Darkest Hours

by S. K. Yule

Aiston insisted on seeing her to her room. She hadn’t seen Ebony for awhile and wondered if she had gotten tired and turned in already as well. She planned on peeking in her room quickly on the way to her own to see if she was there.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Drinks in hand, Ashe reluctantly made his way to the study, hoping to run into Ebony on the way so he could explain what was going on. Unfortunately, he didn’t see her and found himself in front of the door. He let himself in to find Alaina sprawled on the couch showing more leg than necessary. He handed her a drink, placed the other on his desk and leaned against it folding his arms over his chest.

  “So, tell me what you’ve heard.” Ashe eyed Alaina as she gave her cat-like smile and stretched before she got up and walked over to him.

  She positioned herself just far enough away to allow him a grand view of her full cleavage when she bent to smooth her hands along his arms, tugging them to rest at his sides. She ran her hands along his chest smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his tux and leaned in a little closer. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you can’t we catch up a little before talking business?”

  Her heavily perfumed scent almost gagged him. He knew Alaina had a short-fused temper and didn’t want to piss her off before he got the information from her. However, he was beginning to seriously doubt that she had any info that would help him in the least. This would most likely turn out to be another one of her famous ruses to try to get him in bed. Well that would never happen again and he was getting real tired of trying to get that through her thick head.

  “Alaina, we don’t have any catching up to do. You know that. Aren’t we beyond these games?” He watched the brief flash of anger in her eyes as she continued to toy with the front of his tux and ran her hands dangerously close to his crotch, which, by the way, was not responding in the least to her attention.

  “You can be so boring sometimes. Don’t you ever miss what we had together? I know I think about us. The way our bodies fit perfectly together and the way you would screw me senseless. You can’t possibly expect me to believe you don’t think about that?” Her lips formed another of her trademark pouts.

  “You know what we had is over and dead, and no, I do not think about it, ever. It’s in the past and that’s where it’s staying.” Ashe was irritated now, but still clung to the small possibility that she could give him a lead on Ebony’s attacker. If not for that small fact, he would have been long gone.

  Fury surfaced in Alaina’s eyes once again. “Come on now Ashe. I know if you let me show you what you’ve been missing, you’ll change your mind.” She pushed her body up against his, rubbing sinuously as she kicked off one of her heels and massaged his calf with her bare foot. She wrapped her arms around his waist and began nibbling on his neck. He tried to detach himself from her but she tightened her hold and brought her mouth to his. Her tongue pushed into his mouth and came close to triggering his gag reflex. He couldn’t believe he ever shared anything with this woman. He pulled away from her, ready to make clear that nothing was going to happen when a small gasp penetrated the silence in the room.

  Ashe looked toward the door where Ebony stood, staring at them. He felt pain shoot through his heart as tears formed in her eyes. Fuck! He had hurt her again. Something he vowed to never do.

  Her gown billowed out behind her as she turned and ran from the room. Ebony! It’s not what it looks like. Please come back!

  Stay out of my head you lying bastard! And, stay away from me.

  “Dammit, Alaina! I have to go!” Ashe tried to get around her only to feel a hand clamp on his arm.

  “Forget about the little human, Ashe. She’s not worth it. She’s out of your life now and we can be together.”

  Alaina gave him a smile that turned his stomach. She had a knack for making him sick. He pushed her hand off his arm and pulled her close to him so she would be sure to hear every word he said. “There is no us and there never will be. Get that through your head. I don’t want you and I don’t want anything further to do with you. In fact, I prefer you to gather your things and leave right now. Whether Ebony was here or not, there would still not be a chance in hell for you and me! Deal with it!”

  * * * *

  Ashe didn’t bother knocking on Ebony’s door since he knew she wouldn’t let him in. He simply shimmered in and found her lying on her stomach across the bed crying. She had traded her gown for jeans and a t-shirt. He walked over to stroke her back gently and she sat up, scooted to the far end of the bed and glared at him.

  He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Ebony, it’s not what you think. Please—

  “It’s not what I think? I think—no—I’m sure I saw Alaina’s tongue down your throat, and it didn’t look like you were putting up much of a fight. Why did you lie to me, Ashe? I trusted you.” Anger flashed in his eyes and her brows turned down.

  “You trusted me?” He gave a short laugh. “Yeah, right. First of all, Alaina kissed me. I didn’t kiss her, I didn’t want to kiss her and I didn’t invite her to kiss me. Secondly, why would I want to kiss her when I can kiss you? And, third, you don’t trust me at all.”

  “I don’t understand wh—”

  Ashe stalked over to her bending close. “Let me fill you in. If you trusted me, you would know that I love you and would never kiss another woman, and if you trusted me you would have told me about your illness. I don’t think you trust me at all.” All his worry and anger over her illness from the past few days crashed in on him. She should have just told him. He wanted her to trust him enough to tell him. She never did though and now she had the nerve to sit here and tell him he was untrustworthy. Well wasn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?

