Dance With Darkness

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  No!

  That was the last thing he needed or wanted. Enyowas drew on all his control and pulled her from his chest. “No,” he said aloud, more to his cat than her.

  He should just walk away—get Veldi to take care of her.

  No! My mate!

  Enyowas gasped at his cat’s possessiveness. This wasn’t good. She couldn’t be his mate. That was the very last thing he wanted. He already felt stretched thin, and he was tired. So very tired.

  Yet even if his cat wasn’t fighting it, Enyowas still couldn’t ask Veldi to do this, it was too much of a risk for his brother.

  No, he would take care of this. He needed to just fuck Elianna and get her out of his system.

  Though decided, Enyowas somehow knew it wouldn’t be quite so simple.

  He pulled a condom from his pocket. He was about to rip it open when he remembered there was no point, using one would negate the purpose of this whole thing. For some dumbassed reason, a female cat shifter’s heat would last the full two weeks unless a male spilled his seed inside of her. However, in Elianna’s case, she probably wouldn’t last that long before she’d die.

  It was fucked up, no doubt about it. “Shit!” He slid the condom back into his pocket.

  As reality slapped him hard, he sat down on the bed beside her. “I’ll service you, but you do know that you could end up pregnant, right?”

  “Why can’t you just use the condom?”

  Apparently she didn’t know, which wasn’t a surprise. Clans that oppressed their females often didn’t tell them certain things they should. “I can’t. If I do, your heat won’t end until—”

  “I die.” Moisture welled up in her stunning golden eyes, and Elianna lowered her gaze. “I’m no good for anything, you should just kill me now.”

  “I’m not going to kill you,” he snapped.

  “I’ve heard of you. I know you can do it.”

  “Stop.” He glared at her. “You may have heard of my reputation, but you don’t know me, and I’m not killing you.”

  She was silent for a long moment, then her shoulders slumped. “I’ve tried to find a mate. No one wants me, and I no longer have a clan. I just … I can’t have a … child.”

  There was a world of anguish in her tone as she whispered the word child.

  A child was the one person who you could love and who’d return that sentiment unconditionally. Well, providing you didn’t abuse that love and make them hate you and want you dead.

  Elianna shook her head. “I … can’t. I have no money, no home, no clan. I tried to get a job, but then my Tomlee found out and I was punished. He forbade any of us females from working. But I guess now that I’m not with them, I can try to get a job again. Though I still don’t know how I’d ever take care of a child.”

  Enyowas knew what it was like to be facing an uncertain future, and his heart wept for her. He steeled himself against the emotion, knowing if he wasn’t careful, it would be his undoing. He had always said he didn’t want children, as they’d be another dependent he could lose, and that he didn’t think he’d survive.

  But all that aside, would it be so bad?

  Not if he could keep his child safe.

  That was the problem.

  Yet, he’d never before had to consider it very seriously.

  Now having one was a very real possibility, and despite the risks, despite his fear, he wasn’t as opposed to the idea as he thought. Or maybe he was just really opposed to the thought of Elianna dying.

  He didn’t know.

  Either way, if he didn’t help her, Elianna would die. No way around it.

  And a baby? Well, she might not conceive.

  “I don’t want you to die,” he said. “And should we make a baby tonight, I do have the means to care for one, though it might be better to adopt it out.” Yeah, that was it, find a couple who wanted a child and keep it away from him and the danger that seemed to surround him. “Either way, you need to know, I am not looking for a mate. I know your clan practices forced bonding. You won’t be able to do that with me, I’m too strong.” He could see her taking in everything he said. “Do you still want to do this?”

  Dejected, Elianna seemed to shrink in on herself, making him wish he could take back his words, but he didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding between them, and he refused to be forced into a bond.

  “I wouldn’t do that to you.” She took a deep breath and met his gaze again, steel in her golden eyes. “And I really don’t want to die.”

