3#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Thorn)

by Hartnady, Charlene

  If it weren’t for the hand clamped tightly over her mouth she would’ve screamed. Whoever it was that had her trapped between hands of steel, dragged her in amongst the dark alcove of branches. Her eyes felt wide in her head as she frantically searched for Gideon. The male would’ve seen that she was taken, and if he hadn’t then he would surely notice her absence quickly. Would surely hear her elevated heartbeat and frantic breaths through her nostrils.

  “It’s only me.” A familiar husky voice whispered in her ear just as his delicious musky scent enveloped her. Xavier slid his hand from her mouth. He pushed his hard, hot body against her back. “I’ve missed you.”

  Turning her head, she could just make out the profile of his face and his intense silvery eyes. “I’ve missed you too,” she whispered.

  He turned her in his arms and pulled her towards him. Esral could feel how her breasts crushed against his chest. She slid her hands up and around his neck, just as his mouth covered hers in a kiss that had her knees feeling weak and her breath coming in tiny pants. She couldn’t help the contented sigh that fell from her lips when he finally released her. By all that was green, she wished that she had more willpower. Her feelings for this vampire superseded all logic. They shouldn’t be doing this.

  He must’ve seen the pain reflected in her eyes. His eyes filled with concern and turned a darker gray. Two crease marks appeared on his forehead. “I’ll find a way,” he whispered.

  “How?” Last night he looked so self-assured that even though she knew it was impossible, she had been tempted to believe him. Right now, she saw doubt reflected in his eyes.

  It felt like someone had ripped open her chest, reached in and pulled out her still beating heart. Though she had tried hard to convince herself that she did not believe they had any hope of succeeding, somehow, the emotion had still taken up residence and blossomed within her.

  Xavier cupped her cheeks, his face only inches from hers. “I told you that I’ll find a way and I will.”

  “How? I just can’t see a way out of this, Xavier.” She chewed on her bottom lip for a beat. “I’m scared of having to live the rest of my life without you in it.”

  He clenched his jaw. “I’ll be there for you, princess.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know how yet.” His eyes pulled up to the branches just above his head, before looking back at her. “Are you sure I can’t speak with Keto?”

  She shook her head so hard that it dislodged his hold. “You can’t do that. It won’t help anyway, he will insist that I mate with York. Like I told you before, it’s already done.”

  Grabbing ahold of her hands, he stepped right up to her and she had to crane her neck to keep her eyes locked with his. “If there is a way, I will find it. Of that you can be sure. You are mine, Esral, and I won’t give you up without a fight.”

  “I know. It scares me but we have to try. I won’t give up on us either.”

  “How is your father doing?” His voice was a low whisper.

  She had to smile, which in turn made him smile back at her. “He is doing so much better. I can’t believe the change.” A heaviness settled in her chest, it caused her to bite down on her lip. “I can’t hurt him, Xavier. He’s better because he isn’t worrying about me, I know it.”

  “The healers have picked up something in his blood. They are working on assessing exactly what it is. The problem is that they don’t want to keep pricking him with silver needles to draw more blood to test. The silver weakens him. It makes him ill.”

  “Do they have any idea what it could be?”

  Xavier shook his head. “I have a feeling it has to do with the silver spikes he keeps getting but they are being very evasive. I am sure that they know something but are not saying it. We will have to wait for word. I am so happy to hear that he is doing better though.”

  He must’ve seen something in her eyes just before she turned her gaze to her feet because he cupped her chin. “I’m going to fix this. We belong together.” His voice was husky and full of promise and renewed resolve.

  His eyes dropped to her lips and she couldn’t help but to lick them. Xavier groaned. “I want you so badly I ache.”

  “I want you too.” She smiled, loving that she had this affect on him.

  One of his hands slid into her hair, burying its way deep into the strands while the other cupped her ass, pulling her against him. He was hard… everywhere. Excitement coursed through her veins and her breathing turned choppy.

