The Darkest Day

by Britt Bury

  “It’s yours, Pookah. All of me is all yours.” She was writhing, clinging to him. His cock strained against his jeans, desperately wanting to impale where his tongue currently delved.

  He clutched her ass. Lifting her hips and tilting his head, he drove his tongue deeper, sinking as far as he could. If I can no’ feel this gloving my cock, then I’ll feel it around my tongue.

  Nuzzling her clit with his nose, he fucked her with his mouth. Showing no mercy, he ate at her like the rich candy she was, loving every taste.

  “Kel… Kel.” His name on her lips made him ravenous. “You’re making me…” He surged deep, growling when he felt her hot sex spasm around his hungry mouth. Her climax overtook her, her whole body tensing as she screamed to the sky. Using his lips, his teeth, his tongue, he pulled every last shudder from her.

  Breathing hard, he trailed kisses along her hips before laying his head on her flat stomach. He’d never seen anything so erotic as his female, coming against his mouth. Her body was so responsive; so lusty for him.

  “Oh my God.” She ran her soft palms over the side of his face. “That was…” Her breasts rose and fell as she tried to calm her breathing.

  He nipped her belly button. “Amazing.”

  He lifted his chin and met her eyes. Her gentle hands cupped his face as she held his stare. “Yes, amazing.”

  Kelvin crawled up her body and dipped his head, stealing a kiss. She leaned up, pushing against his chest. Maneuvering him to his back, she straddled his hips. “Izel, we can no’,” but she pressed her lips against his, silencing him.

  “I need your help, Kel.” Her voice was so throaty and sexy Kelvin thought he could come just from the sound of it. With her wee hands roaming over his bare chest, she kissed down his neck. “I want to know you. Learn how to…” She trailed off, as if not knowing how to say what she needed.

  “Learn how ta what, lass?” He traced his knuckles over her cheekbone.

  Her gaze held his. “I want to please you.”

  Was he dreaming? Here he was, his cock about to burst through his jeans, with his mate’s soft thighs straddling him, and she wanted to please him?

  “You already do, lass.”

  She smiled. God, her smile. Woman could bring a whole clan to their knees just beholding the sight. Inching down his body, she flicked her tongue out, tasting his nipple. He hissed in a breath and palmed the back of her head. Glancing up his chest, she ran her hot mouth over it again.

  With her teasing lips raining wet licks all over his skin, Kelvin barely noticed her unbuckling his belt and drawing off his pants. When she knelt between his legs, he choked on a breath. She can no’ mean ta…?

  She took his shaft in hand and licked her lips. “Teach me,” she whispered.

  Kelvin stifled a moan. Although the white shirt she wore swallowed her, he could see her stiffened nipples peak through the material. She was aroused.

  He ran a finger over the head of his cock. “Give it a lick here.” She ran her pink tongue along the crown, glancing up to gauge his reaction. His female was learning what pleased him. His shaft pulsed, giving up a bead of pre-cum. Before he could say another word, her tongue darted out, tasting what she’d wrought from him.

  “I like the way you taste,” she said between licks. “I want more.”

  A dream. Kelvin lifted his head. “I have much more ta give. You’re sure ya ready?”

  “Yes.” She gave a decisive yank on his shaft and he groaned in response.

  “Close your lips over the top and slide them down as far as ya can go.”

  Without hesitation, she did.

  Chin to his chest, Kelvin watched his female take him into her hot mouth. He brushed her hair from her face, awestruck by what he was witnessing.

  “It’s so good, lass.” He struggled to keep his hips still. “Now grip me here,” he fisted the base of his cock, “and pump your hand while suckling me.”

  When she did, Kelvin bit out a curse, sweat beading his brow. When he saw her cheeks hollow, as she took his shaft between her wet lips, fist pumping below her hungry mouth, it was over.

  “Draw away; you’re gonna make me come, lass! Pull back.” But she didn’t. Instead she took him deeper, pumped faster. “Izel!” He yelled as his seed lashed against her hot tongue. “Ah, Christ!”

