by Claire Marta
Eric picked Jasmine up easily. Clasping her to his chest, he hurried back into the safety of the narrow streets. The enchantments woven around the ghostly cobwebs were something Teasag had come up with. They were there to temporarily blind and paralyse any unsuspecting straggler who might still be on the loose. Once blinded, the Jinn closed in.
Eric had been more than lucky to get to Jasmine first. If another had stumbled across her, she would’ve been at Teasag’s mercy. That was something he would not let happen. She would remain safe. No matter what the cost. He would see to that himself.
The Jinn were close. Eric could sense their brand of magic as it passed against his own. At least his was now useful for something. He still had no wish to use it though. It was unpredictable and dangerous, something he had chosen to ignore.
Hiding in the shadows, he watched a group of Jinn pass by. They were like pack animals when they hunted. One would catch a scent then call for the others. They would track down their target mercilessly and without any remorse. Eric watched them with cold detachment. It made him wonder if they were enjoying the tasks Teasag set for them. They showed no emotion either way. Yet still, they were under the coven mistress’s control and knew if they remained here indefinitely, they would die.
Waiting until the leather clad forms had vanished around a building, he quickly continued with his task. He didn’t dare keep Jasmine outside. That was far too dangerous. Not a risk he was willing to take. Moving swiftly, he headed back towards Carbrey’s mausoleum of a home.
His rooms were well hidden there. Only the old man knew where they were deep beneath the building. It was a place they could remain until Jasmine was fully recovered. Pausing at a wall behind the structure, Eric placed one gloved hand against the rough brick work. Magic flared to life. Lips twisting in discomfort, he felt it mingle with his own which still hovered beneath the surface of his costume.
Shimmering white, it ate up the surface before them until a doorway appeared. With a quick backward glance, he strode through, knowing he had only seconds before it would seal.
High, mottled, blue and black marble columns greeted his vision. Instead of finding himself in his rooms, Eric discovered a vast, sunken pool which lay before them. A smile curved his lips. This was exactly what he needed.
The hot springs had healing properties. This was why Carbrey kept it such a closely guarded secret. It was a perfect place to see to Jasmine. He noted several large, fluffy towels had been laid out with soap and shampoo.
Clusters of long, tapered candles had been lit and placed around the room to give a pleasing soft illumination. They were scented. The relaxing smell of lavender hung in the air. It was meant for lovers with all the trappings of romance. Eric gave a small grunt.
Had the old man known they would be in need of such things? Perhaps he had foreseen it. The effort was wasted with Jasmine unconscious. He knew if she had been awake she would have taken pleasure in her surroundings. It was something Eric did not linger on.
Stripping Jasmine carefully of her clothes, he discarded his own. The dress she had worn had been filthy. Slime and a vile stench were so soaked and ingrained into the material, he knew it would have to be burnt.
She had lost weight. Gliding his hands over her body, he could feel the bones beneath more sharply. Why was she not taking care of herself? Bruises stained her skin in a rainbow hue of spreading colours along with cuts and grazes. Some looked fresher than others. She was covered in grime and dirt. Her hair was matted with something sticky which had dried in places. What in damnation had she been doing? How had she become so battered and beaten?
Scooping her up, Eric waded into the pool. Slowly, he lowered himself until his feet barely touched the bottom, his arms securely around her. The water was warm. Its soothing attributes already doing its work as it rippled over them. Floating backwards, Eric positioned them on a ledge.
Jasmine moaned softly. Her head was resting on his chest as he cradled her smaller body with his own. At last, it felt good to have her in his arms again. He had missed it. Nothing had ever felt so right in his long existence.
A warm feeling invaded his chest. He had ached these last few weeks to hold her again. Yearned for things between them to be different. Now here she was. He knew once she was awake, she would hate him again. For now, he was content to enjoy this moment.
Gently as he could, Eric soaped her body clean and washed her hair. She remained unconscious throughout. When his hand brushed her breasts, her nipples hardened.
“Eric.”
