by Karen Lynch
“My jeans are wet,” I said huskily, my throat dry. Did she mean…?
“You could…take them off.”
Her whispered words fanned the fire already burning inside me. Desire made my voice gruff. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I studied her face. She looked nervous but unafraid, and love shone in her eyes. I wanted her more than I’d thought was possible to want someone. I’d fantasized about her and longed to complete our bond. She was offering me both, and I found myself too humbled to speak.
Standing, I kicked off my wet boots. Her eyes followed me, and my breath quickened at the thought of her watching me undress. When I undid the button of my jeans, she turned her head toward the fire, sending a little pang of disappointment through me. I wanted her eyes on me, but I also understood her shyness. Tonight, we’d get to know each other in the way only a mated couple could, and she’d never again have reason to be shy with me.
I pushed the wet jeans down my legs. They landed with a soft thump, and I stepped out of them. My boxers followed, and I stood there for a moment before I knelt and lifted the quilt to lie beside her on the narrow mattress. I turned on my side, facing her with my head supported by my hand, and watched her profile as she stared at the fire.
“Sara.”
She swallowed. “Yes.”
I used my free hand to turn her face toward me. Wordlessly, I captured her mouth in a slow, deliberate kiss. Into every brush of my lips against hers, I poured my adoration and love for her.
I kissed her until her body relaxed beneath me. Raising my head, I looked at her as my fingers traced the planes of her face. My throat tightened at the love and trust in her eyes, and I didn’t think there were words to express my feelings for her.
“Being a warrior is all I’ve ever known, all I ever wanted. I thought I didn’t need anything else. And then I found you, and it was like finding the other half of me that I didn’t know was missing. You make me whole, Sara.”
“My warrior,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I used to think the empty place in my heart was from losing my dad. But I was wrong. My heart was just waiting for you to come and fill it up.”
I claimed her lips again. Her fingers weaved through my hair to cling to me, matching my hunger with her own. Our breaths came in small pants, and she set my blood on fire until I ached from the need to possess her.
Mine, my Mori growled impatiently, demanding I finally take what was ours. It strained against my control, wanting to be free to claim its mate.
“Mmmm,” Sara protested when I broke the kiss. She tried to pull me back down to her, but I stopped her.
“Do you want this?” I searched her eyes for some sign she wasn’t ready.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“We can wait until –”
She touched my face. “Nikolas, I don’t want to wait. All I want is you.”
I trembled with desire as I rose up on one elbow to look at her. My body and my demon were ready for her, but her first time should be a slow, sensual awakening, something she would treasure.
I brushed my fingers against her brow then let them trail down her flushed cheek, across her full lips, and down her throat. When I reached the quilt, I eased it off her, letting it pool at her feet. I allowed my greedy gaze to pass over her bare legs and the shirt that had ridden up to the tops of her thighs, before I lifted my eyes to hers again.
Her eyes widened slightly when my fingers freed the first button of her shirt. A blush stole across her face, and her irises turned a deeper shade of green. I watched her as I slowly undid each button, savoring the way her lips parted in anticipation and her breath quickened.
When I released the last button, the shirt fell open. Still looking into her eyes, I laid my hand on her taut stomach. She sucked in a breath, sending a jolt of desire through me.
Jesus, she was killing me and she hadn’t even touched me yet.
I looked down as I began my exploration of her body, watching my hand touch her the way I’d wanted to for so long. My fingers skimmed across her stomach and over the top of her white lace bra to where her heart fluttered wildly.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I whispered, lowering my head to kiss her breast where it peeked tantalizingly above the top of her bra. I wanted the barrier between us gone, but I reminded myself I had to take this slow. I consoled myself by tasting her skin, feathering kisses across her breasts. She arched, baring her throat to me, and I eagerly moved my lips along the creamy column to cover her mouth once more.