  His eyes rolled into the back of his head as his orgasm went on and on, pumping hotly into his female’s wicked mouth.

  Here and now? Impossible.

  Now and always.

  Chapter 19

  Lying the whole night wrapped in Kelvin’s strong arms was the highlight of Izel’s life. All day, she’d been hiking with a stupid grin plastered on her face. The Pookah had once again introduced her to something addicting. She replayed last night over and over in her mind, recalling the way his expression had turned anguished right before he came.

  A sense of pride radiated through her. She had done that to him, pleased him. For a short while, this muscled immortal warrior had been under her command, and she loved it. But tonight was the Solstice. They’d reach Kerr territory and then this little adventure would come to an end.

  Tonight was her last shot to be with Kelvin.

  She pushed back the doubt and the sadness. She knew this was coming. Reality awaited them both. Izel would have to go with her clan, find her grandfather, and begin her life of solitude, shut away someplace where no being could scent her humanness. Kelvin would go back to his clan and lead his army.

  I still have tonight.

  And by God she’d make the most of it.

  Last night, she and Kelvin had stepped onto the same page. She felt as if he knew her thoughts and her fears. The future was going to happen. Both of them understood this and the logistics.

  She didn’t feel bad about herself or feel shame about the physical intimacy she’d shared with Kelvin. If anything, she felt more at peace. For the first time, someone wanted her simply for being her. She was a human, considerably weak when compared with the various immortals of this realm. Despite her grandfather’s letter, she didn’t currently possess any powers, nor could she offer anything—substantial. She was just Izel. And Kelvin wanted her.

  “Tell me about that book of yours.” Kelvin yanked her from her thoughts. That had kind of come out of nowhere, and they were still a few hours away from the outer towers, so random conversation was welcome.

  “It’s my grandfather’s.”

  He eyed her, keeping his pace slow so as to stay by her side. No reason not to tell him, she thought. “I haven’t really looked through it, but from what I did read, apparently I’m sort of a big deal,” she teased, but the Pookah didn’t look amused.

  “What did it say?” His voice was rough.

  She shrugged. “Honestly, not much. Basically my gramps is trying to tell me what to do.” Thinking of the letter he’d left, she recalled, “I need to find the Campbell clan, find some guy named Andrew Thomas—”

  “Thompson,” Kelvin snarled.

  “Huh?” Why was he getting so upset?

  “Andrew Thompson. No’ Thomas.” He kept his eyes straight ahead.

  “You know him?” Without looking at her, he gave a curt nod.

  “What else did the book say?” Tension radiated from him, and Izel suddenly felt like she was in trouble for something.

  “Um…” She searched her brain. “I gathered that the potion is rare, maybe irreplaceable.” Again, he gave a quick nod. “Which means the Campbell clan will most likely lock me away.” Kelvin glanced at the ground, and that was all the proof she needed. Although she had figured as much, seeing the truth on Kelvin’s face hit home. First she’d been held emotionally captive, and now she was going to be held physically captive.

  “Can we talk about something else?”

  “Is what you’ve just said all you know?” The Pookah was getting snippity. She was not about to tell him that the overly protective Euan threatened her fate and warned her to stay away from Kerr Pookahs. Somehow she didn�
��t think that would go over well with Kelvin.

  “Mostly. The only other thing I read is that I supposedly harbor all three castes of Fionn and am apparently powerful.” She shrugged. “But you know as well as I do, I have no special talent of any kind. I’m just human.”

  “I would argue that.” He looked down, his intense blue eyes ensnaring her. “I know firsthand the talents you possess,” he said with a wink.

  Her cheeks burned and she smacked his arm, but he only chuckled. “How about we talk about you now?”

  He gave her a confused look. “You want ta talk of my talents?” He cupped her breast and she swatted his hand while laughing. She liked Kelvin this way. Playful… happy.

  “I mean, tell me about you, about your kind.” He opened his mouth and she cut in to clarify, “Not about banging other chicks, though.”

  He smirked at her. “Well, as ya know, I am a Razorback Pookah, and so is my brother, Ian. My cousins are Bear and Wolverine.”

