Open for Negotiation

He watched as her eyes skimmed over his dark eyes and black hair with barely a reaction. He felt his pride twinge a bit so he went further. Lifting his hands, he let the blood drip from them. Her eyes widened slightly and her chin rose. She looked at his hands then back at him. His dark eyes gleamed in a challenge.
"You've not harmed me or mine, faery." She spoke out loud. "Blood does not scare me and neither do you. Keep your dog on its leash." Then she turned and calmly walked back inside. Intrigued now, he went to the window of the house and watched as she reassured her mother that the dog was gone
"I'll see you tonight, reckless child." He promised softly.
****
Marcus felt himself beginning to wake and struggled to stay in the dream. But it was no use. His eyes opened and he released the pillow his hand was gripping. It was the same one that she had laid her head on every night. His head went into the pillow heavily for a moment, breathing in her faint scent. He hated and treasured dreams like that with equal fervor. He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling.

It had been decades since she'd been forced to break that promise. He lifted his hand and touched the ring that had been her last gift. It had been decades, but it was yesterday.

***I did not skimp on the steamy scenes so consider yourselves warned ok? There are also a few violent scenes that I'll try to remember to put a warning before so you'll have a heads up. Any of the pictures/artwork were found online so I reserve no rights to those just the story. But I do reserve all rights to the story. This story runs concurrently with "Bloody Desire" and "All Roads Lead to Rome"

Awesome new book cover is courtesy of @ScarlettOlivier. She's awesome. Check her stuff out.