When Vek returned, he came bearing food. Dria could have kissed him for that alone. She’d been considering how long she could wait before her stomach consumed itself, for she didn’t want to disturb the sonal searching the caverns or the mages reinforcing the shielding. It was cursed inconvenient not to be able to walk.
“Thank the gods,” Dria said as Vek lowered the plate of bread, cheese, and meat to her lap. Simple food, but it could have been a feast. “I was about to calculate how much energy a levitation spell would cost.”
Vek laughed. “For the food or for yourself?”
“Myself,” she answered. “I’m not particularly good at levitating objects I can’t see.”
“What an interesting sight that would have been.”
Dria took a bite of bread, savoring it before she answered. “Yes, indeed.”
“The others should return soon.” His good humor fled as Vek settled into the chair beside hers. “I found nothing. Fen is doing a detailed sweep of any side tunnels he can find, and Inona and Delbin are searching the mountainside for other openings.”
“Fedah and Kera have reported similar results.” Dria sighed. “I spoke with Ralan. He hinted that my earlier idea was the best one.”
“Do you trust the others to follow your commands in your absence?”
Dria shrugged. “It is to their benefit. And if not, I suppose we’ll know who to remove from the outpost.”
His lips pursed. “We?”
“Ah. Well.” Dria took her time nibbling a chunk of cheese. His narrowed gaze remained on her the entire time. “I’ve been considering our other problem, and… I think we should bond. Mate. However you want to phrase it.”
Vek stared at her so long she almost squirmed in her seat. “Why?”
“It would be a strong alliance. A powerful one.”
He flinched. “No.”
“But earlier, you said…” Heat rushed up her body and scalded her cheeks. “Never mind.”
“You’ll not dismiss this so easily.” Vek wrapped his hand gently around her forearm. “I wouldn’t expect a declaration of love, but I won’t have a mate whose only motivation is a political alliance. I’m not even sure you like me. Binding yourself to me simply to take a trip through the caves? That’s intolerable. Fen can go with you if that’s your only reason. His earth magic is stronger than mine.”
Was that hurt beneath the anger? She hadn’t intended that. “I can’t deny I want you. And somehow, I have started to like you. Gods know why, but I do.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “And yet?”
“And yet, I don’t know what else I can offer you.” Dria nibbled her lower lip. “I love my family, but the hurt they have dealt… Sometimes, I think I’m broken. I can form friendships, but anything deeper, anything romantic, eludes me. I might never be able to bring more to our bond than affection. But I’ve thought of little else besides joining since I saw you.”
“Ahmeeren,” Vek said, his expression softening. “I’m uncertain I can give anything better, myself. But you make me want to.”
Dria almost offered her necklace then and there, but experience had embedded pragmatism in her heart. “Would I have duties as your mate? I will not abandon my post here, nor am I keen to live among the Unseelie for any length of time.”
“I’m not keen on it, either, at this point.” Vek released her, only to dance his fingers along her forearm in a soft caress. “I’m done working for my father, and your duties will be what you make them. Rule this outpost. Take over Moranaia. Laze around my home on the surface. It’s your choice, not mine.”
She lifted her brow. “What are you going to do, then?”
“First, I have to find a way to solve this mess. And not just the invasion.” Vek rubbed the flat of his palm against his forehead. “He threatened my pregnant mother, Dria. Not overtly, but he didn’t have to. Even if he hadn’t, I fear the illness will spread. Beyond that crisis? Everything has shifted for me. Between finding you and losing all respect for my father… I have no idea.”
Dria set her plate on the side table so she could tilt her body toward his. “You haven’t said much about your family. Are you close to your mother?”
“I once was, but the more interest my father showed in me, the more distant I had to become.” Vek smiled sadly. “I dare not be close to my siblings, either, not with the work I do. But I watch over them nonetheless.”
So many of his interactions with his nephew suddenly made sense. “Like you watched over Fen.”
“I’ve obviously let him get closer than I have any others.” Vek’s gaze lowered. “What would I be if not a killer, Dria? A question I’ve long pondered.”
She lowered her feet to the ground and almost stood, but a soft tsk from him reminded her that she couldn’t. Clechtan. She wanted to offer comfort, though he hadn’t asked for it. “Maybe it’s time you find out,” she said instead. “Bond with me, and we’ll both find our way.”
Dria tugged her medallion from beneath her shirt and was about to lift it over her head when a knock clattered on the door. Cursing, she sent out a mental probe. Lial? Gods, could her cousin have worse timing? He wasn’t supposed to return until morning, and although it was getting late, it wasn’t even time for bed.
