She had danced with Aron, thanking him as he held her for his unwavering support. After their dance, he’d led her over and introduced her to a nice woman named Moira. He’d explained that they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other for centuries and his handsome face seemed to glow as he recounted stories from their youth. Miranda had laughed at his tales, encouraged that he seemed enthralled with the pretty blond. She wanted so badly for him to find happiness and hoped that perhaps he could find it with her.
A few nights later Sathan threw a party at Astaria to celebrate. She’d had a wonderful time and had been surprised to learn that he was an excellent dancer. He’d held her and danced with her until sunrise.
It wasn’t as if this evening’s celebration wasn’t fun as well. She’d just been through so many formal events lately and needed a break from shaking hands and kissing babies. She loved her people greatly but being ruler ate away at her precious privacy.
“Your brother is watching Arderin again. It makes me uneasy.”
Miranda squeezed his hand. “I’ve spoken to him about her and he insists that he won’t harm her. Or anyone else for that matter. I believe him. I know it’s hard for you but I want to try to form a relationship with him. He’s all I have left of Mother.”
Sathan contemplated, his gaze wandering over the dance floor. “And of Crimeous.”
Miranda scowled. “I don’t want to fight with you. You’ve been so kind to him. Please trust me.”
Sathan gazed down at her. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”
She shot him a look.
“Okay, I don’t want to argue. But I don’t understand why you and Ken insisted he be on the council.”
“He has powers we could never dream of and has studied Crimeous for centuries. If you give him a chance I think you’ll see that he’s a huge asset.”
He lowered his head to steal a quick kiss from her lips. “I’ll give him a chance for you.”
“Oh, did I win an argument? What’s the tally?”
“Me a thousand, you one,” he said, smiling broadly.
Laughing, she stood, pulling him with her. “C’mon, Vampyre. I’ve got a second wind. Let’s show these people how to dance.”
Hours later, long after the music had faded and the celebration wore down, Sathan led her to his bedchamber. Walking up the grand staircase, she looked at the man who was now her husband. How strange, and yet how glorious. This strong, handsome, thoughtful man was hers. Gratefulness swelled in her chest.
Inside the bedchamber, he helped her remove her dress, muttering complaints about how tiny the buttons were. He scowled as she laughed at him in the reflection of the dresser mirror, his massive hands no match in the battle against the miniscule pearl buttons.
Once free from the dress, which she found beautiful but stifling, she pulled one of his t-shirts from the drawer and threw it over her head. She started pulling the pins out of her hair, wondering how many Lila had slipped in there when she styled the fancy updo. Eventually her hair was free and she ran her hands through the silky tresses. Sathan’s gaze met hers in the mirror, full of desire as she slid her fingers through her hair. Oh yeah. She was gonna get some good lovin’ tonight. She winked at him in the reflection.
Sliding on his large slippers that sat by the bed, she headed out to the balcony, hoping to catch the last stars in the night sky before the sun rose.
A few minutes later, Sathan came up behind her, placing a soft kiss on her neck, and settled beside her at the balcony rail. The metal goblet hung over the railing, firm in his hand. Every few moments he would take a sip and she felt a twinge in her stomach. She decided she didn’t like him drinking a random Slayer’s blood. She had become quite possessive of her Vampyre and if he was imbibing fluids, she wanted them to be hers.
She blew out a breath from her puffed cheeks. “We’re married. For eternity,” she said, looking up at him. “Holy shit.”
He breathed a laugh. “That we are. Scared? Forever is a long time.”
“Not on your life,” she said, giving him a big smile. “We did it, Sathan. After everything we’ve been through, my father’s death, the battle with Crimeous. We did it. Our kingdoms are at peace with each other.”
“You did it,” he said reverently. “You had the courage to free the Blade, to defy your father and reunite our people. You are the true savior of both our kingdoms, Miranda. Your fearlessness is amazing. I’m so proud to be your bonded. You give me a strength I never had.”
Eyes watery, she stayed silent, unable to speak from the lump that had formed in her throat at his beautiful words.
Turning toward him, she pulled the goblet from his hand, placing it on the railing behind her. He was shirtless with sweatpants on, reminding her of the night they had first made love. Repeating her actions from that evening, she placed her palms on his chest, rubbing him in slow concentric circles.
Moisture rushed between her thighs as his body tensed, growing hard.
He brought his hands up to cup her head, tilting it back so that she gazed into his dark eyes.
“Last time you did that I ended up fucking you. Be careful, little minx.” His sexy smile almost made her knees buckle.
Sliding her hands up his chest, she encircled his thick neck with her arms. “I have a favor to ask you.”
“Anything,” he said, lowering his face to hers and stealing a tender kiss from her lips.
“Since my recovery you’ve been so gentle with me, treating me so carefully. And don’t get me wrong, I love it. I love it when you look at me like you are now, when you’re so deep inside me. It makes me feel so special.”
He lowered his forehead to hers. “I love it too. Believe me.”
