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I reluctantly bit into it.
He added, “But you should’ve stopped me before you passed out. You should’ve snapped me out of it and made sure I didn’t hurt you.”
“It definitely didn’t hurt,” I said after I swallowed the food in my mouth.
He let out a long breath, leaning back against the bed’s headboard. “You scared me, Nissa. Veil, I’ve never been so terrified in my damn life.”
“You didn’t seem scared. Just thirsty.” Though I knew he was talking about my near-death experience, I would rather discuss the blood drinking.
He gave me an exasperated look, and I matched it with one of my own as I plucked the sandwich from his hand and took another bite.
He stared at me while I ate it.
I stared back at him.
Finally he shook his head and raked a hand through his hair.
I noticed the dried blood all over him, and the fresh skin where his injuries had been. “We need to bathe.”
“I’m worrying about you,” he growled at me. “Let me worry.”
I put my plate on his lap and tossed the blanket off my body, turning a bit so he could see me. “Look, Kierden. I’m fine. My wounds are healed. My body doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“You’re still pale and covered in dried blood.” He tossed a hand toward me. “You weredying, Nissa. I felt youdying.” The grit in his voice was a clear sign of what he was really worried about.
There was nothing I could say to take that memory from him, or to prevent him from worrying. But, I could prove that I was alright.
I slipped out of bed, patting Death’s head lightly and scratching Bright behind the ears as I passed them.
Kierden set our food down on the bed and followed me across the room. “What are you doing?”
“Taking a bath. There’s nothing like a pool of cold water to revive you after a near-death experience.”
He scowled. “It won’t feel cold to you. My magic is yours now. I—”
“Ohhhh.” I sank into the water, closing my eyes.
Somehow, it feltwarm.
I leaned back against the inner edge of the bathing pool. “This is even better than the hot pool.”
“I know,” he grumbled, reluctantly stepping into the bath with me. He had me seated on his lap a moment later, and I leaned against his chest as his arms wrapped around my abdomen.
“I’m sorry I almost died,” I told him quietly. “That wasn’t my intention. The Beast needed to kill you, and I hoped I could persuade him to leave me alive while Bright saved your life. It clearly didn’t work as I hoped.”
“Bright told me you were planning to offer yourself up as his mate,” Kierden growled at me, his grip tightening.
"It was an option. But Alida told me just before I left that sealing our bond was an option too, so I wasn’t rushing into offering myself to him. I didn’t know if I was really ready for the bond, and I didn’t want to force you into it when I wasn’t sure you wanted it, but I was dying. I figured I might as well seal it to save you.”
“Veil.” He gritted his teeth.
I sighed, leaning my head back against his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“No. I just—” he cut himself off, growling, “How could you think I wouldn’t want the bond? How could you think I’d beupsetabout having your magic in my veins and your thoughts in my mind? I feel blessed, Nissa—so damnblessedto be your mate. I hate that I got you hurt, and I despise that I couldn’t protect you from the Beast, but I amthrilledthat you sealed the bond.”
Emotion swelled in my chest, lodging itself in my throat.
There was a moment’s pause before he admitted, “I probably deserve to die for it, but I’d do it all again if I knew it would bring me back to this moment. Holding you in my arms, smelling my scent on your skin, feeling your heart beating against mine… You’re my mate, Nissa. Mymate.” He pressed his lips to my shoulder once, then again, like he just couldn’t help himself. “It’s surreal.”
