Spartan Heart, Part Two
Page 24
The sweetest, musical voice swirled and permeated all of his senses. Dorien’s head bobbed. He held his breath. The echoes of tiny, bare feet padded against the floor in circle. Shards of broken glass crackled and powdered under the weight of each feathery step.
Raising his eyes, Dorien questioned his wits. Evangeline stood before him in a dream. Honey-wheat curls shined glorious. Her flawless skin was as pale as the finest alabaster. The copper stare he loved was no more. It was replaced and enhanced by the sizzling color of molten, burning fire. Her timeless beauty left him speechless. Shaking his head in disbelief, he prayed to the gods for this cruel apparition to stop torturing him and leave. “Evangeline?” he whispered.
If only she was real.
Her eyes of fire narrowed. She approached and stood directly in front of him. “Dorien! I am not a ghost. I am with you.”
He choked on his sob. His head rested against the gentle curve of her belly. The muscles of his arms wrapped tight around her cool, tiny waist. Would he ever stop mourning?
How could he ever forgive himself?
Dorien closed his eyes. The feel of her cold, sleek fingers slipping deep into his hair forced his moan.
“Stop punishing yourself, Dorien! You didn’t fail me! You saved me. Don’t you know I will never leave your side?”
Dorien lifted his head from her belly. He dared to look up at her face. “Now who is the one reading minds?” he teased. It was a wonder he could even speak.
Evangeline smiled and the room seemed to brighten. Dorien swore he felt the jolt of the Earth resuming its spin on its axis. The arches of her honeyed eyebrows shot up mischief. Her vivid lava eyes danced around the room.
“Who is going to clean up this bloody mess?” she teased.
In a whoosh of air, Dorien stood on his feet and towered over his wife. His fingers entwined in her hair and pulled her head back intentionally. The paleness of her neck and chest was exposed to him. He buried his nose in the hollow of her throat. He inhaled his favorite fruity-floral scent. Immortality couldn’t remove the decadent flavor from her skin.
Evangeline panted out of reactive mortal habit. Dorien jerked her body flush against him. The throb of fear warned she would disappear into thin air. He couldn’t stop staring at her perfect, sculpted face. As always, nothing was more beautiful than her. “I’ll do whatever you say, woman. Just please, don’t ever leave me again. You are my heart, Evangeline. I swear on my existence, I will love you forever.”
* * * *
Evangeline panted unnecessary breaths. It still felt awkward not to breathe. When she inhaled Dorien’s cold, sweet breath, she could literally taste him. Her new keen senses drank of his entire essence. There was nothing that escaped her attention. Texture, touch, clarity, and crispness left her absolutely mesmerized.
Every emotion felt overwhelming and powerful. There was no sense of will-power or control where Dorien was concerned. The whirlwind of feelings he stirred in her soul were fiercely primal and intense. She wanted to take him. Claim him. Possess him.
Forever.
Realization dawned on her. Looking back at the countless times he had made love to her, almost every encounter he had taken her repeatedly. Now she understood. Like an addict, he had lost control every time. But now she was a player in his world. Evangeline craved his touch. She would go mad if he ever withheld it.
Evangeline knew what was on his mind. Instinct revealed his every thought, desire, and emotion. Awareness enlightened her of his unfailing love and devotion. She couldn’t help but smile. Dorien felt the same. He wanted to possess her, too. All along, his promises of forever and passion had been true. She was the keeper of his heart.
“I love you, Dorien. Time will cease to exist before I ever leave your side. You are my everything.”
Dorien’s cold lips claimed her throat. Evangeline’s arms slipped around the broad expanse of his thick, muscled neck. She loved the way he always pulled her closer. The shimmer of forever became entwined in his loving embrace. There was no place else she ever wanted to be. Now they would share in eternity, savoring infinite lifetimes with their children. Unnecessary breaths mingled erratic. A consuming fire raged within her belly. Her life force pulsed with need. She read her husband like an open book. How could a man love her so much?
She wanted him to possess her. Only his touch could take away her ache. Evangeline didn’t have to say a word. His knowing gaze caressed every inch of her body. Dorien’s every thought responded to the admission of her desires. Her head fell back in expectation. The forceful feel of his desperate hands ravaged her. She clawed at his back. Never had she felt this impatient. The press of her body was flush against him. The exploration of his tongue danced deliciously in her mouth. She could taste him, the crisp taste of the sweetest, lingering exotic spice. This would be the flavor she would now and forever crave.
His knowing chuckle reverberated in her ear. Every immortal cell in her body charged with invisible bolts of electricity. The cotton of her nightgown split under the pressure of his hands. He ripped the cotton fabric from her body. Evangeline’s smile was wicked. She knew every wanton deed he planned. His thoughts promised hours of endless pleasure. With the loss of her mortality, he could now love her for as long as she would let him. There were no more limits or constraints from the weakness of human flesh to interrupt their mating.
Dorien’s muscled arms lifted her naked body. Her head fell back. Ice-cold kisses felt as soft as velvet on her neck. The feel of his skin made her contemplate madness. Ripples of desire flooded every hyperactive sensor throughout her new, immortal body. Evangeline panted in hunger against his shoulder.
“Immortal, please don’t make me wait!”
About the Author
Kristine Cheney is 39, and is an Arizona native. Now living in Surprise, she has been married 21 years to her high school sweetheart Brett, and is the mother of Taryn, Brett, and Zackary. A young grandmother, she is Grammy to Parker, Ivy, and Evely'nn. She is huge Labrador lover, and a mom to yellow lab Magnus and to the very naughty (and huge) white Labra-doodle puppy Brody.
Hobbies include writing passionate love stories that involve chivalrous characters, dashing adventure, forked humor, and the ever-true good vs. evil dilemma. Her favorite place to relax is anywhere within close proximity to a beach or wooded lake. A huge history buff, she plans to one day make a trek across the US to get her fill of American wonder (with hubby, labs, and laptop in tow). She loves a good, hot cup of coffee with Crème Brule liquid creamer and sugar. A maestro with a bag of frosting, Wilton cake decorating lessons only fueled her artistic fire. She is pretty darn awesome at crankin’ out a deluxe wedding, baby shower, or themed birthday cake that will make your toes curl.
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