When he sucked her nipple harder, she moaned and clutched his arms. Her need for him, for only what he could give her, made her ache all over. “Please.”
Aleron released the nipple and kissed it gently.
The softness of his lips made her sigh. “Please. Love me.” She used the same words as he had earlier, for that was what she needed from him. Love.
He smiled and placed a kiss between her breasts. He slid down her body, kissing each inch of flesh as he went.
She felt worshipped by his gentleness and squirmed beneath him. She needed his cock inside her. Now. Before she lost her sanity.
Aleron kissed the skin right above her cunt. He looked up at her and their gazes locked.
Starr gulped. A thought flashed across her mind, almost as if Aleron had placed it there. The Ero-X.
The truth of her real desires struck her hard. It was what she wanted. No fear entered her concerning the permanence of the act. No doubt. If joined through the ancient rite, nothing could separate them. Almost without realizing it, she nodded slightly.
Aleron’s gaze shifted. With his thumbs, he spread the folds of her cunt. He dipped his head and stroked his tongue along the fleshy nub of nerves within.
“Oh!” Starr’s fingers curled into the blanket beneath her. “Yes!” Over and over, Aleron’s tongue stroked, swirled and lapped until she thought she would faint from the pleasure. Every time she got close to climaxing, he would hesitate, drawing out the ecstasy.
“Do it, Aleron,” she whimpered. “Do it now.”
Immediately she felt a prick from his fangs. Painful for only a moment. He sucked her clitoris into his mouth and fed from her. Her body spasmed in the purest joy she had ever felt and she cried out. “Ah! Yes!” She felt their spirits joining. Their minds and emotions melded. An overwhelming feeling of oneness filled her.
Aleron raised his head and came over her body. “No other. Ever.”
“Ever,” she agreed.
He slid his cock into her, all the way to the hilt, and fucked her in a slow, steady rhythm. “Look at me, Starr. Do not look away.” Their gazes locked and held.
She could see the same pleasure on his face that she felt, and at that moment they climaxed together. As they both cried out their feelings, their voices intertwined, just as their bodies and their souls had already intertwined. Oh yes, Aleron.
They were now mated. Joined for life. One soul.
* * * * *
The archer crept down the long hallway on the top level of the château. So far, so good. He had avoided as many banesmen as possible on his way here, taking the back steps.
The possible danger awaiting him kept his senses alert. He had never thought that things would come to this.
He had already sent his brother into hiding and would soon join him. Fate permitting. They were no longer safe among Les Loups.
In fact, after their actions, he doubted if any of the European packs would welcome them as kindred. And if that indeed turned out to be true, well, so be it.
He did not regret his previous actions. Nor what he planned to do now.
Before he completely turned his back on the bane pack that he felt had never truly welcomed him or his brother, he had one more wrong to right. His brother had agreed with the decision and wanted to stay to help, but the two of them were too conspicuous when they traveled together.
He turned the corner and spotted two high-ranking guards in front of the room where Starr and Aleron were being held. His heartbeat sped up and perspiration moistened the hair at his nape.
If the guards had been informed about his betrayal, he would most likely be killed immediately or perhaps taken prisoner and tortured for the rest of his life. Neither possibility sat well with him.
His thoughts briefly went to his brother and their close bond, before he cleared his mind to concentrate on the task at hand. He started down the corridor as if nothing was out of the ordinary and he was assigned there.
Hopefully they knew naught about Raine and his words would be enough to get the guards away from their post. If not, he was prepared to force the issue.
His hand tightened around the knife strapped to his hip. He also carried a sword and of course his bow was never far from reach.
At his approach, the guards turned their heads. Their eyes narrowed.
They had not drawn their swords, which was a good sign. He continued forward, never faltering in his steps. It was not time for a shift change, so they had to be wondering about his intent.
He raised a hand in greeting. “My brothers…”
Chapter Eight
Démon’s mind felt as restless as his body. He ached for a conclusion. This standoff had gone on too long.
The missive to Viper had been sent hours ago. He should have heard something by now. The fact that it had been so long made him think that a battle was imminent. Well, if so, he was ready.
In addition to Viper’s response, another problem plagued him, keeping his mind in turmoil. He was waiting for vindication from his own pack. Raine should have been taken down earlier. Wounded, at least. His men had purposely spared her. Why? He felt betrayed. He never would have expected such actions from any of his own.
At the sound of a rap, Démon stopped pacing. He turned toward the door. “Finally. Enter!”
The door opened and the guard whom he had sent on the errands earlier stepped inside. Alone.
Démon did not see a missive in the guard’s hands, so he assumed that still no response had been received from Viper. He glanced out into the hall. “Where are the archers?”
The guard looked uncomfortable and his breath sounded labored. “Unknown. We are looking.” When Démon opened his mouth to reply, the guard continued, his words hurried. “More important issues are afoot, my prince. A scout reports Lord Viper and Lady Dominique are approaching the château. A message was delivered in response to your earlier one to de L’Night. They wish to negotiate a truce.”
“They are approaching?”
