Taken by a Nymph

Lizzie Lynn Lee

Published: May 2012

Published by Summerhouse Publishing. Copyright, Lizzie
Lynn Lee. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains
material protected under International and Federal
Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or
use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic

or

mechanical,

including

photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system without express written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and
dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and
are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual
events or persons, living or dead, is completely
coincidental.

Editor: Chris Stout|Cover Artist: Lizzie Lynn Lee

Chapter One

Prince Avaran de Charmange didn’t like bars in

general. He loathed the smoke from the cigarettes humans
seemed to be fond of. He didn’t care for the human taste in
music either. He failed to understand why humans thought
bawling like a banshee along with the cacophonous
musical instruments was considered an art of singing. He
was told it was called

rock music.

Absurd. Avaran recalled

Dymar, the ancient footman in his palace, often did the
same thing when the old fool was deeply inebriated. Avaran
had been frequenting the bars along the Canal Avenue for
the past two weeks because Councilor Rohim had said
bars were where Avaran could meet women in the human
world.

A potential mate to be bedded and bred.
Love wasn’t important. At present, his unique

circumstances didn’t allow him to have the luxury of proper
courting, let alone falling in love. “

It is dire that Your

Highness claims your bride before the new moon,

”

Councilor Rohim had said. “

Or your right to the throne of

Surian will be forfeited.

”

Avaran clenched his fist. He was damned if he

would surrender his rights without a fight. His late father, the
king, hadn’t been in his right mind when that warmongering,
crown-stealing, honey-tongued Tamyan Hallburn whispered

lies and more lies into his father’s ears. Avaran’s uncle had
suggested that the king’s own son, the sole and rightful heir
of the throne, wasn’t good enough to take the throne upon
the king’s death. Tamyan Hallburn had managed to
convince his brother to issue a decree that if Avaran didn’t
fulfill, he would be cast out from Surian forever. The decree
involved three challenges, and also demanded for him to
be a wedded man before Avaran was deemed worthy of
the throne.

The three challenges had been easy. Claiming a

bride had been a problem.

By his royal birthright, Avaran should only wed

princesses. It wasn’t like Surian or the Realm of Athea
lacked princesses or noble women. However, Hallburn’s
webs of deceit were so deep and treacherously intricate,
Councilor Rohim was convinced that any princess Avaran
chose was more likely one of Hallburn’s cronies. It was a
gamble Avaran couldn’t afford to take. If he desired, he
could choose a commoner. He only needed to snap his
fingers and any father would surrender his daughter willfully.
Alas, even then Avaran worried that Hallburn would be able
to corrupt his bride. His uncle was as devious as he was
evil. Hallburn’s name instilled fear and terror throughout
Surian. His power was vast, wicked. His legions were
many.

But then Councilor Rohim had come up with a plan

and suggested that Avaran take a bride from a different
realm, such as the human realm, a clueless bride who
wouldn’t likely be affected by Hallburn’s influence. And how

could she? She wouldn’t know who Hallburn really was. And
all Avaran needed to do was to find one and claim her.

And fast.
Avaran’s body tensed. The glass of beer he ordered

remained untouched. He disliked the taste. He ordered it
because plenty of human males drank pints upon pints of
the yellow, foamy brew. He assumed beer was a manly
drink. In Surian, they had their own version of beer: an ale
called

natah.

Brewed and fermented from spring water and

gubi

wheat,

natah

tasted rich, distinguished, and smooth.

This beer tasted like horse piss. Not that Avaran had ever
sampled horse piss before, but he imagined it would taste
pretty close.

The barman noticed him staring down his glass with

vehemence. A sympathetic grin broke over the older
gentleman’s weathered face. His gaze skittered from
Avaran’s sports jacket to his long hair tied with a leather
thong. Avaran immediately felt out of place. The patrons of
this bar were dressed in grubby looking garments. A
peasant tavern, apparently. Avaran was overdressed.

“Sorry,” the barman said, his voice sounding rustier

than the wrinkle lines on his visage, “we don’t carry fancy
drinks in this joint. That draft is as good as you can get.” He
made a faint gesture with his hand. “If you want something
better, you ought to hop in one of those froufrou joints
downtown. They serve foreign beer and microbrew.”

“That is all right.” Avaran offered a smile. “I guess I

am just not in the mood to drink.”

“Your accent.” The barman cocked his head slightly.

“British?”

Avaran didn’t know what British was. People in the

realm of Athea spoke the same language as the humans.
Or at least he thought they did. He had exited from the
farthest crack of the Realm of Athea into the human town
called Springfield. Just to be safe, Avaran chose his
answer carefully. He wanted to blend in with the locals. It
made the hunt much easier. “I have lived overseas until
recently.”

“Ah. That so. Want something stronger?” The

barman pointed out his glass. “I’ve got a bottle of Remy
Martin in the back. My own private stash, mind you. Not that
I offer it to most of my customers. They like their liquor fiery.
Like jet fuel.”

Avaran wasn’t interested in another horse piss

concoction this nice man had to offer. He shook his head
politely. “I would like to stay sharp tonight. I would not mind
some nice cola though.” Avaran loved soda. One thing that
humans excelled at was inventing sweet bubbly drinks in a
vast array of succulent flavors.

The barman shrugged. “One cola, coming right up.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Avaran paid the drink and tipped him handsomely.

This barman was unpretentious, unlike those who manned
the establishments on the north side. The fancy joints. The
bars Avaran had previously scoured and failed to find a
suitable mate.

He didn’t know why.

The women in those establishments were fine to

look at and many of them were at the tender child-bearing
age. It was their demeanor that Avaran didn’t care much
about. Some of them were plain aggressive. As a nymph,
his natural pheromones could cause uncontrollable carnal
desires in human females. He didn’t wish for a submissive
weakling, but he didn’t like being chased either. In the tight
patriarchal culture of Surian, Avaran believed a man should
be the one who hunted. Not the other way around.

The bartender pushed another tall glass of cola to

him. Avaran sipped it with delight. He made a mental note
to bring some cans of soda to Surian upon his return.

“Excuse me,” a feminine voice called from his side.

“If you don’t mind, I’d love to buy you a drink.”

Avaran turned to the owner of the voice. A svelte

woman was leaning on the bar, taking the previously empty
seat next to him. She was young, perhaps just a few years
his junior. Her firm body was wrapped in a fine black fabric
that enveloped her like a second skin. Her eyes were green
and her hair was yellow. Blonde, he was told. It appeared
human males liked their women with such color. Avaran
found nothing special about blondes. Almost all nymphs in
Surian possessed pale hair.

The woman threw a dazzling smile. “I’m Anna. I’m

not usually this direct, but you’re amazing.”

“Amazing?” Avaran echoed. From where he was

from, titles such as amazing, brave, or fearless were
earned with blood and sweat on the battlefield. And he
hadn’t done anything in this foreign land that could possibly

earn them.

She laughed. “I mean you’re very good looking. I

almost couldn’t believe seeing a guy like you in this kind of
place.” She leaned closer. “Are you British?”

There it was again. British. “No,” Avaran replied,

feeling a little vexed. “I am Surian.”

“Where is Surian?”
“Between Iona and Durkstar.” Not that this female

would guess anyway. Avaran abandoned his attempt to
blend in. Tonight’s hunting was as disappointing as the
nights before. He started to wonder if he had been
hounding the wrong places. Bars weren’t suitable places to
meet a potential mate.

“Is that like one of those itsy bitsy European

countries like Luxembourg or Estonia?” she asked.

This female was hopeless. “You are absolutely

correct.” Avaran slid from his seat. “I need to go…” Avaran
looked for an exit. “…to the men’s room. Sit tight. I will be
back.”

“Oh, I won’t go anywhere.” Her voice was laced with

a purr. Her smile was suggestive.

Avaran couldn’t wait to get out of this place. From

his experience of the past two weeks, it was much easier to
just leave stealthily than let a woman know he wasn’t
interested. A couple of them could be downright pushy and
hysterical. Avaran disliked making a scene. “Sit tight,” he
repeated, hoping this woman wouldn’t feel inspired to
follow him into the men’s room.

“Sure, honey. I’ll be a good girl.”

Avaran caught the barman’s eyes. The amusement

was there. Avaran gave a nod and headed toward the
back. Instead of going to the restroom, he sneaked into the
kitchen and went out through the back exit.

Cold air welcomed him into the heart of a wintry

embrace. Invisible tendrils of chill found their way into his
skin, seeping through his sports jacket. Avaran wasn’t
bothered by it. He was used by the gloomy weather. The
sun rarely shone in the realm of Athea. Seven months out of
the year, the goddess of Isthara raged in her wake, leaving
Surian blanketed in the midst of an icy climate and a thick
carpet of snow.

For a moment, Avaran felt as if he was home.

Chapter Two

Thirty-two-year-old nurse Raine Jackson felt her

name was more of a curse than it was romantic or
nostalgic. A flower child to the core, her nineteen-year old
mother met a guitar player in a club in Haight-Ashbury, had
a drink together, and brought him home. It was a one-night
fling. Her mother had cheerily admitted she was kind of
high on LSD that night and she hadn’t been bothered to find
out her date’s real name other than “sugar” and “baby.”
Raine had never known who her father was.

Nine months later when she was born, her mother

named her Raine because there was a thunderous rain the
night after her father left. Again, sentimental value. She
resented the name. She wished her mother had named her
something like Summer or Daisy. Heck maybe even Tie-
Dye or Mary Jane. The name Raine had affected her life
like rain itself: wet, soggy, yucky and unlucky.