Jasmine mumbling his name was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. Could she somehow sense he was near? It concerned him she had not awakened. She had obviously been through a lot and was exhausted both mentally and physically. Did her body need time to heal and mend? The spring water had already began that process.
Eric stroked his fingers lovingly through her short, red, wet hair. She had already taken his blood. Giving her more now would do no harm. At least this way he could assure himself she was strong for what might lay ahead.
A hand glided down Jasmine’s naked back, soothing and calming. Murmuring, she arched into it. Being caressed felt good. Somehow her body and mind knew who it was even before he spoke.
“Jasmine.” Eric’s deep rumbling whisper filled the silence. Lips brushed her cheek, her closed eyelids, and the tip of her nose. The nip of his wintry power sent goosebumps over her skin.
Instinctively, Jasmine moved herself closer. She had missed him so damn much. Hard, male flesh was pressed against her front. Turning her head, eyes still closed, she nuzzled his throat and breathed in deeply. He smelled so familiar. Like a crisp winter’s morning and freshly fallen snow.
A groan vibrated from his big body, sending the heat of desire through her own. Her nipples were already taut and rubbing against him. An ache had begun between her thighs.
“It is just a dream, my lovely. Just a dream.” Persuasion doused every word that the vampire spoke.
No. Jasmine whimpered, shaking her head slightly. She didn’t want it to be a dream this time. What she needed, wanted, was it to be real, just this once. Waking up feeling empty and unfulfilled was killing her. Before desolation could settle in she felt his feather kisses against her mouth. His lips were warm, gently coaxing.
Eagerly, she kissed him back. His tongue danced against the seam of her lips, seeking permission. On an exhaling of breath, Jasmine complied allowing it entry to entwine with her own. It was a bewitching, sweet seduction of her senses. Eric always seemed to know how to evoke her passion. It was something Jasmine never had control over, not even in her dreams.
“So beautiful.” His voice murmured, as he broke the connection to rain kisses over her cheeks. “I have missed you so very much, yet you have always been with me in my thoughts.” He sounded so sincere.
“I trusted you, Eric,” she whispered, unable to keep the pain from her voice. “Why did you have to hurt me? Betray me?” Finally, she raised her eyelids. The most dazzling pair of blue icy eyes met her own. Handsome face taut with lust and desire, Eric was watching her intently.
His gaze darkened with a mixture of pain and another emotion she couldn’t catch hold of before it was gone. For once, she was lost for words at how real this all felt. Candle light glowed around them, casting shadows over their skin. The water they were submerged in was warm and relaxing. It was romantic. In the dreams she’d had before everything had been hazy. How could this time be so different? In that moment, her pain was forgotten.
“Forgive me, Kitten.” Grabbing the back of her neck Eric tugged her back down for a rough kiss. She went willingly, mouths fusing with need. The vampire’s cold power swirled around them, sending the flames of the candles swaying and bobbing.
When they finally parted, they were both breathing heavily. His hand rested possessively on her hip. Jasmine willingly softened against him, becoming pliant, surrendering to his dominance. Pulling her forward, he took one of her darkened nipples into his hu
ngry insistent mouth. The prick of his fangs grazed her flesh.
Clutching his head, her fingers tangled in his short, black hair. A sob rose from her throat as he tugged a little harder, sending a dart of pleasure through her system. Their skin was slick and slippery. Sliding against him, she tried to drag his face closer to her other waiting breast.
His deep chuckle vibrated against its curve. “Always so impatient,” he said, before his mouth swooped across to claim it.
Jasmine cried out sharply as his tongue flicked the straining bud. She was aching, melting as her fierce excitement grew. A craving to have him inside her was building. She needed to feel one with him and something more. Something she could not explain.
His hand curved over her butt, massaging the cheeks as her hips moved against him, inviting and willing. Releasing her nipple, he rocked her relentlessly, pushing his groin up to grind himself against her mound.
