He shook his head, staring down at her. They were similar, in a way. He saw his prideful stubbornness reflected back to him when he watched her.
"Okay, darling. I will stay." Vale lay down by her side, atop the quilt.
She nestled into him, her rosy strawberry scent calming his dragon.
Vale tried not to fall asleep, but it was a losing battle, perhaps just the same as his battle against the temptation of her—one he had lost long ago.
25
YOU HAVE ME (DRINK FROM ME)
BASTIAN
Blood.
Hot, thick blood filled Bastian’s mouth.
"Careful," Az warned.
Bastian grumbled around Az’s wrist, the blood chasing away his consuming need for Luella.
They were growing closer to their destination, and with each day that passed, Bastian felt himself grow weary and desperate. Being stuck at sea like this, he had nothing to do but think of her. Vale said they would arrive in the next few days, so Az had forced Bastian to drink, whispering harshly,You can’t afford to be weak when we arrive. Drink from me.
Bastian shut his eyes, tasting hints of Luella’s berry softness on the demon’s skin as he drank. He could trick himself into thinking it was her that he drank from, but he was no fool—he could not be tricked. This was a mere bandage for the gaping wound in his soul, one that screamed out in desperation for her and the taste of her blood, needing it again. Again, again, again?—
Undone by the warm rush of the essence filling his mouth, Bastian missed Az trying to shove him off—and the faint gasp that filled the room.
"Bastian… Az. What are you doing?" Luella’s voice broke through his aching hunger.
"Release me." Az shoved him away, putting her first, always.
Bastian growled around Az’s wrist, fangs sliding free as he pulled away, knowing his lips would be glistening red. He groaned at the sight of her, feeling hunger stir with such intensity he felt like he might faint from the force of it.
Her white hair curled around her shoulders, her wings folded to her back. Blue eyes like the stormy sea. She wore a simple shift, mended by him to accommodate her wings. The hem brushed her lower thighs, revealing her bruised knees, a product of her many lessons with Graves.
The lone flame flickering in the sconce bathed them all in a golden glow.
"You drank from him?" Luella asked, soft tone seeping into the blood-tinged air.
"Yes," Bastian said, watching her eyes widen. She had been there that day in the dungeons, as he had drunk from Az once, but they had taken great care to keep the rest from her.
She lifted her chin. "How often?"
"Nearly every day," Az revealed, the muscles on his bare back flexing as he stepped closer to her.
The ship was quiet this night, with the others on deck. It was just the three of them here. Enclosed in this golden dark room, with blood on his lips and the scent of her in the air. Gods, Bastian wanted her. He wondered what drew her here. Had she been searching for Az, wondering why her hammock had gone cold without him? Or had she felt Bastian and wanted to seek him out?
"You did not tell me? Bastian," Luella said, "I would have helped you. Why hide it?"
Bastian ran his tongue over the point of a fang. "You need not know of my struggles. And Vale would never allow it."
"I don’t care what Vale says." Luella walked to Az, taking his arm and turning it to the firelight, brushing the pad of her finger over the bite marks. A bead of blood stuck to the pad of her thumb, and Bastian’s mouth grew dry at the sight. "Vale does not own me," she said with unusual fire coloring her tone. "Are you still—no, you are. I feel it. Bastian, you still need to feed. Drink from me. I want you to."
Az grumbled, "Lu, angel, we have already discussed this, and it is not a good idea for him to drink from you."
She rose on her tiptoes, arms reaching up to cup Az’s cheeks. They were such a sight. She was so small and delicate, and he was large. Her angel wings contrasted with his demon horns. "For me, Az? You’re here to keep me safe. I know you will."
Ravenous for her, Bastian stalked closer, his shoulder brushing Az’s as he placed a hand on her soft waist. She looked at him, trust shining inside her eyes—did she know how she looked right now? He wanted to ruin her, but not in a bad way. He wished to turn her into an aching, wet mess, blood dripping from her neck and lids fluttering. Would she let him? Would Az?
