Swinging the other hand that was fully lit with flame in the direction of his head, she intended to make certain his bell was ringing for a good week. Kat vaguely registered the feeling of cool metal as it encircled her forearm and a click as it locked in place against her skin. Disbelieving, she watched the fire fade completely from her palm. At her temporary distraction Lorcan captured the second wrist and tugged it up with the other, manacling both in his large hand. He tangled the other to her hair before he jerked her face angrily back to his and demanded, “Cease, Witch!”
Kaitriana was trying desperately to pull her hand down to see what manner of band he had placed on her. Lorcan tugged her hair one more time then loosened his grip to move his hand to her chin. Holding tightly, her face an inch from his, his look was ominous, “I said cease!”
Overwhelmed by the feeling of being trapped she gave him full measure of the only defense she had left. Jerking her head, she drove her fangs into the flesh of the hand at her chin. She thoroughly enjoyed the look of shocked disbelief that accompanied his yell of pain.
Immediately he was up, jerking her with him while immobilizing her with a tight hold. She was fighting his hold as he dragged her to the nearby settee and dropped onto it with her atop him. Lorcan finally managed to scissor her kicking legs between his. Breathing heavily, his hushed words were laced with barely restrained violence, “Last warning Kat, be still!”
She did quiet. Her sense of self preservation penetrated her ire. She was no match for his strength and was loath to experience any punishment he might mete out, especially when her magic had deserted her.
When Kaitriana remained subdued after a few minutes, Lorcan freed a hand and tapped each word out with a fingertip against the tight line of her lips, “Vicious…mean…little…brat…witch.” At the responsive roll of her eyes, he jerked her higher into his arms. His whisper was chillingly calm, “I am seriously considering flipping you over, raising those skirts, and tanning your fine little ass, Witch. I suggest you find a more appropriate way to respond to me…immediately.”
Kaitriana studied his face and realized he was quite serious. Despite her pique, she did not think it wise to antagonize him further only to find out for certain. She directed her eyes away with a pouty huff and stared across the room, giving him no more than her stillness and her silence.
Her reluctant acquiescence was enough for the moment. He would still be taking her to task over her defiance but the fury that had built as a result of it was beginning to ebb. Lorcan lightly traced her jawline as he calmed himself.
She could scent the wound she had caused and her fangs lengthened unbidden. Kaitriana had her lips set so tightly that her sharpening fangs were more than obvious. Uncomfortable under the intensity of his gaze, knowing he knew full well that she had responded to his scent and was unable to control her hunger for his taste, she sulked and shifted her face away from his view.
Lorcan had spotted the telling reaction. If she were not behaving like such a little fiend he would have goaded her over her inability to resist him. Instead he continued to trace gently along the curve of her jaw and then ventured slowly down the front of her neck. Pausing, he teased the hollow at the base and felt her tension begin to ease. Tracing the path in reverse, he reached around her to make a peace offering with the show of his wrist at her lips. He had a difficult time sustaining any level of upset with her.
Kaitriana shifted and eyeballed him sullenly but could not help her want at the bloodscent lingering on his hand. Her tongue darted out to flick at his wrist. Instead of piercing the flesh, she questioned, “What did you place on my arm?” She already suspected it was some sort of binding device but was struggling with the idea of it. Kaitriana had a hard time believing that he would have access to one strong enough to bind powers of her magnitude or that he would place one on her if he did.
Confirming the line of her thoughts, Lorcan released his hold on her waist and clasped her hand to raise the arm to her vision. As he did, Kat moved her lips upwards from his wrist to put them to the wound on his other hand. Licking softly at the jagged edges, she glowered at the band and then him. The blood was already ceasing to flow from the injury but she lingered over it for the space of a few moments to gather her thoughts. When she lifted her mouth, her tone was adamant, “You need to remove it Lorcan. You have no right to bind me.”
