Most Ardently

by Sheena Austin et al.

  “We'll drive into town tomorrow to find you a proper gown for the ball,” Catherine told her as they left the dining room. The two of them were walking together. Eleanor had excused herself and retired to her room. Henry and Rayven were still in the dining room.

  “I’ve never been to a ball before,” Desiree replied.

  Catherine stopped and gaped at her. “Never?”

  “No.”

  Catherine looped her arm through hers. “Well, we’re going to change that. You might even find a handsome suitor at the ball.”

  “I’m not looking to settle down any time soon.”

  “I wasn’t either. Then I met Henry, and while it took us some time to get together, it was worth it.” Catherine smiled. “He’s the love of my life.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Henry said as he and Rayven caught up with them.

  Catherine released Desiree’s arm. “Yes, you did. I’d shout it from the far reaches of the earth if possible.”

  Chapter 8

  HENRY LAUGHED AND PULLED his wife close. “I’d do the same, my love.” He bent and kissed her forehead. “Come, you must be exhausted, let’s get you to bed.”

  “I am. I feel like I’m carrying around a very large sack of rocks. I can’t wait until our daughter is born.”

  Henry frowned. “Daughter? You told me this baby would be a boy.”

  Catherine patted her swollen belly. “I told you that the last two times as well.”

  “True. I’m sure God will bless us with a son this time.”

  Catherine laughed. “One can dream,” she teased. She turned to Desiree and Rayven. “I wish you both a good night.”

  “You as well,” Rayven replied. “I am going up to my room to get some much-needed sleep. It’s been a long day.” He mounted the stairs, leaving the others at the bottom.

  “Goodnight,” Desiree echoed as she watched him disappear down the second-floor hallway. “See you all in the morning.”

  She relaxed a bit as she climbed the stairs. Being under Rayven’s scrutiny all through dinner was stressful. She thought it had to be more than passing sexual interest on his part. Did he know what she was?

  Impossible, she thought. No human ever detected her demon.

  Instead of going to her room, Desiree headed for the tower. It had become her refuge from the world since she began staying at the mansion. It was quiet and isolated. The tower reminded her of the ones in Hell with its gray stone columns and hidden niches. She thought about stopping by her room to retrieve her cape, but there was no need. The cold didn’t bother her. She just needed some alone time.

  The air was cool on the balcony of the tower. Desiree leaned on the stone railing and looked out into the night. It was so different here from the tall buildings, the busy streets and the lights of San Francisco.

  When she first appeared in the cemetery, and she saw nothing but fields and forests, she found herself longing to be back in her apartment, listening to the sounds of the cars and the people on the streets. But the isolated countryside was starting to grow on her.

  So was Catherine Tilney. It was impossible not to like her. If only she weren’t a demon with obligations to Amadeus and Lucifer, she could have a life like Catherine and Henry’s. The thought of finding love and starting a family hurt; because it was a life she could never have.

  “I guess I’m not the only one who wasn’t able to sleep.” Rayven’s voice came from the shadows.

  “What are you doing up here?” Desiree exclaimed as she spun around, surprised and a little shaken she had not sensed him.

  He stepped into the moonlight. “As I’ve said, I wasn’t ready to go to sleep. Thought I’d come up here to clear my head.”

  “Your head isn’t clear?” She asked inanely, wondering why she asked him that. Was it his formidable presence or her undeniable attraction to him?

  “No, Desiree. My head hasn’t been clear since I first laid eyes on you.”

  “Why? What did I do to you?”

  He moved closer. “I like to prolong my demon hunting. The thrill of the hunt is the best part, but I don’t have the luxury of time. So, I’ll come straight out with it. I know what you are.”

  His words sent a chill down Desiree’s spine. Did she hear him right? “I...I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Sure, you do. You’re a demon. You crossed into this realm to collect a soul. What I don’t know is whose soul are you after, and why did you come here to collect it?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not a demon. I don’t even know what that is.”