Like now. She stared at the deflated car tire with

dismay. Her battered old Honda had clocked almost two
hundred thousand miles and the transmission was in dire
need of a replacement, but she had hoped she could get at
least a few more years out of it. Her job as a nurse paid a
decent wage, but the ongoing treatment of her ailing mother
in the county hospice had drained most of her savings. She
couldn’t afford a new car. Of course the damn tire had to be
busted now. Late at night. When it was bitter cold. And her

busted now. Late at night. When it was bitter cold. And her
cell phone battery happened to be dead. And slushy drops
of wet snow had started falling from the sky.

Raine wanted to cry.
She opened the trunk for the spare tire, a jack, and a

wrench. But she had never changed a car tire before.
Before her divorce three years ago, her ex was the one
who dealt with car problems. She’d seen Andy do it. Put the
jack in, pump it several times, loosen the screw thingy, take
the punctured tire out, put the spare one on, screw it back in
and undo the jack. That should be easy enough, shouldn’t
it? Raine glanced at her wristwatch. It was well past
midnight. Her shift had ended at eleven, but she didn’t
leave the hospital until forty-five minutes later. The trauma
center had been busy this evening. They had several car
crash patients from a pile up on the I-90.

Raine could walk home and take care of the car

problem tomorrow. Her apartment was only a few blocks
away. But then she remembered that she had promised
Colleen she would cover her friend’s morning shift. Not
good. There wouldn’t be enough time to call a body shop
and have it towed. Besides, she was short on cash. She
was down to two options: walk home and ride buses to
work or drive with the spare tire until payday. Either way
she still had to switch the stinking tire eventually…

But did she have to do it in the cold though?
Raine contemplated her situation. Maybe she should

just drive home since it wasn’t that far. A few blocks
wouldn’t make much difference for the old Honda. She
could freeze to death if she attempted to play mechanic in

could freeze to death if she attempted to play mechanic in
this kind of weather. Raine slammed the car’s trunk shut.

“Hey, lady!”
Raine whipped her head around. A scruffy-looking

old man was trudging toward her. His parka was neon
orange and his pants looked like they hadn’t seen the
inside of a washer for months. And he smelled like a
brewery.

Great. He must be a stray drunk from the nearby

bar,

she thought. Her luck just kept adding up. She couldn’t

catch a little break, could she? There was always
something shitty coming her way. Raine hastened her walk
to the driver’s seat. A hand grabbed her.

“Lady. Do you have spare changes? Don’t you

pretend you didn’t see me.”

Raine shouted in surprise. Her back slammed

against the rearview.

“Jeepers.” The man scowled darkly. “I just asked for

some change. A lady like you must have some.”

She dug into her coat pocket without thinking, fishing

for coins. She found a few and shoved them into the man’s
hand. “Here. Let me go.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Three quarters and two

dimes. You gotta be joking.”

“I don’t have any more. I’m short on cash.”
He craned his neck, peering into the car window.

“Maybe you oughtta check your purse. Hard to believe a
fine lady like you don’t have some change.”

Christ.

Was this man panhandling or mugging her?

Raine avoided his fetid breath. It made her stomach roil.

“Let go of my hand and I’ll check my purse.”

“Now you’re just yanking my chain, lady.” The drunk

tightened his grip.

She yelped. It hurt. It was also pointless to argue with

a drunk. She shoved him. “Don’t touch me again, you
creep.”

“Gimme your wallet!” he barked.
“Let me go.”
“Bitch, gimme your fucking wallet!”
He pushed her so hard, Raine fell on the frozen

asphalt. Snow had started blanketing the ground with its
white, icy sheet. Her face was only a few inches from the
man’s equally dirty sneakers. Raine fought the bile rising in
her throat. Panic claimed her.

Please don’t stab me,

please don’t stab me.

She silently murmured the words like

a chant. A few days ago, she had witnessed a victim of
domestic violence die on the operating table. The woman
was only twenty-two years old. Her husband had stabbed
her fifteen times before cops could charge through the
door. Being stabbed wasn’t a pleasant way to die.

Of course, the smart way to deal with a mugger was

just give her wallet and be done with it. She didn’t have
much cash anyway. But what if this man wanted more than
her money. Eww… Raine croaked, “Help!”

Just as she thought screaming was a stupid mistake

—who was going to help her anyway—suddenly, the
drunk’s shoes levitated a few inches in front of her.

What the hell…

The mugger wasn’t actually levitating; someone had

The mugger wasn’t actually levitating; someone had

grabbed him by his collar and was shaking him like a rag
doll. Someone tall. Someone…

Raine blinked several times to see if her eyes were

playing tricks on her. No way. A man like him only existed in
fairy tales. Nope. He was real. Like a knight in shining
armor. He also looked very strong. The way her savior
grabbed and lifted the drunk as if he weighed nothing
stunned her. The young man ranted as if he wanted to chew
the mugger from ear to ear. The drunk was terrified. Her
knight probably would scare her as well if she hadn’t found
him very attractive.

That was the weirdest thing.
One second she was scared out of her wits and the

next she was aroused. She didn’t detect it at first; a
cloyingly sweet floral fragrance, faint jasmine or lilac, and
beneath it the undiluted scent of pure sugar cane hit her
sense of smell, and Raine found herself burning with desire.
Lewd images flashed in her mind. She felt ashamed.

Raine got up and dusted the dirt and snow from her

coat. The mugger immediately crumpled on the ground then
promptly scuttled away with terror in his eyes. He muttered,
“Sorry, mister,” over and over until he was finally able to
stand up. He fled. His movements were clumsy at first.
When he regained his footing, he ran as fast as his
stumbling, inebriated legs could carry him. It was very
comical despite the circumstances.

“Are you all right?” the young man asked.
Heat warmed her cheeks instantaneously. “I…I’m

okay,” she stammered. “T-thank you.”

okay,” she stammered. “T-thank you.”

“Did he hurt you?”
“No. He just…” Their gazes clashed. Her words

evaporated on the tip of her tongue. Raine forgot what she
was going to say.

Those eyes …
Her breath stalled in her throat. They were gorgeous.

She had parked under a street lamp and she could see the
color of his eyes: deep blue like the color of the ocean.
They were sparkling. Mesmerizing. She released her
breath slowly and inhaled another. As she had suspected,
the sugary sweet scent belonged to him. It hit her in full
force. More dirty images filled her mind. Bodies writhing. A
woman—her—moaning in the throes of ecstasy.

What the hell’s wrong with me?

Raine forced herself to break her stare from this

stranger’s hypnotic gaze. She felt furious with herself. How
could she think inappropriate things like that in a moment
like this? True, she hadn’t been laid for a long time. She
wasn’t big on sex anyway. After five years of marriage, she
and her husband had drifted apart to the point she felt as if
she was living with a stranger. They tried marriage
counseling but the sparks weren’t there anymore. Their
separation was a mutual agreement that was best for them
at the time. She didn’t date after the divorce became final.
She didn’t see the point in it. Andy was the most-easy
going man she had ever known. If Andy thought she was
unappealing, it was no use trying so hard. Her trade was a
high-stress job so she had turned to food for comfort. As a

result, her weight had ballooned over the years. Her
addiction to chocolate also didn’t help. Not a single man
she knew ever clamored over big girls.

“Uhm.” Raine stared at her feet. “He just shoved me.

But I’m fine. Thank you.”

“You don’t fine.”
“I’m just…shaken.”

Liar. You’re horny.

“But I’m good

now.”

The man made a sound as if he knew she was

bullshitting him. “My name is Avaran. What is yours?”

Raine just realized the man talked like James Bond.

Elegant and cultured. She was half-expecting him to say,
“Shaken, not stirred,” next.

“I’m…uhm…I’m Raine.”
“Rain as in rain?” He sounded intrigued.
“With an “e”. Raine.” And why did he want to know

her name, anyway? Shouldn’t he be on his merry way after
rescuing a damsel in distress? Besides, she wasn’t much
to look at. Size sixteen. Brown skin. Plain face. Straight
hair. Totally forgettable. She was the type of person who
could blend in with the wall in a party, not that she liked to
attend any. “It’s getting cold. Anyway, thank you for helping
me.” She opened the car door and hurriedly slipped in. She
didn’t dare to take another look at him. She was afraid her
dirty imagination would run wild. The man was much
younger than she was and thinking stuff like that made her
feel like a perv. It wasn’t right.

Though, she was curious. She knew he had long hair

tied at the back. The darnedest thing was she couldn’t

remember what the color of his hair was. Or the clothes he
was wearing. Or his complexion. Fair, she recalled. She
wasn’t sure. Raine had been captivated by his eyes.
Hypnotic. One hell of a gorgeous pair of eyes.

The young stranger was still seizing her with his

stares. She didn’t like it. She felt naked. Vulnerable.

“I should accompany you home,” he said through the

crack of the window. “I need an assurance that you will be
safe.”

What? No way. That was a very bad idea. Nah.

Absolutely not. She was afraid if she lingered a minute
longer, she would do something stupid or embarrassing.
Like asking for his phone numbers or worse…inviting him
home for a cup of coffee. She shook herself. “That won’t be
necessary.” The key was still in the ignition. Raine started
the car. The engine gave a weak whine and spluttered.

No, no, no. Please don’t.

Raine tried again. Her heart slowly dropped to her

guts. She tried again. The car coughed and died. The
orange light on the dashboard indicated the car’s battery
was depleted. She couldn’t believe this. First, busted tire.
Now the battery was dead. A surge of frustration overcame
her momentarily.

