by H. C. Brown
"I hardly know you, Rio, but yes I like you, I like you a lot."
"That's good, because I'm falling head over heels in love with you, honey," he said and bent to kiss her.
Aria slid into his arms and opened her lips to taste him as he plundered her mouth. He said he loved her, how crazy was that? She pushed her fingers into his silky hair to pull him closer .Their lips molded together and her heart gave a jolt. The sensation of falling into an erotic abyss grew with every stroke of his tongue. Then he groaned into her mouth and she tumbled deeply into an all-consuming need. She wanted him with a passion, needed to be closer, to drink in his delicious scent, to taste his golden skin. Nothing mattered anymore but Rio. When he brushed her nipples with his fingers, she arched her back, needing more, wanting his hands all over her naked body.
He pulled away and she complained then looked into his sultry eyes. He smiled and her heart gave a silly little lurch. Touching his face, she sighed.
"You make me feel very special, Rio. Stay with me tonight."
* * * * *
Rio grinned down at her. After I've bitten you, love will shine in your eyes for me.
"Well that's a start. I'm not planning to leave you alone tonight, Aria, but you need to know the truth about me before I take you to my bed."
"Are you a serial killer or something? Hell, that would be just my luck." Rio pulled her close against his body and relaxed against the head board.
"No, but I've killed both man and beast. I'll start from the beginning. That book you have is a precious relic belonging to my people. I'm a Knight Watch prince, one of the shape-shifters mentioned in the book. Nox is the King of the Faerie."
"So you expect me to believe you can shape-shift into a cat . . . right? And, I'm to consider the millionaire living in the penthouse is the King of the Faerie? He's a man . . . people have seen him. No, I don't believe you, Rio; this is ridiculous. Shape-shifters are demons."
Rio dropped his glamor and turned to her. "Look at my true self, am I a hideous creature, a demon to fear?"
When she ran her fingers up his pointed ears, a rush of emotion went through him. Smiling, he showed her his fangs and watched her eyes widen into jade pools of shock. Her body stiffened under his touch and he sighed and rubbed her arm slowly.
"You're my chosen mate, given to me by the Lady Boda. She wrote the book Aldis took from the Royal library."
"Your mate? Do you mean you want to marry me?"
"Aye, we were destined to be together, Aria. I believe Aldis kidnapped you as a baby from the Fae and used you in an attempt to bring war between the lands of the Five Gates and the Druiks. The Knight Watch and Fae have defeated the Druiks many times and they seek a weapon to use against us. I believe the plan to use you was devised many years ago. They raised you as a Druik and poisoned your mind against us. They used your novels in an attempt to gain the support of the Humans. With the Humans on their side, the Druiks would have revealed Druik Void and shared their technology. With this knowledge they could destroy or enslave the people of the Five Gates and Other World, the land of the Fae."
"Oh my God . . . then it's true?"
Rio ran a finger down her cheek.
"Yes, honey, it's true."
"Now you've discovered I'm involved in this . . . conspiracy, and Aldis is dead . .
. he is dead, isn't he? Why should I believe you, when you say you want me for your wife?"
He moved slowly, lifted her chin and her eyes went wild.
"My orders were to kill you but I don't kill females, Aria. I also believe you were an innocent in Aldis's plans. I want to mark you as my own, honey, and take you home. I'll find your family and if not, I've a huge one to share."
"Are you saying you're planning to drink my blood then bind me for life to Nox, or turn me into a vampire? You forget I've read the book, Rio," Aria replied, her voice shaky.
"My fangs are merely used to inject venom into you, to change you into a Pride female. It's said to be the most wonderful sensation and once changed you'll experience four days of our blissful joining. You'll grow fangs and ears like mine and have the need to bite me."
"Bite you? Good Lord, this just gets better by the second." She spat.
"This isn't something to fear, honey. I've looked for you all my life."
"So that part is true then, the drinking blood and changing? Anything else, Rio?" He nodded slowly and pushed his fingers into her moonbeam curls. She trembled under his touch and he sighed, devastated. "In truth, I am a cat, a black leopard. I can morph at will, but this shouldn't worry you."
