Seared by Desire

by Jennifer T. Alli

  When he pulled away, releasing her wrist, a vivid red mark rested against her tanned flesh, two neat pricks visible if one looked hard enough. There was no time to admire his work as Sara shifted restlessly beneath him, lifting her hips upwards in invitation. Her skin was flushed and glistening with a faint sheen of sweat from her exertions but she still lifted her arms weakly, encouraging him to lay with her. The thirst, which he thought he’d sated, returned in force and he lowered himself down, spreading his body atop hers as his mouth became level with her breasts. Lucian kissed all around her turgid nipples, studiously avoiding the painfully hard tips. Sara bucked forcefully beneath him but he gripped her arms tightly preventing her from moving. His tongue slipped teasingly over one dusky peak, drawing it briefly into his mouth.

  “Lucian,” she gasped, struggling in vain against his grip. “Lu- Luc- Lucian.” His name came out on a shuddery breath when he firmly sucked the nipple, his hand creeping down the length of her body to settle between her thighs. A long moan spilled from her lips as he toyed with the wet folds of her sex, his lips moving from her nipple to the rounded crest of her breast. The low moan quickly turned into a keening groan of desperation when his fangs sunk into her the soft skin of her breast to drink from her again.

  The hot sheath of her sex clenched wildly around the fingers he’d embedded within her causing need to build within Lucian. His shaft throbbed painfully, the heat from his turgid length wandering over Sara’s body as he moved. Her hands caressed the cool skin covering his frame, desperate to convey the passion within her. Sara panted lightly, wishing that she could kiss him but he was already moving, his body descending out of her reach.

  Lucian stopped when he was resting between her thighs, the breadth of his shoulders keeping her open to his gaze. Her body was shivering in what he knew was unease but he couldn’t stop, they had already come this far. A long, slow lick of her wet core had Sara’s body jolting from the bed, her back bowing, her legs falling weakly against him. She tasted even better now that there were faint traces of her divine blood on his tongue and an idea came to him. He took another languorous lick of her core before sinking his fangs into the tender flesh of her inner thigh. She moaned loudly, more heat seeping into him as his shaft twitched in response to her desperation filled plea.

  The sound of her voice washed over him like an aphrodisiac and eager to hear it again, he licked her once more before sinking his fangs into her flesh. He hadn’t thought it possible but his shaft hardened even further as she called out to him. He suckled furiously at her small, hard clitoris for long moments, drawing the bundle of nerves into his mouth randomly causing Sara to bite her lip to prevent the scream of pleasure from leaving her. His fingers slid easily into the channel of her body and on a groan of anticipation, Lucian flipped her over, rearranging her quaking limbs until she was resting on all fours.

  Rising behind her, he caressed the soft skin of her back, ran his hands over the curves of her arse but didn’t enter her. Sara was beginning to feel desperate, his bite had ignited a fire within her, her body had come to life as a living flame but she needed him to help her before she burned into nothing. She turned her head towards him, the redness of her plump lips only making Lucian's hold over his control slip further.

  “Lucian, I need you inside me. Please, Lucian.” She pressed her breasts against the soft sheets, lifting her arse further into the air and exposing her glistening sex. His bite had only made her want him within her more, her body clenching wildly for something that wasn’t there. “Lucian plea –”

  Her words were cut short as without warning he gripped his shaft and plunged into the depths of her body. Her heat surrounded him as he moved, the sensation forcing his body to move faster, to thrust harder. His hands gripped her hips tightly, pulling her into his thrusts. Pleasure began to mount as her sex gripped him tightly and he groaned, the sounds and smells of sex filling the air and inflaming his senses. Spreading his body over hers, Lucian was drawn helplessly to the curve of her neck.

  He pulled her upright, the new position allowing for greater penetration and Sara moaned, the breathy sound making Lucian even hungrier for her soft flesh. He cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his fingers as his fangs sank into her neck. As her world exploded in a kaleidoscope of sensation, Sara couldn’t prevent the scream that had been desperate to escape her from spilling from her lips. It was all too much and yet not enough, it would never be enough. Lucian's release was so hard it felt as though he were still moving within her, the sheer power stunning her as she collapsed weakly against the sheets. Her limbs were heavy, her eyes tired though she had slept most of the day away.

  Lucian let his body fall atop Sara’s as he gathered her close, lapping slowly at the mark forming on her neck. Her skin was pale and he cursed his actions though he couldn’t find it within himself to truly condemn himself. She had only just recovered and he had taken far too much. His heart was thundering within his chest, the power of her blood racing through his system. He felt stronger than he had ever done in his life, the strength of his bride’s blood awakening the power that had been lying dormant within him. Sara turned weakly within his arms, which only served to highlight the differences between his now enhanced strength and her drained body. The fire burning in her eyes however reminded him that his bride wasn’t to be underestimated, she had a strength of will that could never be diminished.

  “You bit me Lucian,” she accused.

  There was no way to deny it. “Several times actually.”

  “Why? Why now? You’ve never bitten me before. I thought the idea of biting me disgusted you.”

  He pulled her closer. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve had to resist biting you for a long time now. Your blood calls to me like no other.”

