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A Forever Love Ch. 01

By: Daniellekitten



I'm still working on all the others that need finishing but this got into my head the other night and wouldn't let me sleep until I worked on it. I kind of like the beginning chapter so we'll have to see what happens next. I have another chapter almost done of An Unusual Prince Charming and I will be working on that next. Enjoy!

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A soft breeze blew gently against fiery silken tresses. The stirring of her long locks tickled her side and she moved, brushing at the disturbance without opening her eyes. She'd been lying out there for a while, enjoying the heat of the sun against her long limbs and the wonder of being stationary without having anyone harping at her.

The silence was almost a friend. Long lost and often sought, it shuddered through the clearing making her realize that the passing of time was as swift as the water rushing across the smooth pebbles in the brook. Rising seemed almost impossible, her limbs lethargic and heavy but she managed, leaning down to pick up her shawl. She used the well worn piece of fabric to cover her head, hiding her pink cheeks and bright eyes.

"There you are!"

Kinlye glanced up, little moved by the harsh voice. She barely acknowledged the man until he grabbed her arm.

"Momma's been calling for you for over an hour." His voice was an angry growl, his hand rough against her skin, digging into her flesh with little care of how he hurt her. "Where have you been?"

"What business is it of yours?" Kinlye snapped, regretting her hasty words when his grip tightened even more.

"It is my business, especially if you were causing trouble again. Don't think Momma doesn't know of the way you flit back and forth between the grocer and the baker. I've seen the eyes you make at them, shameless and disgusting it is."

"I've never..." she began, only to be interrupted.

"Don't you even think of trying your lies out on me," he hissed. "I know what lies inside of you, what sins you will commit. I know of your plans."

Kinlye shrugged, pulling against his grip. When he got this wound up, it was almost impossible to calm him down. "Let me go." She stood her ground, not allowing herself to be dragged further.

"Slut. Harlot," he cursed softly, his eyes on the people passing around them now. "If you do not move on your own volition then I shall have to let the good people of town know of your wickedness. Then they can help me move you."

"Why Daniel?" she cried suddenly, knowing he wasn't bluffing. "Why do you treat me with such disgust and hatred? 

I'm your only sister."

"Look to yourself for the answer, Kinlye," Daniel growled, shaking her. "You look the part of town slattern; you open your thighs for any man who has the price. But not your brother, no, I'm not even allowed to look."

"I've ... I've never," she said, grabbing his arms to slow the shaking he was giving her. "I've never so much as kissed a man," she moaned.

"Lies," Daniel cried again. "I've heard the men speak of you, I've heard them tote on about their explicit affairs with you and how much you like it. Only a slut would allow herself to be passed around in such a way.

"They lie!" Kinlye dug her feet in and refused to move an inch. "I've never lain with a man, Daniel. I wouldn't lie to you about that." She stared up and into her brother's expressive face, seeing the doubt there. "What will it take for you to believe me?"

Daniel smiled, his lips twitching as she said the exact words he'd been waiting to hear. He paused for just a moment before he lifted her bodily out of the way of the foot traffic around them and into a doorway that was quiet and semiprivate. "You can gift me with your veil of innocence," he said softly and in her ear. "Let me be the first and then I will know you're not the slut others have been calling you."

"B-but ... but you are my b-brother. It is a sin." Kinlye shook her head emphatically, her hands clasping each other and wringing under the cover of her shawl. "We would be damned."

"Who'll know beside the two of us? I don't plan to tell." Daniel twisted so that she was trapped between him and the door, his fingers pulling at her shawl. "Come on, Kinlye; prove your innocence to me. Make me believe."

"No, Daniel. Stop it!" Kinlye tried to make herself a piece of the wooden paneling behind her, slapping at Daniel's hands when he wouldn't leave her be. "What would Momma say?"

Daniel dug his hand in the heavy hair at the nape of her neck, holding her face still so that he could find her lips. "She would say that it was about time," he rasped. Then his mouth came down hard upon the softness of hers and 

she squealed in fright and pain even as she fought to turn her head away.

His lips were hard and wet. They seemed to encompass the lower half of her face, leaving it wet with his drool. His hand was torturous, grabbing a fist full of her hair and holding her still, yanking even more when his tongue pushed against her lips, trying to find a way inside.

Kinlye whimpered at the pain, her hands in fists pushing against his chest. But he seemed like a boulder, unmovable, impenetrable, and unwilling to hear her cries. His other hand ran down her body, pinching and probing at her flesh. He thrust that hand down the back of her skirt, his fingers moving over the softness of her buttocks even as she screamed again.

"Excuse me."

The voice was quiet, melodic but filled with an unassuming strength. The interruption caused Daniel to lift his head and Kinlye wiped at her face with one corner of her shawl, not hiding her disgust from either man standing near her now.

"What do you want?" Daniel asked harshly and with little gentlemanly décor.

"I couldn't help but note that your lady does not seem to be a willing party here." He nodded his head at Kinlye.

"I'm not," she said quickly, before Daniel could put lies in her mouth. Kinlye reached out to touch her savior and felt him take her hand to pull her away from her brother. She shivered as the coldness of his touch startled her and her eyes flew to his face.

And she was lost. He had the face of an angel, his hair dark and long, touching the wide shoulders of his coat. Sharp cheekbones slashed below devilish eyes that seemed almost to dance in laughter at her reaction to his skin. They were deep blue, unreal looking in that face that would confound any woman. His lips were pink, held in a smile that she wondered was supposed to placate or because he couldn't help his amusement at her reaction.

"Will you come with me?" he asked softly, for her ears only.

"Yes," she sighed, unable to say anything but. His hand pulled hers under his arm and he helped her down the two steps that her brother had forced her up, gliding almost carelessly back into the foot traffic that clogged the streets as people hurried home.

"Where are we going?" he asked, his eyes on her face.

"I-I don't know," she admitted, her eyes seeking the comfort of his face.

"Don't you think we should take you home and inform your father of that man's attack upon your person?"

Kinlye shook her head frantically, pushing a tress of her red hair out of her face. "He ... He ... he is my brother," she was finally able to say, feeling his cold fingers hook the unruly lock of hair behind her ear. "My father is dead."

"What of your mother, then?"

"Stepmother, his mother." She sighed, seeing the comprehension on his face.

"And she'll believe anything he tells her." He didn't need to see her shake her head yes, he already knew the truth. 

"No other family?"

"N-no." She moaned when she felt Daniel's hand grabbing at her arm but her savior was already in motion. He easily pulled her out of the way and then his fist flew, landing with audible force and turning Daniel's nose into a flattened tomato, blood gushing.

"Sir, that was your only warning," the man said, watching as Daniel stumbled for a moment before he fell to the ground. "She said no and she meant no."

Kinlye felt laughter bubbling, slightly hysterical at the sight. She turned away from Daniel's eyes, wanting to be away from the crowd of people that were now gathered around the three of them. She didn't slow until she felt the icy touch of her rescuer's fingertips on her hand.

"I hope that didn't disgust you," he said in that silky smooth voice.

"N-no. I must thank you again. I've never seen him act this way." She felt his hand take hers and shivered slightly.

"Well, I can say I understand his motivation." He chuckled, a husky sound that trickled over Kinlye's spine making her want to hear it again.

"Motivation?" she asked, perplexed.

"You are quite lovely."

Kinlye felt the heat of her blushes against her cheeks and dropped her eyes, staring at the shiny leather of his boots.

"Oh no, now I've embarrassed you." His finger touched the tip of her chin, lifting it until he could see in her eyes. "I'm sorry I was so candid, Miss ... ahh..."

"Kinlye Smalley," she supplied.

"Miss Smalley," he finished, his finger slipping over her bottom lip. "Kinlye is such a beautiful name."

"I was named after a friend of the family," she said. "But you have me at a disadvantage. You are my savior and I have no idea what to call you."

He lifted her hand, tugging a bit to get her moving. "I am Christian Davalos. You are the first person I have met since I transplanted my life here."

"Truly? Well, I hope that I am not a disappointment, Mr. Davalos." She dropped her eyes and looked at the buttons that closed his shirt. "I owe you, a lot. You saved me today."

"Please, call me Christian." He took a step closer and let his fingers rest against her chin to lift her face. "You're very beautiful, Kinlye."

Her breath came out in a rush and he closed his eyes, his body going stiff.

"I'm sorry." The words were spoken softly and she reached up to touch his cheek. "Did I do..."

"No." His sigh was heartfelt and he took her hand in his. "I want to take you to my home. I'll give you a place to stay until we can figure something else out."

"Y-your home? "J-just the two of us?"

"Oh, no. My brother and his mate live with me and we have a houseful of servants, Kinlye. You'll be well chaperoned, I promise."

"All right." The words were spoken almost too softly to be heard. "I thank you, Christian. I owe you more than I can possibly ever repay."

"It is my honor, my lady." He lifted her hand to his lips, lingering against her palm. "My home is only a few blocks away. I can hail a cab..." He cocked his head to side.

"No, oh no, Christian. I can walk. It's no problem." She smiled up at him when he tucked her hand on his arm and then matched his long stride to her smaller one. "You are a kind man, Christian, a good man."

He laughed, his blue eyes dancing as he gazed down at her. "It's easy to be kind to a woman like you, Kinlye. I will admit that I find you fascinating."

"I'm not." Her face became rosy and she couldn't meet his eyes. 

Christian chuckled, enjoying her reaction to his words. She was fascinating. This city became much more interesting than it had been before he'd gone on his walk today. She was not only lovely, her fiery hair blowing around a face that was angelic. Her eyes, those gorgeous green orbs that seemed so shy and ladylike, glinted with an independent spirit that called to him.

But it was her scent that had pulled him in until he knew it would be torture to let her go. Her scent was luscious, sweet with a hint of spiciness that left him knowing she'd be a hellion in the sheets. It wasn't the reason he'd offered her a safe haven in his home, but it had helped him to decide.

He stopped walking in front of a wide staircase that led to two thick oak doors. Two huge white lions, trapped forever in an aggressive stance, guarded the doors.

"This is yours?"

"Yes," he smiled at the sound of shock in her voice. Then he led her up the stairs, watching as the doors opened before he even got close to them. "Leonard."

The man behind the door, an older man dressed nattily in an immaculate jacket and white shirt, a cravat wrapped around his neck, causing his collar to stand stiffly next to his chin. "Master Christian." Leonard's voice was deep and as grizzled as his face. "Your brother and Master Nikolai are in the green salon."

Christian nodded and then drew Kinlye forward. "This is Miss Kinlye, Leonard. She will be staying with us for a while."

"Shall I prepare the Rose suite, sir?"

"That would be perfect. Bring Kinlye a tray in the green salon as well, Leonard."

Kinlye nodded at Leonard before turning her gaze on Christian. "I could work for my keep, Christian. I don't need a suite, just a room with a bed and to know what you need doing."

He drew her hand up to his lips again, breathing in her scent. It was delicious and he forced himself to let her go. "That is definitely not necessary, Kinlye. I shall enjoy having you as a guest to the house for however long you wish to stay."

"But..."

"No, Kinlye. I'm not even going to discuss this with you. You shall be staying in the Rose suite and as soon as possible, I will have Mrs. Toombs have you fitted and have a wardrobe prepared for you."

"Christian, I can't let you do that."

"You aren't letting me do anything, Kinlye. You will need clothing and I can very well afford to purchase one for you. You will be expected to be my hostess while you are here and I would think it would be embarrassing to be seen in the same...outfit day after day. Please, Kinlye, don't argue with me about this. Let me enjoy this."

"You'll enjoy spending money on me?"

"Oh yes, definitely." He cocked his brow at her, waiting to see if she would argue more. When she took a big breath and opened her mouth, he drew his finger down her nose before touching the tip to her lips. They were soft and sensuous and he ran his finger across her lower lip. "I want to do this, Kinlye."

His finger tickled her lip and she drew her head back slowly, her tongue coming out to dampen her lips. "How can I say no?"

"You can't."

"But...I will pay you back, somehow."

"We shall see, Kinlye." He tugged on her hand, laying it once more on his arm. "I want to introduce you to my brother."

"I'd like that." She walked next to him as he led the way to an archway. She could see the pale green walls, the patterned silk that covered those walls. Beautiful water-colored paintings were on those walls and a cheery fire was burning in the white painted fireplace. "This is beautiful."

Christian smiled at the awe in her voice. "It's a room, Kinlye."

She didn't have a chance to say anymore as a man with black hair and blue eyes, eyes that looked remarkably like Christian's stood, holding his hand out to another man, who took it and rose as well.

"My brother, Kinlye, this is Raphael and his mate, Nikolai. Rafe, this lovely lady is Kinlye Smalley. She rescued me this morn from the advances of a very aggressive sales lady."

Kinlye had worried about how Christian would explain their meeting and she couldn't help but smile as he made her out to be a hero. "It was nothing," she said softly as Rafe moved around the cream and sea green striped sofa to come and lift her hand from Christian's arm. He kissed it gently.

"Thank you, Kinlye. You must be awfully brave." 

"I try." She glanced over at Nikolai, who'd also moved and stood next to Raphael. "Mate?" The term confused her.

"Nikolai is my companion, Kinlye. Say hello, Nikky." Nikky smiled, his teeth glinting behind red lips. His eyes were a soulful brown, soft and very young looking. They blended well with the soft golden curls that encircled his head. He held his hand out to her and she slipped hers into it.

The cold shocked her, especially since the room was so warm with the fire. Nikky lifted her hand to his lips and she shivered.

"What's wrong, Kinlye?"

She glanced up at Christian. "Nothing." But she untangled her hand; clasping it in her other hand as Christian guided her around the sofa the two men were sitting upon. There was another that matched it and he sank down, pulling her down with him.

"Kinlye is going to be staying with us for a while, Rafe."

"Marvelous." Rafe's smile was wide and genuine and Kinlye couldn't help but like him. "We do have plans for this evening, though, Christian."

Christian smiled. "That's great, Rafe. Kinlye's had a rough day. I bet she'd be glad for an early evening."

Leonard suddenly appeared in the doorway. The man was so quiet, he startled Kinlye. He sat the heavy tray of food he carried in front of her, nodding at the men, then left as quietly as he'd arrived. The tray had delicacies that could tempt even the most finicky of eater and Christian reached out, lifting a pitcher of milk and pouring Kinlye a glass.

"Eat your fill, Kinlye," he urged.

"But what about you?"

Christian smiled as he glanced at the other men. "I gorged myself earlier, when I was in town. Don't worry about me." He held out the glass of milk until she took it from him and took a small sip. It was thick, and rich, still warm from the cow. He loaded up a plate for her and she nibbled a bit of everything he'd put on it until she was full. It was the most she'd had to eat in a while and she barely stifled a yawn as she finished her glass of milk.

Christian smiled at her milky white mustache, taking her napkin and dabbing it from her lip. "I think Kinlye has had it for today."

"Oh yes. Goodnight Rafe, Nikky. It was wonderful to meet you. Thank you for opening your home to me." She rose, her hand upon her stomach, then reached out to take the hand that Christian held out to her.

"You'll see plenty of them, Kinlye." He tucked her hand onto his arm and led her out of the salon and toward the wide stairs that curved round toward the second story. "You'll probably grow sick of them."

"No, Christian. You all have been so kind to me. I could never grow sick of them. I do wish you'd reconsider and let me work to earn my keep."

"Kinlye, I do a lot of entertaining, and as you can guess, Nikky and Rafe's relationship can be a little difficult to explain to some people. Having a beautiful and intelligent woman as hostess will take a lot of the pressure off of Rafe. They can go about their own business with you here. It is the perfect solution." Christian brought her hand to his lips, his cold lips. They sent a strange thrill through her and she found herself breathless.

"If...if you're sure, Christian. As long as you think I will be helpful. But if the day comes that I am no longer a help and become a hindrance...you will tell me."

"I promise." His smile was wide and he passed a couple of doors before coming to one that was open. "This is the Rose suite." He drew her through the doorway and then stopped to watch the look in her eyes.

They were wide and she couldn't seem to take it all in. The walls were soft rose silk from chair railing up. From the chair railing down was white paneling. The furniture was light weight oak, pale and lovely against the deeper rose carpets. On one table was a huge bouquet of roses in different colors from white to a pale lilac that was unlike any she'd seen before. "You're not seriously....you can't mean for me to have a room like this. It's too grand, Christian."

"I think it's a perfect fit, Kinlye. I think it's exactly right for you. And yes, I seriously mean this for you. I don't think you've been given enough in your short life, Kinlye. I think you deserve surprises and luxury, and I plan to make sure that you get them."