  When he kissed her, she kissed him back. She even parted her lips to allow his tongue to caress hers. It felt like she couldn’t get enough of this male. Clinging onto him for dear life, she dug her fingers into his muscles, even wound her leg around his calf. And now an all too familiar need awakened inside her. A hunger that consumed her. One that only Xavier could quell. To her horror, she found herself arching against him. A little whimper escaped. He worked his thigh between her legs and she rubbed and arched against it. Her rosebud throbbed, begging to be licked or fondled. Her nipples were so tight as they stroked against his chest with each movement. She whimpered again into his mouth.

  Xavier broke the kiss on a barely audible curse. “Let me ease you.” He whispered, his breath hot on her lips.

  His hand cupped her mound over her silk robe. Even the warmth of his fingers through the silk helped ease her growing need, if only just a little. She sucked in a lungful of air, already nodding in agreement when a low growl sounded from just outside the canopy. “Someone is coming.”

  Xavier put the fingers of his other hand against her lips. His eyes narrowed and he gently eased them deeper into the leafy cover, somehow managing to keep the leaves from rustling and cracking as they brushed against them. Her heart sped and she had to consciously work to control her breathing. Their elven senses may not be as developed as the vampires but that didn’t mean they were nonexistent. Xavier bracketed his strong arms around her and despite the circumstances, she felt safe.

  Light footfalls became louder. It was definitely an elf. Vampire males wore heavy army type boots which made way more noise. Gideon greeted whoever the person was. A female greeted back. Although her voice was familiar, she failed to place who it was. Esral waited for the footfalls to retreat, instead a soft giggle sounded. “I’m Glendril and who might you be?”

  Glendril…she held her breath. A shiver crept up her spine. Although the female had been nothing but helpful the night before, she couldn’t help but to feel that Glendril had pressed her a little too hard for information. Like she had an ulterior motive or something. Esral shook her head, paranoid much? She really needed to get a handle on her wayward emotions.

  “I’m Gideon.” The male’s deep voice punctured through the canopy of branches.

  Xavier pressed a soft kiss to her temple and threw her a half smile. Looking up at him from under her lashes, she couldn’t help but to reciprocate.

  “You are exactly as Daisy described you.” Another soft giggle. “Your most recent conquest told me all about you. Are you on guard duty at the moment? I don’t see the princess anywhere.” There was a pause and a shuffling of boots. Esral assumed that Glendril was looking around for her. Xavier’s arms tightened around her as her heart picked up speed at the prospect of Glendril finding them.

  Gideon didn’t respond.

  “Handsome and mysterious I see. I would like it very much if you came with me now, Gideon. I have to say that you are looking a little thirsty. My flower has filled with nectar just looking at you.”

  Esral had to bite her lip to keep from giggling. She had always seen Glendril as quiet and sweet. Boy was she way off the mark. There was a long silence. Xavier’s eyes were silvery in the darkness of the canopy. Even though he held her with infinite care, his big body was poised and ready.

  Heavy boots shuffled and Gideon growled softly. If Esral didn’t know any better she would say that he sounded aroused.

  “I can see that you like my breasts,” Glendril whispered

  “So plump.
Are all elven females built this way?” The male was definitely aroused.

  Glendril made a husky noise of agreement. “Although, I have been even more blessed than the average female.”

  “I never thought I would say this but maybe you should put them away before someone comes.” Another low growl. “I am tempted to take you up against this tree.”

  “We could slip in there…” Glendril gasped just as Xavier tensed against her. Esral was sure that Glendril was referring to where they were standing.

  “Oh yeah, big boy, your root sure is hard and so very big.” There was a shuffling of fabric.

  Xavier shook his head and rolled his eyes. Esral bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. It was so wrong to be listening in on this conversation.

  Gideon groaned. “I am not a boy.”

  “That’s for sure. Not with a dick the size of a tall oak. I don’t think you are a boy, it is merely a human saying. I like to read books and have picked up a few things along the way. It is a compliment.”

  The male vampire made a pained noise. “As good as that feels and as much as I would love to slip behind those branches, I am going to make you scream so it would be best if you told me where to find your chamber.”

