A Ride of Peril (A Shade of Vampire #46)(59)

I felt her relax as her succubus nature unfolded, streaming through me like white fire and making my head light. I welcomed it all, everything she had to give, including everything she’d struggled to hide. I kissed her face and made my way to her ear, my teeth nipping the lobe. She trembled in my arms, and I instinctively pushed my hips forward, eager to make her feel everything that she was doing to me.

Our lips found each other again, molding perfectly into a kiss that nearly threw me off the edge. I ran my hands up her back and gently scratched my way back down. She moaned and abandoned herself in my arms, her heart echoing into mine.

There was no turning back from here. There was no way of pretending this kiss didn’t happen. Something had shifted between us, and it could no longer be ignored. Our bodies reacted to one another like strings plucked in unison.

And I couldn’t get enough of her.





Jovi





It felt as though it took us forever to regain control of ourselves. Anjani eventually pushed herself back, taking deep breaths as we looked at each other. Our eyes said what our mouths couldn’t.

I took her hand and guided her to the bed, on which I lay and took her in my arms. We were both exhausted, as the events of the day finally started to kick in. She fell asleep first, her body perfectly molded against mine. I drifted off slowly, listening to the sound of her breathing. Her hair tickled my nose.

As dawn cast its warm light into the tree, I ran my fingers through those seemingly endless curls, patiently waiting for Anjani to wake up on her own. I didn’t have the heart to trouble her dreams. I leaned forward, breathing her scent in. Meadows and sunshine flickered in my mind, along with the image of her dancing across the tall grass. Sunlight made her glow like a diamond.

She’d gotten me hooked without even trying. On the contrary, she’d done her best to keep me at bay. Unfortunately, her best was no match for the mind-blowing chemistry between us. It was as absolute as the sun rising in the east. The effect she had on me was undeniable. All I had left to do was ride that wave and prove myself worthy of her attention.

I knew, deep in my heart, that this was a creature who required someone as strong and fearless as she was. She was barely beginning her life as a succubus, and I wanted to show her that I was someone she could be proud of, someone she’d be thrilled to have near her.

I reached for the pendant in my pocket, pulling it out of its little pouch. I stared at the wolf’s head, its fangs clasping the strange diamond, the little flame still flickering inside. The old fae’s words echoed in my mind, making me wonder whether I’d already found someone to give this pendant to. She’d spoken of true love, a soulmate who would reveal what the pendant could do.

I lay on my back, Anjani’s body warm next to me. She’d fallen asleep in her black silk dress. The fabric glazed her hips and thighs. The pendant dangled on its delicate silver chain, loose between my fingers.

Should I give it to her?

My eyes wandered up and down her side. Despite my usually carefree attitude as far as people and emotions went, I seemed to take Anjani very seriously. I wanted to give her the pendant, but I feared it was too early, as I had yet to fully grasp the weight of everything she meant to me.

Was she my soulmate, or was she a passing challenge, someone who would leave her mark on me and make me stronger? Would she stay with me? And if she did, would she come with me back to The Shade?

I somehow didn’t see the latter happening. She was Anjani of the Red Tribe, after all. A silver-blooded Eritopian tasked with one day leading her sisters. I was but a wolf-boy who’d stumbled upon her, unable to walk away at the sight of her in danger. I was a stranger, an outsider who missed his home and old way of life and yet found himself fascinated and even thrilled by this new world.

There was a conflict brewing inside of me. How could I give her such an important gift, a pendant for which one day I’d have to repay an old fae with a favor, when I wasn’t even sure whether we’d last?

Would I be the one to stay here? Or would she be the one to be persuaded to follow me?

I decided to hold on to the pendant for a little while longer until I’d figured it all out. I needed to have a better picture of what lay ahead, of what she truly felt for me, beyond the explosive physical attraction. I needed more.





Serena





We landed in the river, the water thankfully deep enough for us not to break our bones on the bottom.

I quickly swam up to the surface.

The stream flowed away from the castle. My survival instincts were strong. My eyes darted around.

I saw Sverik and Hansa swimming ahead. I kept myself afloat, moving my arms for some kind of direction. Draven popped out from beneath, wheezing and spitting out water as he shook his head, regaining his senses.

“Are you okay?” I asked, and he nodded briefly.

We looked up. The black castle towered over us. Water poured out from where we’d jumped. Destroyers had slithered to the edge of the opening. They threw spears and shot arrows, but the projectiles failed to hit us. They flailed as they hit nearby trees and rocks on the river bank.

We weren’t out of danger yet. Soon enough, more Destroyers and incubi soldiers would swarm along the river with no intention of capturing us alive.

Draven looked up and stilled, his muscles freezing. His eyes went wide and rolled back in his head.