Freeing a Tiger's Soul (Tiger Series)

by Anderson, Amanda

  “Aye I do and I am grateful for yer friendship, but I am fine. I need this to make sure she is safe and she needs it too. Ye ken well the torment of needing yer mate and being denied.”

  Darren nodded and walked out of the chamber. The others filed out too leaving Krisi alone with Euan for the first time.

  7

  Euan stared in fascination at the tiny creature he held in his arms. She had pushed the darkness back enough for him to control it. He knew that she held it and that it would tire her soon, but she was willing to try. That meant more to him than he could express. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her.

  “I know what ye are up to lass and it’ll nay work.”

  Krisi looked up startled to find mirth dancing in Euan’s eyes.

  “I ken you want my body lass, but I hardly know a thing about ye and I am not as easy as all that.”

  She let a breathless laugh escape her lips.

  “You are an impossible man! Can’t you see when a woman is in need?” She smiled up at him and wallowed in his touch.

  “Aye. I can see that ye are sufferin’. I suppose I could ease yer sufferin’ a bit. What would you like me to do with ye lass?”

  Euan heard his voice roughen and he felt a wave of desire crash in on him.

  “I want all of you Euan. I want all you can give to me.”

  He groaned. “Are ye sure lass. ‘Tis true that we ken very little about one another. I can wait for ye lass. I will do anything ye need me to do, but I don’t want ye to feel rushed in our passion. We have countless years to love. There is no rush in the starting.”

  “I feel a need to have it done Euan. I want to belong to you heart and soul, body and mind. I want you to finish the mating. It will strengthen our bond and make it easier to help you with your burden.”

  “Nay! I’ll not do this because of my illness!”

  He released her and paced away. He ran his hands through his hair and froze when he caught sight of the fiery color. He looked up astonished and saw the smile on Krisi’s lips.

  “You do have the look of your brother with that shade atop your head.”

  Euan was amazed. His hair had been as dark as night for fifteen years. How could it have changed so quickly? His eyes met Krisi’s again and he saw that hers were glowing with desire.

  “You are a very handsome man Euan. I would like to love you now. Will you let me?”

  He walked to her and gathered her in his arms.

  “Aye.”

  He could say no more as his lips devoured Krisi’s. He felt his manhood pulse with need and he pressed it firmly to her soft belly. She moaned and he began divesting her of her garments. In moment she stood before him gloriously naked and shivering with her want.

  “Please Euan. I am afraid.”

  He pulled her in close again and spoke against her neck.

  “There is naught to fear in loving lass. I’ll love ye so well that ye’ll feel naught but bliss.”

  He laid her on the bed and quickly removed his own simple garments. She gasped when she saw him in all his glory standing by the bed. She moved over so there would be room for him on the mattress and he sank down beside her.

  Euan pulled Krisi into his heavily muscled arms and kissed her lips. Then he worshiped her face. He planted small tender kisses on each eyelid and then her nose. His hands explored the glory of her body as he continued to taste her flesh. She moaned as his callused hand rubbed over her breasts and down to her soft belly. He pulled away and met her eyes as he probed her core and found her soaked and burning hot.

  He smiled and kissed her lips. He spoke gently between kissed as he pushed his thick digit into her most private place.

  “Ye’re ready for me already Krisi. Can ye feel your slick cream coating my hand?”

  “Yes!”

  “I want to feel it on my shaft love. Are ye ready for me to love ye now?”

  Krisi’s rounded fingernails dug into Euan’s shoulders as she tried to understand what he was doing to her.

  “I need yer answer Krisi lass. I’ll not love ye if ye do not want me to.”

  Krisi pushed her hips against Euan’s hand and moaned when his finger was forced deeper within her. His hot mouth traveled to the pale column of her neck and laved the mark he had made earlier.

  Krisi shuttered as Euan’s tongue traced the mark on her neck. When his teeth bit down again she screamed her assent in ecstasy and began to twist in his hold. She felt rather than heard the low rumbling growl that vibrated in his chest and she quickly found herself pinned to the bed by his massive weight.

