Flame, page 14
Cain gave a nod. “You did what you felt you needed to do. I, too, have killed.”
“In battle,” she reminded him.
He gave her a dry look. “Do you so easily forget what you saw through my memories? All the mortals?”
She had to look away. “I’d forgotten. But your hair and eyes don’t change.”
“Maybe no’, but taking a life leaves a mark. You may no’ be able to see it, but it’s there. Trust me.”
His fingers touched her hair, and she knew he was looking at how much silver was there. Finally, she slid her gaze back to his.
“You think I’ve killed more than two because of how much silver is in my hair,” she said.
He shook his head and released the strand he held. His fingers softly grazed her cheek before he lowered his arm. “I think the silver that’s there appeared because of how much those kills affected you. I used to think the silver indicated how many a Dark had killed. Now, I realize that might account for part of it, but there’s much more to it. Did you think I’d look at you differently? Or that I wouldna want to touch you?”
She shrugged. “It crossed my mind. It’s easy to forget who someone is sometimes.”
“I’ve known from the beginning who you are, Noreen. It hasna stopped me from wanting you. In fact, your stories have only made me hunger for you more.”
She didn’t have time to respond as he dragged her against him and covered her mouth with his in a kiss that stole her breath—and set her blood on fire.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
By the stars, he couldn’t get enough of her. Cain held Noreen’s naked body against him as he entered her with one thrust. As soon as they were joined, there was nowhere else he wanted to be but with her.
He might not have trusted Noreen at first, but that had changed quicker than expected. Now, he couldn’t think of a reason why he wouldn’t trust her. Their circumstances had put them in a peculiar situation that forced each of them to face things they might not want to.
“You feel so good,” Noreen whispered as she rocked her hips with her legs wrapped around him.
His hands cupped her tight ass as he lifted her up and slowly lowered her down. She gasped, her head falling back so that the long strands of her hair brushed his fingers.
She was breathtaking, utterly ravishing. And she was his. There was no denying the chemistry between them, or the way their bodies came together with such raw, unadulterated passion. He’d known lust before. This was something so much more, so much … deeper.
He leaned forward and wrapped his lips around her nipple. He ran his tongue back and forth over the tiny nub as her moans turned to cries. All the while, he continued slowly moving her up and down his arousal.
“Cain,” she called out as her nails dug into his shoulders.
He wanted to thrust into her hard, to give in to the primal hunger and mark her body as his. But he held himself back. His pleasure could wait. Right now, it was all about Noreen. He wanted her to feel special, he needed her to know that he cared about her more than as a means of getting information.
Cain moved to her other nipple to tease the peak mercilessly. He alternated between sucking and flicking his tongue back and forth over it. Just when it felt as if Noreen couldn’t take any more, he stopped moving.
“No,” she cried and lifted her head.
Her face was flushed with desire, her crimson eyes half-lidded and filled with need. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She tried to shift her hips, but he held her still, refusing to allow her any kind of movement while he continued teasing her nipple.
“Please,” she begged.
His body ached for release. Even as he tried to control himself, he recalled how he’d liked watching her climax before. Not to mention how good she’d made him feel. Once those two things went through his mind, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
He shifted them so that her back was against a tree. Cain put a hand there to help protect her from the bark, but she quickly yanked it away. He soon forgot everything else as he began to drive into her hard and fast.
Within moments, her body stiffened as pleasure filled her face. Her lips opened on a silent scream, her body flushing deeply. Cain didn’t stop moving. He kept pumping in and out, driving her orgasm further.
When she opened her eyes, he pulled out of her and moved her to her hands and knees. Then he filled her from behind. She gasped in pleasure before following it with a low moan.
He grinned and held her hips as he started to move. Cain couldn’t stop touching her beautiful body. He leaned over her, pressing his mouth next to her ear. She shifted her head to the side so their lips brushed.
Their eyes met, and he saw the same fire in hers that he felt in himself. She might have climaxed, but she wasn’t finished yet.
That stirred the flames of his desire even higher.
He grasped her hair and straightened, pulling back so she had to raise her head. She called out his name as his tempo ratcheted up a few notches. As much as he liked having a hold of her hair, he wanted to hear her scream in ecstasy again.
Cain released her tresses and reached down to find her clit. The sensitive bud was swollen. As soon as his finger swirled around it, she groaned in response, urging him on. He continued teasing her clit, ruthlessly pushing her toward another orgasm—while trying not to give in to one of his own.
Just when he thought he couldn’t hold out any longer, a cry tore from Noreen’s throat. He saw her fingers dig into the ground as she pushed back against him.
No matter how much Cain wanted to give her a third one, he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted her too badly.
* * *
No one could touch her body like Cain. Noreen accepted that as fact, just as she knew that no one would ever bring her as much pleasure as the Dragon King did.
And she was perfectly fine with that.
Cain was … unique, yes, but he was also drop-dead gorgeous, honorable, charming, and sexy as sin.
