Page 89 of Blood Sweeter than Honey

“Fuck, angel—you should have told me, I would never have asked you to?—

Dazed and in shock, I shake my head in disbelief.

“That’s never happened before…”

“What do you mean?”

“Normally, when I heal someone, it doesn’t have any effect on me. If anything, it energizes me. This, though…”

I’m at a loss for words and suddenly feel like I have to vomit.

The panic and helplessness in Gideon’s eyes as he uses his duvet cover to staunch the blood trickling out of my arm. “Angel,I need you to tell me what to do. How can I help? You look like you just lost a quart of blood.”

As best I can, I steel myself for what I have to admit, and for what I know I’ll have to do.

“Your blood. I need to feed from you.”

There isn’t a moment’s hesitation before Gideon begins pulling off his dirty t-shirt and jeans.

“Like a vampire?”

My stomach churns. “Something like that. And I imagine it will encourage the change.”

Gideon chuckles, sitting down and leaning against the headboard beside me as he pulls me onto his lap until I’m straddling him.

“Too late for that. I’ve already noticed quite a number of changes… I’ll need to drink blood too?”

Sacred fuck. How do I explain this?

“For one, because of oursoulboundconnection, your lifespan will be tied to mine. And, should no terminal devastation befall us, we will live for thousands of years. Potentially more, but… we won’t die simply because we ‘grow old’.”

Gideon whispers a curse as he huffs a laugh of disbelief.

“We’ll need to spend time in my realm. Not all our time, but… some. Or, when we are gone for too long, in that case, we will require one another’s blood. That and you’ll develop new… attributes. Magical gifts, even.”

Gideon shakes his head as his smile and gaze grow distant.

“I can’t help but wonder if I am actually in a coma and this is all just a dream.”

His brows tense at the fear in my eyes, and he gives my hips a squeeze. “Angel, if this is a dream, I don’t ever wanna wake up.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I try to exhale my anxiety.

“If you need time to think about it, I understand. I know it’s…a lot.”

Gideon chuckles. “Darlin’, you could tell me I’d turn into a toad and I’d still sayyes.”

Oh my fucking gods and now I’m crying again.

A tremulous smile teases my face as my eyes burn with joy.

“Really?”

As if to prove his point, Gideon tilts his head to the side to better expose his throat.

“Have at it, angel. I’m all yours.”

GIDEON

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