  Interesting.

  “Razorbacks have their own instincts; however, a Bear’s are verra different, and a Wolf does no’ have ’em, really.”

  She tilted her head. “What does that mean?”

  “A Wolf has no definite triggers that we’re really aware of. They’re also a rare breed, and we do no’ know as much about them. My cousin Alistair is the only Wolf in our clan. The rest of us are either Razor or Bear.” He glanced at her. “From what we can tell, Wolves do no’ have just one female.” He gripped the back of his neck.

  So this Alistair must be a bigger rake than Kelvin.

  “It’s no’ really his fault, though.” He defended his cousin as if Izel had said something. “Wolves are born with an essence that draws all unmated females.”

  “An essence?”

  “Aye. It’s like a pheromone.”

  Ah. So the dude dripped sexuality, and apparently smelled good. Frickin’ Pookahs. It was like it was their job to plow through the female population or something. A ping of sadness hit her chest. She suddenly remembered she would be relinquishing Kelvin tomorrow and he’d be on his way, trying to find his true mate.

  “The Bear,” he cut in, as if sensing her sadness and trying to distract her, “does have some heady instincts. Ones that I’m sure you’ll like much more than that of my breed.”

  She only scoffed. “What? Is a Bear celibate or something?”

  “Aye.” Kelvin responded, completely serious.

  “O-K,” she mocked.

  “ ’Tis no joke. The Bear has verra different instincts. They’re helpless against them.”

  She looked at Kelvin for a long moment. “All right, I’ll bite. Tell me about the priesthood of the Bear.”

  “They’re strong, and their sense of smell is the keenest of our kind.” He glanced at her. “The Bear can no’ take a female until he’s fully matured.”

  Izel gave him a “duh” look. “That’s called puberty, Kel.”

  “No, it’s no’ that. Maturity for a Bear is different. All the old scrolls say maturity is based on body condition.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  He smiled at her, continuing to keep time with her short strides. “It’s hard for ’em, though. Some wait a long time, passing the days with punishing drills and training.” He obviously felt for his Bear cousin.

  “Well, you’re the head battle guy. Can’t you take it easy on them?”

  “I’m the Battle Chief,” he said with all the pride in the world. “And no warrior under my command will ever get pity.”

  Izel grinned. Kelvin Kerr was raw masculinity and she loved it. Honestly, she liked that he was fierce, would have probably lost respect for him if he was soft when training his men.

  “So your Bear cousin. What’s his name?”

  “Keith. And he’s still no’ reached maturity yet.”

  She nodded. “How old is he?”

  Kelvin glanced to the sky. “Eight hundred, give or take.”

  She choked on her own spit. “What? I was thinking, like, thirteen!”

  “Well, he looks thirty,” he offered with a grin.

  She folded her lips. “Poor guy. So he can’t…” She cut herself off, not sure what she was about to ask, or if she wanted the answer.

  Kelvin smirked. “He can no’ bed a woman. Not until he reaches maturity and finds his mate will the seal be broken. Until then, his body simply won’t respond.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Poor guy.”

  “Do no’ feel sorry for him. Keith is one of our fiercest warriors. He lives for battle and is content.”

  She hopped over an ant line. “What about his female? Isn’t she out there, waiting for him or something?”

  Kelvin’s eyes stared down at her. “I do no’ know. But I’m sure he will be the first ta find out.”

  Her brows drew together. “How?”

  “Her scent. It’s the first sign both our breeds recognize. We can scent our mate, but only the Bear’s is strong enough ta know for certain.”

  She shook her head. “Riiiight. You have to ‘attempt’ a chick to know for certain.”

  He stopped, and Izel spun to face him. “Do ya know what happens when a Pookah finally does find his woman?” His sapphire eyes were searing, burning straight into her soul. She gulped and shook her head.

  “She becomes his obsession. He can think of nothing and no one but her.” He stalked closer. “A single taste of her remains on his tongue until he grows maddened.” Another step. “He craves her like an addiction that can never be sated; will disregard logic and honor if it means getting ta be inside her.” His jaw clenched. He was so close that she could feel the heat of his body.