"Ah huh . . . not worry me . . . so when you fancy a midnight snack, will I be on the menu?"
Rio bit back a laugh. "No, we don't feast on our own kind. You'll have a cat too; once transformed it will live inside you. Most are quiet creatures; mine only interferes when he desires a female or needs to hunt. I'll teach you how to control your cat, Aria, so you have nothing to fear. I'll take you with me to Dryad—it's a beautiful island—and we'll live in Feltich Castle. Trust your heart and I'll show you paradise."
"You said your cat needs to find females; will you leave me to sleep with other women?"
Leaning in toward her, he kissed her nose and then her cheeks.
"Once we're mated, I'll never desire another female. Although, I believe you may be destined for two males."
Aria pushed her hands against his chest and glared at him. Okay, he had told her the truth and now, God help her, she believed him. Nobody could possibly make that story up spontaneously. She inclined her head. Damn the man was some sort of gorgeous . . . imagine being sandwiched between two like him. The thought, alone, made her pussy wet with desire. She saw Rio's nostrils flare and knew instinctively he had caught the scent of her arousal.
"Ah . . . the thought of two males excites you. This pleases me. For now, I'm afraid you only have me to quench your desire," he drawled, bending to kiss her. The room tilted as he drew her close and when he pushed her bathrobe from her shoulders, she trembled with need. Under his skillful touch, her skin pebbled. He stroked then kissed her neck, her breasts. Inhaling his potent scent, she ran her hands over his shoulders, feeling the flex of his muscles under his shirt, then he bent to kiss each nipple in tormenting slowness. Her breath came in short pants with each pass of his tongue, a hot moist flame across her aching peaks. Moisture pooled in her pussy while he suckled her, sending waves of bliss washing over each hard bud. Needing to feel his skin, she pushed her fingers under his shirt; his flesh burned against her palms. He returned his attention to her mouth, sliding his full lips across hers and making her burn for him. She strained against him, demanding more when he chuckled against her lips and pulled away.
Rio pulled his shirt over his head, discarded his boots and jeans while watching her appreciative gaze travel over his body. Holding her gaze, he slid onto the bed and took her mouth in a blistering kiss. His hand flattened against the small of her back holding her close. She returned the kiss, her sharp nails scoring tracks across his bare shoulders. He groaned, drinking in her sweetness. His tongue claimed her mouth, then returned to feast on her honey tipped breasts. She tasted so sweet and he loved the small noise she made when he ran his fangs across her nipples. A deep purr rumbled through his chest. Gods, he needed to taste her, run his tongue through her folds, and drink the nectar from her pussy. He pushed her down onto the bed and kissed a path down her belly. Stopping at her apex, he ran his tongue over his lips in anticipation. She moved her legs to reveal a peach fuzz pussy, glossy, flushed pink with need. He lifted his head and gazed into her confused eyes. "I'm going to love you; don't be afraid of me, honey."
He locked his gaze on her face and brushed his mouth across her pussy, purring. Then Lady be praised, she opened her legs to allow him to feast on her soaking folds. His tongue found her nub, hard and wanting; he circled it and heard her breath catch. Under his mouth, her body burned, trembled. He drew her clit between his lips and suckled, rushing her to climax. The room sh
ifted, her scent raced through his blood, threatening his control. He crawled up her body, trembling with his own need, and lay between her legs, licking a path up her neck. His cat begged him to bite her. No it's not time yet.
Clutching her hips, he pushed the throbbing head of his cock against her quivering pussy. He smiled when she grasped his shoulders, her eyes deep, sultry, pools of moss passion.
"Lift your legs for me, honey."
Biting the inside of his cheek, he pushed forward. Gods, she was so tight. Her fingernails dug into his skin and her eyes widened. He ground his teeth and slid into bliss. Dear Lady, her body held him in a velvet vice. He moved and her tightness caressed him to the point of instant gratification. Nothing had felt like this before. He drove into her liquid heat and spiraled out of control. His cat roared and he fell forward, grinding into her, relishing her tight pulsating quim. He slid over her, damp skin on velvet, her hard nipples pressing delightfully into his chest. Hell, he could not get enough of her. He thrust deeper in to her silken glove, and she took all of him in writhing passion. Another climax claimed her; Rio heard her mew and her core tightened around his shaft. Shivery pulses of delight pushed him over the edge and he emptied his load in pulsating spurts. Leaning forward, he kissed a path up her throat, found the throbbing pulse and sank in his fangs.
