Know so. I dont want to lose you. I cant lose you. I want to wed you. To be with you always. I choose you, Jane. Over my crown, my people and my vengeance.
Tears welled in her eyes, creating amber pools. Nicolai tensed, waiting, unsure in a way hed never been before.
Just as I choose you, she said brokenly.
Thank the gods. He would have dropped to his knees and begged if necessary. I want to be your family.
You are.
A soft touch along his check. Janes expression was so tender, tears filled his eyes.
Jane. I love you. No reason to deny it now. I want to show you. Let me show you.
Her mouth fell open on a gasp. Youyou love me? I mean, I know you mentioned marriage, but this is the first youve said of love and II
I love you. With all my heart.
Oh, Nicolai. She threw herself at him, laughing and crying at the same time. I love you, too. So much.
Hearing her declaration was like stepping into a warm ray of the sun after an eternity spent in the cold darkness of winter. Something he hadnt known he needed, but now that he had it, he knew he couldnt live without it.
He drew her down to the floor. Her nipples were flushed and rosy, and he couldnt resist. He circled one with his tongue, flicked it until she moaned, then moved to the other. His fangs extended and ached. Now wasnt the time to indulge in the delight that was her blood, however. Hed fed before coming to her, hoping to dull his hunger for her.
No other blood had ever affected him the way Janes did. So powerful, so consuming. And while he wanted his memory back in full now, he would rather not disappear without warning again and have to track his womans location, leaving her in danger.
Danger she could handle, as shed proven over and over again.
He eased up to study her. That honey-colored hair was spread around her shoulders, her eyes glazed and ravenous. She chewed on her bottom lip as she glided her hands along the roped planes of his stomach. She was a wanton sight, a goddess come from the heavens.
He rose to his knees and guided her legs apart. So wet, so pink. He wanted to dive in, both with his mouth and with his cock. Sweat was already sheening his brow, his cells like little knives in his veins, demanding he take her, claim her. His woman. Now, always.
Not yet, not yet.
He had to prepare her. The first time they had sex, hed hurt her. Not that shed protested. Shed been too tight, and hed been too eager. Not this time. This time she would enjoy every second.
He traced a finger up her hot center and she jerked as if struck by lightning.
Yes! She fisted her hands on the rug beneath her, and lifted her hips.
With the movement, his finger slid inside her of its own accord. Those inner walls closed around him, squeezing. He could have spilled then and there. Breathe, damn it. He worked that finger in and out, in and out, until she was writhing, mindless, gasping his name. Then he worked in a second finger. In and out, in and out.
Soon she was moaning every few seconds, rolling her hips in circles, seeking his thumb on her center. He gave it to her. For a moment. She cried out in reliefand then groaned in distress when he took the pressure away.
A third finger joined the other two, in and out, in and out. Stretching her, spreading that sweet, sweet dew. When her muscles tensed, ready to lock down in climax, he severed all contact.
Please! she shouted.
Such a succulent entreaty. He used the hand wet with her juices on his cock, slicking himself up. He closed his eyes in ecstasy, loving the pressure as much as Jane had. Needing it. He stroked updown.
Oh, no, you dont. Her legs wound around his back, her ankles locking just above his ass; she tugged him down. Without anything to balance him, he fell on top of her. She gasped when his weight hit. Please, Nicolai. Do it.
Yes, he rasped. He couldnt wait a second more, either.
He guided his tip to her entrance and thrust, deep and sure. They cried out in unison. Then she was coming, clenching around him, driving his need higherhigher. More, he had to have more. Wanted to bite her, wouldnt let himself bite her.
Instead, he sank his fangs into his own wrist. Blood laced his tongue. Blood still flavored with Jane. He wanted to suck, but he forced himself to release his vein and hold the wound over Janes mouth.
Drink, he commanded. They would do this every day. Would never risk her losing the ability to move between worlds.
Obeying, she closed her eyes. She looked as if she weresavoring? Oh, gods above, she was. The very idea sent his need soaring. His testicles drew up tight. Any moment now, he would explode. He wanted her with him, though, all the way.
