Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)

by Alexandra Ivy

  Her tongue peeked out to soothe the tiny wound she’d made. “I want you.”

  Caine didn’t need any further urging. Swooping down his head, he was kissing her, a forceful demand that hinted at the endless nights he’d spent tormented by his need for her.

  Later there would be time for soft seduction and hours of foreplay. For now he allowed the delicious sensations to flood through him, drowning any lingering concern.

  Gently parting her soft lips with the tip of his tongue, he plunged into the moist temptation of her mouth, groaning at her sweet taste. He heard Cassie give a small sound between a gasp and a moan, her nails biting into his skin.

  The tiny pain made his back arch in response, his erection pressing against the soft skin of her stomach. On some level he was aware of the small tattoo that radiated a brutal chill just below her belly button, but that was a worry for another time.

  In this moment he was far more interested in the exquisite heat blasting through him. He eased his kiss, moving to trace a soft trail down the line of her jaw. “I should have brought the wine with us,” he whispered.

  She brushed her hands down his back. “Why?”

  “It would be intoxicating to lick it off your beautiful body.”

  “My body?”

  He chuckled at her puzzled tone. “Here.” He nuzzled the hollow at the base of her throat. “And here.” He kissed down the line of her collarbone, his hands cupping her breasts. Her skin quivered beneath his light touch, her breath coming out in a small explosion as his lips found the tip of her tight nipples. “Yeah, especially here.”

  She shifted beneath him, one leg wrapping around his hips to allow him to settle more firmly against her feminine core. They groaned in unison.

  “I feel intoxicated enough without the wine.”

  “Tell me what you like, Cassie,” he rasped, teasing her nipple with the tip of his tongue. “Tell me what feels good.”

  “That,” she moaned. “That feels so good.”

  He captured the nipple between his teeth, biting it just hard enough to have her gasping in pleasure, her hips pressing up in a silent plea for release.

  Oh yes. No matter how vivid his fantasies, nothing could compare to the sensation of her slender body spread beneath him, her hands cupping his ass as her soft pants filled the air.

  Continuing to caress her breasts, Caine allowed his fingers to trail downward, following the curve of her waist. He took time to appreciate the delicate flare of her hips before moving to the soft skin of her inner thigh.

  He felt her tremble as he stroked tiny circles that brushed near her clit without touching her most sensitive flesh. Up and down he moved, smiling as she gave a choked curse.

  “Caine, please.”

  Her harsh plea sent a shudder of need through him. Giving her nipple a last lick, he surged up to bury his face in her neck.

  “Are you sure you’re ready?” he whispered, his body trembling as his canine fangs erupted from his gums at the scent of her arousal. “My hunger for you is too great. I’m not sure how gentle I can be.”

  Without warning, she reached between them to press his hand to the wet slit between her legs. “Do I feel ready to you?”

  Caine hissed, his finger sliding into her body as his thumb sought out the source of her pleasure. Slowly, he stroked his finger deeper and deeper, listening to her short gasps as she spiraled toward release.

  “No more teasing,” she moaned in a strangled voice, her hands grasping his hips.

  He quivered, his hunger so intense it filled the air with pulses of heat.

  “Cassie,” he growled, his voice oddly strained.

  “Now, Caine,” she commanded, her other leg shifting to wrap around his hips, blatantly demanding his penetration.

  Pulling back far enough to meet her gaze, which glowed with the hunger of her wolf, Caine grabbed her fingers, wrapping them around his hard shaft to guide him to the entrance to her body.

  His teeth clenched at the feel of her slender fingers circling his cock, his balls tightening as she gave him a slow, destructive stroke.

  Christ. He was close.

  Too close.

  Gently tugging her hand away, he pushed his hips forward, breeching her with the head of his shaft. He paused one last time, giving her the opportunity to protest. Even if it killed him.

  When she lifted her head to sink her teeth into his neck, Caine lost all ability to think.

