A very smart man. Exactly what Poseidon needed.
Come to me, he said, his voice carrying on the wind.
Darius paused and stiffened. He searched the surrounding wooded area, gazed over the river, saw nothing and returned to his men. His shoulders remained stiff, however, his posture erect and his hands clenched tightly on the hilt of his sword.
Come, Poseidon said again.
Darius’s attention whipped to the river for the second time. His eyes narrowed.
The water provided only a reflection of Poseidon’s image, a glint in the fading light. Still, Darius obeyed at last, long strides leading him to the river’s edge. The men he’d been speaking with frowned, clearly confused.
“Is something wrong?” a hulking blond giant asked.
The dragon king never looked back. “Rest a while, Brand.”
When Darius stood alone, he said, “You called, Poseidon?”
He recognizes me, and yet he shows no reverence.
Annoyance caused the water to churn. “You know me, then.”
“I know of you.”
“Then you know the consequences of speaking to me in such a manner. You know the suffering I can mete out.”
Darius gave a clipped nod. “I do.”
And still the dragon did not bow.
Admire his courage or strike him down?
Admire. Why not? He’d hated his life so much he’d come here to set a new course. Want different circumstances, do different things.
“I’ve learned some disturbing things since my return, Darius, and I am not pleased. Because of this, I have several tasks for you.”
A muscle jumped beneath his eye. “Then I am at your command, of course.”
Excellent. “First, you will return to the palace.”
There was a heavy pause. “That isn’t my plan.”
“No, you wish to gather more men. That will take time, and I want my will obeyed now. This moment.”
Darius stood firm. “That will place dragon lives in unnecessary danger, and that I will not do.”
A refusal. Admiration dwindled fast. “Sneak inside, and there will be no danger to you and yours.”
“I do plan to sneak inside. But there will be danger if the nymphs and vampires outnumber us ten to one.”
Poseidon grinned slowly. “O ye creature of doubt. You will destroy half of the nymph and vampire forces before you even reach the palace hallways.”
Darius’s brows arched, interest sparkling in his eyes. “Tell me how that’s possible.”
He thinks to give the orders now? Poseidon’s hands fisted. “There’s a doorway. A secret entrance below the portal.”
“Below?” He sounded faraway, as if he was already breaching it in his mind. “How did I not know of it before now?”
“Not my problem. You’ll sneak inside, gather the humans and return them to the surface, with their memories wiped clean.”
Poseidon continued. “To get the women in one place, you’ll send an army back to the palace, as if they meant to fight. The women will be hidden below.”
“Done.”
“Once they are returned, you will focus on the nymphs. They’ll be weak without their daily dose and easy for you run down. Six nymphs dared to enter the surface world, so six nymphs will die.”
“What happens next?”
“Easy, you take back the palace and slaughter the rest of the nymphs. A cautionary tale for any who think to follow their lead.”
Darius balked. Interesting. A warrior should enjoy taking down his enemy.
“You have done such deeds before, Guardian. This should be no hardship for you. But, if you think to refuse me, I’ll have your wife sent back to the surface. You acquired her from there, did you not?”
A blaze of fury sparked inside the dragon’s eyes, revealing the merciless killer he had once been. “I won’t allow Grace to be taken from me. She is mine, a daughter of Atlantis now, pregnant with my child.”
“The child is the only reason I’m allowing you to keep her,” Poseidon informed him. “For now.”
Fury blazed in the dragon’s eyes. “I’m so...grateful you have finally decided to take an interest in your people.”
“Is this sarcasm something you acquired from your bride?” Poseidon wasn’t a fan. “Watch your tongue, or I’ll feed it to the vampires. Go now,” he said. “Return to the palace. I’ll be there waiting, and I’ll show you the way inside.”
“Wait. Before you leave,” Darius said, irreverence still blazing in his eyes, “perhaps you could be a dear and gift us with clothing.”
“Of course. It will be my pleasure.” As a slight punishment for Darius’s impertinence today, Poseidon blew his breath upon the dragon army, spraying them with a fine mist of sea...and leaving them dressed in women’s scarves.
Their hisses of shock rang in his ears long after he left them.
* * *
BRENNA’S HANDS TWISTED together. She stood just outside the dining hall, observing Shivawn while waiting for him to notice her. He was speaking heatedly with a female she’d never met—a white-haired beauty with blue eyes and bloodred lips.
Brenna watched the interaction with only mild curiosity. What would happen to her if Shivawn decided to be with another woman? Would Brenna be given to someone else?
Joachim, perhaps?
Her stomach quivered.
Would she be jealous or irritated if Joachim talked so heatedly with another woman?
Her stomach quivered harder.
But...she still feared Joachim. Didn’t she? He was everything she should despise: controlling, dominant and violent.
Why did she have to desire him at all? Why could she not want Shivawn, and only Shivawn?
She sighed. Like she’d told Shaye, if she had any hope of forging a better future, she had to let go of the past.