Laughing, she pulled back slightly, wanting to look into his eyes. “But you’re treating me like I’m fragile. Like I might break. I won’t. I’m strong and healthy and recovered. And as much as I like the touchy-feely sappy times,” she tightened her arms around his neck, “I need you to take me inside and fuck me. Hard. Can you do that for me?”
Her hulking Vampyre literally growled, the timbre so low and sensual, sending another rush of wetness to her core. “Goddamnit woman, you’re perfect.”
Bending his knees, he picked her up and she laughed as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Inside, they crashed to the bed, his enormous body covering hers. Tongues mated as he pulled the shirt over her head. Kissing a path down her neck, he placed tiny pecks on the mound of her breast, stopping to breathe over her nipple. Ever-so-gently, he placed his teeth on the nub, biting her on the sensitive spot.
Groaning, her hips shot up, and he lathered the tiny sting with his tongue. Pulling the sensitive peak into his mouth, he sucked while his hand found her other breast. Thick fingers pinched her nipple, causing her to writhe against him as he lavished her.
“Fuck, Miranda. Do you like that?”
“Yes,” she warbled, drowning in the tiny bursts of pleasure-pain he was giving her. She moaned as he moved his mouth to her other breast, biting that nipple with his teeth and then sucking to soothe the tiny prickle of pain. His fangs seemed so white against her tan skin. She found it so sexy, knowing that she was going to ask him to piece her with them soon.
“I need you inside me,” she said, her voice almost a whine. “Please.”
He murmured against her skin, shaking his head no. Licking his way down her body, he kissed her inner thighs and then brought his mouth to her core. Her body tensed and she pulled at the comforter.
His tongue bathed her, licking her up and down, sucking her. With the tip, he flicked over and over on her tiny nub, causing her heated body to go into overdrive. She called his name, needing to come, needing him inside her.
Suddenly he flipped her over and she landed on her stomach. Lifting her hips, he placed her on her hands and knees. Fisting his hand in her hair, he tugged. God, she loved it when he pulled her hair.
“Stay,” he said into her ear, the deep-timbered comma
nd engrossing her.
The heat of his body left her back as he stood behind her. Cupping one round globe of her ass in each hand, he spread her open. Moaning she turned her head to look at him. He slapped her on one cheek, the sound echoing, causing her to groan. Rubbing the sting on her bottom he said, “I told you to stay. Don’t move or I’ll do it again.”
Loving his dominance over her, she tested him, wiggling her rear and lowering on her elbows. His hand slammed down on her ass again and then rubbed to soothe the sting. God, she was dying. She’d never been spanked before while making love and she found it thrilling.
Leaving a hand on the stinging globe of her ass, he ran his finger down her center, shoving it inside her wetness. She clenched him, showing him she needed more. Inserting another finger, she clamped them with the muscles of her core, moving her hips back and forth, wanting to badly to come. Fisting the covers, she lowered her forehead to the bed, unable to hold it up anymore since her body was shaking so badly.
His tongue replaced his fingers, swiping her folds and then pushing inside. Feeling something snap inside her, she came, flowing wetness onto his tongue as he pulsed it in and out of her deepest place.
As the last shivers of her orgasm died out, she heard him shuffling behind her, removing his pants. And then he was there, his hard shaft at her entrance. Cupping her shoulder with one hand, he guided himself inside and began to plunder her.
Placing both hands on her hips, he slammed into her, over and over, hammering her harder and faster than he ever had. As she moaned below him, she thought she might die from the pleasure.
“Fuck Miranda…” he moaned, his breathing labored as he pounded his body into hers. Lowering over her, still joined, he fisted her hair and pulled her face to his. Kissing her, he began to move again, the position creating a whole new level of ecstasy for her.
“Take my vein,” she said, unable to see his reaction since her eyes had rolled back in her head from the intense pleasure.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Grabbing the forearm he was using to support his weight, she plunged her nails into his skin. “Do it.”
He growled again and began to lick her neck, preparing it for his invasion. As his hips slapped into hers, he sank his fangs into the soft skin of her neck.
Thousands of tiny bursts of pleasure rippled through her as she experienced the most sensational moment of her life. Stars exploded under her closed eyelids, the pleasure of his sucking so intense as he pummeled her from behind. Unable to think, she started to come again.
Sathan moaned against her skin, sucking her life-force from her as her walls convulsed around his thick shaft, tireless in its pounding. Bringing his hand to cover hers, he laced their fingers, clutching her. They were connected in every possible way. She had never felt such joy. Wetness filled her eyes as he stiffened behind her.
He came violently, erupting into her as he sucked her vein. Lifting his head, he shouted as the last drops of his pleasure spurted deep inside her. He collapsed, halfway on top of her, and started licking the tiny wounds he had opened.
Miranda shivered as his tongue darted over her skin, her body a mass of open-ended nerves that she didn’t even try to control. Eventually, her wound closed and he shifted a bit so that he lay on his stomach beside her. They gazed at each other, lost in their desire.
Sathan lifted a lazy hand, placing it on her head. He absently toyed with her hair.
“I think I’m dead,” she said.
“If that’s death then I’m happy to go.”
She smiled, reveling in the love that swam in his eyes.
“You let me drink from you.”
