Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (40 page)

His response was ground out between clenched teeth. “One of us is way overdressed for this conversation.” Reaching up, he tugged her vest over her head. His gaze locked on her breasts. Tanzi's heart pounded wildly against her rib cage, her entire body reacting to the expression in his eyes. “God, Tanzi, you're gorgeous.”

Her nipples tightened until shards of exquisite pain ripped through her. If he could do that to her with a look, what would his touch do? She didn't have long to wait before she found out. Lorcan raised himself on his elbow, mirroring Tanzi's position. His mouth was hot and demanding as it closed over her nipple. Tanzi writhed against him, her hand reaching around the back of his head to hold him to her. He flicked her nipple with his tongue and she arched toward him, overwhelmed by the storm of passion blazing through her.

“Now these.” Lorcan's hands moved lower to unbutton her shorts and tug them and her underwear down over her hips and thighs so that Tanzi could kick them off. Slowly, he moved his hand up her inner thigh. Tanzi fell back, closing her eyes and basking in the infinite lightness of his caresses. His touch felt as if it was imprinted on her skin. So gentle and at the same time purposeful. Shifting position abruptly, Lorcan dipped his head between her thighs, his lips replacing his fingers. Feathery kisses continued until his mouth reached the apex at the top of her legs.

Using his thumbs to hold her outer lips apart, Lorcan continued to probe with his lips. The unexpected glide of his tongue felt so shockingly good that she jerked violently upward. Lorcan gripped her hips, holding her down. His tongue probed her entrance before tracing an upward line to toy with her clitoris. He licked the sensitive nub, then captured it between his lips and sucked hard. Tanzi's fingers tightened in Lorcan's hair. When he pushed his tongue right inside her, she cried out and rocked her hips in time with his thrusts. Her every muscle was taut, strained to the point of pain, and crying out for release. Each breath was torn from her chest in a great fiery gasp.

The pleasure continued to soar until her body reached a crescendo and exploded. Lorcan continued to lick and tease as Tanzi's whole body rippled with waves of ecstasy. Pulling her against him as the aftershocks finally subsided, he kissed her hair, stroking a hand down her back as she shuddered into stillness.

After a few minutes, he reached for his jeans, withdrawing a foil square from the pocket. “Condom. We don't need any more complications.”

Once his cock was sheathed in rubber, he moved between her legs, spreading them wider so she could grip him with her knees. His mouth found hers in a searing kiss as the tip of his cock entered her. Tanzi lifted her hips, assisting him and welcoming him into her body. He murmured appreciatively as she offered herself to him, then, in one quick thrust, he pushed all the way inside her. Tanzi gasped at the sensation of him filling her completely.

“Did I hurt you?” Lorcan brushed her hair back from her brow.

She shook her head, unable to speak. How could she explain that nothing she had ever experienced in her whole life came close to feeling as wonderful as having him inside her? Instead, she arched her back, urging him to continue. Lorcan rocked his hips slowly against hers and Tanzi was instantly lost. He kissed her, drawing her tongue into his mouth. Tanzi moaned and pressed closer, craving the feel of his skin on hers, wanting to draw him deeper into her. Lorcan increased the tempo and began to pump harder, leaving her wanting more without knowing what more there could be. How could anything possibly match the heights he had already taken her to? She met his thrusts, her hips slamming against his in a rhythmic, unending motion. Sweat coated their skin. Lorcan eased away slightly, lifting her legs higher so that she could press even more closely against him. Tanzi clawed wildly at his back as he plunged deeper still.

A moment later her world splintered into a million tiny pieces. She clenched her muscles tightly around his cock, everything else but Lorcan and her release fading out of existence. A cry escaped her and she closed her eyes, concentrating on the waves of ecstasy. A growl from Lorcan made her flick her eyelids open again. She wanted to see how it felt for him. One hand crushed her hair as he threw his head back and his movements stilled. He swelled inside her and instinct made her squeeze her muscles around him, gripping him tighter as his cock pumped out its release. When he withdrew his body from hers, and pulled her into his arms, the kiss he gave her was a sweet infinity.

For a long time, Tanzi lay still. But stillness was the last thing she felt inside. Her thoughts were racing. It was as if Lorcan had flicked on a light switch inside her.
So this is who I am. I am supposed to be a vibrant, loving person. I was never meant to be a cold-blooded killing machine.
She turned her head to look at Lorcan's face. His eyes were closed. He might almost have been asleep, but she knew he wasn't. She suspected his supercharged instincts were at work and he was allowing her time to assimilate what had just happened. “Thank you.”