“Enter,” she called out as she let the pendant drop between her breasts.
When Lial strode through, she had to wonder if he’d slept at all. He was still pale, and twin shadows stood out beneath his eyes. His gaze flicked to her legs where they rested on the floor, and he scowled. “Dria—”
“I didn’t put pressure on them,” she rushed to say. “What are you doing here? You said morning.”
“It is barely that on Moranaia,” Lial grumbled. “Not what I’d had in mind, but Lyr told me of the pending invasion. I thought it best if you could walk.”
Vek straightened in his seat. “Lyr warned you?”
“We only discovered the plot a mark or two ago,” Dria said. “How would he know?”
“Lord Naomh of the Seelie Sidhe contacted Kai at some point before dawn.” Lial knelt beside Dria and lifted her legs to the footstool. “His brother Meren is involved in the plot, and according to Naomh’s source, a relative of the Unseelie king has been acting on the king’s orders. They are determined to return to Earth no matter who stands in the way.”
“Who is his source?” Vek demanded.
Lial shrugged. “He refused to say. Sworn to secrecy, it seems.”
Dria studied her cousin as he examined her legs. “As much as I would like to be healed, are you sure you’re up to this? You look like a drained mage who barely passed their final test.”
“Yes, well, I’d already spent a fair amount of energy trying to create the disease-detecting device you requested, not to mention checking everyone in the cavern,” Lial groused. But then his expression softened. “Though I do thank you for the concern. I’ve worked under worse conditions, Dria. I will survive.”
Had it been anyone else, she would have argued, but it would be a waste of effort with Lial. “If you say so.”
Without bothering to comment, the healer closed his eyes and turned his power on her injured limbs. The peace of it filled her until her own eyelids grew heavy, but the anger radiating from Vek kept her from resting. She forced her attention to her potential bonded, who sat with his hands clenched around the bottom edge of his seat.
“What is it?” she asked.
“A relative,” Vek murmured. “I can think of several who might have earth powers. Then again, there’s no way to know if our intruder is also the leader. It could be anyone, considering how prolific my family is. I’m a bit of an oddity for not having children yet.”
A sudden worry consumed her. “Do you not want them?”
“I do, but I long ago determined not to have them unless I mated.” His lips thinned. “I’ll not play my children and their mothers against one another the way my father does.”
Well. For all of his faults, at least her own father hadn’t done that. “Good,” she said.
Desire glinted in his eyes. “It would be a pleasure to see you grow with my child.”
Her body heated. “I—”
“Do not start,” Lial interrupted. “Elevate her heartbeat while I’m working again, and you’ll be leaving, Vek.”
Her almost-bonded chuckled. “Sorry.”
He didn’t sound particularly regretful, but he did behave. Dria settled her head against the back of her chair and closed her eyes, pushing her thoughts toward anything but Vek and all the ways they could begin creating that child. Preservation rooms—that was what she should consider. Ice magic, imbedding layer after layer into stone and then locking it in place. Perfect for storing perishable food and lustful mages.
Lial’s magic cut off, and a soft thump had her eyelids popping open. Concern surged through her at the sight of her cousin sitting on the floor, his head resting against his palm. “Lial?”
Fathomless exhaustion filled the glance he turned her way. “I only need a moment. The healing is complete, but I would appreciate it if you avoid crushing your bones again in the near future. At least it wasn’t the spine.”
Dria flexed her foot and flinched at the slight ache. “Is it supposed to hurt?”
“Trauma takes time to fully heal,” Lial said. “Your body remembers, though the injury is gone. I recommend stretching before strenuous activities.”
“What about my nephew?” Vek asked.
Lial didn’t even bother to glare. “Do I look like I can take on a complicated disease at this time?”
“No.” Vek sighed. “But his recovery would make things easier. I could take his blood to reinforce my earth magic. Though speaking of blood…will your healing hold if I take some of Dria’s?”
Brow furrowed, she glanced between them. “Why would my blood hurt you?”
“I…” A vaguely guilty expression crossed Vek’s face, sending worry through her. Vek never showed guilt for anything. “Many of my abilities come from others when I feed from them. But it isn’t without cost. Too much at once causes extreme pain as my channels rearrange themselves.”
Dria gaped at him. “You’ll be a mage if you drink from me?”