As her body came down from the high of another mind-altering climax, she put everything about the scene to memory. The way the bark had scraped her back as he filled her. The sound of the leaves as the breeze rustled them. The way the dead leaves felt beneath her knees as he moved them to the ground. The way the soil slid under her fingernails as she dug her fingers into the dirt. The heat of the sun on their sweat-soaked bodies as it filtered through the trees. The carnal, erotic feeling of Cain’s balls slapping against her as he filled her again and again.
And the way their bodies and souls became more and more intertwined, entangled. Bonded.
Noreen’s body pulsed with contentment from the bliss she’d received at the hands of the Dragon King. It was almost surreal, and yet she knew for a fact that all of this was happening. It wasn’t a dream.
She looked back over her shoulder at Cain. His eyes were open and fastened on hers. His fingers dug almost painfully into her hips as he drove into her, but it felt so good.
Their gazes locked, and even when he gave a shout when his orgasm hit, he never looked away. She saw the ecstasy fill not just his face, but his beautiful green eyes, as well.
Finally, he stopped moving. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He slowly pulled out of her. She turned to him, bringing him down to the ground with her arms around him.
“Damn, lass. You’re something else,” he whispered before kissing her temple.
Noreen beamed as she looked at him. “I can certainly say that you take me to places I’ve never been.”
“And this is just the start,” he promised.
She hoped it was, but as she thought of the future, she couldn’t see how they could have one. Even if the Kings managed to destroy the Others and Moreann, there was still the fact that she was a Dark. And she had become one all on her own. No one had forced it upon her. No one had made her feel as if she had to.
And while she knew Shara had turned Light, she wasn’t so sure she could do it. She liked who she was. Maybe not everything she’d done, but really, who could say that?
If it meant you could be with Cain, would you turn Light?
That was an easy answer—yes. She most definitely would. But it wasn’t as if he were asking.
“What has you so deep in thought that you’re frowning?” he asked.
She immediately smoothed her brow and shrugged. “Just thinking about everything.”
“I hope you’re no’ worried about Moreann and the Others. I’ve told you, I’ll protect you.”
“I know you will,” she assured him. “I’m also pretty good at magic myself.”
He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. “I doona doubt that in the least. So, tell me what worries you.”
“Nothing.”
Cain sighed loudly. “Lass, there’s no need to lie to me. I hope you realize you can tell me whatever is on your mind.”
“It’s nothing, really. I overthink things and work myself up on matters that are silly.”
“If you’re upset, then it isna silly.”
Well, when he said it like that, it made perfect sense. Still, she didn’t want to blurt out that she was thinking about a future with him when he might only want a fling.
“You’re doing the frown again.”
She ducked her head into his chest. “Sorry.”
“Ease your mind, lass. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Us.”
He paused for a moment. “I can certainly see why you would be thinking about us. It’s no’ common for the Kings to mingle with the Dark.”
“And we’ve been doing much more than just … mingling.”
Cain chuckled softly. “Aye, we certainly have. And I’ve no plans to stop anytime soon. No’ tomorrow, no’ next week, or even next month. I could keep going, but I hope you see what I’m saying.”
She thought she did, but she wasn’t sure. “Maybe you should spell it out for me.”
Cain shifted so that they were looking at each other. “I want you, Noreen. And each time I have you, my desire only increases.”
“I want you, too.”
“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”
She nodded because he had let her know that he wanted her for an indefinite amount of time. But did that clear up everything? She searched her mind and still found doubts.
“I see we’re no’,” he said. But there was no censure in his words.
She put a hand on his chest. “The thing is, I find myself in a unique situation. I like you, a lot. A Dragon King. You’re supposed to be my enemy simply because our two cultures have fought. I’m also supposed to hate you because I’m part of the Others.”
“You’re no longer part of the Others,” he corrected.
She suddenly smiled. “That’s right, I’m not. But I was. I’ve been taught to hate the Kings from two different sides.”
“And you think there are some who will say something to you?”
Noreen sighed. “I could care less about what others think. I’m just pointing out that I’ve long believed I wasn’t supposed to talk to a King, much less have sex with one.”
“Ah, but you have. Repeatedly.”
She smiled widely. “And it was amazing.”
“Aye, it was,” he said as he brought her close for a kiss.
Noreen pulled back and met his gaze. “I like you, Cain. A lot. I think you know that. Maybe it’s because I’ve turned against the Others, or it could be something else I’m not even aware of, but I feel like a fish out of water. I’m clinging to you when I’ve never clung to anyone in my life.”
“I’m the sturdy kind, lass. Cling to me all you want.”
Oh, how she wanted to take him up on that proposal. No one had offered her such a thing before. “It’s tempting. So tempting.”
“Are you afraid I’ll let you down?”
“I’m afraid that I’ll find I never want to let you go.”
He quirked a brow. “Would that be so bad?”
Was he kidding? She shook her head, unable to get any words out.
Cain ran his hand up and down her back. “Is that what you’re afraid of?”
“No. The idea appeals to me, but then again, we just met. Everything is always good when people first meet.”
“I wouldna say always, but I understand your point. How about we take things one day at a time?”
“Okay. I can do that.”
