Page 91 of Fated to the Dragon Warlord

Darax is looking at me again, swiping the hair away from my face. I must look a mess for him.

“My heartsfire, my heart’s desire, you are my entire universe. My bite has healing properties, but if I give it to you, we will be bound together forever. I didn’t know if it was what you wanted. My rut clouded my judgement, but I will claim you here and now if you wish to stay.” He swallows hard. “But if you wish to go, I will understand. The choice is yours, my Kerra.”

DARAX

It was not supposed to be like this. My bite was always hers at the moment of her choosing, but not to save her life.

Because this choice is no choice. It is not a claiming.

But she will live.

What happens after, I don’t know.

But she will live.

My heart pounds out a slow beat, one which matches the ebbing of her life-force. Keeping Kerra safe was what I was supposed to do.

But keeping her alive is everything. I do not care what I become after this, providing Kerra is in my world.

I turn around her as surely as a planet orbits its sun.

Her hand manages to clutch at me, pulling my head down to her.

“I want you, Darax. All of you,” she rasps, her voice nearly gone. “I want to be with you forever.”

My fangs extend, my venom dripping from them as I rip open her clothing to get to her skin. Hunger rises within me, a need I didn’t know I had.

Kerra belongs to me. Kerra will not die.

She is mine.

As my fangs sink into her flesh, the venom flowing, mixing with her blood, going deeper and deeper, I taste her entirely. She is sweet. So sweet, I’m not sure I ever want to let her go.

There has to be an end to my venom, but not yet. I haven’t given her enough.

I have to give until there is nothing left, until my claim is complete.

“Darax.” I hear the voice but I can’t stop. “Darax.”

I can’t stop. There are hands on my body, but I attempt to flick them away.

“Darax, you’re done,” someone growls. “She is claimed.”

And as I lift my head, I see Kerra’s eyes flutter open once more.

Which is when mine close and finally my fangs relax my grip on her.

DARAX

The roar I hear when I wake is impressive. Even more so when I fling Dalat across the room with a single blow. He snarls up a storm, but it’s nothing compared to mine.

“Where is she?” I’m on my feet, my shifted tail lashing, sending me off balance and crashing into a wall in my medic-bay, buckling it. I lurch across the bay, hitting the other wall before I get a grip on the doorframe, my claws buried deep in the metal.

I can scent Kerra.

I need her.

I love her.

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