by Julia Milla
Grabbing her outstretched arm, he gripped her gun in one hand as he spun her around, pulled her back to his front, and wrapped his free arm around her neck. Placing the barrel of the gun against her temple, he growled, “Tell them tae cease fire or Ah will use ye as a shield 'n' fin' anither wey oot o` yer special wee piece o' hell.”
“Hold your fire!” Eve screeched before whispering so only he could hear, “I’m going to drain every ounce of magic from your body and use it to track down every useless piece of paranormal trash out there and do the same to them. One way or another, I will win, Kyran.”
Her words sounded fierce but he could hear the shake in her voice and feel the shiver as he pushed the barrel of the gun farther into her flesh. Surrounded by her men, the Phantom made a show of using his enhanced speed to raise the gun over his head, fire a shot, and return it to Eve’s temple before the human hunters could do more than gasp.
Chuckling as Eve sagged against him in relief, Kyran lifted her feet off the ground, ran backward toward the door, and yelled, “Sta’ back or she dies.”
Reaching the hallway, he looked for the reinforcements he knew would be coming. When the telltale pounding of boots approaching rang in his ears, Kyran flew around the corner and headed toward the basement. His plan was to escape through the tunnels leading to the water plant.
The thought of killing Eve felt so right that he had already cocked the trigger before remembering that a gunshot would give away his location. Instead, he stepped into an alcove, struck his captor at the base of the neck with the butt of her own gun, threw her in the corner, and sped toward the emergency stairs at the end of the hall. Slamming through the door, the black dragon flew down the stairs, ripped the cover off a vent, and slid into a tunnel just as the alarm announcing his escape sounded.
The feel of Duke licking her hand woke Caitlin from her fitful sleep. “What’s the matter boy?” she asked, listening for anything unusual as her furry companion whined that he needed to potty. Standing, she petted his head and snickered. “Well, go, you silly goose. You don’t have to wait for me.”
Sitting back down, she let her head fall into her hands and thought about what she’d just seen. She knew he’d escaped…that time, but also was well aware that the O’Baoills had recaptured him and the penalty for his brief freedom had been even more severe than what she’d just witnessed. Following the light that continued to grow in the depth of her soul since first making contact with Kyran, Caitlin found him still asleep and firmly ensconced in her past.
Unwilling to wait a second longer for her contrary dragon to see the light and return to her, Caitlin commanded, “Come, Duke. Let’s get something to eat.”
As soon as her furry companion was by her side, the banshee held on to his collar and let herself be led into the house, too deep in thought and too exhausted to be as independent as she usually was. After feeding Duke and eating a bowl of cereal, she made her way to the shower then cleaned up and got dressed before sitting back down at the kitchen table to think about her next step.
Running her fingers through Duke’s fur, she shared her thoughts. “We’re gonna take a long walk, my friend. How do you feel about going on a dragon hunt?”
Her long-time companion yipped in delight, making Caitlin chuckle. “But only to find him. No biting.”
Laughing out loud when Duke whined as if he’d understood her and was disappointed that he couldn’t take a bite out of Kyran, the banshee stood, counted the steps to the stove, and then felt her way down the counter to the drawer holding her grimoire. Removing the big leather- bound book from its home, she placed it in her bag, put some fruit, dog treats, and a few bottles of water alongside it, and walked toward the door. After securing Duke’s leash, together they made their way out the door and through the yard on their first ever big adventure completely on their own.
Now, standing what she guessed to be halfway up the side of a mountain, yelling for her dragon, the first bits of doubt entered her mind. Instead of giving in to it, she shouted again. “Kyran! You know I’m not going to give up. You might as well come out and…”
“I’m 'ere, woman. Stop yer screaming. Ah hear ye. Hell, th' whole of the countryside kin hear ye.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Heard the grin in his voice as he tried to chastise her. Not one to be outdone, she answered back, “Then get your butt down here and help a girl.”