"But..." Her eyes were huge as they looked up at him and she took a step closer to him, her other hand coming up to rest against his chest. "I'm no lady, Christian. You saw my brother; you know what he wanted to do to me."

"What are you really afraid of, Kinlye?" His hands went to her upper arms and he drew her even closer. "Are you afraid that I will try to take advantage of you? Do you think I'm like your brother and that I have no conscience? Are you afraid that I'll try to seduce you?" He drew her up so that she was against his chest and her hands were flattened against him. Then he bent his head and his cold lips were on hers.


A Forever Love Ch. 01



Shock lasted only as long as the first tender thrust of his tongue. It was wicked and sweet, pushing against her mouth until she opened. Her heart thudded in her chest, sounding so loud that she swore he would be able to hear it. When he lifted his head, she wanted nothing more than to reach up and drag him back down, to feel more of the fascinating and heavenly touch of his mouth.

"When I touch you, when I take you, Kinlye, I won't need to seduce you. You'll be more than willing to come to my bed or to have me in yours." He dropped his hands and backed away from her. "Sleep well." He clicked his heels together and bowed before turning and going to a door she hadn't noticed before. Opening it, she had a glance of a very masculine room, a room that was as much male as this one was female. He closed the door slowly and she moved to sink down on the bed, her knees losing the ability to hold her up.

Her hand touched her mouth and she gave a little sigh. She couldn't help but wonder how long she would be able to hold out against him, especially when she would see him every day. Would he kiss her again? Was she being immoral and immodest by hoping that he would? There was a soft tapping on her door and she rose, unsure of her voice at the moment.

An older woman stood there, her graying blonde hair pulled up into a tight bun at the top of her head. She was dressed all in black and she took one look at Kinlye before a smile touched her lips, changing her face into one that was almost motherly. "So you're the poor waif that the master rescued tonight."

"I guess so," Kinlye said, still at a loss.

"I am Mrs. Toombs. The master said he brought you here with nothing and I thought you would like a nightgown. I hope this will do."

"That is so kind of you," Kinlye took the gown. "Everything is so beautiful here."

"The master had it all refurbished when he bought the manor house. He's spent a pretty penny on it all." Mrs. Toombs moved up behind her, snagging the old pink shawl and tugging it from her shoulders. Her eyes widened as she saw the state of Kinlye's attire, the grass stains and dirt that creased her skirt and the torn shoulder that had come from her brother. "Well, this shall never do." She quickly unbuttoned the blouse and then untied the skirt, lifting the outfit from the floor. "We'll get this cleaned and I'll fix this rip. We'll have it good as new, Miss Kinlye, never you fear."

Kinlye smiled thought it was strained and she felt better when she'd gotten the borrowed nightgown over her head and buttoned the placket at the throat. "Thank you, Mrs. Toombs."

The older lady nodded. "Think nothing of it, my dear. Now you get yourself into bed and sleep as late as you wish in the morning. When you wake, just tug on that bell cord and someone will be right here, all right?"

Kinlye nodded and climbed into the huge bed, feeling it give around her slight weight. Mrs. Toombs pulled the covers over the shivering girl and then turned to the fireplace, quickly setting it alight. "Goodnight, Miss."

Kinlye's eyes were quickly too heavy to stay opened and she closed them, curling onto her side. A small click startled her and she glanced at the doors, seeing a light under the one that Christian had gone through. Had he been in her room?

She thought about it then decided to worry about it tomorrow. She sighed softly and was asleep.

A figure moved from within the shadows, a figure whose eyes glowed in the light of the fire. Christian moved with uncommon stealth and silence from where he'd hidden, a shadow amongst shadows. He stared down at the beautiful face that laid upon the pillow, her bright hair streaming across the sheets.

Kissing her had been a mistake but one that he couldn't find the will to regret. Her scent called to him, her passion fuelling his own. He'd never felt like this for another, not in the four hundred years since his birth. It was why he'd stayed single all these centuries. He'd been jealous of Raphael when he'd found Nikky, but that wasn't the kind of relationship he'd wanted. Now he knew, he'd been working his way here, coming to her. He wasn't about to make it easy for her to leave. She would be his, with or without the blessing of a priest.

He bent, snaring one long, thick tress of hair. He brought it to his lips, his nostrils flaring as he caught her scent. His eyes closed and he fought the demon inside of him that wanted him to take her now, to take her before she could possibly be ready for the change and all that would mean. "I won't let you go, Kinlye," he said very quietly. "I can't, not and stay sane. You're mine now, I just have to wait until you realize it too."

A small moan came from between her parted lips and he smiled as he heard his name. Perhaps it wouldn't take as long as he thought it might. Carefully and quietly, he climbed up on the other side of the bed, pulling the covers over his body. His smile grew wider as she curled on to her other side, her head going to his shoulder, her hand sliding across his chest to wrap against his neck. Maybe not long at all, he thought.



A Forever Love Ch. 02



Across town a lantern was lit, light shining from the small flame. A man sank down into a hard chair, dropping his dark head into unsteady hands. The dream again, the same damned dream that had been haunting him for months. But tonight it had been a bit different. It was more direct, more intense. It seemed to be a warning and he wasn't sure what he was to do about it.

The girl was lovely, long silken hair was piled high on her head. Her skin was soft and smooth, tempting him to touch. She was petite; especially when he stood next to her and his big hands could span the tiny expanse of her waist. She weighed barely enough to notice when he lifted her over the mud that clogged the city's streets. Her voice was soft and decidedly sweet when she spoke her thanks.

His head spun from her scent and his body demanded that he keep her with him, protecting her from the wastrels and lowlifes that haunted the great city of London. He'd been about to ask for her name when disaster hit and she was torn from his arms, carried away by a man who drove a coach and four. He could hear her screaming inside, crying out his name in her terror.

Now he shook his head in consternation. The name she'd called out was his, but it was one that he hadn't used for at least five lifetimes. How could she know his true name? Was she part of them, the ones that wanted his death? He'd been hunted forever and he'd grown used to hiding, to ignoring his own longings for the comfort of a pack and the company of one of his own. He knew he couldn't let down his guard, not for her, not for anyone.

His hands were still shaking as he reached for the bottle that sat in front of him. Pulling the cork, he could instantly smell the almost acrid scent of the whiskey he'd bought that night. Some nights it was the only thing that stopped his mind from spinning through that night so long ago, the night that had made him an enemy to those that his kind served.

It had started out simply, a few words, a kind gesture, things that would have been taken for granted if he'd been anyone but who he was, if she hadn't been the daughter to a lord. But she was, and to his consternation, she wasn't easily forgotten. 

He lifted the bottle, feeling the burn of the alcohol as it slid down his throat, the ease it gave as it warmed him from the inside out. It was a warmth he only felt now with the alcohol. It was his drug of choice, one that would let him forget for a while. Enough of the whiskey and he didn't hear her screams or see the contortions of her body as it resisted the change. He couldn't smell her blood or feel the horror of every second that she suffered. He could forget the way it had felt to lift the sword and let it bite through her flesh, or feel the pain as relief from the pain changed the color of her eyes and eased the lines of her beautiful face..

It was his fault, his own bloody repugnant fault and he deserved every ounce of the pain that the memory gave even after so many decades had passed. He hadn't been able to resist the urge to claim her, to mate with her and change her into one of his kind. But the blood passed from him to her had poisoned her; the change had her writhing on the floor, screaming in horror, in agony. She'd begged for death, pleaded with him to end the torture and he'd finally found the strength to lift the sword, and to thrust it into the body of the woman he'd loved more than life itself.

He'd longed for death for himself, but when they'd come for him, when they'd finally found him, he'd been unable to let himself be taken. He'd heard her sweet voice telling him to run, to live for her and he'd complied. Every moment since that horrible instant when he'd plunged his sword into her body was burned into his head. He'd stayed alive for her, but it hadn't been easy.

The coven of vampires that she'd been part of had put a price on his head and it had been doubled and tripled since. It wasn't safe for him to look for a job with another coven. His brand would be seen, the twisted, burned on scar that he'd undergone when he'd been taken in by her coven. They would know him with a simple taste of his blood. They would see into his head and know of the atrocities that he'd committed and the horror of his first crime.

He cursed and lifted the bottle, drinking down more of the acrid brew. It burned now, no longer a pleasant warmth in his gut. It writhed in his stomach like an evil worm and he gagged. But he fought off the reaction. He wanted the paradise of forgetfulness and if it took drinking this horrid brew, then he would do so. Perhaps he'd forget the dream as well, the vision he had of her, the woman that looked so much like his first love, his Caprice.

Even her name was enough to start the memories flooding into his brain. He could see her as she'd been the first day her father had brought him into his Library. She'd been seated in a large, over-stuffed armchair, a book opened in her lap. Her eyes, those beautiful sky blue orbs, had looked at him, not with disgust but with curiosity.

He'd knelt in front of his lord, her father, speaking the words of the oath that every werewolf was forced to take before serving his master. And he'd felt those eyes on him, never looking away. The hair on his neck had risen and he'd had to fight to suppress the shiver that wanted to take his body. But he'd kept his eyes to the floor as Caprice's father spoke to him, describing his duties and the responsibilities that would be his.

It had been days later, as he'd worked in the huge gardens that surrounded the stately manor that he'd seen her again. She'd been alone, a book in her hands and she'd smiled at him. "What's your name?"

Those had been the first words he'd heard her speak and the melodic quality of her voice had sent another maddening little shiver through him. "I am Matthew, m'lady. Do you need anything?"

She'd been lonely. She'd asked him to sit with her, to tell her of himself. He'd never had a woman much less the daughter of a lord vampire take interest in him and it was unnerving. But he'd done as she'd asked, sinking down onto the bench beside her. Time had flown. He'd never known anyone that had as quick a mind as she. He was enchanted by her and he felt his heart thump loudly in his chest when she would throw her head back and laugh at something he'd said. They'd slipped slowly and rather easily from friends to lovers and Matthew had never known a time when he'd felt as happy as he had then.

But Caprice's father had found her a husband. He'd been lord of another coven, a coven far away from her home and her Matthew. She'd tried talking to her father, she'd tried reasoning with this other lord, but the wedding day was set and no matter what was said, she would be walking down the aisle that day. Caprice had talked him into leaving with her. He'd dreamed about it, stealing away upon a ship bound for the new world. Maybe there, a vampire and a werewolf wouldn't be an unusual a couple as they were here.

They'd made it away, selling off Caprice's jewelry and the money that he'd saved up from the stipend that Caprice's father paid him. On their first night away, Caprice had begged him to mate with her, to make her into what he was so that her father would never want her back. She'd sold him the idea with the ease of a practiced sales person and he'd eagerly taken her, slipping between her slender white thighs, lapping at her pink flesh and that tiny nubbin of nerve endings that had her crying out his name.

He'd made her climax twice before she begged him to take her and he had, rolling her to her belly upon the bed, lifting her to her knees to make her ready for his cock. Sliding into her had been like the sweetest of Nirvanas and she'd barely felt a twinge of pain when he'd breached her innocence. She had pleaded with him to mate with her, to make it so that her father could never force her away from him and his nose had traced the line of her neck, breathing deeply of the scent of her. His teeth had grown in sharp, crowding in his still human mouth. He'd placed them against her nape, the bliss of the mating bite sending his senses reeling.

"Do it," she'd urged him, the sound of her passion thick and rich in her voice.

He had and he'd crowed his victory when she'd leaned down and taken his wrist in her hands, dragging it to her mouth, completing the ritual as she'd drunk in his blood. The horror hadn't started right away, that had been when she'd tried to change, to become wolf and run with him through the moonlight.

Then the pain had hit and she had screamed, the pain turning to howls of agony. He'd killed her that night, killed her with the love he'd felt and the need to make her his own. He'd been on the run since that night, running from her father, from the coven, running from his own agony and guilt. He'd never thought to feel peace ever again until the first dream of her had taken him, weeks before.

Now he was back in London where he was a wanted man. He was hiding out in back alley squatter inns where there were more bedbugs and fleas than people. He'd come back here because he'd felt her here. He needed this girl, needed her more than anyone else ever before, even more than Caprice.

He lifted the bottle, taking another long pull of the whiskey and then pushed himself away from the table and back to the bed. The bottle settled into the crook of his arm and he pushed the coat he was using as a pillow into a more comfortable shape. Even after all these years, he could still see Caprice in his mind's eye when he closed his eyes. She'd been so incredibly beautiful, so gentle and intelligent. He'd never understood why she'd wanted him, wanted him more than those fancy gentlemen who would sashay to her door to rain compliments upon her person. He'd watched them, knowing that truthfully; they had more right to her attentions than he did.

That hadn't stopped the jealousy that ate him up inside. But she'd always seemed more than eager for his company when they were gone, calling him from whatever job her father had given him to do and asking him to take a walk. His Caprice, the woman he'd longed for all these years, now second in his mind since his first dream of her.

He closed his eyes and took another pull on the bottle. Now he could see her, fiery hair like flames around her shoulders, eyes the green of emeralds gracing a lady's neck. Her face was heart shaped, her chin small and pointed, betraying the stubbornness of her nature. Her smile was wide, innocent, her teeth bright white and straight. Her nose was tiny but tipped at the end, giving her the look of impudence. It made him smile.

She had eyes that were wide spread, thick black lashes ringing them, bringing out the green of her irises. Under the sharply slashing brows, her eyes sparkled and danced as she laughed. He was staring down at her and he watched as her hand reached out, touching his chest. But when he looked down, it wasn't him she was touching but another man. A man that made the hair stand up on the back of his neck and he felt his wolf growl for that man was touching her as well.

"No! She's mine!" The words were explosive and he felt the first shifting pain of the change. He fought it, forcing deep breaths until he grew calmer, able to handle the reaction he'd had a bit better. He didn't even know her name or where she lived. He only knew he had to find her, and find her soon.

Matthew forced himself to settle back against his coat once more and he took another sip of the whiskey. It was sliding down easier now and the warmth had settled into a tingling at his knees and a slight buzzing in his ears. He sipped at the bottle until it was empty and he let it roll from his hand, falling to the floor with the thump of heavy glass. The room was spinning just a bit and he smiled, thanking whichever god that was listening for the relief he got from the alcohol.

"Just let me stay sane a little while longer," he slurred, his fingers running through the thick hair on his head. "Just a little longer." His eyes closed and he felt the blackness calling. It was a call he gladly answered and soon his drunken snores were loud in the quiet of the room.

* * * *

Kinlye opened her eyes and for a single moment, she was confused about where she was. This wasn't her little attic room and this bed was way too comfortable to be hers. Then the memory of last night, of Christian and of Daniel came rushing back and she sat up. Her cheeks were already reddening at the memory of Christian's kiss and the emotions he'd dragged out of her with it. She fanned her cheeks, slipping out of the bed and going to the window.

The sun was barely up but she could see servants coming and going through the gardens. She wasn't used to lazing away the day in bed and she spun in a tight circle, smiling when she saw her skirt and blouse as well as her shift neatly folded and sitting upon the bench of the dressing table. She hurried to them, glad to see them clean and almost looking as good as new.

Even her old pink shawl seemed to have a second life and she twirled it around her shoulders, dancing around the room. A cheery tune came to her lips and she sang as she danced, bending and dipping, swaying to the beat in her head. There was a knock upon the door and she stopped, calling for them to enter.

Christian opened the door, poking his head in. "I thought I heard some stirrings in here. Did you sleep all right?"

"Oh yes." She hurried to the door, wrapping the shawl over the top of her nightgown. Taking his hand, she pulled him into the room. "Yes, I slept very well, Christian, thank you for asking."

"Your comfort is important to me, Kinlye." He lifted his hand and touched her cheek, taking in her bright eyes and the flush that colored her cheeks. "I want you to be comfortable here with me."

Her cheeks grew even rosier and she dropped her eyes. "I am. Except for when you say things like that."

"I'm sorry. You just blush so sweetly."

Kinlye dropped her eyes even more. She glanced up when she heard him laugh. "I'm glad that I can amuse you," she said with a shrug and turned her back to him.

"Don't be mad, Kinlye. I'll stop teasing you."

"I'm not mad, Christian. You've been so wonderful to me. It would be pretty ungrateful of me to get angry." She smiled when his hand went back to her cheek and she pressed her hand over his, holding it there.

