by H. C. Brown
"I'll have to take this sheet off and get you into the bath. I will avert my gaze."
"Believe me, I'm past caring, Tanz," she said weakly, her head lolling back against the chair.
Swallowing hard, he lifted her again and carried her into the bathroom. He pulled the sheet from her delicate form and placed her gently into the suds. Oh dear Lady, what has happened to her. Dark bruises covered her back, turning purple and black across her ribs. He let go of her arm and she slipped under the water, too weak to hold herself up. He dashed forward, cursing, and dragged her to her knees; he hung her arms over the edge of the tub. "Hold on, just until I can get my boots off." He ripped off his clothes and slipped into the tub, gathering her against his chest. Her head rested against his shoulder and she began to sob; tremors racked her body.
"Aria, I'm sorry to expose you to my nakedness but I'm frightened you might drown in here alone."
"I g-guess if y-you w-wanted to d-drown me, you h-had your c-chance." Not knowing what to do, he began to wash her as if she were a child, beginning with her hands then slowly up each arm. Her rounded buttocks rested on his thighs, and he caught his breath; her skin, so soft, burned against his flesh. Each light caress of her fingers along his thighs brought a ferocious need, breaking down his control with every tender stroke. She finally stopped trembling and relaxed against him. He let go the breath he had been holding and cast the spell Nox had taught him, to sooth the pain of her Moon Fire. The reaction she gave was immediate, her body unfurled and she stretched her legs. She floated in the deep, fragrant water, her body so light against him, too thin but all Fae and yet this female by all accounts was born Pride. You have a job to do; stop thinking about sex and get on with it.
"Could you hear your cat before Rio bit you?"
"Not all the time. Aldis gave me pills; he said they were to stop the voices, that I had a mental condition. Since I've refused to take them, the voice has gotten worse, and in the past two days, she won't shut up. She tells me you're mine, she tells me Rio is mine—I think she's as confused as I am."
Tanz poured shampoo in his hand and began to massage her hair. She moved forward, allowing him room, one hand clasped tightly on the edge of the black marble tub.
"Hmm, do you recall anything unusual happening around the age of sixteen?" He pulled her back to rinse her hair and she lay stretched out between his legs. Gods, her hair was brushing against his cock. Her breasts poked out of the water like two perfect icebergs, topped with cherry-red nipples. He lifted her and after soaping his hands, washed her neck and slowly allowed his hands to cup her breasts. Oh Lady, her nipples hardened to twin peaks under his touch. She arched her back, her aroused body begging for more.
"The dentist . . . I woke up one morning . . . and my lip was . . . bleeding. Aldis took me . . . to a dentist. He said . . . my teeth were too sharp." She gasped, both hands gripping his thighs
Tanz continued to soap her breasts, swirling his fingers around her nipples. He moved to her flat belly, swirling the suds in small circles and then down between her legs. He heard her moan then she opened her legs for his probing fingers. Slipping his fingers into her pussy, he found her pulsing nub and circled it. Gods, she was so hot, so slippery with need. He pinched her nipple and she pushed against his hand in silent demand. He increased the pressure on her nub and circled her clit slowly. His teeth found her earlobe, he nibbled and sucked. She trembled against him as the first waves of climax claimed her.
"My . . . cat . . . wants . . . to bite . . . you." She gasped, writhing under his hands. Grinding his teeth as his own need pulsed through his body like a hot flame, he stroked her gently and kissed her neck. "No, not yet. You've no fangs to mark me; you must change into the cat. When you morph, you will be Pride again. Morphing heals everything. You'll have fangs and pointed ears, and then I'll be able to take you to Rio. She pulled away and began to cry into her hands, her back racked with sobs. He moaned in distress."Talk to me, Aria, let me help you."
"He d-doesn't want m-me, and even if he d-did, I b-bet this was a test, to s-see if I'd fall into b-bed with you. Are y–you g-going to t-tell him how easy y-you got y-your h-hands on m-me"
"Oh gods, Aria, you're so beautiful I couldn't help myself. Rio would never do such a thing; it almost killed him to walk away from you. He loves both of us and hopes we'll all be together when you become Pride. I can't tell you how much he wanted to come to you. He carries your pain, Aria, as a mate separated from his female. I'm here to help you. The fact we have this attraction is good; it's more than either of us hoped."
