In the Beginning...

by Calle J. Brookes

  A marriage ceremony is entirely unnecessary between those of our Kind. But if you would like one, I’m sure one could be arranged. A white dress—you look beautiful in white. I’ll even let the puppy here give you to me!

  Never going to happen! She paused a moment, and he got the sense that she was rinsing the soap out of that long mass of hair. He fought the urge to close his eyes and moan. He’d wanted to do that for her. Cormac?

  The moan was harder to bite back. Yes, female of mine?

  I need some clothes. I can’t come out in front of my father in just a towel. He’ll know…that…you and I…

  This time he laughed aloud. He already knows. He already knows.

  ****

  Josey felt her face flame, and she tipped her head into the stream of water, hoping to cool her embarrassment.

  Her father had never caught her with a man. Not even when she’d been in high school. She had dated occasionally as a teen, until the attack on Mal. After that she’d focused on her studies so that she could be the best doctor she possibly could. She’d only dated once in a while when in college, as well. She’d only slept with two men in her entire life, and both of those had been longer term relationships.

  And now her father had basically caught her doing the naughty in a shower with the freaking vampire man?

  How was she to face him? She wasn’t even sure that she wanted to face herself. She rinsed the shampoo from her hair, then toweled off quickly. Are you bringing me clothing, or not?

  I’m getting it. Although… Although what?

  There’s nothing that says you have to wear underwear, right? You don’t really need one of these ridiculous scraps of silk between your legs, do you?

  Oh, god! Just bring me some clothes! Anything!

  How about I bring you what I want you to wear, and that I want to take off of you tonight? His lechery was more than readily apparent in his tone. The fire in her cheeks burned even hotter.

  Until she realized what he was trying to do.

  She hadn’t thought of the elhydra even once since he’d carried her into the shower. Hadn’t felt the debilitating fear and helplessness that had had her shaking like a leaf when he’d first carried her to the suite.

  Damn him, he’d been distracting her.

  She felt her heart soften toward him, just a little.

  ****

  Her father avoided looking at her for a moment, his own cheeks red. From anger at the vampire man, or from the same embarrassment Josey still felt?

  Josey tapped him on his knee before sinking to the chair opposite him. She tapped her head against her forehead, beginning signing. "Daddy, how is my sister?" She ended with her fists together and index fingers extended in the symbol for sister.

  Her father looked at her then, and spoke. "She is fine, better. Barlaam has her and is caring for her. I think that makes her happy."

  Sadness was in his eyes. Because of what had happened to her sister, or something else?

  She continued signing, "What bothers you?"

  "Besides losing both my daughters to Dardaptoans? That I have done nothing but fail to keep you both safe? I will be ok, kiddo. I promise. I just want to check on you."

  Josey nodded then signed again. "I am fine. Better and safe."

  Her dad nodded. "I'll leave you alone, then. I want to check on Jade before dinner. I think she will probably sleep the rest of the afternoon and evening."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Cormac stared at the boy in front of him, wanting nothing more than to rip the throat from the traitor and feed it to Aodhan's wolf Tajic. Only that he had promised the boy be given a fair trial kept him from doing just that.

  Rydere's cousin, young Jambu, had confessed to paying the Redd Gothan pack to attack Jierra. To kill her. Cormac did not understand it—Jambu and Jierra were age mates, had been close friends all of their lives. Why would the boy do that?

  He spit on the traitor, then stormed away. If he stayed in Rydere's office with the boy much longer he would kill him.

  Aodhan stood outside, guarding the Dahr like he always had. Like he always would. He stared at Cormac for a moment. "Have you the desire to kill him, I cannot say I would stop you."

  "Despite what my female thinks, I am a civilized man. I gave my word to the Dahr that I would not interfere with a trial, despite it being my right to demand blood payment for my female and my House." And he had made that promise when the demon attached to his sister had first appeared, young Jambu in tow. The demon had found Jambu in discussions with the Redd Gothan pack, found him arguing about payment for services rendered. Apparently, Jambu had not wanted to pay the Lupoiux mercenaries for attacking a blonde woman. Because the beasts had attacked the wrong woman. It was supposed to be his niece.

  Jambu's reasons had yet to be identified. But the Dahr would not stop until he got those reasons. When he did, he would release that information to Cormac. Let him know if any other threat existed to his woman or his House. Until then, security for all of the Jareth House had been tightened.

  He wasn't letting anything else happen to his female, his sister, or his niece. What had already happened to them was enough.

  The damned demon had taken his little sister to an entirely different realm. He understood why she had accompanied him, he honestly did. But that didn’t mean he had to like having her out of his sight. Didn’t have to like knowing someone else was responsible for her safekeeping. And she’d be gone for goddess only knew how long. That didn’t sit well with him at all. And he’d never been to the demon world of Relaklonos. If he had to go there to retrieve her, he wouldn’t have the faintest idea where to begin.

  His feet carried him down the hall that ran beneath the hotel and toward the Healers’ Hall.

  He needed his female. Needed the reassurance that she was whole, and alive, and…safe.

