Kiss of the Sun

by Racheal Pierce

  "You tempt the Vampire King, Rosalind,” he informed her. With more speed than Rosalind could comprehend, Darius unwrapped himself from her body and flipped her slim figure onto her stomach. He drew her legs up so that she was on her knees with her chest to the bed.

  A very submissive position.

  "I tempt you!"

  He licked the inside of her ear. Her body could not help but tremble. “One and the same.” It was time he showed her what it meant. Pulling himself to his knees, Darius tore his shirt from his body. Heat radiated off his skin.

  "Darius!” she urged.

  Darius covered her small body with his power, showing her with his strength that all movement she had was controlled by him. He braced his body weight with one arm so as not to crush her. He slid his other arm under her body to her stomach, softly gliding his fingers over her passion sensitive skin.

  Once again Rosalind felt the heated, tiny fingers moving inside her body. It multiplied her pleasure one hundred times. Her breathing came faster and harder. “How ... how do you do that?” Her voice quivered.

  Darius ignored her question as he clamped her shoulder between his fangs. Her blood filled his mouth as he gently broke the skin. This bite was more for the pleasure of their connection than the need to feed.

  Rosalind purred, her ass pushed back into his lap. She could feel his hard cock stretching his jeans taut. She wriggled, causing his arms to grip her hips. His fingers squeezed a warning but could not stop his own hips from returning the favor.

  Rosalind collapsed to her stomach, relishing Darius’ weight protecting her. Her eyes closed as she let her mind open to absorb all that they were together.

  Darius froze as he delved into her mind. She had never let him enter this far into her before. He wondered if she knew he was even here. He could see windows moving by him. Windows with memories in them, windows of her gift as well. He could feel the difference between the two types of windows. He looked to his left. There was him and Rosalind as they are now: on her bed, his body wrapped possessively around her submissive form. Darius saw his mouth still working her neck. He had to stop himself. Rosalind was already so pale.

  "Darius."

  Darius turned full circle in the shrinking room of her mind. She had said his name. He looked back into the window of their lovemaking. She was too far gone in her pleasure to speak in her mind, to know he was there. He looked to his right, wondering if it was coming from this stormy opening.

  "Darius?” There was pain in her voice. Confusion.

  Darius watched frantically through the window as Rosalind's frail form came stumbling into view. She looked around her in fear, her hand covering her neck. He saw blood dripping from her between her fingers.

  "Rozzy.” Darius touched the window but his hand slid through as if it wasn't really there, felt her despair, her grief over someone's death. “Not a memory,” he whispered to himself.

  He watched helplessly as she wandered too closely to the edge of some cliff. “Rosalind!” he shouted. “Stop!"

  She looked over her shoulder. Darius saw the fear in her eyes, the terror blazing from within her. He could tell she did not want to do it.

  She did.

  Darius eyes bulged as his fangs released her shoulder. His body was in a cold sweat. He thanked the Earth that she was too exhausted to notice his behavior. Unable to get the pictures out of his mind Darius moved to his side and pulled Rosalind's sated body into his protective embrace.

  She turned so that her head rested on his chest her hand over his frantic heartbeat. “Are you okay?” Her voice was soft. She was more asleep than awake and still managed to ask about his wellbeing.

  "No, Rosalind,” he spoke the truth. “I am not okay."

  Her eyes opened in humiliation. “Didn't I..."

  Darius covered her trembling lips with his own. One small caress prepared himself for what he was about to do. “Never you, sweet Rosalind."

  "Then what is bothering you? We didn't make love.” Her confusion was evident.

  Darius turned her to her back so that he was once again in control. He placed her hands lovingly in his and stretched them over her head. “Forgive me, Rosalind, for what I am about to do."

  Rosalind watched in shocked silence as he put his wrist to his mouth and bit down. His blood welled out. When he lowered his exposed wrist to her she began to struggle. “No, Darius! You know I don't want this.” She could not help but scream her denial.

