She jerked her head back from him. His heartbeat was loud and steady in her ear. She latched her fingers into his shirt. She looked up at him.
Darius tried to shift away from her, but in order to do that he would have to hurt her. “Let me go, Rosalind.” Her fire aroused him, kept him close when he should have steered clear in self defense.
"But I am so hungry, Darius.” She nipped his lips. Her fangs stayed hidden.
Darius shuddered in pleasure. He had to stay focused. Keeping Rosalind calm was top priority.
"Damn it, Roz,” Darius swore viciously.
"I'm damned anyway, Darius.” She kissed along his jaw, dragging her slick tongue along his warm skin. She pulled his tall frame down for easier access. Her tongue grazed his ear.
Darius placed each hand on the wall on either side of her head. He needed to support his aroused body somehow. He bent his head to the side to give her better reach.
Darius’ eyes snapped open when he felt her tongue along his very vulnerable neck. Oh yeah, it never took long for him to lose his focus with Rosalind's tongue in his ear.
The next thing he knew he was flying across the room, and Rosalind was on her hands and knees, looking at him with red eyes. “Go,” she moaned.
"Rosalind, baby."
"I'm starving, Darius. Get out of here!"
"Roman!” A crate filled with bottles rolled through the low fire.
Darius walked to the crate and lifted a large bottle from its depths. Rosalind tried to scoot away from him, but he grabbed the blanket that was wrapped around her quivering body. “Damn you,” she whispered weakly.
"Come on, baby. I want you to drink this.” Darius looked at Rosalind with purpose. He was not going to let her give up on life. On him.
She wiped her tears away. “What is it?"
"A little bit of Roman. A little of Niko.” He shrugged away her concern.
"It won't last."
"It will buy me the time I need to figure out what will sustain you."
"Darius?"
"You've never given up on me, Rosalind. Don't start now.” If she gave up on him he may as well let her drain him. Get it over with.
Rosalind took the bottle and sniffed. She wrinkled her nose. “Down the hatch,” she muttered.
Darius watched as she drained the entire bottle. Starving didn't begin to describe what she was going through. Darius himself could not chug an entire bottle of two elders’ mixed blood. Half a bottle could heal his injuries and fill him up.
She dropped the bottle. “More."
Darius tossed her another bottle just as big. She caught it midair. He reflexes were back. Hopefully after this bottle she could be at peace for a few hours.
She dropped the bottle next to its empty companion. “Plenty more?” She eyed the crate full of bottles.
"As much as you need."
"Whose is it?” She stood and walked to the crate, sniffing carefully.
"Everyone."
She inhaled deeply. “Not you."
"Since you almost...” He tried to find a gentle way to explain his reasoning.
"Killed Niko."
"It was decided I would be the person you would not drink from given your feelings for me."
"My love for you would keep me from killing you."
"That is the consensus."
She looked at him now as she used to look at him before her mortal death.
"Rosalind.” He pulled her into his arms, holding tightly. Now, hours after her awakening, he could finally show his fear. His relief.
"Darius.” She cried her own relief in a way he could not his own. “What are you going to do?” she whispered.
"I already have the Links searching minds. Niko is in the Library researching with Bethany."
"Bethany! I saw her through Roman. How his she? The children?"
He laughed. This was the Rosalind he knew. “She is great. Now that Roman has given in and mated with her, the fireworks have really started."
"Well, he deserves it."
"Hey, I can hear you,” Roman shouted from the hall.
"Roman?” she called.
"Yes, my ... Rosalind."
She laughed softly at his slip. “Thank you, Roman."
"It will take some getting used to. Having your lifelong friends calling you Queen."
Rosalind turned away. “If I live through this."
Darius wrapped his arms around her waist. His chin rested on the top of her head. “Have I ever failed you, Rosalind?"
"Never.” She leaned back into his embrace, rubbing her butt seductively against his length.