  Rayven was so close; he could feel her apprehension, but he could also smell her ravishing scent. It called to him. It was disconcerting as hell. Reading a demon’s feelings kept him from making mistakes. The other sensation was an intoxicating mystery he wanted to explore.

  “I wish I had time to banter with you, but I don’t. I came through the veil to bring you back. I’m an angel in the service of the Archangel Michael. He sent me here to stop you from taking a soul.”

  Stunned, Desiree stumbled back. Rayven Stone was an angel. Why hadn’t she detected him?

  “If you are wondering why you didn’t know what I was, it is because I shielded my true nature when I arrived here. I wanted the demon I was seeking to think I was human. It’s a practice I’ve found very useful when hunting demons.”

  Desiree’s heart raced as prickles of fear surged through her. If Rayven was an angel and under orders from Michael, he would be far more powerful than she was. Why is this happening to me? She thought with frustration. To have come so far only to be pursued by an angel. It was just her luck.

  “I don’t believe you,” she said stubbornly, determined to stand her ground. All she wanted to do was flash away from Rayven, but something stopped her from doing it. Was it curiosity or something more?

  Rayven sighed, expecting her response. “I guess I’ll have to show you.”

  He let down his shield. Two white wings appeared and extended, illuminating the balcony tower as he began to glow.

  Desiree gasped, the cold, stone railing of the balcony trapping her. She dared not make a move to flee. He could incinerate her where she stood.

  “Are you going to kill me?” She asked as evenly as she could. She was trembling with fear inside but was determined not to show it.

  “I don’t want to harm you, Desiree. I thought it best if we get our intentions out in the open. It will make this easier for both of us.”

  “Easier? I don’t know what you mean. I’m here on vacation. Demons can take vacations.” It sounded so stupid, but she had to try. She didn’t want him to know her plan.

  Rayven snorted and folded his arms over his chest. “Why vacation here? You could have gone to the Bahamas or to Fiji to relax. A book realm in Regency England is not a travel destination unless you have a compelling reason and I can’t think of one.”

  “It’s none of your business,” she said defiantly. “I don’t answer to you.” She knew he wouldn’t fall for it. He was way too smart for that.

  He chuckled, amused by her brave attempt to appear strong and avoid his question. He had to admire her courage. Most of the demons he confronted tried to escape him immediately. She didn’t. She stood her ground.

  He continued to glow and moved closer. “Try again.”

  Chapter 9

  RAYVEN GLARED DOWN at her. His presence was intimidating, despite the fact he was a six-foot-three glow stick. Raw sexuality emanated from him in waves. It was more potent than his illumination. It excited her.

  “Desiree, I’m waiting.” Rayven flexed, his luminescence shimmering. It rolled along the stone walls and flowed around her.

  He was so close; Desiree could feel his breath on her face. She trembled with desire she didn't understand. She should be terrified of the celestial creature before her, but she wasn't. Far from it.

  “No,” she protested, willing her tempestuous feelings away. She had to stay strong.

 
Rayven felt her need despite her response. The red-haired little demon desired him. He would have found it laughable if he wasn’t feeling it too. She was very beautiful and so tempting. His trousers tightened. In all his years, he’d never bedded a demon. Most of the demons he encountered were male. The female demons he did battle were the horrid creatures of nightmares. They were nothing like Desiree. Standing so close to her, smelling her alluring scent, all he wanted to do was bend and kiss her. But he couldn’t. At least not until he knew her plans.

  “Tell me, Desiree,” he whispered, “I said I wouldn’t hurt you.”

  As odd as it was, she believed him. Rayven didn’t have to wait to find out her plan. He could kill her or whisk her away to Sanctuary in seconds. Done. Finished. End of story.

  Her defiance ceased. “I came here to find a pure soul.”

  Rayven took a step back and his wings retracted. His celestial glow began to recede until it was gone. The tower balcony grew dark again; the moon once more the only illumination.

  “If you needed a soul, Desiree, there are millions in our own time.”

  She pursed her lips. “I need a pure soul and they are very hard to find.”