* * * *

Christian stared down into the bright green of her eyes. He felt that same pull he'd felt yesterday when he saw her for the first time, when she was being dragged down the street by her brother. It had been hard for him not to kill the man when he saw her being abused by Daniel. Even now, he could still feel the rage and the need to go and teach the man a lesson. "I'd love to give you a tour of the house."

"I'd love to see it." Kinlye smiled. Her smile seemed to reach out and gather him in, to make him feel a warmth that once only blood had given him.

"I can't help myself Kinlye. Your blush pleases me." Christian let his fingers rest on her cheek, feeling the rosy heat of her blush. "It's somewhat...fascinating to me."

"Fascinating?" She dipped her head, unable to meet his dancing blue eyes.

Christian took a step closer and breathed in her scent, feeling the hidden evil of the beast within him hum in pleasure. He twined his fingers in the hair at the side of her face, lifting so that he could see her eyes. "I find many things fascinating about you, Kinlye. Your smile, the way your brow furls when you think too hard, the softness of your lips against mine, the intriguing ideas and thoughts that run through your mind. I didn't sleep last night, thinking about you."

Kinlye gasped as he stepped even closer, the tips of her breasts pressing intimately into his chest. She watched his face come closer and she sighed, closing her eyes, seemingly eager herself to feel the maddening demand of his kiss. When it didn't come, her eyes flew open and she saw the smile that hovered on his lips and that dancing demon of blue once more in his eyes. "Y...you don't want to..." Her voice dropped a level. "to...to kiss me?"

"With every bone in my body. I'd give up my life to spend the next ten minutes kissing you, Kinlye. Never ever think that I don't want you. I do, probably more than is good for either of us."

Kinlye stared at him for a moment. Then the expression on her face fell. "Because of who I am, the way I was raised, I'm not good enough for you."

"What are you talking about, Kinlye? You think I won't kiss you because...what...I'm a snob? I'm too good for you? Is that what you think?" Christian's hands were on her arms, shaking her.

"Oh...ow. It's true, Christian. You saw what I came from." She sighed in relief when his arms loosened and he quit shaking her. "You've seen my brother and...and this." She held her arms out, showing him the shawl that hung off of them. "I'm not good enough for you, not even close."

"Kinlye if you were any more good for me, we'd be in that bed right now. I want you, much more than is good for either of us." He forced himself to turn away from the sight of her, the pleading in her beautiful green eyes, the soft trembling of her lips, the way her hands shook as she held them out to him, all were a danger he had to control. "You should get dressed," he said after a moment. "I should wait for your downstairs."

Kinlye watched him walk toward the door and her thoughts spun in confusion. It was too much of a choice. She wasn't the type to sit back and let a man decide. His name was on her lips as she rushed after him, her hand touching his shoulder to stop his retreat. "One kiss, Christian. Please? I'll beg if you wish."

"You don't know what you're asking for, Kinlye. He refused to turn to face her, his hand still on the doorknob, the metal shaking just a bit as his hand shook.

"I do. I want you to kiss me. I want to know if the way I felt last night from your kiss was only in my mind. I need to know, Christian. Please."

He closed his eyes, fighting the snarl of the beast within. "I might not be able to stop with one kiss, Kinlye." He let his forehead press against the heavy wood of the door, his fingers mangling the metal of the doorknob. He could hear her heart, hear the way it sped up when he spoke. He wanted nothing more than to throw caution aside and lose himself inside of her, take her over and over until she knew she belonged to him. A heavy moan left his throat. Then he felt her warm little fingers touch his face.

"Kiss me," she whispered. "Let me know how it feels to be wanted, Christian. Please?"



A Forever Love Ch. 03



The pleading in her voice had Christian turning, his hand leaving the bent and mangled metal that had once been the door knob. He stared down at Kinlye, his eyes meeting hers. "You don't know what you're asking." His voice was low and gruff, his hand going to cup her cheek.

"I do," Kinlye argued. "I want you to kiss me like you did last night. I need to know if what I was feeling was really there or if it was a product of my overly tired mind. Can't you understand that, Christian?"

He swallowed heavily before answering. "And if I can't stop?"

Kinlye gulped but the answer she gave came directly from her heart. "You wouldn't think of hurting me, Christian, I know that. You'll stop if I ask you to."

A self deprecating laugh fell from his lips. "After only one day of being together, you have much more faith in my self control than I do, Kinlye." He closed his eyes. "A kiss," he breathed. "One kiss."

"One kiss," she echoed. "Freely given and accepted.

A gasp left his lips at the sound of her voice, husky and sensual. He couldn't help but wonder if that was the way she'd sound after making love. It was an intriguing idea and he inhaled sharply. "One kiss," he whispered as his head dipped, his eyes staring down into hers. The warmth of her lips met his and he felt the roar of the evil inside of him. He pushed it down, unwilling to give up this moment. The kiss was a sweet brushing of their mouths, a single instant of contact that had his hands going to her tiny waist, drawing her closer, lifting her so that he could reach her easily.

His lips moved back over hers, clinging to hers, only to move away again. The third time they met, her tongue pushed against the slick sweetness of his lips, demanding entrance. He growled, drawing her even closer to him, opening his lips to allow her soft tongue to trace his teeth before pushing behind to duel with his own. Heat flashed through him, need erased every other thought in his head. He bent slightly, refusing to let go of her lips, lifting her into his arms.

For a moment he seemed indecisive but then he went to the door he'd gone through the night before, opening it easily while balancing her then kicking it closed behind him. The bed he lowered her down to was soft and lush at her back, giving against her weight. He followed her down, holding his weight on his elbows as he continued to kiss her, letting her feel his voracious appetite for her kisses.

"Gods, Kinlye," he growled. "Tell me to stop, please."

Her hands were tangled in the fabric of his white shirt, tugging at it, wanting him closer. Thoughts of stopping were the furthest thing on her mind. She wanted more. Licking her lips, she could taste him there and she moaned, gasping his name. "More, Christian. Please?"

He dipped his head slowly, hesitatingly. He was in a fierce battle with himself, a battle he was terrified he was going to lose. "I don't want to hurt you."

Kinlye dug her hands into his hair, tugging him down. "It would hurt w-worse if you stop."

He smiled ruefully and closed his eyes, letting her guide him. When he felt her lips press against his own, he rolled, taking her with him until she lay upon his chest. "Kiss me," he moaned. He pulled her shawl from around her shoulders groaning at the feel of her softness under the thin layer of her nightgown. "Kiss me so that I won't be the only one to go too far."

Kinlye stared down at him, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. He was so hard under her, so muscular that she couldn't resist the urge to touch him. Her mouth was at his throat and she tasted his flesh, the salty tang very pleasing to her. Her hands moved through the cravat his manservant had tied earlier, disrupting the smooth material until she could pull it off of him. Her nose rubbed gently against the long line of his throat before her lips took over.

He was moaning beneath her, his hands running from the nape of her neck, through her hair down to her waist, enjoying the give of her slender body. She didn't even feel him pull the nightgown away from her body, sliding it down her back to her hips. Not until the coldness of his palm against her back did she realize she was half naked, her breasts pressing into him with only the thin fabric of his shirt for protection.

"Christian," she breathed.

He could hear the panic in her voice, the fear of the unknown that lay so temptingly near. He lifted her face, staring into the innocent depths of her green eyes. "I want you, Kinlye. I want you more than anything I've ever wanted before. Tell me to stop. Please, Kinlye. You've got to tell me." His mouth moved over her, tasting the softness of her neck, trailing down to her collarbone. He nibbled there, breathing in the intoxicating aroma of her blood. "Stop me," he begged again.

Instead, Kinlye arched her back, reveling in the amazing sensations that his cool mouth invoked in her. Her breathing grew ragged, her body arching, trying to get closer to him. When his hand rose to slide from her waist and curve over her breast, Kinlye couldn't control her cry. It was part fear, part ecstasy and she dug her hands into his hair, pulling it loose from the ribbon that kept it clubbed at his neck. "Christian," she moaned, her voice hoarse.

He glanced up and into her face, her half closed, sleepy looking eyes shattering what little control he had left. "Kinlye," he cried, his voice full of sorrow and bliss. His eyes stayed on hers as he dipped his head, bringing one firm mound of flesh up to his eager lips. He suckled the berry sized nipple, flicking it with his tongue. He could hear Kinlye's cries and moans and that spurred him on. His head turned, finding the other pink treat and he mauled it with his fingers, twisting the hardening bud.

"You're beautiful, Kinlye, the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life."

Kinlye could barely think, with his hands doing so many incredible things to her body. She could only arch her back and cry out when he did something so amazing. There was a pool of heat between her thighs and she could feel his hands sliding under the rest of her night gown, pushing it further down. She felt the cool air on her thighs and then her gown was swept off to grace the thick carpeting of Christian's room. 

He sat next to her, his eyes roaming over every inch of her slight body. He was enthralled with the satiny curls that guarded her sex. His hand slid from her neck, over her breasts, down her stomach to the small rise of her mound. He was so gentle, his fingers parting those curls and then the thick lips he found underneath, dipping his fingers into the steamy wetness he found there.

"Oh gods, you want me," he breathed. "You shouldn't want me, Kinlye. Don't you know that?" He began to turn away, reluctantly pulling his fingers away from her sex. "I'm not the right man for you."

"Christian, please. I need you." Her body was writhing on the bed, her hands touching her breasts before sliding down her body, the fingers of one hand going to her slit and pushing inside of her. "Please, Christian," she moaned.

He could see her in the mirror above his dresser, the lust he'd inspired in her was making her a wanton slave to the needs of her body. He knew the feeling. Blood pulsed thickly through him and his cock was like a steel bar in his pants. Just touching her had been a mistake but what they'd already done could mean a death sentence. Even knowing that, he couldn't leave her alone, not when she needed him so badly.

He moved to the end of her bed, climbing over the foot board and onto the mattress. He grabbed her ankle, reaching down beside the bed and pulling out a shackle which he placed around her ankle. He repeated the process with the other ankle and then he smiled, his hands running from her ankles to the inside of her thighs, now spread wide for him.

Her hand had moved from where it had been so busily rubbing her clit and she reached out toward him. "What are you doing?"

Christian smiled at the confusion in her voice. "I'm loving you, Kinlye." He moved closer to her fur covered mound, gently parting her curls until he could see the pink flesh underneath. He heard her gasp as his lips placed a single kiss upon the top of her mound before diving into her wetness with an almost feral voracity.

The feeling was amazing, the taste of her almost more than he could bear. The beast wanted him to devour and tear, to revel in her blood, but he forced that side of him down. This was for her, for her pleasure and that's what he intended to do, give her pleasure.

He carefully pushed one finger into her sheath, feeling the tightness of her woman's veil around his finger. It sent a spiraling jolt of lust through him. He wanted her so badly, he wanted to be the first to take that veil, to make her his. He longed to be her first, to be her only. But it wasn't for him and he would take care to keep that tiny piece of flesh intact.

But his thumb rubbed with delicious ferocity at the tiny pink nub of nerves that topped that gloriously wet slit. He listened to her cry out, to the way her breathing grew even more ragged, her hips moving under his hand. 

"Christian," she sobbed. "What are you doing to me?"

He smiled and then bent his head, inhaling the sweetness of her pink pussy. His moan of pleasure sent a shock of bliss through her. "I want to please you, to show you the kind of pleasure that only I can give you."

"Yes," Kinlye breathed, arching her back into the strength of his hands. "Make me yours."

His lips slid over one taut tip before stopping to play with the other. "Are you sure that is what you want?"

After hesitating for just an instant, a telling instant in Christian's mind, Kinlye continued. "Yes. I want to belong to you."

Christian smiled. He circled his thumb over her clit, smiling even wider as her cries grew more uncontrolled. Then he bent his head, his mouth sinking into her pink flesh, his tongue swiping through the delectable taste of her secretions. He traced the thin inner lips before curling his tongue and pushing it against that thin veil of her flesh. It would take so little to pierce that veil, to take her innocence and make her his truly, in every aspect of the word.

But he wouldn't do it. He couldn't. He forced his tongue away, using it against her tiny clit. He flicked it, suckling it into his mouth. He could feel her hands in his hair, fisting and releasing as she reached for the pleasure he held just beyond her reach.

"Christian," she cried. "Make me yours. I want to be yours. Please!"

He could feel the surge of pleasure that her words sent through his body and feel the precum that now leaked from his cock, staining his pants. It would be so easy to pull off those pants, rip them off if need be, and thrust into her spread form. It was all he could think of, all the beast inside of him could think of as well. But the beast wanted more. It wanted to take her to climax and then bite deeply into her neck, drink of her blood. It sent him pictures of him, his body thrusting desperately into her pretty cunt, his mouth tearing at the flesh of her neck. Worse yet, it showed her hands grasping on to him, pulling on him to force him to thrust harder.

He pulled away from her, tearing himself off of her body and had his back against the wall, his hand coming up to his mouth, hiding his teeth. The canines had elongated at the whim of the beast and he fought to force them back into his gums. "No," he growled. "I won't do that. I won't."

He closed his eyes, blocking out the sight of Kinlye, of the beauty of her that was unforgettable. He could smell her, on his hands, his lips, bathed in her.

"Christian?" Her voice was worried and he closed his eyes tighter. "Are you...Is something wrong?"

"Wrong?" he couldn't help the chuckle that was ripped from him. "No, everything is too right." He forced his eyes opened and took the few steps that would put him next to the bed again. "Your scent, the sight of you, even the whimpering little cries you make, Kinlye. They all draw me to you. You are unlike any woman I've met before and you tempt me to do things, things that would make you run from me in horror."

Kinlye reached out, taking his hand in hers. She pressed a kiss to his palm. "I don't think there is anything you could do that would make me run in horror, Christian."

He chuckled again. Then he sank down next to her on the bed, his hand going to her cheek, his forehead resting against hers. "Have you noticed the differences in us?"

Kinlye smiled. She trailed her hand down his chest and pressed a kiss against his throat. "Well, you're definitely a man..."

"That's not what I mean, Kinlye." He took her hand, tugging at his shirt tails before sliding it underneath and against the smooth hardness of his chest.

"You're like marble," she breathed, glancing up and into his face. "You're cold. I...I don't understand, Christian."

His fingers traced over her face, his eyes memorizing ever tiny detail. When he told her the truth, explained what he was, what his family was, she would run from him and he probably would never see her again. That thought stabbed into his chest like a knife and he couldn't help but wonder how she'd gotten to be so important to him so quickly.

"We...we like to call ourselves immortals, Kinlye, though there have been many other names used. "Blood-drinkers, night crawlers, vampires, they all amount to the same." He stroked her hair away from her face, his hand gentle as he waited for the revulsion that he knew would come.

But she didn't look repulsed. Instead, her hand went to his face and she turned it to face her. "You are a vampire?"

Her words were slowly and softly spoken but he heard them and nodded. "Yes. I must consume blood to live. I don't kill though. I just take enough to control the beast and ease the thirst."

He kept his eyes downcast and was surprised when she sat up even further, her lips touching his. His hands went to her shoulders and for just an instant; he reveled in the sweetness of that kiss. Then he pulled away. "Don't you understand what I'm saying, Kinlye? I'm evil."

Kinlye laughed. "You are about as evil as I am, Christian. An evil being would have taken me and never told me the truth. An evil being wouldn't have this look on his face. You're in pain, Christian. I can see it." She ran her fingers across his eyebrows, smoothing out the furled ripples. "You are a good man, Christian Davalos, no matter what you say or how you try to portray yourself." She kissed his cheek and then his lips, smiling when he finally kissed her back.

"I could kill you right now, Kinlye. It would be so easy. I want to kill you." He lifted his hands, putting one on either side of her head. "Just the right amount of pressure and that would be it. You'd be dead."

"Then do it. Kill me. You say it's so easy, go ahead." She smiled, rubbing her head against his hands. "You can't do it. It doesn't matter what kind of monster lives inside of you, Christian, you can't hurt me. You are too good a person. You won't hurt me no matter what the monster inside wants."

"You are putting an awful lot of faith in me, Kinlye," he said with a sigh. "I don't think I'm worthy of your faith."

Kinlye smiled. "Then it's a good thing it's my faith and I can give it to whomever I want." She reached out and took his hand, letting it rest against her breast. "Now where were we?"

Christian allowed himself the pleasure of holding her for a moment, enjoying the softness, the sweetness of her breast in his palm. He bent his head and kissed the hard peak, hearing her quick inhale of pleasure and then he rose. "We were going to get dressed so that we might go down and have breakfast with Rafe and Nikky."

"We were?"

