He had hair so pale it was like falling snow. His eyes were as black as a stormy night, and thickly lined with kohl. He was probably five-ten, his shoulders a little narrow, and his belly flat, almost concave. His skin was bronzed to a mochalike shimmer.
There was an almost feminine sense of gentleness about him. A gentleness that didnt seem to fit the hard gleam of his eyes, as if it were a winter coat that belonged to someone else.
Like Jane had done, he paused in the doorway to take everything in. Anger flared his nostrils. Hate wafted from him, then desire. True desire, overshadowing everything else. He sniffed, gaze panning, then locking on her. He was striding forward a second later. Then he stilled, catching himself.
Breath caught in Janes throat. She might not recognize that face and body, but she recognized that purposeful, powerful stride. Nicolai. He was projecting someone elses image, she knew it.
He was here. He was alive, healthy and whole, she thought, giddy with the knowledge. She should have been upset. He was ruining her plan, putting himself in danger. And yet, she reacted to his nearnessneeded him. His body, his blood.
Her eyes widened as she realized what shed just contemplated. She wanted to drinkhis blood?
Oh, yes, she thought, her gaze zeroing in on his vein. She could see the slight fluttering there and wanted to sink her teeth in. Teeth. Was she? She ran her tongue along the edge of her teeth. They felt the same, no fangs having sprouted unexpectedly. A wave of disappointment hit her.
She hadnt allowed herself to contemplate such an idea because she hadnt wanted to face that very sense of disappointment.
Vampires were not able to turn humans into blood drinkers. She knew because testing their blood, mixing it with human blood, had been one of her experiments. Nothing had happened, nothing had changed.
Hope did not abandon her completely. Nicolai was a little moreeverything than any other vampire shed known, so if anyone could change her, it was him. And she wanted to change. Wanted to live as long as he would.
Oh, there he is, Laila said. My special slave. Come here, darling boy. Let me show you off to my sister.
At first, Nicolai did not obey. Jane was glad. She didnt want him anywhere near the princess and her slutty hands. And if the princess dared to put those hands on him, Jane couldnt be held responsible for her actions. Actions that would involve the removal of the offending appendages.
Nicolai kicked into gear, and all too soon he stood between the lounges. He bowed his head, subservient.
So pretty, Laila cooed. Isnt he pretty, Odette?
Yes, she managed to choke out.
Laila sat up and petted his chest.
You are going to die, bitch. Jane fisted her hands on her thighs, her nails cutting, drawing blood.
I found him days ago, as I was scouring Delfina to save you. He did not wish to travel with me. At first. He had another love, you know, and wished to remain with him. But I quickly changed your mind, didnt I, precious?
His eyes narrowed, but he offered no reply. Not so subservient, after all.
Petting, petting, the bitch was still petting him. Jane was reaching out before she could stop herself, wrapping her fingers around Lailas wrist and squeezing. I want him.
Triumph filled those green eyes. Well, you cant have him. Hes mine.
Laila
No. Do you recall when I wanted your slave, and you would not share?
So. Thats what this night was about. Tempting Jane, then denying her. Let me explain something to you, Laila. I am older than you. Which means I am the future queen. Your future queen. What I want, I get. Even if that what belongs to you. She might not know Delfina law, but she knew the construction of a matriarchal culture, as well as social hierarchy.
In the end, top dog always won. Right now, Jane was top dog.
Youyou
Can do anything I want, yes. Jane tossed the girls hand into her lap. So dont you dare touch him. Ive claimed rights. Do you understand?
Bright red spots of color bloomed on Lailas cheeks. Mother will have something to say about this.
Yes, and Im sure it will be job well done. Jane pushed to her feet, standing beside Nicolai. She curbed the urge to link their hands, to bury her head in the hollow of his neck, and simply breathe him in. Bottom line. Shes not here. Is she?
No. The color spread to Lailas nape.
And that means
Your word is law, Laila gritted out. Very well. I will let you have him without a fight. If he wishes to belong to you. Darling, she said, standing and peering deep into his eyes.