  Chapter 8

  His expression softened and as the magic from her heat settled into a steady pulsing draw, Enyowas steeled himself and tucked a strand of her silky black hair behind one ear. He cupped her head and lowered his lips to hers. The satin smoothness, combined with her exotic taste set his senses reeling—she was delectable, an aphrodisiac to his senses. He laid her back and her mouth parted. He deepened the kiss, dipping his tongue into her mouth.

  Elianna moaned, and her finger tangled in his hair as she pressed her naked body against him, then one hand went to the button on his pants.

  Enyowas’s breath caught in his throat. Brutal need claimed him as Elianna fumbled to undo his leather pants, innocently rubbing the head of his cock.

  Her eyes met his, and she stilled, her fingers touching the sensitive head of him. He almost came.

  Elianna licked her succulent lips, glanced down, and unzipped his pants.

  He got up and quickly shed the restricting leather, freeing his aching erection.

  Elianna’s eyes grew big at the sight of him standing at attention. Dark lashes framed her face and she bit her lower lip, eyes riveted to his cock, though a slight moan slipped out between lips he ached to devour.

  The pheromones intensified and Enyowas almost jumped on her, and it was only through effort of sheer will that he managed to hold back.

  Go slow! he cautioned, but her raw hunger matched his own.

  He groaned as his cock throbbed and his body twitched. What the hell was wrong with him? He wasn’t usually so out of control.

  Elianna spread her legs, her hands reaching for him.

  Enyowas flipped her onto her stomach, drew her to the edge of the bed so her legs hung over and nudged them apart.

  She gasped, and suddenly wave after wave hit him hard and fast. Relentless. Demanding.

  He leaned over her, one hand on her lower back, and one on his cock to direct it into her moist sheath. He found her entrance and started to push.

  “Enyowas?”

  He tried to catch his breath, though his cock continued to throb and strain for admittance. He held himself in a steel grip, resisting the pheromones that demanded he slid deep inside. He began to tremble. Precum coated the tip of him, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d soon completely embarrass himself. He closed his eyes. Then opened them as it came to him. “You’re a virgin.”

  “N-no.”

  She was lying.

  He eased her over onto her back, golden eyes stared at him. “Tell me the truth.”

  Defiance blazed, along with the crazed glint of her own need. But then a second later, she licked her lips. “Wh-what if I am?”

  God he was so stupid. Enyowas fought the anger and backed away.

  “No, please, don’t … I need—” Panic left her shaking. “I need you. I really don’t want to die.”

  Enyowas groaned, feeling like an ass for how he’d been about to take her. He didn’t want to do this, it wasn’t right, or fair. Female cat shifters shouldn’t be forced into something just because they were in heat.

  And at least for most, they could go somewhere to suffer through the agony, but Elianna didn’t have that choice. Not if she wanted to live.

  He climbed up onto the bed beside her. “Shh, I’m not going anywhere.” He trailed his hand over her skin and lowered his mouth to one pert nipple.

  Soon he had her arching under him as he laved one perfect, delicious breast and then the other, teasing them to hard nubs. The sou
nd of Elianna moaning was music to his ears.

  Enyowas let her go and began to work his way down her body.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, shakily, when he parted her thighs.

  With a grin, he nibbled and teased the pale, silky skin of her flat belly before moving to lie between her legs.

  Mine! Take! His cat demanded, clawing at his insides as the waves began to come faster and faster. Yet despite that, he somehow knew this insane desire to possess Elianna was one he’d never felt with any other woman, and it was not due to her heat.

  Not liking it, but unable to resist her lure, Enyowas dipped his head and breathed her in. Her fingers tangled in his hair again and her scent was a duel contradiction. On one hand it was soothing to his senses, on the other, it filled him with intense frenzy to take her in every way imaginable, to slake his every desire.

  He licked her from bottom to top, drawing a cry from Elianna as she writhed under him. Then he sucked on her clit, enjoying the strangled moan that tore from her lips.

