Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

Kas glanced at Lauren, who tossed and turned on the bumpy ground and pulled her thin cloak around her shoulders to keep out the night chill. He wanted to comfort her but no longer trusted himself to get close. Occasionally her tentative probe called to him, either knowingly or in a dream state. Put her aside. This challenge is far too important for silly distractions. And that’s what Lauren is. A silly distraction—not his love, not even his lover. He groaned at the thought of being her lover. The night in Tansing, her fantasy, his fantasy—they burned through him every waking moment. An intense longing poured through him as he pictured her naked beneath him, caressing his sex, attacking his mouth, begging him to fill her, again and again…

“Brother, you’re lighting up the sky. We’re all trying to sleep.”

Senn tapped him on the shoulder and pointed through the trees.

Green and violet mists glowed overhead and little stars exploded and twinkled. Kas brushed away the fireworks with his hand and cursed, pulling his cloak over his head. Senn smiled and sat close.

“Stop it, Senn,” Kas mumbled from beneath his cloak.

“Stop what? I’m on guard duty.”

“You’re trying to read my mind and it’s pathetic.”

“It certainly is.” Senn snickered.

Kas turned and glared at him with such power it sent Senn falling back to the ground.

“Ow. That was nasty.”

Senn sat up, brushing leaves and twigs off his shoulders. “Since you’re awake, I’d like to ask you a question.”

“How unusual.”

“I was thinking about Lauren…about how she doesn’t want Luke and you don’t want her…”

Kas sat upright and regarded Senn.

“Go on.” His voice was dark.

Senn took in a deep breath. “Well, you’ve seen how well she and I get on. Sometimes I get the feeling she’s rather fond of me, in a special way. What do you think? A good match? I certainly love the look of her.”

“You’re not serious. Oh, I get it. Forget it, I’m not biting. Go ahead, then, have her for yourself.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Yes, bloody well do that.” Kas sneered at Senn’s back as he shimmered into his beloved cat form. “And I’ll kill you.” Senn sauntered over to Lauren, settling down next to her legs.

Lauren woke to the luxurious feeling of being held in the warm arms of a strong man. Still dreaming, she thought, shifting her weight to press against him. Then she felt the undeniable proof the man was very aware of her and hard proof was pressing into her back. Lauren rolled to find herself eye to eye with Senn.

“It’s not what you think, Lauren, I promise.” Senn’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Well, part of me has a mind of its own—sorry about that. But I swear that I’m working for the greater good of Anfall.” He gave her a sudden little kiss on the cheek, looking past her.

Lauren blushed. “I can’t imagine what you’re doing, Senn. If this is your idea of a good time, taking advantage of a sleeping woman…”

“Oh, it was enjoyable, that’s true. But it’s about to get very, very painful.” Senn closed his eyes. “Hang on to your hat. Four, three, two…”

Kas practically lifted Senn off the ground with one arm. “You son of a bitch, what do you think you’re doing.”

“I thought we discussed this last night, Kas. If you don’t want her…”

“Do you want him, Lauren?”

She saw pain in Kas’s eyes and the raw fury in his rasping voice. He didn’t wait for her answer but turned back to Senn.

“If you ever touch her again, I swear I’ll kill you.”

“And why shouldn’t I, Kas? She’s not marrying Luke…”

Lauren stood and put her hands on her hips. “How dare you, both of you! I’m not a damned mail-order bride. You can’t exchange me or give me away.”

Kas exploded with a voice that stirred the leaves on the trees, sparks of anger flickering around him. “She’s mine, you son of a bitch.”

He didn’t use magic. Just a well placed right hook. Senn hit the ground with a thud, out cold.

Hunter cursed and ran to Senn, trying to slap him awake as Kas stormed off into the woods. Lauren froze in shock with the rest of the party, who looked from her to Senn in amazement.

Lauren ran after Kas, calling his name. She caught up with him on the bank of the stream and she stumbled down to his side, nearly crashing into him.

“Kas.”

He didn’t turn to her, but stood like a statue, frozen in mid-stride.

“Kas, look at me, please.”

He didn’t turn. “Tell me you didn’t invite Senn to bed you, Lauren. I’ll leave you alone, if you tell me that. He would never force himself on a woman. Did you invite him?” Kas clenched his fists.

Lauren moved closer and touched his arm.

The contact nearly slammed her backwards to the ground and she pulled away. “Don’t touch me again, Lauren. Not unless you want me to touch you back. And if I do, you won’t forget it.” His voice was a growl.

“Is that a threat…”

“Or a promise? You decide.”

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. Oh, God, help me. What should I do? Turn away from him, complete the mission, ignore the man she desired more than air, more than food and water? Her need was crushing.

She could barely get the words out. “There’s no one for me but you. And you know it. It’s cruel you’re making me tell you again. You don’t want me but you don’t want anyone else to have me. Is that it, Kas? Please look at me.”

Kas turned and Lauren stepped back at what she saw. His blue eyes flashed with gold and smoldered with anger and lust. He clenched his teeth so tightly his jaw muscle twitched. Lauren saw the pulse in his neck.

“That’s right.”

Kas moved in and captured Lauren’s wrists with an iron grip. “I don’t want another soul to lay his hands on you.” He pulled her into his chest and tilted her chin up, staring at her lips. “And I don’t want you.”

He crushed her mouth with his and Lauren’s world spun away in a dizzy swirl of stars and fireworks. Heat rushed through her entire body and every one of his thoughts, every bit of his desire, flooded into her consciousness. Lauren’s legs started to give out as he plunged into her mouth with his tongue, bit on her lips, sucked on her tongue. He tasted of sweet dark spices and wild honey and magic. His scent enveloped her soul. Lauren clutched at his braids and he held her head with both hands, devouring her, kissing her cheeks, her eyes, her ears. Tears of relief, fear and joy trickled down her cheeks.

Heat built between her legs and the ache in her heart spread to make her pulse and push against his hard sex. She reached to caress his cheeks and ears, stroking them in rhythm with his kisses. Kas hissed out a curse as she rubbed the curve of his peaked ear and he pressed himself against her. He began hot whispers that scorched her.

“Sai na lathagapamou. Neisen nor alanforien, Lauren.”

“What…Kas…”

Kas pulled back, gasping, and looked into her eyes. “May the Spirit forgive me. May all of Anfall forgive me.” He picked her up in his arms and kissed her as he carried her up the bank of the stream, laying her on a patch of soft moss. Kas leaned in over her, his eyes clouded in lust. “Say it again,” he hissed. “Tell me you’re mine. Tell me how much you want me. Say it, Lauren.”

He pressed his lips on hers as he repeated his words in the ancient tongue.

Lauren struggled to get the words out, not willing to give up his lips. Her hands dug into his back and pulled on his silken hair, brushed his ears in tantalizing circles that sent him shuddering. He kissed and bit her neck and ears and she moaned his name aloud, not understanding the words that followed her cry. Lauren heard her voice as if from far away.

“De moi sagapathomoi. Fe-na mortanuatheiren. Kas, help me. I can’t…” She heard his intake of breath and saw a tear trace a crooked path down his cheek. “What’s going on?”

“Magic, Lauren. You are magic. You pledged your undying love for me in the ancient tongue. The Spirit speaks for you. I’ll have you, utterly. And I’ll have you now, my dear.”