Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  “I would like us to talk.”

  “We are talking now.”

  He gave a stiff nod. “Falcon told me the priestess gave you a letter from your mother.”

  Eva sighed, the air easing out of her lungs as her muscles relaxed. She had not noticed the tension that had tightened her shoulders.

  “It was a letter my mom had written to my uncle.”

  “Your uncle, the man you lived with in Rio de Janeiro?”

  “Yeah, she wanted advice.” Eva idly pushed the bubbles around, forming shapes and designs. “She had asked him if she should tell me I was part witch. She did not want me to feel…like a freak. Being a human-shifter half-breed was already rare. A witch-shifter combination was unheard of.”

  When Eva had read the words she could feel her mother’s terror. Everyday her mom had watched her, wondering and worrying if her daughter would experience the change. If so, would she survive? It was a miracle the two of them had even lived through the birth. If it had not been for Jenna, a skilled healer and witch, they would have died.

  Eva was amazed by how she had not noticed the stress her mother was in. Growing up, she had been completely oblivious.

  “You have been speaking with your uncle.”

  It was not a question, but a statement and Eva nodded. Before leaving Estonia she had asked Silvie to get her in contact with her uncle. She still had yet to see him, but hearing his voice over the phone was wonderful.

  “He has been able to answer a lot of my questions. My mother never wanted me to worry about the change, especially since she did not know if it was even a possibility.” Eva’s hands began to tremble. “You must know there was no way my father was unaware of my mom being a witch.”

  “Yes. It was one of the most troubling pieces of your story.”

  “Well, he didn’t know about me until we moved back to Brazil. The informants he keeps in Rio told him about the Shaw witches that were in the city. He came, recognized my mother and realized I was his daughter.”

  Hadrian nodded. The story sounded plausible. Shifters could sense their own kind and, if Arsenio had gotten close enough to Eva, he would have felt their blood bond.

  “My uncle doesn’t know why the alpha came for me. Maybe he was afraid of him taking me to the Shaw.”

  “It is forbidden for shifters to mate with others outside their pack. Generally, exceptions are made of humans since offspring, if conceived, has a very low chance of living.”

  “What would’ve happened if the found out?”

  He shrugged. “He could have been stripped of his title and banished. If banished, he would not survive long. He has many enemies.”

  Eva shifted, bringing her legs up onto the seat. The tops of her knees stuck out of the water. “My uncle had wanted to go after me.”

  Hadrian’s gaze grew sharp. “Why didn’t he?”

  “He would’ve needed the permission of the Shaman to engage in a dispute with the shifters.”

  “He was denied.”

  Eva slowly nodded. God, her life would have been so different if she had remained with her uncle. They would have moved back to the Shaw compound in Estonia and lived quiet, peaceful lives.

  But I would have never met Hadrian, she thought.

  Despite their roller coaster of a relationship, if it could even be called a relationship, she would not have traded it for “normal.” She loved him even though she knew it was foolish. Yes, she sensed he had some feelings for her, but he still wanted her to leave. Did he still think he was protecting her?

  She sighed and wrapped her hands about her knees. She did not know his motives and she probably never would. Silvie had made a good argument, stating it would be better for Hadrian if she stayed. Presenting Eva as his mate would make for a smoother transition back into his Clan. But the fact remained that he had not asked her stay and was practically shoving her out the door.

  Silvie’s words circled through her head again. Don’t over think this. That is what Hadrian will do. Allow your emotions and instincts to guide you. They are never wrong. Well, she was doing a terrible job at not overthinking this. And how could she possibly follow her emotions and instincts when they were as messy as a kitchen junk drawer.

  “Eva?”

  She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and turned her gaze to him. “What?”

  “Are you going to go live with your uncle?”

  “I think so.”

  His arms dropped into the water. The muscles of his arms and chest flexed. Was he clenching his hands?

  “That’s good. You should be with family. You belong with them.”

  “And not with you,” she finished his thought.

  Why did his words make her feel as if a knife had just been plunged into her heart?

  Mine, her instincts whispered. No, not mine. He will never be mine. He won’t allow himself to be mine.

  She felt her tears rising. She had to leave. She could not cry in front of him.

  Eva pushed herself to her feet and snatched the towel. She was about to step out, but his fingers circled her wrists. She did not turn to him. She could not look at him. Not now.

  “I’ve got a date with a book,” she said, proud her voice did not tremble. “And Falcon will probably need you soon.”

  “Falcon is nursing a few injuries and…I asked him to give us some time.”

  “Well, I hope he is okay and I know your time is valuable so I won’t keep you.”

  She tried to pull free, but he would not let her go. Eva sighed.

  “What is it Hadrian?”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Don’t leave. Not now. Not ever.

  The words were on the tip of his tongue. He just had to open his mouth and they would tumble out. But he could not do it. She was going to leave and be with her family, the Shaw.

  Gods, how was he to pretend losing her was not killing him? Had he truly thought he could watch her leave and not fall apart?

  He had thought avoiding her would make this situation easier to accept, but it had only made it worse. He thought of her with every passing minute, unable to focus on his work. His coronation was tomorrow night. He would face Jefferson and he would return to his Clan as their king. But his queen would not be at his side. She would be in the crowd waiting for the party to end and for Falcon to escort her to the airport.

