by Rosalie Redd
Practice, that’s what Sheri had said.
Nikki glanced into the tub. Small ripples bounced against the stone sides from when she’d jumped from the water, calming as each second passed. Could she make them bubble again?
She concentrated on the water, straining her mind. The waves on the surface continued to slow, barely a wrinkle. Frustrated, she exhaled and threw up her hands.
The water rippled. Sheri had mentioned emotion could be a trigger. Memories of Gaetan holding her close, his lips brushing against her neck, raced through her mind. A rush of heat ran from her chest and into her cheeks. Her breathing increased, and the water bubbled and frothed.
The door squeaked. Quick, padded footsteps approached.
Nikki’s concentration broke. The water stilled, and she turned toward the source of the interruption.
A small female, not more than three feet tall, came to an abrupt halt. She was curvaceous, wearing a brown dress and held a stack of towels in her arms. Shoulder-length brown hair cascaded around her shoulders. Her coffee-colored eyes widened. “Oh, my, I didn’t expect to find you in here, but no matter. It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear. My name is Bet.”
The small female curtsied then placed the towels on the rack. An inviting, warm smile curled her lip. “You must be Nikki. I’ve heard all about you.”
Nikki stiffened. “You’ve heard about me?”
“Well, of course, dear. News travels quickly in the Keep.” Bet moved closer, her small feet moving faster than Nikki would’ve thought possible. “Is there anything I can get for you?”
Self-conscious, Nikki took a step toward her clothes draped across a nearby wooden chair. “Just need a moment to, ah,” she pointed at her pants and top, “get dressed.”
Bet’s gaze roamed over the towel then her eyes widened. “Oh, dear, don’t mind me, I have a few chores to do.” The small female turned her back and worked on straightening the towels on a nearby rack.
Nikki took the brief opportunity and threw on the clothes Sheri had given her. She wrung her hair, squeezing out more water, and peered at Bet.
Bet’s shoulders tensed, and a soft sob slipped from her lips.
So caught up in her own private world, Nikki had forgotten that others also had problems. She flicked her wet hair over her shoulder and approached the little female. “What’s wrong? Can I help?”
Bet sniffed and wiped at her eyes. She straightened, turned to face Nikki, and smiled, but the effort seemed forced. “It’s nothing to concern you, dear. Oh, you need a brush,” she grabbed one off a nearby table, “here. I picked this one up from a merchant yesterday, before I heard that—” A sorrowful wail escaped her lips.
Nikki bent down and wrapped the small female in her arms. Bet shook, her tears dampening Nikki’s sweater. After a long moment, Bet pulled back.
“I’m s…sorry, dear. You didn’t need to see that. I—”
“What has you so upset?” Bet’s tears reminded Nikki of her brother, and a wave of empathy spurned a desire to help the female.
“King Noeh, he’s gone…dead, and so is Queen Melissa.” Her mouth quivered. “I don’t know what we’ll do without them, and, Anlon, our little prince, he’s missing.”
Nikki placed her hands on Bet’s shoulders and gave the other female a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t know. Is there anything I can do?”
Bet blinked. “Perhaps there is. Many of us are worried about Gaetan.”
Coldness prickled along Nikki’s arms. Her grip tightened on Bet’s shoulders. “What do you mean?”
Bet’s eyes flitted back and forth as she searched Nikki’s features. “He watched after Anlon when the newb disappeared. Gaetan is a very responsible male. He may blame himself for what transpired. Maybe you can talk to him, make him understand it’s not his fault.”
“Why me?” Although she felt this odd attraction to him, she didn’t know him, not well anyway.
“He brought you here, so he must care for you.” Bet’s words weaseled inside Nikki. It wasn’t possible. There was no way Gaetan cared for her. If her father couldn’t, who could? Yet, she couldn’t deny how her loneliness eased when she was around him.
“I don’t know.”
“Would you try? Please?” A hopeful gleam lit up Bet’s eyes.