  Darius’ features blanked. Gone was the compassion and sorrow she had first glimpsed. In their place was cold determination to force his blood into her unwilling body. “Not my choice, King."

  He looked at her, emotionless. “You never had a choice, mortal. When will you accept that?"

  "I'll always have a choice. Bound or not, I will choose."

  Before her mouth snapped shut from her outburst Darius pushed his wrist into her mouth, forcing his blood to flow into her open throat. “Swallow now,” he ordered.

  NO!

  Darius saw the fear in her eyes. All the trust and passion they had built between one another was gone with this one selfish act. He knew there was no other choice for him. She would not die.

  I am sorry. Darius did not now if she heard his voice. Her eyes had closed to his presence. Without giving himself time to withdraw his attack, he covered her nose with his other hand. The silk ties quickly took their place.

  Rosalind knew she could not fight him. No matter her strengths, she was mortal. He was the Vampire King, no one was more powerful. She showed her anger with her telepathy. Windows shattered as statues flew around the room, crashing into walls and mirrors. Doors opened and slammed, the noise echoing through the hallways.

  When it was over Darius slowly lifted himself from her trembling body. She turned away from him, curling her naked body into a defenseless ball.

  Darius lifted the heavy blanket and covered her. When he touched her she flinched. “You need to understand, Rosalind. I had no choice."

  "I do have a choice, King. I choose for you to leave my rooms.” She had yet to look at him.

  "Rosalind, you could have hurt me anytime you wished to stop me. Bit me, broke something over my head. You did not.” Darius tried to hold on to that one small ray of hope.

  Rosalind sat up, clutching the blanket to her breasts. “Do not flatter yourself. It is forbidden to physically harm the Vampire King. Punishable by death."

  "You have hit me before. In front of others. Why would this be any different?"

  Her eyes were emerald ice when she answered him. “This time I would have hurt you."

  Pain seared his heart. “What goes on between us is private, Rosalind. If you wish to punish me it will be your right.” A Chosen did whatever it took to assure his mate's happiness.

  Rosalind looked around the room. She had destroyed it with little effort. A rarity, considering how weak she felt. “How did I do this?"

  Darius looked at the room. The destruction was higher than any of her normal temper tantrums. Should he tell her of this new unusual power? Could she handle it?

  "Darius?"

  Darius hid his relief. At least she had quit calling him ‘King'. “Wind, Roz. You have a small amount of control over wind."

  Her hand shook as she brushed hair away from her eyes. “Only vampires have elementals.” More accusations flashing in her gaze. “What else have you done to me!” Rosalind jumped from the bed. The blanket automatically wrapped securely around her vulnerable body.

  "What have I done to you?” he lashed out. “I have done everything within my power to give you your own life. A life away from prying eyes. I have tried for twenty years to give you peace."

  "Peace! All I ever wanted was to be with you.” Tears glistened on her cheeks. “I could have handled everything so much better if you had let me stay with you. But you sent me away."

  Darius’ heart ached for her, for their future. It all seemed to be crumbling and there was nothing he could do. “I wish every
day that I had not sent you away. But you were in pain. Every time I saw you there was misery in you eyes.” For the first time Darius tried to really explain his harsh treatment of her.

  "Don't lie to me, Darius. I knew when I was seventeen years old that I was your Chosen. You hated the idea of being with me so much that you banished me to the borders. Away from everything I had ever known. And why?” she screamed at him.

  It took some effort for Darius to remain standing in one place. He wondered if she knew what she was doing to him.

  "Because no vampires yet knew their precious King was mated to a mortal."

  "That is not true.” Darius defended himself. “Roman has always known what you were to me.” Every time he believed the past to be behind them it came back full force.

  "That is where we are in agreement.” She stormed to her pile of clothing and quickly dressed. “What I was to you. Past tense. Not anymore."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "I will not spend the rest of my life with a man who has no trust, no respect for me and what I want."