Lifting a hand, she stroked his face. “Because I love you. And I don’t want anyone else’s blood inside you. You’re my Vampyre and I want to keep it that way.”
He smiled as he rubbed her hair. “Thank you. I’m so honored to have had your vein.”
She laughed. “There’s my formal Vampyre. Always stuck in the fourth century.”
He scowled at her and she stuck out her tongue at him. God, she loved this man. “How did I taste?”
“So fucking good. You have no idea. Your blood is so pure. It is the finest I’ve ever had.”
“Damn straight.”
“I’ll be able to read your thoughts now, as long as your blood flows through me. Is that okay?” He looked worried, as if he might have violated her somehow.
“I don’t have any secrets from you. I learned my lesson on that. There’s nothing I wouldn’t share with you so why not have access to my thoughts and feelings? That way you’ll know when I want to strangle you. At least you’ll be prepared.”
His chuckle warmed her and he pulled her closer to him. “But I’m always right. Just admit that and you’ll never need to be pissed at me.”
“In your dreams, blood-sucker,” she said, biting her lip as she smiled.
His hand was now on her back, rubbing softly, as they faced each other, glowing from their recent loving. Miranda felt her eyes grow heavy.
“Come on,” Sathan said. Giving her butt a squeeze, he gingerly rose and lifted her from the bed into his arms.
“I love it when you manhandle me,” she said, her arms around his neck. He pulled down the covers with one arm while he held her.
“Don’t I know it,” he said, stuffing her under the covers and then joining her, pulling her close. “I can’t wait to manhandle you again in a few hours. Until then, rest up because I’m going to fuck you even harder next time.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she mumbled sleepily from his chest. His resonant chuckle was the last thing she heard before her eyes cemented shut.
* * * *
Sathan held her, letting her sleep so that she would be rested for their next bout of lovemaking. A wet spot had formed on his chest as she drooled on him, her mouth open as she snored. He couldn’t wait to make fun of her when she woke.
Rubbing the soft skin of her upper arm as she lay curled into his chest, he contemplated all the other things he couldn’t wait to share with her.
He couldn’t wait to fully unite all the compounds, Slayer and Vampyre, and see peace completely restored to their kingdoms.
He couldn’t wait to walk in the sun again, more confident than ever that they were on the right course to make this happen.
He couldn’t wait to see Miranda full with his child, her belly round as their baby grew in her body. A jolt of love washed over him as he thought of his beautiful Slayer carrying their heir. By the goddess, he was so lucky.
Waiting for her to wake, he murmured words of love to her, stroking her in the dimness.
Although Crimeous was still alive and there were obstacles to face, the future was bright. With her by his side, he felt invincible.
This was just the beginning for the immortals of Etherya’s Earth.
Acknowledgments
When I informed my family and friends that I was leaving my twelve-year career as a respected and high earning medical device sales rep to become a fantasy romance novelist, I expected their jaws to hit the floor. Most did, but I was also surrounded with such love and support, for which I am truly grateful.
Thanks to Judy, for storing all those Judith McNaught books in the bottom of the bookshelf in your bedroom. I know you didn’t want me to read them, because they were filled with…sex!...but I snuck in and read them anyway. They were also filled with love and beautiful happy endings and made me realize how rare and special true love is. Thanks for being my favorite mom. Love you!
To Bill, Helen, Vivian, Julie, Alan, and the Presnell/Hefner/Weaver clan, thanks for being my family. We’re all pretty crazy but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Also, I expect each of you to buy ten copies of this book on your Kindles. You’ve been warned.
To the JC crew—you all know who you are. Even if you don’t technically live in JC, like me, we all make up one kick-ass crew of friends and I’m lucky to have you as my extended family. If you hat
e the book, we can burn a copy at the next Jets tailgate. I’ll bring the lighter fluid.
To the OG Western NC/Owen HS crew, whom I’ve been lucky enough to reconnect with over the past few years, thanks for your support. I’ve tried not to make the book too “porny”. Let me know. (Although we all need a small bit of porn in our lives, right? )
Thanks to NY Book Editors and to Natasa and Dan for letting me drive them crazy with my negotiation tactics. Megan McKeever is such a phenomenal editor and I feel so lucky to have found her. She was the first person to ever read The End of Hatred and seeing it though her eyes was special and extremely helpful.
Thanks to Susan Olinsky for the amazing book cover and map of Etherya’s Earth and to Margot Connery for the website design (and for talking me off the ledge when this lifelong Yahoo user tried to set up G Suite for her author email. Yikes!)
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t follow your dreams. Peace and love!
About the Author
Rebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home. From a very young age she used to sneak into her mother's bedroom and raid the bookshelf, falling in love with the stories of Judith McNaught, Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts. Years later that love of a good romance, with lots of great characters and conflicts, has extended to her other favorite authors such as JR Ward and Lisa Kleypas. Also a huge Game of Thrones and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father). One day, over a decade ago, she began writing her own stories and recently mustered the courage to leave her corporate medical device sales job and become a full-time author. She would be thrilled to hear from you any time at [email protected].
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