She raised her eyebrows. "I actually have a medical device for that, but I want to learn the spell."
Nikolai nodded, but before he could continue, she grabbed his wrist and traced the pawprints magically tattooed there.
Her touch sent shivers through him, and he sucked in a breath. "Sofia…"
"Stop excluding yourself." She glared at him.
"I did not wish to presume."
She ran her hand up his arm, stepped into him, and cupped her hand around his neck, tugging him down to her.
He didn't resist kissing her, and pulled her close. They explored each other's mouths for a time, and he let his hands wander over her body, caressing her sides, cupping her ass. She pressed into him, testing his resolve nearly to the breaking point.
Finally, Sofia released him. "Spells?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Ah, yes. There is also a spell to prevent disease. It is useful in outbreaks and for random trysts. Not that I feel you will have much time for random encounters with…" He hesitated, then gave in. "Four of us to keep you happy."
The smile that lit up her face was worth giving in. He brushed his fingers across her temple, pushing a strand of hair behind her ears.
"And the last for now is healing from a vampire bite. Most useful when your boyfriend is at least partially a vampire."
Sofia's face lit up. "You like vampires, don't you?"
"Eh, guilty. Peter and I were close." He shrugged. "We traveled together for many years, and it is not always easy to feed a vampire in a military camp. If the troops know the vampire is already fed, they aren't nervous about having one or two around. The mages kept the vampires fed, and the transference was useful also."
"Transference?"
"Vampires can temporarily borrow powers if they feed from mages, shifters, and other supernatural beings. Doc can do this, yes?"
Sofia nodded. "That's no longer common knowledge, by the way."
"I won't spread it around."
"Yeah, from what I understand, vampires got pretty reclusive and are lethally protective about their secrets."
"Understandably. They are quite powerful, but also exploitable. I will pretend I know nothing, should anyone ask." Nikolai touched his neck again. "So, the spells. I will show you." He shaped the first spell in his mind and then drew Sofia in so she could see it as well. There were lots of ways to teach spells. This was a useful way for shorter, quick to memorize spells that wouldn't require much practice to cast.
It didn't take long before she had the shape of all three and was able to replicate them in her own mind.
Satisfied, Nikolai drew them back into their bodies.
He blinked off the slight disorientation that always came with changing his mental perceptions and glanced around. The small grove she had created was quite remarkable.
Sofia met his gaze, holding him still without even touching him. He knew what she wanted. He still couldn't believe the others were okay with this.
Hoping his hands weren't shaking, he reached for her, pulling her to him, meeting her lips with his. Their magic mingled, arousing him further. He wasn't sure he'd ever experienced resonance this strong before. When she pressed against him, it drove everything else out of his mind.
Lips still pressed to his, she ran her hands up his chest.
Nikolai groaned, gripping her hips, pulling her against him. Modern pants were far tighter than he was used to, and it was getting very uncomfortable.
Sofia undid the top button of his flannel shirt. Doc had provided his clothing, and the vampire seemed fond of flannel. Of course, the way it felt against his skin as Sofia rubbed her hands over his chest before undoing the next button was endearing the fabric to him rapidly.
Her shirt didn't have buttons. He considered leaving it on, because it would interrupt her process on his clothing, but he wanted her skin against his.
Nikolai slid his hands up her hips. She groaned against his mouth, nibbling his lip and then kissing along his jaw. He hooked his fingers under her shirt and tugged.
Sofia took the hint and helped him pull her shirt off before going back to work on his.
He stared for a moment, taking in the view of the light purple clothing that covered her breasts. "I believe I like modern women's clothing," he declared. "Fewer laces."
She laughed, twisted her arms around behind her, and did something to make the garment fall away. She slid it off her arms.
Nikolai had seen plenty of naked women, and never failed to appreciate their individual beauty. He studied Sofia for a moment before running his fingers up her ribs, then circling around her breasts.
She groaned, pressing into his touch. After a minute to appreciate his attention, she went back to work on his shirt. She had the buttons undone now, and he had to release her so she could push it off his shoulders. That pressed them together, and he put his arms around her, pulling her close as he kissed her deeply.
Sofia traced a couple of the scars on his shoulders. They were from the same battle that had nearly taken his life. She dug her fingers into his back, and he rumbled in pleasure.
She kissed along his neck, nibbling at his throat.
"I think Doc has us all conditioned to like getting bit," she murmured. "How about you?"
"Yes," he managed to reply.
She found a spot that wasn't bruised and bit down.
He clutched at her back. "Sofia," he gasped.
"You're not going to tell me you want to stop for breakfast, too, are you?" she groaned breathlessly.
Not liking that idea at all, Nikolai tugged at her, pulling her to the soft moss-covered ground. "No. I will not abandon you for food." He smirked to let her know he was teasing.
"Good."
Chapter 15
Sofia
Nikolai's lips sent a burning shudder through my center, lighting me up from the inside. His pause at my collarbone only stoked the flames.
He hovered over me, still pinning me down with his hands on my arms. His strength was that
