Page 121 of Between Soul and Vessel
My arms enveloped his neck, his thrusts slow and sensual, purposeful, keeping my thoughts on where we were connected.
“That was unreal,” I whispered, still half-dazed.
“We’re not done yet, sweetheart,” he promised. Hisfingers played with the piercing. “What do you think of them?”
Them?
Blinking, I looked down, amazed to find he’d installed the other barbell as well. When he did it, I didn’t know.
The one thing I did know?
Von was right—sometimes, you needed to feel the pain of something to feel like you had a right to have it.
“I love them.” I looked up to him. “I love you.”
Von lowered his forehead against mine, his arms wrapping around me. “I love you, Sage. More than anything.” His long, deep thrusts were different now. They were purposeful, amplifying the truth behind his spoken words.
With each stroke, he drove that message into me—howmuch he loved me.
With each one, he carved his claim into me—mine.
There was just one thing missing . . .
“The bond,” I moaned in a breathy tone, lungs searching for air.
“You remember what comes next, yes?” he asked.
“I do,” I said. I tipped my head to the side, offering him my neck.
“No, I’ve already had your ichor tonight,” he mused, his thumb stroking my nipple, a gentle reminder. “You need to take mine.”
“But how?”
“Use your teeth, Kitten.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You do. Your body does. Think of thetasteof me. I promise, they’ll come.”
I leaned into the image, picturing my teeth piercing his skin, thinking of the way his powerful ichor had once tasted on my tongue, how intoxicating it was and how—
This is how things will be for you now, Moonbeam,Aurelius’s voice whispered in my mind.
I went board stiff, my eyes stretching wide.
“Sage?” Von stopped abruptly, his hands flying to my face, caressing my cheeks.
I blinked.
“What’s going on?” he asked, voice worried.
I clutched on to his forearms, peering into his eyes.
His beautiful green eyes, like home to me.
If I didn’t drink Von’s blood, the bond would never be restored. Aureliuswouldwin. He would still have control over me. No, I refused to let him haveanypart of me. I refused to let him win.
“Sage?”