Harder, Jane, he said, even as he increased the speed of his thrusts. He hit her so damned deep, making her gasp, but she never stopped drinking, and soon her hips were once again rising up to meet him. She was gulping greedily, moaning with every swallow.
My woman. Mine.
Maybe hed shouted the words. Yes, Jane responded, inner walls closing tighter and tighter around him as her second orgasm rocked her. Yours.
This time, there was no holding back. She milked him, and he gave her every drop, shooting it inside her.
They clung together for several minutes, hours, years, shivering and shuddering until finally sagging to the floor. He couldnt quite catch his breath, couldnt quite form a rational thought, but even then he knew he didnt want to hurt her and rolled to his side.
I thought I was turning into a vampire, then convinced myself I wasnt, she said sleepily. But I must be. Your bloodit tastes so damn good. Ive been craving it, like a drug. And now that Ive had more of it she shivered I feel so good.
He frowned. He hadnt known such a thing was possible. Unlike the nightwalkers, he was a living being, born rather than created. Making others simply wasnthadnt beenpossible.
Besides, even if hed wanted to share his blood with others, which he hadnt, his human lovers had not wanted to drink from him. In fact, they had found the very idea disgusting. Same with the witches, and same with the shifters, though their objections had stemmed more from contamination of the species.
You crave all blood or just mine? he asked.
Just yours. Though the thought of drinking from others isnt as abhorrent as it should be.
Any other symptoms? He liked the thought of sharing this with her, but the complications scared him to his soul.
My skin is a little more sensitive than normal. More sensitive than yours, I think. But, if Im becoming a vampire, a heightened sensitivity would make sense because I havent yet had time to adjust.
How many other humans would tell him that becoming a vampire makes sense? He almost smiled. Almost.
He would have to teach her how to feed, just in case they were parted for any amount of time. He tensed at the thought of her mouth on someone else. Its the only way. Cutting through a vein was not a skill you developed naturally, but one you had to learn.
How do you feel about changing? he asked.
A little afraid. A little excited.
Tell me if you experience any other signs.
I will.
He kissed her temple. Rest now, sweetheart. Ill wake you in a few hours.
And well kill Laila?
See? Jane knew him better than anyone else hed ever known. Yes. Well kill Laila. He wondered if he could draw Jane into the dream, guarding her, preventing Laila from lashing at her while she was defenseless.
Good. Her warm sigh caressed his skin as she snuggled more firmly against him. I love you.
I love you, too.
She fell asleep, and he began to plan their future together, ignoring a sudden and intense sense of foreboding.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THEY DRESSED QUICKLY, quietly, and Jane packed a little bag of necessities. Such as the bookNicolai had been overjoyed to see ita few robes, snacks and a canteen of water. Laila had not brought any weapons for Odette to use, a fact that disappointed Jane but didnt surprise her.
How are you going to invade her dreams? she asked Nicolai.
Ill tell you all about it. He moved in front of her and gripped her shoulders. Once again he wore the slaves mask. When Im done.
She knew what that meanthe would be in dangerand her answer was hell, no. Im going with you.
He sighed as if hed expected such a response and had already resigned himself to it. I do want to take you into the dream with me, and I will try to do so. Having never done something like that before, I dont know if it will work. Meanwhile, I want you to stay here.
Why?
He flicked his tongue over an incisor. If I cant force her to harm herself, Ill have to absorb her powers. All of her powers and all the spells she has cast upon herself.
Janes eyes widened. You can do that?
A stiff nod. Most likely I will have to go that route. I tried to invade her dreams while you were sleeping and encountered an unexpected resistance. If the resistance is still there, while Im in close proximity to her, Ill have to do something to lower her guard to steal her magic. Somethingnonviolent.
She began to understand, and wanted to throw up. Or maybe throw a punch. Likekissing her? Or more?
Another nod, this one barely discernable.
You cant just stab her? she asked hopefully.
