Viola Grace - Saguinary Seduction, page 37
“It’s about time you’re leaving,” Edom’s voice stated from a room she had just passed.
She backtracked and peered in. Firelight flickered on his profile as he sat at his desk rolling the agate through his fingers.
“I’m sorry. I took a shower,” she replied and leaned against the door jam. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“No, I guess I don’t mi…” His words trailed off as he turned to her, his eyes widening. “Rhi? It really is you, isn’t it?”
“Yep, it’s really me. And, I’m sorry about running off on you all those years ago. When Joha told me you had another intended who would be at the ceremony in my place and then when I saw you with her, I lost it. I couldn’t see past my anger, my humiliation, my jealousy. I retreated into the woods where I felt safe and hid from you and the world. For years I tried to bleed myself to death, but it was of no use. The survival instincts, which came with the immortality you bestowed upon me, were too great. I’d blackout and feed. I still lose consciousness when I suckle blood from creatures, but that’s neither here nor there.” She hesitantly stepped into the room and, when he made no notice, she continued. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe in your love for me.” She walked toward him.
“I’m sorry I believed Joha and let the time we were supposed to have together be stolen from us.” She laid a hand upon his shoulder. “I’m sorry I took your stone, and I’m sorry I said I would never forgive you. You’re not the one who needs forgiveness. I do. I love you, always have. Will you excuse my stupidity?”
Edom took hold of her hand and brought the back of her fingers to his cheek and held them there. “Oh, my Rhiamon,”
he lilted. “I wish I could have spared you your pain and my own. I had thought to take care of my father’s matter without you being the wiser. Leave it to Joha to interfere, but there’s 337
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not much to be done about it now. I’ll pardon your faults if you’ll pardon mine.” He kissed the back of her hand and gazed up into her eyes. “I love you, Rhi, and I never want to lose you again.”
Her gaze bore into his, knowing his thoughts and words were true. He loved her and she him. She adored those midnight blue eyes, so dark they almost appeared black.
Years may have passed, but that didn’t matter now.
She bit her lower lip and a bead of crimson liquid appeared.
She bent down and, in the traditional fashion of one immortal forgiving another, kissed him, letting the blood seal their bond and love.
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A Tale of Opposites
Lynn Crain
Part 1 - A Wanted Man
could smell her the moment she started following me. No Ione’s aroma could be that innocent without me noticing them. This girl was pure…the purest one that I had sniffed in centuries of dealing with people…and this one I had just recently come across. Why the innocents came to me I would never know. But come they did and it was harder and harder to resist them with their pure thoughts and virgin bodies.
I quickly rounded a corner, then halted in a doorway just out of the light. I needed to see the one that followed me, to know what she was like before I decided just how to handle the situation. I halted my breathing down to the bare minimum of allowable and watched as an angel entered the light.
She hesitated just briefly before coming up the dark alley way. I could tell by her determination there would be nothing which would put her off. She had a mission and something told me I was her mission.
“What are you following me for?” I questioned quietly as I stepped out of the shadows. I knew exactly how I looked all in black with two black streaks in my otherwise white hair and my coat flaring around me. But my young follower cared naught for how I looked. It was evident on her face.
“You do not scare me,” she answered, even though her 339
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voice quavered in response.
“I do not?” I questioned yet again and slowly circled her like an animal with its prey. Some would call me an animal, but those who really know understand that I am the least of their worries. There is another more evil than I who walks these streets and this world.
“You do not.” She stood tall and did not move. She knew that I was assessing her and her strengths. Even mere humans have strengths.
I circled her more slowly this time, taking in every detail of her petite frame and the heavy pack she had set on the ground next to her. I towered over her, but still she did not back down and stood tall during my slow inspection of her. Breathing in her clean scent, I picked up her hair and felt its silkiness slide through my fingers. It was amazing that I still loved the feel and smell of a woman. And this one was extra special, I could tell.
“I need to know why you are following me.” I came to stand in front of her and raised her face to look into her eyes.
They were violet. I dropped her like a hot coal. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen and one that could lead to my downfall. I could not let this one get to me as I had to accomplish one last thing before I let the blessed sleep claim me forever.
“I need you to turn me.”
I turned away from her yet her gentle touch pulled me back to her reality.
“Please.”
“Why?” I gazed down at her and for once did not use my power of persuasion on the woman.
She shrugged. “Why not?”
I could tell she tried to be flip, but she could not quite pull it off. “What is your name, girl?” I kept my voice on an even keel as I did not want to make her tell me anything. I needed her to want to give me the information herself without my persuasion.
“Clarise…my name is Clarise Norman…of the Tangore 340
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Normans.”
My eyes narrowed. I remembered this place well. “Your castle was recently destroyed, was it not?”
Clarise sighed heavily. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Are you that daft, girl?” My voice boomed. “It means everything.” I turned and started to walk out of the alley, but she drew me back yet again.
