Darkness In The Flames (28 page)

He was before her in two strides. “Don’t be silly. Of course I still love you.”

“Well, then. I see no problem. We have been keeping to a night schedule. Our lives are already set on a path that met your needs—now they meet mine as well. We have Sir Sidney who will doubtless pry blood from both of us at regular intervals and mix us more horrid potions.”

She ran her hands over Adrian’s chest. “We
love
, Adrian. What does it matter how we live? We
love
. Nothing can take that away. It makes us unique. We are not monsters, nor terrors that prey on the innocent. Yes, we have needs.”

She smiled and then looked a little surprised as two fangs emerged from her gums. “Mmmpf.” She worked her lips cautiously around them. “Thethe may thake a widdle gewwing uthed thooo…”

Adrian astounded himself by bursting out with a spurt of laughter. He caught Kat to his body, holding her in a crushing embrace and running his hands over as much of her body as he could touch at one time.

His palms came to rest on her buttocks and his desire flared. It heated up considerably more as two tiny pinpricks punctured the skin around one nipple which she’d bared as she spread his shirt apart.

“And there are advantageth…”

“Yes there are.” Adrian’s fangs emerged and he moved away a little, stripping off his own clothing, yearning to feel her nakedness against his own.

“Love me, my husband.” She leaned into him, rubbing herself against his hardened cock. “Love me the way you’ve always wanted to…”

“That didn’t take long.” He grinned down at her lovely face as she found the correct way to converse while her fangs were free.

Her gaze heated to the blue of a distant star, darkly vivid and shot through with flashes of silver. “Love me, Adrian. I hunger.”

“So do I.”

He pulled her on top of him as he fell backwards onto their bed. “Ride me, Kat. Ride me like you did before, but this time, let me come when I’m ready. Don’t keep me hanging like that again.
Please
?”

“Hmm.” She straddled him and settled herself, a wicked gleam flickering across her gaze. “Let me see if I can oblige.”

*~*~*~*

Katherine looked into her husband’s face and her heart ached for the punishment she knew he’d wreak upon himself.  She was not afraid of being a vampire, not when it meant she’d be at Adrian’s side for untold centuries, perhaps, never to be parted by a mortal death.

He was her life now, and would be—God willing—for whatever time they were granted. And damn if she wasn’t going to make sure he enjoyed every minute of it. She would not allow him the luxury of self-recrimination when there was loving to be shared, sensual experiences unimagined, and a partnership that would last for eternity.

She daringly slipped one hand to her pussy. “I must see if I’m ready to ride, Adrian. Wouldn’t do to leap into the saddle too soon.”

Her fingers slid easily through her curly hair and down to the wet folds of her pussy, strangely cool to her touch now, yet soaked with her own desire. It was unfamiliar but intriguing, this change in her body and she was very anxious to explore it.

So, it seemed, was Adrian.

His hand rose to cover hers, helping her delve within the folds of her pussy, pressing her fingers inside to feel what he felt, to tease what he teased and to arouse what he aroused.

Soon she was panting and soaked, and it was her turn to beg him. “Adrian, enough. Your cock. Please.
Now
.”

“Hmm.” He quirked a teasing eyebrow at her. “I suppose I too should make sure your saddle is ready before your ride.” And his glistening hand moved from between her legs to his cock, smearing her juices over its length and readying it for her possession.

She reached to help him, but he stopped her. “Not this time, Kat. I’m too close.” His fangs were free, shining as brightly as the passion behind his gaze.

He pushed himself upwards, holding her where she was, until she was straddling his lap and his chest was squashing her breasts in the most deliciously abrasive fashion.

“Goodness.” Kat wriggled, examining the possibilities. “This is interesting.” She shifted her legs awkwardly, but then finding the perfect position as they enfolded his hips to lie on the bed behind him. Her sex was stretched wide open, a complement to his cock which already lay hard against her pussy.

He lifted her a little, stared deep into her eyes and thrust forward, seating his length inside her to his balls.

They froze, locked in each other’s gaze, joined in an age-old link that no evil could ever undo.

