Skarlet Kiss

by Elise Whyles

  “Ah, Gawain. Come, come.” Hema waved him forward. “We are to have a guest this night. One of the dragons is to come to speak of a plan to rid us all of that jealous tart, Amuliana.”

  “So I have heard, my lord. We would do well to be rid of her.” Gawain bowed his head for a moment before looking up. “My queens.”

  “Where is your beloved wife?” one of the younger wives asked.

  “She is resting. She tires easily these days.”

  “Ah yes, I’ve heard she is with child. You must be proud.”

  Gawain lifted an eyebrow at the note of censure in the woman’s voice. “I am. My wife has honored me well. My king, Dorstan said you called for me. My men are prepared should you need them.”

  “I have taken care of the precautions in regard to the meeting. Nay, I would seek your counsel.”

  “In regard to?”

  “It has been told to me Una, Bede’s young sister, has spent the past years under the service of Amuliana. What do you know of her loyalty?”

  Gawain tensed, his attention sweeping across the room before settling on the king. “Bede is as loyal today as she was when we were wed, my lord. She would be here if not for the babe she carries.”

  “I do not question her loyalty, I refer to her sister.”

  “I remember her sister was gifted. Una, I believe, will honor her sister, but will not blindly trust in anyone without just cause. If you are asking me if I believe she will be loyal to you, then I would have to say, only she can answer that.”

  “Do you think she would betray us?”

  “I think she will follow her heart. She is Bede’s sister, and I have complete faith in my wife. To question Una is to question Bede, and that is an insult I shall not suffer.”

  Hema smiled and leaned forward. “You are as wise and loyal as your wife. It is true Una has spent years in the service of Amuliana, but is it not also true she has spent company with a shamed dragon?”

  “If he has been shamed, I know nothing of such a thing. He is a good man, of that I have no doubt. If I doubted him, I would hunt him down and cut out his heart with or without your consent.” Gawain glanced around the room. “Selene has asked for patience, and promised Una will be returned to us. I will not go against the wishes of my goddess and the mother of all.”

  “Do you expect us to believe you are favored with Selene’s counsel?” A young vampiress Gawain knew was one of Dorstan’s mistresses, laughed. “Selene is supreme, she is not about to lower—”

  “Be silent,” Hema roared. He turned back to Gawain, his expression unreadable. “What do you believe to be within the mind of the emissary from the dragons?”

  “I do not know, my king. I can only guess he is as anxious as you to be rid of the meddling of that harlot who has played all peoples against each other.”

  “So you recommend we listen to his words?”

  “I do.” Gawain exhaled. “What can it hurt? Our armies are on guard, all are ready should there be treachery in his heart. Let him speak, perhaps it will be in our benefit.”

  Hema settled back in his throne, his chin on his fist as he stared at Gawain. He nodded after a moment. “You shall be present when he arrives. As my wives have said, your counsel is without fault.”

  “Your majesties are too kind.” Gawain bowed to the queens. He shivered at the fluttering in his gut, the weight of the king’s approval heavy on his shoulders. Straightening, he turned at the ringing of a bell marking the arrival of the emissary and locked his hands behind his back. He licked at his lips, his tongue slipping over the sharpened point of a fang. He would do his duty then he would hunt.

  Chapter 14

  Plaiting her hair, Una tucked the ends beneath the collar of the cover Liam had fashioned for her. The thin leather top barely covered her midsection, and the skirt brushed the tops of her thighs, but it was cover. She glanced around for Liam, who hunkered down on the flat rock above her, his gaze directed to the east. The moonlight bathed him silver, the play of his muscles as he sharpened his axe making her mouth water.

  Three days on the move and he showed no signs of resting. The meager stops they made were filled with silence, with worry, and an unspoken need which burned hotter each day.

  “What do you see?” Climbing up the slippery rock, she rested a hand on his shoulder as he leaned on the head of his battle axe. Staring out over the red-brown soil, she shivered at the heat that arose around them. Her fingers itched to move, to learn the lines of his body. The need for it clawed at her until she felt ready to scream. In an attempt for some sort of normalcy, Una narrowed her eyes when she caught sight of movement. “What is that?”

