Dream Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 1)

by Brenda Trim

  She blushed at the bent of her thoughts. Needing a distraction, she glanced over and saw that Bhric and Kyran were dressed similar to Zander, and, they too, had the same tattoo on their right forearm. In fact, all of Zander’s Dark Warriors, including Breslin, had this tattoo. It was a tribal design merged with druid symbols. She made a mental note to ask what it meant later.

  At the moment, she was fixated on Zander and the sweat running down his shoulders. She wanted to lick every bead of sweat from his chest and abdomen, following the trail below his pants. She recalled how big he was. What would he feel like when he took her? She did a mental head shake, reminding herself that she wasn’t going there.

  “Och ‘tis good to see you. I have missed you, a ghra. And, I would love for you to lick the sweat from my body,” he said as he descended the stairs and embraced her, meshing with her lips in a tender kiss.

  She flamed with embarrassment. “Stop reading my mind, Mr. Bossy Pants.” Helpless to resist touching him, she placed her hands on his chest. “It’s good to see you, too. Your home is beautiful,” she said as she craned her neck to look up to him.

  “You call this a house? This is a hotel, for God’s sake. I can’t believe Orlando has stayed at your crappy apartment as much as he has the past couple months,” Cailyn observed. “If I were him, I would’ve made you stay here.”

  “Who’s up for some champagne?” Rhys winked at Cailyn. “You haven’t had my hey juice, sweetcakes, but that’ll come later.”

  As Rhys led her sister down a hall, Zander placed his hand at the small of Elsie’s back and followed suit. Her sister glanced back at her. Cailyn shook her head.

  “Oh, my,” Elsie breathed, as she entered the gourmet-kitchen of her dreams. “The food I could make in here. I can’t wait to be let loose in here,” she sighed and walked around touching every surface with reverence. She didn’t need to see the rest. This was, hands down, her favorite room in the house.

  Through the windows, over one of the long, granite countertops, she saw an enclosed patio. A circular, Celtic design was imbedded in the tile floor. A sense of home, of belonging, and of loyalty surged through her the moment she saw it. These guys took their Scottish heritage seriously. The pop of a cork had her turning around as Breslin shoved a crystal flute filled with bubbly in her hand.

  “To Elsie,” she announced and held her glass in the air. Everyone followed suit and cheers resounded.

  “Okay, ’tis time to get ready. C’mon, I want to be the first to give you your present,” Breslin told Elsie.

  Gerrick grumbled, “What makes you so special that you get to give Elsie her present now? Shouldn’t Zander go first?”

  “Because, I can. Stop pouting, and get ready. All of you need to be ready to celebrate as soon as we’re done,” Breslin retorted, herding Elsie and her sister to the main staircase. She had no time to consider Gerrick’s comment.

  Her head swiveled this way and that as she absorbed each and every detail of the house on her way upstairs. Her jaw dropped when she walked into the lavish suite of rooms. Yeah, these people had money. Except, they weren’t people. They were supernatural creatures. And, she was in a home with her sister, completely vulnerable to them. The blade she had strapped to her thigh before leaving her apartment seemed paltry. She shook her head. If they were going to harm her or her sister they’d have done so already. She still struggled to trust in what she didn’t know.

  “Breslin, I think your room is bigger than my apartment. How could you guys make me cook for you in my crappy, little apartment? It took me all day using the two working burners I have, but to cook in your kitchen would have been heaven.” Awestruck, Elsie envisioned herself in that remarkable kitchen. She sat down on one of the couches and sighed, “I can’t wait to be let loose in that place.” She was jolted as she realized she assumed she’d be cooking in that kitchen.

  Breslin waved off her comments and picked up the large box from the antique, mahogany coffee-table in the living room of her suite. Clearly, she was no Betty Crocker. “A house is a house, no matter the size, or furnishings. What makes a home truly magnificent is the family that fills it. And, you are both members of this motley crew of ours. I expect many gourmet meals,” she winked at Elsie who couldn’t help but respond by grinning broadly.

