Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

L ying there in our opulent but dimly-lit room, the weight of his words hung in the air like a brittle promise. I believed every word, and the response caught in my throat. Rene's confession was wrenched from his soul like a bittersweet melody that mingled with the reality of our situation. The grisly compound continued to slowly suck out the undead life within him. His vibrant skin was stilled, mottled with patches of gray that increased in size with every passing second. His once-vibrant eyes were now clouded with doubt, and while he said there was no pain, I wasn't sure I believed him. His gaze held mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. As if he wanted my face to be the last thing he saw when he left this life.

It was an outcome I would never be able to live with despite his plea for me to carry on. I shifted closer to him, feeling the gentle warmth of his body against mine, yet unable to escape the cold reality that threatened to rip us apart. The tenderness of his words was in complete opposition to the harsh truth of his condition, a cruel reminder that immortality was an illusion, even for a vampire as powerful as Rene.

His voice held a weakness it hadn't before, as if he accepted his death. His plea possessed a sincerity that had pierced the darkness of the situation and wrapped my soul in love and light. His confession of love was monumental on so many levels and I was frozen in place as I stared at his still, handsome features. And in that moment, the world seemed to pause, as if Mother Nature herself was holding her breath, waiting for me to respond.

My heart swelled, and emotions I thought I left in the past welled up within me like a tidal wave. I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead, and my fingers traced the contours of his face with a mixture of affection and desperation. The truth in his eyes was undeniable, and it echoed the feelings I had harbored deep within my own heart. The ones I wasn't ready to admit to, especially now. When his death was imminent if I was unsuccessful in my quest to save him.

Red tears formed on my lashes, threatening to overflow, as I struggled to find the words to convey the depth of my emotions. Honesty was the only defense in the face of adversity. In the face of his impending death, the vulnerability of the moment hit me like a lightning rod. "I love you too," I whispered with my voice echoing a raw honesty that matched his own.

His lips curved into a smile that could stop time. There was a mix of relief and contentment in his expression, as if he had waited an eternity for this moment. One last triumph before he took his final rest. My soul clung to him in the midst of the uncertainty and reverence, and I found solace in the connection we had forged amidst the chaos of strife. The odds had been against us, and we had overcome adversity and prejudice. Now we just needed to conquer death itself. No small feat for any being, whether supernatural or human.

As I clung to him, his heart began to beat a steady rhythm against my palm. As if his soul wanted me to know that this love was more real than any power he possessed. A single light in the midst of eternal darkness. It was a force that defied every obstacle put in its path. A flame that burned brighter no matter the shadows that surrounded it. And even as the cruel compound continued its vicious work of robbing Rene of his life force, I found strength in his admission. His love was forever, whether that was a moment, a day, or forever. I knew that no matter what happened in the coming days, we were united in this eternal war and nothing could break our conviction.

Rene touched my cheek. "Be with me. Tonight, while I still have the strength to give you the pleasure you deserve."

My heart stuttered. "It might hurt you."

Rene's smile was like a cat that had caught a mouse. "You couldn't hurt me. Your presence brings me nothing but pleasure."

I loved his response, and my entire body vibrated. I felt his arousal against my leg, and excitement soared through me. I sat up and removed my clothes, but when he attempted to do the same, I placed my palm on his chest. "Allow me."

His eyes flickered with red as I slowly removed his clothes. In truth, I went far slower than necessary, attempting to draw out the moment. This could be our last time together, and I wanted it to be special. To show him how much his faith in me meant. The truth of my words.

After I deposited his clothes on the floor next to mine, my hand traced the defined muscles of his chest, avoiding the patches of gray before I wrapped my fingers around his cock. The feel of him in my hand was empowering and made me feel sexier than ever. He was all hard flesh surrounded by silky skin and I moved up and down his long length, making him groan.

"Life held no meaning for me before you. It was an endless set of tasks I performed out of duty. There is nothing more beautiful than you touching me." His deep voice stroked me like a caress.

Rene had given me everything since the first time he saw me. I hadn't realized the burdens of being the overseer or the isolation it inevitably created. I ran a finger over the flared tip, and moisture leaked onto my hand before I continued to stroke him.

I stopped what I was doing and stared into his loving eyes. He was fully engaged with what I was doing, as if he couldn't wait to see what I would do next. "I love you and I'm not saying it because you were exposed to the compound. I have felt this way for a while, but it's hard for me to... trust people. I haven't exactly had stellar luck in the love department."

"There is no measurement for what I feel for you, but we are going to leave Isra out of this. I cannot imagine another male touching you. And I struggle to control myself, even though I know neither of you would pursue a relationship again." His words were punctuated with a growl that sent a shiver down my spine. But it wasn't fear; it was arousal. His possessiveness in this one aspect made me feel cherished.

