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"My wife," heflushed and utterly desirable, she regarded him with a quizzical smile

"Lucien"

"Yes, e in my rituals Do va more he desired than to truly bond with this woman To share the Immortal Kiss so that they were one But Jocelyn was mortal She could not possibly co of blood

"It is rather a different sort of cereue tones

Predictably her curiosity was instantly aroused "What do you ave a slow shake of his head "I am uncertain that you are prepared, my sweet"

"Why?"

Clearly she would not be satisfied until he had revealed all, Lucien acknowledged wryly

Thankfully he loved her as much for her stubborn spirit as for her kind heart

"Because our bonding is not of pretty words and pledges but of our very souls," he explained in low tones "We beco our hearts and ehts It can be far too intimate for mortals"

She considered his words for a ly raised her hands to touch the alowed about her neck

"But I am not just another mortal I have the Medallion"

Lucien briefly considered the powerful artifact It was true that the Medallion was subtly changing the maiden And Nefri had implied that her future would not be that of a mere human

Perhaps it would be possible

"Yes," he azed deep into his eyes "I want to be one with you, Lucien"

"There is no turning back," he warned

"Good" She reached out to touch his cheek "Tell me how"

"We must drink of each other’s blood"

Despite her best intentions, Jocelyn could not entirely disguise her brief flare of shock

"I see"

Lucien s her hand with his own "Jocelyn, ill knohen the ti to plan"

A hint of relief lightened her beautiful features "Yes"

"And swiftly" He deliberately allowed his gaze to lower toward the thin fabric of her gown

That ready heat floiftly through his veins Two centuries of suppressed passion were not easily ignored "I groeary of that craarret"

A faint color stained her cheeks, but her own eyes darkened with a s need The air in the bedcha me for a more comfortable bed?" she atterowled softly

She shivered "Lucien"

He could take her All he need do was pull her into his arive him all the pleasure his body ached to receive One kiss, one touch, and she would forget all but the desire that blazed between theh hishint of disquiet deep within her

She had been branded a scarlet woman despite her innocence And while she would never adive herself without the blessing of th of her honor

Sing a groan, Lucien was again struggling to restrain his unruly passions Great Nefri, give th, he silently pleaded

"But first there is soed tones

She blinked, as if startled to discover she was not being thoroughly ravaged And he hoped a trifle disappointed

"Oh And what is that?"

Lucien drew in a deep breath, knowing that he was about to destroy the ic of thishours to thinking of joining his life with this woman, he had realized that she was not yet prepared to put her past completely behind her

He wanted her unburdened and able to concentrate upon their future together A future with no barriers