by Rosalie Redd
He didn’t speak right away, his tongue tied by his rage. When he did speak, his voice was raspy and rough, even to his own ears. “How did you survive on your own? The world out there isn’t easy for our kind.”
“I was human once. I can still pass as one. I did what I had to and found ways to survive.” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, her eyes darkening in determination. “I won’t be his concubine, not ever.”
She seemed so small and meek like a kitten, but beneath that soft exterior, he suspected was a tiger.
“What did he do to you?” There was a reason she hated him. He had to know what it was.
“I look like his lost mate, Eleanor, and in his eyes, I was her. He gave me some of her old clothes, even some of her jewelry. When I refused to wear them, he became enraged.”
“Did you sleep with him?” He anticipated her response, his hand jerking involuntarily.
She glanced away, but her focus came back to him. “No. He wants me to come to him willingly.”
Noeh sighed, and his muscles let go of the tension. Thank the gods for small favors. Maybe this was why he needed to protect her.
He rolled his shoulders. “You are safe from him here.”
“Thank you,” she said.
His mind reeled back to the baby. Curiosity got the better of him. “All of the females became infertile after the great scourge. How are you able to conceive?”
“I don’t know. I’m different from the others, but I don’t know why.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, the ends whipping against the skin on his arm, sending a thrill into his chest. “From what I’ve heard, after the scourge, the number of new Dren decreased until none survived the change. I’m the first one to survive the transition from human to Dren in over two hundred and fifty years.”
“Who changed you?”
Melissa glanced at the floor, her lips parting. “Demir.”
“Why am I not surprised?” A burning sensation started in the pit of his stomach. He relished the fire, fed it, let it build. “How?” His question came out brusque. He hated the idea of Demir having such an important role in her life, and his gut twisted in response.
She walked back over to the desk and touched the edge of the dark wood. Tracing her hand up the back of the shelving, her fingers caressed the fine grain. The room was quiet for several seconds before she spoke.
“I was young, only twenty-two, and naive. I went out on a date with a man I barely knew. He was rough around the edges, and I guess I found that attractive, exciting even. I shouldn’t have gone out with him.” She pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers.
“We walked through Noble Woods Park. ‘A nice stroll at sunset,’ he’d said. He became aggressive and wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. When I fought back, he pulled a knife and stabbed me in the stomach. He ran off and left me there. I don’t remember much after that.” Moisture glinted in her eyes.
Noeh balled his fist so hard his knuckles cracked. He wanted to reach through time and beat the crap out of the human male.
“Demir found me. I was dying. He took a chance and bit me. The odds were I would die from the bite, but he later told me he had to try anyway, because I looked so much like Eleanor. She died during the great scourge, and he’d never forgotten her.” She caressed one of the sunstones lining the edge of the room. The crystal flared at her touch. “Maybe I should have died in the park that day. If it hadn’t been for Demir, though, I wouldn’t have met William. For that, I am thankful.”
“Why didn’t Demir pursue you right away?”
“I think he fought his attraction to me for a while, because I’m a Dren, a slave. Panthera don’t take Dren as mates, although Dren can become concubines. After William died, everything changed. Demir’s obsession with me grew. In his mind, I owed him for saving my life—I belonged to him. I’m grateful he saved me, but I won’t be his concubine.”
“That explains a lot.” Noeh stared at this unique female, a human who survived a Panthera bite to live again as a Dren.
“Your mate is out of the way. Now Demir won’t leave you alone.” He ran his hand through his hair, understanding bringing new insight.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For listening. I didn’t realize how much I needed to tell someone about it, about all of it.”
“You’re welcome.” He wanted to do more than listen, and this confused him, but he couldn’t bring himself to think about his reaction.
She touched the chair, resting her hands on its worn back once again. Her long hair glistened in the soft light from the sunstones. When she spoke, her words were a mere whisper. “I think I can feed from you now.”
He held his breath, and his heartbeat picked up speed. “What do you need me to do?”
She turned to face him and bit her lip, a sharp tooth protruding over the plump flesh. “The best place to feed is at the base of the neck, near the shoulder, but I can feed from your wrist if you prefer. You shouldn’t notice the blood loss. I don’t need much.”
She peered at the floor, a small smile gracing her face. Her shyness attracted him like a moth to a flame.
“The shoulder is fine with me.” It was more than fine, as his growing erection demonstrated. He shifted his stance, doing his best to hide his approval of this plan.
“I will have better access if you take off your shirt. It’s more practical that way.” She blushed, and the rosy glow on her cheeks lit up more than her face.
He pulled his shirt out of his loose slacks. Starting at the top button, he worked his way down, his fingers moving quickly. Melissa’s intense gaze traveled south with each button. Her eyes were bright, and her smile all appreciation. His erection jerked in response.
He removed his shirt. His biceps bulged and flexed as he tossed the forgotten garment onto the floor.
Melissa’s previous shyness disappeared, replaced by a temptress. “You are a very strong, large male, indeed.”
The sunstones burned brighter. The room popped and crackled as they adjusted in the walls. Warm, moist air filtered in from the underground hot springs, raising the temperature in the room.
