by Leilani Love
Viktor’s eyes softened, his hand coming up, cupping her cheek gently. “Are you okay?”
Aithne felt her eyes widen in surprise as her lips parted. She felt his thumb gently brushing under her cheek bone. She could feel her skin swell, and knew she would have a black eye soon. “I’m fine.” she whispered.
With a jerk of his head, he stepped away from her SUV opening the door for her. Her sister smiled at him, a little too brightly, and Aithne cringed, thinking even now her sister looked beautiful.
Viktor closed the door behind her and she saw Chase standing outside talking to Viktor. Her sister whistled before saying, “Wow how did my little sister end up with him? I could just eat him up.”
Aithne looked at her sister, shaking her head. “He caught me trying to capture his friend Chase. That was Lazzaro’s price to get you back. Ally, how the hell did you end up with the vampire king in the first place?”
Shrugging a little, her eyes focused on Viktor and Chase outside the window. “I was at a party, and he seemed nice and attentive.”
“Of course he did.” Aithne mumbled under her breath. “Are you okay? Did he treat you all right?”
Ally looked at her, but before she could answer Chase opened the driver side door and got into the vehicle. He looked over his shoulder, nodding at them both. “All right, let’s head back to the house. I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to go home.”
Chapter 41
Viktor woke up to see the light streaming through his windows. When they had arrived back at the house, he had Aithne and her sister put into the adjoining rooms a few doors down from his.
He had taken a long hot shower and crawled into bed. He listened part of the night to make sure Aithne didn’t have another nightmare. He had finally fallen asleep some time later. Having slept through the night, he assumed Aithne had too.
Getting up and relieving himself before brushing his teeth, he grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He ran his fingers through his thick hair, before making his way out of his room. In the hall, he looked toward the rooms where Aithne and Ally slept. He had enjoyed holding Aithne the night before, but was happy her nightmares had left her alone last night.
He headed toward the kitchen, his stomach grumbling with need. Hearing noises from the dining room, he smiled when he heard Chase and Violca. Opening the door, he stopped when he saw Ally sitting at the table.
Ally smiled brightly at him, leaning forward. “Good morning, Viktor.”
“Good morning.” Viktor said, nodding to Chase.
Violca smiled up at him, her hand on Chase’s arm. “Good morning Viktor, we were just getting to know Ally.”
Noticing her voice sounded a little tight, he glanced at Ally. Loading a plate with food, he took his seat at the head of the table. “Everyone else still sleeping or have they already eaten?”
Chase chuckled. “The two younger girls ate already and the two teenagers…”His voice trailed off and Viktor laughed.
“Where are the two little devils?” Viktor asked affectionately.
“Out back playing, trying to talk the guards into playing hide and seek, last time I checked.” Violca answered, a small smile on her lips. The edge to her voice was gone as she talked about Sari and Angyalka.
Ally leaned forward, pushing her breasts up as she looked over at Violca. “I think it’s just fabulous that you’re taking care of your sisters.”
Violca smiled, but he noticed how her body tensed up again, and her eyes glanced down at Ally’s chest. “Family is important. After all, look at all your own sister did to rescue you.”
Ally nodded. Viktor noticed that Aithne and her sister had the same green eyes. But that was their only physical similarity. The room was quiet for a few minutes, as everyone ate their breakfast.
“I was surprised when she came to my room shortly after we got here to tell me she was leaving.” Ally announced casually as she picked up her cup and took a sip of her coffee.
Viktor felt like someone had just punched him in the stomach. He saw Chase and Violca look at him, and he cleared his throat. “What do you mean, she left last night?”
Ally shrugged, taking a bite of bacon. “She said she missed her home and needed to get back. She asked if I wanted to go with her but…” She glanced at Viktor then looked down as if making sure he was paying attention before she continued. “I just didn’t feel right leaving without telling everyone goodbye and thank you.” With a big sigh she sat back as if exhausted. “I hope you don’t mind, I just didn’t feel like traveling yet.”
Absently nodding, Viktor’s thoughts went to Aithne and the fact that she had left without a word. He looked at Chase and Violca. “Did you know she left?”
Violca bit her lip before answering him. “She left a note for us outside our bedroom this morning. She apologized again and hoped one day we could forgive her, and maybe in the future be friends.”
Ally, he noticed, watched Violca and Chase, and then her eyes turn downcast before she quietly replied, “I’m so sorry for anything my sister might have done in order to save me.”
Violca shook her head. “Like I said, family’s important. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my sisters and nothing they wouldn’t do for me.”
A shadow crossed Ally’s face before she nodded. He remembered the first time he heard Aithne crying out in her sleep. Viktor wanted to ask her about Aithne’s nightmares, but having spent time with her, he knew Aithne wouldn’t like that.
Viktor’s skin itched, his dragon right below the surface, it wanted out, wanted to howl in pain. How could she leave without talking to him? How could she leave him, period?
Finishing his breakfast, he took his plate into the kitchen and smiled at the older maid cleaning up. Mary had been with his family since before he was born. Kissing her on the cheek, he thanked her for breakfast and headed out the back door.
