Taken By Desire: Demonic Desires Book 1

by Valerie Twombly

  He searched deep inside and found the energy in his core. This time he grasped it with imaginary fingers and pulled, unraveling it like a ball of yarn until he was ready to unleash it. With a snarl, he flicked his wrist and whipped a bolt of energy at the nearest Concosa. The beast went down with a screech and struck the ground, turning to ash.

  Finally, I might have a handle on this. He quickly headed toward his brother and Fang and sent several bolts at the demons they were fighting. His friend sent him a salute, grabbed Zander and vanished. Greydon sent out one last shockwave to take out any remaining demons then headed back home. Concern for his brother weighed heavy on his heart.

  Aimee had read the first few pages and realized she had to jump ahead to find what she needed. Hopefully, there would be time to read the entire book later, but loud voices down the hall had her and Bethany running from the room. They practically ran smack into Fang who had someone slung over his shoulder. Aimee panicked when she saw Fang covered in blood and a puddle on the floor, until she realized it wasn’t Greydon.

  “Is that Zander?” She questioned and her worry began anew when she got a look at how severely he was injured. “Dear god, lay him down.”

  “How bad is he?”

  Aimee turned toward Greydon and gasped involuntarily. She’d never seen him in his demonic form, but he quickly shifted and went to his brother.

  “Zander?”

  The man was unresponsive.

  “He’s lost a lot of blood, my prince. I’d say he’s critical. Hell, I have no idea how he even held on until we found him.” Fang paced behind them.

  “He’s stopped healing. I’ll give him my blood and pray it helps.”

  Aimee knelt on the other side, trying to stave off the flow from several open wounds on his chest and legs. She’d never seen so much blood and wondered if even a demon could survive something so severe. She watched as Greydon’s fangs lengthened; he bit his wrist and blood welled. He placed it over his brother’s lips and let the liquid fill his mouth. Fang hung back and watched while Bethany fetched more towels and some water.

  Greydon scanned his brother with worry in his eyes. “I’m not sure my blood is enough.

  “Why wouldn’t it work?” Aimee asked as she applied pressure to the most serious wound. It broke her heart to see Greydon so frantic.

  “We usually don’t take blood from family. It’s not as potent. While Fang isn’t related, he’s my protector so his won’t work either. It’s complicated.” Greydon rubbed his brother’s throat to get him to swallow.

  “What about mine? It helped you, would it help him?” She’d gladly slit her wrist if it would save his brother. Greydon looked up, gratitude in his eyes.

  “It might, but I can’t ask you to do this.”

  Zander’s breathing became ragged. They were losing him. “You didn’t ask, I did. Do it.” She held out her arm and Greydon didn’t hesitate to let his fangs slid into her vein. When he released her, she pressed her wrist to the dying man’s lips. To her surprise, he began to drink on his own.

  Greydon knew the feelings he had for Aimee were more than what came from the bond itself. When she offered her blood to save his brother, it had sealed the deal. Son of a bitch, what was he going to do now? She wanted to go home and he had nothing to offer her other than a broken kingdom and a lot of time by herself. He could never give up searching until he brought the last of his people home.

  Now that Zander’s breathing had returned to normal and the bleeding had stopped, Greydon lifted him into his arms and headed to the suite next to his. All the while, he couldn’t help but think of the Oracle’s prophecy. He was supposed to save Oshivana, but according to Aimee it was the queen who would kill Zolar. Could she be the one destined to take the life of a god, or was it someone else he was supposed to mate with? When he looked at her, he didn’t see a killer. If he stayed with her, would her fate change because of him?

  He settled his brother in bed and took great care to strip off his bloody clothes. He ran a wet cloth over him to wipe off most of the blood before covering him with a blanket. Once he had him settled, and satisfied he was on his was to recovery, he left the room. He searched for Aimee and found her in the tower. It seemed like a place they both used for an escape.

  “He’s doing much better. I can’t thank you enough for what you did.” He slid in next to her, and they both stared out the windows and watched the sun set.

  “I’m glad to hear that. I was happy to help.”

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you earlier.” He hadn’t missed her body stiffen when he entered in his demonic form. He hadn’t thought it would affect him, but the thought that she was frightened of him or found him hideous wretched his heart.

  She turned to look at him and blinked. “Frightened? Oh, you mean when you came in still shifted?” She shook her head. “I wasn’t frightened at all. A bit surprised, perhaps, but I actually find it fascinating that you can do that.” She pulled her bottom lip through her teeth, and he stifled a groan. “I’d like to take a closer look sometime.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  He bit back a grin. “I’m sure that can be arranged. Tell me, did you learn anything?”

  “A little. I didn’t have time to read the entire book, but I learned that your coronation only requires three of your people.” She frowned. “With your brother back, you have two. Any chance you can rescue a third?”

  He tipped his head and studied her. “I have three.” Her questioning look and wrinkled forehead told him she was clueless.

  “Really?”

  “Have you forgotten that you’re also one of us? Therefore you count as the third.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Oh. But I’m not full-blooded, so I assumed I didn’t count.”

