by Tarah Knight
“You truly don’t remember do you?” He asked softly. She shook her head. “No, what happened?”
“I found you near death on a street corner almost three weeks ago. I have been feeding you and nursing you back to health. I nearly lost you a few times.” His face actually got paler at the thought of losing her, as if it pained him. Haven stepped back from him and looked him over once again. The bite marks the deep scratches. “Did I… do that to you?” She whispered in horror. He got up and placed his hands on her shoulders, his right hand sliding up to cup the back of her neck under her heavy fall of hair.
“It doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you are better. I will heal. They are just a few scratches.” Tears of shame fell down her face, as she looked at all the damage. “Deacon…I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I would have done this to you or why I don’t remember doing it!” She stammered out her apology.
“Shh…Serah, you were starving. I knew you would be exactly like this when I brought you here. You couldn’t help it. Now we won’t speak of it again agreed?” Unable to meet his eyes she nodded her head. She walked around the cave her feet sinking deep into plush rugs that had been thrown everywhere. The cold stone floor was completely covered. She made the circle around the large room then she was standing back in front of him.
“Why couldn’t I feed Deacon?” She questioned. This time it was Deacon who couldn’t meet her eyes. “You know why don’t you? What did you do to me?”
He looked at her with an angry spark in his eyes. “I didn’t do anything. It was when you fed from me. I tried to stop you, I told you to stop remember?”
Haven actually did vaguely remember that. “Ok, so what did that do to me?” Deacon got up and walked over to the mini fridge opening it he took out a bag of blood and ripped the corner with his fang. Only after he downed its contents did he answer. Haven felt like smacking herself in the head! Why didn’t she think of bagged blood?
“Remember when I told you that once a couple had bonded the female could only fed from her male? I believe this is what has happened. I truly did not think that you had taken enough to form the bond, but it appears I was mistaken.”
Haven sank down on the side of the bed, her suddenly weak legs unable to support her. “It appears you were mistaken? It appears you were mistaken? So what now Deacon? I strongly suggest that you tell me anything other than I will have to feed from you for the rest of my life!” Deacon didn’t respond he didn’t have to. She could see the answer in his eyes. Rage came over her so fast that it took her breath away. A blinding uncontrollable rage unlike anything she had ever known tore though her body and the only outlet stood in front of her.
Deacon watched as the realization that she would be dependent upon him forever dawned on her. When he had faintly heard her whisper his name he had felt joy fill his soul until he found her. Then his joy was replaced by a cold terror that he had never known before. He gathered up her near lifeless body and streaked through the skies faster than he had thought possible. Upon reaching his home he had taken her into the thermal pools that was inside the cavern to warm her up. After her body temperature had increased a few degrees he bit into his wrist and held it over her lips until she started to drink on her own. It was after that things got a little rough. She was so hungry that she couldn’t be reasoned with, all she could see or hear or smell was the blood that was rushing in vast amounts through his veins. She attacked like a wild animal ripping and scratching sinking her fangs into whatever area of his body she could reach. He had tried to be gentle with her, to not harm her while keeping her from draining him dry. He finally had to resort to shackles. It was only in the last few days that she had calmed down enough that he removed them. It was then that he was finally able to bathe her properly in the heated pools washing the dirt and vomit from her long hair. He hated that he had caused this to happen to her. He didn’t handle their meeting right at all. He should have taken things slower been more understanding of her concerns. Now once more she was looking at him like he was the devil himself.
Haven tried to breath deeply to control her anger. She wanted to rip into Deacon so badly. To beat it out of him that he was lying, and she wasn’t chained to him forever. But somewhere in the back of her mind, in that place where reason and thought still took place, a tiny seed had taken root that he was telling the truth and that she had done this to herself. He stood there watching her wearily, like he wouldn’t be able to stand for much longer. Suddenly the biggest part of her anger drained away. They could fight about this some other day. She needed to return the favor and take care of him. Walking over to him she bit deeply into her own wrist cringing at the sharp pain offering it to him. “The damage is done now Mr. Northcross, let me return the favor… feed.” Deacon watched as the blood welled up from the cuts on her wrist. He could smell its rich copper scent, but more than that he could smell the scent of Haven that called to him like a siren’s song. He did not have the strength or the will power in him to resist its call. As gently as he could and with much reverence he took what was offered to him.
