Fever--A Dark Kings Novel Read online

  She stretched her arms over her head and then sat up. Her gaze went to the windows, where she could see that it was well into the afternoon. Her only hope was that she hadn’t slept for more than twenty-four hours. She’d never done that before. But then again, she’d never felt so horrible before that a man had to carry her to bed.

  Bernadette threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the mattress. Her shoes were set on the floor neatly, waiting for her. She smiled, wondering if Keltan had removed them and tucked her into bed. Bernadette got to her feet and looked around the room. It was done up in various shades of gray and off-white. The colors were soothing. She particularly liked the black headboard, side tables, and dresser. They added a touch of elegance to the room.

  As she scanned the space, her eyes landed on an open door. She spotted the pale gray tile within. She looked inside, found a bathroom, and quickly made use of it.

  After relieving herself, she checked her hair in the mirror and winced when she saw how pale she was. She really did need to take better care of herself. Perhaps she needed to start meditating again. That always helped to keep her stress levels even.

  She walked from the restroom to find Keltan standing in the doorway of the bedroom. His amber eyes crinkled at the corners when he spotted her.

  “You look better,” he said.

  Bernadette smiled. “I feel much better. Thank you.”

  He waved away her words. “You’re welcome to stay in here as long as you like.”

  Her gaze swung to the windows. “Would you mind showing me a little more of Dreagan?”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  Bernadette hurried to put on her shoes, and then they walked from the room together. As they descended the stairs, they ran into Thorn, who had a woman with him.

  “Glad to see you’re up and about,” Thorn told her.

  Bernadette chuckled. “I’m hoping my embarrassment over this will disappear someday.”

  The women elbowed Thorn in the side. “Ignore him. I’m Lexie, by the way.”

  Bernadette heard the American accent and shook Lexie’s outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “There’s a lot to see here. Don’t let Keltan overwhelm you,” Lexie warned with a wink.

  Keltan put his hand to his chest over his heart. “I’m wounded you would even suggest such a thing.”

  Bernadette was amazed that they could tease and go on with their lives as if their King weren’t missing, and the Queen of the Light weren’t gunning for them.

  Thorn and Lexie walked away, hand-in-hand. And as if reading her mind, Keltan said, “It would be easy for us to let the anxiety and weight of it all crush us. We carry on as normal to remind us of what we have and what we are.”

  “It’s a reminder of what you have to lose.”

  He nodded. “Precisely.”

  This time, he took her out of the manor using a side door. Bernadette looked around at the splendor before her. The grounds around the domicile were gorgeous, but not overly done. The hedges were manicured, and there were sections where flowers bloomed bright and glorious.

  And while the manor was beautiful, it was the view of the mountains, wild and untamed, that drew Bernadette’s attention. She had no problem imagining a dragon flying over them.

  “If others could see the beauty of Dreagan, they’d be clamoring to get here,” she said.

  Keltan nodded slowly. “That’s another reason we make sure visitors can no’ see more than they do when they come for a tour.”

  “No one has tried to get past the distillery buildings?” she asked as she turned her head to him.

  He grinned. “I didna say that. They try daily, but no’ only do we have magic that prevents them, there are also Dragon Kings walking around to stop anyone they find.”

  “It would be easier if you didn’t allow anyone to visit the distillery.”

  “Aye, but that isna something we can do. Besides, we’re closed in the winter months. It’s only a few months out of the year, and we can handle it. It’s no’ always easy, but it’s something we must do.”

  She had to agree. “If you tried to keep hidden, it would only make people crazier to get in and see what’s going on.”

  “So, we open our gates, take them on a tour, let them taste the whisky, and give them the impression that they’ve gotten to see Dreagan.”

  Bernadette grinned, looking into his amber eyes. “When all they’ve really seen is a few buildings of the distillery.”

  “And the gift shop,” he added.

  She busted out laughing. “And the gift shop.”

  Their gazes held as the laughter died. They stood alone, the magic of the land swirling around them. Bernadette couldn’t feel it, but she knew it was there. She could imagine it. And while that was amazing, it was the man before her that she couldn’t look away from.

  He stood tall, his dark blond locks brushing the tops of his shoulders. She wondered if the thick strands were as soft as they looked. And his beard. Damn. She didn’t think facial hair could look as sexy as it did.

  Between his hard body, penetrating eyes, sensual mouth, and beard, she couldn’t pull her gaze away from him. She wanted to believe what she saw and felt was real, but she couldn’t help but wonder if magic had something to do with it. Especially after realizing that Usaeil had used it on her.

  Her behavior for too much of the past year had been so unlike Bernadette that it made her realize that something had been done to her. It wasn’t a good feeling, and she didn’t want the same thing to happen here.

  “I believe everything you’ve told me,” she said.

  A frown passed quickly over Keltan’s face. “I didna say otherwise.”

  “I just wanted you to know that. You don’t need to use any kind of magic to make me think that everything here is beautiful and good.”

  “Lass, do you think I or someone here is using magic on you?”

  Well, when he said it like that, it sounded preposterous. “Just in case you were, I wanted you to know that you don’t have to.”