  Darius took a step toward her. Rosalind lifted a hand in warning. Surprisingly he could move no further. Just the small amount of his vampire blood had increased her power against him. “Rosalind,” he gave warning.

  "You had your chance. Over and again. But you fucked it up. You don't want to be with me. The only reason I am here now is so that I wouldn't kill you."

  "Excuse me?” Darius could not help but let his pride take offense. No woman could kill him.

  She ignored him. “Well, now I have control of my abilities. I won't inadvertently upset your precious life.” Her voice cracked as her desperation to get away from him began to show.

  Words of comfort flowed to his mind but nothing would come from his lips. He tried to pull her to but Rosalind stepped away. She walked to the glassless window. Night had fallen hours ago. Only a few hours until dawn.

  "Rozzy.” His voice was quiet, unsure of what to say. Afraid to upset her more. She was barely able to keep her powers combines with his blood under control.

  "Just go, Darius. It isn't as if you will allow me my choice anyway."

  "I didn't plan to hurt you.” He needed her to understand. “There ware things I need to explain. Things you need to know."

  "Explain them tomorrow."

  Four

  "Health aid tablets aren't going to help, you know."

  "Bloody hell!” she screamed. “Do you have to sneak up on me, Bethany?"

  "Do you have to use such archaic language?” Bethany retorted. She walked beside her closest friend as she headed for the park zone. “Isn't this the same park Marsha cornered you in?"

  Rosalind swallowed the rest of her water before nodding. “I like the swings.” A light breeze started the swings in motion.

  "I see you have been told of your elemental power."

  "Yeah, I had to pry that out of his closed mouth.” Rosalind kicked at the dirt in her path.

  Bethany knew she walked a fine line when it came to her loyalty to the King and her friendship with his self-denied Queen. For over fifteen years she had been doing well. Now it was becoming harder, for as many times as Rosalind denied her place beside Darius she denied her ties to his people. To her.

  "You are thirty-two years old, Rosalind. Able to leave the city whenever you wish. Yet you stay.” She said with curiosity. “Why?"

  "At first it was because this city was all I ever knew. I don't remember my life before Darius found me. Besides, but for Marsha and her friends I was tolerated.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  "Now?"

  Rosalind flinched. “It has been a week since we have spoken.” Rosalind spoke more to herself than to her friend. “I see him in the halls or through a window, and a part of me aches."

  "Aches?” Bethany used a soothing tone to urge Rosalind to finally release years of pain.

  "Aches for what could be if only I could trust him."

  "Your Chosen Mate, Rosalind, should have all of your trust."

  "Not when he forces me to drink from him.” Her sadness grew with every shared word.

  "No!” Bethany was truly shocked. No vampire would force his Chosen, especially a mortal Chosen, to accept his blood."

  "He did. At the worse possible time."

  As Rosalind continued to speak Bethany reached out. Roman?

  There was resignation in his voice. Bethany, leave it alone.

  No, they are both hurting. Neither will heal the other.

  Healing will come with time. They have forever.

  Darius has all the time in the world. Rosalind is mortal.

  Do you really believe our King will allow the death of his Chosen? Our Queen.

  I don't think she wants the burden of being the Queen.

  She will have little choice.

  Bethany's anger began to show. And that is why she will die of a broken heart before a mortal death.

  Roman could not deny her claim. Leave it alone, Beth, or there will be no peace for us.

  She mentally shrugged her shoulders. I was beginning to get bored anyway.

  Bethany?

  See to our King. I will see to our future Queen.

  Rosalind looked at Bethany. “He tapped into the Touch while he was feeding. He saw my death, Bethany. I know it. That is why he forced his blood into me."

  Understanding dawned on Bethany. “With the blood exchange Darius can track you."

  "Keep tabs on me, you mean."

  "It isn't as simple as that, Rozzy. Your death would almost definitely be the end of Darius."

