Dark Promise

by M. L. Guida

  “You promise?”

  At his eager face, she vowed to do whatever it took to bring him back with her. “Yes, I do.”

  The queen approached Toby. “Toby, please forgive me. I promise no one will hurt you again.”

  Toby pulled away from Cassandra. He pushed his shoulders back and clenched his fists.

  Toby's bloody print marred the queen's blue dress.

  He curled his lip. “Forgive?” He snorted. “You want me to forget—”

  The Queen reached for him.

  He jerked away. “Don’t. Touch. Me.” He glared. “If you had even once…”

  Tears streaming down her face, she lowered her hand.

  Toby marched toward the keep, the guards stepping aside and averting their gaze.

  Cassandra wiped away a tear. What could the king and the queen say? No one had tried to intervene to protect Toby from Gryffin. God knew what the bastard did to the poor boy.

  The king held his sobbing wife in his arms and the dazed guards murmured among themselves.

  Cassandra wanted to ease the woman’s overwhelming regret, but how could she? If she told her the relationship with her grandson would heal, it would be lie. When she’d healed him, he’d been brimming with hatred.

  Obviously her new found gift failed to heal such a wide rift.

  “What will happen?” Cassandra asked.

  “Those consumed by the Darkness will heal and eventually blissful forgetfulness will blanket them, but only if they let go of the past and move on,” the Wraith said.

  “And if they don't?”

  “Their memories will eat away at their soul.”

  The queen released a mumbled snivel and Cassandra ached for her. How could Toby forget what his grandmother did to him? She felt his pain, but it was the betrayal that broke him and fueled his hate. She hadn’t erased the betrayal. She could feel it still rotting inside him.

  “Wraith, I believed in the ring. I didn’t heal Toby.”

  “The ring has left its mark on him. He has another path to follow and it will be his choice if he will be healed. I’m afraid if he chooses poorly, his pain and rage will destroy his soul.”

  “No,” Cassandra insisted. “I will help him heal.”

  “Cassandra?” Eric stretched out his bloody hand. Cuts and bruises marred his red splattered skin. She couldn’t tell which stain was his blood or someone else’s.

  She clasped his hand, feeling his strength. “Let me heal you.”

  He shook his head. “Not here.”

  “Then where?”

  He lifted an eyebrow and a secret smile spread across his lips.

  Heat splashed onto her cheeks. “Eric.”

  Wraith gave her a sensual smile then tilted her head. “Take him to his bedchamber.”

  Eric dragged her away. “I have need of you.”

  Bowing their heads, the guards parted as he led her toward the castle.

  She nearly wept at Eric’s torn flesh and dried blood. It looked like an animal with sharp claws had attacked him. He panted and his pace slowed, and he gripped the doorway into the castle. “Shit, I can’t make it to my room.”

  “Eric, put your arm around my shoulder,” Cassandra ordered.

  He laughed. “You can’t carry me, mate. I am too weak to draw upon my magic.”

  “I possess the White Dragon Ring, you stubborn he-man. Don’t argue.”

  Eric draped his arm around her and her legs shook, but her ring spun on her finger faster and faster. Waves of tingles rushed up her arm and soared through her blood stream, giving her strength. Not sure what she was doing, but trusting in her ring, she snapped her fingers. “Take us to Eric’s bedchamber.”

  The ring blazed. Cassandra’s vision blurred and wind gusted, lifting her and Eric into the air. She wrapped her arms around his waist. What was she doing? She should have ordered a guard to carry him.

  The wind stopped and Cassandra staggered. Dizziness swept over her. Had she hurt him? Damn it. “Eric? Where are you?”

  “I’m here.”

  Her mind whirling, Cassandra leaned against a wall to keep from stumbling. “I don’t think I’ll get used to time travel.”

  “Yes, you will,” Eric said. “Come to me.”

  Eyes hooded, Eric lay naked and stretched out on his bed. Deep red gashes and purple bruises marred his torso. His lashes were dark against his bruised cheeks and his bloodied mouth looked so painful it took all of her willpower not to fling her arms around him and cry in the crook of his neck. How could he endure so much pain?

  “Come to me, Cassandra.”

  She rushed to his bed and clasped his rough hand. She rubbed it against her cheek. “Tell me what to do?”

  “Love me.”

  “As you wish, mate.” She leaned over and pecked him on the lips.

  She stripped down to her bra and underwear as fast as she could. She didn’t know if loving Eric would heal him. He was so bruised and bleeding. Sex wasn’t exactly known for healing people.

  “You’re beautiful,” Eric whispered. Face ashen, gasping for breath, he looked too weak to make love, but his cock stood deliciously erect, looming over a pair of full, taut balls.

  She wanted him, thrusting inside her, but what if she hurt him? “Eric let me stitch you up, first.”

  “No, I will heal.” He gritted his teeth. “Take. It. Off. Now.”

