by L. C. Son
Hearts Eclipsed © 2019 by L.C. Son
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any written, electronic, recorded, or photocopied format without the express permission from the author or publisher as allowed under the terms and conditions with which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
Beautiful Nightmare is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events and places found therein are either from the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to persons alive or dead, actual events, locations, or organizations is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Art & Interior: RMGraphX
Edited By: Dark Raven Edits
Table of Contents
Dedication
Dear Reader,
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
About the Author
Before You Go!
Dedication
To my loving husband and kids, thanks for living through this fantasy world with me. Your support brings worlds alive and characters to life. Thank you.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing Hearts Eclipsed! I hope you enjoy moving past the nightmare of Damina’s dreamscape and hear directly from the men in her world, Jackson and Dalcour. To ensure a pleasurable reading experience, be sure to read Beautiful Nightmare (Book One) FIRST. Hearts Eclipsed is a companion novel chronicling the events of Beautiful Nightmare from Jackson and Dalcour’s perspective. It is not a retelling of the first book in the series, but assumes the reader understands nomenclature from the first book.
If you haven’t read Beautiful Nightmare (Book One), click this link now: Beautiful Nightmare (Book One) or visit my website at WWW.LCSONBOOKS.COM to purchase the book in both digital and paperback.
Again, thanks for your purchase and happy reading!
Dream Well,
Author L. C. Son
Chapter 1
Jackson
Walking out of her door is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The look of want in her eyes. Desire radiating from her skin. If it weren’t for her parent’s portrait crashing to the ground, I have no doubt the honeymoon would have preceded our nuptials.
Why not?
I love her.
With the exception of those two sacred words, “I do,” and our long-awaited consummation, I think of her as my wife in every way. In fact, I can say with all assurance that I have loved her since the very first day we met.
She had a look of helplessness without surrender. The two contending bidders were doing everything they could to best one another in obtaining the Charloque de Posse oil painting all while causing quite a stir in the auditorium. While she was noticeably frustrated with both gentlemen, she held her own. I liked that. Immediately, I knew she wasn’t a pushover, but I also knew she needed my help.
Raising my paddle, her eyes met mine with the sincerest look of gratitude. Followed by a small smile in the corners of her perfect peach-colored lips, she bowed her head slightly and whispered the sweetest “thank you” my ears ever heard. I knew nothing about her. Not even her name. She was the subbing auctioneer and somehow, I guessed she wasn’t the Martin Trask listed in the program. But I knew one thing. I loved this woman with no name.
I was only at the auction to reclaim two relic effigy bowls that were once my great-grandfather’s. My plans were to gift them to my aunt as an offering to her for caring for me after my father’s death. Sophie always said my grandmother, or as I called her Pokni Natika, sold many of our family’s belongings to traders to ensure the status of our pack.
I got the bowls. Only five hundred a piece. Seems like a steal compared to the insane twenty-eight thousand dollars I belted out to end the bidding war. The last bid was only ten thousand, so I am not sure what possessed me to offer such an amount. Well, actually I do. I simply wanted those idiots to shut their pie holes. Mostly, because I could tell they both were only trying to flaunt their wealth and impress her. Not that I blame them. Damina is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. Ever.
I’d gladly do it again. There’s no amount of money in any currency that would be sufficient to spend even a moment in her presence.
I knew that then and I know it now.
But it was the moment she agreed to go with me to dinner after the auction that I knew I’d never let her out of my sight. Even though I’ve often teased she was the most expensive first date ever, I’d gladly do it all over again.
I’ve gotten no farther than just outside her door and everything inside me is screaming for me to return to her. Leaning against the cool marble tile walls adjacent to her entrance, I try to allow its coolness to relieve the sweltering sweat masking my skin. My heart is racing and I’m working hard to catch my breath. I haven’t felt like this since I ran the 10K.
My, what that woman does to me.
I know one thing. If I don’t leave now, I have no doubt I will claim her as my wife. In every way. And by the way, her gaze deepened into mine, I’ll be equally claimed. Right now, I am all too eager to comply. But our promises of chastity rein in my inhibitions. At least a little.
Leave now, idiot.
Or we could just call Pastor Holmes to pronounce us man and wife right now. He owes me a few favors. I had to utilize a lot of my contacts to get the Ward to agree to the expansion of his church parking lot. Besides, after running into him at the Indian bistro in Chantilly with a woman who looked nothing like his wife Patricia, I doubt he’s in a position to chide my reasons for wanting to speed up the nuptials.
