by Lacy Danes
“Oh, how dreadful.”
“Yes, it cannot be done, but many otherworldly creatures cannot die and some can perish only by certain weaknesses. Zir fall into the latter category. Our elements can save us.” He swept his hand through the water, and glimmering ripples followed in its wake.
He was the water, but what were they really? They scandalously joined together, and she had no idea what he was or what she was. Gracious. She swallowed hard. They were mates, and he was in the water, wanting to swim.
She had never swum before, and she wanted to. With him. She pushed off the edge and into the water. The warm liquid slid up her skin in pinpricks. Her feet hit the smooth floor, the water lapping below her chin. The white shirt floated up about her in a large circle, exposing her legs, belly and breasts to the water. To him.
His blue eyes filled with the hunger she remembered from the bathtub. She wouldn’t hide herself from him. Heat pushed to her cheeks, and she shivered. He was beautiful. “What are you, Jordan?”
“We have dragon’s blood in our veins. Though that is not all. We are human and something else. Until I found you, only the dragon’s lore of the elements fit us. Now I have experienced other things, like breathing smoke.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he just said. “We know we are fated to mate with one partner for life, and the drive and agony to find that being is unstoppable.” He wrapped his fingers around her bare hip and pulled her body up tightly against him, then stared down at her. “You are mine.”
Her entire body awoke in a shiver of sensation. She swallowed hard. In her soul, those words rang true, but this was all such a fictional tale. “How do you know?”
“To find our mate, we are driven to bite, to drink a female’s blood.”
“Any female?”
“It can be, but we can only bite when our bodies are attracted, when we feel the urge. Well, except for Ilmir. He bites anyone.”
“But you bit me? And I was dying.”
“Yes. I held no faith you would live. All of the females I’ve bitten have died instantly from the poison in my blood. I thought I would spare you the pain of a longer death.” He leaned down and licked the scabs that still resided on her neck. Her body arched against his.
“That has never happened before,” he whispered against her skin, then bit down, reopening the scabs. Pain and pleasure pulsed through her, and her limbs grew limp. She grabbed hold of his biceps, and her legs floated up and wrapped about his hips. He released her flesh from his mouth. “Neither has this.” His hands wrapped about her thighs, and he arched his hips, rubbing his phallus along the slit between her legs. The head of his sex glided along the sensitive spot at the top of her slit, and she cried out.
His fingernails dug into the tender flesh of her bottom, and he bit down again on the marks on her neck. She moaned as the sweet pleasure from her neck rushed to the flesh between her legs and pounded. His phallus parted the lips of her slit, and he slipped inside.
The sensation of him stretching the spot between her legs, rocking in and out with each thrust of his hips, caused the pulsing of her flesh to increase against his thickness in pleasure. A cry burst from inside her, a cat cry with the howl of a wolf. Her hands dug at his back as he sucked her neck harder, pulling her deeper into the abyss.
The water around them swirled and in tiny pricks pierced her skin. She was on fire and wrapped in pleasure nonesuch. He tilted backward, releasing her neck, and kicked his feet out. They floated, her on top of him, still joined between their legs.
He kicked again and moved his body in a wave that pulled his staff out to the head, and then he thrust it back in. The flesh between her thighs continued to contract against his prick, sending ripples up her body. Her nipples ached, and everywhere their bodies touched, she trembled. It was almost too much pleasure. She rode a wave of him that she wanted to crest; she wanted to roll with him into ecstasy.
He shifted his body and tumbled her beneath him in the water. Completely submerged, she felt no fear, only the driving pleasure. He captured her lips, breathing air into her mouth. She struggled against his weight as she sucked the air from his lips. They sank to the bottom of the pool.
He pinned them there, kissing her lips as he thrust harsher, harder and faster. It was all too much.
