Page 47

Silvery moonlight gleams off his teeth as he smiles wide and unrestrained. At me.

I’d very much like to kiss that smile of his.

“You can kiss me whenever you want, tiny monster,” he says.

I blink at him. I know I didn’t say the thought aloud. “How did you⁠—”

His lips smother the rest of my question, but I don’t care. Kissing him was wonderful when I was mortal, but now… now, it’s addictive. I simply cannot get enough of his taste—fresh-picked cherries, sun kissed and ripe. He’s got me straddling his lap, and I can’t stop myself from grinding against his hips. His teeth graze my bottom lip as he pulls away, planting kisses along my jaw and neck. We’re together again, and it’s everything. Needing to feel the weight of his body is a craving worse than the burning in the back of my throat. The frayed edges of my dress slide up my hips, and I cannot help but frown as awful memories bubble to the surface.

The massacre at the rite. Vivvy and those spiders. King Joal’s head torn from his body.

Quill’s teeth nip my earlobe as he makes his way down to kiss the corners of my lips. “No frowning, love.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, glancing at the beautiful ocean and the moonlight reflecting from it like it’s a liquid mirror. “Is it safe to… enter?”

“Of course it is.” He winces as he scoops me up and carries me into the low, lapping waves. “Though if you see any sirens, just ignore them.”

“Sirens?” I squeak.

He laughs. Lukewarm water clings to our clothes as he leads us deeper into the sea until we’re out past his waist. I’m grateful I can still touch the sandy seafloor. He releases me, and I’m immediately embarrassed by how difficult it is to stand in the ocean in a gown. My skirts tangle around my legs, and I nearly slip under the surface. With absolutely no effort at all, Quill lifts me above the waves and tears every piece of fabric from my body and his.

“I liked that dress,” I say as the fabric drifts away like seafoam.

“There’s a dozen more waiting for you in your bedroom.”

My brows lift skyward. “How did you manage that?”

“You’ll soon learn my kindred are quite efficient when they want to be.”

“And you?” I ask slyly, licking salty seawater from my lips. “Would you consider efficiency to be one of your traits?”

His gaze darkens as he tugs me close and guides my legs around his waist. His hardened cock brushes against my stomach. Pain shoots through my gums. I wince as I press the back of my hand against my mouth.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“I think—” I bare my teeth. “It’s my fangs. They’re sore.”

“It’ll only be painful the first few times until your mouth grows used to them. But I can help ease the pain,” he says softly as he runs his thumb over the points.

Another shiver wracks through me. “Oh.”

“You must be so thirsty, Rory.” His thumb slides from my fangs to my jaw. “Let’s get you back to the castle where you can feed. Eivor gathered blood for you from various small animals to ease you into drinking.”

The burning in the back of my throat persists as he waxes poetic about blood. Though this desperate need for him to fuck me seems to override my hunger.

“Small animals weren’t on my mind when my fangs sprang free.” His brows raise as my hand dips under the water. I stroke his length. “I’m craving something… larger.”

There is a throbbing emptiness inside me that only he can fill.

His gaze is liquid starlight as he growls, “I’m going to fuck you senseless. Every day for the rest of our immortal lives.”

“Is that a promise?” I caress the tip of his cock and shift so he can angle himself inside me.

His length brushes my slick core, and he groans into my mouth as he claims me with a kiss that would’ve left me breathless if I were still a mere mortal.

When he pulls away, he nips my lip and whispers, “It is a vow.”

The nighttime breeze brushes across my skin, and I shiver.