VERY INTENSE
———————
Six months after Li Wei's turning, Kieran proposed something Adrian hadn't expected.
"I want to do a formal blood bond ceremony."
They were already bonded—had been since Adrian's transformation. But a formal ceremony was different. It was vampire marriage, witnessed and recognized by the community.
"Yes," Adrian said immediately.
"You didn't even think about it."
"I don't need to. I want everyone to know we're bonded. Want the formal recognition. Want the ceremony." Adrian kissed him. "Yes. Absolutely yes."
The ceremony was planned for one month later—enough time to arrange everything but not so long they'd drive themselves crazy with anticipation.
"Traditional vampire bonding ceremonies are intense," Elena warned during preparations. "Very physical, very public. Are you prepared for that?"
"How public?" Adrian asked.
"Everyone watches the blood exchange. The feeding. The... consummation doesn't have to be public, but traditionally it happened immediately after, in full view of witnesses."
Adrian's eyes widened. "We're supposed to have sex in front of everyone?"
"Traditionally. Though modern ceremonies usually allow privacy for that part. It's your choice."
Adrian discussed it with Kieran that night.
"I'm not fucking you in front of the entire vampire community," Kieran said firmly. "Witnesses to the blood bond, yes. Watching us consummate it? Absolutely not. You're mine. No one else gets to see you like that."
"Agreed. Privacy please."
The ceremony took place at the monastery, witnessed by the First Generation and representatives from every supernatural species. Adrian wore traditional white robes, Kieran black—symbolizing Adrian as the younger vampire, Kieran as the ancient.
The ceremony itself was beautiful. They stood before the assembled witnesses, speaking vows in languages older than civilization. Then came the blood exchange.
Adrian bit his wrist first, offering it to Kieran. "My blood is yours. My life is yours. My eternity is yours."
Kieran drank deeply, his eyes closing in pleasure. Then he offered his own wrist. "My blood is yours. My life is yours. My eternity is yours."
Adrian drank, feeling Kieran's ancient power flood through him. The blood bond between them exploded with intensity, their souls merging, becoming one.
"The bond is sealed," Elena declared. "Kieran Ashford and Adrian Chen are now formally bonded. May they walk eternity together."
The witnesses applauded, but Adrian barely heard. He was lost in Kieran's eyes, in the overwhelming sensation of their souls truly united.
"I need you," Adrian whispered. "Now."
They were given a private room, but Adrian knew everyone could probably hear them. He didn't care.
The moment the door closed, they were on each other. Clothes shredded, hands desperate, mouths claiming.
"Mine," Kieran growled, pressing Adrian against the wall. "Forever mine."
"Forever yours," Adrian agreed breathlessly.
Kieran took him there against the wall, no patience for bed. The ceremony had heightened everything—every touch felt amplified, every sensation more intense.
When Kieran thrust inside him, Adrian screamed. Not from pain—from the overwhelming rightness of it, the way their bonded souls resonated with the physical connection.
"Can you feel it?" Kieran gasped, moving frantically. "Feel how perfectly we fit?"
"Yes! God yes—more—harder—"
Kieran complied, his vampire strength driving into Adrian with force that would shatter a human. But Adrian took everything, demanded more, met him thrust for thrust.
They came together explosively, Adrian's fangs buried in Kieran's shoulder, Kieran's in Adrian's throat. The blood bond sang between them, their souls merging completely.
When they finally pulled apart, both were shaking.
"That was..." Adrian couldn't find words.
"I know," Kieran said, understanding without explanation. "The bond is complete now. Truly complete. I can feel everything you feel, think what you think. We're one."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
They made love three more times that night, unable to get enough of the new intimacy between them. Each time was different—rough then tender then playful then intense again.
By morning, they were exhausted and blissfully happy.
"Best ceremony ever," Adrian declared.
"Best decision I ever made," Kieran agreed.