Prince of Desire Read online

  Lucian bit back a groan as Isabelle took him into her hot, wet mouth. Her sweet hands knew just were to touch and how hard or soft as she cupped his sac and moved her hand up and down his shaft. It wanted release right then but he could tell she was fighting her own climax. He would hold off as long as she did, no matter how much it nearly killed him to do it.

  His tongue darted through her sex and found her clit again. He loved the taste of her and how her body trembled each time he licked her. She was wet with desire, which only spurred his own desire to new heights.

  She showed him heights of pleasure he had never known. His hands caressed over her back and rounded behind. With a smile, he dipped a finger into her sheath and felt her hot breath expel from her mouth as she moaned, deep and long.

  “Want something?”

  She moaned again and moved her hips against his chest. “You know I do.”

  “Not yet.”

  Lucian added a second finger and moved them inside her. This time, Isabelle whimpered and pumped her hand faster on his cock.

  He closed his eyes and found her clit again as his fingers drove into her. Lucian knew her body well enough to know that he could push a bit more before she peaked. When he didn't let up his assault, she took him into her mouth and began to kiss and suck him as if her life depended upon it.

  Lucian took them as far as he could before he released her and rolled her onto her back. Her eyes were glazed as she stared up at him, and he felt a rush of pride to know she was his. He pulled her to her feet before he turned her to face the wall of the cave.

  “What are you doing?” she asked over her shoulder, no fear in her voice.

  “Shhh,” he said as he kissed her shoulder. “Trust me.”

  She moaned and leaned her head back against his shoulder. “I do, I'm just not sure my legs can hold me.”

  Lucian chuckled as he gripped his cock and found her sex. He rubbed his rod against her sensitive sex and reveled in each cry and moan that tore from her throat. When he could take it no more, he buried himself deep within her.

  Isabelle gripped the cold stone of the cave as Lucian began to move within her. She wanted him hard and fast to reach her fulfillment, but she knew he would show her pleasure. With each withdrawal and thrust, she moved against him, creating more friction as the tempo increased.

  She was mindless with want, her body needing release but not ready to let go yet as Lucian plunged deep within her. Their bodies were slick with sweat, and she could feel the climax building as he pumped hard and fast. She felt his hand move around her to find her sex, slick and throbbing.

  His thumb moved over it once, twice…three times, and her world splintered as her orgasm claimed her, as waves upon waves of pleasure rolled through her body. And with each continued thrust of Lucian's thick arousal, he prolonged her climax until her legs could no longer hold her.

  Dimly she heard a roar behind her and realized her mate had also found his release as the tip of his rod touched her womb. His seed poured inside her, and she wondered when her belly would grow round with his child – their child.

  Chapter Seven

  Lucian couldn't believe he was nearly home. He hadn't wanted to tell Isabelle last night that they would arrive today. He knew she was nervous, but he wanted her to get a good night's sleep and keeping their arrival from her had given her that.

  He readied their horses and turned to find her plaiting her hair. He loved her glorious mane of dark brown hair. It thick and silky, and he enjoyed having it draped around him when they made love.

  As he tightened the saddle on Isabelle's mare, he thought of their time together. They had used the travel to learn more of each other, and with each passing day, he wondered how he had ever lived without her. She had a wicked sense of humor that kept him laughing and seeing the world in an entirely different light.

  His family and kingdom would be much richer with her.

  He sighed and looked at the pass they would take that led to Drahcir. Home. How he had missed it, but most especially his family. A smile pulled at his lips as he imagined the homecoming with his brothers. They were a loud, rowdy lot, but they were loyal. What more could a brother ask for?

  “What are you looking at?” Isabelle asked as she came to stand beside him.

  “The pass home.”

  She stiffened beside him. “You knew this last night?”

  He nodded. “I did, but felt you could use a good rest instead of staying up worrying.”

  “You were right, of course,” she said and chuckled while she clasped her cloak around her.

  “Ready?”

  “Aye,” she said and kissed him before he sat her on the mare and ventured into the snow.

