Page 166 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

I made a humming sound, trying to shift. “What…happened? Did we win?”

He hummed a confirmation, the warmth of his breath fanning against my cheek. “House Bardanes is done. Most of them are dead. A few survived and escaped. I would have hunted them down but…” His gaze swept over my features. I heard his unspoken words. He’d been busy taking care of me, and he didn’t look the slightest bit bothered by it. He pulled me more tightly against him, tangling his legs with mine. He was warm, so warm and cozy.

“Laurie,” I breathed, happy to be with him.

“I…” He licked his lips. “I thought I was going to lose you, little flower. Twice. And all I could think of was how we spent a month—how I spent a month—being a stubborn ass. I could have been worshipping you, telling you what I felt, but instead I was a coward.” His words made my heart skip. “What I should have told you when you asked me to try, was that I had already fallen so deeply in love with you, that there would be no coming back from it.”

A croak escaped my lips. My heart kicked into overdrive. I could only stare at his handsome face, his chiseled jaw, his sharp chin, his fathomless eyes.

“I want to scold you for what you did—putting yourself in danger earlier. You have no idea the punishments I’ve conjured up while you were sleeping?”

“Punishments?” I breathed, my brows furrowing.

“What were you thinking,” he cried, showing a hint of anger, “coming to my rescue like that?!”

“I had to save you,” I whined.

He sighed, his expression relaxing. “I know. And saying ‘thank you’ doesn’t feel adequate. Hence, punishments.” I blinked in surprise. He let out a low laugh that sent warm shivers down my spine. “I cannot wait to take you over my knee and use my palm on your bare ass. You won’t be able to sit for a week after I’m done with you. Or maybe I’ll fuck you and wait until you’re just about to come, then keep you from it, and do it repeatedly until you’re begging for release. It will be the best orgasm of your life.”

Lust shot straight to my core. I tried to squeeze my thighs together but they were tangled with his. I wanted to say yes to all of it. His eyes stayed latched on mine while his mouth pulled up at the corners. “Oh, yes. You’ll enjoy whatever I decide. Don’t worry.”

“Not worried in the slightest,” I managed, my voice breathy and eager. But I was so, so tired. My eyelids fluttered, closing.

“Lily?”

“Hmm?”

“I had an analysis done on your blood a few hours ago. Called in a favor.”

My eyes snapped open. “An…analysis?”

“Yes. I don’t like unanswered questions. So, I had a tiny bit of your blood delivered to a trusted acquaintance living here in the city. For analysis.” My forehead furrowed, but I remained quiet. “What we found completely changes my understanding of amplifiers. I always believed they were human.”

“I’m…not?”

He took an unnecessary deep breath then let it out, his gaze lingering on mine. “Not…entirely. Your mother was. And for all intents and purposes, so was your father. But…the analysis showed that he actually carried a small trace of siren blood.”

“Siren blood?” I blinked. “But that…”

“It makes sense,” he finished for me. “Think about it. You love the ocean. You love swimming and music. Besides, sirens have magical voices used to tempt others to do their bidding. Not quite like what you can do, but still.”

My mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. Could it be possible? I was part siren? There was no denying a blood test, so it would be stupid to argue. And…he was right that I loved swimming, the ocean, water in general. I loved music, playing the piano. I even enjoyed singing, mostly when I was alone with no one to judge my abilities.

“We can discuss it later,” he assured me. “I just wanted you to know.”

“Thank you,” I croaked. It was a lot to process. I took a steadying breath, letting it out slowly. My eyes drooped and fatigue pulled on me, threatening to drag me under.

“Before you fall asleep again,” he murmured, more urgent this time. “Your phone has been ringing incessantly. I finally answered. Had a nice chat with your friend.”

“Ania?” I cried, instantly coming alert. I tried to sit up but he kept me in place. Ania had probably been so worried. I hadn’t talked to her for a few days. Normally, we checked in with each other multiple times a day. A quick text to say hi, or a photo of whatever we were eating, what we were wearing, or doing.

“Yes. She was worried, so I gave her a version of the truth and invited her out to visit. I thought you might need a friend after…” I gasped and my heart swelled. The thought of seeing Ania after everything that had happened was almost too much. “Anyway, she’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. I sent the jet to pick her up. She’ll be staying in one of the guest rooms upstairs⁠—“

I squealed, then winced at the high pitched sound, then kissed him soundly, letting my tongue linger against his. He groaned, holding me more tightly. “Thank you,” I murmured against his lips.

“You’re welcome.” He pulled back to look at me, stroking a thumb down my jaw. “It’s up to you, how much you wish to tell her.”

“Can… Can I tell her everything? She’s my best friend, Laurie.”