Nikki sighed. There was no way she could refuse those puppy dog eyes. “All right. I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.” Bet wrapped her arms around Nikki’s waist. After a few moments, Bet pulled back. A soft giggle, filled with relief, eased from her. “Here,” she held out the brush, “you still need this.”
Nikki smiled and accepted the small gift from her new friend. “Thank you, Bet.” Whether she could help Gaetan or not remained to be seen.
CHAPTER 12
N ikki sat on the edge of the bed and slid her fingers over the comforter. The silky material teased the pads on her fingers. After her bath, she’d retired to her room. The bed had called to her, beckoning with its comforting appeal. A nap had done her wonders.
An itch flared on her palm. With more vigor than necessary, she scratched her nails across the irritated flesh. The marking was darker and in the definite shape of the letter ‘M.’
A shot of adrenaline infused with a mixture of fear, frustration, and unease propelled her from her resting place. She paced to the small table with its two matching chairs and wrapped her fingers around the back of one. How she wished this were all some sort of bizarre dream, but after all she’d seen and learned over the past two days, it was real, every bit of it.
A rap on the door, once, twice, three times, echoed through the room. She peered at the worn wooden door, the top curved to match the rough-cut stone frame. Gaetan?
Her pulse skyrocketed. She blew out a quick breath and headed across the smooth stone floor. As she opened the door, the hinge issued a loud squeak.
“Hello, Nicole.” Gaetan stood in the doorway, one hand wrapped around his cane, the other pressed against the frame. The muscles in his shoulders bulged under his thin short-sleeved shirt. From under the edge, a long, dark line travelled over his taut bicep, down his thick forearm, and split into four lines that ran along the back of his large hand.
An overwhelming urge swept over her. She wanted to run her fingers over the taut cords and feel his strength beneath her touch. Instead, she curled her hands around her middle.
Gaetan cleared his throat. His pale blue eyes sparkled with flecks of gold. It would be easy to fall into their beautiful and mesmerizing depths. “Nicole, Sheri indicated I should stop by. May I come in?”
“Oh, of course.” Nikki stepped aside. “But please, most people call me Nikki.”
As he passed, the scent of tarragon eased into her senses, filling her with his warm scent. There was something in his quiet demeanor that grounded her, and she gravitated to him like a planet around a sun.
He smiled. “I rather like the sound of your given name. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to call you Nicole.”
“Uh, sure.” Heat raced across her cheeks. Damn him, he had her flustered already. She closed the door, the hinge protesting once again.
He motioned to the squeaky metal plate. “I’ll tell Jax about the noise. He’ll have one of the Jixies repair that in no time.”
“Thank you. You’ve been very kind.” She studied his features for a long moment. The gray in his hair accentuated the blue in his eyes. She swallowed hard. “Bet told me about Anlon. I’m sure you’re worried.”
“I am—” He winced. His fingers tightened around his cane, turning white with strain. One of the faint lines on the back of his hand lightened.
She gasped and touched her throat. “Why is your tattoo getting lighter?”
“Craya…” He wiped his palm over his face. “It’s not a tattoo, but a damned curse.”
The desire to understand him a bit more urged her on. “Please, tell me.”
He held out his hand, studying the lines. “At birth, all Stiyaha males rece
ive a mark that represents their core values.”
“What are yours?”
Slow and deliberate, he touched each knuckle in his right hand starting with his index finger and ending with his pinkie. “Responsibility, benevolence, empathy, and patience.”
She took a tentative step toward him. “Why did the line fade just now?”
A tic pulsed to life in his jaw, tightening his handsome face. “If the male doesn’t honor the values, his mark will fade until it disappears, and…”
“What happens then?” she whispered.
“You don’t want to know—” He inhaled and leaned on his cane.
A wave of empathy had her moving to him in an instant. She trailed her hand down his arm and over the thick, black line. The mark was smooth, soft, and tickled her fingers. “What’s wrong?”
