“My dark star,” Viper whispered as he looked down at me. “What's happening to us?”
“You are more than fangs and poison, sweetheart.” I kissed him gently. “You are a star god and your light is seeking mine. Our stars are talking to each other.”
“Talking?” He grinned as he sped up his pace. “I think they're doing more than that.”
I lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist, drawing him down to me until our light and our bodies blended into one. We writhed in pleasure and starlight, sweat glistening on our glowing flesh, lips parted on panting cries, and hearts beating in perfect harmony.
“I feel your magic,” Viper moaned as his hips pounded against mine. “I feel... Vervain!”
Viper started to thrash and flail, tumbling off me to the floor.
“Viper?” I went down on my knees beside him. “Viper!”
Viper clutched at my hand as his light started to darken; the pure white turning lavender and then amethyst. I gasped and drew his head onto my lap.
“No, please no. Star, help me!”
Star appeared beside us looking calm, pleased even. “What's wrong?”
“What's wrong? I've infected him! Take it back, remove... the...” I trailed off.
“The taint? Is that what you were going to say?” Star asked snidely. “This isn't a poison, Vervain; it's freedom. You shared that with him. Your magic joined with his and now, Viper will be strong like you. Free from destiny.”
Viper suddenly shivered into a sigh and went still. His light, now as dark as mine, sank back into his skin as he closed his eyes. He slid his arms around my waist as he nestled closer against my belly, and I stroked his silky hair back from his beautiful face.
“Will he still love me?” I whispered.
“Do you love him?” She countered.
“Yes.” I looked up at her.
“Power won't change his heart, Vervain. Viper loves you; nothing can touch that. Don't you want him to be strong and free from Fate?”
“Of course. It's just... I don't know.”
“You still haven't accepted all I've given you,” Star chided me. “The Star Gods were born to join with you. Their light strengthens yours. You should take them all as your lovers now that you know you won't be returning to your husbands.”
“I won't be returning to them?” I felt suddenly cold. Adrift.
“What's wrong with you?” Star stamped her foot. “They tried to enchant you, remember? You sent them away and told them to never return. We're done with them. Stop playing the fool for those men and take the men you should have. The Dark Star and her Star Gods; you are the Nine Points of the Star.”
“What?” I gaped at her.
“Did you think it was a coincidence that we made eight of them?”
“I... I didn't think about the number at all.”
“I am the Nine-Pointed Star, and you are my avatar; the prime spoke of the star. They will complete you, Vervain. They will complete us. You must take them as your lovers. Bind us together with love and light. Make us whole.”
“You told me that I didn't have to do that,” I growled. “You said that you understood how hard it is to have multiple lovers.”
“I said what you needed to hear at the moment,” she huffed. “The moment has changed. Be the Trinity Star. Take them all; they're yours.”
“Vervain?” Viper opened his eyes and looked up at me. His hand reached up to play with my lock of starlight hair. “I feel different.”
“Are you all right?” I stroked his sharp jawline.
He seemed to take stock of himself and then smiled; a wicked smile. “Yes. Better than that even.”
Viper surged up and pulled me with him.
“Viper!”
With a slick move, he turned me around and bent me over the ottoman then tore my robe away.
“What are you—” I gasped as he spread my legs and drove into me.
Viper's hands went to my hips at first but then one snaked into my hair. With a brutal shove of his cock, he pulled my head back and made a hissing sound of pleasure. Faster and faster he fucked me, skin slapping skin until rapture rose and with it came that starlight again. This time, both of us shone darkly and it was harder to tell when our light merged. I watched him over my shoulder; head thrown back, the muscles of his chest tightening, body rocking, and teeth bared.
Viper roared as he came, fangs extended and dripping poison.
I swiveled my head forward and saw Star watching us. She smiled just as wickedly as Viper had.
“Now, the Queen has her king,” she whispered and vanished.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Are you sure you're all right?” I asked Viper as we headed down a floor in the elevator to my private dining room, next door to the war room.
“I feel amazing.” Viper grinned at me and pulled me against his chest. “Ready to conquer the world for you.”
“Okay,” I murmured as I stroked the slick cotton of his shirt.
I'd made an array of clothing for Viper to choose from. He usually wore something casual; jeans with a button-down shirt rolled up at the sleeves and a pair of boots. He'd worn his usual shirt but today he'd paired it with tailored pants, polished wingtips, and a sophisticated jacket. He looked like another man entirely.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. We stepped out, but instead of going into the dining room, Viper pulled me to the side.
“Are you okay?” He went serious. “I was too rough with you, wasn't I? I don't know what came over me, I just needed to... I
