by Reid, Stacy
“Dress yourself, Princess. I will return shortly,” he said stepping into the shadows.
He gritted his teeth at how easy she had shaken his resolve never to taste her again. He'd been unable to sleep, burning with the need for the princess on his lips. He wanted her with a visceral desire. He had assured Gidon that he would exercise caution. Drac could not promise to stay away from her entirely, but he would keep in mind that they had a lot riding on just having one kingdom form a relationship with them.
A mighty kingdom such as Boreas would be a coup.
How he had pleasured her after his earlier talk with Gidon was not proceeding with caution. She simply enthralled him. Not just her beauty. She called to him on a deep instinctive level. He had taken her blood several times, and it thoroughly enticed him. He had never had the primitive urge to take another's blood. As Darkans, they merely fed from the negative energy of others. But what he had felt from absorbing her essence was rich, powerful and decadent.
I want you as my consort
His cock jumped in remembrance of her sweetness and the silky feel of her body in his arms, the lushness of her curves, and the tightness of her pussy. Everything in him clamored that she was his mate, yet the impossibility of it had him hesitating. Something that he was not prone to—he was decisive, swift and brutal.
The madness of it did not escape him.
She would leave his realm in three days’ time, hopefully ending the obsessive need he felt for her. It was imperative that he found the assassins before they made a move against Gidon. The manner in which his father had been murdered bespoke of skill and viciousness. Drac did not doubt Gidon’s ability in the slightest, but there were webs that he needed to untangle so that his king would not be caught in any traps from the enemy. The Kingmaker. Drac needed to know beyond a doubt who was the enemy. Now was not the time for distraction, despite how beguiling the diversion was.
Saieke groaned, completely stuffed. Drac had done nothing but stare at her while she gorged herself on their delicious food. He lounged at the entrance of the private dining hall, waiting patiently with lust flaring from his chakra. She almost grinned in sheer pleasure. It seemed despite his resolve to stay away from her he could not help his desires. She understood for he fascinated her. And she felt safe and protected knowing that he was in the castle and would be her escort for her days in the Darkage. He restrained his chakra, but Saieke was still absurdly pleased and gave him a wink to which he returned a glare filled with his usual iciness. She shrugged. He wanted her, and that was all that mattered.
She had to remind herself as she dressed with exquisite care for him, that the desire she felt for him had to be temporary. The excitement filling her at the thought of learning him had evolved to dread. It was her loins alone that should be shivering for him…not her. She would have to guard her heart stringently.
Her realization had not prevented her from selecting a sheer silver caftan threaded with rubies. A beautiful creation which molded to her skin exquisitely, even with the extra layer added for protection from the cold. She had also armed herself with the blades gifted from the king, and she’d used silver combs to pin her hair into a topknot.
Saieke agreed to stay a few days in the Darkage, and she wanted the time to be used wisely and pleasurably. Guilt already shredded her, and she imagined the fear her parents must be enduring. Whenever she felt her resolve weakened, she reflected on all that her kingdom would lose under the rule of the tyrant.
She flashed from the table to Drac’s side. “Thank you for being patient.”
He grunted.
She rolled her eyes. “Where will my tour begin?”
“I will take you to Lachlan.”
She inclined her head in acquiescence, and they exited the castle to the courtyard. Impenetrable darkness crashed her senses.
“Your fear is unwarranted.”
“Do you sense everything I feel?” She flared out her energy and used the glow of her chakra to light her path as she strolled with false serenity. She found the absolute darkness petrifying but did not want to appear weak to him.
“Not everything.”
She glanced at him. “You feel only my negative feelings?”
“Yes.”
He walked with the grace and sleekness of one of the great jungle cats of her kingdom. She admired his masculinity, the sharp cut of his trousers and shirt. She smiled to see that his top coat was a deep blue instead of black. His shirt molded his muscles to perfection, and she fantasied his shoulders rippling with each step. Her hands flexed in remembrance of how he felt under her touch, and she desperately wanted to glide her fingers over the muscles of his chest.
“You are staring, Princess.”
Her lips twitched. “There is no need to sound so affronted. You are a handsome man.”
“You are making no effort to suppress your desire.”
Could he feel the pleasure she derived from looking at him? "I thought you only felt negativity," she said accusingly.
A breath hissed from beneath his teeth. “I can smell your arousal, and it is tempting me to spread your thighs right here and sink my cock into you, hard and deep. So control your needs, for I will not be the only one smelling you, and I will rip their fucking throats out if they sniff in your direction.”
Saieke stumbled at his shocking crudeness. Unfortunately, it only made her blood stir more, and he growled.
“Why are there no great torches in the courtyard?” she asked, grateful for another topic, unable to bear thinking about the fact Darkans could smell how aroused he made her.
“Other-worldians do not venture this far. The torches are lighted for their benefit.”
Oh. “I never realized Otherworld beings lived in the Darkage.”
“Several humans reside in Gidon’s castle.”
She drifted closer to him. “My dearest friend is a human. I dread the day her short lifespan will end. She is so wonderful. It is distressing to know she has only a mere seventy years or so of life remaining when we have hundreds."