  “That would be vampire legionaries.” Liam straightened and turned to her.

  His hand cupped her hip, sending waves of electricity through her body. She purred softly at the slow sweep of his fingers against her bare skin, her blood heating. She leaned into him, her palms flattening out over his hard chest.

  “I imagine they’ve been sent for you.” Liam pressed her hand to his chest over his hearts.

  Una shivered at the throbbing beneath her palm, the taut skin, the firm muscle. She licked her lips and glanced away before she could act on the desire to press her lips to his skin and see if he tasted as good as she remembered. “Do you believe they serve her?”

  “It is hard to say, little one, but my gut says they are not hunting to save life but rather to take it.”

  A thrill raced up her spine at the tenderness in his voice. Turning her head, she glanced up. “I know it is selfish of me to ask, but will you stay...”

  “’Tis not selfish to ask for my protection. I offer it willingly.” Liam bent his head, his lips brushing over hers. It was no more than a hint of a touch, but Una felt it right to her soul. It burned like a brand into her heart, warming her as she clung to him. “Come. We must make haste.”

  With some effort, Una pulled away from him and followed wordlessly.

  * * * *

  Thankful for the shadows of the night, Liam adjusted his cock beneath his clothes as Una fell into step behind him. It was growing harder and harder to not claim what everything within him wanted. He could taste her on his lips, the sweetest nectar he’d ever tasted. He wallowed in the memory of the heat in her eyes, the want, the need. Soon they would be safe. Then he could teach her, take her. You cannot claim her. She is not of your world and as such you will know only heartache when it comes to her.

  Ignoring the logic, Liam glanced over his shoulder. The clothes he’d made for her clung to her curves, and the moon washed over her skin, making him hunger for a taste. Biting his lip, he pushed onward. He would risk everything to keep her safe. If he could get them back to the mortal realm, to his cave, she would be safe, protected. He could see an enemy coming...and would destroy them long before they could harm his woman.

  Lost in his thoughts, he glanced sharply at her when she tugged on his arm. “What is it, little one?”

  Una lifted a hand and pointed. “What do you make of them?”

  Liam followed where she pointed and felt his hearts freeze. Several dragons advanced, their bodies encased in armor, weapons at the ready. He shuddered at the first inkling of fear. Had they discovered his crime? Or were they simply stalking vampires? He hoped the latter but assumed it was the first.

  “Trouble. We cannot stay here. We have enemies closing in on both sides and need shelter. You are exhausted, weakened by this constant movement.”

  “Aye. But there is little here.” Una glanced around. “Where do we go?”

  “I can open a portal to the mortal world. It would take them a day, perhaps longer, to track us there.”

  “At what cost?”

  “It will weaken me, but it is the only way. I will not risk you.”

  “Do it, my lord.” Fear crept into her voice.

  He caught the sound of her racing heart as she inched closer to him until she was as close as another body could be. Wrapping her in his arms, he pressed a kiss to
her head. “So be it.”

  Nearly invisible to all who were not looking for it, a small tear formed before them. With a final glance behind him, he swept Una into his arms and stepped through the portal.

  Sunlight spilled across the earth. Massive, pointed buildings stretched to the sky. He inhaled, the smell of water heavy on the wind.

  “Where are we?” Una snuggled into his embrace.

  “I do not know.” Liam glanced around. “But I know we cannot stay here. The dragons will have seen the portal and head toward it. They cannot come through but they will know a dragon made it. We will head for the water. If it be a river, we can follow it away from here.”

  Una nodded, her arms sneaking around his neck. “I trust you.”

  The words seeped through the barriers around his hearts and Liam paused for a heartbeat. He glanced down at the woman in his arms, her face serene, her breathing evening out...in that instant he fell for her. His hearts racing, he gathered her closer and headed for the water.