  They talked for hours about everything from her duties as a princess to how many children they might have. There were spots of companionable silence as well. By the time they neared the gates of Drahcir, Lucian knew whatever time he had left with her would be the most wonderful time of his life.

  The entrance to Drahcir was just over the next rise. Lucian was so excited upon seeing his family again that for a moment he almost missed the frisson of warning that ran down his spine. He jerked on Elad's bridle and reached to halt Isabelle. Once she was stopped, he looked around hoping to see who, or what, endangered them.

  “What is it?” Isabella whispered.

  Lucian knew without a doubt that something was about to attack, he just didn't know from where. He had to get Isabelle to safety, but in the thick snow and walls of mountains, there was no place for her to hide.

  “We're about to be attacked,” he said casually as he leaned over and kissed her full on the mouth.

  Thankfully, she stayed calm as she asked, “Who?”

  “I doona know. Make sure you stay out of the way while I battle them. Take this,” he said, and placed the dagger he had given her on their first night in her lap. “Keep it hidden, and use it if you must.”

  She nodded and gripped his hand. “I'm not going to lie and say I'm not afraid.”

  “I know.” Lucian looked over his shoulder and saw the top of the castle through the pass. If there was anyway they could ride to the gates safely, he wouldn't hesitate, but the ground didn't allow for the horses to do more than walk up the steep slope.

  He looked back to Isabelle. “I’ll protect you. I didna come this far to lose you and fail my family.”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth than an eerie scream echoed around them. Lucian's blood froze in his veins. It had been generations since any Sinclair had come across a Tnarg. His eyes scanned the frozen area until he spotted the vile creature. Quickly, he palmed his sword and grabbed his shield. He twisted the reins until Elad now faced the Tnarg. His mount pawed the frozen earth and snorted.

  Lucian looked at Isabelle. “Remember what I said. Find some cover,” he warned as the Tnarg let out another loud growl.

  Once he was sure Isabelle had sufficiently hidden herself, Lucian nudged Elad, and they raced toward the Tnarg. The nasty creature jumped from the cliff above them and landed with a loud thud just lengths from them.

  “What do you want?” Lucian demanded.

  The Tnarg smiled revealing a mouth full of long, pointed teeth. Its beady red eyes glowed, and the short, thick reddish hair covering its entire body left an unmistakable vile odor. The creature stood the same height as a man, but its elongated arms and vicious claws prevented anyone from getting too close.

  “I want your bride,” it said in a voice that sounded as if someone had a hand around its throat.

  Lucian couldn't believe his ears. After all the searching and convincing he had done, he wasn't about to lose Isabelle to a Tnarg just moments from the gates of Drahcir and his family.

  He gripped the pommel of his sword and narrowed his eyes on the Tnarg. “You'll have to come through me to get her.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that,” the Tnarg said just before it leapt with its thick legs.

  Lucian jerked Elad to the side so
the Tnarg's sharp talons wouldn't blind the horse. The second left no time for Lucian to do anything other than brace himself for impact. The force of the Tnarg slamming into him knocked the breath from his lungs as he was dragged from his horse.

  It seemed an eternity from the time he was pulled off his mount until he finally landed in the thick snow. It was only the snow that saved him. And while he struggled to get his breath back, the Tnarg straddled him and lifted one of its arms. Through his haze, Lucian saw the talons extend from the Tnarg's hand and knew he had mere heartbeats to live.

  He jerked up his knees and brought them against the Tnarg's back. It was enough force to knock the creature forward to land face first in the snow. Lucian rolled to his feet and looked around the snow for his sword and shield. He tamped down the panic that threatened to rise and palmed his other dagger in his boot as the Tnarg jumped to its feet.

  “You plan to kill me with that?” the creature taunted.

  Lucian shrugged as they circled each other. “I'll kill you any way I can.”

  “I can tell you that won't do anything.”

  Lucian didn't know if the creature was lying or not, but he refused to allow the beast to see any hint of fear. Instead, he beckoned the Tnarg. “I've had enough of this. You want a fight, come and get me.”

  The Tnarg cocked its head to the side. “A feisty one. You'll be a tasty snack.”

