Chapter 88
Nix
My jaw aches deliciously as Volik helps me pry my fangs from his spent cock.
I catch the last drops of blood on my tongue, then collapse back onto my butt.
Or I almost do, but I hover an inch above the ground before I slowly lower the rest of the way.
“Thanks.” I grin up at Volik.
“Do not dare to thank me, Ma Fleur.” He’s blinking. His chest is heaving. And his hands look uncharacteristically clumsy as he stuffs himself back into his pants.
A breathless laugh leaves me. “I think we did that in record time.”
“Da.” Volik lowers himself to the floor, then leans back against the wall. “Come here.” He pats his thighs.
I hold my arms out. “Carry me.”
He smirks.
Without lifting his head, he holds his arms out toward me. And I lift off the floor.
His gravito lifts me evenly, so I stay in a seated position as I move through the air to Volik.
He stops me before my knees bump into his chest, then he grips my hips and turns me ninety degrees before tugging me down and releasing his power.
I lean my cheek against his chest.
“How do you feel?”
“Awesome.” I smile as I say it.
Volik chuckles, shaking my body. “Good.”
“Seriously though.” I tip my head back so we can look at each other. “I feel like I’m a little drunk. Like my blood is buzzed.”
Volik hugs his arms around me. “That is from drinking your mate’s blood.”
“That super-charged blood thing?”
He nods. “I think so. We will find out more on Friday.”
I sigh. “You know I’m just going to be stressed out until we get there, right?”
“They will cherish you. This is a celebration.”
My heart gives an extra beat before Volik can calm it.
He rubs a hand over my hip. “Do not be nervous.”
“It’s not that.” I press my hand to my chest. “It’s what you said. I… I really appreciate you.”
Volik tightens his arms around me, and I watch him swallow. “I know.” He slides a hand to cover mine over my heart. “I am here.”
I relax, listening to the thud of our heartbeat.
A few minutes pass before Volik lets out a heavy exhale.
“When we go home, I will teach you everything you need to know about vampires. I do not know if any other mates are human, or if you will be the only one. My family will not harm you, but danger is always a possibility. And knowledge is a weapon.”
I’m nervous about meeting Volik’s aunt and uncle, and the unknown number of vampires it sounds like they’re inviting. But learning secret history to prepare for the trip… That’s exciting.
And motivating.
Five minutes later, the extra credit assignments are locked in my desk drawer and I’m ready to go.
Hand in hand, we walk up to the roof and jump silently away.
Back home, Volik leads me through to the living room, and the serious look on his face has my excitement over new information diminishing.
“Why do you look like you’re about to tell me bad news?” I start to bite my lip, then once again remember fangs.
“No bad news.” I move to sit on the couch, but Volik stops me. “Wait.”
He goes first, but instead of sitting, Volik stretches himself out on his side, making the huge couch look not so huge. Then he uses the blanket I left out here as a pillow.
He pats the cushion in front of him. “Face me.”
I do as he says, climbing onto the couch, lying on my side, and facing him.
I rest my head on the other part of the blanket so we’re face-to-face, and I tuck my hands up under my chin as Volik settles his arm over my waist.
Then I feel the lightest pressure on my heart. And I know it’s Volik holding our heartbeat steady.
He said it’s not bad news. But he’s still about to tell me something that will make my heart want to race.
“You will not need this information,” he starts, and I try to mentally brace myself. “But I am going to tell you how to kill a vampire.”
I…
My heart tries to stop. But Volik’s control keeps it beating regularly.
I swallow. And I shake my head. “I don’t want to know that.” Tears start to fill my eyes, and I shake my head again. “I don’t want to know, Volik.”
His purr rumbles out of him, and he slides his hand up my spine. “Shh, Ma Fleur. Do not cry.” Volik stretches forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. “There is no reason to cry.”
I sniff and brush at my cheeks, but the tears just keep coming. “Sorry.” I brush away more. “I know they stink.”
“Da, they do.” I smile as more slip off my cheek, soaking into the blanket. “But do not apologize. Just tell me why.”
“Why I’m crying?”
He nods as he runs his hand up and down my back.
I have to drop my voice to a whisper to answer him. “I don’t want to think about you dying.”
His exhale is… emotional.
“S-sorry.” I sniff again.
The barest hint of burnt mint floats in the air between us.
Volik moves an arm under my neck and pulls me into a fierce hug. “Nyet, Mea Unica. Je ne nous tuerai pas.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I am not telling you this to worry you, Mate. I am telling you so you are informed. So you know, if ever the worst happened.”
I close my eyes as I breathe him in. “What would be the worst?”
“If we are ever separated. That would be the worst.” He kisses me again. “But I would find you.”
Volik loosens his hold and pulls back.
Blinking my eyes open, I meet his gaze.
“I will always find you, Nixy. You are mine.” He cups my cheek with his large palm. “Tell me you understand.”
I pull my hands away from my chin and grip Volik’s wrist. “I know.” I move my other hand to his chest. “You are here. And you will always come for me.” The mate bond pulses heavy in my chest.
“I will find you. And you will do what you must to wait for me. So, I need you to know.” He strokes his hand over my hair. “There is only one way to kill a vampire.”
I exhale. “Tell me.”