Page 52 of Taken By the Blood God

I walked out of the tree line and into the center of the meadow spread before me. As soon as the moon washed over my skin, my magic vibrated, rising to the surface as though eager to receive the blessing of the goddess.

Stopping, I tilted my head back and inhaled deeply, lifting my arms above my head. My fingers spread apart, and I opened my arms wider, allowing the light of the moon to kiss my skin. Icy blue light pulsed around my fingertips before spiraling over the back of my hands and down my arms like vines. My pale skin glowed with echoes of that same light, swirling and glittering like the top of freshly fallen snow.

Joy rushed through me. This was incredible. Beautiful.

I felt everything, experienced it all. The breeze that whispered through the trees, the sound of the night creatures as they moved through the forest, and the scent of earth and blooming things.

But it wasn’t overwhelming. It was awe-inspiring.

I lowered my hands, looking at my spread fingers before turning them over to see my palms. In the center of each of my palms was a starburst of blue magic, imbedded in my skin. But it didn’t hurt.

As I studied the light, there was a shift in the darkness. A hush fell over the forest, as though the night held its breath. There was something out there—watching.

I felt him before I saw him, and I should have known that he would come. His magic called to me, intensified by the power of the waxing moon. I lifted my head, and our eyes met across thefield. The magic I carried, both dark and light, sang in harmony as I looked at him. That sense of rightness spread and grew until I was so full I felt as if I could burst.

His eyes glittered bronze and crimson in the shadows of the trees, and he remained perfectly still. He belonged to me, this arrogant creature, this broken god. He would give me everything I needed and wanted if I let him. I could see it in the way he watched me, motionless but poised for the slightest sign that I welcomed him.

His stare was unblinking as I lifted my right hand, palm up, holding it out toward him, my fingers curled and relaxed.

“Are you sure, little witch?”

The question was nothing more than a whisper and breath, but I heard it all the same.

“Come to me,” I commanded.

For a moment, he didn’t move, and I thought he would deny me, but he took the first step. Then, another. Slowly, he walked through the clearing toward me, our gazes locked on each other.

When he was close enough, I said, “Take my hand.”

Again, he hesitated. “My little witch, if I touch you, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

A smile curved my lips. “Then, don’t stop.”

I wasn’t thinking, only feeling what my magic and my soul wanted. And both parts of me wanted him.

I didn’t see him as a god tonight. Only a man who wanted me. A man I wanted in return.

Talant lifted his hand, moving deliberately and giving me time to change my mind. I remained still, not taking my eyes from his.

When his fingertips slid over mine and down until our palms were press together, my magic sparked, sending a thrill through my entire body. I shivered and inhaled quietly as a chill brought goosebumps out on my arms and pebbled my nipples. The shaftof power shot straight to the core of me, my abdomen first and then zipping down between my thighs.

His hand was firm as it closed around mine. Fire lit his irises, turning them into liquid bronze streaked with crimson. I didn’t move, didn’t pull away, as those scorching eyes drifted from my face down my throat to my naked body. His gaze burned like a physical touch, bringing heat to my skin as he stared at my breasts and then the rest of me.

The tension mounted between us, magic and sex winding tighter and tighter with each silent moment we regarded each other. His free hand brushed over the waist of his pants, and they vanished in a puff of ash and smoke, leaving him as bare as I was. Any doubts I had or worries that this was a mistake vanished at the sight of his nude body.

Though his eyes scorched me, his hand was gentle on mine as he tugged me closer. I didn’t resist and my upper body swayed forward. Every motion was deliberate, as though he wanted to give me the chance to change my mind. I closed the final gap between us, my breasts pressing against his naked torso. The thick length of his cock trapped between us.

Talant lifted his free hand, tangling his fingers in my hair and cupping the base of my skull. I couldn’t hold back the gasp that escaped me when he fisted his hand, taking a firm hold of the strands. It was a sharp sensation but not quite enough to hurt.

My heart rate picked up as he stared down at me, our faces only a few inches apart.

“What is it?” I asked when he remained perfectly still, his eyes roving over my face.

He leaned forward, his lips trailing over my jawline to the spot just below my ear. The simple touch made me shiver. I wasn’t cold, but his lips were burning hot in comparison to the temperature of my skin. His magic sparked along the edge of his mouth, shooting from the spot he kissed straight to my clit. Igasped again, twitching in his grasp. Not to get away, but to get closer.

“I’m trying to decide,” he finally answered.

“Decide what?”

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