Christian laughed at the disappointment that he could hear in her voice. "Yes, we were." He quickly untied her ankles and then held out his hand to help her rise. "We have a busy day today, Kinlye."

She rose and walked right up to him. "One last kiss?"

"Oh, you are a tempting baggage. No," he said decidedly. "One kiss would never be enough and you know it. Now go, get dressed. I'll wait for you in the hallway." He smacked his palm on the luscious flesh of her bottom, then smiled at the daggers she shot at him with her eyes just before the connecting door between their rooms closed.

* * * *

Matthew lifted his head, his nose scenting the air. "Yes, she's here," he whispered, a thrill of pleasure shivering through him. She was so close, it was hard not to rush the house and go inside, stealing her away to be his very own. But he forced himself to be calm. He had to do reconnaissance. He couldn't just rush in without some kind of plan.

He sniffed the air again and felt anger raise the hair at the back of his neck. Vampires, more than one. They surrounded her, keeping her away from him. Damn bloodsuckers, always around when they weren't wanted. He sighed, settling deeper into the woods that ringed the property. 

He felt his eyes closing as the sun rose higher in the sky. It was irritating against his bloodshot orbs and he cursed quietly, searching for shade amongst the dappled rays. Then he smelled her, a sweetness that had no description, one that had his head rising and his eyes opening despite the hangover he now nursed. His eyes searched the long back veranda until he finally spotted her. She was like a flame, her hair a fiery halo around her pale face.

She was petite, even more so than he'd first thought. She moved with a grace that was beautiful to watch. He didn't realize that she wasn't alone until he heard her laugh and watched as she tipped her head up to answer the man that was with her.

It was one of them, the blood drinkers, the leeches. He held her hand, bringing it to his lips as he answered her. Whatever he'd said had made her blush and Matthew felt the rage that was lit so deep inside of him, a rage that he had to control or it would become his doom. That killing rage that made him wish for the change, for the ability to tear the bloodsucker limb from limb, to protect this tiny piece of feminine fragility before him. A low, rusty sounding growl grew in his chest as he watched the vampire place her hand upon his arm, escorting her for a stroll down the wide marble steps and into the garden.

Matthew rose, walking carelessly toward the back gate of the gardens. He growled when he found them locked and then just reached up, throwing himself over the top of the gate. The gardens were beautiful, but he wasn't there to admire the color and shape of the blossoms. He was there to find...Kinlye, to find her and then take her away from this nest to someplace that would be safe for her. Safe from them. A snarl left his lips and he smiled at the thought of killing their kind. It would be a pleasure. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation and then slid effortlessly deeper into the garden.

* * * *

Thanks so much for reading me. I hope you are enjoying my little vampire tale. I'd love to know what you think. So please remember to vote and leave a comment if you like. You, my readers, are my best source of critiquing. Take care!



A Forever Love Ch. 04



Kinlye was breathless as she hung on Christian's arm, strolling along the well paved walkways of the garden. He was being utterly charming, making her laugh as she listened to his stories of growing up with Rafe as a pesky younger brother.

"So were you born this way?"

"Which way?" he asked. "Completely charming and irresistible?"

Kinlye giggled as Christian had meant for her to do. Her hand rose to tug on his sleeve, halting their stroll through the beautiful garden. "You know what I mean, Christian. Were you born an immortal?"

Christian sighed and then led the way to a small marble bench tucked away under a large lilac bush. Bees buzzed, toiling amongst the blooms and Kinlye watched them as she waited for Christian to answer.

"No. Actually, Rafe and I were turned by the same vampire. She liked games, Drusilla did. She loved to pit one of us against the other. But she didn't know of Rafe's proclivity for men. When she found out, it ruined her fun and she decided to move on to someone more amusing to torture than we were."

"Drusilla," Kinlye said, letting the name fall from her mouth. "She was beautiful, charismatic and irresistible."

It wasn't a question, more a statement of fact but Christian nodded. "She was also evil and manipulative, Kinlye. If there had been any way for her to continue to play Rafe and I against each other, she would have done it. Nothing was more important to her than her games." He reached out, snaring a stray strand of her hair that the wind had been playing with. He tucked it behind her tiny ear and then let his fingers trace around her face, finally to slip softly over her lips. "You are beautiful, Kinlye, inside and out."

Kinlye smiled and it lit up her eyes. "You're a flatterer."

"Trust me, Kinlye, I'm not flattering you. It's almost impossible for me to not touch you. You call to something deep inside of me and I'm fighting against the urge to take advantage of you." He slid a bit closer, his knees sliding between hers. "I want to touch you, to kiss you. I want to make love to you until I'm the only man you'll ever see. That's not flattery, Kinlye. It's much deeper than that."

Her lips parted and she gasped, feeling his fingers twine into the side of her hair. His head dipped and he inhaled the scent of her, letting his eyes flutter close as his mouth slipped over hers. It was heaven, or at least as close to that glorious place as he thought he'd ever be allowed. Her lips were soft, her mouth his to explore. He kissed her over and over, finally forcing himself to pull back.

Kinlye inhaled as his lips left hers. Her eyes opened and she stared up at the man she was quickly finding impossible to live without. She lifted her hand, her palm sliding over his cheek. "I want you, too." She spoke in a whisper, her cheek growing rosy.

Christian growled and his head began to dip again only to stop and cock to one side, as if he were listening. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Mrs. Toombs is summoning us."

Kinlye glanced up at him and then turned her head to the side, listening. "I don't hear anything."

A second later and Mrs. Toombs came around the corner of the walkway, smiling as she saw them. "We're ready for her, sir."

Christian smiled as Kinlye glanced at him in amazement. "Good ears," he said with a shrug. "But now, you must go with Mrs. Toombs."

"Go...where?"

"It's a surprise," Christian said, lifting her hand to his lips. "When you are finished, I will be back."

Kinlye looked as if she wanted to ask more questions but Mrs. Toombs took her hand and led her away. She glanced back just once and saw him heading away from the manor house toward a back gate.

* * * *

Matthew took a deep breath, his nose flaring as he scented the air. "Ah," he breathed. "The vampire is leaving her alone." He hurried forward, wanting to stop her before she entered the house. "Wait!"

Kinlye turned, startled. Mrs. Toombs glared at the raggedy looking man who had halted their progress into the house. 

"Yes?" Kinlye said, her hand rose to rest against her breast. "You startled me."

"I am sorry, my lady. I meant no ill will. Nor do I mean any harm to you." He bowed at the waist, the movement strangely graceful for a man as large as he.

"Then what is it that you wish?" Kinlye asked as he rose.

He reached out and took her hand. "Come with me, my lady. I would see you safely away from these blood drinkers."

She smiled, gently pulling her hand out of his huge grasp. "I am safe here, sir." She took a step toward him despite Mrs. Toombs' words of warning. "What is your name?"

"I am Matthew."

"Just...Matthew?"

"Yes." He reached for her hand again. "Truly, you aren't safe here, my lady. These...things...aren't what you think they are."

"Matthew, I know what they are." She glanced up as Mrs. Toombs came rushing back outside, Raphael on her heels. By the time she glanced back at Matthew, he'd disappeared.

"Are you all right, Kinlye?" Rafe reached out and took her hand. His eyes met hers, the concern in his more than obvious. "He didn't hurt you?"

"No, I am fine, Rafe. Matthew didn't hurt me. He was concerned about my safety."

Rafe lifted his head, his nose flaring as he inhaled deeply. "Ahh. Kinlye, if you see Matthew again, please come and get one of us immediately."

"You cannot think that he would do me any harm?"

"You'd be surprised what some of them will do." He took her hand and placed it on his arm. "Come, I know Mrs. Toombs is eager to show you your surprise."

She followed along, glancing behind her as they went, searching for the strange man in the shadows in the garden. But she didn't see him and after Rafe had dropped her off with a very worried Mrs. Toombs, she had other things on her mind.

"Come, my lady." She opened the door of a very feminine looking room and urged Kinlye through it. "The master has set this up for you."

Kinlye was immediately surrounded by a group of women. Her measurements were taken, her hair color and skin color scrutinized, and the skirt/blouse combination she was currently wearing was tutted over. Then she was being undressed and soon found herself standing naked in the middle of the room.

"She does have a lovely bosom," one woman said, before she stepped behind Kinlye. "And a nice firm bottom, very nice. I believe the dress plates we've bought with us shall do quite well. Is the Master interested in ball gowns and night wear as well?"

"Master Christian said to fit her out from head to toe and not to forget a thing she might need."

"Oh, but..."

The woman cut off her words. "Master Christian is a very kind man. I know I have some things he will enjoy as well."

Soon Kinlye was being fitted, white leather kid shoes with a two inch heel on her feet and hems drawn up and pinned. She was placed in front of a mirror and for the first time, everyone was silent waiting for her opinion.

The gown was supposed to be a simple day dress but it was nicer than anything Kinlye had owned before. She almost didn't recognize the woman that looked back at her. "Oh, it's beautiful. But I can't let Christian do all of this. It's too much..."

Mrs. Toombs smiled. "You know, my dear. The master said you'd say something like that. He instructed me to tell you that he enjoys beautiful things and a beautiful woman is the most enjoyable of all. He is not doing this for you but for himself. He begs that you not interrupt his enjoyment."

"It's not fair," Kinlye said almost silently. "He uses logic when my logic should be enough."

"He's a very intelligent man, my dear. I've found that when it comes to something Master Christian wants, one should never argue with him."

The seamstress stepped forward. "If my lady would rise, we will get the hem finished on this one. Tamara has found the undergarments that go with it. We will be able to leave some of the outfits you approved here. The rest should be ready in a day or two, if that suits?"

"That suits marvelously, Miss Cranston. Master Christian will be very pleased. He has taken special interest in Miss Kinlye and I know he will be delighted with your work."

Kinlye had the gown whisked off of her head and then silken pantelets held out for her to slide her feet into. They were brought up to her waist and tied, leaving her legs bare to above mid thigh. A pale pink ribbon surrounded each leg hole and the waist, the silk soft and slippery against her skin. Next a chemise was pulled over her head and tied in the front at the low neck line. It also had pale pink ribbons that laced up the front and tied at the top. It was form fitting and pressed her breasts up until she thought them to burst free of the top.

Then she was given a cup of tea and she sat down on one of the sofas. She found herself suddenly exhausted. She'd never thought that being fitted and measured, poked and prodded would ever make her as tired as she felt now. The tea was a welcome reprieve but she declined the plate of cakes and tarts that had been brought up with the tea. Mrs. Toombs brought over a small lap rug and covered her with it, taking the tea cup out of her hands as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

A cold hand stroked over her face and she tried to push it away, not wanting to wake yet. But the hand came back and she heard Christian's voice close to her ear. "Kinlye, love, it's time to wake up."

She groaned and opened her eyes, blinking the sleep out of them. "Christian? Where is Mrs. Toombs and all those women?" She glanced around the room as if she would see them hidden away somewhere.

"They've been gone for over an hour. You fell asleep over your tea." He smiled, the back of his hand pushing her hair out of her face. She sat up and his eyes grew wide as he saw what she was wearing. "I do owe Mrs. Toombs for recommending this seamstress." A low growl left him and he felt his cock harden in his pants becoming uncomfortable.

Kinlye glanced down and her hand went to her lips, her cheeks growing rosy as she blushed. "Christian, you should turn your back."

"Now why should I do that?" He began pulling the blanket out of her hands and his eyes grew even wider when he got his first glimpse of her pantelets and how little they actually covered. "Oh she is definitely getting a bonus." His breathing was growing ragged and his eyes seem to swirl with blue fire. "You are the most delectable creature I have ever met, Kinlye."

Her hands fell to cover the tops of her breasts, her eyes looking anywhere but at him. "A...a gentleman would turn his back," she said breathlessly. Her heart was racing and she could feel her nipples growing hard under the silk. Her thighs felt hot and they wanted to open, to show him everything. But she fought the inclination.

"I'm not a gentleman." Christian took her hands capturing both wrists in one of his. His other hand slid to her waist, sliding over the silk until he cupped one heavy mound. She shivered under his hand but she didn't fight him, instead moaning when he took her hard nipple between his thumb and finger. "Oh God, Kinlye. I can smell your arousal." His eyes closed and he inhaled sharply. "Heaven," he moaned.

"Christian?"

He opened his eyes and waited.

"Kiss me?"

He closed his eyes, squeezing them shut as he fought the demon inside of him, the demon that wanted to not only kiss her but take her and at the pinnacle of her orgasm, drink her blood. He wouldn't do that to her. That was why he'd gone out this afternoon. He'd found a donor, well, an unknowing donor. He'd drunk his fill, leaving the woman with coin and the memory of a pleasurable time had by all.

But now the dark demon who owned his soul was demanding another type of donor. It wanted Kinlye. It wanted to bathe in her blood, to drink of her sweetness until she was dead. Christian wasn't about to let that happen. He opened his eyes, staring down into her pleading face. "I want more than a kiss. I want you."

"You want me?"

"Yes," he said as he leaned closer, breathing in the perfumed air, perfumed by her musk. "I want all of you." His hands framed her face. "I want you to be mine, Kinlye. I want others to know of my scent on your body. I want you, forever."

She seemed to be thinking about his words. "Will it hurt?"

Christian rose to his feet, walking over to the fire before picking up a log and putting it in. "You should be horrified of the idea, Kinlye. I've told you what I am and that I drink human blood to stay alive. Without that blood, my body would wither and age until I was nothing more than skin and bone. It's a terrible way to die. You cannot possibly want to be what I am." 

"But I do, Christian. I want to be with you. I've never known a need as great as this." She rose from the sofa, ignoring her state of undress and going to him. She pulled on his arm, ignoring how stiff he felt under her hands. When he'd turned to face her, he gasped. 

"My God, Kinlye. You don't know what you're playing with." He held her forearms, keeping her from touching him. But he couldn't control his eyes; they roamed over her body, admiring her long legs and her tiny waist. His hands itched to touch her breasts again, to feel the softness of them under the silk of her chemise. "You've got to quit tempting me."

Kinlye smiled as he groaned. "Maybe I want to tempt you, Christian." She lifted one hand, grabbing hold of one side of the bow that held her chemise closed. Pulling on it loosened the ties and the silk that followed every curve of her body. The inner curve of her breasts came into his view and he moaned again, his hands falling from her arms to fist at his sides.

"Kinlye..." he growled. "I...I can't."

She took that step that was the only thing left empty between them, moaning when his chest touched her breasts. "I want you to, Christian. I want to be yours."

Her warmth pressed against the icy hardness of his chest and her softness seemed impossible to ignore. He lost control for just an instant, his hands coming up to her back, his head dipping to kiss her, pressing his tongue between the vulnerability of hers and into her mouth. Her taste was like honey, urging him to take more liberties. "Kinlye, Gods, I want you."

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her body shivering as his hands cupped over her breasts, plucking at her hardened nipples. "Yes," she moaned, her head falling back as his lips moved down her neck. She could feel his incisors growing against her skin and it sent another shiver through her. "Make me yours."

Christian stared down at her, lost in the jade green of her eyes. "Your beauty draws me, your innocence tempts me, your pleas urge me to do things that I should do. I want you more than any woman I've ever met and that makes me too dangerous to you."

His words were softly said in his melodic voice and she felt her heart leap when he spoke of his wanting her. "You won't hurt me."

"How do you know? How can you be so sure? It takes so little for my kind to kill your kind. We were born for it, bred as killing machines with you and the rest of you humans as our logical prey. I am at the top of the predator list, Kinlye." His hands rose to her throat. "It would take very little for me to kill you right now.

Kinlye smiled up at him, completely unafraid at his thinly veiled threats. "Now if you'd had any thoughts of killing me, you wouldn't have bought the extensive wardrobe for me, Christian. You could no more hurt me than you would your brother." With his hands still at her throat, she quickly finished unlacing her chemise, allowing the two sides to fall open and her breasts to show through the opening.

Christian grabbed her arms as she reached for the pink ribbon that held her pantalets up. "Did you want to do it yourself?" she asked, turning her hand over in his and bringing it up to her breasts. Just the sensation of him, the touch of his fingers on her rounded flesh had her knees weak and her heart racing. Christian could hear it. It was as much a sign of her need at the provocative scent of her arousal. He tried to be strong and back away but she followed him and then his knees were at the edge of the sofa and she pushed him down, straddling his lap. When his hands went to his lap, his last moue of indifference, his last lie to keep himself sane, she cupped her breasts herself, squeezing and playing the way he wanted to do.