He raised a brow and released her arm to cup the side of her face. “And you need to learn to quit issuing orders, Kaitriana,” his reprimand stung, but there was little heat in it. His tone remained even when he explained, “When you learn that you are never to raise your magic against me, I will remove it. The moment you wielded your powers in an attempt to cause me harm, you forfeited your right to use them in this Coven. If you ever do that to me or to any other within these walls without just cause, you’ll be too old to remember how to use your magic when I give it back to you.” In his mind the punishment was justified and his tone reflected it.
She brooded for a while, mulling over the events of the evening. When she had finally gathered her thoughts, she gave him an ever so slight nod of her head. It was the only indication of her acquiescence. Using magic as a tool to retaliate was frowned on by the Witch as well. Resigned for the moment, Kat studied the ornate silver design of the slim band; it was magically wrought, no doubt.
The piece fit well enough that there would be no slipping it from her arm. Her words were more curious than accusatory when she questioned him, “Where would you gain access to this type of magic, Lorcan? It is incredibly strong and given the tensions between our breeds, I do not see any Witch merely handing this over.”
Lorcan brushed the curls back from her face; she was so pretty, even in her pout. Sensing that she was no longer angry enough to be any threat, he pulled her closer, “After my mother died, Alaric used it to control my powers. It belonged to her. I believe he feared me - my magic - and what I might be capable of if I decided to hold him accountable for my mother’s death.” Resting his chin on the top of her head, he sighed over the memory, “He had not yet figured out what to do with me. As his eldest and rightful heir, he could not banish me from his Coven, but as a witch he could not tolerate my existence.”
Shocked at the revelation, her lingering resentment was forgotten. As a young child Lorcan must have had a miserable time until that old bastard managed to transition him. The thought made her heart ache. Kat curled into him and nestled her face to his throat. Her lips hovered over his skin so that her breath tickled when she gave her solemn whisper, “I will give you my vow that I shall not raise magic against you again.” She loved his scent and nuzzled his neck.
As much as he loved her affection, Lorcan rejected her promise shortly, “I will consider it Kat, but until I determine otherwise you will wear it.” He was again only firm, not cruel.
Grumbling, Kat perceived the punishment to be unfair considering that he had almost bit her when he lost his temper and she reminded him of such.
He shook his head at her statement, “Anger was not the reason that I put my fangs to your neck. My instincts were driving me.” At her skeptical look, he tilted her face up so that she could witness the blackness flickering over the silver of his eyes, “I will tell you this much, little witch…if there is ever another time that I find dozens of my young vampire warriors fawning over you, I can promise that I will not exercise the same restraint. I will mark your neck in a way that will leave no doubt as to who has claimed you.”
Kat bristled but then landed upon the idea that he had been jealous. Part of Lorcan’s fury had been because he found her in the midst of enjoying the company of his warriors. The understanding caused her to lessen the level of dispute in her response, “You were still planning to bite me when you were pissed.”
“Pissed, Kat?” When he had finally answered her, she had seen amusement lurking in his eyes that were once again warm gray. It spread into a grin when he went on, “You do not need to incorporate all of Myrrdyn’s favorite phr
ases as your own, you realize?” Lorcan laughed at her ill-tempered glare, one that he believed to be more feigned than real, and tousled her curls.
Collecting himself, he gave her steady look, “Kat, before you dig yourself a hole you cannot escape from, remember that I did not bite you.” When she opened her mouth to argue, Lorcan pressed a single finger against her lips, “You did bite me though, didn’t you?”
At his scolding and presentation of the aforementioned hand to her face, she became flustered enough that she flushed with embarrassment. When she raised her gaze sheepishly back to his, he went on, “Tis lucky for you that I do not have a way to remove those sharp little teeth; otherwise, I might be taking away more than your magic tonight.” Her look turned indignant before she saw laughter looming in his eyes and felt the rumble of his chest.
Kat’s smile returned but she drove a balled fist into the center of his chest as she accused, “Beast.”
Catching it, Lorcan winked at her and kissed her hand before releasing. His hand circled her nape and he nudged her head to the side to expose her neck, “You asked for my mark tonight, Witch. Do you still want it?” He was tense as he waited for her answer.