  He took a step closer. “No one here is using magic on you. Everything you’re feeling and seeing and hearing is all you. I give you my word.”

  Chills raced over her. She didn’t doubt him for a moment. Keltan had been open from the very beginning. If anyone should be distrustful, it was him about her.

  “What do you feel?” he pressed.

  Bernadette thought of herself as a woman who spoke her mind. Except when it came to her feelings about men. In any relationship, she found it difficult to tell the man how she felt. Now was no different.

  Keltan moved close enough that she could feel the warmth coming from him. If she lifted her hands, they would rest upon his chest. She had to tilt her head back to look into his eyes.

  “Doona be afraid,” he urged. “You can tell me anything. What are you feeling?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Lots of things. It’s different than I expected.”

  “What’s different?”

  “You.” There, she’d said it. And oh, God, that was terrifying.

  One side of his lips lifted in a grin. “Good different? Or bad?”

  “Good,” she replied.

  Keltan reached out his hand and looped his pinky with hers. “Then I can tell you that you’re no’ someone I was expecting.” He grinned. “In a good way,” he added.

  She smiled, unable to hold it back. “I like how easy it is to talk to you.”

  “I’m glad. Then will you tell me what you’re feeling?”

  The nervousness returned with a vengeance. Getting out that he was different had taken all of her courage. How in the world could she tell him that she found him attractive?

  “How about if I start?” he whispered.

  She nodded, drowning in his amber eyes. “Yes.”

  His palm caressed her cheek before sliding around to the back of her neck. He leaned forward, his face lowering toward hers. Bernadette’s hear
t slammed against her ribs as her lips parted. Without even realizing it, her free hand lifted and rested on his waist.

  The moment his mouth met hers, the world vanished. It was just the two of them. His lips moved softly over hers, nibbling at her lips. She responded, and he wrapped both arms around her, pulling her against him.

  She sighed at the contact of their bodies. Her hands moved up and over his broad shoulders, learning the feel of his hard muscle.

  His tongue slid into her mouth, tangling with hers. Desire erupted, sending heat rushing through her veins. She clung to him as he held her tightly, as if he couldn’t imagine letting her go.

  It was the type of kiss she’d dreamed about experiencing. The kind she’d never thought she would get to experience. And here she stood—with a Dragon King, no less.

  Keltan ended the kiss, forcing her to open her eyes. It took a moment for Bernadette to focus on him. When she did, he was grinning.

  “Bloody hell,” she murmured.

  He nodded. “Aye. I want more.”

  All she could think was thank God because she wasn’t done kissing him.

  The next kiss was fire and passion. Keltan deepened the embrace as his hands tangled in her hair. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch and kiss her to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure.

  This time when the kiss ended, they were both breathing heavily. Their foreheads rested together. She kept her eyes closed because it took too much energy to open them. Her body pulsed with a desire she’d never experienced before. She wanted—no, she needed—his hands on her.

  “Please don’t stop kissing me,” she told him.

  “I’ll kiss you for days.” He lifted his head and tilted her face up.

  She knew he was waiting for her, so Bernadette opened her eyes. As soon as she did, his gaze snared her.

  “I’ll kiss you everywhere,” he said. “I’ll gladly bring you pleasure and expect none for myself.”

  That idea didn’t sound good to her at all. “I want you to have your own.”

  “Let me give you this,” he begged her. “Let me pleasure you. You doona even have to take off your clothes if you doona want to.”

  Oh, she most definitely wanted to. Bernadette knew this was an opportunity she might never get again. She nodded, putting her trust in Keltan as she had from the moment she walked with him to Dreagan.

  He took her hand and led her back inside. His steps weren’t hurried, but he didn’t linger either. Thankfully, they didn’t meet anyone on their way to the bedroom she’d occupied earlier.

  She entered first and turned to watch him shut and lock the door. Then he pulled her toward the bed. They stopped at the foot as he kissed her again. Then he sat.

  Bernadette pulled away from him and removed her shoes and her shirt. Then, with his gaze on her, she reached around and unhooked her bra. The moment it was gone, his eyes darkened as he took in her breasts.

  “Beautiful,” he said and pulled her toward him.

  Bernadette found herself surrounded by his arms again. He kissed her and laid them back on the mattress.

  She sighed as he kissed her senseless, then let his lips travel down her neck. He cupped her breast, massaging it gently before pinching her nipple.

  The pleasure traveled straight to her sex.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  This was not what he’d intended. Keltan tried to tell himself that lie once more as he held Bernadette. Because if he admitted that he’d been thinking about tasting her lips, then he would have to admit that he wanted her.

  And that was a path he didn’t dare walk.

  He could pleasure Bernadette without putting himself in a position that he couldn’t get out of. Keltan didn’t wonder why it was so important that he bring out the carnal nature he suspected lay dormant within her. That was for another time—when he was alone with his thoughts and drinking heavily.

  Now was for basking in the beauty of the woman who was kissing him as if there were no tomorrow. Bernadette’s pale skin was in direct contrast to her black hair. Her body was slim, but she had the full curves he liked on a woman. And her breasts … By the stars, they were stunning. They were large, spilling over his hands.

