He clenched his fists to keep from grabbing her once more. "I vow to you-and I vow to the Lore-that I will never treat you that way again. I'll spend the rest of my life showing the Abaddonae how much I adore you, if you give me another chance."

"Then it's given, Trehan. Because you did try to do everything right. You did work hard and you gave so much. If not for the squire's actions, we'd be in our bed right now."

He frowned. "No, Bettina, even without the poison, I still . . ." He shoved his fingers through his hair. "My mind, it isn't well." How exactly was he supposed to present his dilemma to her? I need to sink my fangs in your neck while I'm inside you. "Vampire males . . . we need . . ." He eased closer to her, his fangs sharpening.

She had to notice them, but didn't pull away.

"We need to drink. I can't deny what I am."

She nodded? "I'd decided to give you my blood on our wedding night. I'd regretted not trusting you to make a bite wonderful. I shouldn't have denied you before."

Again, she'd shocked him. Again, he moved nearer. Had she sidled closer as well?

If she could accept him, then nothing would stand in their way. Which meant his heart would be whole, his mind eased. He would use both to cherish her, and all would be well.

"You can accept my nature?"

She blinked at him. "I already have."

"Wed me, Bett! As soon as possible. I want you to be my queen. I want us to rule together."

"You'd truly come back to Abaddon? Give up Dacia again?"

"To have you? Anything. But Dacia will likely open its gates, so visiting is not out of the question."

By now, their lips were inches apart. "We could come back and play with all your weapons?" She looked bold and breathless-and happy. Heated air whorled around her body, her sorcery mirroring her emotions.

"Our weapons." He removed her mask. "As you wish to, my merry sorceress."

"Then take me home, Trehan, to our bed."

How those words affected him! He traced her directly there, easing her back across the silk.

Cradling her face, he bent to her lips, taking them beneath his own. With all the fervor he felt inside, he kissed her.

Only this time, no gallows awaited.

As their tongues twined, he and Bettina began ridding each other of clothes in a mad rush, hands colliding in their haste to touch bared skin.

Once he had his Bride naked, he drew back to simply gaze down at her. Swirls of light emanated from her supple skin, her eyes so lustrous. Magic heated her very palms as she reached for him, her fingertips sizzling when she swept them over his chest.

A sorceress desirous of her male.

Dipping his head, he nuzzled his lips all around one nipple, then the other, as his hand grazed up her thighs, higher . . .

She swiftly spread them, as if impatient for his touch.

Chapter 53

With a reverent groan, he cupped her dewy sex, caressing it, demonstrating how much he adored her with every lingering stroke-

"Trehan," she began in a breathless voice, "can you . . . can you really wait for this much longer?"

Against her breast, he grated, "Gods, I love your questions, female!" Like a shot, he rose above her. When he was poised at her wet entrance, she laid her soft palms on his face.

Holding his gaze, she murmured, "You know you can do anything to me, Trehan. I'm yours, only yours. I always will be."

At last! Words from a dream-

She pulled her shining hair over her shoulder, baring the lovely column of her neck. "Anything, vampire."

His fangs throbbed for that skin. "If you knew how badly I've craved this . . . I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't."

"It's more than thirst, dragă. I hunger for your lifeblood. I need it mingling with my own forever."

"Then take it."

I'm truly to pierce her? She wanted him, had accepted him in all ways. And he would spend eternity proving to her why she was right to.

Must make it pleasurable.

Though he quaked with eagerness, he painstakingly fed his length inside her tight sex-with a slow, hot, wet glide to the hilt. He yelled out from the shock of pleasure, savoring her throaty moan.

Seated so deep inside her, he lowered his head, bringing his mouth to the tender skin where her neck and shoulder met. He licked her there, preparing her.

To take her blood while claiming her body. After centuries of waiting, fantasy would be made flesh. "Bett?" he rasped against her, still disbelieving.

"Now, Trehan. Now!"

As he opened his jaw wider, his fangs lengthened even more. He pressed the tips against her pulse. . . .

His bite breached the surface of her skin-again, with a slow, hot, wet glide. Her sweet flesh enveloped his aching fangs-a tight seal that made him shudder above her. So tight that no blood welled.

He had to suck her, and the feel of it was . . .

So f**king perfect.

He gave a wretched groan as her blood touched his tongue. With that first contact, Trehan lost his mind.

Or found it.

Under his fangs, she writhed, her pale throat working as she screamed, "Trehan! Ah, gods, yes!"

His hips began to rock between her thighs as he drew her essence into him-a swift, scorching infusion that coursed through his every vein.

With each drop, his weeks-long grief ebbed, his ages of loneliness faded.

His female tasted of magic and heat and mystery. Sorcery steeped her blood, now dancing in his, enlivening him body and mind. Bettina este viaţă.