  He didn’t knock when he approached her office, didn’t even think to. She looked up when the vibration of his footsteps reached her.

  Woman, have you eaten lunch yet?

  You know, just because I can’t hear you knock doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the appearance of courtesy. Her words were cross, but her tone mild. She looked up at him, green eyes studying him for a moment. Something is bothering you. What’s happened now?

  Nothing has happened. Except that blasted demon has taken my sister out of this realm.

  I always knew Rathan would be an out-of-this-world kind of date. Don’t tell me you didn’t know? They told me yesterday. Kindara wants me to take over her research here, while she sends me information from there.

  No. I didn’t know. If I had, I wouldn’t have given my permission!

  She’s four hundred years old, I hardly think she needs permission from her brother to do anything. Besides, Rathan’s not going to let anything happen to her.

  Cormac banged his hand against the desk. The gesture startled her and she jumped from the vibrations that shook the piece.

  The expression she shot at him had him feeling about three feet tall. I don’t have to like it.

  She still eyed him like he was a garden slug. No. You don’t. But you have to accept it…just like…

  Cormac sat on the corner of her desk, only inches away from her. Like what?

  Like I have to accept that my sister thinks she’s in love with Barlaam. I guess she’s staying with him in his suite, now. Sleeping with him. Everything. So quick. She’s ok with all of this already.

  Lucky bastard. His Rajni proves less stubborn than mine own.

  He easily heard her gasp within his head. He laughed, releasing some of the tension filling him.

  Just more discerning. Besides, Barlaam is a nice man. A good person.

  You want nice and good? I can be nice and good. I can make it nice and good for you.

  I’m sure you think you can. Sex is just an act, you know. Physical reactions to physical stimulations. Biology. Nothing special.

  Not when done correctly. We would do it correctly. I’d make sur
e of it. But come. First we shall eat.

  He held out his hand to her, waiting to see what she would do. She placed her smaller hand in his, and he released his breath slowly. She touched him more easily now. Seemed almost unaware of the contact her skin made with his. He had slept holding her the night through the previous evening, her blonde head tucked under his chin. She’d been unaware of that, as well.

  But Cormac was always aware of her touches. Always would be. He acted before he thought it through, standing and yanking his female into his arms. His lips covered hers, and he heard her squeak in his head. She pushed against him for a moment, then stopped. Her hands clung to the material of his vestis. Her mouth softened beneath his.

  She kissed him back. Thank the goddess. This was what he needed. He lifted her and spun them both, putting her ass on the desk he’d given her. It was hundreds of years old and sturdy enough to hold them both. See, female? I can make it good for both of us. If you would only allow me. We are meant to do just this.

  He felt her resistance wavering, but somehow she pulled it around to cloak herself. Her hands pushed instead of clung. Get off me, you lunatic. I am not going to sleep with you because some weird physiology or some hypothetical, mythological being decrees it.

  How about because I decree it? Would you sleep with me then?

  No. Now get off me.

  Cormac stepped back, then offered her a hand up. Her hair was disheveled from his fingers, and he did his best to right it. She grew impatient and pushed his hand away. I’ve got it. What was it you wanted?

  To take my female to lunch before I have to join the Dahr in yet another meeting about Dardano’s security. So come. I know you must be hungry by now. I can offer you a vein or we can go to one of the restaurants here in the building.

  I want real food. I can’t just… Her face was red, and her eyes confused when she looked at him. At his neck.

  Can’t just walk up to me and feed from me like you did last eve in the shower? In our suite? Why not? We are alone here. And it is perfectly natural between mates. I will provide all your blood needs for the rest of our lives. What is so strange about that?

  It’s just not… she shrugged her confusion. Unreal, still.

  I know. It’s not what you are used to, baby. But you will get there. Cormac felt a rush of tenderness so great when he saw the gesture. A tenderness he hadn’t felt for her before. Was this overwhelming warmth of emotion a normal part of being Rajnis? He had felt a gamut of emotions for her since the moment he’d first touched her—anger, sadness, lust, fear, protectiveness, possessiveness. But had he felt this tenderness for her before?

  This time when he touched her it was only to hug her to his chest. He kissed her forehead. Feed from me if you wish, my love. Or not, if that is what you wish. We can have our version of pizza. It has a beautiful type of nutty cheese that was perfected in the sixth century. You will like it, I promise. Come.

  She was still in his arms for a very long moment. Then Cormac’s knees almost went out from under him. Her mouth pressed against his neck and he felt her tongue brush against his pulse. Once. Twice. Then again. You do taste nice.

  Her words were soft in his mind, while her fangs were sharp on his neck. He locked his knees and braced his arms beside her on the desktop. Her legs slipped around his waist as she pulled him closer.

  Go ahead. Take what you need from me.

  It’s weird. But not as gross as I thought it would be. She wasn’t focused on what she was saying. He had no difficulty reading her inattention. Her teeth sank deep. How did you know this was what I needed? I didn’t even know.

  I wish I could say it was because a Rajni always knows. But I can’t. I had hoped. Most females need to feed every week or so, some can go several weeks in between. Depends on their activity level and metabolism. Since you are still healing, you need more. And I can give it. And all that you need.