"No, he said biting me was a mistake. He made it perfectly clear he didn't want me," she wailed.
Tanz stood, scooping her up with him, and stepped from the tub. His shaft pressed against her slim form, sending messages of impending doom to his brain, if he did not bed her at once. Biting down on the inside of his cheek, he reached for the towel and wrapped her, rubbing her dry.
"I'm attracted to you, Aria. I think with a little time we could build a good relationship. In truth, I'm drawn to you with a strange passion, but I admit I love Rio and have for a long time. He wants you and only you can calm his cat, so if your cat wants both of us, I think that's a good sign."
She turned to look at him then and the sorrow in her eyes made his heart flip. He cupped her face and brushed a kiss across her lips. "You know, the Fae have much less complicated lives . . . we love freely, unless we've chosen a mate for life, which I might add may take five or so hundred years. We, the males, control our child seed, so we can choose when to procreate. We recognize our life mates by falling deeply in love, although scent does have a little to do with it. Rio says we all smell very different and I guess as your arousal sends me crazy, I'm meant to be with you. I want to fall in love with you, Aria; will you give me the chance?"
"How do I know Rio didn't send you to use me like he did? Are you going disappear as soon as you've had enough too?"
"No, we'll take it slow, sweetness. I won't take you to my bed until we're both sure. I'm not going to hurt you, Aria. Who hurt you? Did Rio inflict those bruises?"
"No! He protected me . . . saved my life. It was Aldis, he tried to kill me . . . Rio killed him . . . I think."
Tanz breathed a sigh of relief, wrapped a towel around his waist, and flicked his dripping hair over one shoulder. "Aldis was the Ram? Okay, don't dwell on this now, you'll need to get to bed and rest. I'll light the fire in your room and order some food. Then we can talk some more."
He put one arm around Aria's waist and helped her into the bedroom. She slipped naked between the sheets and he cursed his failing willpower as her nipples peeked over the white sheet. "I'll get you a nightdress."
"Thank you, Tanz; I feel so much better now. You really are a nice guy." Tanz threw some logs on the fire and blasted them with magyck until they glowed orange. Nice guy, humph, if only she knew! If I had a jar of honey, I'd pour it all into every crevice of that nubile body and lick it off.
Chapter Fourteen
Rio paced the courtyard; the warm afternoon sun and fragrant wildflowers growing the entire length of the stables did nothing to ease his mind. It was as if the sun no longer shone for him. He walked inside the gloomy stables, the smell of hay and horse greeting him as he wandered through the dancing dust motes and down the rows of roomy stalls to find his warhorse. The black stallion whinnied in greeting, and Rio stopped to rub the horse's velvet nose. He noticed his new squire, Tom, skulking in the doorway. This male served his mother as a scribe, was twenty summers and under Blaise's orders to stay close. Rio snorted; it angered him the cub he had trained for three years had run home to his father. Gods, as if he would intentionally corrupt the scrawny little nuisance. He could hear Blaise's words repeating in his head.
"You need help, Rio, not a cub. What if you were to fall?" Hell, he had never fallen in his adult life and resented the ban on his returning to Other World until he was in better health. Agreed, the separation pain had buckled him a few times, an
d he was weak after refusing food the past four days but what he needed was information, not pity.
He gave the horse one last rub between the ears before striding out into the sunshine to lean against the rough sandstone wall and take a few deep breaths. The breeze brought the scent of honeysuckle from beyond the castle wall and at his feet red and black butterflies danced around a patch of lavender. He watched their wings fluttering and his knees became weak in sweet memory. Lady's blood, what he would give for a night in Tanz's arms. Mayhap the faerie's presence, in his bed, would bring him peace. Could Tanz take away the pain of losing Aria? No, hell, he craved her, needed her, loved her. His stomach cramped again at the memory of her beautiful face. Her scent had infused his brain, driving him to madness.
