Clasping tight to his hand, the woman pulled him towards her. “Then if I live I will be yours, for this night at least.”
Gasping, Aytan dragged himself back into his body. Without hesitation, he spread her legs and found the warm opening to her cold body.
By the Gods, she felt tight as he entered. She trembled, perhaps because of the chill air, perhaps with fear, he didn’t know which. As he thrust into her, he didn’t care. He was near to bursting and he’d barely got inside. Shifting slightly the woman twined her legs about his hips.
When he heard her cry out Aytan buried himself deep within her. She was hot as a flame and he couldn’t stop.
Beneath him Tem moaned, clutching tight to his bleeding hand. Stunned, Aytan realized he had just felt his own thrust into her body through both her consciousness and his. Testing, he moved again. This time he knew for certain he could feel what she felt.
There was no way Tirol could have prepared him for an experience like this.
Aytan felt her body respond to his movements. He experienced her growing pleasure along with his own. He couldn’t have stopped, even if the world was coming to an end.
“Gods on high, woman, I can’t hold out for long,” he growled.
If smoke made a sound, it would be her voice in his ear. “Come then, Aytan Kirrae. Make me yours.” She arched against him and Aytan was lost.
Drenched in sweat, panting, spent, he fell over Tem’s small slim body. She released his hand to wrap both arms tight around him.
Aytan flipped onto his back, pulling Tem with him. With a contented sigh, she nestled into his warmth. He caressed her, trailing his fingers over her smooth hip. She seemed so dear, too sweet to be a demon. At last her breathing grew light and even and she fell asleep.
Aytan lifted his hand and brought it close to his face. Light from a bright yellow moon shone through the cracks in the shed’s wall. He could see that his palm had healed without a mark. Tentative, he touched it. Only a smear of dried blood remained.
What are these red women? Are they magic? Are they all demons?
He stared down at the woman in his arms. She appeared frail, but he now knew her frailty was deceptive. If even half of what Kane Tirol had told him was true this woman could kill a man with a single drop of her blood, yet in the sharing of that same blood he’d just had the most intense sexual encounter of his entire life. He’d already grown hard, to the point of discomfort. Regardless of the extraordinary circumstances, he was ready for her if she needed him again.
Book IV: The Red Demon
Tem waited for him to stir. “Will you kiss me this time, Aytan Kirrae?”
The man opened his eyes. In the light of the full moon, Tem could see that for an instant he had no recollection of recent events. Then he smiled a wicked smile and she knew he remembered. She grinned back.
“Or would you prefer to turn me over your knee again?”
Kirrae sat up and obliged her. Tem shrieked as he flipped her over his muscular thighs and gave her bottom a sharp smack. “I’ve been wishing for a chance to do that.” His laughter echoed in the small hut. “It was such a stimulating experience the first time.” Tem wriggled and he smacked her again, this time, pressing his erection against her bare hip. “You may be a little thing, but you have the most glorious ass in creation, woman. I had to stop myself from taking you the last time I had you in this position.”
Tem laughed, her voice muffled by the blankets as his rough hands squeezed her bottom.
No man had treated her like this, ever. She had never before been just a woman to anyone. Aside from Issa’s mate, Kane Tirol, every other man she’d known had been terrified of her, afraid of a goddess.
Oh, the men had done their duty. What choice did they have? Even if they didn’t want her or they feared her, the mere scent of her would arouse them and enable them to play their part.
But there had been no sharing of her blood and Tem hadn’t given any man a second thought after the deed was done.
However, there was no ignoring Aytan Kirrae, the Empress’s Horse Master. He showed no fear in her presence. She’d sensed disdain in him upon their initial meeting, but now that she knew how it felt to be the object of his desire, she reveled in it.
“Take me again, Horse Master.”
“Horse Master, is it?” Aytan tossed her onto the blankets. He leaned over her, his hands cradling her head with unexpected gentleness. Tears welled up in Tem’s eyes as he lowered soft warm lips to hers and kissed her.
