Page 84 of Unbound By Shadows
“Naked? But—”
“I want to feel you against me,” he interrupted. “Without any barriers. It will help me heal.”
My God, that man melts my butter.
After switching off the lantern, she lay down beside him. She rested her head on his chest so that her hair spilled out over hisshoulder. He curled his arm around her back, tucking her against his side. After settling the blankets over them, he asked, “Are you comfortable?”
The power of speech seemed to have evaded her. Her thoughts were muddied, as every spark of awareness she possessed was awash in sensation—the clench of his strong arm around her, the feel of his heart beating under her palm, the smoky pine scent of his skin. They fit like two puzzle pieces locking into place.
“Selene? Are you comfortable?” he repeated.
“I am.”
Sam squeezed her closer. “This is nice.”
“Yes,” Selene agreed softly. But nice wasn’t the right word. It was completely inadequate when describing the warmth, the overwhelmingblissof having her body nestled against Sam’s. Skin to skin, just as he had wanted. There was only one word to describe how it felt being so near to him. How free she felt at that moment, how grateful. One word to describe the change in her since coming to this realm. The feeling of power, of strength she had, even though it seemed she was not without enemies.
It feltright.
Chapter 34
Tap, tap, tap.Sam awoke the next morning to rain tapping on the roof of Selene’s tent. The air was thick with moisture, the light muted from the dark clouds brewing outside. A storm was coming, just as Brunie had predicted.
They should arise for the day, Sam thought. Go to higher ground; find an inn or a tavern to hole up in until the storm passed. The tent was sturdy, but not strong enough to withstand heavy winds or lightning. They should leave now, while it was still early and the rain was soft.
Yet he didn’t get up. He refused to move. There was no way he was cutting this moment short. Rolling over, he pulled Selene toward him. She nestled against his chest. They had spent the whole night together with their bodies intertwined. He traced his fingers up and down her back, marveling at the healing touch of his mate. Last night he had been too tired and injured to let his hands rove as he would have liked, but he was awake now—and feeling very much recovered.
Possessive rage gathered within him as he considered how easily he could have lost her last night. It was terrifying to think that hehad left her unprotected. He should have scented the other vampire in the tree or suspected that Margery was up to something. Instead, he had been too rash, too trusting. He had never expected to have his kindness to Margery repaid so cruelly.
Selene had proven herself admirably, though. Not only was she unflappably calm, she was also brave and resourceful. Yet, now that he was certain she was his fated mate, Sam was even more troubled. He knew she enjoyed his company, but how would he make her understand how deeply their bond went? Since a demon and a human pairing was unknown to him, it would be even more foreign to her.
In the Underworld, he could give her everything she desired—wealth, protection, good health—but would that be enough? As his mate, she would receive her own title as Princess of the Underworld and be treated accordingly. Perhaps her gratitude for such a life would make her love him. Or at least learn to, in time.
Yet he wasn’t satisfied with that. He wanted her to cleave to him now, not later. He needed a way to woo her, to win her affection inthisrealm. Or even better, bind her to him. Something permanent and powerful enough to go beyond a human’s comprehension of such matters. One that would compel her to welcome her descent into the Underworld, especially when the growing vampire threat left little time for an extended courtship.
Claim her.
There was only one answer, and it was obvious. He needed to bed her while reciting the ancient incantation that would unite them as one. Normally, such a ritual was performed with vows spoken by both parties, but since Selene was not a demon, he would speak it alone.
Imagining it made his pulse quicken. When they were together in Brunie’s kitchen and then the attic, his body had screamed to mark her with his scent, his seed. How desperately he had wanted to drive his body into hers, yet he was so concerned about hurting her, he hadn’t fully considered all the implications of their firstjoining—or how powerful it would be if he spoke the binding chant during it.
Meditatively, he began to stroke her hair while planning his seduction. Although he was anxious to complete their bond, she deserved better than to be claimed in a tent stained with two moldering corpses nearby. He would find an inn along the way, one with a lavish suite where he could take his time with her. A quiet place that wouldn’t trigger his instincts. The men of her world had obviously not appreciated her nature or understood how to properly tend to her, but he did. His mate was a sensual creature—passionate and responsive. As long as he could manage his instincts and stay in control, she would soon be his.
“Are you awake?” she whispered, pulling his attention back to the moment.
“Yes.”
“How’s your head?”
Sam touched his horn. “Better. Much better, actually.”
“Good.”
“What about you? How are you feeling?”
“All right,” she said, but her tone was somber.
“You seem troubled.”
