Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness Book 4) Page 13

  “How do you feel?” he asked.

  She frowned. Did worry lace his words? “Fine. Why?”

  “You have been unconscious for two hours.”

  No. Oh, please, no. Don’t let it be the curse.

  “Did something happen? Did the hunters come upon us?”

  Falcon shook his head. “No, Sonya.” He gently brushed her hair away from her face. His hands burned against her cool flesh. She winced yet welcomed the heat. “Were you ever going to tell me you’ve been marked by the curse?”

  She swallowed hard. This was not a conversation she wanted to have, especially not with him. How did one tell those they loved that they were dying? She had known for months death had her on his hit list, yet she had said nothing to Gwendolyn or her counsel.

  “You have told no one.”

  Was she that easy to read or did Falcon know her so well?

  “I thought it would be best not to tell you. We have enough to deal with right now, Falcon. Why add more stress? Besides, I have a few months left. When I return, I will help Gwendolyn prepare to assume the throne.”

  He knelt down beside the bed. Minutes ticked by as he stared down at the floor. Her heart slammed in her chest as she waited for him to speak. God, his silence was deadly. She watched his shoulders fall with a heavy sigh.

  “I have witnessed many rulers of darkness fall to the Death Curse. The spell withered their bodies and weakened their minds. It attacked their hearts, their souls, feeding off their sins until they went mad…Sonya, it would be a miracle if you survive another three weeks. This attack was powerful. The curse has advanced quickly within you.”

  Finally, he met her gaze. Sonya’s heart clenched. His silver eyes flickered black with anger, sorrow, and…more. She blinked away the tears that stung her eyes. His gaze revealed so much more. Too much more. She was unable to respond, she turned away. Curling on to her side, she hugged the pillow to her chest.

  She had known this would come. Accepting the throne meant death for any vampire, unless they were able to find their mate.

  “The curse has only just taken root,” she insisted, hoping Falcon would believe her lie.

  “This attack was fierce and they will only worsen.”

  She nodded meekly. She knew the pain, soul rendering sadness and longing would only grow stronger. Which was why she needed to get home. Once everything was arranged, Gwendolyn would help her meet a peaceful end. She would allow her to walk into the sun and take over care of the Clan.

  “I’ve had a long and successful reign. Two hundred and ten years is longer than most.” She tried her best to sound nonchalant. “You know accepting the crown is a death sentence.”

  Falcon scrubbed his face with his hands. He looked wrung out. Shadows cast over his eyes, his lips hard lines. His wide shoulders fell as he exhaled a deep breath. “Unless you find your mate.”

  Sonya’s heart sank. Her words stuck in her throat. She swallowed hard and whispered. “Happily ever after isn’t meant for everyone.”

  His head snapped up, his sharp, intense gaze sliced through her. “It is meant for you.”

  Her heart clenched as his eyes flickered black with sorrow, anger, determination, and thinly veiled…love. She held back a sob. No amount of wishing would change the course of the future.

  “There has to be a way to save you. To stop the curse,” he said.

  Sonya felt her heart break, her soul shatter. She turned her face away as crystal tears slipped down her cheeks, hiding her face against the pillow. She took in a shuddering breath and prayed her voice would be steady, “You know there is nothing that can be done.”

  He mumbled a curse. “There is one way.”

  Sonya shot up and slapped his hand aside when he tried to press her back to the pillows.

  “Don’t you dare say it, knight,” she snapped. “I will never renounce my throne. I am no coward. I do not fear death. When I spoke my vows and became queen I knew this day would come.”

  Falcon snarled, baring his fangs. His gaze determined as realization unfurled in his mind. Sonya bit her tongue and braced herself.

  “You want to die,” he growled, his voice rough with barely veiled rage. His muscles strained and she knew he was fighting for control.

  Sonya curled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms tightly around her legs. She had no reason to lie to him, not that she ever would or could. Falcon deserved to know the truth and she wanted to share it with him. She needed to share it with him, to make him understand.

  She met his intense gaze and said, “Yes.”

  He shook his head, disbelief, confusion, and anger swirled within his eyes, creating a storm of bright silver, hard gray, and cold black.