  With a choked howl, he grasped her hands and jerked them over her head, pressing them against the quilt as he slowly forged a path into her tight body, breaking through her virginity with barely a hesitation.

  “Yes,” she breathed against his neck, her legs tightening around his waist. “Oh, God, Caine.”

  His eyes squeezed shut as he struggled to rein his savage desire. He wasn’t going to pound his way to paradise. Not when slow and steady was so much sweeter.

  With care he pulled back, bending his head to the side. “Your teeth, Cassie,” he managed to rasp. “I want to feel them on my neck.”

  She didn’t hesitate as she sank her teeth back into the base of his throat, sending a jolt of pure adrenaline through his system.

  “Cassie. Gods.”

  He surged back into her slick heat, his harsh groans matching her soft sighs as he found a steady pace, his hips rolling upward with each thrust.

  Her teeth clenched harder on his neck as she lifted to meet his quickening onslaught, her nails raking across his back.

  He forgot to breathe, his heart thundering in his chest. Deep inside, his wolf howled in primitive satisfaction.

  This was more than sex. More than a passing hookup with a female who stirred his lust.

  This was soul-deep and forever.

  The terrifying thought barely had time to form when he felt Cassie stiffen and then shiver beneath t²e force of her orgasm. The sensation of her convulsing around his erection toppling him over the edge.

  With a shout of release, Caine gave one last thrust, his eyes squeezing shut as the profound bliss exploded through his body.

  Cassie slowly drifted awake, heaving a sigh of contentment at the sensation of Caine’s warm arms wrapped around her and the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear.

  Mmm. This was how every day should start. A warm bed, a delectable male wrapped around her, and not one demon lord, vampire-on-steroids, or crazed cur in sight.

  Or at least she was assuming there were no lurking enemies. Just to make sure, she forced open her eyes to cast a quick glance around the room. Nope. She was all alone with her delicious, delectable, divine lover.

  Yes, lover.

  Finally.

  A smug smile curved her lips as the memories from the previous night flooded through her. Once she’d managed to convince the stubborn Were that she wasn’t some fragile treasure he had to protect, even from herself, he’d taught her the true meaning of desire.

  Several times.

  Breathing in the rich scent of his musk, Cassie tilted back her head. She wasn’t surprised to find Caine studying her with a slumberous gaze. She’d already sensed he was awake. What surprised her was the excited flutter of her heart even after hours of decadent sex.

  “Good morning,” he murmured, his attention shifting over her shoulder to glance at the clock on the dresser. “Or I suppose I should say good afternoon.”

  She stretched, too lazy to turn her head. “What time is it?”

  “Just past two.”

  She’d been out nearly five hours? Amazing.

  About to admit she never slept so well alone, Cassie belatedly noticed Caine’s recently shaved face and the scent of soap that clung to his bronzed skin. He’d recently showered?

  The sudden knowledge made her eyes narrow in suspicion. “Did you sleep?”

  “I rested.”

  She sighed, her expression one of guilt. “You were keeping guard, weren’t you?”

  He smiled, angling his head down to kiss the tip of her nose. “I was enjoyin
g the view.”

  “I wish . . .”

  “Shh.” His lips drifted lower, teasing the edge of her mouth. “How are you feeling?”

  Her guilt was forgotten beneath the warm tide of pleasure. “Deliciously sated.”

  He pulled back, his expression almost . . . sheepish. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  She frowned in confusion. Hurt her? “Of course not.”

  “I wasn’t always gentle.”

  “Oh.” A faint blush touched her cheeks. Not at the memory of his aggressive lovemaking. They were pureblooded Weres. Rough and ready was part of their natures. But at the recollection of her wild response. “We both know my screams weren’t from pain.”

  A growl rumbled in his chest, his eyes darkening with a ready heat. “Don’t give me encouragement unless you plan on spending the next several hours in this bed.”

  With a wicked smile, she lifted her hand to brush the pale hair off his forehead. “Is that a promise?” Cassie felt his body tense at her husky words, the scent of his musk laced through the air.