  “I agree modern human souls are tarnished, but there are still some with pure souls. I’ve met them.”

  “I haven’t,” she countered. “It is crucial that I get one."

  "Why is it so important?" Rayven asked.

  "If I don’t find one pure soul by Christmas, Amadeus will cast me into Oblivion.”

  Desiree's words sobered Rayven. He knew of the place where Lucifer sent demons that displeased him. From what he knew of Oblivion, it was a desolate place filled with the darkest human souls and banished demons. If a demon managed to merge with a dark human soul, it would become a twisted, savage aberration. If the demon possessed soul escaped to the surface, it would cause mayhem in its wake. Both angels and demons would hunt it until it was captured. It was the one thing both entities agreed on.

  Rayven couldn’t imagine Desiree imprisoned in that horrific place. But was Sanctuary any better? It would lead to her demise as well. He couldn't think about that now.

  “There has to be another way,” he remarked.

  “No, Rayven. There is no other way,” Desiree replied, the hopelessness of her situation weighing heavily on her. “I have not brought in my quota of pure souls in some time. My superior, Amadeus, issued his final warning. Either I bring back a pure soul or suffer the consequences.”

  Desiree turned away from Rayven to look out over the snow-covered countryside.

  Rayven came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. The despair in her voice touched him deeply. Desiree was not a menace. She was trying to save herself. If he were in her shoes, he would do the same thing.

  “We’ll figure this out,” he whispered.

  She turned around to face him, tears in her eyes. “You can’t help me.”

  The moon cast a beam of light across her face. Rayven saw her tears and it broke his control. He tipped her chin up and kissed her. It was a chaste and gentle kiss. But that quickly changed. The feel of her lips was exquisite and sent lightning bolts of desire through him. He pressed her against the railing, wanting to get as close as he could. They were both wearing too many clothes. He wanted to feel the soft skin he imagined lay underneath hers.

  It was Desiree’s first kiss, and it enthralled her. She should have pushed Rayven away and escaped to her bedchamber. It was the rational thing to do. She never got involved with anyone, fearing Amadeus’ punishment. He could be cruel and sadistic when he wanted to be, and she never wanted to experience that side of him. She’d heard what he did to the demons that disobeyed him. It made her demon blood run cold.

  The skilled, sensuous touch of Raven's lips swept away her misgivings. Being with this handsome, sexy angel was all she wanted. For a moment, she forgot she was a soul-stealing demon and thought of the life she could have.

  Rayven knew he had to stop. He was allowing his desire for this ravishing demon to cloud his judgment. He had a job to do, yet it was the furthest thing from his mind. He wanted to pick her up and take her back to his room where he would spend the rest of the night making love to her. But he knew one night with her wouldn’t be enough. He wanted so much more from her. It was for that reason he abruptly stopped kissing her and stepped back.

  “We’d better go,” he said, breathing hard and hating himself for saying the words. Stopping was the last thing he wanted to do.

  Still dazed from his kiss, Desiree blinked twice to clear the dreamy haze that surrounded her. She wasn’t ready for him to stop either. “Okay,” was all she could manage.

  He took her hand, and together, they left the balcony. They walked down the steep stairway that led to their bedchambers. When they reached her room, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “Goodnight, Desiree.”

  “Goodnight,” she murmured and opened the door to her bedchamber and went inside.

  Rayven watched her door close and blew out a frustrated breath as he strode down the hall to his room.

  “Damn,” he exclaimed as he went inside and closed the door. “The one time I desperately need a cold shower and they weren’t invented yet. I hate this realm!”

  Chapter 10

  MAKING THE TRIP INTO London to her favorite dressmaker wasn’t realistic. The weather and Catherine’s pregnancy prevented it. Henry arranged for her dressmaker to come to the mansion with a variety of gowns for Desiree. The women took their breakfast and high tea in the parlor of Catherine and Henry’s bedchamber while Desiree tried on gowns.

