On an oath, he jerked her against him, lunged toward the cave. They landed hard, but he kept her protected within his arms.
Her body caged against his, Rowan struggled to break free. “Release me!”
The stranger remained still, his chest unmoving, not a flicker of emotion upon his face.
Frantic, she shoved against his chest.
He budged a hand’s width.
Heart racing, she pushed on his injured shoulder; he collapsed onto his side, his moan, low and chilling, echoing through the cavern.
Fear collided with her urge to heal. Ever since she was a child, she’d been skilled in helping others. This man’s skin was ice. More, he’d not attacked her but had collapsed atop her from pain.
In the glow of morning light illuminating the land beyond the cave, she caught the pallor of his face, his teeth clenched in pain. Guilt tamped down her nerves. How could he harm her? He could nae move.
Many questions lay unanswered about who he was and how he had ended up naked and near dead within the stone circle, but she needed to focus on tending to him, not on her fear.
With a final tug, Rowan pulled herself free, the honed curve of his backside drawing her to look, appreciate his very male, very muscular form. His pale skin accented the hard angles of his body, highlighted every nuance that formed this incredible man. Fine he was to look at, a fact she had little doubt many a woman had noted.
Even battered and undressed, his body seemed that of a man used to being in charge. A warrior. A man who would normally fail to notice a common healer such as her.
Enough.
The man was suffering. From his shallow breathing, she judged he was near death, and here she was acting like a weak-willed lass, not one who’d aided in the birthing of many a babe and offered many a man succor as he’d drawn his last breath.
Frustrated with herself, Rowan glanced at his shoulder where she’d seen the streaks of red. No sign existed of his being wounded. She searched his back, then the other shoulder.
Naught.
Where were the marks? She’d watched them grow, could still smell charred flesh on the air. Uneasy, she fought for calm. Mayhap in her exhaustion, she had imagined both?
As if either mattered? With the men chasing her believing her a witch and wanting her dead, she must focus on the task at hand. Once assured the warrior would survive, she would leave.
With a gentle hand, she examined the warrior’s body for any sign of injury and found nothing swollen nor any visible cause of his unconsciousness.
What had she missed? Something caused him immense pain. She leaned close to his mouth, inhaled his weak breath. No scent of ale or wine. Neither had she expected such. His scream earlier was that of a man in pain.
Poison.
Rowan half fell back, glanced toward the cave opening. Golden rays spilled inside the timeworn entry, illuminated the grass and the circle beyond. Above, tattered clouds filled the sky. She scanned the line of distant trees.
No human or animal lurked nearby.
Pulse racing, she turned toward the man. Nay, he’d not spoken to her mind, now or earlier. She was exhaus—
Eyes as black as the devil’s flickered open. Their potent intensity held her, stirred within her a desperate need.
Awareness flashed within his gaze. Against the glint of the blood-red sun, his teeth began to lengthen.
What manner of creature was he?
Through the wash of agony, Aedan MacGregor, Laird of the Highland Vampire Coven, focused upon the beautiful woman caught within his hold. Terror streaked her wide turquoise eyes, and wisps of her plaited, wheat blond hair flew about her head as she struggled to break free. She appeared like a fairy caught outside the Otherworld.
“Release me!” she gasped.
Her rich burr spilled from her full lips and wrapped around him, cutting through the haze of misery. For a moment he lost himself in her throaty voice, imagining his hands upon her flesh, her cries as he took her over the edge. What in Hades? Never had a human woman tempted him.
Weakness swept his body. Aedan kept his hold upon consciousness—barely. Enough. He had little time or energy for these foolish thoughts.
“Come to me,” he whispered, surprised a scan of her mind offered him naught. Always was he able to read a human’s thoughts. ’Twas the herbs the traitor had slipped into his drink last eve that dulled his senses. Once the effects wore off, he would read her mind with ease.
She shook her head. “Pl-Please, do not kill me.”