Jasmine gave a strangled moan as his action drove the exquisite ache in her pussy higher. An icy blast whipped her hair up as Eric growled, slightly changing the angle so he could rub his cock against her clit.
Panting, she nuzzled his neck. She could taste the water and salt from his skin; the coldness of his powers as it flowed through his veins. Using her tongue she ran it along the curve. When she nipped lightly with her teeth to mark him, he groaned and shuddered beneath her.
Big hands on her hips pulled her closer. She found herself lying further over his naked chest, her face still against his neck. His hard cock was sandwiched between them, rubbing against her belly. She felt it throb and swell further.
Like a cat, she licked again, slowly growing more insistent with each swipe. It was more than arousing. She wanted to mark him as much as he had marked her. Yet the ones he had left on her could not be seen, because they littered her heart. Her soul. Her body was thrumming. The big male below her was aroused with his own needs. Finally, Jasmine used her teeth to bite harder at what she wanted. It was instinctual. A dark craving invaded the very depths of her lust.
Eric’s deep intake of breath filled her ears. “Yes, Kitten. I know what you want. What you need. You must drink and be strong.”
Eric tilted his head. Firm fingers brushed her cheek and then moved to his own neck. A moment later he withdrew it. Something wet met her lips. Jasmine pressed her open mouth closer and the thick coppery taste she had experienced once before filled her mouth.
A growl rose up from her chest as it coursed down her throat. The liquid nourishment was potent and heady. She practically withered with each pull of it into her hungry mouth. It awakened a hunger she had never experienced before. It consumed her.
Eric lifted her hips. The tip of his cock prodded at her centre. Jasmine mewled as he thrust upwards, burying himself deep. She did not know where he started or where she ended. It was as if he wanted them to be one.
Sensations overwhelmed her. The pleasure was incredible. He filled her completely. She could feel every inch of him. Her senses somehow enhanced within that precious moment as she fed from his neck.
Heat seared her every nerve ending as she began to move. Water splashed around them as they set a steady rhythm. With one last lick she placed kisses against his cheek. Mouth searching for his, their tongues tangled together; the tang of blood merging as they savoured each other.
Eric guided her as she bounced up and down. The friction of his cock and the water built her pleasure quickly. Jasmine could already feel an orgasm growing as she grasped at his muscled shoulders for support. Urging her on, Eric increased their speed. Jasmine clung on as she revelled in the frenzied coupling.
She was so close. With harsh breaths, a whiny sob left her. She was so desperate to come. Needed to unravel in his arms as only he could make her do.
He seemed to sense her distress. One of his hands moved between her legs. As his blunt finger found her clit, Jasmine jerked. Still thrusting into her he teased the little nubbin mercilessly.
“Come for me, Jasmine. Let me see you fall apart in my arms. I can already feel your little cunt tightening around my cock,” Eric encouraged, his attention riveted to her flushed face. “I know you need this, my love.”
His impassioned words sent her over. Back bowing, a burst of light blinded her as the world shattered into a thousand pieces. Fingernails digging into his biceps, she let it take her, wringing out every last drop of ecstasy.
Eric was still fucking her. His body pushing up into her core as her pussy contracted around him. He was focused on finding his own release. Jasmine felt his icy power ascending once more. As furious as a blizzard, it stormed around them. Its bitter bite sent shivers over every inch of her unsubmerged in the heated pool.
Fangs sank into Jasmine’s neck. A small keening sound left her lips. Pleasure ripped through her with the force of a hurricane. Collapsing on top of him, she swooned in his arms.
Blinking slowly, Jasmine awoke. Vision slightly blurry, it took her a moment to adjust to the light coming in through the window. The sun’s rays had dwindled. Dusk was approaching as the day drained away.
Her body was feeling languid and heavy. All the aches and stiffness from before were gone. Strangely, she felt better than she had in weeks. Jasmine murmured softly to herself in confusion.
Hand reaching out, she was met with a cold, empty space beside her. A dream. Eric was not there. Her disappointment was sharp. Why the fuck did she have to keep dreaming about him? These dreams were always so vivid, but this one...this had felt so real.