“Please…please…you must do this.”
I looked down at her once again. “Why?”
Something crossed her face and she raised her hand against me. “To kill you,” she cried and tried to slap me.
Grabbing her hand, I made sure that it would not find its mark. “You have it all wrong.” I pulled her close and took a good whiff of her scent this time, enough to peel back the layers of my very soul. This could only end badly for both of us no matter what the reason. “You know nothing.” I shoved her away from me, watching her as she fell on the pack next to her. I could not let myself be distracted by a little girl…by someone who wanted vengeance…by someone who thought she knew what comprised the whole of my very world.
Standing over her, I felt my body swell. This was not the time for my body to betray me. I clinched my fists and tried not to want her. “Again, I ask…why?”
She hid her face in her hands, then and cried. “Only a sister is left…only one out of so, so many…can you understand what you have done?”
“What I have done? Just where is this sister?” I stood over her once again and watched her tears stream down her cheeks.
“You have no idea what you are talking about.” I turned to leave when I felt her hand on my leg.
“You killed my family…you made me who I am…do you understand that?”
I looked at her beautiful form once more and hunkered down to look at her full in the face. “Look at my face real good, girl. Tell me what you see.” I narrowed my eyes at her, watching her look me over. It took only moments for her eyes 341
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show fear and her face go white. “Now you understand.” I stood once again. I could hear her harsh breathing and feel her quite sobs. “Do you have anywhere to go?” I could feel her shake her head. “All right. Get up and come with me.”
She just sat there sobbing. Frustrated, I reached down and pulled her up. Light as a feather, I nearly tossed her up in the air without trying. “We need to go,” I said more gently and pulled her close, willing some of my strength to invade her body. Sometimes it was good to have the strength of a dozen men and the power of suggestion, sometimes not so much.
Picking up her pack, I reached for her hand.
Slowly, we began the short trek to my room in the local inn.
It was not much, but it was a roof over our head and would give us both some much needed rest. If what I felt was any indication of Clarise’s state of mind and body, I knew she needed more than rest. I was not sure if I could provide just what this woman would need to make her get over this reckless task she had set out for herself.
Pushing open the door to the inn, we were assaulted with the sights and sounds of so called civilization. Sizing up the room, I realized quickly that no one would challenge me whatsoever. Taking out a coin, I tossed it to the innkeep as I passed. “Please send your best meal and ale to my room as soon as you can.” The man nodded and continued to pour ale for those at the bar, all the while yelling at the barmaid to prepare a tray.
Quickly, we stood at the bottom of the stair. Leaning in closely, I whispered to my companion, “Can you make it up the stairs, Clarise?” When I received no answer, I swung her up in my arms, pack and all, taking the stairs two at a time. Once in my room, I sat her down gently on the bed and removed her cloak while leaving her pack by the door. The haunted look in her eyes said it all. Damn him, I swore under my breath.
Turning toward me, her eyes welled up with tears. “If not you, who killed my family?”
Thankful for the knock on the door, I rose and opened it.
The aroma of a hearty stew filled the room. The maid brought 342
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the heavy tray inside and placed it on the small table. Eyeing Clarise then me, I knew she wondered just where I found her as the girl on my bed seemed more of a waif instead of a harlot. Forcing her to meet my gaze, I gently suggested to her to forget everything she had seen here. Bobbing, she quickly vacated the room with a m’lord as she shut the door.
Sighing, I shed my leather duster, tossing it on the end of the bed. “Are you hungry?” Clarise glanced up at me before nodding. God only knew when she had last had any real food.
“There appears to be a stew and I know that the ale is cold and hearty. Why do you not eat first?”
“What about you?” she questioned softly.
“I will satisfy my needs later.” I went to the fireplace, started a fire and retreated to the shadows. I could not let her see that my need was for her. And in more ways than one.
After a few bites, she looked my way. “Explain to me why I thought you were the man who killed my family.”
Crossing my arms, I watched her a few moments before answering. “Does it really matter?”
Putting another piece of bread in her mouth, she blinked at me. “It matters to me.”
Sighing deeply, I gazed at the fire. “He is my brother.”
Frowning, she scowled at me. “Your brother? I did not know anyone of your kind had siblings.”
Now it was my turn to frown. “At one point, I was human just like you. Just like you I had a family and brothers and sisters as well.”
“What happened to them?” she asked around the food that captured her attention.
I had suddenly lost my patience with this woman and stepped from the shadows to be immediately at her side.
“What does it matter? They are gone. Except one, just like in your family.”
Her sharp intake of breathe was enough to make me realize my mistake. Reaching for the ale, I stepped back into the shadows. While my need for food was not the same as her, my need for liquids had not diminished at all and I felt happy I 343
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could still imbibe good ale whenever I wanted. Flopping into the chair next to the fire, I turned my back to her. I did not need any whiny woman to make my task any harder. Still, it broke my heart to know that my brother had not stopped his murderous ways. I took in another drink of ale and rested my head against the back of my chair trying to remember what it had been like before.
