Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy (32 page)

“What are you thinking?” I ran my fingers slowly through his hair, combing it back gently.

“I was just thinking of another time: A time when we loved each other so freely, when I didn’t have to worry about harming you.”

“You won’t hurt me,” I said without hesitation. “You’d never hurt me.” I pulled his face up to mine, my eyes locking with his, “I trust you.” He could hear the resolve in my voice. “I trust you.”

Marcus sighed heavily, and although his eyes were full of worry, he put his arm under my waist and pulled my body to his.

I hadn’t expected the overwhelming emotions that filled me. Our bodies moved seamlessly together. It was as if we’d never been apart—we knew each other that well.

By the look on Marcus's face, he was thinking the very same—he grinned, taking my lips once again and claiming a kiss reserved only for him.

I was lost in the time that passed, the soft whispers of love he proclaimed to me, and the countless visions of Marcus and I making love flooded my mind and heated the passion I felt for him. My heart was complete in a way I hadn’t dreamed possible. I felt love beyond imagination, and peace engulfed me. Marcus was my soul mate: my love for all time.

His hands gripped my shoulders tightly. I was torn between the pain in my arms and the overwhelming pleasure that moved through me. He pressed his mouth hard against my neck, making an almost inaudible hiss.

My eyes opened wide. The pain was unbearable. “Marcus . . . you’re hurting me.” I tried to push him off—he didn’t budge.

“Phoebe.” His voice was gruff, not his own.

I was afraid to move. Understanding claimed me. He wanted my blood. “Marcus, please!”

With what looked to be great effort, he lifted his head up. His eyes were deep red—a shade that put the ruby he’d given me, to shame.

“Please don’t do this.” My voice was barely a whisper.

“Phoebe I . . .” his eyes dropped, to the death grip he had on my arms. He released me immediately. I could feel the blood rushing back through my veins.

I breathed heavily, a tear leaking out the corner of my eye. “I’m fine!” My voice cracked. I was saying it for his benefit as much as my own.

I could see the devastation on his face. He turned his head away from me. “I’m sorry.”

I subtly began rubbing the life back into my arms. I knew he hadn’t meant to hurt me. Marcus and I physically were a dangerous combination—I understood that now. It took every ounce of his strength not to bite me. In the height of his pleasure, he denied himself the one thing he wanted . . . blood.

Our hearts desired each other’s love, while our instincts tore us apart. I couldn’t let him torture himself. He did after all maintain control. I could be dead now.

“Not all of it was painful,” I said playfully as I tickled my fingers down his chest and stomach, earning me a small smile.

His eyes were still smoldering. I knew he still wanted my blood, but the guilt he felt outweighed the desire that was slowly subsiding.

“Are you . . . all right . . . otherwise?” he asked nervously, his eyes still drifting to my arms. I hugged myself, trying to conceal the subtle shivering that ran through me.

“I’m wonderful! I had no idea how passionate vampires were. Had I only known . . .” I teased, than quickly hid my face in his chest; I knew the disapproving look that would be coming my way.

He put his arms around me. Despite the fear I’d felt moments ago, I felt safe with him. I wanted him to hold me forever.

“Are
you
alright? I mean, are you happy?” I snuck a peek at him. He looked at me like I’d just asked the most insane question imaginable.

“Well I don’t know,” I said defensively. “Maybe it’s different for vampires. Maybe I’m not—”

He put his hand over my mouth silencing me. “You’re perfect.”

“Are you sure?” I wrinkled my nose a little.

“You’re all I’ve ever needed,” he half laughed as he tussled my hair playfully. 

I smiled to myself, basking in the after-glow. I had Marcus in every way now. He loved me, and more importantly he’d forgiven me. Life couldn’t be more perfect. I lay there on his chest savoring the moment . . .

“Phoebe, I don’t wish to spoil the mood, but I must ask . . . ”

I looked up into his glorious face. “Anything,” I smiled brightly.

“Well, it’s just that in our haste, we . . .” his eyes were downcast. “Of course things are different now. I’ve never been with any other woman, and we never . . .

“You haven’t made love to anyone in over seven hundred years?” I nearly shot out of the bed.

“That’s not the point of this conversation,” Marcus stated. He truly was embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, putting my hand over my mouth. I forced a look of concentration back on my face—trying to suppress a smile that would soon break free. “No one! Not once?” I blurted out in disbelief.

“NO!” he shouted. “I died with you.”

“Yeah, but I thought vampires flew into unsuspecting women’s rooms, made love to them, and then—”

“I’ve never taken a woman against her will!” He looked appalled at the suggestion.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to insult you, I was just teasing . . . sort of,” I admitted honestly. The truth was, all those old monster movies I’d watched growing up now suddenly seemed to be documentaries. I truly did expect to see Frankenstein before summer’s end.