He thrust forward. “Now is not the time, Rozzy.” He bit her ear.
"Darius?"
"Yeah.” He slipped his hand under her shirt, caressing her smooth stomach. Where he hoped to one day find his child resting.
She covered his hand with her own. “What do you think of this legend?"
"Lady of Light."
"What?"
"Will named the legend ‘Lady of Light'."
"Oh."
"All I care about is keeping you alive. The legend is yours. If you want to develop the ability, that is your decision."
"But what about your people?"
"Our people will not question their Queen.” His voice was cold as ice. “Roman."
"No one in his right mind questions the Queen.” Roman answered.
"So, if I ignore it how will you feel?"
"I just want you by my side. Happy with your life."
Our life.
He turned her in his arms. Looking into her deep green eyes, he trapped her against his favorite wall. “Roman."
"Leaving.” Roman laughed as he walked away.
"Now what are you up to?"
"Can't I neck around with my girl?” His hands traveled down the jeans Bethany had dressed her in.
She yelped in surprise when he grasped her ass in both hands and lifted her off of the floor. “Wrap your legs around me."
Rosalind could see the desire in his eyes. After all these years he was beginning to accept her place in his life. A tear of happiness fell.
He licked it away, kissing her as he went. “I'll fix this, Rosalind. I swear it."
She pulled him close for her kiss. Her tongue confidently invaded him. He sucked her tongue, putting the kiss back under his control. He shoved her more forcefully into the wall. She moaned in pleasure.
Their tongues fought for dominance. She made a fist in his hair, needing something of his to hold onto. His fangs elongated at the pressure of her small pain.
He had to pull back to keep from biting her tongue. “What ... what is wrong?” She had to catch her breath.
"It is forbidden to feed from you, Rosalind."
Passion aggravated her senses. “What? But, Darius."
He smiled at her annoyance at being interrupted. “I will not feed from you until you have properly fed. Until then, you need all the nourishment you can get."
"You mean we can't..."
"Sorry, baby. Only foreplay.” His hips thrust hard into her to make his point.
A zing of pleasure made her squeeze her legs tightly around him. “This is not safe,” she panted, “for either of us."
Darius thrust his tongue back into her mouth. Only her taste, only the feel of her body, kept reality at bay.
She tore his shirt down the middle. “Stop thinking,” she ordered as she licked a salty path down his sweat-covered chest.
"Whatever you say."
"If only.” A gentle breeze filled the room, helping Darius and Rosalind to the floor. “Someone's been practicing,” Darius teased.
Her nails scratched down his chest, pinching his hardened nipple as she passed. “Uhh.” Darius threw his head back in pleasure. Never had he allowed control to someone else.
Her lips traveled down his ribcage, leaving little live bites in her wake. She moved back up, rubbing herself up his hard shaft. He wasn't wearing jeans. Just a thin pair of khakis kept him fr
om her reach. He felt every delicious move she made.
When she ground her pussy harder into his shaft, Darius could not help himself. In seconds he had Rosalind flipped to her back her shirt twisting under her breasts. “Damn it,” she swore hotly and pulled Darius down to her level. “Kiss me, Darius."
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to turn from him. “Tease,” he rumbled in her ear. With his other hand he forced his way into her stubborn jeans.
Her hips thrust in response to the feel of his hands curling into her pussy. “Oh, please, please,” she panted in frustration.
"Rozzy, baby,” he whispered into her throat. He could feel the blood flowing fast through her veins. If only ... Darius shook his head to clear his passion fogged thoughts. Too late, his fangs broke through his gums. Skin blazing passionate fire, he pulled her arms above her head, locking them in place with one hand.
Rosalind's eyes opened. She felt his hot breath whispering along her throat. “Don't, Darius.” Her body tensed in fear for him. She tried to break free. He growled in warning.
Rosalind froze. Since she had hit puberty, Niko had always warned her never anger a sex-crazed male vampire. Not even females crossed the line. They were just too dangerous in this state, with the need to create too strong for them to control.