Laughing out loud as she listened to him grumbling about crazy women and grumpy dogs but nonetheless heading toward her, Caitlin had to remind Duke to stop growling and mind his manners. The only warning she got that Kyran had arrived was the sparks of their attraction racing up her arm and down her spine when he grabbed her hand, pulled her to him, and scooped her up in his arms.
It took just one touch and all the hurt and frustration she’d been feeling at his abrupt departure floated away like the ashes of a long forgotten fire. Needing to reconnect with him after seeing just one of the many horrors of his past, Caitlin carefully reached for his face. Smiling when she felt him move his head to the side, helping her place her hands around his neck, the banshee reveled in the myriad of new, unexplored feelings. Pulling him toward her, she loved that he didn’t resist and when their lips met, it was as if the last hours of separation had merely been a figment of her imagination. She’d heard all the tales of what it meant to meet your true mate but never quite believed them…until Kyran.
Their kiss grew, time ceased to exist, and somewhere along the way, while she was caught up in their embrace, her dragon moved them up the mountain and into his humble abode. Caitlin heard the sounds of water trickling into a pond as she basked in the smoky masculine scent of her mate and the feel of his flesh under her fingers.
Her hands found their way into his hair. Gone was the muck and grime from the day before, replaced by the feeling of spun silk running through her fingers. She could see, through his eyes, in his mind, that not only the outer dirt from the day before was gone, but also absent were the reservations about her and what they meant to one another. Sharing Kyran’s sight was miraculous. It had been so long since she’d seen little more than glimpses and flashes from others’ minds, Caitlin had forgotten what real sight felt like. With him, it was as if her vision had been restored. She saw everything in living color. She saw him.
Moving as one, their passion grew, their kiss deepened, and Caitlin gave herself over completely to the man who had captured her heart in a few short hours. His arm moved from underneath her legs and sliding down his body, she felt the proof of his arousal jump against her stomach. Longing to remove the clothing standing between them, she slid her hands down his shoulders as soon as her feet touched the ground. Pulling him closer, the need to feel all of him stunned and excited her. All the passion, all the feelings, all the emotions running through her, pushing her to know this man, her dragon, as she’d known no other, was overwhelming, magical, and one of the most amazing things she’d ever experienced.
Afloat on a cloud of desire and longing, her nails slid down his back as Caitlin stood on tiptoes to better reach him while pressing her body to his. Kyran’s hands set her ablaze, leaving a trail of fiery yearning as they slid under the soft cotton of her T-shirt, along her waist, and up her ribs, continuing their erotic torture until he was cupping the underside of her breasts.
The sensory overload was incredible; so much more than she’d ever imagined. It felt as if their souls had become one. Her usually restless and angry alter-ego was now joyful and seeking to know both man and beast with the same intensity as the woman.
This is the culmination of every dream I ever had…
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than Kyran tore his mouth from hers, placed his hands on her shoulders, and set her away from him. The sight she’d shared with him disappeared and, from the sound of the shuffle of his bare feet on the stone floor, she knew he’d also turned his back on her. Confused and more than a little frustrated, she reached for him, just the very tip of her fingers
touching the warmth of his skin, before she felt him once again pull away.
Hurt and embarrassed, rejection reared its ugly head and before she could think, Caitlin yelled, “What’s the matter, Kyran? Afraid to feel something real? Afraid of what Fate has planned for us? Am I not good enough?” Suddenly short of breath and seething with rage, all rational thought disappeared.
Anger was easier and far less painful than all the other emotions fighting to tear her down, so grabbing onto it with both hands, she yelled, “Let me guess…little blind banshee’s not good enough for the mighty Kyran O’Connor, Guardsman extraordinaire.”
Her temper driving her every word, her every movement, Caitlin forgot to reach for Duke to make sure her path was clear before stepping forward, and as she shouted, “Well, let me tell you something…” her statement was cut short as she tripped on a rock, fell forward, and landed right in the arms of the man who, at the moment, she was contemplating castrating with a hot poker.
Being blind isn’t a sin…but it’s damned unhandy.