  “You could have fooled me the way you avoided me. Why now though?” Her brows drew together as another thought occurred to her. “You’ve never taken from me but you’ve bitten other people….”

  “Of course I have. I need blood to survive. Without it I’ll die Sara.”

  “You’ve bitten other women while you’ve been with me.”

  He was beginning to be confused by her train of thought but rather than feel annoyed he smiled, glad that she was back in his life to confuse him with her strange thoughts. “You know I have Sara, you’ve seen me do it.”

  Her body temperature spiked, threatening to destroy the sheets they lay against before it passed harmlessly into Lucian. “Bastard,” she hissed, her fists hitting his chest weakly. “I can’t believe you’d say it so easily.”

  “Sara, calm down. What’s the matter?”

  “You’re not allowed to bite anyone else ever again. The only one you should be giving that sort of pleasure to is me.”

  “Sara,” he laughed, gathering her even closer so she couldn’t gain the momentum to hit him. “No one but you gets pleasure from my bite. No one. I swear it to you.”

  Her protests stilled. “Really?” she croaked uncertainly.

  “Yes. Only my bride will feel pleasure in my bite just as the taste of your blood has made everyone else’s stale in comparison. You’re a possessive little thing aren’t you?”

  “What can I say? You clearly bring out the worst in me.” She pouted, the move drawing Lucian's gaze immediately. “Well so you know, you can bite me anytime. In fact, I’ll have to insist if you turn me down.” Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment but she shook her head in an attempt to dislodge her fatigue. “Do you want to bite me again?” Sara pulled the long length of her hair away from her neck, exposing the skin to his hungry gaze. “Bite me Lucian.”

  He groaned, tempted to succumb once more to temptation and sink his fangs into her throat. Would he never get enough of her? His fangs were throbbing again and helplessly he began to lean forward, fangs lengthening in preparation. He pulled himself up sharply, realising the mistake he’d been about to make. Her skin was pale, though still darker than his own, her eyes were heavy lidded from
weakness and even as she lay beside him he could feel her limbs trembling faintly from blood loss. Closing his eyes he forced himself to rein in his baser appetites and placed a chaste kiss to her damp brow.

  “I’ve taken enough.”

  “But…”

  “I won’t change my mind about this. I’ve taken enough. If I took any more tonight you’d be putting your life at risk. There’s only so much you have to give. I’ve been greedy and careless with you tonight. I’m sorry.”

  “Lucian, there’s no need to be sorry. If you ever need, don’t hesitate to take. I want you to take better care of yourself. I heard what you did while I was asleep. You haven’t been feeding or sleeping. Just because something has happened to me doesn’t mean that you should stop functioning. One day you’re going to be King. I know there isn’t a better person for the job but sometimes you have to put your feelings to one side so that you can survive. You have to live Lucian, regardless of what happens to me.”

  “I don’t want to keep living if you’re not here.” He gulped, letting more of the armour around his heart melt into nothing and braced himself for rejection. “I love you.”

  The rejection never came.

  Sara wrapped her arms around him, pressing her lips against his in a gentle kiss intended to convey the wealth of emotion she felt for him. Her heart fluttered within her chest at his words. Her soul felt as though it were flying free from her body to soar above the clouds. She pulled away, smiling at the picture he made as he blinked dazedly. “Love you too.”

  “Even though I’ve made you so weak you probably won’t be able to lift a sword for the next week?”

  She smiled seductively, making Lucian's heartbeat stumbled as anticipation built within him. “I’ve found much more interesting things to lift in the last few days.” Her hand drifted down his torso, wrapping around his hardening shaft.

  Lucian groaned, wondering where the seductress in front of him had come from before he kissed her and all thoughts fled before the rising passion that filled them.

  Lucian's prediction proved to be wrong. It only took Sara two days to recover enough strength to work her craft once again and as soon as she was able to, she worked her newly recovered body tirelessly. She woke up early every morning after Lucian had fallen asleep and set to work on his armour and at night crafted swords for his army and the armourer. She had grievously underestimated the amount of effort her project would involve. When she had first acquired the armour she’d been certain that she could temper all the necessary pieces at once but she soon learned the folly of her over confidence. It was too draining to channel the heat of her flame into all the pieces simultaneously, she had to temper them individually. After her exertions with Lucian's armour, she would return to bed, resting for a few hours so that she would have enough energy to keep up with Lucian when night fell. Since he’d taken her blood Lucian seemed to have boundless energy.

  Lucian had always been strong, if he hadn’t been then there would have been no possibility of him surviving as long as he had done, but with his bride’s blood in his veins he felt invincible. His every sense was enhanced, he could move faster than the eye could see, he was able to fly to heights he had never been able to reach before and the strength in his body had tripled, all thanks to Sara. With his new strength he began a systematic hunt for the Malachites. They were a threat not only to Sara but to his people and the peace he’d managed to give them. He’d offered them peace and they had rejected it, it was clear to him now that only annihilation would make them change their minds. He offered any malachite he came across two choices, join him or die. Strangely enough most chose to join him and were currently being taught the value of life and how to feed without killing. Those that chose to continue as they were met his blade. Sara’s blood had given him the strength of body to carry out his task and her presence had given him the will to see it through. With her blood in his veins, Lucian the Lord was beginning to fade away and with each day that passed King Lucian became increasingly evident and as soon as he found William, he would claim his throne.

