Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series

by Heather Fleener

  Nibbling at the lobe, he continued rubbing the liquid at her pulse point. His eyes focused on the swirl of moisture around the spot. “This lotion will cause your skin to not heal completely. You will be left with scars here,” his fingers pressed down firmly. “With our acute vision the marks will always be visible to those of the Vampire breed, a symbol that I have claimed you. I want you as my own Kat. Always.” Lorcan gazed steadily down at her and presented her with a single word, a forever promise from ages ago, “Mine.” He reveled in the complete trust in her eyes as she nodded and silently mouthed the word back to him. The little witch warmed his heart.

  “Tonight, I am going to leave my mark on you, Kat…” His tongue played at the edge of her ear as he added, “…after I drive you crazy.” A wicked smile touched his lips as he heard her breath expel slowly, followed by her needy growl.

  Kat tilted her head to give him greater access to her throat, “Please Lorcan.”

  He shook his head and winked at her, “Impatient lass.” Shifting, Lorcan grasped her shoulders and rolled her to access her back. His lips brushed against her hair when he began drawing the zipper down. Murmuring, his other hand grazed her bare shoulder, “We should not risk spoiling your gown.”

  Her stomach clenched tight and she felt a stabbing heat all the way down to her curling toes as he eased his hands inside the opened material and slid them around her front. Lorcan stayed behind her and she shuddered as he pushed his hands over the planes of her abdomen to move the material downward. The feel of the warm skin of his chest against her bare back as he leaned in to drag the dress over her hips was tantalizing. Kat had never been in such an intimate position with a male, much less felt one’s flesh heating hers in such a manner. A blush colored her skin and she sucked hard at the lower lip captured between her teeth.

  Lorcan slowed, leisurely exploring the warmth of her beneath the material. Finally he shoved the dress free of her feet and kicked it from the end of the bed. He took his time arranging her crossways on the large expanse before returning his fingers to the jar to dip more of the concoction. Kneeling over her, he massaged the liquid into the skin higher up on her throat while his eyes swept over the dainty wisps of lace cloth that kept her from being bare. He was near undone by the perfection of her, mumbling hoarsely, “You tempt me, Witch.”

  Under the intensity of his long perusal Kat was shifting restlessly over the silk bedding. Reaching upwards, her hands rested on his shoulders only a moment before she attempted to tug him down to her. She desperately wanted more of his kissing. Lorcan smirked and resisted her pull. Kaitriana frowned.

  Finished with his ministrations at her neck, Lorcan brushed his fingers down her center. Ignoring her current need, he continued with his study, intently watching his fingertips as they moved over her pale skin. Stopping only when he encountered the edge of lace low on her abdomen, he directed a molten gaze back to her face and gave the material a hard tug.

  Her body responded with a flush of heat that swept over her entirely. Kaitriana’s sharp intake of breath echoed when he dropped his face to her abdomen and then she simply quit breathing. The graze of his tongue against the heated skin of her stomach was such a shocking sensation that she stilled completely, afraid to move for fear he might cease the sinful play of his tongue over her flesh.

  He licked a path upwards. Stopping at the material that covered her breasts, Lorcan turned his face and rubbed his cheek against the lace. Turning back, he gave the stretch of material in the hollow between a sharp tug with his teeth.

  Groaning, Kat arched towards him as he drew a hand upwards to feel where his face had been a moment before. He could see the delicate pink peak through the lace as he settled his full hand over her there. Lorcan tormented her by skimming the flat of his palm over the material to rub it against the sensitized flesh. He smiled arrogantly at her answering moan and used his teeth to pull at the garment once more.

  Joining with the teasing play of his hand, Lorcan licked along the boundary of lace until Kat was squirming beneath his mouth. He cupped her flesh fully and he replaced the pressure of his palm with the lap of tongue. Her mewl of delight encouraged him to give a little nip with his teeth. In response her fingers curled into his forearms as her back bowed off the bed. Settling his parted lips on her, Lorcan sucked lace and skin into the heat of his mouth. Sliding his hand down, he massaged the curve of her hip as he used teeth and tongue against the wet material.

