When two are one t’will end the flame.”
I know it now as truth—Julia Carter is the one—the only one who can cure me. The only woman in all the Realms who can complete me and be my other half.
But I cannot simply take her. Oh, how I want to—my hands shake with the effort of restraint, my fangs ache to pierce, my tongue longs to taste. Yet the Sanguis Vita blooms strongest when a woman’s desire blooms with it. I must awaken her first—kindle her pleasure until it burns as hot as mine.
Only then will her blood save me…only then will the curse be broken.
She glares at me, chin high despite her fear.
“So why did you bring me here? You don’t really want to marry me, do you?”
I step closer, letting my shadow fall over her…letting her feel the truth of me.
“Of course I want to marry you. You are the only one for me. The only Abundant Queen whose blood carries the Sanguis Vita.”
Her eyes widen. She stumbles back a step.
“So you brought me here to be your personal blood bank? I don’t think so!”
I frown, a flicker of irritation sparking inside me. Does she not see? Does she not feel?
“Can you not see there is more to it than that? Can you not feel the connection when I touch you?”
I reach out and take her in my arms, pressing her lush, naked breasts against my chest. Heat flares between us at once—a spark catching flame. I feel my cock harden against her belly. Gods, she’s so fucking beautiful…so perfect it makes me ache.
But Julia refuses to acknowledge our connection. She writhes in my grip, gasping, “Let me go!”
Despite her protests, I can feel her body betraying her. The quickening of her pulse…the sudden bloom of heat between her thighs…the sweet scent of her feminine desire winding up to tease my starving senses.
I look down into her wide eyes, my voice a growl.
“Can you truly deny it? I can feel how much you want me—the same way I want you. We are meant to be together. The prophecy decrees it.”
For a moment she falters, stunned. Her lips part…her gaze softens. Urgency and connection hum between us, strong and undeniable.
I think she might yield. I think she might surrender.
But then she shakes her head and I see the denial in her lovely hazel eyes.
“This is crazy—none of this is real! It’s just a dream!”
She shoves at my chest, trying to get away.
I could hold her easily…keep her…crush her against me until she begged for more. But I force my arms to loosen.
I let her go.
She spins and bolts, the sound of her bare feet slapping against marble echoing through my office.
Whistler moves as if to chase, his coat flaring around him.
“Shall I fetch her back, my Lord?”
I lift a hand.
“No. Let her go.”
The old Coyote blinks.
