Winter Solstice Wishes Page 3

  “What are they saying?” Sasha asked.

  “Each petitioner thanks the forest and asks a personal boon. One might wish to leave behind some hurt, forget the memory so it does not affect their future, or one might ask to be shown the correct path to take toward love or happiness. Legend says that if the flame flares blue, the wish will come true.

  He bent and handed me a stick, taking one for himself. “What will you wish for?”

  “We may not speak it to each other in front of the fire. It is something we ask of the forest only.”

  Sasha faced the bonfire, speaking his request in Russian, tossing the stick into the flames. As he watched it burn, his pale skin was lit with the oranges and reds of the fire, giving him a dangerous glow. He was so handsome in that moment I could not breathe.

  “Your turn.” He grinned, not understanding how his closeness affected me. If he did, he would prove to be a most intelligent male by walking away and never looking back. I hoped perhaps he would not be so smart tonight.

  “What’s wrong, lovely lady? I thought the solstice ceremony was a happy time.” He’d caught me lost in thought.

  “You are right. I am being foolish.” I turned and tossed my stick into the fire, asking for something I would never speak out loud.

  “Are there other traditions?” He tucked a messy clump of hair behind my ear, his fingers playing with the arch, the lobe, his face leaning closer to kiss a sensitive spot below it. He stayed there breathing deeply of my scent, his hands stroking down my bare arms to weave between my fingers.

  “There are bells, food, songs and dancing,” I whispered into his hair.

  He stepped back holding both of my hands in his. “Will you dance with me, Lady Elle, although I am only a simple dungeon dweller?” His wide smile was all I saw as he walked backward, tugging me along.

  I pictured us together, our bodies moving in time with the traditional tunes and suddenly flashed on another vision. “If you dance with any other female, I will force you to wash your own dishes.”

  His eyes glinted with impish amusement. “You do know Rick and I purchased a modern miracle called a dishwasher, don’t you?”

  “Hmph. It is a waste of power.” I glanced around at the other fae who’d begun dancing, realizing how selfish I’d sounded. “I am sure there are other females at the celebration that would appeal to you. I cannot be greedy.”

  He surprised me by stepping closer. “I see only you. No other female exists for me.”

  If only that were true. “I’ve been told you are a master of seduction, a wordsmith who teases and taunts a female into his bed. A male who wins his prize with kisses and caresses, then looks elsewhere.”

  “All true, I’m afraid.” Against the light blue backdrop of his eyes flashed with yearning, sadness and resignation. But wasn’t a warrior usually proud of his conquests?

  “Unless two lovers are bound—meant to be together for life—it is normal to enjoy many.” I stroked his face. “I trust you, Sasha, as I have not trusted for a long time. You would never be cruel.” Courage filled my heart. “I have decided…”

  Music drifted through the woods, an upbeat tune that interrupted my confession. Couples had already formed and were moving to the ancient rhythms and tunes played on musical instruments not often seen in this realm.

  His grin was wide, his enthusiasm catching. “Dance with me, Elle, and I’ll tell you what I wished for.” He pulled me into the circle, laughing as he tried to copy what the others were doing.

  We danced for hours—the brush of his body against mine sometimes a horrible torture and other times an unimagined joy. This tall vampire who’d thrown himself into the celebration as if he were a young fae fascinated the free-spirited woodland elves. They offered him wine and shouted out encouragement. He learned the dance steps quickly, laughed with ease and tried to sing along with the traditional songs even though he did not know the language. During the feast, he watched me eat, sometimes insisting on feeding me morsels by hand. Being vampire, he could not eat, but the amount of honey wine he drank most certainly contributed to his joyful mood.

  At one point he broke into a Russian ballad, surprising us with his clear, deep voice. He told us it was a sad tale of a human male, lost in the snowdrifts of the steppes, the blizzard a constant companion on the windblown, never ending plains. He was pining for his lover, speaking of the things he remembered in his last moments before death took him: the lovely way her hair spread out on the pillow when she looked up into his eyes, the way she kissed him, with her eyes open so she wouldn’t miss a moment of their life together. After he’d translated the lyrics for me, I translated for the others. The words and melody were sad, the audience and the forest silent but for Sasha’s strong voice.