Not without dying myself. Shes cast a spell that causes any injury I attempt to inflict on her to be directed at myself.
Okay, so thats out. Jane nibbled on her bottom lip, felt the cuts already there and realized she had been doing a lot of nervous chewing lately. That explains the power I felt wafting from her, I guess.
You felt that?
Yep. She squared her shoulders. And okay, fine. If you have to kiss her, you have to kiss her. And believe me, I do not envy you. Thats taking one for the team a little far. I mean, I think Id rather endure the stabbing myself instead of having to kiss her.
He nearly choked on a laugh. This is not funny, Jane.
I know. But shed much rather he laugh than worry over her reaction. As long as you survive, Im good with the plan. Please tell me youll be able to hurt her once you absorb her powers.
Yes. Absolute determination radiated from him. I will.
Then I guess sticking your tongue down the devils throat has a nice enough payoff. She punched him in the arm. Good luck, tiger.
He laughed again, this time far less strained. Thank you. Now. Will you please stay here?
Nope, sorry. I may not possess any magic of my own, but Laila still assumes Im Odette. You might need me. Therefore, Im sticking to your side as if Ive been glued there.
A moment passed in silence, then another. Finally he pinched the bridge of his nose. All right. You may come with me. If things do not progress as I hope, you are to run to Elden, and search out the prince Dayn. Trust no one else. Tell him you belong to me. Tell him you are my betrothed.
How sad he suddenly sounded. At the thought of losing her? And hell believe me? Not that she would leave. She wouldnt, not for any reason. They would be together.
Ive marked you, so yes. Yes, he will. He is a blood drinker, like me.
When he turned away, she grabbed his arm. A puny move but one that worked all the same. You found your brother?
Not yet. I have a feeling you will succeed where I have failed.
Again, he went to leave. Again, she held on to him. So you are a prince?
Yes, he repeated. The crown prince, destined to rule all of Elden.
This time, he remained in place, awaiting her response. She released him and shrugged. That explains a lot.
He blinked down at her. Thats all you have to say on the subject?
Yeah. He was royalty. So what? Everyone had a flaw.
She bent down, grabbed the strap of her pack and hefted the heavy thing onto her shoulder. The cord dug into her muscle, but she didnt allow herself to wince. Nicolai would take the burden upon himself, and he needed his hands free.
Just dont expect me to be all humble and obey your every whim. Thats not going to happen. So are we doing this or what?
His lashes fused, hiding his irises, as he leaned down, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, softly, sweetly, a tender lover expressing his gratitude. For what? she wondered, then she forgot the question. Her lips tingled. Their tongues met briefly, and she tasted him. Wanted more. Always, she wanted more.
He straightened and sighed. I do not want her magic affecting you, Jane. If I fail and she turns on you
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but I might be a vampire so I dont give a shit. Ill heal.
His brow knitted with confusion and anger. No one will be breaking your bones.
She patted his cheek. I believe Ive already told you that Im going with you and thats final. Stop trying to talk me out of it.
Maybe he could feel her determination. Maybe he hated the thought of being apart as much as she did. Either way, his hands left her and he nodded. Stubborn baggage.
Ill take that to mean delightful female.
Youd be right. He twined their fingers and ushered her outside, into the night. The moon was hidden behind thick, dark clouds, the air cool and moist. A storm must be brewing.
There was a campfire crackling a few feet away, casting golden rays and heat, but no guards around it. Actually, there was no sign of life anywhere. Not even in front of Lailas tent. Jane knew men patrolled the perimeter, however. She could hear their hearts beating. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Somethings off, Jane said.
I know, Nicolai replied, his voice flat.
She should have guards in front of her tent. Why did she send them away?
She must be expecting me.
Could they never catch a break? We should leave. Come back another day. If she knows who you are, shell attack.
Oh, yes, she will. His voice was still flat, but resolve gave it a dangerous edge. We may be giving her too much credit. She may not know, may only suspect. Either way, she dies tonight.