A Forbidden Temptation [The Shields 4]

by Donna Grant

  "Not when I'm nearly in the same situation as before. I refuse to allow myself to be tempted when my duty is to keep her alive."

  For a long moment Aimery studied him. “How bad is your need for wine?"

  Val cursed long and low as he turned away from the Fae commander and paced. “Leave it be."

  "Nay,” Aimery said. “You drug yourself out of that pit, Valentinus, and I will not sit by and let you sink into it again."

  Val stopped his pacing when Aimery used his Roman name. With a sigh he turned back to him. “I will be fine."

  "How many times have you had the need since you pledged to the Shields?"

  Val swallowed and lifted his chin. “This is the first time."

  "And why do you think that is?"

  He shrugged as his frustration mounted. “I don't know, Aimery. If I had the answers I wouldn't be fighting the need for a drink."

  "The answer is right before you. You simply cannot see it."

  Val hated when Aimery talked in riddles. “Give me the answer. I don't want to sink into that despair again."

  "As I said, you have the answer."

  "Damn you, Aimery.” Val couldn't bring himself to ask again, not when he knew Aimery would refuse to tell him. He hadn't sunk as low as before, but that was partly due to the fact there wasn't any wine available.

  Aimery's head cocked to the side. “How strong are you, Val? Can you resist more temptation?"

  "If you're referring to Nicole, I will continue to resist her."

  "You haven't done so well so far. Every time she comes near you, you kiss her. How many more times will that happen before you finally take her?"

  "I won't take her,” he said between clenched teeth.

  Aimery crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. “Taking what pleasure you can has always been something I've encouraged the Shields to do. She is willing and you are more than attracted to her. You know better than she that the feelings between you two don't happen every day."

  "I am a Shield,” Val said, straining to keep his growing ire in control. “She is a Chosen one. There cannot be anything between us."

  "Hugh, Roderick and Cole have each found their mates in one of the Chosen. What makes you think you are different?"

  "Because I don't deserve to find my mate."

  Aimery blinked and let his arms fall to his side. “You think you are unworthy because of one mistake?"

  "A mistake that took innocent lives,” Val reminded him.

  "I was there,” Aimery said. “I saw exactly what happened, Val. You aren't the only one to blame."

  "I won't argue this anymore,” Val said. “Leave it be, Aimery."

  "Don't be a fool,” Aimery warned. “Everyone deserves to find love."

  Val laughed. “Not everyone."

  Thankfully, Aimery decided to leave then, ending their argument, but Val found he couldn't stop thinking of Aimery's words.

  If there was one thing he had been many times in his life, it was a fool. Wasn't a person supposed to learn from their mistakes and wrong decisions?

  He turned his head and found Nicole staring into the fire. He longed to go to her, to talk and laugh as they had earlier, but he knew that wasn't possible. Being near her was a temptation unto itself, and he couldn't afford to be tempted any more that day.

  After grabbing his cloak, he moved to the entrance and sat down on one of the smaller boulders as he began to polish and sharpen his sword and halberd.

  With loving hands he traced the intricate design on his weapons. He had never been more proud than the day he was gifted with his weapons. Not even the day he was promoted to general compared.

  Aimery had given him back his confidence and a need to live again, and Val would be forever grateful to Aimery. The Shields had also given him a sense of belonging and a sense of pride.

  As he thought of his brethren, he found himself longing for their camaraderie and laughter. He knew with all of them surrounding him, he would never think to turn to wine when memories of his sisters threatened.

  But he didn't have them. He really didn't have Gabriel since he had issues of his own to deal with after discovering his was immortal. Nay, Val only had himself.

  In all honesty, he was surprised Aimery didn't send him a jug of wine just to tempt him. Val couldn't help but smile at the memory of that long ago day when he had been sober for about a month and training heavily with the Shields. He had returned to his chamber and found a jug of wine on his bed.