  “When Gudmund asked if I would be his second I accepted because I knew someday I would meet my true death. I never craved power and I never intended to live forever,” she declared. “Death is the reason Dorian and Hadrian became kings. Both are ancient, their power uneasily matched. Numerous kings had asked them both, and they repeatedly declined. But the curse can lay even the mightiest vampire in his grave.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  His jaw clenched and his fingers curled into fists in his lap. The trembling of his muscles increased. She watched unafraid as the demon within him rose. Black consumed his brilliant silver eyes.

  He could not lose her. Living an eternity without her…No, there was no living without Sonya. He did not know when she had become his reason to live, but she had. She was his heart, his soul.

  For centuries he had existed to serve his clan. He fought for them and protected them, never giving a thought for his own happiness. Restoring Hadrian to the throne and keeping peace amongst his clan had been his focus until he met Sonya. She had been dressed in a hooded black velvet cloak, the perfect contrast to her flaxen locks and warm gold eyes.

  Falcon had always prided himself on his ability to shield his heart, using his loyalty to his clan as a shield. But in the weeks that followed, she broke down his defenses and sliced through the armor surrounding his heart. Watching her care for Margaret, Queen Victoria’s younger sister, he had imagined what it would be like to have a family with Sonya.

  For those weeks, he had lived in a dream. Reality struck when he returned to govern his clan in Hadrian’s absence. He found it impossible to put Sonya from his mind. With every passing year, his need for her grew into an obsession. He craved to see her, to speak with her, to hear her laugh and bask in her radiant smile.

  Falcon had tried to kill his emotions for her. He had taken other women to his bed and when that had not worked, he’d thrown himself into his work unifying his clan and bringing Hadrian back, but nothing helped.

  She made him wish he were not a Black Knight, and instead that he was a noble so they could be together.

  “If only I were…” What? Her mate? Fate would never allow that. “God, damn it.”

  The woman he loved more than anything else sat beside him, hugging her knees to her chest her golden eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She looked so strong, so delicate, and so heartbreakingly beautiful. He could not imagine a world without her. The proud warrior queen spoke of death without hesitation. Hell, she welcomed the oblivion that awaited her.

  Falcon could not think of completing his mission, returning her to her clan and abandoning her. He knew he would never be able to turn his back on her. He had been out of his mind the other night when he declared they would never see each other again. His need to see her, to hear her voice, to be surrounded by her fresh lilac scent was maddening. No, even if she were not marked by the curse there was no way he could stay away.

  Squaring his shoulders, he made his decision. He would take her home and he would remain at her side no matter what the clan counsel said. He would not leave her. He may not be her destined mate, but he loved her.

  Mine, his soul and demon cried in unison.

  Yes, Sonya belonged to him and he belonged to her, to hell with decorum and the law.

  �
��It is all right. This is the way of Fate,” Sonya said.

  The sound of her voice strengthened his resolve. Forbidden would no longer exist in his vocabulary.

  Falcon drew the sheet back revealing her beautiful body. He devoured her with his gaze, taking in every line, every curve, memorizing every detail. Sonya’s limbs were long and slender, her breasts full with tempting pink nipples. Her waist was trim and tapered to gently rounded hips. Lush blond curls concealed the apex of her shapely thighs. Her tall, lean warrior physique was perfection.

  Lust shot from the base of his spine and exploded through his nervous system. His shaft swelled and strained. God, he craved her and before the sun rose he would kiss every inch of her body. He would show her just how much he desired her. He would unleash his hunger.

  Falcon shifted on the bed, placing one arm on each side of her, his palms crushing the pillows, caging her in.

  “Sonya,” he rasped, his voice rough with desperate need, his gaze intense with determination. “Death is not your fate.” He leaned into her and whispered against her lips, “I am.”

  He took her mouth gently at first, but when she nipped at his lower lip he was lost. Sonya gripped his shoulders, needing him closer. Falcon pressed his bare chest into her. He groaned when she arched beneath him, her breasts absorbed his weight and set him on fire.

