She gave a nod then vanished with Seth and went straight to her bed. Without hesitation she bit her wrist and pressed it to his mouth. He latched on and drank for several minutes. His color returned to normal and he finally released her.
“Your blood is super charged.” He sat up and propped several pillows behind his back.
“I’m not sure if I should kiss you or smack you upside the head for scaring the hell out of me.” She was going to kiss him.
He raised a brow. “It seems to me I had to come to your rescue.”
“Oh, shut up.” She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his, but when she would have pulled back he grabbed her by the arms and crushed her to him.
His tongue speared her mouth and tasted every inch of her and she couldn’t help but melt into him. When he finally released her, he studied her for a moment. His eyes searched for something.
“Baby, I may have fought this relationship in the beginning, but I’m so glad you didn’t give up on me. I can’t imagine my life without your sassy mouth.”
She grinned. “My mouth can be sassy in more ways than one.”
It was his turn to smile. “I know.”
She tipped her head. “Would you mind if we stayed here? At least until my father awakens?” She felt grounded in this palace and also hoped being in her father’s home might bring him back faster. She had so many questions to ask him.
“We will live wherever you’re happy. Besides, I feel more comfortable having you here. I know it’s safe.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“Yeah, about that. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I only wanted to...” He pressed his finger to her lips.
“See your father, I know. There is no way either of us could know that silver would have that effect on you.” He kissed her. “But promise me you’ll be careful and try to stay here until Lowan is dead. Now that he knows about you he’ll come after you again.”
She folded her bottom lip through her teeth. “I feel guilty for having two fathers so I needed to visit Poppa.”
“Don’t fret. The man who raised you loved you like his own. I could see it at the hospital and the one who’s DNA you carry...well, I’ve no doubt he’d love you just as much if given the chance. They would both be proud to call you daughter.”
“Thank you for understanding.” She sighed. “You know though I can’t simply sit here. Besides, it had to have been a fluke that Lowan found me.” She swirled invisible circles on his chest with her fingertip.
“No fluke. I don’t doubt being a demigod he was able to sense you.”
“Shit. I hadn’t thought about that.” She’d die of boredom if she had to sit here and do nothing. It wasn’t her style.
He pulled a lock of her hair through his fingers. “There will be other things you can do to help. First, you can start with taking those clothes off.”
“Well, now you might be pushing things. After all, you did just die.” Saying the word made her cringe as she realized how close she had come to losing him. “I love you. It seems crazy to feel like this in such a short time, but I do.”
“I love you too, baby. Now, I’m in charge in the bedroom. Remember?”
Her heart rate increased. “Yes.”
“And since it appears that’s where we are. Strip.”
She jumped up and shed her clothes in record time, and with a flick of her finger and a little magic she had him naked as well. “I like having powers.”
He flashed a grin that revealed extended fangs as he leaned forward, wrapped his arms around her waist and flipped her to her back. In a flash, he was between her parted thighs and buried deep inside her.
“I couldn’t wait. I need to feel all of you,” he growled.
“You’re not going to hear me complain.” She gasped as he moved inside her.
“Good.” He scraped his fangs along her neck right before he pierced her skin. Their connection deepened and their souls touched. Had someone told Katie a few months ago she’d become a goddess and the mate of a vampire she would have had them hauled off in a straight-jacket. However, today she couldn’t be happier that the gods had deemed a crazy vampire and a sassy redhead should fall in love. The future of the world may be uncertain, but together they could conquer anything.
Chapter Thirty-One
Aidyn stood outside the compound and watched the sun rise. The wounds on his chest and back still stung, but he breathed through the pain. There were worse things yet to come in life, one of which was saving humanity. He knew it would be difficult for people to accept what they were let alone their assistance and right now he and his brethren weren’t much help.
He sensed a presence behind him. Inhaled the scent of jasmine and closed his eyes.
“You didn’t waste any time coming here.”
