by S. K. Yule
“Well you could just use compulsion on her again.” Estril watched his reaction closely and was pleased by his obvious reluctance at the suggestion.
“Yeah, I guess.”
* * * *
Avril woke and stretched her stiff limbs. She rolled and looked at the clock. It had been several hours since she had seen Ebony. She jumped out of bed and grabbed a change of clothes. How could she have slept for so long and not checked on her best friend? She felt guilty and headed to the bathroom after grabbing some clothes. She gave a quick scrub to her face, brushed her teeth and hair and put on the pants, blouse, socks and shoes she had brought in with her.
She sprinted across the bedroom and yanked the door open, just stopping short of running into Aiston. Why was he always in her way? Although she did owe him thanks for sitting with her earlier while she fell asleep. He had been very kind and attentive to her.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came up to see if you were up yet. I thought you might like to come down and sit with Aldin, Estril and me in the family room.”
“Maybe later, I need to see how Ebony’s doing.”
He let out a long breath. “You know, Avril, Ashe is with her and he would let us know if her condition changed. Surely you know by now that he will take very good care of her.”
“Of course I know that, but I still want to see my friend.” She tried to edge around him, but he blocked her path.
“Please move.” She was becoming irritated.
“How about this, I’ll go tell Ashe to bring Ebony down and we can all see how she’s doing.”
“She may not be able to come downstairs. What’s the big deal? I want to see her!”
“Ashe get out here, Avril’s having a conniption fit wanting to see Ebony. I don’t know what to do.”
Ashe’s door opened across the hall and he stepped out closing it behind him. “Avril, Aiston. What’s going on?”
Avril gave Aiston a shove and walked past him to Ashe. “I want to see Ebony and he won’t let me. Is something wrong with her?”
Ashe laid his hands lightly on her shoulders. “Ebony’s fine Avril, I promise. She woke up awhile ago with a little headache and now that’s even gone. She fell back to sleep and I was just getting ready to wake her up. Why don’t you go downstairs with Aiston and I’ll be down with Ebony in a little while.” She smiled and nodded in agreement. She turned back to Aiston and waited for him to take her downstairs.
“Thanks, Ashe. I didn’t feel right using compulsion on her.”
“No problem. I don’t like it either, but I need to give Ebony a little time to adjust before coming down. She’s fine by the way. Let everyone know that we’ll be down in about an hour.”
“I’m glad to hear everything went okay.”
Aiston turned and guided Avril downstairs. He got her a steaming cup of black coffee and then they went and joined Estril and Aldin.
* * * *
Ashe turned and went back into his room where Ebony lay on her stomach sleeping on the big bed, her nude body tangled in the sheets. He sat down beside her and placed his hand on her back, rubbing the smooth skin then bent and kissed her on the shoulder.
“Ebony, it’s time to wake up.”
She mumbled and turned on her back looking up at him with clear eyes. “Wow, I don’t even feel groggy or anything like I normally do after waking up. My head is wonderfully clear and doesn’t ache at all.” She sat up and threw her arms around him and listened to his rich, deep laugh.
He hugged her back to him. “So you feel okay?”
“Yes! Wait, what was that?”
“What?”
“That chirping noise.” She cocked her head and listened closer
He listened for a minute, smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s just the video game Aiston and Aldin are playing downstairs.”
Her shock registered immediately. “What!”
“You will have to get used to your enhanced senses. You’re hearing, smell, touch, taste, and sight are about twenty times more sensitive now. Don’t worry. You’ll learn to turn it down until you need it. Then, even when you learn that, you will still hear anything that might pose a threat. You have a sixth sense now and it’ll just take a little time to get used to it, but I’m here to help you get through it.”
“Am I really like you now? I mean, I’m not sick anymore? I feel like it’s all a dream and I’m going to wake up and have reality crash down on me.”
“No, baby it’s not a dream and you are completely healthy now. We have forever to spend with each other.” He laughed as she squealed and jumped on him, wrapping her arms around him, squeezing him hard.
He gently pulled her hands from around him and held them in his bigger ones. “That’s another thing you will have to be careful of until you get used to it. You are quite a bit stronger now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” He just laughed again and hugged her back to him.
“No. You could never hurt me, but it’s possible you might hurt Avril or another human until you learn, but again, don’t worry. We’ll get through this and I know you’re a fast learner.”
“When will I have to, um . . . you know, eat?” She was working her bottom lip with her teeth like she always did when she was worried.
"I assume you mean blood and you normally only need it every two or three days. However, you will need it more for awhile until your body fully adjusts to all the changes. Unless you are injured, which I will never allow again, you can feed from me.” Her relief was obvious.
She ran her tongue over her front teeth. “But, I don’t have any fangs.”
