by Kresley Cole
“What? How?”
“When I drank from you before—”
“Why bring that up to me?” Her hand flittered to her neck at the reminder.
“Because now I know why it was so irresistible to me.”
Jádian said, “Because you’re a parasite.”
“Jádian!”
“He plans to bite you again.”
“Of course he doesn’t. Murdoch, tell him.”
“Daniela, speak with me alone.” Somehow he managed to make it to his feet. “I swear I won’t do anything to you that you don’t agree to.”
His words piqued her curiosity. He hadn’t promised not to hurt her, not to bite her, yet she felt no threat from him. “Very well,” she said, turning to Jádian with raised brows. After a hesitation, he turned for the door, stonily silent.
As soon as they were alone, Murdoch demanded, “Are you marrying him?”
“What? No!”
“Nïx told me you were.”
“She must be confused then, or you misheard her. Now, tell me. What were you talking about?”
“Daniela, before I took your neck, I’d dreamed of doing it. More and more as we grew apart. Every night. Now I believe it’s the way for us to be together.”
“I don’t understand.”
“With your blood in my veins, everything felt warm to me. My brothers were chilled, but I couldn’t stand to be near the fire. Your blood made me cold.”
“That can’t be right. I can’t turn you into an Iceren.”
“No, but I can pick up characteristics of your kind,” Murdoch said.
“Do you have the skin markings, then? Are you unaffected by the sun?”
He shook his head. “There was a blue tinge under my eyes, but not the body markings. When I tested my skin in the sun, I still burned, even when I was immune to the cold.”
“Immune? Then why are you freezing right now? How did you get frostbitten?”
He ran his bandaged hand over the back of his neck. “The effect only lasted a couple of days.”
“So for this to work, I’d have to repeat that pain?”
“One last time. After that, as long as I drank every day or two, I’d never hurt you again. We could be together.” His voice went lower, and his eyes flickered black. “In all ways.”
Her mind was whirring. Yet then she recalled what had happened after the last bite. “But I-I went unconscious.”
Looking shamefaced, he said, “I took too much. I wouldn’t this time. I know I don’t deserve your trust, but I’m asking for it anyway.”
“Why should I do this?”
“Because I’m in love with you,” he said—without a hint of hesitation.
Her lips parted and the world seemed to shift under her feet. After what he’d done to reach her, she had to believe he did. But to hear him say the words, with his eyes so intense and dark. . . .
Maybe the vampire did always come through in the end.
“And I think you love me, too.” Hope tinged his words.
She turned away, breaking his searching gaze. “Maybe that doesn’t matter,” she said over her shoulder. “Maybe we’re only fated to make each other miserable. You forget we’d fought before all this happened. You’d given up on us.”
“No, just before I returned that night, I realized that fifty years was nothing if we could be together. I’d come back to tell you that. But then I saw you kissing Jádian . . .”
She faced him once more. “I’m sorry for that.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said, but she could tell that she’d hurt him. “When I was in jail—”
“Jail?”
“That’s why I wasn’t here sooner—Kristoff imprisoned us at Mount Oblak for harboring Conrad. It’s all worked out now, but we spent weeks inside. And while I was there, I determined that I would do anything to be with you. Desert my order. Live here in the cold in twenty-four hours of daylight.”
“Murdoch, that’s not the point. You’re talking about biting me again, about more pain. And not just mine. I’m colder than I’ve ever been. It would hurt you too,” she said, then added, “If this did work, you might be vulnerable to thermal shock, like me.”
“I don’t give a damn about that!” He crossed to her until they were toe to toe. “Please, Danii, I know I’m asking for a lot more than I deserve, but if you can endure this one last time . . . Just give me your trust.”
Hadn’t she said she’d give anything to know his taste? To touch her lips to his?
Before, even amidst the agony of his bite, she’d felt a connection to him.
I will trust him. Fantasy finally made reality. And reality sometimes took sacrifice.