Throughout history Tem had kissed men of wealth and power, maturity and intelligence, strength and intuition, but it seemed as if here and now, she was a mere novice.
Tem felt like she had never once been kissed by a real man, not until this moment when Horse Master, Aytan Kirrae, took her mouth.
Whether it mattered to him or not, with that one sweet act, she gave her heart into his keeping forever.
Something had shifted in their relationship. This second time had nothing to do with helping her recover. It had been all about wanting her, needing to be a part of the woman. Aytan had been determined to show her that this time it hadn’t been a simple fuck. So he’d kissed her sweet soft lips and lost his heart.
Can a man lose his heart to a demon and still retain his soul?
Aytan slid an arm beneath Tem, drawing her close. Without hesitation she came to him, molding herself against his body, fitting herself to him like a puzzle piece. She pulled a blanket over them both.
He caressed the smooth skin of her arm. He wanted to speak of what had happened between them, but he wasn’t certain where to begin. “Tirol would have done this for you, in exchange for the life of his son.” That wasn’t what he meant to say. The words came out all wrong.
Tem lifted herself on an elbow and stared at him. “Oh, so Kane Tirol could have serviced me and relieved you of the hardship? Go to hells, Horse Master Kirrae.” The woman tossed the blanket aside and rose to her feet, her lean lithe body pale in the moonlight. She strode toward the door.
Untangling himself from the blanket, Aytan rushed after her. “Stop, woman,” he called out. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” She turned and he saw that her eyes flashed red fire. Aytan grabbed for her arm, but Tem was quick and she stayed out of his reach. “Don’t touch me, you son of a bitch.”
“Tem, listen to me. I merely wanted to let you know that the man does not want you dead. He’s grateful to you.” When Tem didn’t reply, Aytan continued. “I spoke with him earlier and he made it clear there is no love lost between the three of you. Yet Kane Tirol planned to save your life even if his son died.”
“So you stepped up to the plate instead,” Tem replied.
“I don’t understand.”
“Oh, that’s right, you wouldn’t. It’s a baseball analogy. It means, you volunteered. How big of you.” The red glow in her eyes began to recede. As he watched, the anger was replaced by something else. He knew his words had hurt her. He had to explain himself before she bolted and he lost her altogether.
Aytan stepped closer. “I thought I dreamed this entire experience. When I still believed this world was a dream and Kane told me what was necessary, what you would need, I said I would care for you.”
“Why?”
Aytan shrugged. “I wanted you.”
“Why?”
“Because you are not what I thought.”
“And what did you think?” Her voice challenged him.
“I thought you were a thief and a trespasser, another one of the demanding arrogant red women.”
Tem laughed, baiting him. “I am a demanding arrogant red woman. I am the worst of them, the Red Demon herself. Don’t you know that?”
Aytan wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her in his embrace despite her struggles to throw him off. “I can kill you in a heartbeat,” Tem hissed at him. “You should be running.”
“Do it, then,” Aytan said, unafraid. “Use the poison in your b
lood to kill me.”
Tem stopped struggling. “No.”
“Why not?” He drew her closer.
She was silent for a moment. “Because, Horse Master, you are the first man to treat me like a living human woman. That means something to me, even if you do so out of pity.”
“Pity?” Aytan held her out at arm’s length and forced her to look at him. “Pity has nothing to do with it. I don’t pity you. You think a man who pities a woman can do that?” He pointed back to the blankets. “Believe me, you stubborn woman, that was not an act of charity.”
“Then what was it? You don’t love me.” Her voice shook. “I heard your words to Kane. I bear no love for her.”
Gods, had he really said that?
“I didn’t know you when I spoke those words, Tem Bokinan. In truth, I still don’t know you. But I feel you…” he thumped his chest, “in here. Your blood flows through my veins with each beat of my heart.” He slid a finger under her determined chin and lifted her face to his. “You said if I shared my blood with you, you would be mine, for this night at least. Those are the words I remember and look...” He pointed to the lowering moon in the dark sky. “Morning is still several hours away.”
