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firm grip on her arm, he helped her climb up the rocks and onto a small plateau. He pointed to a
deep crevice. Jill ran to the edge and fell to her knees, peering into the darkness.
Dare, I m here, hang on, she called, taking the long rope that lay curled up in the dirt
beside her and tying it securely around her waist.
Lower me down right now and give me that wine skin, damn it.
Nox touched her shoulder, and a strange tingle shot through her.
Look into your heart, Human. Dare is a Knight Watch Prince, a fine and courageous
warrior. He offers his life to free you; he promised to take you home, did he not?
What has that got to do with this?
Nox shook his head. He d die rather than break his word to you. Think on this, Human.
Jill looked into Nox s deep emerald eyes and bit her bottom lip. Can t you fly me down to
him?
Nox shook his head. My touch for more than a second would bind you to me for life. I ll
try to keep him alive while you decide what must be done.
The crevice was dark and spiders ran in all directions as Aric lowered her down. She
squinted as her eyes adjusted to the gloom. Her feet touched the bottom, and she could just make
out a hunched figure on the floor. Her shaking fingers untied the rope and she crawled over to
him. A cold hand touched her face and Dare s heady scent rushed over her. She gasped with the
intensity of feelings that slammed into her body.
Nox fluttered down beside her and reached out a hand, laying it on Dare s blood-soaked
chest. His face contorted and Dare released a deep, ragged breath.
No, dear friend, take no more of my pain. Please leave us, and inform Blaise that Helsa is
safe, groaned Dare.
Nox inclined his head and as he rose in the air, Jill noticed a single silver tear run down his
cheek.
Jill, I m so sorry I left you in that hell. It worried me when Tallin and Aric missed our
meeting. I d turned back to get you when the demons attacked. Please forgive me, little dove, he
whispered, his breath coming in labored pants.
She found his lips and kissed him, cupping his cheeks in her hands. His skin against her lips
felt as cold as a corpse.
Tell me what to do. I don t know what to do, she cried in desperation.
Dare coughed and spat blood onto the floor. I ve a stake through me, my love. It s only a
short time before the Lady takes me beyond the veil. I just wanted to tell you that I m sorry and
that I lied to you. In truth, I do love you, Jill of Morfran. I ll keep our time together with me through
all eternity.
Aric was injured and he recovered. He said only I could help you. Don t leave me, Dare; I
couldn t live without you, she sobbed, raining kisses over his cheeks.
No, it is too much to ask. You cry for your mother and your family. I can t ask you to forgo
them for me. When I pass through the veil, go with Tallin and Aric to Dryad. You must see the
Spell Weaver and she ll send you home. It was selfish of me to want you for my own . . . selfish
and cruel. Allow me to keep my promise and allow me to pass through the veil in peace.
Jill shook her head. Not so fast, buster. I gave you my virginity because I care for you. I love
you, you big idiot. I m not leaving you here to die. I do miss my mom, that s true, but you are more
important to me than life. So tell me what I must do to save you.
Dare coughed and wheezed, turning to grasp both her hands. I need your strength. My
mate s blood will give me the strength I need to enable me to morph. I need to mark you and drink
your blood. If I do this, there ll be no going back to your homeland. You ll change, grow fangs and
become my mate for life, Jill. Can you give up your home and family? I feared that you d hate me if
I forced you to chose; it was never my intention.
Do it, she said, pressing her forehead to his and looking into his eyes.
He drew in a ragged breath and a wheeze of pain escaped his lips. He grasped her arm and
drew her closer. Listen to me, Jill. Do not fear my cat when I morph and please, pull out the stake.
Jill nodded and he slipped his hand around her head. He took a deep labored breath and his
tongue licked a path down her neck. A wave of bliss surged through her as his needle-sharp fangs
pierced her neck and his hot venom poured into her. Heat flooded her body and intense erotic
tremors surged through her to her core. Her nipples peaked. Her body shuddered in a thousand
climaxes. She panted, trying desperately to breathe, and her head spun. She could hear Dare s
thoughts, his deep love for her. Memories foreign to her flooded her mind in a kaleidoscope of
breathtaking color. His hand cupped her head and he drew her into a deeply possessive kiss. She
tasted the tang of her own blood as their tongues danced. He sucked her bottom lip before tipping
his head back and smiling weakly.
Stand back, give my cat room.
The cavern echoed with the big cat s triumphant roar. Gold eyes flashed as the black
leopard stood bathed in a shaft of sunlight piercing the darkness of the cave. Jill stepped forward,
fearless. She gripped the stake with both hands and pulled it out in one swift movement. The cat
roared in agony, shimmered and vanished. Dare appeared in its place. He lay perfect, whole and
completely naked before her, grinning broadly.
He sprung to his feet and pulled her close. His hands sank into her hair and his mouth
slanted over her lips. He kissed her deeply and stripped the clothes from her body, scattering them
about the sandy floor. His body heat radiated through her and his scent made her quiver. He broke
the kiss only to spread her leather cloak on the cold damp floor. He growled softly, returning to
kiss her swollen lips, long and slow. He kissed the tip of her nose and lowered her to the floor,
covering her with his hard body.
I love you, Jill. Don t fear the change that will befall you for I ll never leave you again. This
eve you ll grow fangs and the desire to bite me will be very strong. We ll need to find a place to
mate. He reached to untie her hair and let it fall over one breast.
Jill pulled his head down and moaned as his tongue explored her mouth in unrestrained
passion. His lips traced the line of her chin, down her neck. He lapped at the puncture marks on
her neck, sending waves of pleasure through her body. As he trailed his fangs over her left breast,
she lifted her legs, encircling his waist. He growled, taking her nipple in his mouth and suckling
hard before paying the same attention to the other.
I need you, she gasped, her fingers slipping into his hair.
He looked at her flushed face surrounded by a mass of tawny unrestrained curls. His mark
showed prominently on her neck. Gods he wanted to bite her again in the passion of a climax. He
had cheated her of that pleasure and she had given him the ultimate gift. She arched, hungry for
him and only him. Her entire body exuded a scent so powerful that he trembled in erotic response.
His inner cat hummed in contentment; he, too, could feel her love. No female had ever ensnared
him so completely. She reached up and touched his face and a surge of love pulsed through him,
twisting his heart. He knew he should say something but in that moment words would not form.
He had fallen into her very soul. He pitched forward and drove inside her in one swift movement,
burying his throbbing shaft to the hilt. She was slick, hot and her inner muscles gripped him
tightly. She lifted to him, meeting his stokes, opening for him, demanding all he had to give. He
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