Her lungs burned. It was as if he sucked the last bit of humanity from her. She needed to breathe, yet she didn’t want this to stop. The crown of his sex clung to the lips of her cunny, and he pushed in and ground his pelvis against her. She struggled against him, and her head grew light. The world hazed, and the pleasure intensified, wrapping her in a cocoon that lightened and lifted them through the water until the surface crested over their heads. He broke the seal of his lips from hers, and she gasped into his mouth, inhaling water, air and the taste of him. He rolled so he was beneath her. “Wrap your arms about me.”
She slipped her arms about his neck, and he pulled their bodies onto the walk at the edge of the pool. His legs dangled in the water. She kneeled up, seated on his lap.
He ran his fingers down her biceps. “I need—”
She pulled up and then slid back down his length. She wanted him to feel the same exquisite feeling she did. “Does that feel…” She didn’t know the right word. “Pleasurable?”
He closed his eyes and groaned, “And more… Do it again.”
She repeated the motion, his shaft slipping easily out to the crown. Her insides quivered, and she groaned. He thrust up. His hands grabbed her hips, and he held her stable. “Do not move.” His hips took up the motion, and he thrust and thrust into her. Her moisture increased, and the flesh of her sex swelled with an urge to push against each thrust.
His fingers dug into her hipbones, and all his muscles tensed. He cried out as his phallus pulsed repeatedly inside her. He closed his eyes and stilled.
Water ran down her back and prickled her skin. The pinpricks ran to the spot where they joined. The sensation coiled about her. She stared at him, motionless beneath her. She wanted him to move. To thrust again into her, to make this sensation come to a crash on the shore.
Her insides quaked all the way to her toes, and she rubbed between her legs against his groin.
He pulled his hips back and thrust once more, powerfully, into her. She rubbed against him again, and the light in the room fractured. Her fingers dug into his chest, and she cried out as her sex pulsed with an overwhelming, numbing release. Her arms weakened, and she fell forward onto him.
His breath puffed against her hair, and his chest rose and fell beneath her. He was more than alive. He was powerful, and so was she. Saliva pooled in her mouth. She wanted to taste him again. To feel the power of them on her tongue. She needed to know that he tasted as he should. She turned her head toward his neck. Pain cut through her gums. Her lip pulled back, and she placed her tongue once again against his beating pulse, then bit. Salt and the tang of the sea mixed with a metallic taste that flooded her mouth.
He moaned and arched his neck toward her. “Taste all you need.”
And she did. She licked him until her heartbeat slowed, and then pulled back. His skin shone with the blue glow he had when he was in the water. She placed her hand on his chest, then sucked in a startled breath. Her skin glimmered gold.
Jordan could not take his attention from Celeste as she slowly returned to the present. Her skin, which had changed to gold while they futtered, now faded to the creamy white he had seen when he put her in the boat on the beach.
“All well?” he asked.
Her hands rose to cover her breasts, and he stopped her before she could do so. She giggled the nervous laugh he so adored.
“What is it?”
She stared up to the ceiling. “I—I simply never expected any of this. I turned gold! And then there is Hudson…”
“He is secure.”
She rolled onto her side, facing him. “You told me what you know about what you are. What don’t you know?”
A smile curved his li
ps. She was adapting but still uneasy. “Most of what this is…” He trailed his finger along the fresh bite marks and blood on her neck. “All of how we came to be. Though I have been having visions since I met you. Visions of a great castle, an ebony woman, magic and eggs.”
She grazed her fingers along his cheek, and he closed his eyes to absorb her caress.
He knew so little about her, yet he sat here telling her of castles and magic and his life. “I too am curious about you, my heavenly divine mate. Tell me more, beyond that you don’t like the sea.” That fact still shocked him.
She pushed up on to her elbows and then sat up fully. “What would you like to know?”
“Everything. But let us start with, what is your favorite color? Your favorite food? Your favorite activity?”
She smiled a smile that lit her eyes. “Pink is my favorite color. My favorite food is anything flavored with lemon, but truly the best are these little lemon cakes my father’s cook makes. And my favorite activity is spending time with my grandmum and making her smile.” She stared dreamily at him. “I should get that letter off to her. I am sure she’s worried. What is your answer to the same inquiries?”
