"I vow it to you. I will not change you. "
"Then yes, prin meu. Yes. "
I kissed her then. I pressed my mouth to hers and tasted her lips, slid my tongue between them to sample the moistness inside. And she gasped and was stiff and tense.
I lifted my head. "I can make it easier for you," I told her.
"How?"
"I can take the fear and the inhibitions from your mind by commanding it with my own. Would you like that, Elisabeta?"
She blinked in surprise. "To surrender to you? My very mind?"
"Yes. Surrender to me. Your mind. Your body. Your soul. " I nuzzled her neck, her shoulder, and lowered her body into the deep grasses. "Say yes, Elisabeta. Give yourself over, just for a little while.
Trust me. "
"I do trust you. "
"Then. . . " I sat up and left her lying there. I probed into her mind with the power of my own, and took what I had been asking her to give me. "You have no fear of me, Elisabeta. You know I will never harm you. You trust me utterly. "
"Yes," she whispered, and the fear and hesitation fled from her eyes, from her mind.
Chapter Thirteen
I freed the clasp of her cloak, and spread it open, then slowly unlaced the dress she wore down the front.
Her breasts strained against the fabric, until I pushed it away, baring them to the night sky, to my eyes, to my touch.
I did not take control of her mind. I wanted her to give herself to me freely. But I did ease the fears and the shyness away. I soothed her, whispering to her innermost soul that she could trust me utterly. And she could, it was nothing less than the truth.
My lips traced a path over her neck and chest, to her breasts, and then I took them, suckled them deeply and hungrily, one and then the other. My lady's hands clasped my head, held me to her, arched her back, and from within her mind I knew the delicious sensations coursing through her. I knew her every thought, her every desire. When she wished my tongue to flick over her stiffening peaks, I complied. And when she wanted the pinch of my teeth, I gave it to her.
And all the while, my own desire grew. I rubbed against her outer thigh, to show her, and in a vain effort to seek release, though it only served to arouse me more. When I lifted her skirts, she began to stiffen up again.
No, my love, I whispered to her inside her mind. No, you aren't afraid. You want this. You know you do. You want my touch. Here . . .
And with the thoughts, I pressed my hand to her center. She whimpered and moved against me, until I parted her folds and explored within. Heat and wetness greeted me.
I wanted more than I had ever wanted before as I probed and plumbed the very depths of her, and then focused all my attention on the center of her desire, the tiny kernel of flesh that set off a thousand sensations when I pressed and squeezed and rolled it.
Her cries grew louder, unabashedly animalistic while my hand worked her center, and my mouth, her breasts. I grew rougher, hungrier, and she seemed to enjoy it all the more.
Impatient now, the bloodlust raging in me, I opened the dress down the front, and parted it so that I could see all of her. Utterly naked, exposed to me. In a flash her hands flew to cover her body.
I sat up over her, staring down. "No, Elisabeta. You are mine, body and soul. You want to give yourself over to my every desire. Don't you?"
"Yes. "
"Then say it. "
"I am yours," she moaned. "And you are mine, my prince. "
I stripped away my garments in a frenzy of desire, and then I lay atop her, my hands pressing her thighs apart as I lowered myself to her center, and without hesitation, slid inside.
She gasped, her nails digging into my shoulders and her thighs going taut.
"Open to me," I whispered.
And she did; she opened wide and I sank myself inside her to the very depths of her, like burying myself in a sweet haven from which I never wished to emerge. I pulled back and drove again as she moaned in sensation.
With my hand I tipped her head to one side, and pushed the golden hair away from the skin of her neck, baring it, and watching the tiny pulse beat just beneath the flesh as I took her body and lowered my head to take her blood, as well.
Chapter Fourteen
I sank my teeth into her throat and she screamed and I knew it wasn't in pain, but in the most exquisite pleasure she had ever known.
