by P. C. Cast
She flattened her palm against his chest, exactly as she’d wanted to do all these months while watching him. His heart beat, fast and hard. “Maybe we remind each other of what we were like, before. Unafraid, untainted. Maybe we see the future in each other and the past ceases to matter.”
He didn’t reply, which disappointed her. Instead, he settled her onto the blankets and sat up, which angered her. Did he not want a future with her? Was that what his silence signified? Did he—
He traced a fingertip along her spine, and she shivered. “All healed,” he said huskily. “And now, all mine.”
Thank the gods. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if he’d rebuffed her as she’d once done him.
“Make love to me, Zane.” She’d never been with a man of her choosing. Never given herself completely. She was suddenly desperate to know what that was like. With this man. Only this man, who was surely a gift from the heavens, even amid her curse. “Please.”
7
Zane flipped Nola to her back so that she was peering up at him. A gasp escaped her, but she didn’t try to scramble away, even though he loomed above her, dressed in his blood-splattered battle clothes while she was naked.
Her breasts were small but firm, perfectly tipped with hard pink nipples. Her stomach was flat, her skin sun-kissed and smooth. He could see every ridge of her ribs and knew she hadn’t eaten since his departure six days ago. Damn her sisters! Had she not already been through enough torment, without her tribe adding to it?
He was going to burn away the images of what they’d done to her. Burn away the memories of the men who had used her. He would replace both with thoughts of himself. He didn’t care what he had to do to accomplish it.
“Have you ever experienced pleasure in the act?” he asked.
Up and down her chest rose with the force of her breathing. “No. You?”
“Long, long ago.” He only prayed he remembered how to please his woman. With the demon queen, he hadn’t cared to try. He’d simply endured. Never had a female’s enjoyment been more important to him. “If I scare you, do something you don’t like, tell me.”
She nodded, nervously licked her lips. “You tell me, as well.”
It was his turn to nod. Rather than suck on her nipples as he desired, he lifted himself off her, reached behind him and tugged off his shirt. He tossed it aside. His boots and pants quickly followed, leaving him as bare as she was.
Nola’s gaze traveled the length of him, and fire leapt inside her turquoise eyes. “Zane…”
“Afraid?”
“No. You won’t hurt me. I just wanted you to know I like what I see.”
Her trust emboldened him, as did her praise. Gently he eased atop her. Skin against skin, hardness against softness. They moaned in unison. Contact with anyone else, even his king, was hell. Contact with Nola was heaven. Her legs opened, allowing him a deep cradle.
“I want to kiss you now,” he said.
Only when she whispered her consent did he lean down and press his lips against hers. Softly at first, barely even a touch. But the sweet scent of her was in his nose, her nipples hard against his chest, her thighs pliant against his, and soon he had to have more. He licked at her, and her lips eagerly parted. His tongue glided past their teeth to intertwine with hers.
He’d had her blood, but he’d never had her mouth. To his delight, this was even better. Sweeter, headier, not for living or healing or even to relieve hunger, but simply for pleasure. It was addictive, and he wondered how he’d gone without this for so long.
Tentatively, she tangled her hands in his hair. And at first, her tongue was hesitant against his. Seeking, as if she wasn’t sure what to do with it. But the more he explored her mouth, the bolder she became. Soon their teeth were banging together, their bodies writhing against each other. Sweat was beading over his skin, his blood heating as though lava flowed in his veins.
“Going to…suck your…breasts now,” he managed to say between pants. “Like that?”
“Yes. Yes.” She, too, was panting. She, too, was sweating. Her eyes were closed and her head was thrashing from side to side.
I did that. Pride filled him as he lowered his head, fitting his lips around one tight little pearl. He laved it with attention before turning to the other one—careful, so careful to deliver pleasure without any sting.
When he kissed his way down her stomach, she quivered and gasped his name.
“Stop?” he asked. Would be difficult, but he would find a way.