  She needed to stop selling herself short. He stepped closer, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. He bent down and came within inches of her lips. He could hardly wait to taste her again. “I have told you before that this is also your home. You carry the DNA which gives you all the same rights and privileges the rest of us have.” He didn’t wait for her to reply. Instead, he claimed her mouth. Pressing his tongue until she opened, he swept in before she could deny him. The burst of apricots served to fuel his hunger further. He wanted her––no, he needed her—and he positioned his other hand to cup her ass and lift her into him.

  She moaned and struggled, but he held fast and continued to plunder her mouth until they were both breathless. He ended with a nip to her bottom lip before he broke away. “As soon as my brother is well, we’ll hold the coronation. In the meantime, stay with me tonight.” He nibbled the corner of her mouth.

  “Greydon. We shouldn’t…I mean things have changed.”

  He stiffened then pushed back to search her eyes. “Changed how?” He could sense her arousal so it wasn’t that.

  “You’re about to fulfill the first part of your destiny and become king. In order to save your people and your home, you need a queen.” She cast her gaze to the floor. “I think it’s best we end this now. I don’t want to be in the way when it comes time for you to marry or whatever you demons do.”

  “I see.” No he didn’t. Could he face losing her? No fucking way. “There will be no talk of my marrying. There is only you and I, and you agreed to give us a chance.” He ran his nose along her neck and let his fangs extend then scraped her earlobe. “I only desire to please you. Let me strum your body until you scream in ecstasy.”

  “I…umm.” She relaxed into him. At least for the time being, he had won. Right now, he would take any little victory he could gain.

  Chapter 19

  How the hell was she supposed to say no when Greydon seduced her? He hit all the right buttons and now Aimee could think of nothing but him. What the hell? Will another night hurt? She knew it was wrong; she was getting in way too deep, but she had zero willpower when it came to him.

  “You don’t play fair.” Her voice came back husky from desire.

  He telepo
rted them to his room. “Of course I don’t. I always get what I want, and I want you.”

  “Your ego is rather large.”

  “It can be, but you are saying yes. Correct?” He pulled off his shirt and her mouth actually watered, wanting to kiss every inch of his chest and work her way down. There was no way she could deny him.

  “Yes.” She swallowed.

  He grinned. “Good. You can join me in the shower.”

  “Oh, need someone to wash your back?” she joked.

  “That and other parts.” He reached for her shirt and pulled it over her head. “I’m wasting no time.” In seconds, he had them both stripped then picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. She noticed the water already running.

  “How did you do that?”

  He laughed as he stepped under the spray and set her on her feet. “Magic, baby.”

  The warm water sluiced down her back and relaxed tense muscles. He turned her to face away from him and began to rub the knots from her shoulders. She tipped her head forward to give him better access and let the tension roll off her.

  “Mmm. I hadn’t realized how tense I was.”

  “I know just how to relax you.” His voice was laced with seduction as he reached for a bar of soap and rubbed it across her back. She moaned when his hands slid down to her ass and lathered her in slow circular motions.

  When he’d finished, he turned her to face him, and she looked up into eyes that had turned a blackish-green. She had learned they darkened to that beautiful hue when he was aroused. There were so many layers to this man. She wanted to unravel each one but afraid to lose her herself. Already on thin ice, it wouldn’t take much for her to fall. Who the hell am I kidding? I’ve already fallen. Desperation shouted at her to run away, but where the hell would she go? She needed his protection.

  But I don’t have to sleep with him!

  True, but her body wanted him in the worst way, and the reckless part of her brain said enjoy him and worry about later…well, later.

  He rubbed the bar of soap between his hands then set it aside. With soft caresses, he massaged the lather across her chest and around her breasts, avoiding touching them as he moved down to her hips. He then brushed his fingertips along her pelvic bone then the inside of her thighs. She parted her legs slightly, hoping he’d ease the ache, but he totally ignored that part of her anatomy.

  “You’re evil,” she whispered.

  He flashed her a wicked grin. “I’m a demon sweetheart, I thought you knew that about us.”

  Well two could play at this game. She reached out, wrapped her hand around his erection and gave it a quick stroke, which elicited a groan. She had her own wicked idea to put it into place as she squatted in front of him. When she gazed up, his eyes widened as he realized what she was about to do.

  She flicked out her tongue and barely touched the tip of his cock.

  He laced his fingers through her hair.

  This time she cupped his balls as she swirled her tongue along the head of his prick and then down the underside of his shaft.

  He pressed his fingertips into her skull ever so slightly. “Holy shit, woman.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile. “I can be evil too.” And on the last word, she wrapped her lips around him and sucked him deep, causing him to tip his head back and moan. Oh, he was definitely at her mercy now, and she would enjoy every second of it. Watching his muscles tighten, as his eyes rolled into the back of his head, gave her as much pleasure as if he were bringing her to her own orgasm.

  She continued to work him until she sensed he was on the edge. Before she could bring him over to the other side, he pulled away. When she looked up, his eyes were almost black and his jaw tight.

