Her Cursed Monster (Mad Protector Series #1)

~Chapter 24~

He growled loudly. Margo jumped, trying to escape.

"You stay here, little one," Zachary shushed her moans of discontent and savagely bit into his free wrist. He knew exactly what to do. Blood exchanges between mates worked miracles. 

Margo turned her head when he presented her with his gashing wound, but she had no choice. "Shh, it shall do you well," he whispered as he pushed his blood into her mouth. He watched her gulp, a trail of crimson liquid running from her chin to her chest while her nails bit into his arm, still trying to escape. It pained his heart to see her drink so reluctantly –he had envisioned much more pleasurable circumstances for this sacred step into their mating, but as long as his essence healed her, he did not care.

Slowly, but surely, her trashing ceased, her eyes blinking open in confusion. By now, his wrist had healed.

"Zachary?" Margo asked, licking her lips and wrinkling her nose. For newly bonded humans, blood was still an acquired taste.

In a panic, his mate ran her gaze over him, gasping when she discovered his chest. His torso was stained with his dried blood, a consequence of her feeding. 

"Oh Heavens, Zachary, are you alright? Who did this to you?" her hands ran over his skin in a frenzy, her tone alarmed. A devilish part of him rejoiced in having her so concerned over him. He embraced her tightly, knowing the next news would shock her. He proceeded to explain the events of the night, his own mind trying to make sense of them. 

During his recounting, Margo had been silent, her fingers tugging at the sheets in distress. The knife lying abandoned in the corner had her wincing as if slapped.  

He finished. Suddenly, her shoulders started shaking. Tears wet his collarbone.

Fuck, he made his mate cry. For the hundredth time that nigh, he swore he would torture the living days out of the madman who did this. Zachary tried to coax her, but her head remained tucked on the nape of his neck.

Only his vampiric hearing made him understand the words she mumbled brokenly. "I hurt you, I hurt you."

His shoulders shifted and he grabbed hold of each of her cheeks, staring deeply into her brown eyes. They were red-rimmed and welling with tears. He used his thumbs to wipe the moisture away. His protectiveness rose inside of him.

"Margo, you did not hurt me, my love."

"But I could have," she sniffed, silent sobs wrecking her figure. "Who is to say the future does not hold a repeat of tonight's episode? You need to stay away from me, Zachary."

Hell would freeze over dozens of time before he followed through that. "Never utter those words again, Margo. Someone out there is lurking in the shadows trying to keep us apart, separating us is what they want," his eyes glowed. A sneaking suspicion told him the damned Dark Mages were behind this. They might have imprisoned him, but now that they came for his mate, there was no rat's corner they could hide in before he found them.

He nuzzled her nose to comfort her and calm himself. "Besides, my blood is now running through your veins, healing whatever poison they used to manipulate you."

Margo inched away, staring fascinated at his fangs. "Your blood is making me feel strange." One finger touched his sharp teeth. Zachary gulped.

He did not know whether relief or disappointment was more acute when Margo rested her head on his shoulder again.

Each lost in their thoughts, the two lovers sat in darkness, only the flickering candlelight warming their bodies. He was ready to settle them both more comfortably under the silky covers, when Margo broke the silence.