Page 108 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

Neither of them hesitated as they kissed each other. When a small amount of my cum dripped out of Samara’s mouth, Kieran broke their kiss so he could lick it off her.

Inside my chest, my two mate bonds thrummed happily as Samara collapsed onto Kieran’s chest, letting out a low groan as Alaric pulled out of her.

The moody asshole looked decidedly less grumpy as he settled on the other side of Kieran and Samara. I met his gaze over them, and he gave me the smallest of smiles. “Perhaps you’re not the worst after all.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Samara

“Erendriel was here?”Rynn squeaked. “And you didn’t wake us up to tell us that immediately!?”

“Cali was sleeping like the dead!” I pointed at my friend, who was leaning her hip against one of the workshop tables. “And then I got . . . distracted . . .”

“With dick?” Cali arched a brow.

I shrugged. “It happens.”

“Tragically, I wouldn’t know,” she lamented. “My pussy is drier than the badlands these days.”

Roth and Alaric laughed from where they stood opposite Cali. It was early afternoon, and we were all gathered in the same room as yesterday. It was the only room on this floor that had places to sit and tables for laying things out. The rest of the rooms contained more books, scrolls, weapons, and other odds and ends.

It would take us years to go through everything and thoroughly catalog, which was something I hoped we’d have time to do. The scholars at Drudonia might literally lose their minds over the knowledge contained here.

Kieran gave Cali an exaggerated look of concern. “I didn’t realize things were that dire, Cal. As I said previously, I can findsome sturdy, non-drama-causing Moroi to help you with that.” He cocked his head while twirling a hand through the air. “Do you have any preferences?—”

“Can we please stop talking about dicks and pussies for a second?” A golden sheen rolled over Rynn’s eyes, and a snarl undermined her words.

“Speaking of not getting any . . .” Kieran said lightly.

Rynn turned her wolfish glare on him and growled, causing him to grab Roth and thrust them in front of him.

“Seriously?” Roth sighed and elbowed Kieran in the gut.

“Sam, control your—” Rynn turned to me and frowned. “What are we calling them? Paramours? Consorts?”

“Mates.” I smiled. “I did indeed have a conversation with the Seelie King last night, and during it, he sensed the connections. They’re Fae mate bonds.”

Cali arched her eyebrows. “What does that mean, exactly?”

“Oh, I have no idea.” I shrugged. “I only read the romantic shit about them growing up, but none of the poems had any actual useful information.

“Of course not.” She snorted.

“Mate bonds,” Roth murmured as they rubbed the spot on their chest over their heart. “That feels . . . right.”

I smiled softly. “It does.” My gaze went to the shelves of books lining the walls. “If we come across any books that mention them, let’s pull them aside to review later. As much as I want to know more about the bonds, it’s not as urgent as everything else.”

“Fair.” Roth nodded. “I’m definitely curious about what they can do and how they are formed.” They glanced at me and then Alaric. “You two have one now, right? I can’t feel his emotions, but I think I can feel the new bond between you both.”

“Gods, Sam.” Cali smirked at me. “Here I am living the celibate life, and you have five freaking mates.”

“Four, technically,” Kieran said. “Sam and I don’t have one yet.”

The smirk fell off Cali’s face, and she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly as silence fell.Sorry, she mouthed at me.

A pit of guilt settled in my stomach. I would have tried to bond with Kieran last night, but he had just done so with Draven, and I hadn’t wanted to take anything away from that. What they had was just as valid and special as what I had with Kier, and I loved that they were happy.

But given that Kieran had hang-ups about thinking he wasn’t enough, had I messed up? What if he thought I didn’twantto form a mate bond with him? If I had hurt him—even unintentionally—I’d never forgive mysel?—

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