Noeh remained still, waiting for her to make the next move. She approached him, but it became clear she couldn’t reach his shoulder.
“Don’t move.” He held up his hand and pointed to the bed.
Melissa’s mouth fell open.
Noeh reached under the bed and pulled out a small footstool. “Bet uses this when cleaning my chamber.”
Melissa placed her hands over her mouth and giggled, the sweet sound putting a crack in his hardened heart.
“This is much better.” She stood on the stool, leveling the height difference.
As he peered into her eyes, desire coursed through his body, built as much from need as want.
Mine…
The unbidden thought distracted him. He blinked, but his inner beast reveled in the instinctual reaction, understanding the rightness of the response.
She placed her hands on his chest. Her touch electrified him, his heightened senses aware of the skin-on-skin contact. Excitement boiled within him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. She gave a squeal at the unexpected movement and put her arms around his neck. Her well-proportioned, heavy breasts pressed against his bare chest, and her hard nipples sent a bolt of desire straight to his groin. His growing erection pushed into her soft mound beneath the thin cloth of her dress.
She licked her lips, enticing him with their softness. “I have to warn you, drinking blood can cause reactions—intense emotions—heightened sexual desire.”
Her statement was a challenge, and he wanted nothing more than to rise to the occasion. The intensity of his need surprised him. A harsh growl erupted from his throat. “I’ll take my chances.” With his free hand, he captured her face in his palm. He touched the tip of his roughened thumb to the corner of her mouth. When she didn’t pull away, he glided his thumb across
her plump lip.
He wanted to capture those lips with his own as blood coursed through his veins, driving his need to possess her. Holding her close, the softness of her skin revved up his need, but he wouldn’t take control, not after what this female had endured. He would let her drive.
Besides, it could be her need to feed that made her so irresistible. Was he just reacting to the blood craving?
She trailed her warm, sensuous finger over his shoulder and down his arm. His skin tingled in response. He stilled, arm muscles taut, straining as he held his need in check.
Leaning in, she licked the soft spot in the dip of his collarbone. The warmth and roughness of her wet tongue sent a tremor of delight through his body. He shivered and pulled her closer, grinding his firm shaft against her willing body. She moaned, her fingernails digging into his back. Her feral response lit up his senses. Biting his lip, he took a slow breath, fighting for control.
She looked at him, her eyes half-hooded, her mouth slightly open. He watched with amazement as her canines extended from her mouth. Delicate weapons that they were, he couldn’t wait for her to bite him. He gripped her tighter, and her scent of carnations and mint overpowered him.
She kissed him at her chosen spot, her moist lips and tongue preparing him for her nip. His inner beast snarled in anticipation, and the primal sound escaped his lips. She sank her teeth deep into his skin, the initial jolt of pain like a bee sting, and over just as quick.
A soft pulling sensation at his throat increased his hunger, and his painful erection pulsed along with each tug. A growl escaped his lips. He cradled her while she fed, and he wanted her like he’d never wanted a female before.
Chapter Eighteen
Pure, hot bliss flowed down Melissa’s throat as she drank Noeh’s blood. Powerful energy and strength radiated throughout her body with each pull. The sunstones lining the walls warmed his bedchamber, which only added to the heat building between them. Continuing to feed, she moved her hands over his chest and arms, admiring the feel of his raw masculine power.
Everywhere she touched was a new discovery. Her body sought out each hardened muscle and curve, committing them to memory. Doing so was wrong, but the lust associated with the blood craving ruled her. His rich blood regenerated her, filling her with stamina and vitality making her lightheaded and giddy. As she drank her fill, she retracted her fangs and licked the small wound clean with her saliva.
Melissa was warm and content. His potent blood made her swoon, and she turned in his embrace to face him. Gone were the pale blue eyes she’d grown to know in such a short time, replaced with vibrant amber, the gold flecks coalescing into a solid color. She was trapped, mesmerized by their beauty.
Her euphoria still gripped her as she placed her head on his broad shoulder and closed her eyes. At peace, this seemed like where she belonged. She hadn’t felt this good since…
Reality came crashing down as memories assaulted her. Visions of William and Seth competed with those of Demir and his relentless pursuit.
She froze and inhaled a quick breath. Noeh stiffened, his embrace squeezing her tighter. His erection pressed against her body, and her core moistened in response.
This has gone too far. The blood craving did this. Her face and neck burned with embarrassment. She shouldn’t have put him in this situation.
She placed her hands on his chest, pushing against him in an effort to free herself. He let go. The air around her became cold and empty.
“I’m sorry,” she stammered. She stepped off the stool, her hands covering her face in utter dismay. What have I done?
This king would soon take a queen, a Stiyaha. She had no business getting this close to him. Though she desired this male, she despised herself for wanting him, as if she did an injustice to her memory of William.
“What the—” Noeh rubbed the back of his neck, the muscles in his arms bulging and contracting as he moved.
Melissa took several long breaths and held her ground. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done this. It was wrong of me to feed from you.”
