Bookish Mumma

There isn’t much movement on this block of chapters of Court of the Vampire Queen, so much so that I considered making this my last post on the book and doing the whole lot as one. Honestly I probably should have as you could probably read this in just a couple of minutes and you have to wait another day for the next one. I do like that the stress and the cracks are beginning to show in this group because, so far, there has been barely any contention. Given how stressful of a situation that they are in, I would have expected more of this especially through this last Act. I am a creature of short term habit however, so here we go!

Get the book here!

Chapter 11

“Everyone is so fucking selfless. So damn ready to bend over backward to be polite even though it weakens you.” He curses.

Yes, go off Wolf! Finally someone is willing to crack it about her being constantly protected at her own expense.

When I first met him, I thought he was an unbelievable ass. I still think that sometimes, but beneath his cold exterior is a man who cares far more than anyone would guess

This is in reference to Rylan. Of anyone in this book, I love his development the most. He’s just a sexy, gooey teddy bear with a heart of gold. And he was willing to learn to cook for Mina and who doesn’t love a man who cooks let alone a man willing to learn a new skill for someone else?

Chapter 12

“It was worth a suggestion.” Rylan gives my shoulders a squeeze. “We’ll figure it out.”

This is a great response! He’s acknowledging that she’s trying, validating her and reassuring her all at once with his words and his body language. I’ve said it once and I will say it 100 times more, Rylan is the lover that Malachi wishes that he was.

I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped. I’m scared, but that’s no excuse. You’re trying to help.”

I’m absolutely guilty of doing this myself. When emotion has a way of building up fast, it’s hard to stop it from exploding, but there’s never an excuse for treating someone badly because of it. I’m glad that Mina was able to take accountability for her actions even when the men push back against it a little further on.

Chapter 13

I stare at Rylan. Of all the things to suggest… “Please tell me you’re joking.”

Rylan has jokes now! Can I marry him yet? I genuinely wish that we had more time to get to know Rylan because he just seems like an interesting character. He is more multi-faceted than Malachi and Wolf and he is also older, so he has a lot more history behind him. Also, I want to see him open up more and crack some legitimate jokes!

“She’s in LA right now, but she’s all too happy to dive into the chaos and do a little murder.”

Just a touch, a side serving, a sprinkling of murder… This line made me laugh a lot harder than it should have!

Chapter 14

“You were always going to be the one to kill Cornelius, Mina. It has to be you.”

Mina vs Cornie showdown! I hope it’s viscious.

Theoretically, I’ll be able to do all three with the way we seem to be able to borrow powers from each other. But my control has left something to be desired. I don’t have the training and while sometimes they manifest, they never do it reliably.

Well, firstly, you have 3 perfectly good teachers and secondly, control doesn’t come overnight, the least you could do it try more than you are now which is not at all.

Conclusion

Maybe I should have just made it all into one post. I’m just glad I could find a few good moments to bring you anyway even if it was short. Ahh well, lunch time at my day job is almost over, so this will have to suffice! Next up is the last few chapters of Court of the Vampire Queen!

Get the book here!

As I said in the last one, the next couple of chapters will have less in them because of how many spoilers are in it late game and I won’t give any from the last chapter because you’ll have to get it yourself to find out! That being said, there’s some growth and interesting plot points in these few chapters, so lets get into it!

Like always, if you’d like to fill in the gaps of what I haven’t shared, feel free to get the book here.

Chapter 6

My gaze tracks to the desk where Grace’s weapons are laid out. I can’t leave them. When we spoke about deals, Azazel made it sound like time moved differently in the other realm, so seven years might pass in a matter of months or even days. If Grace returns that quickly on our side of things, I want her to have her weapons. It’s the absolute least I can do.

Grace owns a mansion built into a mountain, I’m sure she has a damn armoury somewhere, so there’s no need to act like this is a service to her. Take the weapons, train and learn to use them yourself!