“Yes. My apologies, prince. Apparently the response was delivered some time ago but to one of the undead soldiers. The idiot did not properly understand what he was supposed to do with it.”
“Damn it!” Démon’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. This was it. “How many soldiers are with them?” He grabbed his coat and weapons.
“No more than a dozen that we can see. But I doubt they are truly that alone.”
The guard’s assessment was the same as he would have made. Viper had a full force waiting, hiding somewhere nearby in case their discussions did not go well. He would bet on it.
“I have already ordered bane soldiers into the forest.”
“Good.” Since only a few blood soldiers were at Viper’s side, perhaps his cousin truly had decided to make an attempt at negotiating instead of engaging in an outright attack. Or it could be a trap. Either way, he would be prepared. “Any indication—”
At that moment, another guard rushed in. He did not wait for permission to speak. “Lord Viper and Lady Dominique are at the bottom of the mountain. They request your presence.”
Démon pushed aside his previous question. He gathered his thoughts and his strategy. He must move quickly. “Alert the rest of pack and also our nearest allies. Tell them to be prepared for battle. But only move forward on my order. I do not want any mistakes.”
“Yes, my prince,” both guards replied.
Démon strode out of the room, the guards on his heels. Soon, all would be settled, one way or another.
* * * * *
Aleron held Starr in his arms. He loved the feel of her skin against his body and he never wanted to let her go. She was the only woman who had ever made him happy. And sexually satisfied him so completely.
“I love you, Starr,” he whispered in her ear as he rubbed her arm. Some might think their joining had happened too swiftly. But it had seemed a lifetime of waiting to him.
She curled her fingers against his flesh. “I love you, too. With all that
I am. And for always.” She lightly kissed his chest.
Starr did not look at him, but he heard the truth in her voice. He gently kissed the top of her head, inhaling the unique scent of her hair. He would make sure that they had a long and happy life together. Somehow.
Two sets of eyes suddenly popped up from the end of the bed.
Aleron chuckled and drew the covers partially over Starr and himself. “We have an audience.” Now that the shock of their origins had worn off, he was actually getting used to the furry creatures.
“I am too content to care,” Starr responded with a small smile on her face. She flipped her long hair over her breasts. “How long have you two been awake?”
Belda chittered a response.
“It is not polite to watch,” she told her cousins, no real condemnation in her voice.
The ferrets both chattered back and bounded across the bed. They circled each other then settled atop Aleron’s abdomen.
“You two will say nothing of our official joining. It is for us to announce,” she told them. “Understand?”
Belda and Caresse simply stared at Starr then they turned their sights on him.
Aleron could not help but be captivated by the softness of their fur and the warmth of their little bodies. He reached down and scratched their heads. “They are actually kind of cute.”
They closed their eyes and he would have sworn that they smiled. Both of them made what sounded very close to a purr of contentment.
“I think they are most impressed with you, Aleron. I have never seen them this quiet and still while awake. Your petting obviously works on all females.”
He chuckled. “I am more interested in impressing you than impressing them.” He gave her a quick kiss.
“That you have already done, my lord. Multiple times.”
A scraping of the lock caught their attention. The ferrets jumped off the bed and scurried underneath.
No one entered.
Aleron slid out from beneath the covers and hastily dressed. He eased over to the door and listened. He heard nothing. A lingering scent of bane reached his nose, but then faded. “Someone unlocked the door. Get dressed. Quickly.”
Starr leapt from the bed and pulled on her garments. “Is it a trap?”
“I do not know. Can one of the ferrets check for guards?” Though he smelled nothing, Of the Undead soldiers might still be nearby.
“Yes. Belda. Where are you? Go check.”
A furry head poked out from under the bed. She hesitated a moment then she rushed over to the door and climbed up the side of the frame. Her head and half her body disappeared through a small hole at the top of the door.
Caresse appeared and called out to her sister. Belda pulled her head back inside and chattered.
“She says there are no guards in the hall,” Starr related.
“Grab my coat and get your cape.” Aleron pulled on the coat then patted his chest. “Come on up, girls. Hide in my pockets.”
The two ferrets ran up his body and burrowed inside the garment.
Aleron cracked open the door and peeked out. He turned back to Starr. “It looks clear.” He grabbed her hand. “We will try to reach the back stairs.”
They crept out into the hall and quietly moved down the corridor. There must have been some miscommunication with a shift change. That was the only reason he could think of to explain why no guards were in the area. He tentatively looked around the corner.
Aleron’s heart clenched when he heard Starr gasp. He followed her gaze and saw one of the archers at the other end of the hall. Nobody moved.
The archer nodded and then he disappeared down a side corridor. Aleron knew not why but the banesman had helped them.
Aleron’s hand tightened around Starr’s. “We must hurry.” They rushed forward. The back stairs were at the end of the next hallway. When they turned the corner, several guards stood in their way. They were seen immediately.
“The prisoners are loose! Get them!”
Aleron let go of Starr’s hand and pushed her back the other way. “Run!”
She took off with him behind her. More guards suddenly appeared right beside them from out of a nearby room.