  Euan nudged Krisi’s knees apart with his own and settled himself between her slim thighs.

  He never took his mouth from her skin as he allowed the head of his shaft to caress her tender folds. He moved from her neck to her plump breasts and he wanted to devour her.

  Her little pink nipples were as hard as pebbles and he felt his body tingle when he took one stiff peak into the heated depths of his mouth. He gently pinched the other and was rewarded by the scent of her deepening desire. She was on fire for him and he hungered for the taste of her sweet cream.

  His hand roamed from her breast and down her gently rounded belly until he found her nest of silver curls. Her thighs quivered around his hips as his fingers began to explore her soft pink folds anew. He suddenly wanted to see her. He sat back on his heels and held her legs open when she went to close them.

  “Let me see ye Krisione. Let me see the woman you are for me alone.”

  He met her eyes and did not move until she nodded slowly. His heated gaze traveled over her body until it landed on the apex of her thighs.

  Krisi was drowning in desire. Her only salvation was Euan and what he was doing to her. She gasped when she felt his wide finger slip through her curls and across the engorged bundle of nerves. He smiled faintly and continued his explorations.

  Euan wanted to latch on to Krisi’s ripe little bud when she gasped and bucked into his hand, but he refrained. He knew this was all new to her and he knew that he had to prepare her carefully so he would not hurt her. He grasped both thighs and used his thumbs to open her soft pink flower.

  “Aye Lass. Open for me and let me see yer beauty.” He looked up and smiled.

  “Do ye ken how beautiful ye are here Krisi?” He said as he ran one finger along her folds and gathered her thick cream on his finger.

  She gasped again and shook her head vigorously.

  “Aye ye are and I’d bet ye taste sweeter than honey too. Will ye let me have a taste of yer honey Krisi?”

  He waited tense until she opened her mouth.

  “Yes! Anything you want. I am yours.”

  Euan felt a rush of power and lowered his head. He lapped at the exquisite cream that coated her glistening lips and wanted to groan as the rich flavor burst on his tongue. He plunged his tongue deep inside her needing more of her taste to sustain him. She writhed beneath him and he knew she was close. He pulled his tongue from her snug passage and made circles around her swollen nub with the stiff tip of his tongue. Then he captured it with his lips and suckled hard.

  Krisi screamed and bucked as Euan suckled her feminine core. She wanted to tell him to stop, that it was too much, but she had no words. The world exploded in a blinding flash of color and she was floating.

  She felt Euan shift above her and she felt the tip of his massive shaft begin to probe her tender opening. She didn’t have the strength to cry out when she felt the proof of her innocence being torn away. All she could do was lie under this powerful man and accept him into her most protected core. She felt her desire rekindling as Euan began to move within her. She opened her eyes to find him watching her with the flames of desire flickering in his dark gaze.

  “Are ye well love?” He growled.

  “Yes!” Krisi gasped and it was all Euan needed.

  Her words empowered Euan and he quickened his pace. Before he knew it he was pounding into his fragile little mate with more force tha
n he thought prudent. He slowed and she moaned in protest.

  “I should nay be so rough with ye lass. Let me slow down and love ye easy.”

  “No! Love me as you were. Please Euan. I am so close.”

  Euan’s control snapped and he growled deep in his chest as he began to pound into her again. Her breathy little moans only fed the flames of his desire. When her inner muscles clamped down on him, milking him, he roared in triumph as he poured his seed into her womb.

  It seemed to take forever for Euan to empty himself into Krisi. He had fifteen years of pent up desire and he thought he had spent it all in one release. He groaned and collapsed on her as he tried to regain his breath.

  Krisi welcomed the weight of her mate and wrapped herself around him. He had given her the most exquisite experience of her life and she wanted to savor it a while longer.

  “Lass. I must be crushing ye.” He said in a low voice.

  “No. I like the feel of you.”

