When Honor shuddered at the booming thunder Laken sat on the dry ground in the cave and pulled her onto his lap. She cried out when the lightning hit something. Honor looked at him with so much confusion and though she tried to be strong, he heard the telltale thump of her erratic heartbeat. Laken wondered if she felt she should pull away because of the ice-dweller law—or remain put because of the coven law. She must be feeling so torn.
“What’s wrong, Honor?”
“It’s treason to touch, sex is forbidden, touching is forbidden, but I hated that law.”
Laken had wondered if she had.
“This isn’t sex. It’s a way to comfort someone in distress,” he said.
“I know some things about sex. I know we are different in our forbidden areas. I know a man has a cock whereas a woman’s genitals are tucked up inside. Talek says they are hidden because they are bad. He said a female hides her sex to be devious.”
Laken couldn’t help himself, he laughed. “A woman’s sex is hidden because it’s a treasure a man wants to plunder. It’s also nature’s way of protecting a baby; it’s ingenious, if you ask me.” Laken trailed his fingers across her belly.
“I like it when you touch me,” she said shyly.
“But it confuses you.”
“Yes.”
“People need to be touched, loved, held.”
“Do vampires?”
“Yes.”
“But I’m food,” she muttered.
“A baby drinks its mother’s milk, liquid sustenance much like a vampire needs blood. Does that make a mother only food to the child? She loves the child and nurtures it. I will keep you alive and safe, I have no doubt in time I will come to love you. In this coven, we all take care of each other. We are all important, human and vampire and animal, for the others’ survival. Your leader was right in a sense. If humans die, so will vampires; although, it would be a sad, lonely death for vampires. We could have saved the lives of only beasts. But we chose humans as well. I was human once. I loved then and have again.
“I can’t talk to a beast like I am with you. I wouldn’t hold one like I do you. I wouldn’t make love to a beast as I want to make love to you. You’re not an animal of convenience. There is so much more to our relationship, my little spitfire.”
The rain storm was dying down and Laken stood, taking her with him. Honor was wide-eyed and curious at his words. She looked so innocent, like his Nanya, his precious Nanya who he had killed by accident. Honor was going to live. His little spitfire was going to learn about her new world—and he determined she would like it.
Chapter 7
After two weeks in solitude, sequestered in Laken’s room and quiet areas, Caine decided Honor could be introduced to the coven. Her bruising was still a bit blotchy but not too much of a concern. She had been going outside regularly and loved how the sun darkened her skin to what Laken referred to as a golden tan. Caine had given her a pair of the strange foot coverings with the strap between her toes, and she kept tripping over them and decided her feet would toughen up eventually—they did, and so she went barefoot.
Honor gripped Laken’s arm in a death hold as they stood in the huge room Laken had taken her to for dinner. It was easily five times the size of the main room of her ice dwelling. Sunlight shone from huge open windows. Wonderful smells permeated the air. There were many vampires dressed in black; Laken explained that was how she could tell vampire from human: all were male, all with dark as night hair. They were a stunning sight. Most of them were staring at her. Honor had met a few, but the entire room was filled with them. She was relieved to see Tavish and Caine; she had grown to like and trust both men.
During the two weeks of isolation, Laken had shown her the most entertaining, albeit frightening, sights. He had held her tight when she cried during the terrible storms that had thankfully lessened. His touch was growing bolder but not demanding. Honor shivered thinking of his thumbs trailing down her throat to linger at the tips of her breasts. He had kissed her forehead and cheeks occasionally and it was beyond pleasant. Irritatingly, when her heart began to pound he always stopped what he was doing.
Laken’s patience superseded any other person’s Honor had ever known. She found solace in Laken’s warm, comforting, safe bed; it was a far cry from the cold lonely furs she had grown up with. She slept nude beside him in his bed and not once had he demanded she try the sex thing. She knew he wanted to; it was a feeling she had, but he seemed to be waiting for something. It was wonderful to have him near in this strange new place; Honor didn’t feel so alone when he was with her. Laken made her feel important; he cared what she was thinking.