“Lass,” he whispered, each word draining precious strength. “Never would I harm you. That I swear.”
“Yo-You are—” She focused on his teeth, and a tremor rippled through her slender frame.
“A vampire.” He struggled not to slip under, to keep her within his hold. Through sheer will, he managed both. “Trust me.”
If possible, terrified eyes widened further. He shouldn’t have expected otherwise. Humans created horrifying fables about what they did not understand, found relief in giving their fabricated creature a name, regardless of the truth.
“I am dying.” He cursed his weakness, cursed the fact that he’d exposed his dire state to a human, one whose mind he could not read. Could he trust her? Did he have any choice? “I need a small amount of your blood.”
Fingers, slim and strong, slid to her slender throat, trembled. “Do nae ask this.”
“Use your dagger,” he whispered, the last of his strength fading fast. “Slice your thumb, and let several drops fall within my mouth. ’Tis all I need to begin to recover.”
Wary eyes studied him. “And then?”
“I will sate my hunger with another.”
Her lower lip wavered. “Will you kill him?”
Did it matter how he acquired nourishment? Aye, to her it did. “He will nae be hurt, but will fall asleep. When he awakens, he will but find himself tired, with no memory of my being there.”
Turquoise eyes darted toward the entry, shifted back.
Bedamned, he should take her blood and be done with it, but he could not risk scaring her. With his body so weakened, if she broke free and ran, he’d not have the strength to will her back or give chase.
After a long moment, she withdrew her dagger. “But a few drops.”
“Aye.”
Precious seconds passed. On an exhale, she slid the honed blade against the pad of her thumb.
A drop of blood beaded upon the sharp metal, and the rich scent filled the air, infused his every breath. His body demanded he take. He waited, preserved the last of his meager energy in case she decided to bolt.
Her eyes locked upon his, she held her thumb a hand’s breadth above his mouth. The beads of red grew, wobbled upon the honed tip, fell.
The warm salty drops landed upon his tongue. Aedan savored sweetness unlike anything he’d ever tasted. He swallowed. Strength flooded his body, and his senses heightened to a dangerous edge. A deep keening ignited within his soul, and a completeness he’d never experienced filled him.
He stilled. By the sword’s blade, this woman was his mate!
With a steadying breath, she pressed her thumb harder, and several more drops landed upon his tongue.
In a brilliant explosion of light, his mind melded to hers. Images ignited: her tumble of terrified thoughts of what he would do to her, of being shunned throughout her life, and of the men who chased her and wanted her dead.
Questions storming him, he withdrew from the woman’s mind.
As if sensing his increased strength, she pulled her thumb away, and pressed her finger over the cut.
He banked his body’s demands to take her, to claim her as his rightful mate. “My thanks.” With care, Aedan sat up, amazed by the increase in his strength from the meager amount of blood he’d swallowed. Was her being his mate responsible?
The beautiful woman stumbled back, the pulse at the base of her throat rapid.
He tried not to notice, to want her. Failed. “As I said before, I wi
ll not harm you.” His words were truer than she would ever know. With their bodies merged through her blood, and their destinies joined, he would protect her always, even at the cost of his life.
Looking unconvinced, she watched him. On a shudder, she glanced toward the entry. Images of men with pitchforks, swords, axes, and other weapons chasing her flickered through her mind.
Anger stormed him. “Who threatens you?”
Surprise appeared on her face, then suspicion. “How do you know?”
“You have fear within your eyes,” he replied, not wanting to overwhelm her further by explaining that he could read her mind. The time would come to impart that knowledge. As well, he dismissed his ability to read her mind earlier due to his weakened condition.
“You are a vampire; how can I not be afraid?”
It was only part of the reason she was afraid. Until she grew to trust him, she would tell no more. “Your name?”
She took a step back.
“Please tell me.” He kept his voice soft.
“Rowan Campbell.” She hesitated. “And yours?”
