Dark 12 - DARK MELODY

by Christine Feehan

  Corinne closed the pinpricks and rested her head on Dayan's shoulder. They clung together, their hearts beating wildly, fighting to get their breathing under control.

  "I love you, Corinne," Dayan whispered softly against her bare skin, his eyes closed, his black lashes emphasizing the paleness of his face. "I love you so much." He lifted his head slowly, reluctantly, looking down at her through half-closed eyes.

  She was looking up at him, her heart in her eyes. Their bodies were still joined together, and her body was still rippling with little aftershocks. She reached up to touch his wet hair, to trace the perfection of his mouth. "Thank you very much for finding me."

  He smiled then, a slow, tender smile that would always be capable of stealing her heart. "You are very welcome." Small droplets of water dripped from his hair to splash on her face. They both burst out laughing. "We did not make it into the house."

  "I see that," Corinne acknowledged, looking around her as if she were waking up from a dream.

  Dayan reluctantly parted their bodies, reaching to lift her into his arms. "Crazy woman. Next time you decide to seduce me, make it out of the rain."

  She bent her head to lap the water from his shoulder. "I don't know. I rather like it myself."

  The touch of her tongue sent flames dancing over his skin. Dayan pushed the door open with his foot and waved a casual hand to light the candles and the wood in the fireplace. There was a thick fur rug on the hardwood floor and he put her down, the fur immediately rubbing along her bare skin so that her body tightened again in anticipation. Dayan stretched out beside her on his back, his long body very male. "You are going to rest for a while." He made it an order. "I am not taking you back to the healers half dead."

  Corinne laughed at him. "Do you think it's possible to die from making love?"

  "The way we make love, anything is possible." He stared up at the ceiling, watching the flickering lights dance while the rain fell against the windows. He reached for her hand, laced their fingers together. "I never again want to feel like I did when I thought you were dying, Corinne. You were taking my soul with you."

  She rubbed her face against his shoulder, against his thick hair, which was now threaded with gray. His badge of love for her. "You are such a miracle, Dayan, and you persist in thinking it's me." She looked at him with a critical eye. "Why are you so pale? You're never like this." She touched his face.

  "I need to feed," he said simply. "In a little while I will hunt, but not right now. I want to spend every minute, every second, in your company."

  She lay quietly for a moment, absorbing what he was telling her. "Will I have to do that, Dayan?" She rolled onto her side to look at him. "Because I'm not certain I can. With you it's different, but I don't know about anyone else."

  Dayan's black eyes moved over her face in a kind of dark, brooding study. "I did not think of such a possibility. I do not like the idea much." He was quiet for a brief time while the rain and wind blew at the walls and windows. "Now that you have brought it up, I do not recall Tempest ever feeding in front of us."

  "Tempest was human," Corinne said with hope. "She's Darius's lifemate."

  "Yes, she was human when she came to us. I do not ever recall seeing her feed." A slow smile touched his mouth. "Darius would never tolerate her feeding from another male, human or otherwise. I think it is best for us to adopt the same policy. It is entirely possible I have a jealous streak."

  Corinne laughed at him. "You cannot be in my mind and ever be jealous." She tugged at his hand. "Come on, lazy, let's go outside again. I want to run."

  His eyebrows shot up. "If you have an overload of energy, I can think of other far more pleasurable things to do besides running. I am being good because you need to rest."

  Corinne laughed softly. "You think I need to rest?" She stretched, lifting her arms to the sky. "You're the one who stopped, not me. I want to get the hang of being a Carpathian. I want to run, Dayan. For the first time in my life, I can do it. I really want to run. Please, let's go running."

  "Right now?" He lay back in lazy contentment, linking his fingers behind his neck, watching her closely, drinking in the perfection of her body. He loved the way she moved, loved the joy in her, the naturalness. "There is a storm out there."

