First Drink

Bel's heartbeat pounded in her ears, the sound louder than the soft pull of Davien's lips on her neck. The initial sting of his bite faded, replaced by an overwhelming warmth that surged through her, spreading to her fingertips. She clutched him tighter, her breathing quickening as each second passed.

Davien's grip on her waist tightened, pulling her even closer, his fingers digging into her skin as if he were fighting to control himself. The sensation of him feeding was far from what she'd expected. It wasn't the horrific, monstrous thing she imagined. It was intimate, strangely comforting. For the first time since they were forced into this marriage, she felt a connection between them.