Haven was not prepared for the reaction her body would have to Deacons fangs sliding into her skin. His lips were warm and soft as they closed over her wrist. She could feel the suction along with the gentle sweep of his tongue as he fed. Lighting streaked up her arm shooting through her body every nerve she had was set on fire by the simple act. She knew he wasn’t doing anything to make her react this way. He was simply feeding this was from the “bonding” as he called it. Deacon raised his eyes to her, his gaze hot. She struggled to keep her composure and control her breathing along with her racing hormones. But with every passing second her body was winding tighter and tighter until she cried out under the explosion of sensation. Her knees gave way and she would have fallen if Deacon had not caught her up to him holding her tightly against his body as he licked her wrist to close the wounds. Haven was mortified! She would never be able to face him again! She couldn’t believe that she had done that while he fed from her. He placed her on the bed and she immediately rolled away from him hiding her hot face in the cool silk pillows.
“Just let me die please.” She mumbled.
“Haven, its nothing to be ashamed of.” Deacon tried to eliminate her embarrassment.
“Ummm yeah… it is.” She mumbled again. He rolled her over to face him but she brought the pillow with her hiding under it. He chuckled. “Stop laughing. This is going to be real awkward if I do this every time we feed from each other.” She suddenly went still then tossed the pillow off and sat up looking at him accusingly. “I bet I did didn’t I? I bet this isn’t first time you have seen me… you know.” He averted his eyes and got up off the bed. “It’s not is it? How many times Deacon? How many times have I totally made a fool of myself in your arms?”
He spun around pointing his finger at her. “You did not make a fool of yourself Haven! Every time that I held you as you came apart was like a precious gift for me. It was sacred and holy. I will not allow you to demean it do you understand me? My only prayer is that one-day you will willingly, knowingly fly apart as I hold you. I will not deny that I am happy to have at least experienced it for I had long given up that I ever would.”
He walked to the other side of the cave. “I need to leave you for a few hours. I have things that I must attend to, however I will be back before dawn.” Then he left a very confused Haven alone.
Haven explored her surroundings while she thought about what Deacon had said. He had said what happened between them was sacred and holy. Those were some pretty deep words. She knew he wasn’t just tossing them at her to come off all romantic, and to try to make her swoon at his pretty phrases. He really felt that way. She saw it in his eyes. It was still a pretty heavy statement and she wasn’t sure what to make of it, or him either if she was honest. She followed the sound of falling water down a short passage way and gasped when she saw the most beautiful sight! It was an indoor waterfall that fell from at least twenty feet up ca
scading into a small deep pool. The same sparkling crystals that covered the ceiling in the bedchamber covered the sides of the pool and the ceiling above it reflecting down into the water making it sparkle like a pool filled with diamonds. It was simply breathtaking! But what was casting the light to make the crystals sparkle? She didn’t see any sunlight coming from above and it was too far from the bedchamber to be coming from the bedside lamps. She stepped closer to the side of the pool and saw that what she thought was crystals reflecting light was actually millions of tiny glow worms that had formed a pod of some sort and had attached to the walls and ceiling. Whatever the little guys were doing caused their little pods to glow in an array of different colors, from pink to blue to neon green. “Oh this is way cooler than crystals!” She whispered. “Little glow worms how cute!” Of course that did beg the question of what cute little glowworms might morph into later, but she wasn’t thinking about that now. She would ask Deacon when he returned.