  Her laughter filled the room with warmth, filled his heart and soul. "I think there's a storm in here too. A little storm never hurt anyone." She bent over to kiss him, her hair sliding over his chest, the silky strands causing him to shiver with anticipation. "Don't say no. I'm not overdoing it, really, Dayan. I need to run."

  "You are a crazy woman." He sighed heavily because he knew he was going to run in the storm with her. How could he resist her happiness? It was impossible for him. He wanted to snuggle up with her somewhere safe, but Corinne wanted life. She faced her new world with the same lack of fear she had faced her former life.

  Corinne caught his arm and tugged. "Come on, lazybones, or I'm going without you." She was looking around the room. "What in the world did we do with our clothes?" She was blushing, crimson creeping up her neck to her cheeks so that she looked like she was glowing.

  He shifted position, turning onto his side, propping up his head on his hand as he regarded her naked body with glittering, hungry eyes. "I do not think you need clothes, honey," he observed matter-of-factly, his black gaze dwelling intently on her full breasts.

  At once her body began to tingle with heat. "You stop it, Dayan." She backed away from his reach, but she didn't attempt to cover herself. She liked him looking at her with that intensely hungry gaze. "You were the one who said we had to stop. Come on." She turned her back on him and walked slowly, provocatively, to the door, her hips swaying in invitation and her firm bottom beckoning to him. She had beautiful legs and a long, elegant back. She took his breath away.

  Dayan moved quickly, leaping to his feet, scanning the area outside the house to be certain there was no danger. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, her look frankly sexy. "I don't think running naked, when I'm built like this" – she turned to give him her profile, her hands coming up to cup her generous, firm breasts – "is a very good idea."

  His body tightened at the sight of a nipple peeking out at him through her fingers. "Then walking naked will have to do, because I like looking at you." He caught her hand, his fingertips sliding in a caress over her silken skin.

  Her eyes moved over his body, a smile tugging at the comers of her mouth. "I see that," she pointed out, completely happy. She could touch the baby's mind at will, know the infant was sleeping soundly in the care of the healers while she discovered the exceptional gifts Dayan had given her. She could have it all, experience it all, and she was determined to.

  They moved together out the door onto the porch. Dayan tugged her closer, moving her beneath his broad shoulder for protection. "Remember to regulate your body temperature," he said. Her body was brushing his as they walked together, and their skin become so sensitized, electricity began arcing between them.

  Corinne threw back her head, looking up at the night sky, watching the glittering silvery drops rain down from the shadowy clouds above them. A small sliver of moon slipped out briefly from behind a heavy black cloud to shine on the thick stand of trees swaying all around them. Shadows danced, the air was clean and crisp, and the sound of the rain on the vegetation was a musical melody.

  She looked down at her bare feet, shocked that she could walk without shoes on sticks and rocks and pine needles. She seemed to glide over the surface, as an animal might, her body instinctively finding the quietest, easiest way to go through the woods. She marveled that she had such a talent. Not only was her body moving efficiently, but her sense of smell had also become acute, and she could see despite the darkness. Information flew in on the wind, almost through her very pores. It wasn't from Dayan this time; she was receiving it on her own.

  She laughed softly, happily, unable to believe she was so alive. That the world around her was so beautiful and new. She was
walking faster, listening to her heartbeat, reveling in its strong rhythm.

  Dayan allowed her to slip out from under his shoulder, watching her body move, sensuous, enthralling. She lifted her arms again to the moon and dark clouds, her hair wild and rain-slick, her breasts rising as she inhaled sharply to take in the scents of the night. She looked like a goddess, a wild, untamed siren lifting her arms in pagan sacrifice as she turned in a slow circle. "I want to run, Dayan," she repeated.

  "Then we will shape-shift, honey." Who could ever deny her anything? Dayan knew it would be impossible for him. "Remember what I told you before? It always starts in your mind. You must build a complete picture in your head and hold that image. It is an odd sensation, although not unpleasant. If it frightens you, Corinne, reach for me. I will be with you in your mind at all times."