He touched her chin to make her look at him. “And let’s promise to always talk to each other. If you have any doubts or questions, doona hesitate to come to me. And I’ll do the same with you.”
“I can do that.”
He brought her close for a deep kiss. “Och, lass. I do like having you in my arms.”
“I like being here very much.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Noreen wished she could stay in Cain’s arms for the rest of the day, but that wasn’t possible. She gave him a quick kiss, and he hugged her tightly before both of them got to their feet. She had used magic to remove her clothes, so she used it again to put them back on.
For Cain, she chose jeans and the boots he’d worn earlier as well as a green, v-neck, short-sleeve tee that fit tight over his impressive shoulders. He looked down at himself and grinned.
“Good choice,” he told her.
In a blink, Noreen called a gray tee and black pants to herself. Then she finished the outfit off with black boots that laced up the front. She was in the process of pulling her hair up into a messy bun when she noted Cain looking at her footwear.
“Combat boots?” he asked.
She shrugged as she lowered her hands when she finished with her hair. “I suspect we’ll be fighting, and I want to be prepared. Unlike Rhi, I don’t think I’d be successful meeting an opponent with heeled boots, spikes or no.”
Cain chuckled. “You’ve seen her in those, have you?”
“Oh, yes. Hands down, Rhi is the ultimate badass with amazing style.”
“I think you could definitely fight in heels.”
Noreen laughed and shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I love heels, but there is a time and place. Unless you’re Rhi, of course.”
“Of course.” Cain laughed again. “Have you met her?”
“She isn’t someone who runs in the same circles as I do. However, I do know Moreann has been obsessed with her.”
Cain’s smile dropped as his brows drew together. “Because her father was in the Others?”
“Yep. Moreann wanted Rhi to join, but when Usaeil failed to bring her in, Moreann had no choice but to recruit Brian, even though she always planned to replace him with Rhi eventually.”
“She was that sure that Rhi would join the group? Even though Rhi is in love with a Dragon King?”
Noreen shrugged and twisted her lips. “That never bothered Moreann. She didn’t even have to tell Usaeil to make sure the relationship ended. Usaeil took care of that all on her own.”
Cain’s face went blank. “What?”
“Usaeil was responsible for ending Rhi’s affair with the Dragon King.”
“Do you know which King Rhi was with?”
Noreen gave a brief shake of her head. “I asked, but no one would tell me.”
Cain pivoted away, raking his hand through his hair. He stopped and turned back to Noreen. “Does Rhi know that Usaeil ruined the relationship?”
“Sadly, yes. Usaeil bragged about it to us. I remember it vividly because we were surprised that she actually showed up for a meeting since she hadn’t for the ones before that. Moreann was getting testy about it and had gone to speak to Usaeil herself. Anyway, Usaeil came for that meeting and told us how Rhi had found out and was so upset. Usaeil had thought Rhi would come for her then, but she didn’t. I wouldn’t have either if I were in Rhi’s place. She was too upset. That’s never a good way to go into battle. Not that I know a lot about such things since I’ve never really fought anyone before.”
She was rambling because Cain hadn’t moved, much less uttered a sound. Noreen pressed her lips together to make sure she didn’t keep talking.
“Con needs to know about this,” Cain suddenly said.
That surprised Noreen. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s difficult to understand exactly, but Rhi has friends among us. She and Rhys are extremely close.”
“That doesn’t explain why she would go to Con.”
“It does when you understand that she and Con agreed to fight Usaeil together. If Rhi knew that Usaeil had instigated the ruination of her affair, then yes, Rhi would tell Con to give them more reason to go after Usaeil—no’ that they needed any more.”
Noreen frowned as she cocked her head to the side. “I could understand where Con might be upset when he learned that Usaeil had gotten involved in the matters of his Kings, but couldn’t it all be fixed by telling the King of Kings what Usaeil had done?”
“It’s never that easy when it comes to the affairs of the heart.”
“I suppose not.” She sighed as Cain took her hand, and they began walking. “Does Rhi know that Usaeil isn’t dead?”
“I doona believe so. We’ve been unable to find her since she thrust her blade into the queen.”
“I heard that Rhi and Balladyn were once very close.”
Cain gave a nod as he glanced her way. “They were best friends until Usaeil betrayed Balladyn to Taraeth, who was supposed to kill Balladyn.”
“Instead, the previous King of the Dark turned him,” Noreen finished.
“Aye. I doona believe Taraeth would’ve done that had he realized how powerful a Fae Balladyn was. Usaeil knew, and while she says she wanted Balladyn gone from the Light because he had fallen in love with Rhi, I also suspect that she knew Balladyn would discover her plans and uncover everything she’d done since he was Captain of the Queen’s Guard.”
Noreen made a sound in the back of her throat. “Balladyn wasn’t king for very long, but he made a big impact. I’ve no doubt he would’ve discovered all of Usaeil’s misdeeds. But it boggles my mind how jealous she was—or should I say is—of Rhi.”
“It doesna make any sense to me, but it’s what has driven Usaeil for a verra long time. We’d all hoped it was finished.”