He sensed no treachery in her asking. “Aedan MacGregor. I belong to the Highland Coven.”
“You are alone?”
Aedan nodded. “Aye.”
Her fingers toyed with the sleeve of her gown. “I—I thought stories of vampires were tales crafted by the bards.”
“We keep to ourselves. Unless we feed.”
Her face paled.
Blasted wives’ tales. “We harm none, take naught except what is necessary.”
“And I am to believe you?”
A muscle in his jaw worked. “Had I wanted you dead, ’twould be long since achieved.”
After a moment, she nodded, again glanced toward the entry.
“Fear not. I will protect you.”
She turned, studied him a long moment. “Why would you?”
You are my mate, he wanted to explain. From this moment on her protection would be his first priority. “You saved my life.”
“I did naught but give you a few drops of blood.” She backed another step toward the entry. “I—I must go.”
With their bond, he could not allow her to leave him. “Rowan,” he said, liking the sound of her name upon his tongue. “If you depart now, you will place yourself in danger. While you are in my presence, none will harm you.” He allowed compulsion to soften his voice. “Trust me.”
Panic slid through Rowan as she stared at the formidable man. Man? Nay, a vampire. Could this day become more unbelievable? Aye, it could. Because she found herself wanting to do as he bade and offer him her trust. She needed sleep. ’Twould rid her of such ludicrous thoughts. Unsure, she looked past the stone entry, searched the forest looming beyond.
Trust me.
Rowan whirled to face him. “ ’Twas you who spoke in my mind before.” A smile edged his lips, one that inspired wanton thoughts of her within his arms, of his mouth moving over hers as he made love to her. Heart pounding, she shook her head. “Nay, none of this is happening. You are but a dream.”
“Lass, I am very real.”
Another vision of him laying her upon a moss-covered bank emerged in her mind. “Stop it!”
His face grew somber. “ ’Tis not I.”
“You read my thoughts,” she accused.
“Aye,” he agreed, “but they are images conjured by your mind, by your growing need.”
Her growing need? Ridiculous. “Never have I had such indecent thoughts.” She held up her hand. “Why am I trying to explain? None of this makes any sense.”
“It is complex.”
Complex? An understatement. Since she’d been chased from her home, her entire life had been turned upside down. Rowan attributed her wanton thoughts to exhaustion and turned her focus on finding a place where she would be safe. She eyed the handsome stranger. Though he’d vowed to not harm her, could she give him her trust?
His eyelids slipped closed, and he struggled to reopen them.
She glanced toward the sun rising in the eastern sky. Daylight, the time a vampire slept.
“Yes, soon I must sleep,” he said, his voice rough with fatigue. “But I need your vow that while I rest you will not leave me.”
“Why?”
“As I explained before, ’tis unsafe.”
She almost laughed. And being cloistered with a vampire was safe?
“Aye,” he replied, “I will protect you.”
Anxiety edged through her. “How can you read my mind?”
He hesitated, and then sighed as if coming to a decision of great import. “Your blood now runs through my veins. Forever are we bound.”
“Forever?” She shook her head. Nay, it could not be! “Remove the connection.”
An arrogant smile slanted his mouth. “ ’Tis impossible.”
Was it? Or, did he choose to keep their mental tie for his own self-serving reasons? She’d been so caught up in her fear, her shock at learning he was a vampire, she’d not thought of the obvious questions. Why was he out here alone? Was he a thief, on the run, or had he murdered someone?
He grimaced. “Still your mind’s mayhem. I am nae wanted, nor have I killed anyone.”
“Nay? Then why did I find you half dead within the stone circle?”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “I was drugged and left there to die.”
Chapter Two
Left to die? Rowan stared at the stunning vampire in disbelief. With his immense power and intelligence, he was dangerous. Whoever dared cross him was a fool.
“By whom?” she asked.
“Come,” he said, his voice rough with exhaustion. “We both need sleep.”
