Page 201 of Marked By His Hunger

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Pride.

Joy.

Desire.

Mine.

I tucked her against my side as we left.

“They care about you,” I said. “That is good.”

I had not had that for—well, not in forever.

To be the Draugr was to be alone.

“Is that how you feel?” she asked softly.

The question caught me off guard.

Did I feel isolated?

Alone?

I had.

Once.

For centuries.

But now, well, now things were different.

“No,” I whispered. “Not anymore.”

Because she was here.

Because I was no longer alone inside my own curse.

Her kiss sealed that truth.

The bond pulsed.

We descended into the common areas, eyes following us.

Eyes always followed me.

But this time? I did not care.

Because she was with me.

“Why are they staring?” she asked.

“Because of me,” I said simply.

And then I told her.

About the feeding.

About the blood.

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