He could smell her fear as he towered over her. She stood tense, her back to him. He didn’t want this. Not like this.
Bast gently stroked his hands over her arms, trying to regain what had been happening between them. His stomach tightened in agitation, his vision swimming. The crawling-pushing sensation at his back climbed into existence, spreading with alarming swiftness.
Just a little more time. Please.
“Swear you won’t hurt me,” she said meekly, breath whispering against the dark metal.
“I swear.”
She turned to face him, blue eyes round with apprehension. “How do I know that you mean it?”
He gritted his teeth, wincing as they punctured the inside of his mouth. Bast straightened his spine, wobbling as he kneeled on a single knee. He looked the human in the eyes as he placed a fist over his heart. “My lady, I do swear to you my everlasting allegiance. I swear that in every matter, your life remains before my own. I swear that I am yours in protection and in loyalty, no matter the circumstance. And I s-swear that you may receive this pledge with the utmost confidence, assured I would rather have my tongue cut from my mouth, my eyes blinded and my body burned ’til only ashes remain should I ever break it...I...I—”
The world wavered then went bluish-black.
Bast awoke to the sensation of soft lips caressing his own. He was lying flat on his back, arms by his sides. His eyelids fluttered, threatening to shut again, but he pushed them open wider with some effort. Damn it, had he passed out?
It took a moment for everything to come rushing back. To figure out why he inhaled the scent of soap and rain as tendrils of dark curls obscured a woman’s face from his view.
Alice.
This woman slipped her tongue between his lips with delicate precision, kissing him tentatively. Sensual nips. Exciting him to full arousal. Her hand cupped his chin, holding him in place as her mouth tasted him. He remained still, fearing if he moved, she would stop. As relaxed as his tense body could manage, Bast followed the progress of his illness melting away. It was such sweet relief, every inch slowly leaving him. As if she pulled the heat roasting him from the inside with her very kiss. He didn’t understand it, nor did it make any sense, but Bast reveled in the sensation. When he was well he would search for a reason for this easement, but for right now, he would enjoy its soothing comfort.
Alice squeaked when he could take no more and threaded his fingers into her hair. She attempted to pull away, but Bast held her in place. Enjoying the taste of her. The scent. His cock betrayed his excitement, swelling with prurient intent.
He’d spoken with truth when he pledged his loyalty to her. They were old words from a time in his past, but the sentiment behind the allegiance proclaimed today remained the same. He would not harm her, nor allow her to be harmed while in his presence.
He also wanted her more than he wanted his next heartbeat. “Why did you stay?”
“I don’t know,” she murmured. Alice managed to pull away just enough to speak, making him want her all the more. The way her lips brushed his made his balls tighten. “I guess I’m going to trust you.”
“I’ll never hurt you.” Nor would he take her blood without her willing permission again. The familiar gnawing in his belly signaled his hunger, but he would not succumb to it so easily.
Alice’s hand slid to her neck, covering the pulsing rhythm of her carotid. It was a subtle move, almost so casual he could believe she didn’t realize she’d done it. Her gaze snapped to his. “In the bathroom earlier...you—you had bitten me, right? That’s what I felt when I...when I...”
“When you climaxed, yes.” Bast released his grip, allowing her the freedom to flee, which he knew she must have desperately wanted. He sat up, another pang of hunger stabbing him in the belly. “I fed from you while making sure you wouldn’t know that I had. It’s how we’ve managed to stay alive as a species. If feeding was painful or traumatic, humans would hunt us down to the last one.”
“So it always feels that way?” she asked quietly.
“No.” He stifled the urge to wrap her hand in his. “But for you, I would have it no other way.”