“What does it mean?” he demanded.
“It means you must go back and complete your mission. You must protect her at all costs.” For the first time, irritation tinged the Shadow Lord’s words.
“From what?”
“That is what I must find out.” He crooked his finger and two men strode from the depths of the darkest corner. “Jarda. Aris. You must travel into the Otherworld and find out what you can. Be quick. If you sense danger, return immediately.”
The entire room went still. None of them had ever been to the Otherworld. They’d briefly passed through it when they transitioned from their death to their rebirth as a Shadow Ryder. It was not a place one lingered, lest you be lost or your soul claimed by some other, more powerful entity.
Neither man hesitated. They thumped their fists to their hearts, bowed their heads and turned away. The Shadow Lord turned back to Hadeon. “You will have your answers when I have them.”
Hadeon started to ask another question and stopped cold as a feeling of dread rose over him. He didn’t question the knowledge. Didn’t hesitate.
“Dovina’s in trouble.” He surged into the shadows, throwing himself into them. They closed around him like a thick blanket, almost fighting him rather than helping him, as he clawed his way back to her as quick as he could. He emerged in her room, sword drawn, ready to fight and defend. The room was dark, except for the light coming from the bathroom. Dovina was lying in bed, covers kicked off, moaning softly. She was asleep and she was dreaming. His heart pounded, adrenaline pumped through his veins. Worry and anger quickly turned to arousal when he realized she wasn’t in any immediate danger. He watched as she kicked out at some unseen adversary. Hadeon propped his sword next to the nightstand and shrugged out of his coat, draping it over the nearby chair.
He yanked off his T-shirt and tossed it aside. But he left his pants and boots on. To do otherwise would just be pure torture. Having her naked body against his might prove to be too much of a temptation.
Dovina moaned again, but she didn’t wake as he eased down beside her and gathered her into his arms.
She felt right there, as though she had been made specifically to fit there. It was time to turn her nightmares into something much better.
Hadeon stilled as he heard his name being called. It was Dovina’s voice. But that was impossible. She was asleep, lying right here in his arms. Suddenly, he felt himself being yanked into another realm.
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Chapter Four
Dovina’s lungs constricted as a black mass appeared on the path in front of her. The horseman! She turned and started to run. The horse’s hooves pounded against the ground as he raced after her. The rider’s laughter mocked her.
“You can’t escape me, Dovina. You were meant to be mine.”
She didn’t waste breath trying to answer. She veered off the path and into the woods, hoping to lose him there. Maybe she could find somewhere to hide. Branches tore at her clothing and smacked her face, making her cheeks sting. She kept her arms up as she pushed her way through the thick brush.
She stumbled, falling heavily to the ground. A sharp pain went through her left leg and she cried out. Reaching down, she grabbed her ankle, sucking air into her lungs as the ache gradually lessened.
The world around her was silent. She struggled to sit upright, trying her best to control her breathing. Where was he?
Branches rustled off to her left. Dovina surged to her feet and started to run. It was more of a hop and skip, however, as her ankle throbbed with every step she took. She’d twisted it when she fell. Gritting her teeth, she ignored the growing agony and kept moving.
She heard a noise off to her right and paused. He was playing with her. Trying to herd her in a certain direction. She turned around and began to move back the way she’d come as quietly as possible. She held her breath as she put one foot in front of the other. It was just past dusk and there wasn’t much light, which made it even more difficult. Night was closing in quickly. If she didn’t get out of here soon, she’d be stuck here in the dark with him.
“Come to me, Dovina. Join with me. Give me your light. That’s what your Shadow Ryder wants from you.”
She didn’t respond, but kept moving back in the direction of the path. What did he mean about her light? What light? And what was a Shadow Ryder? She had too many questions and no answers.
