Page 44 of Ashvale: The Vampire's Thrall

His hand came down on the back of my neck, holding me flat and creating more friction between us as he fucked me punishingly.

I moaned his name and his voice was low when he spoke to me. "That's right, Leonora. Can you feel how easily I own this pussy? Do you know how fucking wet you are for me?"

He slowed his pace and the wet slide of his dick pushing inside me echoed in his room as he teased me. "On your knees," he hissed and I obeyed, too eager for the pleasure I knew he could wring from me to bristle at the command. His hand in the centre of my back ensured my chest remained flush with the bed as my arse hovered in the air like a corrupted prayer position.

I expected him to fill me again but when his fingers pushed in instead I whined and they were quickly replaced by his dick. Heat pushed into me and I knew I was getting close to the edge when suddenly two fingers, slick from my pussy, pushed into my arse. The double sensation pushed me over the edge and I shook in front of him as he continued to fuck me, his thrusts growing rougher until he called my name.

I stayed still, breathing hard when he rolled off of me. I was sore, but in a good way, Hayes' bite marks already healing over.

"Feel better?" I remarked and he snorted as he made his way into the en suite connected to his room and turned the shower on.

"You coming?" He called to me a second later and I smiled as I stood up and followed him inside.

* * *

"What is he doing here?"

"I called him," Hayes said, closing the door to his room sharply after checking the corridor. "And he's not supposed to be here without Elowen’s permission so keep your voice down."

I scowled, not fully trusting the mage after the last time we'd tried to trigger a memory of mine—though, I supposed hehadsaid it would hurt. “Why did you call him? I don't have to drink more of that purple shit do I?"

Cal snorted and shook his head as he sat down in the chair tucked under the small desk Hayes had under his window. "Absolutely not. I think that's what got you into this mess."

I folded my arms across my chest, grateful for the long shirt Hayes had provided me with after our long shower—I wouldn't have wanted to see the mage in the skimpy night dress even if it wasn't now shredded. "What mess would that be?"

"Oh, I don't know," Hayes said, matching my tone as he stood next to the mage, "maybe you generating more power than the sun?"

"There's no need to exaggerate." Fucking drama queen.

Hayes stared me down as Cal looked back and forth between us. "West was in a coma from just a quarter of what you were putting out, Leonora. You put anundead vampireinto acomathat took him three hours to come out of." He paused and glanced at the mage before continuing, "And I don't think that was the full extent of it either—if you were trained, you might be able to wield more."

"Bet you're glad we're bonded now," I said faintly and the mage's eyes widened, like he hadn't put the dots together yet. "So why the mage?"

"Because none of the vampires here will be able to teach you the control necessary for the level of power you have."

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? So you're, what, going to train me?"

Cal nodded and I frowned.

"We think that maybe the potion opened your true power when it eased the barriers in your mind, but blocks are often there for a reason." Cal shot me a look as if to sayI told you so."You weren’t ready to wield as much as you did."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Why is this happening to me?" I muttered and something flickered across the mage's face too quickly for me to parse out.

"It's not safe for you to wield around others," he said eventually and I bit my lip but didn't argue.

"Was anybody else hurt?" I asked Hayes and he shrugged.

"I was more interested in making sure you were alive."

"What about Rowan?" I still wasn't sure what their history was like, how serious they'd been, but surely Hayes would have at least checked our friend wasn't dead or hurt?

A small pinch marred his face and a flicker of guilt passed through the bond. He hadn't thought about it, and that bothered him. Our bond was taking over, but it was hard to be worried when it felt so good—and not just the sex or blood. The bond was more content when we were close, so of course it would affect things. Other priorities.

As if my words had conjured him, Rowan burst into the room a moment later. His eyes widened in relief when he saw me standing and recovered.

"Thank fuck," he said and the word sounded filthier coming out of his mouth for some reason—sexier. I hadn't even had time to reply before he was striding towards me and taking my cheeks in his hands, lifting my face to his as his mouth crashed down on mine.

Surprisingly, the bond didn't seem to mind. And I wasn't sure I minded either. His lips were harder than I'd expected, and his grip on me was firm. Always the quiet ones, I mused as he pulled away and I saw Novalie in the doorway too, looking bemused.

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