The orgasm rocked her body as I fed, and it was echoed in my own until I forced myself to release her neck, to ease my body down beside hers. I held her gently in my arms until the waves of pleasure subsided. It was, I knew, beyond ordinary release. Beyond even, preternatural sensation. Beyond anything I had ever known, and certainly far beyond anything she had ever imagined.
Breathless, she whispered, "I never knew it was. . . it would be like. . . "
"It's not. Or not with anyone else, 'Beta. It never has been. "
She looked up, surprised. "Really?"
"I'm as stunned by it as you are," I told her. "Though, perhaps, not surprised. I've been told that sharing blood with one of The Chosen can be overpowering. "
She snuggled closer into my arms. "It was. And wonderful. But -"
"But?" I felt the cold finger of panic touch my heart. To me, in my mind, that act of lovemaking, of blood sharing, had bound this woman to me. I thought I had claimed her as my own, and she had claimed me as hers. It hadn't occurred to me that she might feel differently. "You still have doubts?"
"I. . . " She seemed to search for words. "Making love to you is heaven. Beyond heaven. But it tells me nothing of living as. . . as you must live. Nothing of being. . . what you are. "
I lowered my head, my heart sinking. "I thought it would be enough. "
Her palm cupped my face. "It may very well be, my prince. My love. But I'm not yet at death's door.
Can you not give me time to know more? After all, it's more than the decision of a lifetime. It's a decision for all time. "
"What can you learn in time that you don't already know?"
"I could be with you. Live with you. As you do. "
I was impatient, angry, perhaps, but unsure why. I suppose I wanted her unabashed acceptance, rather than something so noncommittal.
"My love," she said softly. "You told me that once I knew your secrets, I would be bound to you for all my days. Be they many or be they few. I have no desire to alter that decree. I wish to be with you, from this day forward. That I know. My only uncertainty lies not with you, but with myself. I need to decide whether my days with you will be those of my mortal lifetime - or the endless days of eternity. And for that I need more time. " She brushed her lips over mine. "Do you understand my feelings, love?"
I swallowed. "I do, but I don't like the notion of waiting. Anything could happen, 'Beta. As long as you remain mortal, you cling to the fragile lifetime of a mortal. The smallest accident or illness could take you from me before I could do a thing to prevent it. By the Gods, woman, your family perished of the plague. "
"But I did not. It was weeks ago - and I'm not ill. Not with the plague, at least. "
I sighed, pulling her tightly into my arms. "I don't think I can let you go, 'Beta. "
"Give me a few days, my love. Enough to become used to this idea. Enough to. . . to adjust, to understand and accept. Please?"
I stared at her for a long moment, at the genuine feeling in her eyes. And at last I said, "Yes. I will give you the time you ask for, if you will give me something in return. "
"Anything," she whispered, and blushing added, "though I believe I've already given you all that I have of value. "
"What you've given me is priceless. What I ask is even more so. Give me your hand, Elisabeta. Be my bride. Marry me. Tonight. "
Chapter Fifteen
"Marry you? T-tonight?" Her wide black eyes seemed endlessly deep with wonder, and a hint of disbe
lief. "How can you know me enough to make me your wife after an acquaintance of mere hours?"
"Think about it, 'Beta. Had we never met, neither of us would be alive tonight. I had no wish to be alive before I found you - nor did you before that fateful meeting on the cliffs. How is it so difficult, then, to believe that we belong together?"
"Is that what you really believe?"
"It is," I told her, and it was true. I did believe it. I still do. "We have no one to answer to, 'Beta. We can do this if we wish it. I'm the prince, I do as I please. And you have no family to object. "
She looked up at me, smiling in a watery way that made my throat go tight. "I do believe I love you, prin meu. Yes. No matter how I end up choosing to spend my time with you, I will marry you. "
I gathered her into my arms, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around and around, and then I lowered her slowly as our lips met, and mated. I do believe that night was the happiest I had ever known until that point. Certainly there have been none better since.
Together we raced back to the village that spread out in the shadow of the castle on high, and to the home of the priest. We woke him from his sleep, stood in his doorway as he gazed at us, wondering what we were about.
