Eternally Bound: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set (20 page)

“Damned lion,” she grumbled, already bored out of her mind.

No doubt this cruise ship was stellar. Everyone on board owned their oversized apartments. And according to the receptionist that checked her in yesterday afternoon, every single one of the units was built specifically for the owner, all of them larger than her whole house back in the States. And priced around a cool million dollars. Her company owned the sprawling condo she would occupy during her vacation. Way to go, Aegis.

Every outfit and its corresponding pair of shoes were arranged by color in the massive closet. Sigh. One more suitcase left, but it could wait until after a wash-up. Chrysalyn made her way to the stylish all-blue granite bathroom and flipped on the shower with a huff.

She had plenty of books but there was no way reading and doing the touristy thing at each port would keep her entertained for three blasted months. Thankfully, they were putting out to sea later on tonight, finally leaving the port in Lisbon, Portugal, behind. At least there would be a change of scenery. She’d also met a dashing older gentleman at the Japanese restaurant up on deck ten last night. Boy, was he a looker—a classic tall, dark and handsome man with a notably square jaw and the most exotic features she’d ever seen on a man.

His chin sported a perfectly manicured goatee over smooth-looking, tanned skin. And the cutest little dimple on his left cheek when he smiled. Salt-and-pepper hair, almost as dark and curly as her own, was stylishly cut. The man’s name was Eden, an interesting name for a learned and well-traveled man. Wherever he was from, he was damned fine, in a sexy, Sean Connery, older gentleman kind of way.

Unfortunately, when he’d strolled over to her table and asked to join her for dinner, a cold streak penetrated the very bones of her spine and chilled the nerves clear down to the backs of her knees. Not fear, but something else, something she couldn’t put her finger on. The kicker was the fact that the emotions weren’t hers, but Adonei’s.

After ten minutes of enduring Adonei’s roaring, growling and pacing in her head with no explanations, Chrysalyn pushed the apprehension away and pleaded with the lion to stand down and calm himself. Instead of listening to her, he’d charged to the forefront of her mind with a snarl so ferocious it caught her completely off guard. With fangs bared, the tawny hair on the back of his thick neck stood on end. And Chrys had bitten her lip and forced her butt to stay in the seat rather than jump to her feet in shock. What the hell was wrong with the big cat? He acted as if she was out on a case looking for bad guys, instead of dining in a classy shipboard restaurant, surrounded by highfalutin people and keeping company with a handsome, well-mannered man.

After practically inhaling her dinner and nodding through most of the conversation, Chrysalyn had smiled politely when Eden offered to see her to her apartment, relieved when he departed with a gentlemanly goodnight.

A full day later, she had yet to learn what Adonei found objectionable about Eden. Perhaps then she could see him again. In truth, she had no urge to fuck him whatsoever, but already looked forward to sharing more conversation. Maybe they could take in a movie or go for a stroll when they reached the next port? She was actually feeling rather encouraged about it all…

Until she’d returned from a brief foray into Lisbon, walked through her front door and locked it behind her. One look across the massive apartment reminded her she’d be floating in this private condo complex for another two months, twenty-eight days and four hours. Shit!

Tonight, determined to finish arranging things to her liking, she’d dined alone. The private chef service was awesome. Not only could she skip dressing up to eat, but a gorgeous Belgian chef had come to her room and prepared her dinner. Feeling rather catty, Chrys tried to trip him up and asked for something decidedly non-European. She’d ended up with the most delicious Cajun dishes piled in front of her with no idea where to begin the scrumptious fare. Her favorites, Shrimp Creole, crawfish bisque, hot water cornbread, fried oysters and okra were attacked with gusto. Perfectly seasoned so they weren’t too spicy, she’d eaten until she was sure she’d have to summon Adonei onto this plane to drag her to her bedroom. Then the chef had sprung another one on her—fresh bananas foster flambéed to perfection before her eyes. Could she get any closer to heaven than soul food?

Now that she’d successfully waddled to the master bedroom to finish unpacking, she was so full it had taken her a full hour to get one huge bag unpacked. Now Chrysalyn stood underneath the massaging spray of the shower, conjuring up images of her first day back at work. She couldn’t wait to return home to Denver and give her boss a piece of her mind. They’d already had the knockdown, drag-out fight of the century, which obviously hadn’t done any good, considering Chrysalyn had still ended up on this damned boat headed for a much-too-long vacation on the high seas.

