LycanKing (7 page)

"I want you, Eve. Not only for now, but for always," he said almost savagely, as he ran a hunger-filled gaze over her exposed breasts. He lay over her, his arms on the bed to brace his weight. He lowered his head and captured her breast's throbbing peak in his mouth.

Eve threw her head back and moaned, squeezing her eyes against the pleasurable pain darting down to the place between her legs that pulsed with exquisite fire.

A loud knock on the door jarred her and she stiffened. He looked down at her, his eyes darker, more compelling than she ever saw them, his face taut with desire.

"Whoever it is will go away," he said thickly.

The knocking persisted and Eve squirmed under his weight.

"Your Highness, it's Lena. I have to find Eve. Do you know where she is? Hesta needs her. She thinks Katya is awakening."

Eve grew cold, her passion immediately doused. Drago's mouth tensed as he rose, taking her hand and helping her off the bed. He went to the door and opened it.

"Eve is with me," he told Lena. "Tell Hesta we'll be there in a few minutes."

Eve's heart started to race. She was frightened to death. What if something had gone wrong when she'd placed Katya in deep sleep? Something must have shown on her face because after Lena left, Drago went to Eve and drew her in his arms.

His kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it still managed to make her knees buckle. He cupped her face with his hands and stared deeply into her eyes. "Everything is going to be all right," he said.

In four hundred years, no one had ever told her that and she didn't know what to say. Unable to speak, she stared up into his dark eyes and nodded as she felt an unfamiliar comfort with his words.

Chapter Eight

Eve opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling in her bed chambers. Her stomach churned with the oncoming heat of hunger and she pursed her lips. It was feeding time soon.

Her thoughts went to this morning. Hesta had been wrong. Katya had not been awakening. She had been having a restless sleep. Eve had stayed with her daughter until she'd settled back into a fitful slumber and then had gone straight to her bed chambers instead of Drago's.

She recalled their passionate encounter and her stomach jolted.

Hesta may have been wrong about Katya awakening, but Eve had seen it as a blessing in disguise. If Lena hadn't interrupted them--stop, she told herself. She couldn't think of what would have happened.

She inhaled slowly and glanced around her room. What time was it? She knew from the darkness, it was well after sunset. She rose and walked to the dresser. Moments later, the room was lit with the warm glow of the candelabra. She was about to go into the adjoining bath chambers when her gaze caught the brass goblet filled with blood and a note resting on its side.

Slowly, she picked up the note and read it.
I will have Lena move your things into my chambers tonight. D.

He still wanted her to move into his chambers. The thought both thrilled and scared her as she reached for the goblet and drank the blood.

She removed her nightdress and went into the adjoining bath chambers. She washed quickly, went back into the bed chamber and picked up her clothes. Her ripped top brought an uncharacteristic rush of heat to her cheeks as she recalled the hot and passionate trail his sensual mouth had incited on her flesh. Her stomach fluttered and she released a tremulous breath.

Reality ran cold fingers down her back. Her time here was temporary. As much as she would have liked to explore her feelings for him, she wouldn't take the risk. Being with him would only end in heartache. Lycans mated with their
one
and he'd toss her aside the moment he found his.

After slipping into her pants, she rummaged through the drawers and found a black vest. Quickly she slipped it on and attached all her weapons on her straps.

She hoped Katya was up. The sooner Eve helped her daughter recover, the quicker they could leave.

She stepped out in the corridor and walked down the winding halls. Turning a corner, she stopped dead in her tracks and hid in the shadows. Her heart dropped like a stone to her stomach.

Frozen to her spot, she watched Drago and Gretchen coming out of his bed chambers. Eve held her breath as Gretchen threw herself on Drago and wrapped her arms around his neck. She heard Drago's low, deep growl rise from his chest as his arms went to the woman's waist.

Gretchen raised her face and kissed him. A fierce, hot stab of jealousy coursed through Eve's veins and she gritted her teeth. Suddenly, he growled and snapped his dark gaze to her vicinity and she inhaled sharply, jumping back further into the shadows. He saw her! Turning sharply, she ran down the opposite end of the hall before she could see anything else.

