Shadows and Stars

by Becca Fanning

  Giggling, Violca leaned up and brushed her lips against his. “How much longer do we have to wait until we can leave?”

  Chase gave her a hungry look before bending down and picking her up into his arms. When they moved into the ballroom doorway, several of the guests clapped, drawing all eyes to them. When the room went quiet, Chase spoke loudly enough that his voice echoed off the walls. “Thank you guys for coming, but if you don’t mind…”

  “Wait!” Angyalka called out, running with Violca’s wedding bouquet in her hand. “She has to throw this first.”

  “Thank you,” Violca whispered, feeling her cheeks heat up, knowing everyone’s eyes were upon them.

  Violca tried not to laugh as Kassandra rounded up all the unmated females near the balcony entrance. Chase turned so his back was to everyone, keeping Violca in his arms while she tossed the bouquet over his shoulder. They heard several squeals and Chase turned around just in time to see the flowers brush one of the girls’ hands before landing in Kassandra’s.

  With one final farewell, Chase carried Violca away. Her head on his shoulder, Violca noticed the moon starting to come out from behind the clouds. Tonight was the perfect night to redo the binding ritual that had joined them together.

  SEVENTEEN

  AFTER TAKING one of the jeeps from the house out into the woods, Chase easily opened the door to the cabin while holding Violca in his arms. Crossing the threshold, Chase used his foot to close the door. The bags they packed were sitting near the door, brought down by one of the guards. The entire cabin had white candles lit everywhere and Chase made a mental note to thank Aithne, who had set up the cabin for them.

  Releasing her legs, he moaned when she slid down his body, until her feet were touching the floor. “Mrs. Reed, I do hope you rested last night,” he teased while nibbling on her lips. “It might be awhile before that happens again.”

  Violca’s lips curved up in a teasing smile as her tongue came out and licked his bottom lip. “Mr. Reed, I have a funny feeling it’ll be a long time before we’ll get more than a few hours.”

  Taking a step back to look at her, he felt his chest swell with pride as his hand came up and gently pushed a stray hair back behind her ear. Violca had showed him the passage about her ancestors’ mating ceremony. He was excited to recite the words that bonded them together tonight under the stars and the light of the full moon. Through his connection, he could feel her excitement as well. Since meeting her, he was whole. Everything he didn’t know he was missing was right there in front of him and every day with her was an adventure.

  She turned and looked at him. “Can you unzip this for me?”

  Nodding, he stepped toward her. The sound of the teeth of her zipper was loud in the silence of the room. Holding the dress up with one hand, she smiled at him. “I’ll be right back.”

  He stood and watched as she headed down the hall. Whatever she had planned, she must have had Aithne’s help with setting it up, since her bag still sat next to the door. He took his jacket off and put it on the back of a chair. Noticing a bottle of champagne chilling next to two glasses and a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries, he picked up the note next to it. “We are so happy for you guys. Have a fantastic honeymoon. Love, Viktor and Aithne.”

  Chase decided to wait until Violca came out of the back before opening the champagne. He walked over to the sliding glass door and found a makeshift bed on one side and a hot tub on the other. Candles were lit everywhere and flower petals that matched Violca’s bouquet were scattered around the patio.

  Chase heard a sound behind him and turned to see Violca standing in the doorway. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes roamed her body. Violca stood in a white silk-and lace nightie that hung to the floor, a slit showing most of one leg. The lace was strategically placed to tease him.

  “Wow,” Chase said under his breath. He smiled when he saw her blush as he walked toward her.

  When he wrapped his arms around her waist, she looked up at him. “You’re now both magically and legally bound to me.”

  Chuckling, he kissed her before taking her hand and leading her to the table to pick up the tray with the champagne and strawberries. “V, I was bound to you long before that,” he said as he led her out onto the makeshift bed on the back porch.

  Violca sat on the edge, a smile playing on her lips, “It’s such a beautiful night.”

  He popped the champagne cork, poured them both a glass, and clanked his glass with hers. “To the first of many.”

  He watched as she took a sip of her champagne, a wicked grin playing on her lips. He brought one of the strawberries up to her mouth, watching as her lips parted to take a bite. She laughed as the chocolate broke up and the strawberry juices ran down her chin. Chase leaned in and licked the trail of juice running from her jaw to her lips, finishing by kissing her and sharing the strawberry. He moaned when Violca nibbled on his fingers. She sucked his index finger as her tongue licked the berry juices off his finger.

  Chase placed the glasses on the ground next to the bed, and brushed his lips against hers. He felt her hands start to undo the buttons on his shirt as he slowly lowered her onto her back. His hand slid up her thigh, pushing up the nightie, and she pushed his shirt off his shoulders in return. He only broke the kiss long enough to toss the shirt to the side of the bed before joining her again.

  Violca smiled as she reached out for him and pulled him back to her. She loved how his hand slid up her thigh. Despite the warm night, a shudder ran up her spine as she held him close; their tongues continued to duel. Her body arched against his and her fingers eagerly undid his pants. His cock sprang free and a giggle escaped her. Even dressed up, Chase wore nothing under his pants and Violca found that to be a complete turn-on.

