There was no time to process what I was doing. All I was concerned with was how well Griffin fit in my arms and how lovely the soft breaths felt against my skin. And before I could even fully realize what I was doing my teeth had penetrated the skin and I was marking my mate. I was committing one of the most sacred parts of the mating process and it happened so quickly and so desperately that I almost hadn't seen the progression until it was too late.

There was a split second of resistance, which I didn't expect. Griffin attempted to jerk away from me, squirming away from the pain that was caused by the tearing of the skin. Part of me was concerned with his fragile human state then. But his fight died when we were both overwhelmed with pleasure.

His tense muscles that had been holding him back from me instantly relaxed and he slumped onto me, allowing me to sink my teeth in deeper. The stiff, tense hands loosened and his shoulders dropped. As my eyes rolled back and a muffled groan poured out of my mouth I felt strong fingers press against back, pulling me towards my mate. And Griffin was breathing hard against my ear, his chest rising and falling against mine in between his soft moans. Sometimes he was even able to mutter my name. The warmth that flooded me only confirmed my earlier thoughts.

With Griffin was where I needed to be. Regardless of my past and no matter what the future held Griffin would always be my mate and my acceptance of him was permanent. Just being with him now was heavenly and it seemed impossible that I had ever left him.

But the pleasure subsided ever so slowly. It was still lovely and validating, but it was no longer overpowering me in a complete sense. I adored the thought of my mark being on Griffin's neck, I loved the way his body was pressing up against mine with such urgency, and I wanted to hear the quiet noises he made when he felt so good. But I was becoming aware of the fact that we were standing in my bedroom with several words still unresolved around us and my teeth were piercing his very human throat.

I eased back. I carefully removed my jagged canines and the hands that had been clinging to his soft, white shirt now released. My eyes stayed on the beautiful wound my teeth had left, filled with joy. But my thoughts quickly progressed to the other recent wound I had given him , one that was bore out of a fit of rage and not one of acceptance. Maybe he saw the two actions as the same. Dread pooled in my stomach and I opened my mouth to apologize.

But Griffin was faster.

"You marked me." He whispered, one hand carefully touching the dimpled skin that was already healing.

"Fin, I..." I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what I could say to make it better.

He started taking small, slow steps towards me and I shuffled backwards, unsure of what he was thinking. Perhaps my wild instincts had led me astray and he saw my actions as wild and violent instead of tender. I knew that he would never hurt me but that wouldn't stop him from being angry at me and so shortly after our previous spat I wasn't sure I could take it. But the back of my knees hit my bed, leaving me out of distance to make up. I stayed still, deciding that I would have to face him regardless.

"You want me." He breathed. And I saw the utter joy sparkling in those kind blue eyes.

And before I could respond, before I could agree to the happiness and excitement in his voice or react at all his hands were cradling my cheeks. His vivid blue eyes searched mine, gauging my reaction to his touch, then his gaze dropped down to the heavy freckles on my nose, and finally to my lips. I was sucking in unsteady breaths, wondering what he was going to do, if he was going to brave enough to do what I wanted. Because, more than anything, I wanted all the things I had been denying myself of since I first saw him.

Then his chin tilted and his head lowered and I knew I was going to get what I wished for. My eyes fluttered shut just as his mouth met mine.

I had deemed Griffin to be a lot of things. He was outstandingly caring and compassionate. He was patient in the hardest of scenarios. He was tender and forgiving, slow and gentle.

The kiss was none of those things, or perhaps it was but only in the first few seconds.

His lips were smooth and subtle against mine, testing the unsteady water that was our relationship. But I had just marked him; my head was spinning with wild, animalistic thoughts of making this man mine. Hesitation was not needed here. I kissed him back without indecision. I had fought my temptation long enough, now I only wanted to give in.

Griffin felt my admission. My acceptance. And that was the end of the softness and the uncertainty.

