Caressed by Night (29 page)

Destiny will always have her way,” the Shaman answered.

Dimitri stumbled back as his vision released him. His back hit the cracked marble, sweat beaded his brow as he grabbed hold of the stone, straining as if he were trying to raise the fireplace. He did not notice the blood trickling down his wrist to drip onto the floor. The world seemed to stop spinning as he battled with his memories and emotions. His pupils rapidly dilated and contracted, repeating the pattern over and over as visions of his past flashed like lightning before him.

Kerstyn forced herself to remain still. She watched as he struggled, his muscles trembling, his chest pumping as his nostrils flared. She could hear his rough, uneven breathing.

“The priestess should have let me die.”

“You can’t blame yourself for the evil actions of others—”

“But—”

“No buts.”

“Kerstyn!” the vampire snarled, his lips curling over his fangs.

“No!” she snapped. “You need to listen to me. There was no way you could have known what was to happen. The Shaman was the only one who knew.” Kerstyn swallowed hard as she thought of the Shaman. “He knew his daughter was going to be murdered and he knew he could do nothing to prevent her death. This was all meant to happen.”

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Dimitri shook his head.

“It had to happen. Otherwise the world would be a completely different place.”

“A better place.”

“You don’t know that.”

“It would have to be. Kerstyn, you do not understand. I created vampires.”

“From where I’m standing, it looks like the Shaw created vampires through a curse. Or better yet, it was destiny.” Dimitri scrubbed his face with his hand.

“You need to step back and reanalyze what happened. You’ve allowed this to mark you, torture you. I can see the pain in your eyes.” She took a step toward him and he retreated. “You need to stop blaming yourself for what happened. You are looking at it all wrong.

Dimitri, you were a pawn and an innocent bystander.” Silence.

Kerstyn stepped forward and Dimitri did not move.

He closed his eyes, struggling to accept her words. He wanted to believe her. He needed to believe what she was saying, but he could never convince himself that Fate would want such vile creatures to roam the earth.

“Dimitri, please.”

Dimitri slowly lifted his head, his eyes remaining closed, and Kerstyn cupped his face.

“You’ve allowed the evil deeds of others to shape you. You’ve been carrying their guilt.”

“I want to believe you.”

Dimitri’s eyes slowly opened as a twin set of tears rolled down his cheeks. Kerstyn brushed them aside with her thumbs. His eyes still glowed white, but she knew he and the vampire were one. He had been cursed, but he and his demon both felt shame and guilt. They both were hurting and Kerstyn wanted to save them from their own personal hell.

“Believe me.”

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Dimitri pulled away, his gaze once again dropping to the floor.

“I cannot,” he said, turning away from her.

Kerstyn caught his arm, her fingers digging into his bicep as she tried to stop him from retreating.

“What? Why?”

“Do you not understand?” he snapped, his eyes jumped with white flames.

She stood her ground. “I understand perfectly.”

“Then you know I am the one who unleashed evil upon the world.”

“I don’t believe—”

“Look at me!” his unnaturally deep voice echoed as his fangs shimmered in the dim light and his eyes glowed a brilliant, unnatural white. Shadows settled over his face, darkening his brow.

Kerstyn refused to back away. The demon, pure and powerful, stood before her. She squared her shoulders. She was not about to let Dimitri frighten her. She did not know exactly what was happening between them or where their relationship was heading, but at this moment, she did not care. All she cared about was saving him. Saving him from himself.

“Do you not see what I really am?” he demanded.

“I do,” she said and, despite his growl, she stepped forward.

Her grip on his arm grew stronger. “And I don’t see a monster.” His distorted laugh vibrated the air.

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Kerstyn’s gasp lodged in her throat as her breath slammed out of her lungs. She lay flat on her back on the bed, Dimitri’s massive body loomed over her, his large hand wrapped around the slender column of her throat.

“Oh, little girl,” he hissed past his gruesome fangs, “allow me to show you.”