The need to shift into his dragon became more and more pressing. Viktor’s house was far enough from town that he knew if he shifted and flew from the back of his property he wouldn’t be seen. His property opened up to the forest. His people monitored everyone who camped out there. He knew the north part of the forest was empty. Walking quickly, he shifted into his dragon and roared loudly, needing to release the frustration and hurt.
Using his legs, he jumped up and his wings easily propel him into the air. Flying high, he headed toward the top of the mountains. The feel of his muscles stretching as he flew, the wind blowing against his skin, helped him fight the urge to find Aithne.
Losing himself in flight, letting the dragon take over, he enjoyed the freedom of flight as he climbed higher and higher. Scanning the area with his heightened vision, he dove down, enjoying the sensation of free falling. When he got to the top of the trees, he skimmed them just enough that they moved as he passed by.
After flying for a few hours, and pushing the thoughts of Aithne away, he found himself just enjoying the sensation of freedom. Knowing he should really head back, he turned and headed home. Using his heightened vision, he scanned the area he planned to land in, on the back end of his property line. He shifted into his human form and straightened his shirt. He used to question how it was that when he shifted to a dragon, his clothes didn’t just rip off, or how when he shifted back to his human form, he was fully dressed. His mother would smile at him and point out that if there was magic that let a man and dragon share one body, clothing should be easy.
Viktor felt a smile tugging at his lips as he thought about his mother. Where his dad usually came off hard, the second his mother stepped into the room his entire body would change and become lighter. When you saw the two of them together, you would think his mother was the weaker one of the two and his dad the natural protector. His dad once confessed that his strength came from her, and not to let her sunny disposition fool anyone. As fierce as he was, his mate, despite her size, would take out an army to protect her family.
At the death of his parents by Orion hunters, he wasn�
��t surprised by the amount of mourners who came to pay their respect, not just to their king, but their queen as well. His family had made an impact on the world and he strived to do the same.
As he walked through the yard back to the house, Viktor couldn’t think of his mother without still feeling the pain of his loss, but this time it was also matched with the feeling of love. The love he felt for his mother, and the love he had seen his father had for her.
An image of Aithne flashed in his mind, as he walked toward the house and opened the side door that led to his wing. When he got to the top of the stairs, he saw Ally standing in front of her room. She smiled brightly at him, an open invitation.
Walking toward her he smiled. “Ally, I need your help.”
Chapter 42
She drove all night, her need to get away from Viktor and her sister, overriding her need for sleep. The second she saw her sister fall into Viktor’s arms, and the way he had carried her, she knew watching the two of them together would break her heart. Finally home, Aithne sat in the window seat of her breakfast nook, a cup of coffee in her hand, as she watched the sun rise.
Rationally, she knew Viktor was out of her league and more suitable for her sister, but he was the one who had kept kissing her. She let down her guard when she was around him, which was something she had never done before. Aithne normally excelled at keeping people at arm’s length.
Taking a sip of her coffee, she leaned her head back against the windowsill watching the sky brighten as the sun rose higher in the sky. Aithne took a deep breath. Needing to distract herself, she went to her room and changed her clothes.
Lacing up her shoes, she headed out the back door to go for a run. She should be tired, but instead found herself wide awake. She jogged the path around the lake twice, before her legs decided they’d had enough. She walked back to her house, ready for a long hot shower before crawling into bed.
Taking a long hot shower, she tried to push all thoughts of Viktor and the last few weeks behind her. Tilting her head back, she moaned softly as the water trailed down her back. When the water began to run cold, she turned it off and stepped from the tub. Drying off, she climbed into her bed, so tired she knew she’d fall asleep easily. Hoping that she was finally tired enough that she could fall asleep without thinking about Viktor.
Waking up several hours later, she grabbed her robe at the foot of the bed, and moved to the living room where she curled up on the couch. Aithne had never realized how empty her house was. Having spent the last few days with a house full of people made her realize exactly how quiet it really was.
Before all this had happened, Aithne had done some freelance work, mainly helping find missing children. Before her mother sent her to rescue Ally from the vampire king, she had been looking for a new company or something different to do. The restless feeling she had been having before she left, seemed to have increased.
An image of Viktor getting attacked by Sari and Angyalka made her laugh out loud. Those two girls had him completely wrapped around their fingers. Watching them together, made her think what a great father he would be. She found herself wondering if Viktor were to mate her sister, would she be able to get pregnant? As old as they were, they had never had issues with birth control. At this point, they had resigned themselves to the fact that they might have given up their chance to have a family when they became immortal. But her sisters had always held out hope that one day, they might be so blessed.
Aithne shook her head. She had never wanted kids, so she wondered why she was suddenly thinking about it. Maybe she’d spent too much time with those little girls.
Desperately wanting to quit thinking about Viktor, she headed to the kitchen. Her maid service kept the fridge stocked even when she was gone, cleaning out the items that were expired. Twirling her hair around her finger, she looked over her choices, deciding that maybe an omelet and bacon would be good.
