Chapter 9
Tynan carried me in his strong arms back to my chambers, following Hogan. The Gnome’s short legs were cranking fast in order to keep Tynan from running him over. The blur of gold and shimmering green amused me, in spite of the pain in my side and the weight of recent events.
Tynan stepped into the room and stopped, hesitating for just an instant. But in that jerky halt, I felt a wave of joy wash over him.
When we had arrived at the manor, I had Hogan decorate my chambers to almost mirror Tynan’s room at Castle Dracula.
The only differences here were two large windows that connected me to the outside world.
It was essentially the same room. I had loved the feel of the space, mostly because it reminded me of Tynan.
The only thing that had been missing was the smell of him.
And now it was here. He regained his composure and took me to the bathroom, where Bevin and Manus already waited.
Bevin tended my wounds while Hogan ran a bath for me.
Peeling the leather off, she put a thick salve made of strong-smelling herbs on the stab wound.
It stung, and I cringed. Tynan was watching from the corner of the room, his own clothes covered in blood.
I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
“It’s only through the skin. Lots of blood but she’ll be fine,” Bevin deduced as she worked.
Tynan closed his eyes. “Leave us.” The sternness of his voice stopped all movement.
“She is in no condition to—” Bevin started, but Tynan held up a hand.
“I’ll tend to her. Leave me your amulets.” He didn’t move or open his eyes.
She hesitated and looked to Manus. He placed some towels on the counter and motioned for Hogan. “She’s in very capable hands this night.” Manus looked at me and nodded before turning to leave. “Call if you need anything.”
Once it was just the two of us, Tynan gently cut away the remaining clothing and let them fall to the ground with the bloody towels.
His movements were careful and deliberate.
Neither of us spoke, but I could feel his pain for me, mingled with the smell of blood and fear.
The concern clenched my heart. I reached out with a trembling hand and wiped some blood from his cheek. “Yours?”
“No. My wounds are minor, don’t concern yourself.
” He had all my clothes off and hooked one of the golden chains that Bevin had left around my waist. The amulet in the shape of the fox—for a speedy recovery—dangled at my belly button.
It glowed from her powerful healing spell when it touched my skin.
Tynan’s strong arms lifted me and gently placed me in the tub.
With a tenderness and gentleness that seemed alien to his ultra-male exterior, Tynan washed my wounds and the dried blood from my face and hair.
I watched wordless as he caressed me and tended each scratch and bruise.
I was tired but I knew as I watched his hands move over me, if he took me in his arms then and there, I could love him all night.
I didn’t move to make that happen. I only watched his hands, his face.
Bevin had said that Witches used more brain capacity than humans, were more sensitive to all things.
I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised to find that I would love stronger and maybe even sooner than I ever had before.
The feelings were there. I could no more deny them than I could the rest of this strange world to which I now belonged.
I woke up again in the softness of cotton sheets and velvet, moonlight shining through one of the large windows in my room.
Images of the battle and Tynan rushed through my mind.
I remembered the bath and his tenderness, and smiled into the pillow.
I opened my eyes when I heard his voice, sitting up slowly to see Hogan pouring wine at the table. They both looked at me.
“This should be fine,” Tynan said to Hogan, a polite way of telling him to leave.
“I fell asleep on you?” I asked, embarrassed. The man had agreed to be my consort, to give his heart to me for eternity, and then fought for my life—and I fell asleep on him.
I got out of the bed and started toward the table.
Tynan’s mouth curled in a sultry grin, causing me to stop and look down.
Hogan had outdone himself this time. The short silk nightie was tight across my chest, pushing my breasts up so much they were bursting out.
The shimmering, emerald-green fabric gathered at my waist and then barely fell over my hips.
The panties were not much more than a ribbon. I blushed. “Hogan!”
“Keena.” Tynan’s voice was husky and he didn’t try to hide his desire. I could feel it across the room, a calling from his magic that teased my senses like a small flame scorching my mind and body.
Hogan bowed as he backed toward the door. “I will take my leave. If you require anything else…” His grin was taking up his whole face and his little green mohawk wiggled as he winked.
