Wolfsbane

by Nathalie Gray

  Her heart in her throat, Scarlet unbuttoned her long cloak and let it drop. A soft rustle accompanied it to the floor. The breeze coming in from the window carried with it the first hint of fall and pebbled her skin and breasts. Excitement helped too.

  When she stood over Fredrick, admiring how sleep softened his angular features, Scarlet almost lost her pluck.

  She had to do this.

  It wasn’t as though it’d be terrible. A grin pulled at her lips. On the contrary, this would be very pleasant indeed. Probably the most beautiful thing in her life, something she’d cherish in the years of solitude to come.

  Ribbons of his white hair weaved intricate patterns over the crumpled pillows. Scarlet longed to touch it, sink her face in it. A shiver shook him. He mumbled something.

  Scarlet circled the bed and cautiously climbed in beside Fredrick. Careful not to wake him abruptly, she let her hand rest slowly and gently over his chest while she nestled in closer. Despite her best effort, he woke with a start and a curse.

  Scarlet raised her face to his so he could right away see who troubled his sleep.

  His expression went from deep rage to disbelief then wonderment in the span of a moment.

  “Scarlet?” he asked, clearly unsure.

  She rested her head on his heaving chest. “I’m cold.”

  Despite the gloom, she could tell her visit was making him very, very happy.

  He put his hot hand over the back of her head as he drew in a long sigh. “Scarlet.”

  No one had ever said her name just quite as he had, simply, yet imbued with warmth and the deepest respect, and bearing a man’s hopes. She liked the sound of her name in his mouth, liked the way he rolled the R in the back of his throat.

  While he caressed her head, she traced the curves of his ribs and lean muscles, drawing circles and serpentine shapes on skin which had suffered so terribly and which, if she succeeded, would be flushed with pleasure this night.

  The effect her fingers had made her grin. Rising on an elbow, she brushed her lips along his flank. Yielding to the temptation, Scarlet trapped a nipple between her lips. A gentle tug made him hiss a breath. Images of them both in the throes of passion nearly jostled Scarlet from the path she’d chosen. This was to be his night, her gift to him. She couldn’t afford to let herself lose control. With her hand, with her mouth, she teased and nibbled and kissed Fredrick up and down his sinewy chest. He shivered violently.

  “I’ll close the window,” she offered before he could argue. She needed the break or she’d completely forget what she intended.

  Scarlet was pulling the drapes in when Fredrick came up behind her, encircled her waist with shaking hands, brushed gentle lips against her shoulders. The fine hair all along her arms rose in waves. She felt exposed, standing near the large window opened to the midnight sky and the swollen moon above. Below the stone balcony, a portion of the rose garden poked out of the darkness. She closed her eyes, remembering how they smelled.

  “Leave them,” he murmured in her ear as he pried her fingers off the curtains.

  But she couldn’t let go and instead used the drapes to keep herself from falling back against him. Scarlet fisted a panel on either side of her and threw her head back.

  Fredrick’s hands were gentle as he followed each curve up and down along her sides. His member pressed in the small of her back. So hot.

  “How I love every inch of you,” he breathed before raking his fingers up from hips to breasts. She felt like the string of a harp only he knew how to play.

  A deep sigh of contentment escaped Scarlet. She pushed the rest down, all these emotions threatening her judgment. No time for anything else tonight but pleasure. His.

  When he bent down over her and planted a passionate kiss on her mouth, Scarlet couldn’t suppress a moan. She spun around and pressed her whole front against his.

  With the radiance of the moon fully in his face, his strange eyes glowed. He closed them briefly. “This must be a dream.”

  Scarlet allowed herself a grin before she pulled his face to hers for a deep kiss. Fredrick was panting hard when she was done with him. “Not a dream.”

  “It’s been so damn long, Scarlet…I think I’ve forgotten how.” He chuckled as he cupped her backside and squeezed.

  “You seemed to remember when you first met me,” Scarlet replied with a grin she couldn’t suppress.

  “Ah, but I couldn’t control myself then. I just had to see if you tasted as good as you looked.”