  He did it again, and this time slipped a finger inside of her, feeling the proof of her innocence.

  She gasped and arched against him. He eased another into her, sending her over the edge until she was shaking. He couldn’t stand not being inside of her.

  He moved up her body and claimed her mouth, still using his fingers to bring her once more to orgasm.

  As she bucked under him and screamed into his mouth, he gripped his aching cock that was seated at the entrance to her moist warmth.

  He fought to hold still when she tensed.

  “Don’t stop,” she said, voice breathless.

  Enyowas slid slowly inside her, groaning at how impossibly tight she was.

  Elianna’s hands were frantic on him, touching him everywhere before settling on his ass as her body twitched under him. “Oh, please, I need …”

  Her words, the hold on him, and the tightness of her sheath as she thrust against him, was his undoing. His balls tightened, and a tingling zipped down his back from his feet. Enyowas’s cat let out a roar as he began to come. “Fuck!”

  Never in all his life had this happened, but as he spilled his seed, his cock swelled even harder. Hunger pounded in him. Enyowas dipped his head back down, claiming Elianna’s mouth as he slid in deeper, until he was seated all the way inside of her. Her walls clenched him in a tight grip, and it was all he could do to hold still and give her time to get used to him.

  Her frantic hands and undulating body didn’t help his control.

  “Please, I need more.”

  A hiss left his lips and he began to move.

  “Yes!” Elianna wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close, fingers digging into his back. It felt good, wonderful, and somehow, he grew even harder and more desperate. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  Enyowas moaned. She was utterly delicious, and he savored everything about her, the feel of her pressed against him, the smoothness of her skin. Nothing had ever been so sweet, so good. He began to nibble his way down and around her neck, loving the soft whimpers that escaped her.

  “Please, more, harder! I need … more, d-don’t stop!”

  He didn’t, and soon he was thrusting hard and fast, and still it wasn’t enough. Urged on by the magic, be became a wild animal, completely out of control. Elianna moved right along with him.

  Enyowas had never felt anything like it, and as he sent her over the edge once again, he felt the waves of her desire crashing over him, like a balm to his soul, then with one last thrust, he let himself go.

  He cried out, and every nerve in his body exploded as he shot his hot seed deep inside Elianna.

  The magic didn’t let up.

  With no time to catch their breath, Enyowas was hard once again. Desperate once again, and unable to get enough of her.

  Elianna was a wild cat under him, moving with him, clawing—though not hurting—just as desperate as he. He couldn’t stop pumping and driving, seeking and loving her tight warmth, in and out, again and again. He’d never get enough. He rolled her over and took her from behind, rubbing the small nub between her legs until she was shaking and screaming in his arms, and still he drove into her.

  His body wasn’t his own but rather a live wire of flaming need, a mumble of hungry nerves out for the most exquisite pleasure imaginable.

  Unable to stop, he claimed Elianna repeatedly, until the magic driving them finally snapped taut, then began to recede.

  Sweaty and sated, he fell back to lie beside her, the silence broken by the sounds of their harsh breathing.

  Their hearts finally regained a normal rhythm, and still they lay there, each lost in their own thoughts.

  “I … that was …” Elianna grew quiet.

  “Yeah.” He completely agreed. He’d never experienced anything like it. No wonder some of the single guys were so willing to help a female in heat. Yet as he thought about doing this with anyone but Elianna, he couldn’t get behind the idea. It didn’t matter how mind-blowing the heat-induced sex had been.

  What the hell?

  Thoughts of what they’d just done had him hardening once again, which without the magic of the heat pheromones, should have been impossible.

  He caught Elianna eyeing him, then she met his gaze. Desire flickered as she licked her lips. “My heat is over.”

  “It is,” he agreed, and yet he still wanted her. “Are you sore?”

  “No, I should be, but I’m not at all.”

  Enyowas could see her rapidly beating pulse, and a moment later, he learned over her and lowered his lips to hers.