  She felt his smile against her throat.

  “’Tis a fortunate thing, for ye’ll be feeling it for many years to come.” He pushed himself against her and was rewarded by her breathless gasp.

  A loud knock on the door brought them back to reality. Euan growled loudly and Krisi was not shocked when the heavy door flew open and James McKenzie burst into the room.

  “What have ye done Krisi? Why would you bind yourself to him? He is all but mad!”

  James was breathing hard and completely ignoring Euan.

  Euan growled again and when he spoke his words were garbled with his growling.

  “Leave here wolf or we will end the peace that has lasted so long.”

  Krisi grasped Euan by the arms.

  “Listen to me Euan. He does not understand what is happening to you. He is my friend and seeks to protect me.”

  “Nay!” Euan leapt from the bed and Krisi cried out in pain as he was dislodged from her too quickly. He looked down at her in puzzlement before he focused on James.

  James could see the evidence of Krisi’s sacrifice in the blood that was smeared on Euan’s rigid shaft.

  “Did ye have to be so cruel? She was an innocent and ye took her like a common whore!”

  “No! James, he was exceedingly gentle!”

  “You will leave here wolf. My mate needs no protection from you. I will protect her from any foe.”

  “Even yourself Euan? Can you protect her from yourself?”

  Euan narrowed his eyes on the man that stood before him. He flinched when Krisi’s small hand flattened against his massive chest. She stood gloriously naked between him and his enemy. He wanted to rip James McKenzie apart for interrupting them. He wanted to gouge out the man’s eyes for looking upon her beauty, but he only stood while she spoke.

  “James. I am unharmed and I think you have overstepped here. I think you would be angered if someone interrupted you and your mate’s first time together. I think you should leave us and I will see you later at the evening meal. Is Courage with you?”

  James softened at the sound of his mate’s name.

  “Aye, she is. She will be please for ye Krisi. You are precious to us and I hope you are happy with what you have done.”

  Her smile was radiant when she met Euan’s hostile gaze.

  “I am overwhelmed with joy.”

  James nodded and closed the door as he left them alone again.

  Krisi threw herself into Euan’s arms and tried to calm her breathing. She looked up to find Euan’s hair darkening. She pushed into his mind and found that he was waging a battle against his rage and he was losing.

  He squeezed her once more before he spoke.

  “Leave me Krisi. I am weakening and I will not risk yer safety. Hurry!”

  He pushed her to the door and pulled it open. She stood naked in the hall staring at the closed door.

  “Lock the door Krisi! Please hurry lass.”

  Her hands shook as she reached for the heavy iron key and placed it in the lock. As soon as the lock clicked in the door she heard a pitiful whimper coming from the other side. Then there was a crash and she felt the door shutter. She stepped back as she heard Euan’s snarled words.

  “Get away from me! Can’t you see what you have done? Do you enjoy my pain? You bring this torment to me with your presence!”

  Tears streamed down her face as she ran down the hall to the stairs that lead to her chamber. She was stopped by a pair of roughened hands and clasped against a wide chest.

  8

  “Krisi? What happened? Are ye alright Lass?” Deaglan asked as he held the fragile woman in his arms. He felt slightly uncomfortable with her naked skin against his, but he endured it in order to comfort her. He lifted her and carried her shivering form up the stairs and into her chamber. He sat her down just inside the open portal.

  “Now what is it?” He asked gently.

  “He didn’t mean it. I know he didn’t mean it.” She sobbed as she felt his warm hand on her back.

  “Nay lass he does not ken what he says when the darkness takes hold.” He lifted her chin and smiled down into her beautiful blue eyes. He heard a gasp and turned to find Angelica watching him with an ashen face.

  “How could you?” She whispered in a voice filled with grief.

  Deaglan was puzzled for a moment and then he realized what the girl must think.

  “Angel my love ye ken there is naught here. Why would ye think there ever could be?” He smiled at his young mate, but his smile faded quickly with her next words.

