Claimed

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Emma wanted to deny the statement but couldn’t. The king understood her better than she thought. “I don’t want to hurt your brother.”

  “You think that’s why I’m mad? Really?” Dage’s voice lowered to a timber promising retribution. “I’m angry you don’t trust me to take care of things. Don’t trust me with the truth.”

  Furious was an understatement. If she’d ever believed Dage anything close to human, the thought was dispelled in that moment. Fire glinted through the silver in his eyes and a nearly amber energy crackled along his bare arms. Instinct set in, and she eyed the door. Time to run.

  “You won’t make it.” The set of his chin and lift of his brow dared her to try. His expression promised louder than any words that he wanted to chase her down.

  “You haven’t trusted me, either.” She spoke softly. While she’d rather toss something at his stubborn-ass head, survival instinct kicked in as she faced the animal inside the king. “I understand your anger.”

  He chuckled. Deep and without any humor. “You don’t understand a damn thing. That ends this second.”

  Emma nodded, fighting a catch in her throat, in her heart. He’d leave now.

  His head shot up and pure fire swirled through those immortal eyes. “Leave? You think this is over, love?” Anger punctuated each syllable. “No. This actually starts now.”

  She took a step backward, for the first time in her life lacking the right words. The force before her stole any logic she may own. “I don’t understand.”

  His lids half closed, power filling the oxygen in the room. “You will.”

  Chapter 28

  Emma’s next step back put her flush against the cool rock wall. The pulse of the earth surrounded her in the underground haven. It was no longer soothing, as if mother earth was clearly on Dage’s side.

  A sudden thought occurred to Emma, and she focused her breathing.

  “No.” Dage waved a hand and the air began to swirl around her. “You teleported yesterday. It’s too early to do it again.” His jaw set into granite, a muscle ticked along the powerful cords of his neck.

  What the hell did he know? Emma drew up power from inside herself and began to concentrate. Her feet stuck to the floor as if bound by weights. “Hey.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “I said, no.”

  She struggled to move her feet but they remained in place. “Let me go.”

  “No.”

  Son of a bitch. She gave him her best glare and instantly yanked the shields up around her thoughts.

  A piercing pain shot through her mind. Those shields shattered. She widened her eyes on Dage and gasped, fury ripping through her body. The brand on her shoulder began to burn.

  “No more shields.” He drew in a deep breath, lowering his chin, his gaze hard. “Any other new tricks you want to try?”

  She set her shoulders, inhaling through her nose. Narrowing her gaze on those sparking eyes, she focused all her power into his mind. His rage and pain had her lifting her head, even as she attacked his mental shields.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Be careful what you ask for, love.” His shields disappeared. He laid bare his mind, his heart, his soul.

  Agony and loss slammed into her as the lab exploded, as she experienced the raw pain that had ripped through the king when he’d thought her dead. The desperation, the destruction, and the thirst for vengeance. He let her feel it all.

  A force within him sucked her deep—into his soul. She wasn’t the only one who had been shielding. Raw, pure power lay at the center of the king’s being. Untapped. Dangerous. Absolute. Not even his brothers knew of the competing forces within him.

  Emma yanked free. “What are you?”

  “Your mate.”

  Disbelief had her shaking her head. “You could’ve destroyed the entire world.”

  “What makes you think I wouldn’t have?” He raised an eyebrow. “That I still won’t?”

  Because at the core of that incredible soul lay pure good. Dangerous. But good. “Because I know you.” Complete certainty filled her for a moment. She did know him. In fact, her place existed right beside him.

  “Yes. You give me a balance I’ve so far lacked.”

  A balance he needed. A trembling set up along her spine. He’d never let her go.

  “Never.” No question, no hesitation, no doubt. Politically as incorrect as possible. But the truth. His gaze met hers and held.

  No one was going to dictate her life. Not even him. Lowering her chin, she focused every molecule of her thought into Dage. Into taking his power for her own.

