Chapter 47 #3
When Ji-Su blinked to bring the world back into focus, he realized they’d stopped at a small pond for Ace to drink. He shivered as the cool night breeze swept over the sweat drying on his skin. Raul wrapped his arms around him, shielding him from the wind.
“Sssh. I’ve got you.”
Ji-Su gave a content sigh as Raul’s embrace warmed him up. “That’s better,” he said with tired satisfaction.
They sat there for a few moments, catching their breath as they listened to the crickets chirp and the far-off hooting of an owl. Raul moved first, swinging down from Ace’s back and rezipping his pants once he was on the ground.
Ji-Su fell even more in love with his vampire as he looked down at him. The muscles of his bare chest were silvered by the moonlight, his black hair ruffled from the wind, and he looked at Ji-Su as though he was the most precious thing in his world.
When Raul held his arms up, Ji-Su slid off Ace and into Raul’s waiting arms without hesitation or fear of falling. Raul caught him and gently set him on his feet. They remained motionless for several moments, Raul giving him time to adjust to being off the horse.
“Walk with me,” Raul said after he helped Ji-Su back into his shorts.
“After riding a horse and that fantastic orgasm, I think my legs are too shaky to walk.”
Raul chuckled. “It’s only a few steps.”
Ji-Su playfully pouted but walked along with Raul. They went up a slight incline, the grass thick under their feet. When they reached the top, Ji-Su was able to see the ranch house off in the distance.
“I thought this was a nice spot,” Raul said. “It’s just the two of us and close to home.”
Understanding dawned as Ji-Su realized that this is where they would bond. He smiled. Raul’s choice was perfect. “Exactly like I wanted.”
“Are you ready to be with me forever?”
“Yes,” Ji-Su answered with an eager nod.
“Come here then.” Raul slid an arm around Ji-Su’s waist and pulled him in close to his big, warm body so that they stood chest to chest.
Ji-Su turned his head to the side, granting Raul access to his throat, then held still as Raul leaned down to his level.
He kissed down the exposed line of Ji-Su’s throat, whispering I love you after each kiss.
When he reached the spot right above his shoulder, he bit, fangs piercing Ji-Su’s skin to sink into his jugular.
Ji-Su flinched once at the initial sharp pain, then relaxed into Raul’s hold. He slid his arms around his lover’s bare back, holding on to him as he drank. He didn’t take much, just enough to activate the ritual. Then he withdrew his fangs from Ji-Su’s neck and straightened.
“Your turn, carino.” Raul reached into the pouch he’d brought with him and pulled out a bottle of sparkling water and a small, sharp knife. “I’ll mix some of my blood into this water for you to drink.”
Ji-Su wondered why mixing the blood in water was necessary. “Can I take directly from you?” he asked.
Raul stopped and looked at him in surprise.
“Yes. If you want to.”
“I want to.”
Raul gave him a pleased smile as he took the blade and sliced the pad of his thumb open.
Blood welled up—the metallic tang of it scenting the night air.
Ji-Su took Raul’s big hand in both of his own and brought his thumb to his mouth.
He looked directly into Raul’s glowing eyes, wanting that connection in this important moment.
“I love you,” he said before he pressed his lips to the cut in an open mouth kiss. Then he began to suck.
At first Raul’s blood tasted like copper in his mouth.
But as the liquid rolled over his tongue, the taste shifted to something hot and powerful—like he’d sucked on a cinnamon candy.
He sucked again, pulling in more of Raul’s blood while maintaining their intimate eye contact.
Twice more he sucked at the cut. He released Raul’s thumb with a pop and licked his lips to make sure he caught the last drops of his lover’s blood.
“Was that enough?” he asked.
Raul nodded. “It was.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, a gust of wind kicked up at their feet.
It swirled around them, pushing their bodies even closer together until Ji-Su could feel Raul’s heart beating against him.
And then... he heard it too. A strong, steady beat that seemed to echo in his own chest. As he listened, a warm, sparkling sensation shimmered over his body from head to toe, and then the separate beat of Raul’s heart settled within him until he could no longer distinguish it from his own.
“Your heartbeat. It’s inside me,” he said in wonder.
“That’s our heartbeat,” Raul said with a tender smile. “Our hearts are tied together now. Our lives connected. As long as I drink from you, you won’t age or die.”
Ji-Su pressed a hand to Raul’s chest. “We’ll give each other life.”
“That’s right,” Raul agreed before he picked Ji-Su up and kissed him. “I’m never letting you go,” he said once he pulled back. “You’re mine now.”
Happier than he could ever begin to describe, Ji-Su wrapped his arms and legs around Raul, holding on tight to his loving, gentle giant. “You’re mine too. And I’ll never want you to let me go.”