Daniela bowed her head, then gazed up at him from under her lashes. And again, he was undone.
“I do trust you.” She pulled her hair to the side, baring the pale column of her neck to him, inviting him.
“You won’t regret this.” But even as his fangs sharpened for her flesh, he hesitated. “I dread hurting you. When I think about how I took you last time . . .”
“I’m afraid I’ll try to break away,” she admitted. “Or that you will—from the cold.”
Each would want to recoil. They’d have to force each other to hold on. “Hang on to me, kallim, because I’ll be holding you tight. We do this now, and then we have forever.”
She inhaled a steadying breath. “I’m ready.”
What would you do for her . . . ? The scent of the supple skin he was about to taste proved too much temptation. He couldn’t resist. He laid his bandaged palms on her hips and drew her closer.
Her hands rose to clasp his shoulders. “Do it,” she whispered.
In a flash, he sank his fangs into her. This time he groaned—in pain. She was even icier than before.
Stabbing cold shot through him. The urge to release her screamed in him, but he held on, squeezing her hips. He felt her little blue claws digging into him as well.
Yet with each of his draws, the pain lessened. At the remembered sense of connection, his eyes slid closed in bliss.
Mine. Forever. Thoughts were a jumbled knot. Slow . . . slow . . . Don’t take too much this time. This is a gift . . . .
FORTY
BY THE TIME MURDOCH RELEASED HER, they were both out of breath. And Danii was crying.
“Christ, I tried not to take too much—”
“Y-you didn’t.” But it had still been excruciating.
He winced at her neck. “You’re burned.”
“It’ll regenerate quickly with the cold. Did you even drink enough?” she asked, struggling to disguise how much pain she’d felt. “Do you think this will work?”
“The effect takes time.”
“You’re already better.” With her blood accelerating his regeneration, he began healing almost at once, his battered lips and face soon returning to normal. He unwrapped the bandages from his hands as they mended and flexed his fingers.
But his breaths still fogged.
Minutes passed, then half an hour. She sank onto the bed, and he paced. Another hour had trudged by in anxious silence before he said, “Daniela, why didn’t you tell me about the Roman?”
“You saw that?” At Murdoch’s nod, she said, “He’s in my past.”
“You think of me as you do him.”
She shook her head. “No, Murdoch. I was angry when I said that. Bewildered.”
“But it’s true that I took what didn’t belong to me.”
“We both felt the pull. I could have stopped you. And I’ve wondered again and again why I didn’t. Now I think it was instinct telling both of us the way to be together. If . . .”
“If this works? It will.” He ran his hand over his forehead. “Damn it, if you were brave and strong enough to withstand this—twice— it’s got to work.”
“Will you still want me if it doesn’t?” she asked quietly.
Reaching for her, he cupped her waist between his hands to tug her to her feet, then gazed down at h
er with fierce eyes. “Look at me, Daniela. I’m in love with you,” he grated. “I want you always, no matter what!”
“Murdoch, I . . . y-your breaths aren’t visible.” Was there the slightest blue tint under his eyes?
He frowned. “The temperature doesn’t feel as cold in here. It’s becoming comfortable.”
“Could this truly be working?” Her hand trembled wildly as she reached up to his face.
“Careful,” he warned. “Maybe wait a little longer.”
“I can’t. I have to know.” When she caressed his cheek, his eyes went heavy-lidded.
No pain. With a strangled cry, she sagged against him.
“Daniela, are you hurt?”
“I just can’t believe this.” Tears gathered and fell. She could be with him—Murdoch, the vampire she loved. After two millennia, her constant yearning would end at last.
“Please don’t cry.” With an audible swallow, he tentatively laid his palms against her face, brushing his thumbs over her tears. No pain.
For so long she’d felt lacking, and the answer had been within her, within them, all along. “I’m crying because I’m happy.” She unbuttoned his jacket, pulling it off him to display the chest she’d imagined stroking. Then she placed her hands on him, finding his skin was the perfect temperature.