It’s so much easier to make that call for them than it is for myself, though. I would commit unforgivable acts to keep my men with me and safe. I spent a lot of time pretending I’m not just as monstrous as my father, but in this moment, I don’t even hesitate. I take a slow step back. “Stay here.”

This will be the last time I say it, but making a choice like this doesn’t make you monstrous, it makes you realistic, backed into a corner and trying to survive. As much as people would like to say that they have limits to what they would do if it was life and death, I promise you that that goes out the window when someone that they love is on the chopping block instead. Her father does it for the sake of power, she does it to save the people she cares about, there’s a HUGE difference there.

Chapter 7

I might be no match for Malachi and Rylan and Wolf in the sparring ring, but these three are only human. They barely have time to react before I deliver harsh blows to their temples. Not quite enough to kill them – at least I don’t think so – but they go down in boneless heaps

It’s good to finally see her fighting for herself rather than half-heartedly protesting and letting others do it for her. I want more of this.

Wolf cracks his eyes open. “What did you do, love?”
“What I needed to.”

YES. EXACTLY. What YOU needed to, not what you needed OTHERS to do for you.

Chapter 8

“I’m afraid to want it. Wanting something is a good excuse for the world to take it away. To have my father take it away. I press my hand to Malachi’s broad chest. “I dared to want you and look what happened. You spent a week being tortured by him.”

Aaaand back to martyr Mina. Also, these vampires are centuries old, if you think that they haven’t been tortured at least once by someone, you’re kidding yourself. It was one WEEK, it’s not going to traumatise them to the point of incapacitation. I think Katee is trying to make the treatment out to be worse than anything they’ve ever experienced while also making them seem more human and relatable which I can understand, but they’re vampires, not human.

We step beneath the spray and he pulls me into his arms. It feels so damn good to have his naked body pressed against me. Yes, there’s sexual desire, but just touching him reassures a part of me that couldn’t quite believe he’s here and safe.

All the trauma and drama aside, being in the shower with someone you love is one of the most intimate things you can do and it’s absolutely one of my favourites. Also, huge showers need to be more common so that this can happen.

“You feel good, little dhampir. You feel like home.”

We’re ignoring the fact that this was said during sex because it reminds me of something someone said a while ago that I think is an important thing when this is said. When someone says that you ‘feel like home’, you have to consider what their home was like for them. If it was chaotic and abusive, what does that make you when they say this? SO instead of saying ‘you feel like home’, maybe the phrase should be ‘you feel like the home I’ve always imagined’. Obviously it’s not short and sweet like what befits this situation in context, BUT it comes off as sweeter outside of the bedroom.

Chapter 9

“Malachi?” Later, it will irritate me that Wolf looks to Malachi for guidance instead of taking me at my word.

So here’s the thing, I’m not actually seeing that much of a difference between Malachi and Cornelius. I know that that’s not Katee’s goal as Malachi is the main love interest and is supposed to be an overprotective lover, but that’s not how he comes off to me. To me, he is controlling of everyone around him and expects them to follow what he decides. Sounds like Cornelius, except that Malachi has to work harder for it because he can’t compel people like Cornelius can. The only big difference is that Cornelius wants more power in any form, Malachi wants more power to protect, but that doesn’t always mean it’s for the best.

Silence greets me and I turn to find them looking at each other as if deciding how much to tell me. Irritation flashes. “I would think we’re past you hiding things from me.”
“It’s for your own good.”
I glare at Malachi. “I think it’s better I decide what’s for my own good. I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one.”

Good! Snap back at him for hiding shit that you really should know! You’ve let him get away with it for far too long, Wolf and Rylan aren’t much better in that regard.

Chapter 10

I lick my lips. I don’t know that I’m ready to abandon this realm, but the escape hatch option calms me all the same. “Are there many other realms? More than this one and Azazel’s?”
“No one’s ever tracked them properly, but there are at least dozens.”

Firstly, ‘at least dozens’ sounds strange as a unit of measurement. Is it 2 dozen or 17 dozen? Secondly, if they could escape to a different realm, why didn’t they look into that as a solution instead of going through all of this?

