Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  Eva shoved Hadrian back, pinning his shoulders against the throne. Her teeth sharpened and her tiny claws dug into his flesh, holding him in place. Their bodies slapped together as he plunged his thick, hard length into her, his thrust rough.

  Her body began to tingle as the pressure mounting within her coiled, tightening and tightening. Eva licked her lips and surrendered to her Drive.

  Hadrian roared as her teeth sank into his neck. Her tongue lapped at his blood. Eva’s orgasm was violent, her entire body convulsed, her inner muscles clamped around him, milking him, demanding his essence. He joined her. Stars exploded before his eyes, blurring his vision. The force of his climax ripped him apart.

  Eva released his throat. Her claws retracted, and sagged against him. Her strength gone, her body hummed with pleasure. His chest rose and fell beneath her cheek. His heart hammered, the sound drowning out the bellowing storm.

  Closing her eyes, she savored the moment. Hadrian wrapped his arms about her, squeezing her tightly. Tilting her head, she peeked up at him. His eyes sparkled like black diamonds and burned with hunger as he watched her slowly lick the last of his spicy, cinnamon blood from her lips.

  He bared his fangs and she moaned as his cock hardened within her.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Hadrian turned the worn envelope over in his hands before removing the letter it contained. He knew what he would find, having read the missive a thousand times over in the last three months. It wasn’t until tonight that he realized what Dimitri had meant.

  My dear friend,

  I have asked Falcon to come speak with you. He knows the facts of my return for I gave him a letter containing the details. The truth is, I was never dead, and Fate has aligned in such a way that it is now time for me to reclaim my throne.

  We all possess dark, painful secrets and, if we are not careful, they will devour us whole. Please, Hadrian, I beg of you, do not allow your demons to take you from us. You must remember who you are, remember the man you are. Come back to us and shake free of your shame, your guilt, and your self-loathing. The voices you hear are only your thoughts. Free yourself from the past. What is done cannot be undone.

  I too struggle and suffer like you and, unlike anyone else, I know the truth. I know what happened that night all those years ago. I know how your brother died. Fate can be cruel, but they have plans for you. I have only been shown a glimpse of your future and believe me, your life is not over yet. The second act is just beginning.

  — Dimitri Arsov

  Hadrian had always believed that people made their own destiny. Now, he was not so certain. Dimitri had seen Hadrian’s future and knew of his past. His oldest friend knew his secrets and accepted him as did Eva. He had even suggested that Hadrian request a ward from the Silveria pack, knowing that Eva would be the female sent to him.

  “The second act,” Hadrian whispered to the darkness. His words bouncing off the cold stone walls of the mausoleum.

  This was the second act. Here and now, but he had to relinquish his guilt, free himself of his shame, and silence the demon. But he did not know where to begin. How could someone free themselves of hate and despair? He had confessed his sins and shared the worst of secrets with Eva. His heart felt lighter, but shadows still clung to his soul.

  Hadrian folded the letter and tucked it back in the envelope. His gaze lifted to Titus’s tomb.

  “My brother,” he said coming toward. He laid his hands atop the stone. “I have spent the last three and a half centuries mourning you and blaming myself for your death. The guilt and madness have stolen my life.”

  He exhaled, clearing his lungs of air and stilling his heart.

  “Gods, I wish you were here, I wish we could have a real conversation. I cannot remember the last time we actually spoke like brothers. I miss the way we were.” Hadrian turned and leaned back against the sarcophagus. “I do not know when or why we began to drift apart. I was aware of your jealously of Falcon, maybe that is what pushed you away. And I never liked how much time you spent with Moreau and his men.” He shook his head. “The reasons do not matter. Though, I suspect you knew I went to South American not purely to study the shifter packs, but to escape you. In those last days before my departure, I could barely bring myself to look at you. Gods, Titus, I know everything you did. I knew you rode with Moreau under the cover of darkness. You swept through villages, killing and capturing more slaves for Moreau’s twisted plans.”

  Hadrian’s hands began to shake. Sorrow spread like a web through his chest, constricting about his heart. “I did not want to believe…I did not want to see the changes in you because…fuck.” He dropped to the floor, his legs spread out before him, his head rested against the stone. “I was beginning to hate you. I hated you for surrendering to the evil that coursed in our veins, the evil planted in us by Imbrasus. I had to leave, but I stayed away too long.

  “I do not know what kind of understanding you had with Moreau and his Second or the true reason you refused to fight beside me during the rebellion.

  “When the war ended and I emerged victorious, I did not banish you as I had the other Black Knights that supported Moreau. I welcomed you with love and peace, embracing you as my brother. Foolishly I believed we could regain what we once shared. I had hoped with Moreau gone we could…but you withdrew even more, completely shutting me out.” Unshed tears blurred his vision. “I cannot say I was oblivious of failed assassination attempts, but I had never suspected you...No.” He blinked, the tears slipping from the corners of his eyes. “No, that isn’t true. I did not want to suspect you. I did not want to think my own brother would want me dead.”

  He wiped at his face with the back of his hand. He had not cried since that night. Now, the tears ran freely in hot rivulets down his cheeks.

