Crimson Bird 2

by L B Keen

  In a rush of need, he hungrily fed upon her, his hands moving along her back and waist, drawing her closer. Her heated skin fed the coldness in him as he pulled at her thin gown, revealing the skin beneath it. His eyes scoured her skin. How he’d missed this, her.

  She didn’t hide herself from him. Boldly, she presented herself in her nude glory. The only sign of her shyness were the hands that curled at her side. Seeing this, he smiled. Reaching up, he removed his own shirt, letting it fall to the ground between them. Taking her hand, he pressed it against his chest. “Touch me, and feel me,” he commanded.

  The little bit of embarrassment Bird had felt initially at being nude before Talon, faded at his command, her shyness becoming swallowed by her curiosity. He was harder than she. His body pale, but smooth to the touch. She lifted her other hand, exploring him.

  His heart was beating at the speed of a racehorse. As he endured her innocent exploration of his body, he gritted his teeth against it.

  She leaned forward, pressing her lips to the center of his chest. Drawing back, she wondered aloud, “I always assumed that vampire’s hearts did not beat.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “But yours seems to be working just fine.”

  His control snapped as he reached down and pulled her up, their hands pulling at each other. Kneeling, he pushed her back till she laid down, her breasts lifted for his mouth to suckle. She whimpered, her hips thrusting up as his palm pressed against her stomach, slowly descending till he reached her mound. Dipping his fingers inside, he groaned when he felt the wet heat.

  Bird could barely breathe as Talon’s finger circled her flesh. She lifted her hips, pressing into his hand’s machinations, her need growing. She closed her eyes against the new sensation. As his mouth left her right breast, he kissed his way down, caressing her hot skin till he reached her inner thigh. His hands spread her thighs so that her woman’s heart was bared to him.

  He’d craved this for so long. He looked up and met purple eyes glazed with need. Her eyes reflected his own hunger. Leaning down, his eyes remaining on hers, he tasted her slowly. She hissed, her back arching off the ground, releasing a moan. She dug her hands into his hair. “AH! Talon!” She widened herself for him, barely able to control her body’s movements.

  Talon took advantage of her loss of control, feeding on her till she cried out over and over, wringing orgasm after orgasm from her long body. Rising, he took her lips, sharing the taste of spice from her center with her.

  Tasting herself on Talon’s lips excited Bird’s senses as she tried to regain some control, but Talon refused to allow her space as he situated himself between her legs, his heavy member pressing against her entrance. He paused, staring into her eyes. “Are you sure?” he asked once more, holding himself still.

  As an answer, she reached down, and grabbing his member, she situated it at her entrance and gave a short nod. “I am.”

  That was all the go-ahead he had needed before he thrust forward, filling her to the brim. Her nails bit into his back and her mouth opened in a silent scream.

  He closed his eyes against the feel of her. Not moving, he simply luxuriated in the feel of her all around him. He’d prayed for one more night, one more day to be held by her. Only the sound of their breathing filled the chamber. He rested his head against her chest. Her heart beat was thunderous in his ears.

  She pulled at his shoulders, her hips moving greedily upwards as if searching for more. “Talon, please. I can’t…”

  Bird didn’t know what it was she needed, but she knew only he could provide it.

  Seeing that she was growing impatient, Talon finally moved. Lifting her, he rolled them over so that she sat on top. His hands grasped her hips, as her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her fingers digging into his hair. Controlling her movements, he led her in their slow ride. As their movements grew less controlled and more impassioned, he pulled her closer, his eyes zoning in on the clear skin that rested between her breasts. He wished to sink his teeth in, tasting her, and to drink in her very life force.

  As her body grew rigid above his and her head rolled back, her cries of pleasure egged him on. Talon lifted a hand, brushing hair from her face, her skin growing sweaty and her eyes unfocused. He leaned forward, scraping his growing fangs against the side of her throat, the salty tang heightening his own hunger. As he grew within her, he felt the temptation more and more. She suddenly screamed, tightening around him. Feeling her milking him, he gave up his fight and pierced her throat with his teeth.