  Our fae hosts bowed to him at the end of the song, showing him great respect for honoring them and the forest with the gift of his music. He returned their bow, thanking them for allowing him to attend their ceremony. He was invited to return the following year.

  And I was more in love with him than ever.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Sasha

  I couldn’t take my eyes off Elle the whole night. The way her hips swayed when she circled me in the dance, the way the fabric of her gown clung to her breasts, her nipples poking out at me as if to say, “Taste us.” Thank god I’d worn a button down shirt, because untucked, it was just managing to hide my very painful erection.

  When she allowed me to feed her by hand, her lips sucking on my fingers, I was so close to coming I had to make some excuse to walk around for several minutes, forcing the blood back where it belonged. She was the sexiest female I’d ever known, but that wasn’t why I wanted her, at least not the only reason.

  When I was with her, I could breathe. I forgot about all the shit from my past, the loss of my family, the unforgiveable things I’d been forced to do as a soldier and as a vampire in Eleanor’s nest. When Garrett defeated our maker and saved my life by allowing me into his nest, I fought hard to gain the trust of the people I respected, putting my energy into finally doing some good in the world. It would never make up for the rest, but at least I could sleep most nights.

  These last months with Elle had given me hope that I might have found a female who could forgive my past and share my future. She’d already healed me with her laughter as well as tortured me with her off-limits body for six months. She’d even put up with my constant teasing. Surely we were meant for each other.

  And tonight she seemed to want more. She hadn’t moved away when we’d danced close enough for her to feel my desire and she’d returned each of my lust filled gazes with heat in her eyes. It had taken a supreme effort not to drag her into the forest and tear off her gown, but I wouldn’t take what wasn’t clearly offered. She’d had to deal with years of that kind of degradation, but never from me.

  But no matter what happened between us, I would protect her for the rest of my days.

  She was standing near the bonfire once more. “Elle…” She smiled at me full out, genuinely happy, a rarity for this fragile soul. “You having fun?” I took her hand and twisted her around in a spin.

  She giggled, and the forest seemed to take the lovely sound and send it echoing through its branches. Now all the fae were smiling at us. “Yes. It’s lovely here. I forget…” And so quickly her smile was gone.

  I frowned in frustration. “Tell me what I can do to make you smile again.”

  Golden fire burned in her violet eyes as she ran her hands firmly up my chest to clutch at my shirt. “Will you stay and share the rest of this night with me?”

  “Of course. I said I would.” I touched her nose with the tip of my index finger, trailing my finger over her plump lips and strong chin, adding another to trace the lines of her long neck. My gaze stilled on her pulse.

  I hadn’t fed tonight.

  “Then I wish for you to kiss me.” She lifted her chin, opening her mouth, the tip of her tongue wetting the corner.

  The erotic
offering stole my breath, shot fire to my groin and blood to my cock. It was more than a kiss she wanted. I leaned down and brushed her lips with mine, the taste of her exquisite: all spices and honey wine.

  She held me by the collar, her hands in tight fists, trembling. “Again.”

  Again was what I wanted too, only slow and careful, staying in control. Never frightening her. I just wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I wanted her so much my need had become a beast inside me. And a beast inside a hungry vampire could be lethal.

  She began to turn away, perhaps thinking my hesitation meant I’d rejected her. I leaned closer and clasped her shoulders, my forehead against hers. “I’ve wanted you for a long time. I don’t know if I can be gentle.”

  “I do not expect nor wish you to be gentle, my warrior.” She released her grip on my shirt and led me to an oak tree, out of the line of sight of the still-celebrating fae. She leaned against it, smiling. “Kiss me again.”