  He stepped forward, twisted one hand in the front of her shirt and tugged, ripping it down the back. “Keep trying.” The soft cotton swished to the floor.

  She focused harder, a tingling spreading across her skin as she met with success.

  Her jeans disappeared. Not ripped, not removed, just ... disappeared. “Careful, love. Take too much and it’ll bite you.” His fangs dropped low with the words.

  More power burst into her, and she mentally tossed his shirt away. It flew across the room. Desire rose hard and fast, her breasts pebbling against her simple cotton bra. “More.”

  “Take all you want.” He flicked open the bra’s front clasp, his gaze heating her nipples to a degree that had her stifling a moan. He dropped to one knee, his fangs shredding the cotton panties into pieces to fall harmlessly to the floor.

  She drew more power and then tried to use it. He’d frozen her more than once, and she tried to still the king’s limbs. He placed one gentle kiss against her mound and then stood, cocking his head to the side. Both hands went to his jeans and he released the zipper, kicking out of them and standing hard and ready before her. “Try again?”

  She set her jaw and focused hard. Let’s see how the king liked being helpless.

  His smile was more of a snarl. A gust of wind tossed her hair around her face. The rock wall warmed behind her. Lights flickered and spiced peaches filled the space. She shook her head. “How are you doing these things?”

  “I’m within the earth, not on it.” Dage flicked a glance to her left hand, which rose to rest against the rock wall next to her head.

  Damn it. She struggled to lower her arm. It remained in place, her knuckles firm against the hard rock wall. Her other hand followed suit, palm out. “What are you doing?” Her voice came out way too husky. Vulnerability sped up her heart beat.

  He shrugged, only the pounding vein in his neck showing he was still pissed. “I’m trying to put this into a framework you understand. Scientific experimentation, if you will.”

  “Let me go.” Desire flushed through her.

  He lifted his head to scent the air. “You don’t want me to.”

  Her mind wanted him to.

  He smiled. “I’ve tried logic and reason. I’ve tried understanding and patience. I’m done.”

  Soft flames began licking across her skin until every nerve ending screamed for release. Then cold air. She began to tremble with need and clutched her jaw shut to keep from begging.

  “Oh, you’ll beg.” The arrogant vow accompanied more heat starting at her toes and spreading up her legs. “Soon you’ll promise anything I want. Anything I demand.”

  A dark flush covered his high cheekbones, and his eyes swirled with too many colors to count. Dage focused on her neck until she could actually feel his mouth on her. But he stood a foot away. “Come.”

  The orgasm ripped through her with a force she couldn’t have imagined. She cried out, her fingers curling to dig nails into her palms while her wrists remained captive against the wall. She closed her eyes against the intensity, the waves of pleasure tearing her away from reality for a moment.

  Dazed, she opened her eyes on him. Temper roared through her again. “You’ll pay for this.” Even on the heels of the orgasm, she wanted him. A hollowness echoed through her only he could fill.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Not ready to beg? Well ...”

  A sweep of his hand thr
ough harmless air had a stirring warmth begin under her skin, under her bones to sweep out through every pore. Her nipples pebbled into sharp points of pain. She fought to move. To leap forward and take him to the ground.

  The wall turned to ice behind her, the contrast to her heated flesh forcing a whimper through her clenched lips.

  “Ah, now that’s a pretty sound.” Dage stepped forward and dropped his mouth to her neck, running his tongue lightly down to her collarbone. His hands remained at his side. “Do it again.” He nipped.

  Another whimper escaped against her will. Sandalwood and power tempted her nostrils and she breathed in deep.

  One fang flirted with her earlobe. “I love you, Emma. But I’ll be damned if your actions will put you in danger again.” He lifted his head, his gaze deadly serious, a rock hard erection pressed against her hip.

  She struggled to focus. “You have no choice in my actions, Dage.”

  He smiled and her heart thumped hard. He inhaled deep. “Come.”

  The climax hummed at her core and exploded through her skin, through her nerves until she screamed his name. Pleasure edged with pain while her breath caught in her throat. She plateaued and her lungs expelled all oxygen.

