The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

flush to his chest, he ground his hips against my rear as his
hand left my hip and folded over the base of my throat. He
pressed his lips to my damp temple. “I love you.”
I broke apart, shattering into a thousand tiny pieces as
my release crashed through me with such force that a growl
rumbled from his chest. His arms tightened around me. One
more deep thrust, and he came, shouting my name. Panting
and slick with a fine sheen of sweat, he brought us both to
the bed. The blanket scratched my skin, but I was sated,
boneless, and so damn relieved to be alive that I couldn’t
actually worry about the irritation of the material. I didn’t
know how long we stayed where we were, me on my belly,
and Casteel lying half on me, but the sensation of his weight
enthralled me, as did his wildly beating heart against my
back.
Sometime later, I once more ended up seated in his
embrace, cradled against him. We were at the head of the
narrow bed now. I didn’t remember how we’d even gotten
there, but he held me as he dragged a trembling hand over
my head and through my hair. We stayed that way for so
long—hours, it seemed.
“How are you feeling?” Casteel asked, his voice rough.
“Does anything hurt?”
I gave a small shake of my head. “Not really.” There
were aches, but they were nothing. “I…I don’t understand. I
was dying.” Lifting my head, I looked down at my chest as I
scooped the tangled strands of my hair to the side. I saw
shiny, pink skin in the shape of a rough circle between my
breasts. The bolt had gone through me. “And you…you took
my blood until I felt my heart fail and then gave me yours.”
“I did.” He pressed his fingers just below the barely
noticeable injury, and a wave of awareness skittered
through me. “I couldn’t let you go. I wouldn’t.”
My gaze flew to his, but he was staring at the wound,
his brow furrowed. “But I’m not in bloodlust—well, I was. I
was so hungry. I’ve never felt that hungry before.” I