Aisley, I can heal you, but it will begin your conversion. You’ll have to trust me to do what I must to save you, he said, praying she’d forgive him for relinquishing her choice. He hadn’t intended her change to begin this way.
“I don’t think I can be healed,” she whispered. She fell silent, her eyes beginning to close.
Do not give up like that. I command you to stay with me. You’re mine and I intend to keep you for eternity. If he was in human form, Garrick would have smiled when his orders caused her eyes to flutter open.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “You were telling the truth. I believe you now, Garrick. I see the leopard and know it is you. Can I touch you?”
“There’s little time to delay, Garrick,” Lucien warned.
Garrick responded with a mild roar, telling his friend to give him room. It didn’t surprise him when Lucien snarled and touched his hand to Aisley’s shoulder. Lucien wouldn’t leave a friend in need, even one who belonged to another.
Touch me, if you can, Garrick invited his mate, hoping she would.
Slowly, Aisley raised her hand. Her fingers trembled with the exertion, but it pleased him to know she could move. At last she touched him. No one had ever tried to touch the leopard. Bravely, she smoothed her hand over his nose, his forehead and right to his ear and she scratched him. It felt so bloody good that he could have let her continue for days.
“You’re beautiful,” she muttered as her hand fell to the ground.
“Garrick, do it now!”
Not needing Lucien’s urgent command, Garrick lowered to the ground beside Aisley. This may hurt. Do not be afraid.
Lucien grasped her uninjured forearm, tore away what remained of her sleeve and offered Garrick her wrist. Scenting her pulse, he searched for the easiest place to bite and found it on the back of her wrist, where a pale blue vein awaited.
She whispered something in a voice so quiet it barely stirred the air.
Garrick sniffed, licking her skin, hoping that would soothe her. Taking her wrist into his mouth, he bit hard.
She struggled the moment he broke her flesh.
Lucien consoled her. “Settle, Aisley, let him heal you.”
“It hurts!”
“I know, child. Feel what he’s doing, he’s giving you warmth, life. All that he is, he gives you now.”
To Garrick’s relief, Aisley settled, permitting him to hold onto her wrist without bearing down too much. Her bones could not withstand more pressure. Before she could struggle anew, his canines pierced her vein and his panthera’s essence began to flow into her.
“God’s teeth,” Aisley squeaked, startling Garrick. “He’s…naked!”
“You’ll not remember on the morrow,” Lucien said and moved from Aisley’s view.
Garrick didn’t talk. He simply gave all that he could and watched as his mate fell into a deep slumber.
* * * * *
“Garrick!” Aisley called out as she reluctantly opened her eyes.
“I’m here, little one,” Garrick responded, sounding gentle, but far away.
Aisley looked about. She was resting on a bed, a very large, comfortable bed with blue covers. A second look revealed she was in Garrick’s enormous curtained bed, her nakedness hidden by silk covers.
The last thing she remembered was being in the forest, on the ground, with wolves attacking her!
“Oh Garrick,” she gasped. She’d come so close to leaving him and never once had admitted her love.
Movement in a darkened corner brought her attention around, revealing Garrick coming toward the bed. “It’s all right, Aisley, do not fret. You’re safe now,” he said.
Upon nearing the bed, he pulled the gossamer curtains aside and looked down at her. Large, regal and confident, he wore only a silk tunic and breeches.
“How do you feel?” he asked, perching on the bed nearest to where she lay.
“Umm, sore, I think,” she said, uncertain.
Although her muscles and bones protested movement, her first instinct was to touch her head. Her hair was freshly cleaned, soft, sleep ruffled, but untangled. She couldn’t find a lump, but there was a tender spot just above her nape.
“What happened, had I dreamt being captured by Zotikos?”
“It wasn’t a dream.”
“Oh,” she breathed.