Magic crackled between them.
Jane experienced a momentary wave of nervousness. Could Nicolai be entranced, or whatever Laila was doing to him? Thats enough, she barked.
Laila ignored her. Tell my sister how much you desire me, precious. Tell her whose body you crave.
His lips compressed into a thin line.
Tell her! Now.
Even the harp and violin drowned out, overshadowed by the thud of Janes heartbeat. Then Nicolai shook his head and said, I desire the princess Odette, and the world outside their circle reentered her awareness.
A shocked gasp. An angry growl. No. No, you lie.
Why would he lie? Jane demanded.
Lailas narrowed gaze swung to her. What did you do to him? How did you steal his affections from me? What did you do? she screeched.
She did nothing. I simply want her. There was enough truth in Nicolais voice to prove his claim.
I will Laila raised her hand, either to hit Nicolai or cast a spell.
Either way, Jane didnt care. She grabbed on to the bitchs wrist a second time. You havent yet learned the concept of the phrase my property. Touch him, and youll regret it.
Several seconds passed before Laila schooled her features and dropped her arm to her side. She released a shuddering breath. Youre different, Odette. You never treated me this shabbily before.
Jane shrugged, as if unconcerned, but deep inside she trembled. Near-death experiences have a way of leaving their mark. Good night, sister dear. Finally she claimed Nicolais hand and ushered him out of the tent, hurrying to hers.
Rhoslyn had taken her at her word, and had not remained to see to her needs. Jane and Nicolai were alone.
She whirled to face him. Hed dropped the mask, and she could see his dark, shaggy hair, his bright silver eyes. His towering height, wide shoulders and rock-solid strength. Her desire intensified, burning through her.
We have much to discuss, he said. He cupped her cheeks, his grip strong and sure. But first, I need you. I missed you more than I can say. And then he wasnt saying anything at all. He was kissing her hungrily, and she was kissing him back.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
NICOLAI WRAPPED JANE in his arms, taking her passion and returning it with equal measure. Hed nearly dropped to his knees the moment hed spotted her, perched beside his enemy, in danger but alive. Relief, yes, hed experienced that emotion. Fury, that, too. Laila had been within his reach, his to kill.
Fear had accompanied the fury, however. Hed felt the magical spell protecting the bitch from physical injury, and returning whatever violence was dished to the one doing the attacking.
If hed gone for her throatif Jane had
They would have died.
Didnt happen. Janes safe now.
Laila must know Nicolai was coming for her, or she would not have cast the spell. A spell most witches avoided. No one could hurt her, it was true, but no one could help her, either. If she injured herself accidentally, the spell would turn on her, seeing her as the threat. She would not only suffer with her injury, she would suffer a hundredfold with the magic.
Nicolai, Jane rasped.
Hed feared she would not recognize him, that he would have to steal Lailas ability to hypnotize to force her to leave with him. Something he hadnt known he could succeed in doing, not with Lailas spell waiting to strike. He should have had more faith in his woman. Jane was as aware of him as he was of her. The face he wore didnt matter.
Yes, sweetheart. The sweetness of her scent infused with his cells. Her decadent taste filled his mouth. His blood heated, and every muscle in his body hardened, anticipating her touch.
What did youdo with thereal slave? Her tongue licked at his each time she paused to breathe.
Set him free. In more ways than one. Laila had scrambled the poor mans brain, until he hadnt known up from down, left from right, making herself the only tangible thing in his world, forcing him to cling to her.
Nicolai could have simply chained the poor man for the night and hidden him, but hed thought, That could have been me. Hed used his own abilities to break through and remind the man of who he was and who he loved, removing Laila from the equation.
Nice. Janes hold tightened on him, nearly breaking his ribs. Worth it, he thought. Shouldnt weescape, while wehave the chance?
No. When the princess sleeps, I can invade her dreams, force her to hurt herself. Another ability he possessed. Then well leave. Return to Elden. Each sentence was punctuated with a deep, wet kiss that rocked him to his soul.