  “Oh, Falcon,” she sighed, breathless. “Please, don’t stop. Not this time―”

  He cut her words off with a soul-binding kiss. Their tongues danced and dueled. Falcon tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth and sucked it into his mouth. The harder he kissed her the harder she kissed him back.

  Drawing his mouth away from hers, he pressed kisses along the line of her jaw. Finding her earlobe, he suckled and teased the sensitive flesh. Sonya’s nails dug into his shoulders, spurring him on. He kissed a line down her throat to nuzzle her neck. He sucked hard on her pulse before running the tips of his fangs over her shoulder. Moving lower, he traced the gentle swell of her breast with his tongue before flicking her nipple. Sonya shivered and moaned, her hips bucked against him.

  Good God, his erection was about to rip through his jeans. He had to be inside her, buried deep, but not yet. He wanted to savor her. He had long denied them and tonight he would do everything he’d ever dreamed about. He would worship her breasts and claim her with his mouth first. His cock pulsed as he imagined drawing her clitoris between his lips.

  Sonya tugged on his hair as he circled one hardened nipple. She moaned when he did the same to the other.

  “Do you enjoy torturing me?” she gasped.

  Falcon cupped and kneed both of her breasts. The tight peaks burned against his palms. He bent his head and sucked one nipple into his mouth. He rolled it with his tongue then grazed her soft flesh with his fangs.

  “I do,” he answered with a wicked grin.

  Her back bowed when he claimed her other breast. When she was breathless and panting, he kissed a path down her flat belly, dipping his tongue in her belly button. He drew a path down with his tongue and sensuously nipped at her hips. Sonya squirmed beneath him, whimpering sighs falling from her lush lips.

  Falcon came up on his knees and her hands fell the waistline of his jeans. She tore at the material with her claws.

  “Off. Now,” she growled, fevered and desperate.

  He stood and removed his now tattered jeans. Sonya’s gaze traveled down his body, lingering a moment on his bare chest. She bit her bottom lip when her gaze fell his shaft. His cock was just as impressive and hard as the rest of him. A bead of moisture glistened on the tip. Sonya leaned forward and claimed it, flicking her tongue over the broad head of his penis.

  Falcon groaned, “Later.”

  “Promise.”

  “I vow it,” he said, pushing her back.

  Falcon climbed atop the bed. He lightly drew his fingers down her sides. Delicious chills wracked her body.

  Remaining on his knees, he sat back and took in the beauty before him. Sonya’s flaxen hair spread over the pillows, her golden eyes molten pools of undeniable need. Her lips were swollen and parted. He could see the dainty tips of her fangs. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, taking in the scent of her arousal. He shuddered. His fangs lengthened. He needed to taste her. Now.

  When he met her gaze once more, Sonya gasped, “Falcon, your eyes. They are black.”

  Yes, he could sense his demon surfacing. It wanted to enjoy her.

  “Open for me,” he demanded, his voice raw.

  Sonya lips curled into a sensual smile as she spread her thighs, welcoming him. Falcon ran his palms over her thighs and up to her hips. He lifted her, hooking her knees over his shoulders.

  Good god, she was exquisite. Her sex glistened for him, wet and pink. He took in another breath. Her scent was maddening. He nuzzled the tender flesh of the inside of her thigh. Sonya trembled as he pressed his lips to her soft curls.

  Tilting her hips towards him, she whimpered, “Please.”

  He smiled against her. His cool breath against her burning, needing flesh was too much. She was rocking on the edge of oblivion and any moment he would driver her over.

  “So many times I’ve dreamed of taking you like this.” Falcon flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue. “And, Sonya, I plan to devour you.”

  He pressed his mouth against her. Sonya trembled and moaned, “God, yes.”

  Falcon drew her sensitive nub between his lips and sucked. Hard. Swirling his tongue against her, forcing her higher and higher. Sonya’s hands twisted in the sheets as unbearable heat crashed through her.

  “Come for me,” he growled.