  Scarlet wrapped both her hands in his white hair—almost pale blue in the moonlight—and took a long whiff of it. Lavender and male musk. “And…? Did I taste as good as I looked?”

  “You did.”

  With more force than she intended, Scarlet pulled him down to her by the fistfuls of hair and rubbed her face in it, let it get in her mouth, in her nose. She wanted him inside every possible way. Her vigor must have triggered something in him for he grunted and forced her arms out wide.

  “Grab the drapes again,” he whispered.

  While she did, he went down on one knee and crushed her belly to his ravenous mouth. She chewed her cheek as Fredrick licked, nibbled and bit his way across her abdomen, before capturing her breasts. But she wanted more. Scarlet spread her feet wider, on either side of his knees, hoping—knowing—he’d get the hint. He did.

  Fisting the fabric hard, Scarlet tilted her pelvis forward to allow Fredrick access to her engorged bud. His mouth was gentle at first then harder, until he was nearly lifting her off the floor. His bristly chin felt delightfully rough against her sensitive skin. With his thumbs, he spread her wide.

  Out of the deepest recess of her core, a tiny ripple broke the surface, grew in intensity, unfurled as a flag over her belly and sex then hit with the violence of a thunderclap. Spasms tightened her muscles and she knew she was pulling on the drapes too hard, yet didn’t care. Scarlet moaned loudly.

  Spurred on, Fredrick inserted a finger while continuing his assault on her pulsing bud. Throwing all decorum to the wind, Scarlet spread her legs wide and arched back, letting her whole weight hang on the drapes. The sound of ripping forced her eyes open. But as she felt herself falling back, a pair of impossibly fast arms caught her, eased her down onto the carpets.

  With her writhing on her back, arms still splayed out wide, Fredrick pressed his face between her thighs so he could continue his feast. Wet sounds mixed with deep rumblings from his chest excited Scarlet into a twisting frenzy. With a groan of pleasure, she grabbed his head with her wide-opened hands and thrust her pelvis up onto his face, hoping his tongue would go deep, his fingers would crush her flesh. Another wave hit. Scarlet screamed.

  By his hair, she pulled him up over her face, kissed a trail down under him until she reached his glistening member. With him straddling her face, Scarlet sank his cock into her mouth. She could tell how excited he was just by the thrusting motion he fought valiantly to suppress. Such nonsense. With her hands on his backside, she pressed him in deeper, took his silky member as deep as it’d go, not caring if a gag reflex tickled the back of her throat.

  “Scarlet…”

  She knew what troubled him. He was about to spill himself.

  Not that often but still too many times, this had been forced on her by men she didn’t care for, men she would’ve killed in their sleep. But tonight, she meant to sheathe Fredrick into her mouth while he spilled his seed. She’d take it all in gladly, lovingly.

  When she felt him about to pull out, Scarlet trapped him over her mouth by locking her arms around his waist and her lips firmly in place.

  “Scarlet…” he warned, giving a gentle but firm tug back.

  But she wouldn’t let go. To show her consent of his essence, Scarlet drew her head back before sliding his member all the way in again.

  Shaking violently, Fredrick collapsed onto his elbows. Tiny pulsations at the base of his cock announced his released pleasure. Scarlet moaned in satisfaction as it slid into her effortlessly.
Working her jaw around, she made sure to not waste any of this precious man’s liquid silk.

  Scooting out from under him, Scarlet let him collapse on his front, panting, his back slicked with sweat, his pale backside round and firm and so inviting.

  As she knelt between his thighs, Scarlet let her hands roam freely over Fredrick’s skin. Such a glorious body. Long and lean and fit. Her tongue soon followed suit. Each curve and recess was explored. Moans of pleasure assured her she was doing good work. But a deeper need began to make itself increasingly more pressing. She wanted—needed—Fredrick in her, needed to feel his flesh sheathed in hers, their two bodies connected, forming one.

  Without speaking, Scarlet pulled on his shoulder and had him roll onto his back. Moonlight spilled herself on his magnificent figure. So much so Scarlet sat on her heels between his shins and took a moment to remember him this way. She wanted to burn the image into her mind, brand it in her soul, so she’d never forget Fredrick von Innsbruck.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as he crossed his hands behind his head.