  Aimery had sent it to tempt Val, to show him that he was strong enough to get over the temptation to drown his memories in wine.

  Val had been strong then, but he wasn't as strong now. There was no way he could pass up wine. Not now. Not when his sisters’ memories haunted him as they had begun to do.

  He pushed away his morbid thoughts and scanned the horizon. No sign of the Gryphon. Since Aimery had protected the cave and the Gryphon knew it, it was simply a waiting game now. The Gryphon couldn't attack them as long as they were in the cave, and they couldn't attack the Gryphon since he was immune to their weapons.

  Val prayed Gabriel discovered something of value while at the village. If he didn't, there was no telling how long they would be at the cave.

  He scratched his neck as his mind ran through various ways to draw the Gryphon out, and even with Gabriel's immortality, Val couldn't come up with a plan that involved killing the Gryphon without losing their own lives.

  * * * *

  The Gryphon watched the cave and the Shield, Val, as he sat at the entrance. He had listened intently to Val's thoughts and argument with Aimery, and that's when he devised the perfect plan to draw Nicole out of the cave.

  Anger simmered just below the surface as he shifted and felt the blue stone against his chest. All his years of loyalty and service meant nothing now. All that mattered to the evil one was the death of Nicole.

  But what the evil one didn't realize is that he remembered just who Nicole was.

  His talons sunk into the thick snow as his memories ran through his mind. The evil one had tried to erase all the memories when he had been converted to evil, but he had been stronger and held onto a few precious memories.

  Those memories had returned with a vengeance as he looked into Nicole's eyes as he choked the life out of her. The realization of who she was had been like a spear through his heart.

  He knew then he couldn't kill her.

  And he might have found some way to keep her alive before, but not now. Not with the cursed blue stone controlling him.

  He rose on his feet and stretched his massive wings. There was no getting around killing Nicole now, and once the deed was done, his soul would forever be in the hands of Hell, tormented and tortured.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Gabriel couldn't help but worry about Nicole and Val. It was obvious to anyone that looked that Val wanted her, but what he couldn't understand was why Val turned her away.

  Despite the words of encouragement he had given Nicole, Gabriel wondered if they would indeed work on Val for the Roman could be stubborn at times, especially when he got something into his head.

  Gabriel sighed and walked into the village. The clean up from the Gryphon's destruction was still taking place. He spotted the pub and walked inside. If he was to find out about the blue stone, the best place to do it was in the pub after someone had had a few drinks.

  As he closed the door behind him, he quickly surveyed the small room. Off to his left was a bar and a room behind it, probably the kitchen. To his right was a hearth and tables scattered throughout the room.

  He found an empty table and walked toward it, nodding to a few individuals as he passed. Most people stared at him curiously, but others gave him a baleful look. He ignored the hostile stares and took his seat.

  "Ye must be new here,” said a very feminine voice.

  Gabriel looked up to find a pretty girl with flame red hair and laughing green eyes. He smiled and nodded. “Indeed I am. Any chance I can
get something to drink?"

  "Oh, aye,” she said with a wink. “I'll bring it right out."

  Her thick Scottish accent was easy on the ears, and Gabriel found himself wishing he had a few more hours to entertain himself with the buxom lass. He stretched his legs out in front of him as he leaned back in the chair.

  In a matter of moments she returned with a large mug and placed it in front of him. Gabriel handed her some coins. “Keep the rest for yourself,” he said.

  She looked down at her hand and gasped. “Thank ye, sir. Are you some lord?"

  "Nay,” Gabriel said with a laugh. “I'm just a traveler who likes good service."

  "Do ye happen to have a name that goes along with such a ... handsome face?” she asked as she eyed him appreciatively.

  He let a finger graze the knuckles of her hand that rested on the table. “Gabriel."

  "If ye need anything, Gabriel, let me know. I'm sure I can take care of it.

  "Well, there is something you might be able to help me with,” he said as he leaned close to her. “What do you know of the lord of the castle?"

