Phantom Desires

by Bianca D’Arc

  “You should mention me to your friends,” Dmitri said out of the blue as they sat at a linen covered table. “It would be good to get them accustomed to the idea that you have a man in your life.” He’d taken her to dinner at one of the cozy off-campus bistros. She ate while he drank a heady burgundy, and she felt more than a little guilty enjoying her medallions of beef while he watched.

  She loved him so much. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her, yet she was still afraid. He would live forever and she…well, she didn’t know what she wanted yet. It was one of the many puzzles in her mind, driving her batty.

  “We’re not on the phone every day to each other, but the next time I speak to one of them, I’ll mention you. I don’t think I’d be able not to.” She laughed as she sipped her water. “My friends always want to know if I’ve met anyone and when they start asking questions—especially Sally—there’s no way to avoid spilling whatever beans you’re trying to hold on to.”

  “Good. I’ve spoken to Marc and Atticus, you know.”

  “Comparing notes?” She wasn’t sure if she liked the idea that Dmitri knew her friends’ husbands so well.

  “They both send their congratulations and well wishes. Carly,” his voice dipped lower. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you more formally and now, I think, is the perfect opportunity.”

  Her breath caught when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. It looked old, not like something he’d picked up from the corner jewelry store, but something he’d had in his possession for a very long time.

  “This came to me from my cousin, who in her time was a czarina. I would like you to have it regardless of your answer to my next question.” He opened the box and Carly was momentarily stunned by the sparkle of a large, square-cut sapphire in purest baby blue, surrounded by a row of twinkling diamonds. The ring was vintage, and she could easily believe it had been worn by royalty. It was elegant and lovely, with the delicate lines of a long-gone age. She loved it. But his words came back to her, raising her eyes to his searchingly.

  “What question?”

  He got down on one knee, right there in the darkened restaurant. “Carmelita, will you marry me?”

  She was struck speechless as she gazed at him. This was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to her. The darkened room, the quiet corner where few could see them, the delicious food by candlelight and the most handsome man she’d ever seen, kneeling before her like some old fashioned knight, asking her to marry him.

  The only thing wrong was the fear that crept into her heart. Fear that he would live forever while she would grow old and die. The alternative was something she couldn’t quite envision. The idea of living forever, drinking blood for sustenance and never being in sunlight again frightened the bejeezus out of her every time the thought crossed her mind.

  But his smiling gaze said without words that he understood her fears. She felt the reassurance he sent directly to her mind through the small window he kept only partially open by her request. He’d been so good to her. He’d shown her the best loving of her life, treated her like a queen and respected her wishes, even when she knew he longed to share their minds fully, all the time. He was the best thing to ever happen to her. So what other response could she give?

  “Yes, Dmitri.” Tears fell unheeded down her smiling face. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  She launched herself forward, and he met her before she could join him on the floor, rising to embrace her where she sat in the dimly lit corner of the restaurant. She was aware of the people around them, but nobody was watching as he kissed her passionately. She knew in the back of her mind, where they were joined, that it was his doing. He had the ability to turn attention away from them, easily manipulating human minds.

  But she also knew he would never use his power against her. This was her decision, completely and utterly, as it should be. She loved him for that and for so much more.

  He drew back, placing the gorgeous antique ring on her finger. He smiled, raising her hand to his lips for a sweet kiss that stole her breath.

  “I love you more than anything, Carly. You have made me the happiest of men.”

  “I love you too, Dmitri.”

  Chapter Ten

  Carly floated around the house in a daze, trying to concentrate on answering her email and keeping her business running. About mid-afternoon, a desperate call came from the campus and she had to drive down to check on a faulty connection. She got into her car and headed for the distant campus, noting with interest the gently falling snow, but she had a sturdy SUV. She could get through a little snow.

  “Carly!” He awoke in a sweat, knowing something terrible had happened to his mate. As soon as the sun sank low enough, he transformed himself and took to the sky.

  He flew to the hospital at breakneck speed, entering unseen and finding his way to her room. She was alone and in bad shape. There were all kinds of tubes leading out of her small body, and the sight of them hurt his heart.

  “Carly.” His whisper was gentle as he took her small hand in his own.

  “Dmitri. You’re here.”

  “Anywhere you are, I must also go. How do you feel?”

  “Like I got run over by a truck. Oh yeah, I did.” Even in such pain, she tried to make a joke and it touched him. She was so brave. So strong. Yet so fragile and so…mortal.

  “My love, I can’t stand seeing you hurt. I would take all this pain from you if I could.” He cursed under his breath. “But you know I can. I could easily make you like me. The process of the change would heal your hurts and bring you immortal life, but you would never see the sun again. Still, we could spend every one of our immortal years together.” He grasped her hand. “I won’t force this on you. You have to make the decision.”

  He would not tell her that without his life-altering bite, she would most certainly die. He had wanted her to choose him over the light, and she had. It set his frozen heart free.

  Dmitri held his breath while she thought it through. He could see the consideration in her pain-filled eyes, the fear and most of all, the love.

