Page 5 of Bound By the Alien King

“There you go.” She said it with conviction, as though that settled the case in favor of his monstrousness. “I don’t enjoy that my food has been harmed.”

He laughed in amazement. She didn’t know.

“What?” she asked crossly.

“I don’t harm my prey. It’s more of an exchange. I take the blood I need for nourishment and healing. My venom numbs the bite and speeds its healing in return. The venom heals other injuries, too, and provides temporary immunity to infection. And there are some…additional effects. Benefits for my prey.”

“Such as?”

Why was he surprised that her education had been neglected in this regard? Of course, the human council wouldn’t tell their young females about the properties of Nightborn venom. They didn’t want them running off into enemy arms as their women had in the old days when the humans first crashed their ships on Salaan.

For the first time, he imagined sinking his teeth into her soft parts. Her gasp of surprise, followed by the moan of enjoyment as his venom flooded her senses. Ignited her desire. Why was that such an appealing thought when it was clear she was appalled by him?

“Not suitable for your ears.” It came out a husky growl, flavored with need.

“Right. The best way to protect someone is to keep them in the dark. So I’ve been told my entire life. You’re just like them, you know.” She crossed her arms over her chest with a belligerent set to her jaw. Baiting him, as well, it seemed.

“Am I?” Damir snorted, thinking of the human men he’d seen with their tight breeches, clumsy foot coverings, and high, ruffled collars, the stench of fear clinging to them. “I find it hard to believe you could draw any comparisons.”

“You think you know what’s best for me. And you don’t.” She lifted her chin, and this time, her glare aimed right on target. He felt the force of her disapproval hit him like a salty wave, stinging. Why did he care whether she approved or not? She was nothing to him except a liability.

“Once again, you confuse our interests. I’m not concerned about you. I’m protecting myself. It’s best for me if you don’t know.”

“Why’s that?” she demanded. “How can you possibly be burdened by my knowledge?”

Why was he protecting her? She was getting under his skin with her nearness, her defiance. And he was off-balance already because of the Revel and the impending requirements of the treaty. He didn’t have time to argue with her. He needed her gone.

“Because if you knew what my venom could do, you’d be begging me for it.” He waited for her shocked gasp, but it didn’t come. He tried again. “It would make your flesh hungry. Insatiable.”

“Hm.” She was quiet for a few moments. “Why does it do that?”

The question surprised him so much that he answered. “It encourages prey to mate after we feed on them. Swell their numbers. But as there are none of your kind here in this cave, you would turn to me,” he finished flatly.

“And you would find that…distasteful?” Her hands crept restlessly over her hips and thighs, tracing the red impressions that marked her skin where her ribbons had been wrapped and tied in pretty patterns. Wandering. Wondering. The sight made his cock tighten and swell.

“I would not, and there lies the problem,” he muttered, willing away his arousal. His own blunt honesty shook him, but there was no better way to be rid of her. Looking at her was bad enough. Touching her was unthinkable. He had a long list of reasons why, yet here he was, thinking about it.

“I’d hardly call it a problem. More like a solution,” the impossible female insisted. “Consider it. You’re too hurt to fly. I’m too hurt to walk. How are we to go our separate ways before the Revel? We can’t. We’re stuck here. Unless…”

Unless he bit her. Broke her skin. Drank of her.

She’d been listening, unfortunately. Listening to his stupid boasts about the benefits of his venom. And she was right—feeding from her was the perfect solution. He’d heal quickly, and so would she, plus the analgesic properties of the venom would ease her pain in the meantime. Then she could return to her rightful home.

But the side effects…if he had a taste, he suspected he’d want to keep her. And that would be a big problem for both their people. The last time a Nightborn king kept a human without permission, it had started a bloody and devastating war. It could not happen again. Not when they were so close to fulfilling the treaty’s final provisions and putting an end to the ugly history.

“I’m not willing to break the treaty to salve a few wounds.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” she said, echoing his earlier words.

“You’ll beg for me. And I’m not sure I can hold back if you do.”

She shrugged. “I’m already ruined.”

“Stop saying that.” He rubbed his forehead. These humans and their foolish ways. As though a scrap of weave could determine her value. “You aren’t and will never be ruined. No one can ruin you, no matter what they do to you, because your soul is whole and perfect in a way that can’t be stolen. It will always belong to you, the way the stars belong to the Night Mother, glittering and eternal.”

Her breath huffed out. “You can’t say things like that.”

“Like what?”