Focusing on Tanz to steady himself, he remembered the heat of his body as he slid over his peach fuzz skin. The touch of Tanz's decadent mouth, full and wet, closing deliciously around his shaft, his earthy scent, the deep love in his eyes. He pushed off the wall and took a few unsteady steps toward the castle. When Tom rushed forward and took his arm, he brushed him away and turned on him, fists clenched."Leave me before I push you through the Gate to oblivion."
Tom backed away then turned and ran toward the great hall. Rio grasped the doorframe for support and staggered into the cool darkness of the castle. The wide hallway led to the great hall and bustled with activity. He moved slowly toward the staircase to his quarters. As usual, the servants lowered their eyes. He knew they feared him, feared his magyck. He would scry Aria again and try to contact Tanz; he needed to see them, if only through a mirror.
He took the first two steps up the worn spiral staircase and a hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him. He stiffened and turned slowly, surprised to see Thryll standing behind him."What do you want, whelp?"
"I think we should talk, Rio."
Rio raised a brow and glared at him. "I don't have anything to say to you. I'm not sorry for touching up your mate . . . unless you've decided to share her with me . . . or do you fancy a night with me yourself?"
"No . . . I think I may be able to give you some advice. It wasn't easy for Zandor when we found Beth. Look, I'm not going into details here but I know you need at least one of your mates. You look like hell, Rio."
"You think I don't know that, whelp? I'm dying from grief . . . don't you think that if there was a way to be with them I would? I'm forbidden to leave the castle until this is resolved. Tanz can't leave Aria alone, so what do you suggest I do?"
"I'll explain my plan, but not here, in your rooms," he said, moving up the stairs.
Thryll filled two goblets with Miza and pushed one into Rio's hand. He sat opposite him on the long, comfortable sofa. "Can you draw a Circle of Light to Nox's penthouse?"
"Yes, I can travel with ease to familiar destinations. Other places take very complex magyck and one mistake could send you dimensions apart." Thryll leaned forward in his chair, clasping his hand around the stem of the silver goblet. "Would you trust me with your mate?"
"No." Rio snorted, his face distorted with disgust
"You will when I tell you I find I have no inclination to bed any other female. Since our mating with Elizabeth, not even the fairest female stirs my loins Zandor has requested a night alone with her, and in truth, bedding her while she is so full with our cub is a worry to me. So, I've a free night to watch your mate, if you wish, so that Tanz may be here, with you."
He watched Rio tip his head back and stare at the ceiling. Some minutes passed until he spoke.
"If you leave Zandor alone with Beth, he'll take her down to the Play Room. He's insatiable and has little compassion." He turned his gaze to Thryll and raised a brow.
"Would you trust him with the life of your unborn cub?" Thryll chuckled and refilled his goblet from the jug on the table. "Yes, I know but he's gentle with Elizabeth. When we share her, she becomes exhausted. So this was my idea."
"You play with fire, Thryll, both with Zandor and me. I only sit here and listen to you because I've nothing else to do. You don't have an inkling what an alpha can do to a male such as you, do you? Don't you know why Blaise made you immortal?" Thryll rolled his eyes and leaned back in the chair, twisting the stem of the goblet between his fingers."Aye, I know, but you don't know me as well as you think you do, Rio. My strength is in my compassion, and in my knowledge that neither you, nor Zandor, will kill me. I've had quite a lot of experience dealing with alphas and trust me, living with Zandor isn't easy; he's more bear than cat."
"So why come to me offering to watch over my mate? You know she's in Moon Fire, so, don't you think that's rather stupid? I can't believe it, to be honest . . . the very thought of you within a breath of her makes my blood boil." Taking a few steadying sips from the goblet, Thryll leveled his gaze on Rio's angry face."I felt the same when you were kissing Elizabeth . . . all reason fled in a blind rage. You know, she's a very intelligent female. She knew you wanted Zandor to kill you and screamed at Blaise to stop the fight. I'm guessing you didn't know that. It was her suggestion I come to you. She insists I forgive you for touching her and I should do this for you, because you need help. Rio, Elizabeth understands the pain you and Aria are suffering as she went through much the same. Nox helped her through it. We didn't suffer at all because she'd already given us her venom and we had each other.