A horse nickered off to her left. He’d circled around and was coming back. Dovina began to run again, no longer even trying to be quiet. In her mind, she called out to Hadeon. He’d rescued her once, maybe he would do so again. She broke through the woods, flinging herself down the path. Her ankle was in pure agony with each step she took, but she didn’t stop. The horseman frightened her more than anything else in her life ever had. Somehow, she instinctively knew he was 34
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dangerous and not just in some crazy getting-his-kicks-out-of-scaring-her way. Right now, a deep voice inside her was screaming at her to get away as fast as possible. She frowned. How had she gotten back in the woods anyway? The last thing she remembered was being back in her hotel room. There was something definitely wrong. The moon was full and bright in the sky. That was wrong. Wasn’t the moon waxing? It wouldn’t be full for another week.
A loud noise from the thick woods made her hurry her pace. She limped along as fast as she could. Sweat had her clothing sticking to her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw a huge black horse standing in the center of the bridge. She skidded to a halt. The horse shook his head and began to gallop toward her. There was no rider. What should she do?
The sound of a horse and rider crashing through the woods behind her made up her mind. She had no idea where the second horse had come from, but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She would have laughed at her bad pun if she’d had enough breath to do so.
The black horse came to a halt beside her, his large hooves kicking up clumps of dirt. “Whoa, boy.” She kept her voice low as she approached him. Not that there seemed to be any need to calm him. The horse stood still as stone. Waiting. Dovina had spent several years on her parents’ ranch before leaving home to attend college. She knew her way around horses. Grabbing a handful of the horse’s mane, she jumped, pulling herself up on the creature’s back. It wasn’t a graceful leap by any means. Her arm muscles strained as she heaved herself up. This kind of thing always looked easier in the movies.
Through it all the horse remained steady. Thankfully, the beast had stopped next to a small incline, elevating her enough to allow her to mount him. She didn’t think she’d have been able to make it otherwise.
Her knees squeezed around the horse’s sides as she tightened her grip on his mane.
“Let’s get out of here.” The animal needed no second urging. Whirling around, he began to run.
“She belongs to me.” The horseman’s voice broke across the stillness of the night. Dovina glanced over her shoulder. He was bearing down on them. She thought she could see the outline of a head this time, but she couldn’t be sure with the wind whipping at her face. Her eyes began to water and she returned her attention to the path ahead.
As her horse veered off the road, she could see a low fence in the distance. This was so not good. Jumping was something she’d never done. She tried to get the creature to turn, but he had a mind of his own. Dovina leaned down and wrapped her arms around his thick neck and held on tight.
Her hair flew out behind her like a banner in the wind. She felt the horse’s hindquarters bunch, muscles flexing as he prepared to jump. Then they were airborne, 35
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flying through the night. The jolt when they landed almost sent her tumbling. She tipped to one side. The horse trumpeted his displeasure.
Dovina held on with every ounce of strength she possessed. The last thing she wanted was to be trampled by this huge beast. If she ended up on the ground that was a real possibility. Not to mention the fact
there was a good chance she’d break her neck if she fell. And if none of those things happened, there was still the horseman to contend with.
Her horse slowed somewhat, but was still moving fast. She was finally able to push herself upright. The muscles in her thighs and arms quivered under the strain. She could hear the thunder of hooves behind her. She didn’t look. She couldn’t risk turning around, not with them moving so quickly.
Up ahead, the night seemed to grow darker, as though the shadows were closing in around them. Her horse quickened his pace, soaring through the night. The speed was incredible. If she wasn’t so scared out of her mind, she might have actually enjoyed the ride.
The black stallion jumped suddenly, leaping into the dark. Like thick fog, the shadows closed in around her. Dovina’s heart leapt, her throat constricted. She couldn’t see a thing. It was as though she had her eyes closed even though they were still open. The horseman yelled out something, but she couldn’t make it out. His voice finally faded, lost in the thick haze. Dovina could hear her own breathing as she sucked air into her lungs, but she could hear nothing else, neither the sound of the horse’s hooves on the ground nor his breath. It was as though they were insulated by the shadows, cut off from the rest of the world.