She jumped as screams rent the air, followed by frenzied screeches that echoed from miles out. She smiled tightly, so much for appearing unflappable.
“I am with you, princess. I promise no harm will come to you. You worry needlessly.”
“It is fascinating that you sense every anxiety, every fear. It must be draining.”
“Why would it be? It is substance for my kind.”
“You are amused by my naivety.”
She felt the caress of his eyes over her face instead of seeing it.
“Ahhh…you sense emotions?”
Saieke smiled, pleased at his curiosity. “I sense only if the person’s chakra is not contained tightly, or if the emotion is powerful. I did not sense you at the borders of your land. If I did, I would never have fled inside.” She shivered as the icy winds penetrated the several layers of her caftan.
“You are cold. Why did you not take your robe?”
“It’s summer-tide.” She plucked a flower sniffing. “Flowers are blooming, and fruits are in season. I forget that the Darkage is chillier than the rest of Amagarie. I would only wear a robe back home at the beginning of winter-tide. I did not think it necessary.”
A whisper of air passed her lips, and he held the flowing robe in his hands.
Impossible. “I…thank you.” She lifted the weight of her hair from her shoulders as she slipped on the robe. He had selected a deep silver robe to compliment her dress. He had noticed.
He led her down stones steps into a garden. The area was lighted with several torches, and Lachlan loomed at a massive stone table with several chairs curved in an arch around it.
For the first time, Saieke saw him clearly without shadows and darkness obscuring her vision. Tawny eyes, sensual lips, set in a beautiful face. Too beautiful.
She felt, more than saw, Drac’s gaze slide across her face then back to Lachlan. “He is very handsome, but he does nothing for me,” she said softly int
o Drac’s ear. “Please no ripping out of his neck.”
Lachlan cleared his throat, amusement glittering in his golden eyes. “Princess Saieke.”
“High Lord Lachlan,” she greeted, holding out her hands.
He clasped her hands and led her to a stone-carved, high-wing-back chair padded with the most comfortable of cushions.
She stayed silent as shadows wrapped around Drac like a second skin, and he disappeared…but she could still feel him. The light showed the beauty of the sculptures that graced the area and the flowers and trees artistically arranged within the garden. The stone sculptures were of huge elegant beasts carved in eternal combat. Some were cut from black stones, and others harsh grey and white marble. The contrast of the different vibrant colors planted at stone beasts’ feet was incomparable.
“Is the entire courtyard designed with such mastery?” she asked.
“Yes,” Lachlan replied.
“It’s beautiful. Who is your artist?”
“Talon is one of our most skilled. However, we have several people belonging to the artisan caste residing in the castle who crafted these.” He went right into business. “Princess Saieke, what is it that you want to know about us that would facilitate a relationship between our kingdoms?”
“Your king has indicated a desire for our nations to trade. This surprised me as all I have ever heard about your kingdom suggests you value your solitude and have no desire to mingle with other kingdoms. All Amagarie distrust the Darkage. I would need to know what you have of worth and value that we could possibly want, and why should we trust that you will negotiate with honor.”
He stroked his chin. “It is a part of my scope to see what we can offer as a kingdom, and it has been most challenging."
“How so, my lord?”
“In our history, we have never traded before with any nation. We have only sold our skills and cunning. Our king’s vision is to move our kingdom into trade and prosperity and not only be viewed as death dealers,” Lachlan stated blandly, his eyes never leaving her face, noting every minute reaction. “I have been thoroughly researching the other kingdoms’ wealth and the goods. We do not hold crystals of light as the Avindites. We do not possess the pure fire of the Nurians to forge indestructible iron and weapons. We do not have the valentium sand and steel from Aria or the healing elixir, grains, and minerals of Boreas and Caelum.”
“What of your tapestries, your wine, and your caftans?” Saieke asked.
“Cloth?” he asked a bit skeptically.
“I find them very beautiful, and I would spend a fortune purchasing your tapestries. I have been to Caelum, Aria, and Avindar, and I have never seen tapestries woven with such mastery.”
The Darkage had richness worthy of trade. Her nation imported their wine from Aria—the kingdom of earth and sands. It was potent, rich and earthy. However, what she had tasted of the Darkage fruited wine was something more. She had hummed in pleasure at the sharp sweet flavor that exploded in her mouth from the first sip.
She leaned in, placing her elbows on the stone table, settling in for an intensive discussion on trading opportunities.
* * *
Drac observed the grace and femininity that Saieke presented as she spoke with passion to Lachlan. She was obviously spirited in everything she did, not just bed play. He banished the thought instantly. She had incredible insight, and her admiration of their kingdom seemed genuine.
He could detect no negative emotions.
She could have kept her insight hidden, to keep the advantage for her kingdom. Instead, she extolled to Lachlan the wealth they possessed and how they could be used for trading purposes. Lachlan told her about their oil, wine, and weaponry. She laughed and talked almost incessantly.
Drac was completely riveted.