Once home for a few days, Aithne couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her life. The first couple of days, she had worked out for hours on end to tire herself. After that, she tried to find a project to throw herself into. Her mother had called, told her that her sister Ally was still at Viktor’s house and had sounded happy. After her mother told her that, she told her mom someone was at the door to get off the phone. The fact that her sister was still there, confirmed for her, that she had made the right choice to leave when she did.
Getting ready for her daily run, she headed out the back door and made her way toward the park. Once she finished her second lap, she slowly jogged back home. Opening the back door, she tossed the keys on the entry table as she walked through the archway into her kitchen.
Hearing a floorboard creak in the other room, she stopped. Reaching down, she pulled the bottom of her yoga pants up, grabbing the dagger strapped to her calf. Quietly walking toward the doorway she listened intently. Not hearing any other sounds, a part of her wondered if she had just imagined it, and she cautiously continued down the hallway, as quietly as possible.
Not seeing any shadows moving, she relaxed and stepped into the living room only to feel someone grab her and yank her into their arms. Pulling her so she was facing them, her blade ended up at her attacker’s throat. Her breath caught when she found herself staring into a familiar pair of blue eyes. The eyes were glowing neon blue, letting her know his dragon was close to the surface.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Aithne asked, keeping the blade on his throat. Her heart raced, excited at seeing him again.
Raising an eyebrow, he looked down at her. “Are you going to lower that blade?”
Her eyes never left his. “First, tell me why you’re here, then I’ll think about it.”
Viktor’s eyes darken and he licked his lips. Following the movement, she bit back a moan. “I’m here, my fiery one, because you ran.”
Stunned, she lowered her hand, bringing the blade down and taking a few steps back. “What do you mean I ran? I didn’t run away, I went home. My sister was saved and I had no reason to be there.”
Viktor laughed at her and she frowned. Feeling her frustration build, she tossed her knife at him. He ducked, but before she could blink, he was standing in front of her. “You ran away from me, and I want to know why.”
Aithne’s mouth opened, then closed. Viktor’s eyes almost seemed to twinkle, as if he enjoyed her loss for words. “I… I went home. Why the hell would I run away?”
With one giant step he stood so that their bodies were touching. He reached out to cup her cheek, “I think you were scared because of how you feel every time I do this.” With that, he brought her face up to meet his and kissed her. When she gasp, he slid his tongue in and pressed it against hers.
Aithne’s hand went to his shoulders, sliding up his neck and curling around him, holding him tight. When he broke the kiss, he put his forehead on hers, his breath coming in short pants, just like hers. “No more running.”
Chapter 43
Viktor opened his eyes, looking into hers. He was sure the passion he saw in her eyes was mirrored in his own.. Aithne’s breath came in short little gasps. When she opened her mouth, he knew it was to argue, and he brushed his lips back against hers, smiling as he heard her breath catch.
Pulling back, he looked down at her again. Unable to help himself, his thumb brushed her lower lip, swollen from their kiss. When Aithne moaned, he felt a masculine pride at the sound. “Why are you here?” she gasped.
He heard the small catch in her voice, and his eyes met hers. The question in her eyes was unmistakable. “How could a girl as strong as you, not see how beautiful you are?”
When a look of doubt crossed her face, he grinned before nibbling on her lower lip. “I love that you’re tall enough, that I don’t have to stoop down to kiss you.” And with that, his hands angled her face and he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid into her welcoming mouth, running over her teeth and teasing her own tongue until he felt her body relax against him.
&n
bsp; Slowly, they parted again, and he heard Aithne’s soft whimper as he continued to nibble on her lips. “Your body fits against mine perfectly.” He slid one hand down her neck, rubbing his hand down her shoulder, then along the side of her breast, before finally grabbing her hip and pulling her tighter against him. His body was hot and his cock already hard for her. He heard her soft gasp, and his body instantly responded, gently rubbing against her.
“Why did you leave me?”
“I didn’t…” Aithne started to say, and Viktor raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you would mind. You seemed to be getting along pretty well with my sister.”
Fighting the urge to smile at her confession, he held her tighter. When she began to squirm in his arms, he said “I’m not laughing at you my love, but you couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Aithne quit struggling in his arms, but the look of disbelief and anger were still clear on her face. “You were holding her.” she argued.
“No, your sister fell and I caught her.” Viktor replied, wondering if it would have been better to let her fall.
“You didn’t seem to mind carrying her to the car.”
Aithne’s lower lip stuck out in a pout and Viktor gave in and brushed his lips against hers in a light kiss. “Your sister clung to me, and it seemed easier to carry her than get her to stand on her own two feet.”
Watching Aithne, Victor saw an array of emotions cross her face. Ally had told him Aithne was teased because of her height and build. Often being compared to her sisters, who took after their mother. Aithne however, took after their father. To him she was beautiful, her body tall and lithe, and she fit him perfectly.
“You’re not interested in my sister?” Aithne asked, her green eyes searching his.
With a low growl he crushed his lips to hers. Aithne’s lips parted instantly, inviting his tongue into her mouth. When she finally wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close, he pressed her against the wall and moaned as she kissed him back.