“Did you really expect I would?” The voice behind him held way too much anger.
“No, not really. I fully expected your arrival.”
“Is that why you’re out here? Were you waiting for me?”
He smiled. “Yes and no. I enjoy the sunrise.” The air stirred behind him and the presence moved closer.
“What happened to your back?”
He still refused to turn around. Wasn’t ready yet to look upon her face. “I disobeyed the gods.”
“You?” The voice softened. “The almighty king of the guardians disobeyed? Has the world come to an end already that you—” The voice grew shaky. “Would dare?”
He turned and watched her blue eyes widen as she stared at the same nasty wounds on his chest. Wounds that would scar him for life, because when a god sought retribution they made sure to leave evidence. “What’s the matter? Does the sight of my scars disgust you?”
She quickly regained her composure and smiled, her eyes glowing with amusement. “No. On the contrary, I find them pleasing and the thought of what they must have done to you brings me great joy.”
He stepped closer, fisted his hands to keep from touching her. He swore an oath that he would never claim her. She hated him. Instead he dropped to his knees in front of her.
“I bear these wounds for you.”
She took a step back, astonishment crossed her face then she schooled her features. “Did you think by doing so I would spare your life?”
“No. I fully expect you to take it, just not today.”
She produced her sword. Her lips pursed in anger, the emotion radiated across his skin. “You think to test me?” The tears that stung her eyes did not go unnoticed by him. He ached to kiss them away.
“You say you disobeyed the gods, yet when I begged you to spare my father you had no qualms in killing him.” Her lower lip trembled. “I am no longer the young girl I was that day.”
“No, you’re not. You have grown into a beautiful woman.” The morning sun danced off her raven hair and he had to dig deeper for his resolve.
“Your compliments will not spare you.”
“Then do it. I grow impatient. I’m kneeling before you, Leria. If you have the strength to kill your mate today then here I am.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“What? Surely, you’ve sensed it by now. I knew the day you knelt before me and begged for your father’s life.” Actually, he knew the day she was born, but saw no point in telling her now.
She swallowed. “Do you think that will sway me?”
“No, I do not. I fully expect you to carry out the deed. What are you waiting for?” He stretched his neck, pushed back his shoulders and cupped his hands behind his back. His gaze never left hers. He wanted to see her beauty up until his last breath. “Do you grant a dying man his last wish?”
“Why should I? You didn’t even let me see him before you took his life.” She looked toward the sun that was mid-way in the sky then back at him. “What would be your last wish? If you were to receive one, that is.”
“To kiss you.”
She licked her lips, her pulse increased along with her breathing. She stepped back. “I can’t gran
t you that, but I will give you this day only because humanity needs you. Just be aware, I will kill you one day.” In a swirl of magic, she shifted and flew off.
“I’m counting on it.”
About the Author
Award winning and bestselling author Valerie Twombly grew up watching Dark Shadows over her mother’s shoulder, and from there her love of the fanged creatures blossomed. Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her German shepherd dog, in Northern IL. Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers.
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Guardians Series
Vampire’s Mate Book 1
Dragon’s Fate Book 2
Vampire’s Kiss Book 3
Demon’s Destiny Book 4
Hades Book 5
Vampire’s Queen Book 6
Vampire’s Desire Book 7
Eternally Mated Series
An Angel’s Torment Prequel
Fall Into Darkness Book 1
Veiled In Darkness Book 2
Bound By Darkness Book 3
Unleash The Darkness Book 4
Surrender To Darkness Book 5
Tempted By Darkness Book 6
Sparks Of Desire Series
His Burning Desire
Rescue Me
Finding Hope
Demonic Desires Series
Taken By Desire Book 1
Taken By Storm Book 2
Jinn’s Seductions Series
Spanish Nights
Sultry Nights
Beyond The Mist Series
Passion Awakened (Beyond The Mist)
Vampire's Kiss Page 24