  Chapter Eighteen – Collisions with the Devil

  “Lucian, are you sure you won’t bite me? You must be thirsty.” Sara pulled back her hair, running her fingers sensuously up and down her throat.

  Lucian groaned, his eyes were drawn to the smooth skin of her neck and his fangs began to throb. She had been tempting him for the last two days, encouraging him to drink from her, to take her blood into his body but he forced himself to resist. Though he had become intimately acquainted with her body, he resisted biting her again. Despite the fact that she was now up and moving, her body was still weak. He had taken far too much the first time and if she were to fully recover she would need at least a week without him sinking his fangs into her skin. It didn’t help that she had enjoyed his bite so much but still he resisted. There was no need to take her blood, even though it had been a few days since he’d last fed from anyone he still felt strong. With her blood in his veins, he felt invincible and with a strong force of conviction he was determined to drive the Malachites to extinction.

  He shrugged on his black overcoat, ready to go out into the night and hunt down his enemies. “I’m not going to bite you Sara.” She pouted, making it impossible for Lucian not to kiss her. When he pulled away she blinked dazedly at him, the pleasured expression making Lucian smile. His heart lifted as it always did when Sara was involved. “I’ve explained this to you already. Your body isn’t strong enough yet. Have patience, it’s only a few more days and then…” He pulled her close, whispering heatedly in her ear. “I’ll drink you until I’m drunk on your blood and you’re mindless with pleasure.”

  She shivered with anticipation at the promise. “Fine,” she breathed. “I’m holding you to that. Give me my sword back and off with you.” She reached for the blade strapped around his waist but was stopped short by his hand, the movement so fast she hadn’t even seen it. Is it just me or has he gotten faster? she mused as she began to struggle against him.

  “Sara, I need my sword. I’m going on patrol again to hunt the Malachites.”

  She looked towards the estate’s entrance where a contingent of Lucian's army waited patiently. Sara supposed that if their positions were reversed and she was forced to listen to the nightly ritual of her encouraging him to bite her and he constantly refusing she would complain, yet they never uttered a word. Instead they looked on happily, enjoying the amusing actions of their Lord and his Lady. Forcing her eyes to look away from their captivated audience, Sara let her attention return to Lucian and the firm grip he had on her. “I told you Lucian, that sword isn’t complete. I won’t let you keep wandering about with an unfinished blade, now give it back to me.”

  “It’s served me fine the last few nights. I’ve forced many Malachites to see reason with this sword, clearly it works just fine as it is.”

  “Lucian, that sword hasn’t been properly tempered and I need to fix it.” I need to see if it can withstand the same treatment as your armour, it will be completely useless to me otherwise.

  His free hand clenched reflexively around the hilt. How did he explain to her, without sounding insane, that when he wielded her sword in battle it felt as though she were at his back silently lending him her support?

  “Lucian, at some point or other I’m going to have that sword back. I promise that I’ll return it to you as soon as I can.”

  “And if I give up my blade what do you expect me to take into battle tonight?”

  She turned to George, beckoning him eagerly. He placed a blade in her hands and though the silver gleamed in the moonlight, Lucian frowned deeply at the poor substitute. He didn’t want it.

  “George went to one of the sword smiths in town and found this for you.”

  “I don’t want to exchange my sword for that,” he spat. “If I must surrender my blade then why can’t you replace it with one of yours?”

  “I have no more swords to give Lucian. I’ve rushed through fo
ur swords already this week. Two days? Four swords? That’s a record for me.”

  It was amazing what one could accomplish when there wasn’t a vengeful spirit trying to escape and wreak havoc on the world. Seraphina had been distinctly quiet the last few days, so quiet that Lucian had even for a moment thought that she had simply faded out of existence. There had been no episodes, no fires ragging uncontrollably and bringing her to her knees but Sara knew better. Seraphina was still within her, her flames simply simmering until an opportune moment. She wasn’t sure what it was that had made the spirit calm down but she knew with certainty that her peace was short lived. Even now she could hear Seraphina’s voice getting louder within her mind, the emotions behind her words stronger, soon she would break free. Sara was determined not to distract Lucian any more than she already had. He didn’t need another burden to carry, not when he thought that he had finally become free of one.

  “And where are they now? Why can’t I have one?”

  Three are with the armourer and I’ve set one aside for when you forgive Russell and free him from the dungeons. But you don’t need to know any of that. Her lips pursed together in stubborn silence.

  “If you can’t give me a reason then I’m going to keep this one.”

  An idea came to her and though she shuddered in embarrassment at the very thought of going through with her plan she knew it was necessary. Lucian needed the armour she was making, it would save his life in battle one day she was certain but if he found out what she was doing Sara had no doubt that he would stop her. Tempering Lucian's armour was draining her body of strength she could ill afford to give up when her body was already weak from a lack of blood but she wouldn’t be deterred from her course. The longer Lucian was without protection, the more likely it was that harm would come to him.