Chapter Five
Using his enhanced speed, Kyran caught his beautiful mate before anything dared mar her glorious countenance and returned her feet to the ground in front of him as she continued to berate him as if nothing had happened. “I have waited my whole life for you, you big dumb jerk. Sure, I thought all that crap about true mates and Destiny and Fate was a load of bullshit. Just something people kept telling me to make me not feel so alone and to help me not lose hope … but then you came…you came to me.”
She pointed her finger at him, her blind eyes seeing the things most couldn’t. “You. Came. To. Me.” Her voice was louder, filled with infinitely more feeling as every word crossed her lips. “And then I knew…I just knew.” She shook her head, her words echoing in the cavern. Her long black hair flowed around her like a dark cloud, accenting her beauty, highlighting the depth of her strength and power, making her irresistible. The Phantom was in awe. His Caitlin was absolutely magnificent.
Her silence continued. He knew, had she been able to see, she would have been staring at him, peeling back the cold hard layers he’d built not only around himself, but also his heart and soul, stripping him bare. Did she not know? Could she not see? She’d already shredded his armor, embedded herself within his heart and soul, made it impossible for him to draw breath without her?
The memories…her memories, that he’d seen in his dreams, made sure there was no way he could ever walk away…ever leave her, even if he did believe it was the best thing for her. He was forced to rethink how he would approach and rid the world of Eve, for now he had something to live for…someone to live for …his stunning banshee. But still…there was so much she needed to know about him…needed to understand.
Although he was more than pleased when her thoughts revealed he would be her first and only lover, it also brought the harsh truth of reality crashing down around him. Her first time should not be on the floor of a cave with a man who had no home, no clan, nothing. It had to be special; something she would remember forever. Something they would build their life, their future, their everything upon.
Standing absolutely still, trying to think of what he could say to make her understand, waves of anger and frustration poured off his Caitlin. His little banshee shook with fury. It was one of the sexiest things he’d ever seen. He wanted to laugh, to do anything to lighten the mood, to take the pain he could feel he’d caused her away and let her know how much she already meant to him, but…there was no doubt in the black dragon’s mind that Caitlin would kick his butt where he stood, on principle alone. He’d heard her passing thoughts about a hot poker and his balls and didn’t want to tempt fate.
The longer he watched her, the longer he waited for her to speak, the longer her thoughts mixed with his and he felt the true depth of the hurt and frustration his actions had caused her, the more Kyran knew beyond all doubt he had screwed up in a monumental, almost unforgiveable way.
Once again, lost to the raw power of his feelings for his banshee, unable to resist the pull of his mate a moment longer, the black dragon slammed his mouth to his banshee’s. It was an embrace of raw passion and absolute possession, full of teeth and tongue and utter need. He couldn’t get enough of her. Her scent, her skin, her erotic curves begging to be worshiped, all called to him on an elemental level. His dragon roared, pushing, needing, wanting all the fire and passion they both knew only Caitlin could give them.
The primal need to mark her, sink his teeth into her tender flesh, taste of her life’s essence, rose like a raging tidal wave within him. It was the old way, the way of the Dragon Kings, to ensure there was no doubt who she belonged to, whose heart and soul she held in the palm of her hand…and more importantly, who would fight to the death to keep her by his side.
Finally, Caitlin stopped resisting, stopped trying to push him away and gave as good as she got. Her hands caressed his heated skin, leaving sparks of passion in their wake as she too sought to mark him in her own special way.
The feel of her fingers threatened his sanity as the overload of sensations shot through his system. The more she tried to possess him, the more he relented to being possessed. Nipping and sucking his way across her jaw and down her neck, Kyran became drunk from the sheer pleasure of his mate; their hunger so intense he was transported to another time and place. Completely forgotten was the fact that they were standing in the middle of a cave, the only place he had to call home for the time being. Nothing mattered but the woman in his arms and the way she made him feel. Needing his mate more than his next breath, Kyran once again lifted Caitlin's feet from the ground but this time, he carried her across the grotto, careful not to disrupt their kiss.