Anguish and torment radiated in his pale blue eyes. “I’m fine. I just need…my medicine.”
She released her hold on him, despite the ache growing in her chest.
With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a beautiful blue stone. The sunstones lining her bedroom walls flared to life, reflecting off the crystal in his palm.
“Craya.” He shoved the gem back where it came from and withdrew a small satchel. Fingers shaking, he popped a pill into his mouth and swallowed. The tension in his shoulders eased. “Forgive me. I’m not…” He exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Perhaps another male would better suit your needs.”
A chill swept along her arms. The last thing she wanted was another male. “But I thought you came here to…”
He strode toward the door, the tapping of his cane loud in the small room. “I’ll ask Saar to find—”
She gripped his arm, stopping him. “Please, I don’t want another male. I want you.”
He peered over his shoulder, studying her. “Why would you want an old, broken-down male like me? You should feed from a strong warrior.”
“Because you saved me.” Her lip quivered, so she bit it.
His gaze riveted there, and the beautiful gold flecks in his eyes swirled in the aquamarine once again. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
The tension between them turned dark and sensual. Beneath her blouse, her nipples peaked. “I trust you.”
A low growl emerged from him, deep and possessive. He gripped her arm, flipped her around, and pinned her against the door.
She squealed at the sudden movement, but he hadn’t hurt her. On the contrary, he cradled her in his arm, sequestered between the door and his large body. Her breasts pressed against the firm muscles of his chest, each panting breath teasing her already puckered nipples.
He leaned his cane against the door and drew his hand to her face. With a tenderness that contradicted his rough behavior, he trailed a finger down her cheek. “Perhaps you shouldn’t.”
His minty breath mixed with his unique tarragon scent, weaseled inside, and stroked her in places she never knew existed. Her mind fogged. “Shouldn’t what?”
He smiled. “Trust me.”
“Why not?” She squirmed, but that only stoked the heat building between them, the liquid fire racing through her veins.
He held her still. “You want to know what happens when I lose my mark?”
She nodded. He lit up her nerves everywhere he touched. Her heart pounded loud in her ears, each rapid breath feeding the frenzy building inside.
“I’ll lose control of my beast. You…you…” He cradled her head in his palm. His rough, callused thumb skimmed over her bottom lip. “You…tempt…me…”
Caught off guard by his words, she inhaled. An ache built along her gums, and she moistened her lips.
He kissed her, his mouth hard and firm against hers, bruising her in its intensity. Thrilling warmth flooded all the way to her core, dampening her panties. He slid his tongue along the seam of her lips, the smooth, silkiness of his stroke teasing her. She let him in despite the awareness that doing so made her emotionally vulnerable to him, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
Taking advantage of her acquiescence he deepened the kiss, exploring her, owning her, possessiveness radiating from him in waves.
A craving she couldn’t quite identify zipped along her nerves. Sharp pain erupted from her gums as her canines elongated. She broke the kiss, gripped his shirt collar, and yanked.
The loud rip of material echoed through the room.
Before she could think about her actions, she sank her teeth into the sensitive spot at the base of his neck. Blood slipped down her throat.
She really wasn’t human anymore. Unwilling to face the truth, she forced the thought away and gave herself to the pure, erotic pleasure coursing through her veins.
As she drank, he cradled her against him. Soft and soothing, Gaetan’s murmured words pierced the fog invading her brain. The urge to rip off his clothes, push him to the bed and have him right here, right now, rippled through her. She tugged on his shirt, the cloth bunching between her fingers.
A low, predatory growl burst from him. He tightened his grip on her arms. “Stop, Nicole.”
If only she could.
Nicole’s soft, sensual lips on Gaetan’s neck, and the gentle tugs as she drank from him sent a rush of blood south, lengthening him, fueling his desire for her. Feeding her, giving her what she needed to survive was more erotic than he’d imagined. Constrained like his beast, his shaft pulsed painful and hard against his pants. What he wouldn’t do to have more time with this female.