  Her nightgown pushed up to her waist, Violca felt him settle between her thighs as she continued to stroke him with her fingers. Chase broke the kiss and began to kiss along her jaw, nibbling along her neck until he got to her earlobe. Violca shuddered as he sucked it into his mouth before biting gently. Violca’s fingers tightened around him and he growled. The connection between them let her hear his dragon’s beastly growl in her head: Mine! Violca smiled, giving him better access before whispering Mine! back.

  Violca felt him chuckle as he pulled back to look down at her. His eyes, more gold than brown, made her bite her lip as she reached up and brushed his hair back behind his ear. Violca felt him rock his hips against hers and a moan escaped.

  Pushing down his pants, Violca wiggled under him and felt him pull back more as he took over the job for her. Chase tossed his pants aside before grabbing her nightgown and pulling it up and over her head. Lying back down, Violca looked up at him and felt the light of the moon caressing her skin.

  Violca looked at the moonlight dancing along Chase’s skin, and as she slowly made her way up to his face, she bit her lip when she saw his predatory gaze meeting hers. When he joined her back on the bed his hungry kiss claimed her.

  She put her hand on his chest and pushed him to his back, straddling his hips as she followed him. Violca rocked her hips back and forth and they both moaned as his cock slid between her wet folds. Both of them were more than ready. She broke the kiss to reach between their bodies and guide him into her eager core. His moan echoed hers as his hips came up to meet her.

  Sitting up, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she looked into his eyes. Violca brought her hand up and stroked his jaw. She could feel her teeth throbbing and the voice of her ancestors as they chanted the blessing that would bind them. She could feel Chase’s dragon just below the surface, eager for her to complete the binding.

  “I bind my life with yours. My power and strength belong to you. I am yours now to eternity,” Violca said as she dipped her head to brush her teeth along the column of his neck.

  Chase’s voice was thick with need. “I bind my life with yours. My power and strength belong to you. I am yours now to eternity.” Violca could feel his muscles
under her tighten with effort as he tried to keep himself still while repeating after her.

  With that, they both sank their teeth into the base of the other’s neck just hard enough to break the skin and taste the blood on their tongues. The pleasure was so intense Violca’s fingers curled on his chest. Her hips bucked against him, breaking her hold on his neck while she screamed out in pleasure.

  Chase flipped her to her back and thrust hard into her. Violca rolled from one orgasm to the next, her entire body shaking under him as the heat of his seed filled her.

  She felt his breath on her shoulder as they both started to come down, his body still joined with hers. Blinking her eyes open, she ran her fingers gently up and down his back as he nuzzled her neck. Her eyes went to where she’d bit him and she gently licked at the mark. He did the same to her, and his chest vibrated as he purred.

  A shudder ran down her spine and Violca felt his cock twitch inside her. A soft breeze caressed them as they lay outside. “The connection between us feels…”

  Chase pulled back and looked down at her, brushing the hair from her face. “Stronger,” he finished as he brushed his lips against hers.

  Violca nodded, feeling more connected to his dragon and to him. Looking at his face, she could faintly make out the dragon under his skin and smiled at him. “I love you, Mr. Reed.”

  Chuckling, Chase moved his hips, pulling out before thrusting back into her. “I love you, Mrs. Reed, forever and ever,” he said as they slowly made love again.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Leilani Love is a proud mother of two very active boys. She loves traveling to new places and meeting new people wherever she goes. Thus far, Leilani has visited Paris, DenBosch and Amsterdam and hopes to one-day return. On her next trip she hopes to be able to make stops in Scotland and Italy. Currently residing in California, she has also lived in Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, Virginia, Texas, Washington and Oregon. She loves to read books and has a passion for various genres. Her love affair with dragons began when she was young and she still dreams of having her own dragon and Black Panther. For now, she is content to write about them in her books.

  * * *

  For more books by Leilani Love you can find them on her website: http://leilanilovebooks.com/ or sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/2ATo9mA

  WINTER’S REVELATION

  PARANORMAL REALMS SERIES BOOK ONE

  EVA WINTERS

  Winter’s Revelation Copyright © 2017 by Eva Winters for InPrint Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever including, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblances to real individuals are not intended by the author.

  * * *

  Edited by: Meg Amor

  Proofed by: Em Petrova

  WINTER’S REVELATION

  I should have just said no.

  A bus ride down south seemed to be the perfect escape from the cold and the holiday merry-goers—that is until my best friend decided to come along. That’s when the shit hit the fan. I found myself being dragged into her world…literally.

  My great escape had quickly turned into my entrapment. I was caught somewhere between being fascinated and living out a nightmare—greeted by dangerous adventure, guilty pleasures, paranormal beings, and the unveiling of new revelations.

  The past I had buried came back to life with a vengeance. The love of my life resurfaced, and suddenly my holiday woes weren’t so important. Things was getting heated and the pressure was on.

  It was about survival—and not just mine.