  Heat blazed in his eyes.

  She had underestimated his weakness. She kept forgetting he wasn’t a man, but a demon. She shed one bra strap down her shoulder and then the other. She unclipped the clasp, freeing her breasts, and could hardly wait to feel his lips on them again. He was alive and hurt, but alive. She wanted to please him and do whatever she could to help mend him. Meeting his hungry gaze, she shed her panties as wetness pooled between her legs.

  Eric groaned.

  “Are you in pain?”

  “Yes, you’re killing me.”

  He needed to heal. Why wouldn’t he let her use the ring? How would making love heal him? She crawled next to him, stretching out beside him, and traced his nipple. He sucked in his breath and arched his back.

  “Eric?”

  “Ride me,” he gasped between breaths.

  She pushed herself up and searched his scowling face. “I hurt you?”

  “You’re fucking going to kill me. Please, Cassandra, ride me. Now.”

  His body shook and she was afraid she was too late. She climbed on top of the bed and lowered herself onto his cock.

  His cock pierced her tender folds and she jerked, waiting for pain to seize her, but she was surprised there was no pain.

  Friction ignited between them and she enjoyed the pleasure of flesh against flesh. She loved the feel of him, the intimacy between them. Her embarrassment and fear were shifting to a need that only he could fill. She wanted him, trusted him.

  Instinctively she rode him, enjoying the stroke of his cock against her. Wicked fingers rubbed her clit, sending waves of pleasure rippling through her. An orgasm building inside her. Pleasure blossomed with each long stroke, blooming brighter and brighter.

  Their pace quickened, grinding them together, and passion drummed inside her, her nipples budding, begging for attention. He pinched her nipple and she cried out, riding him faster and faster. Arching her back, his hand caressed, molded and massaged her breast, but she wanted his lips on her sensitive nipple.

  As if he could read her mind, suddenly, he drew one nipple into his moist mouth, scraping with his teeth, sucking her enough to send her body quivering into shivering pleasure. Hands shaking, she threaded trembling fingers into his thick hair and clasped his dark head to her chest. Stubble on his cheek chaffed her skin, scratching her and sending tremors through her body. Sweat unleashed around her, lathering her with heat.

  The first spasm shook her to her core, her muscles clutching him tighter as she rode him fast and hard, his balls slapping against her. Rocking his hips, he drove his cock deeper inside her. She overtook the orgasm s
he had been chasing, and splendor ripped through her veins, blinding her to everything but riding his cock. Strong fingers gripped her hips grinding him to her.

  Eric thrust hard, arching his back off the bed and cried out. Gashes and bruises on his chest diminished the blood fading until his smooth skin remained. Fire burst out of his mouth, circling around their mating bodies, warming and comforting her, but not scalding. Flames sizzled and burst into tiny specks, landing around them. Lightning rushed over her oversensitive flesh and pooled into her core, sending her into another pleasurable orgasm. Eric roared sending his semen rushing inside her.

  Panting and her body quaking, Cassandra collapsed on top of him. Embedded inside her and slowly thrusting his hips, Eric wrapped his arms around her and held her close, his masculine scent marking her. She wanted her scent branding him He kissed her neck and whispered, “That’s how demons heal.”

  Trying to catch her breath and tiny orgasms still strumming through her body, she gripped his shoulders. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  He raised his eyebrow. “You weren't pleased?”

  She punched his tight chest. “Don’t be so smug.”

  He clasped her chin, his thumb stroking the side of her cheek. “I plan on taking you on another ride,” he promised as he rolled her onto her back.

  Her heart quickened, and she waited for him to fulfill his promise.

  Moving his hand down her side, over her breast, he gazed at her. “Um, by the way did I mention you are immortal?”

  “What?”

  “You didn’t think touching the Golden Tree or wearing the White Ring would leave you unchanged?”

  “I hadn’t thought about it. So, I can never leave here?”

  He kissed her, opening her mouth with his determined tongue, taking command of her, making her forget her worries. She clutched his broad shoulders, holding on for another exhilarating ride.

  Leaving her mouth, he stared at her with hooded eyes. “Did I say that?”

  “No,” she gasped as he sucked her neck.

  Biting her shoulder, he murmured, “We can come and go as we please, Cassandra.”

  “We?”

  He tensed and lifted his head, eyes narrowed. He curled his lips. “Meaning?”

  She touched him with her finger. “My, what little faith you have, my lord.” Wrapping her legs around his hips, she laughed. “After all I’ve done, does it look like I want to leave?”

  He nipped her finger. “Try and see what happens.”

  14

  Professor Martin Hash stood behind the auditorium podium on the stage and spoke into microphone. “Cassandra Marie Wyvern.”

  Applause drowned out the last syllable of Cassandra's new name as she braced her shoulders and walked onto the stage. Cold air caressed her arms and the back of her hair stood up on the back of her neck, but she beamed, her fear long gone. A black shadow emerged next to her oblivious professor.

