Blood Moon (27 page)

It surprised her that he didn’t try to deny it. “Tell me. There’s enough going on without this.”

“He wants your necklace.”

Her hand cupped the silver at her neck, hidden safely under her shirt. “Why? It’s a family heirloom. My mother left it to me.”

Cern shook his head then glanced back towards the windows. “Let’s walk a little.”

He remained silent as they strolled around the house and out into the meadow. They were not alone, but their chaperones remained at a distance, watching from the edges of the woods.

“I gave your mother that necklace for safekeeping. She was supposed to return it to me. She could not.”

“Why not?”

His shoulders lifted. “There were many reasons. Some of them were things I didn’t understand at the time. The others were because she knew if she handed it over, I would be forced to give it away.”

“You aren’t making any sense.”

He looked down, scuffing the grass with one foot. “Do you know what the Gundestrop Cauldron is?”

“Yes. It’s a silver cauldron, supposedly made by Celts. They say it’s the only engraving of Cernunos without a beard.”

Cern laughed. “You would remember it.”

She shrugged. “I liked art history. What does that have to do with anything?”

“The necklace you wear isn’t a necklace. And the Gundestrop Cauldron is not the only artifact with my likeness on it.”

She was momentarily stunned. It was the only time she could ever heard him admit his actual name. “If it isn’t a necklace—”

“It’s the missing panel to a silver chalice used by druids in ceremonies.”

She fingered the silver, running her fingers over the ridges and grooves of the carving. “And Haemon has the rest of the chalice, is that it?”

“Yes.”

“But what does it do?”

Cern sighed, before he took in a deep breath. “The druids designed it and built it with my blood. The piece you possess also has something else. The horns on the image in your necklace are made from a sliver of my own that were taken while I slept.”

She didn’t see the significance. What did this have to do with Haemon? With her? “And?”

“Haemon uses what he has of the chalice to exert pressure on me. He cannot control me, but I cannot be too far from the chalice. When it is complete, he believes that should he drink from the chalice, he can take my place. Absorb my power and become Lord of the Hunt.”

The thought froze her heart. “Will it?”

He didn’t meet her eyes. The answer was non-committal. “It might. I am not certain.”

“A chalice was made from your body and blood, and you don’t know what it’s capable of? I fail to believe you didn’t ask.”

When he remained silent, she thought a faint blush stole across his features. A smile flickered over her lips. “A woman. A woman did it, and you didn’t ask.”

“I loved her even though she was a manipulative liar on occasion. When I woke up and discovered what she’d done, I went into a rage.” He glanced up at her, lifting a shoulder. “I don’t have a great temper. When the smoke cleared and I had my head back, I had killed them. And broken the chalice they had made. I gathered the pieces, scattering them.”

“Then how did the legend come into existence? There has to be a legend, or Haemon wouldn’t have found it.”

“She didn’t die. I couldn’t kill her outright. I thought she’d die, that she’d bleed out. I felt betrayed, and I wanted her to suffer. Apparently, she was almost as stubborn as I was. She lived long enough to relate the tale to a small group of villagers. And the legend was born.”

Well, what else could she say to that? The necklace suddenly seemed heavier around her neck. But she had no desire to remove it. A thought struck her, and she tucked the piece under her shirt again. “You gave this piece away when you discovered Haemon had found most of the others.”

Cern agreed. “I can steal or ask for your piece, but I cannot remove it as long as it is on your person.” His lips twisted into a self-depreciating moue. “Especially now that you have a blood-bond with me. You are immune to my persuasions.”

“Haemon was pressuring you about the piece that night. That’s why you came after it.” She slumped against a tree. That would explain his determination to take it from her. They were all in the same place at the same time. It would have given Haemon more power than the Council could have dreamed of. Her fingers touched her necklace again, and a thrill of fear shot through her. When she lost control and the power surged through her, whose was it? Hers? Or Cern’s?

“Yes. He knows that I know where it is. It infuriates him not to get his own way.”

“Everyone knows that.” She snorted. “But Cern, when—”

“What?”

