Lion of Midnight

by Aliyah Burke

  “Yes.” Cleo looked at him. “Unless you’re too tired.”

  He winked. “Not yet.” She laughed, and he continued, “That would be great. How are you and Kit getting along?”

  “She’s a wonderful woman. I really like her. The whole family is so much fun to be around.”

  Nik bit back the growl of displeasure at the thought of her and Marcus together. “Lovely.”

  “Nik,” she said. “Don’t be like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know damn well there is nothing between myself and Marcus. Stop acting like a fool.”

  He ground his jaw at her reprimand. Trust her. “I’m sorry; I can’t help it, Cleo. I hate the thought of other men around you.”

  Her brown eyes left the road again for him, and she smiled slightly. “That’s gonna happen, Nik. Just like women are around you.”

  Even though her tone was soft, Nik picked up on the thread of tension it contained. The memory of her telling him of her ex cheating on her rushed to the surface, and he felt horrible. She’s had bad experiences, and she can control her emotions. I’ve not been betrayed like that; how can I not let go of my attitude?

  “Snežinka, again, I must apologize. I will do better.” Taking her left hand from the shifter, he pressed his lips to the back of it before muttering in Russian, “You are my salvation, Cleo. I would rather die than cause you pain.”

  “My Russian isn’t that good, Nik. What’d you say?”

  He remained silent, kissing her hand again and releasing her. The sound of her over-exaggerated sigh drifted to him. Soon, they had arrived at her apartment, and the sound of their lovemaking was the only noise in the place.

  The next day, Nik waited to the side, watching Cleo as she introduced him to her class. His gaze traveled over the short-sleeved, fitted white blouse, silver-gray palazzo pants which hugged her hips and ass like a lover, only to flare a bit hiding her heeled boots. From her ears hung silver earrings in odd geometric designs, and against her smooth skin, above the valley between her breasts, rested the snowflake pendant.

  Keep it together, man, he admonished himself. No need to give a speech with a hard-on that could be used in a bout of swordplay.

  Applause jerked his mind back to the task at hand. Rising from his seat, Nik strode toward Cleo and the podium. Upon his face sat his professional smile. Shaking Cleo’s hand, he leaned in and pressed kisses to her cheeks. Then, he turned to the class.

  Cleo sat in the back and watched as her class fell under the magnetic spell of Nikolas Andreyevich. Her gaze caught many a female staring at him with lust and desire in their eyes. Shaking her head, Cleo grinned. I don’t blame them. Standing up there is a man’s man.

  Nik wore casual dress. He had dressed in dark blue slacks and a graphite polo shirt, which highlighted the strength of his upper body. His hair, with its different shades of blond, framed his angular face perfectly. And, as he spoke, his deep timbre with the familiar and comforting accent flowed over her.

  “He’s a great speaker,” Dr. Dubonsky said softly, sitting beside her.

  “Yes,” Cleo agreed, turning to him and smiling before returning her attention to Nik. He’s great at a lot of things. “The class seems to be enjoying it, as well.”

  “Where’d you meet him? I’ve been to the museum he’s talking about, and I know his family is a huge contributor, but I never got a chance to meet him.”

  Leaning back, Cleo crossed her legs and brushed some imaginary lint off her pants. None of your business. “I met him in the museum; he was very gracious.”

  Dr. Dubonsky sat closer to her. “Thank you for getting him here for our students to benefit from his knowledge.”

  Pulling her gaze from her handsome Russian who held her attention, Cleo smiled at her friend. “He’s happy to do so. Nik’s a great guy.”

  One eyebrow rose. “Nik?” he asked with some humor. “I think he feels mighty protective toward you.”

  Cleo realized what she’d said and fought hard not to blush. “Why do you say that?”

  “Look at him watching you.”

  She turned toward the stage and found out, sure enough, Nik’s dark cocoa eyes continually found their way back to where she sat. Heat spiraled throughout her with the knowledge. “It does seem that way.”

  Dubonsky chuckled. “It sure does.”

  Settling back, Cleo focused on Nik and how he answered every question put to him. Even after the class ended, Nik didn’t appear to be in any rush. So, she moved closer to sit in a chair in the front row and listened. There was a smile on her face when the last student slipped through the doors.