  Elianna pulled him close as he tasted her once more, this time it was just them—no magic driving them. How could he possibly be hard and wanting more?

  Yet, so long as Elianna wanted him, he wasn’t about to stop.

  In the past, sex had been a means to let off some steam, but this—Elianna made him hunger like no one else ever had. He felt like an addict unable to get enough.

  Enyowas rose up above her, then a moment later was ensconced in her warm, tight sheath. They both gasped. He normally liked it hard and fast, but this time he moved slowly, savoring each thrust, the tight warmth of Elianna. Her fingers on his skin made his breath catch and light as if on fire.

  Her little whimpers drew him on.

  “Enyowas!” She gripped him tight, then cried out and began to shudder.

  Enyowas threw back his head and shouted as he followed on a wave of bliss just as powerful as the others he’d experienced that night.

  As his seed gushed from him, his whole body shook with waves of pleasure he knew he’d never be able to get enough of.

  Enyowas stared down at Elianna, seeing the same stunned, yet sated look in her eyes that he felt. He dipped his head down to her neck, inhaling her sweet scent until he was finally spent.

  Then he lay beside her once again and pulled the blankets up over them both.

  Elianna turned on her side and stared at him. “I never knew it could be like that.” A blush crept up her cheeks.

  It had never been like that for him either. But he didn’t say it. It had to have been remnants of her heat driving him, because he didn’t even know her, so what else could it be?

  Elianna lowered her gaze to his chest. “Thank you.”

  “I should be thanking you,” he said.

  “No. You saved my life and you didn’t have to. Plus, I really didn’t deserve your help.”

  “You made a mistake and not one you should die over. If anything, your clan is to blame,” he bit out.

  “No, what I did was my fault, not theirs.”

  “I heard about your clan and let’s just say I’m not impressed. In fact, I’d really love to have a talk with your Tomlee.”

  Her eyes widened in fear, and she shook her head. “No, p-please don’t.”

  Enyowas clamped down on his anger, and reaching out, stroked her hair back from her face. “You should get some rest.”

  “I don’t want to,�
� she said, but then yawned. A moment later her eyes closed.

  Enyowas watched as her breathing evened out. She was really quite beautiful, and even without the pheromones messing with him, he was without a doubt attracted to her.

  The thought left him disturbed and more than a little freaked out, but despite all that, his eyes slid closed. He had just fallen asleep, when he heard her whisper his name.

  “Yowas.”

  His cock hardened, then as the word registered, his eyes flew open. Pain bit deep, like a fist to the chest.

  Though Elianna continued to sleep, she’d called him “Yowas.” Why? Was she really calling him Enyowas and that was all he heard? He licked his lips and tried to bury the anguish, but it wasn’t easy.

  Only Elsary, his sweet little sister, had ever called him that. The others called him by his full name, or “Enyo.”

  He watched Elianna for a long time, but she didn’t say anything else or move a single muscle.

  Wide awake and unable to sleep now, Enyowas carefully eased from the bed. He stood for another moment, drinking Elianna in, then turning, grabbed his clothes and got dressed.

  He needed some fresh air. There were too many emotions whirling inside of him, the main being that his little sister really was dead. Sure, he’d seen the body, and they’d held a service for her, but none of it had hit him until this moment.

  He glanced back at the bed and knew that Elsary would have liked Elianna. She liked everyone and was always willing to give someone a chance despite the mistakes they may have made in the past. Enyowas turned away from the bed and made his way to the door.

  “You’re leaving?”

  Was he? He hesitated, then walked out.

  Chapter 9

  Elianna swallowed back the pain and refused to cry. Enyowas wasn’t the first to reject her, and he wouldn’t be the last. But still, none of the others had hurt quite so badly. She didn’t know what it was, but despite his reputation, and the danger she sensed in him, she wasn’t scared. In fact, she felt a connection to Enyowas that she’d never experienced before. It was so strong that it canceled out any fear she might have toward him.