"My nipples are so hard, Christian." She twisted them, moaning and letting her head fall back even as her loins pressed intimately against his lap. "They almost hurt." She moved closer, holding his head still and rubbing her very hard nipple against his closed mouth. "Please Christian. I'll beg if you want."

She got off his lap, never seeing his hand reaching out to stop her. Instead, she kneeled in front of him, using his knees to rest her hands and then her head as she begged.

The words made little sense to Christian. He only saw the woman he wanted on her knees before him. It was more than he could take. He reached out with rough hands, dragging her back to his lap, his mouth cutting off anything she was trying to say to him. She was heaven to him. Her kisses, the feel of her pale but perfect arms wrapped around his neck, the taste of her kisses, the scent of her arousal, it all drew him in, refusing to let him loose. He needed her more than she could ever even think of needing him. She was his taste of heaven, his little slice of that place that was now denied to him. But he could feel it, here with her.

Her tongue was a brilliant flame, teasing him, making him follow into her mouth. Her scent was nirvana to his sensitive nose. His breathing was ragged, though he actually didn't need to breathe. "Kinlye..." he moaned. "We shouldn't."

"We should," she said decisively. "I want to belong to you and no one else." She straddled his lap. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"You're perfect, Kinlye. But that doesn't mean that I..."

"I think you're perfect as well, Christian. You want me?"

Christian's hands went to her hips and he pulled her against the bulge in his pants. "If I wanted you anymore..." He couldn't finish the sentence, moaning as the heat of her tried to warm the cold of his body. She stayed over his bulge, rubbing it with her, moving over him with the grace of a cat. "Where did you learn this?" 

My stepmother runs a laundry. I sometimes have to go into The Lady Luck to pick up their dirty sheets. They aren't too shy about what they do and where."

He was having troubles focusing when Kinlye kept rubbing her hot little body against his crotch. "Your stepmother should be taken out and shot." His eyes squeezed closed and he moaned when he felt her little fingers moving over the buttons of his pants. "Kinlye, no, you shouldn't."

"Christian," she said, kissing him softly after every word. "Yes, I should." When his pants were loosened, she reached inside, finding his cock and running her hand over it. "Hmm," she hummed. "So this is what one of these feels like."

His moan was heartfelt and his head fell back against the back of the couch. He'd given up. He was hers, heart body, and soul if that was possible. His hands went to her breasts as she continued to move over him and he squeezed the soft flesh, before drawing her up until he could reach the taut peaks. His mouth was like nothing she'd ever felt before. It was wet around her nipple, suckling her in and then torturing it with the tip of his tongue.

"Yes, Christian. Please, God, yes." Her back arched, her hands falling to his legs to hold her up. "More, love, don't stop, not yet."

He had no intentions now, she'd gotten past every defense he'd tried so desperately hard to erect. But she'd had no trouble breaking them down. Now he was hers and he reveled in the fact, his hands moving over her slender body, following her soft curves before sliding inside one loose leg opening and pressing against her soft cunt. He stroked over her wet flesh, slowly letting his fingers sink deeper into her until his index finger was trapped by the lush muscles of her pussy.




A Forever Love Ch. 04



Her hips were moving, especially when his thumb brushed against her clit. Her cries grew hoarse and he could feel her juices dripping against his hand. He pulled free, bringing his hand to his mouth to suck the sweetness of her secretions. He smiled down at her, watching her breasts heave. He grabbed her when she stood, but she shook her head. "No, wait," she promised with a smile. With a shrug of her beautiful shoulders, she let the chemise fall to the floor, then she caught his eyes, smiling as her fingers loosened the bow at the top of her pantalets. They fell to the floor and she was truly naked in front of him. 

His eyes roamed with slow thoroughness over every curve, every dip and valley she possessed. He smiled when he saw the blush rise in her cheeks. Beckoning her closer, he put her back as she'd been on his lap, her legs straddling his. His fingers slid over her cheekbones. "Do you know how much I treasure these?"

"My cheeks?"

He laughed at her confusion. "No, my love. Your blushes. They are so infinitely human. I treasure each and every one." He kissed each cheek, laughing when the red in her cheeks grew even redder. His lips stilled her attempts to hide her face, kissing her gently. "I would never want to take those away from you, Kinlye. They make you special, unique. They make you something that I can never be again."

"I would gladly give them all up if I could be allowed to spend eternity in your arms." She kissed him again, before he had a chance to deny her. Her ploy worked and he drew her down, laying her on her back on the sofa, his body coming to cover hers.

A crashing of glass had him raising his head and a stark hissing noise came from his lips. "What are you doing here, dog?" The words were a command as well as a slur.

"I won't let you kill her." He held the crossbow in his big hands easily, the silver tipped bolt aimed at Christian's heart.

Kinlye grabbed the blanket that she'd been using earlier and held it up to her nude form. "He wasn't going to hurt me, Matthew. He would never hurt me." She moved quickly and pushed herself between the two. "I'm not going to let you hurt him." The bolt from Matthew's crossbow was not pushing against her skin under the blanket. He'd not doing anything I didn't beg him to do, Matthew."

"Y-you want that filthy blood drinker to touch you?" His face was twisted in a grimace of distaste. "How can you stand his touch?" 

"Because he'd not filthy, he's sweet, and kind, and he loves me." She said the last slowly, gazing back at Christian who smiled and nodded. 

"I do," he mouthed the words.

"And I love him, Matthew. If you hurt him, you're hurting me." She laid her hand on his that held the crossbow. "I appreciate your worry, Matthew. I do. But he isn't going to do anything to me that I don't want him to do."

"You're brainwashed," he said slowly. "He has you thinking things that you shouldn't think of. He's evil, Kinlye and he will end up killing you. You've got to come with me, now." 

"I don't want to leave him." The words were decisive and she wrapped the blanket around her, tucking in the loose end and crossing her arms under her breasts. "I want to stay here with him."

"God, I'd hoped it wouldn't come down to this." He took aim over Kinlye's head and let the bolt fly, then he smashed the end of the crossbow down against her temple and caught her before she could hit the floor. The bloodsucker was down, blood flowing from his wound and Matthew could hear others coming. He had to leave. Carrying Kinlye like a sack of potatoes, he hurried out the door he'd broken open to run through the gardens and out through the back gate, the same gate that Christian had used earlier.

He had his Kinlye. He had plenty of time to woo her now and to teach her of the evil things that those people were capable of. He remembered the vampire lord he'd served and the depraved and disgusting things that would go on when Caprice was either with him or was in her room, sleeping. The sacrifices, the orgies, the waste of humanity just to entertain the bored lord had been extreme and more than what Matthew had been able to bear.

It had been evil, an evil that had been performed by ever traveling lord visiting his lord's grand palatial estate. He would have been happier burning it down around their heads once he'd gotten his Caprice out. But she'd seen only the good, only the things that he'd wanted her to see. So Matthew had walked away, Caprice on his arm, to hide out until they could leave London and make their way to the New World Matthew had heard so much about.

He glanced down at the woman he now held in his arms. He'd committed more than one unforgiveable crime today. If the vampires found him, his life would be forfeit in the most horrible of ways. So he had to be smart, he had to stay ahead of them. With that thought, he hailed a passing cab. "To the wharves." He told the man. Then he settled in with his stolen prize, holding her carefully to keep the jarring of the coach from jarring her head. She would be furious when she woke and he wanted to do everything in his power to have that happen when he had them hidden.

He sighed. Life was never easy.

* * * *

I hope you are still enjoying my story. I'm in a bit of dilemna. I could go one of two ways. Matthew could get the girl, taking her to the new world and finding their happiness there. Or Christian could save her, change her to one of his kind and they could do the happily ever after thing. Both endings are running through my head and I'm just not sure what I should do. Any thoughts?



A Forever Love Ch. 05



Something cool pressed against Kinlye's forehead and she smiled, mumbling the name of the man she longed for. "Christian."

The coolness was gone and she reached out, for the first time opening her eyes, to find him. There was only a dim light coming into the room from well covered windows and she blinked, trying to see. The pain only made itself known when she tried to lift her head and she moaned, her hand going to her head.

"Where am I? Why do I hurt?" she asked aloud, not expecting an answer. Hearing her own voice had a calming effect upon her and made her feel a bit better.

"You're in my room here at the inn, Kinlye."

Kinlye squeaked, pushing away from the big man who rose from the chair beside her bed, his hand going out to her. "Y-you shot Christian," she cried out in horror as the memories surfaced. "You killed him!"

"I doubt it," Matthew sighed. He shook his shaggy head. "Vampires are notoriously hard to kill. That bolt probably did little but slow him down a bit. He should be fine."

"W-why did you shoot him?" She curled into a ball at the far corner of the bed, flinching back from his hand.

"I won't hurt you, Kinlye. I had to stop him. He was going to hurt you. They're evil. They always have been, they always will. I couldn't let him do that to you, Kinlye. You're too good, too sweet." He shifted in the chair again, his hand touching her gently. "You'll understand soon enough, Kinlye."

"Understand what?" She moved closer again to the wall to keep his hand off of her.

"I'm going to make you like me. Then you'll be able to see what I have and you'll know how evil they are. Then you and I will be together and I'll no longer be alone." The wistful eagerness in his tone was hard to ignore and she felt her heart give a little toward the strange man. She pushed herself up, making sure she was still well covered with the blanket.

"I don't want to be what you are, Matthew." She said the words gently, hoping that she could get through to him. "I love Christian and he loves me. Can you understand that?"

"The evil that rots within his breast has no concept of the term love. It is foul and loathsome. I've seen its deeds first hand. Rape and murder, that all the demon vampire wants for his life. How can you claim to love something so foul, sweet lady?" Matthew shook his huge head, his eyes glowing in the dim light of the coals that heated the room.

"Not Christian." Kinlye sat up even further, her hand held out as she beseeched the big man to listen to her. "He's good and kind. He rescued me when my stepbrother wished to perform acts that would besmirched my honor. He gave me a place to stay when I couldn't go home. He was sweet and kind to me, Matthew. Rape is not something he would ever consider."

Matthew shook his head. He could not think of any way for Kinlye to see what a vampire could do to her life except to share a bit of his magic with her. "I need to touch you. I won't hurt you," he hurried to add when he saw her head shaking. "I just want you to see what I have. It won't hurt, Kinlye. I promise."

There was still doubt in her eyes but she held still as he rose to sit on the side of the bed, his big hand coming out to cover her eyes, the other touching the back of her hand. "Now you will see."

Flashes of images flowed through her head, each one faster and more confusing until suddenly, she was no longer in this room. She stood in the bailey of a large keep, a rake in her huge hands. Her body felt strange, too big, too clumsy and then she realized. She was Matthew. She was seeing his memories first hand, living them for herself. A thrill of fear shook her and she tried to deny what was happening, but Matthew would have none of it.

"See for yourself, Kinlye. They can't hurt you, they won't even see you."

Her feet moved her forward, and she leaned the rake against the side of the Keep, slipping inside the open doorway. The smell of meat roasting made her stomach growl and she realized that she hadn't eaten since breakfast, early this morning. Perhaps she could con cook out of a plate.

A scream forced her to turn her head and she watched in horror as a young girl, barely more than 18 summers, was chained naked to the wall of the great room. The lord and his men laughed as coarse and belittling remarks were made about the girl. The size of her breasts were argued over and the lord, himself, rose from his high backed chair to stride across the room. He cupped one soft globe, his thumb moving across her nipple until it rose high and tight. Then he ducked his head, his mouth opening to suckle on her pale pink treasure.

The girl, her face flushed from terror and embarrassment, tried to get away from the Lord, but it wasn't allowed. His other hand came up, mauling her other breast and the slid down to the forest of hair that covered the softness of her sex. He thrust his fingers into her, laughing at her screams and at the way she kicked out. She was doing anything she could do to end this torture, to get this man off of her.

Kinlye was shocked when the lord loosened his codpiece and freed his cock. It was huge, erect and so hard it seemed to quiver. "What..." she whispered in terror for the girl, wanting to turn away. But Matthew's body didn't allow her and she watched as the lord grabbed the girl's legs, prying her thighs apart and stepping between them. He lifted the girl and gave a sudden lunging thrust into her, tearing her hymen and forcing at least half his length into her.

The girl screamed, her head falling back against the wall, her eyes wide in shock. She kept shaking her head as if to deny what was happening to her and her hands fisted, pushing against the Lord's wide chest. He kept thrusting, seating himself fully inside of her, enjoying her squirming and spouting his enjoyment to his men.

Kinlye glanced at the men with disgust as they pushed and shoved each other to get in line behind the Lord, in pursuit of their own pleasure upon the once virginal loins of the girl.

"What ho?" one man shouted. "My lord, save some of that for your loyal men."

He glanced back at his men and for the first time Kinlye became aware of something strange. His eyes were hard with an evil bent that changed the shape of his face. His fangs were visible and his mouth opened wider than she'd thought possible. His face was white, the darkness of his facial hair shockingly different. "She's mine," he growled, his voice raspy harsh. Then he turned, letting the girl see the monster that rode her. Her screams were ear splitting and then they gurgled away as the Lord bent to his treat, tearing out her throat and drinking of the sweetness of her blood.

His hips jerked as he found the pleasure he sought of her flesh, his cock pulled free to spurt his bloody cum over the girl's white thighs. Then he pulled away, the gaping wound in her throat, gleaming as what little blood he'd left in her was pushed out by the beat of her heart. Kinlye watched as that blood flowed slower and then slower until, as the second man pushed his foul cock inside of her, the girl died.

She gagged, her huge hand going to her mouth as she turned and rushed out of the Keep to sprawl on his knees next to a trough of water kept for the horses. He vomited up what little was in his stomach and then the retching spasms continued until he forced his mind away from the atrocities he'd watched being committed. He reached one shaking hand into the trough and splashed his face with it before going to the communal water pump to fill a tin cup there and used it to wash out his mouth.

Forgetting any thoughts of hunger, he found his way into the stable and bedded down in some sweet smelling hay, the normal sounds of the horses easing him in the smallest of ways.

If it hadn't been for her, for his Lady Caprice, he'd have left that night, sneaking away like a villain in the dark to find himself a new home. But Caprice was there and he could never leave her alone with the terrors and travesties he'd witnessed.

Kinlye tried to force her eyes to open but she heard Matthew's mutter. "Not yet. You don't believe yet." And he firmed his grip upon her.

Tears streaked down her cheeks from under his hand but she quit struggling. He wouldn't let her go until he was ready. She opened her eyes, her insides shrinking from seeing any other horror.

His lordship had bid him to go to the village and fetch the Miller and his wife and family. The family comprised of the two sons who worked the mill with the Miller and a younger daughter, a beautiful girl who was a joy to her father and a help to her mother. He hated himself for having to do as the Lord ordered but he had no choice. That choice had been taken from him the day he'd sworn an oath of fealty and allowed the Lord's brand to be burned into his flesh.

He'd gone and brought them back to the Keep, his heart heavy in his chest. If it weren't for Caprice and his love for her, he might have fought that bond he'd made to his lordship and run away right then. But he couldn't, he wouldn't leave Caprice her alone, not for anything in this world. He shook that thought away, standing behind the Miller's family, his great height making it easy for him to see and hear what was happening in front of the Lord's chair.

"Your taxes are late, sir."

"The wheat crop was poor this season, my lord. We haven't had the work..."

The lord raised his hand, cutting him off mid sentence. "So, if some tyrant were to ransack the village you would understand that the grass yields were low this year and as such, I couldn't ride my mighty horse to protect you and your family?" He held up his hand as his men laughed and picked up his tankard of ale. "Perhaps your problem is that you have too many mouths to feed?" He took a sip of the ale and then sat the tankard down. "Is that it?"

"N-no, my lord. I have two cows, both fine milkers and a horse."

Once again, his lordship lifted his hand. "Do I look like I milk cows?"

"N-no, my lord."

"I have a fine war horse, you've seen him, haven't you?"

"Yes, b-but..."

"No buts, Miller. I find that I feel the need to make an example of your family for the next family that decides to have too many children that they can't afford to pay their taxes. But I will be lenient. Choose."

"Choose?" The Miller's lean face looked as confused as his voice sounded.

"Yes, choose. Which member of your family shall I kill as payment of your taxes?"

"Kill? No, my lord." He fell to his knees. "Please, lord, I'm begging you. Do not do this."

"I'm giving you a choice, Miller. Choose or should I just kill them all?" He nodded and his men grabbed each member, including the Miller's wife, swords now pushing at their throats.

"No!