How could it be that her head, which should have born a terrible wound, had almost healed? On second thought, she’d burned her right hand. Able to see enough with the dim candlelight cast upon the bed, she gaped. She hadn’t really looked at her hand until now, but it should have been blistered. Her palm was dark pink and tingled.
“How can this be?” she finally demanded as she struggled to sit up.
“Lay back, little one,” Garrick instructed. “You’re healing better than I’d hoped, but you’ll still feel sore and must continue to rest.”
Frowning, she checked her bare arms. She’d been bitten by the wolves. Scars lined her skin, but they were small and thin. “Have I been sleeping so long my injuries are almost gone?”
“You’ve slept for two days. Aisley, do you remember the bite?”
“I remember many bites. There were wolves, I think.” Acknowledging she did need to lie back, she sighed gratefully when Garrick fluffed her pillows and eased her head to the cushions. “Weren’t there wolves?”
“Aye, there were many.” He shifted on the bed, scooting her to the center as he swung his legs up and reclined beside her. She was supported by pillows, he by the elaborate headboard. “I was terrified for you, little one. Had I lost you, I’d only have myself to blame for the way I handled telling you about me. I frightened you and that was never my intention.”
Sensing the truth in his confession and his need for solace, she blurted, “I believe you. I mean, I believe in you. I know I was wrong to doubt your word, Garrick. Pray understand. I needed to accept your gifts in my own way.”
“I knew you would soon enough. Abcynians believe that our true mate is destined long before we meet. A true mate is someone that we can trust, someone who can accept us and guard the truth of what we are.” Aisley half expected him to be angry with her, yet he wasn’t. “I’m pleased that you accept what I am, Aisley. Now, I pray you will accept yourself as well.”
“I do not understand.”
“I’ll try to explain.”
In the candlelit room, she could see the similarities he shared with Sir Knight. The arch of his cheekbones, the shape of his nose and the width of his full mouth spoke of the leopard’s regal features.
“Again I ask, do you remember the bite?”
“I umm…well…oh, wait, you bit me!” Suddenly alarmed, Aisley bucked upward. It was Garrick’s much faster reflexes that caught her and his strength that kept her from harm. “Garrick Forrester, you bit me and it hurt.”
“Only for a moment,” he agreed, his green eyes softening with concern. “Think on it, Aisley. What do you remember of the bite?”
“That it hurt.” Sir Knight’s jaws had clamped on her wrist, holding her still. His canines had gouged her flesh, tearing it, as if searching for…a vein. “I thought you were trying to drink my blood. And then…” she stalled, uncertain if she really remembered. “Then something warm flowed into my arm and spread throughout my body. It was like being hungry and then given a feast fit for royalty, where one eats so much that they can sleep for days afterward. Is that how I was supposed to feel?”
“It depends upon what your body needs. You needed healing and the leopard’s bite gave you rest and replenished your blood. If I’d bitten you while I was bedding you, your pleasure would have been enhanced.”
Remembering the pleasures she’d already known by his hands and kisses, Aisley realized they were alone in his bedchamber once again. Wickedly, she wished she weren’t so sore. She’d very much like to share kisses and touches with Garrick again.
“Umm, I realize this is not what we’ve been discussing, but what time of day is it?”
&
nbsp; “The sun has just risen.”
“Does anyone know you are here?”
“Lucien has been aware that we’ve been sharing a bed for some time now. He probably knows where I am,” Garrick confessed. “Aisley, no one will speak against you. He certainly will not give us away. You needn’t worry.” Sweetly, in a gesture she hadn’t expected, he leaned forward and kissed her jaw. “Let us return to the conversation, shall we? What else do you remember?”
“I fell asleep while you were biting me. After that, I cannot recall much.”
“I was compelled to bite you twice more. Your wounds were serious enough that Lucien and I felt uncomfortable waiting to bring you back to Danford to tend you.”
“Truly?”
“Aye,” he said. He took her left wrist and brought it into view. “Look, Aisley, you wear my mark.”
