Bloody Kisses (27 page)

L
inc watched
the rhythmic rise and fall of Edythe’s breaths. Her eyes moved beneath her lids, and he hoped she was having good dreams. He shifted, moving onto the bed so he could wrap her up in his arms and pull her into his body.

His brave mate.

He had been paralyzed with fear when she lost consciousness. His father and brother forced him into the sea, promising him they would heal her as soon as they were safe. It took all of them pushing and prodding to get him beneath the water.

Yet she still hadn’t awoken. Linc held up her arm, turning it in the blue light of his home. He could see a faint mark from her elbow to her wrist where her father sliced her. He placed her arm on the bed, shifting so he could prop himself up. She had two shallow grazes across her collarbone; he traced them with his finger. He followed a line from the hollow in her neck to her navel, and then skimmed his finger from hip to hip.

What kind of father did this to their daughter?

How is she?
his father asked.

He wanted everyone out of his home. He was agitated and afraid of lashing out at one of them.

Still asleep
, he answered.

She is brave and cares for you very much.

She is my mate
, Linc offered by way of response. His father sent a wave of understanding that made him close his eyes. Perhaps one day he and his father would be close again but right then, it was enough he recognized Edythe as the miracle she was.

He settled himself back on the bed, pulling her into his arms, closing his eyes, and drifting off to sleep.

* * *

S
omething tickled Linc’s lips
, and he swiped a hand across his mouth, brushing it away.

Hey!

His eyes shot open. Edythe stared down at him, a half smile on her face.

“Don’t you like my kisses?”

He smiled. “Is that what that was? I thought it was a tentacle.”

“A tentacle!” She feigned insult. “I’ll show you a tentacle.”

Linc laughed, a sound which cut off a second later when his mate slung a leg over his hips and sat up. Her beautiful breasts were right in front of his face, and he couldn’t help reaching up and palming them gently. Her head fell back, her hand reaching up to hold his. She rocked on his hips, and Linc felt himself harden.

You know,
he mused.
You didn’t listen to me. I’m not sure if I should reward you. And I’m not sure how I feel about being compared to a tentacle.

He could feel Edythe’s arousal on his stomach. Her hips canted back, nestling his cock between her cleft. He groaned, squeezing her breasts.

“You’re probably right.” Her words were punctuated by breathy moans. “I’ll leave you alone.” She made a move to swing her leg back over, but he stopped her with a hand on her thigh.

She smiled at him, her blonde hair swinging along her jaw as she leaned down to kiss him. He caught her shoulders a moment before her lips met his. “I thought I lost you.”

“Linc.”

“Why didn’t you stay in the water like I told you to?”

Her eyes blazed angrily at him. “And leave you? I could feel you were hurt, Linc. What kind of mate would I be if I left you?”

“One who is alive!” He sat up quickly, and embraced her hard. “One who listens,” he whispered against her hair.

Edythe snorted. “That will never be me. The listening one, not the other…” Linc kissed her neck, teeth grazing the cord in her neck. “… never mind. You know what I mean.”

He focused on his kisses, his fear still close to the surface. It made his heart pound, even though he knew they were safe. “I love you, Edie.” He sucked the skin below her jaw, and she moved her head quickly, catching his mouth with her own.

Her hips began a slow undulation, and he lifted his to meet hers. He felt her hand, small, cool, and strong, grip his cock. She held him steady, lining him up with her entrance before lowering herself slowly onto him. Her muscles gripped him, dragging along his hyper-sensitive skin. He surged upward, seating himself deep, and she cried out.

She held tightly to his neck, pressing herself down with every one of his upward thrusts. He ran his hands along her back, feeling her skin become slick with sweat. Every need Linc had was fulfilled by being inside her. She was his perfect match in every way: teasing, challenging, funny. She made him more him than he thought possible.

He thanked whatever gods there were that she was his. Their separation only made him more aware of how fragile and tenuous life could be. Somehow, they had survived their separation, only to come together stronger and more determined to be together.

Edythe lifted her head, her hands cupping his face so she could kiss him. She pulled back, clenching her inner muscles as she lifted off of him, and his eyes rolled back in his head. She kissed along his jaw, and ran the back of her hand in the wake of her lips. He adored his little human with every ounce of his being.

Her eyes filled with tears, and his breath caught until he realized she’d heard his thoughts.

“I love you, too, Linc.” She slammed her body down on his, and he lost control. He rolled his hips, feeling the tip of his cock press against the mouth of her womb. Edythe squeaked, a tiny sound of pleasure mixed with pain, and he drew back quickly. “No. No. More.”

He gave it to her, wrapping his arms around her back and holding her to him tightly. He surged upward, spilling himself into her hot, throbbing depths. She held him tightly, her voice coming to him in waves.
Mine, mine, mine.

Yours,
he answered.
Always yours.

He lay back, tugging her down with him. “You’ve exhausted me.”

“Probably because you’re so much older than me,” she joked and then shot up. “How old are you?”

He laughed. This was their discussion after joining?

She waited, ignoring his question.

“Pretty old, by human standards.”

Edythe bit her lip, and he could see she was holding back myriad questions. “You can’t be that old. Your dad can’t be more than fifty.”

He choked; his father was well beyond fifty. His older brother was well-beyond fifty.

Oh yeah,
Her mind went to his brother.
An older brother. You never even told me his name.

Linc answered quickly,
Prince Adam.

Edythe shot up, the sheet falling away from her body. “Prince?” she screeched.

Linc winced. His mate could be shrill.

“Shrill?” she asked at even a higher pitch. “If your brother is a prince, then that makes you…”

Also a prince. But it means nothing. I have been separated from my family for a long time.

I met a prince
. Her eyes widened.
I’m mated to a prince… “
Linc! When I attacked your father, did I attack a king?”

He chuckled, and she groaned. He pulled her back down to his chest, kissing the top of her head. “I think he was quite surprised.”

He heard her heart pound.
Am I in big trouble?

Linc growled, instantly serious. “No one will ever hurt you. You are mine. Like I said, my family hasn’t been concerned with me a long time. You don’t have to worry about them bothering us.”

“Don’t you want to see your family again?” she asked. “Not that I have anything to judge a family on. Mine is pretty garbage. Except my mom. My mom wasn’t.” Her voice softened.

He hadn’t thought about his family and what their relationship would be like moving forward. All he cared about was his mate and the family they would make. He didn’t need anyone but Edythe.

Oh, Linc. You’re all I need, as well.
Her voice was serious.
I can’t believe I’m so lucky.

Linc turned them, holding himself above her. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “I am the lucky one, Edie,” he said and kissed her gently, proceeding to show her just how lucky he was.

R
ipley Proserpina spends
her days huddled near a fire in the frozen northern wilds of Vermont. She lives with her family, two magnificent cats, and a dog who aspires to cat-hood. She is the author of an upcoming Reverse Harem series called
The Searchers
. Follow her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter at www.ripleyproserpina.com.