Everything about the moment was so right. The way she smelled. Like vanilla and Eucalyptus. Calming and sweet. I recount the way she kissed me, locking her tongue with mine. The way her fingers grazed my chest as her luscious mouth gaped open full of wanting made my heart throb straight to the seat of my pants. Her peasant top did little to hide the glistening sheen along her breastbone and the rise and fall of her breathing as her body folded into mine was almost my undoing.
Sure, I could blame it on the nearing of the full moon. I’ve spent five years planning business trips and other excursions around the lunar cycle just to douse my desire for her. While we wolves are never shy a mating season, the full moon makes our desires almost too hard to resist. One summer’s eve in the pool with Damina was enough to know not to tempt fate. Especially since I’m not sure I can guise my wolf when I’m in full bloom.
I’ve yet to tell her who I am.
The wolf is everything. All rage. All desire. Ferocious and fearless.
Yet, the m
oment we share our vows we invoke the copula ritual. She will finally be able to see me. All of me. I hate holding this part of myself back from her. But I will do what I promised to keep her safe, even if that means keeping my true self hidden from her until that time.
It’s been five years. Five years of want, desire, and ice-cold showers.
None of it has been easy but I know making love to Mrs. Damina Nash will be well worth the wait. Besides, I want to do it right. I have every intention of doing so. She deserves the best I can give her. Not a romp on the couch for her first time. Our first time.
I’ve planned everything for our honeymoon. A rose petal covered honey-milk bath by candlelight is how I plan to start. I want to wash away all her cares as I caress every perfected inch of her. Though she exudes strength all her own, I need her to know that she can depend on me to wipe away every stain or vexing of her heart. After, I’ll carry her to our bed and make love to her over and over again under a moonlit sky.
With moonlight our only light, I’ll share my wolf with her, marking my scent over her body. Imprinting myself over her completely. As I drape her with my essence, I’ll bind her Altrinion nature with mine, keeping her safe from all who would seek to hurt her kind.
All I have to do is wait the night out.
“Tomorrow,” I whisper to her door with my hand pressed against its seam. I inwardly chuckle at the light imprint my sweaty palm leaves behind. The next imprint I make will be on her body and I look forward to that moment with the grandest delight.
Dalcour
“Dalcour!” I hear Jerrica screaming my name before I even make it up the staircase. I’ll never know how she hears me coming like she does. I love her dearly, but she drives me insane.
“Yes, I’m here,” I mutter with dread. The last time Jerrica was this chipper we nearly started a war with the wolves. Sure Abraham could have used the money but purchasing their land for her strip mall endeavor would have cost him his already fading alpha status. I trust Jerrica so emphatically I began signing the deal between her and Abraham without reading the fine print. Not a normal practice, but she’s one of the few people who can catch me off guard. Though just a ragged pack of Dunes wolves, had the others heard of such an allowance I have no doubt the war my brother Decaux always hoped for would ensue.
Her bright smile is ear to ear as the squeaky door opens. Jumping up and down with her phone in hand she is beaming with joy. If I didn’t know better, I would think she just won the lottery; not that she needs it. I could just read her mind to understand what’s the cause for such ruckus, but with both Charlotte and Brian musing about, her thoughts will be chaotic at best and I have no desire to work that hard to discern the inner-most parts of her mind.
“I guess it would help if I knew what we were excited about,” I continue dryly.
“Oh look who just came up from the pit! Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Darkside,” Braelyn scoffs perched atop the high landing.
“Happy to see you too, Braelyn,” I reply forcing a smile to match Jerrica’s enthusiasm.
“Well, I’m always glad to see you too, D, but you know I have no desire to hang out with you know who.” Braelyn’s arms are folded, and she pouts out the corners of her mouth while slurping her evening gorge through her straw.
“Aw, are you and Titan still at odds? You know he’s just a bit gruff about the edges. I think he was really coming around to the whole monogamy thing.”
“I seriously doubt it. Not to mention he’s way too controlling for my speed. I spent half a century ogling the man from afar. It only took a week to see the real beast. Better single than miserable.”
“Yeah, you say that but then you can’t take your eyes off Abraham’s boy.”
“Whatever!” Braelyn snaps, taking another swig from her straw.
“Are you really going to continue with the whole sippy cup thing?” Jerrica quips over her shoulder, pausing enough to stare at Braelyn with her lips curled in disgust.
“Look, I’m trying to go incognito. A large glass of blood is a bit telling don’t you think. Besides, with smoothies all the rave these days, I just seem like one of those juicing nut jobs. No one is the wiser.” Brae replies leaping down from the landing onto the chandelier.
“Hey! Can you get off that? This isn’t a gymnasium! Well, you know what stay up there! That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Dalcour.”
“What? You called me up here to talk about the chandelier? I was in the middle of something you know.”
