Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Plus,” Xiang drew out as he tapped his index finger on the center of Kai’s chest, “I have to finish convincing you to stay with my clan. This is where you belong now.”
“You don’t think the rest of your martial brothers and sisters will mind adding a dragon to their ranks?”
Xiang snorted. “No, I really don’t think they’ll mind. You protected me and brought a very excellent gift of weapons. How could they not love you?”
“I kidnapped you,” he pointed out.
The vampire made a dismissive noise and lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Against your will. You didn’t choose to kidnap me. You were forced. Besides, Chen kidnapped Moon and was allowed to keep him.”
“What about this?” Kai dipped his head the short distance between them and captured Xiang’s parted lips in a soft, quick kiss. He pulled away enough to break off the kiss, but his mouth still brushed Xiang’s as he spoke. “Will we discuss this?”
“This is called kissing,” Xiang teased. He tipped his head up, stealing another kiss. It was longer than the first and a touch hungrier. Kai wasn’t ready for it to end when Xiang pulled away. He chased after his mouth, his forehead touching Xiang’s. Their noses bumped and breaths mingled together in an intoxicating dance. “Kissing isn’t something that needs discussing. It just needs practice. Lots and lots of practice.”
A smile spread across Kai’s lips as Xiang punctuated each of those last few sentences with another kiss. This was something he could enjoy practicing. Along with other things. He liked kissing Xiang. He hadn’t really wanted to discuss it. Talking about it meant that Xiang had a chance to change his mind about it. That was a horrible idea.
No, they needed to continue this.
Preferably in the hoard that rested safely in his cave under their feet. Where no one could reach them.
Kai tilted his head to the side, deepening the kiss, loving the flick and slide of Xiang’s tongue along his own. The joyful noise that rumbled up Xiang’s throat. The bite of his fingers as they sank into Kai’s biceps, pulling him in closer as if he couldn’t get enough.
A loud knock broke them apart with a jump. Before Kai could snarl at the person who dared to interrupt them, a shout followed the knock.
“Variks are in trouble! We need to go now!”
Xiang swore under his breath as he leaped out of Kai’s arms for the door. Kai had heard many mentions of this vampire clan. Were they really worth stopping this important kissing?
Judging by Xiang’s pale face and expression, the answer was yes.
Sigh. Maybe after he saved these Variks, it would earn him some more kisses from Xiang.
Yes, that was a very nice plan.
Chapter 17
Li Xiang
“Idon’t like this thing,” Kai muttered under his breath as he placed his hand on the window for the third time. He might have touched it to steady himself, but it looked as if he expected it to explode inward on him at any moment.
Xiang leaned close so that his cheek pressed into Kai’s shoulder. “Do you mean this vehicle, or cars in general?”
“All cars,” the dragon grumbled. “They’re metal death boxes, the way they speed about. I don’t like them.”
Xiang had to turn his face into Kai’s shoulder to hide his smile. Even then, he was sure he’d done a poor job of it. Apparently, the dragon did little traveling by car, because his face was pale and the muscles in his jaw were tight from where he was clenching his teeth. As much as he wanted to blame it on Chen’s driving, his er-ge wasn’t doing a horrible job of it. Fast but not utterly reckless, which was more Xiang’s style.
Unfortunately, there was no flying to the Variks if Kai wanted to remain close to Xiang, who was determined to travel with his family. Xiang would have loved to have flown on Kai, but he needed an update on what the fuck was happening.
“Baobei1?” Chen prodded his mate in the front passenger seat without taking his eyes off the road. “Anything else from Fox?”
Xiang lifted his gaze to the fledgling vampire to see him shake his head. “Nothing.”
“Why don’t you call Yichen or Junjie in the other car so they can hear what you know?” Chen suggested.
“Got it.” Moon flipped through screens to call one of their other clan mates while Kai turned his face toward Xiang.
“Another huli jing?” he whispered.
Xiang’s brow furrowed for a second before he caught on to his companion’s confusion. “Fox isn’t a huli jing. Just a man. Witch, actually. His name is Fox. He’s the mate of Winter Varik.”
“And these Variks are friends of your clan?”
“Mn. Good friends. They helped us to get Yichen back from the fae, and they’ve worked hard to fight the fae to protect the humans.” Xiang winked at him. “For vampires, they’re good people.”