  Desiree stared at herself in the full-length mirror, turning this way and that. The lovely satin gown, the color of ripe pomegranates, transformed her into a woman she’d never seen before. The gown had short capped sleeves with a traditional empire waist. Trimmed with fancy black lace and ribbons, the bodice of the gown showed off her ample cleavage. It needed no alterations. It fit her perfectly. She had to admit it was a bit daring, but at the Christmas ball, she wanted to be sexy and audacious.

  Who are you, Desiree Black, and what’s gotten into you? She admonished herself. You are here to steal a soul, nothing more. But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t true. Rayven happened, and she was so confused. When she left the realm, would he follow her back home? More importantly, would he try to stop her mission? He told her he would help her, but she didn’t believe he could. Her situation was hopeless.

  “I love that gown. It looks beautiful on you, Desiree,” Catherine exclaimed. “Rayven won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

  Desiree reddened at Catherine's words. She turned around and gaped at Catherine, who was sitting on the damask settee.

  “I don’t know what you mean. Rayven doesn’t look at me that way. Why would he? We just met.”

  Catherine waved her comment away. “What’s that got to do with anything? It’s obvious he’s smitten with you.”

  “If you say so,” Desiree replied and turned back to the mirror to fuss with her hair. She hoped Catherine and Eleanor couldn’t hear the loud thudding of her heart.

  After Rayven escorted her back to her bedchamber the night they met, she spent it thinking of him. No one had ever affected her that way. And his kiss, well, she would remember that kiss for the rest of her existence. The thought of it made her lips tingle and ache for more. Most first kisses were memorable for all the wrong reasons. Rayven’s kiss was memorable for all the right ones.

  “I’d have to agree with Catherine,” Eleanor chimed in as she eyed Desiree critically. “At dinner, Rayven spent most of his time looking at you. He is so handsome. A woman would be lucky to land a man like him.”

  “He might be married for all we know,” Desiree pointed out.

  “I asked Henry. He told me Rayven is single,” Catherine replied.

  “Eleanor, could you help me out of this gown,” Desiree asked, trying to change the subject. “I need to figure out what I’m goi
ng to do with my hair.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Angeline will do your hair for the ball. She’s a miracle worker.”

  Desiree stepped out of the gown and handed it to Eleanor. She slipped on her day dress. “I’m going back to my room. I’ll see you both at dinner.”

  She hurried from Catherine’s bedchamber, needing to think. Christmas Eve was in two days, and she had to do what she came there to do. She wondered if she could go through with it. How could she take Catherine and her unborn child away from Henry and their girls? She thought of Rayven’s words again but pushed them quickly away. Escape from her fate was impossible. She sat on the edge of the bed, covering her face with her hands as the tears began to fall.

  WHILE CATHERINE AND Eleanor were busy helping Desiree, Rayven assisted Henry in dealing with the staff and shoring up the details for the ball with the head butler. Catherine would have overseen all the ball preparations. Henry did not want to burden his wife with it in her condition. Rayven realized Henry Tilney wasn’t the typical English gentleman. Men of that era adhered to the rigid set of rules that governed their wealth and privilege. He could have asked his sister, Eleanor, to take over but she was busy helping Catherine and Desiree.

  Not something Rayven had experience in but it helped keep his mind off Desiree. The lovely demon had him in a quandary. She had him twisted in knots over her situation. He needed to see her and convince her not to proceed with her plan. He couldn’t allow her to take a soul. He had to find a way to help her. Would she permit him to?

  He never met a woman, or a demon who was as intriguing to him as Desiree Black, and he never desired any female more. His sexual encounters throughout his long existence were mere distractions. He was a warrior first. His duty to Michael and the almighty was his primary allegiance and his reason for being. Vanquishing demons was his contribution to the battle of good and evil. There was an exhilaration that came from hunting demons and completing his missions. He didn’t feel any of that now. All he felt was dread. How could he turn Desiree over to the Sanctuary where she would slowly lose her essence and cease to exist? Could he live with that? In his heart, he knew he couldn’t. The short time they’d spent together had been the happiest moments of his existence.