Page 64 of Taste Me

Zyran jolts against the bar and Kornelius flinches. Since I’m still touching her, the effect is a little easier for me to bear.

And I’m sure it helps that we’re fully mated now, too.

The image of her beneath me, writhing with pleasure, shoots across my mind.

Fuck. I definitely want to do that again.

But first, I have to make sure she’s safe. Being trapped in a rebel Outcast Coven fortress doesn’t feel like it qualifies.

It’s a pretty prison, but a prison all the same.

Kornelius doesn’t challenge her. Instead, he gestures to the sitting area. “You’re always welcome to be a part of our conversation. I simply thought Jasper might wish for privacy. Our discussion is going to be an intimate one.”

Meaning he’s going to tell me what happened all those years ago when I thought I had killed my own brothers.

Issy turns to look at me. A crease has formed across her brow as if she hadn’t considered how I might feel. “I know what it feels like to have lost a sibling. Fallon might as well have been dead those years she was bound to that monster.”

“Anything they have to say can be said in front of you,” I tell her. I cup her chin, lifting it so she can look up at me. “You’re my mate, now and forever, Ishara Doyle. I have no secrets from you.” There’s so much to tell her—and much of it I’m not ready for her to know.

But she deserves better than secrets.

She softens at my words, but there’s determination in her gaze. “Yes, we are mates now. And because of that, I think it’s best you work out your issues with your brothers before any of this goes further.” She glances back at Zyran and Kornelius. “I’m not yet fully mated to them, and if I’m to remain in close quarters, I won’t be able to resist the bond for very long unless I reject them. I trust you to evaluate if that’s going to be necessary.”

Kor and Zy blink at her. It’s a logical thing for her to consider, especially after what just happened, but it’s calculated and cold.

Most supernaturals have it in the back of their minds of meeting their fated mates. The way it’s described is immediate, powerful, and all-consuming.

From personal experience, I can confirm that, for once, the rumors are true.

Issy hides her feelings well, but right now she’s struggling. She’s feeling all of the weight of fated magic times three.

She bites her bottom lip when she looks at Kor, then her cheeks flush when she catches Zy undoubtedly watching her from behind his glasses.

With a steadying breath, she slips away. She pauses when my fingers leave her skin as if she has to adjust to something painful without my touch.

“Issy?” I ask. “Are you okay?”

Kor had put a damn collar on her, and even though he removed it, I very much doubt she’s okay, given everything going on.

She continues walking. “Fine,” she whispers, but it’s strained. “I just need some space to think about things.”

Kor nods toward the hall. “There are a few guest bedrooms. Take your pick.”

Issy nods before hurrying down the hall and out of sight.

Blowing out a breath, I turn to my brothers.

“Well, now that you’ve run off our mate, the least you can do is get me a drink and start talking.”

* * *

I’m on my third beverage, this one an intricate mixture that Zyran calls one of his mystery fireball creations.

It has a nice kick, even against my vampire resistance, and I reluctantly savor it as I listen to Kornelius continue his story. Kor already explained the restriction collar for Issy and that it had been recently developed after Daithi’s death. It uses a mixture of Kor’s and Zy’s blood that was the key to making it work. It also made them the only ones able to put it on and take it off of her—but Kor suspects I can take it off, too.

That’s something I intend to test, because I don’t like the idea of Issy being silenced and I have no power to help her, if needed.

I understand the need for us to stay under the radar and make Issy look like less of a threat than she is, but the collar isn’t just for show. It does exactly as advertised, which places Issy in danger, in my opinion.

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