  And yet, she craved. “Damn you.”

  “Ready to beg?”

  Not if the hounds of hell nipped at her ankles.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  His broad hands cupped her breasts and he tugged, rolling both nipples between his fingers. She gasped, her knees began to tremble, and a desperate ache set up in her womb. Her nails bit into her palms, and she fought to keep from moaning.

  He lightly pinched and she lost the fight, a low moan escaping from deep within her. His smile combined arrogance and need. His gaze captured hers while his hand slowly slid down her body to tap three fingers against her clit. Hard.

  Her knees buckled. He grasped her waist with one hand to keep her upright. He leaned in, his breath hot on her temple, two fingers slowly entering her. “Emma?”

  “What?” she gasped, her eyes fluttering closed.

  “Your hands have been free for several minutes.”

  Damn it. She dropped them to his shoulders, clutching into his heated skin with all of her might. She began to ride his fingers, no longer caring about anger. Or fear. There was only need.

  She moaned, increasing the friction. So close.

  “No.” He released her, both hands going to her shoulders. He pressed down, applying pressure until her knees reached the floor. Her skin rested against hard stone as she knelt before the king, his muscles bunched, his hands clutching her hair to free her face.

  His stance widened. “Open your mouth.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. The dark command sent a spark of intrigue through her she’d certainly deny later. His hands tightened and erotic sprinkles of pain cascaded along her scalp.

  He wasn’t playing.

  His erection jutted out hard and demanding. She inhaled the musky scent of male. Licking her lips, she didn’t protest when he pressed forward, pushing his cock past her lips, into the heat of her mouth.

  They both groaned deep.

  She smiled around him and hummed low, enjoying the power. They’d see who begged.

  He chuckled deep. “Oh, you’ll still be the one begging, Highness.” Desire dropped his tone to a husky growl that made her clit ache even more.

  She clutched one hand into the front of his muscled thigh, while the other cupped his balls. Her fingers playing, she increased her movements, slowly taking him deeper and increasing her speed.

  His breath panted out and his hands began to direct her movements, encouraging her to take him even deeper. She breathed out through her nose, the king’s pleasure wafting over her.

  With a low growl, he jerked her to her feet.

  “Wait,” she protested, not even close to being finished.

  “Later.” His head descended and his mouth took hers, kissing her with a demand that echoed within her own heart. He grabbed her hands and put them beside her head just where they’d been earlier, his knee sliding between her legs to press up.

  Oh God. His erection throbbed long and hard against her stomach and she wanted him inside her. Now.

  His hard chest flattened her breasts, his mouth devouring her. He lifted her by the waist, carrying her to the kitchen table, his mouth still claiming. The hard oak slapped against her ass when he sat her down. He lifted his head.

  A primitive desire lit his eyes, and his need slammed into her. She grabbed his hair and tugged him down to her, kissing him even as she lay back on the table with her legs dangling over the edge. “Now, Dage. Now.”

  He lifted his head and balanced on his elbows, those dangerous eyes holding hers. Slowly, ever so slowly, he slid inside her, giving a hard shove halfway to fill her completely. Then he stopped.

  She clutched at his shoulders, wrapping her legs around his waist. He wasn’t going anywhere.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Come.”

  The orgasm whipped into her, waves beginning to cascade out through her skin.

  “Stop.”

  The climax halted. “No.” Her legs clutched him harder, her fingernails digging into his fierce biceps. “No. Please ...” A frantic, desperate need had her seeing stars.

  He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear. “Beg.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she struggled against him, struggled to get him moving. She craved.

  Determined silver eyes met hers. She gulped in breath. “Please, Dage, please ...”

  He gave a short nod. “Feel this, Emma. Remember it.” Digging his fingers into her hip, he pulled out, then thrust in, setting up a cadence that reached her soul. He pounded for several moments, sweat dripping off his chest, his body bound tight and keeping her on the edge. Finally, his fangs flashed bright and strong and he licked her neck. “Now.”