"Then choose."

"Choose me!" The Miller watched in horror as his wife stepped forward, her hands out toward their lord. "I would rather die myself than see him choose between our children, my lord."

His lordship rose from his chair and walked forward to where the woman stood. She was short, stocky, a white apron covering a well worn dress, her hair tucked up under a mob cap. She stood under his scrutiny, her eyes pleading. "No," he said, the back of his fingers touching her chin. "You are brave, ma'am, and I feel for the pain that you will soon be feeling, but I cannot allow your husband such an easy way out. It must be his choice and you are not a part of those he must choose from. Go back and comfort your children. Your husband had the money to pay the taxes and he used it instead upon a whore in the next town where he went to sell his flour. He was weak, and sinful. Now he must choose."

Tears filled her eyes and her chin quivered. She sent dagger filled looks at her husband and then went back, drawing all three of her children into her embrace.

"Choose!" His voice roared through out the hall.

"M-Meghan," the Miller stuttered. "Please lord, make it quick."

The master moved towards his chair, turning his back upon the Miller. When he turned back, horror-filled screams erupted from their throats. He was monstrous as he sat down upon his high back chair. "Meghan," he crooned. "Come to me, child."

The girl untangled herself from her mother's embrace and fearlessly walked toward the monster that was her lord. She stood before him and took his hand, coming to sit upon his knee. "This is your choice and now I bid you watch as I suck the life from this darling child's body."

"No!" the Miller's wife cried again, but she was held back, forced to watch as the lord turned his face toward the girl, opening his mouth so wide as to look unnatural. Then he sank his teeth into the girl's throat. She flinched but once, and he gulped her sweet blood until none was left. Then he lifted her, taking her back to the Miller.

"You will take this child to bury amidst the graves of my bravest warriors. You will dig the grave yourself. My men will be there to make sure that you bury her deep and then cover her body with rocks. Then you will go to your home and collect my cows and my horse and bring them to my stable where you will care for them. Then, you will go home to your wife and beg that she can find some forgiveness for you. If not, you will leave this town, not her. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my lord." He took his daughter's body, feeling her cold, dead skin against him. He couldn't look the man in the eyes, not those eyes. 

Matthew nodded at his lordship, knowing without words that it would be up to him to make sure that the Miller did as he was ordered and then to wait to find out if the Miller's wife would forgive her husband his infidelities and the death of their daughter, or if he would be escorting the man to the city limits. But he knew he'd never forget the sight of that blonde haired little girl step up to the monster that he was beholden to and let him lift her to his lap. It was a horror that would live upon his soul.

"Now do you see?" Matthew took his hands from off of Kinlye's face, seeing the tears that flooded the woman's eyes. 

"I see that you worked for a horrible man, Matthew. I can understand why you feel the way you do, but Christian is not like that and you can't just lump him into the same boat as that monster." She wiped her eyes on the edge of the blanket that Christian had put over her while she slept. "You need to take me back."

"No." Matthew shook his head fiercely as she glared up at him. "He'll hurt you."

"You're hurting me now." She wrapped the blanket around her, tucking a free end between her breasts to hold it and then scooted around him and out of the bed. "You've kidnapped me, after assaulting me, how is that different then what your lord did, Matthew?" 

* * * *

"Christian!" Rafe slapped at his brother's cheeks, trying to rouse him. A groan assured him that Christian was rousing and the lump on the side of his head was quickly healing. When he finally opened his eyes, Christian was completely healed and jumped up, out of his brother's arms. "Where is she?"

"Who, Kinlye?" Nikky stepped forward, the tiny pantalets and chemise in his hand. "She's not here."

"It was the werewolf," Christian said, rubbing at the place where the bolt had skimmed his skull. "He's taken her."

"Werewolf?"

"Dammit, Rafe. Can we do the questions and answers later and go find Kinlye now?" He was heading toward the door before Rafe even answered. A tiny tuft of hair caught his attention in the ruin that had once been French doors and he plucked it up, bringing it to his nose. He inhaled the almost rank scent and then handed it to Rafe who then handed it to Nikky.

"The things I do for you, Christian," Nikky groused before lifting the hair to his nose. A moue of disgust crossed his face and he glanced at Rafe. "Why does it always have to be werewolves?"

"Would you rather gargoyles?" Rafe asked, smiling as his mate shuddered even harder. "Then quit complaining Nikky. Kinlye's alone with the animal."

Nikky rolled his eyes but shut his mouth and he had his nose to the freshening wind. He was the best of the three at tracking and he caught the scent almost immediately. He headed out the back gate, Christian and Raphael behind him.

The stench of the wharves in London confused him for an instant and he stood to one side of the road, his head raised to the wind. The salty smell was buried under the aroma of dead fish and dirty humans and under all of that was the scent they hunted, the scent of the werewolf. Nikky followed it down a back alley, ignoring Rafe's questions and jabs about the state of his olfactory. He leapt to a pyramid of crates and then in through a broken window, the sounds of drinking and revelry below.

"In there," he said to Christian. "He's got her in there." He clasped his hand on the vampire's shoulder. "She's still alive."

Christian sighed, one outcome easily pushed from his mind. "Follow me."

The door was locked but it was easily broken and he pushed it open, the sight of Kinlye standing on her own, wrapped in a blanket comforting him more than a little. "Are you all right?" he asked, taking her hand as she rushed to his side.

Her smile lit up his world and he caressed her face with a touch of his fingers. "Go back there and stand with Nikky, Kinlye."

She shook her head, shocking him. "He doesn't know what he's doing, Christian. He was trying to protect me from you."

"Yes, and I don't want him to ever try to do that again, love." He nudged her gently behind him, sighing when she refused to move.

"No, Christian. He's confused. He thinks that you're like the other vampires he's known before." She touched his face, drawing his eyes from the hunched over form of Matthew to her own countenance. "You can't hurt him for trying to help me."

"He took you from me, Kinlye. You can't think I can let him get away with that."

She smiled gently into his worried gaze, seeing the anger that roiled just below the surface. Her hands rose, one going to the side of his face where the bolt had struck him, the other touching his chest. "Can't we just go home? Please? He's a confused man, Christian. I don't think he's known a kind hand in his life."

"Caprice," Matthew muttered. "Caprice was kind. She loved me."

"Wait a minute," Rafe said, his hand going to Christian's arm. "Caprice Haversham. Wasn't she the one that was taken captive and killed by a were?"

"Yes, she was. That was forever ago," Nikky agreed. "Her father put out a reward for the capture and return of her killer, alive." He glanced at Matthew, noting the way the man just sat hunched there, defeated.

"Haversham was a cruel and torturous master," Christian said slowly, his eyes going from the woman in his arms to Matthew. "Caprice was the only thing he'd ever loved."

"He'd have killed her." Matthew's words were softly spoken. "Instead, I ended up killing her."

"How?"

The word seemed to confuse Matthew and he stared up as Christian moved slowly closer to him.

"W-what?"

"How did you kill her?"

"She wanted to mate with me, to be my true other half. My blood killed her."

Christian nodded. He patted Kinlye's hand that was on his arm, giving her a smile of reassurance. "So it wasn't purposefully done. I'd thought as much. Haversham's a monster." He held his hand out to Matthew, taking his to shake. "I appreciate you trying to keep Kinlye safe, Matthew. I won't hurt her."

"No, but you'll kill her. You'll make her into a demon like you."

"I love her, Matthew. I love her the same way you loved Caprice."

"And I killed her."

"But with me, she'll be reborn. She'll live forever. She'll be forever young, forever beautiful, forever in my arms, Matthew."

"No!" he shouted, rising suddenly. Christian stood back, pushing Kinlye toward Rafe. "She'll become a demon, be evil like all your kind are!" He growled low in his throat and the crackling of bones was suddenly loud in the room. 




A Forever Love Ch. 05



"Get her out of here," Christian shouted toward Rafe, and he turned to face the furious face of the werewolf.

* * * *

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful feedback. Even the not so nice feedback hasn't been as bad as it could have been. I hope you continue to enjoy this story and please, remember to vote and leave a comment if you'd like, all are welcome.



A Forever Love Ch. 06



Kinlye jerked trying to force her way out of Rafe's arms. "No, let me go!" There was horror in her voice and on her face as she clawed at Rafe to get free.

"Nikky, take her," Rafe shouted, pushing her toward his mate. He barely saw Nikky catch her before turning toward the door. His brother was in there, facing the wolf of a man who wasn't sane. He opened the door, ducking back as the huge body of the beast hit the wall next to him. Christian stood, his legs a shoulder's width apart, his eyes on the beast.

"Christian," Rafe yelled. "Are you alright?"

Matthew didn't give Christian time to answer; he came up at him from the floor with huge claw-like hands reaching for his throat. He drove him backward and against the wall, huge puffs of plaster and chunks of the wall falling to the floor at their feet. Christian broke Matthew's hold with a loud grunt and then grabbed his arm, using the monster's weight to pull him over his hip to land, once more, on the floor.

Christian was ready when the beast rose again and he easily moved aside, ducking under Matthew's arm. He turned and let Matthew run himself into the wall. The beast sank down, his hand going to a bleeding wound upon his forehead. "Are you ready to listen?"

"What's there to listen too? You giving your men orders to have me taken out and tied to a tree so that you can beat me?

"Matthew, I have no intentions to hurt you. I do not believe in whipping a man as punishment for some imagined crime. You've done all of this to protect Kinlye, to protect the woman that I love beyond my own life. I won't punish you for doing something I myself would do as well."

"But...but you're...you're a vampire?"

"Yes, as are my brother and his mate, Matthew. But we don't kill, we don't indiscriminatingly recreate our kind. As you feel about your own mate, I feel for Kinlye. I want her to feel a part of me; I want her in my life forever. I also want you to understand this. We will only have this conversation once, Matthew. Come after her again and I won't be quite so understanding. Do you understand me?"

Christian's eyes didn't move from the big beast that sat on the floor in front of him. He didn't move, not until he heard the beast's answer.

"You won't hurt her, or kill her? You don't know the horrors I've seen in the home of a master vampire." Christian took two steps closer to the beast, laying his hand over the eyes of the shrinking Matthew.

"Relax," he murmured. "Let me in, let me see." For a moment there was nothing behind Matthew's eyes but a kaleidoscope of colors, flowing and changing with no sense of reason behind them. But slowly, they changed and Christian could see into Matthew's thought, see the things that had horrified him so much about vampires.

The girl wasn't much older than eighteen, her mother one of the castle's maids. She was playing in the wide maze of the garden while she waited for her mother to finish her day. With a soft sigh, she bent over the open bud of a rose, breathing in its beautiful scent.

"What are you doing here?"

The girl jumped away from the flowers, falling into a quick curtsey as she saw the man waiting for an answer from her. "I...I was waiting for...my mother..."

"Speak up, girl!"

The girl, her name was Annalisa stuttered her answer again, this time managing to make it a bit louder.

"Do you know who I am, girl?"

"Lord Dansmith, sir. You are in charge of the castle guard." She glanced up at his face, trying to gauge his reaction. His face was like a mask of stone, unmoving, uncaring. It terrified her even more and she felt the unnerving need to run

"And you are Annalisa. We've heard of you, girl. You're old enough, why haven't you applied for a position in the castle?"

"Uh, sir, I am innocent of men. My mother fears that I will become debauched if I apply for a position here." She glanced up and for the first time saw a smile form on Dansmith's face. It made him even scarier looking and Annalisa wanted to run from the gardens. She wanted to find her mother and bury her face in the softness of her mother's bosom and forget meeting this strange and evil man. Her eyes grew ever larger as he walked toward her, taking a stray strand of brilliant red hair in his hand, wrapping the length around his wrist, forcing her to move closer to him.

"Debauched? Hmm, probably so. You are a pretty one, Annalisa, a rare treat for myself and my men to share. Come with me, I will show you things you'd only guessed about or dreamed could be true." He didn't let go of the girl's hair, feeling her urge to run, to be away from him and the dangers that he represented. The emotions running from her body were delicious and he looked forward to more. He forced her to walk in front of him, his hands moving from her breasts to her thighs, ignoring her cries. He opened a door she'd never noticed in the wall that surrounded the gardens, pushing her through first before following behind her.

Annalisa struggled to get away from him, even tearing hunks out of her hair that he'd wrapped around his hand. But he was too strong and he turned and locked the door behind them after pushing her through. His hand squeezed her breast and she screamed. He slapped her face. "No screaming, girl. You'll find that our kind hears screams and find them to be something of an aphrodisiac to our demonic natures." He yanked her back against him, shoving his hand down the front of her loose fitting blouse. Her bare breasts were there for his enjoyment and he did, squeezing and kneading, pulling on her nipples, twisting and plucking on them until she struggled to be away, more screams falling from her lips.

He pushed her through another doorway, grabbing hold of her blouse and ripping it in half. He pushed it from her shoulders, baring her beautiful breasts to the enjoyment of the men in the room they'd entered.

"Oh look, Dansmith brought us a treat." Another man stood, standing in front of Annalisa, his hands coming up to touch her face. "You look scared, little girl. Are you afraid of us?"

"Please don't let him do this to me. Help me! Please!"

The man laughed, his hands going from her shoulders to the softness of her breasts. His head dipped and Annalisa felt the touch of a man's lip on her nipple. Before, when she'd think about having this kind of relationship with a man, he'd been her husband and a first lieutenant of the realm. He'd wooed her, chased and won her and was her hero. He was a gentleman, nothing like these men here. They stood around her, pushing her from one to the other. She was grabbed and kissed with hard mouths and probing prying tongues. Her skirt was ripped and she felt it slipping, catching on her wide hips only to be forced even further down until she lost even that bit of a barrier from those drooling, jeering men.

She was tossed back to the first man and when she looked up and into his face, she screamed even harder. It had changed, gone from handsome to hard and evil. He opened his mouth, his fangs gleaming in the light of the candles and he flicked his tongue over them. "Now you know what we are, Annalisa. This is what your mother feared to happen if you were ever allowed to work here. This is what she knew we would do to you." He grinned widely and ran his tongue over his teeth once more.

Annalisa cringed back, wanting nothing to do with this man/monster that held her so tightly, so intimately. "Please," she whimpered, terrified beyond the capacity to speak with any volume. "Let me go."

"Oh, I just love it when they beg." He tipped his head back, in nostrils flaring as he inhaled greedily. "You smell of fear, so delicious, so delicate. I can hardly believe how luscious you smell." He dipped his head, burying his nose against the skin of her neck. "So delectable." He sighed and she screeched, tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried so hard to move away from him.

"No-o-o!" She tried desperately to pull away until he shook her, his finger skimming down between her eyes and off the tip of her nose to tap against her lips.

"Now, Annalisa, slow down a bit. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. What can I do for you?"

"Let me go, please?" Her tone was bordering on desperate and she stared up at the twisted face of the man who'd captured her earlier. She was a step away from hysterical and she took a couple of deep breaths, waiting for her captor to answer.

A slow smile grew upon his lips and he reached out, grasping her breast in one hand. She grabbed his wrist, doing everything in her power to get him to let go. Just as the woman opened her mouth to scream, Christian removed his hand. "I know what happens next. Matthew, a lot of our kind act with little concern to humans and worry little about their welfare. My brother and I are not like that. We feed, but we never kill and we never, ever force someone to do what they do not wish to do. I know you don't believe that, but I want you to see for yourself.

Matthew curled his upper lip in a sneer. "Your kind is all the same."

"If that is what you think, looking won't hurt you any at all." Christian tried to keep his expression calm, but it wasn't easy, especially with the sneer that was on the face of the werewolf.

"Fine," Matthew growled, rising quickly to his feet. Rafe growled and readied himself to attack before Christian's hand landed on his shoulder, holding him back.

"Slow down, Rafe. This is necessary." He stood as Matthew moved closer to him, meeting his eyes.

"How does this work?" Matthew asked, his hands hovering around Christian's face.

Christian lifted his hands, grabbing Matthew's huge palm and pulling it over his eyes. "This might make you a bit dizzy, Matthew. Vampires think a bit quicker than humans do. I'll try to slow down my thoughts."

Matthew nodded and then closed his eyes as the figures filling his head moved with lightning speed. Voices mixed together, creating a chaos of noise that he could not decipher. They were a buzz that only slowed when Christian sighed. Then he began to identify the different people he was seeing and hear their voices. Matthew's eyes were wide as he followed the actions going on before him. He jerked when he saw a large room of hooded vampires, a young werewolf standing in their center. The werewolf spoke, his hand rose to point at one of the hooded figures. Christian pulled back his hood, his voice loud as he called for the punishment of the vampire that had hurt the werewolf and his family in question. Voices around him rose and a babble grew louder as some of those vampires called for evidence. Others shouted for punishment.

