as I search for the mark, the telltale—But I don’t see a damn thing—which means…
Dani's voice cuts through the haze of rage before I can even move, her tone hesitant and almost apologetic. "He... he gave me his blood again."
And just like that, I lose it. I turn away from her, my hands fisting in my hair as I stalk down the wooden planks of the market, my boots thudding heavily against the weathered boards. I can hear Dani trailing behind me, her footsteps light and quick as she tries to keep up. But I can't face her, can't look at her, while I'm raging.
I stop at a secluded spot on the docks, my hands gripping the rope railing so tightly I can feel the fibers digging into my palms. I stare at the sea, the endless expanse of black water stretching to the horizon, and try to calm the storm inside me.
The stars twinkle brightly above, which would typically take my breath away. But tonight, their beauty is lost on me. All I can think about is wrapping my hands around my brother's throat and squeezing until the life drains from his smug fucking face.
The fury is like a living thing, coiled tight in my chest and ready to strike at the slightest provocation. The thought of Lucian's blood running through Dani's veins, of his essence mingling with hers... it's enough to make me want to tear the whole fucking world apart.
"Rhyland," Dani says softly, her voice barely more than a whisper as she comes up behind me. "Please, just listen to me. It's not what you think."
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to unclench my jaw and relax my grip on the ropes. I turn to face her, my eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that makes her shiver.
"Then tell me what it is, Dani," I growl, my voice low and rough with emotion. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like my fucking brother is trying to stake a claim on my mate. And I won't stand for that shit, not now, not ever."
She steps towards me, her hand reaching to rest on my chest. I can feel the heat of her touch through the fabric of my shirt, the gentle pressure of her fingers against my skin. And despite everything, despite the rage and the fear and the fucking agony of knowing another man has put his lips on her—almost damn near killing her. I feel myself calming, the tension draining out of me at her touch.
"He doesn't remember, Rhyland," she says softly, her eyes searching mine with sympathy and determination. "He doesn't understand that I'm yours, that we're mated. And even if he did... it wouldn't change anything. I'm yours, body and soul, and nothing will ever change that."
I close my eyes, letting her words wash over me like a balm. I know she's right, and no matter what Lucian does or says or how much of his blood runs through her veins, she'll always be mine.
But that doesn't make it any easier to bear. Doesn't make the thought of his fangs on her skin any less agonizing, any less infuriating.
"I know," I say finally, my voice raw. "I know he doesn't remember. But that doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, that he took something from you that wasn't his to take. And I can't just let that go, Dani. I can't just sit back and watch while he tries to worm his way into your heart, into your blood."
She sighs, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt as she leans into me. "I know," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin. "And I'm not asking you to. But we have bigger problems to deal with right now, Rhyland. We have to find the Siren's Lyre; we must stop Calypso and find the stone—we can't do that if we're too busy fighting each other."
I take a deep breath, letting her scent fill my lungs and her body's warmth seep into my bones. She's right, as much as I hate to admit it. We have a job to do, a mission to complete. And as much as I want to tear Lucian apart for what he's done... I know that Dani's safety, that the fate of the whole fucking world, has to come first.
She reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair at the base of my skull. Her grip is tight, forceful, and it sends a jolt of electricity straight to my cock. But it's her eyes that do me in, those honey-gold orbs filled with fire and passion and something that fucking undoes me every damn time.
The soft glow of the oil lamps nearby casts a warm light on her face, revealing the raw desire in her eyes. "Kiss me, you sexy Viking asshole," she breathes, her voice demanding and sassy that sets my blood on fucking fire.
I don't even think—just act. I pounce on her lips, one hand fisting in her hair as I tilt her head back, the other sliding down her spine to grip her plump ass. I lift her off the ground, wrapping her body around mine as I claim her mouth with a ferocity that leaves no room for doubt. I slam her up against the side of the building that occupies the dock. She kisses me back with wild abandon, her hands fisting in my hair as she moans and gasps into my mouth, her body straining against mine with a need that matches my own.
"What have I told you about that filthy mouth? Huh, Angel?" She only smiles, like the damn vixen she is, as I retake her mouth.
My hands are everywhere, desperate to touch, to feel every inch of her soft, smooth skin. I rip her dress at the slit, the delicate fabric tearing like paper under my fingers. She gasps, her body arching back as I expose her to the cool night air. I reach down between us, my fingers sliding through her wet petals with possessive intent. "I need this," I growl, my voice rough and demanding. "I need you right here and right fucking now."
I set her back on her feet, the heat of her body searing my palms as I tear the remains of her dress off her plump tits, baring her to the night. She's fucking gorgeous, her skin flushed and her eyes half-lidded with desire. I take one of her tight nipples intomy mouth, my lips closing around the taut peak with a suction that makes her cry out. The cool air and the heat of my mouth work their magic, making her nipples tighten even further as they pebble against my tongue.
She grips the back of my neck, her fingers curling into my hair as she urges me. "Rhyland," she gasps, her voice breathless and pleading. "Please..."
And that's all the encouragement I need.
I whisk us inside the empty building in a flash, moving faster than the human eye can follow. The only illumination is a hearth flickering in the far corner, casting a warm, intimate glow across the room.
It's a secluded boat repair shed, just private enough for our needs. There's a sturdy workbench against one wall that'll do nicely and enough rope and tools lying around to make things interesting if we're feeling adventurous. The place reeks of wood and salt, but right now, all I can focus on is the scent of Dani and the need burning in my veins.
I'm going to mark her, cover her in my scent, my cum, my blood. I will brand her as mine and leave an indelible claim on her body and soul. The thought sends a jolt of possessive satisfaction, a savage joy that burns hot in my veins.
