Shadow's Claim

Nothing. Least of all Caspion the Tracker.

"Be careful, female. One day I will reach my limit. One day you will convince me you want him above all others." After last night, Trehan had thought they'd come to an understanding.

Maybe he'd only imagined how agonized she'd been during his battle, wanting something so badly he'd conjured it in his own mind. Would he never win her?

Perhaps not her affections-but after tonight's victory, she was his by right. I've as good as won this tournament.

"It isn't like that," Bettina said. "I've told you why I feel this way. I can't make love to the male who will murder my best friend."

Best friend? Could it possibly be . . . ?

"I barely made it through tonight," she said, her voice despairing. "I can't take another round of this!" She rubbed her forehead, sending her mask askew, and with it, his traitorous heart.

Damn it! Exhaling a breath, he asked, "What if I told you there was a way for both Caspion and me to survive tomorrow?"

She stopped backing away. "How? Is it possible?"

"Would you yield to me tonight?"

She rushed up to him. "Tell me how!"

"I've found an escape clause in the rules. But I must explain it later-my need is great, and my control is slipping. Do you trust me?"

"Can you vow to me that you'll both live?"

"I vow it."

"You and Cas will both survive?"

"Yes. Now do you yield-"

She leapt into his arms, wrapping her arms around him, kissing his face. Her clasped hands knocked against his injured neck, her br**sts against his bandaged chest; yet he felt nothing but pleasure.

For the first time since this nightmarish tournament had begun, Bettina felt hope.

Daciano had told her that both he and Caspion would survive. He never lied. "I believe you, vampire. I trust you."

When he traced her to the bed, she laughed against his lips.

His curled in turn. "My merry sorceress. All will be well." He removed her mask, slipping it into his pocket.

"You're so good to me, Daciano."

"Call me Trehan."

She brushed a dark lock of hair from his forehead, well aware that she was gazing up at him dreamily. "Trehan."

"I will protect you, Bett. No queen will be more treasured than mine." Even as he said these tender promises, tension radiated from his body. "Tomorrow, I wed you. Tonight, I claim you forever. Eternitate." He slanted his mouth over hers, fiercely taking her lips.

I'm truly about to make love? Her introduction to passion had only whetted her curiosity.

As she met his fierce kiss, she recalled how his shaft had pulsated against her tongue. Would it do that inside her? She replayed feeling his hot seed on her hand-and watching it arc thickly over his torso. Now, with her tongue twining his, she imagined his se**n flooding deep into her body, filling her.

Her sex dampened from the mere idea.

His kisses grew more demanding, scattering her thoughts. Between his sensuous forays at her mouth, he began undressing her. She eagerly assisted.

Arching her back as he removed her shirt. Arms raised as he bared her br**sts. Hips up as he tore free her panties.

When he broke away to remove his own clothes, she opened her eyes, realizing he'd stripped her of everything but her jewelry.

Yet once he'd returned to bed, she noticed the injuries marring his mighty warrior's body. He had a swath of bandage tied tightly around his chest. "How badly were you hurt?"

"I feel little pain." His voice was roughened, his jaw now clenched. That tension rolled off him. His eyes were fully black as his gaze raked over her naked body.

Bettina's excitement dimmed; his control was slipping. He looked like he was about to launch himself at her.

Her human friends had spoken about losing their virginity, had described the pain they'd felt-and they hadn't mated a thousand-year-old vampire who was strong enough to defeat a primordial!

Then his eyes dropped to the pulse she could feel fluttering in her neck. This time he didn't stare at it with mere lust; he looked ravenous.

She'd accepted that lovemaking would hurt at first. But did she have to get bitten as well? To experience so many milestones at one time-after the night she'd had-seemed . . . excessive.

Still, when he caught her gaze and laid his palm between her br**sts, she found herself easing back under the firm press of his hand.

"Open for me, love."

She hesitantly spread her legs. He knelt between them, his erection jutting hungrily between his narrow hips. The head was bulbous, daubed with seed. When he planted a fist on either side of her head and leaned over her on straightened arms, his thick shaft bobbed above her belly.

She couldn't help but note that it appeared even more swollen than it had the night before.

His onyx eyes again landed on her pulse. "Tell me I can do anything to you."

If a vampire's exceedingly thirsty or inexperienced . . . "Um, wait, Daciano." All the desire she'd felt began to evaporate, replaced by apprehension. "I can't say that."

Some big steps can come later, right?" she asked Trehan. "Like maybe in the near future. But not tonight."

His Bride was supposed to yield! Yet now she was about to tell him that she didn't want him inside her. Denying my claim?

She was glorious beneath him with her shining braids spreading over her pillow, her pert br**sts taunting him to touch, her lustrous eyes gazing up at him. Bettina was his treasure. Comoara mea. But now she seemed distant.