That thought brought her right back to her main problem… Deacon Reinhold Northcross. Sighing deeply she dipped her toes into the water delighted to feel that it was hot! It was a thermal spring! Not wasting another second she quickly swept the silk nightgown off over her head and shimmied out of the matching silk panties. Holding the panties in her hand she tried desperately to remember putting them on along with the nightgown, but she drew a blank. “Well, I don’t remember clawing and biting him either so maybe I really did put them on myself. I had better have put them on myself!” She muttered as she tiptoed carefully into the pool. The bottom was covered in sand or at least it felt like sand to her toes. After she had walked around carefully for a couple of minutes she dove in. She had always loved the water, a natural born swimmer her momma used to say, part guppy according to her granny. If there were a puddle of water more than ankle deep she would find it. Haven swam and played in the pool as long as she dared. She discovered that it was sand on the bottom. Black sand that shifted and flowed from her hands as she studied it. Bringing her hair around she squeezed it out as she walked out of the pool she reached for the nightgown then froze when she felt eyes on her. She strained her ears trying to hear anything past the sound of the waterfall quickly pulling on the nightgown the silk material clinging to her still wet body, she wadded the undies up in her hand then turned around. Deacon was propped up against the cave wall feet crossed at the ankles clearly enjoying the show.
Haven felt the heat spread across her face and chest but she refused to let him see that he had embarrassed her. Keeping her head held up she walked over to where he stood his eyes roaming her body that was clearly outlined in the wet silk. “Well, you look remarkably better than when you left here.” She commented.
He raised a sardonic eyebrow as a smirk teased his lips. “Do I?” he asked.
“Yes, you have completely healed from all my bites and scratches, you must be a quick healer.” Haven walked past him back up to the chamber she needed to find something else to put on. Deacon was seriously feeling his oats right now judging by the way he was staring at her. She spotted the matching housecoat and slipped it on tying it firmly at her waist. Deacon was still trailing around behind her with a bemused expression on his face that frankly was irritating. “I see you changed clothes too. I didn’t think you owned a pair of jeans you didn’t seem the type.” But he should own jeans she thought. Closets full of them because a butt that fine needed to be encased in low slung denim. The black t-shirt and black leather jacket didn’t really seem like Deacon either. Studying him closer she saw that he had also grown some facial hair. Maybe he was trying to appear more modern for her. Noticing her looking at him so intently he shrugged out of his leather jacket and walked toward her “Umm… Deacon? What are you doing?” He prowled closer until Haven felt the mattress hit the back of her legs.
“What would you like me to do?” he whispered roughly.
Haven felt like a rabbit caught in a snare with the hungry wolf closing in on her. She put her hand firmly on his chest. “Slow down there, cowboy let’s not act too hastily here.”
He pulled her hand off his chest and put it to his mouth nibbling at her fingers with little nips of his fangs. “I agree. Let’s not act hastily. I like nice and slow much better.” The sensation of his warm lips and the sharp tiny pain of his fangs had Haven forgetting how to breath much less remembering all the many reasons this should not be happening. He slid his hand around her waist slowly pulling her to him. She watched helplessly as his head started its descent. She couldn’t fight her body’s reaction and his seductive skills too she reasoned. It was one kiss she would stop it after one kiss. After all he did save her life, and she nearly killed him for it. He surely deserved some little reward?
The impact of Deacons kiss was just as devastating as she remembered it. Once his lips claimed hers it was over. All reasoning all rational thought stopped and died a swift death. How was it possible to feel this much and still live? She wanted to crawl inside him she wanted him to crawl inside her. She needed him all over and everywhere at once. Her blood roared through her veins like runaway freight train. She reached up pulling his head closer as their kiss became almost violent in mutual need. In the midst of her carnal hunger another hunger rose to the front feeling her fangs start to lengthen; she slid her head sideways seeking his neck kissing her way to the sweet spot just above his collarbone. She licked once and he groaned his approval she licked again and heard him growl out for her to bite hard and to do it now! He cupped her head urging her closer. Not needing any more encouragement she sank her teeth into his neck feeling her knees go out from under her as a tidal wave of release tore though her body.