There was still the issue of his magic and Kaitriana had little doubt they would argue over it again, but their quarrel did not cause her to doubt the rightness of what was between them. She knew this warrior was meant for her and she would not pretend otherwise. Kaitriana affirmed with a single nod but there was shyness in her questioning gaze as she lowered her lashes, whispering, “Do you still want me to have it?”
Lorcan slid his lips over her jawline, his voice husky, “I would give it to no other.” Gliding downward, he pressed his mouth against her pulse and gave a light nip, “Do you truly understand the significance of this in our culture?”
She shifted to give him better access, but her gaze was locked on him when he lifted his lips. More questions were lurking there. His mouth hovered above hers as he gazed deeply into those dazzling eyes, “It means that I intend to take you as my mate.”
The anxiety left her and she smiled warmly at him. She had been worried he might be delivering information on some startling consequence that was top-secret in Vampire society. Her voice was breathy when she tucked her hand into his, “Every fiber tells me I am meant to be where you are. There is something deep within me that knows you; is it not the same for you?”
She was beguiling in her sweet confession. He squeezed her hand when he answered simply, “It is the same.” He held her hand tightly, the intensity of his gaze hypnotic. Lorcan delivered a light kiss to take the sting from his upcoming lecture, “Kaitriana, I will protect you and see to your every need. I adore your spirit but I am the leader of this Coven; as my mate you must always be cognizant of that. I demand obedience from every vampire in the Coven but I would expect it more from you.”
His breath against her mouth made her shiver with longing, making the task of following every word difficult. She shook herself and refocused, attentive once more as he explained, “There will be times that we disagree and in private you can express yourself and argue with me as strongly as you like. Always, in the presence of the Coven or any other in the Realm, you will align with me and respect my dictates.” Caressing her cheek, his eyes searched hers, “I must have your agreement in this Kat.”
Lifting her hand to toy with his hair, her expression was strained with concern. She offered with a tentative smile, “I can give you my vow…to do my best?” She gave him an eagerly hopeful glance. His uncompromising frown was expected and Kat laughed nervously. She took the time to push a stray lock from his brow before returning a sober gaze to his, “Lorcan, I am the Chosen. That position is of equal consequence to the Witch faction as the Warrior of Light is to the Vampire. Myrrdyn has groomed me to assume a role of leadership within the Realm. I am opinionated and willful, but I too am a leader. I understand this may be a difficult concept since your females defer to your men and rarely strive for Warrior status.”
Leaning back she calmed the annoyance that had gained ground within her and dropped her hands into her lap, “Transitioned or not, I have a role to fill in the Realm, together with the male that takes my vows. I do not intend to be a Vampire female that waits at home for my mate. If you want me, you are stepping smack into the middle of the Prophecy, with the Chosen of the Warrior Caste.”
At his continued silent regard and unrelenting stare, she tugged at his shirt, imploring, “You are not taking an ordinary female as your mate. You should understand this well as the Warrior of Light. Your opinions have always been held in higher regard than any other vampire in the Realm. As my male, I value them even more but I am the Chosen, Lorcan. I cannot simply give you my vow to be a mouthless puppet at your side. I would be doing a disservice to everything that is of the Light.”
His eyes narrowed in challenge, “Does the Prophecy really have bearing any longer Kaitriana? You are no longer a Witch, can you still be the foretold female?”
Kaitriana’s faith was steadfast and her expression conveyed it, “My magic remains Lorcan. I have an obligation to accept the role for which I was destined.”
Leaning in, his fingertip brushed her lip and then tapped pointedly against a fang, “The Chosen witch was to be joined with a vampire to bring about the fulfillment of the Prophecy. I am not a pureborn Vampire, just as you are no longer purely Witch.”
Pushing his hand away irritably from her mouth, Kaitriana countered, “My magic is stronger than any other in the Realm despite the transition. I am a Witch first and foremost, Lorcan. I have been schooled in the Prophecy since my birth and I do not recall any words dictating a pure bloodline in either Witch or Vampire.”