Who cared if she would visit ports in countries she’d never expected to see in her lifetime? What difference did it make that she hadn’t had a vacation in five years? Who needed a vacation when you could spend every day of your life making a difference in the world by taking down bad guys?

Well, according to her boss, Geri,
she
needed one. And like it or not, she was getting one.

* * * * *

Dumping the pile of bloodied and soiled clothing into the laundry room hamper, Eden strolled gloriously naked into the luxurious bathroom. The blast of massaging showerheads eased his tense and aching muscles. The woman had put up quite a struggle—funny, his muscles were tight from working out yesterday morning, rather than the grisly business he’d been about only hours before. A perfect smile of perfect, straight white teeth split his lips. It had been the best hunt ever, though too short, too quick. And, like his smile, perfect. Guaranteed to loosen even the most stubborn bloodstains, he washed with the special soap he favored and watched the dried blood mix with steaming hot water and flow down the drain in a froth of pink-tinged bubbles. Eden lathered up again. A deep contentment stole over him as he inhaled. The fragrance was simply inspirational—a blend of vanilla and sandalwood. It was his female’s favorite scent. No surprise, since she was the one who’d taught him how to make it.

“
Beloved?
”

“Yes, my dear?” he called over his shoulder, wishing she would leave him alone so he could make his dinner date on time. Truthfully, he couldn’t really call it a date, since the woman he planned to meet had no idea he would be joining her. The hunt had taken all damned day. He was in a hurry and now was no time to chatter.

Dressed in classic black dress slacks, tailored black dinner jacket, a crisp white silk shirt and black silk tie, he strode out into the living room. Not bothering to sit down to draw his hand, Eden’s long strong fingers stretched toward the deck of gold and black Egyptian tarot cards stacked neatly in the middle of the coffee table. The card on top was snatched up and tossed to the center of the table. The III card—The Empress. Quirking his head to the side, Eden spoke to his faithful companion.

“Why is she upside down? I’ve never drawn The Empress card upside down before.” Actually, he’d never drawn the Empress in any case. A strange chill chased down his spine as he took in the regal form and features of the dark golden goddess pictured on the card.

“
I am sure it is nothing, beloved. Come, kiss me before you go about tonight’s business
.”

Eden walked over to the display case and gently lifted his most prized possession down from her glass perch.

“
Hurry, beloved
.” The sweet caress of her voice eased over his soul like the soothing warmth of a summer sun shower sweeping across the fertile Nile plains. Strange how that same voice sometimes bordered on sheer annoyance. “
Kiss me, so you may go and return to me again.
”

Running his fingers over the smooth cool skin of her arms, he looked deeply into the dark, almond-shaped eyes. He loved the charcoal outline on her lids and brows, and the slim angular classic Egyptian features. Eden kissed the pharaoh gently on the top of her head, his emotions catapulting between excitement and sadness. He tucked his nose beneath her chin, careful not to disturb the pharaoh’s headdress, an exquisite lapis and gold rearing cobra settled low over her brow.

He knew she cared for him, but while he’d followed all of her advice, he was no fool and was well aware of her true intentions. Every female she’d directed him to dispense justice upon seemed the perfect lover for one of the males in his harem. She wanted to be the only one to rule their little clan and would do whatever it took to see that it stayed that way. After all, she had the spirit of a man, thus was she pharaoh. Not a queen, but a king.

Thoughts turned to the woman he’d spotted boarding the ship in Lisbon yesterday afternoon. Now
she
was the perfect Egyptian queen. A couple of evenings past, he’d managed to
accidentally
 run into her at one of the ship’s restaurants. Tonight, he hoped to bump into her again.

While the beauty had been dressed inappropriately for his tastes, he couldn’t help but admire her form—and such an itty-bitty thing, perhaps five foot three at the most. Shapely legs teased him from the hem of her sleeveless little black dress down to her cute little sandal-clad toes. Broad shoulders and toned arms supported full, inviting breasts that tapered down to a trim waist. When she’d excused herself to run to the ladies’ room, he’d watched every step. Her hips flared lusciously and her ass was indescribably tempting. Round, wide and firm would do for starters. His fingers itched just thinking about touching all that caramel skin. Delicious.

