“Ariel…” he said in a hoarse voice as he began to slide inside her.
Ariel’s heart thumped and her entire body vibrated with need. Following the primal instincts driving her, she bit down on his neck.
Jachin let out a low groan and moved into her. With her teeth locked on his neck, Ariel realized he’d gone very still against her. Had she bitten him too hard? But the sudden rush of his blood flooding her mouth, the erotic taste, sent her into a euphoric state beyond anything she’d ever thought possible.
When Jachin let out an animalistic sound of sheer ecstasy, she swallowed his blood and the world around her ceased to exist. The only thing that mattered was Jachin providing the most powerful and elemental aphrodisiac.
He began to move inside her, his thrusts increasing with each swallow she took. Groaning, he gripped her hair and rambled like a man drugged half out of his mind. “Damn, I’m…Ariel!”
His hard penetrations sent her body spiraling out of control. Ariel released her hold on his neck and panted at the pleasure radiating within her. He filled her completely, rubbing every crevice, taking total possession. Her pulse hammered and she gripped his shoulders tight. “Feels so good,” she gasped.
With each downward thrust, he pressed her harder against the mattress, making her want him even more. She was lost in their lovemaking, drugged by his taste and so close to her climax she began to breathe in short, choppy huffs.
His fingers tightened in her hair and his other hand gripped her thigh, pulling her tight against him as he sank his fangs deep in her neck. Ariel cried out from the pleasure/pain and the euphoric sensations slamming through her. She clenched her throbbing sex around his cock, reveling in the explosive orgasm that rippled though her with hammering crests of sheer unadulterated passionate pulses.
A deep primordial growl erupted from Jachin as he sucked hard on her throat, swallowing like a man who’d been without sustenance for weeks. Her breath hitched each time his lips pulled at her throat. Each draw he took felt as though his tongue were rasping at her sensitive nub, urging it to arousing attention.
Ariel keened and rocked her hips as the sensation continued its relentless pressure. When Jachin slammed his erection deep and ground his body against her mound, she whimpered, then sobbed in relief. Her body gave way to another round of climactic tremors shattering through her, zapping her strength and claiming her breath.
Jachin grunted and surged against her, riding his own climax until they both collapsed in a tangle of arms and legs, pounding heartbeats and glistening skin.
When he laved at the wound on her neck, then placed a gentle kiss on the same spot, she ran her hands over his shoulders, loving how tender this strong man could be. Adrenaline still pumped through her veins, and she’d never felt more sexually satiated.
Jachin lay on his side and turned her face toward his. Running his thumb along her lips, he pushed her upper lip back. Her pulse skipped and her gums tingled as he stared at her teeth.
His gaze jerked to hers, full of wonder. “I thought I’d imagined the sensation of fangs sliding inside my skin. How is this possible?”
Ariel ran her tongue along her teeth. Slight disappointment twinged within her when she encountered normal-size canines. “You did imagine it.”
Jachin frowned and cupped her neck. He ran his fingers down her throat in a slow caress. “I just watched your fangs retract. You don’t want this?”
Having him confirm what she suspected had happened made her stomach knot. The whole time she’d been experiencing what she thought was his hunger and the tingling in his gums; she now realized the sensations must’ve truly been her own.
She laid her hand over his. “I don’t know how I feel about this change in me, but I can tell you I now understand the torture you’ve felt these past few days. It’s almost overwhelming, this need for your blood.”
He gripped her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her palm. “As far as I know, no human has tasted a vampire’s blood. Your change could be a result of that.” His serious gaze locked with hers as he continued. “I won’t lie to you and tell you I’m sorry. When you bit me…” He paused and the vulnerable look in his eyes shocked her all the way to her toes. “I’ve never felt anything more erotic.”
Ariel’s heart thumped at his comment and her spirits rose. Their attraction was already electric. Her new ability to take his blood gave a whole other perspective—a very positive one. When they made love, he wouldn’t have to hold back. He could follow his natural instincts, be as primal and aggressive as he wanted, and for that she was incredibly thankful.
She gave him a brilliant smile and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m thrilled to be able to take your breath away when we make love.”