Would one of these men help her reclaim a life of contentment and joy?
The feminist part of her being screamed You can reclaim your life without a man!
And at any other time, she would have agreed. But men were the foundation of her fear. By cutting one—or two—from her life, she merely perpetuated that fear.
I’m going to do it, then. I’m going to sleep with someone. Today!
Joachim’s image barreled into her mind. Probably because the man himself was forceful!
He lay in bed, his finger motioning her over, a silent request for her to join him.
She shivered. One way or another, she was going to dive headfirst into a relationship: sexual, emotional and uncomfortably intimate. But which man would she pick?
Life with Shivawn would be sweet and tender.
Life with Joachim would be turbulent...and possibly exciting.
Shivawn shook his head and snarled something to the now-scowling woman. When his gaze met Brenna’s, he jolted with surprise. Why? Because he hadn’t sensed her the way Valerian always seemed to sense Shaye?
He stalked toward her, clasped her hand and dragged her from the room. Thoughts of him—of being with him—failed to heat her blood.
Was he taking her to his room?
Would she trace her hands all over his body?
Her body gave no reaction, and she wanted to scream with frustration.
They weren’t heading toward his room, she noticed a moment later.
“Where?” The walls surrounding his room were in a different state of repair than the ones here. These had...
The murals that led to Joachim’s room. Her eyes widened. They were going to Joachim’s room, where menacing weapons hung on the walls, a blatant reminder of why she couldn’t want a man like him.
Now her blood heated with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. “Is Joachim okay?”
“He’s well, yes.”
That meant...what?
They arrived at the door a moment later. Shivawn didn’t pause or announce himself, just strode inside. He released her hand and marched to a side table, keeping his back to her as he poured a drink.
The first thing she noticed? The weapons were gone.
Why? Why had they been removed?
Her gaze flicked to Joachim. He sat on the bed, his legs over the side, his elbows resting on his knees. His gaze devoured her.
“Brenna,” he said, her name a sensual caress.
Instantly her blood heated another degree. Her nipples hardened further, and need pooled between her legs.
They must have come to the same conclusion she had: it was time to choose.
Last time she’d run from this, and from her feelings. Now she squared her shoulders. It was past time. Because, honestly, there would never be a right time. Not with fear at her back, holding a knife at her throat. There was only here and now.
The other women in the palace were well satisfied. They always grinned, never experienced a single fear. So badly she wanted to be one of them.
She would be one of them.
No, there would be no more running. But could she risk the safety she was sure to find with Shivawn for the passion she was sure to find with Joachim? There would be no going back once she’d voiced her preference. These men were too possessive, too determined to be “the one.”
Shivawn focused on her. “I’ve sensed your readiness,” he said, once again at her side. He gently gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I know you want more.”
She licked her lips, nodded.
Satisfaction in his eyes. “I will never allow another man to hurt you. I will take care of you, pleasure you, make you so happy you’ll forget ever being sad.”
The perfect response. The words she’d always longed to hear—because he meant them. She knew he meant them.
He added, “The man on that bed will never be kind or gentle or any of the things I sense that you need.” He turned her again, this time making her face Joachim.
Their gazes locked, his heated, and her stomach quivered.
“Look at him,” Shivawn said. “Even now there’s a wildness about him that you cannot deny. He will never be able to control his temper. He will never be able to destroy the demons that plague you.”
Shivawn’s final words were supposed to comfort her, to assure her that choosing safety over passion was the right decision. But in that regard, they failed. Because there was no stronger warrior than Joachim. He did have a temper, and he did appear wild. Yet, if anyone could fight and destroy the demons of her past, he could. He was just so...vital.
Joachim didn’t utter a sound. He simply pulled four strips of cloth from underneath his pillow and draped them over his knees.
A tremor swept through her.
“What are those for?” Shivawn demanded.
“Tie me to the bed, Brenna,” Joachim said.
She glanced down at the material in puzzlement...and desire. “What?”
“Tie me to the bed. Know that I have never allowed another woman to do this to me, never will. For you, I make an exception. Because you are important to me.”
Her gaze swiftly returned to Joachim. His expression was hard, resolved and hot with arousal. So much arousal. Desire blazed in his blue eyes, burning her inside and out.
“Why?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not going to tell you that you’ll hate yourself later if you decide to be with Shivawn. You could probably be happy with him, and you would always feel safe. But he can’t fill the void inside you, and he can’t give you the life I know you’ve dreamed of having. I can. All you have to do is trust that I’ll never hurt you. Never. I would die first. These ties will allow me to prove it—you will have the power in our relationship.”
“Joachim,” Shivawn snarled.
But he wasn’t done. “Tie me to the bed, and you’ll be in control of everything that happens.” His jaw was clenched. “I’m giving you complete...control over me, allowing you to take back your own.”
Bondage. During sex. Her wild gaze darted between the two men. “Shi-Shivawn?” What did he have to say about this?