“When the power gets out of control, whose is it? Am I channeling you? Am I going to hurt someone?”

Cern paused. “I am not sure. If you give it to me, I could tell you.”

She glared.

“Ah, well, it was worth a try. Keep the piece safe from him and me. I don’t know how to get the rest away from him. He guards it possessively, and I have never been able to find a time he wasn’t near it, or didn’t have it with him.”

“I will. I’ll see what I can think of to help.”

Cern tilted his head. “And what will that cost me?”

Aria couldn’t help blushing a little. “An evening alone with my Mate.”

“Preferably this evening?” Cern teased.

“This evening would be very nice.”

“Done.” He held up one finger when she turned to leave. “Keep in mind, I did tell the Council you couldn’t be alone with either of them. After this, you’re going to have to follow the rules.”

She winked as she headed towards the house. “At least until I find a way around you.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Aria nodded at a few Pack Guards as she trudged up the porch stairs to the house.

A hand shot from the shadows of the porch. She fell into Lukas’ lap with a surprised gasp. “Please tell me you managed to negotiate an evening alone. I’d hate to have to spill Cern’s blood this early in the game.”

She adjusted herself, twisting her body around to face him, wondering how she hadn’t noticed him in the dark. “I can be very persuasive when I need to be, you know.”

Lukas’ lips nuzzled her neck, and she tilted her head to the side, giving him better access. “As long as you’re not too persuasive. Unless we’re talking about persuading me. Then I have no objections to your methods.”

She waved at the blankets next to him. “Take me somewhere away from prying eyes.”

His arms tightened around her, regret lining his face. “I wanted to be slow and gentle this evening, Aria.” His hands slid over her butt as they stood, pressing her close to him. Through his jeans, the length of him was hard and straining against the fabric. “I don’t think I’ll be able to manage that. I came too close to losing you today.”

Aria kissed the hollow of his collarbone. “I will take you any way I can.”

“How did you manage to get away from him, anyway?”

Picking up the blankets off the rocker, she pulled him down the steps, out into the yard towards the woods. A shadowy form wound its way through the trees to her left. “You best make sure Aaron keeps his distance.”

“Don’t put me off, Aria.”

If only she could tell him….
“I can’t explain everything now, but it’s an even trade. He gives us time alone, and I keep a secret of his.”

“Must be a pretty big secret.”

“It is. But it can’t be kept forever. I’m hoping to come up with a plan for him in exchange for another night with you.”

Lukas groaned. “I don’t want to encourage a plan that has definite undertones of danger, but you’re making it difficult.”

Aria pouted and walked ahead a few feet, swinging her hips provocatively. “I must not be doing something right if you had to think about that.”

“No, no, you’re doing fine. Any better and I’ll explode right here.”

She tossed the blankets down. “You can get those. I think we need to find somewhere nice and private.”

She shifted and bounded toward the forest. When they drew close, she veered away from the waterfall, searching for something else, something farther from the house. Tonight, there was nothing but her, Lukas, and the stars.

I can hear that. Would you prefer to run all night, or let me lead?

I’d like to find one on my own, but I don’t think you’ll last that long.

His teeth nipped at her ankles, and the blanket slid off his back. She wheezed, a wolf expression of laughter, when he picked it up between his teeth in a wad, one end trailing the ground.

You keep in mind, I’m only carting these around to please you.

Her tongue lolled out, and she swiped it over his nose, almost tripping on a tree branch while her attention was diverted. Lukas’ laughter rolled through her head.

Lukas stretched his legs, moving ahead of her. The urge to race with him and push herself to the limit rose, but she brushed it aside. There would be time for that later.

He wound through thick underbrush, bounding over logs and small trickles of creeks. Finally, after a good run, he slowed, trotting to a dense clump of bushes and pushing through. A small meadow met her view as she broke from the barrier. Autumn flowers bloomed around the edges, and the center was full of soft, lightly waving grass. He shifted, holding out one hand to her.

She followed his act, changing forms, then crouched on the ground, caught at the sight of his nude body in the moonlight. She understood now why ancient artists had considered the human body the embodiment of nature. Even with the blankets draped over his shoulder, his muscled form glowed.