Jachin wrapped his arm around her waist and rolled over, pulling her on top of him. His intense gaze locked with hers. “You must go forward with caution. We have no idea the level of changes you’ve undergone.” Concern etched his expression. “You must not walk out into the sunlight like you have in the past. Test your limits carefully first. Understand?”
“I love you, too.” She smiled, adoring the worried look on his handsome face. She knew firsthand how fierce and deadly he could be. Being the recipient of his tender, protective side made her feel all the more cherished.
“Ariel! Come inside, sweetie. I want to show you something.”
Ariel sighed as she moved away from her favorite place on the top of the manor and the sun’s warm late-afternoon rays to respond to Mira’s call.
The gorgeous cream-and-gold floor-length dress Mira had given her fit perfectly. The silk material felt so good against her skin. Her “sister” had given her the present a couple of hours before, saying, “I was so excited to finally have a little sister to fuss over I couldn’t resist. I spent so many hours on it. Please wear it for an hour and then you can take it off and put it away.”
So Ariel had shown her appreciation by sliding into the gown, but she couldn’t resist venturing to the roof. Jachin and the Sweepers had gone looking for the renegade vampires two days ago, and her nerves were shot waiting for him to return.
“Come on, Ariel,” Mira called once more, drawing her attention.
“I could use the distraction,” she mumbled and walked inside the castle’s arched wooden door.
Mira smiled and grabbed Ariel’s hand. Tugging her along, the vampire preceded Ariel down the spiral stairs that led away from the top of the castle. Excitement bubbled up from her friend in an almost auralike glow, making Ariel smile. Mira was wearing a long royal-blue dress, so maybe she had more gowns to show her. Ariel was glad to see her friend so enthused about…well, whatever it was she was excited about.
Mira was moving so fast Ariel had to grab her skirt and lift it off the ground to keep up with the woman’s pace. The chill inside the castle stairway made her wish she could control her body temperature the way Jachin could. In the past couple of days since Jachin had left, Ariel had discovered her ability to see better at night. The sunlight stinging her eyes was a permanent adjustment she’d have to get used to, but other than her fangs extending and her craving for Jachin’s blood while he made love to her, she remained mostly human. Only time would tell what other changes, if any, she might undergo as a vampire’s mate.
Mira opened the door that led to the main hall and tugged Ariel in front of her.
Ariel stopped short at the sight of all the vampires gathered as if they were waiting for them.
“Um, hi,” she said, her stomach fluttering with nerves at their welcoming, anticipatory expressions. What was going on?
The group of vampires began to back away, parting like a wave slicing through the ocean. Mira hooked her arm in Ariel’s and walked her forward right down the middle.
When Ariel saw Jachin standing at the end of the hall, looking handsome in a black suit, she started to pick up her skirt and run, but Mira kept a tight hold on her arm.
“Calm and cool, my dear.”
“Huh?” Ariel glanced at Mira, then remembered they had an audience—the entire Sanguinas clan.
Elin stood beside Jachin, looking regal in her long teal-blue robe with gold piping. Ariel’s heart raced and her entire frame shook with the need to rush to Jachin, to find out if he’d found the rogue vampires, if he had discovered untainted humans.
Mira walked her right up to Jachin and then kissed Ariel on the cheek before she unhooked her arm and stepped back a few feet.
Ariel stepped close to Jachin and asked, “How’d it go?”
Jachin’s loving gaze searched her face as he took her hand and wrapped her fingers around the crook of his arm. “I’ve missed you.”
When Jachin turned her toward Elin and said, “We’re ready to begin, Elin,” Ariel glanced at him, her fingers digging into the expensive black material.
“Is this a Sanguina ritual I wasn’t aware of?”
Jachin glanced down at her and smiled. “No, my love, this is a very human ritual known as a wedding ceremony.”
Ariel swayed at his calm delivery. Jachin’s arm came around her. He chuckled, then whispered in her ear, “Let’s save the swooning for after the ceremony. Then I’ll have an excuse to whisk you away to our wing instead of sticking around socializing at the party afterward.”
