Her Immortal Mate (Brides of the Vrakken #3)

5. Eike

5

EIKE

I can't hold out any longer. My body burns with need, every cell screaming for sustenance. But I won't lose control. Not with her. Not when she trusts me.

Not when I don't want to hurt her.

Even if I wanted to know what she tastes like since the first moment I saw her.

Mae lifts her delicate wrist toward my mouth, her skin luminescent in the dim light. I catch it in my hands, cradling it like a precious crystal. My fangs snap down instantly, a visceral response I can't control. The sound makes her breath catch.

"Have you..." My voice comes out rough. I clear my throat. "Have you done this before?"

"No." Mae's whisper floats between us, vulnerable yet steady. Her pulse thrums against my fingertips, a rapid staccato that matches my own racing heart.

I brush my thumb across her inner wrist, feeling the delicate veins beneath. "It'll feel good. I promise."

Her small nod sends copper strands sliding across her shoulder. The scent of her floods my senses - not fear, but something far more intoxicating. Trust. Desire.

I draw a steadying breath, willing my hands to stay gentle as I guide her wrist to my mouth. My fangs graze her skin and I release the numbing agent, ensuring she'll feel only pleasure.

The first taste of her blazes across my tongue - sweeter than anything I've known in my short existence. A small gasp escapes her lips as I drink, slow and careful, savoring each drop like the gift it is.

Her other hand comes up to grip my shoulder, not pushing away but pulling closer. I keep my eyes locked on her face, watching for any sign of discomfort. But her expression is pure wonder, lips parted, pupils dilated.

"Eike," she breathes my name like a prayer.

I know my numbing agent is flooding her bloodstream. Mae's pupils dilate, her chest rising and falling in quick succession. Her nipples strain against the thin fabric of her shirt, and a soft moan escapes her lips.

Each pull of her blood awakens something primal in me, something I've kept locked away since my creation. Not to mention the idea of me filling her…in more than one way.

Reluctantly, I release her wrist, running my tongue over the marks to seal them. Before I can speak, she launches herself at me. Her lips crash into mine, stealing what little breath I have left. A groan rumbles deep in my chest as her soft curves press against me.

"Mae-" Her name comes out ragged between kisses. The taste of her blood still lingers on my tongue, clouding my judgment. My hand slides up to cradle the back of her head, fingers tangling in those copper strands.

She straddles my lap, pressing closer like she can't get enough. Her hands explore my chest, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I capture her mouth again, drinking in her gasps like they're sustenance. The sweet taste of her mingles with the metallic tang of blood still on my lips.

"Need you," she whispers against my mouth. "Please."

I'm too far gone to resist. The blood high courses through my veins, amplifying every sensation. Her skin burns beneath my fingertips as I pull her tighter against me. Nothing in my military career, nothing in my training prepared me for this surge of pure want.

"You're perfect," I growl between kisses. Her hips rock against mine and stars explode behind my eyes. "So fucking perfect."

She tastes like sunlight and danger and everything I shouldn't want. But with her blood singing in my veins and her body melting into mine, I can't remember why I ever tried to resist this.

Mae's hands slide down to start working at my belt. Her touch ignites something volatile in me, threatening to consume what little control I've got left.

"Mae, wait," I growl, capturing her wrists in one hand. My voice is barely recognizable, thick with desire and desperation. "You don't know what you're doing."

She leans in, her breath hot on my lips. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Eike."

Her voice is steady, her gaze clear. She doesn't blink, doesn't waver. Fuck, she's serious. A low groan tears from my chest as she presses her body flush against mine.

"I want you," she whispers, her mouth grazing my jaw. "Even before this blood high, I wanted you."

"We can't, Mae. You're not thinking straight." But my protest is weak, unconvincing. My body screams to give in, to take what she's offering.

I force myself to look at her, though. She's flushed, languid, almost like she's drunk. She practically is, and I don't want to take advantage of her.

But her eyes are also far too clear. Too assessing. Maybe she really does want me.

"I'm thinking straighter than I ever have." She pulls back just enough to look me in the eye. "I could have died today. We both could have. And if that happens tomorrow or the next day, I don't want to regret not doing this."

Her words strike a chord within me. Living on the edge, not knowing if you'll see another sunrise... that's not new to me. But seeing that same brutal truth reflected in her eyes, it shatters any resolve I had left.

"Damn it, Mae," I murmur before capturing her mouth in another searing kiss. My hands slide down her body, committing every curve to memory. She moans into my mouth, fueling the fire burning within me.

I undo her shirt, letting it fall open to reveal smooth skin marked with freckles. She shivers as I trace patterns on her collarbone, her breaths coming quicker. Her hands resume their task at my waist, undoing the buttons with deft fingers.