His eyes caught mine—there was no play in them. “There has never been another for me.”

“Or for me,” I offered with a grin. My lips took his by surprise. I twined my fingers through the back of his hair. I could feel my heart beating faster and faster against his chest. He groaned, almost sounding frustrated.

“This is reckless,” he moved his hand up my thigh and hooked my leg around him, pulling my body back to his.

“Everything about today has been reckless.”

“Phoebe I . . .”

“Shhh!” I stopped his mouth with a kiss.

I was in absolute heaven. He was much more aware this time, being extra careful not to hold me too tightly. Not to let his lips linger too long against my throat. I held him as long as I could, never wanting him to let go.

The sun that had once lit my room, now cast a soft orange glow across the balcony; it was late afternoon.

We lay in each other’s arms, completely at peace. That is until my stomach growled.

“Sorry,” I blushed. “I haven’t had anything to eat today. I think I’ll head down to the kitchen and see if Charlotte has anything.”

He caught my hand as I moved to get up. A strange look of embarrassment once again overtook him.

“Marcus, what is it? Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?”

He took my hands and held them together, placing them on his chest. “No, my love, you haven’t done anything wrong, and I am very well.” He smiled peacefully.

“What is it then?” I stared at him, confused as ever.

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I know you haven’t been with another man, but have you by any chance considered . . .?” He looked up at the ceiling.

“Marcus, is it that bad that you can’t just come out and say it?” I was beyond frustrated and starting to feel self-conscious.

“It’s completely improper for me to ask. We never worried about it in our time.”

“Worried about what?”

“When people made love, they accepted the life that might come from it.” His eyes met mine; they were full of hope.

I stared at him incredulously. “What are you—” I stopped. I could feel all color draining from my face. My mouth popped open. I jumped out of the bed, taking the top blanket with me.

“You have to be kidding me! You said you had to be half human!” I nearly shouted.

“I said
you
had to be half human . . . and
you
are.”

“No, no . . .” I tried to do the math. One hundred percent human Phoebe- bit by werewolf equals . . . I’m not a werewolf . . . at least not completely . . . I don’t know what it equals actually—a quarter? I let out a frustrated groan.

He watched me pace back and forth as I went over the obvious once again.

“I’m guessing by your reaction, you haven’t planned for this?”

“No! Why would I? I thought the werewolf bite would have thrown off my ratio.”

He nodded. “It will be alright. We’ll just have to be careful if that’s something we wish to avoid at this time—if we can avoid it now?” he added under his breath. The look on his face wasn’t promising.

“I can’t believe this. Why didn’t you say something before?” I stared at him in disbelief. I felt a small flame light within me—I envisioned myself physically injuring him in several appropriate ways. All of which would have failed. The odds of me successfully harming Marcus were zero at best. Still . . . the thought was appealing.

He closed his eyes, avoiding my death like stare. “I’m not certain, but the likelihood you’re more human than werewolf appears to be high. The probability you could conceive . . . ” he didn’t finish. He didn’t have to.

I growled mentally as I walked over to the window and looked out at the orange sky. I couldn’t deny that I’d been a more than willing participant—twice! I’d taken health classes. I was a big girl! The blame was just as much mine as it was his. Like he said, this wasn’t anything we would have worried about in the past. Why would he worry about it now?

“Phoebe, I’m sorry.” Marcus stood behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. “If it makes you feel any better, Phoebe and I were together nine years before she apparently conceived.”

I sighed. Nine years . . . that did make me feel better. My life was so unsettled, and the thought of having a child now . . . was too much.

“Marcus, I want to learn how to sword fight again.”

He froze, his arms stiffening around me. “Absolutely not.”

“What? Why?” I demanded, spinning around to look at him. “You can’t expect me to live here and not be able to protect myself!”

“I won’t have you running around slaying werewolves. It’s too dangerous.”

“I won’t! But wouldn’t you rather I could defend myself if I had to? Or would you prefer I’m ripped to shreds like before?”

He grimaced.

“Besides, Richard and Raymose have already offered to teach me. With the both of them, I should be pretty good, maybe even useful.”

Marcus looked beyond murderous. “They went behind my back!” he spat, enunciating each word with as much venom as the next.

“No! I sort of . . . cornered Richard,” I admitted quietly. “Raymose offered to train me after he witnessed my skills today . . . or lack of.” I frowned at the insult.

“No,” Marcus said as if the conversation was officially over.

“Marcus. This isn’t your decision. I’d like you to support me, but I don’t need your permission.” I spoke defiantly.

“Yes you do.” His words were absolute. “This is a different world Phoebe, a world you’re not used to.” He reached out and took my bandaged hand and held it up for affect. “This is sword’s play compared to what can happen during battle.”

“I’m not going to battle. I just want to be able to defend myself!”

“
I’ll
protect you,” he said fiercely.