Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  He slipped the ice inside her and Eva came apart. Hadrian did not wait for her orgasm to pass. He straightened and thrust into her, burying himself in her tight, velvet sheath.

  Eva rippled around him, her muscles clenched, released, and clenched again. Her hips rocked to meet his, urging him to go faster, harder.

  He was lost in pure sensation. She was erotic perfection. Her nipples scrapped his chest with every thrust, her claws curled into his shoulders. He heard the demon roar, felt the vibrations in his head. Blood. It wanted her pleasured spiked blood. And so did he.

  Eva craned her neck, twisting her head to the side. Her pulse enticingly danced beneath her smooth skin.

  Was she offering?

  “Bite,” she growled.

  “No.”

  He had managed to keep the demon silent all day, but taking her vein would be too dangerous. He could snap. He could lose control. With Eva being restrained, she would not be able to defend herself if he attacked.

  “Not…mortal…anymore,” she said, emphasizing her words by drawing her claws down his chest.

  Hadrian stared down at her. She wanted him to bite her. She wanted him to claim her, to completely dominate her. He would give her exactly what she wanted and the demon could go to hell.

  Instinct taking control, Hadrian snatched her wrists and pinned her hands to the mattress as he reared back.

  “Yes. Bite,” she sighed, pressing her cheek into the pillows.

  His fangs sank into the swell of her breast as his hips slammed against hers. Eva’s blood filled his mouth and he closed his eyes with a worshipful groan. He had never known such a taste. He had thought her blood addictive before, but now...he was a goner. Her essence slipped down his throat, warm, creamy vanilla, spiced with ecstasy.

  Heaven.

  He forced his fangs deeper. Eva clutched at his head, holding her to him. He fed voraciously. Her blood flowed through him, burning yet soothing. As he took her into his body, he claimed hers, pounding into her until he felt the blissful tension ripple through her core. Her claws ripped at his back, tearing flesh and drawing blood as she tightened around him, gripping him with soft, scorching fire.

  Hadrian released her breast. His back bowed. His head snapped back. With a roar he exploded within her in a great wave, filling her until seed dampened her thighs.

  He ran his tongue over the pinpricks, closing the wound, and then rolled to his back, taking her with him. Hadrian tucked her against his side. Eva’s chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. She closed her eyes and savored the quiet stillness that surrounded her. This moment was perfect and she wished it could last forever, but the madness would soon begin again.

  Eva pressed her cheek against his chest and traced the lines of his muscled chest and defined abs. He was lean, his shoulders wide, and his body powerful. He was built like a true warrior and he had the heart and determination to match. Hadrian, her male, her lover, was beautiful and true.

  I love him, she thought as she began to trace the curve of his bottom lip.

  He playfully nipped at her fingertip before rising.

  “We are going to have fun, my little half-breed,” he said with a smile. Ignoring Eva’s protests, he stood and crossed over to his closet. She struggled against the chains, the sound of metal grating over stone rumbled through the room.

  “I am not leaving, sweet. Relax,” he cooed.

  When he returned to the room, Eva was kneeling at the edge of the bed, the restraints pulled taunt. She watched him with glowing eyes as he came closer. He carried two wooden boxes, one weathered and the other new.

  “Earlier you expressed interest in my ‘naughty reputation’. Would you like me to show you how I earned it?”

  Eva’s heart stuttered. “Yes.”

  He set the boxes on the bed. He opened the tattered box first. The hinges creaked as the top fell back. Her eyes widened. Whips, chains, glass tubes of various size and lengths clicked together at the bottom, and silk bands she assumed were used as blindfolds, were piled high.

  “Kinky,” she whispered.

  He closed the box and let it fall to the floor. “I know I should have asked before I purchased these.” He ran his hand over the smooth surface of the second box. “Honestly, I do not know what I was thinking. This was a bad idea—”

  “Open it,” Eva rasped, wiping at her brow. Her temperature was rising.