Christian held his hands up, calling loudly for quiet. When it was restored to the room, Christian stood again, moving from the werewolf to the vampire accused of killing the werewolf's whole family. "Lord Davis Arlloff, you have been found guilty of the awful and deliberate slayings of Naomi and Eloise White, wife and daughter of Malcolm White. What do you say of these accusation?"

"This is bunk! Even if I had killed those two, they are nothing but wolves, neither human nor animal. How can you possibly find me guilty for something of this nature!"

When he wound down, Christian rose again. "Naomi and Eloise were young women. Naomi was also pregnant. Neither of them did you foul, they had no idea who you were until you attacked them killing them savagely. Do you have any evidence that you weren't there? Anything that might be concrete?" Malcolm growled, his eyes glowing as he sat and listened to the crimes that had been committed upon his family. He settled only when Christian set his hand on Malcolm's shoulder.

"The werewolf is here for our usage. They have no rights in our world, Christian. What you are trying to do here is a travesty of justice. It equals us to them and it makes me physically ill." Davis lifted his handkerchief, pressing it to his red tinged lips.

"So you think that because they are animals, we should ignore their wishes. We should decide what's best for them and treat them as disposable? That makes me sick." Christian swallowed heavily, feeling the gorge rise into his throat.

"Do you want to know why those two females were killed?"

Christian nodded, his hands braced against the table in front of him.

"They were stealing from me. When I demanded payment, the older bitch snarled at me. I was not going to let that go unpunished."

"So you broke her neck and then raped and abused her daughter, did you not?"

"They had to be made to pay." Arlloff ducked backwards as the werewolf snarled, his teeth snapping loudly. He was being held back now, held by three large men and his body was beginning to change. Christian stepped in front of the frothing face of the werewolf, his hand touching him gently against his neck. 

"Malcolm, calm." He bent closer to the beast, ignoring the slathering fangs and the saliva that sprayed from them. "Calm down, my friend. Let us finish here."

Malcolm physically shook himself, stopping the change and forcing himself to calm. "Quickly, Christian," he said between clenching teeth.

Christian nodded. He turned away from Malcolm and turned back to Davis. "So, you killed Naomi and her unborn child. Then what happened?"

Davis flicked an imaginary speck of fluff from the sleeve of his jacket. He cleared his throat and then flicked at the collar and his cravat. "I did what any of the rest of you would. I took the young one in payment for their theft."

"Ah so you think if someone steals from you that you should be allowed to do what you want to them?" Christian snapped his fingers and watched as the huge double doors opened slowly. A single person entered the room full of caped vampires.

"Daddy?"

Davis Arlloff lifted his head. His eyes went wide as he heard his daughter's voice. "No, Davalos, no, she had nothing to do with this." He reached up, grabbing hold of Christian's sleeve. "Please don't involve her in this. I'll do whatever you want." 

"Maybe Malcolm felt the same, Davis. Maybe he would have done anything in this world to protect his family, and he was never given the chance. Maybe after you killed his wife, the woman he'd sworn to spend the rest of his life with, you should have thought of how you would feel if he were doing the same things you did to his daughter. She was his one and only child and you killed her." Christian stared around the room of vampires. He reached out and took the hand of the young vampire girl. "Malcolm?"

Malcolm lifted his head, tears were streaming down his face, his eyes held nothing but misery. "Y-yes, Christian."

"This is up to you." He lifted the girl's hand, ignoring the outcry from some of the other members of the room. "What is your decision?"

Malcolm lifted his hand, taking the girl's fingers in his. He drew her closer to him and then bent, brushing a single kiss on her satiny soft cheek before taking her to her father. "I may be a wolf," he growled. "But that doesn't make me an animal." He nodded at Christian and then walked past the rest of the vampires before heading out the door.

Christian reached up, taking Matthew's hand in his. "Can you see, Matthew? I will not hurt Kinlye. Ever."

Matthew's eyes were leaking tears. His shoulders shook and sobs broke through his stoic demeanor. "I would pledge myself to you, sir." 

Rafe opened his mouth but Christian stopped him. "What would that mean, Matthew?"

"I pledge to care for you and your family, to do whatever you need done."

Christian nodded. "I won't have to worry about you around Kinlye, will I?"

"No, sir." He spoke the words quickly and then looked up at Christian. "I'll do whatever you wish done, sir."

Christian smiled. "Pledging is unnecessary, Matthew. We'd love for you to become a part of our family. I'm sure that would make Kinlye happy as well. You have only to promise that you won't hurt her or try to take her away from me again. That's all I'll ever ask." He held out his hand, waiting for Matthew to take his hand, shaking it. Then he nodded at the man

He turned and walked out of the room, barely having time to open his arms when Kinlye came barreling into them. "You're all right? Oh God, tell me you're all right." Her hands roamed over his body, searching for any kind of injuries.

"Slow down, sweetheart. I'm fine." He hugged her close, his hand touching the softness of her cheek, turning her face to meet his eyes. "I'm fine. It's all over."

"Matthew?" A fear for the huge werewolf bit deep inside of her and she needed to know that he was all right as well.

"I've invited him to come and stay with us."

"Yes, my darling brother and his love for strays." Rafe smacked Christian in the arm and grinned at him.

"You should be thanking my love of strays. Your mate was one of those strays."

Rafe's grin just grew larger and he reached out and grabbed Nikky, hauling him against his body. "Oh yeah, he's my favorite of any you've brought home, Christian." Nikky dug his hand into Rafe's hair, bringing him down to kiss him.

Kinlye stared for a moment, unused to seeing two men kiss with such passion. Christian stared down at her, a smile hovering on his lips as he watched her eyes widen. Then he turned her toward him, two fingers under her stubborn little chin, lifting her face to him. "Show me how worried you were," he whispered, his lips only a few inches away.

She rose on her toes, her hands digging into the side of his hair, pulling it from the black ribbon he'd used to keep it back. Then his lips were on hers and he gave her full access of his mouth. A low groan was pulled from him and he pulled her even tighter against him. "You're mine now," he whispered against her mouth.

"Yes," she sighed. He tugged her even closer, turning her so that her back was to the wall. His mouth was hot, his tongue was like a living brand in her mouth. His arm was at the small of her back, arching her against him. When he finally lifted his head, she was panting. 

"Come on, Kinlye. Let's go home."



A Forever Love Ch. 07



Kinlye's face had beamed at his words. Home, with him, was a term she would never take for granted, especially since her own home had turned into such a nightmare. Her hand touched his cold cheek as he gathered her in his arms and he gaze down at her in question.

"Kinlye? Was there something else?"

She leaned up to reach his cheek. "I'll never take that word for granted again, Christian. Thank you."

He shook his head, his smile growing wider as he looked down at her. "It's where you belong, my love. There, with me, forever if that is your wish."

Kinlye laid her head against his shoulder, thinking of his words. "Forever? Would it hurt?" She gasped as the three men jumped from the second story window of the inn that Matthew had stolen her away to but Christian landed so that she never felt a single jolt.

His smile widened even more as he stared down at her. "Forever is an awfully long time, Kinlye. I know where my heart lays, but to be unsure could cause us both unbearable pain. You would have to be sure..."

"Of how I feel? I am sure, Christian. It is soon and sudden but I've never had feelings like this before in my life. I love you, for now and for forever, if you'll have me?" She ducked her head shyly. Only then did she realize how quickly they were moving. Everything was a blur around her and she gasped, burrowing her face into his neck. Her arms locked around his neck and she felt the wind of their passage flutter at the sheet she wore around her, blowing her hair into his face. 

He didn't complain, only pressed his lips against her hair. "We shall be home soon, love. Just hold on."

Kinlye laughed. "As if I could do anything else." Her nose was pressed against his neck and she could smell the spicy scent of his skin. Her tongue came out and she licked a path from his collarbone to the spot just below his neck. He growled, the sound causing a spurt of heat to shoot through her, going straight to her loins. She nibbled at the long muscle in his neck, her hand coming up to touch his cheek.

Christian jumped to the balcony outside her bedroom and pushed open the doors, the beast inside of him howling at him to ignore his gentlemanly side and ravish her now. "We're home," he said huskily, moaning as she continued to tease his throat.

She lifted her head, staring up at him with eyes bemused by his taste and scent. She wanted him; she didn't want to wait, not for any reason. "Christian?"

Her voice was low, raspy, the sound shooting to his cock and making it harder if that was at all possible. "Yes, Kinlye."

"I want to be yours...forever."

There was a small jolt of painful pleasure at her words and his teeth pushed free of the gums that hid them. He laid her down, on top of her bed, quickly following her. "You're sure?" he asked, letting her see him as the monster for the first time. Her fingers came up, caressing his face, touching the tip of his fangs.

"Yes," she whispered softly, her eyes locking on the swirling blue of his eyes. "Make me yours."

Christian tugged at the sheet that was around her, ripping the fabric when it didn't come apart as quickly as he wanted. He had to see her, to feel her sleek form against him. He wanted to kiss her skin, to suffuse himself in the scent of her blood, to taste her cunt for the first time. Then he would bite her and make her his, forever.

He kissed her, his tongue pressing between her lips, hearing her moan as she chased his tongue back into his mouth, sliding hers over the sharp white fangs. She was cautious of the tips but she didn't let it stop her from kissing him deeply, moaning into his mouth. Her hands went to the buttons of his shirt, tugging them apart, her hands stroking across the wide muscles of his chest, down to the rippled strength of his abdomen. His skin was cold against her fingers, against her own body, but she relished the contact with him.

His lips moved from hers, his tongue circling the tender whorl of her ear. She shivered under him, her fingers digging into his back. Her hands moved to the open vee in his shirt, pushing it over his shoulder. He helped, tugging off the sleeves and letting it fall to the floor next to the bed. Her hands slipped over his naked flesh, warming his cold skin with her hands.

Christian moved down her body, his tongue coming out to slick over her collarbone and then teased the upper curves of her breasts, feeling her fingers clutch at him. Her hands slid into his hair as his lips opened over her nipple. He suckled her inside his mouth and smiled around that rosy pink tip as he heard her moan his name. His tongue tortured that hardened peak and he felt her hips pushing against him, undulating under him as her pleasure grew.

She was warm and growing warmer, her heat warming his skin, her taste driving him crazy. His wide palm covered her other breast, kneading at the silky soft skin. "You're beautiful, Kinlye, so incredibly beautiful." He glanced up at her as he spoke. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes closed, a distinctive light purple coloring her eye lids. She was panting, her breathing harsh.

The smell or her arousal was a musky aroma that was slowly driving him insane. He wanted so badly to taste of her blood, to impart the gift of immortality that had once felt like a curse to him. He'd searched for her, for his mate, his other half, for so very long, he'd thought she didn't exist. Now he was hers, and he'd hoped that she felt the same. Once he'd made her his, he would be able to feel her emotions, to hear her thoughts. With that thought in mind, he moved further down her slender body.

His tongue slipped into the shallow well of her navel and he heard her gasp in pleasure. He nuzzled the softness of her belly and then moved lower, kissing her thighs and the inside of her knees. His hands moved, sliding between her legs to open them with one long caress. "Open for me, Kinlye." She did as he asked, parting her thighs and bending her knees when his hands lifted them. He nuzzled his face so close to her wet pussy, which made her eyelids fluttered and then closed. Her groans were like seductive songs urging him on like the sirens of mythical legends,

His face was hard as he fought the desire to rip into her. The beast inside was demanding, cajoling and then begging for him to get on with it, to bite her and taste her blood, to bath in it. He growled, refusing to be rushed, or to hurt her. He kissed the softness of mons, hearing her sharp gasp and feeling her hands in his hair. Before she could stiffen or pull him away, he slicked his tongue through the wetness of her pussy, finding the small bean of her clit. The hands that had come down to pull his head away, released him.

"You're beautiful here, too, Kinlye." He lashed his tongue against her clit then curled it, pushing it inside the tight opening of her pussy. He heard her cry out again and felt the spasms of her pussy. He caught her clit between his lips, careful not to nick it with his fangs. He could feel her climax and he brought his thumb around, rubbing her clit with it as he bent his head, nuzzling her thigh. He opened his mouth, his fangs almost deadly sharp and he bit into her flesh, feeling the first euphoric pulse of her blood flood into his mouth. He gulped of it, hungrily and desperately, unable to stop himself. He could hear her heartbeat, hear it slow as he drained her almost to death before he forced himself to pull free, licking the wound closed.

Her eyes were barely open when he moved up her body. Her heartbeat was so slow to be almost indiscernible. He kissed her soft lips then brought his wrist to his mouth, slitting it easily. He brought it to her mouth. "Drink, Kinlye."

At first, all she could do was swallow the blood that he dripped into her mouth, then her hands came up, gripping his arm as she quickly regained her strength, sucking at his blood, gulping noisily. "That's it, Kinlye." He pressed his lips against her neck, his hair tickling her cheek.

When he pulled away from her, she gazed at the quickly healing wound. "More?"

"I'll teach you to hunt and how to cultivate donors that will feed you, my love." He smiled down at her, gently pushing her hair out of her face. He was still hard, still wanting to make her his in every aspect as well as being his mate. His cock was pressing against her wet sex and he kissed her, tasting his blood on her lips and in her mouth. "I want you," he whispered, ready to back off if she wasn't agreeable.

"I want you," she said, smiling up at him. He could see that her canine teeth had already changed and looked lethally sharp. She also didn't feel as warm to him as she had before. The changes were beginning.

He rubbed the head of his cock in the wetness of her pussy. "Hold onto me." She did and he pushed through her veil of innocence, slowly thrusting in before he was seated fully inside of her. She was tight and her hands dug into his back. He waited until she relaxed a little, smiling down at her. "Better?"

"Yes, but go slowly."

"Whatever you need, love." He stroked slowly into her, his beast almost gaining control again as the sensation of her wet, tight pussy around him called to it. He grabbed her hips, tilting her hips so that he could find that sensitive part of her pussy where he would give her the most pleasure. Christian kept it slow until she began to return his thrusts, pushing up against him and moaning his name.

Then he quickened his strokes, bending his head to suckle one taut nipple. Her cries grew more vocal and she pulled his head up, finding his lips. He could feel her need and the pleasure that seemed to flow from her to him. He could even feel the shivers as they broke over her. "Oh Gods, Kinlye." 

"I...I can feel you!" she cried. "How is this possible?"

He wanted to explain but the way she felt, the feelings she was pouring into his body stole his voice. He held her tight, slowing his strokes until she calmed just a bit. Then he rose up on his arms. "Hang on to me," he growled and then began to pummel himself into her. She cried out, and he could feel her first orgasm. It was fierce and had her toes curling against his legs. He kept thrusting through it and she cried out again.

"Yes," he cried and kissed her. He jerked, his come spattering the inside of her sex. His head spun with the pleasure and he collapsed on top of her, barely remembering to use his elbows to hold himself up. If he needed to breathe, his would have been ragged and tight.

* * * *'

Kinlye stroked her hand down his back, wondering how she'd ever thought him cold. Now he felt as human as anyone. She loved the way he felt, the pleasure he had given her. She loved him. She sighed and felt his hair moving against her face. "I love you, Christian."

He lifted his head and stared down at her. "Yes," he said. "I can feel that."

Staring up at him, a warm bubble of feeling seemed to flow over her and she smiled even wider. "You love me."

It was a statement and not a question but Christian answered anyway. "More than life itself. How do you feel?"

"Hungry."

Christian laughed. "Then I think we should do something about that." He pushed himself up, sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached for his pants, tugging them on before grabbing his shirt. He pulled it over his head, leaving it undone as he went over to Kinlye's wardrobe. He opened the door, reaching in for one of the gown that the seamstress had delivered. He pulled it out and laid it at the foot of her bed. Then he went into a drawer on a chest in the corner, tugging out underclothing for under her dress.

Kinlye laughed as she saw what he'd picked. It was another set like the one he'd ripped off of her the day before. With a grin, she rose from the bed, feeling his seed run down her thighs. She walked over to the chest that held a pitcher of water and a bowl, as well as a towel. "Are you going to leave so I can get cleaned up?"

Christian seemed to consider it, then he smiled and she could almost see that mischievous devil in his eyes. He shook his head no, challenging her.

She blew out a sigh. "Fine. I'm hungry enough to not worry about what you're going to do."