Vek shook his head. “No, not exactly. Ability doesn’t equal knowledge, and I don’t receive every talent my donor has. Although the more I feed from you, the more I might pick up. If we bond, I hope you’re up to the task of training me to use what you give.”
“Your channels should be the same as they’d be after a week between feedings,” Lial said before he stumbled to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going home to sleep.”
“Would you like to stay here?” Dria asked.
“No, thank you,” Lial answered. “I have too much to do on Moranaia. I’ll make it.”
After her cousin departed, Dria stared at the door for several moments. Learning about Vek’s ability changed things, but not in the way he might fear. He’d trusted her, both with the knowledge and as a potential teacher. She turned to him, but his attention seemed focused on the water dripping from the stalactite in the corner. Did he expect rejection now that he’d revealed the truth? Did he expect fear? His gift was phenomenal, one she’d never heard of. She almost wanted to ask him to feed on her now so she could observe his channels rearranging.
“Vek?”
His expression held no clues to his thoughts when he glanced at her. “Yes?”
“Tell your nephew to report to Kera unless he finds something significant.”
Vek’s eyebrows rose. “Why?”
Dria sent her own orders to Inona and Kera before dropping her feet to the ground. She braced her hands on the armrests and stood, but aside from a slight ache in her muscles, her legs felt surprisingly good. Perfect timing. Vek jerked to his feet as she took a step, his arm outstretched in case she fell. But when she took his hand, it wasn’t for balance.
“I thought you were an intelligent man,” Dria said with a slight smile.
His fingers tightened on hers. “I’ll need to hear you say it.”
“Fine.” Dria lifted the necklace from her neck and held it between them. “I’ve decided to take you for my own. i’Tayah ay nac-mor kehy ler ehy anan taen.”
Light flared from the heavy, round medallion that dangled from the chain, and a matching gleam mirrored in Vek’s eyes. For a moment, he remained so still that she worried he wouldn’t take it. Maybe he couldn’t accept her. She had little enough to offer, save herself, and she was the only one who’d ever been satisfied with that.
But just as Dria was about to lower the necklace and step away, Vek’s free hand closed over hers. The glow from the pendant exploded around them until she could barely see him place the chain around his neck. A million tiny threads built between them until his wonder, desire, and hope beat inside her own chest. She knew he would kiss her before his lips brushed hers.
She eased closer until her breasts brushed against him and lifted slightly to take the kiss deeper, but he pulled his mouth away. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I’ll not take your blood by accident,” Vek said, his expression intense. “Your style of bonding can be severed by priests, but I am not certain that is the case for the Felshreh mating link. I’ll have your word you are sure of this.”
Dria blinked in surprise. “I expected you to be more forceful once the bond had begun.”
“You’ll have all the force you want, ahmeeren, once you tell me what you want,” Vek whispered silkily.
A shiver danced across her skin as she stared into his eyes. Gods, he was such a contradiction. He was as immovable as the Citadel, as dangerous as lightning, but he wouldn’t take advantage. Then again, he had no need. Vek didn’t have to lord his power over others to bolster his confidence, and that heated her blood more than anything.
“I promise I am certain,” Dria said, her voice firm so he would have no doubt of her sincerity. “Now finish the bond before I go insane.”
He wouldn’t have a necklace of his own to offer, but she didn’t care. Their second step would be sealed in blood, and she was more than ready to join bodies as the third. Now, preferably. Dria lifted her hand, extending her wrist for him, but Vek shook his head with a slow, wicked smile.
“I never thought to mate,” he said. “So I’d rather savor the moment, if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly, he tugged her against him until air couldn’t part their bodies. She expected his kiss, but once again, it didn’t come. Instead, Vek ran his hands down her arms and manacled her wrists with his fingers, anchoring them at the small of her back. Her heart thumped a restless, excited beat as he bent his head and ran his tongue along the side of her neck.
She almost groaned when he didn’t bite. “Vek…”
“Hush.”
He nibbled kisses across her collarbone and then up her neck once more. Maddening man. Dria strained against him, but he only laughed. Before she could yell at him, he released her hands and lifted her by her bottom, his long strides carrying them quickly toward the bed.
“You’d better know a spell to rid us of clothing,” he said.
Blessed gods, so she did. It took her a moment to remember the trick, but her diligence was soon rewarded by the feel of his flesh against hers. They both groaned as he lowered her to the bed and trailed his hands down her body. But she frowned when he leaned back and grabbed her foot.
“The healer said you’d want to stretch before strenuous exercise,” Vek said, grinning as he ran his broad palms up her aching calf muscles, rubbing out the knots.
