Authors: Kelliea Ashley
His eyes flew open to study the flushed cheeks and dark green eyes filled with a tempting dose of pure lust. Oh, she wanted him. There was no doubt he could have her any way he wanted to take her, but at the moment all he wanted to do and what he needed to do were at direct odds. He could easily lose himself in the soft look she was directing up at him. He was still male, wasn’t he? Okay, undead and bored as hell with the females that were thrust upon him, but he was still a man who wanted the woman staring up at him in open invitation. She was a Witch; worse yet, she was the Keeper of the Treaty, a Witch who kept him chained to a set of standards he despised. One move of submission and he would be her pet to command. No damn way!
Wilhelm instinctively shoved her away. His eyes widened as the gentle push he’d intended slammed her into the cement floor. A sharp cry left her lips as she landed hard on her bottom. Pain filled her green eyes as she stared up at him with alarm. Before he could reach out to apologize for being such a jerk, those dark green eyes hardened with anger.
“Don’t! Don’t touch me!” she hissed as she lowered her head to take a slow, shaky breath. He waited for her to explode, expected her to fling her magic out at him at any second. He would deserve it, but he would not like it, nor would he stand for her insolence.
“I don’t know what you were trying to do to me, but it won’t work. I’m stronger than you are.” Her elfin chin rose, eyes clear and calm as she looked up at him from her seat on the cold cement floor. “I won’t allow you to break me. I didn’t bend for O’Mallery and his damn testing. You are no different, Elder.”
He would have preferred the magic assault to her calm ice princess demeanor. What, he wondered, would make this strong Witch break? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know because the demon within him would love to use it against her.
“Will, it’s time. The ballroom is ready and the musicians are set up for the first dance. Am I interrupting?” Jaxson’s solid body filled the doorway. His dark eyes narrowed as he took in every detail and frowned.
“We will be there in a moment, Jaxson.” Wilhelm’s eyes never left Alexa’s as he spoke.
“You might want to make sure your lady is in a fit state to dance, Elder.” Jaxson shook his head as he shut the glass door behind him and moved down the hall. Wilhelm wanted to swear a blue streak, but he’d already lowered himself enough in the eyes of his new wife. Jaxson was the closest thing he had to a friend. He only reverted to calling him by his title when he’d done something Jaxson deemed wrong.
“You seem to have gained my Head Enforcer’s loyalty, but don’t think he can save you from me.” There was a wealth of meaning in his deep tone. Alexa inhaled a shaky breath through lungs that hurt. Her arms crossed her stomach as the familiar pains shot through her, stealing her air. To cover herself, she pushed to her feet, wobbling a little as she straightened to face him with a calm expression.
He was so tall, an inch taller than his Enforcer friend. She had first-hand knowledge of the hard muscles beneath the black suit that stretched to cover his wide shoulders. She had always thought Vamps were slim, pale, and sickly looking. She couldn’t have been more wrong! Meeting this Elder from across the Coven’s round oak table to hash out the lines of the Treaty he was taking issue with had educated her on the anatomy of her enemy. Wilhelm wasn’t pale like death, though he would not be sporting a tan of any kind. His hair, cut short, was dark brown with blue highlights in the artificial lights of the conference room. His eyes were brown like chocolate and filled with a hatred that slapped her in the face the instant their eyes locked. She wouldn’t have been so intimidated if he hadn’t been so tall and strong. He looked as if he could lift the heavy wooden table with one hand and break a woman’s neck with a small twist of his wrist. She wasn’t wrong. A shiver of dread raced up her spine as she sensed his urge to do just that...to her.
Alexa knew he was watching her, assessing her with those too-intelligent eyes. Vampires were pure emotion, or so the Witch community believed. They acted and reacted without consideration for the consequences. She wondered if he was regretting his decision to take her as his wife. She hoped so, because she was set to do everything she could to make him regret it from here on out! If she was going to lose her life to this...monster, then she would go on her terms, not his.
“Shall we? It seems you owe me a dance, husband.” His dark brows rose as his firm lips angled downward in a frown. Good, he deserved to be the one on the spot! “How is my dress? Any tears?” She turned her back, presenting him with the perfect opportunity to study her sore backside. “Well?” She turned her head and caught her lip between her teeth. His jaw was clenched as tightly as the fists at his side. If she’d meant to get his male attention, she’d more than succeeded. His eyes were glued to the round curves barely covered in white satin.