"I wouldn't normally discuss this, but she ran from us. I was a besotted fool when Zandor declared his love and bit me. We were lost in each other and neglected Elizabeth. By the time we found her she'd decided to leave us and go to Other World with Nox."
"So you had each other and turned your backs on Elizabeth . . . turned your back on the Lady's most precious gift . . . and you want me to trust you with my mate?" Rio scoffed.
"You're suffering; you need Tanz even if it's only for one night . . . let me do this for you, Rio."
"You know, if I agree to this and discover you've touched Aria . . . I'll kill you. I was only playing with you last time," Rio said, his eyes flashing to amber. Thryll finished his drink and leveled his gaze on Rio. "I won't touch her, you have my word."
"When can you leave?"Rio gave him a slow smile, his eyes dancing.
"Tonight, after dinner. You should morph and eat, Rio, to keep up your strength. When Aria is returned you'll be responsible to satisfy her Moon Fire." He got to his feet and placed the goblet on the table. "I'll have the kitchen send you up a tray."
Chapter Fifteen
Tanz pushed Aria's moonbeam curls under the red woolen hat and grinned at her. After finishing a huge meal in the hotel restaurant, they decided on the spur of the moment to go and play in the snow. "Stand still, you minx." He leaned to kiss the tip of her nose, then took her hand and led the way through the hotel foyer to the revolving glass door. Outside, a blustering, icy wind cut into his cheeks as he blinked away the heavy snowfall. The powdery white blanket had blown into huge drifts, causing the traffic on the road outside the hotel to crawl to an impatient halt. They giggled as they slipped and slid along the sidewalk, arm in arm, slowing occasionally to browse the colorful shop windows. All around them, beneath the damp, waving street decorations, the high street buzzed with activity. Humans bustled along, carrying great bags or pushing cubs piled with blankets inside small vehicles on wheels. They turned the corner and waded through knee-high drifts, following a backstreet that led to a park.
Tanz stopped as a wide expanse of untouched snow came into view. Snow never fell in Other World but he had seen snow before. Not like this, though, so pristine. He looked out across the sparkling parkland; the tall pines, holly and chestnut stood as if coated in sugar frosting. So like Other World's crystal mountains. The sight made his mouth water with the delicious memory of his mother's sugared plums and marzipan fondant.
Aria danced away, giggling, and bent to scoop up handfuls of snow and pack them into balls. He watched her curiously and then ducked, weaving away as she aimed the white missile at him. One splattered on the side of his head. He drew in a d
eep, freezing breath and laughed. Steam rushed from his mouth in great white clouds, the sound of his mirth breaking the stillness. He lifted snow by magyck and hurled it; she ducked away, screaming with laughter. She moved low to the ground, showing her cat-like agility, aimed, and caught him full on the chest.
"Oh, so you think that's funny, do you."
She turned and ran up a mound and disappeared over the top, screeching with laughter. He gave chase. Topping the slippery rise, he looked around, grinning. She sprang out at him and he lost his balance. He grabbed for her and they fell, rolling over and over through the soft snow, wrapped in each other's arms. He landed at the bottom of the hill, on top of her, their faces nose to nose. Her body heaved beneath him, her breath hot on his cold cheeks. He looked into her eyes and a deep longing consumed him. "You are so beautiful. Gods Aria, I love you." Bending his head, he took her willing mouth, hot and wet. She pushed her cold hands into his hair to pull him closer and nibbled on his bottom lip.
"I love you too," she said, kissing a path across his chin. He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes, the pupils so dilated only a slither of green remained. Pushing away from her, he smiled at her moan of disappointment.
"I'm freezing. Let's go back to the hotel and have a nice hot bath. I think Nox left some Miza, it's a great wine . . . for romance."
Tanz pulled her to her feet and kissed her before taking her arm and pushing through the snow back to the hotel. He grinned at her. These past four days, Aria had learned a lot about the Fae and more importantly, about shape-shifters. Teaching her to control her cat, at first, caused problems and she still lacked the confidence to give in and morph. He knew she trusted him and they had grown closer every day. It had been difficult keeping his distance; he ached every minute they spent together. No longer; tonight, she's mine.
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