Conclusion

I like that Mina has moments of standing up for herself and fighting back against Malachi’s control and I hope that she does it more now as well as actually learning to fight for herself because that is absolutely necessary. Honestly, she should have been learning more intensely before they ran out of time which is happening very fast now. I am hoping that she is able to stop having others paying a price for her.

We now only have 2 more posts before this book is done, maybe even one depending on how much non spoiler content I can actually quote! If you’d like to fill in the gaps of what I haven’t shared, you can get the book here.

This last act feels a little disjointed if I’m honest, but considering we are now end game, the quotes in each chapter that I can comment on are fewer because of spoilers and I think I’ll leave out the last chapter so you all have to read the book for yourselves, which you can get here.

Chapter 1

“At least growing up in that hellhole was good for something. We can help the men.” We have to help them.
“About that.” Grace won’t quite meet my eyes. “I’m going to be brutally honest with you-“
“When are you anything less than brutally honest?” We’ve only been travelling together for two days, but Grace’s bluntness is both a balm and an aggravation. She doesn’t lie; she doesn’t even bother to cushion harsh truths. I sit up, I’m about to get another of those harsh truths right now. “What’s wrong?”

Brutal honesty is something Mina needs, in my opinion. Malachi, Wolf and Rylan have been trying to shield her from the realities of the world she has found herself in. Sure, she grew up with an asshole of a father and was abused to shit, but that was only a small part of the world that she is in and the consequences of her birth are something that shouldn’t be hidden from her.

“He seemed fair,” I say finally. “Or, if not fair, then honest.”

Again, something she needs, though caution is always advised when approaching demons. Even Mina, as naïve as she is, should know that.

“It was worth a shot,” she repeats, shaking her head. “You are out of your damn mind, Mina.” Grace scoops up her backpack from the floor and a small gun from the desk to tuck into her waistband.

Uh oh, our heroine is cracking!

Chapter 2

In the distance, the mist rolls away and a familiar form of a man stands there. I recognize his pale skin, short white mohawk, and lean frame. The bond inside me thrums happily and nearly jerks me off my feet. “Wolf!”
He turns slowly, recognition brightening his light blue eyes. “Mina.”
One step brings me to him. I reach out a trembling hand and press it to his chest. Real? Not real? I can’t be sure.

Losing her mind or new powers emerging? No way to know with Mina.

“Honey, I don’t know what you were doing, but that wasn’t normal dreaming.” Grace shudders again. “Your eyes were open and you had this aura… It was like some demon possession shit.”

I suppose this is one way to stay connected with the three men as a reader when there are going to be several chapters without them and mostly with just Mina and Grace. Don’t get me wrong, I like Grace, but I couldn’t do Mina alone for several chapters.

Chapter 3

I’ve been in bad spots before. I was born into a bad spot, a powerless dhampir in the compound my father rules. Normally, dhampir children – those who are half human and half vampire – inherit powers from their vampire parent, at least if said vampire parent is a bloodline vampire. Not me, though. Up until I met Malachi, Rylan and Wolf, I thought I was defective.

This section makes me think that each of the acts weren’t supposed to be the same book. Or at least, the last act wasn’t supposed to be in the same one as the first two. Mentioning dhampirs, their inheritance and the fact that they are half and half of vampire and human feels disjointed. We’re 16 chapters away from the end, if the reader doesn’t know what a dhampir is, their make-up and their inheritance, I’d be concerned.

He gives that sharp smile. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Have your answer by then.” He casts a disdainful look at the blood-stained floor. “Next time, use my card.” It appears in the air above me, floating carefully down to rest on my thigh that isn’t covered in blood.

I love the fact that this demon has an alternate method of summoning and that it is 1800-demon (it probably isn’t, but imagine that!)