  Old wounds would be opened. Truths would be revealed. And for those of us who survived, life would never be the same.

  * * *

  Welcome to Paranormal Realms.

  PROLOGUE

  WITH RELUCTANCE, I let Soraya drag me through the revolving glass doors of a building far too formal for my taste. There’s a small audience just mingling around, and I’m thinking this is way out of my league. Her idea of an entertaining, virtual experience, is much different from what I imagined. A game room, 3D shades, oversized stereo gaming headsets, and a few quarters for the machine is more of what I had in mind. What I’m seeing rather, are fancy devices, stiff faces, and plastered on smiles. This is not what I consider a fun day out. But hey, we do what we must for the ones we love, right?

  “Welcome to Paranormal Realms where you create the rules. Whether you’re in the mood for suspense, mystery, romance, or all of the above, we’ll make your supernatural dreams come true.”

  The brunette who greets us is too smooth for my taste. People with personalities like hers were born for sales and can make a rock look like a diamond. It’s a good thing I’m not fronting the bill although I probably should have contributed something, considering it’s Soraya’s birthday. But on a librarian’s salary, I couldn’t even if I wanted to, which I absolutely do not.

  Nervousness is in full effect and my heart is racing. I can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I made a promise, and I keep my word. Although, I’m starting to wonder if Soraya’s timing wasn’t calculated to play on my emotions. She knew I’d never let her celebrate her birthday alone, and she’s just broken up with Liam, her boyfriend of two years. Glancing over at her, she doesn’t appear torn about it now. Anyway, I’m here so I’ll go along with it.

  We’re escorted to a couple of chairs scattered around the room. The poised woman in white who greeted us sits opposite us on the other side of the small table. The way she speaks, her demeanor, everything about her is calming, and she makes it all sound so reasonable.

  She takes our names and swipes her finger over the tablet she’s holding. “I have you down for our 48-hour, paranormal virtual experience, with adventure, passion, excitement.” Her recap is spot-on with the exception of one thing.

  “You can leave out the romance.” One bad relationship in a lifetime is enough for me. Whether it’s real or virtual doesn’t matter.

  “I don’t think so, babe. I’m paying, and we agreed. I get to choose one element of your experience, and I pick romance. My birthday…my decision, remember?”

  Sighing, I lean back in my seat and comb a hand through my hair.

  “Fine.” Pushing myself forward, I point a finger at Soraya, my best friend and the deviant who talked me into this. “But you’re going to owe me in a major way.”

  She gives me a sly grin, placing a finger to her lips.

  The escort clears her throat. “Well then, shall we proceed? By the way, my name is Trinity.” Stepping aside, she extends her arm in the direction I assume we’re headed into.

  With no urgency, I stand and wait to follow her lead.

  I’m brought back first. Everything from the floors, to the ceiling, to the almost nonexistent wall décor, is white. I feel like I should be walking barefoot, and I’m careful not to touch anything, though the electronics junkie in me wants to. Some of the stuff we pass looks way cool but some of it looks outright scary. The mirrored walls make it impossible to see behind the closed doors. My imagination is running wild and I wish I could get a glimpse of what’s inside.

  Trinity must sense my thoughts. “It’s all for privacy. The rooms are designed the same, in a way to offer comfort while giving you the best possible experience. Everything we do here is safe. We’ve been in business for years and have thousands of clients, all satisfied.”

  Feeling a sudden chill, I wrap my arms around my upper body. “It’s cool in here.”

  The farther we walk down the long hallway, the colder it gets. There’s a familiar smell. It’s not overbearing, only one I recognize because I’ve smelled it before—Iodoform. It was the same disinfectant used in the hospital where I volunteered as a teenager.

  “Yes, it needs to be on the cooler side for the protection of the equipment, but you’ll be
kept comfortable when you go under.”

  Go under, shit! Am I really doing this?

  In the past I’ve been talked into doing some crazy stuff, but this could easily go down in history as being the most insane of them all. Come to think about it, I hadn’t done anything yet, which means I could still leave now if I acted fast.

  She continues with her spiel, while navigating the screen on her fancy tablet. In the meantime, I’m assessing the distance from where I am to the door, wondering if I can somehow make a break for it, maybe say I’m going to the restroom. The long walk from the front to the back, all the twists and turns, maybe this place was designed to trap people like me—skeptics.

  I brush off the thought, knowing it’s silly. It wouldn’t fly with Soraya—she knows me too well, and is probably already anticipating me plotting my getaway.

  Think of the devil, and she appears. She slides up beside me with her handler. I can’t see any reason why we couldn’t have just walked back together.

  “Hey, girly, are you good?”

  I narrow my gaze at Soraya. Is she for real? “I’m not the least bit good, far from it. This is crazy. How did you hear about this place anyway?” I ask again, as if her response will be different this time and clear up all my doubts.

  Huffing, she places a hand on her waist. “For the tenth time, one of my regulars told me about it. They’ve been here twice and swear it’s worth it. Anyway, you promised you’d try it, so no backing out now.”