"How about if I do this?" He walked toward her and took the cloth from her hand, dipping it into the water and wringing it out. Then he dropped to his knees before her, lifting one of her feet to rest against his thigh, opening her to him.

"Christian..." 

"Yes?" He dabbed at her thighs, blotting away the blood and semen. Then he rinsed out the cloth once more and went back to cleaning her off. When he was finished, he leaned forward, kissing her slit and letting his tongue caress her clit.

She moaned, her hand coming down to rest against his hair.

"Sure you're hungry?"

"Yes, Christian." But she couldn't help but push against his mouth.

He finally leaned back, laughing at the disappointed look on her face. "We should get you fed, my love. After that, will you sleep with me in my room?"

"But..." she hesitated.

"But?" he urged.

"We aren't married.

"But, you know you are mine and I am yours. If you want, we can marry, if it will make you feel better. But I'm not letting you sleep anywhere but in my arms."

"So why did you bother asking?"

Christian laughed at himself. "I guess I just wanted to know how you felt about the whole thing."

"You mean you can't read my mind?"

"Of course I could but it isn't polite to poke and prod unless you're invited." He pushed her hair back, out of her face, curling a lock behind her small ear. "So I'd rather have you tell me, Kinlye." Because I love you. He sent that thought into her head and watched as a smile crossed her lips.

"Then as long as you say we will marry one of these days, then I have no problem with it." She squeaked when he caught her up in his arms, twirling her around and around until she begged him to stop. Her hand went to his cheek and she leaned up to kiss his mouth. "This just feels impossible. I keep waiting to wake up and see my stepmother's florid face, and hear her yelling at me."

"That will never happen again, Kinlye, I promise. I would never allow her to get her hands on you or let your stepbrother get around you either." He smiled down at her, holding out the undergarments that he'd gotten out for her. "We need to find you a lady's maid. But until we do, may I be of service, milady?"

He shook the tiny pantalets out, holding out the waistband toward her to let her step into the garment, pulling them easily up her trim legs until he reached the tiny vee of hair between her slender thighs. He slid one hand between them, teasing her soft woman's flesh for a moment before tying the ribbon that held it around her waist. He held out the short, fitted camisole and laced it up the front, letting his fingers brush against her skin. They slipped over her hard nipples, his hands toying with her breasts for a moment before he finished lacing it up.

She stepped into the petticoats that held the skirt out fully. He slipped the gown over her head and buttoned up the long placket. She stood in front of the mirror as he brushed out her long hair, taking the ribbon she handed him that matched the soft blue gown and letting him tie it in her hair. He knelt at her feet, slipping satin slippers onto her small feet, dropping soft kisses over her toes and the arch of her foot. When he was done, she looked completely different than she'd ever looked. "Maybe I don't need a lady's maid, Christian. You do such a wonderful job."

"Ha ha," he answered her. "Come on, I want to stop and talk to Rafe and Nikky before we leave." He took her hand and pulled her along with him, holding open the door and ushering her through. Kinlye skipped down the stairs, hand in hand with Christian. They stopped in the green salon. Rafe stepped up and kissed Kinlye on the cheek.

"I think we need to celebrate my new sister." He held out his hand to Nikky and brought him forward. He kissed Kinlye as well and then went to a small cart that was in the corner. He poured each of them a drink from a deep green bottle that he pulled the cork from. The crystal goblets that he used glimmered in the light of the fire. The dark red liquid that he poured was thick and had a decidedly copper smell to it.

Christian handed Kinlye the first goblet and then his brother and his mate. He held up his own goblet. "To Kinlye, welcome to our family."

"Welcome little sister. You make a beautiful and intriguing addition, perhaps more than my brother deserves." He smiled down at Kinlye so that she knew Rafe was joking. She let him pull her into his arms, squeezing her gently before letting her go back to Christian. Then he turned back toward Nikky, reaching for him to draw him into the group.

They drank the blood in the goblets. Kinlye took a small sip, unsure of the contents. Moments later she brought it back to her mouth, gulping it down. Then she forced herself to glance at the men, seeing the amusement in their eyes. "I'm not allowed to enjoy it?"

Christian just laughed, drawing her closer. "Darling Kinlye, it's been a very long time since any of us were 'baby' vampires. It's just interesting to remember being so excited about blood."

Kinlye licked clean her upper lip.

"Do that again," Christian urged, bending down to kiss her lips and to draw her tongue into his mouth. "Mmm, yes, just like that." His hand dug into the back of her hair, changing the angle of his lips to take her even deeper into the passion that she always inspired so easily.

Only when Rafe cleared his throat did Christian look up, finally letting Kinlye go. "What, jealous brother?"

Rafe laughed. "I don't know if you have noticed or not, but I think our tastes runs in very different directions." He wrapped an arm around Nikky's well developed shoulders and squeezed. Nikky looked up and smiled at his mate.

"That's good because she's taken." Christian pulled her closer. He dipped his head when Kinlye pulled on his sleeve. "What is it, love?"

"Hunting? I'm hungry."

Rafe laughed again. New vampires were entirely predictable. They thought of their stomachs and the need that grew inside of them to taste warm human blood. The need grew with every moment of their existence until it was finally quenched by their first feeding. "I think you'd better take her out before she hunts up one of the maids and takes out a chunk."

"That's a good idea." He pulled Kinlye closer, dipping to take her lips one more time. When he finished, he didn't let her go until he insinuated his tongue over her upper lip.

Kinlye danced in place, she was so eager to hunt. Christian was laughing at her but let her take his hand and tug him toward the hall. "We'll be back," he called.

She pulled him from the house, seeing all of the people that were returning to their homes after a long, hard day of work. Kinlye was amazed at the difference her new vampire eyes saw the humans. They glowed, each aura different than the one next to it. Some were bright red, fading out to a light pink. Others were a beautiful turquoise blue. All the colors of the rainbow were there, swirling around the humans, confusing her. She glanced back at Christian. "Do they always look like that?"

"Yes. It always depends upon the health of the person, or their happiness. Emotions always tell how the blood will taste. I will teach you which ones to stay away from and which are good and tasty, Kinlye. It's just one of the many lessons you will need to know and understand as an immortal."

"I can't wait," she said with a grin.



A Forever Love Ch. 08



They strolled along, down toward the market. Christian couldn't help but chuckle over the way Kinlye's eyes shone.

"They are so pretty." Kinlye reached out, her hand going through the aura of a couple of the vendors. "Did I look like that to you?"

"Your aura was a brilliant white, Kinlye. There aren't too many of them. You were sweet and kind and virtuous and it shone so wonderfully around you. It's the reason that I found you in that doorway so easily even when your stepbrother tried to hide you away. He couldn't hide your aura." He lifted Kinlye's hand, touching his lips to her skin. "Close your eyes, love."

She did as he asked, allowing him to lead her along. "Christian, what are you doing?"

"Reach out with your senses," he urged. "Let the auras seep into your mind."

"But I can't see them with my eyes closed."

"Yes, Kinlye, you can. Just open yourself to those around you. Let them in, feel their energy. You can do this, love. You can."

"Well, you have more faith in my abilities than I do. All right." She sighed and he couldn't stop the smile that touched his lips. Sighing was another of the human traits that she would carry with her until she got used to the undead ways.

"Just relax," he whispered. "Let the energy in. Let it fill you until you find the aura that teases your senses. That's the aura which will feed you the best."

Kinlye grinned. "So the auras are the equivalent of an immortal's menu?"

Christian laughed. "I guess you could say that." He stood beside her as the customers in the market ebbed and flowed around them. Then he heard Kinlye gasp. Her eyes shot open and she grabbed his arm. 

"My stepmother." She was shaking so badly that she could barely squeak out the words.

Christian pulled her close. "She can't hurt you, Kinlye. I won't let her, I promise."

"She could take me away from you," she whispered, her eyes flicking from him to the short, squat woman who was moving toward them like a ship plowing through the waves. Christian pulled Kinlye behind him, feeling her fingers grasping at his arm. 

"Over my dead body," he whispered back to her.

"Kinlye Haverstone! Where have you been? Your brother has been hunting for you day and night!" The woman's aura was a murky brown, which was the equivalent of what was in her soul.

Christian stood between her and Kinlye, blocking the woman from grabbing Kinlye's arm and dragging her away. "Excuse me, madam. I think you are a little confused. You have no business here, with me or with my wife."

That statement shocked the older woman and she blinked like an own before shaking her head. "Kinlye may not marry without my permission, so whoever you think you are, you are sadly mistaken. Please take yourself off and leave me to deal with her. I promise, she won't cause you any more damage, sir."

Kinlye was panicking. She would have to go with her stepmother and then end up being slapped and pinched and fighting off the unwanted advances of her stepbrother. She gripped Christian's sleeve harder, pushing herself against his back. "No," she whimpered.

Christian reached behind him, taking Kinlye's hand in his and pulling her out from behind him. "You have no tie to Kinlye anymore. After your treatment of her, I wouldn't be shocked if she wanted to go to the constable. You and your son have behaved abominably and you should apologize."

As he spoke, Christian let his teeth show and the red of his eyes change their shape and color. A low growl started in his chest and he looked the part of the monster that lived within him. Kinlye's stepmother gasped, her hands going to her mouth. 

"Kinlye, I am terribly sorry. We shan't bother you again," the woman rushed to say. She glanced once more at Christian and then spun upon her heel, racing away from the couple. Kinlye turned to look back at Christian, her mouth open in surprise.

"What did you do to her? She wasn't one to accept defeat quite so quickly or easily, Christian." Laying her hand gently against his cheek, she smiled up at him.

Christian took her hand, pressing a kiss in the center of it before curling her fingers to form a fist. "I didn't do anything, love. Perhaps she had an epiphany, or maybe she just realized how foolish it would be to cross me. I wasn't about to let you go with her." He drew her hand down, letting it rest against his chest. "You're mine, Kinlye and I refuse to let anyone harm you in any way, shape or form."

"Possessive, hmm?" She smiled and took a single step closer to him. "I think I like you this way."

"That's good because I won't be any other way. I love you. Let's get you fed, I have this strange urgency to have you in my bed before too much longer."

"Ahh, so it's my body that you love, not my mind." She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "Oh for the days that I was wise enough to stay away from men like you."

"Oh and now that she is free of worry, she's got a sarcastic turn. Now are you wanting to feed or do we need to take you home now?"

Even as he spoke, he heard the grumble that came from her belly and he dipped his head, brushing his lips over hers. He didn't care about the people who stopped and stared at the two of them, only to turn away and titter and gossip behind their hands. The only thing he cared about was his Kinlye. He took her hand and placed it upon his arm, sliding his other hand on top of hers.

"All right, we were discussing auras. You saw the color of your stepmother's aura. The murky browns and dense black colors are the ones that you should stay away from. Light blue auras are the easiest to control. Look at hers," he said, pointing to a young woman whose aura pulsed with pink light. "She was just dallying in the alleyway, Kinlye. Her blood is full of endorphins. It will be sweet, unlike anything you've tasted before. And we know she isn't ashamed of making a coin upon her back. I will approach her and then lead her into the alley, you follow."

Kinlye nodded. She hadn't worried about learning this when she'd thought all it meant was flexing her teeth and biting into a human. But there were many rules and techniques of finding the perfect 'donor'. She stopped him before he could take two steps away from her. "Y-you aren't g-g-oing to..." She couldn't finish the question.

Christian lifted her chin, pulling her up so that he could see her eyes. "No, Kinlye. You are the only one I want to be with in that way. I love you, I will never demean that in any way." He dropped his head, kissing her again. "Remember, follow after you see me take her down the alley." He watched her until she nodded and then turned toward where the girl was leaning against the brick walls of one of the shops at the market place. He spoke briefly with the girl and then took out his purse, shaking it so that she could hear the coins clinking. Then he followed her, glancing back at Kinlye.

Kinlye started to follow him. But then a huge male body moved into her way. She looked up, about to excuse herself when she noted the man and the blackness of his aura. "David."

"Yes, my dear little sister. Where have you been?" His hand wrapped around Kinlye's arm, yanking on her and pulling her away from the alley and the safety of Christian's arms. "I guess it matters little, girl. Now that you've been out of the house and of mother's protection from those who used to offer money for you, I guess I might have you now as well."

"No..." she cried only to shriek as David forced her arm behind her back. "Leave me alone." The words were an order but her tone was one of fear. This was the worst nightmare she could ever dream of and the worst part was in knowing she wouldn't wake up from this terror. She struggled with David, ripping her arm out of his grasp. With a gulp of fear, she took off running, feeling the world blur around her, everyone else looking like they were standing still.

Her hunger was gone. The only thing she wanted right now was Christian. But he was back there, behind David and the threat he posed on Kinlye. She moved with little thought, finding herself outside of town gates. She ran even further, stopping by the stream that had been one of her refuges when she lived with David and his mother. Next to the stream, she dropped down on a soft, grassy knoll, the small stream burbling happily along. Tears escaped her, dripping down her cheeks and off her chin. "Christian," she sobbed, her despair written upon her face.

She fell back against the soft grass, her eyes growing heavy as the emotional fear and the need for the man she called her mate took its toll. Her eyes closed and she curled up underneath the soft shawl Christian had wrapped her in not that long ago. She slept, hated and feared images chasing her through her dreams until she woke, her entire body one tense muscle of fear.

Fingers touched her face. Gentle fingers, stroking her cheeks as a soft voice sang a child's lullaby. Her face turned, needing to see the person behind that song and the caress. She cried out his name, throwing herself into his arms. "Christian, oh, thank God you found me."

"I thought you were going to follow me into the alley. When I came out to find you, who was the first person I saw but your hateful step brother. He tried to blackmail me, of course that was after I proved I'm a much more qualified fighter than he is. When blackmail didn't work, he tried bribery. I finally told him that if he didn't leave you alone, he would have to deal with me. I showed him a bit of the monster inside of me and he turned tail and ran the opposite way, Kinlye." 

"Monster? What monster?" Kinlye laid her head against his shoulder, letting him support her.

"What can become of us if we don't take care of the beast inside, Kinlye." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Now that we have those two out of your life, we should take care of your beast, my love."

"I've never seen you look beastly." She lifted her head, gazing up into his eyes. She saw him shake his head then sighed. Then his eyes turned red, his fangs pushing out from under his lip. His brow became heavier and he truly did look fierce and scary. "How do I do it?"

Christian cocked his head to the side and then lifted his finger to his mouth, letting one of his fangs slice through it. He waited for the blood to drip off his finger before holding it up, under her nose.

"Oh," her eyes fluttered closed and she inhaled deeply, taking her hand in his and holding it close to her face. "That smells...glorious." She opened her eyes and Christian grinned. 

"You're terrifying." He let her lick the blood off of his finger, the back of his hand stroking over her throat. "Shall we go eat?" He helped her to her feet. "Now you just need to relax for a minute to let go of the beast, Kinlye. If I were to take you back to town looking the way you do, the jig would be up."

"So am I really frightening?" Kinlye licked her tongue over her teeth, feeling the length of her fangs. The world looked a bit different, even more so than when she'd first noticed the auras. Now, with the eyes of the beast every bush, every trail, every blade of grass that hid some woodland creature or insect glowed. She could see every insect and the shape of a rabbit that hid in its burrow, trembling with fear as it caught the scent of them.

She could smell Christian as well. His was a spicy scent, a scent that she could smell every moment for the rest of her life. Kinlye never wanted to be separated from him, ever again. With him, there was safety and caring and love. Definitely love. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in the touch of his skin upon hers, and hear it in the sound of his voice. He would love her forever and it still wouldn't be long enough. Not for her. 

Kinlye stared up at him, feeling her eyes change again until she could see normally, or at least normally for a vampire. Her hand lifted, touching his face. "Never leave me," she said softly, looking into his eyes. "Never stop loving me."

Christian laughed. "As if I could. You've got my heart in here. A man cannot survive without his heart, I can't survive without you." He touched his hand to the space between her breasts. "I knew from the first moment I met you that I had finally found a home. You gave that to me."

"I would have said that you gave me a home, Christian, remember?" She laughed up at him, leaning against him with her head tucked under his chin. "You are my home."

He held her there, his eyes closed in contentment. Nothing was more important than this woman. He kissed the top of her head before pulling back slightly. "I have this insatiable need to be inside of you, Kinlye. So I think we should find someone to eat and then go home. I'm going to make love to you all night until even our undead bodies are too tired to move."

"Hmm, I think I like that idea." She took his hand. "Lead on."