Page 34 of Volik

The tile under my feet crumbles to gravel as my power pulses.

Blood is pooling on her tongue. She must have cut herself on my fang.

I lick my lips as I look at my mate’s blood.

Blood that she’s offering to me.

My power pulses again, and glass shatters somewhere. But I am focused on Nix.

On her tongue.

On the bright red elixir.

I do not want to scare her.

I am trying to control my movements.

But then she tugs on my horns, pulling me in and sticking her tongue out farther.

Another pulse of power surges from me. My gravito lashes out and pulls her to me, slamming the distance between us shut.

My lips close around her tongue, and it’s like someone poured cherry juice into my mouth.

Our groans reverberate off the walls.

She squirms, wiggling herself against my hand.

And when I swallow… when her sangue hits my system… it’s like swallowing electricity.

I have heard stories. Heard tales about mates. How their blood is different.

But I did not understand.

Not completely.

My Nix… She smells like forever. And she tastes like right now.

I cannot wait any longer.

With my mate clinging to me, I stride forward.

Following her scent that now lives inside my soul, I walk to an open classroom door.

I shift my hand on her back so it’s in the center of her spine, then I duck, tipping her backward, our mouths never parting, as I step into the room that smells like her.

This moment, the one we’re about to have, is not how I imagined it.

It’s not romantic.

Not secure.

But I cannot wait.

I will keep her safe.

I will protect her, always.

But right now, I need to be inside her.