Rio's world erupted, visions, and lights of every hue burned his eyes. Blood, sweet as summer wine, flooded across his tongue. His venom sacs contracted, pumping his essence directly into her veins. He lifted his head to gaze at his mate; she lay so still, but her heart pounded against his chest. Rolling off her, he gathered her to his side. He would have her many times this night and wait for the paradise to come in her bite. Firelight sent patterns across the walls and Rio dozed, until she stirred and slid her small body on top of him, her smile reflecting in the shaft of moonlight piercing the gloom through a crack in the drapes. His shaft rose in anticipation as her scent surrounded him. She kissed him with passion and he lifted her hips and positioned her to take him deep inside her soaking heat. He gripped her small waist and rolled up to meet her every stroke, pinching her hard nipples. She leaned back, grinding her damp body to climax. Watching her beautiful, nubile body move in the glow of the firelight, he continued to buck into her then she fell forward and her mouth closed over his neck. Her teeth closed around his jugular. He called out Aria's name and thanked the Lady. She sucked on his neck and he drove into her until they both shuddered to climax. Rio smiled into the darkness, and drew her closer. Her bite was not what Dare had described to him as an erotic experience; indeed, when she sank her fangs into his neck pain shot through him. Mayhap, she had bitten too soon and her fangs had not fully extended. No matter, her potent scent had engulfed him and sent his cat into rapture. She lifted her beautiful face and her hand slid across his chest.
"I wish we could stay like this forever, until the end of time," she whispered. Her hand left his chest and slid up to encircle his bicep.
A thrill went right to his heart. Rio cupped her chin; her eyes were so close, even in the twilight he could see the pupils dilate in the circle of emerald. His gaze traveled down to her hungry, full mouth, swollen from his kiss. He dragged his eyes back to look at her. Gods, he wanted to have her again. No not yet, she needed to rest; her heart still pounded against his chest and her soft, delicate skin was flushed pink and wet with sweat.
"I want to show you Dryad from the top of the mountain and run with you on the golden sand. I want to see you swell with my cubs and be beside me every time I wake."
His cat purred in agreement. She slid up his body and brushed his mouth with her lips. He closed his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder, lapping at the bite she had inflicted. Her breathing slowed and he knew she had fallen asleep. Rio closed his eyes; by the morning, his venom will have finished her transformation. Gods, he could not wait to see her as a Pride female. Rio's dream centered on Tanz and he woke with a deep feeling of sadness. Would he ever see him again? He nuzzled Aria, and she sighed and cuddled closer to his side, one arm flung across his chest. He gazed at her perfect elfin features; in so many ways she reminded him of Tanz. Those green almond eyes and her peach fuzz skin so reminiscent of the faerie he loved . . . yes, he knew now, he loved Tanz. He reached to push the moonlight curls from the top of her ear and froze. His fingers traced the rounded tip and his heart began to palpitate in panic.
"Aria, honey, wake up. Let me look at you."
"Have I changed, Rio?" she replied, stretched, and opened her jewel-like eyes. Her mouth turned up in a smile . . . a Human smile.
"No."
"But you've bitten me . . . why haven't I changed? And, why are you looking at me like that?" she said, moving away and covering her nakedness with the crumpled sheet.
Rio leapt from the bed, strode to the mirror, and examined his neck carefully. A bruised and bloody bite marked his neck. Not two sharp fangs, but a complete row of teeth—Human teeth. He rested his head on the mirror. Dear Lady, she was still Human. It only took a few hours for a Pride male's venom to work . . . gods, how could he have made such an error? His cat whined, denying any mistake. He looked at her again; gods, her scent made him instantly hard and he loved her with a desperate passion. His cat wanted her and he had nothing to guide him but a female's scent . . . had the Lady denied his claim? Unbearable pain stabbed his heart; he trembled, and fell against the wall.
