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"But you didn’t"

"Look athis body Nearly every inch of his body was covered in blood "I did this! I bound you, took you like an animal and nearly drained you dry You" his voice broke "You, my sweet Beth I should be destroyed"

"First of all, I loved being bound and taken like an ani one of the most erotic experiences of my life I enjoyed every second of it Would I want to do this every night? No, but I will be disappointed if it never happened again," she freely admitted

He looked up, shocked "But I hurt you"

"Yes, but in a good way When you’re taking me like that the pain just takes the pleasure to a whole new level, it’s intoxicating to the point of addiction You don’t have to be in transition for this to happen again do you?" she asked

He blinked "You’re serious You would do this again?"

"Except for the blood loss, yes But I think we can safely attribute that to your transition Was it a bit scary? Yes But thatto me my mate?" She scooted so that their bodies touched Both of theain" He went to reach out to touch her face but pulled his hand back She grabbed his hand and placed it against her cheek

"You’re not listening Did you set out to hurt me?"

"No! Of course not"

"Are you possibly days away froh two transitions?"

"Three," he whispered

"Three? So you are at your five thousandth year I speculated with Meryn So you have your natural transition, your fifth millennial and a power increase due to the ferals" She let his hand drop but kept their fingers intertwined Their coh

He turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with exhaustion "Not my fifth millennial, my Myriad"

Her heart stuttered "Myriad? Doesn’t that mean "

He nodded "Yes Ten thousand, at least that’s as far back as I re her an to fall into place The reason why he didn’t want pohy he kept his age a secret, why he alone represented the oldest va house and why the version Meryn knew of their legend was different, she had heard it from the man herself

"Oh sweet Gods above You’re the Dark Prince" She clutched at her chest as the enorhed, closed his eyes and sat back "I never wanted you to know"

She could only stare This was the Dark Prince she had fantasized about as a girl, the invincible warrior that every other man was always compared to after her uncle and fathers And he was her olden armor and white plumed helmet There was no holy sword or fiery steed at his side, just a man Her , including her

She flicked the side of his leg with her thuer

"Ow!" He looked at her surprised and frowning "What was that for?"