Page 148 of Bound By Song

She shakes her head, a whisper of amusement crossing her face before her expression turns wary again. She shifts in the nest, pressing her thighs together, breath quickening.

The scent of her need spikes, thick and dizzying.

Shit.

She’s getting worse.

Her heat is clawing at her, dragging her down, and she’s trying so damn hard to fight it. To resist the instincts screaming at her to seek comfort.

I see it in the way she grips the blankets, in the way her eyes flick to me, then away, shame creeping in.

I move slowly, carefully, reaching out to brush a damp strand of hair from her face. She shudders but doesn’t pull away.

“You don’t have to fight this alone, princess,” I murmur.

Her throat bobs. “I?—”

I see the struggle in her. The war between fear and trust, between need and restraint.

My fingers skim lightly over her temple, a soft, grounding touch. “Just say the word,” I whisper. “Whatever you need, we’re here.”

She exhales shakily, her body trembling. Then, finally?—

“Stay.”

The single word is barely audible, but it crashes through me with the force of a hurricane.

I swallow hard, forcing back the growl clawing up my throat. “Yeah, princess. We’ll stay.”

I settle inside the nest, but keeping just enough distance to let her breathe, whilst remaining close enough that she knows she’s not alone.

Her body sags slightly, tension bleeding from her frame.

She trusts me enough to allow me to stay. To keep me near.

And I swear, I won’t let her regret it.

EVIANA

There’s no mistaking it anymore.

The air feels too thick, like honey poured slow and warm over my skin, and every breath I take tastes like them – like citrus smoke and leather and spice. My omega claws at me from the inside, pacing, restless, wild with need. And I don’t want to fight her.

I can’t.

Not when my body is this flushed and tight, trembling with a hunger so deep I can barely keep my legs beneath me. I’d woken curled in the nest, slick coating my thighs, my scent so thick it choked me. I remember moaning, hips grinding against the sheets, a name falling from my lips before I even opened my eyes.

Blaise.

He was already there, sitting at the edge of the bed, tense and watching me like I might bolt. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. All I could do was reach for him, whimpering like I’d been starved. And now?—

Now he’s hovering by the door, arms crossed tight over his chest like he’s trying to hold himself back. His eyes are blown wide, jaw clenched, chest rising with every ragged breath.

“Evie,” he rasps. “You need to tell me now if this is what you want. Because once I touch you again, I won’t stop unless you tell me to.”

I don’t even hesitate. “I need you.” My voice is wrecked with want. “Now, Blaise. Please.”

He groans, low and primal, and the sound goes straight between my legs. My heart nearly gives out with how wet I am, how empty I feel.

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