He opened one eye, his expression startled. “Pardon?”

“For showing me how to feel all those things. I would never have known emotion like that existed if it wasn't for you.” Lorcan started to laugh. “What's so funny?”

“Only that it's not every day a guy has mind-blowing sex with the most beautiful girl he's ever met and, on top of all that, she thanks him for it. I wasn't expecting that.” He pulled her closer against him. “What can I say? I'll start with ‘you're welcome' and ‘anytime.'”

“
Any
time?” Tanzi ran a finger down his chest. “Really?” The finger continued lower. “Because, if you've got nothing else planned...”

CHAPTER 13

C
ould a day spent having sex with Tanzi and swimming naked with her in the glorious turquoise waters around
Igraine
be classified as wasted? Lorcan dismissed the question as soon as it entered his mind. Because it was the stupidest thing he had ever asked himself. Had the most amazing twenty-four hours of his life just been squandered? If they had, he would love the opportunity to misuse every day in the same way. Nevertheless, they hadn't moved an inch on their journey the previous day, meaning they now had some serious ground-making to do. Even with Cal's powerful spells guarding them against discovery, they had a difficult journey ahead of them. With that in mind, he had risen early. Reluctantly, he had eased Tanzi's naked, slumbering form out of his arms, donned a pair of shorts, gone up on deck and started
Igraine
's engines.

The early-morning breeze ruffled his hair and he tried to let it clear his mind, but his thoughts remained stubbornly fixed on one thing. Tanzi.
You stupid bastard.
But it was no good. Even as he tried to berate himself, the thought of her brought a smile to his lips. He needed to go a bit easier on himself.
Because I didn't suddenly fall in love with her when I was inside her yesterday. It wasn't even back in the safe house when I started to get a glimpse of who she really was. She had me the very first time I held her in my arms after the battle. The first time she snarled at me and called me “necromancer” in that I'm-a-princess-and-you-are-not-fit-to-kiss-the-hem-of-my-designer-gown voice she uses, I was hers to command.
The thought brought a fresh realization in its wake. The heart he believed he'd encased in steel had broken free of its restraints after all these years. What a pity he couldn't give in to its promptings and let Tanzi know how he felt. Not only because of who she was, but also because of who he was.
Ah, well. What we had yesterday was pretty spectacular. It will have to suffice. We both knew there'd be no tomorrows for us.
He didn't care to dwell on whether his heart—his big, sensitive,
fragile
heart—already so badly damaged by his past, could be mended again once he'd said goodbye to her.

“Why didn't you wake me?” The object of his thoughts appeared on deck, looking tousled and unbearably desirable in one of his shirts.

“It was early and you were sound asleep.” He held out a hand and she came to stand beside him, nestling into his side and rubbing her cheek, catlike, along the muscles of his chest. His heart gave a thud so loud he was surprised she didn't recoil in surprise.

“Have you ever wished you could freeze time? Just stop it and remain in one place forever?” Tanzi raised her eyes to his, and the fiery ring around her irises blazed brighter than ever.

“Not until now.” The conversation was straying across the border into dangerous territory. It was starting to resemble something it shouldn't. His head told him to get it back on track. His newly awakened heart told him it was okay to explore this theme. He went with his heart. “Until you.”

Tanzi's lips parted, but he never discovered what she was about to say. Without warning, she clutched the sides of her head, recoiling from him. Her face spasmed as though she had been struck by an intense pain. As she dropped to her knees on the deck, he could have sworn he heard her say, “Stop yelling at me, Vashti.”

Lorcan cut the engines and came to her side. By the time he reached her, Tanzi seemed to have recovered some of her composure. Sitting on the deck, with her back against the bench seat, she had her hands around her knees, hugging them tight up against her chest. She was breathing hard and her head was tilted on one side, almost as if she was listening to an invisible voice.

“Tanzi...” She held up a hand, silencing him. Instead of speaking, Lorcan slid an arm about her shoulders and she leaned gratefully against him.

After a few minutes, she spoke. “My father knows everything.”

“You're going to have to rewind a bit and explain how you've just found that out. You scared the hell out of me.”

“Vashti told me.”

He shook his head. “Still not making sense.”