  “Don’t lie to me! I smell you on her and I smell sex.” She hissed. “How did you? I thought it could not be done once a man found his mate, but you have found a way!” She stopped and her face grew paler. “Unless I am not your true mate.” Her eyes were round and filled with tears as she looked from Krisi to Deaglan. “Why didn’t you tell me? How could you let me throw myself at you every day and know that I am not truly to be yours? I feel so stupid!” Angelica choked on a sob and when Deaglan went to her she ran.

  “Angelica! Please! It is not what is seems. We are mated.” He finished in an anguished whisper. “I am sorry for that Krisi. You have enough problems without my little mate accusing you unjustly. I will speak with her now.”

  “I understand her feelings and I would have reacted in a similar way had it been Euan with another woman. Go to her Deaglan.”

  Krisi wrapped her arms around her shivering body and walked to her bed. She wept bitter tears until her eyes were swollen. She drifted to sleep and didn’t wake until the sun was shining brightly through her window.

  She rose from her bed and poured water into a basin. She washed and found that the remnants of her mating were still on her thighs. She scrubbed them away and wondered if Deaglan had convinced Angelica of his innocence or if she was still angry with him. She dressed and made her way to the hall to break her fast. She found it empty. She turned in a circle searching for a sign of anyone, but she saw no one, not even a servant scurried through the halls.

  She made her way into the baily and found that only a few peasants milled around the baily. She stopped one and asked where the inhabitants of the castle were. She was told that the lady Angelica was missing and that everyone had gone in search of her, all that were able anyway. She knew what that meant. The tigers and the wolves had gone in search of the girl, but she was only a Fairborn and worthless in this. She hung her head as tears stung her eyes. She made her way to the tower room where her mate had been housed and found the door open and the room empty. They had even allowed Euan to search for the missing girl, but they hadn’t even seen fit to inform her of the situation.

  It would always be like this she realized. There would be great hunts and grand adventures that she would not be able to share in because she was not one of them. Could she stand it? The isolation and the loneliness? Her pain from the night before closed in around her and she sank to the bed where Euan had loved her so gently. She curled into his blankets and slept.

  Krisi woke
to the dimness of the room and a gnawing hunger. She hadn’t eaten since the noon meal the day before and she was in need of some nourishment. She stood and tried to straighten her tunic when a faint light caught her eye. She looked up to find her father sitting in the chair near the window.

  Her face broke into a huge smile when he stood and opened his arms to her.

  “How did you get here?”

  “I am always here when you are in need child. You should know that.”

  “I do need you.” Her voice was choked and her father frowned and lifted her chin.

  “What has happened here child? The place is deserted. I had to use my powers to find you for there was no one to direct me.”

  Krisi sat in a chair beside her father and explained the events that had happened the past few days. He listened intently and made no comment until she was finished. He nodded then and closed his eyes. His lips moved faintly and Krisi knew he was calling for Karic and his infinite wisdom. When his eyes opened they glowed with intensity.

  “I am to take you to Stewart castle. There are those there who will help you in your troubles.”

  Krisi nodded. “I should not leave Euan. We are planning to go to Stewart Castle anyway. I should wait and go with him.”

  “No. We will leave now. It appears that these creatures care very little about your wellbeing. I will remove you now. Perhaps your mate will realize his error and learn from it.”

  Krisi nodded knowing she could not win an argument with her father alone. She turned and led him to her room where she found a piece of velum and wrote a not to Euan. She left it in his room and followed her father to baily where his horse stood unattended. He frowned and stalked to the stable where he found Krisi’s horse. Krisi watched her ageless father saddle her mount and lead him out to her. They were mounted and riding away before she remembered her hunger. Sighing in resignation she settled I to suffer in silence.

  “Krisi.”

  She looked to her father who was smiling faintly at her. He handed her a small bundle and she took it. Unwrapping it she found a warm piece of bread and a small wedge of cheese. She turned a startled look on him and he turned to watch the road again.