  Even though he’d recently had his pleasure, his member didn’t seem to relent and boldly pointed up. Fredrick looked down at himself and grinned. Manly pride. Scarlet laughed.

  Perhaps the sound triggered something in him. Scarlet never had time to ponder as he sat up, wrapped his arms around her then laid back down with her on top. There he feasted on her breasts until Scarlet thought she’d melt all over him. There was no more dallying. She wanted him now. Before she was forced to leave.

  When she reached down for his member, Fredrick froze and looked up into her eyes, his own searching, as if he could see right through her soul. Avoiding his intent gaze, Scarlet clutched the base of his cock and squeezed hard. There, sir, focus on this. Feeling powerful when he squeezed his eyes tightly and rolled his head side to side, Scarlet raised herself over him then waited.

  This had to be special. This had to last her a lifetime.

  Fredrick opened his eyes.

  Slick with her juices and his saliva, his member glided in effortlessly, despite its thick girth and her tight fit. A hiss left him. She soon echoed him with one of her own. Even better than their forbidden encounter in the tower. Fredrick tried to thrust his hips up, but she raised herself higher than his reach. He groaned his frustration.

  But she didn’t move.

  Despite his fingers digging in her thighs, urging her to rock in cadence with him. Despite his face becoming increasingly tight with frustration. She wouldn’t move.

  Scarlet sat immobile, her gaze fixed to his. This was about control. And he’d been deprived of it for so long. Scarlet felt his agony, the old anger clawing its way to the surface. This was her gift to him. More than mere mating. She would give him back control.

  With a snarl, Fredrick grabbed her waist with one arm while he twisted onto his side then down on his front, trapping her underneath with his greater weight. Staring down at Scarlet, Fredrick stabbed his flesh into hers. The force of his thrust pushed her up by several fingers. Scarlet clawed at his back when he anchored his elbows over her shoulders to keep her from moving up. He stabbed into her again. This time Scarlet didn’t move. A cry of shock and pleasure ripped through her. After planting her heels firmly on either side of his hips, she spread herself wide, pulled and clawed at her own flesh so he’d have better access. His shaft crushed her bud, rubbed mercilessly all the way up, then after a short reprieve while he pulled out, he sank all the way back in again, with fire hot on the heels of his rock-hard cock.

  “Again,” she growled through her teeth, bucking up against him when he pulled back almost all the way out.

  But he didn’t. He was taking control.

  Fredrick stared at her while he remained poised, the tip of his member just barely inside her, just enough to part the throbbing folds and tease her burning pearl. Then he pulled out and sat on his heels.

  “Come to me,” he said, his voice barely above a growl.

  Scarlet sat up then climbed onto her knees. It was all she could do not to grind her sex onto one of her own heels! It was throbbing painfully, demandingly. It needed to be filled.

  With hands both firm and gentle, Fredrick grabbed her shoulders and aimed her at the window. Then he pressed against the back of her neck until she’d taken the hint and gone down onto her hands and knees. Juices slicked her thighs. A whimper escaped her. She wanted him. Now.

  But Fredrick was taking his time. First, he merely caressed her back and cheeks. Then he spread them wider with his thumbs, before giving her engorged lips a tongue-lashing which made her hiss. But he wouldn’t grace her with his cock, wouldn’t sheathe himself into her oh-so-ready flesh.

  Fredrick’s tongue was bringing her passion even higher, satiating her, and she found she could wait a while longer before he thrust himself back in again. When the first tiny ripple began to tingle along her cleft and straight up to her navel, Scarlet arched her backside up and forced her spine into a deep downward curve. Demandingly parting her cheeks with hands close to being rough, Fredrick pushed his tongue into her.

  “Yesss,” Scarlet whispered. She looked up at the moon, at the shadows and dark pits on its surface.

  Then Fredrick entered her.

