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The question took him aback. “I don’t know, but something inside me resists it. Is this what you want?”
“Not my rational mind, but every other part of me seems to be shouting at me to go the distance. Yet we barely know each other and we have a war going on.”
“I’m thinking the same thing. I’m tempted because I know from the other ruling mastyrs that their powers increased once they bonded with their blood roses. But it doesn’t seem right to me. I’m just getting used to you as Rosamunde and Aralynn.”
She petted his shoulders and caressed his arms. “You are so magnificently muscled, Stone. I’m overwhelmed.”
He loved that she’d praised his body. Like all the mastyrs, he worked out and he battled. Both kept him fit, something he had to be. But it pleased him to know that Rosamunde liked what she saw. He was struck all over again by just how much he’d gotten her wrong.
He withdrew from her body slowly and reached for tissues on the nightstand. Handing them to her, he shifted on his side and watched as she tucked them between her legs. Strange to think how satisfied he felt that she needed the tissues. He liked that he’d left something of himself behind in her. With every other woman, he used condoms, but not with Rosamunde. Or Aralynn.
She turned on her side to face him her wild hair covering her shoulders and arms then sliding down to shade her breasts. He settled his hand on her waist and caressed her hip.
“I can’t believe this happened.” She stroked his arm. “Never in my wildest dreams. And I loved that we did that while levitating. We were high up in the air, too, much farther than a foot above your bed.”
“It was amazing. And my mating vibration is still covering yours, almost protectively.”
“I like it. I’m sure you could disengage, but please, don’t, not yet. It feels comforting to me in a way I’ve never experienced. And for this moment, I don’t feel alone or even so burdened with the rule of Ferrenden Peace.”
“I’m glad.” And he meant it.
He felt her sigh. He didn’t say anything further in response, he just caressed her and slowly rubbed her back. Her body began to relax and she scooted closer. She even nuzzled him, pushing her head into his shoulder.
He held her for a long time. He didn’t quite understand all that was happening, but he found himself grateful that she’d shared the terrible guilt she lived with because of her mother’s death.
Stone knew about guilt. He carried his own damn weight on his shoulders.
His thoughts were drawn back to Charborne. The village and farms were situated at the foothills of the Dauphaire Mountains, in view of the tall, mist-shrouded peaks.
The village had shown him so much love. He’d been raised on a nearby farm, in the predominantly troll community.
The villagers had been nothing but supportive when he’d finally joined the Tannisford Vampire Guard. They’d thrown him a farewell bash that had lasted for hours. He was pretty sure the ale he’d drunk hadn’t left his system until at least two nights later.
If only better provisions had been made for a possible future attack.
But who could have predicted the arrival of twelve wraith-pairs that went through the village and surrounding farms, slaughtering anyone they could find.
Half the
villagers had perished by the time three squads of Guardsmen had arrived to take on the Invictus. Two of those good men had died as well because of the overwhelming numbers.
It had happened centuries ago, but like the aftermath of so many tragic events, he still felt the pain of it. His parents had been two of so many who had died that night. Grief had been a constant companion since, a reminder of the necessity of staying focused on his Guardsman duties.
Rosamunde stirred in his arms and he pulled her closer. He realized he could relate to her. He knew what it was to lose family to Margetta’s depredations and now that she’d shared more of her life experience with him, he’d begun to understand her.
Still, he smiled. Rosamunde, both Aralynn and a blood rose. His blood rose. It seemed impossible.
And the sex had been fantastic.
~ ~ ~
Rosamunde had never felt so satisfied, so content in her entire life. Lying in Stone’s bed, with his arms around her felt like she’d come home after a long difficult journey. She wanted to stay there forever.
She still couldn’t believe he’d made love to her.
After a few minutes, she drew back so that she could look at him. She even shifted to lay her head on the pillow and meet his gaze. “You know what I’d love to know. When did you first meet Davido?”
He chuckled softly.
