Just when she could stand no more, her body burst in a thousand convulsions of pleasure. "Oh, Julian!" she screamed, arching her body even more against his. "Oh, yes!"
He drove himself to the hilt and froze as she quivered around him.
When Grace opened her eyes, she met his devilish smile. "Liked that, did you?" he asked, dimples flashing as he rotated his hips and gave her one luscious caress deep inside her. It took all her strength not to moan at the sensation. "It was okay."
"Okay?" he said with a laugh. "I guess I'll just have to keep trying."
He rolled over with her, slowly lest he be forced out of her. Grace moaned as she found herself on top of him. He reached up and pulled the ribbon in the center of her breasts. The tiny nightie fell open.
The look of pure rapture on his face pleased her even more than the feel of him deep Dark Hunter Series (1) – Fantasy Lover – Sherrilyn Kenyon Page 320 of 340
within her. Smiling, she lifted her hips, then impaled herself more deeply upon him.
She felt him quake all around her. "Like that, do you?”
“It was okay." But his ragged voice betrayed his nonchalant tone. She laughed.
Julian lifted his hips then, driving himself even deeper into her. She hissed in pleasure as he filled her. The sleek power, the hard feel of him. And she wanted more. She wanted to see his face when he climaxed. She wanted to know that she had given him what he hadn't experienced since time immemorial.
"You know, we're going to be exhausted by the time morning arrives if we don't slow down," he said.
"I don't mind.”
“You'll be sore.”
She stroked him with her body. "So?”
"In that case
" He ran his hand slowly down her body, to her navel, then lower through her moist curls until he found her nub. Grace bit her lip as his fingers toyed with her in a perfect rhythm to match the thrust of his hips. Faster and faster he went, harder and deeper.
Julian placed his hands against her waist, helping her to maintain their frantic pace.
How he wished he could withdraw from her long enough to show her a few more positions. But this was all they were allowed.
For now.
But come morning
He smiled at the prospect. Come the morning, he intended to show her a whole new use for the Reddi-wip.
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Grace lost track of time as they stroked each other's bodies, and reveled in each other's company. She felt the room spin around her as she surrendered herself to his expert touch. To the wonderful feel of her love for him.
They were both drenched with sweat, but still they savored each other, delighting in the passion they could finally share. This time when she came, she sprawled on top of him. His laugh echoed around her as he ran his hands over her back, her hips, then down her legs. Grace shivered.
Julian delighted in the feel of her naked body lying prone against his. Her breasts were flat against his chest. His love for her welled up inside him.
"I could lie like this forever," he breathed.
"Me, too.”
He wrapped his arms about her and held her close. He could feel her touches slowing down, her breath becoming smooth and steady. Within a few minutes, she was sound asleep. Kissing the top of her head, he smiled as he made sure he kept himself inside her. "Sleep, precious Grace," he whispered. "It's a long time until morning.”
Grace came awake to the feel of something warm and full inside her. As she started to move, she felt arms as strong as steel hold her still.
"Careful," Julian said. "Don't force me out of you.”
“I went to sleep?" she gasped, amazed she could have done such a thing.
"It's all right. You didn't miss anything.”
“No?" she asked, wiggling her hips against his to stroke his body with hers. He laughed. "Well, okay, you did miss a few things.”
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Grace leaned up to look down at him. She dragged her finger along the stubble on his cheek. As she traced his lips, he nipped her finger with his teeth. Suddenly, he sat up beneath her, holding her in his lap.
"Ooo, nice," she said as she wrapped her legs about his waist.
"Uh-huh," he agreed as he rocked his hips against hers.
Lowering his head, he took her breast into his mouth. His tongue toyed with her taut nipple, circling it in a torturous pattern before he blew one long, hot breath across it.
She shivered.
He moved to her other breast. Grace cupped his head to her, delighting in his touch.
Until she saw that the sky was lightening.
"Julian!" she breathed. "It's almost dawn.”
"I know," he said, laying her back on the bed. She looked up at him as he held himself above her and continued to thrust his hips against hers.
Julian stared at her in wonderment. The feel of her warmth, her love. She had reached him in ways he'd never thought possible. And she had touched him where he had never been touched before. Deep within his heart.
Suddenly he wanted more. Desperate for her, he rocked his hips against hers. He had to have more of her. Grace wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder as he quickened his thrusts. Harder and faster he went until she was breathless from the frantic pace.
Again, sweat covered them both. She ran her tongue over his neck, delighting in the hiss he let out. Still he filled her, over and over, until she couldn't stand it. She sank her teeth into his shoulder as her release came fast and furious. He didn't slow down as she lay back.