Regret warred with desire as she stared at the finest male specimen she had ever seen. His bare chest brought back memories of her hands running all over those tight muscles. Her fingers tingled in return.
“You needed this and seemed to enjoy the feeding just fine. Why, all of a sudden, is it wrong?”
His angry words bit into her, raking across her psyche like sharp knives. He stood tall and proud, every bit the king that he was.
“Because the blood craving affected us both way too much.” Melissa’s entire body shook. Her frayed nerves, heightened by the raw power of Noeh’s blood, fueled her desire for him.
His gaze evaluated her, piercing her, searching, as if he knew she was holding something back. He didn’t call her on it, but his marking for truth pulsed above his right eye. Lifting his head, he gave her a curt nod.
“Thank you, King Noeh. I appreciate your gift of life-giving blood.”
She bowed and walked as gracefully as possible to the door of her adjoining room. Aware of his penetrating gaze, she hesitated. All she wanted to do was run back into his strong, warm embrace, but instead, she entered her room. As she closed the door, she peered at him. His eyes were still amber, his features fierce and powerful. Against her will, she desired him with every fiber in her body.
*****
Noeh stared at the closed door. Melissa was on the other side, but her unique fragrance still lingered in the air. She’d fed from him, drove him crazy with desire, then left him cold. Frustration raced up his back, into his shoulders and neck. His muscles tensed until he clenched his jaw so tight his teeth hurt. There was no question that he desired her, but she was right. The blood craving must be responsible. She’d warned him. Because of that, he couldn’t blame her for leaving. He’d let himself get caught up in the sensation.
He ran his hand through his hair. What he needed was a distraction.
On his desk lay his sketchpad. Drawing always calmed him and provided clarity when he needed it. After sitting down at the table, he grabbed his favorite graphite pencil and started sketching.
His strokes were harsh, the lines dark with his annoyance. The image didn’t come at first as he brushed the end of the pencil against the stark white paper. With time and patience, he relaxed, and let his hands take over. The lines became more rounded, the strokes less intense. The scratchy sound of the graphite against the paper calmed him, allowing him to close his eyes and let his feelings drive the pencil. He worked faster and faster, pouring his emotions into his work.
The room warmed as he labored, the Keep sensing his heightened state. A drop of sweat formed along his brow. He continued, his eyes darting back and forth beneath his eyelids. His drawings always provided him a message, some form of guidance, and he refused to look at the page until he was done. If he opened his eyes now, he wouldn’t be able to finish, and the message would be forever lost. Although he couldn’t see the drawing, he knew an image formed in the rough outline. Details began to emerge, and still, he continued on. His motions slowed, and the pencil stilled.
Noeh opened his eyes. Adrenaline spiked through his body. His vision narrowed, the sketch becoming pinpoint clear. No,craya, no. This isn’t possible!
He pushed back from the desk, knocking the chair over. He stared at the paper. His legs almost gave out. The picture was one he would never forget, not in a thousand years. An image of Melissa peered back at him, wearing the queen’s necklace.
Chapter Nineteen
Demir lounged on the extra-long bed, one built for a Stiyaha, his boots crossed at the ankles. His new residence was much smaller than the one back home in Denver. This room contained a bed, a table, and two chairs—a far cry from the opulence he’d left behind. This wouldn’t do, no, not at all. He smoothed his goatee, over and over, until his fingers tingled from the coarse bristles.
“Hellloooo!” Aramie waved her hands in front of Demir’s face.
He clampe
d his jaw. “Yeah?”
She wasn’t the source of his mood. His encounter with Noeh was, so he held his irritation in check.
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” Aramie wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
When he didn’t respond, she put her hands on her hips. The sound of her shoe tapping against the stone floor echoed around the room.
“How are we supposed to stretch our legs and run? We’re hundreds of feet underground.” After spinning on her toes, she headed across the floor, her frustration palpable in the enclosed room. “Do we need to ask those Jixies to call us a portal every time we want to leave?”
“Maybe you should go talk this over with your sister. I’m sure Sidea would have plenty to say on the topic.”
She watched him with a raised eyebrow.
“Quit fretting. Once we take over the Keep, we’ll run the place as we see fit.” Demir sat up, and his legs dangled over the edge of the bed. He pursed his lips. “This bed will be the first thing to go. No question about that.”
Aramie stopped her pacing, an incredulous look on her face. “What did you say?”
“This bed, it has to go.” Demir stood and stretched his arms.
“No, before that. You said—you want to take over the Keep?”
Demir glanced at her and continued his stretch. “Stiyaha are too big and slow. Besides, no cell phones. Are you kidding me?”
Aramie shook her head. The red barrette in her black hair was her only spot of color. The bauble caught Demir’s eye as it danced to and fro. Her mouth turned down at the corners, and when she spoke, her words were laced with doubt. “Why would you take such a risk?”
His heart pounded. He had to remind himself Aramie was on the same team and not to take his aggression out on her. That wasn’t easy though, and he clenched his teeth. “I can’t stand that smug, arrogant bastard’s air of superiority. Who does he think he is?” Demir punched his fist into his open palm, the smack loud and harsh in the small space.