  The dizzying scent of her blood exploded all around him as her ambrosia like blood coated his tongue. Drinking deeply, Talon jerked back, gasping for air. Meeting her gaze, he grabbed the back of her head, pulling her forward, sharing the taste of her blood with her.

  Her body wasn’t listening to her. Bird felt as if she’d been drugged somehow. Whether it was by the smell of their lovemaking or the taste of her own blood on Talon’s tongue she did not know. She only knew that she wished to continue their lovemaking. Her body rippled out of her control. Still, she craved more. She wouldn’t be satisfied until she’d wrung every drop of his essence from him, and he’d drained her completely.

  Their bodies, though, held different ideas, and in a fiery storm of passion and hunger, they came to an end. A white light flashed behind her eyes and her toes curled as she felt shock after shock of orgasm take her over the edge. Talon joined her swiftly enough, both falling out upon the ground. Their bodies still connected but sated.

  It would be a long while before the two would move. Instead, they rested in each other’s arms, enjoying each other’s simple touch. Soon, Bird found herself drifting to sleep, her body curled securely against Talon’s.

  As Talon’s hands continued to caress her back gently, he whispered words his past self wouldn’t have ever dared utter. “I love you, and I am damned for it.”

  ***

  They were halfway to the palace when he suddenly spoke aloud his intentions. “I will meet with your father in the morn, and request your hand in marriage.”

  She looked at him in mild amusement. “Truly? It was not my goal to be proposed to.”

  Talon tightened his hold on her hand, lifting it to his lips before lowering them. “I am an honorable man. I would have you as my wife.”

  “I do not wish to be proposed to out of honor,” Bird protested. She shook her head. “No, I am happy enough with the moment of happiness you’ve given me.” She turned her gaze towards the high domes of the palace in the distance. “Soon, I will be forced to choose my future, and you have given me a brief respite from such worries.”

  Her brow was furrowed as she contemplated what would be required of her once she returned. Her mother would call her to her chambers and she would be told to choose the man she would live the rest of her life with.

  Cupping her chin, Talon forced her to face him. “And if I refuse to leave without you? Would you deny my offer?”

  Staring into his eyes, Bird wondered as to why she was reluctant to accept his offer. Peering into his eyes, she couldn’t find any reason to not accept his offer. Only that her mother was oddly defensive against him due to him being a vampire.

  Closing her eyes, she searched her heart for a time where she’d felt as drawn as she was to the prince. No one had created such a sensation in her. Lifting a hand, she opened her eyes, meeting his searching gaze. “Do you truly wish for my hand? It is not something easily given.”

  “Your heart, your blood, and very soul.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he drew her close. “I want all of you. It is madness. I feel as though I will wilt with you by my side.”

  The desperation in his voice called to something within. She felt her own heart flutter at it. Was she foolish to form such a connection with a man who she’d just met? A man who was of the same kind who’d beaten her, and left her unwanted at death’s door.

  Their madness was a shared thing, as she couldn’t bring herself to deny him. Was it love? It felt deeper, darker
than such a light emotion. A sort of sickness that called only for more touches, and could only be extinguished with their lovemaking.

  Breathless and dizzying had they been lovers in a previous life.

  As they parted ways at the gate, he once again promised to approach her father, the king, for her hand in marriage.

  Swept along with the bright possibility of being with a man of her choosing, Bird quickly returned her horse to Abi, who yawned as it was still early morn.

  Running up the steps, she rushed back towards her chambers, her heart in her throat. How could she feign a normal expression when she felt anxious at the thought of Talon speaking with her father?

  Arriving at her door, she looked both ways before entering her chamber, halting abruptly when she saw her mother. Osis didn’t turn to face her. Instead, she continued to stare into the flames, her back to Bird. Slowly closing the chamber door behind her, Bird entered fully.

  “Where have you been, Kahlia?”

  Apprehensive, Bird spoke the first thing that came to mind. “I went to the mines.”

