Vlad's brow furrows, but he basks in the heat of the man's outburst.

'That, was never my intent.'

A simple truth.

'You misunderstand me. You misunderstand my, desires.'

His jaw clenches as he bites back the urge to project an image into the man's mind, to explain using the bond that he can still feel.

'We do not speak the same language in that regard. I know you despise me for it. I know that.'

He can feel that through the bond as sharp as a scourge across his skin.