Page 83 of Beauty

Bron sighs, but she rolls up her sleeve. “Fine, but don’t dothat thing where I end up a heap of boneless flesh at the end. I need to fight,too.”

I know Lach would argue that I should do exactly that. Lachwould tell me it’s the perfect solution. I would get my strength back, and theact of pulling Bronwyn in would rob her of hers.

And she wouldn’t trust me again. She saved me. She returnedwhen she could have run. Perhaps it’s time to start trusting our bondmate.

I let my fangs pop out. Yes, Kaja is right. I can feel itnow. Bronwyn glows for me, a sweet golden aura around her body. It makes herstand out. I look up, my every vampire sense open now. Kaja glows, and damn, ifGillian doesn’t glow, too.

“Roan is right about you, Gilly.”

Gillian frowns. “Roan can be right all he likes. It won’thelp him.”

And then Bronwyn’s left wrist is right at my mouth. I can’thelp it. I bring it to my mouth and bite down. When the blood hits my tongue, Iknow the true sweetness of life.

I suck and drag her pure blood into my body, health flowinginto me. Power encompassing me. More than simple blood fills me. She invades myveins, her life, her heart, her spirit. They all soar inside me.

She’s shaking by the time I let go, but she straightens upquickly. She rolls her sleeve back down. She obviously felt the connection,too.

I stand, feeling my strength like the sweetest drug. I grabBronwyn’s hand and pull her to me. Her face falls.

“And now you’re going to shove me off to the side, aren’tyou?”

I shake my head. Gods, but I love the feel of her so close.“I’m going to kiss my wife before we go and save Lach. Just be careful, love. Idon’t want to lose you.”

Finally, I manage to say something she doesn’t have acomeback to. I brush my lips against her and turn.

Lach is in trouble.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Lach

The hag won’t stop. I skewer her soldiers. The minuteI sense death descend on the fallen, I use my power to grip them and reanimatetheir bodies. The dead rise and fight against their former brethren.

But the hag has other plans.

I hiss as a searing pain hits my chest. I feel a squeezingsensation, as though someone reaches right through my skin and bones andcatches my heart in their hands.

I fall to my knees, Roan sliding down beside me. “Your Highness,we should think about retreating. She’s got a heavy shield around her. She’sletting the soldiers die, but we can’t get to her. I’ve tried sonics on herthree times now and they bounce off. Two of my men are down because the bounceback hit them. One’s dead and the other is out cold.”

Roan’s words hit my ears, but they sound distant.

You can’t win, Death Lord.

The hag’s voice is the only thing I can hear. It fills myears, crowding out everything else.

Your power is too close to mine, and I’ve been usingmine for far longer. I’ll let these sheep die in my place. I’ll focus on you.You’re the important one here. Tell me where Bronwyn Finn is.

Fuck all. I hit my head on the hard dirt. She’s inside mymind. I can feel her there, picking through my memories. Cold prickles catch inmy head, the hag plucking from here and there. She causes each one to flashthrough me.

Staring down at my brother’s body and knowing he’s gone.Shim is gone. Bron is gone. My worst nightmare. I’m half a man and alone in allthe planes. I can’t stand it. My power flares for the first time.

The memories come fast and furious.

Standing over a woman, her lovely body spread out for mypleasure. I tie the knots perfectly, loving the deep concentration it requires.Bondage is a dance between three partners, and I love the rhythm. But not thewoman. I can’t give her what she wants because I gave my soul to one woman whenI was just a child. She holds my soul, my heart. It’s only logical that sheowns my cock, too. I turn away, knowing my desires will have to burn throughme. There’s no relief here.

Listening to my father talk to his advisors. Humiliationis a rolling wave as they speak about the fragile princes. Shim is weak inbody, and they worry my mind isn’t strong. I don’t try to defend myself. Itwon’t make a difference. They won’t listen. If only they would bond, the kingbemoans.

I am bound. I am bound. I am bound.