“I love you, Kat.” Adrian whispered the words as his hips rubbed against her, gently touching her protruding clit.

“I love you, Adrian.” She tightened her inner muscles, rubbing him back in her turn.

Katherine’s arousal deepened as Adrian moved, spreading upwards through her body to the very top of her head. She relaxed into it, realizing as she did so that a new and erotic element was now part of their loving.

She could feel Adrian’s thoughts. As she relaxed, her mind opened, admitting his emotions. Most of which were centered where their bodies were joined.

It was heady and amazing, and Katherine’s eyes widened as she felt him tremble in her arms. “I can feel you. Your mind…” She wasn’t sure if she’d spoken the words or thought them.

“Me too.”

“Oh
Adrian
…” His name fell from her lips as they moved together, each knowing the other’s responses and adjusting their positions accordingly.

It was a duet that became a complete solo performance, two bodies, two minds, two hearts linked as one.

And as Katherine felt the moment of release tickling the base of her spine, she instinctively followed Adrian’s lead. She leaned forward, opened her mouth and for the first time Katherine Byerly Chesswell bit her husband.

And fed.

They both exploded.

Adrian’s brain flew out of his head, or so he thought, as Kat sucked on him, tentatively at first, then with greater confidence.

He dipped his mouth and found her shoulder, permitting himself the smallest pinprick, yet unable to resist as her blood flowed freely. He drank, knowing that this was a shared privilege, a loving exchange that would never ever end.

His cock pulsed and throbbed and as her taste seared his tongue and spread its sweetness down his throat, he let go, flooding her shuddering channel with his seed. He thrust, fierce movements, guaranteed to push her higher, thundering into her clit and making her moan around his flesh.

He could feel her orgasm and knew she could feel his.

It was unique—this mutual explosion that rocked them both with an eruption of physical sensations so incredible that it mattered not who was spasming or who was spewing.

It was the two of them, sharing.

Loving
.

As he eased away from her skin and licked the remaining droplets clean, Adrian released more than his seed. He released his pain at what he had done and how he had lived. He surrendered his anguish and forgave himself for that which was not of his doing.

He had not chosen to become what he was. He had simply chosen to fuck the wrong woman.

Now he had chosen to love the right one, and she loved him back. That love empowered him, lifted him from the darkness in which he’d existed, and revealed a new future before him, one that he’d not imagined could ever apply to him.

He held Kat tight as she too released her fangs, shaking a little in the aftermath of their shared passion. It was the beginning for them, when he’d truly believed he had no future left.

What lay ahead was in the hands of a greater power than his. He could now simply appreciate the gift he held in his arms.

And she was in the mood to do some appreciating of her own.

Stiffly, she moved her legs. “Good heavens, Adrian.” It was a sigh of exhaustion and they both tumbled into a sated lump of shuddering, useless muscles. “You do taste rather nice, you know.”

Adrian licked his lips tiredly. “As do you, my love.” He settled her more comfortably. “We won’t need to feed very often. Most of the time it’ll be just ordinary lovemaking.”

She chuckled. “My dear, lovemaking with you is never ordinary. If I had a jot of strength left, I’d demonstrate the truth of that statement.” She yawned. “And I am looking forward to making my point for many years to come.”

“Are you?” He couldn’t help the question.

“Adrian.” Kat dragged herself up on one elbow and leaned over him. “I want to be with you and love you for the rest of my life. If it turns out that we have an eternity together it
still
won’t be long enough. Do I make myself quite clear?”

He reached up and trailed a finger down her cheek. “My Kat. My fiery passion. How did I survive without you? And what did I do to deserve you?”

She snorted and tucked her head back down beneath his chin. “Go to sleep, silly thing. Even us vampires need our rest.”

All was quiet for a few moments, then she shifted back up onto her elbow and looked at him once more. “You know, this means I won’t have to endure all those endlessly awful vicarage tea parties. They always hold them in the afternoon. In daylight.” She giggled. “We’ll have to tell everyone that you infected me with your disease. They’ll assume the worst, of course, and never bother either of us again.”

Adrian grinned. “True.”

“This could actually work out rather well…” Kat’s voice faded as she drifted into the silent and unmoving slumber she would now enjoy.

