Dreams of a Dark Warrior (Immortals After Dark, #10)

by Kresley Cole

“I warned you.” He snagged her wrist and brought her palm to his chest, wiping away the streaks. “You made this mess, you clean it up.”

With his other hand, he brushed her hair back. “Want to see your beautiful face. Been waitin’ all my life to be with you like this.”

The best way to bring a male back from the brink? Hot oral sex with a Valkyrie.

The strain was gone, and in its place was something like elation. Oh, aye, elation and excitement coursed through him. He finally believed he could look forward to more with her. His woman. A future worth fighting for. All the things that had been missing from his life for so long. More.

“I need to go.” When she moved to get up, he shoved her against his side and slapped her arse to keep her there. “You stay with me.”

“What do you want from me, Chase?” He drew his head back in confusion. “I want everything. You’re mine, Regin.”

“Let me tell you how this is goin’ to go down. I’ll get you and your friends off this island, and then you and I will figure out a place to put down roots.” Her lips worked soundlessly. “Speechless? Would’ve thought that an impossibility.” He nipped the tip of her ear. “I might have four or five decades of life left—a blink of an eye i...

It struck him then that his entire outlook must have shifted. Because the idea of a sprawling lightning-struck house filled with Valkyrie daughters and berserker sons felt exactly right. “Regin, I’ve got money saved up. I can take care of you and our bairns.”

“I’ll never touch the shite again. I don’t need to suppress my strength or get mindless again—I need to be strong and clear to protect what’s mine.”

“I needed him body and soul, but my heart was still my own.” Chase stared up at the sky, and the corners of his lips curled. A thousand years ago, Aidan had evinced that same expression. Anticipation. “Then, Valkyrie, it’s still mine to win.”

She couldn’t remain with him—and he couldn’t part from her. Which meant he’d be going into her world, he hoped as her husband.

Yet her hand decided to reach for Chase’s, and her stupid fingers felt the need to lace with his. The look he gave her as he tightened his grasp was one she’d never seen from him before. Tenderness.

“You will no’ scare me away so easily as that. For more of what you gave me at the stream, I’ll reside in Val Hall’s attic.” He leaned in to murmur, “I now ken the appeal of your little claws. I’ve got your marks across my arse.” “That a problem?” “I’ll be ireful if I go a day without them,”

“She told me my middle name would be regret.” Chase held her gaze. “Your sister was right. I’m goin’ to spend the rest of my life makin’ everything up to you.”

“Over my dead body,”

“Two-bit hookers, every one of them.”

“Mr. Lothaire said every male needed a purring nymph or two chained to the fo...

“Nat, are my fangs looking any bigger?” Thad murmured, his tone dire. “Be honest.”

She feared she might be a jot more than infatuated with this reincarnation. Like on her way toward falling-off-a-skyscraper-onto-your-face in love with him.

Regin liked that he was complicated, and that he was trying. She admired that he’d overcome so much and was striving to be a better man. Other males might feel sorry for themselves or rail against fate. Not Chase. He just picked himself up again and again.

Another night, he’d relived the Spaniard’s wicked bed play with her. She’d woken to Chase’s fingers plunging deep inside her as he stroked himself in time.

“No kissing.” “I can wait you out, Valkyrie,” he’d rasped. “Now that my prize is in sight . . . .”

“But I’m no’ convinced of this, Brandr. I’m strong—stronger than I’ve ever been. I’ll no’ go out so easily, now that I’ve something to live for.”

And speaking of females, if I call you by one’s name while my fangs are plunged deep in your neck, just run with it.”

And Lothaire had been . . . hard. “Oh, gods!” she cried as she ran back along the trail. Hot poker for my eyes! Hot poker! Why couldn’t she have stumbled upon Chase and Brandr necking? That would’ve been crazy hot.

“Is the big bad Valkyrie worried about me?” Peering up at him, she said one word. “Yeah.” Chase dragged her close with the crook of his arm. “Mind yourself, Regin.” Against her hair, he vowed, “I will no’ be long apart from you.”

“If something happens to me, what would it take to get you to watch over her?” Chase wiped sweat from his brow. “To make sure she gets off the island alive?” “More than you can give. Such as a firstborn to go with my others. Matching set and all.”

Apparently she and Portia would’ve attacked the group earlier, but they were wary of young Thaddeus. At last Lothaire had discovered what the boy was. They were right to be wary.

So I’m no closer to escaping this place. To rescuing her. His fangs sharpened with rage. But his master dictated coolness.

Because, gods help her, she wanted her scarred, surly, fucked-up Irishman more than she’d wanted her perfect Viking.

When he caught her up against his chest, she clutched him with all the strength in her body. I ran into his arms. Her eternal mate. I couldn’t hold my heart back.

“Nothing keeps me from you.” His gaze was fixed on her lips. “Nothing.”

“Sweet as honey,” he rasped. “The others had it wrong. You’re no’ like a drug.” Setting back in for more, he groaned, “Better than . . .”

She was his. She owned his heart and commanded his soul and would forever.

“If you take me tonight, it won’t be without a fight.” “So long as I take you.”

“I fuckin’ love you, Regin!” Rain spiked his lashes as he gazed down at her, commanding her, “Love me back!”

I will never be your perfect Viking, Regin! I’ve made unforgivable mistakes. I’ve no family or friends, and my men hold no love for me. I’m scarred inside and out. And I’m bloody askin’ for you anyway!” You’re the one that I want.

“Can you see me, see the man that I am? Accept me, Regin, because I’m holdin’ on to nothin’ but you.”

“Look at you, my beautiful Regin. You think I’d surrender you to another? You are mine.” He fisted his hand in her hair, yanking her up to him. “Say my name, Regin.” She breathed, “Declan.”

“I’m goin’ to fuck you till you scream it. Fuck you till we lose count.”

“What do you want, Regin? Tell me and it’s yours.”

“I n-need you inside me.” “You’re wantin’ my shaft, then,” he murmured against her. “I’ll make you come so hard with it.”

“You’ve likely foreseen this moment. Tell me, are we to fight now? As in the past?” “You defy foresight, Lothaire.” “That’s only fair, Phenïx, since you’ve long defied insight.”

“What does your Endgame tell you?” “That white queen will never take black king.” He gave her a formal bow. “Until our next match.” “There won’t be a next match, vampire.”

“Lothaire’s blood is strong,” Lucia said. “It might still work. But don’t depend on our father for this.” Yet as they walked back to Val Hall, a warm breeze blew against Regin’s face, almost like a caress.

“Although there are only about three hundred mortal berserkers left, they are your men to lead, Aidan. Dispatch any of us against your enemies.”

“Declan the Fierce is under my aegis. If you kill him, you risk my displeasure.”

“You told me I was either on your side or theirs. You were right. Harm any among my allies, and I’ll retaliate.”