Bound in Darkness

by Nicole Edwards

  Not yet.

  “Same thing you told Elina earlier?” he snapped.

  “Maybe.”

  Blāz smirked, but it wasn’t from amusement. “Perhaps you should go find her.”

  “Perhaps.” Apollo stepped forward until their chests were pressed together. “But maybe I prefer a challenge.”

  Leaning in, Blāz let his lips hover over the angel’s. “Well, then I hope you enjoy your hand.”

  It took all the control he had not to slam his lips down on the angel’s. Instead, he skirted the sexy bastard, stepping to the side before spinning around and strolling out of the room.

  He had no idea what game the healer was playing, but Blāz had no desire to be anyone’s second choice.

  Didn’t matter how fucking much he wanted to lay that angel out.

  Apollo watched as the vampire stormed out of the room.

  He couldn’t help smiling as he watched the male leave, admiring that big body as he imagined what he would look like naked.

  Evidently, Blāz wasn’t as easy as Apollo had expected him to be.

  Not that the male had given him any reason to believe he was. But he knew Blāz had no ties to anyone, no preference for any of the Fae he’d fed from during his stay here. Of course, Apollo knew Blāz had only fed from the male Fae, which told him all he needed to know. And sure, he’d given it a shot, because why the hell not.

  Granted, he hadn’t realized Blāz had seen him talking to Elina earlier. That interaction had been completely innocent, but he hadn’t felt the need to explain himself. Not when Blāz had clearly made up his mind. In fact, the conversation he’d had with Elina had been regarding her worries that one of the heurosp had come down with a cold. Apollo had assured her he would check in with the human when he got the chance.

  After placing his pool cue back in the holder, Apollo went to reset the table so it would be ready for whoever came in here next. It was the unspoken rule within the house, and he was all for being a team player.

  Funny that.

  Apollo hadn’t considered himself a team player before he arrived here. In fact, he’d figured this would be one of the worst assignments he’d ever been on, but he’d quickly realized he’d jumped the gun on that assumption. The warriors and the fiestreigh had welcomed him and Amethyst with open arms, made Apollo and his sister feel like part of the family from the day they arrived. He had managed to keep his distance for the first few days, but he soon realized it was futile. Those who resided within these walls weren’t the sort to leave anyone out of the action, regardless of what it was.

  So these days, Apollo found himself sharing meals with the others, hanging out in the bar, even shooting pool a few mornings a week.

  This morning he had intended to get some shut-eye, but the moment he’d seen Blāz stroll through the infirmary on the way into the mansion, he’d been intrigued by the idea of the chase. Blāz could pretend all day long that he wasn’t interested, but Apollo had seen the way the male eyed him. Like Apollo was dessert.

  The fact of the matter was, Apollo wasn’t merely intrigued by the idea of the chase, he was intrigued by Blāz period. He wanted to get to know the vampire. Not only in the carnal sense, either, although that was definitely in the forefront of his mind. And he’d seen the way those eerily colorless eyes glittered with heat when he looked at Apollo. There was definitely attraction on both sides.

  And if Blāz wanted to play hard to get…

  Apollo grinned.

  He could certainly oblige the male.

  For as long as it took.

  By the time Apollo made it back down to the infirmary, the rest of the mansion had quieted, everyone taking refuge for the day.

  He found his sister typing away on the computer at the small desk they’d set up outside the patient rooms.

  “What’re you working on?”

  “Updating our inventory,” she said absently. “What are you still doing up?”

  “Been playing pool.”

  She spun on the small stool, smiling up at him. “Getting all settled in, are you?”

  “Gotta pass the time somehow, right?”

  “Oh, admit it, you like it here,” she teased.

  That he did. Although admitting it wasn’t on the agenda. Instead, he offered her a smile. “How’s Ari’el?”

  Amethyst’s blue eyes brightened. “She’s precious. And healthy.”

  He knew his sister had taken to the infant since the minute Ari’el came into the world. Then again, she’d always been that way, drawn to the babies she delivered. He figured that had to do with the fact that she’d always wanted one of her own but claimed it wasn’t in the cards. Amethyst said she was married to her work, so there was no time for any other relationship, much less motherhood. He figured that had more to do with the fact she hadn’t found her amsouelot yet. But he was out there, Apollo knew. As for where, that was yet to be seen. Since they’d spent the past four hundred years focused mainly on Michael’s warrior camp and the babies produced by the archsires and archdams, they hadn’t really had much time to venture out. Now that they were here on Earth, he figured that would likely change things.

  For both of them.

  The doors leading to the tunnel swung open, drawing Apollo’s attention. He fought the urge to smile when he saw Blāz stomping through them, a male on a mission.

  “You and me. We need to talk,” the male barked.

  Apollo was aware of his sister getting to her feet, then muttering something about going to do another count in the stock room before leaving them alone.

  Placing his hands on his hips, Apollo smirked. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”

  “Fuck you,” Blāz growled, moving closer until they were nearly toe to toe. “What is it you’re after, angel?”

  Apollo held up his hands. “I’m as innocent as the day I was born.”

  “Innocent, my fucking ass.”