  * * * *

  When Ebony had seen Alaina draped over Ashe like a second skin, rubbing her body against him her heart broke. She thought Ashe lied about there not being anything between him and Alaina. She thought he had betrayed her. She had obviously been mistaken.

  He loved her? Her heart overflowed with joy at that statement. She only hoped she hadn’t lost that love when she had just discovered it. She watched as he paced the room. She had never seen him so angry and hurt. He knew about her sickness and wanted her to tell him. She wanted to on several occasions, but could never bring herself to do so. She went to him and laid a hand on his back only to snatch it back when he turned abruptly, raining his full hurt and anger down on her.

  He began telling her about Shara, his viata amant and her betrayal. He didn’t stop until every last horrid detail was laid out in the open. Ebony’s eyes filled with tears. “That is why I decided to never trust or love another woman again. I mean, I’d have to be a complete idiot to allow yet another woman to betray me and yet, here I am being screwed once again.”

  The story he had just told her was horrible. She couldn’t imagine the hurt he must have endured at the betrayal. She knew how much it had cost him to tell her about it. Her chest ached at the thought of him knowing about her condition and wanting her to trust him enough to tell him. The one thing she could have given him that Shara had ripped away so long ago, she had failed to give him. Then, another part of the story popped into her head. Had he said that he wanted to change Shara so they could spend forever together? Did that mean he could change her too, regardless of her illness? Was there actually a possibility that they could have a future together after all?

  She suddenly realized that she had misinterpreted the situation badly with Alaina. She knew how hard it must have been for him to admit that he loved her after what he had been through with Shara. He wasn’t a man that would simply say those words to appease the situation. She knew he was telling the truth. “Ashe, I’m so sorry.”

  He walked away from her and stood peering out the window. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Ebony. It’s all in the past, as well as we should be. I can’t believe I was so stupid as to fall for another woman after I vowed to never do so again, especially one who doesn’t even trust me. I mean where could it possibl
y lead? ”

  She walked over to him and placed her hand on his back once again, his muscles tensed and she thought he would pull away from her but he didn’t. What a huge mistake she had made. She never could have comprehended the depth at which such a simple thing in her mind could cause him such pain. Her heart was on the precipice of breaking. Surely it would kill her if he walked away from her now after feeling such joy at finding out he loved her. No one’s heart could take an overflow of emotion like that and then recover to normal, could it? “Please, Ashe. Just listen to me for a minute, okay?”

  She saw his reluctant nod and plunged into the depths with both feet, hoping she didn’t drown. “I don’t feel sorry for you, Ashe. Yes, I’m sorry you were hurt, but whatever happened in your past is partly what made you who you are today. I can’t be sorry for that because you are a strong, wonderful honorable man.” She was relieved when his muscles relaxed just a bit and it gave her the courage to continue.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was sick. I do trust you, I swear. I just didn’t want anyone to pity me, least of all you. I didn’t even tell Avril. Estril knew right away because I had a headache the first day she visited me and she read my thoughts. I made her promise not to tell you. Please don’t be mad at her.” He didn’t say a word, just kept staring out the window, so she continued on.

  “I never thought I would find someone like you Ashe. I was so angry at finding you after I found out I was sick. I found a man I could respect and trust and fell madly in love with him, only I had nothing to offer in return. I couldn’t expect to have a relationship when I didn’t have a lifetime to offer. I know I kept it from you for mainly selfish reasons, but I wanted to enjoy what we had without my sickness looming over our heads every second.”

  He turned and looked at her. Quietly watching as she began sobbing again.

  “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much. Can you ever forgive me?” She looked at him with hope in her eyes.

  “You love me?”

  She almost missed his low, whispered words. “I’ve loved you from the first day I set eyes on you.” She felt relief sweep through her when a smile began playing at his lips.

  He gathered her in a tight hug. “I’ve loved you from that first day, too. I just refused to admit it for a long time. And, you have so much to offer me, but right now, I really need to be inside you.”

  Upon hearing her little gasp of excitement he pinned her against the wall by the window. He pulled her shirt over her head and was relieved to see she wasn’t wearing a bra. He gave her a scorching kiss before moving his mouth to her nipple, nipping and sucking, then soothing the little stings of pain from his teeth with his tongue. He let her feet touch the floor long enough to pull her jeans and panties off while laving more attention on her breasts. Her little gasps and the handful of his hair she was tugging urgently on drove him crazy. He undid the fastening on his tux pants and pushed her back against the wall once again as he stood. “I need you right now Ebony. Fast and hard.”