  “Now, I dinna know what you wanted for graduation, so I bought you something that I would want.” Breslin crossed to her and handed her the gift and sat beside her. Feeling dazed, she met her sister’s eyes. Cailyn smiled at her reassuringly as she sipped from the crystal flute of champagne.

  Deciding to enjoy the attention, she excitedly tugged the end of the gold, loopy bow and lifted the top. “Oh, wow! It’s beautiful, thank you.” She pulled out the fabric and held it up, taking in the entire dress. It was stunning. It wasn’t anything she would ever buy herself, but she loved it.

  “Are you sure this is me? It’s strapless and well,” she took stock of her chest, “I have no boobs to hold this up.” Breslin had given her another dress made for a supermodel, a busty supermodel.

  “El, you have great boobs, I have told you this for years. They aren’t as big as mine, but then you are skinnier than me. I would give up these boobs to be fifteen pounds lighter,” Cailyn cupped her breasts and smirked at Elsie.

  “Doona fash over such silly worries. Your breasts will fit this dress fine. This bandage style is made for a thinner build. I couldna wear this myself, because I am too curvy. And, Cailyn, you doona need to lose any weight. You’re both like wee faeries compared to me. Put in on, Elsie, you will see. And, I have a great dress that will accent your large bosom nicely, Cai. We can all drive the guys crazy tonight.” Breslin beamed, her bubbly personality was infectious.

  She met her sister’s excited gaze as they listened to Breslin rifle through a closet that was the size of a bedroom. Her sister hopped up and went to join Breslin. She was astonished that her sister was comfortable with this new world. She told herself to relax, it was her night and she was having fun. She felt safe regardless of the fact that she didn’t understand anything about the creatures she was with.

  Suddenly eager to drive Zander crazy, she pulled out the strapless dress. It was a shadow color and tightly fitted to the body with ribs down the length of the dress. It was embellished with bands of sequins crossing around the bust, which would enhance what she didn’t have. Would he find her lacking? She wanted him to see her as beautiful.

  Cailyn’s squeal of excitement was jarring as she came running out of Breslin’s closet. “Oh my God, I love it! I wish John could see me in this dress. I wouldn’t make it out of the house. He’d have it off and we’d be going to town.” She noticed her sister was holding up a racy, little, red dress that she swore had to be a shirt on Breslin’s tall, muscular build. No way was that covering any of the important bits.

  “Can I wear your black heels tonight? “ Cailyn asked as she bounced over to her.

  She contemplated the shoes she had on, as well as, the new pair Breslin had given her with the dress. The new heels were only about four-and-a-half inches so she had no problem giving her sister the six-inch torture chambers she had on. “Sure,” she slipped them off and handed them over.

  “Now, you need smoky, sexy eyes and Zander would love your hair up,” Breslin declared, flipping containers open on her dressing table. Who needed this much make-up? She sat obediently as Breslin set about fixing her up.

  She blushed at the thought of Zander liking her hair up, wondering what it would feel like for him to sink his fangs into her throat. The thought was not in the least bit repulsive, as she had expected. Rather, she found it titillating and exciting. She needed to stop thinking risqué thoughts, as another internal war raged on and familiar heat stole over her body.

  “Cai, that dress looks outstanding on you. Very sexy. Good thing you have that diamond ring. I still can’t believe you agreed to marry him. I remember when you said you’d never be tied down. Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

  El
sie embraced her sister, “Tonight we’re also going to celebrate your engagement to John,” she held up her crystal flute. “To a night we’ll never forget.” Elegant chiming filled the room as she, Breslin and Cailyn inaugurated the night.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  Elsie lost her footing as she descended the stairs, and tumbled into strong, sexy arms. Apparently, she was unable to ogle Zander and descend stairs simultaneously. He was the most gorgeous creature she had ever seen! She stepped out of his arms before she lost all decorum and fell on him like a slavering dog. That would be embarrassing.

  He wore a charcoal-grey, cashmere suit that was tailored to perfection. The pants cupped him nicely and his obvious erection was huge. She remembered what that felt like rubbing against her. She dragged her eyes from his groin and the entire world came to a stand-still when their eyes locked. She felt a zing travel through her body.