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Reaching up, she cupped his face in her hands and watched his pleasure. Julian bit his lower lip and moved faster, driving her pleasure on, even deeper than it had been before.
And just as the first rays of sunlight shone through the window she heard Julian growl low in his throat as he closed his eyes. With one hard, deep thrust, she felt him shudder all around her as he spilled his release within her.
Julian couldn't breathe as his head swam in pure, unadulterated bliss. He shook from the force of his orgasm. His entire body ached, and yet he'd never known such pleasure. He was weak from the night, weak from her touch.
And the curse was over. He lifted his head to see Grace smiling up at him.
"Is it done?" she asked.
Before he could answer, he felt a tremendous burning on his arm. Hissing, he pulled back from her and covered the burn with his other hand.
"What is it?" Grace asked as he withdrew from her.
She watched, stunned, as an orange glow encompassed his arm. When he let go, the ancient Greek words were gone.
"It's over," she breathed. "We did it.”
The smile faded from his face. "No," Julian said, trailing his fingers along her cheek.
"You did it."
Laughing, she threw herself into his arms. Julian held her tight as they rained kisses on each other. It was over! He was free. Finally, after all this time, he was a mortal man again.
And it was Grace who had done it. Her faith and strength had seen him through. She Dark Hunter Series (1) – Fantasy Lover – Sherrilyn Kenyon Page 324 of 340
had saved him. Grace laughed again as she rolled him over in the bed. But her relief was short-lived as another, even brighter flash filled the room.
Her laughter dying instantly, Grace felt a malevolent presence even before Julian tensed in her arms. Sitting up in the bed, Julian forced her back, placing himself between her and the handsome man standing at the foot of the bed.
Grace gulped when she saw the tall, dark-haired man who glared at them as if he could kill them where they lay.
“You bastard upstart!" the man snarled. "How dare you think to be free. “
In an instant, she knew he must be Priapus.
"Let it go, Priapus,"
Julian said with a warning note in his voice. "It's over and done with." Priapus snorted. "You think to command me? Who do you think you are, mortal?”
Julian smiled evilly. "I am Julian of Macedon, born of the House of Diokles of Sparta and of the goddess Aphrodite. I am the champion of Greece, Macedonia, Thebes, Punjab, and Conjara. Known as Augustus Julius Punitor to my enemies who quaked in terror at my presence. And you, my brother, are a lesser known god who meant nothing to the Greeks, and only slightly more to the Romans.”
Hell's wrath burned across Priapus's face. "It's time you learned your place, little brother. You took from me the woman who was going to sire my sons to lead my name into memoriam. Now I take yours.”
Julian launched himself at Priapus, but it was too late. He had already vanished with Grace.
Chapter 17
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One moment, Grace was naked in her bedroom with Julian, and in the next, she was lying oh a round bed in a room that reminded her of a harem tent. Her body was covered in a deep red silk wrap that was so soft and delicate it felt like water sliding over her skin.
She tried to move, but couldn't. Terrified, she opened her mouth to scream.
"Don't bother," Priapus told her as he approached the bed. He ran a hungry look over her body before he climbed onto the mattress and positioned himself on his knees beside her. "You can't do anything unless I will it.”
He ran one long, cold finger down her cheek as if testing her skin's texture and temperature. "I can see why Julian wants you. You have fire in your gaze.
Intelligence. Bravery. It's a pity you weren't born during the time of Rome. You could have given me champions to lead my armies.”
He sighed as he ran his hand down the center of her throat. "But such is life, and the whims of the Fates. I suppose I'll just have to content myself with using you until I grow tired. If you please me until then, I might let Julian have you back. Provided of course, he still wants you after my children have stretched out your body.”
His eyes burned with hunger. And Grace trembled at his look. She couldn't believe Priapus's selfishness. His vanity. Terrified, she wanted to speak, but he kept her from it. Dear heaven, he had complete power over her!
An unseen force pushed her up, setting her back against the pillows as Priapus doffed his robe.
Grace's eyes widened at the sight of his nudity and his erection. Another wave of fear washed over her. "You may speak, now," he said as he moved to recline by her side.
"Why do you want to do this to Julian?”
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His gaze darkened in anger. "Why? You heard him. His name was revered by everyone who heard it, while my name was seldom spoken aloud even in my mother's temples. Even now, I am mocked. My name is all but lost to antiquity while his legend is told and retold around the world. Yet I am a god and he is nothing but a bastard seed not even fit to inhabit Olympus.”
"Get your hands off her, you worthless footnote. You're not fit to wipe her shoes.”
