I try to keep the rod as still as possible while I inspect the point of entry. The wound is a ring of blisters, and blood seeps from it, marring the pearly flesh with red streaks.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful your wings are?” I ask. “I swear on all the stars, I’ve never seen a more gorgeous, lustrous pair.”

“Sweet talker,” she says, calling me out on my attempt to distract her with compliments. “Just do it quick. Please.”

Carefully, I turn the arrow until the blade is somewhat lined up with the slit it made when it pierced her. Then I pull it back. Fast.

Zella cries out when it goes through, but her sound of agony turns into a sigh of relief. Now that the harmful metal isn’t burning her, she should feel better.

Experiencing a mix of emotions, I drop to my knees in front of her. I cup her face, and the tears glistening in her eyes are nearly my undoing.

“I’m so sorry.” I rub the moisture from her cheeks with my thumbs. “I should’ve protected you better. I never should’ve let this happen—”

Her fingers cover my mouth, stopping my apology. “You came for me. That’s all that matters.”

Grasping her wrist, I pull her hand away from my face so I can kiss her palm. I brush my lips back and forth against her skin, loving her sweet scent. My tongue darts out to taste her, and my suspicions are confirmed—she’s like the finest nectar I’ve ever had.

And that was just her hand.

I can only imagine how sweet she’d taste in other places.

Lifting my eyes to hers, I find her staring at me with dark, oversized pupils. Parted lips. Flushed cheeks.

The danger isn’t imminent anymore. I want to give her the kiss she deserves. Closing the distance, I brush my mouth against hers. Softly. Leisurely. As if we have all the time in the world.

I explore her, learning the shape and feel of her flesh by sucking on her bottom lip. Then the top.

Responding, she does the same to me before swiping her tongue from one corner of my mouth to the other. I open for her and we lick at each other in a stroking rhythm.

Zella’s legs automatically fall open, spreading wider to accommodate my hips.

I inch forward, wrapping an arm around her waist to draw her closer. When my erection makes contact with her center, we both gasp.

My cock starts to throb, and my fingers are shaking as I dig into the curve of her hips.

“Zella.” I run my lips over her jaw, down to the soft column of her neck.

I tense with surprise when her teeth gently clamp down on my ear, and when she licks up to the sensitive point, I shudder.

I feel an urgency, an uncontrollable drive, to take her.