Chapter 4

“No.” Malachi shakes his head. “It’s too dangerous. We’ll figure something out.”
“Like you figured out a way to escape that house?” He spent a hundred years trapped and slowly starving between sacrifices my father sent him. I can’t bear the thought of him suffering through that again, let alone Rylan and Wolf, too. I glare up at him. “Out of the question.”

See this is why I don’t like Malachi as much as I like Rylan. Malachi isn’t protective, he’s controlling. I can tolerate that to a degree in fiction because, well, it’s fiction, but it feels wrong for the character I’m sure Katee was trying to create. Rylan, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to want to choose for her and respects that she has choices of her own even if she doesn’t realise that she has them.

I don’t like the betrayed look Rylan sends my way. Even worse is the slow anger building on Malachi’s face. He drags his hands through his long hair. “We talked about this, Mina. It’s out of the question.”

See the above point, but also note how Rylan is hurt, but he doesn’t say anything about the choice that Mina made? He may not like it, but he knows that 1) the choice us already made and 2) it was HER choice!

Chapter 5

I can’t tell whether Grace looks victorious or sick to her stomach. She lifts her chin. “Rescue Malachi, Rylan and Wolf, and kill Mina’s father in the process. Then I’ll go with you.”

I hate the idea of saying goodbye to Grace so soon, I like her as a character and I told she’s a badass.

I want to be relieved, but I can’t. I can’t. Too many people are paying debts that should be mine.

Correct. So do something about it!

Grace is gone.
Fuck.

I hope we get to see her again, I liked her.

Conclusion

I was hoping that Mina was going to actually buck up and start doing shit for herself and sure, there is a very big limiting factor that I refuse to mention because it would spoil a big part of this act, BUT Grace is an ally that she could have been leaning on rather than having Grace take all of the initiative. This act also just feels pretty disjointed and different to the others, both in explaining things we already know (or should) and the introduction of asterisms (the little ornamental breaks between scenes you see in some books). I feel like I’ve been pulled back from the story if I’m honest, but maybe that will improve with the following chapters.

As always, if you want to follow in or fill in the gaps, you can get the book here.

Well, my comment about wanting the action to start have aged well! Left on a bit of a cliffhanger this time, but we are now at the end of Act 2. Can’t believe we’re almost at the end of the book already, but we have Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard next, so it’s not like you’ll be left hanging, waiting for a new book!

If you’d like to follow alone or read the gaps between quotes, you can get the book here.

Chapter 12

Gods, is this love? I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve had much experience with it or even had a good example of what love looks like.

First of all, she has only known these three for about a month and a half at this point and it’s been under survival conditions, so it’s hard to tell. Secondly, that’s exactly my point from earlier. Even if she was in love, it would be hard for her to tell based on experience alone and it’s not like she had the vast library of romance books that we do in the real world.

“I’m done fighting this. Are you?”
There’s only one truthful answer to this question. “Yes.” I’m done fighting all of it. I could spend the rest of my life railing about how unfair are the turns of fate has delivered me. It’s even the truth. I’ve been dealt a rough hand. Bemoaning that until the end of time, though? That traps me in the victim mindset.

Yes, Mina! You’re all literally on the run, fighting to survive, there’s not time or space to constantly feel sorry for yourself.

Chapter 13

I start to wrap my arms around myself, but stop when I scratch my skin with my new claws. “How do I put them away?”
“Concentrate.” Rylan’s still distracted with the flames. “Picture it and they’ll retreat.”

Finally starting to actually see her with power which I hope she really starts learning how to use and leaning into it rather than being afraid of it.

“It takes bloodline vampires decades to learn to control their powers.”
“Who told you that?”
I start to snap back but realize that he’s right. My father was my source of all my vampire lore until I met Malachi. It stands to reason that he would keep information close to his chest, even from his children who did inherit his magic. Information is just another kind of power, and my father never parts with power willingly. “Well, shit.”
“Cornelius really is an asshole.” Wolf chuckles. “A month should be more than enough time. Maybe less since you have all three of us helping. You’ll be fine, love.” He says it with such confidence, I almost believe him.