  Corinne stopped moving, abruptly, swung around quickly to look at him, her eyes wide with excitement. "I'm not afraid. Really, Dayan, I'm not."

  "Picture a leopard." He did it for both of them, creating the image so she could capture it down to the smallest detail.

  She made a little sound, a throaty purring as fur rippled along her arms, as her muscles contorted, her body stretched, and then she was running on all fours, a sleek jungle cat. Her body felt like a well-oiled machine. She ran quickly, reveling in her ability to do so. She had ropes of muscles and sinew. Cushioned paws. Running in this form was unlike anything she had ever experienced, complete and utter freedom. She bounded across the ground, her paws barely skimming the earth. Her pelt kept the rain from penetrating to her skin. Whiskers acted like radar so that she was aware of everything around her. 'Dayan! This is wonderful!'

  The male leopard closed the distance between them in a single leap, its larger, heavier body protectively close. He didn't want her to get carried away with her exuberance. She had undergone a terrible ordeal, and even if she thought she was strong enough, he couldn't take the chance of her being injured. Not even a stubbed toe. Not a chipped fingernail.

  'I'm reading your thoughts, and you're being silly. I'm whole! Isn't it so great to be alive?' He could hear her excited laughter as she leapt up on a thick tree branch and lifted her muzzle to the wind and rain.

  He was catching her joy. How could he not? She was bathing him in her warmth, her light, her total pleasure in the moment. He would have soared to the moon and pulled it out of the sky if she asked him. He prowled below her, his ears and eyes alert for danger, yet he was merged deeply with her, immersed in her childlike happiness.

  Corinne leapt from the branch because she could. There was untold power in the cat's body. She wanted to use it, try it out, see what it felt like to be a leopard. Dayan was unbelievably sensuous in the body of the male leopard. She realized, with a slight shock, that she was taking on the attributes of the animal. It was amazing to her. She rubbed against the tall fronds of grass, enjoying the sensation.

  'Baby, be careful here. We both are very heightened sexually. In this form, sex is possible between us, and you might trigger both of our instincts, but I am not certain it would be entirely enjoyable to you. Leopards are very dangerous at any time. When they mate, the male must hold the female in a submissive position for his own protection. You need much more experience to control animal passions. On the hunt this form is extremely difficult to control.'

  Corinne was tempted to discover what he was talking about. The female leopard certainly wanted to mate, but, merged as she was with Dayan, she could easily read that he was worried, even though the male shared the same desire. She immediately controlled her impulses and took off running again, stretching out her sleek, muscled body. She was silent, her leaps taking her over fallen tree trunks and even wider streams. She loved the sensation and wanted it to go on forever.

  'We can do this at any time?'

  'Of course. You should practice with me often. There is much to learn, honey, and I can see you will take to it easily.'

  'Can I fly?'

  His laughter was a soft joyful sound in her head. 'It is raining. Birds don't like to get wet.'

  "This bird likes it. We can fly to see Lisa and Cullen.'

  In the body of the leopard, Dayan shouldered her around, turning her back toward the shelter of the house. 'It is too soon. Lisa knows you were very ill and you have had the baby. She would expect you to take a few days to recuperate.'

  'It has been a few days.'

  ‘I want you, Corinne. All to myself. I want to taste every square inch of your body. I want this rising and the next and ten more to make love to you.'

  Her answering laughter was tender. 'Really? So why didn't you just say so?'

  * * *

  Chapter 18

  Corinne looked around the crystal chamber with its steaming pools and flickering candles. Water lapped at the large rock formations and reflected colors from the various crystals along the curving walls and ceiling. This underground cave with its network of tunnels and large rooms was beginning to feel like home to her. The baby was growing stronger, gaining enough weight that Shea was certain they would be able to remove her from her protected environment soon. Corinne held her daughter for small blocks of time, very aware of the dangers outside the incubator. Both Dayan and Corinne often merged with the infant to comfort and soothe her. They wanted her to know she was loved and wanted and they couldn't wait for her to be out with them.