"Bloody hell!” Darius shoved himself away from Rosalind. He paced back and forth, his body tense with pain. Roman had warned him. She didn't even know about the heat in which she could surround herself.
Rosalind wavered to her feet. She pulled the cart closer. Already the blood called to her. Something had drained her just now, something powerful. Judging by the worried look Darius tried to hide, she knew what it was. “Did I hurt you?"
The fear she voiced caused him to hurt for her. “No baby,” he denied.
Rosalind ran up to him and grabbed his shirt. Since it was already ruined she pulled it from his body. “No, no, no!” she cried. Long welts seared his body, red from some burn.
Heal him.
Rosalind heard the quiet, insistent voice.
How? she cried. Rosalind backed away from Darius. She had hurt him. Caused him pain. How could he look at her?
He lifted a damaged hand to her. “I see you, Rosalind. You would never purposefully hurt anyone."
"You don't know that!” She thought of Roman. Niko.
Touch him.
"No.” She looked to her right.
Only think of him and how you feel, Rosalind Kincaid.
"I'll hurt him."
"Rosalind, who are you talking to? Who is here with us?” Darius didn't like what was happening. She was weak. Her strength left her too quickly.
Rosalind watched as one of her killer's ghostly form appeared before her. “Not only in life,” she closed her eyes in defeat, “but in death you torment me."
Darius moved to her side, a hair's breadth away from touching. Not without her permission would he touch her at a time like this. He was at his weakest now.
A ghost. A spirit had once again marred her life. And he could do nothing to protect her. He could only soothe her, be by her side until she needed him.
"Do it,” the spirit demanded.
"Why should I trust you?"
"Look at him. You have the power to fix the damage you cause. Not even the healing slumber will rid him of that,” the spirit revealed.
"What?"
"Do it!"
Rosalind shakily placed her hands over Darius’ chest. He didn't cringe in revulsion or pain. Closing her eyes, she thought of him. Arguing with him. Laughing, crying. Every moment she remembered with love.
Love for her Chosen.
Darius hissed as he felt a sudden chill. Looking down, he watched in fascination as the welts and burns vanished from his body. He felt no pain. No weakness. Only peace.
Stepping back, Rosalind fell in a heap to the floor. She tilted her head to Darius, her fangs visible. “You don't have much time."
Darius ran to the cart. He filled his arms with bottles. Placing them next to Rosalind's prone body, he bent over her.
"Don't touch.” She fought him.
"We will find a way, Rosalind."
She met his eyes. Sadness filled her heart. “And if you don't?"
He bent closer to her. Rosalind hissed at him. Hunger already overpowered her will. “Go!” she screamed.
Darius backed out of the room, never taking his eyes off of her. Everything in him argued against leaving her alone in pain. She was close to the edge. He could feel it through their fragile Link. Her pain was his. His pain hers.
"Every second counts, Darius. We must go.” Roman waited at the end of the long hallway for his King's decision.
Twelve
Rosalind lay quietly on the bed. Four bottles lay scattered across the floor as she stared at the ceiling. Something, some power in her, was draining her strength. She looked at the cart. Five bottles left. If she was careful they might last her until sunrise.
So she didn't move. Barely breathed so that what strength she had she kept. “Are you still here?” she spoke into the barren room.
"Yes, my Queen."
Rosalind turned her head. There, on his knees was the ghost of the vampire who had given her the injection. Looking at his spirit, she felt only sadness. People, so desperate for something new. She had stood in the way of their plan. She looked back at the ceiling. “He executed the three of you."
"Yes, my Queen."
"How?"
"Our King gave us our greatest wish. To see the sun."
For once Rosalind did not apologize for the loss of life. “Why are you still here?” She knew the help he had given Darius before his death. She had captured a few of Roman's memories as well as her own when he had Linked with her.
