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Silas smiles cruelly before stepping forward. I step back, noticing his hands have turned into fists.

“And what if I did? What are you going to do about it?” he asks, daring me to do something, anything. “That’s what I thought. Now, sit the fuck down before I do something I will regret,” he spat venomously.

“I won’t, you know?” I say defiantly.

“Won’t what?” he responds, cocking his head to the side.

“I won’t let you mark me. I would rather burn alive then be your fucking mate,” I spit at him again.

Then I feel myself slammed into the wall. It happens so quickly I don’t even see him move, only feel the rush of air before feeling something solid collide with my back. I clutch at his hands around my throat, feeling his entire body shaking with anger. Tears well in my eyes as I struggle to breathe.

“Who said anything about you having a choice? You are ours. If you die. It won’t be because of the Dragon heat. It will be by my fucking hands,” he says squeezing tighter, so tight, I think he’s about to crush my throat. I can feel my face changing color, my eyes aching as they pulse in my head.

“Silas,” Dragus calls him. Silas says nothing.

“Silas,” both Matitus and Dragus growl warningly at him and he lets go. I drop to the floor, gasping for air and clutching my throat. I can still feel his fingers wrapped tightly on my skin. Matitus kneels beside me before gripping me under my arms, standing me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. I didn’t care, instead relaxing against him trying to catch my breath. I see Dragus get up, shoving his chair back violently.

“Where are you going?” Silas demands, shooting Dragus a look of pure venom.

“She isn’t just your mate; I am done watching you hurt her when you don’t like what she says,” Matitus growls, shoving past Silas.

Silas grips his arm, and I smell the coppery scent of his blood, realizing Silas’s claws are in Matitus’ arm. Dragus moves behind Matitus and grips Silas’s wrist, ripping his hand off his mate. Silas growls, grabbing me. I wrap my arms around Matitus’ neck, refusing to let go. If I had to choose, I would choose them over Silas. At least they don’t hurt me intentionally. I hear Silas growl as he storms off. One of the maids screams in the corridor and I peer up. Marian walks in clutching her chest. She eyes me in Matitus’s arms, quickly moving her gaze to the floor.

Matitus starts moving, and I find myself back in my room. Matitus sits on the bed, and I stare up, Dragus is standing in the doorway

“He will calm down. I’ll go check on him in a minute. Are you alright with Matitus?” he asks. I look at Matitus and he is watching me, wanting to know my answer. I nod and Dragus smiles, heading out.

I go to get off his lap, Matitus grabs my hips forcing me to remain on him.

“I won’t do anything; I just like it when you’re close,” he says, his eyes softening as he leans in, pressing his face into the crook of my neck and inhaling. I flinch when his nose touches the skin of my neck. He pulls back, worry on his face as he eyes my neck.

I try to say something, opening and closing my mouth, but I feel like something is lodged painfully in my throat from his vice-like grip. Matitus stares up and watches me, biting into his wrist, his eyes not leaving mine. His wrist starts bleeding, and I can see his teeth marks embedded deeply in his skin. He holds his wrist up expectantly.

“Here,” he says, and I hesitate, looking at his wrist. Matitus brings his wrist to my lips, and I open my mouth, clamping my lips over the bite mark and swallowing his blood. It hurts to swallow, though the pain quickly stops, and I feel the lump in my throat leave and the pain goes away. I attempt to pull back when Matitus speaks.

“Keep going.” Confused, I look at him, pulling back.

“What?”

“Trust me, keep going,” he says, holding his wrist to my lips. I do as he says. Letting his blood flood into my mouth, it is disgusting to think I’m drinking blood, it didn’t exactly taste unpleasant, not at all what I expected it to taste like. It is a smoky bitter taste. I feel Matitus pull me to him, forcing my head on his shoulder and I understand why. After a few seconds, his blood rushes into my mouth and down my throat.

It’s no secret Dragons and all supernatural creatures have special gifts—powers—I didn’t expect their blood to make me high. I feel floaty—no that isn’t an accurate word for it—I feel high as a kite. The room warps and twists, and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips. My head rolls back heavily. I hold my hands up, and it looks like I have no gaps between my fingers and every time I move them, funny patterns follow in the sky.

I feel my head hit something soft, and I realize it is my pillow. “What did you do?” I ask at least I think I ask. My voice sounds melodious, and I giggle at the sound.

Matitus leans over me, an amused expression on his face. “You look so high,” he chuckles.

I touch his face and he leans into my hand. His short beard tickles my palm as he turns his face, kissing the inside of my hand. I feel the high lifting and my surroundings regaining focus. The effects of his blood must be wearing off. I pout when the feeling goes. Matitus leans down, kissing my lips.

“It doesn’t last long. I thought it might make you feel better,” he says against my lips. His lips are full and soft, gentle as they move against mine. I kiss him back and I feel his tongue slip into my mouth, making me moan loudly. I pull back, embarrassed by my reaction. Matitus laughs and I stare at him, it being the first time I’ve heard any of them laugh.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Elora. That’s how you’re meant to feel,” he says, leaning down and kissing me. He goes to pull back again when I grab his shirt kissing him harder. I hear him groan when climbing between my legs. His hands move to either side of my head on the pillow and he grinds himself into me. I feel the bulge in his pants against my leg.

“I leave for two minutes and you’re all over him,” I hear Dragus’s voice say from the door, making me jump. Matitus looks over his shoulder before sitting up. I worry for a second thinking Dragus is mad that I was kissing him yesterday and now he finds me with Matitus. My heart beats erratically.

“Calm down, Elora, I was joking around,” he says, his eyes darting to Matitus, and a grin graces his face making him look the most human I have ever seen him, his features softening.

“You’re meant to want all three of us,” Matitus says, and I shake my head. I know I don’t want Silas as he both scares and infuriates me at the same time.