When she’d turned and laid a stunning smile on him, his breathing had deepened on the spot as all the blood in his torso streaked down to his groin. Beauty was too tame a word—the woman was exquisitely breathtaking. Thick black hair was a riot of twists and curls all over her head. He didn’t typically like short hair on a woman, but this woman’s shiny, healthy-looking waves looked just perfect for running his fingers through. Her eyes were a mix of light brown and gold, contrasting against her dark skin. In the end, he couldn’t decide what color they were, only that they were just as lovely as the rest of her.

And the aura emanating from her pulsed with life. Chrysalyn was her name. And she was perfect for bearing strong sons.

Beloved?

The voice bounced him out of his reverie. He looked down at the one who called him beloved. The rare creation cradled in his hands was impeccable and unique. Her long braids and golden winged breastplate were indicative of her heritage—a goddess, a daughter of pharaohs. But even her loveliness paled when compared to Chrysalyn, whose very name referred to new life. No, he simply could not allow his harem mistress to ruin his plans to mate another. And Chrysalyn would be that woman.

With that firmly in his mind, he stood and cast a final glance at the tarot card on the table as he made his way across the room. He placed the harem mistress back into the glass display case with his other unique creations.

Her voice trickled over him once more.

“
Enjoy your dinner. Until tonight, beloved
.”

On the way out, he looked back at the beautiful work of porcelain perfection and blew her a kiss. Headed for the on-board Japanese restaurant, his step quickened as his thoughts filled with the possibilities between him and the female he was hopefully on his way to meet.

Chapter Two

Jerked out of a sound sleep, Chrysalyn’s eyes flew open as her heart beat wildly in her chest. Lying perfectly still, surrounded by a pile of oversized pillows and warm blankets, she looked around the empty bedroom. There was no sound except the muted splash of the ocean’s waves against the hull as the huge ship cut through the water.

She sighed with a bit of frustration mixed with relief. At least they were on the way somewhere and not still sitting in port, as they had the last couple of days since she’d boarded.

“
Adonei? Adonei, come to me
,” she silently whispered. Seconds ticked by. No answer. No Adonei.

Where the hell was that damned lion? In all the long years he’d watched over and guided her, he’d never failed to come when summoned.

Well, spirit guide or not, her innate senses told her something was wrong. Reaching out along the psychic bond they shared, she tried again, calling quietly, but firmly, in her mind.

Annoyed, Chrys gave up on the psychic thing and opened her mouth. “Adonei, get here already,” she snapped on an impatient whisper.

Finally, the still air shimmered and shifted next to the bed as Adonei appeared shaking his wild mane on a loud, wide-mouthed yawn. Chrysalyn was glad no one else could hear the racket. Lord, he had a big mouth, all sharp teeth and power. Glad he was on her side, she smiled with genuine affection at her companion as the moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass deck doors, reflecting off his two-and-a-half-inch canines. Adonei—African lion and
male
to the bone. No wonder this creature was the king of beasts.

*
Chrysalyn, what is it now? Surely you did not summon me to this plane to complain about your three-month rest again?
*

Okay, so he was a cynical king of beasts.

‘Adonei, I heard something. Well, not actually heard, but definitely felt. Someone’s in here.’

He didn’t say a word. No change of expression, no smart-assed remark, nothing. Now she definitely knew something was going on. Fine, she’d just have to see for herself.

‘Adonei, lend me your sight.’

*
Take what I offer
,* he yawned.

Geesh, was he ever rattled by anything? Guess not.

Keeping her eyes open and focused on her bedroom door, Chrysalyn embraced Adonei’s gifts as they flowed warm and comforting underneath her skin before sinking into her blood. The strength and power of the lion burst forth and filled her. Human eyes took on superhuman clarity as the dim shadows of the night receded and all became perfectly clear. Whispering an unladylike, but appropriate, blue streak of curses, she grumbled under her breath and climbed out of bed. Whoever had disturbed her sleep would royally pay for it. On bare feet, she eased her way across the room to the sliding glass door that opened onto the private deck.