Grace's heart pounded at the sound of Julian's voice. Raising her head from the pillows, she saw him standing below the dais where they were. He stood in the center of the room wearing nothing but jeans and holding his sword and shield.
"How?" Priapus demanded as he left the bed.
Julian smiled evilly. "The curse is lifted. My powers are returning. I can now track and summon all of you."
"No!" Priapus shrieked. Instantly, his body was covered in armor. Grace fought against the force that held her as Priapus grabbed a sword and shield from the wall above her head and attacked Julian.
Mesmerized by the spectacle, she watched as brother fought brother. Never had she seen anything like it. Julian whirled gracefully in a macabre dance as he met his brother fierce blow for fierce blow. The floor and bed shook from the intensity of their battle.
No wonder Julian had become a legend. But after a few minutes, she saw Julian stagger. He lowered his shield.
"What's the matter?" Priapus taunted, using his shield to press Julian back. "Oh, I forgot. The curse may be gone, but you're still drained from it. It will take days before you reach your full strength again.”
Julian shook his head and raised his shield higher. "I don't need my full strength to Dark Hunter Series (1) – Fantasy Lover – Sherrilyn Kenyon Page 327 of 340
beat you." Priapus laughed."Brave words, little brother.”
He brought his sword down across Julian's shield. Grace held her breath as they began hammering blows again.
Then, just as she was sure Julian would win, Priapus tricked him into overextending his reach. As soon as Julian's side was unprotected, Priapus brought his sword up, and sank it into Julian's stomach. Julian dropped his sword.
"No!" Grace screamed in horror.
His face a mask of disbelief, Julian staggered back, but couldn't go far with the sword still in Priapus's hand, and now in his side.
"You're human again," Priapus sneered as he twisted the sword. He lifted his foot to Julian's hip and kicked him back.
Free of the sword's blade, Julian staggered, then fell to the floor. His shield clattered loudly as it hit the ground next to him. Priapus was actually smiling as he stood over Julian. "You may not be able to die by mortal weapons, little brother, but you can die by immortal ones.”
The force holding Grace released her. As fast as she could, she ran across the room to where Julian lay on the floor, covered in blood. His breathing came in short, sharp gasps as his entire body shook.
"No!" Grace sobbed, pulling Julian's head into her lap. Horrified, she stared at the gaping wound in his bare side.
"My precious Grace," Julian said as he reached one bloodied hand up to touch her cheek.
She wiped the blood from his lips. "Don't leave me, Julian," she begged.
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He winced in pain. Dropping his hand, he struggled to breathe. "Don't cry for me, Grace. I'm not worth it.”
"Yes you are!”
He shook his head as he held her hand tightly in his. "You are my saving Grace.
Without you, I would never have known love." He swallowed and moved her hand to his heart. "And I would never have known me again.”
She watched as the light faded from his eyes. "No!" she screamed again, cradling his head to her breast.
"No, no, no! You can't die. Not like this. Do you hear me, Julian! You can't leave me.
Please, please don't go. Please!”
Grace held him tight as she wept out the agony in her heart, her soul.
"No!" The fierce scream echoed through the room and shook it.
Grace saw Priapus actually pale at the sound. A clap of thunder sounded and, in a brilliant flash of white light, Aphrodite appeared in front of her. The agony on the goddess's face was indescribable as she looked down at Julian's cold, pale body.
Her blue eyes filled with disbelief, Aphrodite glared at Priapus. "What have you done?" she asked him.
"It was a fair fight, Mother. Me or him. I had no choice.”
Aphrodite let out an agonized scream that came straight from her heart. "I invoked the wrath of Zeus and the Fates to give him his freedom. Who the hell do you think you are to do this?" She looked at Priapus as if he made her ill. "He was your brother!”
“He was your bastard son, but never my brother."
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Aphrodite shrieked in rage. "How dare you!”
When the goddess turned her gaze back to Julian, Grace saw the grief on her face.
"My precious Julian," Aphrodite wept. "I should never have let them hurt you. Sweet Cyprus, what have I done with my selfishness?"
She fell to her knees by his side. "I left you alone when I should have protected you.”
“Oh, give it a r
est, Mother," Priapus said as if bored by his mother's pain.”Julian knew what all of us have known since the dawn of time. You think only of yourself, and what we should be doing for you. It's who you are. Unlike Julian, the rest of us learned to accept it aeons ago.”
Aphrodite didn't take those words well. In fact, her face turned to granite as she rose to her feet with all the dignity and grace one would expect of a goddess.
She arched a brow at Priapus. "You said it was a fair fight? Well, let's have one, shall we? Thanatos has yet to claim Julian's soul. It is not yet too late to save him. All I need do is start his heart.”
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