My heart threatened to burst from my chest as I rose up to look into her eyes. “Sara Grey, you’ve owned my heart from the moment I met you. My body and soul are yours if you’ll have them.”
Her eyes welled. “Yes, if it means forever with you.”
I groaned and kissed her hungrily as my hand slipped inside the lacy material of her bra to cup her soft breast. She made a small sound of pleasure against my mouth that nearly drove me out of my mind.
My fingers moved to the front of the bra, lingering there for what seemed like forever before I released the clasp. Gently I eased the cups aside, baring her breasts to me. Khristu, she was as perfect as I’d imagined. I lowered my mouth to one breast, cherishing it slowly, then moved to do the same to the other.
Her soft moans brought a smile of pure male satisfaction to my lips and stoked my own desire even higher. My hand shook as it moved down her abdomen to the top of her matching panties. She made no protest when I hooked my fingers in the material and slid them off her. Then I lifted her easily, freeing her from her shirt and bra as well.
I looked up at her to make sure she was okay, and her passion-glazed eyes told me all I needed to know.
“You good?” I asked huskily.
She nodded and bit her lip. “I’ve never…”
“I know.”
I leaned in, and my tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips before dipping inside. God, I could never get enough of kissing her.
When I lifted my head again, I saw uncertainty in her eyes. I took her hands and placed them against my chest.
“I…don’t know what to do,” she whispered.
“Just touch me any way you want. Whatever you do will be heaven for me.”
Her coy smile almost pulled a growl from me. Then her hands began to explore me, and I was lost.
Her touch was tentative at first as she caressed my chest and shoulders, and ran her fingers along my arms. I made a sound to let her know how much I loved her hands on me, and she grew bolder, letting them trail down my spine. When her hand grazed my backside, I groaned, forgetting for a moment that I was supposed to be the one pleasuring her.
Knowing I couldn’t last much longer with her touching me that way, I resumed my exploration of her body. My hands and lips worshiped her soft curves, kissing and touching her until both of us were panting and covered in a fine sheen of sweat.
“Nikolas,” she whispered desperately.
I rose over her, covering her body with mine, and resting my weight on my elbows. She shifted so I lay between her thighs and gave me the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.
“I love you,” she said softly, entwining her arms around the back of my neck.
I brushed my lips against hers. “I love you, too.”
“Then make me yours.”
I joined with her, whispering over and over how much I adored her as I made slow love to her. When our bodies found release, our bond opened like a flower blossoming in the sun. In that moment, I was undone by her and remade into a new man. A warrior still, but a mate and a lover first. And I felt complete.
Later, I lay beside her, gazing down at her as she slept. Her hair was spread across the pillow, and her cheeks still bore a slight flush from our lovemaking. I pulled the quilt up over her chest to keep her warm, and she snuggled against me, whispering my name.
I wanted nothing more than to kiss her awake and make love to her again, but she needed her slee
p after today. I held her close and listened to the storm raging outside. A few times, I heard the wyvern walking around on the roof, and I knew we were safe here for tonight. But I stayed awake just in case. I wouldn’t relax completely until we were home.
When the fire began to die down, I eased out of Sara’s arms and added more wood. Then I draped our wet clothes over two chairs and moved them closer to the fire to dry.
All night, I lay awake with her in my arms, wonder filling me every time I looked at her sleeping face. What had I done to deserve this beautiful woman? She was everything I could ask for in a mate: loving and passionate, brave and strong. And she was mine, forever.
Mine, my sated Mori whispered.
The storm blew itself out in the early hours of the morning. When I peered out just before dawn, everything was coated in a thick layer of ice. I noticed the wyvern had left, probably to hunt. Or he thought Sara was no longer in danger.
As I dressed in my dry clothes, I watched Sara, who still slept soundly. If we were at home, I would wake her up slowly and spend our first day as a mated couple making love to her. But daylight was approaching, and Tristan would be searching for us. I needed to get her home, and then we’d make up for lost time.