She paused. “You will nae answer my question?”
“It is unimportant.”
“Unimportant?” Did he not understand? “As long as I am with you, if you are in danger, it affects me.”
His jaw tightened. “As I said, as long as you are in my presence, I can protect you.”
“As you protected yourself within the stone circle?” His face darkened, and she hesitated. Was she a fool to challenge him? If he wished, he could kill her in a trice.
“Lass, ’tis best if you do not know.”
“For whom?”
“You ask too many questions,” he said with quiet warning. “Do not invite danger.
“Why—” A heaviness weighed upon her, and she grew sleepy. Her legs walked toward him. “Stop making me tired. I wish answers.”
“The time to talk will come later. Now, you will rest—with me.” Her mind blurred, and Rowan struggled for coherent thought. She needed to warn him. “Nor am I safe.”
“Aye.” He reached up, wrapped his strong hand around hers. “Now, lie with me.”
As if ’twas that simple? She scowled at him, but found her gaze lingering on his naked magnificence. Heat stole up her face. “Lie with you? ’Tis indecent!”
“ ’Tis only for sleep,” he assured.
Hesitant, she settled onto the ground near him.
A smile touched his impossibly handsome face, a face crafted for charm and, as well, a face crafted for sin. “I sense you are a healer.” He stroked the curve of her cheek. “Have you never seen a male unclothed?”
She angled her chin. “Indeed, I have tended many a man, but only when they are ill, which you are not.”
“I was dying,” he said, his face growing solemn. “Because of you, I live.”
The sincerity of his words moved her, left her torn. Well she knew her place within the clan. Or, lack of. “Do not paint me heroic. It was you who summoned me to you.”
“Mayhap, but it was your blood that saved my life.”
He stared at her a long moment, the intensity of his gaze sizzling through her body, igniting a longing within her that left her aching.
“Aedan,” he whispered, his soft burr wrapping around her like spun velvet. “I wish to hear you say my name.”
“Why?”
He arched an expectant brow.
“Must you challenge my every request?”
She remained silent, unsure why this moment seemed momentous.
“My name.”
Stubborn he was. “Aedan.”
He smiled as if given a precious gift, a smile of satisfaction, one that sent ripples of awareness sliding through her body. “Rowan,” he said, his burr dark with need. “Lie with me.”
“I . . .” She wanted to, but for reasons other than to pursue sleep. Foolish thoughts.
“I agree your thoughts are foolish.”
His breath slid over her face like a soft caress. She hesitated. “Why?”
“Never mind.” He drew her against his muscled body, her soft, flowing gown offering but scant separation.
Rowan expected to feel fear being so close to a vampire. Instead, she found his presence a balm of comfort. More unsettling, she wished for no barrier, to feel his naked flesh against her.
On a groan, he pressed a kiss against her brow. “Lass, do not think overmuch.”
Simple for him, but her body ached in ways she’d never imagined. Another surge of tiredness swept through her. Rowan yawned, her indecent thoughts fading into a blur of exhaustion. Her lids grew heavy, and, against her will, she tumbled into the black void of sleep.
Aedan stared at Rowan asleep within his arms, the sweet taste of her humming through his mind, her erotic visions feeding his own. She was a virgin. When he took her, he would be her first. Never would another touch her.
Ever.
And they would make love, of that he held no doubt. Though she was an innocent, he’d sensed her growing excitement; her visions of them entwined were simple yet devastating.
He inhaled her scent, shaken by how much he wanted her. Sweat beaded his brow, and his fangs lengthened. With sheer determination, he willed away his desire to feed as well as the gut-wrenching need that demanded he claim her for his mate.
He must not forget the reason they’d met. Someone within his clan’s trusted circle wanted him, their laird, dead. What had his enemy used to leave him in such a disabled state? Senses alert, he scanned his body. All but dissolved, a trace of foreign substance lay near his heart.
Born to Bite Bundle Page 92