  “Then take me.” Her legs came up and around his waist and his hands cupped her bottom firmly as he entered her with one long, smooth thrust, burying himself completely. They both stilled at the intense sensations that assailed them and groaned before he began pumping in and out of her, picking up the pace as he went, encouraged by her gasps. She pulled his head down for another searing kiss as he increased the rhythm faster and faster. Their bodies writhed in an age-old dance as the waves of climax began building, rushing for shore. Within minutes Ashe threw his head back and let out a primitive growl as his release overtook him, searing his blood. She cried out at the same time with her own climax and her inner muscles clamped tightly around him, milking every last drop from his body.

  He held her against the wall for a moment longer as they both clung to the aftermath of their love making. Then, he gently pulled his body from hers and let her slide down slowly to the floor. She was so tiny next to him, barely coming to his shoulder. He finished removing his clothes then swung her up into his arms and carried her to the bathroom. He flipped the jets in the shower on, checked the temperature of the water and pulled her in with him.

  Their desire grew hot once again as they soaped each other. Ebony found herself pressed against the shower wall with Ashe inside her once again. She would never get enough of this man. This time he made love to her leisurely. They savored each touch, kiss and thrust, groaning and gasping. Several long minutes passed before they found their release simultaneously once again. Ebony’s legs felt boneless and she didn’t think she could walk. However, after he shut off the water, she had just enough strength left to dry off. Ashe lazily dried himself as he watched her, then picked her up and carried her to the bed and crawled under the covers beside her. He pulled her close and she lay half draped over his big body with her head resting on his chest.

  She smiled up at him. “Say it again.”

  His turquoise eyes sparkled back at her as he took her face in his hands and kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you.”

  She sighed and snuggled closer to him. “I love you, too.”

  * * * *

  He’d almost lost the best thing in his life. He knew if things were reversed he would have probably withheld such an illness from her as well. He had been so blinded by past events he couldn’t see that she wasn’t intentionally keeping it from him to betray him or because she didn’t trust him. It had been a simple case of pride. And, he had been guilty of hiding information from her as well. He knew she was his viata amant from the very start and no matter how he felt about it, she had a right to know. He felt like such a cad now for judging her so harshly. His information was just as life altering as hers.

  He never thought he would ever feel like this again. It was time to tell her that he could save her and they could spend eternity together. He was worried about how she would react. Even though he had been upset over her not telling him she was sick, he would be a complete bastard if he didn’t understand her reasoning behind it. He would probably feel the same way. Now that it was all out in the open, it seemed such a trivial matter, but would she understand his reasoning for not telling her? He knew she was nothing like Shara, but still, something deep inside him was scared of her reaction to him asking her to become a vampire.

  He wasn’t a man to procrastinate when he made up his mind to do something, so it was now or never. Tightening his hold on her he told her about the process of the change. He told her how she would be completely cured of her sickness and they could be together forever. He explained that he could only change her with her permission and that it would only take one more time as he had already bitten her twice before with her consent. She cringed when he explained that she would have to exchange blood with him for the change to be complete the third time, but she didn’t seem unduly distressed. He explained all of the details. That she would be required to drink blood in addition to eating and have all the heightened senses and powers. He didn’t want to leave anything out because if she chose to change, and she had to because he couldn’t live without her, he didn’t want any doubts in her head.

  “So my sickness won’t affect the change?”

  “I won’t lie to you. It is possible that it could lead to complications, but your will is strong and I will get you through it.”

  “What would happen if there were complications?”

  “It doesn’t matter because there won’t be complications.” He couldn’t even utter the words that she would either go through the change perfectly or die. He didn’t want to put doubts in her head. He knew that under certain circumstances a human that was ill sometimes did not survive the change. Some had but there was no guarantee. No! She would be fine because he simply would not allow her to die.

  She grabbed him by the hand and squeezed as he started to get up. “No matter what I decide, Ashe, remember I’m nothing like Shara and I love you and won’t betray you, ever.”

  He pulled her to him for a quick kiss. “I know. I tr
ust you. But for now, if you really want your hour, I have to get out of here before I lose control and ravish your beautiful body again.”

  * * * *

  Everything Ashe had told her swirled in her brain. He could save her—if there weren’t complications—but did it really matter? She would die for sure if he didn’t change her, but if he did she would be a vampire. Would it be worth it? Would she be damned? He told her vampires had souls and were only damned if they became shadow drifters. What it all came down to was she could be with Ashe forever. She wanted it so badly, but she was a little scared. She asked him if she could have some time alone to think about it before deciding and he reluctantly agreed to give her one hour.

  She giggled as she let go of his hand and snuggled under the covers. She watched his muscles ripple as he bent to pick up his clothing. She would never tire of looking at him. She promised him when he came back she would give him her answer. She wouldn’t make him wait long, it wouldn’t be fair. After dressing, he gathered her in his arms and placed a tender kiss upon her lips, smiled at her, told her he’d see her in an hour then left.

  He made sure to lock her door and planned to only be down the stairs in the study. He knew he would hear if anyone tried to gain entry through her door and he knew none of the vampires here tonight had been invited to shimmer in his home, although, a niggling feeling of unease at that thought stirred in his brain.