Sterling swallows, frozen in Aamon’s power.
“Because she ismine. And anyone who touches her will be mine as well.”
Tension fills the air as the two males lock onto each other, challenging one another in a silent battle of wills. But Sterling fights for only a few moments before lowering his chest towards the floor. “I needyou, Aamon. There is nothing I want more than to be bound to you. To truly be a part of your fold.”
Aamon leans back on his throne, sighing. I can't take my eyes off the pair, but I’m subtly aware of the way Quinn's moving closer to me, resting a hand on the swell of my hip to stroke soothing circles against my skin.
“That’s a good start,” Aamon voices at last. “But you’ve been defiant from the day you and Ezekiel joined the Blood Order.” There’s a flash of his fangs under the cover of his mask. “What makes you think you deserve a place at my side?”
“I don’t, Aamon. It would only be your mercy guiding me.” Sterling doesn’t rise from where he’s laid out at Aamon’s feet, but I notice the way his fists clench against the concrete floor. The slight tremble in his shoulders as he tries to contain the emotions warring within him. “Because you’ve broken me, Aamon. Because I cannot imagine a path forward besides this one. Because—” Sterling’s voice cracks, betraying him.
I flinch at the sound, hating the way Aamon is treating him. But before I can speak out, Quinn’s hand travels from my hip to my jaw in one swift motion, wrapping around my mouth.
“Shh.” He leans in, lips warm against the shell of my ear. “Let them have this moment, Angel. I promise it’s necessary.”
Tears sting my eyes, falling quickly past my lashes and splashing against Quinn’s hand. But I nod, despite how much I yearn to fix this for Sterling. Quinn’s thumb darts up, swiping away the moisture on my cheek as he leans in and kisses my temple. “That’s my girl.”
“Because I want what you and Quinn have,” Sterling finishes. Quinn freezes beside me. Judging by the way Aamon’s face shifts to the space to my right, I know they're exchanging something right now.
“And what of Ezekiel?” Aamon asks, attention stuck on Quinn.
Sterling doesn’t answer, just tenses even more on the ground at Aamon’s feet. Aamon sighs, kicking out a foot and nudging Sterling’s arm with the side of his boot. “Up,” he orders. I suck in a breath as Sterling obeys, rising first to his knees and then to his feet. Aamon pushes off the throne, stepping up to him.
Sterling has never been the biggest of these males, but he suddenly looks so small under Aamon’s shadow. Aamon lifts his fingers to Sterling’s cheek, wiping the tears away.
“Open that disrespectful mouth of yours, Sterling.” Aamon’s words are a whisper. Meant only for Sterling, though even I can hear them clearly now, thanks to the Arcane magic running freely through me.
Sterling obeys again, and I hold my breath as Aamon lifts his palm to his mouth and tears open the flesh there. He raises his fist in the air, using his other hand to tip Sterling’s chin back. “Make no mistake. Youdo notdeserve this. But this is what Evangeline wants. So you will receive it, nonetheless.”
Sterling nods, a fresh glint of a tear running down the side of his face. A whimper slips past my lips, a sound I can’t contain as my heart breaks for hims. But Sterling has made his decision. He’s doing this. For me, for him. For all of us? I’m not sure of his motivation, but a steady breath through my nostrils reminds me that he walked in here of his own free will, got on his knees and begged Aamon of his own volition. And there’s a history here I’ve only scratched thesurface of. It’s not my place to presume or insert myself. I can only trust that Sterling knows what he’s doing. And so does Aamon.
“Don’t forget what I’ve done for you,” Aamon purrs, hand poised just above Sterling’s open mouth. “You belong to me now, Sterling. Your loyalty, your obedience? It’smine. So take this offering and then give me an exhibition fit for a god. To show just how thankful you are.”
Aamon's fist clenches in the air, crimson droplets falling in slow motion until they splash against Sterling’s waiting tongue. I can't see much from my angle, but I can’t miss the flash of white as Sterling’s fangs elongate, chasing after the droplets. Aamon placates Sterling’s need for more, clamping his palm down against Sterling’s mouth and smearing more of his blood across Sterling’s jaw. Marking him.
Aamon brings Sterling in for a mock hug, lowering his mouth to Sterling’s ear as Sterling continues sucking down his blood. “Now turn around and go get our girl. Make it a good one.” Without another word, he shoves Sterling away.
Sterling stumbles but catches himself, spinning on me with a sadistic gleam in his eye. His lips part as he smiles, revealing bloodstained teeth and a feral hunger I’ve never seen from him before. He’s a wild animal, completely unhinged, striking fear and anticipation into my core.
“Sterling . . .” My voice is low, like I’m trying to soothe a scared animal. I shift my weight on the bed, trying to back away from him. But I’m met with resistance. Quinn is backat the length of rope, holding me in place. I thrash against the restraints, hurting my shoulders in the process.
“Sterling,” I repeat again as he prowls closer. “What are you going to do?”
“Evangeline,” Aamon calls from where he’s taken his seat on the throne. “There is nothing to fear here. Sterling is simply obeying a direct order. But before I allow him to start, we need to address a few things.”
Sterling freezes just to my left, so close I could reach out and touch him, if Quinn wasn’t currently holding my arms hostage.
“First order of business. Are you willing to be bound to Sterling as you are to me and Quinn?”
My gaze darts from Sterling to Aamon. One absolutely feral, the other completely calm and collected. I want this, but it’s sudden, charged. I pause, trying to process the emotions flowing through me. “What?” I ask, my mouth hanging agape as I try to keep up.
“We need your explicit consent before I will allow him to approach you.” There’s no hint of amusement in Aamon’s voice. Sterling wants me to be bound to him. Just as I am to Quinn and to Aamon. For us to all be together, and not just for tonight. My eyes flutter closed as I remember the taste of their blood on my lips last night. The feel of their blood binding to mine. It had been so good. Soul-satiating.
And I wanted that again. With Sterling.
“Yes,” I breathe out, opening my eyes and finding Sterling.
“Good,” Aamon praises. “Now, second order of business. Sterling has been instructed to make a spectacle, in appreciation for the offering I have given. But these kinds of things tend to be a lot for anyone to handle. Before he can start, we need you to pick a word. For if things get too intense—”
