His eyes sparked at whatever he felt pulsating through their bond. “Stop fighting your nature, Veralie. You’re not human. You’re Magyki, and you’re mine.”

Lowering her hands from his hair, she placed both on his chest and shoved him back, knowing she only succeeded because he let her. He smirked, and the arrogance dripping from his expression had her rearing back and punching him in the face.

His head snapped to the side, and a string of expletives graced the air as he stumbled, blood dripping from his now split lip. His gaze snapped to hers, and he worked his jaw, not bothering to wipe his face. Eyes dipping to her uncovered breasts, he smiled savagely, the white of his teeth smeared with red. “I suggest you run, little star.”

So, she did. Launching herself forward, she smashed into him, catching him off guard and sending them both flying through the open door. They hit the bedroom floor hard, Jaren’s head bouncing off the wood as he took the brunt of the fall.

Taking advantage and hoping the whack to his head had knocked some gods damn sense into him, she straddled his torso, landing two more hits to his face. He wanted to mark her? Fine. She’d mark him right fucking back.

His hands came up to grip her hips even as his head whipped to the side from another blow and blood coated his chin. He bucked his hips while gripping and pulling on her own, trying to throw her over him.

Fucking asshole. She squeezed her thighs tighter, refusing to be dislodged, and fisted his tunic as she leaned down into his gloriously busted face.

Staring directly into his eyes, she searched for that well of power, coaxing it and hoping it listened. She smiled when she felt the burn of her skin stitching together.

His answering look was nothing short of feral. Their bond hummed, and he bared his canines, looking seconds away from ripping out her throat.

Unlike her, he didn’t coax his power. He tore it open and rammed a fist in, striking her chest and launching her backward into the air. Her stomach flipped, and she had a split second of shocked fury before her back smacked the cold floor and her hands were pinned above her head.

The bulk of his weight pressed into her as he wrapped his hand around her throat and snarled. “We can keep at this all day. You have zero control and will only succeed in draining yourself. So, go ahead, fight me. When will you learn I fucking love it.”

He struck again, biting the same spot deeper. She screamed, thrashing and kicking, trying to ignore the answering warmth that trickled through her body.

“Gods dammit, stop biting me!”

“No.” He switched hands and moved to her other shoulder, sinking his teeth in again.

She cursed his name, bucking beneath him even as wetness pooled between her legs. Gods damn her body and the way it responded to him. How could she want to fight and give in all at the same time?