Her annoyance was coming on full and hard again, his stubbornness had her near shouting, “I would not have asked for your mark if I thought a bond with you would jeopardize the Prophecy. I personally believe that there is no other better suited to help me fulfill it; however, if you would like me to begin looking…”
Her sentence fell short at his answering growl. Although Lorcan was reluctant to give any ongoing credence to Myrrdyn’s blasted Prophecy, much less be viewed as the other half of it, he was not willing to let the witch go. The thought of her with another vampire put him in a murderous mood. He would compromise…slightly.
His hand found her chin and held her firm, “When it comes to this Coven, you abide by me in all things, unconditionally.” Kat just stared up at him, so he snapped out, “Anything of consequence within the Realm beyond that we determine together, always.” When he added the last, his tone sharpened, indicating there would be no compromise on this final dictate, “And I have the absolute authority to forbid anything, Realm or otherwise, that I believe jeopardizes your safety.”
Waiting a long few minutes as though considering, Kat thought it might do her arrogant vampire well to experience some uncertainty. She finally gave him a saucy wink, followed by a dazzling smile, “I can agree to all of that as your mate, Vampire.”
CHAPTER 19
As soon as the words were voiced, Lorcan pulled her head back to drive his hungry mouth hard against hers. He was deliberately wild as the tension poured from him. Uncaring when his fangs nicked the tender flesh of her lips, he continued his unyielding demand. Thrusting his tongue deeply in rhythm, his passion was fueled by the hot little growls coming from her. His need to taste her was insatiable and shortly he returned to lap at the traces of blood left by the tiny injuries his fangs had caused.
Kaitriana responded without hesitation, pushing her tongue to his. The pleasure he delivered was turning her into a wanton little witch. Her nails marred the fine cloth at his shoulders, and then rose to jerk insistently at his sable locks. She was quickly losing all sense of anything but him and the sensations he was creating. He had roused her to the point that she could not think beyond the throbbing ache that had spread from deep inside and wound itself around her entire being.
Lorcan eased back and cast his eyes to her t
hroat hungrily. Lowering his head, he traced his tongue along the path from her ear and down her neck before nibbling at her collarbone. As he was licking further down to the neckline of her gown, Kat arched up to meet the mouth circling over her skin. Gooseflesh raised on her arms in response to the occasional graze of fang to flesh. His leisurely attentions had little whimpering pleas forming on her lips.
Standing suddenly, he held her in his arms and strode across the room. Lorcan dropped her onto the bed with the one command, “Stay.” He shadowed into the adjoining chamber and returned the next instant. Leaving behind his jacket and shirt, he held a small brown jar. He was having little success reining in his Vampire instincts with this his beauty, but given her agreement to his conditions it was no longer necessarily that his needs be fully contained.
Kaitriana had yet to move from where she had landed. The sight of his bare torso when he came back had her mouth opening with a silent moan of want. Her eyes were flickering with shadowy darkness as she braced herself up on elbows against the mattress and raked her gaze over him. His body was sculpted magnificently; there was not a muscle on the expanse of chest and shoulder that was not clearly defined. The texture of his skin was flawlessly smooth with the exception of the dusting of dark hair that began just at the midline below his navel. Her fangs were actually beginning to throb in desperation to taste him by the time she returned her vision to his face.
Lorcan drew a sharp breath at her gaze; he was completely seduced by her heated stare. The yearning reflected in the pools of black must certainly mirror of what she was seeing in his. Dropping a knee to the edge of the bed, he pulled her over as he slid on down to recline next to her prone form. Kat gazed up at him with no small amount of curiosity.
His breathing was uneven as he dipped two fingers into the little jar; a clear liquid covered his fingertips. Lorcan used the other hand to expose her neck, shoving her curls back. Her entire body trembled when he pressed his lips to her ear. He explained as he smoothed the cool mixture on the spot directly over her pulse, “As an immortal, you heal completely from my bites.”
Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series Page 14
