Page 35 of Undying
Most likely both.
“How do I know that this isn’t some trick? What guarantees do I have that you’ll keep your word and protect me?” While they technically haven’t hurt me, it’s only a matter of time. I can’t allow myself to trust them.
Stanton’s eyes narrow dangerously, like I personally offended him and questioned the size of his penis instead of asking for reassurance that he’s not going to sell me to the highest bidder at the first opportunity.
A muscle jumps along his jaw, and he practically growls at me. “I give you my word—I’ll protect you with my life.”
To cover the way I go all swoony at the husky promise, I snort and roll my eyes at the absurdity. “Right…that and a cock are enough to get me screwed. You’re about as reassuring as a gun to the head. Try again.”
Stanton’s mouth drops open. While he sputters, one of the wolves snorts, and the other outright chuckles, a deep, rich sound that has my core clenching. Before I can turn and identify which one makes my skin tingle without even touching me, Milo interrupts and draws my attention. “You can ask for a blood oath.”
I tilt my head curiously, ignoring the way Stanton huffs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Is that really necessary?”
“Why, yes.” My smile is slow to form, and I take extra pleasure in knowing that I’m annoying him. “I think it’s very much necessary. I mean, would you trust a vampire who keeps you in a cage and refuses to release you?”
His eyes narrow dangerously, then he speaks through gritted teeth. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”
My brows lift at his aggrieved tone, pleasure spiking in my chest, and I realize I’m enjoying myself for the first time in months. Instead of pushing him, and my luck, I ask the question that matters most. “What is a blood oath and how does it work?”
“It’s an oath that we swear on our lifeblood.” The Viking stands up straighter, his chest expanding impressively when he inhales, and I’m bewitched by the low rumble of his voice as much as by his words. “If we fail to uphold our oath, we die.”
I scowl, and my heart twinges in my chest at the thought of anything happening to the big Viking because of me.
“No.” I clear my throat, tugging at the hem of the shirt I’m wearing. “Your word is enough. No oath needed.”
“I disagree,” the barbarian mutters, then holds out his hand toward the Viking. The big man grunts and nods, drawing a bone knife from his ass or something. But instead of handing it over, he swipes the edge of the blade across the barbarian’s palm, drawing blood. “I vow on my life to keep you safe.”
I take a step forward to protest, but I don’t get a chance before the Viking cuts his own palm so deep, I swear I see bone. I gasp, but he doesn’t break eye contact with me as he makes his own promise.
“I vow on my life to keep you safe.”
Milo doesn’t hesitate to lift his wrist to his mouth and bite deep, blood dripping freely from his wrist. Mouth coated red, he repeats the same oath. “I vow on my life to keep you safe.”
With the vows, each hiss as their flesh knits together, leaving behind a tiny scar.
“What have you idiots done?!” I march forward in a rage, ready to smack them, my slow beating heart clenching at the thought of anything happening to them because of me.
Never because of me.
The barbarian reaches up, gently brushing his scarred hand against my cheek…then the dickhead has the audacity to smile. “Worth it.”
I don’t bother holding back anymore and smack him.
Hard.
Totally forgetting my own strength.
He staggers back a step, then wheezes and coughs, as if I knocked the air out of him. He thumbs his chest, clears his throat, then smiles at me in a way that has my own breath hiccupping in my chest. “Feisty. I like it.”
I growl in exasperation, then roll my eyes and mutter under my breath, “Yup…an idiot.”
But I can’t keep the smile from my voice.
Completely unrepentant, his grin only grows.
My attention is stolen when the Viking extends the knife toward Stanton. I grab his arm before the other man can accept the blade. “Don’t.”
I glance at them both, then shake my head. “Just…don’t. My life isn’t worth it.”