“You’ve torn your dress. You might want to change before we go out to our guests,” he snapped at her with a hiss of impatience.
“No worries.” She shrugged, stepping back into the soil she’d knocked out of one of the pots of roses when she fell against it. Energy zinged through her system as she held his gaze. His eyes flared red as her hands lifted to the satin straps. “Old to new, one tear or two. Let magic set right what foolish hearts blight.” Slowly, her hands moved down over her breasts. His lips opened, his tongue sliding over his fangs like a ravenous beast. Alexa quickly pressed her hands over her hips and butt, then over the full skirt. When she was done the dress looked good as new.
“Better, Elder?”
“You’ll do,” he gritted out between his teeth as he spun around and left the room with a loud bang of the glass door. She flinched, half expecting the glass to shatter with the impact. It didn’t. She shouldn’t have felt a little triumphant at using her feminine body to taunt him, but she did. A quick inspection of her palm showed only a light pink line. So the Vampire could heal enough to repair the damage he’d done. She could have thanked him, but the injury was his fault in the first place and now she was left with the aftereffects of a healthy dose of attraction. The arrogant Vamp deserved to pay for the strange state her body was in. A real smile pulled her lips up as she checked her reflection in the glass before following him. She wasn’t going to find sitting down an easy thing after being shoved to the unforgiving concrete and she really hoped he’d be just as uncomfortable in the next few hours. Let him think he’d won, for now...
Chapter Three
The ballroom was lit by a huge crystal chandelier hanging well above the people gathered to receive them. The atmosphere was one of celebration and romance as the band began to play a waltz. Alexa tensed as Wilhelm’s warm hand took her elbow and led her into the room. Her bare feet felt the cold of the polished wooden floor as she moved with him.
He led her to a corner table that held a three-tiered wedding cake decorated with white and red frosting. She stood docile and calm beside him as he cut two pieces out of the bottom tier. “You are familiar with this tradition, Keeper?” His disapproving stare propelled her to action as she mirrored him by taking the second piece of cake in her hand.
Alexa wasn’t sure what to expect from him as they stood there. What she hadn’t expected was the gentle way he brought the cake to her lips for her to take a bite. She followed suit, unable to keep her hand from trembling as he bit into the cake. Noting that he chewed and swallowed the sweet bite, she did the same. Frosting just sweet enough, cake light and delicious, filled her senses; she sighed out loud and the crowd burst into applause.
The next half hour flew by as everyone got a piece of cake. Champagne glasses circulated the room and everyone celebrated with lighthearted laughter. Everyone, that is. except the bride and groom. Wilhelm excused himself the second opportunity allowed. She could see him speaking with several other men in the center of the room.
“You don’t look very bride-like, Keeper.” Warren Montgomery held a glass out to her. “Drink this. It might help.” His blue eyes twinkled merrily as he grinned at her.
“You are enjoying this enough for the both of us, Montgomery.” Alexa took the glass with a shake of her head. She didn’t want alcohol. She wanted a Tums and a cup of her hot tea. Neither seemed forthcoming, though.
“Yes, I am.” He chuckled happily.
“I’ll remember that the next time I find you locked buck-naked in a steamer trunk.” Raising an eyebrow, she aimed a knowing look his way.
“I have a warning system now.” He pulled back the sleeve of his jacket to show her the fancy wristwatch he was wearing. “This beeps well before daybreak.”
“I can’t wait for the day when the battery dies on you.”
“Ah...Alexa, you wouldn’t wish me harm like that. Would you, Sweetheart?” He reached out to cup her cheek with a gentle hand. Instantly, she felt the hair on the back of her neck prickling. She looked to the side and her gaze collided with the angry glare of her groom. He was moving toward them like an avenging angel. A very dark angel.
“Montgomery, I think it is time for you to check in at the gate.” Warren jumped, yanking back his hand at the Elder’s words. His blond head immediately dropped in the sign of respect.
“At once, Elder.” He turned on his heel and headed for the exit.
