Anastasia Maltezos - Lycan King

"I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere, not at least until the sun sets," she said.

He heard the smile in her voice and again his blood stirred. Without another word, he climbed the walls of the well, vaulting from side to side, until he reached the top. His villagers and guards cheered while he handed Becca to her father.

"Bring Becca to the Great Hall before dinner time," he told her father.

"To sit on your throne?" squealed the little girl.

"Yes."

Drago reached for Eve's cloak and pulled it from its confines. Without saying another word, he let himself drop back down into the well. He surfaced from the water and reached out with his taloned hands. He heard her inhale sharply. He growled softly, realising he was touching her breast. Withdrawing his hand, he pushed the cloak towards her.

"Here is your covering. Conceal yourself as best you can and I will carry you up."

He heard her movements in the water as she put on her cloak. "Okay. I'm covered."

"Wrap your arms tightly around my neck. Do not be alarmed. I am not in my human form."

He felt her arms go around his neck as she pressed herself close to him, her body stiffening for a split second. "Dear God, how big are you?" she whispered with wonder.

"Nearly the length of two men." He paused. "You cannot see me?"

She didn't say a word as he peered where her face was. Slowly, he saw two red, glowing orbs appear in the darkness. "I can see you now," she whispered.

"Hold on tight."

"And you'll let me sit on your throne?" she asked lightly.

"This isn't the time to be funny."

"It's nerves. I may burn to a crisp in a few moments," she replied, her tone wry.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he said and began his ascent.

Just before he reached the top, he paused and stared down at her.

"What are you waiting for? Just do it," she mumbled against his chest, but he detected a thread of fear in her voice.

"I'm making sure you are properly concealed."

"Oh."

Speed was of the essence. He had to get her out of here and back in the castle as fast as he could. "Hold on," he growled and vaulted in the air.

There was no time to acknowledge the wild cheers and applause the crowd made as he sprinted through the courtyard. His guards held the castle doors open and he sprinted inside, heading towards the grand staircase. He ran up the huge winding flights and sped down a corridor. He gently set her down before her bed chamber door.

He reverted back to his human form and opened her door. He heard her weary, relieved sigh through her hood as she entered the room.

* * * *

If Eve had a choice, she would have definitely preferred being drenched as she was now, than being burned to a crisp. Shaking the wet cloak off her body, she looked up and saw Drago dressed in his black loin cloth. He regarded her silently. Her stomach jolted at the magnificent sight of his muscular, towering strength.

"Thank you," she said.

"It is I who should be thanking you. That was a very brave thing you did. You risked your life to save a child."

She threw her wet cloak on a chair nearby. "No one knew she fell in." She puckered her lips. "There really should be some kind of gate by the well. You have too many children running about and all it takes is one second for an accident." The moment she spoke, she regretted her words. She sounded like she was reproaching the king for his lack of security on his grounds.

"You are right," he said quietly. "I do, however, have other security measures in place to protect my people from attacks from Balkathan."

Without saying another word, he walked to a paneled wall next to the armoire and pulled a lever. Eve gasped as the wall separated, revealing a dark tunnel.

"Only my people know of these tunnels," he explained. "Our human villagers hide in here in the event of an attack from Balkathan. They travel all the way down to a cavern where there is food and water. We had to use these tunnels on last month's full moon when he attacked."

"He was looking for Katya," she whispered.

"Yes. He sent thirty of his Lycan soldiers, but we were victorious with very few casualties."

"Thank God. I…I didn't realise. Forgive me for telling you your grounds lack security with the well."

He raised a hand. "You were right and I will have a gate erected tomorrow." He pulled the lever again and the wall closed.

She was relieved he didn't take offense. She was also aware he'd taken her in his confidence, showing her the tunnels. He trusted her and the thought warmed her.

"What matters is Becca is safe." She looked down at herself. "I'd…I'd better get myself dried off."

"Of course. Do you want me to send for Lena?"

"No. I'm fine. I'm…I'm going to try and get some sleep."

"As you wish," he said deeply and left her chambers.

Chapter Five

Eve opened her eyes, feeling more refreshed and rested than she had in a long time. She didn't know what time it was, but judging by the dead silence in the courtyard below her room, it must have been well into the night.

She rose naked from the bed and reached for her clothes. Thankfully, everything was dry. After her weapons were secure on her belt and thigh strap, she brushed her hair. When she heard a knock on the door, Eve froze.

"Milady, it's me, Lena," a female voice called. "I've come by order of the king."

Relieved, she went to the door. Had she really thought Drago would come to see her? She opened the entry and stared at a young woman holding a bundle of clothes.

"Milady, the king asked that I bring you these. May I come in?"

She recovered from her surprise and stepped aside. "Please call me Eve. I…I just woke up. Don't tell me the king made you wait outside my door all night."

"Oh no, milady." Lena laughed softly. "His Highness isn't an ogre. My chamber is at the end of the hall and my Lycan ears heard you rise. I trust you slept well?"

"I did. Thank you."

She stared at the dresses Lena carried to the bed and frowned. "What are these?" she asked slowly, walking towards the bed. She picked up a royal blue gown with silver lace trim.

Lena smiled. "The king asked me to bring them to you."

Eve hid her own smile. She hadn't worn a dress in over three hundred years. "Thank the king for his kindness, but I have no use for them."

"Milady?"

"I said please take them back."

"His Royal Highness said your clothes were wet."

She looked down at herself. "As you can see, they're dry now."

"Is there anything I can get you?" Lena asked, looking a bit confused.

A familiar stab speared Eve's gut and she froze. Oh God, not now. She gritted her teeth as her gaze dipped to Lena's neck. Eve could smell the blood pulsing through the young girl's veins. "No. Nothing," she managed to say. Please…please just leave, she thought. It wouldn't look good if she went from saving a life in the afternoon to taking a life in the evening. She gritted her teeth, summoning all her strength to ignore the sweet, tantalizing scent of Lena's blood.

"As you wish, milady," the young lady said and left.

As soon as the maid shut the door behind her, Eve gasped for breath and clutched her stomach. She could put off her feeding for an hour.

There was something she had to do first.

Drawing the drapes aside, she pushed the window open and lifted herself over the ledge. She stood on the large windowsill and stared down at the courtyard. Thankfully, she didn't see anyone below and promptly flung herself from the ledge, sailing through the air until she landed on her feet below. Her stomach churned with hunger, but she ignored it. She still had time.

She ran to the well. Quickly, she drew her dagger from her belt and pushed back the hem of her sleeve. With one deft move, she slit her wrist and stretched her hand over the well. She watched her blood spill and when she was satisfied there was enough of it in the water, she drew back her hand and watched her cut heal and disappear.