Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy (35 page)

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me going in the woods while you’re gone, that’s for sure.”

His face grew serious. “Phoebe, I don’t want you anywhere near the woods.”

“Don’t worry. If I don’t see another werewolf again, it will be too soon, I certainly won’t go looking for one—with the exception of Richard of course.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

“You realize we just increased the odds.” He gave me a long look.

“I know,” I admitted calmly. “I didn’t want you to go without holding me again. Besides, it took Phoebe nine years to conceive, right?”

“I’m coming back,” Marcus promised as he held my face gently between his hands, commanding my full attention. He could sense my unease. “I’m coming back.”

“You have to,” my voice cracked. “I can’t breathe without you.”

“In that case, I’ll be all the quicker. I don’t wish to cause you any discomfort.” He leaned over and kissed me so passionately; I thought my heart was going to stop. He released me—limp, and breathless.

“Will you hold me, all night?” I sounded so needy.

His soft brown eyes stared lovingly back at mine. “I won’t let go for a moment,” he whispered across my lips.

I snuggled in close to him. His soft, silk-like skin felt cool against my flushed body. I breathed in deeply. The sweet smell of him engulfed me, bringing about a calm and content feeling I’d grown to need. I smiled to myself, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep in the safety of Marcus’s arms.

I could feel the morning sun stretching across the bed. I thought about opening up my eyes but decided against it. Marcus's arms were still around me. He had stayed with me all night as promised. I grinned.

“I know you’re awake,” Marcus sang in my ear.

“No I’m not . . . my eyes are still closed,” I sang back, pulling his arm tighter around me.

“Phoebe, just because your eyes are closed, doesn’t mean the morning will never come,” he firmly pointed out.

“All right, but if I open my eyes, that means you’ll be leaving, and I don’t want you to go,” I pouted. “So I’ll be keeping them closed today.”

“I’ll miss you too, Darling. I’ll try to return as soon as I can.” He kissed my cheek and sat up.

“Sure I can’t persuade you to stay?” I smiled coyly as I looked up at him.

He lay back down beside me and pulled my body next to his. “You could but would it be wise?” I could just see little flakes of red swirling through his dark brown eyes—he was hungry this morning. I swallowed a lump in my throat.

He let out a laugh and reluctantly got out of bed.

I thought for half a second, smiled deviously, flipped the covers off my body and tried to look as seductive as possible. I knew it was dangerous; I knew I was only prolonging the inevitable, but still . . . I had to try.

“Marcus?” My voice was even, innocent.

“Yes, my love?” he looked up from buttoning his shirt. His lips parted.

“You don’t have to leave this very moment . . . do you?”

He looked my body over in the amount of time it takes someone to blink. He yanked his shirt off and had me wrapped in his arms so fast; I couldn’t help but giggle at how quickly he was persuaded.

We spent the next several hours loving each other. I never wanted him to let me go.

“You know I would stay here for eternity with you if I could.” His mouth moved up my neck slowly. “Eventually, Luther will send someone to find me.”

I frowned. Luther. I’d almost forgotten about him. “You’d better go then,” I said in a soft voice.

His eyes met mine. I could see the fear in them. He was just as scared as I was. I had to be brave for him. I had to give him the strength to go. I held his face between my hands and smiled. “Come back to me soon.” The words came out softer than a whisper. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispered back. His lips kissed mine, lingering longer than he should have. I laughed, pushing him playfully out of bed.

I pulled the sheets around me, snuggling into their warmth, as I watched him dress. The sun moved across his body, shining brightly against his pale skin. When I looked at Marcus like this, it was hard to imagine he was a vampire. He was striking to look at—flawless. He reminded me of a painting I’d seen once of an angel—soft and beautiful. His eyes were brown like his hair. His lips—perfect for kissing—were a light shade of pink. His well-defined body from head to toe only added to the illusion that he wasn’t human.

I could feel an involuntary smile sweep across my face.

“What are you looking so pleased about?” he asked as he caught me gawking.

“Lots of things actually,” I admitted truthfully, blushing a little.

He came back over to the bed—a potentially dangerous move, and flopped down next to me.

“For example . . .” he prompted.

“Alright, how is it that you are so absolutely perfect? Your body, that is,” I clarified quickly.

He smiled at me like the Cheshire cat. “You think I’m perfect?”

I frowned. “Can you honestly tell me that you didn’t know that God bestowed every gift upon you?”

“Fair enough,” he grinned. “But God did not bestow this on me. When you become a vampire, certain things about your physical appearance are enhanced, as are your senses and your strength. I don’t know why it happens, other than it makes us more appealing to our prey.”

He moved closer to me, his lips nearly touching mine. I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as I fell under his spell once again. “You should run . . .” his cool breath blew across my lips; I could almost taste his skin. “Your mind is telling you to run, but your eyes betray you. You’re only as safe as I allow you to be.” He kissed my lips abruptly and smiled.

I tried to focus, attempting to sake the intoxicated feeling that had swept over me.

“Anything else?” he asked, still sporting a smug smile.