I let her sleep as long as I could, and then I lay beside her. Raising myself on my elbow, I caressed her face softly, reluctant to wake her, but dying to kiss her again.
When my finger touched her lips, she stretched and a sensual smile curved her lush mouth. Her eyes opened sleepily, and I smiled as I lowered my head to kiss her.
“Morning,” she said in a husky voice.
I rose up to meet her eyes. Good morning, moy malen’kiy voin, I said, testing our bond for the first time.
Her brow furrowed, and then her eyes widened. Nikolas?
Pleasure filled me at hearing her voice in my mind. I smiled at her. One of the perks of being mated.
“Mated.” She stared at me, her face full of the same wonder I’d been feeling all night.
Through the bond, I felt a swell of love and happiness – and a trickle of something else. I knew what it was when I saw a blush creep across her cheeks. My beautiful mate was remembering last night – in detail, I hoped.
“Can you read my mind?” she blurted.
I lifted an eyebrow. “No. But that blush makes me wish I could.”
Her mouth fell open, and she ducked her head, pressing her face against my chest.
Chuckling, I wrapped my free arm around her, pulling her close. I leaned down to touch my lips to her ear. “I love waking up with you in my arms.”
She looked up at me and surprised me when she tugged me down and proceeded to kiss the hell out of me. Her mouth was soft and insistent, her tongue teasing as she wantonly seduced me. Through the bond, I felt her desire, and my body stirred in response.
I pulled out of the kiss and growled at her sensual smile. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’ll never leave this cabin. In fact, I might have to find the owner and buy it from him.”
Her stomach rumbled. “Can we bring food next time? I’m starving.”
A laugh burst from me. Reluctantly, I stood and handed her clothes I’d hung to dry last night.
“Your shirt and jeans are dry, but your boots are still wet,” I said as I gave them to her. I didn’t add that her bra and panties were somewhere in the tangle of quilts.
As she dressed, I went to the small cabinet in the corner, which served as a kitchen, and took out the food I’d found earlier. I kept my back to her until I heard her finish.
I carried my meager offering to her. Canned tuna, saltines, and bottled water was not the breakfast I would have given her the morning after our mating, but it was all I had.
I sat beside her on the mattress. “Not exactly a five-star breakfast.”
She smiled warmly. “It’s perfect.”
I spread some tuna on a cracker for her. “It’ll be daylight soon. The storm’s over, so we should head out as soon as it’s light enough.”
“How far is it to the road?” she asked before she popped the cracker into her mouth.
“About fifteen miles. I won’t be surprised if we run into some of our people on the way.” I had expected Tristan and Chris to find us by now. But then, the storm would have wiped out all our tracks, and it was a large area to search.
I gave her another cracker. “We’ll be home before you know it.”
I watched her as she ate. She looked well recovered from yesterday’s ordeal, and she hadn’t mentioned the problem with her power.
“How do you feel today? Is there any change in your magic?”
She looked away as if she was testing it, and then she let out a shaky laugh. “I think it’s getting better. Whatever they shot me with must be wearing off.”
“Good. That means we won’t have to call the faerie.” Although, I’d put up with Eldeorin if she needed him.
She smirked playfully. “Jealous?”
“I might have been a little jealous once or twice.” I thought about last night and smiled with satisfaction. “But I got the girl.”
She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss on my lips. “You always had the girl.”
When she went to pull away, I grabbed her and kissed her again.
We finished our food and got up to tidy the cabin. I doused the fire and put the mattress back on the bed. Before we left, I stuck some money under the lantern to pay for the busted lock and food.
The storm might have passed, but the temperature hadn’t risen much yet. Our breath came out in steamy puffs, and Sara rubbed her bare hands together. I couldn’t find any gloves in the cabin, and I worried about the long walk ahead of us.
The cold wasn’t our only problem. The snow was deep and crusted over, and her legs would tire quickly trudging through it.