Don’t do this to me, you piece of crap,

she thought angrily.

You owe me to get me home.

She

would have banged her head on the steering wheel if she
wasn’t aware that the stranger was still watching her.

“Problem?” he asked.
“The battery died.”

“What killed it?”
Raine looked at him. She noticed the beige-colored

designer jacket he was wearing. Crisp, sleek and
undoubtedly expensive. And the button up shirt underneath.
It was a shade lighter than the color of the jacket. The whole
ensemble didn’t seem to come from the regular department
store racks. The guy must be pretty well off. And from her
experience, people like him most likely didn’t know
anything about fixing a car engine. “Sometimes it just dies.”

“How curious. Is your house far from here?”
“Just a few blocks.”
“I shall escort you home.”
“I don’t…”
“I must insist.”

Chapter Three

She didn’t know it just yet, but Avaran was

determined to claim her. Sweet Raine. Shy as a butterfly.
Lush and sumptuous as ripe summer fruits. He hadn’t
expected to find a perfect bride in his quest in the human
realm, but one look at her and he just knew. Whoever she
was, he wanted her and nothing in this mortal realm would
get in his way of claiming her.

In Surian, a fierce attraction to a potential mate was

called the

erzha.

The soul bound. Not every man in his

homeland mated with their soul bound. Only a few lucky
ones would experience the bliss of a lifetime. There were
no tell-tale sign how to find one either. When a nymph laid
eyes on their soul bound, they would instantly

know.

The

erzha

called for him, irresistible as a siren song. It felt as if

every cell of his being was screaming for her.

That was what Avaran experienced now. If she were

a nymph, Avaran would have torn her clothing apart and
claimed her on the spot. Humans had different customs.
Counselor Rohim had warned him that human females
were more reserved than nymphs. Also more delicate. The
last thing Avaran wanted to do was to scare her.

Avaran opened the car door and helped her out.

Raine looked timid and unsure. He wondered if she could
sense he wasn’t human. He was a little worried that would

be a hindrance to her agreeing to be his mate.

“Are you well enough to walk or should I call a taxi?”

Avaran asked. In Surian, nymphs relied on bending water
as a matter of transportation. Every city, every
establishment or grand building was interconnected with
narrow canals. Avaran only needed to dip his toes into the
water and it would carry him to the destination in a blink of
the eye. Avaran preferred not to bend water in the human
realm. Not all the places he wanted to visit were connected
with canals, and besides the streams and rivers he had
seen were putrid. Truly disgusting. Instead, he had learned
to go places by renting four-wheeled wagon machines the
humans called taxi.

“I’m fine,” Raine said. She tightened the flimsy coat

around her.

The poor thing was shivering from cold. Avaran

wished he had a cloak. The fashionable jacket he was
wearing wouldn’t protect her from the chill if he offered it to
her. Nevertheless, he took off his jacket and draped it
around her.

“No, I’m fine. I can’t take this. You’re going to freeze

without your jacket.”

“Take it. I’m used to the cold. This is nothing

compared to my homeland.”

“Where are you from?”
“Surian.”
A perplexed look was on her face. “Is that like

England?”

“Yeah, England.” Avaran grinned. “Pray, tell me, you

are not mated, are you?”

“Mated? Married, you mean?”
“Yes. Are you unattached?”
She blushed. “Oh, I’m single. If that’s what you

mean.”

“Yes, that is what I mean.” Avaran took her hand and

held her tight. “Show me your home, Raine.”

“You don’t need to do this.”
“I want to.” They walked hand in hand on the frozen

sidewalk, leaving the broken car behind. “Do you live
alone?”

“I have a cat. His name’s Mr. Fluffy.”
“A cat. How curious. Human keeps cats as pets?”
“Excuse me?”
“In my homeland, we do not keep cats as pets. They

are vicious animals.”

“Not Mr. Fluffy. He’s the gentlest creature I’ve known.

He’s lazy, though.”

“I would like to meet him, then. How about your

parents?” Avaran was curious about her lineage. “Do they
live close by?”

“No. My mom is in the county hospice. She’s ill.”
“Oh, I am sorry. What is her ailment?”
“Renal failure.”
Avaran was unfamiliar with that type of illness. He

wondered if the court physician could heal Raine’s mother.
“How about your father?”

“Oh. My mom raised me alone.”
“I presume you do not have siblings, then?”

“No. It’s just me and my cat now.”
Just her and her cat. No one would miss her if he

spirited her away to Surian. Maybe her mother. But it would
only be for a short period of time until he could settle all his
problems. Once he banished Hallburn and his cronies, he
would bring her mother to live with them in Surian.

Avaran could already imagine Raine as his queen.

She was one a Surian would call exotic. Dark hair. Dark
skin. Big brown eyes. Lush body to bear him many children.
And Goddess, was she breathtaking. Avaran couldn’t
believe a beautiful woman like her wasn’t already attached.
He guessed there must be a story behind it. She wasn’t a
nubile maiden. She was a fully bloomed rose at her prime,
but not yet touched by any frost. Maybe she was widowed.
Beneath those dreamy eyes, he could see sadness and
loneliness. Once she was his, Avaran would never let her
succumb to sorrow.

“What do you do for a living?” she asked.
Good question. As a prince, he spent most of his

day sparring with his men. Studying the way of the sword
and military strategies. When he wasn’t on the training field,
Elder Edwisch tutored him about philosophy, art, and
literature. Avaran didn’t like to waste his time in debauch
parties like most of the young noblemen in his father’s
court. Ever since he was little, he had worked hard to make
himself worthy in the king’s eyes. Something his father had
never appreciated due to Hallburn’s deceit. He gave Raine
a neutral answer. “I work for the throne.”

“The government?”

“Yes, the government,” he echoed. “Defense. I train

men to fight.”

“That sounds exciting.”
“Not as exciting as you might think. What do you

do?”

“I’m a nurse.”

A healer.

Just perfect. A future queen that also was

a master of healing. Avaran could already picture her
surrounded by his people who had come from far to seek
her advice and wisdom. “What kind of hospice do you work
in?”

“You mean hospital?”
“Ah yes, hospital—I suppose it is called here.”
“Saint Edward’s Parish. I work in ER. Emergency

Room.”

“Did you tend your mother yourself?”
“Tend? Taking care of her, you mean? Yeah. No.

Not directly. I visit her a couple times in a week.”

“But, you are a healer. Can you not heal her?”
“I’m only a nurse. Not a doctor.”
“A doctor,” Avaran mused. “Master healer?”
“I suppose a doctor is a master healer.”
“I see. Do you like your work?”
“I have good days. And bad days. I love being nurse

all in all.”

A healer that was dedicated to her work. At this

point, Avaran believed that their encounter wasn’t a merely
random accident. This was fate. They were meant to be.
Surian needed not only a pretty queen, but also a woman

who was compassionate and dedicated to her people as
well. And Raine fit perfectly. The only thing left to do was to
make her his.

Avaran asked few more personal things about her

and received surprising answers showing how humble she
was. Raine was a woman of simple tastes, like him. His
admiration for her grew.

They walked a few blocks into a narrow street with

houses that looked like boxes stacked against one another.
All of the snow-covered windows were dark—everyone was
already asleep at this wee hour of the morning. She
stopped at a worn brick building.

“Well, this is my home. I live on the second floor,”

she said.

Avaran quickly memorized the address. Now that he

knew where she lived, he planned to come the next day to
take her out on what humans called a date. Councilor
Rohim had enlightened him on how to woo human females
before he crossed realms. One thing he learned: that
women here adored flowers and sweets called chocolate.

“I… uhm… don’t usually do this, but would you like to

come in for a cup of coffee?” she asked shyly.

Avaran just couldn’t believe his luck.

Chapter Four

She couldn’t believe what she just did—inviting a

stranger into her apartment for coffee. Just as she
promised herself she wouldn’t do. But how could she not?
Avaran was nice. He was polite and kind. His interest in her
seemed genuine. It seemed he liked her not because he
wanted to get into her panties. Well, if he did, she wouldn’t
mind anyway. She wasn’t the type where handsome men
like him clamored to get into her panties. And besides, he
had helped him from being mugged and was kind enough
to walk her home to make sure she was safe and sound. A
man like him was one in a million.

And it was just for coffee. A friendly gesture. An

appreciation for what he had done for her.

Right.

Avaran smiled.
Her heart fluttered like the dance of a butterfly.
“I would be delighted to have some coffee. I also

want to meet Mr. Fluffy.”

Then it was settled. Not only did he like her enough

to have some coffee, he also harbored an interest in her
cat. The guy was definitely a keeper.

“Okay.” Her hand trembled when she put the keys on

the door. “Well, come in.”

Mr. Fluffy meowed by the door, greeting them. The

tabby cat took one look at Avaran and purred excitably. He
rubbed his head on his legs.

Holy crap. Even my cat can’t resist him.

“I think he

likes you.”

“How curious. He didn’t try to bite me.” Avaran

picked up Mr. Fluffy and petted him. The cat purred even
louder.

“You have bad experiences with cats?” Raine

asked.

“They ate my goldfish.”
“Nooo. Really?”
“I was going to eat it first.”
Raine laughed. He was joking, right? Avaran looked

so serious. But then there was a naughty twinkle in his
eyes. Teaser. She put her keys and purse on the kitchen
table. “Well, this is where I live. It’s not much, but it’s home.”