  “I would rather have eternity to share with you, Dmitri, than the sun. I can live without the sun, but I can’t live without you.”

  He held her close, tears of blood leaking from his eyes. “I feel the same.”

  Tucking her close to his chest, he jostled her as little as possible in the pure white snowfield of the hospital bed as he bent to her throat. Feeling his fangs grow long and hungry, he sank them into her jugular, draining her nearly dry before moving back. She was so rich and perfect. How he loved her taste. How he loved her.

  Ripping a wound in his wrist, he held it to her parched lips, massaging her neck to help her swallow. Her pale, pale skin began to take on more color as he fed her his blood, his life’s essence. She would require time to heal but now, he knew, she would survive. They would have eternity to share together while he taught her the ways of the darkness. She would be with him always.

  When she had fed enough, he pulled his wrist gently back and sealed the wounds. He would need to feed well this night so that he could provide for her when she woke again. For now, sleep would claim her while her body underwent the enormous change that would make her immortal.

  Dmitri left her in the hospital bed, not going far. He had much work to do and little time in which to do it. First, he changed the hospital records to show a remarkable recovery on her part and a late evening release. He found the few members of staff who would need to have their memories altered and took care of that within moments. He also took the time to feed just a little from each of the humans he cornered. Taking a little from each, he quickly built back his strength, leaving them none the wiser.

  Within an hour he was back in her room, disconnecting her from the monitors and taking her in his strong arms as he left with her, through the fifth-story window. Shapeshifting quickly, he allowed large, leathery dragon wings to spread out behind him. He
moved like the phantom he was through the dark night sky. There were few humans about at this hour, but he was darkness itself. None would see him. Or her, as he cradled her close in his arms.

  He took her to the bedroom, two stories under her own bedroom in the house above ground. There he laid her gently on the rich fabric of his bed, tucking her under soft covers.

  He sat at her bedside as he had for so many nights while watching her sleep. He dare not share the bed with her yet. She was still healing and changing, her body in pain as it reformed. He would keep careful watch over her for the slightest sign of discomfort. Only when she was well again would he take his place at her side, claiming her for all time. It was a moment he looked forward to with every fiber of his being.

  Carly was bleary-eyed when she woke. The room was darker than she remembered, and her mind was in chaos, her body aching in so many new and different ways.

  She became aware of eyes watching her from the chair beside the bed. A supreme sense of déjà vu came to her, as she recalled having this dream before.

  “Dmitri? Is that you?”

  The flare of a candle suddenly lit the darkness, causing her to squint.

  “I’m here, my love.”

  He leaned closer, his dark eyes warming in the flare of the candle flame, taking their heat and pulling it within his irises. He was so beautiful. He was a miracle.

  “Am I dreaming?”

  He came down beside her and gathered her into his strong arms, wrapping her gently within his strength. His lips found the side of her neck, sliding up over her jaw to seek out the corner of her lips, then moved to kiss her, his tongue thrusting deep inside. Her pulse pounded and there was a roaring in her ears. Her body felt so strange.

  Dmitri kissed her long and deep, and she felt an ache in her teeth as they seemed to grow in her mouth. He pulled back, mesmerizing her senses as he moved down to lick at her pulse, his own teeth scraping back and forth in a rhythm that had her pussy clenching in time.

  “Are you hungry, my love?” His voice growled low near her ear.

  “Ravenous.”

  “Do you recall what you said to me in the hospital? That you would rather have eternity as my bride than stand again in the sun?” She nodded as he pulled back to look into her eyes. “That was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  He let her see the tears that formed in his eyes. She rose slightly to kiss them away. He was such a tender soul, such a strong man with a beautiful heart.

  “I meant every word.” He kissed her again and once more her teeth felt so strange. “Dmitri.” She pulled away, shock in her voice. “What’s happening to me?”

  His expression warmed her insides and went a long way to calming her fears. He ran one sexy finger around her puffy lips, dipping inside to test the sharpness of her new fangs.

  “You are becoming like I am, my love. Don’t be afraid. Your fangs are coming in for the first time.”

  “Fangs?” She was amazed, then amused. She hadn’t really thought about what it meant to become a vampire when he’d asked. Suddenly it was all too real and kind of cool. “Who do I get to bite?”

  “Only me, my love.” His eyes were deadly serious. “I will provide all you need.”

  So saying, he climbed onto the bed, tearing off the covers in one harsh movement. She was naked underneath and ready for him. He moved faster than thought to remove his robe, his cock springing hard against her thighs as he kneed her legs apart. She was more than willing as he positioned himself, testing her only briefly and smiling with smug male satisfaction when he found her slick and ready for him.

  He shoved home with a groan as he came over her, his gleaming fangs glowing in the fiery light of the candle. Rolling, he pulled her on top of him, baring his throat.

  “Take me, my love. Take all of me!”