Kerstyn savagely beat back her fear knowing that emotion would only excite the demon. He could do anything he wanted to her.

Her instincts screaming at her to remain calm, she carefully circled his wrist with her fingers. She did not pull or scratch for freedom, instead, she drew circles over his artery.

He leaned down, his nose rubbing the side of her neck as he inhaled her scent.

“You smell delicious and,” his tongue circled over her pulse, “I know you taste divine.” His lips moved over her jaw up to her ear. “I want to suck you dry,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

“Dimitri—” she whispered brokenly.

His index finger moved from her throat to press against her lips. “Silence, love,” he hushed, his voice rough, “I simply wish to enjoy you.” He took in another deep breath. “Do you not fear me, little angel?”

Kerstyn tried to shake her head, her movement hindered by his hand.

“You really should. You ought to know, I cannot be trusted.”

“I…trust you,” she managed to gasp.

The vampire said nothing as he pulled back and stared down at her. His eyes searched hers and Kerstyn felt as if he could see right to her soul. He relaxed his hold on her throat, but he did not let go.

Finally, he asked, “You would trust a demon?”

“You. Only you.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I want to kill you. I crave to feel your pulse grow weak as your life slips away.” He leaned forward, again nuzzling her neck.

“Beautiful. You are beautiful.” His lips brushed against her pulse. “My mate,” he said on a sigh.

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With her free hand, Kerstyn reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. The beast allowed her to repeat the motion and, for a moment, Kerstyn thought she might have heard him purr.

When he raised his head again, ice-blue eyes peered into hers, his fangs had vanished, and color came to his cheeks. His hand slipped from her throat to rest beside her head.

“I am terribly sorry,” Dimitri said, his eyes dropping to her neck. Dark bruises were beginning to form and he cursed. The vampire had emerged. His stomach rolled as he envisioned what could have happened, what would have happened if… “Oh, God, what have I done?”

He pushed himself up, but Kerstyn wrapped her arms about his neck. He stilled. She could feel his muscles clench beneath her hands.

“Release me.”

Kerstyn’s arms tightened around him.

“You keep retreating. Why?”

He said nothing, his eyes moving from her neck to the headboard, his gaze never once touching her face.

“Dimitri—”

“How can you stand to touch me?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

Dimitri closed his eyes, her voice was warm with compassion and it brought tears to his eyes. How could she stand to be near him after his confession, after what he had done to her?

“You know my secret. You know my shame. I would understand if you wanted to leave,” he said.

His heart plummeted as the words fell from his lips. Would he be able to watch her leave? Would he be able to let her walk out the front door? The vampire in him roared in outrage at the thought as sorrow slowly crept through his chest. Kerstyn was his mate, but that did not mean she had to accept him. He was a loathsome creature, unworthy of compassion and love, and she would surely see that now.

“Why would I leave?” she asked.

Dimitri looked down. He searched her eyes. There was no fear, no hate in their sapphire depths.

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How can that be? He wondered. He could barely tolerate himself for what he had done and yet she lay beneath him, her arms wrapped about his neck, trusting him.

“Do I not disgust you?’

“Goodness, no. Why would I be disgusted?”

Dimitri shook his head. This did not make sense. “Whether or not the creation of vampires was my fault, I was still involved.”

“How can I possibly hold this against you? It was not your fault and it happened so long ago.”

“Pure evil clings to my soul, Kerstyn. I am cursed.” Her hands moved to his face. “You may be cursed, but you are not evil. The demon inside you, he is powerful and…lonely…just like you.”

Dimitri blinked in astonishment. Kerstyn’s eyes welled with tears and sparkled with care, concern and…
love
, he thought. Never did he believe someone would ever look at him with that emotion in their eyes. She was his mate, but Fate had no control over free will. Kerstyn had the power to deny their destiny. She did not have to love him.