“It’s going to be rough walking with the snow iced over. Climb on my back, and I’ll carry you.”
She snorted softly. “You can’t carry me fifteen miles.”
“Are you willing to bet on that?” I challenged, already thinking of my prize.
“I don’t know.” She treated me to a saucy smile. “What will you give me if I win?”
I laughed at her playfulness and reached for her. “Anything you –”
It took me a second to recognize the sharp sting near my shoulder blade. Blood roared in my ears, and my vision dimmed.
“Sara…run,” I croaked as I fell.
“Nikolas!” she screamed.
My last thought before darkness took me was that I’d failed her.
Chapter 45
“Time to wake up, my darling.”
Sara?
I pushed upward from the dark void toward the sound of a female voice. A hand stroked my forehead, but the touch felt wrong. Something was off.
“That’s it. Open your eyes.”
The voice was familiar in a distant way, as if I hadn’t heard it in a long time. But it was also one I knew well. I struggled to focus on it, and slowly, from the mists of my memory, a face appeared. Heart-shaped with mischievous blue eyes. Long blonde hair.
“Elena?” I mumbled, finding it hard to concentrate.
It had been a while since I’d thought about Tristan’s little sister. For years, I’d carried the guilt over her death with me. In recent years, I’d thought of her less, and hardly at all since I met Sara. Maybe protecting Tristan’s granddaughter and keeping her safe had absolved me of the guilt of not saving his beloved sister.
But you didn’t protect Sara, taunted a voice in my head. You failed her.
“You do remember me,” Elena crooned, her fingers caressing my jaw. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much.”
Can’t be Elena. Elena is dead.
“Sara?”
The fingers stopped moving.
“Nikolas, open your eyes,” commanded a hard voice that was not Sara’s. “Look at me.”
I forced my lids to rise. The light hurt my eyes, and I closed them again. What the hell was wrong wi
th me?
“Here, my love.” A lamp clicked. “Try now.”
My eyes opened again. The light was less harsh, and above me a face swam into view. I blinked a few times to clear my vision. The face grew sharper, the features coming into focus.
I stared at the face of the young girl who had died over one hundred and fifty years ago. Tristan’s sister looked as she had the last time I saw her, except there was a hardness in her face, a malice in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“Hello, Nikolas.” She picked up my hand and held it between both of hers. I could feel her touch, but my arm was lifeless when I tried to move it.
“Elena? You’re not real.”
Her smile was as sweet as I remembered. “Oh, I’m very real.”
“How?” My mind was still fuzzy, and I couldn’t make sense of what I saw. “You died. I…helped bury you.”
“No, my love.” She stood and twirled beside the bed I lay on. “See? I’m as alive as you are. And now we can finally be together.”
“Together?” Something faint brushed against my mind. Like a curtain lifting, the fog in my brain dissipated.
Sara. The cabin. The prick of a dart. Her screaming my name.
Oh God, Sara. The vampires had found us and knocked me out. Where had they taken us? Where was Sara? I concentrated on our bond and felt her nearby, not in the next room but close enough to know she was still alive.
Sara? I called to her. Sara, can you hear me?
Nothing.
Was she hurt? Afraid? What had they done to her?
“Nikolas, are you even listening to me?”
I stared at Elena who had come to sit on the bed again. The sinking feeling in my gut turned into horror as I put the pieces together.
Vampires had captured us.
Elena was a vampire.
“It’s not possible. You can’t be… A Mohiri can’t become a vampire.”
She smiled, and this time, two dainty fangs appeared at the corners of her mouth. “Oh, but you can. It’s rather painful, of course, but entirely possible if the right vampire does it.”
“Jesus, Elena.” My chest ached for Tristan and the memory of the girl I used to know. All this time, we’d believed she was dead. The vampires must have put her clothes on a human girl and burned the body so we wouldn’t recognize it. They knew we’d come for her if we thought she was still alive.