My mind was filled with nagging questions that wouldn’t go away. Now was as perfect a time as any. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I blurted out, “So tell me about the blood bond. Isn’t that a vampire thing? Can it be done on mortals?”
Arys tensed beside me; his hand gripped mine tight. “Oh yes, it can be done. With extreme consequences.”
I waited patiently for him to continue, flashing him an expectant look when he didn’t. He relented, but he didn’t look happy about it.
“A blood bond between vampires is like … a marriage of sorts. It’s a true commitment, one that you truly can’t escape until death. It forms a permanent telepathic link between both parties. Vampires rarely form blood bonds, especially with mortals.”
“Why?” I was intrigued already. He didn’t want to tell me this. I could tell. “And, why would he expect you to form one with me then?”
“If a bonded vampire dies, their mate feels it. They may not even survive it. And a mortal, they risk such things as insanity … and worse.” He paused again, and I thought I was going to have to beat the words out of him. Then he continued. “Alexa, a blood bonded mortal is destined to rise as a vampire upon their mortal death.”
The shock was audible in my ears, like a beat of thunder inside my head. That was heavy duty.
“But werewolves-,” I began, only to be abruptly cut off by Arys’ hiss.
“Are still mortal.”
“Oh…” I was silent for a moment, absorbing this startling new twist. “But, there has to be a reason why it would be done, why some mortals would find it worth the risk.”
My mind was going faster than my mouth, like usual. His frown indicated his unease with the subject matter. I wanted to know.
“I’m sure there are many reasons.” His voice grew soft, and he looked away, at the mirror on the bureau that reflected our image back at us. “He expects me to bond you as a life mate, to make you mine beyond your mortal death. To ensure that you cannot die just once. That is why the bond is called the wicked kiss. Which obviously, is where Harley obtained the name for his little blood donor bar.”
The words were so simply said, but their weight was enormous. I couldn’t breathe for a moment.
“And is that something you would want to do?” I asked the question gently, so he would see that I was just curious.
His penetrating blue eyes were wide with alarm. “I would ruin you.”
I swallowed hard and gathered my courage, daring to say what I was thinking. “What if it was the only way? If I were dying or something, or in danger … you’d never do it?
Despite the ways we’re already bonded so completely?”
The glare he flashed me stung, and I winced. Why was I asking these things?
“For vampires, the exchange of blood can be a symbol of love or even a matter of convenience. For the living, it is worse than a death sentence. Would you really want me to do that?”
“I want to know that you would do anything I needed you to do, if it was necessary.
If I asked it of you.”
Though I wanted to push my questions further, the pained mask he wore convinced me otherwise. The tense atmosphere was an indication that my musings were best left inside my head for now.
“Alexa, don’t ask me to choose your destiny. You are mortal, and wolf. I can’t take that away.”
“I’m not asking you to choose.” I met his gaze pleadingly, willing him to understand what I was asking and why. “I’m asking you to do something only you can if I ever request it.”
Not that I had any intention of sealing my fate so solidly. I was still absorbing the reality of what he’d just told me.
“Look, all you need to know is that I am devoted to you. But, please don’t ever ask that of me unless you are more certain than you ever have been about anything else in your life.” Arys’ lips moved softly against my ear as he gently kissed my lobe. “I don’t want to be the bad guy. Not with you.”
I couldn’t resist the smile that danced over my lips in response to his words. “Baby, you’re not nearly as bad as you think you are.”
I glanced up to find that his eyes were closed. It wouldn’t take him long to fall into a deep slumber. Vampires sleep like they truly are dead. Though there was no coffin for this bed-loving vamp, he was otherwise dead to the world until sundown.
“I have to go shopping for a costume for the Halloween party at Lucy’s Lounge,” I said, for no other reason than to see if he was still awake. Changing the subject right about now couldn’t hurt either.
When he didn’t answer right away, I thought he was out. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he said sarcastically, “Pray tell, Alexa, what are you going to be for Halloween? A werewolf?”
“That’s not even worth dignifying with a response. There’s nothing wrong with dressing up for Halloween. It’s fun.” And, it reminds me of being a kid, I added silently.
“I suppose it is, when you haven’t suffered through as many as I have. They all start to blur together.”