Shadow's Claim (The Dacians, #1)

by Kresley Cole

“The Prince of Shadow is no longer a prince, dear. He’s as good as king of this realm.”

Without warning, Daciano traced into the room. Bettina scrambled to her feet again. The vampire wasted no time, telling Morgana, “I have much to discuss with my queen in private, and you are in our rooms.” Our rooms?

“You try to keep me from what’s mine, and I will end you, Morgana.”

“I want you as my wife, my queen. But I want you freely given.” He began advancing on her with the same dark look of hunger that he’d had in the folly. I can see where I would kill to be. . . .

“The first time I was in this bed with you, I believed I was about to make love to you. The last time we were together here, you dreamed of me taking you. Why would you deny us?”

Maybe he’d only imagined how agonized she’d been during his battle, wanting something so badly he’d conjured it in his own mind. Would he never win her? Perhaps not her affections—but after tonight’s victory, she was his by right. I’ve as good as won this tournament.

“I will protect you, Bett. No queen will be more treasured than mine.” Even as he said these tender promises, tension radiated from his body. “Tomorrow, I wed you. Tonight, I claim you forever. Eternitate.” He slanted his mouth over hers, fiercely taking her lips.

She was glorious beneath him with her shining braids spreading over her pillow, her pert breasts taunting him to touch, her lustrous eyes gazing up at him. Bettina was his treasure. Comoara mea. But now she seemed distant.

My virgin Bride is naked beneath me, talking about experimenting. How will I last?

“Eşti a mea! Eternitate.” You are mine! Forever. With a shallow pump of his hips, he claimed his Bride.

“I told you, Bett . . . that you’d have me as deep”—circling those hips—“and as hard as you need me.”

But what male on earth could withstand that irresistible clench? A better male than I. And then her abandon? She screamed my name as she thrashed on my shaft!

Mark her neck, claim her! Pound between her thighs. Give her everything—your bite, your come, her female pleasure. Until she surrenders completely. He gaped down, stunned to find he’d collected her wrists, locking them over her head. Pin her, possess her. Master her! He felt very little like a Dacian, and very much like a savage vampire. And it felt . . . good.

“Last night, I made you my Bride; tonight, I’ll make you my wife.” Bettina Daciano? Instead of the constant crushing loss she’d come to expect in this tournament, now all she felt was excitement. To be his wife? To have an immortal lifetime of nights like the last, of losing herself in his onyx gaze . . . ?

“Eşti a mea, Bettina!” He gripped her shoulders, bringing her face close to his. “You are already mine. Forever, you belong to me!”

The final time he’d taken her, he’d gazed down at her face and a truth had struck him: Bettina este viaţă. Bettina is life. He could never go back to the way he was before.

When the vampire’s knees sank into the mire and confusion registered on his proud face, Bettina realized two things. She was in love with him. And she’d do anything to save him.

But with Bettina, Trehan had thought he’d found his family, friend, mistress, the grand love of his life. Gone.

His strong arms wrapped around her from behind, enveloping her with his scent and heat. At her ear, he rasped, “Miss me, Bride?”

“H-how dare you take me to this place!” For the thousandth time, he pictured the look on her face as she’d handed him that goblet. “I dare easily.” He traced behind her, inhaling her scent. “You belong to me. And it was time to collect my belongings.”

He stood taller, knowing she was impressed. Before, he’d brought nothing to their union—other than a coveted crystal and one family sword. Going forward, they would enjoy the wealth that he provided. Now that he’d abducted her, this plan struck him as brilliant.

“I won’t be kept here against my will.” He raised his brows. “And what will you do to stop me?” “You forget I have my power back.” Light glowed from her raised palms. “How could I ever forget that?” He stalked to her, looming over her. “Do it, sorceress!” He bowed his chest against her hands. “At least my heart will feel altered from its current wretched state.”

“He can’t want you like I do—no one can! Even if you do worse than you already have, I’ll still come for you.”

“Did you bring me here to punish me?” “Yes! No.” He worked his hips between her thighs, rucking her skirt up to her waist. “I’ll figure this all out when I’m inside you.”

He drew back above her, but he kept her wrists pinned. “Damn you, Bettina!” With his free hand, he clutched the back of her head, searching her expression. “Choose me over him! Want me.”

“Before you, I was a male of little emotion.” As if he couldn’t help himself, he lifted his head up to brush his lips over her cheek. “Now with you? I’ve never struggled against such lust. I’ve never felt such wrath.” He punctuated his harsh words with a gentle kiss to her temple. “I’ve never hurt so deeply.” A kiss to the corner of her lips. “Or loved so hard.”

“I hate what you did. And still I love you.” With a bitter curse, as if he’d said too much, he drew away from her. Turning to sit at the edge of the pallet, he dropped his head into his hands. “I won’t let you go, dragă. You’ll stay in this underworld with me until your other life is but a memory.”

Holding his gaze, she murmured, “You know you can do anything to me, Trehan. I’m yours, only yours. I always will be.” At last! Words from a dream—

“Bettina!” Muscles wracked, he thrashed atop her . . . again and again, filling her with copious heat. “You were made . . . for me alone. A mea, eternitate!”