  Lucian dove and rolled as the Tnarg swung a meaty arm at his chest. As he hit the ground, Lucian felt his shield beneath him and quickly grabbed it as he came to his feet. When he turned to the Tnarg, the creature narrowed its eyes on his shield.

  “Fine weaponry.”

  “Aye, it is.”

  The Tnarg snarled and stepped closer to him. “Where did you steal it?”

  Lucian laughed. “I'm a prince of Drahcir, you filthy maggot. It was given to me as a gift.”

  With a loud scream the Tnarg stumbled back and bared its teeth. “You lie.”

  “I doona lie.”

  For several heartbeats Lucian and the Tnarg stared at each other. Finally, the Tnarg said, “Friend of the Fae or not, she must die.”

  In a blink the Tnarg had moved around Lucian and was headed toward Isabelle. Lucian shouted Isabelle's name to try and warn her as he raced after the Tnarg. He watched in horror as the Tnarg was about to reach Isabelle.

  “Nay,” he bellowed as he hurtled his dagger at the offending beast.

  The blade embedded in the Tnarg's back, yet the creature continued on its course to Isabelle. Lucian knew he had to turn the beast’s attention from Isabelle back to himself, but without his sword he had no weapon.

  Lucian dove at the Tnarg and wrapped his arms around the creature's chest. Using every muscle in his body, Lucian slammed the Tnarg against the mountain.

  He turned to Isabelle and grabbed her arm as he helped her to her horse, “Take the mare and make for the pass. Doona stop and doona look back.”

  “Lucian,” she said, but he stopped her words with his hand.

  “There's no time,” he said and placed her on her mount. “I love you,” he said just before he slapped the mare on her flank.

  The Tnarg screamed and tried to get around Lucian, but Lucian brought his knee up and into the creature's gut right before he planted his fist in the Tnarg's face. The beast fell back into the snow as blood gushed from its nose.

  “You’ll pay for that,” it said.

  “I warned you that you’d have to kill me first,” Lucian said as the Tnarg picked itself up and glared at him. “Come slake your thirst on me.”

  The Tnarg laughed then, the sound menacing and evil. “I’ll most certainly have your blood, but before I do, know that I’ll have your bride. No matter how far she runs, she will die.”

  Because it had been generations since anyone had seen a Tnarg, Lucian himself only having seen drawings, he was curious as to why the beast had come out of hiding. Not to mention, he still needed his sword.

  “Why?”

  “Why?” the Tnarg repeated. “Why do you think?”

  “Isabelle has done nothing to you. Your quarrel lies with the Sinclairs.”

  The Tnarg wiped the blood from its face. “She’s your bride, therefore a Sinclair.”

  Lucian seethed with fury. The Tnarg's were vile creatures, but to attack a woman instead of a warrior – that took the lowest of the low. He stepped to his left and felt something hit the toe of his boot.

  * * * *

  Isabelle's heart pounded furiously in her chest. She hadn't been able to leave Lucian alone, regardless of what he had said. He might need her. She stopped her mare on the pass and hid behind part of the mountain wall. Seeing the awful creature still didn't make it seem real to her. And it could talk.

  A shudder ripped through her as she recalled it saying it wanted to kill her. Somehow it was connected to Lucian and his family, she was sure of it. Lucian had spoken of magic, and though she didn't know much about it, the creature had to come from some sort of magic.

  As Lucian and the creature spoke, she fingered the dagger in her hand, ready to aid Lucian in any way. Her breath lodged in her throat as Lucian rolled and came up with his sword to face the beast.

  She blinked, and Lucian and the creature attacked. Lucian's arm moved with lightning speed as he kept the beast's claws away. She had seen Lucian fight once before, but in the light of day, she saw just how excellent a warrior he was as he battled a beast made of magic.

  Yet, powerful warrior or not, the monster was wearing him down. Isabelle could tell Lucian's movements slowed where the Tnarg's increased. By the resignation on Lucian's face, he knew it was simply a matter of time.

  “Nay,” Isabelle whispered. She could not lose Lucian after just finding him.