  Her brows furrowed. “Laird MacNamara. He's an old man who doesna receive visitors anymore. Ye wantin’ to see him?"

  Gabriel shrugged and took a sip of the ale. He nodded, surprised at the good taste. “In truth, I'm looking for something."

  "Really?” she asked intrigued. “And what might that be, me fine man?"

  The more Gabriel spoke with her, the more he found he liked her. “A very precious stone."

  Her nose wrinkled at his words. “A stone? Are ye daft, then?"

  He laughed, not caring that it drew glances from other customers. He motioned her closer and whispered, “It's about the size of a child's fist, and it is the most unusual blue you could imagine."

  "If there was a stone like that in this village, everyone would know of it,” she said as he leaned back. “I'm afraid you willna find it here."

  "What about in the castle?"

  She tapped a finger against her chin as she contemplated his words. “It could be, but I doubt it. The steward of Laird MacNamara robbed the poor old laird blind. There isna much left in the castle."

  Gabriel tossed her another coin. “You've been most helpful."

  "Any time, love,” she threw over her shoulder as she walked away, the sensual swing of her hips drawing his gaze.

  * * * *

  Nicole had never been bored before in her life, but she found herself going daft with nothing to do. She couldn't even walk around her beautiful loch. Instead, she was stuck in a cave with a man that would rather sit near the cave entrance than be near her.

  She admonished herself immediately. She knew Val was sitting there to keep watch for the Gryphon, but the other part of her argued that the Gryphon couldn't hurt them inside the cave so there was no reason for him to stand guard.

  Then she found herself wondering at the hushed conversation he and Aimery had had. It was evident by Val's pacing and rigid stance that he was agitated about something. Aimery's unforgiving look didn't help matters either, but she realized that if it had something to do with her safety, they'd tell her immediately.

  At least she hoped they would.

  Laird whimpered and she resumed the stroking of his fur. She had lost track of time in the cave and could no longer tell if it had been a few moments or a few hours that she had sat by the fire feeding it limbs.

  She was so ready for something to happen that she was about ready to walk out of the cave and see what the Gryphon would do. There had been no sign of the creature when Gabriel had left, which she found odd. If the Gryphon wanted her dead so badly, shouldn't he take whatever chance he got to weaken them?

  That in turn made her wonder why the Gryphon hadn't killed Gabriel and Val when he had attacked them. Granted, he wounded them severely, but as a creature of evil, shouldn't his main objective be to kill?

  All these questions she wanted to ask Val, but she knew he didn't wish to be bothered. She could barely see him around the boulders in the cave.

  She stretched out on the pallet of blankets to stretch out her back and thought about what her life might have been like had her realm not been destroyed and she was sent to Earth. Would her parents have loved her? Would she have been married with children of her own by now?

  Or would she be as alone as she was now?

  In some ways she liked not knowing where she came from. It had been easier to think she had been an orphan who was raised by a mean witch.

  Her stomach growled and she realized they hadn't eaten their morning meal. She hastily gathered some food and stood. As she walked to Val, she could sense his anger and turmoil, and she longed to help him.

  "Hungry?” she asked as she held out the bread, cheese and oatcake.

  He swiveled his head to her. “Thanks,” he said and reached for the food.

  When he didn't offer for her to join him, Nicole turned and made her way back to the fire where she ate alone. Again.

  * * * *

  With nothing more to do than stare at the walls, Nicole slept, waking only to bring Val food for the noon meal and then returning to eat alone. When she woke a few hours later, it was to find a large tub toward the back of the cave.

  She stood and walked towards it. As she neared she saw what looked like steam wafting up from whatever was inside. When she reached the tub and found it full of hot water, she gasped with delight.

  The tub was as high as her chest and so wide that it could easily fit two people inside. Her thoughts immediately turned to Val, and she could well imagine their bodies gliding against each other in the water.

