Sherrilyn Kenyon - Dark Bites

He brushed the hair back from her face and offered her another smile through his pain. “I will. I promise.”

And he never intentionally broke his promises. Rubbing her nose playfully against his, she gave him a quick kiss then reluctantly withdrew from him so that he could rest and heal. She covered him with the blanket.

When she started away, he caught her wrist in a gentle grip. “I love you, Bathymaas.”

More tears filled her eyes at his tender words. “I love you, too, Ari.”

And yet they dare not show it. Not to a soul. The injustice of that made her want to scream. It wasn’t fair that they had to keep this a secret when others got to shout their joy from the highest mountaintops.

She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his scarred knuckles. And as she did so, she felt a peculiar stirring.

Eyes wide, she gaped at him.

“What, my lady?”

Unable to believe it, she pressed her hand to her chest and felt…

Her heart.

It was beating!

Biting her lip, she took his hand and pressed it between her breasts. “Do you feel it?”

He was every bit as aghast as she was. “You have a heart.”

“No,” she said breathlessly. “It’s not mine. You gave me yours. It’s your heart that beats inside me, Ari.”

Aricles was stunned as he felt the warmth of her skin and the strong beat beneath his fingertips. And while he rejoiced, he was also terrified over it.

What had they done?

It couldn’t be a good thing to change a goddess.

Ever.

Suddenly, a knock sounded against the tent post.

Bathymaas jumped away from him at the same time Malphas spoke. “May we enter, my goddess? I have a nervous old woman out here who is about to wet himself with worry that his brother is dead.”

She wiped her face and drew a ragged breath before she fell into her emotionless role. “Come in.”

Galen ran to the bed and pulled the blanket back so that he could inspect his brother’s chest. All that was left there were four scars from where Menyara had sealed the wounds closed. “How is this possible?”

Bathymaas cleared her throat. “I summoned my aunt for him. He must rest tonight, but will be better by morning.”

Aricles grunted as Galen hugged him with a crushing hold. “By morning, dullard,” he choked out. “Tonight, I still feel like I’ve been shot by four arrows.”

Laughing, Galen released him. “Remember your promise to me, brother. You are not to make me a responsible adult yet.”

Aricles snorted. “Go and drink yourself stupid. Celebrate with the others and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“But not too early.” Galen winked at him before he rose and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well.”

“And you… make sure you sleep at some point before morning.”

Caleb let out an irritable sigh. “Guess I’ll be bunking with the others tonight. Don’t get used to this, Aricles. I don’t give up my bed or tent easily.” Malphas bowed to her then followed after Galen. “Save some wine for me, you gluttonous bastard!”

Bathymaas moved to ask Aricles if she could get something for him, but he was already asleep. Relieved, she ran her finger down the line of his perfectly sculpted jaw and savored the sensation of his whiskers tugging at her skin.

She’d known him for almost two years now. In some ways it seemed like they’d just met, and in others, it was as if she’d known him forever. She picked up her amulet and stared at the stone heart her father had given her. This trinket was no longer the warmth inside her body. Her heart now belonged with Aricles. He was what sustained her and she would be lost without his quiet, gentle nature.

Even though she should be horrified by what he’d done to her, she wasn’t. Instead, she climbed back into bed to lie beside him so that she could hold him while he slept. But as she closed her eyes, she couldn’t help the fear that stalked her. He was mortal. She was not. What hope could their love possibly have? Was there any way for this to end, other than very badly for them both?

“Run away with me, Ari.”

Aricles tightened his arms around Bathymaas as they fished in their spot. “I can’t, my love. And neither can you. We have too many responsibilities for that.”

“I don’t care, anymore. Injustice will continue. It’s the nature of mortals. No matter what I do, they still hurt each other. Ergo, I cede and give up this useless fight. All I want now is to be with you.”

Closing his eyes, he inhaled her sweet lily scent, wishing that he could forget everything and leave with her. But he couldn’t. And neither could she. If they did, he had no doubt that in time, she’d learn to hate him for changing her. “We must do what we can to help others.”

She sighed heavily. “And that’s why I love you, even though I hate you.” She kissed his cheek.

He smiled at her contradictory words. That was the only downfall to her emotions. They were now mercurial at times.

Bathymaas stroked the arm he had across her stomach as she felt his erection against her back. He no longer bound himself, but neither did he ever make a move to touch her more intimately than a kiss. “Ari? Do you ever think about having children?”

“I used to.”

“And now?”

“I will never love anyone but you, my goddess. So I no longer think about it.”

He was willing to die virgin rather than dishonor her. It was one of many reasons why she loved him. He’d already made the vow publicly that he would hold himself chaste in her honor.

But such a precious heart didn’t deserve to suffer.

“Would you make love to me if I asked it of you, Ari?” She felt his cock jerk at her question.

“Bathia,” he chided gently, “you know better.”

Bathia was an Atlantean endearment for her name that he only used when she tugged at his heart. Most of the time, he still referred to her as “goddess” or “my lady” – so as to remind himself that she was born of the Source and not mortal like him. It was why she treasured any time he used her name.

“But I want to know what it’s like to be with you fully. To have you inside me. And I can think of no better gift than to carry your child for you. My own little Aricles.”

Aricles clenched his teeth as he savored those words. They meant more to him than any others. Yet…

“You are to remain virginal. You know that. Who am I to defile a goddess so pure?”

“You’re the man I love above all others. Even myself.”

“Bath – ”

She placed her fingers over his lips to keep him from protesting. “Tell me you haven’t thought about it. Honestly.”

A smile quirked at the edges of his lips. “Every waking moment, as you have felt whenever you lean against me. I can’t get near the scent of a lily without growing hard.”

She took his hand into hers and led it to her breast. “Then ease your pain with me.”

His heart pounded at the sensation of her breast against his palm. There was nothing more in the world he wanted than to taste her taut peak, but…

“I am nothing but a weak mortal, Bathia. You are a goddess. I have no right to touch or claim any part of you.”

She turned around in his arms to kneel in front of him. “Have I the right to touch you?”

“I am ever your servant, my lady. Of course.” He spoke without thinking. And he was completely unprepared when she lifted his chiton so that she could cup his erection in her delicate hand. His breath rushed out as her fingers gently stroked and teased him. “Bathia…”

“Shh,” she whispered against his lips while she caressed his body. After a second, she pulled back with a light squeak. “Did I break you?”