"What's this?" he asked. And then his gaze took focus and his eyes went wide. "Your highness! I had been told you were dead!"
"The castle servants are bumbling fools, I'm afraid. I was laid out in my father's chapel, awaiting your visit - which I'm sure was impending," I added with a meaningful crook of my brow.
"Naturally, my liege! I had only thought it best to wait for daylight. "
Ah, so the superstitious gossip had instigated fear of me even in a man of God. It didn't matter. I should have been angry, but I was too happy then to let his ignorance cause me any concern.
"I was suffering from little more than a blow to the head, which left me in a deep stupor for a matter of hours. I'm fine now, as you can see. "
"Yes, yes. Do come inside. I've a warm fire, bread and wine if you wish. "
"We have only one wish this night, Father," I told him, turning to gaze into my beloved's eyes. "To be wed. "
We had followed him inside his small cottage, and he stood now with the plank door still open.
"Tonight?"
"Indeed. Within the hour if you can manage it. "
"But. . . but there's been no betrothal. No reading of the -"
"Nor will there be," I said, my voice lowering slightly.
The priest stared from me to Elisabeta, and then he frowned. "This child is still in mourning for her family. "
"We will be wed this very night, unless you wish to find yourself in the castle dungeon before dawn," I told him.
I felt my 'Beta go stiff beside me, felt her gaze turn to one of disapproval as her hand tightened on my arm.
Chapter Sixteen
The priest sucked in a sharp gasp, and 'Beta held my eyes and shook her head firmly. "Not like that, my love. Not like that. " And then she turned to the priest. "Marry us, or don't. You'll not be harmed either way. We shall simply leave this place and find another who will. "
He agreed, not because of her reasoning, but out of fear of me. He knew I did not make threats I would not carry out, and didn't trust this mite of a woman's ability to temper my rage. Nodding his acceptance, he said, "I will meet with you in the castle's chapel in an hour. Is that acceptable?"
"It is," I told him, and with my bride in the circle of my arms, I tugged her from the cottage.
From there we mounted my horse and rode to the castle, where we woke every servant and friend, relative and guest of the king. He still hadn't returned from whatever journey he'd undertaken, which worried me. The man believed me to be his son, despite that it wasn't so. He didn't often keep things from me.
At any rate, I shouted orders in a way that must have shocked and surprised them all, for I tended to keep to myself and to remain quiet and undemanding, so long as my privacy was respected. Not tonight.
Tonight my often morose expression was replaced with a beaming smile, and my orders were given joyfully.
By the time the hour had passed, the servants had located a beautiful gown for my lady - the color of rich cream. They had gathered flowers for her to carry, and even tucked a few blossoms into her hair; forget-me-nots, their tiny blue heads as delicate as 'Beta herself. They had awakened minstrels and the cook to alert them to the impending celebration and set them to work preparing the hall.
"You are so beautiful," I told my bride as she came to stand beside me before the priest. "I am almost convinced this is all no more than a sweet dream, and that I will awaken to the lonely reality of my life as it was before. "
"It is a dream," she told me softly. "A dream come true. "
The tiny stone chapel was filled with people - strangers, servants and people who feared me - as my beloved and I knelt at the altar that night, and she pledged to be mine forever, and I pledged to cherish her always. Little did those gathered to witness our vows know just how much more those promises meant when spoken by a man who would never die.
And then it was done, and I took her into my arms and sealed our bond by pressing my lips to hers. I thought that fate, for once, had smiled upon me. I was glad to be alive for the first time in centuries. I relished this life; I thanked the fates that it was eternal, for surely I thought 'Beta would agree to let me share the dark gift with her. To make her as I was. To be with me for all eternity.
Surely she would.
Chapter Seventeen
As eager as I was to carry my bride to our bedchamber, I knew she deserved a celebration worthy of her. For though a commoner, she was far more. A descendant, no doubt, of some ancient royal line. It was the tale I would weave for the world. And one I had no reason to doubt could be true.