"My Queen, any questions asked about the legend I can answer."
She sat up. “Any question?"
"Yes, my..."
"Stop that. I don't need to have ‘my Queen’ after every sentence. Otherwise it will take forever to have a conversation."
"What shall I call you?” he queried.
"Rosalind is fine.” She walked to the fire that kept her inside the small room. She could feel its heat. It confused her. There was no way she should be able to stand so close to this blazing fire.
"The fire won't hurt you, Rosalind.” She looked to him for an explanation. “You are the sun. Fire. No fire can hurt you. You can walk unscathed right through this door."
"No,” she denied. “Using these powers weaken me."
"You are naturally hot, dear Queen. Anyone who touches you will burn from the contact. It is keeping them from burning or healing their burns that weakens you."
"But I don't know how to control it."
"Subconsciously you can. With Darius, he touched you. A lot.” Rosalind turned angrily toward him. “Not that I watched.” He held his hands up in defense.
"I burned him. You saw."
"You were already hungry. Ready to feed off of Darius in your sexual frenzy."
"I lost my concentration.” She nodded in understanding.
"When you are with Darius, how do you feel? What goes through your mind?"
Rosalind slowly waved her fingers in the fire. Nothing happened. Only a slight ticklish sensation. She watched the deadly fire in fascination. “I have always loved Darius.” She spoke with sorrow. “Even when he would send me away I loved him. We've always had difficulties together, but he was always there."
"You love him?"
"Always have."
"How do you feel with Niko, Roman or Bethany?” The traitor reclined against the wall.
Rosalind smiled as she pulled the fire into her palm. “They are my family."
"But your love for them is not as close to the surface as your love for the King."
"They know I love them."
"To control the heat, the power that comes with being who you now are, you must open your mind to all feelings. All emotions. Love. Hate."
She pulled her hand back
. “I don't hate anyone."
"My Queen, hate comes with love. You cannot have one without the other. Accept what you feel towards others and you will not harm them."
She looked at him, doubt close in her mind. “How do you know these things?"
"I foresaw it. You. Darius. Everything."
"You wrote the legend."
"Millennia ago. Before the Long Sleep. I thought I had hidden it well enough."
Rosalind could feel his anger with himself. “They found it. The two who were with you that night."
"I could not stop them. They were going to do so much worse."
"So you did what you thought necessary."
"To preserve your life. Nothing is more important right now that you, Rosalind. Once word gets out that there is a sun walker you will not be safe. Mortals’ fears will be resurrected. They will hunt you. Kill you. The Outcasts will want you for themselves."
"But I've never ... I don't have to use the ability. If I don't use it then there will be no reason to come for me."
"Are you willing to take that chance with other lives? It isn't only you in danger, Rosalind. Everyone around you is depending on you, in your good heart, to give them such a beautiful gift as the sun."
"Damn it!” The fire leaped high with her anger. “I never asked for this. All I ever wanted was to be with him."
"And you will be with him. Only, with a few added abilities."
"Didn't you hear? I'm going to starve before anyone gets a look at the sun.” Finally she let her grief surface. Her hopes faded at finding the power that would sustain her.
"That is only how the legend ends. I didn't put the final verse because it is a dangerous trial. Not just anyone could survive it. I didn't want some overzealous vampire killing anyone remotely resembling the legend."
"I'm not going to like this. I know it. What is the power?"
"Blood,” he answered.
"Blood only works temporarily.” She snapped.
"Blood of a willing love."
"Be more specific,” she ordered.
"Take in the blood, the love, of someone who loves you. Someone willing to die so that you may live to give a great gift to your people."
"No! I am not going to kill anyone."
"You will go insane if you don't get the blood needed to strengthen you."
"No!"
"You're already growing immune to the blood of these bottles. You will soon be so hungry you won't care who you feed from. Killing indiscriminately until you find the right blood source."
Kiss of the Sun Page 15