“I saw those grizzly pawed heifers Titan had lined up for you two, you’re not missing anything!” Braelyn laughs as she jumps from the chandelier onto the dusty floor. “Just hear her out, D, you might just like this.”
“It had better be good, Jerrica.” I find my patience waning. Titan managed to swing by the cheerleader tryouts. He has a few disappointed damsels that I’m sure we can find a way to cheer up. I’ll hear Jerrica out but I’m looking forward to drowning myself in the most pleasurably depraved way possible.
“Okay, just hear me out okay,” Jerrica begins grabbing my wrists tight. Her smile is bright enough to jockey for the sun’s position.
“I’m all ears,” I answer after a deep exhale.
“Well, you may recall Sue Burgin has given us the green light to revitalize the mansion as a submission to the Garden City project.”
“Yes, and I offered my estate for that purpose. Braelyn has all the covenants. Once we make the necessary updates you can go forward. Is that it?”
“That’s only part of it. I think I found a way to finally make your dreams come to pass!”
“My dreams?”
“Yes, your grand plan of civility. Remember?” Braelyn adds rolling her eyes still slurping through her straw.
“If you disregard her sarcasm you may find truth in her words,” Jerrica says in a softer tone aimed at calming my irritation with Braelyn. I nod and motion for her to continue.
“As I was saying, Dalcour, your dream—your plan for civility the answer for it all is contained in the notification I just received from the postal service.”
“The postal service?” Both Braelyn and I squeak our words out in unison. Although I thought Braelyn was in on Jerrica’s enthusiasm, she seems just as baffled as me.
“Well, yes, Brae, I didn’t get a chance to fill you in before he came upstairs. You know how you’ve worked to bring about civility through your work at the CC? You’ve worked for years bonding, bridging, and building the rift between those in the supernatural world. Wolves, vampires, bulwarks, changelings, and even Altrinions all owe the peace we’ve recently enjoyed due to your efforts.”
“Thank you, Jerrica, but I’m not sure I follow.”
“Yep, you’re losing me too JJ!” Braelyn adds.
“I found her!” Jerrica shouts ripping through both Braelyn and me.
“Who?”
“Your one true love. Listen, she’s an Altrinion, but she hasn’t a vampiric strain, so she’s pure. Her mentor, and my friend, Harry Emmerson, attests to her talents and beauty.”
“Okay, this is about an Altrinion? I thought you said something about the postal service?” Braelyn says coolly.
“Jerrica, listen, if this is just another attempt at setting me up with someone—no thanks. I’ve had my fill of the parade you’ve brought before me over the last few years. Besides, if there were still an Altrinion bearing the fated mark of the Great Oak, I think I would know—”
“Not if she’s been hidden. Just look at my phone. I sent her a package to come join us for the revitalization project. Here’s her electronic signature. That means she got it. If Harry was right about her, there’s no way she’d pass on something of this magnitude. Think of what that will mean for the cause of civility. For your heart.”
“Jerrica, if this venture makes you happy, then, by all means, you know you have my support. B
raelyn will help you however you have need. As for anything concerning business you know I trust you. But my heart, well that my friend is locked away in the depths of my tortured soul. There isn’t a defibrillator among men or the supernatural strong enough to revive it.”
I shift my movements from the stairs and whisk myself away before Jerrica has a chance to reach out and touch my face. I know my dear friend means well. She always does. Both Jerrica and Braelyn only fear my brother’s retribution should I not stake the supernatural world in civility and find true love soon. We’ve now reached the final year of Decaux’s threats and while I’ve done much to bridge the world in a more civil manner, I’ve yet to aid the plight of Dunes wolves or fall in love.
While I’m close to aiding Abraham’s family, the largest Dunes pack in this parish, thus signaling a truce with the wolves, I’ve found none to be my equal. The funny thing is, I’ve looked. Sure, I’ve never strayed from a pretty face or curvaceous figure, but someone to love who will love me for who I am, tortured soul and all—that I have never found.
Finding someone to revitalize this old mansion requires someone of impeccable talent and skill. But finding someone to revive my dormant heart requires a talent capable of straddling the gates of both heaven and hell.
If indeed she exists, I’d love to meet her.
Chapter 2
Jackson
Well, if I ever needed something to jar my thoughts away from going back to Damina’s place, seeing Allyson propped against my car with her typical condemning glare is enough to keep me focused.
I really don’t like her.
“Took you long enough to come out of there,” Allyson quips through her gum-chewing, examining her nails.
It takes everything in me not to rip into her. These are the rare times where I wish I had a sister who could do to Allyson what I cannot.
“I didn’t know I was on a clock, Allyson,” I respond with a dull forced smile.
“Save your faux pleasantries for someone else. I’m one of the few folks still not fooled by your charms Nashoba.”