“While I was at the palace preparing for this journey, we discovered, for the first time, that we have a psychic bond so strong we can converse telepathically no matter how far apart we are. She got a bit carried away just now and was shouting at me. It hurt.” She smiled reassuringly. “Once she calmed down, I was fine.”

“How can Vashti possibly know what information your father has?”

Tanzi bit her lip. “The same way I knew he wanted me to marry Satan. We have kept in touch with him during his exile. She has been to visit him.” Her eyes pleaded for his understanding. “He is our father.”

“Let me get this straight...you still feel a sense of loyalty to him?” Lorcan tried to keep the incredulity out of his voice, but he knew as he spoke the words he was failing miserably.

The single shake of her head was emphatic. “I don't. Not any more. Vashti? I think the sense of obedience he drummed into us is still too ingrained in her. And, after all, he hasn't tried to sell
her
to the devil. Not yet, anyway.” Her eyes continued to scan his face, seeking comfort there. When his expression relaxed, she continued. “My father knows I was with you at the safe house. He sent Iago to spy on me and set a trap for you with the zombies. He knows we left Barcelona together and that we have embarked on a journey.”

“How could he know that? Unless Vashti betrayed you?”

“I know you have no reason to like my sister, Lorcan, but you are wrong about her. She wouldn't harm me, and she would never break her word.”

Lorcan ran a hand through his hair in a frustrated motion. “I'm sorry. I just don't understand how Moncoya can know we are together. Apart from the two of us, the only other people who know where we've gone are Cal, Stella and Vashti.”

“And none of them would betray us. Someone must have spied on us at the palace. I did not stay in my cat guise when we left. There are many sidhes who are still loyal to my father. And many more who need money.”

Lorcan stored up the interesting little snippet of information she had inadvertently let slip for another time. They had left the faerie palace less than two days ago. Which meant Moncoya's hideaway was close enough for his informant to get that information to him within a day. Once Tanzi was safe inside Valhalla, Cal would be able to make good use of that interesting piece of intelligence.

“Does Moncoya know where we are going?”

“Vashti said he does not. He tried to coax—and then threaten—her into telling him. He wouldn't waste time on that if he already knew. Nevertheless, he knows we are on a boat and she said he is using every means at his disposal to discover where we are. Including Iago.”

Lorcan felt his expression harden. “I don't suppose Vashti was able to discover who your father's new best pal Iago might be?”

“Not exactly, but she did discover more about Iago's motive.” Lorcan waited, his heart sinking as Tanzi's voice faltered. “My father told Vashti that Iago will not rest until you, Cal, Stella and Jethro are all dead. Only then will he feel the death of Niniane has been avenged. He blames the four of you for the fact that she was killed during the battle.”

“Great. Vengeance. I hoped Iago was out to get me for money, but it's personal, after all. I didn't think Niniane, the Lady of the Lake, was capable of inspiring loyalty. Seems I was wrong about the coldhearted witch. Well, that settles it. We'd better get
Igraine
moving again.”

* * *

The black outline of the Vampire Archipelago was thrown into stark relief against dusky pink skies and royal purple seas. Soaring cliffs and spiky basalt outcrops made an uneven outline along the length of the horizon.

“Although there are many small islands, they are divided into three main groups, and Tibor is the undisputed ruler of them all. Which is quite a feat, given the different beliefs of the main factions within the vampire dynasty.” Lorcan had dropped anchor and they were looking across the channel that lay between them and the vampire territory while they ate a late dinner on
Igraine
's deck.

“I must confess, I know a little of vampire politics, but not as much as I should.” Tanzi looked at the unwelcoming, jagged shape of the rocks and shivered slightly. Had she seriously once believed she might be princess of these lands? How long ago that seemed. It was as if she was reflecting on the life of another person. Someone she knew well, but who had very different desires and goals.

“The islands on our left are inhabited mostly by those who subscribe to the legend of Ambrogio, the first vampire.” Tanzi raised an inquiring eyebrow. “You don't know the story?” She shook her head. “According to Greek mythology, Ambrogio made the mistake of falling in love with Selene, one of the handmaidens of Apollo, the sun god. Enraged, Apollo cursed Ambrogio so that a mere touch of sunlight would burn his skin. With no way to contact Selene and tell her of his plight, Ambrogio killed a swan each night and used its blood to write Selene a message. After draining the blood and taking a single feather with which to write, he offered the body of the swan as a tribute to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. He repeated this action for forty-four days. What is it?”