Her jealousy rose in her chest, consuming her and she choked back a rising sob. She stopped in front of Katya's chambers and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

She prayed her daughter was well enough so they could leave right away.

* * * *

Drago growled his annoyance and grabbed Gretchen by the waist. She kissed him before he could push her away. His heart thudded against his chest as a familiar scent drifted around him. Eve. Sharply, he withdrew from Gretchen's kiss and snapped his gaze towards the shadows. Eve was hiding in the corner. For a split second, he felt her anger and jealousy and then she was gone. Angrily he looked at Gretchen who still had her arms around him. She clasped his head, raised her face and kissed him again.

His mouth tensed under her lips and he tightened his hold on her waist. Slowly he pushed her away and glared down at her.

"That's enough, Gretchen."

Her eyes flashed ire and she growled under her breath. "Why now? We've been lovers for years, Drago. Why do you suddenly want to end things now?"

"We were bed mates, not lovers, Gretchen. There is a big difference. I never made you any promises. You've known from the beginning this would end at any time."

"It's
her
, isn't it? I've seen the way you look at her. Why, Drago? Why? She's a vampire, dammit!" She paused. "A wolf doesn't mate with a bat!" she spat.

Drago had had enough. "You are trying my patience, wench. I blame myself because I've given you too much freedom in the castle." He narrowed his eyes on her upturned face. "Heed this warning. You will not barge into my chambers ever again, is that clear?"

She flung herself onto his chest and threw her arms around his shoulders. "No. I know you still want me. We are Lycan. You can never desire her as you desire me." She pressed her lower body against his and ground herself against his loins. He felt nothing. No stirrings, no heat, no lust. He watched Gretchen's face harden as she realised his body did not react. Her face blazed with rage and she pushed herself out of his arms. "She's cold, undead. She drinks the blood of innocents!" she ranted with near hysteria in her voice. "I'll drive a stake through her heart before I let her have you!"

Drago's anger erupted and he growled, knowing his eyes were turning their eerie shade of amber. He was prepared to shift. For the first time she looked afraid and took a step back. "If I ever see you so much as ten feet from Eve, I will banish you from my kingdom. Am I making myself clear?"

Something on his face must have finally registered with her because her face went white. "You can't mean that. You don't actually love her! She's not human, Drago. Vampires are immoral and she'll never be able to control her thirst."

He'd thought the same thing before he got to know Eve, but he remembered what she'd done at his well with her blood and how she risked her life going out into the fields to find a wild animal to feed on. "She is more human than anyone of us will ever be," he said harshly.

Eve was brave, courageous and honourable. She was beautiful and passionate--he stilled his thoughts as something violent hit him in the gut and he swallowed hard.

He loved her.

"Leave now," he said. "And never step foot in my castle again."

Gretchen looked like she was going to persist, but thought better of it and sped down the corridor.

Drago ran a rough hand at the back of his neck. He had to see Eve. Now. He had to make her understand things were over between him and Gretchen.

He also had to tell her he loved her.

Turning abruptly on his heel, he went down the opposite direction Gretchen took. He knew Eve would be with Katya and he strode to her daughter's chambers.

He heard someone rushing down the hall behind him.

"Master! Something has happened!"

Tensing, he turned around and stared at Hesta. "What is it? Katya?"

She shook her head. "No. Katya is fine."

"Shouldn't you be with her?"

"I'm on my way there right now." She clasped her gnarled hands in front of her and gazed up at him with a perplexed look on her wrinkled, elderly face. "I beg your pardon, Master, but something has happened," she repeated.

"Well, what is it?" he asked as he continued to march down the corridor, the healer bustling to match his long stride. "I don't have time for this."

"Master, it's old man Wallace. I just came from his home. I was going to give him some more medication for the pain, but…but…"

"Speak, woman!" he roared. The only thought in his mind was seeing Eve. He didn't have time for the incessant rambling of his old healer. He tossed Hesta a quick, sideways glance and noted her shock.

"Master, it's his leg! His bone has completely healed and he walks!"

Drago stopped dead in his tracks and gave her a long look. His thoughts went to Eve the night she was at his well. "Don't be surprised if more of our human villagers are cured overnight."

