"Soon." She whispered the promise so close to his mouth that the gentle ripple of air created a brief smile within him. Comfort came from the cool touch of fingers caressing his face, and moist lips brushed his.
Sleep tugged at him, and he hadn't the strength to fight the lure...
* * * * *
The wetness of her mouth on his greeted him when he stirred into consciousness. Moments later, a familiar, sweet, sticky warmth trickled down his throat and he swallowed eagerly. The taste was exquisite, and his body shuddered in pleasant rapture.
He wanted more...
Hunger gnawed at his insides, and he reached for the delicate hand that had withdrawn to stroke his forehead. She understood his need, and again pressed her torn wrist to his mouth. The flow of blood wine poured from her veins to his.
"Take what you must," she encouraged in soothing, low tones.
She touched his temple with another cool kiss as he continued to drink...
* * * * *
His eyes opened cautiously...
For the first time he could see the place in which he slept. Shadows filled the room with tranquil shades of deep grey. The window had been opened and he saw the glittering sparks of light that studded the clear black sky. The moon hung low, seemed to rest on the swaying treetops framed by the fluttering curtains. The pale, silver white globe cast forth a single bright beam of light that illuminated the world beneath it. A sliver of darkness passed through the ray and stopped at his bedside.
"It has been a very long time," she told him. "I had feared I would never see you again."
He knew this time his voice would not fail him...
"Who...?"
She smiled and sat next to him...
For several moments, her small hands cradled one of his, then she lifted it to her lips and kissed the open palm. Scarlet tears slipped from her eyes, and he felt a welcome surge of intimate power. She was radiant—beautiful—his. He watched in fascination as she removed a heavy silver ring from her finger and placed it on the smallest finger of his right hand.
"It is good to have you back, my Master..."
"Demetri?"
She smiled. "I have kept him alive for your vengeance."
Stavros saw the twisted yearning and the hate in her eyes, and knew there would be many reasons for Demetri's eventual death.
"He has known you as few others, hasn't he?"
Cliantha's eyes clouded with emotion, and Stavros waited for her answer. She stared at him, then nodded.
"I did what was necessary to let him believe I belonged to him."
Stavros nodded. "You did well, my pet. Now, tell me everything…"
"He has grown powerful, beloved."
"But careless."
"Yes."
Stavros touched the silken fall of her hair, lifted the black tresses to his lips as he breathed in her essence.
"That will be what destroys him, Clia," he whispered, tone dark with lethal promise. "He has dared much, and he will pay for what he tried to take from me."
~ END ~
Other Stories by Denysé Bridger
Stranded
Glass Slippers & Jeweled Masques
Stolen Rapture
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Hunters' Game
Copyright © 2012 Denyse Bridger
Cover art by Kayden McLeod
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are eighteen or older.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Epilogue
Hunters' Game Page 4