“Green is my favorite color. The color of your eyes. My favorite food is called an olive. Have you ever had one?”
“Indeed, when I was in France. They are delicious.”
“I have them here. I will have Astrid bring us a platter.” He trailed his finger along her bicep. “My favorite activity, beyond swimming, is reading. I love to sit by the sea with a book.”
A loud rap came from the other side of the wall. Jordan turned to face the sound. “One of my brothers.” He stood and walked to one of the back walls and pulled a robe from a hook. “Here.” He handed the soft green silk to Celeste. He was not going to like this conversation, but he would not leave her to Hudson, not ever again.
He strode to the wall. Water and the scent of them glistened on his skin. He placed his palm flat onto the wall. “Grøn vandagame.” The tapestry disappeared, and he stepped out into the hall.
A frown marred Ferrous’s dark face.
Here came the dreaded conversation. Jordan narrowed his eyes. No matter what happened here, his Celeste came first. “I had penned a letter to bring Celeste’s grandmum when you came, but it still sits on my desk.”
“Hudson is here?” Ferrous shifted to stand directly in the center of the hall. He fisted, shook out and re-fisted his hands as if trying not to punch Jordan. Ferrous was ready for a tumble. Jordan would put on an air of indifference.
Jordan leaned his shoulder against the wall. “How did you know?”
Ferrous’s jaw clenched, and the veins on the backs of his hands rose. “His footmen have instigated a search for you. Take me to him.”
Celeste stepped out from the wall behind him. “Let me talk to Hudson.” She slid her hand over his shoulder. “I need to speak to him. Then you can do whatever it is you need to.”
“Of course, Duchess.” Ferrous shook his head in obvious disgust.
Her strength grew and her confidence with it. Jordan wrapped his hand around her slim fingers and pulled her hand into his. “Come, then. Let’s have a good confrontation so we can move past this.”
Chapter Seven
Jordan pulled Celeste up next to him in front of a tall, narrow, mahogany door. “The silver room,” he told her. “There are no windows in this room, and only this one door.”
He turned the key in the lock. Cool mist nipped at his ankles just as it had in the bath in Hudson’s home. Something was amiss. He tensed his stomach in an attempt to sense more. Celeste’s elbow gently brushed his arm. “Let Ferrous and me check on him first.” He knocked lightly and turned the handle at once. “Your Grace. The duchess wishes to speak with you.” He cringed. He hated referring to her as someone else’s when she was his alone.
A scrambling sound came from within the room. “Celeste, you will wait here while Ferrous and I check on Hudson.”
“Very well.” Celeste squeezed Jordan’s fingers and let him go.
Jordan cracked the door and stepped inside. Ferrous followed and closed it behind him. Candles burned in sconces on the circular walls. The large bed in the center lay empty. Jordan spun about. Hudson stood, staring at him from beside a small writing table.
“Your Grace.”
Hudson’s eyes flashed orange, and he sprang at him. His shoulder slammed into Jordan’s. Jordan rocked back on his heels and flailed his hands to stabilize himself. Hudson’s fingernails clawed down his ear and around his neck. Pain flowed in their wake. Jordan grabbed him by the topcoat and held him out at arm’s length.
Ferrous rushed forward and snatched Hudson’s clawing hands while Jordan continued to hold him away. Damn, his ear pounded. What in the world did Hudson think he was about?
Hudson’s face was snow-white, and dark pools surrounded his eyes. His two eye teeth extended, peeling back his orange-hued lips. “Hissss.”
“What happened to him?” Celeste’s songlike voice called from behind him.
Bloody hell, why couldn’t she wait in the hall? “Get out!”
He held Hudson back and turned his body to block her view of him.
“I need to speak to him.”
“He is not worth exchanging a word with now.” Jordan tightened his grip on Hudson’s lapels.
She stepped up around him. Hudson twisted hard to the right and yanked free of one of Ferrous’s hands. He clutched her robe and jerked. The fabric of her sleeve tore, slipping down to expose her breast.
