Page 334 of Bitten By the Fae
Kols had bitten me, taking charge of our relationship in a way he’d never done before.
Then he’d submitted to me in the next moment, knowing that it was what I needed.
The male I’d known all my life had grown into a man so far beyond my worth. I had no idea why or when he’d chosen me. Fae knew I didn’t deserve him. But as he turned to face me now, his golden irises swirling with power, I couldn’t claim a single regret.
Except for our missing link.
Aflora.
“I wish she were here, too,” Kols said, sauntering up to me.
“Reading my mind?”
“More like your expression,” he replied. He slid his palm around the back of my neck and pulled me into a kiss, his boldness flooring me. I grasped his throat, squeezing it a little as I took control of the kiss with my tongue.
He pressed his groin to mine as fire ignited between us.
We hadn’t touched each other like this since the other night, our focus on other things. But the bond was alive and hot between us, begging Kols to finish it with a final bite.
Between Kols and Aflora, I felt so utterly complete that I almost didn’t recognize myself. They’d breathed new life into my lungs, given my heart a reason to beat, and provoked a sizzling heat inside me that begged to be sated.
I needed her.
I needed him.
I neededthem.
My teeth skimmed his lip, threatening to bite. I could feel him urging me to do it through our partially formed link. Wecouldn’t hear each other, not quite. But years of experience coupled with the deepened bond had left us with new insight.
“Zeph,” he groaned, his grip tightening on the back of my neck. “I?—”
The clearing of a throat cut off whatever he’d been about to say, the presence behind me reminding me that I’d left the door wide open.
Fuck.
“Look, I don’t care what you two do behindclosed doors. But please be mindful that others live in this house. And your mother would not appreciate this.” Malik Nacht’s voice held his usual chastising undertone, but a hint of amusement lurked in his golden irises as I slowly turned to face him.
The Elite Blood King had been in an unusually good mood the last few days, which Kols and I didn’t understand. Everything had gone to hell with Aflora. Shade couldn’t locate her, at least as far as the Council was concerned, and Kols had technically failed his trial. Yet Malik had proceeded as though everything was normal, going as far as to invite me into their home like he used to do when I served as Kols’s primary Guardian.
“Sorry, Dad,” Kols said, his shoulder bumping mine as he came to stand beside me. “Everything set for the Blood Gala?”
“Yep. Just a few things we need to go over first. And Zeph’s missing a key piece of his attire.”
I frowned, looking down over my all-black suit—the exact same style as Kols’s suit, only his tie was skinnier than mine. I glanced at him to see my confusion reflected in his expression.
Malik slipped a hand into his jacket to pull out a box. He handed it to me with an expectant look. “I believe this goes on your lapel.”
My heart stopped.
It can’t be…
He doesn’t mean…
I looked at Kols again and caught the same glimmer in his eye as I felt in my chest.Hope.
It took all my willpower not to outwardly react. Warrior Bloods were taught to be stoic. Hard.Tough. I couldn’t afford to show any ounce of emotion, especially if this was what I thought it might be.
I cleared my throat and lifted the lid, the familiar gold-and-red pendant inside blinking up at me beneath the lighting.My Guardian pin.