No pain. His muscles went rigid, tensing to her fingertips. She gave one exploring sweep, then another, until she was rubbing her palms all over him in delight. Only pleasure.
He was still caressing her cheeks. “You’re so soft, Daniela. Softer than I ever imagined—and I imagined constantly.” He tipped her face up. “I’ve got to kiss you.”
“I’m yours to kiss. I’m yours.”
His voice a husky rasp, he said, “You’re about to be.” He cast her a slow, possessive grin, flashing his fangs—no longer would she look at them with fear. They’d been the means to her and Murdoch’s deliverance.
Then he leaned down. “Close your eyes.”
She did. After the space of a heartbeat, she felt the lightest brush of his firm lips to hers. The barest contact sent tingles through her. Drawing her closer, pressing her body against him, he slanted his mouth over hers.
His kiss grew unyielding, intent, even as he gently coaxed her lips open so he could stroke a sensuous lick against her tongue. When she moaned, meeting him, lapping softly, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, as if he couldn’t get close enough, as if he feared she’d get away.
She clutched his shoulders in turn. Their tongues tangled. Their breaths mingled and grew hectic.
Now this was a kiss—deep, frantic. What she’d long imagined. Hearts thudding, bodies shaking. She whimpered against his mouth as her knees went weak. But he held her steady and safe against his chest as he continued to plunder her mouth.
Too soon, he broke away, leaving her dazed and panting.
“I need to claim you.” He pulled her hair to the side and skimmed his lips across the now healed skin where he’d bitten her.
She shivered violently, her nipples hardening in a rush.
“I never want to be apart from you again,” he murmured. “Now I’ll be able to stay with you here.”
Oh, Murdoch, no. Should she lie to him, act as if that could possibly happen?
When he drew back to meet her eyes, she forced herself to smile, though she knew the Icere would never accept him. Vampires were despised here.
She should just enjoy this miracle. Worry about what to do later.
“What? Something’s wrong.”
“Uh-huh.” Her hands dipped to his pants, untying the waist. “You’re not naked enough,” she said, working them past his protruding erection. When he stood unclothed before her, she gripped his gorgeous length.
He hissed in a breath; she gasped. She could perceive his shaft throbbing in her palm, could feel the texture of his smooth skin stretched taut over the veined ridges.
Against her sensitive fingers, it grew. . . .
So incredibly hard. Could she even take him? We’ll know soon enough.
While she explored, he slipped the thin straps of her gown from her shoulders. Gathering the material in his fists, he skimmed it down her body. He paused just before he revealed her chest as if he wanted to prolong this moment.
At last, the silk inched past her erect nipples. He stared at her breasts as if he’d never seen them.
“Murdoch, please . . .”
Without warning, he gathered her in his arms, moving them to the bed so he could place her in his lap. Once he had her settled over his erection, he lifted a finger to circle her nipples—one, then the other, his gaze transfixed as the tips swelled to his touch. With a desperate groan, he pressed his lips against one breast, palming the other.
When she felt his tongue snake out over her nipple, her head lolled.
Again and again, he flicked the puckered bud. “Do you want me to suckle you?”
“Yes, oh, yes. . . .” She ran her fingers through his thick hair, cupping him to her.
He drew one of her nipples between his lips, sucking, licking, giving a harsh groan that vibrated into her breast.
“Oh, gods!” Lightning exploded outside. He knew what the lightning meant and drew even harder. Once her nipple was stiff and wet, he moved to the other, delivering the same attention. Then he gazed at them as if in awe.
“Vampire, no more teasing!”
Looking slightly dazed, he grinned. “My fire and ice Bride. Never shy about what she wants.”
She shook her head. “Especially not when I’ve wanted it this long.”
FORTY-ONE
THOUGH THEY’D BEEN TOGETHER FOR MONTHS, Murdoch was anxious with Daniela, determined to make this perfect for her.