  His cock instantly hardened as he sensed her need preparing to launch another attack.

  Hadrian removed the lid revealing handcuffs, feather teasers, body jewelry, a whip with flayed ends and a glass handle, and an assortment of other toys filled the box.

  Eva swayed as a wave of lust swept over her.

  “We do not have to use them. I thought they might help.”

  “Fuzzy hand cuffs?” she said with a strangled laugh as her muscles tensed.

  He rubbed his nape and cursed.

  Eva smiled. Air hissed past her teeth as tremors took hold of her. “I’m interested.”

  Hadrian’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Nothing drastic. We will go slow,” he vowed.

  She lifted a shaking hand and pointed the item that had spiked her interest most.

  He removed the short whip. “This?” he asked. When she nodded, he set the box on the floor.

  “Water? P–please.”

  Hadrian went to the side table and poured her another glass of water. Eva drank what she managed not to spill.

  Leaning back against the scattered pillows, Eva managed to say, “Ice.”

  Hadrian nodded. She was relieved her male understood the tract of her thoughts. He buried the glass handle in the ice and she shuddered in anticipation.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Yes. Hadrian. Yes!”

  Eva’s back arched so hard it hurt. Her hips pushed back against his. Her arms gave out as her climax slammed into her. Her chest hit the mattress as his name fell from her lips. She gripped the sheets, her claws shredding the already ruined satin.

  Hadrian wrapped an arm about her waist, supporting her lower body. He flexed his hips and thrust in deep. He could feel his own release building clear down to his toes. His entire body clenched. His heart pounding so hard he could feel his blood rush through his veins. White-hot lightning streaked down his spine, the bolt exploding in his head. His pure, primal roar vibrated the bed and shook the room as he came, spending in her hot depths.

  He slid his arms underneath her, his fingers curling over her shoulders. He lifted her torso and flattened her back against his chest, hugging her to him. He buried his face in her wildly tangled hair, inhaling deeply. Eva reached back and wrapped her arms about her head, pulling him closer.

  The delicate melody of the clock rang signaling the end. The sexual tension that had filled the air suddenly vanished and her body went limp. Her arms slipped from him to dangle at her sides, her legs collapsed. He gently lowered them to the bed, tucking her against him.

  Her fever had broken and the flames that had devoured her began to fade. The tension slowly eased from her body. She was so exhausted she could barely breathe. Every muscle ached and her wrists hurt from fighting the chains. Her lips were dry and cracked, her throat raw from her growls and screams of pleasure.

  Hadrian kissed her shoulder blades and the back of her neck as he whispered soothing words. The storm within her had passed. What remained was perfect peace. He drew her closer and Eva buried her face in the mass of torn sheets before she could blurt out, I love you.

  God, what would he say? Would he balk? Would he try to rationalize her emotions, claiming they weren’t real?

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, his breath brushing her ear.

  Eva had to swallow a few times before she could respond. “Tired.” Her voice was like gravel. “You?”

  Hadrian dropped his head. He felt…there were no words to describe the euphoric harmony that had settled over him. He had never experienced such ecstasy and he wanted to stay just like this. He held her t
ightly, their bodies joined, they fit perfectly. He wanted to stay there in the sanctuary of her body forever.

  “Blessed.”

  Eva’s head snapped back and she twisted around to face him. His obsidian eyes were warm, bright and…no. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Eva moved closer, their noses almost touching. It was there. It had not been a flicker of lighting or her imagination.

  Hadrian blinked as if he just realized what he had revealed. The emotion vanished, replaced by his mask of control.

  “Thank you,” he said then placed a light kiss to her lips.

  Eva opened her mouth, but she could not find the words.

  Hadrian rolled from the bed. Tiny red lines extended from his shoulders to his hips and ran down his arms. There were puncture marks lining his neck with a few scattered about his chest. He turned and headed for the desk. The same marks crisscrossed his back in a frenzied pattern. She had lost control towards the end, scratching and biting—blood rushed to her face—she had even hit him. Repeatedly. But the vampire seemed…fine. His movements were fluid, his muscles rolled with ease as he walked back.