Tanzi winced. “My mother was a Valkyrie.”

Lorcan's grin was apologetic. “Sorry, I should have warned you the story contained cruelty to swans. To continue...on the forty-fifth night, Ambrogio had only one arrow left. He shot it at a swan and missed. He begged Artemis to let him borrow her bow and an arrow so he could kill one last bird and leave a final note for Selene. Artemis took pity on him and agreed. He took her silver bow, and in desperation, ran to the cave that led to hell, determined to end his own life. When Artemis realized what was happening, she also cursed Ambrogio. The new curse caused silver to burn his skin. He fell to his knees, writhing in agony. Artemis then offered him one last chance. She would make him a great hunter, with the speed and strength of a god and fangs with which to drain the blood of the beasts to write beautiful poems to his beloved. In exchange for immortality, Ambrogio and Selene must worship only Artemis, the virgin goddess. There was one catch—all followers of Artemis must remain chaste, so Ambrogio and Selene could never kiss, never touch, never make love, never have children.”

“They did not agree to that surely?”

“What other choice did they have? At least they could be together at last. They lived happily for many years, until, inevitably, Selene began to age and fell ill. Ambrogio, who had remained young, was distraught and begged Artemis to make Selene immortal, too. Artemis offered him one last deal. He could touch Selene just once...to drink her blood. Doing so would kill her mortal body, but from then on, Selene's blood mixed with his would give eternal life to any who drank of it. Desperate to save her, Ambrogio sank his fangs into Selene's neck and drank her blood. As he set her limp body down, Selene radiated with light, and rose up into the sky. Selene became the goddess of moonlight, and every night she reached down to the earth to touch her beloved Ambrogio as well as their children.”

Tanzi's brow wrinkled in confusion. “I thought they couldn't have children?”

“Their children are the vampires who carry the mingled blood of Ambrogio and Selene. Their followers worship Artemis and the moon, shun the daylight—even though Tibor has proved that, with protection, there are ways that vampires can risk the sun's rays—and sacrifice swans.”

“Ugh. Can we stay away from them, please?”

Lorcan's shoulders shook with laughter. “As you wish.” He turned back to the view of the islands. “So, while on the left, we have the islands of the Ambrogio, on the right, we have the lands occupied by the Tepes.”

“What are their beliefs?”

“You have heard the mortal story, no doubt, of Count Dracula? A work of fiction, but based on a real character. An Otherworld prince who lived as a mortal, ruling a Romanian province in medieval times. He was known as Vlad Dracul or Vlad Tepes, meaning ‘Vlad the Impaler.' This was apparently a reference to his fondness for impaling his enemies on long wooden stakes. This real-life Dracula had a reputation for unfathomable brutality. And, of course, he was an aristocrat. It was his right to behave the way he did. His actions should not be questioned. That is what the Tepes, those vampires who follow the ways of Vlad, believe. That they have an absolute right to pursue their lusts without being answerable to anyone else. And they should be able to move among mortals, claiming them for their own. They are the ones who give rise to the vampire stories and legends that abound in the mortal realm.”

“They must give Tibor a headache.”

“They do, but Tibor has the advantage of being a direct descendant of Vlad Tepes. It means he is able to exert some authority over them. Heaven help the vampire dynasty—and the rest of us—if anything should happen to Tibor.”

Tanzi shivered. “I get the feeling it may be too late for heaven to intervene. What about the middle islands?”

Lorcan's smile lifted the mood. “Pure Tibor. Escapist fantasy. He's a modernizer, your bloodthirsty admirer. His goal is to unite the whole vampire dynasty so that the divide between the Ambrogio and the Tepes is a thing of the past. You have to give him credit, it's a staggering ambition and he works bloody hard to achieve it. Generally, he tries to do it by showing them there is a third way. The new order. The modern vampire can interact in the mortal realm, can control his or her bloodlust, can even brave the light of day.”

“Why would a vampire want all of those things? Surely all a vampire really wants is blood?”

“Don't let Tibor hear you say that. Vampires
need
blood to survive. Blood is their sustenance, but Tibor's approach is to show them that, if they can control their bloodlust, they can have all the things they
want
, as well. And what they want is what any of us want. Acceptance, friendship, love.” The last word hung in the air for a moment as though challenging—or perhaps mocking—him. “All they have to do is follow Tibor's rules.”