His bonding sac hardened under his tongue to the point of pain. The ink that would bond him to a female had never surfaced before, not once in his long life. To have it do so now sent a frantic chill over his shoulders and down his back. He’d avoided females, afraid of tying one to him with his deformed leg and his commitment to his sister. After what he’d done to Ginnia, he could never walk away from her. They were a package deal. No female wanted that.
With more force than he’d intended, he barked at her. “Stop, Nicole.”
She withdrew her fangs, and with tender strokes licked his skin, sealing the wound with her saliva. Not long ago, he’d done the same to her, saving her life in the process. He was bound to her, responsible for her. An odd satisfaction warmed his chest. His inner beast, silent for centuries, growled his assent. Had his beast woken because of this female, the one he couldn’t get out of his mind, or was the beast here because he was so close to losing his sanity?
“Umm, you taste so good.” She peered at him through sleepy eyes, gratification and bliss evident in her gaze. With a quick slip of her tongue, she licked her plump, reddened lips.
His attention pinpointed on the soft flesh. He couldn’t stop himself. After sliding his hand to the back of her neck, he angled her head, preparing her for his kiss once again. Drawing her to him, he pressed his mouth against hers, enjoying how she molded to him, matching his intensity.
She trailed her fingers into his hair, holding him in place, and slid her tongue between his lips. Her fangs elongated, scraping against his tongue, igniting his need and want of her. Blood pounded at his temple. His mind clouded to all thoughts except the physical sensations of her touch, her taste, and her scent searing into him.
Nicole moaned. The vibration travelled from her mouth to his, and his bonding sac pulsed, the membrane stretching taut beneath his tongue. A tendril of fear drifted into his mind, bringing him out of his aroused state and freezing him in place. To bond to her would be a mistake, and he stiffened.
She jerked in response. One of her fangs sliced under his tongue, puncturing his bonding sac. The pungent taste of tarragon filled his mouth. With more force than necessary, he broke the kiss, his hands pinning her shoulders against the door’s fine wooden grain.
She stared at him, her green eyes wide. “What was that?”
Dread skittered over his back and down his leg, seeking the weak point in his knee. Pain bloomed from the joint, but couldn’t match the fear twisting his insides, squ
eezing the breath from him.
Half blind with fear, he pushed away from the door, away from her, this female that he’d just committed his life. I’m a bonded male. Usually, bondings happened during lovemaking. The sex, combined with the bonding ink, produced the mirror image of the male’s mark onto the female’s skin, tying the female to the male as well. That hadn’t happened here. She wasn’t as bound to him as he was to her.
He stumbled, his leg, as well as his heart, unable to bear the weight. His knee hit the ground with a hard thunk. Pain travelled along his nerves until white spots formed in his vision.
“Are you okay? Did I…hurt you?” Nicole’s soft words cascaded over him, her voice filled with anguish.
His beast growled, the need to take her, complete the mating portion of the bonding, rippling over him with an intensity he’d never known before. The hair on his arms elongated.
“No!” His scream echoed off the chamber walls.
She flinched and recoiled from him, easing toward the table, as if the furniture could be an effective barrier between them. If he changed, there was no protection, not here, not anywhere.
His breaths heaved in and out of his lungs. In his crouched position, he couldn’t move, the pain riveting him in place. Pulling on the inner strength he’d honed over many centuries, he clamped down on his beast, trapping it in his mind. The hair on his arm receded to its normal length.
Nicole approached, one tentative step at a time, her soft-soled shoes swishing across the stone floor. She placed her hand on his shoulder and knelt next to him. The warmth of her skin, even through his shirt, was welcome and comforting. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
She thought herself responsible. His heart clenched. He breathed in deep, forcing himself to calm, yet he couldn’t bring himself to look at her. “No, it is I that should apologize to you.”
She brushed her finger over his forehead, down his cheek and under his chin. With a soft tug, she encouraged him to look at her. “I don’t understand. What happened?”