  The way his eyes widened and took on a glow told her that he must also have felt the magnetic pull. He grabbed her hand and pulled her flush against his chest. She melted when he placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head back. His lips hovered a scant breath away from hers.

  “You look ravishing. I want verra much to divest you of that dress and explore every inch of you,” he murmured before he captured her lips and ravaged them. The kiss started slow but quickly turned to a boil. He licked at her, eliciting a gasp. He took advantage when her lips parted and plundered her depths. The feeling of his tongue stroking across hers caused her sex to heat and clench. As their tongues tangled, she thought that in his seven hundred years he had perfected his skill. She wasn’t jealous of the women he had used to perfect it on. She wasn’t.

  He broke the kiss. Both of them were breathing hot and heavy. “There is no other for me, a ghra. There never has been,” he kissed her one more time before turning her around so her back was to his chest. He kept her so close to his body that his erection was prodding her back. Elsie shut out the sensation that elicited. She refused to become any more involved with this man. She had already allowed far too much, but had been helpless to stop any of it.

  He leaned into her ear and his hot breath tickled as he spoke. “Congratulations, my Lady E. You are a remarkable female and the most beautiful in the realm. I have something for you, to recognize your achievement.”

  He reached around her body and held out several small wrapped boxes. “Zander what have you done,” she whispered and looked over her shoulder into his eyes. The tender emotions she saw there chipped away at more of the ice. Nope, she steeled her spine. “Those are jewelry boxes and I can’t accept them.”

  His arms tightened around her and she was reminded of his rigid presence behind her. “You will take them, Elsie. They were made especially for you,” he breathed.

  He had jewelry made for her. “Mr. Bossy Pants is giving orders again,” she grumbled as curiosity won and she took the first box. Nervously, she untied the black ribbon and removed the silver wrapping from the little, red box. Inside was a black, leather box. Her hands shook as she lifted the lid to reveal the biggest, most astounding, emerald-cut, diamond earrings she had ever seen.

  “I don’t even know what to say. These are gorgeous and exquisite, and, way too expensive, I suspect.” These supernaturals lived in excess. Something she had never experienced, and was one more reason she could not be in a relationship with him. They not only came from different worlds, but entirely different experiences. But, like any woman, she had always dreamed of owning great, big diamonds. When she looked at him, she saw his emotions on his sleeve and knew in that moment he was vulnerable. For her to accept these gifts was for her to accept him. For him it wasn’t about the diamonds, but about her embracing him. She melted for entirely different reasons.

  She turned around and cupped his cheeks. She saw him for the vampire he was: loyal, generous, fierce, protective, and loving, even if a bit bossy. “They’re perfect. I love them.”

  She smiled up at him as she handed him the earrings and accepted the next box. She unwrapped it, revealing a stunning bracelet. The design of delicate orchids in platinum was inlaid with diamonds the entire length. The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She quickly opened the last box and saw that it contained a necklace that matched the bracelet.

  “I’ve never been given more heartfelt gifts. I feel like I should insist that you return these items, but I simply can’t. I love them!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. When she lifted her head and met his eyes, all reason slipped away. She was dangerously close to falling for this vampire. And that was something she could never allow. She pulled away from him as her guilt resurfaced to torment her.

  Cailyn’s voice shattered their moment and Elsie blushed all the way to her toes. She blinked and looked over at her sister who was holding the earrings. “And, here I thought I was lucky that John went to Jared,” Cailyn remarked, as she looked at the jewelry and lifted her engagement ring, comparing the two. “These are gorgeous, El.”

  “Och, I doona want the hearts and flowers. I hope my Fated Mate is someone who can make me laugh,” Breslin commented, as she put the necklace on Elsie who was too busy staring at Zander.

  “There,” Breslin patted her shoulder. “These look great on you, and the orchids above the strapless dress draw the eye to your cleavage,” she winked conspiratorially at her.

  What did Breslin mean about a Fated Mate? When she lifted her eyes, she saw Zander ogling her breasts, and became caught in his glowing eyes.