Since she’d waited more than twenty lifetimes for it.
And he’d noticed that she hadn’t replied when he said he wanted to stay with her here. Maybe she still needed convincing? He was up to the task.
“If you knew how good you taste.” He nuzzled her ear, dimly marveling that her body didn’t feel cold—because his was as well. “I can’t wait to taste all of you.”
She inhaled sharply, shivering against him.
His hand trailed from her breast down to her spread thighs, quaking in anticipation of feeling her flesh for the first time. Reaching under her dress, he tugged her silk panties to her knees. Then returned his hand . . .
His palm met damp curls. “Almighty,” he rasped, as he cupped her slick sex. Gently, he slipped his forefinger between her folds and into her tight sheath, making her jerk in his arms. “Easy, baby,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
“Oh, gods, Murdoch!” Her curling claws bit into his shoulders, which only stoked his arousal, already nearing a fever pitch.
“So perfect. You feel so good.” Needing to taste the wetness he was stroking, he withdrew his finger. Her lids went heavy as she watched him suck it between his lips, then shudder from how sweet she was.
“I need more.” His voice broke low on the word.
Laying her back on the bed, he removed her panties and dress completely. When she was naked to his gaze, he stared at her, wanting to remember her like this forever.
She was a fantasy made flesh, her body arrayed with diamonds, her shining hair fanning out around her head. Her silver eyes glittered like the stones adorning her. Mine.
And I can touch every inch of her.
She was panting, her breasts quivering, the peaks pouting. He knelt before her on the bed and nipped each tip with his teeth, giving them each a short, hard suck. “Spread those pretty thighs for me.”
As she did, he drew back to watch, exhaling a shaky breath. It took all the discipline he’d ever garnered to keep from falling upon her like an animal.
Her flesh was lush with arousal, misted wet. At the sight, his cock surged harder, hanging down between his legs like a steel rod. The crown dragged against the sheet as he bent down to her sex, inch by inch.
Whatever she saw in his expression made he
r murmur, “Oh. Murdoch. P-please go slow. At first.”
“Trying to. Never wanted anything so bad in my life.” With the first brush of his lips against her thigh, she tensed in reaction, as if she’d been burned. “Daniela?”
“No, no, keep going.” She threaded her fingers though his hair, surrendering to his kiss.
“Do you want more?”
“Yes, more,” she bit out, her voice throaty.
Good. Because I crave this—must have it. She whimpered when he used his thumbs to part her damp flesh. Then, at last, he pressed his mouth to her.
The first flick of his tongue against her made her moan. When she quivered for him, his cock jerked in answer, the head brushing the sheet.
How he’d dreamed of this. But nothing could have prepared him for her maddening taste, the softness of her folds yielding to his mouth, the tight bud of her clitoris swelling under his tongue.
The act was beyond imagining and felt as if something right and natural was shifting into place. He was meant to bring her pleasure like this.
He spread her wide, fingering her as he licked and sucked, until she was wantonly rolling to his tongue. No inhibitions.
Her response had him rocking his shaft up and back, wetting the sheet with his precum. I’m going to spend before I’m even inside her.
But his eyes closed in bliss when she whispered, “Please, don’t stop. . . .”
“Never,” he growled, setting upon her once more. Laying his hand over her flat belly, he pinned her in place, holding her fixed to his mouth as he suckled her clitoris between his lips.
“Murdoch!” At once, she began coming in a wet rush, her head thrashing.
Never releasing her, he watched as her back arched like a bow, her stiff nipples pointing to the ceiling. He groaned against her even as he sucked.
He wrung every last ounce of pleasure from her, and was still unwilling to give up this prize. Stifling growls, he licked her clean until she had to grip his face and draw him away.
When he finally rose up on his knees, he hissed a curse at how luscious she looked—her pleasured sex slick from her orgasm, her eyes glinting with passion, her hair wild.