Of course he would lie about anything involving power, but it does bring an interesting question around bloodline vampires. If it only takes them a month or so to fully control their power, how about babies? Does it come to them once they hit a certain age? Do they have power from birth and randomly kill people with it while they’re infants and don’t know any better mentally?

Chapter 14

“Up, Mina.”
I groan a little, but I obey. It’s only when I’m standing that I get a good look at the bed. “We are going to owe the owner of this house so much money.”

They’re centuries old, if you think they aren’t veritable dragons on a hoard of wealth, you’d be delusional

This time, I don’t bother to complain. He’s right that I need this training, and Malachi is an excellent teacher. Even if I want to toss him out a window from time to time because he’s so damn unrelenting. This morning is no different.

Girl, same, though not with Malachi, with so many other people.

Strangely, the magic training is more difficult that the sparring. Malachi sets me up as if we’re going to meditate, but his low voice talks me through the process. It feels like trying to bench press a car. I can feel the magic, but it’s so overwhelming, I can barely envision wrapping my hands around it, let along guiding it to my will.

This makes sense. It’s easier to work with something you can see and feel in your hands rather than something that feels more like a concept than a reality. That’s why a lot of people find working out to be easier than actual therapy. On that note, everyone needs therapy.

Rylan pours coffee into a mug and passes it to me. “I’ll learn to cook.” When all three of us stare at him, he shrugs. “It’s a necessary skill if we have someone who consumes food.”

We’re ignoring the fact that Rylan is a very old vampire and having not learned how to cook previously is just plain ignorance and we’re ignoring it because it’s Rylan and him saying that has me Googling how to make a book boyfriend real.

Chapter 15

I lean close to the monitor. “Why can’t a feel this group?”
“They must be masking their presence.” He doesn’t look happy at the revelation.

If vampires can mask where they are, why haven’t these three done it up until now? If it can be done on an individual level, even if it requires focus, there would surely be a way to make that happen by way of magic, to make that a little more permanent.

“I care for you. I won’t let them take you.”

Any guesses who said this? Ding ding ding, bingo! It was Rylan! Genuinely, I think he comes off as the protective lover that Malachi wishes he was

The small hairs at the back of my neck rise as the tallest person in the group lifts the radio and says in a horrifyingly familiar voice, “Round them up.”
Father.

Only took him a month and a half to get sick of other people doing his dirty work. And here I was thinking that Cornelius would have come to get her as soon as he possibly could rather than sending pawns to do it.

“Pretty thing,” my father murmurs. “You’ll make an excellent rug in my great hall.”

If he hurts Rylan, I will fight him.

A branch cracks somewhere off to my left. I react on instinct, crouching down next to a bush and holding my breath.
“I can see you, you know. That’s a god-awful hiding spot.”

Aaaaand cliffhanger! Is this new person a friend or foe? Going to have to wait until tomorrow!

Conclusion

A lot happened in a short amount of time in these few chapters, mostly in chapter 15 that I didn’t include. There’s only 19 chapters left to see how the story ends and I’m hoping to see Mina training more and actually coming into her power. As much as she says she’s not a child and she doesn’t want to be stuck in a victim mindset, I haven’t seen much evidence of it so far.

If you’d like to follow alone or read the gaps between quotes, you can get the book here.

Woke up feeling like I was hit by a truck, so I’m taking it easy today. And what better way to take it easy than with my current favourite 3 vampire book boyfriends! Honestly could take or leave Malachi, but for the sake of a good opening paragraph here, I’ll take him! Chapter 8 was very spoiler-y, that’s why it’s so short, but regardless, let’s jump into it!.

If you’d like to follow alone or read the gaps between quotes, you can get the book here.

Chapter 8

Every prey instinct I have demands I go still and silent and hope the predator that just entered the room moves on without noticing me

Here’s my question here. Mina is half-ish human which explains the ‘prey instincts’, but she’s also half-ish vampire. Where are your predatory instincts, woman?!