Adrian prepared to follow her. He didn’t know if it would work out
rather well
, if it was a miracle sent from Heaven, or if it was part of the Curse of the Chyne. He didn’t know anything except that his father was alive, the woman he loved was cuddled in his embrace, and they’d vanquished the demon that had haunted him for so long.

For now, that was enough.

*~*~*~*

Tucked securely in his study, Sir Sidney Chesswell was also sleeping, but not quite as soundly.

His dreams were a little perturbed.

“Nice job, there, Sidney.” A voice echoed hollowly around him, but he could not sit up.

“Who’s there?” Sidney blinked as a glow started in the vicinity of his feet and expanded

“It’s me.”

A figure took shape, tall and robed in a simple fall of white cloth, tied at the waist with a cord. The shaved tonsure and the large cross at his breast revealed his identity.

“Good grief.” Sidney felt his eyebrows lift. “It’s
you
. Er…Saint Chesswell.”

“Actually, my name was Torquil. But you can call me Saint if you want.” The man glanced around him. “Nice place you’ve built here. And thanks for the legend. I rather liked the tales that have grown up around my name. “

He moved to sit next to Sidney, resting his backside on the chaise and sighing. “I never did fuck that bitch, you know. She tried. Oh yes, she tried very hard. All her tricks and smiles and those breasts…” St. Chesswell coughed and stopped as he caught himself outlining an imaginary female form with his hands.

He looked a little embarrassed as he glanced down again at Sidney. “Well, I wasn’t a saint back in those days. And before I took my vows I had a healthy…er…nevermind.”

He straightened. “I never touched her. I knew she was evil, she stunk of it as clear as if she’d rolled in the midden.” His hand rested on Sidney’s knee, sending a soft white heat through his leg.

“And now she’s come back. I’m glad you found my sword, Sidney. You will need it again. Or somebody from this place will.”

Sidney found his voice. “Why? Did we not destroy her?”

Sadly, St. Chesswell shook his head. “Alas, lad, ‘t’will take more than that to completely destroy such a one. You’ve damaged her, pushed her back into her hole. She’ll not risk coming here again. But she still survives.”

He fiddled with his robes. “I have something for you. Now where did I put it?”

Sidney felt the glow from this apparition warming his face. Was it real? Was he dreaming?

“Yes, you’re dreaming. But when you wake, I want you to read this book. Pay attention to the third chapter, fourteenth stanza. Can you remember that?”

Sidney nodded. “Chapter three, fourteenth stanza.”

“Good lad.” Paternally, the Saint patted Sidney on the head. “You’ve done well by your son. He’s strong. There will be others just as strong. You’ve earned your reward, Sidney.”

The vision shimmered and was replaced by the image of Josephine, smiling and beautiful and holding out her arms to him. “Sidney, I’m sorry.” Tears trembled at the corners of her eyes, misting her smile. “Forgive me. I was a fool to leave you.”

“
Josephine
…” He croaked the words as she faded back into the light, to be replaced by St. Chesswell once more.

“Let her go now, lad. She’s in a better place. But she did regret her actions. I thought you might like to know.”

“Thank you.” Sidney blinked through his own tears. “Thank you.”

“Don’t forget…Chapter Three…”

“Stanza fourteen. I remember.” Sidney stared as the glow faded and he found himself alone.

With a start he awoke, almost expecting to find St. Chesswell still sitting and chatting next to him. Instead there was an old volume there, and Sidney awkwardly heaved himself into a sitting position.

There was a message for him in the text and he couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

The pages were fragile, the lettering old-fashioned and blurred in places, and it appeared to be another grimoire, but from where or when Sidney could not immediately guess.

He simply turned to Chapter Three.

And stanza fourteen…

”
To Free The Mayde, The Mayker Muft be Un-Mayde
.”

His brow wrinkled as he considered the words, but his fuddled and exhausted brain could make no sense of them. He was too tired, and in too much pain to think clearly. The message would simply have to wait.

He sighed. It would seem that their task was unfinished. So much horror, innocent lives lost, and still the evil survived.