  This time, an order. Elle the warrior had made her appearance and it turned me on more than her meek submission ever would. Tonight I would be at her mercy, I would worship her body, I would give her control. But so far, she’d spoken of kisses, nothing else, so kisses it was. To prevent my hips from grinding against hers, I kept my feet back and spread apart, my palms flat against the enormous trunk and bracketing her face.

  Impatient, she tugged on my hair. “Sasha…”

  But before she could speak the rest, I covered her mouth—our tongues and lips exploring with delight. I embraced the moan that erupted from my chest when the full taste of her exploded in my mouth. She was perfection. Honey sweet and pepper hot. We feasted on each other until she had to break away for breath.

  She’d echoed my noises with sweet ones of her own, grabbing hold of my waistband and yanking my hips forward. I yielded, taking it slow no longer an option. She was almost as tall as I was and the perfect positioning, my cock brushing against her center, hadn’t helped my attempt to stay in control.

  I buried my nose in her hair. “Elle,” I whispered. “If you’re not ready...”

  “Am I behaving as if that were the case?” She snapped, biting my bottom lip and pulling on it with her teeth, drawing blood. She scraped her tongue along one of my fangs and I tasted something sweet and salty and incredible.

  Uh—not good. Maybe she didn’t get that I was a very hungry vampire. It had been dumbass stupid of me not to feed before we left the house. The scent of her blood was overpowering my restraint and the way she was wiggling against me, sure wasn’t helping.

  “Touch me,” she whispered, nibbling on my ear lobe.

  I thought about it for two seconds. Maybe three. “I’m going to take you against this tree, if you don’t stop wiggling.”

  “I want that.”

  Who was I to argue with a fae lady? My hand slid down to cup her breast, the soft fabric of her dress offering no barrier. Her nipple peaked and I rolled and pinched it until she moaned and sighed, still wiggling against my cock. I’d used my other hand to hike up her dress, and I let out my own moan when I felt how wet she was.

  “Sasha…”

  “I’m here, love.” I kissed her hard.

  My fingers brushed her sex, sliding inside and teasing her clitoris. Her scent was heaven and the changing expressions on her lovely face as I brought her closer to orgasm altered my world. Bringing her pleasure, protecting her, loving her, this was all I wanted in life.

  She arched against me when she came, crying out softly, her knees giving out. I helped her to the ground and we sat side by side, out backs against the enormous trunk. I stoked her hair and kissed her palms. “You are so beautiful. Sometimes I can’t think when I look at you.”

  She smiled, her eyes still glazed over with pleasure. “Give me this one night, Sasha, and I will ask for nothing else from you.”

  I straightened up, leaning away. “What did you say?” I must have misheard her.

  “You know I’m not worthy to be the lover of an honorable male. I only ask for this one night of passion so that I might remember—”

  I stood and offered her my hand. “We’re going home. Put on your shoes.”

  “What did I say?” She followed me to the edge of the clearing, clutching at her skirt.

  I spun to face her. “Do you think I’m like those fae lords who used you and hurt you? The ones who’ve made you cry for months?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “It doesn’t sound that way.”

  “I’m giving myself to you. You are not forcing me or using me.”

  “I’m not interested in only one night with you. I thought you got that.”

  “Then a week. A month. I will obey your wishes.”

  She was looking down at the ground, completely submissive like she must have been with those other males. I grabbed her by the shoulders, feeling my eyes turn silver in anger, my fangs extend. “And then what? You’ll hop into bed with someone else?”

  “Sasha—”

  She was trembling. I was scaring her. Shit.

  “I’m sorry.” I released her and searched for my shoes. I’m going for a walk. I need to calm down. I’ll be back, and then we’ll talk.”

  “Wait. The time!”

  Using vamp speed, I slipped on my shoes and socks, then raced down the path we’d used to get here, putting as much distance as I could between me and the most frustrating female in California. Because I hadn’t fed, my speed petered out pretty fast. As I panted, leaning against a tree to support myself, I looked down for the first time. The snow was melting, soaking through my boots. Dreading what I’d find, I looked up. There was a glow on the top leaves of the oak grove.