  The force that whipped through her had her back bowing and her voice shrieking his name, surpassing anything human. Her release cascaded through her, and his fangs pierced her neck.

  Chapter 29

  Emma slowly opened her eyes, her entire body loose and relaxed in the big bed. She inhaled the scent of sandalwood and snuggled her nose into Dage’s hard chest. She felt totally relaxed.

  Her wrist caught on the pillow. Or rather, the intricate golden cuff manacling her wrist caught on the pillow. Dage’s cuff. She frowned, trying to yank the ancient jewelry off. When the hell had he put this on her? The band didn’t move. With a sigh, she glanced at the king.

  He breathed evenly next to her. Even kings needed rest. She fought a yawn and closed her eyes, letting peace waft over her. She’d argue about the cuff later.

  Dage growled low.

  Emma frowned, opening her mind to him. Pain. Agony. So much hurt. She gasped, fighting to draw in air, and anger surged. He’d held back. As devastated as she’d seen him while reliving the moment he thought she’d died, he’d held some of the pain back. Protecting her.

  In his dreams, he failed to shield. She could feel every desperate thought to the second when he decided to die too.

  Without her, life stopped.

  The king ended.

  The man perished.

  Tears pricked her eyes. Responsibility straightened her spine. She’d protect the king. She’d cherish the man. And if she needed to keep herself safe to do so, she would.

  Cara and Janie had Talen now. Emma would always be there for them, but the king needed her more. She’d keep him safe.

  She placed her hand flat against his heart. Hers.

  The phone buzzed and he rumbled awake, flipping the lid open. “What?”

  Emma smiled. What a grouch.

  He sat up in bed, tugging her into his side. “What do you think? No. I can keep them here if I choose.” Quiet reigned while he listened to the caller. “Okay. We’ll be ready in thirty minutes.” The phone snapped shut, and Dage rolled her onto her back to nip at her bottom lip. “I’d hoped to go for
round two, love.”

  Emma stretched against him. “Not sure I’m up to more, King.”

  He smiled, his hair falling over his face and giving him a roguish look. “I bet I could change your mind.”

  “I’m sure you could.” She cradled his enduring face in her hands. “I love you, Dage. I’ll stay safe, I promise.”

  He gave a short nod, his eyes warming. “I love you, too, and I’ll keep you safe as well.”

  She huffed out a breath. “Then I’ll keep you safe, too.”

  “Deal.” He rolled over and tugged her to straddle him, her bare butt perched on his hard abs. “Ah, I owe you an apology.”

  She stretched like a satisfied cat. “The sex was amazing, Dage. No apology.”

  A lethal grin lit his face. “Not for the sex, love. Trust goes both ways. If I’d given you mine, you wouldn’t have hidden rather important information from me.”

  She warmed from her heart to her toes. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I’m stronger with you by my side rather than safely kept in a box.” His silver eyes twinkled. “Not that you’d ever stay in a box.”

  “I won’t let you down.”

  “I know. You’re strong and smart, and frankly, I could use your support.” He brushed a curl off her cheek. “So I was thinking.”

  She fought a snort. “Probably a frightening prospect for me.” Her nails raked down the strong planes of his chest. Damn if she didn’t love the way his eyes shot blue through the silver from her touch. His grin warmed her heart even as his body heated her thighs.

  “True.” He stretched a long arm and yanked open a drawer of the bed table to remove a worn velvet box. He placed it on his chest, flipping open the lid. “Marry me.”

  She gasped. At least four karats of sapphire sparkled, surrounded by the clearest of diamonds. “It’s beautiful.”

  He removed the ring and clasped her left hand to slide the cool metal on her ring finger. The fit was perfect. Raising an eyebrow, the king waited.

  Lifting her gaze from the amazing jewels, she met his pure blue gaze, which more than rivaled the beautiful ring. “Yes.” Not that he’d actually phrased the proposal as a question. But still the correct response. The one she needed to say.