Avaran sat on the couch and looked around with

fervent curiosity. Her apartment only had one bedroom, a
bathroom, and an open room that served as her living room
and kitchen. She used to live in a five-bedroom, ranch-style
house in Colonial Peak when she and Andy were together.
After they got divorced, they split the money from the sale of
the house and most of her share had gone into her
mother’s care. Raine didn’t need a bigger place to live
since she spent most of her time in the hospital. She wasn’t
big on decorating either. Now with a guest other than her
extended family, she realized how pitiful her life was. Her
small place was practically bare. A few books here and
there and a couple knick knacks on the shelves. No

hobbies. No interest. She had no life.

“It is lovely. I see you are very tidy.”
Raine swallowed a smile. It was easy to be tidy if

she didn’t have much stuff to begin with. “I’ll put the pot on.”
She took Avaran’s jacket. It was covered with snow. The
melting ice started dripping on the floor. “I’d better dry this
off.”

“Do not trouble with it. A little wet does not bother

me.”

“I’ll just put this in a dryer. Won’t be any trouble at all.”
“Dryer?”
She arched her eyebrows. “It’s a machine to dry

clothes.” Certainly he was joking, right? English people
must know about dryers considering they lived in the land of
four seasons.

“How curious. Can you show me?” Avaran got up

from the chair, Mr. Fluffy in his arms, still purring like a
radiator.

Raine pointed out the washer and dryer under the

kitchen counter. “This one is for washing and that one’s for
drying clothes. How do you do laundry in your country?”

“My servants do it for me.”
Of course. Raine felt silly. She had forgotten that a

well off man must have somebody taking care of everyday
chores. She examined his jacket. “This is dry cleaning only,
but I suppose I could dry it with air fluff setting. It won’t
damage the fabric.”

“It is just a jacket.”
“But it looks expensive.”

“A rag nevertheless. I am not too fond of it, to be

honest. Too constricting to my liking.”

Really? The jacket was made by Armani and it

looked fabulous on his tall, muscular frame. She bet all her
ten fingers it cost more than a month’s salary. Raine put it in
the dryer and turned it on. Avaran watched her with interest.

“And that will dry clothes?” he wanted to know.
“Yeah.”
“How ingenious.”
Raine doubted even his servants knew what a dryer

was. They must go to the dry cleaner for all their laundry
needs. She took off her own jacket and hung it behind the
door. “I’ll make that coffee I promise.”

“Thank you.”
“It’s no problem at all.” Her cheeks blushed when

she caught Avaran ogling her. “What?”

“I love your clothes,” he said, sizing her up from head

to toes. “You look very lovely in it. Right, Mr. Fluffy?”

The cat gave a loud purr in reply.
Her face heated. “It’s called scrubs. A nurse’s

uniform.”

“Uniform? You say every healer dresses in it?”
“Well, yeah. How does a nurse dress in your

country?”

“In a white robe. They wear different belts to

distinguish their ranks. Yellow for apprentice and black for
master healer.”

“Which country are you from again? Surian?”
“That is correct.”

“Where is it? Honestly, I’ve never heard of it.”
“Between Iona and Durkstar.” Avaran added quickly

when he saw her still puzzled, “It is near England.”

“Oh.” Raine tried to recall if she ever saw it on the

map. But, whatever. She made coffee while Avaran put Mr.
Fluffy on the floor and examined the few photos she had on
the shelves. One photo was when she was a child, with her
mom when she was young.

“Is this your mother?” Avaran asked.
Raine nodded.
“She is beautiful. You have your mother’s eyes. They

are breathtaking.”

Lord, where was this guy when she was single?

Well, she was single now, but before she met Andy where
she was young and slim and still good to look at. “You have
a way with words.”

He only shrugged. “I only speak the truth.

Compliments are useless when they are empty.”

“Careful, you can make a gal fall for you.”
He turned at her and smiled broadly. “Is it working?”
Raine blushed. She had never been good in the

flirting department. “Y-your coffee.” She brought the cup to
the kitchen table and made another for herself.

Avaran sat down and murmured his thanks. Mr.

Fluffy purred at his feet. Avaran reached his head and
petted him. The cat closed his eyes in bliss. Avaran sipped
his coffee.

“I tasted this in my hotel. Very flavorful. I must say I

am rather fond of it.”

“Where are you staying?”
“La Salle.”
Raine wasn’t surprised. La Salle was a pricey

boutique hotel downtown. “What brought you here to
Springfield? Business?”

“Yes, very important business.”
“Oh yeah. Defense stuff?”
Avaran laughed. “No. Actually, I am looking for a

bride.”

“You’re kidding.”
“I am certainly not.”
“Why Springfield?”
“I have good feelings about this town. Pray, tell me,

Raine, do you have a lover?”

“What? No, no. I was married once but we got

divorced.”

“Oh, why was that?”
“We…we’d just grown apart.”
“I am sorry to hear it.” Avaran reflected on his words.

“No. Actually, I am not sorry. It is my luck now that you are
unattached.”

“What?”
Avaran straightened in his chair, bright-eyed. “I

would very much like to court you. How about dinner
tomorrow night? I will bring flowers and chocolates.”

Whoa. Really?

“I…I…”

“Please say yes.”

Yes, yes. A thousand times, yes.

“I don’t know.

Aren’t you too young for me?” Avaran couldn’t be older than

twenty-five while she was in her early thirties. It didn’t feel
right.

Avaran stared at her deadpan. “You are the perfect

one for me.”

Raine wanted to faint. It was hard enough acting

normal without thinking dirty stuff but when he contemplated
her like a piece of juicy steak, she felt like the temperature
in the room had risen a few degrees.

Avaran reached for her hand from across the table.

“I am sorry. I do not want to offend you, but I want to make
sure you are my

erzha…

”

“Your what?”
Avaran rose from his seat and pulled her closer. He

dipped his head and pressed his lip to her chin. He started
slow. A light brush first. Teasing. Lingering. When his lips
grazed hers, a dark thrill spiraled upward from the base of
her spine. Heat stirred in her sex. Raine trembled, wide-
eyed. The kiss was incredible. One that thrummed through
her soul. Exquisite.

“You are the one, Raine. We are meant to be.” With

a groan, Avaran threaded his fingers into her hair, fisting it
possessively as he pried open her mouth with his tongue.
Wildfire raged in her veins, making her nipples erect and
her pussy ache. The sweet kiss turned ravenous. He
devoured her. Raine melted in his embrace. Her thoughts
became jumbled and hazy.

She became aware of his hard erection when he

drew her deeper into arms. His body pressed hard against
hers. Heat radiated from his skin. God. He smelled so

hers. Heat radiated from his skin. God. He smelled so
good. And his touch. His kiss. What he did made her crave
for more.

Avaran licked the side of her jaw, trailing down her

neck and shoulder. His teeth grazed her skin. Raine
shivered.

“Where is your bedchamber?” he asked huskily, his

voice dripping with lust.

Huh?

“Oh, my bedroom you mean?” Raine looked

over her shoulder. “It’s right there.” She motioned with her
chin.

Raine yelped when Avaran swept her off the floor

and carried her to her bed as if she was a sack of
potatoes. The ceilings looked upside down before her face
hit his back. “Avaran!” she protested.

“Ssh.” He closed the door with the heel of his shoe.

He deposited her in the middle of the bed, kicked his
shoes off, and straddled her. “Where were we?”

Raine bit her lower lip. “I dunno. You were kissing

me?”

“Mmm. You are absolutely right.” Avaran braced his

arms next to her head. Their bodies grazed. Her nurse’s
scrub brushed the designer shirt he wore. He stroked her
hair with such gentleness as if she was the most precious
thing in the world. His breath seared her skin when he
dipped his tongue into her mouth. He kissed her like he
meant it. Tenderly. Passionate. His eyes never left hers as
he nibbled, licked, and marked her neck with love bites.

Raine shivered from the thick pleasure. Avaran

seemed to be the type who enjoyed foreplay. Her ex Andy
was a slam-bam-thank you-ma’am type. The two men she
had ever accepted into her bed were like night and day.

“I love your skin. You remind me of Surian’s sweets

that I am so fond of. Sumptuous,” he told her. “I want to taste
every inch of you.”

She whimpered from the declaration.

Kiss every

inch of my body.

Her heart thundered fast. She had never

had a man who was eager to worship her like a goddess.
She wondered how that would feel.

But she didn’t have to wait. Avaran pushed her top

up and palmed her bra-covered breast. Raine gulped hard.
He yanked the bra open with impatience. Her breath caught
in her throat as Avaran dipped his head and licked her
hardened nipple.

God.

Shimmering pleasure cocooned her tightly.

Heat rushed through her veins. The effect of the lick
devastated her, burning her alive. Her pussy moistened
from the impact. The throbbing aches between her legs
intensified.

“Goddess,” he breathed out. “You are truly a

delicious sweet thing. I could eat you all night long.”

Raine moaned when Avaran sucked the feverish

skin of her neck. Her body was engulfed by a fiery
brimstone of lust. She had never felt this way. Her sex life
with Andy had been vanilla. And then they had stopped
having sex altogether. Sex was the last thing on her mind
when there were bills to pay, the house to clean, and her
sick mother to visit and take care of. By the end of the day,

sick mother to visit and take care of. By the end of the day,
all she wanted was a nice long bath and a good
uninterrupted sleep.

And now being intimate with Avaran, her body

responded to her carnal needs. She didn’t realize how
much she craved a man’s touch. Everything he said, his
every touch served like fuel to the flame. She was burning
with desire.