  She rose and started down the pass. Her feet slipped on the ice and snow, and she began to fall. She kept her eyes on Lucian as she slid the rest of the way, ignoring the cuts and scrapes on her legs.

  “Lucian,” she said through her tears as she saw him crumble to the ground under the onslaught of the Tnarg's assault. She climbed to her feet, her only thought to save her mate, the man that she loved.

  “Get away from him!” she cried as she raced toward the Tnarg.

  The Tnarg didn't pay her any mind as it went in for the kill. Isabelle dove at the creature and buried the dagger in its arm. It screamed and threw her off as it clawed at the dagger. Isabelle's stomach fell to her feet as the Tnarg turned to her and hissed, its massive teeth bared.

  And just as quickly as it had come, it was gone.

  Isabelle said a quick prayer of thanks, her heart thumbing with sickening dread in her chest. Tears gathered in her eyes at the terror she had just witnessed.

  “Isabelle.”

  Her eyes shifted to find Lucian crawling toward her.

  She cried freely now as she rose up on her knees and embraced him. “I thought I had lost you.”

  “You were supposed to leave,” he said, his breath still coming in huge gulps.

  She leaned back to look into his eyes. “I couldn't. I knew you’d need me.”

  He smiled then and wiped her damp hair from her face. “I did need you.”

  They rose to their feet, and Isabelle took inventory of him. Fortunately, he had only flesh wounds and nothing that couldn't wait to be tended to once they reached Drahcir.

  “I'm fine,” he said as he stilled her arms. “Are you hurt?”

  She started to shake her head then felt her legs begin to sting. “Nothing that cannot wait until we reach the gates.”

  “Then let's go home,” Lucian said.

  Isabelle was more than ready now.

  * * * *

  Lucian looked over at Isabelle and smiled as they entered the tall gilded gates of Drahcir. He never tired of looking at the city, and he could only imagine what it was like seeing it for the first time. He wanted to nudge his horse faster but held back so Isabelle could take it all in.

  “You said it was beautiful, but I didn't expec
t this,” Isabelle said as she looked around in awe.

  “It’s more beautiful than words. Just like you.”

  She turned her midnight blue eyes on him and smiled. “You do know how to charm.”

  “If you follow this road it will lead to the castle,” he said and pointed to his home high atop the mountain. He took in a deep breath and looked at the cottages and structures that lined the steep slope to the castle. He’d taken his home for granted while he’d been there, but never again would he make that mistake.

  The quaint, elegant splendor could be seen from the road to the flowers artfully planted everywhere to the precision of their symbol carved, etched, stitched, and branded on clothes, homes, weapons, saddles, and anything else they could find. Time held the kingdom in a bubble that stopped the wars and men’s greed from touching them. He hated the curse, hated the pressure put on them to keep the kingdom alive, but after seeing what was outside the gates, he was almost glad it had happened.

  “The knotwork is everywhere,” Isabelle said, her voice low, holding a note of awe.

  “It was given to us by the Fae. It’s part of us, part of Drahcir. You’ll find it carved in all the wood, sewn into the clothes, and etched into stone.”

  “A part of it is even on us,” she said and cut her eyes to him.

  Lucian’s arm warmed as he thought of his mark and the matching one on Isabelle’s arm. “Aye. If you let it, it’ll become a part of you.”

  “I’d like nothing better.” Isabelle drank in the allure and beauty of the city. “I wasn’t prepared for the exquisite, quiet beauty of it all.”

  He chuckled and took her hand to kiss the back of it as their horses continued slowly down the street. The inhabitants began to file out of their homes and businesses in droves. They lined the street, waving and clapping, smiles of joy of on their faces.

  Isabelle bit her lip, suddenly all too aware of her shabby, older clothes that were nothing like the simple, clean styles she now saw. Unlike her gown with open sides and train, the women wore gowns of solid colors with long flared sleeves and a deep border on the bottom of their skirts. She found it lovely and enchanting, so much so that she couldn't wait to get out of her soiled, stained gown and into one like theirs.