Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)

by Keri Lake

Branimir,

Why would you …. What were you thinking, giving …. Why didn’t you tell me?” “Would you have tried it, if I’d told you that it’d make you horny as a spring rabbit?”

In that moment, I let go of everything, and I jumped like Aleysia and I used to do when we were children.

He stared at her lips, wanting so badly to kiss them. She was a vision of perfection. How greedily he desired her. His little moon witch.

Tomorrow, she would travel with Dolion to Calyxar

Far from the mages who hunted her. Away from harm. And most import...

I want her to know I’m there and that she’s not alone.

“Oh, she is very much your problem.” Zevander ignored him and kept on toward Rykaia. “Fuck it all, you stubborn bastard. She’s your mate, Zevander!” Dolion’s words brought him to a grinding halt, and eyes narrowed, Zevander turned to face him. “What did you just say?” “I said she is your mate. I saw it in a vision. She wore your sigil, the mark of your scorpion. As did your son.”

The others slowed their approach as he stepped through the portal. After his mate.

“Because I’m a jealous cunt who refuses to entertain thoughts of you lying next to another man. Is that explanation enough?”

“Do you enjoy making me uncomfortable?” “If I’m being honest, yes. Blush looks good on you.”

I didn’t need experience to know the man was a master at his skill.

“I can’t fucking breathe. I ache for you, Maevyth. Believe me when I say this.” But he didn’t bother to say why he hesitated. And I didn’t bother to ask.

His mate.

The girl with the moon in her eyes and fire in her soul. Damn the gods for sending him one so beautiful, with a heart so pure. So fragile.

And even if Zevander had the audacity to question a vision from the gods, that first kiss in his office had certainly laid all doubt to rest. It was then he’d felt the first tug of his bond. The shaking of his bones that’d awakened the possessive beast inside of him. The first sputtering beat of his dead heart.

Having a mortal for a mate would mean suffering the agony of watching her die too soon.

As much as he loathed his greedy, self-indulgence, the mere thought of setting her free was a kindness he refused to entertain. It was true what Rykaia had said–she was the fire in his veins.

He chuckled. “These curiosities will be the death of me.” Again, he kissed my forehead. “My body belongs to you, Maevyth. It is yours.”

I scrambled forward and fell to my knees, peering down into the crawl space. My heart caught in my throat, as a needling shock crawled over me. There, curled into herself, lay my sister. Aleysia!

rescue pup. She runs on strong coffee and alternative music, loves a good red wine, and has a slight addiction to dark chocolate.