Avaran felt her. He hurriedly undressed her. Shoes,

pants, and panties followed. Before long, she was stark
naked in his presence. She trembled when Avaran kissed
her open-mouthed. She wanted to faint, her mind turning to
mush with every stroke of his tongue. He groped and
fondled her. Her breasts. Her nipples were pinched. He
caressed the curves of her waist. And stroked between her
thighs. Avaran made a pleasant noise when he discovered
how wet she was.

“Open. I want to see you,” he ordered.
Raine felt alarmed. “Why?”
“I want to taste you.”
She wasn’t sure about that. Her ex rarely ventured

down there to please her. Once in a blue moon perhaps. If
he was feeling generous. “I…I don’t know.”

“Please?” he asked so sweetly.
“I…”
“Your scent is so intoxicating. I simply must sample

your womanly dew.”

“Avaran…”
“Close your eyes.”
“I…“

“I…“
“Shh. Be still, my sweet. Close your eyes.”
She reluctantly did what he asked.
“And tell me how good this is.” Avaran spread her

legs wide. “Oh, Goddess. You are so beautiful.” He stroked
her curls and spread her sex lips apart.

Moments later, Raine gasped when Avaran put his

mouth directly on the source of her ache. The pleasure was
unbelievably wicked. Pure heat seared through her center,
straight to her soul. She writhed, grabbing a handful of his
hair, instinctively trying to push him away. Avaran gave her
a warning growl. He licked and licked her wet seam before
capturing her clit and sucking it deeply. She threw her head
back. The sensation was too sinful for words. Maddening.
A keening whimper escaped from her throat.

When she thought she couldn’t hold the building

tension any longer, Avaran speared his tongue and tasted
the inside of her sex. She yelled his name. What he did
brought her to an instant climax. Red hot pleasure raked
her body, leaving her shaking, whimpering.

However, Avaran didn’t stop. He fastened his arms

around her waist, her legs on his shoulders as he licked
and sucked as if he was a starving man. He fucked her
deeper with his tongue. Raine rambled and thrashed,
pleading with him to stop. She loved it but she couldn’t bear
his salacious torture any longer as her pleas fell on deaf
ears. She squirmed and clawed the sheet while ranting his
name unintelligibly. Avaran tongue-fucked her faster. She
came again. Harder than before. Raine was shaking from
head to toe, burning with desire, enslaved by her own lust.

head to toe, burning with desire, enslaved by her own lust.

Avaran let her go. He reached for her face and

crushed her lips with his. He kissed her greedily. She could
taste her own femininity on him. She kind of liked it.
Strange.

“I simply must have you now,” he said huskily. He sat

up and undressed. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his
ripped muscles and abs. He didn’t wear any undershirt.
Raine swallowed hard. This man was so unbelievably
beautiful. Raine just had to touch him. She ran her hand
over his belly. He was firm all over. Truly every woman’s wet
dream.

He smiled. Her heart fluttered. He caught her hand

and pressed it to his bulging groin. “See how hard I am for
you?”

Oh God. That thing between his thighs was as hard

as a rock. Raine felt giddy. She experimentally squeezed it.
His cock twitched with the attention as if begging to be free
from its containment.

“Take it off.” His voice was hoarse.
Raine was only too happy to oblige. She swallowed

again. She unzipped his pants and shoved them down. His
cock tented the briefs. Raine curled her fingers on the
waistband and pulled it down. He was big. Oh God. His
cock didn’t match his elegant beauty. His cock was rough,
long; a big fat masculine cock whose sole purpose was to
fuck and to be blown, nesting on a thatch of hair the same
shade as his locks. Her mouth watered at the sight of his
virility.

“Touch me,” he said.

She wrapped her hand around his hard shaft,

stroking it up and down. Avaran sighed happily.

“That is it, sweet. Harder.”
Raine tentatively gave him a harder squeeze.
“Do not worry. You are not hurting me.”
She tightened her grip as she pumped him. His heat

seared her palm. His cock pulsed in her hand.

“Oh, Raine. That feels good. Lick me. Take me into

your mouth.”

She was heady when she dropped her head and

planted a tiny kiss on his cockhead. What she did made
pearly cum blossom from his tip. Raine wasted no time
licking him. Avaran groaned loud. Salty, creamy ocean
flavor burst out in her mouth. She liked it a lot. Avaran
tasted different than her ex. God. Scratch that. Avaran
didn’t just taste different. He was delicious.

Greedy for more, Raine stretched open her mouth

and sucked him.

“Goddess.” Avaran drew a deep breath. “That is it.

So good, sweet. Deeper.”

Raine plunged her mouth until his tip grazed the

back of her throat and she sucked him as if her life was
depending on it. She hadn’t done this in a long time, but
worshipping him came naturally. Raine wanted to please
him after the immense pleasure he had given her.

“Oh, Raine… Raine…” Avaran praised her in

between breathless gasps.

Her name rolled out from his tongue like a mantra.

Raine loved the sound of it. She had never thought her

name could sound so sexy.

“Wait.” Avaran suddenly halted her. He withdrew

from her mouth and shed the rest of his clothes.

Raine was eager to suck him again when he

finished undressed. But Avaran had a different idea.

“I am sorry. I simply must have you now.” He pushed

her on her back and straddled her again. His cock rested
on her stomach.

Her giddiness intensified. His hard shaft met her wet

sex. Avaran pushed and pulled, oiling the length of his shaft
on her pussy. Each tug and push sent thrilling, high-octane
pleasure into her spine. She gushed more juice. The aroma
of sex permeated around them. Added to the scent of him,
it burned her sanity to cinders.

“Avaran…” she whispered.
He positioned his cockhead on her entrance. His

gaze drifted upward. “Yes?”

“Please…”
“Mmm.” He thrust.
Raine bit her lip. He was big and she wasn’t fully

ready. Her cunt resisted his intrusion. He pushed harder.
He slipped in an inch. Raine was wide-eyed. The stretching
feeling was something new to experience.

God, I can take

him?

A brief panic alarmed her. But Avaran seemed

determined to have her. He grabbed her waist and
rendered her still as he pushed his cock into her.

Avaran didn’t stop until he buried his whole erection

inside her.

God.

She mewled. The heat. The pressure. It

was incredible. There was a slight pain on the initial
penetration but afterward, the only thing she felt was pure
pleasure. From the look on his face, Avaran seemed
mesmerized by the way their bodies became one. His face
was flushed red and drunk with lust.

“Raine…” His voice choked in his throat. “You feel

… so good.” He lifted one of her thighs wider, angled her
up and pushed the length of him up to his hilt as if he was
seeking deeper penetration.

But she couldn’t take him more. She was beyond

full. He kissed her again as he pounded in and out, their
flesh making lewd sucking sounds. Her breath turned
ragged. She mewled. His veined shaft felt as if it had
scorched her from the inside. Hot. Red. Sinfully good. Each
thrust rendered her crazy. Bracing both arms beside her
head, Avaran fisted her hair and battering her with hard
fucks until she groaned in ecstasy. New pleasure shot deep
through her cunt. The manic pleasure built rapidly, like a
gathering storm. She came hard. His face blurred at the
height of her rapture, replaced by silver-red lights as the
paralyzing ecstasy consumed her fully.

The rippling sensation was unbelievably wicked. Her

pussy spasmed around his shaft. He climaxed a heartbeat
after her, his cock shuddering inside her, filling her with his
cum.

When it was over, he withdrew from her and

collapsed at her side. “Raine…” Avaran pulled her into his
arms and kissed her until she was aroused again. “Are you
tired?”

“Why do you ask?” Her gaze drifted to his cock. Oh

God. He was hard again. This was perhaps why a woman
her age should never date a younger guy. She couldn’t
keep up with him.

“I simply must have you again.”
Raine laughed weakly.
“Do not worry, sweetling. I am going to make you

feel good.”

His words were so tender and affectionate. Even

though he was a stranger that she had just met a few hours
earlier, she felt as if she had known him for a lifetime. And
he wanted to make her feel good. Only pleasure. Pure
pleasure. Raine believed him.

Chapter Five

The sound of a bell jolted him awake from his

dream. For a moment, Avaran felt displaced. No. He wasn’t
in his bedchamber in the Surian palace. This bed was too
small, part of his heels were hanging over the mattress. But
then, there was a naked warm body beside him…

Raine.

His erzha.

The lush full-figured beauty slept next to him, where

her naked heat made his loins stir into full attention.

Raine woke up. She reached for the side table and

silenced the screaming bell with a tap of her hand. She
looked over her shoulder and gave him a sleepy smile.
“Hello there…”

“Morning to you too, beloved. What is that wailing

thing you have on your table?”

“This? An alarm clock.”
“Yes. Throw it away. It is too early to wake up. Come

closer. I want to feel your body against mine.”

She giggled. “I’d love to. But sadly, I have to go to

work.”

“Do you have to? Even a royal healer deserves a

day or two off.”

“I know, but I promised my friend I’d fill in for her this

morning. I must get ready for work now otherwise I’ll miss
the bus.”

Avaran cursed under his breath.
“What is that? Damnation?” Raine grinned.
“It is a damnation that you have to go attend your

duties when we could cuddle and explore each other. But a
promise is a promise and I myself never break one. When
you will be home?”

“Around seven tonight. Are we still up for that

dinner?”

“Of course, sweetling. I did not forget.”
“Yay. I’m going to take a shower and catch the bus.

Would you feed Mr. Fluffy for me? I’m running late without
my car.”