“Everything was meant to happen. Do you believe that?” she asked.

He did not answer.

“Dimitri, what are you thinking?” she pleaded.

Dimitri’s jaw clenched.

“I told you before, you can tell me anything,” Kerstyn said.

“What have I done to deserve you?” he asked, his voice soft.

Kerstyn closed her eyes, trying desperately to fight back her tears, but they slipped down her cheeks.

“Do you believe that we are meant to be together?” he asked.

For a moment, Kerstyn was unable to breathe, unable to think.

Her heart slammed in her chest as her blood turned to fire in her veins.

“I don’t know why…” she swallowed, her throat dry, “yes, I do,” she finished on a breath.

Dimitri stroked her hair, the silken strands slipped through his fingers. Lowering his head, he lightly brushed his lips against hers.

“So do I,” he whispered

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Kerstyn surrendered to his kiss, losing herself in the moment, giving herself completely to Dimitri as his tongue danced with hers.

Her need matched his as their passion consumed them.

His hands were everywhere, caressing every inch of her.

Passion spiked his blood and the vampire within him roared. She was his mate. His. She had accepted his horrible secret. He had thought he would lose her. That he would never again feel her soft, supple body against his. He needed to be inside her.

Unable to be gentle, Dimitri tore at her panties, casting aside the fragile fabric. Kerstyn tugged his boxers down, revealing his fierce arousal. As she wrapped her legs about his hips, Dimitri thrust forward.

Her cry of pleasure filled the room and echoed in his ears.

His thrusts were powerful, fueled by need and desperation.

Kerstyn locked her arms about his neck as he pounded into her, over and over.

Kerstyn called out his name when her first orgasm claimed her.

Her body arched beneath him as her pleasure coursed through her.

Dimitri’s eyes dropped to her breasts. His irises flashed between blue and white as he ran a hand up her hip to her bra. His nails elongated, cutting and ripping at the lace until she was bare. His mouth descended upon one taut nipple, his lips burning her delicate flesh as his tongue tickled and teased, then moved to the next.

Her toes curled as her nails dug into his shoulders when her world shattered again. Her body convulsed, her inner muscles clenching his thickness as he continued to move within her.

Dimitri raised his head, his eyes still flickering and Kerstyn knew, at that moment, she was making love to the man and the vampire and she knew exactly what they both wanted, what they both craved.

Titling her head to the side, she revealed the elegant column of her throat and Dimitri’s thrusts paused. She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, tracing his muscles. A delightful shiver shook her as his fangs unsheathed. To her amazement, he grew harder within her, his cock lengthening. The feeling made her moan and that little feminine sound shoved Dimitri over the edge.

“My mate.”

His whisper hissed in her ears as his fangs sank in deep as he drove into her. His thrusts were wild, demanding, and Kerstyn greeted every one with thrusts of her own, her pleasure mounting. The gentle
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draws at her throat combined with his masterful movements made her shatter again.

Dimitri growled as her orgasm sweetened her blood. None had tasted better. Perfect, erotic, and he allowed himself to slip away into the sea of greed and lust. Indulging in his hunger.

Her cries of release echoed in his mind as his own climax continued to build. His body was on fire and, when Kerstyn came again, he joined her, filling her with his seed. His world splintering as ecstasy claimed him.

Dimitri rolled to the side, taking Kerstyn with him, tucking her head against his shoulder. Her body was limp in his arms. Brushing her damp hair away from her face, he glanced down. Her thick lashes gently brushing her flushed cheeks. Her pleasure had sent her careening over the edge.

Dimitri tilted her face up, pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and slipped from the bed. He stood for long, silent moments watching his mate sleep. Kerstyn was beautiful with gentle, feminine features and lovely curves, but it was her heart that he loved the most. She had accepted him. Him.

“My mate,” he whispered, “my Kerstyn.”

Dimitri took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the thick scent of sex and Kerstyn’s light, rosy scent.