  “The mines?” her mother repeated. She half-turned, her dark, unreadable gaze meeting Bird. “Alone?”

  Averting her gaze, Bird nodded. “I wished to be alone to think.”

  “Alone?” her mother repeated, standing. “You could not simply dismiss servants, and stay within your chambers?”

  She shook her head, her hands twisting in her skirt. “I wished for some air. The ball…was difficult.” It was the truth; the ball had pushed her beyond her usual patience.

  “No matter how difficult, you cannot continue to live as you wish. There are rules, Kahlia, rules you must follow. You can no longer continue your wild behavior. You will soon be married.”

  Annoyed, Bird could no longer hold her tongue. “Yes, I do understand, mother. I must not laugh too loudly, or wander too far beyond my gilded cage!” Osis’ eyes widened at her sudden outburst. “I must continue to remain seen and unheard. God forbid I leave such a lovely prison for a single moment.”

  In an effort to calm her daughter, Osis stepped towards her, her expression pleading. “Kahlia, I only wish to protect you.”

  Bird drew back from her. “I do not require your protection!”

  Her angry eyes met Osis’ darkening ones. “If your protection requires that I be sold to the highest bidder, then I would rather die.”

  Osis’ hand dropped lifelessly to her side as she observed her daughter’s angry eyes. She slowly shook her head. “You do not understand. If it were not for the choices I’ve made, you would be dead. I cannot lose my daughter again. I will not lose you again.”

  Seeing her mother’s worry passed her own anger. Bird moved towards her, taking up her mother’s hand in her own. “You will not lose me. I swear it. No matter who I marry, I would always remain by your side. If not in body, then in spirit.”

  “If that is so, then tell me, Kahlia. Who is it you met this night?” She inwardly prayed it was not him, not the vampire.

  Bird’s lashes lowered as she concealed her eyes from her mother. She lowered their hands between them. “I-I cannot say.”

  “False!” Her mother jerked her hands from hers, her anger evident in her tone. “You have met with that leech! You have ignored my warning, lied to me!”

  Falling to her knees, Bird wrapped her arms around her mother’s legs, pleading. “Mother, he is nothing like the Wellings. He has only been kind to me, nothing more.” She lifted her eyes to her mother’s soured expression. “He says he will ask Father for my hand in marriage. He loves me and I love him. Mother, do calm yourself,” she begged.

  Closing her eyes against the sight of her daughter pleading for some vampire’s honor, Osis shook her head in denial of what was happening before her. “I believed that if you remained unaware of the truth, you could live your life unfettered by the past.” Reopening her eyes, she met Kahlia’s desperate stare. “I believed I was protecting you from your own destruction, but if you insist on following the same path, then I have no choice but to return to you what I believed was best forgotten.”

  Bird, confused at her words, shook her head. “I don’t understand. What have you kept from me?”

  Osis, whose eyes were slowly becoming taken over by the purple color that lied, lifted a hand to brush a tear from her daughter’s cheek. “Everything, I’ve hidden everything from you.” She leaned down, pressing her forehead against Bird’s. “This was my only way of keeping you safe. Forgive me, my love, forgive me.”

  ***

  The return of pain was excruciating. The feelings of one’s heart being ripped from one’s chest couldn’t even compare to the pain that Bird experienced as her memories flooded her. She’d never believed herself one willing to live a lie. In fact, she’d always believed herself to be a realist to the core.

  Yet, as she remembered who she’d loved, who she’d despised, she felt a bone deep resentment towards her mother grow.

  Why couldn’t Osis have allowed her to live the lie? Why couldn’t her mother let her be?

  Talon, her sire, had taken clear advantage of her memory loss. No wonder he’d called himself a monster. He clearly was. He was the monster who’d had her tortured for the sheer pleasure of harming his brother. He’d mocked her feelings before she, herself, had known what her feelings truly were.

  How on earth could she even look at him and not feel the harsh difference between the hard-hearted man who’d forced her into his bed all those months ago? Who’d used her cries of passion to mock his own fiancée.