Suddenly, I was brought away by gentle hands on my shoulders, rubbing away the tension. “What are you doing?”
Even though I asked, I really did not care. Human touch was rare for my kind as it usually ended only one way. Still, I wanted to rub up against her, let her know that I was not as immune to her touch as I wanted to be.
“What do you want me to be doing, m’lord?”
Her gentle voice sluiced over me like a lover’s touch making me remember another time, another woman. I tried hard to not remember, but could not. Life had been good then, very good until everything changed, turning brother against brother. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her into my lap. She might as well know fully for what she asked as my body swelled. I gazed into her violet eyes, trying hard not to get lost when all I wanted was to thrust into her, making her and myself forget everything waiting for us tomorrow.
“How did you find me? Were you not devastated by the destruction of your family?” When she lowered her head, I pushed her chin up to look into her eyes once again. “Well?”
“Of course it pains me, but if truth be told, m’lord, I have heard about you and your kind for years. It was a well known myth in the castle.” She gazed at my face for a few minutes before continuing. “I just never thought I would ever get this close to your kind.”
“My kind? And just what do you think are my kind?” I watched her expressions. I knew what she saw on my face—a hard angular face with scars and no perceivable empathy for the humans who had to walk this world with me. I could ill afford the emotions that came with becoming close to people who did not want us around. Still, there was something about 344
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this girl that could not be denied, something worth exploring.
“You are a nightwalker, preferring the night to the day, always in shadow when you can, thinking no one can see you.
All anyone need do is to look for you and they will find you.”
I breathed heavily. This girl knew more about me than it seemed I knew about myself. “What else have you heard?” I finally managed to get out.
“That you need this.” Leaning in, her mouth captured mine, her tongue running over my bottom lip before nipping it. If I had not known she was innocent, this kiss would have me thinking otherwise.
I pulled back from her once more. “Do you really understand that for which you ask?”
A lazy smile crossed her face. “I do…I really do.”
I did not understand this turnabout and was not sure I really wanted to do so. A man has to take what he can in this heathen world. “I have to ask…you understand that I may not be able to help myself and may bite you…and you truly understand this?”
She nodded, eyes shining. “I truly do, m’lord.”
Now I was confused, but not so much that I could not accept the gift she gave me. Sometimes the sexual energy could feed me more than anything else a woman had to offer and this one would be no exception. Still, something told me that she may be my downfall, but at this very moment, I did not care. My confusion would have to wait to be satisfied.
“I do not want to turn you into another of my kind. I would not give that fate to any human, man or woman.”
She nodded. “I understand. I am sure it is a heavy burden and a lonely path you tread.”
Sliding my hand behind her head, I pulled her to me. “As you wish, m’lady.” I leaned in and kissed her again, my tongue sliding into her mouth, warring with hers, knowing I would win in this tiny battle of wills. Slowly, I slid my hand over her gown, clasping her taunt breast, rubbing in slow circles to feel her nipple peak against the fabric. Moving my hand to relax on her belly, my cock resting against her backside continued to 345
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feel the heat from her body. “Have you ever done this before?”
“Mmmm…done what?”
“Made love to a man.” I stopped and nipped her ear, knowing the answer before she ever uttered a word.
She breathed deeply. “Does it make a difference?” she questioned, tight lipped.
“Only to you.” I licked her ear and moved my other hand to her breast. “I promise to make this good for you. You will have no regrets. Virgins have a distinct taste and smell.”
I felt her body shiver a little before she answered. “Do not worry. For some reason, as odd as it may sound, I trust you with my life.”
Reaching around, I gently undid her laces, which were meant to hold her bodice in place over her curvaceous body.
“Your bodice is that of a serving girl yet I know you are a lady of the castle,” I murmured.
“I burned it to the ground,” she answered, her voice breathless. “There was nothing left, but the dead and dying there. I took what little was available for me to take.
Everything which was important to me had already been taken.”
“I am sorry, so sorry,” I whispered, remorse heavy on my voice. I knew what I had become yet I still had sympathy for the human condition. I could go on, but they had only one life to live.
Pushing herself away from me, she turned to look at me.
“Let us not talk of it any more. It will serve no purpose now, maybe later.” Placing both hands on the side of my face, she pulled me once more to her waiting lips. Kissing me gently, she traced my scar from the tip of my eyebrow to the corner of my mouth, the warmth of her fingers erasing some deep remnants of the pain previously felt. “So much pain, so much hurt.”
I ducked my head. The scar had been my only reminder of my humanity, received in a long ago righteous battle and long before I had ever been turned. Never had a human woman sympathized with my past hurts before. This was almost more than I could take. “Why should you care about my pain?”
