Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness) (36 page)

Chapter Forty-Three

After the coronation, Hadrian returned in a pure white suit and the celebration moved to the ballroom. The Hall of Mirrors was overflowing. The sounds of merriment ricocheted off the glass. The orchestra had not stopped playing since the king and his mate entered. Champagne popped and fizzled as glasses clinked. The Clan rejoiced. Their king had returned, he was mated, and their people would know peace. After so many years of war and oppression, they had finally broken free of the cycle.

The rejoicing carried on throughout the night. Songs of happiness were sung so loudly the chandelier swayed. Nobles welcomed Hadrian back and congratulated him while they introduced themselves to Eva and offered her their best wishes. She could not believe the reception she had received and Hadrian was convinced it would be at least a week until her shock faded.

It was an hour before dawn when the party began to die. Hadrian took the first opportunity to slip away with his woman.

“Hadrian Lucretius, I demand you take me to your room,” Eva said as he tugged her down the dark hall.

He laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls and echoing through the narrow corridor. “So eager.”

“With you,” she ran her nails over his wrist and up the inside of his arm, “I’m always eager.”

“Do not forget you said that. I will be enacting our deal tomorrow. Seventy-two hours, my sweet.”

“I can’t wait.”

They stopped and the sconce overhead flamed to life. Eva blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light. She was still not completely used to her sensitive sight.

Hadrian spun her about and forced her back against the wall. A surprised gasp escaped her lungs as he pressed his body into her, his hands braced against the wood paneling above her head.

“Oh, god,” she sighed, her voice laced with love and lust.

“This is where it all began,” he said. “I stalked you down this hall. Powerless against the lure.”

Eva closed her eyes as one of his hands fell away from the wall to encircle her wrist. His thumb brushed over their brand and her pulse jumped.

“Your scent called to me.”

She shivered as he bent his head down to her throat. His cool breath tickled and teased.

“Do you remember?”

“Yes,” she gasped. His hand moved up her arm to cup her nape. Delicious tension flooded her and gathered at her core. “I remember it perfectly.”

Hadrian placed a light kiss to her pulse. “Warm vanilla. You taste so sweet, my Eva.”

She opened her eyes and found him gazing down at her.

“I had borne centuries of loneliness, of emptiness. My world was consumed by the darkness of madness. I was hollow.” His other hand came down on her shoulder, pinning her to the wall. “Then you arrived and everything changed. You are the light that chased away the shadows that clung to my soul.”

Eva cupped his face as tears slipped down her own cheeks.

“You freed me of my pain,” he whispered. “I can look in the mirror and not see my guilt, or Titus, or the demon. I see me. For the first time in centuries, I can see myself. You made me remember who I am. I only wish I had not taken so long to realize you are mine.”

She smiled and more tears slipped from her eyes. “Oh, Hadrian, I love you.” She pressed a gently, trembling kiss to his lips. “And we have all of eternity to be together.”

He gripped her hips. Eva wrapped her legs about his waist as he slid her up along the wall. He held her with one hand as the other tossed up her skirts. Her breath caught as she felt cool air caress her core.

Hadrian groaned, finding her wet.

The sound of a zipper kissed her ears and she bit her lower lip in anticipation.

“Hadrian, I love you. Ever since we met, here in this hall. I loved you. I wish I had realized it sooner.”

He captured her lips in a gentle, soul-binding, mind-numbing kiss as he entered her with a painfully slow thrust.

“Eva, you are my savior,” he whispered against her mouth as he claimed her.

*
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Sonya hooked her duffle bag over her shoulder and started down the stairs to the main hall. She had done quite the costume change. From an elegant ball gown, shining jewels, and
strappy heels. To slim dark jeans, leather trench coat, red leather corset, and knee high laced boots.

She paused on the last step, her eyes closing. God, she could not believe she was going through with this. Her hand slid over her hips, her fingers checking the buckles of her gun holster. It was secure. The weapon was loaded and she had plenty of spare clips. Her father’s hunting dagger was strapped between her shoulders blades. A small dagger was concealed just under the lining of her corset, the hilt forming a Y shape over her breasts. She shifted on her feet, feeling to cool slide of metal against the side of her lower leg and ankles. It was odd, she could not remember the last time she had been strapped for battle.

“Are you leaving?”

Sonya’s eyes flew open and she stumbled from the step. Falcon reached out, but snapped his arms back to his sides. She held back her sigh of disappointment. She remembered with perfect clarity, what his arms felt like. His hands. His mouth. Had it really only been two months since their encounter at Dimitri and Kerstyn’s wedding? Two months since they almost…

“Yes,” she said, desperately needing to focus on anything other than
that
night. “There is some place I need to be.”

Falcon clenched his jaw to keep it from dropping. Her light blonde hair was pulled back and tightly secured in a bun. Her yellow, gold eyes glowed with resolve and her soft pink lips were set in hard line. And she was dressed for battle. She looked every bit the warrior queen of legend and, damn, she was sexy.

She stepped around him and crossed the great hall. All the guests had moved to the Hall of Mirrors once the challenge had been finished and Hadrian had taken his vows as king. Her steps echoed, bouncing off the high, arched ceiling.

Falcon went after her. “Is Gwen not going with you?”

“Her presence his unnecessary,” Sonya replied. “She will remain here. No need for her to miss the celebration.”

“Are you coming back?” he asked as they entered the foyer.

Sonya paused and slowly turned to him. Her shoulders were squared, her heart-shaped face titled up, as she took his hand. She met his gaze for a brief moment before pulling away.

What the hell is going on,
he wondered.

Cold, angry wind rushed in when the front door opened. Her driver greeted them with a low bow before taking her bag. Snow covered the silver Jaguar XJL, the windshield wipers thrashed, fighting to scrape the ice from the glass.

A strange foreboding sense coiled around Falcon’s heart as he gazed down at the car. Something was not right.

“Goodnight, Falcon,” Sonya said.

She stepped out in the furious blizzard. Falcon followed her down the steps.

“Wait.” He snatched her wrists, spun her about, and pulled her back. Their bodies hit. Heat enveloped them despite the frigid air. They stood for a long moment, their eyes locked, each searching for the right words.

Something inside him demanded he not let her go. Danger awaited her.

“Sonya I—”

She cupped his face and placed a light, butterfly like kiss upon his lips. She drew away. Stepping back, she gripped the top of the car door, her knuckles turning white.

“You are coming back.” Not a question, but a stern statement.

Sonya smiled, but no warmth touched her eyes. “Try to enjoy yourself tonight. This is a wonderful celebration.” She slid into the car. The chauffer closed the door and quickly rounded the hood.

Falcon’s hand shot out. He could not let her go. Something bad was going to happen, he could feel it.

“Falcon,” Dimitri’s rang out from the top steps of the entrance. “Dorian and I are going to have some drinks and I think Hadrian will be joining us…some.” He gave a light laugh. “Come inside. The celebration is not over yet.”