  I still get so tired. Don’t tell anyone.

  I already know. Kindara said it was because you are most likely anemic. It is my job—my right—to fix that. And we start now. Plus… Plus what?

  That feels so damned good, what you are doing with your tongue!

  ****

  Josey felt a thrill curl through her at his words. She knew he desired her. How could she not? His body was pressed against hers, and the evidence of what he wanted was hard to miss.

  What would it hurt to give him what he wanted? Who or what was stopping her? She licked his skin again; he shivered against her.

  She had this great, strong, superior male trembling because her lips were on him. How could she hold out against that?

  Maybe she should.

  She continued to feed from him, closing her eyes and snuggling into him. Somehow the feel of him just holding her mattered more than anything else. When was the last time she’d truly been held by someone who loved her? Something more than what a father or sister or other relative would offer? Someone who wanted to hold her for reasons other than a blood connection?

  Of course, they had a blood connection between them. His blood flowed through her body, making her as much his as she was her father’s. But in an entirely different way.

  That thought had her pulling away. She wiped her mouth delicately, catching a stray drop of crimson.

  His eyes followed her finger and she watched as the color turned to hot gold with lust. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and raised her hand to his lips. He licked her finger, then sucked it deep into his mouth. The curl of his tongue on her skin had her shivering this time.

  He pulled her hand back, then his head descended. He covered her lips with his. Josey sank her fingers into the dark brown curls over his ears and pulled him closer.

  Why was she denying herself what was hers by what the books said was hers by right?

  ****

  He felt her acquiescence and knew that now was what he had been waiting for. It didn’t matter that they were in a fifteen by fifteen foot office, that the only furniture was the desk his grandfather had made plus a few chairs and bookshelves. A computer. All that mattered was that his woman was finally ready for him.

  His hand slipped under her vestis and splayed across her back. His fingers reached from shoulder blade to shoulder blade, reminding him of how delicate she was beneath his hands. Delicate despite her stubborn spirit.

  She wore a bra of silk and satin, and his fingers played with the straps gently as he continued to explore his female’s mouth. Her neck. Can I touch you?

  I think you already are.

  You know what I mean. Can I touch you…everywhere?

  You’re asking permission? Her hands didn’t wait, running around the muscles of his chest. He’d noticed before that she’d liked looking at him without his vestis. She’d shown an inordinate amount of interest in the tattoos that covered his chest, seemingly fascinated by the different marks and colors.

  Maybe he would get a design that mingled her eyes and his House symbol? He would do that.

  Not really. Just preparing you for what is about to happen.

  I know what’s about to happen. I’m not a virgin, you know. He stilled for a moment. Let’s not go there. Or I’ll be tempted… To what?

  To find every man you’ve been with and kill him.

  You wouldn’t really. Her tone was only mildly surprised. Distracted. It wouldn’t be right. And it’s not as if I knew you, then.

  I will let them live. If you kiss me again. And if I can take this off. He tugged at the vestis once. Can I?

  She nodded, leaned back slightly. Her eyes burned into his. Cormac had never seen green so hot, so beautiful, as the green of her eyes in that moment. He slipped the material over her head. He flung the garment to the desk behind her.

  Her bra was as green as her eyes, and he touched the silk with hands that could only be described as reverent. His hands shook. He felt the flesh beneath the silk pucker as his fingers grazed over the tops. She shivered again and he felt the movement beneath his palm. H
e cupped her, squeezed lightly. Beautiful. She was as beautiful as the first time he’d seen her, when she’d done her unknowing striptease for him in the little home she’d shared with her sister.

  Goddess, why had it taken them so long to get to this point?

  He lifted her to sit on the edge of the desk; she was so light in his grasp. Her arms slid around his waist and she tugged him closer, humming sweet little hums in her throat. Sounds he doubted she was aware she was making.

  Her face looked soft and beautiful. Her lips were swollen and wet. She was his.

  He started to lower his head to taste the skin of her neck, and lower.

  A knock sounded on the door to her office, and he reared back, cursing roundly.

  He knocked into her desk chair, sending it clattering across the floor.

  She jerked away, surprise and shock on her face.

  Someone’s knocking on the door. He called out, telling whomever waited that he’d be there in a moment, and grabbed her vestis from the desk where he’d dropped it. Hurry. Get dressed.

  Oh god! She yanked the tunic over her head, then righted it around her waist. How’s my hair?

  He let out a snort. Fine. Still braided like you had it. I don’t like it braided.

  And that matters now because…? She paused what she was doing long enough to give him a flabbergasted look. She shook her head at him.

  It doesn’t. It’s just that your hair should always be down so I can touch it. So he could wrap his hands in it, bury his face in the sweet smell of his woman.

  Just answer the damned door!

  Yes, dear.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  He answered the door, surprised to see Aodhan and Theo both standing outside the door. Their grave faces told him something was wrong.

  “What is it?” He pulled the door back so the two men could step into the office. Whatever business they’d come on didn’t need to be advertised in the populate Healers’ Hall.