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“Prince, stop,” I demanded, but Sander did not look at me.

“I can’t hold it much longer.” Mira gritted her teeth. Already the harsh buzzing of her illusion faded to gentle hums.

Sander crouched beside Eeva. He lifted her into his arms while dodging her flailing limbs and screams for the pests to leave her be.

Mira closed one fist. The insects burst into ashen mists and faded away.

“Prince,” I shouted. “Take care, she’ll bite—”

It was too late. With the distraction of Mira’s glamour faded, Eeva drew in a long breath through her nose, homing in on small gashes across Sander’s throat. Her jaw widened, and she sank her fangs into his neck.

“Sander!” Mira screamed.

I caught her around the middle and pulled her back.

Sander grimaced and sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth. He stumbled down to one knee but did not drop Eeva. Truth be told, he cradled her head, holding her closer.

My lips parted. Whatever the prince was doing, holding her in such a way, Eeva softened her bite. Soon it appeared more like she lavished his neck. Her gulps turned to moans, almost sensual.

Sander stroked her hair. “A little more. That’s all you’ll need. A little more.”

What the hells was happening?

I watched with a touch of horror as Eeva’s body slumped and she leaned into Sander’s broad chest. The sound of her tongue lapping at his flesh slowed.

“There,” the prince whispered. “That’s enough. That’s all you need.”

Eeva’s head fell back. Her lashes fluttered. Already, the dark veins around her eyes were fading, more like kohl markings rimming her long lashes than poisonous rage. Thick streams of blood flowed down Sander’s throat from the two holes where her fangs had pierced him below his jawline.

She went limp in the prince’s arms.

“Gods, Sander.” Mira rushed to his side and used the cuff of her tunic sleeve to press against the wound on his neck. “What were you thinking?”

Sander adjusted so he was seated on the grass. He moved Eeva’s head to rest against his shoulder. His skin had grown paler, but not as though he’d lost a dangerous amount of blood.

“I’ve done little else but…but read of Veri folk this last week,” he said, low and soft. “I read something interesting two nights back.”

“How surprising.” Mira tugged on the lobe of his ear. “That does not mean you let a woman devour you!”

Sander chuckled. “I’m afraid I’ve done that more than once.”

“Gods.”

“What is it you learned?” I interjected. These two would go around and around before getting to the point.

“Right.” Sander blew out a long breath. “Veri folk are blood feeders, yes. But they don’t have to be locked in a blood call, that’s what this is, a call to blood. It’s an obsession that can completely overtake them. Clans of legend were devoted to ensuring their people did not succumb to a blood call. They hunted in pairs, trios, or quartets. Another Veri always eased them out of a call like I did. Did you see? I did not fight her, did not encourage predatory instincts. Simply urged her to soothe the hunger. She took what she needed and that was enough.”

“What she needed?”

Sander peered down at Eeva. Her features were peaceful, even with the streams of blood spilling from the corners of her mouth.

“I’d wager these folk have been starving her of blood, and she does not realize it. Veri do not need much. A little every month or so. But if they keep her away from blood until their harvest, she will slaughter everyone she can if the call takes hold.” The prince grunted and stood, lifting Eeva in his arms. “That would be my guess from what I’ve researched, at least.”

Blood from Eeva’s mouth fell to the soil. A golden sprout burst from the earth.

“Gold again.” I touched the seedling. “She took your mesmer.”

“And her blood will make it so that fruit will bring health and many turns of life.” Sander’s jaw pulsed. He looked at her again, almost gently. “I’ve determined Veri folk are misunderstood, like so many of us. She’s not a monster. Those who’ve kept her as their slave are the villains here.”