“Did I say that, Master Kirrae? I don’t recall.”
“You did indeed, demon.”
Tem looked up at him. “Well then, we have little time to waste. When I’ve finished with you, Horse Master, you may ask me any questions you wish and I will do my best to answer them.”
In reply, he lowered his lips to hers for a kiss. Aytan lifted his head. “How many times will it take to satisfy you, demon?”
Tem’s laughter was soft. “How many times can you do it?”
“It seems I have no shortage of stamina,” he said.
“Ah, a side effect of the Blood. By all means, let’s put you to the test. This is a first for me. I’ve never shared my blood with any man before you.”
Aytan pulled her into his arms. If I have any say in the matter, I’ll be the last.
Book IV: The Red Demon
Tem stroked the baby’s downy head. “He’s beautiful, Issa. He’s a strong, intelligent, courageous baby boy. You and Kane are fortunate.” She looked directly into the younger woman’s eyes. “But Issa, don’t try this again. I might not be able to save the next one. Given your genetic background and Kane’s, the results are too unpredictable.”
Issa buried her face in the baby’s crown of auburn hair, like a veercat drawn to the sweet familiar scent of her own offspring. “I haven’t told you how grateful I am, how grateful we are. You didn’t have to do this. You could have turned your back on us.”
Tem smiled. “Aytan has already told me how grateful you are. I know what Kane was prepared to do.”
Issa began to speak, but Tem put a gentle hand on her arm, silencing her. “I wouldn’t have allowed it,” she said. “No matter what has passed between us I consider you my little sister. Even if I still harbored any hurt or anger I would have come. I am not quite the monster you imagine me to be.”
Issa stood silent for a moment, watching the mares graze in the nearby pasture. “You do seem changed. You really wouldn’t have allowed Kane to…?”
Tem’s voice was firm. “You can set your mind at ease. You and Kane were fated for each other from the beginning. I needed time to accept the notion. It didn’t matter that I’m the one who placed the two of you together. Remember, acceptance is not my stock in trade,” she added. “You probably understand better than anyone.”
Issa nodded. “Yet you were lonely.”
Tem willed away the tears she knew were about to spill. “It was that obvious?”
“To me, yes,” Issa replied. She repositioned the baby, protecting him from the chill wind. “I know you well.”
“You do, don’t you?” Tem smiled at her. “I was hard on you, yet you stayed with me, did everything I asked of you. I pushed you beyond measure. I’m sorry for that, Issa. I’m sorry for many things.”
“Was it necessary?” Issa asked.
“What?” Tem’s gray eyes met Issa’s.
“I’ve wondered if it was necessary. The Black Frocks. Did it have to be me?”
Tem took a deep breath. “Yes, Issa, it did. I didn’t have the courage to make the sacrifice. You had courage in spades and that’s the Gods’ honest truth.” She tucked a stray corner of the wool blanket beneath the infant’s feet. “And you’re wrong. I didn’t bring the Black Frocks into being. They’ve been with us all along. One day they’ll come again, or men just like them will raise their ugly heads.”
“Another Empress will have to face them?”
Tem nodded. “I doubt either of us will be here to help her.”
The baby yawned wide and both women smiled. Tem leaned down to plant a kiss on his soft head. “But it will be all right. If she’s like us, she’ll manage.”
“You never got to hold your own daughters,” Issa said.
Tem’s eyes opened wide at the unexpected observation. “No.”
“It’s a knife in your heart, isn’t it?”
“Some days it pricks more than other days.”
“There’s no need to pretend with me. I was right there with you. I know well the price you paid.”
“And that’s why you chose another way. I understand that.”
“Tem, you sacrificed for all of us. I’ve never thanked you. Your sisters, Aja and Ennat, have never thanked you. I apologize.”