  How could he concentrate on his fight with Jefferson knowing he only had a few precious hours left with Eva? He would be distracted, leaving himself open and vulnerable to defeat.

  “Let go, Hadrian.”

  She still had not looked at him. He did not have to see her face to know she was on the verge of tears. He could hear the sadness in her voice.

  He reached up, took the towel from her and tossed it on the chairs. She mumbled a protest as he drew her to him. He did not ask her to sit or tried to pull her down. He wrapped his arms about her thighs and laid his head between her hips.

  Eva gasped, her body tensed, but the stiffness faded. Her arms circled his head. She held her to him.

  Hadrian closed his eyes, silently savoring the feel of her. His heart was breaking with every beat. He could not let her go, he could not release her. She was his mate. She was his Eva.

  “Hadrian, I think—”

  Her words ended on a gasp when he pressed his lips to her navel.

  “Oh, Eva,” he sighed, nuzzling against the triangle of her bikini.

  Eva knew she should push him away, but her arms remained locked about his head.

  “Will you let me taste you? I need to taste you.”

  Every sane thought escaped her. God, she needed him. Needed this, just one last time.

  Her throat was dry, her chest ached, and tears blurred her vision as she whispered a shuddering, “Yes.”

  Hadrian’s hands fell to her hips. He drew the dainty bottoms of her bikini down her legs. She stepped out of them and he tossed them over his shoulder. They landed in the water with a soft splash.

  The hard sou
nd of locks sliding into place echoed in through the room. She smiled. He thought of everything and right now, they did not need an audience.

  He stood. Water and bubbles ran down his chest. Gripping her hips, he lifted her and set her on the edge. His hands slipped to her thighs, spreading her wide for him. He drew a finger over her center, finding her creamy and ready for him.

  Hadrian pressed a palm to her chest, guiding her to her back before kneeling down. Eva hooked her legs over his wide shoulders and, closing her eyes, she surrendered herself to him.

  He teased her hipbones with his teeth before drawing his mouth lower. His breath brushed over her sensitive flesh. She heard him take in a deep breath. He growled low and she shuddered. God, she was close to coming already. It had been three days and her body was starved for him.

  He drew his tongue over her cleft. She moaned and Hadrian smiled against her.

  “I love the way you taste,” he whispered. “Warm vanilla…I will never forget.”

  His tongue drove inside her and her back arched. Eva’s claws dug into his shoulders and he went wild. He lapped at her, his tongue driving into her, his lips suckling at her clitoris.

  Under his attack, she writhed. Her fire raced through her veins, the heat building and building, burning, consuming. Her hips rocked against his mouth. Her frenzied need matching his. She cried out as everything fell away.

  Hadrian swallowed her orgasm and growled. He rose above her. Eva gazed up at him, her brilliant eyes glowing with hunger. She sat up, her hands going for his shorts. She shoved them down. Her hands gripped his buttocks, her tiny talons pressing against his flesh. She pulled his hips forward and took his hard arousal into her mouth.

  He caught her hair in his fists, crushing the silken curls. Her mouth was tight and hot around him. She swirled her tongue up and down his shaft, her lips slipping over the sensitive tip. Gritting his teeth, he flexed his hips. Eva took him in further, suckling, drawing on him hard and urgent. White-hot lightning shot down his spine. Gods, he was on the verge of coming.

  Hadrian pulled from her grasp and drew her up. Eva only had time for one inarticulate cry before his mouth claimed hers. His lips were hard, his tongue plunging, the kiss hungry, maddening.

  Her hands massaged his shoulders and his arms. Then her claws ran down his chest. His growl was rough, masculine and primitive. She loved it.

  His fingers untied her halter-top, freeing her breasts. The material fell to the bubbles. He trailed his lips down the side of her neck. His teeth nipped at her shoulder as he cupped her, his thumbs teasing her nipples.

  Eva moaned, shuddering as he dragged her back down into the water. She straddled his hips, his hardness brushing at her core. With one thrust, he could be buried deep within her, but he remained still. His lips caressing her breasts and his tongue toyed with her nipples in turn.

  She clutched his head to her. Wished this would never end. This moment. Here. Now. It had to last forever.

  Her breath caught as he turned her about, settling her over his thighs. He slammed her down. She cried out, the water splashing about them, the bubbles kissing her breasts. She leaned forward, gripping his knees. He reached forward, his palm sliding over her hip, his fingers finding her clitoris. His other hand tunneled through her hair.

  Hadrian thrust into her, taking her hard and slow. She stretched out before him, her back so long, flawless, elegant. He bent down, pressed his lips to the curve of her neck. He nipped at her nape, drawing his fangs over her spine as his fingers worked at her. She shivered and sighed.

  As he took her, he marveled at absolutely beautiful she was. She was so small, delicate, and strong. Her passion matched his own, wild and hungry. She moved with him, her body urging him to go faster.

  Her body arched, her head falling back against his chest. He released her hair to cup her jaw. Turning her head to the side, he kissed her, deep. Their breath became one as their tongues tangled, their teeth hitting. Desperate. Demanding.