Moments later as she started to come back to earth she could feel Deacon sliding her onto the silk sheets and sliding in after her the brush of his bare leg against hers had her opening her eyes and trying to collect her thoughts. “Deacon? Please slow down let me catch my breath ok? This is all really intense and I need a minute to adjust.” He hovered over her caging her in between his hard arms and chest. He kissed her temple then her chin the feel of his soft hair sliding across her sensitive flesh was the most erotic thing she had ever felt. “I have searched all over for you my Serah I can’t believe that I have found you at last. You’re so beautiful. But I do have one small request.”
Haven smiled as he continued to brush butterfly kisses across her collarbones. “What’s that request Deacon?” She asked breathlessly.
As he honed in on her sweet spot he paused looking down at her. “My name isn’t Deacon, I’m Barron. Deacon is my twin brother.”
~Chapter Four~
“Very funny Deacon. I wouldn’t have thought that you had a sense of humor.” She looked up at him expecting him to chuckle or smile or something… but he just looked at her. A little niggle of concern started to raise its ugly head. “You are kidding right? God, tell me your kidding!” She shoved him off of her as she started to panic. “How do I know your really not lying to me? You look exactly like Deacon, and… and… you made me… you know… exactly like Deacon. That’s only supposed to happen with fated couples so explain that?”
Barron frowned as he sat up on the side of the bed. “Well, I look just like Deacon, or I should say Deacon looks just like me because I am the oldest, we are identical twins. So you and Deacon have?” He waved his hand at the bed indicating what had just very nearly transpired between them. Haven shook her head. “No, at least no more than what we just did. I don’t think.” His frown grew deeper. “You don’t think? You mean you don’t know?” Haven scrambled off the bed needing to put some distance between them. “Look it’s really, really complicated ok?”
Barron stood up and started slipping his jeans back on. Haven turned away but not before catching a glimpse of prime male bootie. Have mercy! Twins! She knew he was telling the truth. There was something all along telling her something wasn’t quite right with him, but she just chalked it up to this whole fate bonding crap. Deacon was going to flip kittens when he found ou
t!
“So did you mate with my brother? I fail to see what’s complicated about that question. It should be fairly easy to answer. You can even use one word, yes or no.”
She turned back around thankful to see he at least had his jeans back on although he was shirtless. Jerking her eyes away from the broad expanse of hard male chest she met his eyes. That sardonic look was back. She frowned at him. Identical or not, there were clearly some differences. “So did you or didn’t you do the deed?” he asked again.
She tossed his shirt at him. “Put that on before Deacon gets back. I already told you that I didn’t think so.”
He caught it and pulled it on then sat down and reached for his boots. “You know, fate and bonding aside, I would still think that a female would know if she had mated with a man, if not then he really didn’t do his job.” He looked up at her with that now familiar smirk. “I bet you wouldn’t have to think twice about remembering my mating.”
Feeling the need to knock him down a peg or twelve Haven crossed over and stood before him. She lifted his head with a finger under his chin to meet her gaze. “You know Barron, not to knock your claim to fame or anything, but your brother had me there… with just his kiss. No blood required. That’s how I know that we have not done the deed. If we had not only would I remember it, I would still be recovering from it.”
Watching his lips thin to a hard edge she knew she had scored a direct hit. Score one for Haven! Hearing footsteps in the tunnel she knew that Deacon had returned. She scurried over to sit at the table, putting as much distance between her and Barron as possible without actually leaving the room. She pasted on a bright smile as he walked in. “Hi, honey look who came to visit!”
Deacon entered the chamber and saw the last thing he ever wanted to see, his brother alone in the same room with his Serah. He watched as Barron stood up from the chair he was sitting in and walk over to stand behind Haven. He recognized the look on his face. He would imagine that it mirrored his own.