  “Well done,” she said, pushing out of the seat and walking toward him.

  Nik ran a hand through his hair and sighed with a rakish half-smile on his face. “You have some great students.”

  “I think so. Come on. I’ll buy you some lunch. Then, I have another class, but I think Kit’s free.”

  She visually inspected him while he flowed toward her, every motion predatory and blatantly hot. His gaze burned her as he grew closer. Cleo tamped back a shudder when he stood before her, the gleam in his eyes growing dangerous and possessive.

  “Am I going to have to watch men touching you every class, snežinka?”

  Her pulse increased at the treacherous, silken tone of his voice. A smile tipped up her lips, and she touched his arm. “You know the answer to that.”

  His gaze softened. “It’s hard, snežinka, for me to watch another touch you.”

  Cleo tightened her hold on his arm briefly. “Thank you for overlooking it.”

  He winked and stroked her cheek the brief touch creating havoc within her. “I can be professional.”

  “And you look oh so good doing so.”

  Heat flared in his eyes, and she dropped her hand. “Teasing me isn’t nice, Cleo. I don’t need to give a lecture with an erection.”

  “I’ll make it up to you later,” she said with a wink. “But, right now, we have to get going or I won’t get any lunch.”

  Nik remained silent, his eyes scanning her body before meeting her gaze, again. Then, he gave a wink and a slow smile. “Can’t wait,” he said slowly.

  They left together then parted ways after grabbing a sandwich. Cleo watched him walk off, fixed on his mouthwatering stride. With a strong, mental reprimand, Cleo headed off to her subsequent class.

  That was how the next few days went. Her nights were spent within Nik’s powerful embrace and her days at school with him along. Life didn’t get much better in her opinion. Late Friday, after enjoying dinner with the Quinns, only to come home and make love with Nik, Cleo fell asleep, his arms holding her close, keeping her safe.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Cleo stirred and groaned. “I need a new mattress.” Yawning, she refused to open her eyes, instead flopping over onto her belly to find a more comfortable position. It didn’t work. Instead something tickled her nose, and she fought the urge to sneeze. Losing the battle, Cleo’s eyes opened once the round of sneezes passed. She pushed up to a sitting position and frowned.

  This is so not good.

  In place of her bedroom, with its walls and comforting, familiar feel, was openness. Birds flew overhead in the gray, cloudy sky.

  “Ahh hells nawh!” she screamed. “Not again.” Her heart pounded. “Nik?” Panic began to set in as she looked around for the man she’d been sleeping with. There was no sign of him. There was no sign of anyone.

  Cleo jumped to her feet and looked down. At least I’m dressed. She wore a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. Shoving a hand through her unbound hair, Cleo bit back a whimper of fear. Like the first time wasn’t bad enough!

  Moving toward the trees, Cleo tried to calm her out-of-control heart. I’ll wake up and find this was nothing more than a dream. Dream? Hell, this ain’t no dream; I’m in a full-fledged nightmare.

  The wind picked up as she continued on her way, blowing into her face and bringing with it the acrid smell of smok
e. Her mind immediately dredged up the previous time her life had gotten confusing, with the men burning homes, and she shook. Part of her wanted to run away. Okay, most. Cleo gritted her teeth and moved forward.

  “I don’t even know where I am, for fuck’s sake.” She hesitated at the edge of the woods. “Although, I’m doubting I’m in the back of some huge estate.” Two steps into the trees, and she froze. “What if there are wolves in here?” Her heart accelerated. “Or tigers.” Her head became light, and she felt the world tilt beneath her feet. Good, I’ll wake in my own bed. Cleo didn’t fight the approaching darkness; she welcomed it.

  Cleo slowly opened her eyes then screamed. Scrambling back, Cleo headed for the other side of the narrow bed she occupied. And old gnarly woman frowned at her, along with a bear of a man. The two shared a glance and, then, looked back at her.

  Okay, so I’m not home. Nor in someone’s estate. Cleo took a deep breath, blanket clutched before her like a shield and skimmed over the woman first. She was short and rounded. When her mouth opened, Cleo could see many spaces where her teeth used to be. Gulping, she turned her attention to the man. He was enormous, standing head and shoulders above the woman with squinty eyes and a scowling face. The way he watched her gave her a definite feeling of being leered at.