  Desari and Julian were frequent visitors, and Corinne really liked them both. She found Julian's sense of humor a good counterbalance to his intimidating demeanor. She knew Desari didn't find him in the least intimidating. Desari had a sweet personality, and she welcomed Corinne as a sister. It was taking a bit of time, but Corinne was beginning to feel as if she might fit into Dayan's family. All of them seemed excited about the baby, even Darius, who was by the far the scariest man Corinne had ever met.

  "Darius is not in the least scary," Dayan denied, moving up behind her to rest his head on her shoulder so he could look at the infant. "Jennifer's color looks better today."

  "You're reading my mind again." Corinne leaned back, pressing her body into his much harder frame. At once his body stirred to life, tight against her bottom.

  Dayan was always in her mind. He would always be in her body, too, if he could manage it. He didn't want to leave her side. Corinne caught the echo of his thoughts and laughed softly. "That will look good when you're playing with the band on stage. A little kinky, though. I'm not certain the censors would let us get away with it."

  Dayan allowed relief to wash over him. Several times in the course of the last few days, Desari had gently made references to traveling on the road with the band, but Corinne had never answered one way or the other. When Dayan touched her mind in an attempt to gauge her mood on the subject, he always found she simply avoided thinking of it. "You are not opposed to traveling with musicians from town to town? Leaving everyone you love behind?"

  Corinne moved her body provocatively against his. "Everything I love is right here with me. And Lisa. I can't stay home for her. Lisa has the money to travel, if she wants to visit us. If she really is in love with Cullen, as I keep hearing from everyone, then my guess is she will want her own home."

  Dayan lifted the hair from the back of her neck to press a series of little kisses against the warmth of her skin. "Cullen will decide what to do."

  Corinne savored the feel of his mouth for a moment, then bent to put little Jennifer in the incubator. The action pressed her bottom tightly against Dayan, who took advantage, catching her hips to drag her even closer. She took her time, her happiness spilling out as she gently kissed her daughter and enclosed the sleeping baby in the incubator. She stood up, still looking down at the baby. "Isn't she beautiful, Dayan?"

  His hands moved slowly up her body from behind, sliding from her hips to her tucked-in waist, traversing her narrow rib cage to cup her breasts in his palms. "She is truly beautiful, Corinne, just like her mother." He whispered the words against her ear, his tongue touching her skin,
tasting her because sometimes he had to.

  She leaned her weight into him, her hands covering his as his thumbs teased her nipples into hard peaks and her breasts swelled, aching with need for him. "Sometimes, when I first awake, my heart is pounding in terror because I'm so afraid this isn't real." She turned her face to look up at him over her shoulder. "I'm afraid you can't possibly be real, that I'll wake up and it will all be a dream."

  His mouth wandered up the side of her neck. His teeth found her earlobe and nipped sharply. She yelped and glared at him. Dayan grinned without repentance. "Just wanted you to see I am very real." He swirled his tongue on her ear to ease the ache.

  "I want to visit Lisa and Cullen today. I know Barack and Syndil are being very reassuring about his condition, but I want to see for myself. And even though Lisa is told I'm fine, I know she's anxious."

  "All right, then, honey, we will go when Shea comes in to check on Jennifer." He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her fragrance. He was sending chills down her spine, while molten lava spread through her blood. He had only to look at her and she found she wanted him. More than wanted him. Corinne craved the scent of him. The feel of him. The sight of his naked body. The sound of his beautiful voice. She wanted to watch him making love to her, see his face etched with sensual beauty. She turned in his arms and blindly found his mouth with hers, arms circling his neck, her body at once soft and pliant and instantly inviting. "You are amazing," she whispered into the heat of his mouth.

  His hand bunched her hair, tipping her head back to give him better access for exploration. He took his time, kissing her thoroughly, savoring the taste of her. "You are the amazing one," he corrected, finding her pulse with his tongue. "The way you trust me. The way you have thrown yourself into our world and embraced it with your arms wide open. You have required little aid even when you feed."