  Glendril had to still be touching him because he groaned even harder. “I will meet you there when my shift ends in ten minutes. Stop doing that or I will cum in my pants.”

  Xavier’s mouth twitched. At this point, she had to put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from truly giggling.

  “Come with me now? I don’t see the princess. Did you say she was here?” The branches close to where they were standing rustled.

  Esral pursed her lips to keep from making a noise. She could hear Glendril’s soft leather boots as she moved about. “I do pick up her scent, but…”

  “Fine…” Gideon’s voice sounded unnaturally thick. “I’ll come with you. It’s almost six o’clock anyway.”

  The male knew that Xavier was with her and that the replacement guard would be at her front door at six sharp. He was giving them a way out. Not that it was much of a hardship on him. Two sets of feet began to move away.

  “I can’t wait to feel you deep inside me,” Glendril murmured.

  Gideon made a sound of approval. “I have a feeling your pussy will be snug. I wonder”—he paused taking a deep breath—“will you taste as sweet as you scent?”

  “I have been told that my nectar is delicious to savor.”

  “Make no mistake, female, I plan to devour your pussy but I was referring to your blood. You are going to enjoy being taken with cock and fang. It will be the best orgasm you have ever had.”

  Glendril’s moan was the last thing Esral heard before they moved out of earshot.

  She couldn’t help but to giggle softly into her hand. It was mostly out of sheer nervousness of nearly being caught. Her armpits actually felt damp. Unfortunately, so were her inner thighs. Xavier made her forget all rhyme and reason. He made her forget her future and her past.

  His nostrils flared and his eyes dipped to the juncture at her thighs. She squeezed her legs together to try and tamp down on the aching need but it only made it worse. Chewing on her lip, she actually tasted blood as one of her sharp teeth nicked her flesh.

  Xavier groaned, sounding so needy. “I want to touch you.” He whispered, pulling her against him.

  “There is no one to stand guard.” As she whispered, she moved closer until she straddled his thigh.

  “We will need to be quick—” His hand slipped between the folds of her robe closing on her flower.

  Esral sucked in a deep breath.

  “—and quiet.” His eyes moved to her lips a fraction of a second before he devoured them. No time to waste, his finger settled on her rosebud in a back and forth friction that had her arching her back and moaning. Xavier’s hot, demanding mouth swallowed the noise. His finger dipped to her flower, barely breaching the opening. The feeling of him there, in such a forbidden place had her sucking in a breath. It had her heart stopping for a long moment.

  Finger covered in nectar, he continued his assault on her clit. Even saying the word in her mind had her orgasm coiling in her belly. Her fingers dug into him, her one leg lifted hooking higher on his thigh.

  The blast of pleasure that tore through her had her knees weakening. If it wasn’t for his hand at the back of her neck, she would have pulled away on a high pitched cry. In that moment she didn’t care if all of Pulamor heard her. Xavier kept his mouth closed over hers, muffling any noises she might make. He slowly eased the pressure on her rosebud, drawing out her pleasure. Just as he removed his hand, he broke the kiss, giving her a little peck on the tip of her nose.

  “Can I let you go now?”

  She nodded. Xavier put a hand to her hip as he settled her firmly on her feet. Feeling weak, yet thoroughly sated, she couldn’t help but to grin at him like a fool.

  Xavier smiled back. “Feeling a bit better?”

  Esral nodded. “I only wish I could do the same for you.”

  His eyes darkened. “As much as I would love your hands on me, I’m afraid that our time is up.” He winked at her as he moved away. “Besides, I got all that I needed from feeling you cum in my arms. Wait here,” Xavier instructed softly as he began to move away. Esral had to suppress a gasp as she saw him stick his fingers in his mouth, his eyes drifting shut for a second as he savored her nectar.

  Within a few seconds he was back. “Coast is clear, let’s go. I’ll take you back to your chamber and wait for the replacement.”

  “What if someone sees us?”