  Kat was growling at him and rocking her body up in unspoken demand for more. His exploring hands and wicked mouth were driving her mad. Unable to capture a thought, her focus was evershifting from one spot to the next as he evoked each new sensation. She had been holding her breath in anticipation and when Lorcan finally released the hold of his mouth she exhaled in a rush. Her eyes were riveted on him when he bent his head towards her once more.

  He continued her torment with tiny bites on her shoulder and up to the column of her neck. When Lorcan reached the base, he brushed his tongue in a single, heavy stroke over the delicate skin there. Shifting suddenly, he lifted both hands to cup her face. His tone was reverent as he gazed down at her, “Of everything I have experienced in my existence, you are the most exquisite creation I have beheld.” Settling the full length of his frame over her, he braced himself on bended arms and let the weight of his body press her into the bed. Continuing to hold her face gently, his mouth swooped down to claim hers in a long, drugging kiss.

  Clinging tightly, the riotous sensations coursing through her were heightened even more by the feel of his half-bare form pressing into her. He continued in his hot possession of her mouth while her hands learned the feel of his shoulders and back. Closing her eyes tightly Kat focused on the erotic slip of his skin over hers where their stomachs pressed tightly together.

  She was panting when he finally broke the kiss. Her lids fluttered upwards at his stillness to find Lorcan watching her face, his expression inscrutable. In her inexperience, she became insecure and withdrew her hands quickly from his back. Pink swept across her cheeks and Kat shifted her gaze away from his penetrating stare.

  He chuckled in good humor, “Look at me.” As she did lift her eyes back to his, he continued, “You please me greatly, Kaitriana…do not stop touching me.” Dropping a reassuring kiss to her lips, the laughter remained in his eyes, “But if you keep blushing every time I get you hot, it will be necessary to feed you three times a day.”

  She made a face and moved to punch him, but he captured her fist and guided it pointedly back to his shoulder with a smirk. Kat followed suit with the other hand and was rewarded when he dropped his head back down to pay more attention to her neck. Concentrating again on the mere sensation of his touch, she let her lids drift shut once more.

  Lorcan eventually eased onto his knees in the center of the bed. Encircling her torso in both arms, he dragged her up against his chest. Her hands lifted to caress the hard muscle there and Kat caught a glimpse of his dark eyes through slit lids. She allowed herself to recline back limply over the hold of his arm around her upper back. The move opened her upper torso and the entire length of her throat to his view. Her long curls spilled down behind and pooled on the bed.

  In her repose she made a delectable offering and Lorcan could not contain his instinctive reaction. He growled possessively, “Mine.” The words were not a tender promise this time but his claim of her. Baring his fangs, he lowered his mouth.

  The first sting of the sharpened points breaching her skin elicited her cry of pleasure, accompanied by a shiver of delight, “Please Lorcan…do not stop.”

  With instinct driving him now, he was beyond thought or any ability to stop. Lorcan buried the length of his fangs fully in her throat. He barely registered her responsive groan he was so lost in her taste and the claiming. Laving the wound with his tongue, he fervently drew the blood into his mouth. His fierce growl was muffled against her skin and he withdrew his bite. Lorcan hesitated only a moment, finding a spot a bit higher on
her flesh, before sinking the sharp points deep a second time.

  Her hands grabbed at his chest in response to each bite and her hips found home against his. She began a slow innate rotation against him there. When he repeated the marking bite a third time, Kat rocked harder against him, a needful sound wrenched from her. Lorcan settled into drinking with the last, letting his mouth fully absorb the sweetness of her taste.

  Freeing a hand to roam, he dragged it roughly down over her hip to the curve of her backside. He encircled her torso tighter to lock her against his chest while the fingertips of his other hand cupped her bottom and held her hips tightly to his. Lorcan ground downward, pressing intimately to the cradle of her hips.

  Trailing her hands up over his chest and shoulders, her movements were frantic as she pulled hard at his hair. Her rapid breathing caused her demand to be delivered in broken little pleas, “More Lorcan…more…please.” Kaitriana delivered another tug to his hair when he did not move quickly enough. Making mental note that he needed to work on the girl’s patience, Lorcan relented and rubbed himself against her again with deliberate slowness.