At first, Honor had been apprehensive lying naked in Laken’s arms, even though he remained in undergarments he called briefs; but with the storms, more often than not she found her body curled close to him. His hard form was a comfort in the open atmosphere that now ruled her world. If the roof were to be ripped off, she knew Laken would keep her safe. There were no ice chasms to fall into; Laken had explained she wouldn’t fall into the sky and stars weren’t humans trying to gain attention. Laken was the smartest man she had ever met, he was all-powerful and strove for her to realize it—she did, and the idea was wonderful. Nothing could hurt her when he was near—or far—he heard her any time Honor called his name.
Laken had handed her the sweetest bunny one day while out roaming—alive. Honor had felt the tears slide down her cheeks as she cuddled the first live animal of her entire life. Laken wasn’t a cruel man; the unreadable expression on his face while she held the bunny was curious. For a moment, she thought he had whispered the words, oh Nanya, but she wasn’t certain.
Honor stood openmouthed at all the people who were gazing at her curiously from around the room. There was a sea of faces; the elders had explained the vastness of an ocean. Honor didn’t know so many people could exist in one place. There were tables set up to dine at; it appeared everyone ate together. No one was placed above another; here it seemed everyone was equally important. An entire table held children—little children, older children, beautiful wonderful children, with both men and women fussing over them. There was a table with women who all sported rounded bellies.
They’re pregnant. And they are allowed to live.
Honor had been told as much, but seeing it was astounding; she held back the tears that flooded her eyes. The women looked happy and not terrified, their hands caressed those rounded bellies in fondness, not fear, and Honor suddenly ached to have a rounded belly of her own. A child couldn’t be exposed out here to die in this climate; it wouldn’t freeze to death. It was a magical sight to behold. Laken was practically pushing her towards a table and Honor dragged her gaze away from the pregnant women to see a huge table filled with handsome men and women of all different breeding ages. Honor gasped. Meg and Nora from her ice-dwelling labyrinth were seated at the table. They looked just as surprised to see her.
Meg glared at her. “So you’re the reason we’re here,” she snapped. “I should have known, Dylan was right.”
“I’m happy I’m here,” Nora said and smiled at Honor.
Honor gaped at the children’s table when a boy waved at her—it was Peter, beside him was the smiling beautiful teenage girl who had delivered Honor’s first meal. Laken sat Honor down at the breeder table. He looked sternly at the men who were all grinning at her, making her blush.
“This female is mine,” Laken said. His glowing white eyes traveled to each man. “No one is to touch her.”
Each male nodded, but they still stared. Honor was overwhelmed, men and women were forbidden from staring at one another, yet here it must be law to look at opposites. The men at the table were bare-chested and large, they seemed to devour her with their stares and looked unconcerned about it. The women wore the same attire as Honor and seemed just as curious. Plates of food were heaped on the tabletop, on large, rounded serving dishes or in bowls; Honor was told to help herself to anything she wanted and as much as she wanted.
Honor had tried so many different foods in the last two weeks; she was used to the fare. She helped herself to spiced chicken and sweet fruits and the delicious spinach she had been served on her first day smothered in butter and salt and a darker spice Laken had called pepper.
“Where are the others?” Honor asked; she looked at Nora who seemed the friendlier of the two.
“Dead, except for Tia,” Nora said. “I don’t know where Tia is. She’s been afraid of her own shadow since we got here. She screams if they try and take her outside. A vampire named Caine, a healer, has been watching her, but from what I’ve heard he hasn’t had much luck—she’s just too scared.”
Honor felt badly for Tia, but she wasn’t sorry Talek was gone. Honor returned Meg’s ominous glare. No doubt, she had been one of the people ready to kill her—Dylan was her nephew and his word was law to her. It made Honor furious—how dare Meg glare at her? Honor had done nothing wrong; she wasn’t the one who would have committed murder over a stupid man law. Very quietly and under her breath Honor whispered, “Piss off, bitch.”