  He noticed the male had the mouth of a sailor, as the humans liked to say. Seemed he was rather fond of using the f-word to add flair to his vocabulary. Personally, Apollo found it hot, though he couldn’t say why that was.

  “I told you what I wanted, Blāz. Whenever you’re ready.”

  The sexy vampire stepped closer, his eyes narrowed. “No, you said the offer stands.”

  “It does.”

  The male’s voice lowered. “And what offer might that be?”

  Two could play this game. Apollo leaned forward, closing the distance between their mouths. “Whatever you’re willing to give me.”

  “You mean whatever I’m willing to take,” Blāz countered.

  Apollo chuckled. “If that’s how you want to play it, I’m game.”

  “You keep saying that.”

  “Because it’s true.”

  “Prove it,” Blāz growled.

  “Don’t mind if I do.”

  Apollo knew Blāz was expecting him to be rough, which was the reason he held himself back. Instead of slamming his lips over Blāz’s and thrusting his tongue inside him, he used a different tack. Canting his head slightly, he let his lips brush the vampire’s. They were warm and softer than he’d expected. He nipped Blāz’s lush lower lip, then licked the sting away as he slid his hand behind Blāz’s head and pulled him closer. Their mouths fused for an instant, and just as he’d expected, Blāz took over.

  The soft growl that sounded in his chest was the prelude to what would likely be the most intense kiss of Apollo’s existence. He was momentarily stunned when Blāz licked his way inside him, slowly, surely. There was no hesitance, no uncertainty. He knew exactly what he wanted, and Apollo gave it back to him in spades.

  The next thing he knew, Apollo was pinned against one of the closed doors, the vampire’s big body pressed against him, Blāz’s hips gyrating as he ground against him. Apollo hadn’t expected it, honestly. The males he’d been with always looked to Apollo to take the lead. That certainly wasn’t the case here. Blāz had no problem taking the reins, and Apollo had no
problem handing them over.

  Fuck.

  Yeah, there he went using Blāz’s favorite word.

  The kiss ignited, tongues thrashing as Apollo held Blāz to him. What he noticed was that Blāz never touched him. Not with his hands. He kept those down to his sides while his tongue brutally worked him over. It was shocking and oddly erotic for some reason, although he would’ve preferred the male’s hands on him.

  Then it ended abruptly when Blāz pulled out of his grasp, stepping back. Those odd colorless eyes met his and held for the longest seconds of Apollo’s life.

  “Don’t fuck with me, healer,” Blāz hissed. “I don’t appreciate it.”

  For whatever reason, he couldn’t find words. His voice didn’t work, so he simply stared back.

  And when Blāz spun around and stormed out the way he’d come, Apollo had to take a moment to gain his composure.

  What.

  The.

  Fuck?

  Chapter Eleven

  Friday, January 26, 2018

  Acadia hadn’t meant to start something with Kaj.

  Not that anything had really been started. That intimate moment they’d shared in the shower nearly two weeks ago was more like a flicker from a flame that burned out before it could roar to life.

  That was how she would describe what was happening between the two of them. He’d been at the mansion for fifteen weeks now, getting stronger every single day though he was still spending most of his time in the bed, his insides healing slower than they’d all believed they would.

  She wasn’t complaining, of course. No, Acadia was enjoying his company, spending all hours of the night with him. The only time she was away was during the daylight hours when she would retreat to her bedroom for sleep.

  Which was where she was about to head now, albeit a bit more reluctantly than she figured was appropriate.

  “Is there anything else I can get you before I retire for the day?” she asked after she had placed his meal tray out in the hall for the heurosp to retrieve.

  “Yes,” he said gruffly, his beautiful green eyes watching as she moved toward his bed.

  “Anything,” she offered.

  “I’d like to feed.”

  Acadia nodded. For whatever reason, he’d been refraining from feeding every day, rather skipping one, sometimes pushing it as much as two before he requested her vein. They both knew he would heal much faster if he fed more often, but she got the sense he was maintaining a polite distance between them.

  Kaj adjusted his position in bed, his back against the pillow wedged between him and the headboard.

  As she pulled her sleeve up, Acadia perched on the edge of the mattress. She offered up her wrist, preparing herself for his touch.

  Those long, strong fingers curled around her forearm, his gaze meeting hers. “I’d like your neck.”

  Acadia’s eyes bounced over his face as his words sank in. He had yet to take from her in that manner, and she had assumed it was due to the intimacy it alluded to. Some males preferred it, but most were satisfied with the wrist. Easy, functional.

  “Unless you’re opposed to it,” he said softly, his eyes boring into her.

  “Of course not.”

  He was still holding her arm or she would’ve moved, would’ve attempted to find a position that would work for him.

  Clearly Kaj had something in mind, because he shifted over, providing room for her to join him. He tugged her arm, urging her to climb onto the mattress with him. Acadia felt a flutter in her belly as she got into the big bed, both curious and aroused by the idea of being here, like this, with him.

  After releasing his grip on her arm, he fluffed the pillow, then nodded with his chin. “Rest your head here.”

  A bit confused about the direction he was heading, Acadia managed to recline on the bed, head resting on the pillow. She couldn’t imagine this would be a comfortable position for him, but she wasn’t going to say as much.

