Lycan King

hissed, flying over his body to land in front of the girl. She plunged her stake into the child-demon's heart. The Lycan guards shifted back to their human forms and ran to Drago while Eve watched the child-demon's body disintegrate into dust.

She turned and saw one of the guards pull the wooden stake from Drago and she ran to his side, collapsing on the ground beside him.

Fear shook her as she watched him revert back to his human self. Relieved, she watched his cut heal and disappear. He rose from the ground and glanced at the ashes of the girl. Grimacing, he gave his hand to Eve and helped her rise.

Without taking his eyes off her, he roared, 'Everyone out!' The guards immediately took their leave. 'How did you know I was in danger?' he asked harshly once they were alone.

Eve snapped out of her daze. 'What matters is, I knew,' she said, trying to sound calm. The tremor in her voice didn't help concealing her nerves. What if the girl had thrown a silver dagger at Eve? Drago could have been killed. The thought left her numb.

His nostrils flared. 'So you are starting to feel it, too.'

'Feel what?'

'Our bond,' he rasped and lowered his head to cover her mouth with his.

He crushed her body to his and kissed her with a ruthless passion that thrilled her. In the midst of all the danger they had just passed, she wanted him. Eve's heart dropped as the scene in the corridor with Drago and Gretchen swam before her eyes. She pushed at his chest.

'Let me…go,' she gasped beneath his mouth.

He plunged his tongue into her mouth and began his sensual exploration as his hands ran up and down her back and lower to her bottom. She was beginning to melt. Moaning against the passionate onslaught of his kiss, her hands wound themselves around his neck and, without meaning to, she pressed her lower body against his. He groaned and she ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his head closer to hers. Letting caution run with the wind, her tongue mixed and meshed with his and she succumbed to the desire building in her limbs.

He withdrew briefly and murmured deeply, 'My beautiful Eve,' before he kissed her again.

She was soaring. And she didn't want this to end. She forgot about everything except this moment and how, for the first time in centuries, she felt like a woman. She felt passion and love and wanted to stay in his arms forever.

'Drago! I heard what happened!'

Eve stiffened. It was Gretchen's voice behind her. Slowly, Drago raised his head and held Eve against his chest.

'Take your leave, Gretchen,' he said quietly over her head.

She caught the thick tension in his voice, as though the slightest tug would make him snap.

'So this vampire bitch has already put your life in danger. I knew it! She and her daughter are nothing but trouble and you need to banish them at once!'

Eve felt Drago's body go still and for a split second, she feared for Gretchen's life. Gently, she pushed herself out of his grasp and looked up into his handsome face. 'I will go.'

'No,' he ground out. He snapped his gaze to Gretchen. 'Guards!' Within a split second, Nolan and Falk entered the Great Hall. 'Escort Gretchen off the grounds and never let her past the castle doors again. Is that clear?' he asked in a dangerously soft tone.

'Aye, Your Highness.'

'Don't touch me,' Gretchen spat at the guards. 'I will go, just remember I warned you, Drago,' she added, tossing him a hateful glare.

'I'm sorry,' he told her once they were alone again.

Eve stepped away from him, hardening herself against the flash of regret she saw in his eyes. 'She's right. Your whole kingdom is in jeopardy because of Katya.'

'I will protect you both,' he said thickly.

'No. I lo--I care about you too much to see you get hurt. Katya and I must leave.' Grim-faced he reached for her and she sprung back with her vampire speed.

She heard trumpets blaring all around the castle and Eve frowned. 'What is that?'

Drago clenched his jaw. 'My son, Vasilis, has returned with Alexandra. I must go and see him, but I will come to you later. We must talk. Tonight.'

'There's nothing left for us to say.'

'I will be in my chambers in a couple of hours. If you're not there, I will come looking for you,' he said firmly as he turned and walked to the door. 'And I will find you.' Their gazes locked briefly before he left.

Chapter Eleven

She was not in his chambers in two hours. She was in hers. And when he opened the door and strode in, she was not surprised. She knew he would come looking for her.

'Drago, we can never be together,' she said without preamble.

His mouth tensed as an intense heat lit his dark gaze. 'If you are worried about Gretchen, don't. I ended things with her and what you saw earlier was Gretchen kissing me, not the other way around.' His face darkened with desire. 'I cannot fight what I feel. I want you to be with me. Stay with me.'

'Until you meet your one? No, I cannot.'

'So that is what is keeping you from me. That damned legend.'