Varziel pulled his fangs from her neck with a reluctant groan, his lips smeared with her blood that shimmered faintly in the low light. He gave her neck a lick, cleaning up the blood that had pooled there. It was unlike any blood he had tasted before—sweet, searing, and so potent it made his entire body tremble with the force of it. The grip that he had on her waist tightened momentarily as if to ground himself, to keep from losing control entirely.
On the other hand, Arella shuddered in his arms, eyes fluttering closed. It was obvious that she was getting as much pleasure from this just as he was. Her legs threatened to give out, and Varziel was there instantly, lowering her gently to her knees with him as if they were entering prayer. And in a way… they were. This was not merely a bond. It was a consecration.