  Hadrian kissed her with all he had, offering his heart, his soul. Him. Eva had drawn him from the darkness. She had healed him with her light and passion. She was in his heart. She was in her soul.

  Gods, he loved her. He felt whole. He felt complete. The emptiness, loneliness, and madness that had claimed him for centuries were shoved aside by the woman in his arms. And, gods, he wanted to keep her. Needed to keep her.

  Her muscles tightened around him as her breath caught. Her breast thrust upward as her back bowed. As his name fell from her lips, he sank his fangs into the curve of her neck. A roar of complete satisfaction rumbled his throat as her blood filled his mouth. He pinned her hips and pounded into her.

  Eva whimpered as he thrust through her orgasm. Her mind drifted through a haze of pleasure as the terrible, powerfully electrifying sensation began to build again. His lips pulled at her, drawing her essence into him. He grew even harder, longer inside her. Closing her eyes, she was swept away by the storm of their passion.

  Her soft muscles rippled around him as her smooth, vanilla blood slipped down his throat. He could taste her orgasm as it built within her. The turbulent pleasure slammed into him and he came with her. His head snapped back, a roar tearing from his chest as he flooded her with seed.

  Eva collapsed back against him, her breaths coming in a rush and her heart pounding uncontrollably. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. This was a painfully perfect moment. His arms wrapped about her, pressing her tightly to him. He was still stiff within her. His breaths rasped against her neck. She felt him sweep his tongue over her sore flesh, closing the wound.

  She swallowed hard, wishing the bite would not heal. God, she wanted to keep his mark. She wanted to wear it forever. But there was no forever for them, no matter how many times she prayed and no matter how hard she wished. Nothing was going to change.

  Eva climbed off his lap and stood. Her legs were weak, but she had to leave. She had to get away.

  He tried to pull her back, but she jumped out of his reach. She did not bother looking for her bikini. She stepped from the warmth of the water and quickly crossed over to her discarded towel.

  “Eva.”

  She did not have to turn to know he was standing right behind her.

  “May I come to you tonight?”

  God yes. Please, yes!

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t think that would be good idea. Let’s just…leave it like this.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Eva had to get away. She had to get out of this castle and just be…far, far away from Hadrian. She could not do this. She could not stay until after the party. She knew she would be unable to say goodbye. She had to leave. Now.

  After a quick shower, she dressed and shoved as much as she could into a lightweight duffle bag. She could always send for her things later. She had to be quick, she had to act, or she knew she would chicken out.

  She pulled the door of Falcon’s Land Rover open and let out a relieved sigh when she found the keys resting on the driver’s seat. Tossing her bag in the back, she slipped in. Adjusting the seat and mirrors, she prayed that driving was like riding bike—you never forget how to do it. She pressed the garage door button on the visor and took a deep breath as the steel door rolled back.

  “At least there isn’t a storm tonight,” she said, turning the ignition. She put the car in gear, took a deep breath, and pushed on the gas.

  Good, no one is out in front, she thought as she rounded the circular driveway. The last thing she needed was someone running to tattle on her. She was only borrowing Falcon’s car, she fully intended on giving it back.

  She relaxed back in the plush seat once she reached the road. It should be smooth going from here. The road had just been plowed in anticipation of new arrivals. She suspected she would pass a line of cars on their way to the castle.

  She turned the radio on hoping some music might help with the butterflies that were fluttering in her stomach.
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br />   “Wow, Falcon,” she said with a light laugh. “I never thought you were a Frank Sinatra type. Metal, hardcore rap, sure, but not this.”

  She sang along with the songs, surprised by how many she actually knew. Her mom had a thing for Ol’ Blue Eyes and the crooners. But the music and the pleasant memories that accompanied it did nothing to quell her nerves. They seemed to be getting worse.

  Her chest felt tight and her palms began to sweat. Her heart rate elevated and her throat constricted.

  What the hell?

  Her stomach clenched, her muscles tightened, and her breathing labored. With every passing mile it got worse. The dull aches of her body turned to sharp pains.

  She frowned as the sensation to turn around and go back took root within her. The compulsion grew stronger and stronger. Her instincts screamed, her animal spirit roared.

  “I’m not going back,” she chanted, her voice a whisper.

  Leaning forward, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel and gave the Land Rover a little more gas.

  She was leaving her male and her Drive was not going to stop her. The pain would eventually pass. She hoped.

  * * * *

  Hadrian sat at his desk. He did not bother with a glass. He just took another swig of Silver Moon straight from the decanter.

  He was twitchy, on edge. He felt like running. Not because of the beast or the evil memories, though he could feel the demon prowling within him. No, this time he felt like running because of Eva. He needed to escape the unwanted emotions she triggered.

  Hadrian brought the bottle to his lips again and drank deep. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he slumped in the chair. The burn of the liquor was not helping.

  Hadrian placed the decanter on the desk and pushed to his feet. He knew he should dress and go down to the great hall. A black suit awaited him in the closet, but when he had materialized in his room an hour ago, he could not bring himself to put it on. Instead, he selected a pair of gray loose sweats and a plain white t-shirt.