  Her breasts swelled, and her sex throbbed. She had turned into a wanton after meeting Val, but since there was a greater chance of her dying than living, she wanted to experience what it was like to be held in a man's arms.

  By the sensual way he kissed, she could well imagine he was a good lover.

  A shiver ran over her body as she recalled the possessive way he molded her body to his rock hard planes, the way his hands had skimmed over her skin, bringing delightful sensations with every touch.

  Nicole mentally shook herself then cast a glance at Val. His head was still turned away from her, so she hurriedly undressed and climbed into the massive wooden tub.

  She sighed as she sunk into the steaming water and leaned against the back. Contentment washed over her as she closed her eyes and dreamed of a life that wasn't ripped apart by evil creatures.

  * * * *

  Val stood and stretched. He had sat near the entrance all day, and, as the sky began to darken, he found he was chilled to the bone and in need of warming. He turned to walk toward the fire and Nicole and stopped in his tracks.

  At the back of the cave stood a large wooden tub. With a naked Nicole inside.

  His rod swelled painfully, yet he couldn't look away as she slowly raised one arm, the water running slowly down her heated flesh as she washed.

  He didn't even know his feet had moved until he found himself standing before the tub, his eyes feasting on Nicole as she continued to bathe, unaware of his presence.

  Her silky midnight hair was piled haphazardly atop her head with tendrils sticking to her face and shoulders from the steam of the water.

  His breath caught in his throat as her hands moved to wash her breasts. He itched to feel their weight in his hands, to watch as her nipple hardened beneath the onslaught of his fingers, to massage the sensual mounds until she moaned with pleasure.

  In response to his vision, his rod jumped and throbbed with need.

  Suddenly, she turned and looked at him. After everything he had done to her, he fully expected her to scream and rant at him to turn away and leave.

  But as he watched, she slowly stood and he feasted upon her full breasts and dusky nipples already hardened and yearning for his touch.

  He tried to swallow but found his mouth dry. His gaze moved from her luscious breasts to her inviting mouth. How he wanted to yank her agains
t him and devour her.

  When she held out her hand, Val had never come out of his clothes so fast. He didn't stop to think, couldn't think beyond his need for her that overshadowed everything.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nicole's heart thudded painfully against her chest as her stomach flipped then fell like a stone to her feet when Val she his clothes and climbed into the water.

  She never got her fill of looking at his stunning form. His muscles bunched then moved as he reached for her. It never entered her mind to refuse him.

  Gabriel's words played over and over in her mind as she looked into Val's smoldering silver depths.

  "Don't give up on him if you really want him, Nicole. Val wants you badly. You just need to give him the incentive he needs to give in to his wants and needs."

  Despite Gabriel's words and the fact Val was in the tub with her, she expected him to push her away as he had done before. So, when he lowered his head and gently ran his lips along hers, her hands came up out of the water and moved over his bulging arms and wide shoulders to his neck where she threaded her fingers in his light brown hair.

  Her bare skin met his and she shivered at the delicious feel of him. But it was his hardness pressing into her stomach that beckoned her.

  Before she could reach down and touch him, he moved his chest against her, eliciting a moan as his chest hair gently scraped against her already aching nipples.

  His kisses moved from her mouth to her neck as she tilted her head back and rubbed her body against his. One arm wrapped around her, anchoring her to him while his hand moved over her back and bottom, then up her side, grazing the underside of her swollen breast.

  Just as she was about to beg him to touch her, his hands cupped her breasts. She moaned and gasped as he first massaged her breasts, then moved his fingers over her nipples.

  "You're sensitive,” he murmured, his gaze on her breasts.

  She wanted to answer him, but his fingers had begun to gently tug on her nipple. Suddenly, he turned them until she was leaning against the tub and he was pressed against her.

  "There won't be any running away for either of us this time, Nicole.” His eyes blazed with desire and all she could do was nod in agreement.