“Don’t apologize.” Tem leaned her head against Issa’s, marveling as she always did at how much like sisters they really were. “I wouldn’t necessarily thank me either. I’ve behaved like a spoiled brat throughout all of history. Let this be a lesson for you,” she teased, wagging a finger. “Your son will grow to be far stronger than me. He had better learn some self-control or you can bet I’ll be creating a new genetic line to oppose him.”
Issa grinned. “You know Kane. He’ll be quite firm. Besides, I intend to give him several sisters. I imagine they’ll keep him humble.”
The women waited near the paddock for the men to return. Kane had saddled up two of his prize Kirrae stallions and taken Aytan on a tour of the rugged land surrounding their small settlement. A strong gust of wind swirled around the two women.
Issa turned her back and wrapped the woolens tight about her son. “What will you do now?” she asked Tem. “Will you remain with us?”
Tem gazed at the distant mountain peaks, deep purple granite, frosted glittering white in the morning sun. The meadows before her had erupted in a riot of summer colors. The thick emerald green of the tall grasses was sprinkled with the vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and midnight blues of wildflowers. This year’s foals frolicked beneath the watchful eyes of their mothers.
Issa’s question intrigued her. She’d always had a soft spot for Calen and its wild ways.
As she stood savoring the quiet beauty a child appeared not ten feet away, a tall boy with long golden braids and eyes the color of an ice blue mountain stream.
“Tem?”
She tried to reply to Issa, wanted to ask about the boy, but the words stuck in her throat.
“Tem, Tem? Sister, can you hear me?”
“Why in the seven hells are you shouting? I’m right here.” Tem looked around. “Issa, where did the boy go?”
“What boy?” Reaching for her hand, Issa clasped it tight. “Gods, you feel cold as ice. We should go inside and get warm. What boy are you talking about? I’ve been calling your name for five minutes. You were staring at the pasture. It was if you were frozen in time.”
Tem turned in a circle. Everything appeared exactly as it had been before, but the boy had vanished. She tried to control the shaking in her voice. “When Aytan and Kane return, I need to take him back to his time.”
“But what will you do? Where will you go?”
Tem swallowed over the sudden lump in her throat. “I’m going to see my daughters.”
Book IV: The Red Demon
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��Where the seven hells is she?” Aytan roared, aiming a furious kick at a bucket of grain. His voice echoed through the barn, scattering horses and stable boys alike.
“Whom do ye seek, Horse Master?”
He whirled around to find the elderly Empress standing right behind him. Dropping to a knee he took her hand, forcing himself to appear contrite. “Forgive me, my Lady. I didn’t know you were here, and I certainly did not intend to startle your horses.”
“Or Our stable hands, We hope. Rise, Master Kirrae. We wish to walk in Our pastures and We need a strong arm to lean on.” When Aytan didn’t move fast enough, she added, “Please.”
Aytan rose to his feet and extended his bare, muscular arm to the old woman. He’d known the Empress his entire life and he was quite fond of her. Unlike most men he didn’t fear her power, but he respected her greatly. After all, the woman walking beside him was the reason this one band of humans had survived and found a new home.
Aytan’s grandfather had made the long journey with her from Earth, but to Aytan, Persephone was home. His father had been born here. He had been born here. In his mind, Earth existed only in the bedtime stories told to children.
Adjusting his pace to accommodate the older woman, he and the Empress left the barn and wandered down the stone pathway toward the open grasslands.
“Ye did not answer Our question, Master Kirrae.”
“So sorry, Empress, it’s nothing, nobody.”
The woman laughed out loud. She threw his word back at him. “We may be old, but We are nobody’s fool. Ye have searched high and low for Tem Bokinan for months now. We have observed that ye are foul-tempered, foul-mouthed, and it has been reported ye do not eat, ye do not sleep, but instead haunt the palace grounds like a ghost. We see lines in thy face, Master Kirrae, lines that did not exist before…”
“Before I caught her trespassing, before I took notice of her,” Aytan interrupted.
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