Later, I’ll have a mental breakdown about the fact that there is apparently more than one realm. Right now, compartmentalizing is the name of the game.

Can’t have our heroine falling apart at the seams and needing to be committed now, can we? Although, I don’t think she’s far off. Such is the life of a martyr

Chapter 9

He topples me back onto the couch and settles between my thighs. “Ah, this brings back memories.”
From the first time we met. I try to glare, but it’s half-hearted at best. “You mean when you held me down and drank my blood a few minutes after meeting me?”
Wolf chuckles. “You mean when Malachi extended guest privileges and it infuriated you so much, you welcomed my bite and the ensuing orgasm?”

Spite bite.

Malachi and Rylan are almost to the house, which is almost enough to distract me from how this conversation has gone off the rails. “Why shouldn’t I learn to shield, Wolf?”
“Oh. That.” He palms my breasts. “It’s a protective measure.”
“Excuse me?”
“When you have strong emotional spikes, all three of us feel it. Knowing when you’re afraid or angry is incredibly useful on that note.”

It’s rare, but Wolf does make a good point here. If they can tell when she’s scared, they’ll come and save her in a second. After all, she only has prey instincts, she needs her big, brave men to save her.

“You’re about to take a non-consensual nap, and you just said we need to run.” I glance at Rylan. “Please put him on the couch.”

I’d also like to take a non-consensual nap. For a couple hours. Or days, I’m not picky. I’m so tired.

Chapter 10

For once, Wolf shuts his fucking mouth.

A feat in and of itself. I think Rylan deserves a medal for it.

As much as I crave being an equal part of this foursome, the reality is that for all my supposed power, I’m still doing the equivalent of learning how to walk.

Then stop being so damn scared of it and explore it. Or be so scared of losing control that your determination not to, overrules it.

“How deep are we?” I look at the ceiling, but it looks like any other ceiling in a nice, if expensive home. There’s no sensation to suggest the press of earth, the weight of the mountain over the top of us.
“Deep enough that we don’t have to worry about someone trying to burrow here. It’s pure rock around us, so short of dynamite, it’s impenetrable. And we’ll hear the dynamite before they ever get close enough to be a danger.”
It really is a bunker.

I’ve always wondered how deep bunkers and buildings that are actually built into mountain and cilff faces are done without the whole thing collapsing on them. Obviously there’s a logical explanation, but I’m not an architect, a builder or curious enough to go down that rabbit hole.

Rylan surprises me, though. I half expected him to have a suit on, but he’s got lounge pants and a knitted sweater.

Mhm yep, definitely my type. Thank yooooou Katee!

Chapter 11

“I swear to fuck, Mina-”

My go-to swear/threat when I’m pissed at someone and their potential actions.

“Or will you continue to play the martyr and whine about how you didn’t want this?”

Oooo called out! Honestly, everyone but Wolf likes to be a martyr in this book to varying degrees.

I don’t care if Rylan and I have fucked three times in the last three days. I’m not going to compel him to participate in this race to conception. The bond is bad enough; having a child together when he’s not fully on board is a particularly nightmarish scenario.

Don’t baby trap people, essentially, it’s bad!

“Things change, Rylan. How I feel about you hasn’t, not in all this time. But it was never going to be just the two of us for eternity. I’m not built like that.”
Rylan shudders out a sight. “I understand that now.” He glances at me again. “I suppose it’s not a bad thing to have an abundance of love.”
Love.
Love.
He’s not in love with me. He barely likes me. I can’t argue something’s changed in the last couple of days, but it’s not love. I would know. Wouldn’t I?

All you’ve known in the past is manipulation, abuse in all it’s forms and torture, so no, you wouldn’t know. I do love this exchange though, it shows a really tender moment for Malachi and Rylan which is a big departure from Rylan’s usually cold exterior.

As if he can sense the direction of my thoughts, he growls. “You might have the bond, little dhampir, but we do, too. You’re ours as much as we’re yours.”