The only thing she could do was hang on to the horse beneath her. He was the only thing solid and stable in this strange landscape. She caught a glimpse of light in the distance and gave a sigh of relief as her mount hurried toward it. She felt the pull of the shadows as they left them behind. Dovina didn’t look back. She was afraid she’d see disembodied hands reaching for her, trying to pull her into the thick, unending mass of darkness.
The moon reappeared and this time it looked normal. She heaved a sigh of relief. She had no idea where she was, but the horseman was nowhere in sight. That was all that mattered. Her horse came to a stop in the middle of a grassy field. In spite of the fact it was late October, the air was warm.
Dovina threw her leg over the side of the horse and slid to the ground. Only her hold on the stallion’s mane kept her from crumpling into a heap. She took several deep breaths. When she was confident her knees wouldn’t give out, she let go. The horse turned and stared at her before trotting off.
“Hey, where are you going?” She felt stupid as soon as she spoke. “Not like he’s going to answer you back.” She watched the magnificent black beast disappear into the woods. “And if he did, you’d have even bigger problems.” When he was gone, she surveyed her surroundings. “How do I find my way home from here?”
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“I can help you with that.”
She shrieked and turned to face the newest threat. As she did so, her abused ankle finally gave out and she fell. Strong arms caught her before she hit the ground. A whiff of leather, man and horse assailed her. She knew that scent. Hadeon.
“Are you all right?” She could see the concern in his eyes as she sat on the grass cradled in his arms. This was a very familiar position.
“This is getting to be a habit.”
A grin flashed across his face so fast she wasn’t sure she actually saw it. “I don’t mind,” he rumbled. His voice was deep and low and sent goose bumps racing down her arms.
“Where are we?” If she could manage to situate herself, she could figure out where to go from there.
“You’re safe.” He ran his hands over her arms and down her legs. There was nothing sexual about his touch, but that didn’t make any difference to her body. Her nipples puckered and when he touched her thighs, she creamed her panties. Arousal fled when his finger lightly squeezed her ankle. “Ouch.”
“How bad does it hurt?” Concern filled his black eyes.
She shrugged, trying to be brave. “It’s not too bad. Probably just a slight sprain.” It was throbbing and aching worse than a toothache, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. He stared at her for a long moment and then wrapped both hands around her ankle. Heat enveloped her skin through her jeans and socks. At first it soothed the ache, but then it got uncomfortable as the heat grew. Before long it was downright hot. She tired to pull her leg from his grip as the pain became unbearable. Hadeon tightened his hold on her. “It will only hurt for a moment. I’m sorry.”
Excruciating pain shot through her and she cried out. Almost at once, the pain began to ease. She sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out.
He released his hold on her and straightened. His gaze was solemn as he used the pad of his thumb to wipe away a lone tear streaking down her cheek. Dovina cautiously rotated her ankle and frowned. She could still feel a twinge, but the pain was almost gone. “What did you do?”
He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his massive chest. “I healed you.”
Well, duh. That much was obvious. “How?” Her enquiring mind wanted to know. He gave his shoulders a negligent shrug. “It doesn’t matter how. It only matters that you’re feeling better.”
She wanted to ask more questions, but he chose that moment to let his hand slide down her arm and over her stomach. The heat from his palm permeated her thin jacket and shirt. Immediately, her thoughts turned to the last time she’d sat in his lap. Her sex clenched in anticipation. What was wrong with her? She needed to get home. 37
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“I’ve got to go.” She started to sit up, but Hadeon shifted, quickly rolling her so that her back was flat on the ground and he was looming over her.
“Stay.” The words were torn from him. He knew this was nothing more than a dream, even if she didn’t. Yet somehow, the horseman had invaded her dreams, threatening her. That had been real. Her injury was real. Thankfully, so was the healing. However, it brought home to him just how vulnerable Dovina was. She wasn’t safe in the night, even in her dreams.