  “No one knows about us except for Gideon and maybe York.” Xavier stayed a half a step behind her. He had shoved his hands into his pockets. She glanced back, his eyes were gunmetal grey and two creases had appeared between his eyes. She loved the way the shadows played on his face, highlighting the slight cleft in his…wait a minute.

  “Did you just say that York knows about us?” Her voice had a panicked edge.

  Xavier half smiled. “The male is no fool, besides I’m sure he could scent me on you this morning.”

  She stopped walking. “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean—”

  “Male seed is designed to leave a scent marker on a female. Granted, it would’ve left more of a scent if I had rutted you, but…”

  Esral could feel the blood drain from her face. “I was sure that if I brushed my teeth, gargled with mouthwash. I sprayed my bedding and my clothes with rosewater which would mask any scent for sure.”

  “You forget that we have a better sense of smell than elves do. Your species would be none the wiser…” Xavier’s eyebrows lifted. “I would be very surprised though if York didn’t know.”

  Her mouth gaped open, but as hard as she tried she couldn’t make it close.

  “Don’t look so shocked, princess.” Xavier smiled. “I told York yesterday that you were mine and that he had no place claiming you. I’m sorry if this upsets you.”

  Esral sucked in a breath as her brain started working again. She swatted Xavier on the arm.

  He smiled. “Don’t do that. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I might be small but I’m strong,” she growled at him. “I can’t believe you let me”—she lowered her voice while looking up at him through narrowed eyes—“swallow…knowing York would be able to tell.”

  “I told you not to swallow and with my cock half way down your throat and my balls in my own throat I couldn’t force myself to make you release me. I’m sorry.” He paused. “You’re not mated to him and if I have anything to say about it, you won’t be mating him.”

  “He claimed me. I shouldn’t have…we shouldn’t have…it’s wrong.”

  “Bullshit, princess. Listen to me.” His jaw clenched for a few beats and his eyes darkened so much that they turned a lighter shade of black. “We belong together. You’re not mating York and that’s fucking final.” His voice had become a low growl. “I will talk with him again. He needs to know t
hat I am fighting for us. I don’t want him to get starry-fucking-eyed over a future with you.”

  Esral squeezed her eyes shut. York had been nothing but kind to her. It would only make things so much worse if he knew just how deep her feelings for Xavier ran. Although the male knew there was an attraction between herself and Xavier, she didn’t think he realized that they were in love with one another. That her heart would always belong to another male.

  What if she and York did end up mated? It was a strong possibility at this point. York knowing would drive a wedge between them that could never be taken down.

  “Esral, sweetheart,” Xavier whispered. “He knows already. Apparently everyone knew how we felt for one another except for us.”

  She had to smile, feeling something inside her ease.

  “I won’t hurt him in any way. I just don’t want him getting his hopes up about a union with you. It’s best that he knows where we stand.”

  She nodded. “You are right. Do you want me to be with you when you discuss it with him?”

  Xavier shook his head. “I will handle it. He’ll listen if he knows what’s fucking good for him.”

  Esral flinched at his foul language. She felt herself frown. “Do you have to keep using that word?” she whispered.

  “Which word? Fuck?” His eyes were sparkling with amusement.

  She nodded. “It’s unnecessary.”

  “I thought you liked a little bit of dirty talk, princess, and I plan on using the word fuck very often where you are concerned.”

  She felt her cheeks heat. Xavier knew exactly how to push all of her hot buttons. She licked her lips. “I do like dirty talk but cursing during general conversation…” She shook her head.

  “I’ll make a bet with you…” His mouth twitched. “You and I get through this and I’ll never swear again. I swear.” He touched his heart and looked up to the canopy above like he was not only making a pact with her but with a higher power.

  “That’s so sweet.” She stopped walking for a few beats and smiled at him. She imagined that she must have looked all starry-eyed to him. Like if you looked up the words ‘In Love’ in the dictionary, a picture of her in this moment would be there. They started walking again and it wasn’t lost on her how slow they were moving.