Regretfully pulling his lips from hers, grinning as she moaned at the loss, he gently laid her down on his pallet, quickly lying beside her and taking her hands into his. Kissing the tips of her fingers, he explained, “Caitlin, mo ghra’, Ah didnae turn awa' froom ye because Ah dinnae wantae be wi' ye or hae feelin`s fur ye, 'n' definitely nae because yer beautiful blue eyes daenae see.” He paused, took a deep breath and without waiting for her to respond, continued. “Ah stopped because A'm waantin' oor first time th'gither, yer first time ever wi' a man, tae be special…tae be perfect. Nae tae be on a nicked sleeping bag on th' floor o' a cave.”
Her tiny fingers touched his lips as she whispered, “Shhh, you silly old dragon. Don’t you know how special you are...how special we are together? You see, because of the blessings of our heritage, the Universe, even Fate, nothing can be taken for granted. Everything is as it should be and happens for a reason. Just like us, here...now, our one single moment in time…our brief interlude in the middle of all the chaos when we can either catch fire and burn bright or walk away and pray we don't fizzle out. The sad thing is, if we decide to wait or let other things get in the way and miss our moment, we run the risk of it being gone forever…with no guarantee to ever return.”
Outlining his lips with the tips of her fingers, Caitlin added, “This is our time, Kyran, and no matter whether we are in a castle or cave, it is you I want to be with, you I know I am meant to love, and you I know I will spend my eternity loving.” Her fingers traced his jawline as she smiled so sweetly it made his heart ache and added, “Please love me and let me love you, mo ghra’.”
Afraid to move, afraid to breathe, sure whatever he could do or say would somehow diminish the absolute perfection of the moment, Kyran laid perfectly still as Caitlin touched and memorized every scarred inch of his face. His pride soared as he realized that through their bond, his banshee could and was using his eyes to see. It was hard not to chuckle when her thoughts betrayed her and he now knew that she was using her old method of touch to see if her vision of him matched his own.
The longer she touched him, the more vivid the picture she had of him became in her mind. Flattering didn’t begin to cover what he felt. Although he’d only had a pool of water to use as a mirror for many years, Kyran knew without a doubt he d
id not look as majestic or aristocratic as his Caitlin made him appear.
“But that’s how I see you,” she whispered, her breath caressing his cheek where her fingers had left their indelible mark.
“’N' that's all that matters. Th' rest o' th' world kin sod aff fur all Ah care.”
Unable to hold back any longer, sure that this was what his mate wanted just as much as he did, the black dragon laid his lips to hers. Summoning his incredible strength, he forced both himself and his beast to go slowly, be gentle, make this the best he possibly could for his banshee. But Caitlin was having none of it. Her hands gripped his shoulders. She pulled his chest to hers with a force and passion unlike any he’d ever felt.
Letting her take the lead, Kyran followed, opening not only his mind, but also his body and soul to the one the Universe had made for him. She kissed him with such desire and longing that he could no longer hold back. Sliding his hands under her T-shirt and using his enhanced ability, he rid her of the offending material.
His mouth watered at the sight of her hardened nipples pushing against the light pink material of her bra. Unable to stop himself, Kyran sucked first one and then the other into his mouth, teasing it with just the tip of his tongue until Caitlin’s hands were on his head and she was calling his name.
Her back arched off the pallet. She ground her hips against his denim-covered erection, pleading, “Oh, Kyran, oh…oh…yes. Oh, my Goddess, Kyran, yes.”
Needing to taste and mark every inch of her, the Phantom kissed across her chest while reaching around her body, unhooking her bra, and throwing it to the side. His mouth was immediately back at her breast, nipping and sucking as Caitlin’s moans of pleasure echoed off the stone walls. Setting the rhythm as he continued to taste every part of her body, his banshee muttered his name louder and with more emotion as her fingers dug into his scalp, pushing him to mark her, to make her his for all time.