  He nipped at her clit. The gentle pain sent her reeling. The world shattered around them as her orgasm flooded her senses. Stars winked in her vision as she floated back to reality. Her body shook with delicious aftershocks. Falcon did not stop. He lapped at her, drawing his tongue up her clefts. He kissed her swollen clitoris then spread her with his thumbs and thrust his stiffened tongue into her core. He withdrew and came right back, claiming her.

  Sonya was lost, drowning in a sea of ecstasy. Over and over, he fucked her with his tongue. Damn, she tasted divine, the sweetest honey. Her claws tore at the mattress as she struggled to maintain her sanity. She rocked her hips, matching his rhythm. Shameless, she cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples. Her toes curled.

  He watched her as she came again, eyes swirling pools of black and laced with silver.

  “No more,” Sonya panted. When he didn’t stop, she placed her feet on his shoulders and shoved him away.

  Falcon’s eyes were wild with hunger, the swirling silver depths burned with insatiable desire. His bare chest heaved as he breathed in her luscious scent. His lips were glossy from her honey. Falcon slowly licked it away, reveling in the taste of her.

  “I need you,” she whispered, her throat already hoarse from her cries of pleasure.

  He remained on his knees. His fingers traced the lines of her hips then moved upward toward her ribs to palm the underside of her breasts. He teased and pinched her nipples, driving her wild.

  “Falcon, I need to feel you.”

  “You will, sweet,” he said. “You will come around me as I come deep inside you.”

  Falcon leaned down. Sonya circled her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her. She moaned as his tongue entered her mouth. She flicked her tongue over his sharp fangs and marveled at the shudder that wracked his hard body. He deepened the kiss, slashing his mouth across hers, demanding and taking her passion.

  When he finally pulled away, breaking her hold him. Sonya was dizzy, her head spinning and she was so close to coming again.

  He framed her hips with his hands and lifted her up again. The crown of his shaft pressed against her entrance. Falcon flexed his hips, slowly inching his cock into her welcoming heat.

  “So. Tight,” he grated as he withdrew.

  “It’s been a l-long time,” she answered.

  Falcon’s grip on her hip
s tightened and with one hard, quick thrust he sank his cock fully into her. Sonya cried out, her hands gripping his thick biceps.

  His head feel back as pleasure assailed him. Perfection. “Amazing,” he grated past his fangs. “You feel so fucking amazing.”

  He thrust again, going deeper than before, stretching her, filling her. Sonya wrapped her legs around him, he released her hip and braced himself with his arms, his palms on either side of her head.

  She licked and nibbled at his wrist, teasing his wildly beating pulse. “Better than a dream,” she whispered against his skin.

  Falcon’s rhythm was deliciously slow at first. She savored the feel of him deep within her, but she needed more. She had waited so long for this and she needed him not to hold back.

  “Harder,” she demanded and he obliged.

  He slammed into her, the beautiful friction building the tension. Tension gathered within her, tightening within her core. Her heart raced, her breath came in desperate gasps as her pleasure spiraled out of control. Falcon’s masterful thrusts sent her over the edge. A cry fell from her lips, the rapture was scorching.

  “More,” he snarled.

  “Yes. More,” she panted.

  A growl tore from Falcon’s throat; the animalistic sound shook the cottage. His thrusts were frenzied as he pumped into her. He kissed her neck, scraping his fangs down her throat as he slipped an arm beneath her. His palm fitting between her shoulder blades, he raised her up, bringing her breasts to his hungry mouth. He teased her nipples, flicking them with his tongue.

  Sonya completely surrendered. Tossing her head back her hair cascaded over the pillows. She tilted her hips, taking him deeper. Another orgasm slammed into her. Dizzy and dazed, she struggled for breath as he continued to claim her.

  Falcon pressed her against him, her breasts flattening against his unyielding chest. Again. He needed to feel her come again and more would follow. Sonya moaned with every hard, powerful thrust. Falcon increased the pressure; rotating his hips he forced her to take him deeper, burying himself to the hilt. She pressed hot, wet kisses against his neck and his shoulder. He felt the delicate sting of her fangs scrape along the column of his throat. Falcon tilted his head to the side, granting her better access. Sonya’s tiny fangs sliced into him.