Burying her face in a pillow, she groaned. Her heart did a painful flip flop. What she needed to do was forget Eric. Forget how complete he made her feel when they were physically one. Hope that he would stop haunting her. What she wanted to do, was start mending her broken heart and stop wallowing in misery. Now was the time to take back her life.
Getting on with rescuing Twitch was a step in the right direction. At least now she felt well rested. Where the hell was she though, and how long had she been there? She stretched, curving her back like a cat. Soft blankets caressed against every inch of her naked skin.
Rolling over, she discovered Kaysin watching her. The Jinn sat stiffly in a wooden chair beside the door. His golden regard watched her intently.
“Hey.” She gave him a weak smile. “Have you been guarding me?”
He nodded. Gaze unblinking, he continued to stare.
They were in an elegant bedroom. Paintings of the city adorned the pale white walls. An antique cherry wood dresser stood in one corner. A matching wardrobe was across the room. From the antiques she could see scattered around, she guessed they had made it to Carbrey’s house.
Jasmine ran a hand through her hair. Frowning, she discovered it was slightly damp. When had that happened? Had she passed out? She remembered feeling light headed, and then the sensation of falling. Sitting up clumsily, she realised she was naked. Grabbing the sheet, she hauled it up around her bare breasts. All the cuts, grazes and nicks, she had collected were gone.
Bewildered, she stared down at her soft unblemished skin. The only thing to remain was the burn scars on her inner left arm. How the heck had that happened? Raising her chin, she turned her scrutiny towards Kaysin.
He hadn’t moved a muscle. Like a statue, he remained still and immobile. Jasmine wasn’t sure she would be getting any answers from him. Then a thought hit her.
“The sword?” she asked, a trace of panic in her voice. After all she had gone through to get it, she didn’t want to lose Excalibur now.
Raising a black, leather, gloved hand he pointed to the end of the bed. The worn scarab containing the blade rested on top of a wooden trunk.
Jasmine released a gusty sigh. “You have no idea what the fuck I went through to get that,” she told him, flopping back on the bed in relief.
Eric had been careful to heal the puncture marks on her throat. No evidence remained. He was happy to let her believe it had all been a dream. Her craving for him would be eased for now from their intimacy. Ironical
ly, it was strange how clearly ones thoughts could become through unforeseen circumstances. Eric’s mind had never been sharper. He loved her.
The old man had been right. It defied all logic, but his heart yearned for Jasmine. She was not a Vampiria. Not even a vampire. Yet he loved this little human female with every fibre of his being. The revelation had been like a blow to the solar plexus. Even now he sat, stunned. For once, Eric did not know what to do.
Why it had taken him so long to recognise the feeling, he did not know. Perhaps it was because he had never experienced it before. He had never believed in love. In Prague, his feelings had been corrupted by an enchantment. If he had been able to think clearly, even then he would have seen the signs. After centuries of being cold and emotionless, he now, felt far too much. Eric wanted so much more than he had ever had.
Yet, he did not know how to love. It was a foreign feeling. Winter fed his heart. Now it beat for this feisty female. For all he knew and could do, this one emotion left him feeling strangely helpless. Words escaped him.
How easily she could now bring him to his knees. He felt weak, vulnerable. And it scared him in ways he could not yet comprehend. Jasmine had no clue of her power over him. He also wanted to please her. Eric wanted to see her smile at him again, see the look of desire in her eyes when she watched him. See her face light up when he entered a room.
In that moment, it hit him how much he had actually hurt her. She had opened herself up, given him her trust, and he had destroyed it. So wrapped up in his own wants, he had damaged her in a far worse way.
Silently, he observed her. The sheet barely covered her lush body. She was examining the sword he had found her with intently. He wanted to hold her. To sooth away all that burdened her, but knew that was not possible. Not at the moment. He was, after all, most of the cause of it. Jasmine’s feelings were still so raw. He could sense them through the blood bond.