His timid hands were firmly against my back, pushing me into his chest as his mouth hardened against mine. My defensive hands went straight for his thick, dark hair and I pulled him towards me. I wanted more, but of what I didn't know. I loved the feeling of his mouth. I shivered at the way his hold moved up and down my back in a rough graze, trying to memorize me. I loved the feeling of his hair in between my fingers and I loved the little groans that leaked from his lips when my gripped tightened, but it wasn't enough. I wondered if it would ever be enough or if I would always float through this constant state of frustration.

My touch slid down the sides of his neck onto his strong shoulders. Firm, stable, just like I expected. Then my hands were on his chest. Now, after waiting for what felt like forever, I was finally able to touch and enjoy all the part of my mate that I had withheld myself from. It was beyond anything I could've hoped for. He was hard and soft beneath my hands. Strong and gentle. Fierce and attentive.

But whatever frustration I was feeling was clearly flowing through Griffin in the same capacity. With a low moan he eased himself back from me and I got to watch those beautiful blue eyes swim with something I had never seen before: lust. Then, in the next second I was pushed down onto my luxurious bed and when my eyes opened Griffin was pulling his white shirt off.

We watched each other for a second, hardly moving. The distance caused whatever spell had fallen over us to be broken. And though he was watching me with a certain amount of wariness I was simply staring at his exposed skin. Smooth skin, pronounced muscles, and a rugged masculinity that almost didn't suit a prince. He was incredible, absolutely incredible. But even with a little bit of insecurity my hands still raised outward, trying to gesture for him to come to me. I wasn't done with him just yet. And that was enough to make him climb onto my bed.

"Lettie." He breathed, just running his eyes over my body. Though I was in a guard's uniform I could see that it didn't matter. His attention was focused on the soft swell of my breasts, the uneven rising and falling of my chest, and the emotions that were undoubtedly written all over my face.

And when his survey was complete his mouth was on mine once more. My mouth opened with a breathy moan and Griffin took the opportunity to brush his tongue against mine. My hands gripped the bed sheets under me, never having experienced such a thing in my life. It was such a rush to taste him in such a way. And when he did it again, this time tracing the soft shape of my lower lip, my grip transferred to his breeches.

It was beyond impulsive. I had never thought of doing such a thing in my life and certainly not in human form. But Griffin was here. He had accepted my mark. He was kissing me. He wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. And I had no intention of stopping until I was satisfied.

My fingers connected with the belt buckle. His lips moved to my ear and hearing his heavy breathing made my hips lift upwards on their own accord. My mind was already spinning with wild ideas of what he would feel like. I couldn't wait to confirm my assumptions.

"Lettie." He murmured again.

I fumbled with the metal and the leather, wanting what was underneath it so badly but not fully familiar with the complexity of clothing just yet.

His lips were on my neck, leaving wet kisses all over the sensitive skin. Though my grip was still tight on his belt my eyes were shut and my focus was on what he was doing to me. Each new experience, each touch with his lips, his teeth, his tongue, was enough to undo me.

"Lettie." He repeated, his voice sounding more stable.

His body had moved away from me and I reached for him in protest. I wasn't prepared to let this end so soon. But Griffin, in his own gentle and kind way, grabbed both of my wrists and held them in his hands. It was sweet and somewhat affectionate, but an act of restraint nonetheless.

"We need to stop."

"No." I whined, squirming.

I watched as he closed his eyes and took a deep, even breath, "We need to be married before this can go any further."

"Marriage is for humans." I protested.

That earned me a small smile, "I am human, Lettie. And it's quite frowned upon for royals to mate before getting married since my grandmother and grandfather got together."

"You're the prince, make your own rules."

I could beg and plead all I wanted, but though he was shooting me amused smiles, Griffin was not listening to me in the slightest. And while I lay on my back, desperately trying to recover my rational sense and negotiate with him so he would stay, he was pulling his shirt back over his head and cinching his belt. As much as I could try there was finality in the gesture that couldn't be ignored.

"Fin, please." I whispered one last time.

"Rest well, Violet." He whispered, heading for the door, "I'll see you tomorrow."