  She let out a shaky breath, whispering, “Because it’s your nature.”

  His firm lips brushed over hers. “Aye. It’s my nature.”

  It was nearly sundown when they reached one of the outer towers of Kerr territory. Circular in form, it was so high that it surpassed the tall forest trees by at least twenty feet. Surrounded by fruit trees, Izel inhaled the sweet scent of apples. Wait, apples in winter? She stared closer at the glittery fruit. Magic, of course!

  “Sir!” A large man barreled through the tower door and greeted Kelvin with a salute, then the soldier’s eyes quickly locked on Izel as he took a deep breath.

  “Boy!” Kelvin snapped at him. The warrior straightened and reverted to speaking—Gaelic? Whatever he said seemed to piss Kelvin off, and she didn’t need to understand the language to know her Pookah was telling this guy to shut up and eff off.

  The warrior looked frazzled but stuttered, “Aye, s-sir.” And took off running. Apparently Mr. Kerr didn’t mess around. She grinned, thinking, Yeah, that’s my man.

  “Let’s get you inside,” he whispered in her ear, causing a shiver to roll down her spine. Kelvin led her up the narrow stairs of the tower. Halfway up, he opened a large wooden door and ushered her through. A bed covered with creamy silk lay in the middle of the cherry wooden floor. A light breeze blew through the open window, causing the hazelnut-scented candles to flicker. Simple, but so perfect. Through the sheer curtain, she saw the sun begin its descent over the green hills of Scotland.

  “Sit, lass,” Kelvin gestured to a small chair near the door. “We need ta talk.” That didn’t sound good, but she did as he asked and seated herself. He knelt in front of her, elbow on one knee, fist resting against his mouth.

  “I do no’ want ta leave you, but I see no other option.” Her eyes went wide.

  What? No!

  “You will be safe here. I will return in the morning and escort you the rest of the way ta my castle.”

  Shock surged through her. How stupid she was. Had she really thought he was going to stay with her tonight? Of course he wouldn’t. This was his “busiest” time of the year, after all. She choked back a sob. “You don’t want me.”

  His large palms landed heavily on her knees. “That’s no’ it, lass.”

  Look
ing down at her lap, she shook her head.

  “Izel, I’ve explained this… the darkness drives my animal instincts, and tonight I will be overcome by them.”

  She frowned. “So you’re going to be with someone else?”

  “No. It’s no’ like that. Not this time.”

  “This time?” She raised her head and glared. “You said that’s what you did. ‘It’s me nature,’ blah, blah, blah,” she said, mocking his accent and hating how badly her heart hurt.

  “That was before you.” His ragged voice cut straight through her. “Lass.” He crooked her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You’re the only one I want ta spend tonight with, but I do no’ want ta hurt you.” He glanced at the mark on his inner wrist.

  Was that what this was about? “I release you from our contract,” she blurted out.

  “No!” Despite his protest, the mark faded from his skin instantly. His eyes were wild as he examined his skin. “You should no’ have done that.”

  “But you said that—”

  “It’s no’ just the pain, Izel. When the sun fades completely… if I am near you…” Running his hands up her thighs, he looked at her with more intensity than she’d ever seen. “I will no’ be able ta let you go.”

  Her heart slammed in her chest. An immortal Pookah warrior knelt before her with a look of such raw heat it melted away all her inhibitions. He was warning her, trying to protect her from himself and the beast that lay beneath.

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. There was no way she could let him walk out the door. It didn’t matter what he was or what he turned into. She trusted him.

  I’m all in.

  “Kel, I want you to stay with me tonight.”

  His eyes searched her face, as if unsure he’d heard her correctly. “I will no’ go to seek others. I just can no’ be near you. I will—”

  Placing her finger over his firm lips she said, “I trust you with my life, Pookah. Please, stay with me tonight.”

  His tongue darted out and he sucked her finger into his mouth. She shivered, and he released her with a groan. “Lass, I want nothing more.” His expression turned anguished again. “But when the morning sun rises—”