“More.”
Thank the gods. Never had he been more determined in his life. He would know this woman, every inch of her. Nothing would be prohibited. Body, mind…soul. Mouth watering, he licked between her legs. Wet, wild, wanton.
A memory of doing this very thing to the demon queen slipped into his mind. He’d once hated this act—until he’d tried it on Nola on that island. Oh, how he had enjoyed doing so, which had shocked him. Since then, he’d craved it—another shock. He wanted this to last forever. Nola was precious, a treasure, her cries a drug for his ears. Do not think about the demon. She has no place in this wondrous moment.
“Like?” Please, please, please.
“Mmm, yes. Before, they just ripped at my clothes and shoved their way—”
“No, no. None of that.” As she’d spoken, she’d stopped writhing. Had released her death grip on his hair. “That does not belong between us. It’s just you and me in this bed. You and me.”
Her eyes were luminous as she nodded. “Bite me, then. Take my blood and remind me that my vampire is claiming me.”
“No. No, I can’t.”
‘Because you do not take from living beings?” she asked hesitantly.
“You, I would gladly take from. Anytime you would have me.” It was the truth. “But as I told you, I know your kind abhors that, and I will never ask you to do anything you do not want to do. I will find my nourishment elsewhere.”
“No!” she shouted, and it was a soldier’s cry. She might appear delicate, but she truly had the soul of a warrior. “You will only ever take from me.”
A possessive warrior, he realized, wanting to grin. He crawled up her body, fit his cock against her moist entrance. “I will only ever crave you, sweet. That much is true.”
“I need you inside me. I need to feel you, as deep as you can go. Your shaft—and your teeth. Take all of me. Please.”
Oh, that please…He’d seen the way her expression softened when he’d uttered that word. Now she thought to use it against him, bless her. Inch by inch, he sank inside her, careful, meticulous. Never had he exercised such exquisite care. Finally, though, he was in her to the hilt. They were joined; they were one. She surrounded him, hot and tight and wet, and it was better than he’d anticipated.
Tenderly he cupped her face. Her beautiful face. His thumbs brushed over her lips. He would care for her all the days of his life. He would ensure no one ever hurt her again. “Ready?”
“For you? Always.”
He withdrew from her, almost all the way out, before sinking back in and groaning at the bliss. Her back arched, and her perfect white teeth nibbled on her bottom lip. Her head fell to the side, revealing the delicious plane of her neck. Still he did not bite her. He wouldn’t. Wouldn’t do that to her.
In and out he moved, in and out he savored her. He stared into her eyes the entire time, and she stared into his. It was as if they were each other’s anchor. As if seeing each other kept them here, locked in the moment, just the two of them, safe and cherished. There was nothing else, no one else, the fruition of every secret yearning he’d ever possessed.
“Bite,” she commanded.
“No. You are healing.”
“No, I am healed. Bite me. I want it. I need it. Don’t deny me this. Please, don’t deny me this.”
“Nola—”
“Please, Zane. Please. With you, nothing seems wrong. Don’t make me beg.”
He could not stand the thought of this strong wom
an begging for anything. He bit, fangs driving into her neck. The sweetness of her taste exploded on his tongue, through his body, making his muscles quiver and his bones vibrate.
“Zane,” she cried as her inner walls spasmed around his shaft. “Zane, Zane.” Her hands clutched at his back, her nails digging into his muscles. “Yes, yes, yes.”
“Nola!” That was all his body needed to propel into its own release. He roared, shooting inside her, filling her up with everything that he was. In that moment, his entire existence made sense. He’d been born to be this woman’s mate. He’d given himself to a demon to better understand this precious woman’s pain. He’d been chosen for the gods’ cruel game to ensure this woman’s survival.
He loved her. Would always love her.
And now, he thought, an idea springing to life, he would save her.