  He returned with the key to the shackles. His hands were gentle and he was careful not to touch her tender flesh. He held her hands, his gaze lingering on the circular scar on the inside of her wrist. He traced it with his thumb. Electricity sprinted up their arms, a sharp shock. Eva gasped and Hadrian dropped her hand and flinched.

  He abruptly turned and stalked to his closet.

  She lifted her head. Her vision wavered, the room spun and she collapsed back with a curse.

  Hadrian emerged wearing loose gray sweats, set low on his hips. His chest remained bare. The evidence of her mauling was gone. His skin was smooth, unblemished, as if nothing had happened.

  He did not come back to the bed. Instead he entered the bathroom and the sound of running water filled the silence that hung in the room. Hadrian stepped from the bathroom and came to the bed. He was careful as he took her up in his arms.

  She released a grateful sigh as he settled her in the tub. The warm water and heady scent of relaxation aromatherapy was heaven.

  Her stomach rumbled. Loudly.

  A smile tugged at Hadrian’s lips.

  “Yeah, I’m hungry.”

  “I will bring you something to eat. Relax.”

  Hadrian vanished and Eva sank further into the water, the bubbles floating about her chin. She let out a soft sigh. The soreness was easing from her muscles and she was grateful that her transition had improved her healing process.

  Dipping under the water, she wet her hair. Wiping the foam from her eyes, she quickly washed and reached overhead for a towel. She wanted to be out and ready when he returned. She was starving.

  Eva stepped from the tub and dried. Her legs were a bit unsteady, but she managed to make it to the closet. She snatched one of his plain black shirts and slipped it over her head.

  Returning to the room, she eyed the bed. It was mutilated. The sheets were shredded. The comforter reduced to strips and the pillows lay in disarray, cut open, their feathers spilling out. The thick chains hung over the headboard and their “toy box” remained open at the foot of the bed.

  Hadrian appeared beside her, a tray piled high with an assortment of sandwiches, sliced fruit, and warm rolls slathered in butter.

  “You can sit at the desk,” he said.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I borrowed a shirt.”

  He looked her over, heat sparked in his eyes. “Not at all.”

  Eva followed him, picking grapes from the tray. She could not stand the hollow feeling in her stomach, it reminded her of living with the pack.

  I’m never going back, she told herself as she sat in Hadrian’s massive chair.

  Eva knew she should have placed the napkin in her lap. She knew she should have held back, but manners be damned. And Hadrian wasn’t watching her. He was busy trying to put the bed to rights. He gathered the sheets, the ruined comforter, and dead pillows. At least the mattress had survived. He rolled the chains and tucked them behind the bed then collected the goodies they had used.

  She shoved one sandwich after another into her mouth as he worked. He took the box to the bathroom and she assumed he was cleaning all that they had used. Next, he went to the closet and retrieved a new set of sheets and pillows.

  “Sorry for destroying your stuff,” Eva said as he passed her. “I’ll help.” She stood.

  “No, you need to eat.”

  “What about you? Shouldn’t you feed?”

  “I took in some blood while I was in the kitchen.”

  “Oh.” She resumed her seat and took up a piece of an apple. “Well, if you need a snack.”

  He paused and turned to her. His eyes darkening with hunger. “You are offering?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t think I would, but I really—and I mean really—like you biting me.”

  His fangs elongated and Eva shivered. “As do I.”

  When he finished with the bed, he took a quick soap, quick rinse shower and joined her.

  Eva offered him a strawberry. He took her hand and brought the fruit to his lips. His tongue swirled about her finger, scooping the strawberry into his mouth.

  “Sexy,” she breathed, her eyes fixated on his lips.

  He drew her up and they walked to bed. Eva slipped under the fresh sheets and leaned back against the plush pillows.