Two puncture marks were present on the back of her left wrist. The candlelight reflected upon them, revealing iridescent swirls leading from the punctures, which resembled a pair of eyes. On closer look, a leopard’s face had begun to take form. It was nearly identical to Garrick’s mark, only much smaller.
“What does this mean?” Intrigued more than frightened, she glanced at him, her wrist and then back at him again.
“I gave you the essence of the leopard when I bit you.”
“You mean I can change into a leopard?” Uncertain if she liked that, Aisley made to scoot away. Garrick held her still with one arm.
“As far as we know, only those born with panthera blood can change form. You, however, will gain the abilities of a leopard. You will possess the strength of several men and hunt with a predator’s instinct. In truth, the next time you play chess, your ability to adapt and strategize will come to the fore. You may actually beat me at the game.”
Aisley smiled at that. “Will I always have these abilities?”
“The change is permanent. It will take time before you fully realize your strengths.”
“You said only those born with panthera blood can change form, why is that so?”
Garrick drew in a breath, his nostrils flaring, and she knew he detected her almond scent. Just the same, she smelled him, cinnamon, musk and man.
He smiled, lowering her hand to rest close to his heart. “I wish I could give you the answer you seek. Understanding Abcynian lineage is difficult, especially for those of us who are like me. I cannot tell you the why of things, only what is.”
“Do you have a suspicion as to why you can change and I cannot?”
“Lucien and I are among the second generation of Abcynians capable of changing into their panther halves. My father could, but my grandfather could not. Many believe it took a very long time for our bodies to adjust to the panther within and not allow the animal to overtake us. Abcynians live long lives, we always have. My grandfather was over fifteen hundred years old when he died, my father a thousand. He’d have lived longer had he not been killed in battle. He first changed upon reaching adulthood at two hundred. Lucien’s father was the same.”
“I imagine living to such an age can be both difficult and blessed.”
“Aye, little one, you speak true. Longevity has allowed my family to maintain an earldom and two baronies. All of which provide for our children, Abcynians, and more so, defense for our English brethren from Saturians.”
“Saturians?” she questioned.
“Zotikos is Saturian. Saturians have the ability to live very long lives and they can convert others, much like Abcynians. But the converted must drink Saturian blood daily in order to maintain their gifts. My ancestors have been at war with the Saturians for centuries.”
“It must be difficult to live such long lives and face what seems like an endless war,” Aisley said.
“It is unexplainable. Like the Saturians, we must witness the deaths of friends and confidants. That is largely why I strove to remain distant from my servants and soldiers.”
“There were other reasons for maintaining your distance, weren’t there?”
“It was necessary to keep anyone from looking too closely at the disguises I used to assume the identities of three earls. Sometimes I wore my hair very short, sometimes long or as dictated by fashion. A full beard can alter a man’s face. The absence of a beard can make one look younger. I wasn’t afraid to use dirt and kohl to enhance, hide or create lines or aging spots upon my face. I also had the benefit of Abcynian Guards, humans who learned of us and vowed to protect what we are. As wrong as it may seem to hide our gifts, it was necessary to protect our family and to assure that our kind thrives.”
Believing Garrick was saddened by the necessity of disguise, she asked, “Couldn’t you have given Danford to one of your Abcynian Guards or a younger Abcynian male?”
Garrick stared for a moment, seeming to contemplate how to answer. “I inherited the earldom after I was able to change. While burying my father, I vowed to uphold the title as was my birthright. Fortunately, once we have sons, we will have a way to maintain the earldom,” he said.
Aisley had to smile at that. Garrick may have been born Abcynian, but he was also an English nobleman. He viewed the earldom as his God-given right. To relinquish it to another would not have occurred to him unless he had an heir.
“Do leopards live long lives?” Aisley wondered aloud, curious to learn more about Abcynians and the abilities she was to gain.
“Not necessarily,” he said.
“Does that mean that I will only gain the leopard’s abilities?”
“Aye, if only the leopard bit you.”
