Carina lifted her chin defiantly. “But I’d be with you? Forever?”
Marcus held her gaze for the briefest of moments. “Yes. You would be mine for many years. I have waited to find you for eons. Letting you go would tear my heart out, but the decision must be yours. I will not end your present existence to live in my world unless it is truly what you desire.”
Carina opened her mouth to respond, but Marcus placed a finger over her lips to close them before she could utter a sound. “We don’t need to rush into anything, Little girl. Breathe. Think. Ask your questions.”
Carina did as he requested and closed her eyes to center herself. She inhaled and exhaled slowly twice before meeting his gaze again. Then she blurted, “Will it hurt?” as if that idea popped back into her head.
Marcus smiled to reassure her. “A bit, but I will do all I can to make it as painless as possible and help you through your transition. I cannot lie to you and assure you it will be totally comfortable.”
Carina bit her lip. “And what about the whole giving up my life?”
Marcus held her gaze once again. “That is more of a long-term proposition. Living forever means you will outlive the humans you know and those you love. In the short term, nothing needs to change, but over a decade people would notice you are not aging. That is an issue we can manage. But you have to understand it is a task that must be dealt with delicately. You can only be Carina for a certain number of years before your youth and lack of wrinkles make people wonder about you.”
Carina sat quietly for a short time. Marcus studied her reactions, unwilling to read her thoughts before she chose to share them. Her eyebrows drew together, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Marcus mentally urged the fire higher to heat the room.
Her expression revealed her choice before she spoke. Carina grasped his hands in both of hers. Resolve sounded in her tone as she announced, “I trust you, Daddy, and I want to stay with you forever. There’s nothing I desire more than being your Little girl. Please take me into your world.”
“Now?” he asked. A thread of concern ran through his mind. The process of turning someone was not without risk. There was a slim chance her body could reject him or he would mismanage the process. Marcus pushed those thoughts out of his mind. Shewould be fine. There were no other options. He would not allow anything else to happen.
“Yes, please. I don’t want to worry about my decision. I won’t change my mind. Fretting about it won’t change how much I love you.”
Marcus slid his hands from hers and cupped her face. After tasting her sweet mouth thoroughly to celebrate her decision, he leaned back to glance into her eyes once again. “My world will be complete when you are a part of it, Little girl.”
Lowering his head, he scattered kisses across her forehead, cheeks, and jawline. Marcus slid a hand from the nape of her neck up into her hair. He tangled his fingers in her silky tresses and gently but firmly pulled her head back to expose her neck as he nibbled down her jugular vein.
Worried that she’d be frightened, Marcus looked once more at her face and relaxed. She’d closed her eyes, enjoying his kisses and showing how much she trusted him. A small moan escaped her lips as he pressed his mouth to her neck and slowly traced the vein with his tongue. Her pulse thudded under his touch, mixing his arousal with the undeniable thrill of having his prey so willing. He could feel her anticipation building with his slow pace. She wanted this.
Marcus linked his mind with hers to cloud Carina’s senses as his canine teeth elongated and slid into her neck, puncturing the artery. He had done this to countless others over the centuries, but this time was special. Now, he would be making a mate, and he wanted to cause as little pain as was possible. Her hot blood came out in a torrent, filling the room with a coppery scent.
Bloodlust threatened to overwhelm him as he drank deeply. He rode a wave of emotion while holding her firmly against him. Pleasure and concern warred against each other inside him. This was his mate. He needed to take special care of her. He scoopedher from his lap and lowered both of them to the thick rug below to allow her to relax and rest.
As her lifeblood drained from her veins, Marcus monitored her heart rate. When her heartbeat slowed to a flutter, he stood to retrieve a pillow from the couch. He knelt by her side to prop the cushion under her neck and gently opened her lips.
One last step, Little girl. You are doing so well.
Moving urgently, he ripped off his shirt and lifted his wrist to his mouth. Tearing his flesh open with the point of one fang, Marcus held his wrist over her mouth as the blood welled from his veins. He allowed droplets of the crimson liquid to drop onto Carina’s tongue. When she didn’t swallow automatically, he pushed away his panic and rubbed her throat.
Drink, Little one. Now, or I’ll spank your bottom.
Her muscles shifted under his hand as she rallied to follow his directions. Relief flooded him. Marcus didn’t waste precious time celebrating. The risk of losing her still remained. Using his mental powers, he commanded the blood to merge and bolster the small spark of life clinging within her.
He felt Carina’s mind explode like the sun as heat and light jolted her from her stupor. Suddenly, her senses had cranked up to their highest level. Sounds, scents, and sensations swarmed around her. Her face mirrored her confusion as she tried to understand the stimuli that battled for her attention.
Carina’s eyes snapped open to look around wildly. Her gaze latched on Marcus’s. She launched herself toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around his chest. Marcus hugged her close, trying to provide a secure support for her.
“Daddy!”
That one word showcased her confusion and struggle to sort out the avalanche of sensory information that flooded her, Marcus gathered her into his arms and held her tight. Evenafter so many years, he could remember how his transition had overwhelmed him. He spoke quickly to anchor her.
Welcome back, Little girl! Steady now. Give yourself a bit of time to get used to all you are experiencing. I’ve got you.
Carina ran her fingers through the hair on Marcus’ chest.
He intruded again into her mind.Are you hungry, Little girl?
Oh yes!she thought eagerly.But not for food.
The heat in her gaze underlined her growing need. Marcus smiled as she pulled him down to the floor with her. The silky robe slipped from her shoulders. Marcus helped her free her arms from the fabric, leaving it puddled below her. Each brush of his hands across her skin drew gasps of delight from her lips.