If she awoke, she’d know he was in bed with her and that would lead to a whole other set of problems. The least of which was how he’d gotten into her room since the door was locked. Still was, for that matter.
Now that they’d traveled through the shadows and evaded the horseman, he wanted to hold Dovina in his arms and reassure himself that she was fine. Who was he kidding? He wanted to strip her naked and sate himself with her body. What would she think if she knew the horse she’d ridden was him? He wanted her to ride him again. Except this time he wouldn’t be a horse, they’d both be naked and his cock would be buried inside her welcoming heat.
He’d felt every inch of her body where it had touched his. The horse knew that she was special, to be protected at all costs. But more than that, she’d calmed the restlessness that had plagued him his entire existence. With Dovina he wanted to lay down his sword and rest in her arms. Forever.
Her red hair was loose around her head as she lay on the soft grass and her gray eyes darkened as she watched him. She frowned. He could practically see the questions forming in her nimble brain. He rubbed his finger over the wrinkles between her brow, trying to dispel her growing anxiety.
“I don’t understand this. How did I get here? I was in my hotel room. At least I think I was.” She shook herself and started to sit up again.
“Stay,” he repeated. Leaning down, he captured her mouth with his. She tasted soft and warm and welcoming as her lips parted. He teased the crease with his tongue before surging inside to explore. She whimpered and her hand came up to cup the back of his head, holding him to her.
He levered himself over her, letting her take some of his weight. Her firm breasts brushed against his chest. Even through all the layers of clothing he could feel the firm mounds, soft and welcoming.
Slanting his mouth over hers, he kissed her until they were both breathing heavy, until he couldn’t think straight. He wanted her and he wanted her now. He rolled off her and slowly removed his coat. His weapon harness came next. He carefully laid the sword next to them, at hand should he need it. Next came his T-shirt. He tossed it aside and waited, giving her time to object, to stop him. Dovina stared at him and her throat rippled when
she swallowed. “I don’t understand any of this.”
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“I want you.” He cupped her jaw in his hand, teasing her bottom lip with his thumb. “I want to strip you naked and taste every inch of your flesh. I want to suck your nipples, bury my face between your thighs until you scream with pleasure.”
She swallowed again, her eyes growing darker and wider as he continued.
“Then I want to bury my cock in you and fuck you until both of us are sated.”
She blinked but didn’t run screaming. Hadeon counted that as a victory of sorts. He was a rough soldier, a mercenary, not a smooth knight errant. He took what he wanted. Except this time, he wanted her to give freely, simply because she wanted him. Her gaze lowered until it hit his chest. She gasped, her fingers rising up to touch the tattoo that filled his entire torso.
“It’s the black horse. Like the one I just rode.”
Would she run screaming if he told her that he was the black horse she’d just rode?
He was man and beast combined. In this form, he had all the best characteristics of the horse, its strength and speed, its intelligence. In his horse form, he was able to think and reason like a man.
“This is all just a dream. It has to be.” She feathered her fingers over the tattoo, caressing the horse’s mane. The muscles in his chest rippled. She jerked her hand back, cradling it against her breasts. “It feels like a horse’s mane.” Looking up at him, she appeared confused. “But that’s not possible. It’s just a tattoo.”
At this moment, Hadeon hated the kernel of honor that resided deep in his soul. He couldn’t take her. Not like this. Not until she knew one hundred percent what he was. Sighing, he rested his forehead against hers. “It’s a dream and it’s more than a dream. And I hope I won’t regret this.”
He gathered his sword and coat and concentrated on the thickening shadows. Dovina sucked in a breath as the darkness enveloped them. He kept one arm anchored around her, knowing the shadows frightened her. To him, they were home, a refuge. Once again, their differences were in stark contrast. She was a creature of light. He was one of darkness.
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