  He raised a meaty hand and beckoned to her.

  I don’t think so, buddy.

  Clenching the blanket tighter, she shook her head, searching desperately for an escape. A glower crossed his face, and the hulking bear of a man made a sound and beckoned, again.

  Nik! Where are you?

  The old woman spat on the floor and moved toward her. She yanked the blanket away, and Cleo found herself caught in a grip that was surprisingly strong. That didn’t stop her from digging in when the crone tried pulling her off the bed. A game of tug of war began between her and the woman with her arm the object being tugged.

  Cleo froze in fear as the man grunted again and stepped toward them. A scream welled up within her the moment he reached for her and his hand replaced the woman’s. His cold blue eyes raked her form, and Cleo struggled to remain still. He said something then, within a mere second, Cleo found herself thrown unceremoniously over one wide shoulder and him heading outside.

  “Put me down!” she hollered, thrashing about.

  Her efforts weren’t even remotely effective. Cleo’s eyes grew wider when she found herself the object of many male leers. The one holding her continued to stride through the throng of men. It was noisy and very smelly. A flash of gray caught her attention, and Cleo reared up as far as she could and whimpered the moment her gaze landed upon the gray Nik had been riding. He rode that horse the last time I was in this Godforsaken place.

  “Nik!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Nik! Damn you, save me!” Struggling harder, Cleo kept yelling. “Nik!” Her transport stopped, and Cleo smacked a man’s hand away that had reached for her.

  A low roar filled the air, and silence descended in the village. Cleo grunted at the contact when she was dumped to the ground. She began to rise, but a rough boot settled upon her neck, preventing it. She looked ahead from where she knelt, tears pricked her eyes the second her gaze laid upon Nik striding through the crowd. His face a stormy mask of anger, flames fairly leapt from his eye sockets. One hand curved around the hilt of his massive sword. The jagged teeth gleamed in the sun and seemed almost hungry for blood.

  “Nik,” she gasped, only to receive a kick in the head for it.

  He never looked at her. Words were exchanged between Nik and the man who had carried her like a sack of potatoes. Angry words. Cleo shook slightly when the crowd began to move back. Nik wasn’t a small man, but even he appeared on the slight side compared to the one beside her. Cleo groaned in discomfort when he pushed on her neck again, then scrambled out of the way when her captor drew a sword.

  She longed to cry out or run to Nik, but Cleo sat on the ground and watched with uncontrollable awe as the men lifted their weapons and engaged in battle with one another. It felt like the ground shook with the first clash of metal.

  Stroke for stroke.

  Parry for parry.

  Thrust for thrust.

  Cleo couldn’t look away. It was a strange feeling to know she should at least try to get away, but all she could do was gawk at Nik and his prowess with the sword.

  A few other men tried to join in and were quickly cut down. Nik was relentless with his attack, never giving. His shirt stuck to his sweaty body. She noticed others watching—men, women, and even children. All with different expressions from awe to lust. Tearing her gaze from the spectators, Cleo peered at Nik, again.

  She had no clue what brought his eyes to her. But, for a moment, he looked at her then rage filled his expression, and within seconds, the man lay dying at Nik’s feet. Nik stepped toward her and beckoned. Cleo never hesitated, not deterred by blood, bodies, or the numerous faces staring at her. She hurried to him and felt a rush of relief when he grabbed her, hauling her up to his side.

  Nik hefted his sword and roared something she couldn’t understand, but she did get the gist of it. He was claiming her as his and his alone. She nearly gasped when the surrounding crowd parted. Without a word to her, he nudged her forward, and she got the message. Cleo moved through the crowd, Nik at her back and her eyes fixed on the large gray standing there, waiting.

  Still silent, Nik swung up on his horse, and Cleo heard the pounding of hooves before her head snapped back. Pain poured through her as she fell back, being dragged along by her hair.

  “Nik!” she hollered, reaching up to claw at the hand gripping her hair. Her feet skidded along as the horse gained momentum.

