Page 87 of Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

“My bride,” he finished.

A tremor ran through me.

Not of fear.

Not exactly.

More like something inside me cracking under the weight of being seen too clearly.

“I don’t know what to do with that,” I whispered.

“You don’t have to do anything,” he murmured. “It’s my truth. You’re not obligated to return it.”

He meant it. Truly meant it. I could hear it. Feel it.

But that didn’t stop the rush of panic that climbed up my throat.

“Con… I’m scared.”

His face softened. “Tell me why.”

I swallowed hard. “Because this is dangerous. Not the emotions—the consequences. You know what vampire bonds can become. You know how easily my choices can be stolen.”

His expression turned solemn.

“You’re worried you’ll bite me,” he said.

A ragged breath escaped me.

“I’m worried,” I said, voice shaking, “that one day I’ll be too weak, too drained, too hurt to stop myself.”

He said nothing. He didn’t need to. His stillness was answer enough.

“When I’m wounded,” I went on, “or losing too much magic… instinct takes over. Everything sharpens. Everything narrows. And sometimes the only thought that cuts through the panic is⁠—”

I cut myself off, but the shame was already thick in the air.

“Say it,” he whispered.

The words scraped out of me. “You. I think of you.”

His breath hitched.

“I think of your strength,” I said. “Of your blood. Of your power. And gods help me, Con, there are moments when the world is spinning and I can feel myself slipping. Where I know I could sink my teeth into your throat and not stop.”

My voice broke.

“It terrifies me.”

Con’s hand cupped my jaw, steady and gentle.

“Cassara,” he murmured, “do you think I haven’t imagined that?”

I blinked up at him, startled. “You… have?”

“Of course I have,” he said. “You’re a vampire. A powerful one. I know exactly what it would mean if you ever took blood from me at the wrong moment. I know what that bond could become.”

A shadow flickered across his features—memory, old and heavy.