“It would be my pleasure to feed your cat.”
Raine wrapped the bedsheet around her and hurried

into the bathroom. He heard the shower turn on and a
beautiful humming filled the air. Avaran sat in the bed,
listening to her singing. It didn’t last. Moments later, she got
out and dressed hurriedly. Avaran was tempted to seduce
her for a quick coupling. He changed his mind when he saw
Raine looking frantic. She shoved her shoes on and
scurried into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

Avaran got dressed and received a cup of delicious

brew from her. Raine pecked a kiss on his cheek. “I really
have to go. See you later?”

“Of course, beloved.”
She smiled. Suddenly the sun brightened the room.

Avaran was captivated at how beautiful she was. She gave
him a spare house key and left. Avaran sipped his coffee.
All of a sudden he didn’t feel the weight on his shoulders

like he always did. He had never guessed that finding his

erzha

could alleviate his inner burden.

Mr. Fluffy meowed by his feet.
“Good morning to you too, Mr. Cat. I guess you are

hungry?” Avaran stroked the cat behind his ear until he
purred. Avaran fed the cat with a can of food that Raine had
left on the kitchen table. Mr. Fluffy ate it greedily. Avaran
wondered if Mr. Fluffy would be happy to live in Surian. The
tabby could have as many fish as he wanted. A well-
behaved cat was something unheard of. The royal cook
would adore Mr. Fluffy.

And speaking of Surian, he had to start making

arrangements. First, he must notify Councilor Rohim that he
had been fruitful in his quest of finding his bride. He had
even found his

erzha.

Then he must challenge Tamyan

Hallburn in Elder Council to claim his right to the throne.

Avaran rummaged in the kitchen drawer until he

found what he was looking for to contact Councilor Rohim
in Surian. A sharp knife and a marker. He went to the
bathroom and closed the door. Avaran wiped the surface of
the mirror. He pierced the tip of his finger with the knife until
it oozed blood. Then he drew his house sigil on the mirror
with it. As soon as he finished drawing it, he chanted a
calling spell and the whole sigil disappeared. Suddenly, a
scribble loomed in the mirror. It was black and splotchy like
ink written in haste. Council Rohim wrote his message from
the other end.

“

Greetings, Your Highness, are you well?

”

The scribbles vanished after a few seconds. Avaran

The scribbles vanished after a few seconds. Avaran

wrote his reply in black marker.

“

I’ve claimed a bride. Her name is Raine. She is

my erzha.

”

His own writings also vanished after Councilor

Rohim finished reading them.

“

Goddess above, this is wonderful news. We

eagerly await your return.

”

Rohim’s inkwork smeared and was replaced with

new sentences.

“

Come home soon with your bride. The situation is

dire.

”

Avaran frowned. He hastily scribbled the moment

Rohim’s inkwork vanished.

“

What has happened?

”

This time, Councilor Rohim didn’t reply. Avaran’s

message stayed on the mirror. The link was broken. Avaran
cursed.

He grabbed a bathroom towel and cleaned the

mirror. Inside, he was troubled. Had Hallburn done
something devious while he was gone? He should have
known. Could it be his departure to the human realm had
given his uncle the opportunity to seize power? Avaran
scowled into the mirror, thinking hard. There wasn’t any
other option left at present. He should return home, but he
wouldn’t do that without his

erzha.

Tomorrow. First thing in the morning. He would take

Raine to the realm border and spirit her away to Surian.
Tonight, he wanted to woo her with dinner and flowers.

Avaran decided to return to his hotel room to

retrieve his things. He called a taxi service from a small
rectangular device called a cell phone. As he waited for the
taxi to come, he caught a glimpse of a flat glossy book
called

Cosmo

on the coffee table. His eyes rounded when

he read the first section: How to impress your date.

* * *

Raine couldn’t wait to get home. The grueling work

hours she had endured during her shift felt like a week.
Many times she caught herself grinning for no reason. Well,
there was a reason. She had just been laid. By an
extremely gorgeous man. That last night—oh God—Raine
kept replaying the scenes in her mind over and over. That
was what a real fuck felt like. Real ecstasy. Heaven on
Earth. Her patients and co-workers commented that she
was particularly perky this morning. She told them she had
won a church raffle. Well it felt like she had won something.
A night of unforgettable pleasure with a handsome man.

She wondered if Avaran was still in her apartment.

Or had he left already? Was that only a one-night stand, or
was he serious about taking her out for dinner? She cursed
her inner dorkiness. She shouldn’t put her hopes that high.
Life had taught her never to have expectations because
when she did, she was always left with disappointment.
She guessed if she came home and found him gone
without a note, she shouldn’t be so surprised.

When her shift was over, she took a quick shower

and changed into fresh clothes. She whipped her phone out
and called home to see if Avaran was still there. Nobody

answered. Apparently he had left. Maybe he had gone to
his hotel. Or he had just gone? Was he really serious about
the dinner? Ugh. Not knowing about things was really killing
her. Raine sat gingerly during the whole ride home. The bus
couldn’t be slower—she could walk faster if the weather
wasn’t so cold. Many times she was tempted to call home
just to see if Avaran was in her apartment, but that sounded
useless. She was sure he wasn’t there. God. Could she be
more pathetic?

At last, the bus stopped and Raine practically

lurched from the step and hurried home as if the devil
himself was chasing her tail. Her lungs burned in her chest
when she finally swept through the front gate. She opened
the door with a trembling hand. “Hello?” she cautiously
called.

Raine was greeted by a loud meow from Mr. Fluffy

and a large bouquet of red roses. Her heart leapt. No,
make that two large bouquets of red roses in crystal vases.
No. There were more. Actually, her living room-slash-
kitchen was filled with red roses. On the floor. On top of the
TV and cabinets. On the coffee table. It seemed like
somebody had bought out the whole stock of a florist shop.
“Holy crap,” she commented, shocked but in pleasant way.

And in the kitchen was the man of her dreams.

Avaran was juggling with a spatula in one hand and a
battered mitten in the other. He was struggling to place a
foil-covered Pyrex on the kitchen counter. All of her pots
and pans were out of the cabinets. Stuff bubbled on the
stove. Something was baking in the oven. The redolent

scent of roses and burning food filled her tiny apartment.

Avaran took one look at her and sighed. His face

was crestfallen. “I ruined the dinner.”

Raine bit her lip so she wouldn’t laugh. She was just

happy to see him again. “What happened?” She put her
keys and purse on the table.

Avaran scowled at the burned dish in the Pyrex.

“Well, I am a warrior, not a cook. I tried to surprise you with
homemade dinner and flowers but I failed greatly. I had no
idea cooking could be so complicated. I am ashamed.”

“Oh, baby, don’t be.” Raine hugged him. “That’s very

sweet of you doing all of this.”

Avaran ditched the spatula and the mitten, hugging

her back. “I missed you.”

Raine almost choked. “Really?”
“You have no idea.” He released her. “Do you have

to work such long hours?”

“I have a twelve-hour shift. Good news is tomorrow I

don’t have to go to work. I’m off.”

“Wonderful. We can have the whole day to

ourselves.”

“You don’t say.” Raine’s gaze drifted to the stove

and oven. “What are those?”

“Oh.” Avaran turned off the oven. “It is supposed to

be manicotti and garlic bread. But I burned them.”

“And what’s in the pots?”
“Minestrone soup and marinara sauce. They are

terrible. I put too much salt in the soup.”

“And that?” Raine nodded at half-chopped

vegetables on the cutting board. “Salad?”

“Antipasto. I was supposed to grill the red pepper

before tossing them with the cheese and meat. Now I am
not sure. I could burn water.”

Raine couldn’t help laughing. “Baby, you’re so

sweet. I’ve never had someone doing all this for me.”

Avaran looked sheepish. “I wanted something

special to woo you.”

“Oh, you wooed me all right. Let me see. We can still

have salad and bread.”

“The bread is burned.”
“Okay, salad and…” She caught a newly purchased

ice bucket perched on the coffee table. A bottle of
expensive-looking wine was half-buried in ice. “And wine.”

“They told me it is champagne.”
“Even better.”
“And I picked a cake from a bakery. Chocolate kind.

The woman said it is really delicious.”

Raine lunged on him. “I love you.” Moments later, her

face burned. Did she just say what she thought she had
said? “I mean, I love chocolate cake. Really, really love
chocolate. As you can see, I’m not a bean pole all because
of the sweets and chocolate I ate. I probably should shut up
before I embarrass myself.”

Avaran didn’t say anything. He studied her intently

then grinned from ear to ear. He pulled her into his arms
and planted a deep kiss on her mouth. “I love you too.”

She thought her heart had stopped when she heard

his declaration. Could this be true or was he just yanking

her chain?

He let her go. “I am famished. I had never thought

cooking could be such a labor-intensive endeavor.”

“I’ll make the salad.”
“Yes. That would be for the best, since I would burn it

too.”

Raine grinned. She pushed him out of the way. “Go

sit on the couch. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I dirtied up all of your cutleries and have not had a

chance to clean them up yet.” Avaran rummaged in the
drawer. “But I saw some … ouch!”

“What’s the matter?” Raine narrowed her eyes. “Did

you cut yourself?”

Avaran flexed his right hand. A four-inch red blister

was on his palm. “I got burned. It was nothing.”

“Oh gosh. Does it hurt badly?”
“It is nothing.”
“But this is a second degree burn. How did this

happen?”

“I touched one of your butter knives. I think it was

made from silver. I am allergic to silver.”

Raine shook her head. “This is the strangest thing

I’ve ever seen and I thought I’d seen them all. Let me clean
your booboo and bandage it.”

