A visiting fae prince flirted with Adrian.
Openly, obviously, despite Adrian's bonding mark. Prince Eirian was beautiful in the unsettling way all fae were, and he seemed determined to seduce Adrian.
"Your mate doesn't appreciate you properly," Eirian purred during a meeting. "I could show you pleasures beyond vampire understanding."
"I'm bonded," Adrian said flatly.
"Bonds can be... flexible. Especially with fae magic."
That's when Kieran's hand landed on Eirian's shoulder, his grip clearly painful.
"Say that again," Kieran said, his voice deadly calm.
"I was merely suggesting—"
"You were propositioning my bonded mate. That's punishable by death in vampire law."
"I'm fae. Your laws don't—"
Kieran's grip tightened until bone creaked. "Our laws apply to everyone in this sanctuary. Leave. Now. And if you ever suggest breaking our bond again, I'll kill you regardless of diplomatic consequences."
Eirian fled.
Kieran immediately pulled Adrian into a private room, his eyes blazing red.
"He dared suggest breaking our bond," Kieran snarled.
"I didn't encourage him—"
"I know. But he needs to learn you're mine. Everyone needs to learn that."
Kieran pressed Adrian against the wall, his mouth claiming Adrian's with bruising intensity. His hands were everywhere—possessive, demanding, claiming.
"Mine," Kieran growled. "No fae, no vampire, no being in existence can have you."
"Yours," Adrian agreed breathlessly. "Only yours."
Kieran took him against the wall, rough and possessive, marking Adrian thoroughly. His fangs found Adrian's throat, drinking deeply while he moved inside Adrian with punishing intensity.
"Say it again," Kieran demanded.
"I'm yours! Only yours, always yours—Kieran!"
They came together explosively, both marked with bites and completely satisfied.
"Feel better?" Adrian asked afterward.
"Getting there. We're going to our room now, and I'm going to spend the next several hours making sure you smell like me and only me."
He did exactly that, taking Adrian on every surface of their private quarters, marking him thoroughly. By dawn, Adrian was covered in bite marks and walking with difficulty.
"Satisfied now?" Adrian asked.
"For the moment. But if anyone else hits on you..."
"You'll mark me again. I know. I'm okay with that."
"Good. Because I'm very possessive of what's mine."
"I noticed."