  Chapter 15

  The gentle rocking of the boat soothed Liam as he turned to look at his companion. Una snuggled deeper into the bedding, a slight hitch in her breathing. Liam pulled the thin silk up over her bare shoulder and looked beyond the window of the barge they were on. What little gold he’d had, he’d used to purchase the craft. The human had been glad to get the coin and had left Liam with a sleeping woman and a small barge.

  He knew in a few hours the sun would rise. With it came the real possibility the dragons would find them. He brushed a lock of hair from Una’s face. Even if the dragons found them, he would not allow them near her. She filled him with a new purpose, a new task. With a start he realized he hadn’t thought of revenge since meeting her. Perhaps he had been forgiven, it was the only explanation he could think of to be gifted with such a prize as the woman whose touch set him on fire.

  Turning from the night sky and his thoughts, Liam slipped beneath the silk covering and pulled her closer. She scooted closer, her bottom snuggling into his groin. He groaned and clamped a hand on her hip to hold her still. The last thing she would want to wake to would be his hard cock poking at her.

  “What am I to do with you, little one?” Pressing gentle kisses along her temple, he wondered how she’d managed to sneak past his defenses. Una shifted, rolling over to snuggle against him. He shuddered when her thigh slid between his, pressing on the tender flesh of his semi-erect cock.

  Groaning, he shifted. His hand traced past her hip to her thigh. His fingers tightened when she moved against him. A tiny whimper of need slipped from her lips, stirring the embers he was struggling to contain.

  “Gods above, you tempt me.”

  “Mmm, Liam?” Sleep-filled, Una’s voice was warm, gliding over him like a caress.

  “Shh, I’m here,” he soothed. His body fired, hardening when she raised herself to her elbows, her chin propped on her folded hands. “You should rest.”

  “We are safe?”

  “Aye, for the time being. I have no doubt those who hunt us will find us, but you need not fear. They will need to find out who made the portal then where it led to. There is time to rest.”

  “I do not fear when I’m with you,” Una whispered. “I trust you to keep me safe.”

  Liam smiled, his fingers running through the tangled gold strands of her hair. “I will, this I vow.”

  Una nodded and eased her body against his. She sat up, her palms pressed against his chest, her knees on either side of his hips. Through the slick leather of his pants, he could feel the heat of her core. He rolled his hips, soaking in her tiny gasp of pleasure. His eyes locked on hers, he watched her golden eyes darken, her lips part.

  “Liam.” Her hips undulated against his, stroking his rapidly swelling cock to hardness. He inhaled the spicy scent of her arousal building, swelling until it filled his every sense. “I want...” Her cheeks turned pink, her teeth plucking at her bottom lip.

  He nudged her chin up with a knuckle, forcing her to meet his gaze.

  “Want what?”

  “You.” She licked at her lips. “I want to touch you, to taste you.”

  “Ah, little one, you tempt me,” Liam rasped, his throat tightening with emotion. The need in her voice echoed within his body, his hearts raced with it as he slid his hands down her throat. Across her shoulders, down her arms, his thumbs brushing against the sides of her plump breasts.

  His breath caught at her soft whimper, his shaft pulsing with want. Gods above, to have her, to take what he so desperately wanted...but he feared hurting her.

  “Please, Liam, do not say no. I may not be as experienced as others you’ve had, but I do want you. I want…no, I need your touch.”

  “Are you certain? I fear hurting you.” He licked at his dry lips. “I dread causing you pain.”

  A soft, warm smile tipped Una’s lips up. “You cannot hurt me.”

  “Are you certain?” Liam wondered if she understood, if she knew just how badly he wanted her. “I want you, little one, but...”

  “Want me, need me.” Una leaned forward, her fingers rising to tug at the loose opening of his shirt. Her hands slid beneath the fabric, nails scoring over the flesh.

  A shudder raced over him at the scrape of her nails, his head spinning with need. His hands cupped her hips, fingers biting in as she explored his body.

  “Una?”

  “Hmm?” Una nuzzled against his chest, her tongue flicking out to lick at the line of his ribs.