"Rio, for God's sake, what's wrong with you?"
He rolled his shoulders and turned to look at her beautiful, troubled face. Gods, she was so perfect. Swallowing hard, he met her gaze. "I'm sorry Aria, this was a terrible mistake. I shouldn't have bitten you."
"You said you loved me, what do you mean a mistake?" she replied, her fingers kneading the sheet at her breast.
"I took you when, in truth, I love another. I've disobeyed our Lady's command and she's punished me. My venom is Her gift and should've changed you, but you remain Human. I must return home. You must forget I exist, Aria, or my king will send someone to execute you. Deny all you know about shape-shifters and the Fae . . . save your life."
He watched Aria's fingers bunch up in the crumpled sheets, her beautiful eyes flooding with tears. Her skin had turned stark white and her bottom lip protruded like a scolded infant. He wanted to scoop her into his arms and comfort her, to be with her forever.
"W-who do you l-love, Rio; I've the r-right to know." Her delicate body shuddered with sobs; tears ran unrestrained down her pale cheeks. Rio rubbed both hands over his face. How could this be happening? He loved her, there was no doubt. He wanted to be with her. How could he survive without her, without Tanz? Arious, I beg you, speak to your mate. Tell her I love them both and will have no other.
He waited for an answer to this plea to his god. He looked at Aria but she remained as Human as before.
"I've love in my heart for Tanz, a Fae male, and I believed we were all to be together."
"I w-would be glad of half of your l-love, Rio. I b-beg you to reconsider l-leaving. P-perhaps if you b-bite me again?"
Rio shook his head and reached for his clothes. He dressed quickly, trying to block out Aria's heart rendering sobs. He must leave now, before his will crumpled and he went to her. He pulled the bundle of money from his pocket and placed it on the nightstand. He lifted the Lady's book with reverence and pushed it into his pocket.
"Y-you're paying me off like a . . . c-cheap s-slut? Oh . . . how c-could you d-do this to me . . . l-love you . . . you . . . f-fool."
"I do love you. I bit you because I've never loved any other female, Aria, and I want to be with you . . . but it's not going to happen. I'm forbidden to take a Human through the Gate. If I arrived with you like this, the guard would slaughter you. I won't let that happen, Aria."
"S-stay, p-please, it w-will be o-okay," she sobbed, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the edge of the sheet.
"I don't belong in this world. Even if I could take you to Dryad, it wouldn't be fair when I
find my true mate I'd leave you . . . and you don't deserve that. The Lady has deemed we're not suited so I must continue my search. It's my duty as a Knight Watch prince to seek my true mate and I've no control over the Lady's decision. I ask your forgiveness, Aria . . . please . . . it was never my intention to hurt you. I can't live with your hatred."
"I c-could never h-hate you. This is a t-terrible mistake. I k-know I'm yours, Rio, and I w-will never forget you. If you must leave t-take my love with you and k-know I'll wait f-forever," she replied, wiping the back of her hand over her red-rimmed eyes. Rio took a deep breath and turned to look at her for the last time. Regret stabbed through him. He burned her image into his memory and drank in her intoxicating scent. He would remember her pain every day of his miserable life. He must do his duty and take the book back to Blaise. Then, he would push her into a special place in his mind together with his memory of Tanz. He would take this punishment with his head held high and behave like a Knight Watch prince. He cast the spell to open the Circle of Light and stepped through without looking back.
Chapter Eleven
Aria sobbed and stared at the empty place where Rio last stood. Hunger rolled in her belly but she remained in the bed, hoping he would return to her. Hours had gone by and the weak winter sun had already slipped from view, turning the empty room to shadowy twilight. She moaned, a part of her dying with every second without him. How could this be happening? This pain could not possibly be from a one-night stand. She needed him and the scent of him on the sheets was driving her crazy. Lust thrummed through her entire body; her heart hurt as if a thousand arrows had embedded in her brain. Her soaking pussy throbbed with need.
"You're wrong, Rio," she screamed into the stillness."I can hear the cat in my head . . . I've heard its voice before. I didn't tell you because I thought I was going mad .