  “Turn over on your side,” he instructed. “Facing away from me.”

  Easing onto her side, she kept her back to him, tucking her hands beneath her cheek. She was aware of him moving, the mattress shifting from his weight. When he slipped in behind her, his front melding to her back, her breath halted in her lungs. Not from fear. No, what he triggered within her was in no way related to fear.

  “Comfortable?”

  Acadia shifted her head once, the stick holding her hair in place pressing into her head.

  “Here.”

  The next thing she knew, he was pulling the fastener free, her hair tumbling down. Kaj brushed the strands back from her shoulder and a shiver danced down her spine. She liked when he touched her, though those moments were rare. Usually only when he was feeding, his hands curling around her arm to hold her still. But this touch … it was different. And her body knew the difference immediately.

  “Better?”

  “Yes.”

  He moved closer, his body fully pressed against hers, his breath fanning her neck. She knew he was naked beneath the sheet, and part of her wished that luxurious cotton, not to mention her gown, wasn’t between them, shielding her from his warmth. It was wrong to be wanting something from him considering he was still healing, but as the weeks had progressed, Acadia had been hoping something more might come from their constant interactions. The fact that she’d never experienced this sort of intimacy with a male was what prompted her to want to explore, to see where it might go.

  Kaj’s arm draped over her side, pulling her closer. She shifted to assist, and it was then she felt the hard ridge of his erection. The soft growl that rumbled in his chest had her mouth falling open, her lungs working overtime to drag air in.

  As he pressed his lips against her neck, his arm slipped under hers, his hand curling over her shoulder to hold her.

  “I’m going to bite you now,” he whispered, the words a dark seduction in their current positions.

  She tilted her head toward the pillow, offering herself to him.

  When his fangs pierced her vein, she inhaled deeply, but not because it hurt. Quite the opposite, actually. Acadia had never thought much about males feeding at her vein. It was a biological function that had to be tended to, one she was forced to provide. With Kaj … this felt strangely different, and she figured that had to do with the fact she was attracted to him. More so than she’d ever been to another male.

  He groaned even as he sucked, the muscles in his arm tensing. The feel of his lips on her neck had her skin tightening, her nipples pebbling. Every inch of her was sensitive, the lightest brush of air whispering over her making her tremble.

  Acadia found herself leaning into him, urging him closer. His erection pressed against her bottom, his hand curling around her breast. He was breathing harder through his nose, the air tickling as he drew on her again and again.

  She wasn’t sure what prompted her to do it, but Acadia freed her breast from the silk of her gown, moaning when his warm hand cupped her. As he kneaded her flesh and took from her vein, she reached back for him, her hand gripping his hip. When he ground his erection against her, she levered her bottom toward him, wanting to offer the friction he needed.

  His gruff moans had her growing warmer, her own soft moans escaping when he plucked her nipple with his fingers, his hips grinding. He fed from her as he tormented her body with the heat of his. Between her thighs, she grew slick, her sex clenching, reminding her she was empty despite the fact she longed to feel him moving inside her.

  “Kaj…” Her hand tightened on his hip as she urged him to find his release.

  A deep, gravelly sound rumbled in his chest as he rutted behind her.

  “Come for me,” she urged.

  The sound that escaped him was more torment than pleasure, as though he was desperate to refrain.

  “Come for me, Kaj.” It wasn’t a request, it was a demand, and she sensed he knew that.

  His arm banded tightly, the hand covering her breast squeezing firmly. Then his fangs
slipped from her neck, his tongue swiped over the wounds as he continued to grind his erection against her.

  “Acadia…” His hand slipped from her breast, sliding down her thigh as he yanked her gown up to her hips, his lips pressing against her skin as he continued to moan, the vibrations rocking her to her core.

  She felt the sheet between them and wished he would abandon that, too. He didn’t, though. He simply kissed her neck as he jerked his hips until thunder emerged from his chest and he came. She squeezed her thighs together, attempting to stave off the ache that had built in her core.

  “I want to make you come,” he growled, his hand sliding over her hip.

  Acadia parted her thighs, welcoming his hand.

  “Can I make you come, Acadia?”

  “Please, Kaj…”

  He shifted, urging her onto her back as his hand cupped her sex.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered.

  It was then she realized he was looking at her face, not what his fingers were doing between her legs. When he thrust one thick finger into her, Acadia’s head pressed into the pillow and she came in an instant. The orgasm exploded within her, the electrical current more powerful than anything she’d ever felt. He teased her flesh as she rode the wave. And when she came back to herself, her eyes opened to find he was still looking at her, the expression on his face one she’d never seen before. Perhaps wonder mixed with reverence.

  Acadia knew in that moment that what had transpired between them was more than sex. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced with a male. A deeper connection had been developed.

  And it was only getting started.

  What Kaj wanted was to roll on top of this female, to mount her, drive them both to the precipice and over into the abyss. It was the same thing he’d wanted every time she’d come into his room for the past two weeks, ever since their one and only intimate encounter that day in his shower.

  Despite the fact he’d just come, his cock was rock hard, aching with the need. Yet he refrained.