Adrian woke burning.
Not from fever—vampires didn't get sick—but from need. Every nerve ending was on fire, his body demanding, aching for Kieran's touch.
"What's happening to me?" Adrian gasped, his hands already moving over his own body, seeking relief.
Kieran woke immediately, his eyes going wide. "Blood bond intensification. It happens sometimes when bonded mates go too long without... connecting."
"We had sex yesterday morning!"
"Eighteen hours ago. For newly bonded vampires, that's too long." Kieran's own eyes were darkening with need. "I feel it too. The bond demanding we reaffirm our connection."
"So fix it," Adrian practically begged. "Kieran, please, it hurts—"
Kieran was on him immediately, their mouths crashing together desperately. No finesse, no patience—just raw need.
They didn't bother undressing completely, just shoved clothing aside. Kieran's fingers worked Adrian open frantically, preparing him barely enough before Adrian was pulling him closer.
"Now," Adrian demanded. "Can't wait—need you now—"
Kieran entered him in one hard thrust, and Adrian screamed from the intensity. The bond sang between them, pleasure amplified beyond anything normal, building impossibly fast.
"More," Adrian begged. "Harder, faster, more—"
Kieran gave him everything, his movements frantic, desperate. They moved together with the synchronization of perfectly bonded mates, each knowing exactly what the other needed.
Adrian came first, his body clenching around Kieran, his vision whiting out from the intensity. Kieran followed immediately, the bond pulling his orgasm from him.
But it wasn't enough.
The burning need barely diminished. They needed more.
"Again," Adrian said.
"I know."
They made love three more times in quick succession, each as intense as the first. By the fifth time, they were both exhausted but finally satisfied, the bond's demands met.
"That was insane," Adrian said, collapsed across Kieran's chest.
"That was bonded mate fever. It'll happen occasionally. The bond demanding we reaffirm our connection physically."
"So we'll randomly need to fuck for hours sometimes?"
"Essentially, yes."
"I can live with that."
They dozed afterward, both bodies finally sated. But Adrian made a mental note to never let eighteen hours pass without connecting again. The fever was incredible, but also exhausting.