“They come down when you feed.” He loved when her brows drew together in contemplation. In fact, he loved everything about her. “Don’t worry. Instinct will take over when it’s time.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Now, everyone is waiting for us downstairs. They are anxious to see you. We obviously didn’t tell Avril as it’s your decision to tell her or not of the change. And, as much as it might be rushing you, you should feed for the first time before we go down.”
“Okay although, I’m not sure if I can, but I’ll try. What do I do?”
“Just trust me when I tell you that you’ll know what to do when the time is right.” Before she could say anything else he took her mouth in a demanding kiss.
She thought she might faint. She thought making love to him was wonderful before, but now, with her new senses, just his kiss had her close to orgasm. He must surely feel these sensations to and how in the heck did he control something that felt this good? The feel of his tongue thrusting in and out of her mouth, dueling with her own had her so wet and ready she couldn’t wait for him to slide himself deep inside her. She was burning up and she thought sparks might fly off her at any moment. She moaned and arched into him, rubbing the tiny peaked buds of her nipples against his chest as he continued to kiss her.
He broke their kiss for a short second to pull his shirt off then his mouth was hot and demanding on hers once again. She raked her nails up and down his back causing blood to rise from the shallow scratches they left. Now it was his turn to groan as he bent and suckled one pebbled nipple deep into his mouth while he reached under the sheet pooled in her lap to touch her intimately.
“You’re so wet and ready for me already.” He pushed one finger inside her and growled as her inner muscles clamped down around him.
“Now, I can’t wait any longer. I need you in me now, Ashe!” She clawed at him, pulling him down on her as she fell back, hitting the soft mattress.
He unzipped his pants, freeing his erection and nudged her legs far apart with his knee positioning himself at her opening. He flexed his hips and buried himself to the hilt with one deep thrust at the same time he sank his fangs deep into the fleshy part of her breast. She wrapped her legs around him and encouraged him into a frenzied pace. Seconds before she reached climax, she felt an odd sensation in her mouth and almost pricked her t
ongue on the fangs that had extended. His blood called to her with each beat of his heart. She could hear it throb through his veins with each thump. His teeth slid out of her breast and she pulled him to her and bit into his neck. Warm, spicy, blood filled her mouth and her orgasm hit her so hard and fast she almost jerked away. She didn’t want to hurt him though and fought to be careful.
Her climax rolled through her relentlessly wave after wave. She thought she might pass out from the sheer pleasure when he stiffened then pumped harder into her releasing his hot seed deep inside her. She swore she could feel the tip of him touching her womb and another wave engulfed her, taking her to a heightened ecstasy she could have never imagined. She pulled her mouth from his neck and licked the tiny puncture marks.
They both lay panting wallowing in the afterglow of passion for several minutes before getting up. They showered quickly and barely controlled the passion that threatened to overtake them once again. While they were dressing, Ebony saw a mark on Ashe’s right hip she had never noticed before that resembled a bruise.
“What is that?” She pointed to the mark.
Ashe smiled. “It’s a mated mark.”
Looking closer, the bruise was actually a small black rose. “What is a mated mark?”
“When vampires mate with their viata amants, as in change them, the mark appears on both to show they are claimed.” He pulled her over to the mirror. “See you have one too.”
“Oh my, I do. That is very . . . well I don’t know what exactly.” She examined the little rose nestled on her hip closer before deciding it was actually kind of cute. “Does every claimed vampire have one?”
“Yes, but if either mate dies, the surviving mate’s mark will disappear.”
She examined the mark one more time before dressing. Ashe then took her hand and headed downstairs to the family room.
Everyone smiled as they walked in and Avril and Estril jumped up to hug Ebony. Estril kissed Ashe on the cheek and gave him a quick hug as well.
“I’m so happy for you, brother.”
“Me, too.” Aiston chimed in.
“I am, too.”
“Thank you. I can honestly say I am happier than I’ve ever been.” Ashe’s hot glance nearly curled Ebony’s toes.
“Ebony, you look good. I was so worried about you, girlfriend.” Avril hugged her again.
“I’m fine. And, thank you for caring enough to worry about me.”
Ashe tugged Ebony over to a chair and down on his lap and everyone else took a seat around the room as well. They laughed and talked for what seemed like hours. A feeling of happiness, love and deep peace flowed through the room. Ashe could only hope that his siblings would find a love like he had. He looked at Aiston, Aldin, Estril and then Avril and made a little wish for fate to lead each of them to a happy destiny, then began to plan a big surprise for Ebony. He smiled in anticipation.
Chapter Nineteen
Ebony stretched the next morning like a contented cat. She hadn’t gone to bed until dawn streaked through the night sky and had only been asleep for a few hours. It was awing to her that she felt so completely rested after such a short sleep. She knew over the next few weeks her body would require less and less rest. Ashe had told her that she would need more than normal until her body adjusted fully to all the changes.