  “Thank you for everything. You’ve been so helpful and understanding.” She pushed her damp hair over her shoulder. “And I’m sorry for attacking you and being…so rough at the end.”

  “Eva, don’t apologize.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  He shrugged. “I heal. Besides, I knew what I was getting myself into at the start.”

  She covered her yawn.

  He sat on the edge of the mattress beside her. “Lay back,” he urged. “You should sleep.”

  She was not ready for sleep. Well, her body was, but if she did not want this moment of peace between them to end.

  “Hadrian, will you tell me about yourself?”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  He visibly tensed. “You wish to know my past?”

  “I want to know how you became the man you are,” she said.

  There was a long silence.

  Good job, she chided herself. Hadrian was not the sharing type, but she had hoped he would open up to her. He had confessed his darkest secrets and fears to her the other night. Was she pushing him? He obviously was not ready to reveal more.

  “You don’t have to say anything. I just thought…well, it’s cool.”

  His brow wrinkled, his eyes fell to his hands, which were fists in his lap. “I want to share myself with you. I just…” He punched out a heavy sigh. “I do not know how or where to begin.”

  Eva came up to her knees and crawled over to his side. She sat beside him, allowing his silence to fill the room. Her gentle hand rested on his forearm.

  “I had a good life,” he finally said. “Sometimes it is difficult to remember when I was mortal. It was so long ago.” He paused as if he were searching for words. “My father was a member of the Roman Senate. Always looking to improve his status, he had selected a beautiful woman who came from a wealthy and well-connected family to be his wife. There was little love between my parents. As I recall, they only had two things in common: political aspirations and their children.”

  He stopped again and placed a hand over hers. He still did not look at her.

  “Titus and I were inseparable. I had brains and brawn and he had charm and charisma. But while I was content to live the life our father had planned for us, Titus rebelled. He joined the military and I followed. Even though we were identical twins, I was stronger, more robust, and a much better fighter. Titus had a startling ability to anger people and I always defended him.”

  “You joined to protect him?”

  “I was promoted quickly for my ability to read the enemy and, well, destroy them. I lear
ned early how to compartmentalize life. War was ugly and I could not allow the death I witnessed and created to disrupt my life.”

  Eva nodded. That was how he had been able to deal with the demon before his brother’s death.

  “Emperor Claudius sent four legions to invade Britain in 43 A.D. Titus and I were amongst the soldiers. We were only to be there for two years, but we never returned home.” His voice grew strained. “Imbrasus and Uro, the Father of the Voidukas, were warring and Imbrasus was grossly outnumbered. He would use his human slaves as scouts. They watched the legions reporting back to him the names of those that would make good recruits. He would then stalk his prey under the cover of night, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.”

  Her eyes rounded. Imbrasus had used the Roman conquest as a screening session and Hadrian had caught his interest.

  “During the campaign, I married a Briton.” His eyes closed and his throat went dry. “Her name was Cordelia. My marriage infuriated Titus and my father, who had selected a wife for me. Finally, my brother and father had something in common.”

  “I get your dad being mad, but why would Titus be upset?”

  “He viewed my wedding Cordelia as the end of us. We would no longer be inseparable.”

  Titus had been jealous of Cordelia, just as he had been jealous of Falcon. He had not wanted to share his twin.

  “Titus and I were on Imbrasus’s list of candidates and he took advantage of our division. He knew how protective I was of my brother, so he approached Titus first.”

  Rage began to vibrate from him. Eva squeezed his arm. He lifted his head, his eyes swirling pools of crimson.

  “Titus had been wounded in battle and was in his tent when Imbrasus came to him. The vampire offered him immortality, power, riches, women—everything. Titus only wanted me.”

  “Which Imbrasus knew and he wanted you too.”

  The temperature in the room dropped as malice thickened the air. “When the fighting was complete, I went to Titus’s tent to check on him. I found Imbrasus bent over my brother’s lifeless body. He smiled at me, revealing his fangs. Wrapping his arms about Titus, they disappeared.”