Aisley didn’t quite understand what he meant. It was Sir Knight who’d bitten her, so it would be his instincts she’d possess. She wouldn’t age as Garrick did. Saddened, she lowered her eyes, hoping to hide her disappointment.
“Do not look away,” Garrick countered, touching his hand to her chin. “Why do you hide from me, Aisley? Have I said something to upset you?”
“Aye, a little, I may change, but I’ll not be like you.” Unable to stop herself, she admitted, “Garrick, I love you. I’ve loved you since the night we met. I shall honor my commitment to you as your wife, but you’ll stay young and handsome and I’ll age. Upon my death, you’ll seek a new bride and—” A firm thumb pressed to her lips, silencing her.
“Do not think such a thing, much less speak of it, little one.” Garrick grew impatient and propped himself on his elbow. “Didn’t you hear me say if you were to be bitten only by the leopard?”
“Aye, you bit me when you were changed.”
“Just as I shall bite you as a man,” he told her.
Aisley scowled. She could understand why a leopard might bite, but a man? If she understood the process, he’d have to bite hard enough and deep enough to reach her vein.
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
He grinned wickedly and her toes began to tingle. “Biting is part of Abcynian mating and conversion. Through biting, we share our essences, allowing you to age along with me.”
“Is that what happened with your wives, Garrick?”
“I never converted them.” Oddly pleased by his confession, Aisley permitted him to ease his head to her pillow so they could share it. “Right or wrong, I chose my wives by the dictates of the earldom. Like many arranged marriages, we lived separate lives. Cambria was always frightened of me and chose to go into seclusion after losing our babe shortly before he was to be born. Edith told me she was with child and hid the truth until the babe was to be delivered. I’d foolishly believed I’d finally have a son, only to learn he was a lie to keep me from getting her with child. I never knew she harbored a fear of childbirth until her death or that she took some sort of potion to prevent having a babe. To the world, both marriages produced heirs. In reality, there was much bickering and hatred. I never developed the trust needed to tell them what I am. The fault, I confess, was my burden, not theirs.”
“Yet you wish to convert me?” Aisley inquired, disliking the vulnerable wobble in her voice.
“Of course,” he said.
“Why?”
“Look into my eyes and see for yourself. Hear my heartbeat, feel it,” he invited, pressing her palm flat to his chest.
Steady and sure, his heart thumped against her splayed hand. The tingle, still present from the healing, increased, warming as Garrick’s breath fanned her fingertips.
Unable to move, she stared into the emerald depths of his eyes, discovering her image reflecting back at her. Garrick saw her, every asset, every freckle and the small birthmark near her jaw, and she knew he found her beautiful.
“You love me,” she finally realized, wishing she’d known all along.
“I love you with every breath of my being.” Facing each other, their heads still resting upon the pillow, Aisley found she didn’t want to be anywhere else but beside Garrick Forrester for the remainder of her life. By rights, she should be terribly frightened, yet his honesty about his past and his love enabled her to trust his intentions implicitly. “I’ve told you from the first that you were meant to be mine. I came to the village the night we met because I sensed you and I had to learn if my instincts were right. I fell in love with you the moment I watched you face a dastard’s sword to save Angelica.”
Her heart pounding, Aisley reached over to brush his long hair from his chin. “I wish I’d known sooner, I might have believed you when you revealed your secrets.”
“I thought it best to earn your trust in me as a man before you learned of the leopard.”
“Thinking back on it, I’d have to admit you were right to persuade me slowly. So, what does this mean, Garrick? If we mate, how does that differ from marriage?”
“Biting and sharing our essence is as binding as marriage vows. However, I understand that you need the vows of Christian marriage to feel secure as my wife, thus I want that as well,” he added, grinning mischievously. “I want the vows and the customs any English noble should expect. Not until our wedding night will we mate. Once we do, you will grow old along my side.”
“How could you have known that I would be your mate the night we met?”
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