  “I want you to know…I forgive you and I pray to our Roman pantheon that you can forgive me…it was an accident.” Hadrian choked on the last word. Never had he allowed himself to view Titus’s death as an accident, but that is what happened. “I have relived that moment countless times always wishing it had ended differently.”

  Hadrian pushed to his feet. His chest felt heavy as if it were filled with lead and his eyes burned.

  “I have mourned you every second of every day and…I have to stop. I have let you go. I need to release the guilt that grips my soul and the hate that fills my heart. I need to start living.” He wiped at his face again, clearing away the dampness. “I need to allow myself to heal for our Clan and, more importantly, for my mate.

  “So, this is goodbye, my brother. I will allow you to lay in peace and silence, as is your due. After tonight, I will never think about our last moments together and I will bury the demon. Never again will the vampire rule me.”

  Hadrian brushed aside the dust that covered his brother’s name. “I will not return to this crypt.” He leaned down, tears falling from his chin to speckle the gray stone. “Rest well, Titus.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Well, crap,” Eva sighed as she added the leather bound book to the pile of rejects.

  She had been combing through the library, searching for any useful information about the Shaw and found nothing. Most of the books were written in one ancient language or another such as Greek, Latin, and Rune. Or, they were focused on spells, incantations, and healing techniques. Eva had attempted to use the magic, but other nothing happened.

  She grabbed another book, flipped it open and cursed again. It would take her weeks if not months to translate all the books, that is, if she could. Some of the text looked very old.

  Exhaling a frustrated sigh, Eva slammed the book closed. This entire situation was insane and there seemed to be no answers to the questions that circled in her mind.

  Why had her mother not told her she was Shaw? Had she really gone to Brazil for school or had she been banished from her tribe? Did her mother decide to move to Florida after she learned she was pregnant? Was her mother’s friend Shaw and was her uncle really even
her uncle?

  Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her brow. She did not know what to think or where to begin searching for the answers. Hadrian could tell her what was in the books, but he did not know the “why” and “how” stuff.

  Saying her world had been turned upside down was an understatement. Her world had been ripped to shreds leaving her heart battered, her soul bruised, and her mind reeling. Nothing that had happened in the past few days made any sense. Not even Hadrian.

  Her body warmed just from the thought of him.

  The guarded vampire king had shared with her words she knew he had never before dared to speak. He had revealed himself to her, laying his sins at her feet, showing her the scars that abraded his soul. Had he meant for his confessions to drive her away? Well, it had not worked.

  He was no murderer. He was no demon. He was Hadrian. He was dark, mysterious, sexy, hard and gentle. To her, he was a wounded angel in need of healing and, god, she wanted to be the one to heal him. Would he allow her to help him? Or would he just ship her off to Florida without so much as a second glance?

  No, she would not leave. Not yet. She would stay until the party as previously planned. Every time she thought of leaving, pain tightened her chest and her stomach knotted. Her instincts cried in protest and her inner animal violently roared.

  A growl rumbled through the library. She slapped a hand over her mouth. God, would she even get used to making that sound?

  Her nerve endings began to tingle. Hadrian was near; she could sense him. Eva whipped around and nearly fell from her chair. The vampire king entered the library. He was dressed in casual jeans, a black shirt that sported white letters that read, “I bite” and his boots were tipped with snow. Her body instantly responded and she cursed. God, why did he have such an effect on her?

  As he came closer she noticed there was something…different about him.

  “Having trouble?” he asked, taking note of the books that were scattered across the long table.

  “Um, yeah. I used the library database and collected every book that mentions the Shaw. What I didn’t realize is that most are written in ancient languages.”

  “What knowledge do you seek?”

  Eva smiled. “You just sounded like some old sage.”

  “I struggle with modern phrasing from time to time,” he said with a shrug. “Could I help you?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sure you can tell me what each book is about and give me some background on the Shaw, but you are as much in the dark as I am when it comes to my parents.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Are you certain you want to know why your mother never told you of her family or understand why your father took you?”

  “What do you mean? Of course I want to know.”

  Hadrian came to the table. Indecision streaked his face as he took up a book. He his slid fingers along the spine, it was a simple gesture but Eva found it erotic. She suppressed a moan as she remembered those long, graceful, deadly fingers caressing her skin, pinching her nipples and teasing her core.

  “When the divide in my mind fell, the demon showed me many things I wish I never knew. Information once learned can never be forgotten.” His voice was chilling. “If answers are what you want, then I may be able to help.”

  Her gaze snapped to his. “Really? How?”

  “The priestess who has been guiding us through your transition, she may know.”

  “Oh, my god. Do you think you could ask her to talk to me?”

  “If I speak with her again, I will ask her to visit you.”

  Eva jumped to her feet and threw her arms about his neck. Her body slammed into his with such force she made him drop the book.

  “Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek. When she moved to pull away, his arms circled her, holding her to him.

  They stood like this for a long, tender moment.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, leaning back to peer down at her face.