“Humans don’t do surprise wedding ceremonies,” she shot back in a low tone, trying her best to compose herself.
He spoke in her mind, You might not be fully human any longer, but your heart still is. I want you to know I’ve pledged myself to you in both my world and yours. Elin is waiting.
As Elin recited the traditional wedding vows and then she and Jachin repeated them, Ariel’s chest tightened as she stared at Jachin. I love him so much it hurts.
While Jachin slid a beautiful diamond eternity ring on her finger, he said aloud for the entire clan to hear, “I pledge my life, my love, my eternity to you.”
When Elin said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” thunderous applause resounded behind them.
Jachin turned Ariel around to the crowd of Sanguinas and lifted her left land in the air. “I present to you, Mrs. Jachin Black.”
After Jachin finished speaking, the entire clan applauded and converged around them to offer well-wishes. Ariel’s heart raced and butterflies exploded in her stomach at the Sanguinas’ overwhelming offerings of approval.
Jachin carried Ariel over the threshold of their new suite. Unbeknownst to them both, several of the Sanguinas had cleared out Braeden’s things and redecorated the room. As he set her feet on the gorgeous thick carpet that now took up most of the entry chamber, he asked, “What do you think?”
Ariel scanned the room for that damned pendulum clock and let out a sigh of relief when she didn’t see it anywhere. Through another doorway, a huge four-poster bed with a thick navy comforter filled another room. Between the couches and the wall hangings, the living space was decorated in shades of dark and ice blues with ivory mixed in. She loved the contrast in colors.
“The next time we go to the city we’ll retrieve some of your things to add to our home.”
Ariel smiled, appreciating his effort to try to make her feel at home. When her gaze landed on a family portrait that hung over an ornate stone fireplace, she walked closer. Ezra, younger and handsome, was dressed in a dark suit and seated in a leather chair. A regal-looking woman with auburn hair and a young teenage boy stood behind the chair. They both had their hands on the chair’s back, while a girl with stark black hair and vivid blue eyes stood on the side of the chair, close to Ezra.
“I haven’t seen that picture in more than a decade,” Jachin said in a low tone behind her.
“Your mother was beautiful,” Ariel said, her heart tugging for his losses.
“She was a good soul. I miss her.”
Ariel turned sad eyes his way. “I’m sorry you lost your parents.”
Jachin put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “You lost everyone you loved, too, due to Braeden and his father. We will find him.”
The old hurt returned when she thought of her family, but this time fear wasn’t its constant companion. Remembering her earlier fear for Jachin’s safe return, she glanced up at him. “What happened with the Sweepers?”
His dark eyebrows drew downward. “We discovered two vampires and hunted them almost to town. But Vivian, Vlad, Braeden and the other three weren’t with them. We can only presume they’ve made it to the city, and without other means for food, it’ll only be a matter of time before they start hunting humans. My theory about other viable humans was correct. I’ll have to get the Sanguinas trained so they can help find Braeden and the others.” His gaze locked with hers as his arms encircled her waist. Pulling her against his chest, he asked, “How’s the book coming?”
“Okay at first. Now…it’s slow,” she said with a grimace.
Jachin kissed her forehead. “I remember reading somewhere that authors sometimes read when they’re stuck on a story. You do know we have a library, right?”
Her entire body tensed in excitement. “Library? No. I didn’t.”
He smiled. “Then I’ll take you there tomorrow so you can read to your heart’s content.”
“Ah, I’ll be in heaven,” she said with a smile. “A stint of reading will do me good, I’m sure.”
His gaze turned serious as he ran his hands along her upper back. Jachin reached into his suit pocket and uncurled his fingers in front of her. A single platinum ring lay across his palm. “You really didn’t think I’d forget this, did you?”
Ariel’s heart leapt and she lifted the heavy ring. As she slid the band down his left ring finger, she said, “I pledge my life, my love and my eternity to you….” Lacing her fingers with his, she kissed the ring and met his loving gaze as she finished, “My Sanguinas mate.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1147-0
SCIONS: RESURRECTION
Copyright © 2008 by Patrice Michelle
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Scions: Resurrection Page 23