  The Wraith slightly bowed. “Congratulations, Cassandra.”

  Cassandra beamed and winked at the Wraith, but her professor turned red. She took her diploma and tried not to laugh. Poor man.

  A massive sea of people sat in the auditorium. Somewhere out there was Eric, Toby, Lilly and her parents. Chills ran down her back and she shivered, not from cold, but from Eric’s hot gaze. Hidden in a crowd of people, the man could stir her blood. She slid into her seat and ignored the weakness forming between her legs.

  She opened up the thick red gold folder to her diploma. She smiled as she ran her finger over the words: University of Colorado and her Master of Art in Communication Disorders. The overhead lights glinted off the White Dragon Ring of Fire, now her wedding ring. Mother would faint if she knew the power embedded in the ring and would die of shock if she knew she’d had married the Prince of the Dragon Demons.

  The ceremony wound down. Cassandra wandered through the crowded auditorium. People pressed against her as she moved toward the double doors opening to the outside grounds. Eric maneuvered through the crowd his massive shoulders carved a path between the sea of people.

  Heart quickening, she wedged herself between people, rushed toward him and flung her arms around Eric’s neck. He lifted her off the ground and spun around.

  “I did it,” she laughed.

  He kissed her and ignited excitement. All she wanted to do was strip him naked and have her way with him.

  “You guys want to get a room?”

  Cassandra laughed. Toby’s teasing warmed her heart.

  “Ahem,” someone said in a deep disapproving tone.

  Eric sat her on the ground and wrapped his arm around her. She smiled at her scowling father. Shorter than Eric, his blond hair, his sun burned skin and crinkles around his blue eyes revealed his passion of being a frequent golfer. “Can you give your old man a kiss?”

  Cassandra smiled at Toby’s teasing. Since he had come to live with her and Eric, he had started to laugh again and lost some of his fear, but when his grandparents visited, his fear returned and he disappeared, staying with friends. His grandmother would plead for him to at least talk to her, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Some wounds never heal.

  She edged away from Eric and gave Toby a big hug. He held her tight. “Congrats Cassandra.”

  “Thanks Toby.”

  “I’m waiting,” her father said. She released Toby and took a step toward her father, but he grabbed her first, giving her a grizzly hug like he had when she was a little girl. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”

  Her mother laughed. “He hasn’t stopped bragging to his friends about you.”

  Cassandra turned to her mother and tears reflecting in her big green eyes. “I’m so happy for you.” She hugged Cassandra and her scent of lavender washed over Cassandra, comforting her, making her feel safe. “You’ve worked so hard for this,” her mother said.

  “I want a hug, too,” Lilly said. She gripped Cassandra tight. “You proved me wrong.” She tilted her head toward Eric. “You got it all.”

  “You do, too, woman,” Cassandra said.

  “Maybe, someday. Oh, by the way, did you hear Luke moved back to Utah?”

  Eric glowered. “Good. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay there.”

  “Got that right,” Toby said.

  “Settle down you two.” Cassandra chided. Her two demon protectors.

  Eric clasped her hand and squeezed. Pride and desire reflected in his eyes. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Tonight, I’ll give you my present.”

  Shivers ran through Cassandra. She ached for his touch. Damn him! One word, and he reduced her to a wanting harlot.

  Later that night, Cassandra lay naked next to Eric and she drew on his smooth chest. She stared into his proud eyes. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  “When you agreed to be my wife.”

  She kissed his shoulder, liking how he said wife—possessive, protective, passionate.

  He rolled on top of her. Rough hands roamed over her body.

  “Let me show you much I love you.” He stroked and massaged her and created a thundering well of desire.

  Another orgasm brewing inside her, Cassandra cried out as she clutched his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. She kissed him hard, feeling the strength move through him. He’d risked his life for her, fought for her, killed for her and now he was hers forever. Her dark demon lover.

  M.L. Guida

  M.L. Guida has always been in love with the paranormal. She first started reading Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators. Mystery of the Green Ghost was a big hit in third grade.

  These days, she loves dark paranormal and drags her friends to see horror movies. Her past favorite movies include the original Halloween, Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. Poltergeist is one of her favorites due to the love story between Diane and Steven Freeling. She likes these movies because it’s not about gore, but foreshadowing and surprise.

  She’s hooked on Supernatural with Sam and Dean Wincheste
r. In fact, she discovered how to write about dark heroes by watching the Winchester boys. She also loves Face/Off on the Syfy channel and often pins the creations on her board.

  Dark Promise is filled with mystery and love. A dragon demon and a human must learn to trust each other in order to save their worlds.

  Lyrical Press books are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2013 M.L. Guida

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  First Electronic Edition: March 2014

  ISBN-13: 9781616505271