8
Nola cuddled against Zane’s body, happier than she’d ever been in her life. She’d just made love. Truly made love. And it had been amazing. Her body had hummed with pleasure, and her mind had soared to the heavens.
Only once had she considered her past, and Zane had quickly defeated the memories, as only a strong, fierce warrior could. No one had ever made her feel as protected or as prized as this man had. She hadn’t thought such feelings possible, actually.
“Zane,” she said, grinning. She was buzzing with joy, drunk with it, and just might smile for the rest of her life. “Thank you.”
“I did do a good job, didn’t I?”
It was the first time he’d ever teased her, and she liked it. A laugh bubbled from her; she couldn’t hold it back. Soon she was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
Zane’s lips were twitching. “Some men would take this as a criticism of their performance.”
“But as you know you did a good job…”
“I’m not one of them,” he agreed.
They shared a grin.
His arms tightened around her. “You said every time you admitted something about me, you were freed from some part of your curse.”
“Yes.” Reminded of her plight, some of the happiness drained from her.
“Then do you have something else to admit to me?”
“Oh. Well…I—I—” Nola sat up and peered down at him. No longer did he appear so confident and joyous. His expression was blank. No, not blank. Fear was sparking in the depths of his eyes. For some reason, seeing it gave her courage. “I love you. I love you so much I ache with it.” The words tumbled from her; she couldn’t stop them. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I want to make love to you every night and wake up to you every morning. And I don’t want you to think I’m saying this only because I wish to lift the curse. I’m not.”
“You are too honest for such a trick.” He grabbed her and rolled her under him. “And just so you know, I love you, too. So much I would die without you. You are my life, my heart, my everything. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
She hadn’t dared dream of having a man like him, or a life like they would surely lead, not even as a child. It had seemed too much to ask, too unattainable, and she had preferred to wallow in her sorrows rather than risk hope.
“The gods didn’t take your ability from you,” she said. “You can still create dreams. For the first time in my life, I see joy in my future.”
“Oh, Nola. You are my joy.”
With another laugh, she threw her arms around him and rolled him to his back. Her dark hair fell around him, forming a curtain that left only the two of them—just the way she liked it.
They made love twice more and spent several hours simply talking and getting to know each other better, before dressing and emerging from the tent. Night had fallen, but vampire warriors still patrolled the area.
Nola spotted the king and her sister in front of the fire. There was no love lost between herself and Delilah. Nola had once tried to murder Layel, after all. She marched on, determined. Anything for Zane. Still…
“Will they…what if…”
Zane captured her hand with his own and squeezed. “They will love and welcome you or we will find somewhere else to live.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to lose everything you hold dear because of me.”
“Nola,” he said, stopping her and forcing her to look up at him. “You are all that I hold dear. Nothing else matters to me.”
Tears burned her eyes. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“It is I who is undeserving. But you have my word, I will do everything in my power to prove myself worthy of you.”
She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “You already have.”
“Nola,” she heard Delilah call.
Nola turned and Zane wrapped his arms around her, keeping her in the protection of his embrace. The blue-haired warrioress was walking toward her, expression blank. Layel stayed close on her heels, a blade in his hand, as protective of his woman as Zane was of Nola.
“You are well,” Delilah said.
“Yes. And you?”
“Yes.” And then Delilah was there, grinning, pushing Zane aside to hug her tightly. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
Nola glanced at Zane and he gave her a nod of encouragement. Biting her lip, Nola hugged her back.
“I thought I was going to have to burst into that tent and give Zane a stern talking to,” Delilah said, pulling back and grinning. “But the moans were of pleasure rather than rebuke, so Layel was able to hold me back.”
Nola’s cheeks heated.
So did Zane’s, she noticed. And for some reason, that eased her own embarrassment.
Layel slapped him on the back. Zane stiffened for a moment, then relaxed against Nola. “Good man,” the king said with a laugh. “Doing our people proud.”