“Leave, Celeste,” Ferrous and Jordan growled out.
Hudson thrashed and twisted his body at once, dislodging Jordan’s grip from his coat. Celeste. Jordan’s heart jumped into his throat.
Hudson pounced on her, dragging Ferrous with him. Jordan grabbed him by the waist and pulled both of them off her. “Leave! Now!”
Celeste scrambled to her feet and darted toward the door.
Hudson turned and bit Ferrous through his coat sleeve and into his left bicep.
With a roar, Ferrous punched Hudson in the ear. The blow echoed in the confined room.
Hudson fell to the side.
The door slammed shut.
Jordan grabbed Hudson by the lapels and yanked him to his feet.
Hissing, Hudson tried to bite at his hands.
The man acted worse than a water snake caught by the throat. Enough was enough. With his forehead, Jordan smacked Hudson straight on his temple. A small pain pierced his brow where he hit him, but he tightened his grip on him, then released him to stand.
Hudson staggered back. Blood ran down his chin, and he wore a look of shock on his face. “What have I done?” He glanced from Ferrous and back to Jordan. Hudson’s skin faded back to pink, and the pools around his eyes lightened.
“I am sure you know more about that than us.” Jordan backed away from him and stood next to Ferrous.
Ferrous held the bite mark on his bicep. “What dark magic have you been in contact with, Your Grace?” Ferrous’s brow creased. “I certainly hope my blood does not kill you.”
Hudson glanced around the room. “I am friends with many otherworldly creatures more powerful than you.”
Ferrous nodded. “Indeed.”
“You will be safe here in this room.” Jordan didn’t take his gaze off the duke. “If the blood sickens you, Ferrous and I will figure out a way to deal with you.”
“Until I know what you’ve been exposed to, Your Grace, it will be hard for me to help you in a kind way.”
“I don’t need or want your help. I have all I require. Now release me from this room, or people you care about will die.”
Celeste’s heart hammered in her ears as she wandered back down the corridor. She wrapped her arms tightly about her trembling body. Hudson had attacked her. She walked up to the tapestry with the fluid silver stitching and blue gems.
She reached out her trembling hand. The tactile fabric brushed against her fingertips, and tears wel
led in her eyes. She shouldn’t be here on this Isle, and she certainly couldn’t just go back to her chamber and wait. Nothing since the moment Jordan had knelt before her had been safe. Please let her words work without Jordan by her side. If she could get in, the walls would protect her. Then she could think. What was the word he’d said?
“Grøn vandagame,” Carmen’s voice echoed. “It means Water Dragon.”
Water Dragon. “Is that what I am?”
“I cannot see how, but at the same time, I cannot see how not.”
She didn’t want this. She wanted love, a family and a peaceful place to call home. All of her life, she had yearned for a normal loving family. Her father provided for the family but never loved her or any of them. Instead, he’d beaten them and scared her.
Her marriage to Hudson promised a similar life.
The only member of her family who loved her was her grandmum. They would sit and talk for hours about everything and nothing. She wanted that with a man.
Jordan promised desire, need and magic. Adoration and long talks were not mentioned from either man.
She was drawn to Jordan in a way she never expected.
Infatuated.
Her stomach fluttered.
More than infatuated, really. She wanted all she dreamed about with him.
If only his attraction to her was about love, not magic and madness.
She would say the magic words anyhow. “Grøn vandagame.” The language slipped past her lips as if she’d spoken it all her life. Tears pushed at the rims of her eyelids. How could this be?
The fabric before her rippled, and a golden glow filled the space once more. She stepped inside, to the room with the pool. There had to be something here that would tell her more about Jordan and reassure her. She swallowed hard.
“What are you looking to find?” Concern filled Carmen’s voice.
“I’m uncertain. I will know when I see it.”
“But what are you hoping for?”
“To take away all the uncertainty.”
“Uncertainty is a constant in life. As soon as it is gone, you are the jest.”