  The sun.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Elle

  I paced near the path he’d taken. He did not realize the danger he was in. The woodland fae had spelled this clearing to make the night last longer, but it was dawn in his world. I’d sometimes seen him out in the sun but I understood that he could not remain exposed to its rays for long. Perhaps thirty minutes, no more.

  And he had not fed from me, leaving him weakened.

  This was my fault. I’d treated him without respect, never imagining he might have genuine, loving feelings toward me. My heart had been shocked to hear him say it wasn’t only lust that drew his gaze to my body. My dream had come true and I had tossed it aside with a stupid remark.

  Now it was my duty to protect him, to save him from his foolish mistake. Could I muster up the strength, the courage to use the lines? I was so afraid to try, but now I had no choice, even if it drained me to exhaustion. Even if King Finvarra sensed my presence and called me back to court, perhaps forcing me to take up my old life. Only Sasha mattered.

  Before I had a chance to change my mind, I threw myself into the magic of Faerie—the heat, the energy, the music of the ley lines, as familiar to me as my own heartbeat. I stretched out my magical tendrils in the direction Sasha had run, remembering the way his lips had felt on mine, the way his fingers had moved inside me the way he’d given and not taken. Listening for the music of his energy, I focused on only him.

  I stumbled into a grove of oak trees, discovering him crawling toward a thick patch of shrubs. I ran to him. “Get up. You must rise, now.”

  “I can’t.” His exposed skin was beginning to redden and blister.

  “You must. There is a place nearby where you will be safe.”

  He struggled to his feet, draping an arm over my shoulder. His skin felt so hot. “How did you…find me?” he said, the hoarseness of his voice the opposite of his usual rich tones.

  The answer was surprising, even to me, but also true. “We are connected, heart to heart.”

  “My heart’s been…dead for…a long time,” He grunted, the pain getting worse.

  “I am not referring to the organ.” I pulled him along a little faster, although my strength was not what it should have been.

  “You took the lines?” I nodded. “Get us…home?”

 
”No. It has weakened me. Why did you not call Garrett? He can tolerate the sun for much longer periods. He and Jacqueline can travel the lines.”

  “They are…in France for two weeks.” Sasha was shivering.

  “There, you see?” I pointed toward a dark and seemingly damp cave, full of who knew what—hopefully, not a hibernating bear or a nest of snakes. I helped him crawl as far inside as possible, then as he panted on his hands and knees, I ran out to find some dry leafy branches to use as a bed. I spread them out and after a few more trips had him lie down on top of them, hoping he would stay dry. The cave was cold and smelled of rotting plants, but it was a haven nonetheless.

  He was trembling with cold, face down on the makeshift bed. To warm him I covered him with my shawl, wrapping it gently around his arms and shoulders. Now that he was out of the sun, his wounds had begun to heal, but he was still so weak. “Sasha, let me feed you.”

  “Elle, no…”

  “Shh.” I rubbed his neck and kissed his shoulder. “You need blood.”

  “My control isn’t what it should be.”

  “You won’t hurt me.” I moved away and assisted him in rolling over, both of us wincing when he groaned in pain. “My brave warrior.” I kissed his lips, but when his fangs extended, he pushed me away.

  “Too close to the pointy bits.” He was able to laugh, a sure sign of his recovery, albeit not fast enough to suit me. “It was a dumbass move to leave before I asked about the time difference. I’ve heard what can happen with fae magic and I should have thought…”

  A stray lock of hair covered one of his eyes. I brushed it to the side so I might see both. “I should have warned you.” I lifted his hand and kissed his palm. “I confess that I have watched you train. At the risk of causing your ego to swell, I know you to be a strong warrior.”

  He clutched at his stomach. The healing process was stealing his reserves. “It’s best…if you go to get help,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be fine now that I’m out of the sun.”