  Her back arched when he pinched her nipple. Sharp nails dug into his skin through his shirt. Her hips rocked against him, connecting with his arousal. He kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth, wishing it was his cock.

  Bernadette was a sweet spirit and a beautiful woman, but unleashing the siren she kept hidden was a find, even though he’d known it was there. It had been in the way she looked at him, as if she could picture them doing just this.

  He wanted to see more of the sensual woman he’d found. Keltan kissed down her neck to her chest and then to her other breast. With his hands teasing one nipple, his mouth found the other.

  Her moan was music to his ears.

  He teased her ruthlessly, pushing her to give in to the pleasure that pressed in on all sides of her. Her hips rocked in a steady rhythm against him in her own kind of tantalizing torment.

  Keltan couldn’t remember ever being so hard. Or wanting to be inside a woman so desperately. The need pounding through him was so overwhelming that he was thankful there were clothes between them.

  Though a little voice in the back of his head reminded him that he could remove it all with just a little magic.

  That was like a punch to the gut. He lifted his head and looked at Bernadette. Her head was thrown back, ecstasy contorting her face. Her chest heaved with her breaths. Slowly, her eyes opened.

  She said nothing, just pulled at the hem of his shirt. He took it off and tossed it away. Then she shoved at him, rolling him onto his back. She straddled his waist and caressed her hands down his chest.

  Her movements paused when she spotted his tattoo. Her gaze jerked to his, her eyes widening a fraction.

  “Every King has one,” he told her.

  The pads of her fingers skimmed over his abdomen to his tattoo that covered his right rib cage where it looked as if the dragon were hovering. Her fingers traced the wings that were stretched out and then down the tail.

  “It’s exquisite,” she whispered. Her gaze met his. “Just like you.”

  Keltan reached up and cupped her face before he rose up and kissed her. It was meant to be a quick one, but after a taste of her, he needed more.

  This time, she was the one who ended it. She smiled seductively at him as she ran her hands over his shoulders, arm, and chest. Then down his stomach. Keltan lay back, giving her access to his body. He liked her hands on him. In fact, he wanted her to touch every inch of him.

  When she leaned forward and flicked her tongue over his nipple, his cock jumped, and his balls tightened. He gripped her hips, fighting not to grind against her. He was winning the battle until she rotated her hips, rubbing against him.

  “You want me.”

  The fact that she sounded surprised shocked him. “Of course, I want you.”

  “I don’t want this day to ever end.”

  “It doesna have to.” He knew it was a lie, even if it was one he also wanted to believe.

  She smiled and skimmed her nail over his nipple. “I like touching you.”

  “Then doona stop.”

  Her fingers spread out as she smoothed her hands down his abdomen and then moved them back up again. She leaned over him, placing soft kisses over his chest. With each touch of her mouth, his desire grew until he was burning with it.

  When he could stand it no more, he flipped her onto her back and settled his leg between hers, right against her sex. They stared at each other for a heartbeat before he focused on her breasts once more.

  It wasn’t long until she began moving against his leg, which added friction. Her moans turned to small cries. Her hips moved faster and faster. He knew she was on the brink of an orgasm. He’d hoped she could get there on her own because if he had to touch her, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop.

  “
Please,” she said on a whimper. “I need to feel you.”

  Keltan didn’t hesitate. He was so happy to hear her words that he didn’t even think of using magic. He quickly divested her of her jeans and panties.

  The moment he touched her and felt how wet she was, he nearly climaxed right then. She sighed loudly when he cupped her sex.

  He pushed a finger inside her and closed his eyes at the feel of her wet heat. She felt so good. Keltan forced his eyes open. He pulled out his digit to circle it around her swollen clit.

  She jerked, her hands fisting the covers. He wanted to hear her scream, to be so overcome with pleasure that she lost herself in it. He shifted between her legs and filled her with his finger once more. Then he licked her.

  “Keltan,” she whispered, the bliss she felt evident in every syllable of his name.

  He watched her as he swirled his tongue over her while thrusting his finger inside her. She rocked against him, giving in to the desire. It wasn’t long before her body began to tighten, alerting him that she was close to orgasm.

  Keltan redoubled his efforts. And then she climaxed.

  The sight of her was stunning. Her body jerked as she opened her mouth on a silent scream. The pleasure on her face made his heart skip a beat. He’d never seen anything so pure in all his life.

  He brought her down softly, extending the orgasm until her body went limp. Keltan then moved up beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  “Oh, my God,” she whispered.

  He smiled as he looked at the ceiling. “I think I enjoyed that nearly as much as you.”

  She chuckled and put her hand on his erection. “I doubt that.”

  “I enjoyed watching you.”

  “And if I want to pleasure you?”

  He put a finger beneath her chin to tilt her head up so he could look into her eyes. “You doona need to do that.”

  “What if I want you inside me?”

  How could he refuse? He was holding a very beautiful, very naked woman in his arms. Only a fool would decline such fun. “Bernadette,” he began.