For how could a family produce a woman like her without having royal blood in its lineage? How? One so perfect, with the face of an angel and the gold-spun hair to go with it. And those eyes, those piercing, bewitching black eyes.
How I loved her. My jewel. My princess.
Musicians played their lyres and flutes as we entered the castle hall. The cooks began lining tables with the foods they'd managed to prepare in short order, while the smells of still-roasting meats filled the hall and watered the mouths of all present. Ale and wine flowed, and I danced with my bride and saw her cheeks pink with joy, even though the rest of her countenance seemed to pale.
Holding her in my arms, I frowned at her. "Are you feeling worn out from all of this?"
"Only a little tired. But my love, I don't wish for this night to end. "
"It must. All nights do. Be we need not end, 'Beta. Not ever. "
She smiled and rested her head against me. "I know. "
Before I could ask if that meant she had made up her mind, the doors burst open, and the entire room fell silent. The music and dancing stopped. The eating and talking stopped. Everyone went still. I turned to see my so-called father, the king, standing just inside the entryway, flanked by soldiers-in-arms.
He found my gaze across the crowed room, spoke softly to his men, and made his way to me. "It seems I've interrupted a celebration," he said. "And my morose son, with a smile on his face and a beautiful prize in his arms. Dare I hope -?"
"She is my wife, Father," I told him. "Elisabeta. Your father and your king. "
I felt her hand tremble as she dropped to her knees before the king, lowering her head.
"Rise, child. Rise," the king said. He bent, and taking her shoulders, helped her to stand. "You are a princess, and far too special and beautiful to bow before an old man. " Smiling, he kissed her cheeks, then turned to face me, still holding 'Beta's hands. "So sudden?"
"I had only to gaze upon her once to know she was the one," I said, uncustomarily sentimental. "I could not wait, not even for you. "
"I would not have had
you delay. Truly, you've claimed a rare treasure, my son. I only wish I didn't have to spoil your celebration with dire news. "
I frowned. "You went on a secret journey - and took with you soldiers, I see," I said, nodding toward the soldiers who remained near the door. "Soldiers who don't seem eager to join in tonight's revelry. "
The king grabbed a passing servant. "Tell my men they may eat, but not drink any wine or ale. And remind them to remain alert," he commanded.
This alarmed me more. "What is it, my king?"
"I left to verify rumors of enemy troops amassing at our northern borders. Saw no reason to disturb you with what was, then, just gossip. But I found it to be true. We are being invaded, my son. We are. . . at war. "
Chapter Eighteen
"We need to turn them back before they cross the river. My son, we need every man, or the kingdom will fall. "
I owed the man so much. My life. Had he not taken me in, accepted me as his son, I would never have found my wonderful bride. I could not refuse him. And I knew what he did not - that I was his most powerful warrior. Turning, I stared down at Elisabeta.
She gazed up at me, love and fear in her eyes. "I don't want you to go," she whispered.
"I wish I didn't have to. Come. " I took her with me, leaving my father to put an end to the revelry as he must. We climbed the curving stone staircase to my bedchamber - our bedchamber.
Its window hole was covered by thick layers of black cloth, for my protection when I slept there by day.
The bed was huge and comfortable, and it, too, was surrounded in dark curtains as an added defense against the sun. The door could be barred from within. I didn't bar it, only closed it behind us, and moving to the window, I tore the cloth away.
"My bride will see the sun for as long as she can," I told her.
"Put it back!" She flung herself into my arms. "I've made my decision," she told me. "I'll be as you are, I will. I wish to be with you always. Just please, don't go. Don't go to war, my love. "
I held her, rocked her gently in my arms, kissed her hair, her face. "Don't fear for me, my precious 'Beta.
I'm immortal. "
"But you can die. You told me so! The sun, the bleeding. . . suppose you are pierced with a sword or an arrow?"
"I promise you, I will not die. I will return to you. And when I do, if you still wish it, I'll instill in you the spirit that lives in me. That of eternal life. "