Tempting Raven (Curse of the Vampire Queen #1)(33)

       
        

"It's not just your leg that needs healing." He grazes his fingertip along the burn marks on my neck. "If you don't drink enough blood soon, these burns will start spreading."

"Can't you just give me the dragon's fire now?"

"It's not that easy to get. Dragons are rare these days. It's going to take some time."

"Then how are you even going to get some at all?"

"The black magic market," he explains. "But it'll probably take a few days."

"Oh." I frown, realizing what must happen if I don't want to turn into one giant dragon's burn. Suck it up, Raven. You're tough. You're strong. You can do this. "I'm not going to drink from your vein."

The muscle in his jaw spasms. "If you don't, you won't heal as fast, and you'll have to drink blood more frequently to keep the burns under control."

I shrug. "That's fine with me."

He places his hands on the seat behind me, trapping me between his arms. "You know, eventually, you're going to have to. Your powers won't ever reach their full potential if you don't."

"Eventually, I will." The words taste bitter on my tongue. "But I'm not ready to yet."

He nibbles on his lip ring, studying me intensely. "Have you ever drunk from the vein before?"

Oh, my vampires, are we really having this conversation right now?

I fight to keep a blush from spreading to my cheeks. "Have you?" I'm pretty sure I know the answer. Rhyland is way too popular and gorgeous to have not bitten and been bit. Probably many, many times.

He sinks his teeth into his lip, fighting back a grin. "I asked you first."

I carry his gaze as warmth trickles across my cheeks. "And I asked you second. Plus, I'm the queen."

"And I'm the king." He waits for me to give in, but I smash my lips together. He shakes his head, a smile touching his lips. "So stubborn." He bends his arms and leans in closer to me, lowering his voice to a husky whisper. "Fine, I'll go first. Yes, I've drank blood from the vein."

So, I was right.

I feel the slightest bit of disappointment, a reaction I can't and don't even want to explain.

"Was it with my sister?" I ask.

His eyes pop wide. "Are you fucking joking?"

"What? You guys were close, and you practically did, and would, do anything for her."

His smile dissipates as he shakes his head, sending strands of hair into his eyes. "First off, let's get one thing straight. You may have thought I did anything your sister asked, but you don't know the full story." 

"And there you go being cryptic again," I say. "I'm starting to wonder if you're just saying that to cover up the ugly truth."

He ignores me. "And second, I have never, ever drank from Nadine's vein. I've only done it from an empress a few times at your mom's club. And it was because I needed some extra power."

"Okay." I pretend not to care, and I don't. I think  …

"And thirdly  … " he continues, his lips quirking.

"Oh, great, there's another one," I interrupt with a dramatic groan.

He bites back a smile. "And thirdly, just so you know, no vampire has ever drunk from my vein. You get to be the first."

"Lucky me." My tone oozes with sarcasm.

He grins, teeth showing and all. "Now it's your turn."

"No way. I never agreed to that."

He rolls his tongue in his mouth, either irritated or amused with me. My bet is the first. "I just poured my heart and soul out to you, and you're not going to return the favor?"

I resist an eye roll. "Don't be overdramatic. You didn't pour your heart and soul out." I heave an exasperated breath as he continues to stare me down, not firmly, but like a sad, little lilywolf tiger, which FYI, are the most adorable pets ever. Part tiger, part wolf, and part lily faerie, they carry magical powers. I've always wanted one but only faeries can have them. "Fine, I'll tell you. Just stop looking at me like I just kicked your lilywolf tiger." I chew on my bottom lip. For the love of blood, I can't believe I'm about to tell him this. Him of all people. "I haven't ever drunk from the vein, and no one's ever drank from mine. There. Are you happy?"

He nods. "Very happy."

"Why? What's the big deal? So I haven't sunk my teeth into a vein and no one's ever touched my vein. In reality, I should be super depressed because, according to you and my mom, that'll never happen now."

"We never said it wouldn't happen." His voice lacks emotion, but his eyes are a whole different story, carrying almost too much hunger.