"You're perfect, Mae," I whisper against her skin. "Every fucking inch of you."

She smiles, a small smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Prove it."

That seems to unlock a frenzy between us. I catch her in another kiss that is all tongues and teeth as she works my shirt away, and I push away my pants. She shifts, kicking off her remaining clothes, and I drag her back to me, glad there is nothing left to hold her back from me.

Mae's fingers trail down my chest, tracing the lines of my muscles as if they were a roadmap to my soul. Each touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, setting my nerves on fire. Her legs straddle mine, her heat pressing against me, driving me mad with need.

"You're so damn beautiful, Mae," I growl, my hands finding the soft curves of her breasts. Her skin is like silk under my rough palms. I roll a nipple between my fingers, and she arches into my touch, a moan slipping from her lips.

She grinds against me, her hips moving in a rhythm that drives me crazy. She's already so wet, and it takes every ounce of control not to bury myself in her as she works herself against me.

"Eike," she breathes, her voice laced with desire. Her hands move to my shoulders, gripping them tightly as she continues to move against me.

I need to confess, to warn her. "Mae, I haven't... done this since I was Changed." My voice is rough, barely recognizable. "I don't want to hurt you."

She leans back, her eyes locking onto mine. There's no fear, no hesitation. Only understanding and trust. She guides my hands to her hips, her fingers wrapping around mine. "Just hold me, Eike. Let me do this."

Her words send a wave of relief and anticipation crashing over me. I nod, my grip tightening on her hips. She rises, positioning herself above me, her eyes never leaving mine.

When she grips my cock, I jolt against the sensation. I want her so bad it hurts, and when she presses the head of my erection to her entrance, I'm trembling with the effort it takes to hold back. Slowly, she slides down, taking me in inch by incredible inch.

A groan tears from my chest, echoing through the room. She's so tight, so hot, so wet. I can feel every inch of her, every pulse of her heartbeat. It's more than I ever imagined, more than I ever dared to hope for.

"Mae," I growl, my hands gripping her hips tighter. She leans forward, her hands finding my chest again. Her hips start to move, slow at first, then faster, finding a rhythm that has us both gasping for breath.

"Eike, you feel... so good," she moans, her head falling back, exposing the delicate line of her throat. I lean forward, my lips finding the pulse point, kissing it gently, letting my fangs rake there.

Each rise and fall of her body sends waves of pleasure coursing through me. I can feel her muscles tightening, her breaths coming faster. She's close, so close. And so am I.

"Eike," she breathes, her voice barely a whisper. Her body tenses, her nails digging into my chest. And then she's falling, her body convulsing around mine, pulling me over the edge with her.

I roar her name, my body shaking with the force of my release. I'm careful not to grip her too tightly as she keeps moving, keeps dragging us both through our orgasms until I swear I'm going to black out.

When our breathing finally steadies, Mae lifts her head from my chest. A blush creeps across her cheeks, turning them pink as she bites her lower lip. Her hair is delightfully mussed, copper strands sticking to her forehead and neck.

"Feel better?" She traces a pattern on my chest.

"Much." I can't help the grin that spreads across my face. Fuck, I haven't felt this good since... ever.

She scrambles off my lap, leaving me cold where her warmth had been. My hands twitch with the urge to pull her back, to keep her close. To taste more of her. To feel her come undone around me again. But now's not the time - we've been gone too long already and the forest is not kind.

Mae gathers her scattered clothes, pulling them on with quick, efficient movements. "We should head back to camp."

"Yeah." I dress quickly, adjusting my weapons belt.

The walk back is quiet, but charged with unspoken words. When we reach the edge of camp, something feels off. Soldiers rush about with more urgency than usual.

"What's going on?" Mae asks as we approach the war tent.

Inside, chaos reigns. Many of the older vrakken are gathered, discussing as runners dart in and out with messages. Raziel's face is grim as he turns to us.

"The First is gone."

Ice floods my veins. "Gone how?"

"No one knows. Her tent was empty at dawn patrol. No signs of struggle, no tracks." He spreads his hands over the map. "Just... vanished."

I think back to the battle, to the way she seemed to be slower, her magic weaker. The look in her eyes — not fear exactly, like she expected it.

"Could she have been taken?" Mae's voice is quiet beside me.

"Or left on her own," I mutter. Both options are equally disturbing. The First isn't just our leader - she's the foundation of everything we are. If someone managed to overpower her... or if she abandoned us...

"Search parties?" I ask.

Voss shakes his head. "Already out. Nothing yet."

My jaw clenches as I think it over. Strategic withdrawal or forced disappearance - either way, we're vulnerable without her. And something tells me this is just the beginning.