"Isra is my best friend and always will be, but he wasn't who I was talking about. Isra is more attracted to you than to me." I kissed his abdomen. "Perhaps I should be worried. He is awfully attractive." I felt his muscles tense beneath my lips, and I could sense him smile.

"You are teasing me. Even now, you bring light to the darkness. I need you, Raven. In a way, that will take eons for you to understand."

I wanted to respond, but Rene flipped me onto my back so quickly, my breath caught in my lungs. He was on top of me, with his arousal pressing against my core.

My eyes slipped closed as he slid his erection through my slick folds. "I need you too." It was true, and the admission sprung from my soul like a geyser.

Rene propped himself up before he slid the blunt tip over my aching core, sending my desire skyrocketing. I was surprised at how quickly my insides melted and the coil tightened in my abdomen, searching for release. That ultimate high that only my vampire lover could gift me.

His mouth returned to mine as his lips teased me. As I was getting caught up in his kiss, and time seemed to melt away, he pushed the swollen head into my tight channel. I cried out as my body tightened around him and the pressure increased. The euphoria of having him inside me was like being in another stratosphere and I clutched his shoulders, praying this was the start of a long life together and not the end.

"Relax, little bird. I seek only your pleasure. Forget the events of this evening and allow yourself to soar with me." His mouth moved to my breast then and flicked a nipple. The sensation sent a wave of pleasure through me, and my muscles relaxed. I hadn't realized I was so tense until he mentioned it, but it felt like a belt loosening.

Rene slipped his hand between our bodies and rubbed my sensitive nub. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he remained in place, concentrating on the slow rhythm he created. He never complained about the restraint it took to ensure I experienced the ultimate pleasure when we were together. His patience was as impressive as his manhood and his power. As he stroked me, my hips automatically responded, and I moved against his hand.

"Fly with me, little bird. Prove that those years of loneliness were worth every tortuous second." His voice was low and deep, but I was too caught up in what he was doing to respond, so I nodded and kissed his lips. His finger never stopped thrumming my nub while he moved slowly in and out of me.

"That feels so damn good. Don't stop." The confession was ripped from my soul like a talisman.

He smiled at me as he pulled out and thrust back in. I arched toward him, allowing more access as his thumb continued to press my nub, and his mouth nibbled my neck. He gradually increased the tempo, then gazed into my eyes, showing me how much he loved me. There was no denying that look. It was strife, hope, and resilience. All wrapped in a handsome dark bow of power. A gift to me alone. And I thanked god for it as he continued the sensual slide into my body.

His thick shaft was an iron rod pistoning in and out of me as he increased his speed. My desire took over, and in seconds, I was moving with him. Matching each thrust with my own. The coil in my abdomen began to tighten as I reached the breaking point of my arousal.

Rene's fingers twinned with mine before he brought them over my head. His thrusts intensified, leaving me powerless to do anything but bask in the erotic fire he created. "Let me taste you. Draw your blood." He had promised me he would never take my blood without permission, but I would have given him anything at that moment.

"Yes."

He groaned against my neck a second before his fangs punctured the flesh where my shoulder met my neck. The sensation was an intoxicating blend of pain and pleasure. The initial sting was sharp, a quick, almost electric jolt that made me gasp. But as his teeth sank deeper, the pain began to ebb, replaced by a warm, pulsing sensation that radiated through my body.

My heartbeat quickened, each thud echoing in my ears, syncing with the rhythmic pull of his feeding. The world around me seemed to blur, the edges softening as I focused on the connection between us. There was an intimacy in the act, a merging of our essences that went beyond the physical.

A slow, tingling warmth spread from the bite, coursing through my veins like liquid fire. It was both soothing and exhilarating, a heady mix that made me feel alive in a way nothing else could. The bond between us deepened with each moment, a silent communication that spoke of trust, need, and an unbreakable connection.

I could feel Rene's strength, his presence enveloping me, grounding me in the here and now. His hands cradled my shoulders, steadying me as he drank, his touch a gentle anchor amidst the storm of sensations. I leaned into him, my own need mirroring his, our breaths mingling in the stillness.

As he withdrew the sharp burn of his teeth sent me hurtling over the edge and my orgasm washed over me like a marauding tsunami. His momentum increased before he joined me in blissful oblivion.

Coming together as one was the greatest high of my life, and I never wanted it to end. I cursed Brigid for trying to take Rene from the world. His power and intelligence were nothing compared to the compassion he let few see. I sighed contently as he moved his hips, and mini orgasms trickled through my body. Nobody could compare to Rene. If I lost him, there would be no other.

He moved to lie beside me and pulled me onto his shoulder.

My fingers traced his chest. "Do you only bite during sex?"

Rene kissed my forehead. "I will bite you often, but only to bring you pleasure. That is, of course, if you enjoyed it."

"You know I did."

"I hope in time you will return the experience. That is if..."

I placed my finger on his lips. "Don't say it. You are stuck here... with me. Got it?"

Rene met my gaze. "Whatever my lady desires."