  Eva could not stop the blush that rose to her cheeks. Hadrian had shoved her over the edge of pleasure with his hands, his mouth, and his thrusts until the sun began to rise. After she had ridden him, he changed their position. He had pressed her back into the throne, hooking her legs over the arms, opening her wide for him. They came hard and fast. Then he had taken her up and turned her about. He placed her knees on the velvet cushion and entered her from behind, his thrusts powerful and deep.

  Finally, he had taken her against the mirrors. He pinned her with his massive body. His strokes were slow, his kisses gentle, his hands lightly caressing her breasts, her back, her hips. Her legs wrapped about his waist. He had pressed his brow to hers and whispered soft words in Latin. Eva wished she could understand, but she knew they were loving and beautiful.

  His gaze had flickered to his reflection as she had kissed his neck. She watched him from beneath her lashes. It was as if he was seeing himself for the first time. He mumbled gruff words before capturing her lips. The force of his release swept her into oblivion. They clung to each other, their bodies sated, their hearts pounding the same frantic rhythm. She did not know how long he held her. She did not remember falling asleep in his arms, but she had awoken in her bed.

  “I was a little sore this morning, but I have no complaints,” she admitted.

  He smiled and she traced his lips with her finger. He was so handsome when he smiled and she hoped after last night he would share his smile with her more often.

  “Have you decided when you will leave?”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking. You know, I never went to a single high school dance. They just didn’t seem like my kind of thing, but I had so much fun dressing up yesterday. So, I’m going to stay until after the party. Besides, it is probably a good idea I stay until my estrous runs its course.”

  She felt his muscles relax before he released her and took a step back.

  “You may stay for however long you wish.” He folded his arms over his chest and his gaze became intense. “I want you to know, I will help you through your need anyway I can. If you decide to take the Levo I will sit with you until your cycle passes. And if you don’t want to take the drug…I’m here for you.”

  Eva blinked. Even though they had become lovers, she had not expected him to offer her the use of his body.

  Be honest, it is more like abuse, she told herself. Shifter females in heat were violent and extremely dangerous. They were known to kill their partners. When it came time to breed, the women were restrained and drugged to the point of unconsciousness, only then would her mate service her.

  “Thank you, but you don’t have to—”

  “I want to.”

  Eva smiled. “Twenty-four hours of sex, do you really think you are up for the challenge?” she teased.

  In a flash of movement Hadrian had her on the table, books toppled to the floor. He pressed her back to the wood, his hips separating her hips, his hands planted on either side of her head, supporting his upper body.

  Eva’s breath hitched on a gasp as he stared down at her, his eyes alight with the promise of passion.

  “I will see your twenty-four and raise you forty-eight.”

  A lightning bolt of sizzling desire shot through her.

  “Throw in a few meals and shower breaks and you have yourself a deal.”

  “Shall we seal it with a kiss?”

  Eva gripped his shoulders and pulled him down. Hadrian’s lips were gentle yet forceful. She growled low as he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue into her mouth.

  When he finally drew back, her lips were swollen and the scent of her luscious desire sprinkled the air. Gods, he could take her here, now, on the table. He craved nothing more than to hear her cries of pleasure and feel her orgasm around him. Her need matched his own. She was so responsive, pure and wild. Fate could not have given him a better female.

  Hadrian groaned when her tiny tongue swept over her upper lip.

  “Gods, you are tempting.”

  “You starte
d it.” She ran her hands down his chest. “Should we finish it?”

  Hadrian whispered a curse and straightened. “I would love to, sweet, but you need to conserve your energy. Tomorrow is the third day of your transition.”

  Eva sighed and came to her feet. “Yeah, I know. When the bell tolls twelve I will turn into a raging sex fiend.” She frowned. “Why does everything happen at midnight or during a full moon? What is so special about those times?”

  He smiled again. “It is one of nature’s greatest mysteries.” Sobering he added, “Unfortunately, I will have to restrain you whether or not you decide to take the drug.”

  Eva rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know that too. So, are you going to give me a guided tour of the dungeon before shackling me to a wall?”

  Hadrian laughed. The rich sound invaded her soul and melted her heart. For the first time she saw true joy spark in his cold eyes and she knew what had changed in him. Pain no longer lurked in the depths of his gaze. Power and danger still clung to him, but the beast was buried and concealed behind a thin veil of control. He was being…himself, completely unguarded.

  Mine, her soul cried so loudly that Eva barely resisted the need to scream the word.

  He began to speak, but Eva did not process a word. Awe numbed her as an overwhelmingly strong yet tender emotion spread through her chest and weakened her knees. She fell back against the table.

  Hadrian reached for her. She must have mumbled that she was fine because he withdrew and cocked his head to the side, studying her for signs of illness.

  Eva began to tremble as her brain finally understood what her body, her instincts, her heart and soul had already known. Hadrian was her mate and…she loved him. The realization was like a one-two punch. Her shifter had recognized him as her male the instant they met in the dark hall. It had been Drive that compelled her to enter the labyrinth. Over and over again, her instinct had led her to him. She swayed. None of their encounters had been accidents and the passion they shared… Oh, god.