  “You, Cassandra, are a very dangerous female.”

  Her smile widened as she inwardly gloated. She liked knowing how easily she could rouse his desire. “Dangerous is good,” she admitted. “It’s much better than loony.”

  His brows snapped together, as if he were angered by her confession. “Don’t ever say that.”

  “I don’t say it, other people do.”

  “Not if they want to avoid a nasty death,” he rasped.

  She blinked at his vehemence. He truly was upset. Then, with a wistful smile, she allowed her fingers to smooth down the angular line of his cheekbone. “My protector.”

  “For all eternity.”

  They both froze as his words seemed to hang in the air. Like a live grenade that might explode if anyone moved.

  Did he say eternity?

  Only mates stayed together for an eternity. Or at least that’s what she’d always believed.

  So was he implying they were more than temporary lovers?

  “Caine?”

  With one fluid movement, Caine was tossing aside the quilt and sliding off the bed. As if he was hoping to distract her.

  And it worked.

  No big shocker, of course. What female could think clearly when she was offered such a tempting view?

  Caine was naked male perfection.

  Lean, flawlessly chiseled muscles. A wide chest and wider shoulders. Smooth, bronzed skin. And a fully erect arousal that would make any man proud.

  And any woman sigh in anticipation.

  Ignoring her appreciative glance, Caine leaned down to tuck her hair behind her ear in a tender gesture. “Are you hungry?”

  Cassie pressed her hand to her stomach as it growled on cue. “Starving,” she admitted.

  “Understandable.” He smiled with sinful amusement, his fingers trailing down her jaw. “You expended a lot of energy.”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  He chuckled, turning to cross the floor and pull a pair of faded jeans and white T-shirt from the dresser. “Have a shower while I make us some breakfast,” he said, quickly dressing. “There are clean clothes that should fit you in the closet.”

  Sitting up, Cassie regarded him with a narrowed gaze. “Female clothes?”

  The sapphire eyes twinkled and Cassie abruptly realized that the edge in her voice must be jealousy.

  How odd.

  “Most of them have never been worn.”

  “Hmm.”

  He shoved his feet in a pair of sneakers and then moved to place a lingering kiss on her forehead. “Later, I’ll go to the Jeep and get your suitcase,” he promised.

  The disturbing sensation eased at his soothing touch. “Fine.”

  “Come down to the kitchen when you’re ready.”

  She watched him stroll out of the loft, a smile of satisfaction curving her lips. Who would ever have believed it? After thirty years of being crapped on by fate, she’d at last hit the jackpot.

  And what a jackpot he was.

  A pity she couldn’t halt time. She couldn’t imagine anything better than spending the rest of eternity alone with Caine in this isolated cabin.

  Taking a few minutes to wallow in her rare sense of happiness, Cassie at last forced her lethargic body out of bed and into the shower. She truly was hungry. And besides, she didn’t want to spend one unnecessary minute away from Caine.

  Once clean, she dried off in front of the window that overlooked the pond. The sun was shimmering on the water and the wildflowers danced in the breeze. A perfect invitation for a picnic, she decided.

  With a smile of anticipation, Cassie pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and a scoop-neck white shirt. She shoved her feet into her own sneakers and combed her hair into a ponytail. Once presentable, she headed for the stairs.

  A step away from the door, however, she staggered to a halt, her balance precarious as a vision slammed through her with shocking force.

  She hissed in shock.

  Usually, the visions flowed through her to appear as a floating hieroglyphic that she could decipher later. Sometimes she understood them. Sometimes she didn’t. But only rarely did she actually see her predictions in full-fledged living color as they seared through her mind.

  Pressing her palms to her aching temples, she watched in confusion as the vision of herself came into focus. She was standing alone in the middle of a white fog that was so thick she couldn’t see through it. She sensed there was something lurking in the fog. Something so powerful that its mere presence was flaying the skin from her body.