  The roar of anger she had come to recognize as Nik’s battle cry again reverberated through the air. Staring through squinting eyes, Cleo watched as Nik and his gray beast neared. I want to go home! She squeezed her eyes shut as his mount thundered closer. He shouted in what she assumed to be Russian, but it wasn’t until he spoke in English that she opened her eyes again.

  “Hang on, Cleo.” His tone was graveled with stress and worry.

  The pain coursing through her skull made responding impossible. Her body jerked when she saw the cold blade of Nik’s sword coming toward her. Cleo slammed to the ground and rolled to a halt. Lifting her head, she watched Nik launch himself from his horse into the other man, both tumbling toward the hard earth.

  Head throbbing, Cleo struggled to push up from her prone position to a standing one. The two men rolled around on the ground, exchanging blows. Glancing behind her, Cleo’s heart stopped at the sight of the village rushing toward them. As fast as her bruised body would allow, she moved to stand beside the gray, curling his leathers in the palm of her hand. Every single inch of her ached.

  I’ve had just about enough of the past. I can officially say I liked it much better when I’m learning about it from a history book.

  With more morbid fascination, Cleo watched the continuing fight. Her heart jumped up into her throat when the man battling Nik withdrew a wicked looking knife as he sat on top of Nik and struck downward with it. Chewing on her lower lip, Cleo took it all in. Nik locked his hands around the man’s and pushed back. Both strained as they struggled for the upper hand.

  It seemed her breath caught in her throat when the weapon dipped before Nik threw him off, his own powerful body following. Cleo could see the blood on him, and she clamped her mouth shut to keep her scream tucked away. More men swarmed him, and although she wasn’t sure when or how, Nik’s body rose tall, sword in hand as he battled them back. No mercy in his expression.

  Nik fought ruthlessly, brutally cutting down those opposing him. When he stood alone, with no more challengers, Cleo marveled at the blood and sweat that mingled and trailed down his hardened physique. His chest heaved with each breath he took. Lifting his chin, he glared at everyone there and uttered something in a tone that chilled her blood.

  Again, he beckoned to her, and she moved toward him, the horse fo
llowing behind. Within moments, they’d mounted, and the wind blew over them as his ride thundered away. No words were exchanged until he slowed them down by a small home about a few hours from where they started. Cleo remained silent while he spoke to an old woman who pointed them to what looked like a barn.

  “We’ll stay here for the night,” he said, lifting her off the horse.

  Cleo wanted to run to his embrace, but his face made her stay away. It was still angry and very dangerous. So, she stayed out of the way while he took care of his horse.

  Nik glanced at Cleo as he fed his horse. She looked so lost. So unsure. With a sigh, he walked to where she sat on a pile of straw and knelt before her.

  “Cleo,” he began.

  Her gaze cried out for her desire, her need, to be held. Nik opened his arms, and within a second, she had flown into them, pressing her curves against him.

  “Shh,” he murmured as she sobbed into his neck. Nik took one hand and stroked it down the back of her head, his belly clenching with anger at himself when he felt her shorn hair. Eyes closed, Nik rocked her, grateful he’d found her.

  You are my heart and my salvation, Cleopatra Laurens. I will always love you.

  “Nik,” she whispered, leaning back slightly.

  “I’m so sorry, Cleo.”

  “Are we safe here?” Her question brimmed with fear.

  “For the night, at least, yes.” He brushed some hair back behind her ear.

  “How bad is it?” she asked, reaching up to touch her head.

  “You’re still the most beautiful woman in the world, snežinka.” Nik kissed her gently.

  “What can I do to help you with your wounds?

  “Cleo, about—”

  “Nik, please. I don’t think I’m strong enough to face this, yet. Give me something else to focus on.”

  There was blatant desperation in her voice, and he nodded. Sitting down fully, he pointed toward the saddle. “Grab the wineskin and a rag from the bag.” He stripped off his ripped shirt.

  Cleo crouched beside him, required items in hand. Nik didn’t say a word just watched her as she tenderly began cleaning his wounds. Cleo steadfastly avoided his gaze, and even though her touch was light, he could feel her slight tremble. After all wounds had been thoroughly cleansed, Nik rose and began making up a bed for them.