  With a shudder, she shoved at her mother, pushing her away. She fell back, scrambling backward till she reached the door. She shook her head, her denial upon her lips. “No! No! It’s not true. It cannot be!”

  Having caught herself against the chair after Bird had pushed her away, Osis stared at her solemnly. “I am afraid it is true. Everything. I only hid your memories.’

  “Why?!” Bird demanded angrily, her eyes flashing with pure hate. “Why would reveal them now?! Is it not enough that you claim the selling of me to be love, but now you’ve returned hateful memories that I wish had remained buried in the hell they belonged.” Struggling, she used the closed door as leverage as she came to her feet. “Get out!”

  Surprised by her demand, Osis’ eyes widened. “Kahlia?”

  Bird shook her head, moving away from the door. “I want you out! Do you hear me! Get out?!” she screamed.

  At a loss for words, Osis made her way towards the door, only pausing for a moment. “Everything I’ve done has been to protect you.”

  Not wishing to hear anything more, Bird turned her back to her mother.

  As soon as the door closed behind Osis, Bird shrank to the floor and wept as she had never wept before. For a love that was not real, and for a love that would never bear fruit.

  TBC….

  Author Notes

  Hello, to those who’ve stumbled across this tale. I just thought it would be cool to put some little thanks here for those who’ve reached the end of book 2. I’ve read many of the comments, and enjoyed everyone’s translation of the events they’ve read. I just wanted to explain a few things, as I’m sure some readers may be confused about Bird seeming innocents, or “Different” characters vibe. I simply wished to explore her unfettered with all the trials and tribulations of being a “Damphir” slave, and dealing with the Royal Vampires.

  I wanted to draw you into her world, as I could only talk about dreary England for so long. And I wished to challenge myself by traveling my characters. I swear I’ll wrap up the pathways you may find leading to other possible stories in this series. I can’t help my urge to create worlds, even when I mean to tell a simple story.

  So, let’s begin at the beginning…Bird is not a damphir, she thought she was one. We found out of course she’s the daughter of Osis, and King Alma. Making her of the purist bloodline of R’or and the Ancients (magicians/wizards). Sirens are similar to Damphirs in their ability to take pain, and are stro
ng magically which means the heal at the similar rate as Damphirs.

  Which is why when Talon drank her blood, it caused a lot of issues. The Wellings had never drank from her, Talon is the only one who’d given her the bloody kiss. As a siren, being fed on for the first time, and having your first time is basically a form of claiming. The problem, which you learn at the end of the first book, is he doesn’t love her, and well…Bird doesn’t love him.

  Got it? Good!

  I didn’t think I needed to explain this last part, but let’s go. Bird desire to be bitten, what was that? Well, here is the thing Bird had been trained her entire child hood that a Damphir’s purpose in life was to be fed on, to be taken in almost like a third sex, but she spent her entire life being rejected and refused the one function in life that she was trained for. Bird wanted to be accepted for the one function of being a feed bag (lol, my twisted humor is showing.) Anyway, she’s basically given the one thing she’d always wanted by Talon, the man she doesn’t love.

  The idea was to have two people with dark seeded desires come together, and I wasn’t really, really thinking about love…more of two animals, wolves coming together instinctually. Hmm, deeper than love.

  And for all my historical romance lovers, yes, it’s Victorian era. Loosely, as it’s another universe or realm, however you wish to call it.

  Can’t wait to bring your guys the next dose of this story, hopefully this gave you the warm cuddles you wanted, before I descended everything into an epic vampire darkness.

  Also, feel free to contact me by Facebook, under Lizabeth Bee Keen, or my Wattpad @LBKeen.

  I love to her directly from my readers.

  Enjoy! LBK

  Looking for a publishing home?

  After Hours Publications, is accepting submissions for writers in the Interracial Romance genre that excel in Paranormal, Contemporary, and Erotica. If you’re interested, submit the first 3-4 chapters with your synopsis to Submissions@Afterhourspublications.com