She clasped her face, her expression lighting up. "So the rumours are true? Our vampire guest has cured all ailments?"

"It would appear so."

"Oh, bless her! She is an angel in disguise," Hesta declared.

"Yes. She is," he murmured as he opened the door to Katya's room.

Chapter Nine

Eve hugged her daughter tightly. "I missed you so much," she said, her voice breaking. "Thank God you're okay. I love you so much, my darling girl. I never gave up hope finding you."

Katya wiped her eyes as she drew away, sobbing gently. Her eyes glistened with tears as she ran her gaze over her Eve's face. "It's been so horrible, mama." Her voice caught and she drew in a shaky breath. "So horrible. He…he--"

"Hush, my darling," Eve said. A white hot rage welled in her breast at Balkathan. Bloodline be damned! She no longer cared of the consequences and she wanted him dead. "Let's not talk about that now. When you're ready."

Katya nodded, wiping her cheek with a shaky hand. "The king has been very kind to me. And Hesta, too. I remember everything now, the past two years in Balkathan's lair and the past month here in this castle. Mama, I've been so mean to Hesta and the king, but I…I couldn't stop myself…" She broke off and sobbed into her hands.

"Katya, it wasn't your fault," Eve said soothingly, taking her daughter's hand away from her face. "You haven't been well for a long time." Gently, she wiped her daughter's tears.

"How did you find me?" Katya asked.

"It wasn't easy. I went from village to village, until I came upon a tavern where there was talk Balkathan had attacked Drago's castle. The rumour was a woman was held captive in Balkathan's lair for two years who had recently escaped and was staying at this castle. Balkathan wanted her dead because she knew where he hid with his lair. So I travelled here and asked questions until I heard a man mention your name."

Katya's face fell. "Mama, what will become of us? What will we do? Our home, our village has been destroyed. Where will we live?"

She sensed Drago enter the room and stiffened. The scene with Gretchen was still fresh in her mind and she ignored him as she drew Katya in her arms. "I will take care of you, my child. I will find a way to keep you safe," she said huskily. "I love you."

Drago cleared his throat abruptly. "Katya, you and your mother have a home here."

Katya looked over Eve's shoulder, surprise lighting her face. "That's very kind of you, Your Highness. Mama, did you hear what the king said?"

Slowly Eve rose, turning around to face him. Hesta stood silently next to him. "Thank you for the offer, but as I told you, when my daughter is well enough, we will leave."

His face darkened. She could tell he was angry.

"And go where? You have no belongings, no coin and no home. Balkathan won't stop until he finds Katya."

Her daughter let out a frightened gasp and Eve shot him an angry glare. "Do you mean to frighten my child?"

"I mean to state facts. Your daughter will be safe here, as will you."

He was right. Katya would be safer in his castle with his Lycan guards protecting her. "Katya will accept your offer to stay, but I will not."

"Mama, no! You cannot leave me."

Eve was torn. She couldn't leave her daughter, but could not live with Drago either. Watching him for all eternity with his
one
would kill her.

Her breath caught. Something she refused to believe revealed itself and left her shaken.

She was falling in love with him.

Fighting to keep her emotions in check, she turned to her daughter. "You must rest now, Katya. We will talk about this later." She glanced over her shoulder to Hesta. "Is it possible to see about having a bath prepared?"

Hesta smiled. "Right away, milady."

"Thank you."

"I will leave you two alone then," Drago said. He gave Eve a dark look. "You and I will talk later."

Without responding, she turned back to Katya and waited stiffly until he left the room.

Katya gave her mother a questioning look. "Mama, why do you dislike the king? He has offered us a home."

"I don't dislike him," she said.

"I saw how you two looked at each other. I…I think he cares for you. Why don't you want to stay here?"

"It's complicated, honey."

"I hope it's not because of me. Mama, I want you to be happy."

"No, honey, it's not that." She could see Katya wasn't going to give this up so easily. Eve released a weary sigh. "The king has yet to meet his
one
. If I were to be with him, do you think he would stay with me after he met his destined mate?"