“Well, shall we go home?” Delilah asked. She rubbed her belly, which Nola suddenly realized was not quite as flat as she remembered. “As protector of this little hellion, I am not the soldier I once was and prefer the comfort of my own bed.”
A baby. Nola again glanced at Zane. He offered a soft smile—one that promised they, too, would one day experience such a joy. “Congratulations, Delilah. I am so happy for you.”
Delilah beamed. “Thank you.”
The warrioress and her husband shared a tender smile before Layel escorted her a few feet away, to where the horses were chewing on grass. “Zane? Will you be joining us?”
“We will try,” he said, but didn’t explain further.
Whether the king understood or not, he merely nodded. “Back to the palace, men,” he called.
Zane helped Nola atop his horse, then swooped up behind her. Nervousness skidded through her when they started forward. First Layel and Delilah disappeared beyond the trees, then the vampire troops. Soon their turn would come…soon she would know if she was still bound to the camp.
“Zane,” she said, unable to keep the tremor from her voice.
He didn’t say a word, just urged the horse into a quicker pace. And then they were past the trees, just like everyone else. They were in the forest, heading away from their captivity.
“We did it! We’re free!”
“As I knew we would be.” He kissed the top of her head. “The gods are not the cruel monsters I imagined. How can they be, when they paired us together?”
Thank you, she mouthed to the top of the dome. Not once did she look back. There was too much to look forward to. “I love you, Zane.”
“And I love you. It will be my pleasure to prove it to you, over and over again.”
“Even when mating season ends?” she teased.
He squeezed her tight. “I have a feeling our mating season will last for eternity, sweet.”
* * * * *
MAGGIE SHAYNE
1
“Do you believe what that tour guide said about this hotel?”
“About the complimentary continental breakfast?” Tessa asked smiling, knowing full well that wasn’t what her
sister meant at all. “I’d believe just about anything a man who looked that good said to me, to be honest. God, what he did for those black boots…”
“I meant about this hotel being haunted? There really is a chill in here. Can’t you feel it?” Tricia rubbed her outer arms, looking cautiously around their room. It was an incredible room in a small, three-story building in the French Quarter. It included an antique fireplace with scrolled hardwood mantel that must have been two centuries old, elegant hand-tooled woodwork, and tall narrow windows. French doors opened onto a balcony with wrought iron filigree railings and wicker furniture. “There is a chill. Don’t you feel it?”
“I think you took that Haunted Tour a little bit too seriously. And if you’re feeling a chill, it’s because you just stepped out of air the approximate temperature and consistency of boiling pea soup, and into one of the few rooms in New Orleans that comes with AC.”
Tricia shook herself. “AC and an antique oil lamp,” she said looking at the lamp on the mantel. “But, no, that’s not it.”
“Honey, does this place really look like it was once a whorehouse? Hmm? Or that it burned in a horrible fire, trapping some of the women inside?” Tessa parted the curtains, peering down into the narrow streets below, where people walked around drinking beer from plastic glasses and wearing Mardi Gras beads even at this ungodly hour. “They could have jumped from here and barely bruised themselves, and we’re on the top floor.”
“So were they, according to the tour guide. They were supposedly trapped.”
“I think the tour guide was just giving us a little New Orleans scare to spice up our visit.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Though if he really wanted to spice up my visit, I could think of better ways.”
Tricia laughed, grabbing a pillow from the red velvet settee and throwing it at her sister. “Okay, fine, I’m overreacting,” she said. “Maybe the cemeteries, the Voodoo Museum, and the Haunted Tour were a bit much all in one day. I’m gonna take a cool shower and go to bed.”
“I’m next. Gosh, it’s three a.m. Time flies when you’re doing Bourbon Street, huh?” Her sister nodded on her way into the bathroom. But once the door was closed, Tessa stopped smiling, and looked around the beautiful room. Something was off. Something…she couldn’t put her finger on. And unlike her sister, she did not have a tendency to let her imagination run away with her.