“I am fine.”
“Nurse’s order.” Raine planted her hands on her hips

and tried to look stern. She couldn’t. One look at him and
she melted into a gooey puddle.

Avaran grinned. “Very well, Mistress Healer. I leave

my fate in your hands.”

Her heartbeat went wild when Avaran kissed her

again. “Okay, stay still. I’ll get my first aid kit.” She dashed
to the bathroom and returned. Avaran was nursing his hand
by running it under cold water.

Good move,

she thought. It

seemed he wasn’t a stranger to all types of injury.

Did he

say he was a warrior?

Raine examined his hand again and dried it with a

clean towel. The burn had turned into an ugly blister. She
thought this was rather strange. All this caused by touching
silver? Luckily she wasn’t wearing her silver jewelry. She
had a cross made from sterling silver, a family heirloom that
her mother had given her, but she decided it not to wear it
yesterday because it needed polishing. It could burn
Avaran’s face since he loved to kiss her all over. Hmm, kiss
her all over. Thinking about it made her face hot.

Are you

really for real, Avaran?

She wondered. He was young,

gorgeous, and kind. Her knight in shining armor. Guys like
him were just a myth.

Raine applied a thin layer of antibiotic ointment for

burns and wrapped the wound with a sterile bandage so his
blister wouldn’t come into contact with germs. She
examined her work with pride. “There. Avoid strenuous stuff
for the rest of the evening.”

“Such as?”
Raine made a face. “Don’t touch any more silver,

please.”

“But I can still touch you?”

“Maybe.”
“What do you mean—maybe? Are you not mine?”
Ooh… that made her frisky. She was his. “Am I

yours?”

“Damn right you are mine. I have claimed you.”

Avaran pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she
wanted to faint. His hands were all over her. What he did
was make her horny.

Raine squirmed in his embrace. It didn’t feel right.

He just got hurt and now he wanted nookie. His burn was
quite substantial. She should give him some painkillers and
Avaran should rest for the night. He groaned and tightened
his hug as if his bandaged hand wasn’t bothering him at all.
Sneakily, he slipped his good hand under her blouse and
snapped off her bra.

“Hey!” she protested. “What are you doing?”
“What kind of perfume are you wearing?” Avaran

inhaled a lungful of her scent. “You are intoxicating.”

“I don’t wear any. It’s my soap. Evelyn and Crabtree.

I had a shower at work before I came home.”

“Well, I love it.” He nuzzled her neck, trailing butterfly

kisses along the side of her jaw.

Raine shivered. It tickled, but she loved the

sensation from his unshaven jaw stubble grazing her skin. It
felt very erotic and intimate. Avaran pulled down her pants.
Then her panties. They tangled around her knees. She
heard fabric rustling. Avaran unzipped his pants. He turned
her around. A heartbeat later, hard throbbing flesh nudged
her ass. Her heartbeat started to accelerate again.

She writhed. “Avaran...”
“Yes?”
His cock pressed on the middle of her ass.

Gloriously hard and huge.

Raine creamed luxuriously. The faint scent of a

woman’s arousal permeated the air around them.

Avaran noticed it and made a delighted sound.

“Hmm, just when I thought you were not in the mood.”

Not in the mood? Hell, that was impossible.

Everything he did made her horny. Avaran was irresistible.
Like those chocolate-covered brownies she craved when
she attempted to diet.

He licked the side of her jaw and paused. His breath

hovered just below her lip. Instinctively, she found his lips
and kissed him. He murmured appreciatively, kissing her
back with the same heat. Her nipples hardened in an
instant. Waves of deep, longing aches thrummed from her
very center; liquid sex seeping from her pussy.

Avaran kissed her open-mouthed before the tip of

his tongue skimmed the outline of her soft plump lips, then
thrust inside, forcing her mouth open, branding her with his
own lust. Avaran became very possessive. Raine wanted to
faint from lack of oxygen. She gasped for air when he finally
gave her a chance to breathe.

He slid his hands up, under her unclasped bra,

settling on her breasts. He tightened his hands, kneading
with such expertise that Raine found herself burning in fiery
lust. Especially when he pinched her hardened nipples,
tugging and rolling them with such mastery that each touch

caused an exquisite pleasure shooting straight to her cunt.

He kissed her neck, teeth grazing on the shell of her

ear. She shivered involuntarily. She couldn’t stand being
kissed in that sensitive area. But she loved it so much. It
was addictive.

“Avaran…”
“Yes, sweetling?” He released her breast and slid a

hand between her thighs.

Her heart thundered when she felt his cock slip

between her legs, nesting under her dampened sex lips.
She looked down. His cockhead peeked just below her
clitoris. His granite-hard shaft throbbed, slicked with her
sexual juice. Raine moaned as every cell of her being
screamed with need for him. Hunger for him.

Avaran grabbed her waist and rubbed his whole

length against her pussy lips. She became wordless. The
sensation was incredible, too sweet for words. She got
wetter and wetter with each tug and pull.

Finally, Avaran spread her legs wider and

positioned himself on her entrance. With a strained groan,
he penetrated her, thrust his cock into her dripping heat. He
didn’t stop until he was fully embedded deep inside her.
God. She could feel him up to her belly. The only thing she
could think of was the sinful pleasure he was giving her. No
one else has granted her this. She loved it. Fucking loved it.

He nipped her neck and whispered in an urgent

voice, “Fuck me.”

Raine moved and slammed her ass against his

cock, riding his hard shaft in and out. Avaran’s breath

labored.

“Goddess, yes, I love it. Harder.”
She didn’t need encouragement. It felt so good it

had to be a sin. She surrendered to her carnal craving and
bounced up and down furiously. Avaran released her hands
and wrapped her deeply in his embrace. His hot breath
singed her cheek.

“Faster,” he grunted. His voice sounded animalistic.
Raine obeyed without thinking. She became

frenzied, ramming herself on his ready cock over and over
until the edge of a climax hovered around the corner.

Avaran sensed she was going to come. “Not yet,

hold it, my sweet.” He stopped her and retaliated her last
assault with a torrent of short, hard, and rapid fucking. He
pummeled in with brutality. He pulled out. Rammed in.
Faster. Harder. He rocked her, battering her with lash upon
lash of vicious fucks. She groaned. It was almost too much
to bear. The pleasure. The way his hard shaft ground the
sensitive inner walls of her cunt. The way their bodies
became one and their souls melded in the essence of their
lust. She didn’t want the moment to end.

But apparently, Avaran had one more trick up his

sleeve. He slipped a hand to her clit and rolled it between
his rough fingers. Raine had to shout. She came in an
instant. Her body shuddered as pure, unmerciful pleasure
raked through her whole body and her mind.

Avaran didn’t stop. Every savage stroke delivered

jolts of ecstasy to her nerve endings, dragging her closer to
the ultimate rapture. He kept fucking her and fucking her

until a second orgasm claimed her again. She thought
she’d died. In a very pleasurable way. Fireworks exploded
before her eyes. Her breath cut off from her lungs. She felt
lightheaded for a moment.

When she finished floating in the bliss of pure carnal

utopia, she found Avaran jerking, climaxing. She could feel
his cock spasming, emptying his seed inside her. She
shuddered as she breathed in the pure scent of him,
cloying like a heady, forbidden substance. She was
wrapped in a state of ethereal bliss. Sated. And thoroughly
loved. A woman could get used to this. Her knees
weakened all of a sudden. Avaran caught her before she
could collapse onto the floor.

“Is it too much for you, sweet? Forgive me. I cannot

control myself near you.”

Raine laughed. “I don’t mind you being naughty.”
He laughed along with her. “I hope you will not regret

it. I can be devious in bedsports.”

Chapter Six

Raine woke up to an empty bed. She didn’t get up

until well past noon. She was exhausted from the rabid
fucking they did. With his young cock, Avaran was like that
bunny battery that didn’t have an off button. All night long.
Not that she complained. It had been a long time since she
had that much sex in one night. Hell, she got more sex with
him than during her whole marriage to Andy. A lifetime
even.

This morning, Avaran had woken up early to check

out from the hotel and arrange a few things. He said he had
another surprise for her and it involved driving all the way to
Windham Creek. With its waterfall and shallow river, the
place used to be a tourist attraction. She and her
classmates had gone there when she was in grade school
to observe nature. There were a few restaurants and a bed
and breakfast in Windham Creek, but she heard everything
had been shut down because people didn’t go there
anymore.

Raine wondered what the surprise would be. She

liked surprises. It felt nice being wanted. Andy hadn’t even
spoiled her like this during their courtship. What Avaran did
made her feel special.

The bleak sun peered behind the half-closed

curtains when she decided to take a shower and clean the
kitchen. Avaran told her to be ready at three. And she

kitchen. Avaran told her to be ready at three. And she
should pack a bag with a few clothes and also ask her
employer for a couple days off. Since tomorrow was also
her day off anyway, plus the weekend, she didn’t need to
ask for a vacation.

After the kitchen was clean, she packed an

overnight bag. Undies, bras, a pair of comfy pajamas, a
couple of shirts and jeans. She needed toiletries too. Raine
hurried to the bathroom to retrieve her toothbrush and
toothpaste. That was when she noticed the sink was
leaking. Jesus. What was going on here? The water that
dripped from the faucet was brown. Like mud. Smelled
gross too. What the hell? She might have a plumbing
problem in her bathroom. When she did the dishes earlier,
the water from the sink there was fine. She wasn’t looking
forward to a ruined romantic gateway with her new beau
because she needed the sink fixed.