  Carly bent over him and allowed new and exciting instincts to take over. Her body rode his as she licked her way up his throat to the strong pulse just under his ear. With an agonizing hunger, she sunk her newly formed teeth into his flesh, gently at first, then harder when the first streams of his sweet, coppery blood hit her tongue. It was ambrosia. It was heaven. It was love made flesh.

  She rode him, feeling his climax as they joined body to body, soul to soul, for the first time. It would be like this from now on she knew in her heart. They would never be parted.

  She ran her tongue over the wound, sealing them with instinctual caresses of her mouth as they came down from the pinnacle. She rested on top of him, his cock still within her though somewhat relaxed. She knew he would be up for more within moments, but this short time of quiet joining was precious to her.

  “You are a miracle, my love.” His satisfied rumble made its way through her body to her newly enhanced senses.

  “No, Dmitri, it’s you.” She kissed his chest with little nipping kisses. “I never thought I could feel this way. I never thought I could bite anyone.” She giggled as he stroked her back. “But I love you. I’ll be whatever you want, if only I can stay with you.”

  “You are my bride, Carly.” He sat up slightly so he could look into her eyes. “We will always be together. Now and forever.”

  Her smile held the sun. “Now and forever.”

  *

  Thanks for reading Phantom Desires (Brotherhood of Blood #3). If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.

  The next Brotherhood of Blood story is a crossover novel that blends vamps and weres called Sweeter Than Wine. Scroll down for a sneak peek…

  A complete list of all of Bianca’s books, separated by series, follows the excerpt. You can also check out Bianca’s website at WWW.BIANCADARC.COM. Or you can sign up for Bianca’s Newsletter to be alerted when new books are released.

  Excerpt from Sweeter Than Wine

  © Bianca D’Arc. All Rights Reserved.

  Chapter One

  “Christy was brought in to Emergency a few hours ago.” It was clear that even Jena—a doctor used to dealing with this kind of situation—was struggling to retain emotional control. “The trauma team did their best, but it’s just not possible to repair all the damage in time. Her organs are beginning to fail one by one. She probably won’t live through the night.”

  Her soft voice didn’t carry beyond the small circle of friends gathered in the hospital waiting room. The old study group from college was reunited in their worry, with some additions. Lissa and Kelly had recently married, so their husbands, Atticus and Marc, were there. As was Sebastian.

  He was the odd man outa single, unattached malebut he was a close associate of both Marc and Atticus, and had a personal interest in Christina, though none of the others realized it. Sebastian had kept quiet about his attraction to her. After all, she was still married and Sebastian was old-fashioned enough to want her to be free before making a move on the beautiful young woman.

  “What happened to her?” Atticus asked, his arm around his wife, offering comfort.

  The women shared knowing looks and Sebastian’s senses went on alert.

  “She told me a week ago that her husband had been violent with her on a few occasions recently. They’ve been having problems for a while now and I’m pretty sure she told Jeff she wanted a divorce.” Jena’s eyes welled with tears. “I heard from the team that brought her in that he’d been arrested.”

  “Her husband beat her?” Marc spoke in outrage for all the men.

  Jena nodded, gulping. “I think he just snapped. He’s never been the most stable personality. Even in college, he was a little weird.”

  Sebastian had heard enough. He moved closer to the women, drawing their attention. “Take me to her.”

  Lissa and Kelly gave him curious looks while Jena seemed puzzled. He would have repeated his demand but Marc stepped smoothly forward, projecting calm.

  “Perhaps if we could see her now?”

  Jena nodded, rising. “Yes, of course.”

  Marc shot him a quelling look as they all started down
the hall, but Sebastian ignored it. Christina was dying. That was all that mattered. If he had to disobey a direct order from the Master, he’d do it. For her. To save her.

  Sebastian thought he was calm, but when he saw her pale, bruised body lying broken amid the white sheets and bundles of tubes, he cursed.

  “And they call us monsters.” His breath hissed out between his teeth and his eyes glowed red.

  “We can save her, can’t we?” Lissa looked up at her husband with hopeful eyes.

  Atticus nodded thoughtfully. “We can, but it should be Sebastian, I think.”

  “Sebastian?” Kelly stepped forward and Sebastian chafed at the delay.

  Thankfully, Marc agreed. “If he will agree to take on the responsibility.”

  “I will.” Sebastian didn’t have to think twice. This is what he wanted more than anything. Relief filled him at the idea he wouldn’t have to fight any of them over who would be her maker. He knew in his soul he was meant to do this. He was meant to bring over this sad, broken, beautiful mortal woman to their world. He would save her, then he would cherish her, for as long as she’d let him.

  “What are you people talking about?” Jena planted herself in front of Sebastian, forcing him to look at her rather than stare at Christina as he had since entering the small room. He didn’t have the patience to deal with this. His fangs grew as his anger and frustration built. His eyes glowed and the doctor gasped.

  “We can save her, Jena.” Lissa intervened, much to Sebastian’s relief. “We’ve been keeping a big secret from you since Atticus found me.” She looked over at her husband for support.