  He hissed in a breath at the not so gentle nip of teeth, the smell of blood reaching him as she lapped at his flesh. Her mouth trailed upward, hot, sultry kisses following an invisible path to the flat disk hidden in the hair on his chest. Her lips danced around it, her tongue licking at it. He lurched on the bed when she took him into her mouth, her tongue swirling against his nipple.

  “Oh gods.” Liam struggled to control his breathing, his chest rising and falling in a rapid, wild rhythm as she paid homage to him.

  He bit back a cry when her lips trailed to the underside of his shoulder, her hot breath fluttering over his skin, teasing him. He groaned, his body on fire.

  Spitting out a Dragonish curse, he lurched upward when she rolled her hips, her hot sex over his confined shaft.

  “Una, oh...ugh, Una!” His mind hazy, his body hanging on the precipice, he guided her movements, encouraging every snap of her hips as she rode him. He could feel the tightening in his lower back, in the tender sacks between his legs.

  “Liam, oh!” Una straightened, her weight sinking onto his aching hard-on. A fine sheen of sweat covered her pale skin. Her breasts bounced temptingly before him. He slid his hand up, holding her steady as he lifted his head. His mouth closed over a hard nipple, rolling it across his tongue. He nibbled and sucked on her breast, his hips thrusting against hers.

  Her nails scratched at his scalp, and hot shards of heat raced through him. Letting go, he switched to her other breast, loving it as her hips sped up. Desire wrapped around him, filling his head with her scent. Too soon, every sensation settled, his hand going between their bodies as he tugged at the lacing on his pants. He gasped when she moved, the hot, wet glide of her sex over his fingers driving any thought from his head.

  His lungs screamed for air, burning with the need of it as he swam within the sea of desire. He gulped it in as he watched her, head tilted back, long pale strands sticking to her flesh, her lips parted as she rode him.

  “Gods above,” Liam whimpered. “You tempt me so.”

  “Liam! Oh, yes, don’t stop.” Una clutched at his shoulder as she moved. Rolling, thrusting, rubbing against him. With a high-pitched cry, her body stiffened, her breasts thrust forward as she came.

  The smell of her release triggered his own. With an echoing roar, Liam saw stars explode behind his eyelids. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over him, the hot jet of his release scalding as he rode the power of his orgasm.

  Cradling Una against his heaving chest, Liam listened to the
sound of her breathing even out, her heart slow, and he wallowed in the contentment rolling off her. He nuzzled into her hair, inhaling deeply to capture every smell, everything about her.

  “I didn’t know,” Una whispered.

  “Know what?” Liam rumbled, his palm sweeping down her back.

  “That it could feel so good.” Una shifted, pressing light kisses along his chest. “So powerful.”

  A niggling doubt grew in volume as Liam listened to her. He tensed as he remembered the question he’d wanted to ask her. He tangled his hand in her hair and lifted her head. The loss of her lips left him feeling bereft, but he forced himself to stare into her eyes. “Had you done that before?”

  Una blushed and shook her head. Her fingers danced across his skin, following the play of muscles. He palmed her hands, holding them against him. “Ah, little one, you deserve...”

  “To be loved.” She leaned down to press a kiss to his lips. “Perhaps we could do it again?”

  Liam chuckled, leaning up to press a hot, hard kiss to her mouth. “Oh, we can definitely do it again. Rest for now. Morning will come soon enough and we must plan.”

  Una sighed, snuggling down into his embrace, a soft purr escaping her lips. “Aye, in the morning.”

  Liam lay still, his groin cold, sticky as he held her until her breathing deepened and he knew she slept. Rolling her, he tucked her beneath the covers and rose. He strode out into the warm moonlight, his head lifted into the breeze. Stripping from his clothes, he made short work of washing up before he rinsed his clothes. Naked, he stood, arms crossed, staring to the east. Una’s touch, her response had shattered any control he may have clung to.

  He glanced behind him and sighed. “Ah, little one, having you in my bed will be a gift I am undeserving of. Still, I will not turn away from you.” He padded into the shelter of the barge and lay down next to her. With a soft groan of contentment, he pulled her into his arms, smiling when she wrapped her legs around his, her arm clamped over his chest.