She gasped as heat surged inside her from the seemingly innocent contact. “I don’t think that’s what he meant.”
Vek repeated the motion with her other leg. “Do you care?”
“Stop tormenting me.”
Still grinning, he settled her leg onto the bed and crawled up her body, kissing and nibbling his way to her breasts. Dria whimpered and shoved her hands into his short hair. With a tug, she brought his mouth close to hers. He stared into her eyes, and in that moment, a lifetime’s worth of understanding passed between them.
This moment had always been meant.
He brushed his lips against the corner of her mouth. “What’s your rush?”
“We could be interrupted at any moment,” Dria said. “And I want this bond complete, not barely formed.”
“Anyone who dares to interrupt us at this moment will pay dearly.” Balancing carefully above her, Vek lifted a hand and sent a bolt of power toward the door. She barely had time to admire his handiwork before he distracted her with another soft kiss. “But I’ll not have you worried about it.”
Then he set about torturing her with his mouth.
Nothing sounded sweeter than Dria’s moans, not even the thrum of her pulse beneath his lips. Damn, but he wished he had more time than this. He’d asked why she hurried, but he was all too aware of the tasks that awaited them. So when she tugged at his hair again, he let her pull him up her body until he reached her breasts.
Her golden eyes sparked at him for the delay, and her red hair tumbled around her flushed cheeks until his body hardened almost painfully. But he would take all the time he could. Slowly, he stretched her hands above her head and held them there. Excitement surged from her through their bond, eroding his restraint.
Vek kept his eyes locked with hers as he lowered his head toward her breastbone. Her gaze shifted to his fangs, and she shivered. A thread of apprehension trembled between them. He licked the spot where her pulse throbbed in invitation and sucked softly on her skin until she gasped.
“It won’t hurt,” he said. “I promise.”
Her throat worked nervously, but she nodded. “Go ahead. Please.”
Vek sent a tendril of numbing magic into her skin to reinforce the natural effects of his saliva. Then he sank his fangs softly into her flesh. Slelen. He hadn’t been certain there was a Divine until this moment, but he felt it in every pulse of her heart as her blood filled his mouth. He trembled as power flared between them, more strands linking them than he could have imagined. Startled, he released her wrists.
Dria groaned and shifted restlessly beneath him, and her passion became his until he barely noticed the channels in his mind shifting and expanding. This. This was heaven. Then her hands gripped his back, the slight pain of her nails shocking him back to awareness. As her spirit filled all the blank places inside him, he forced himself to close the wound he’d made. She needed plenty of energy for what he had planned.
Resting his forehead on her heaving chest, he did a scan of his newly acquired abilities. Some he didn’t understand, but…there. Vek smiled wickedly against her skin as he found the immobilization spell she’d used on him during their first kiss. Time for payback.
Vek lifted himself until he hovered above Dria. Gently, he brushed a coil of hair from his mate’s face. Then he tugged her arms above her head again and locked them into place with the spell he’d gleaned from her blood. Her eyes widened as he spread her legs and lifted them, another touch of magic keeping her from wriggling free. But the rest of her body he left unconstrained.
“What…”
He tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. “Tell me if I need to stop. I’ll release you at a word.”
“Gods, no,” Dria said. “But kiss me for real this time. No gentle—”
With a growl, he followed her command, his mouth taking hers with all the passion he’d held back. The slight tang of blood hit his tongue as his fang caught her lip, but she strained against him, her breasts pressing against his chest. Thoughts blurred as he explored her body with his hands, their mouths locked together.
Then he entered her, and his world imploded.
Dria’s scream was muffled against his mouth as his body joined with hers. She lifted her hips to meet him, and her hands itched to grip his waist with each thrust. It was maddening. Hot. She’d never been helpless like this, and it fired her blood.
But she couldn’t yield to him so completely, not for long.
He’d said she could ask him to release the spell—and she trusted that he would—but that was no fun. Deftly, she unwound the magic holding her still, and before Vek could react, she rolled them over until she was on top. With a smirk, she ran her hands up his hard chest and then leaned forward to kiss him.
This time, his fang caught his own lip, and his sweet blood filled her mouth. Good gods. It shouldn’t have given her energy, but the force of it charged through her, strengthening their forming bond. His hands dug into her hips as she began to move.
He tore his mouth away. “Fuck, Dria.”
She let out a breathless chuckle. “That’s the idea.”
Then they both gave up on speaking as their worlds—their souls—fully merged.