Bound Together By Fate

Her lips parted further, instinct taking over even in death. She swallowed.

Once.

Twice.

Her eyes snapped open.

Red.

Not feral. Not crazed.

Beautiful.

She gasped sharply, eyes locking onto mine as if she'd known me forever. Her lips trembled, then curved faintly as she whispered a single word.

"Mate."

Then her eyes slid shut again, body relaxing as she slipped into a deep, healing slumber.

I laughed softly, disbelief and awe tangled together.

"Well," I said quietly, brushing blood-matted hair from her face, "this certainly wasn't how I expected my night to go."

Carefully, I gathered her into my arms, wings and all. She was lighter than she looked, warm despite her still heart. The bond thrummed approvingly as I turned toward the east, where my kingdom lay hidden beyond mortal sight.

"You're going to be a problem," I told her fondly. "And mine."

With that, I vanished into the night, carrying my newly turned, winged mate home-already wondering just what kind of sweet monster the world had accidentally created.

Read to see how Their journey unfolds.