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“Uh, the courtyard only has a few steps, there’s no grand staircase like this one.”
Julian smiled wide at me, his eyes alight with glee. “That’s what I’ve been discussing with the witches these last days.”
“Ooooh, are they going to glamor the courtyard or something?”
“Something like that. I’ve employed some very talented spell casters, and I’m excited for you to see what they can do.”
When Julian said he was meeting with witches a day or so ago, I hadn’t questioned it. I hadn’t even given a second thought to the fact that therewerewitches. I’d been pretty proud of rolling with that latest supernatural punch.
But now, to hear they could change the courtyard, which in my opinion was already perfect… “I’m excited to see it too,” I admitted.
Julian guided me into the dining room, and tonight I hoped we’d actually get to eat.
As we settled in our seats, the secret panel opened and the server vamps placed our covered plates in front of us. I was starving, and didn’t bother waiting to start. I tore into the potatoes and rare meat, hardly taking time to chew or even make eye contact with Julian.
“Rough day?” he asked, a smile clear in his tone.
“Yeah, B and I were working on getting my vamp powers under control before the incursion.”
“Good. I’m glad you’ve taken an interest in such things.”
I set my fork down, staring at him. “What’s that mean?”
“It means you were hardly willing to accept being a part of this community just last week. You wanted nothing to do with me, or vampire life in general.”
Okay, that was a fair point.
“So listen, along those lines, I think it’s important that we’re fully mated before the incursion.”
I expected an argument. A rebuttal at least. Instead, Julian nodded. “I agree. We should be able to take the fourth step by Thursday, just to be certain. There can be no shortcuts, Eden. We must wait the prescribed amount of time between stages.”
“Right, forty-eight hours, got it. Glad we’re on the same page.” I forked a few more pieces of meat into my mouth and decided since he was so amicable, I’d press my luck. “And while we’re on the subject, I think it’s important that Jaxson be there.”
Julian didn’t even glance up from his plate. “Out of the question. I won’t have a wolf whose pack I freed in negotiations there as a reminder to Titus. The last thing I want to do is hit that sore spot.”
“But it’s his pack on the line. If shit goes wrong, he’ll have to pay just a high a price as any of us. I don’t think it’s right that the wolves are excluded from what amounts to their future.”
Julian set down his fork, meeting my gaze fully. He took a long pause before answering. “What you said has merit, Eden. I will take it under advisement.”
“Uh…okay then. Great.”
I honestly didn’t know how to respond. I’d expected a fight. Actually, I kind of wanted to fight. That was the only way it seemed I could get in his pants, anyway—when we were arguing about something and shit inevitably got hot.
Maybe he was beginning to see me as the equal he kept claiming I was? Maybe he was trying?
I moved on. “So, I was wondering…” I let the sentence trail off as Julian stiffened. I smothered the urge to roll my eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to push my luck with any more requests. But today was kind of a rough one. Who knew keeping a cloak around yourself at all times was draining? Anyway, I was hoping I might have a bit of your blood.”
Julian eyed me. “You didn’t drink at lunch or breakfast?”
“Oh, I asked Sunny to cut back on my rations. So, I did drink, but not as much as I’d like.”
Julian uncuffed his sleeve and offered me his wrist. “Eden, it’s imperative that you drink your fill while we’re bonding, especially leading up to the incursion. Cast all worries of your former addiction from your mind. Drinking until your sated solidifies not just our bond, but your strength, Eden.”
Now, that was something I could get behind. Drinking as much blood as I wanted and getting strong? Yes, please and thank you. I scented his wrist, running my nose along the flesh and pierced his flesh carefully, allowing my venom to filter into Julian’s vein a moment.
Blood rushed in my mouth, warm and familiar and delicious, and I gulped it down as fast as it flowed. Julian pulled in a sharp breath and as my venom continued to flow, a low rumble rattling his chest.
“You’ve gotten quite skilled at making the experience pleasurable,” he rasped.