He remained stiff and silent, radiating fury.
“I noticed how you jolt every time someone comes up behind you,” Joachim said, “so I’m going to show you the pleasure of having a man there. Later. This time I want to show you the pleasure of being in control.”
This big, strong warrior was willing to give up control—his precious control—to be with her. A tremor worked through her. The revelation startled her, strengthened her. She’d wanted passion, she’d admitted that to herself already. No one could give her more passion than Joachim. She’d admitted that, too, but she’d been scared of it. Scared of him. And so she’d done her best to fall for Shivawn. She might even have convinced herself of it. For a little while. Eventually, she would have had to accept the truth.
All along, it had been Joachim she’d desired. She simply hadn’t wanted to want him. He was trusting her with his life. She could do no less for him.
I’m not going to be scared anymore.
Eyes filling with tears, she looked at Shivawn. He was so sweet, so kind and giving. But as she looked at him, she realized he was exactly what she didn’t need anymore. A bodyguard. She could take care of herself now. She’d been in this palace for over a week and hadn’t been hurt. She’d faced down the warriors, and she hadn’t been attacked or even disrespected.
“You can walk away from both of us,” Joachim said, his voice rough. “We won’t stop you.”
Run, and stay locked in her safe little world. No feeling. No pain. No pleasure. I’ll never run again.
“I’m so sorry, Shivawn,” she said, chin trembling. “I wanted it to be you. I did. But...”
“Stop. Please. Just stop.” He studied her for a long while, his jaw locked tight. Then he slowly turned to Joachim. “She is yours. I relinquish all claim to her.”
“Thank you,” Joachim said tightly.
Shivawn flicked her one last glance, nodded and strode from the room, leaving her alone with Joachim.
Before she would have run after her guard. Now she gulped and held her ground. Gathering her courage, she faced him.
Her man.
Fear would never rule her life again.
She’d chosen him, and she was only sorry it had taken her so long to realize the depth of his honor.
He’d made a play for the crown. When he lost, he could have vowed vengeance against Valerian. Instead, he accepted defeat and pledged his services to the king.
Underneath the rough exterior, he was a good man.
Ready to finally move on with her life, Brenna walked forward. With every step, she felt an invisible chain fall off her. Her heart raced erratically. She stopped in front of him.
Joachim stood, grasping the ties in his fists.
His gaze was hard, unrelenting. “Did your attacker use his hands or a weapon? If he used a weapon, I would like you to use the same on me.”
At first, she didn’t answer, didn’t want the memory to intrude on this precious time. “Only hands,” she finally managed on a trembling breath.
He nodded and gave her the bonds. Slowly, very slowly, he unfastened his pants and pushed them from his hips. They pooled on the floor, and she was given a glimpse of her very large, very aroused male.
“We go at your pace,” he said, lying on the bed. “When you’re ready, tie me.”
Her hands shook as she tied his wrists to the posts, then his ankles. Then she stood at the side of the bed, staring down at him. Utterly amazed by him.
Silent, Joachim watched her with mind-blowi
ng intensity. Her knees almost buckled; she knew what he expected, what he wanted.
My turn to strip.
After the attack, she’d stopped working out, unwittingly trying to make herself as unattractive as possible to other men. If they didn’t come around, she didn’t have to worry about them. And she had scars. Ugly scars. What if Joachim found her body undesirable?
Then he isn’t worthy of my time.
Easily said. Hard to accept.
She reached up with shaky fingers and undid her robe’s shoulder ties, revealing her breasts. She continued to gauge Joachim’s reaction. There was no disappointment in his eyes. Only desire. She lost a little of her uncertainty. Delicious bumps broke out over her skin as his gaze skimmed over her, his nostrils flaring with the force of his arousal.
“You are beautiful, Brenna. More so than I ever realized.”
With her robe completely loosed, the material fell from her body to join Joachim’s pants on the floor. Finally she was naked. Her cheeks heated as Joachim’s eyes raked over her once again. At one time, the thought of joining a man on a bed would have paralyzed her. This time, her hormones were too busy rejoicing.
“Close your eyes,” he said.
She didn’t think to argue.
“Imagine me behind you. Imagine my hands caressing your shoulders and cupping your breasts. Imagine me rolling your nipples between my fingers.”
Yes. Yes! She saw it in her mind, only this time the image was crystal clear. Her head fell onto his shoulder, her hair tickling them both. His fingers roved over every inch of her.
“Are you wet?” he rasped.
Unbearably so. She nodded.
“I want to lick you. May I?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
“Then come to me. Please.”
She climbed onto the bed without hesitation and straddled him, her knees at his waist, his erection resting between her legs, touching her intimately but not entering her. The decadence! She moaned.
“Lean forward,” Joachim urged roughly.
He might be tied, but he was still a warrior. For the first time, a small kernel of fear sprouted. You’re safe. You’re protected.
Forbidden Craving Page 26