  Brutally. An incoherent cry tore up her throat. She was forced down onto her chest under the violence of his thrusts. Yet she wouldn’t have changed a thing in the world. Scarlet twisted her head to watch him so deeply gripped in the throes of lust. His eyes were heavenward, staring at the moon out the window. The red of them glowed faintly. A sheen of sweat covered his chest where corded muscles rippled under the white skin.

  Biting her knuckles because she didn’t know how else to vent her pleasure, Scarlet turned toward the window and again welcomed Fredrick’s assault. Each thrust soon brought with it a burning sensation, which spread through her whole body. She wouldn’t be able to endure much longer. Her knees and elbows were raw.

  Fredrick emitted a long cry when he finally reached his climax and finished in an arrhythmic series of shaking thrusts. Wheezing, he leaned over her and kissed the nape of her neck.

  “Thank you,” he breathed in her ear.

  She meant to thank him as well, but couldn’t find her voice. Already, with pleasure receding to pleasant aches, what she had to do loomed over her. Scarlet closed her eyes when he picked her up and carried her to the bed where he gently deposited her. Fredrick lay down by her side, nestled her against his chest.

  “Promise me you’ll be there when I wake.”

  There was such intensity in his voice it broke her heart. Scarlet pretended to be asleep. She could tell him she’d be there come morning, just so he’d sleep peacefully for a change. Scarlet Heerlen was a good liar. But not tonight. Not to Fredrick.

  He didn’t push it and instead pulled the sheet over her shoulders and tucked it under her elbow. Soon, his breathing became deeper, more regular.

  Silent sobs twisted her guts. This would be the hardest thing she’d ever had to do.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Wind picked her hair and threw it about her face when Scarlet stopped just beyond the moat and turned for a last look at the closest thing she’d known to a home.

  She closed her eyes to fully appreciate the journey before her, for today was special—the first hours of the day, the first day of the week, the first week of her new life. Hopefully, it’d be a better one.

  So low, she felt as though she could touch it, the moon seemed swelled with tears. Gritting her teeth against her own, Scarlet clutched the cloak tighter and took to the woods. Dawn would be approaching fast, offering a bit of light to show her the way. Already the sky paled from black to brown and purple. She’d stay within sight of the road, but wouldn’t walk directly on it in case she met someone. Anyone.

  That Lothar had escaped a so richly deserved justice didn’t bother her so much as knowing he could be anywhere. Though she doubted he’d lurk around Innsbruck for fear of being recognized and dragg
ed back to the master to face an array of charges, all of which meant the noose. Surely the man knew what Fredrick would do should he find him on his land. No, she told herself while looking back, what she should mind now were the usual difficulties facing a lone woman traveling by night. A mirthless grin pulled her lips. Typical.

  She stumbled on a root and caught a young tree just in time. In her pocket, her coins tinkled. She’d never had so many. The lady might have been a demon, but she’d kept her word and paid Scarlet handsomely every seventh day. Though she probably intended to get her coins back by getting rid of Scarlet at the first opportunity as she’d done with the other servants before. Scarlet shivered. She’d come close this time, very close.

  Wind whistled plaintively among the ancient trees. Lichen hung in long tatters from limbs as thick as her middle. Smells of moist foliage laced the overpowering scent of earth and made her want to dig through it with her hands. Somewhere a night bird cried its ethereal song.

  Fredrick owned a magnificent land.

  The image of Fredrick sleeping peacefully after their lovemaking warmed her heart. But it brought tears to her eyes just the same. Just as well, for there wouldn’t have been anything for her there. Nothing but heartache. He was a werewolf—a werewolf—and would live for a very long time while she’d grow old and die long before he would. And, he’d be better with a lady of his status and not some street woman to cause gossip and bring contempt to his name.

  Scarlet walked until midday, rested for a few hours during the afternoon then resumed walking after sunset. All she’d had to eat that day was a couple of apples left over from the harvests she’d plucked along the way. These were probably Fredrick’s orchards. Unless she’d already left his land. Monday had come and gone relatively quickly, except now, at night, a time reminding her acutely of him.

  A long shiver presently shook her and she pulled the cloak tighter. A strong gust brought with it traces of autumn. Smells were becoming sharper, the air colder. Leaves had begun to fall.