She knew he was not accustomed to sleeping so much, but she had asked him to stay until she dozed off. Of course, when he had climbed into bed and wrapped himself around her, passion ignited and it was a while longer before she got any rest. He had made love to her slowly and thoroughly, kissing and stroking every inch of her body bringing her to the edge time and again before finally allowing her to fall over into oblivion. He had then held her in his arms until sleep claimed her.
She looked around the room and saw no sign of him. She sat up, grabbed her clothes that were tossed on the floor, shrugged back into them and went to her room to shower and change. She laid a flower patterned skirt that flowed down to her knees and a crisp pale green blouse across the bed before she went to the bathroom, and turned on the jets, allowing the water to get steamy while she brushed her teeth. She figured Ashe was downstairs, either in the study or the kitchen, and planned to search him out when she was done getting ready. She already missed his scent, his touch, and it had only been a scant few hours since she last saw him. Love was grand.
She wondered if she should try to shimmer to the study. The first two times she had tried to shimmer, she only accomplished making herself transparent and then reappeared exactly where she started. No, she would just wait until Ashe gave her a few more lessons before trying again. She finished up quickly and made her way downstairs.
* * * *
Ashe sat behind his big desk looking at the ring twinkling back at him. It had been delivered only a few minutes ago and it was perfect. The house was unusually quiet this morning and he hadn’t seen any of his siblings yet. His brothers were probably both out, as they had left together right before he had taken Ebony up to bed. However, since none of them preferred to be out in the daylight he assumed they would be back soon as the sun was beginning to shine in its full glory.
His thoughts drifted to Estril. He had only caught a glimpse of her when she had come down, grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed right back up to her room saying that she wouldn’t be eating this morning. She had seemed a little off lately to him, and he was worried. Ebony and Avril’s presence seemed to brighten her up, but she appeared to be in somewhat of a stupor lately. He had a nagging feeling in his gut that she was becoming bored and restless and might fly the coop soon. He wasn’t worried that she would never come back or anything so drastic, but she was his sister and he wanted her safe and happy. He didn’t know how he would keep her safe if she was out running all over God’s green earth on her own. He had a habit of conveniently forgetting she was nearly as strong as he. She was certainly smart and capable of taking care of herself but the over-powering instinct as a male to protect her plagued him.
Ebony’s footsteps on the stairs brought him out of his thoughts and he slipped the box in the top drawer of the desk right before she poked her head around the door and smiled at him.
“Hey there.”
“Hey there to you too.” Ashe would never get used to the sight of her. Her beauty radiated off of her like the brilliant twinkle of light radiated off a bright star.
“Did you already eat?”
“Just had coffee. No one was around this morning and Estril wasn’t eating so I told McKayla to skip the big breakfast this morning. I figured we could survive on toast and coffee this one time.” He grinned and patted his leg.
She gave a sultry pout and swayed her hips in exaggeration as she went to sit on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She gave him a quick kiss as his arms came around her and he followed up with a longer, more satisfying one. She sighed as she sat up and pushed her fingers through his silky black hair.
“Hmmm. Are you trying to seduce me again?”
Ebony’s cheeks turned bright red. Ashe chuckled and nuzzled her neck. ”I’ll get you for that, mister.” She stood and sashayed over to the couch.
He followed her, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap. He took her mouth in a searing kiss once again. She laughed and pushed him away playfully.
“My, my Mr. Aleksandrov, but we’ve just met.” She fluttered her eyelashes and placed the back of her hand to her forehead as if she were a high class lady back in the eighteen hundreds ready to swoon at such lewd behavior.
He chuckled once again and tugged her hand to rest on his chest imprisoning it there with his own. “But Miss White, I can’t help myself. Can’t you feel how my heart beats just for you? Surely you can have pity on a poor soul in love.”
Her eyes twinkled and she rushed off his lap to stand in front of the desk. “Oh, but it’s so improper, sir. I would be ruined.”
He stalked her, came up behind her, pulled her back to his chest and bent her forward to rest her hands palm
down on the cool wood surface, then whispered in her ear. “Then let us be ruined together.”
Her next words were replaced with a gasp when he began nibbling at her ear. He blew softly in it and smiled when her body melted against him. He pushed up harder behind her and she gripped the edge of the desk and rubbed her backside provocatively against the hardness of his arousal now nudging her. He reached around the front of her, put his hand down the neck of her blouse and covered one breast, cupping and kneading it gently before rolling the nipple between his fingers.
Her gasps of encouragement fueled him on and he bunched the soft fabric of her skirt up to her waist with his other hand after unbuttoning his jeans. The hand that was playing with her breast now moved to her back, cupping her neck and pushing her forward, pinning her to the hard surface. Her fingers gripped the edge of the desk harder as he yanked her panties to the side and plunged into her with one smooth thrust of his hips. He groaned and rotated his hips forward while she pushed hers back into him, giving, taking, demanding everything. Within seconds they both cried out and he slumped over her heated body and nibbled the soft skin of the top of her shoulder before smoothing her skirt back down and righting his own clothing.