  Kat pulled and gasped, “You must not stop…Lorcan, please.”

  Her pleas were as enticing as the feel of her soft curves. Lorcan reluctantly lifted his head from her neck, his eyes glazed with a need that matched hers, “Oh yes, little Kat, I must.”

  She whined with frustration as his fingertips withdrew from her hip. Her obvious disappointment caused him to rock softly into her one more time. Sweeping a fingertip down the length of her pert nose, he reminded her, regretfully, “Vows first, Kat… vows.” Through gritted teeth he explained, eyes finding hers, “I cannot continue and not claim you fully.” Lorcan ran his fingertips teasingly from breast to hip and then up, pausing to cup her fullness a final time before easing her down to the bed. He dropped down too and rolled a good distance away from her with a quiet curse.

  When he felt her sliding closer, he pushed a hand roughly through his hair and closed his eyes. His words were clipped with frustration, “Give me a moment, Witch.” The muscles of his abdomen contracted in response to the teasing nail she dragged over his skin. He quickly captured her hand in his and tugged her against him, “Shhh Kat…. be good, else I’ll rip that lace from you and be done with it…and you can face Myrrdyn’s wrath.”

  Kat scrunched her face up in response to that unwelcome thought and then dropped her chin to his chest, her expression thoughtful, “You could have my vows…tonight.” Lorcan issued an agonized groan and remained unmoving, eyes shut.

  When she began tapping her fingers on his chest, impatient for his answer, Lorcan chuckled. His arm stretched back behind where he lay and snagged a pillow. He brought it down to smack the top of her head. “Persistent little minx…no. I will be having your vows in the presence of Myrrdyn and your witch family, as well as the Coven. Behave yourself.”

  Sitting up, Kat snatched the pillow and frowned down at his still closed lids, “Have it your way…”

  He knew better than to trust her easy acquiescence. Suspicious, he lifted his head off the bed to look at her. She gave him a sickeningly sweet smile right before the lace that had wrapped her upper torso landed on his face. Lorcan rolled up quickly, taking in the pillow she now had clutched to her chest. His expression was full of warning though it was belied by the amusement in his tone, “I am going to beat you, Witch.”

  With a sassy laugh, Kat scrambled off the bed and out of his immediate reach. She took note of the lightening of the sky with the very early dawn; the automatic shutters that Lorcan had installed throughout the keep had already begun their slow close against the breaking light.

  When she turned back, he was studying her. The loving smile she gifted him with about did him in. She was a gorgeous picture of tousled hair, bathed in the glow of light with only that bit of lace covering the curve of her backside and the pillow hugged tightly to her front. Her neck bore the signs of his rough marking. There would be no doubt to any that saw that she had been passionately marked. Maintaining a tenuous restraint on his desire, he stood, “I need to get you to sleep, little one.”

  Kat realized only then that the long night had taken its toll and gave him a tired nod of agreement.

  He crooked a finger, beckoning from where he stood, “Did you make yourself a full wardrobe yet?” At her confused look, he prompted, “Something to sleep in Kat?” She indicated the negative. Before tonight, the scant clothing that she climbed into his bed wearing had been tempting but he had resisted his urges. Now that he had claimed the lass with his mark he did not trust his own resolve.

  Lorcan gave her the once over, “The pillow and that little scrap you are wearing on your butt will not work if you are going to be in my bed.” He should be sending her away to a guest room, but the marking had amplified his possessiveness and would not allow for it tonight. He would get her properly settled, in her own chambers…tomorrow.

  Kat clutched the pillow tighter and continued walking in a steady pace towards him. A twinkle sparked in her eyes, “Guess you should have had a paddle before you jumped in the river, Lorcan.”

  Crossing to rummage through one of the tall chests against the far wall, he tossed over his shoulder, “It is – up a creek without a paddle – brat.” He should have thought of it himself and brought her the items she would need. Kat could not conjure anything now with her magic bound. Lorcan returned with a soft cotton shirt and threw it to her. Her eyes narrowed on him as it dropped to the floor at her feet.

