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September 2 - September 4, 2025
“Go,” I whisper. “I don’t need you to babysit me. It’s not as if Perdita bites.” “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“But this kiss isn’t for her.”
but I don’t care if I drink the castle dry. Winnie’s gone. She’s not coming back. I’ve allowed the best thing that’s ever happened to me slip away, all because I couldn’t control myself. All because she smells like sunshine and strawberries.
“Do not presume what I will or won’t do to keep Winnie safe.”
“Deadly things can be beautiful.
“Reginald will be pleased. Women in flowing gothic dresses are always fleeing dramatically from the castle holding them, and we’re running low.”
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH ALARIC
The moment my back was turned, he thrust his own silver-inlaid sword through his chest rather than stay with me.”
Oh no, poor Alaric
remained. But you might see how you are the first …” My throat closes over. “The first human I have ever trusted.”
“It’s nice that you think that, husband.” Now she sounds downright evil. “If we’re going to be a couple, then this goes both ways. I’ll fake-date you, but you have to fake-date me. I like being wined and dined.
“Why don’t you come and sit in my lap, wife, and I’ll show you—”
“I plan on biting you first, vampire. To establish dominance.”
Alaric’s eyes are fathomless voids. “I … I am trying to commit every moment with you to memory, so I may revisit these days and nights long after you’re gone.” That might be the strangest and most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.
the hard length of him pressing against my thigh. Is he … um … that big?
“Winnie, from the moment I smelt you in the pub, you have possessed me utterly. I am already yours.”
“Let me help you with that, wife.” “I thought I was your fake-fiancée?” “You are. But since we’re pretending, it pleases me to pretend you’re my wife.”
“As much as I love the feel of your mouth on me, I am the one who is in charge. I need to know how you taste before I come undone.”
AHHHHHHHHHHHH ALARICS IN CHRGE!!! YES YOU ARE SIR
He spreads my legs wide, dips his head low between my thighs, and inhales deeply. If Patrick had ever sniffed me, I’d have kicked him off the bed, but when Alaric does it I feel like a goddess. Especially when he growls out, “Fuck, Winnie, you will drive men to ruin. I bet you taste just as sweet as you smell.”
Ahhh he swore
“Worship me,” I manage to breathe. “Good girl,” he growls before diving his tongue straight into my centre.
“I’ll buy you a new one. I’ll buy you all the frilly, lacy, not-corsets you desire as long as I can keep worshipping you and making you mine, wife.”
“Now you are mine,” he whispers, his voice tight with hunger and everything he’s held back.
“I don’t know how you’re going to fit,” I say, worry creeping into my voice. “We take it slow,” Alaric whispers as he kisses my forehead. “The night belongs to us.”
“I’ve got you, Winnie.” His body cages mine, his fingers squeeze, his lips tease along my jaw. “You’re safe with me.”
“I never said I was done worshipping you,” he murmurs, his fingers darting between my legs again.
“I’ve got you, Winnie,” I whispered. “I won’t let anything hurt you, not even in your dreams.”
Loving her will destroy me utterly. But I am more than ready to be ruined.
“I am jealous of the sun, for it kisses your skin where I cannot. I am jealous of that coffee you’re drinking, for it touches your lips …”
the woman I love
YOU LOVE?? First time im hearibg of it
to, but I find myself picking up pots and showing off my favourite details.
I find myself always turning back to her, as if she is my true north.
Because … maybe I want her friends to tolerate me.
Beth: Why do you care about the harlot? I thought we hexed her? Maisie: BETH!
And someone lit the fire. That’s my job.”
“You’re trembling,” he whispers. “You don’t need to be afraid, Winnie. I’ll never let anyone or anything hurt you.”
“I know it’s hard for you to let me see your weakness,” he murmurs. “You have always had to be so strong. You’re the one who cleans up everyone’s mess, so you never get to be a mess yourself. Well, I want to love you whether you are a quiet day or a raging hurricane. I want you to fall apart for me so I can love every piece of you. Give me your wounds, Winnie, and I will bleed for you.”
My fave quote
“Naughty humans who tease me like that might find themselves bitten,” he growls, scraping his fangs over my neck. In response, I wiggle even harder. He pins me against the rocks, kicking my legs apart.
“I’m sorry for breaking your trust like that, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you enduring the nightmares alone.”
“Sweet Winifred, it’s you who have claimed me.”
“In this dress, I am utterly at your mercy.”
“If I died on that battlefield, I never would have met you. Eternity was worth the wait for you, Winnie Preston.”
“And I was right to refuse it, since you do not wish to become a monster.” “No.” Her eyes flash. “I don’t.” And there it is – the wound that she had stitched closed in me bursting open. Monsters don’t hurt as humans do. We hurt worse, because our skin is tougher, our hearts harder, so the knife that cuts deep must be drenched in poison.
you. I’ve been reading a book about our condition.
I should probably start spending some of it on things that make me happy. And the only thing that makes me happy is you, Winnie. So I have bought your mother a new house.
I notice little details: A record player and a bunch of records stacked on a shelf. All bands from my Get Shit Done playlist. A stack of vampire romance novels beside them, bookmarks marking page sixty-four. A purple container on the kitchen counter labelled ‘Reginald’s Hot Chocolate Mix.’
MARRY THIS MAN OR I FUCKING WILL
He sees me.
SOBBING
“The second key is for Black Crag.”
AGGGHHHHGHGHGGGG
throw myself at him. He starts, caught off guard, but catches me, because he’s always there to catch me. Because I’m safe with him. I’m home in his arms.
buying that Alaric Valerian painting you’ve been eyeing off (link to his shop here ).
So cute
“as a vampire myself, I’ve purchased a home in the Sanctus Estate.”
Not shocked. Suspected early on