I smacked him on the shoulder playfully and frowned before I looked away from him. He’d done that on purpose!

“Ask me!” he prompted.

I took a deep breath. “Is it hard . . .
not
to bite people?” My eyes evaded his still.

“No. I’ve been accustomed to drinking another way now for so long that I don’t even think of people as food so much anymore,” he spoke casually. “As for losing control in the heat of the moment though, that’s another story entirely,” he smiled crookedly. “Biting while love making is common,” His mouth grazed my neck, further heating my blood.

“What about Raymose?” I asked. “Does he get his food like you do?” I felt a little embarrassed, like I was asking something private.

“Yes, although he hasn’t been at it as long as I have. He finds it harder to resist when he’s tempted.” His eyes narrowed as he saw me avoiding his stare. “There’s something else isn’t there?”

“It’s not a necessary question.” I brushed it off. “You’d better get going.”

“Ask me.”

“All right, but don’t get mad . . .” I began.

Marcus shot me an uneasy look. History proved, that when a woman told a man “don’t get mad,” it usually meant he was going to get mad. He shifted his weight and gave me an uneasy look. This would be no different.

“If I were bit again . . .” I started slowly, watching Marcus grow more anxious by the second, “. . . by either a vampire or a werewolf . . . would that harm . . . if I were pregnant, that is . . .” I shrugged, trying to sound blasé about the question, “. . . a baby?”

Marcus's had gone still, considering the question before he answered. “I do not know what a werewolf bite would do if you’ve already conceived. Your heart would somehow continue to beat, although you become immortal. Blood would still pump through your veins. A child
could
still live—perhaps.”

I sighed. Happy to hear that if for some reason Damen decided to take another bite, all might not be lost.

“As for being bit by a vampire,” he continued. “It most likely would kill the child. Your heart stops and your body ceases to work in the normal fashion.” His eyes were fixed on me.

“But my heart could still beat, right? I’m partially werewolf already! I couldn’t be turned completely. You don’t know that my heart would stop beating.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why would you ask me this?”

“No reason in particular. I just was just curious, that’s all.”

Marcus held my arm firmly as I moved to get up. I hated how he saw right through me . . . I couldn’t keep anything from him. His eyes were piercing.

“We’ve been less than cautious wouldn’t you say?” I admitted in defeat.

He didn’t answer. The silence was maddening. I could feel his eyes boring holes through my back. I couldn’t stand it any longer.

“I’m getting dressed. Raymose will be here in awhile, and I want to eat before we start.” I pulled away from him and went to the closet for my clothes. I glanced his way once again before I retreated to the bathroom—he hadn’t moved a muscle.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found Marcus in nearly the same position as I left him. His face looked tense. He was obviously preoccupied, and my questions, I was willing to bet, were the core root for this behavior.

“What time do you have to leave?” I asked, hoping to distract him from resuming our last conversation.

“Soon.” His voice was even, careful . . . too careful.

“Well, I’d better get downstairs,” I suggested half-heartedly.

“Phoebe, I was thinking. Perhaps you
should
go home. I mean you must have work to do. I’m sure your friends would like to see you again.”

“What?” He wanted me to go home? “Leah is mailing me my supplies as we speak. I’d planned on working on that while you’re away.”

His expression was completely unreadable. “There really isn’t anything here for you. I think it would be best . . .” his voice trailed off in my head. I could see his lips moving, but the words were silent. His tone had been as unfriendly as his eyes . . . they were dark and cold. There really isn’t anything here for me? I stared at him in disbelief. What about him?

“Phoebe, are you listening to me?”

“You want me to leave?” It wasn’t really a question, but I couldn’t believe I’d heard right.

“Yes.”

“But Why?” I didn’t understand.

“I think it would be best if you spent your time away from here; away from me. Away from all of this.”

Something snapped inside me. It was as if he’d slapped me across the face. I sucked my cheeks in and took a deep breath. “Fine!”

“Really? You’re not going to argue with me about it?” he sounded almost excited. Bastard!

“There’s no need to argue; I understand perfectly.” I smiled like I was going to eat him alive, and that’s exactly what I planned to do.

There was a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I called cheerfully.

“Good morning, Miss. And to you Sir,” Richard seemed disgustingly happy.

“I’m not sure it is a good morning, Richard,” Marcus noted. He was trying to decipher my reaction to his suggestion.

“Mr. Raymose is here, Miss Rose. He asked me to bring your horse around to the back. He’s waiting in the library to speak with you, Sir, before you leave.” He was addressing Marcus now.

“Thank you, Richard. A ride sounds perfect.”

“Very good, Miss. Charlotte asked me to bring you this. She thought you might be hungry.” He sat a tray of food down on the table.

I grabbed a muffin and took such a violent chomp out of it, that most of it didn’t even enter my mouth. My eyes narrowed at Marcus as I chewed, enjoying his discomfort.

“Phoebe . . .” he warned.

I walked over to the fireplace, grabbed the sword off the wall, and said rather surly, “Have a nice trip!” I stormed out of the room, taking the muffin with me.