  Oh, Lord. She whimpered in pain. She wanted to curl into a tiny ball and pray the lurking thing wouldn’t notice her. But she couldn’t. The scent of Caine was drifting through the air and she knew she had to reach him.

  He was in trouble.

  Deep trouble.

  Then, as if on cue, the fog slowly parted.

  She cried out in shock as she caught sight of Caine. Oh, please blessed mother, no.

  He was lying in the mist, his body twisted and deformed as if he’d been caught midshift, trapped between human and wolf. Impulsively she stepped toward him, only to come to a halt as he bared his fangs in warning.

  Only then did she notice the sapphire eyes were filled with a feral insanity.

  He didn’t recognize her.

  The thought had barely flashed through her mind when he was awkwardly shoving himself upright, his savage howl echoing through the creepy fog. Frightened, Cassie backed away.

  Precisely the wrong thing to do.

  Lost in the savage instincts of his wolf, Caine tracked her movements with the cunning of a predator. In this moment she was his prey.

  And he was preparing to attack.

  Cassie didn’t fear for herself. She’d always assumed she was destined for an early grave. She was, after all, the only known prophet. The most desired and feared creature in the world.

  No. She’d prepared for years to die. But if Caine came to his senses and realized what he’d done . . .

  A gut-wrenching dread lodged in her heart. He would never, ever be able to forgive himself.

  Or worse, what if he was stuck in that hideous state between wolf and man? What if he was forever trapped as a monster?

  As if sensing her fear, Caine crouched, no doubt excited by the scent of her panic. But even as she braced for the impact, the vision vanished as abruptly as it had arrived.

  Reeling in reaction, Cassie fell to her knees, her head bowed with the sheer horror of what she’d been shown.

  Oh, gods, she had to stop this.

  But how?

  She didn’t know where the two of them had been, or how they’d been taken, or even what evil had been lurking just out of sight.

  “Think, Cassie, think,” she muttered, wiping away the useless tears.

  Though she didn’t know where they’d been, she sensed that it would happen soon. And if they were both in the strange fog, then they’d obviousl
y been together when they were taken.

  So . . . she had to make sure they weren’t together.

  Ever.

  She ignored the brutal pain that sliced through her at the mere thought of spending the rest of her life without Caine. It would be a barren, lonely existence, but she could survive if she knew that Caine was alive and well.

  And more importantly, she ignored the whispered warning that she’d never been able to alter the future. No matter how often she tried.

  This time it would be different.

  It had to be different.

  With an effort she forced herself to straighten, her knees still weak and her head aching. She would worry about the future later. For now, she had to get away from Caine.

  Something that was easier said than done.

  She was under no illusion that she could simply give him a kiss good-bye and stroll away. Caine had declared himself her protector and nothing short of death was going to pry him from her side.

  Which meant she would have to slip away.

  Her gaze turned toward the window. Although she couldn’t shift, she was still as strong and as fast as other Weres. If she jumped out the window and took off at top speed there was a fifty/fifty shot she could reach the Jeep before Caine realized she was trying to escape.

  Of course, she’d only have one shot.

  Caine would chain her to the wall if she failed.

  Sucking in a deep breath, she was actually in the process of crossing the floor when she was struck by a sudden thought.

  Crap. She couldn’t just leave. The hexes surrounding the cabin would fry her if she left the house alone.

  Which meant she’d have to find a way to have Caine escort her past the barriers and then escape.

  She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration. Yeah. No problem.

  “Cassie?”

  The sound of Caine’s voice calling from the kitchen jerked Cassie out of her dark broodings. First things first. She had to convince Caine to leave the house. She would worry about escaping later.

  “I’m coming,” she called, heading reluctantly down the stairs and stepping into the kitchen.

  She was greeted by the scent of waffles fresh from the toaster and warm syrup. Her stomach rumbled in approval, even as her heart sank to her toes at the sight of Caine mixing frozen orange juice into a pitcher.