Marked by Blood: Book 2 of The Marked Series by Ford, Rinna (top novels of all time txt) 📕

I never had the chance to use them. Deciding it was a good a time as any, I poured some of the fragrant crystals into the warm tub, letting them be absorbed into the water.

I shed my clothes quickly after that and threw my hair up in a messy bun before sliding into the water. I sighed as I sunk down into it and closed my eyes, laying my head back against the side. Why didn’t I take more baths? I didn’t know the answer to that question, but I made a vow to do it more often. I didn’t fall asleep, but I was extremely relaxed when Xander found his way into the bathroom.

“Isn’t this a gorgeous sight?” He grinned and sat on the edge of the tub.

I put one foot on the bottom propping my knee up, but otherwise made no move to cover myself. After all, Xan was more than familiar with every single inch of my body. I also loved the way he was looking at me. It made me feel beautiful and powerful that I had such an effect on a powerful man.

“There you are,” I smiled back at him. “Where did you go today? I missed you.”

“Oh, so you knew I wasn’t there? I assumed you were too busy with the Butcher to realize I was gone.”

Mood effectively soured, I pushed myself up and out of the tub, reaching for a nearby towel.

“Don’t do that,” I snapped. “And don’t call him that either.”

“Why not? You chose him over me this morning and he is the Butcher. It’s who he is, Emi. Why wouldn’t I call him that?”

I wrapped the towel around my body and stood in front of my mate, pursing my lips. I didn’t want a fight. I just wanted my mate. He was still sitting on the edge of the tub, so I took a step toward him and sat on his lap, throwing one arm around his neck.

“Honey, I didn’t choose him over you. Not like you’re thinking anyway. I thought we went over this.”

Xan lowered his head and let out a huff. “I just don’t like it.”

“I know you don’t and I’m sorry I’m putting you through it. I need to get a handle on it and he’s the only vampire I trust to help me.”

“He’s done some terrible things for the Council. After figuring out who he is, I don’t know if I trust him, so I don’t understand how you do.”

We sat in silence for about a minute while I decided how I could reply to him.

“Why do you trust me?” I asked.

“Because you’re you. You’re my best friend, my mate. It’s not the same.”

“No. It’s not the same, not exactly. When I think about you and why I trust you, it’s for the same reasons you trust me. But when I think a little harder, I know it’s more than that. I trust you because of the bond we share. I can feel you in here.” I touched the center of my chest with my palm. “When you’re angry, I feel it. When you’re sad, I feel it. And when you’re confused, I feel that too. I have to focus on that feeling, but it’s there. Now with Matias, that feeling isn’t as defined because we aren’t fully mated, but it’s there just like yours is. I can not only see it in the way he treats me, but I can feel what he’s feeling. He would never hurt me and he respects my decision to not fully mate with him even though it’s hard to be around me. Ease up on Matias, please.” I stood up and walked toward the door, but then threw over my shoulder. “So, if you’re done sulking, I’m ready to go to bed. Do you want to tend to your mate or should I go alone?”

I dropped the towel in the doorframe and sauntered away. I had only made it a couple of steps when Xan’s strong arms were wrapped around me, pulling me into his body. He ran his nose up the delicate column of my neck and into my hair as he took in my scent.

“Mine,” he murmured against the shell of my ear. “All mine.”

I let it go because, in that moment, I was just his and no one else’s. He had my mind, body, and soul, and I wanted to show him just that.

I turned in his arms and pulled his head down toward me in one quick movement. Our lips crashed together in the ferocious hunger we always had for one another. Xan’s hands went to my ass, grabbing it, lifting me up as easily as if I were a feather. With my ankles locked behind him, my soaking wet pussy rubbed against the hardness under his jeans.

A whimper escaped from my lips because no matter how incredible the friction felt, I wanted more. I needed more. I needed it all.

Xan chuckled against my lips as if he knew exactly what I wanted, but before he had the chance, I magicked his clothes away, making him as naked as I was. Startled for a second, he chuckled again.

“You can still do that, huh? You know, that’s probably my favorite thing about your casting skills. I wish you’d use it more on your own clothes though, instead of just doing mine all the time.”

He had dropped us both onto the bed and was laying on top of me as I was still wrapped around him, and he slid his stiff cock up and down through my folds, covering it with my juices. I threw my head back in a moan as I felt my excitement build.

In the next second, I flipped us over so I was on top by using my new vampire strength. I didn’t even realize I had tapped into it until I felt my hunger rise and my fangs descend. Xan’s eyes were transfixed on mine as I ran my tongue over the tip