So we need to do something to pass the time, huh? Jane returned her full attention to his tongue, sucking and rolling it with her own. Her hands slid through his hair, her nails scraping his scalp and leaving their mark.
He loved that she accepted his need for vengeance so easily. He loved that she clung to him, as desperate for closer contact as he was. But nothing would ever be close enough, not for either of them. He loved that she was smarter than he, and sometimes got lost in her own thoughts.
He just lovedher. Yes, he realized. He did. He loved her. Hed fallen in love with her soon after she first appeared in his world. Theyd been strangers, but theyd soon bonded. From the bond, caring had sprung. From the caring, love. But the desireoh, the desire had always been there.
A glimmer of resentment in his chest. Not directed at her, but to the vampire who had cursed her. Nicolai could never tell her how he felt. She might return the sentiment and vanish.
I missed you. So much, he said, willing to confess that much but no more. The separation was like being stabbed. Over and over again, the wound and pain never ending.
I missed you, too. She kissed and nipped a path along his jaw, his neck, licking and laving. Whered you go?
Elden.
Home?
Yes.
Me, too.
What? He disengaged from the erotic contact, and peered down at her. Home home?
She refused to stop. With a little leap, she was back in his arms and sucking on his pulse. Yes, home home. My world.
Nicolai cupped her chin, forcing her to still, to look at him. Her eyes were glazed with passion, her lids at half-mast. His heart constricted at such a lovely sight. A shake of his head was required to put him back on track. Let me be clear on this. You left my world and returned to yours.
Yes.
Hed almost lost her again. And hed had no idea! How did you get back? he croaked.
A secret smile played at the edges of her lips. One that burned through him, deepening his arousal. Apparently, when you gave me your blood, you gave me your ability to teleport, too.
Dark Abyss. He had never considered that possibility. Maybe because hed only ever shared his blood with his father, and his father had already possessed some of Nicolais abilities.
And you came back to me. Hed never been one to see fates hand in his life, but nowif Jane hadnt been injured by the ogres, he wouldnt have given her his blood. If he hadnt given her his blood, he wouldnt have found a way to tie her to his side for the rest of their lives.
Ill always come back to you.
A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders. The curse had somehow lost its power over her. Otherwise, she would have remained in her world.
He traced his thumbs over her cheekbones. Ive told you this before, but I want you to listen closely. I dont care if I have a thousand betrothed females waiting on me. You are all that matters. He would have only one woman. This woman. Forever.
He swooped back down, plunging his tongue past her teeth and into the sweet recesses of her mouth. She welcomed him with a moan.
Hed been cold and detached with females most of his life. Oh, hed treated his mother and sister as the treasures they were, but everyone else he had never even given a second thought. Hed been a prince, and they his due. Or so hed convinced himself.
Fate, he mused again. Had he not been a slave, desperate to escape, he might have treated Jane the same way. And that would have been a shame, to never have known her and the nuances of her personality. Unselfish, brave, stronger than anyone he knew, capable and honorable.
Honorable. Yes. He would never have to wonder where he stood with her. She would always tell him, whether he was a prince or a pauper. She would never be intimidated by him, would always challenge him.
I want you naked. He tugged at the shoulder straps of her robe, shoving the material to the floor. In seconds, emerald material pooled at her feet. He lifted her out of it, and settled her more firmly against his body. Skin-to-skin. Finally.
Every time she exhaled, their chests rubbed together, and he thrilled at the contact. She was hot and silky against him. Her nipples were beaded, rasping against the fine mat of hair he possessed. His shaft pressed to both their bellies, moisture seeping from the tip. He arched his hips, creating a delicious glide.
She arched to meet him, the friction sparking exquisitely. I cant ever get enough of you.
Good. He traced his hands down the ridges of her spine, loving the goose bumps that jumped up to meet him. He cupped her ass. No panties?
None were given to me.
Im glad. If he had his way, shed never wear them again.
II want you. Now.
Youve got me. Nothing will separate us, Jane. Do you understand?
Her breath hitched. She toyed with the ends of his hair. I think so, yes.