  “I want inside you,” he snarled and lifted her to a standing position. “You should take care in getting me so worked up. My demon wants out and he wants you.”

  She should have been frightened, but his warning only fueled her fire. “I’m not afraid of him or of you.” His eyes reddened, his fangs extended and her excitement heightened at the thought of what was to come.

  He reached around behind her, cupped her ass and picked her up off her feet, sliding her body along his. Bending his head, he swirled his tongue around her nipple as he pressed her back into the shower wall. The cold tile did nothing to quell the inferno that burned between her thighs. The only thing that would put out that fire was having him buried deep inside her.

  Greydon kissed his way over her collarbone and up her neck where he stopped and scraped his fangs over her skin. She grabbed his head and pressed him into her.

  “Yes, do it.”

  He didn’t hesitate and sank the points at the same time he wrapped her legs around his waist and slipped his cock between her folds then thrusted. In one motion, he was seated deep and sent her tumbling over the edge. With every pull of her blood, her clit pulsed. When she’d come several times, he finally broke free and moved to her mouth where he claimed her again.

  “Mine,” he spoke against her lips then swept his tongue to taste every inch of her.

  Greydon held back his shift for as long as he could, but there was no stopping it now. His demon wanted free and needed to experience all of Aimee. His wings pushed through his back and his claws lengthened. He worried he would harm her, so he placed his hands on the tile behind her as he thrust. His mind spun while he moved faster and closer to his release. With every sweep of his tongue in her mouth, the sweet taste of apricots burst forth and it was a flavor he found intoxicating. He had fallen for this woman. Heaven help them both because he didn’t think he could ever let her go. He moaned into her mouth on his last thrust as his seed spilled and he joined her in orgasm.

  Several minutes passed while his heart rate slowed back to normal, and he finally pulled free and returned her to her feet. It was then he noticed the claw marks on the wall behind her and cringed.

  “I’m sorry. I tried not to shift, but something came over me.” Yeah, she came over you, idiot.

  She placed her palm on his cheek. “It’s part of who you are and I find it very sexy.” She planted a quick kiss on his lips then turned to finish showering. He wanted to tell her what was in his heart, but the words formed a lump in his throat so he grabbed the soap and lathered up. The thought that she might not feel the same scared the shit out of him.

  After they finished up in the shower, they both dressed in silence. Once he’d pulled on his boots, he walked towards the door. “I’m going to check on Zander.”

  “Okay.”

  He stormed down the corridor until he reached his brother’s room then stepped inside. He was delighted to see Zander sitting up in bed, watching TV and looking like a new man.

  “Grey.”

  “Zan, glad to see you’re not at death’s door.” He pulled up a chair next to the bed. His brother arched a brow.

  “I hear it’s time to crown you king, and do I understand correctly that you’ve fallen for a human female?”

  Greydon crossed his arms over his chest. “Fang talks too much.”

  The corners of Zander's mouth curled upward and twitched. “And I think you protest too much. When do I get to meet my future sister-in law?”

  It was now Greydon’s turn to raise a questioning brow at his brother. “I never said anything about marriage.”

  Zander threw off the covers and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “No you didn’t, but I can read you like a book. Not to mention the fact that I’ve never in my life seen you glow before.”

  “I don’t fucking glow,” he growled.

  “Suit yourself.” Zander walked across the room, grabbed a pair of jeans from the closet and slipped them on before he headed to the door.

  “Where the hell are you going?”

  Zander looked behind him. “To meet my future queen.” He exited the room.

  Son of a bitch! He was going to let his little brother do what he should do himself.

  Aimee had dressed, braided her hair and now
sat in the library with a book in hand. She’d been anxious to get back to the history of Atlantis and its inhabitants and flipped through the pages until she heard a rustle and looked up.

  “So you’re her, I suspect?”

  She blinked and focused on Greydon’s brother Zander, currently walking toward her in nothing but a pair of jeans that rode ever so low on his hips. His black hair was a hot mess, and his blue-grey eyes sparkled with mischief. Had she not already gotten in way too deep with his brother, she’d find him hotter than sin.

  “By her, if you mean Aimee then yes.”

  He came to stand in front of her and his gaze scanned every inch of her as if he searched for something. It made her a bit nervous, feeling as if he could look into her soul. Her gaze darted to his chest where faint lines of a tattoo began at his left collarbone and swirled downward ending at his waist. He noticed her stare and looked down.

  “I’m too young yet to complete the ritual.”

  “Oh. Umm how old are you?”

  He straddled the ottoman in front of her and sat down. “Three-hundred and fifty.” He flashed a white smile. “I want to thank you for saving me.”

  It was her turn to smile. “I didn’t do anything really.”

  “You offered your blood and that’s what brought me back.” He lifted his chin and took in a deep breath. “The DNA is very strong in you.”

  Her jaw dropped, and then her gaze narrowed. “You…can smell it?”

  He flashed that same friendly smile again. “It’s a gift of mine.” Then he shrugged. “Or a curse, depending on how you look at it. I can also tell when a female is with child or when she is ripe to become pregnant.”