“Did you have to be so rude, Elder?” She lifted her chin as his dark gaze turned to her.
“How I interact with my people is my business, Keeper. I suggest, in the future, that you refrain from letting my men touch you. I don’t share.”
“Somehow, that does not surprise me.” A wicked shiver of expectation slid down her spine as his eyes narrowed at her.
“It is time to dance.” He took her hand in his and pulled her towards the middle of the crowd. “You do know how to waltz?” he asked as they stood in the middle of the crowded room facing each other. Alexa bit her lower lip as she turned her head to scan the people surrounding them. They were smiling and waiting for the newlyweds to start the dancing, as was the tradition in most cultures. Witches were no exception, but she danced in the moonlight, usually to the beat of drums or the sweet sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees. Clothing was always optional in her coven, but she’d never felt comfortable being naked, so she’d always worn the Witches’ wrap, a robe of silk in the individual’s colors. Alexa’s was dark blue, because her mother was a Water Witch.
“No.” She shook her head as she looked back at the guests’ expectant faces. A shiver shook her as firm fingers grasped her chin. He turned her head back to him.
“Move as I move, Witch.” He wrapped an arm around her waist as he spoke. “Place your hand on my shoulder.” He nodded with approval as she followed his instruction. Then he took her other hand in his and began to glide around the room to the beat of the music.
Alexa bit back an apology as her bare foot stepped on his dress shoe. Suddenly his arm around her waist tightened as he easily lifted her off her feet. He kept his gaze just over her head and continued to dance without comment. The move effectively took her out of the dancing equation and placed her entire body in direct contact with the hard contours of his. Several female guests sighed at the romantic gesture.
Alexa, unfamiliar with another taking complete control from her, just wanted it over. Though her body was quaking like she’d been plugged into an electric outlet, her independent streak was making her antsy to step away. She was relieved when the dance ended. He eased her back to the cold tiles of the floor and dropped his arms from around her. The sudden applause turned quickly into shouts demanding that he kiss her. She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment as the entire room, with the exception of one angry blonde, began to chant at them.
“It would seem the Keeper does have one telling expression.” He moved, grabbing her waist with both his big hands, easily touching fingers as he pulled her roughly against him. Her hands clutched the coarse fabric of his jacket as he stared down at her. Slowly his dark head descended.
Alexa expected the same quick, chaste kiss he’d given her at the ceremony. What happened next took her breath and set her body to shaking in nervous anticipation. He brushed his lips against hers lightly. They felt firm and soft against her own. Then he sank a big hand in the back of her hair to hold her tightly as he increased the pressure. His lips fused with hers to press and maneuver them to open to him.
A sigh escaped her as she obeyed without consciously choosing to. His warm moist tongue took possession of her mouth as his strong will took over her ability to think. Her tongue met his with a questing hunger that burst from her inner soul. Her fingers bit into the muscles of his arms as she tried to hold on to something real. Her body’s volatile reaction to her enemy seemed uncontrollable as he repeatedly tasted her.
As quickly as he’d taken possession of her lips, he was relinquishing them to pull back from her. He stared down at her with a look of utter male arrogance, a Master telling his pupil that she had much still to learn from him. Then he looked over her head and nodded at the happy crowd.
“If you don’t mind, I would like my new bride all to myself now. Please feel free to stay. Dance, eat, and drink as you wish.” Wilhelm nodded at someone behind her before he wrapped an arm around her waist and picked her up with ease. Alexa squirmed until he looked down at her with a dark warning.
“Let me down,” she ordered with a husky tone that was unrecognizable to herself.
“Behave yourself, Keeper. I wouldn’t want to drop you on the hard floor.”
“Why not? I’ve already been down there once tonight.” Her accusing sarcasm made him huff a breath as he left the ballroom to stride through a hallway. His long legs were taking them farther away from the music. She should have been alarmed that he was easily taking her away from the relative safety of their guests. Instead, she was clutching his neck as if she was afraid he’d drop her. What was in that kiss of his? Whatever it was, her body craved more of it while her mind was curiously at ease with being swept away by her enemy. Her enemy and her husband, how ironic was that? There was definitely something to Jaxson’s explanation of the feeding. At the moment she really didn’t care how or where he bit her; she just wanted him to bite.