“Out,” I said, giving him a dirty look to back up my order.
When the door closed, I turned back to Tynan, who offered me some wine.
I needed it. I took a tentative step toward him.
He’d cleaned up and changed as I’d slept.
The crisp white tunic was loosely laced from neck to mid-chest, and the tight leather pants hugged his thighs nicely as he reclined in the large chair. His gaze moved over the nightie.
“I…I, um…fell asleep on you.” I looked into the wineglass.
He let out a little laugh as he gathered the reason for my embarrassment. “The amulet, Keena. It’s powerful magic. I knew you would sleep the day away. You needed it. You’ve done no damage to my ego.”
“Oh. Good.” Then I realized that my cut didn’t even hurt. Fondling my side through the silk, I felt the wound tingle at my touch but for the most part, it seemed fine. He was still staring at me from his chair.
I put my glass back on the table and straddled his legs, sitting on his lap.
“Then I need to take the time now to thank you properly. For defending me.” His hands stayed at his sides as I took his chiseled face in my palms and leaned in to lightly kiss him.
I felt the surge of his magic spill over me and the slow burn of mine replying to his erotic call.
I pulled back enough to see his eyes. The deep midnight blue was shimmering in the candlelight.
I slid my body closer to his, feeling the heat of his thick cock through the fabric separating us, enjoying the feel of his skin in my hands. I took his mouth with mine.
No holding back.
No more fretting or concern over a faraway future.
I made the kiss deep and demanding, searching his mouth with my tongue until I found his fangs.
I ran the tip of it over them, no longer fearing the consequences of my decision.
He tilted his head, letting me explore his mouth.
Our tongues danced together as I tried to tell him with that kiss all that I felt.
Pulling back, ready to demand his touch, I realized something was wrong. His breath was coming in erratic bursts, his cock was rock hard in his pants—but he still hadn’t moved his hands away from his sides. I ached with want for him, but he seemed to be hesitating.
His gaze shot back to my eyes, the expression so intense, so full of hunger that I felt like the most beautiful creature on earth.
I leaned in to kiss him again. This time, his hands moved up my legs and slid around my back.
His touch was heated even though his skin was cool.
He returned the passion of the kiss, hungrily sucking on my bottom lip, pulling me against his chest. His skin warmed as his passion grew.
His earthy scent filled my senses, made my pussy weep with desire.
He stood effortlessly, lifting me, wrapping me in his strength, making me feel cherished.
I held on with a grip stronger than I needed, as much to ground my reeling emotions as to dig my fingers into his thick shoulders.
We stopped next to the bed, and he pulled his lips from mine, not in hesitation but to let his gaze roam.
It allowed me a moment to do the same. My God, he was beautiful.
Tendrils of his silky hair had come loose from the band, and a few stray golden curls fell over his eyes.
I placed my feet on the floor and ran my hand up his stomach, feeling the tight, now-warm flesh under his shirt.
Wanting to see him, all of him, I unlaced the top of his shirt and pushed it wide open, exposing those luscious muscles.
His skin was the color of pearls and moonlight, and smooth to the touch.
I walked around him, taking my time, trying to slow my racing heart, trying to savor the moment.
I stopped at his back. He looked over his shoulder and started to turn toward me.
I stopped him by reaching around, tugging his shirt down his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
I ran my fingers softly down his back and around to his stomach.
Goose bumps rose on his skin under my touch.
He went stiff. “You’re still holding back, Tynan.
” I sprinkled breathy kisses up his beautiful back.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Ma Guerrière.”
“Hurt me? You’re the one who made the big sacrifice here. I’m afraid in the long run, you’ll be the one who gets hurt.”
I was still wrapped around him, my breasts against his back, my fingers exploring his chest. He covered both my hands with one of his and pushed them down his torso.
I had to take a gasping breath when I felt just what he was worried about.
I smiled and kissed his back, then let my fingers dance along the length of his cock.
His back and shoulders stiffened. “We’ll worry about that when the time comes, Tynan. I want you, all of you.”