  He followed the path of the shirt and stopped in front of her. Lorcan looked pointedly down at the shirt on the floor and then at her pillow. Giving it a pat, he grinned smugly, “Who needs a paddle now, Witch?” She made a face and he responded with a laugh and a light kissed dropped on her lips. “I’ll be in there,” the jerk of his head indicated the bath. “I suggest you get yourself dressed in the interim.”

  When he returned she had slipped on his shirt. It draped down to her knees, effectively covering all of her temptations. Kat was already in the bed, on her side and tucked into a ball. He scooped her up. Settling back against the pillows, he positioned her atop him and smiled when she snuggled into his chest. Lorcan, his countenance full of contentment, was still stroking his fingers over the evidence of his bites when he finally let the weariness from the long night drag him under.

  CHAPTER 20

  Though Kat woke instantly, she was not of the mind to roll out of bed quickly. Snuggled under the warm comfort of the blankets, she had the thought that she might remain indefinitely in this spot. Shifting, she put her hand down and encountered warm skin. A twist of her head brought her to the realization that she had slept atop her protector. She smiled with pleasure over the thought that Lorcan had kept her there through the night and because he remained with her now. His breathing was slow and even. She moved ever so slightly in an effort not to rouse him and was rewarded upon checking to find his eyes still closed.

  The shutters remained locked tight, so Kat assumed she must have woken shortly before dusk. Lorcan was apparently in need of his sleep after their long evening the night before. She was able to openly admire the rugged handsomeness of his face. Females of Witch lineage were known for their supernatural beauty, and Lorcan had apparently inherited his mother’s appealing looks. His sable hair had fallen haphazardly across his brow and his features were completely relaxed.

  She checked the temptation to trace her fingertip across the strong form of his jaw and turned her study instead to the chiseled sculpt of his chest that had been her pillow. The muscles were defined clearly, as she had ascertained the night before when he had removed his clothing. Being of the Warrior Caste she had a keen appreciation for the display of strength.

  The light dusting of hair down the plane of his abdomen drew her attention. She grinned, thinking that if he were not such a bossy vamp Lorcan would be very well near perfect. Sighing with longing, she was now disappointed that he still slept. Her fingers were itchi
ng to explore those muscles. Kat returned her gaze to study his face, only to freeze at finding his steely gray eyes fixed on her. After a moment she smiled warmly and his was returned in full measure. She whispered, “Good morning, sleepy brain.”

  She was nearly dislodged from his chest as it rumbled with laughter, “It is sleepy head Kat and the morning is long over.” Kat rolled her eyes and waggled her tongue at him before rolling off to his side. Lorcan merely reached over and scooped her back onto his chest.

  Kat determined that if he was going to force her back there, she would take full advantage of the opportunity to check him out. She placed her palm in the middle of his chest, smiling with obvious delight as she explored the ridges of muscle. Gliding her fingers down, she felt the tickle of light hair against them as she reached the lower stretch of his abdomen. She felt the muscles quiver as she teased at the hair, venturing lower.

  With a groan Lorcan kissed the top of her head. Capturing her hand, he dragged it up to kiss her palm before grasping it firmly in his own. “You look magnificent wearing my mark, Witch.” He eyed the lingering scar with satisfaction and she was positively glowing when he gazed back into her face, “I should like to take you down to spend more time with the Coven this eve, and then show you more of my home. Did you have anything pressing to accomplish, little one?”

  Nodding, she eyed the band around her arm meaningfully with a small frown, “Clothing. I need a wardrobe.” She added, eyes twinkling as she waved her hand dramatically to encompass his room, “I do hope you have extra space. I really adore clothes.” She lifted her toes to peek out from the edge of the cover and wiggled them to him in greeting, “But I do not require a shoe closet.”

  Lorcan gave her an exasperated look, easing her to his side before climbing from the bed, “Kat, your feet must be the dirtiest things this side of the ocean.” In response she delivered a pillow, perfectly aimed, to the back of his head. Sweeping it up, he turned back to her.