  “You look absolutely ravishing. I could eat you up, a ghra,” he said hoarsely.

  “But, will it hurt?” she asked, as she looked from his eyes to his fangs, peeking out from his lip. Regardless of her endless inner battles, her body wanted what her body wanted.

  “Alright, you two, if you keep this up we’re never going to make it to Confetti,” Orlando chided and pushed his way between them to give her a hug, earning a feral growl from Zander. She was coming to love his growl. Orlando quickly backed away, patting her shoulder.

  “You look beautiful, cupcake,” Orlando said before informing her he got her a margarita machine so she always had them on tap. The others gave her wonderful gifts, as well, and made her feel special, but none held the meaning Zander’s gifts did. She felt truly pampered as Cailyn put the earrings in her ears and clasped the bracelet onto her wrist.

  After Dalton died, she’d thought her happy days were over. Her joy was unexpected, yet welcome. Try as she might, she wasn’t able to quash the kernel of hope that blossomed for her future.

  *****

  Cailyn threw back her fourth drink of the night and rushed back to join Elsie, Zander, Kyran and Breslin on the dance floor. The others had danced with them for a while, but had eventually disappeared to the back area of the club. She smiled as she watched her sister dance freely with the others. It was nice seeing her so full of life, relaxing and having fun. Elsie deserved happiness and Cailyn wanted to see the ghosts of her past lifted. Between Dalton’s death and her attack, Elsie had hardened and become cynical, and wasn’t the sister she had helped raise.

  Cailyn, on the other hand, was wound tight as a drum, and couldn’t stop her search for Jace. Ever since she had seen him in Elsie’s apartment two months ago he had not left her thoughts for more than a few hours. Why was she unable to keep him out of her mind? Yes, he was sexy, but it was crazy to her how thoughts of him had consumed her. She had been fighting it for weeks.

  It had even caused her to have doubts about her engagement to John. She loved him, but thinking incessantly of another man went against her sense of integrity. Still, she wanted to know everything about him. She knew he was a supernatural. Did he have fangs, or turn into an exotic animal? What was he like in bed? Did he have a girlfriend, or wife? Were his lips soft, or firm? Continually her questions returned to the erotic. It was frustrating. She had tried to write her interest off as a by-product of how her mind worked. She was a visual person and that came in handy when des
igning advertising presentations, but this fascination was fast becoming an obsession.

  Shaking off her questions, she hip-bumped Breslin as she rejoined the group, and began dancing again. She watched Zander and Elsie together. They were all but making love on the dance floor. Their hands and mouths were all over each other and their bump and grind was on the verge of obscene. She had never seen her sister like this. Elsie and Dalton hadn’t been into public displays of affection. Zander and Elsie simply couldn’t keep their hands off one another. They were like two magnets locked together. It was only a matter of time before they went at it. She heartily approved, the vampire obviously adored her sister.

  She felt something pull at her from behind. She danced a slow, sensuous circle and saw thick, black hair in a long braid. She would know that braid anywhere. She had been fantasizing about it for months. It was Jace and she realized that he was kissing a woman. She stood there and gaped at the sight. A heavy stone settled in her gut.

  She became incensed at the passionate exchange between the two. She was going to rip that woman’s hair out. How could he do such a thing? She took a step toward the couple, driven by Jace’s betrayal and her jealousy. But, before she took her second step, she stopped. She was being ridiculous. There was no betrayal, nor was there a reason to be jealous. He could kiss any woman he wanted. Cailyn was nothing to him. She questioned her sanity as she fought back tears, running from the dance floor to the bathroom.

  She barged through the door and locked herself in one of the stalls, gritting her teeth against the tears threatening to spill over. None of this made any sense to her. It was as if some unseen force was driving her. She didn’t know Jace and she was engaged to a wonderful man. That didn’t matter, apparently, as she continued fixating over Jace.

  A rapping on the door brought her head up. “Cai, sweetie, are you ok?” Oh God, it was her sister. Elsie was the last person she wanted to see. She would see right through any lie she attempted to tell her and she had no desire for Elsie to find out what she was thinking. She was ashamed of her behavior.