Page 42 of Fated In Ruin
That I could not abide.
I leaned back in the chair before the hearth, one hand gripping the armrest, the other draped over my knee. The fire burned low, casting flickering embers across the cold stone floor. My thoughts were a tangled snare, circling the same impossible dilemma.
Keeping Evangeline safe.
Keeping my hands off her. The second was proving more difficult than the first.
Leaving me no choice but to send her away, somewhere she’d be safe, even though no such place existed. In the morning, I would take her back to Crimson House.
As for Ravok…perhaps it was fitting the two of us ended our lives locked in battle, far from our homelands, ruined shells of the powerful males we once were.
A knock at the door shattered the quiet.
Soft, hesitant.
I knew it was her before I even answered. Before her warm desert scent wafted through the crack in the door and sent my senses spiraling. I should pretend I was asleep, or send her away, because once she was in my bedchamber…I squeezed my eyes closed, my cock already hardening.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, bathed in firelight and shadow. Her hair was rumpled, and nervousness gave her spicy scent a sour hint. Evangeline looked… fragile. Even paler than usual, her lips dry, her delicate fingers trembling where they clutched the edge of her sweater.
I was on my feet before I realized I’d moved.
“You're weak.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “You look ready to collapse.”
She gave a half-smile, weary but wry. “Very observant of you. I can see how you’ve lived to such a ripe, old age.”
I exhaled through my nose, forcing my hands to unclench. “You need rest. I should have…I’ll find you some food. Go back to your room and I will bring you…”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid I need more than food and sleep.” She stepped closer, her voice quieter now, uncertain. “I needyou, Malachi.”
I went completely still.
Her meaning became clear when she dipped her head, eyes tracking up my throat, her pupils dilating, her cheeks flushing pink.
She was asking me to—Feed her.
I turned away sharply; my jaw clenched tight enough my teeth ached. “No.” I fell into the chair, body shuddering as I fought to keep myself under some semblance of control.
“I haven’t fed since before the invasion of the castle. I expended an enormous amount of energy that night, and after releasing my magic, I’m not regaining my strength like I should. Please, Malachi, I wouldn’t be asking if there was another option.”
I closed my eyes. My name on her tongue would be my undoing.
I dragged a hand through my hair, staring hard at the fire. “You're still learning to control your magic. If my blood…”I couldn’t do this, couldn’t be expected to keep myself together, because the moment her lips touched me…
“My blood is too powerful. Combined with your magic, it could be fatal. I will take you back to Crimson House. Riordan, Blake…let them take care of you.”
When had I become so fucking noble I’d deny myself the chance of a lifetime and hand over the female of my dreams when she was right the fuck in front of me, practically begging to be at my throat?
The answer wasright the fuck now.
“You won’t hurt me.” She took another step, until she stood between my open legs, close enough the heat of her body skated over my skin and I sensed the depths of hunger clawing at her. “You wouldn't let anything happen to me.”
She put too much faith in me.
Because what I was imagining right now were all the ways I would use her body, bite her and lick her and bury myself into the very heart of her soul.
I kept my hands at my sides, locked myself down tight, well aware I could have her in my lap in one move. Her frantic heartbeat fluttered in the air between us, her scent—warm, familiar—curled around me, inviting me to touch. To taste.To plunder.
