A tight twist of satisfaction curled through her as Ianthe repeated her request with the proper respect. Oh, that was something new, well, not entirely new. It felt like the hot satisfaction that rushed when her fey presence influenced another. But the first time without using her magic.

"Better."

The chain connecting their collar and cuff was given a sharp pull so that their lips could meet. There was little chaste or polite about it. How long had it been since she'd last been able to touch someone without fear of them turning into a vampire? It had to be well over five months. Five long fucking months on the road with no downtime - no private space to deal with any natural urges. No enjoying the roiling tension of want and self-discipline not to fall to it. Peony met her lips with a fierce kiss, trying to pull as much as she could from this moment before she had to pull back into her usual state of restraint.