That was both sexy and endearing

Conclusion

This block of chapters was pretty spoiler-y, but the interactions between Mina and Rylan as well as between Malachi and Rylan have been a highlight. I definitely think that Rylan was a favourite of Katee’s when she was writing this just simply because of how fleshed out he is in comparison to the others. We’re nearing the end of Act 2 now and we haven’t had all that much movement in terms of the actual threat of her father, so I’m keen to see how that develops.

As always, if you want to follow along or read the gaps between quotes, you can get the book here.

So we are officially out of Act 1 now and onto Act 2! Will I tell you now what Mina’s blood is mixed with? Of course not, that would ruin it for you, but if you want to read it for yourself, you can get it here. It’s definitely worth the read in my opinion, not much plot, but entertaining for sure.

Chapter 1

Wolf, true to form, offered to carve open my chest to relieve me of the sensation.
Ahh Wolf, ever the direct approach!

I know what’s coming, and as such, I should look away. But I’ve had so few pleasures in my life that I find myself unable to resist a single one, no matter the source. A naked Rylan is a pleasure, what comes to mind even more so.
No need to feel bad about that, perv away, I know I would!

I wish I could believe that it’s simply because he wants me.
If it were anyone else, maybe I could. But I’m not. I’m the daughter of Cornelius Lancaster, the last bloodline vampire of his line.
How is it that a name can sound so conceited and egotistical without there being much mention of the guy, god damn.

He gives me a feral grin. “You started playing without me.”
Malachi doesn’t lift his head, each word vibrating against my heated flesh. “Get over here, then.”
No notes, just needed you to read this and be just as turned on as I was.

Chapter 2

Wolf is there in an instant, claiming Malachi’s mouth. I lie there and watch them kiss, a savage meeting of predators that should scare me, but only turns me on more.
Compliments to the chef for making the men in this situation the highlight rather than 2 women. Nothing against 2 women, I’d enjoy that just as much, but this seems so uncommon and I’d like some more, Katee!

He doesn’t break his stride, his fingers digging into Wolf’s pale blond mohawk-
Aaaand just like that the illusion is gone and Wolf is no longer as attractive to me. A mohawk? Really?

Malachi eases out of me and drops down on the couch next to us.
Can we please normalise not immediately getting up to clean up? Just bask, be exhausted for a minute!

Neither of them say a word as I stalk out of the room. Of course they don’t. I’m not required for this pissing match.
I’d say that they should just flop them out and measure, but 1) they probably have in the centuries that they have been alive and 2) they’re already naked, they probably will

Chapter 3

I stop short, planting my feet against the nearly overwhelming need to go to him. To run my hands up his bare chest and rub as much of my skin against his as I can manage. To take him into my body and ride until we’re both sweaty and sated.
I love this chapter so much for Rylan’s character and exposure to him and his power. I also just wanted an excuse to say that Mina is going to take him for a RYDE

He yanks me against him, plastering us together. He takes my mouth. It can barely be called a kiss. It feels like an attack I’m only too happy to meet halfway. This is what I need. If we must do this, we’ll do it our way. Angry. Just shy of violent.
Sometimes brutal, fierce and passionate is the right thing to scratch the itch!

This time, when my orgasm comes, it’s softer and nearly sweet and Rylan follows me over the edge immediately. He eases out of me, but doesn’t move away entirely. I’m shaking. Or maybe he’s shaking. I can’t tell.
This is why I love the angry, brutal moments – it makes the ending all that much sweeter. I also love that Rylan has a sweet side and I hope I get to see more of it.

Conclusion

Just a short one today! Although this book is light on plot, I do like the characters for the most part up until this point. Malachi seems a little bland, but he fills the knight in shining armour role well enough. Wolf is the wild child who is unpredictable, but direct. And then there is Rylan who is cold and calculated, but seems to have a sweeter core. They all play their roles in Mina’s life and in her bed.