Meg sat straight up and gasped. Honor chuckled. There was no Dylan to smack her and no children would have overheard her. After the things she had seen and experienced, some dumb ass bitch wasn’t going to scare her. Honor had no doubt the vampires had heard her. Laken’s hearing was impressive. If Tavish were angry he didn’t seem to look it. He and Laken and a beautiful woman with stunning white-blond hair were laughing in a far corner, Honor assumed she was Tavish’s vampire wife, Mercy. Her thought was confirmed when baby Galf flew into her arms. Honor just shook her head; it didn’t seem to bother the other humans around her, so Honor wouldn’t let it bother her either—besides, the baby was beautiful.
Meg made a point of looking elsewhere after Honor continued to glare at her for a moment before tearing her gaze away—Meg wasn’t worth the effort when there were so much more interesting things to see. Honor was enjoying herself when a number of the men fell over themselves to offer her more of the sweet wine the coven made. She chatted with everyone. Eating with both men and women was something Honor had never thought she would do in her life. She always ate last and alone in the ice dwelling. When she ate in Laken’s room he sometimes talked to her while she ate and sometimes she ate by herself.
Nora seemed to be a new person. The thirty-four year old was always so quiet in the dwelling. At the table, she smiled and talked and touched a few hands. The men didn’t stop her; they encouraged her behavior. When Nora finished her dinner, she smiled at two men and strolled out with them following. Meg glared at her back as she left.
When Honor had her fill of food, she sat looking at the children’s table, her gaze devouring the sight. The children didn’t look afraid. They were smiling and laughing. A few vampires interceded when a squabble over a toy broke out, but the children weren’t frightened at their approach—they had called to their vampires.
She gazed at the table of about ten pregnant women. Each was at various stages of pregnancy. They looked so healthy and content. Honor could see this because they wore only a type of breechclout. Their breasts were bare, beautiful, some fuller than the others. They didn’t look like they minded. There was no wine pitcher on their table, just glasses of milk, juice and water. They chatted happily with one another. There were vampires who hovered near this table, all looked possessive and pleased. Honor had been told a pregnant female was greatly coveted and guarded. They gave life to everyone at the coven. Honor wondered what it would feel like to be so honored, would Laken hover?
“Give it time and your belly will be as big as theirs.” Meg snapped at her. “They carry food for the monsters.”
“It’s time to return to my room,” Laken said.
Laken had appeared out of nowhere, startling her. Honor felt some disappointment; she could have gazed at everyone around her for hours. She couldn’t have cared less what Meg said. When Honor looked up at Laken, he wore an odd expression on his face. When he narrowed his eyes onto Meg, exposing fangs, hissing, his white eyes glowing, making her cry, Honor was even more surprised. Meg didn’t call to a vampire; she fled from the room in terror.
Laken took Honor’s hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, Honor was used to Laken clutching her and moving swiftly. He seemed in a hurry to get her away from the breeding table. When they entered the room, he slammed the door behind him making her jump. He looked pissed.
“Are you mad because I swore at Meg?” Honor asked.
“That fucking cow is too old to breed and shouldn’t have been brought back.” Laken’s reply was sharp.
“Why are you so pissed off?”
Laken grabbed her. “Because you’re mine,” he said with a growl and Honor gasped when his lips ground over hers.
* * * *
Laken was furious. How dare that bitch be so cruel to Honor. She was like Rhett’s Tanya had been to Mercy—a menace. It had been brutal watching the human males devour his female with their eyes. They all looked far too interested. Then that stupid bitch had glared at his Honor. For two weeks, Laken had been patient to the point he wanted to scream. Night and day, day in day out, sleeping beside Honor had been hell—and heaven. Laken couldn’t wait any longer.
Honor’s mouth was soft and warm. She didn’t struggle and Laken could hear her heart hammering in her chest. He hated the idea she was terrified. Gaining a modicum of control Laken dragged his lips from hers. She was wide-eyed and breathing in ragged gasping breaths. Squeezing his eyes closed, Laken rested his forehead against hers, willing his emotions under control.