Aleron punched one in the face, sending him sprawling. Starr tripped another and slapped one who grabbed her arm. Aleron avoided a punch to his face as he delivered a blow to another guard’s stomach.
A soldier rushed forward and grabbed Aleron by the front of the coat. Belda stuck her head out and bit his fingers.
“Yeow!” He stumbled backward, his eyes wide. Blood dripped from the wound, dotting his boot.
Starr bared her fangs as did Aleron and they positioned themselves back to back. Aleron searched for a weapon. Anything to protect them from Les Loups. He would not allow them to recapture him and Starr. Not now that they were so close to freedom.
* * * * *
Prince Démon de L’Night stepped from the cover of the trees. He immediately spotted Viper and Dominique. Both appeared as strong, competent warriors.
He believed himself to be stronger. He was careful to keep the play of emotions from his face, not wanting to give them any advantage.
“Cousin,” he greeted, looking at Viper. His gaze shifted to the side. “Lady Dominique Toussaint, I presume.” He already recognized her as Lady Toussaint. Her beauty was almost legendary in France. Though they had never been formally introduced, he knew his pretended uncertainty of her identity would irritate her, so he could not resist the jab.
“Yes.”
When that was all she said, he inwardly smiled, for he could see her aggravation. “You are here to agree to my demands,” he stated, looking back at Viper, no hesitation in his voice.
“You sound very sure of yourself,” Dominique replied, drawing his gaze back to her. “We are here to discuss the situation.”
When he spoke, he kept his eyes on her, not blinking. “You are allowing this female to speak for you, Viper?” He had not expected such. Viper was not a man who followed anyone. And especially not a woman.
“You have taken her land, not mine.”
Démon arched an eyebrow. “Indeed? I thought this mountain territory was titled to Aleron.”
“No, it is mine,” she answered without wavering.
“Interesting.” So now the truth came out. He should have suspected as much, given Aleron’s actions. “Still, I have your sister, Viper,” Démon continued, not taking his eyes from Dominique.
“And my cousin,” Dominique replied.
Démon nodded. “Yes. This is true.”
“Lord Viper has explained to me the significance of Château de la Lune to you and your pack. We have agreed to sign over the title to you under certain conditions.”
“We?”
Viper stepped closer. “We are joined, Démon—our soldiers, our territories, our lives. You deal with one of us, you deal with both of us.”
“I see.” Many things that he was unaware of had obviously transpired recently. Even so, he felt he maintained the power in this situation. “So what are these conditions?”
Dominique answered, her voice strong. “Aleron and Starr are to be released immediately. If they are unharmed, then you will be required to sign an agreement in blood. You will have no options later to demand more than what we have agreed to. The agreement will be enforced by the High Council.”
“The title will also be enforced by a blood signing,” Démon insisted. “I am not a fool and will not be put in a position where the territory can be reclaimed by Toussaint later.”
“Agreed.”
Démon nodded. Finally he would have what he had fought so hard to attain. He turned toward the trees and spoke to one of his soldiers. “Bring the prisoners. Do not harm them in any way.”
A sound caught his attention. Démon glanced up into the trees. “Our dear cousin circles,” he said to Viper. “She apparently is more loyal to those Of the Blood than her own kind. A shame.”
“We are all related,” Viper
answered. “Perhaps if you had shown her more respect—”
Démon snorted. “I doubt she has much, if any, L’Night blood in her. She does not carry our scent. But she is a bane soldier. She was trained by a Bane Master. To serve those Of the Blood is a slap in the face.”
“Raine serves no one. She is an intelligent woman who makes decisions based on what she feels is right, not based on genetics. Many bane soldiers fight alongside those Of the Blood. You have made like decisions in your life though I think your decisions have been more self-serving than most.”
“Do not anger me, Viper, when we are so close to resolution.” Démon stomped off toward a couple of his soldiers. Though the negotiations were going his way, and without bloodshed, he was not about to stand there and be insulted.
* * * * *
Aleron lunged forward and got hold of a sword, ripping it off a display on the wall. He nicked one soldier then parried with another.
Starr jumped on the back of a third soldier who had maneuvered himself behind Aleron and was preparing to run him through. She tore a hunk of flesh from his neck with her fangs. He howled and threw her off him. She tumbled to the ground but quickly regained her footing.
A bane guard countered one of Aleron’s moves, causing him to lose his grip on his sword. The sword clattered to the ground.
Starr inwardly cursed. She quickly picked up the sword and sliced the arm of a guard who got too close. She tossed the sword in Aleron’s direction. He reached to catch it but the weapon was knocked away by a banesman.
A soldier grabbed Starr around the waist. She flipped him over her shoulder, surprising everyone so much that nobody moved for a moment.
Aleron took the opportunity to retrieve the dropped sword. He lashed out at the nearest soldier. The sound of steel against steel, as the soldier countered, filled the hallway.
Two soldiers grabbed Starr by the arms and jerked her forward. “Release me, you dirty mongrels!” She hissed and bared her fangs.
Another soldier rounded the corner. “Wait! Do not harm the prisoners! Lord Viper and Lady Dominique are here and have agreed to a trade.”
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