Her hand fit snugly into his palm, and he drew her up next to him, his other hand resting on the curve of her butt to pull her close to him. A lock of hair fell across his face, and she pushed it behind his ear, barely touching his skin. His eyes closed, and he turned his face into her palm.

“You are so beautiful, Lukas.”

“No. Men are supposed to be handsome, right? Besides”—he caressed her back, lingering over the ridges of the scars—“if you call me beautiful then I have no words left for you.”

His mouth covered hers as he pulled her tight. Her nipples beaded against his chest, and she opened her mouth to his questing tongue, allowing him to draw her deeper into the maelstrom of desire that threatened to rob her of all senses.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, rubbing the silky strands. He pulled away, snapping the blankets out and onto the ground.

“I can’t wait, baby.” He slid his arms under her rear, hefting her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he moaned into her mouth as he lowered them to the ground.

He flicked a nipple with his tongue, suckling until her hands pushed at his shoulders. She was extremely aware of the heat flooding her body and his bare skin rubbing against her own. She sensed the wildness in him and knew tonight would not be a slow showing of affection. The need to dominate and to affirm they were both alive overwhelmed their need for each other. Lukas kissed her again, nipping at the corners of her lips, only to replace his teeth with his tongue. She returned his passion with fervor, never wanting their night to end.

He tore his mouth away, pulling back. Surprised by his distance, she frowned at him and rose on her elbows.

“I had a little something different in mind, baby.” He watched her reaction with a heady mix of lust and love in his gaze. “Get on your hands and knees.”

She obliged, shivering at the feeling of submission. Despite making her extremely vulnerable, she was extremely aroused by his order. She chuckled, winking at him over her shoulder when she saw his growing erection. “Like the view, do you?”

He flashed a wicked grin as he knelt behind her, his hands smoothing over her rear. One hand reached around to tease her nipples, while the other slid to test her readiness. Fire poured over her body. She moaned and pushed back against his hands.

“Greedy, aren’t we?”

“Lukas….”

She sucked in a deep breath at the feel of him, rubbing against her opening. His hands moved to her hips to keep her from rushing things. Letting out a frustrated growl, she widened her stance, allowing him a better view of her sex. He was hoarse as he started to move slowly into her. “God, you’re tight. I wanted to be gentle….”

“You can be gentle later, Lukas!”

He surged to the hilt, and she nearly wept with the pleasure of it. She gasped when he pushed a little farther into her.

With a groan, he pulled out and slammed back in, his thrusts hard and deep, driving his heated flesh into hers. Her muscles tightened around him, and he reached around with one hand to knead her breasts. When he tweaked one nipple, an orgasm unlike anything Aria had ever imagined took her by surprise.

Lukas gritted his teeth and slowed his pace as if willing himself to prolong their lovemaking. He moved in long, slow strokes, while he pressed soft kisses to the nape of her neck. It was a slow torment designed to make her aroused all over again, and it worked. Aria felt as though she was caught in a whirlpool of pleasure, and she had no desire to leave. Lukas’ slow thrusts were beginning to drive her crazy.

His breathing hitched, and he stopped suddenly, withdrawing. He chuckled at her whimper.

Unable to withstand his torment, she broke their connection and rolled over onto her back. He slid into her again, and she moaned aloud at his short, hard thrusts. She drew him down and nipped at his lips until he opened his mouth, and poured her love and frustration into him. Her hands slid over his chest, circling his tiny nipples until he shivered and pulled her ankles to his shoulders, opening her wider to him. The stirrings of another orgasm struck her as his hips swiveled, rocking against her. Aria arched, crying out with pleasure. His movements became wild, and she raked her nails over his back, trying to get closer. She clenched around him as he deepened his thrusts, then Lukas found his release, spilling his seed deep in her womb.

After catching their breaths, Lukas shifted to his side and she snuggled against his chest. A cool breeze swept over them and Aria shivered, cold after their exertions. Her body protested for a second when Lukas reached over her to shake out the second blanket and cover their bodies.