“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered, now gazing into her eyes.
“I’m not.”
“Honor, touching and kissing isn’t evil. I know it’s what you were taught, but the world won’t end.”
She smiled wryly up at him. “Everything I have ever known is gone—would you like to rephrase your comment?”
She was teasing him! Laken took a step back releasing her. She was breathing fast, her heart still pounded, but she didn’t look scared stiff. Her cheeks were flush, rosy and beautiful. When Laken trailed his finger down her cheek to her throat she shivered but didn’t pull away. His hand rose to cup her face and he moved closer. This time his kiss was tender and lingered. He explored her mouth with his tongue. He waited for her to pull away, waited for her to struggle—she did neither.
When the kiss broke Laken scooped her up into his arms and laid her down on the bed. His hands were shaking, and he contemplated ripping her teddy off but refrained. Now wasn’t the time for prowess, now was the time for a gentle hand. He stood gazing down at her until she held out her hand. Laken’s fingers touched the tips of hers and he sat at her hip. The bed indented and she rolled against him.
“Is this what the sex thing is?” Honor asked.
The comment made him grin with her innocence. “This is called foreplay.”
“I know you won’t hurt me, but the only time I’ve played with a man was with Peter and he’s not a man yet. Man and play didn’t really go together in my world.”
“You’re in my world now. Do you love Peter?”
Honor started laughing; she slammed a hand over her mouth, but Laken pulled it away. He was still trying to teach her laughter was allowed. Honor was laughing so hard tears rolled down her face and she snorted a few times while sucking in air. She looked even more beautiful.
“I guess I’ll take that as a no,” Laken said, and it annoyed him at the relief he felt.
“Peter is just a boy. An annoying boy.”
“You kissed him.”
“Not like you kissed me. I wanted to make him angry and show him what his father was making him miss out on. I was so angry all the time. Never loved or touched or comforted. Not until I met you.”
Laken stretched out beside her after he kicked his shoes off and rolled his socks into balls which he fired across the room. With a single finger, Laken slipped each strap of her lingerie off her shoulders. She was learning each day to trust hi
m. So many things were frightening and foreign to Honor, but she straightened her shoulders and faced each task or challenge—with encouragement and the occasional push.
Laken had showered with her fully-clothed until she got used to the water streaming over her. The bath had been a bit tricky and still clothed, he had settled in behind her. Laken had to convince her she wouldn’t slip down the drain; she was convinced inanimate objects were real. As it was, she only ever pulled the plug once she was safely standing on the bath mat. She would watch in sheer wonder as the water magically drained away. The concept of plumbing was completely lost on Honor.
Teaching her the difference between a good bug and bad bug was difficult. Honor didn’t understand how something so teeny could cause her pain—until she was stung by a fuzzy adorable, bumble bee—lesson learned. Simple things Laken took for granted were learning experiences for them both. Honor didn’t realize there was a big difference between the tub and the pond—which was over her head, and she couldn’t swim. If it were at all possible Laken would have gotten gray hairs from that particular incident. Seeing Honor disappear under the water and not resurface, Laken had dove in fully-clothed and saved her—he seemed to be wet a lot around her.
“What are you thinking about?” Honor said. “You seem to brood a lot.”
A lot more since you wormed your way into my thoughts—heart. “You are so beautiful; I don’t want to scare you.”
“Nothing you’ve done has scared me.”
Laken slipped her lingerie down, exposing her breasts. Honor gasped when he touched one. She watched as the pad of his thumb rubbed against her nipple, hardening it. Her breath caught when he leaned down and sucked the bud. Every day, Laken had touched her in different areas; for the most part, his fingers or hands trailed over her innocently, only trying to soothe. He didn’t want to just pounce—or decide he had waited long enough, then jump right in. For two weeks, his hands caressed her shoulders, touched her hips, trailed their way down her back.
A Vampire To Watch Over Me [Vampire Coven Book II] Page 9