She radiated with life and vitality. And he found it all too appealing. It was getting more difficult to proceed with caution.
I want you as my consort
She risked a lot. To take a lover now was inviting death. Coldness settled inside of him. His beast brushed against his mind as if concerned for her. He’d surmised she fled from her nation and had intended to travel to Earth. The dimension gateway was a few miles from their northern border and would have been the only reason for the princess and her Queen’s blades to risk moving so close to the Darkage. Escaping to Earth was a viable plan, as many Amagarians crossed over and remained there. The only thing he found of interest on Earth was that humans did not have chakra. His kind fed off their blood, which did not hold negative essences, so the darkness that lived in all Darkans was subjugated and had difficulty rearing its head.
She must have been desperate to concoct such a plan. Instead, she was in the Darkage and would be sent back to her kingdom in a few days. Drac inhaled deeply as he thought on her apparent plan: lose her virginity, and she could not wed someone of a royal line.
This was true for all nations except his. The laws that governed them were abhorrent to the other kingdoms. He was not sure if Saieke had thought out the consequences of tempting him either. He wanted her with a need that was driving him crazy, and it would amount to almost an impossibility to stay away from her if she was his mate.
His beast was silent inside as if waiting for him to realize what it already knew. The shadows deepened in his mind, and he jolted.
It was subtle, but it was there.
His demon beast felt contentment.
11
“The potential for your kingdom to improve its wealth is vast,” Saieke said to Drac as he strolled with her through the gardens leading to the castle.
“You honor us by your willingness to learn about our kingdom. But it will take more than your assessment for us to be viewed as people,” he said softly.
Regret for the disdain they suffered pierced her. “Your king is bold in his thinking. For a kingdom to change how they are perceived, they need much boldness from the Ricarkri and its citizens. And you must share the beauty of your kingdom,” she murmured wistfully as a small winged creature with bold strokes of orange and blue dotting it wings flapped by them.
They just needed one kingdom to break the cycle of revulsion and form a trade agreement. It would be a laborious undertaking. Their legends were just too dark and filled with blood-letting.
Saieke gazed on the black starless sky, aching for Drac. “Why do you not speak of what passed between us?”
Her breath hitched at the hot flare of desire that burned from his chakra, but then it contracted away from her, turning cold and contained. She could feel every nuance of Drac’s stare as he caressed her with his eyes, yet he did not engage her line of conversation.
“You are to dine with the king and the elders of the castle in a few hours. They have organized entertainment for your pleasure.”
“I thank you and the king for such attentiveness to my comfort.” His reticence confounded her. The desire was mutual, and it befuddled her that he would restrain himself so.
“Do you have a penchant for ignoring questions, Drac?” She laughed teasingly at the hooded look he gave her.
“The only discourse between us, Princess, will be about the Darkage.”
“As you feel my negative emotions, I can feel your lust for me from your chakra. It is a feeling I return. I am not frightened if you desire to take me roughly. I will not break.”
His rough chuckle slid into her, stirring a deep longing for something hotter. Darkness shifted into his eyes, and the savageness of what released from his chakra made her stumble.
“You did that deliberately.” She slowed her pace as she saw the castle entrance ahead. “Do you wish to scare me away from you?”
She swallowed as he suddenly pressed his body intimately against her. Saieke tilted her head and met the flatness of his gaze unflinchingly.
“Not to scare you Princess…but you fearlessly step where you should tread with caution." The rough timbre of his voice had her wetting her lips.
“Will we be lovers?” she whis
pered against his mouth as she tilted her face upwards to rest her lips against his.
With a muttered curse, he lifted her and moved. Darkness blanketed Saieke’s mind, petrifying her for precious seconds. The dark uncloaked from her, revealing her chambers.
She gaped at him.
“Rest, Princess. Enjoy the feast and entertainment planned for your honor.”
She sighed as he vanished. She untied the strings of her caftan, letting the soft material slither off her skin. She flashed to the bath chambers and sank into the heat of the water. Her power flowed, stirring and foaming the water as she raised it above her like a waterfall. She luxuriated in her element, and she mused on how to get Drac into more serious bed play. She would enjoy the feast and entertainment that the king had prepared in her honor, and she would plan another way to seduce him…without losing her heart.
* * *
The next two days passed in a blur of revelry, in-depth discussions and meetings with the king and high lords of his western quadrant, with no alone time with the man dominating all her evocative dreams. She had met several courtiers who had greeted her with hostility, but the welcome she received from the ladies buffered the sting and fear. Lachlan had given her tours of their vast library, which housed their entire history. He had allowed her to read from selected scrolls, and Saieke had immersed herself in learning how they had evolved as a society over the centuries. She’d felt a stab of sorrow for Gidon. What she read showed a kingdom thrilled with war and bloodletting.
As Saieke toured the villages and provinces, she’d found herself surprised by what she saw. Children ran and shrieked as they romped, people erected stalls selling their wares, and food peddlers advertised their food. The level of revelry and noise had created a buzz in her head, and her steps had faltered as she gawked.
