“Oh, little one…” Valen came around to the side of the tub and gathered her, dripping wet as she was, into his arms. He held her tight against him, stroking her back and shoulders. “I didn’t know how close I’d come to losing you,” he murmured, his voice unsteady with emotion. “Thank the Goddess you didn’t take that pill. What stopped you?”

“Just as I was about to take it, the Court clerk came running down the hall, calling my name and saying you were there to defend me,” Selena told him. “So I put it back in my pocket and went to court,” she finished.

Valen drew back, the front of his shirt wet from hugging her, so that it clung to his muscular chest. He looked down at her and she saw that his eyes were red. Not red like they got when he went into Rage, but red as though he had been weeping.

“Throw that damn thing away,” he growled hoarsely. “I don’t want anything near you that could take you from me. Now that I have you back, I never want to let you go again.”

If Selena had heard this from any other man she’d known less than a week, it probably would have freaked her out. But she’d felt such a strong connection with the big Kindred, almost from the start, that his words made her feel warm and cozy inside. The idea of being with Valen forever wasn’t scary at all—it felt absolutely right—as though it was meant to be all along.

“I’ll flush it down the toilet the first chance I get,” she promised, giving him a trembling smile.

“Good.” He nodded decisively. “The Goddess is truly good to protect you as she did. She came to me also, and gave me advice on how to free you. That was when she released me of my vow,” he added.

“About your vow…” Selena said hesitantly, then stopped. Should she ask?

“I took it after my failed Joining,” Valen told her. “I…bit the bride my parents had bought for me too fiercely because the Blood Hunger was on me and I had never experienced it before. I didn’t know how to deal with it—how to control it. I frightened her so much she begged me never to come near her again.” He sighed and shook his head. “And so I swore I would never go near any female again or call one as my bride, because I hated myself so much for hurting her.”

“It sounds to me like you were just young and inexperienced,” Selena aid gently. “But I’m glad the Goddess released you from your vow,” she added, smiling at him shyly.

“I am too,” he growled softly. “Because I have wanted to Claim you from the first moment I met you, Selena. When I saw that such a beautiful, curvy Elite was sitting beside me on the shuttle, I was angry and bitter because I thought I would never have you or anyone like you.”

“Well, you’ve got me now,” Selena said lightly, her heart beating faster. “In fact, you’ve got me naked in the tub—what are you going to do with me?”

“Just wash you, for now,” Valen said firmly. “And that is as far as things need to go tonight,” he added. “After hearing everything you’ve been through, it sounds to me like you just need to relax.”

“Oh…” Selena dropped her eyes, disappointment filling her.

“What is it, little one? What’s wrong? Here—look at me.” Valen lifted her chin and she looked up at him reluctantly.

“It’s just that…I thought…thought you were going to Claim me…Master,” she whispered. “But I understand if you’re not sure about it. I mean, we haven’t known each other very long and—”

“Of course I want to Claim you!” he growled fiercely. “But the trauma you went through—”

“Is over,” Selena said firmly. “And I just want to forget it and move on. I just want to be with you…to feel you touching me…taking me,” she added in a low voice, looking up into his eyes. She didn’t know how she had the courage to say these things to the big Kindred, but somehow the words just came pouring out.

Valen gave her a long, considering look.

“All right, little one,” he said at last. “But we’re going to take things slowly. And if at any point you want me to stop, just say so.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “You know your safe word.”

“Of course.” Selena nodded. “I understand. I promise I’ll use it if I need to, Master.”

But she didn’t think she would need to. If Valen was going to Claim her tonight and bond her to him, she didn’t think any kind of safe word would be necessary at all…

78

After rinsing her hair thoroughly, Valen took a big, puffy purple sponge and wet it in the water. When he squeezed it, pink, sweet-smelling foam came out. Picking up one of Selena’s hands, he began to wash her arm with long strokes of the sponge.

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