  Rosalind stood, too agitated to sit any longer. “Darius is strong. He can survive anything."

  "The death of a Chosen Mate is indescribable, Rosalind. Only another Chosen couple could explain full the ramifications."

  "I don't care!” she lashed out. “I told him. I'll tell you. He had his chance years ago. I knew and accepted my Chosen status. I loved him and he repeatedly sent me away so he could continue with his whores. Now that he wants to settle down he is mysteriously more generous with me. He wants me to stay in the city. I am not naive. He wants children so he has to settle for me. I will not be treated this way."

  "Then don't take it!” Bethany yelled back. “All you do is wander around, all quiet and melancholy. Be loud. Be proud. Show him what you are made of. Show him he is not worthy of you."

  Rosalind turned to her friend. “What is with you?"

  "Go back to the mansion. Show him what a Queen is really made of. Don't take him on his terms. Make him accept you on yours."

  "My terms,” Rosalind whispered to herself.

  "Rosalind, a Chosen Mate will do everything in his power to make his Chosen happy."

  "My terms!” A smile began to form for the first time.

  "You can get the power, little mortal. All you have to do is show him a woman worthy of being his equal."

  I hope you know what you are doing.

  Just do your part. Find out more about what he saw through the Touch so that we can protect her.

  * * * *

  Roman sat in his chair, swirling blood red wine delicately in his glass. Like Bethany he was aware of the fragile line they walked. To be a friend to Darius and to be a trusted advisor to the King was a shrinking line indeed.

  He watched Darius as he stood at the window staring at the moon. “One night the moon will set. The sun will rise and she will be gone."

  Roman shrugged indifferently. “Then we will go get her."

  "It won't be her choice. I need everything to be her choice."

  Roman could hear the need in his friend's voice. “You are the King. Her choice is yours to dictate.” He lifted a brow. “At least, until she is Queen. Then you will have your hands full."

  "When she is Queen,” he said with wonder. “Rosalind as a mortal is powerful. Imagine, once she is a vampire, how strong she will become."

  "That would depend on who turns her."

  Darius looked coldly toward Rom
an. “I will be the only vampire to change Rosalind."

  Roman treaded dangerous territory carefully. “That may not be a good idea, my King."

  "Explain."

  "You said with only a small amount of your blood her elemental power increased. She now has conscious control of a power that should only belong to us. If you change her there is a good chance she will gain all of your abilities as well. Then who will control her?"

  "Rosalind doesn't need to be controlled. She only wants something that I should be able to easily give her."

  "What would that be?"

  "My trust."

  "How can you trust a mortal?"

  "She is my Chosen."

  "She is mortal.” He repeated as if that was all the information need to make it okay.

  "She may be mortal, but Rosalind has never done anything to deserve by distrust."

  "She almost killed you with the Psi Link."

  "She didn't know about the Link!"

  "Now, without you controlling the Link, look at what she gets away with."

  "Gets away with?"

  "She nearly tore down the mansion a week ago. We are still rebuilding walls and clearing the glass."

  "That was my fault."

  "You cannot blame yourself for her actions."

  "I can when I deserve it."

  "You did what had to be done. It was for her protection."

  "All mortals die, Roman. We know that.” There was weary acceptance in his tone.

  "We also know Rosalind is not just some ordinary mortal. She is the mortal Queen of your people. You can't treat her like other mortals."

  "Rosalind still deserves the respect of her King. Not my distrust. I have never given her the choices she has wanted."

  "And what choices are those?"

  "To be mortal until she chooses differently. The blood exchange was not her choice. It is a sacred exchange to be shared willingly between partners. I forced it on her. What does that say about me, Roman?"

  "Chosen Mates, especially reluctant Mates, make mistakes during the Joining. A King would never have it easy, Darius. You just don't have that kind of luck.” Roman smiled at Darius, saluting him with his drink.

  "Anyone ever tell you how much of an asshole you are?"