Raine tightened the faucet, but the damn spout kept

dripping. After a few minutes tinkering, suddenly, the faucet
splashed mud water continuously.

Crap.

Raine panicked.

The dirty water quickly filled the sink and poured onto the
bathroom floor.

Double crap.

She grabbed a towel and wrapped it

around the faucet. The water gurgled and slowed down.
She grabbed another towel from the hamper and
mummified the faucet. No more water leaked out. But the
sink and the floor was beyond dirty. It looked like somebody
has mud-wrestled in her tiny bathroom.

God. What a freaking mess. Raine grabbed a

nearby towel and started wiping as best as she could.

Plop…plop…plop…

The faucet dripped with big fat tears of mud again

despite the tight wrap of the towels. The sink gave out a
deep gurgling noise that sounded like it came from the belly
of a beast. Raine fought the sinking feeling in her gut.

Oh

no. No burst pipe. Please don’t. I couldn’t afford a
plumber.

The drainage pipe rattled. Raine scuttled back

instinctively. No. No. No…

The pipe stopped shaking. Perfect silence

blanketed the room. Then she heard a deep swoosh from
the drain. More mud water sloshed onto the tile as
something dark clawed the edge of the sink. Like fingers.
Elongated hand. Black with grey mottle. Sharp nails clicked
against the white porcelain.

What the hell was that?

Raine’s heart thundered so hard, all she could hear

was the frantic beating of her pulse. She scrambled up and
stepped back into the bedroom.

Demon.

Good Lord, this apartment was haunted.

What other reasonable explanation was there? What she
saw just didn’t make sense. And she wasn’t going to wait
any longer to find out what this was. She wasn’t that stupid
like the victims in a horror movie. She ran to the bedroom
door. Before she could reach it, something got hold of her
ankle. She stumbled down. Black slimy tendrils wrapped
her leg and pulled her toward the sink.

“No! Help! Help!” Raine screamed from the top of

her lungs. A full desperation filled her. Who was going to
help her? Her neighbors worked at this hour. Even if
somebody could hear her, help wouldn’t come fast enough.

Raine thrashed, trying to shake off whatever it was

grabbing her. Another tendril slithered out from the
bathroom door and snatched her other ankle.

“Help!” she bawled.
She was powerless against the brute force of the

monster trying to assault her. She was easily dragged back
toward the bathroom. Raine grabbed the edge of the bed.
The cover went down with her. She grabbed the foot of the
nightstand. It moved with her. The lamp fell along with her
books. Something dropped on her face. Her cross
necklace that she was going to polish. Raine seized it and
waved it at the slimy tendrils. She heard the thing hiss. She
waved it again and pressed it again one that held on to her
ankle. The moment the cross touched the tentacle-like
creature, it burned its skin with a sizzling noise.

“Go away! Go away!” Raine brandished her cross to

the tendrils. She watched with horror as something big,
dark, with dozens of slimy tentacles perched on her sink. It
whipped its tentacles agitatedly. One of them smacked
Raine hard in the face. Her head hit the door frame.

Darkness engulfed her.

* * *

Avaran told the driver to wait. He had checked out

from the hotel and his things were packed in the trunk of the
taxi, ready for their long drive to Wyndham Creek. From
there, he would take her to the realm of Athea. He had

called Raine earlier, but no one answered. He guessed
Raine must be indisposed. Somebody told him that
humans didn’t take calls when they were in the bathroom
and such. He wanted to leave a message, but didn’t know
how it really worked. So he just hung up, hoping that Raine
would be ready by the time he picked her up.

Avaran rang the bell. After a minute, Raine still didn’t

answer. Avaran rang it again. He then remembered that he
had Raine’s key. He opened the door.

The first thing that struck him as odd was the

pungent smell of sewers. Raine kept her home immaculate.
She wouldn’t have let the chamber pot overflow with filth.

Something wasn’t right.
“Raine!” he called.
She wasn’t in the kitchen so Avaran headed to the

bedroom directly. He was alarmed when he saw mud
streaked on the floor and wall. The stench of offal assaulted
his nostrils, making his stomach roil.

Revenants…
Tamyan Hallburn’s minions. The haunts of Surian.
Avaran balled his fist.
His uncle used revenants to kidnap and terrorize

those who opposed him. With the revenants under his
command, Hallburn extended his claws to the farthest
corner of the country, making him the shadow king of
Surian. And now he had Raine.

Suddenly, Avaran knew why Tamyan Hallburn

wanted him to take a bride.

* * *

Her head hurt like a bitch when Raine opened her

eyes. When her vision came into focus, she found herself
sprawled inside a dirty cell. The floor was covered with
straw. A blackened wooden bucket was stowed in the
corner; it reeked with the stench of offal. God, what the hell
was that? Raine struggled to maintain the involuntary
stomach heave that threatened to erupt. For a clean freak
like her, the condition of the cell freaked her out more than
being kidnapped by a tentacle monster.

Tentacle monster!
Raine hurriedly scrambled up.

Where am I? How did

I get here?

She wanted to peek at what lay beyond the cell

but she didn’t want to touch the dirty bars.

God knows who

else who has touched those.

She wrapped herself with her arms, feeling cold.

“Hello? Is anyone there? Anybody?”

Her calls echoed through the tall brick ceilings

unanswered. Beyond her cell was nothing but a brick wall,
caked with thick grime, deeply red stained, and all things
disgusting. The corridor was lit by a torch. Not a sconce or
an artificial lamp, but a real fuel torch. She could smell
kerosene burning among the unpleasant miasma of the
place.

Where the hell am I?

Raine looked around.

Am I in

a dungeon?

It looked like it. That monster had brought her into a

dungeon? But why?

Something sharp poked in her cleavage. Raine

quickly plucked it from under her blouse. Her cross. The
silver cross. It must have gotten there when she was head-
slammed by that monster.

That monster was afraid of crosses. No, silver.
Avaran was allergic to silver.
Her blood ran cold at the thought.
God. Was Avaran even human?
Raine shivered. The man who shared her bed

intimately and even made lovey-dovey like a schoolgirl
wasn’t even human.

Thinking about it, there were many odd things about

him.

The way he talked. Not just his James Bond accent,

but the guy talked like people in Charles Dickens’ books.
His obliviousness about modern appliances. The things he
said about him being a warrior, not a cook. Healer instead
of a nurse. His scent that drove her wild.

And he came to Springfield looking for a bride.
Her face heated instantaneously.
Her. Avaran’s bride. His mate, he had called her.
Jesus. How could she be so blind?
Raine clutched her cheeks. Her heart drummed

wildly. She exhaled a long breath, waiting to see if she was
going to be repulsed by the revelation. It didn’t turn her off.
The fact that Avaran wasn’t human didn’t turn her off. How
weird. Maybe because Avaran was the first man who had
treated her as if she was his goddess.

If Avaran wasn’t human, what was he?
Was he some kind of tentacle monster too?

No. Raine shook her head. That nasty thing that

kidnapped her was evil. Malicious. She could just feel it.
Avaran was different. She felt safe when she was with
Avaran. Cherished. Loved.

Then why was she here now? Was it because of

Avaran?

Avaran’s enemy. Enemies?
They didn’t want him to be with her.
That was the most sensible scenario she could

come up with.

Maybe Avaran already had a wife or a jealous

girlfriend?

Suddenly, her chest filled with anger.
That must be it, otherwise why would somebody

kidnap a nobody like her?

Her train of thought was cut short by the sound of

footsteps clanking against the brick floor. Raine
straightened. She clutched the cross in her palm, hiding it
out of sight. She might need it. Whatever these people
were, they were allergic to silver.

A fierce-looking man strode in front of her cell; a

throng of grunts on his trail. All of them wore sneering
scowls on their faces and were dressed in medieval
clothes. The leader, who looked neither old nor young and
was wearing some kind of shiny armor, gave her a stern
once over. He had white-blonde hair down his back,
braided like a Viking, icy blue eyes, and a cold face. His
body was slender as a knife. And two swords on his hips
screamed bad ass. Raine instinctively took a step back.

“Is this

her?

” Blondie asked the bald man next to

him.

Baldie bowed his head. Apparently, Blondie was a

big fish in this place.

“Yes, Highness. She is Prince Avaran’s

erzha.

”

Raine’s eyes rounded.

Wait a minute, Avaran was a

prince? Sheiiiitttt…

Blondie narrowed his eyes. “Is she not a tad old for

the prince?”

Raine frowned. “Well, you’re a tad blond, asshole.”
Blondie laughed. “A fiery wench, I see. Chain her

and bring her to the common room.”

What?

* * *

Avaran crossed into the realm of Athea with fury. As

soon as his feet touched Surian soil, he looked for a nearby
stream and bent water into the palace. He stormed into the
front gate. The guards recognized him and bowed their
head.

“Your Highness,” said one guard. “You are just in

time. Councilor Rohim…“

“Where is he?”
“In the throne room, Your Highness. And General

Hallburn…“

“I know.” Avaran hastened. The palace looked

empty. He didn’t see the usual guards stationed on their
post. Some of them were Hallburn’s spies, but many of
them were loyal to him. Avaran wondered what had

become of his people. Had things changed so much since
his departure? Had Hallburn eliminated those who were
unwilling to switch sides? Avaran barged into the throne
room unchallenged. Hallburn’s own men opened the
majestic doors.

He saw the Elders and Councilor Rohim present.

Their expressions were hard as stone. His uncle, Tamyan
Hallburn, lounged on the throne as if he owned the right to
rule Surian.

“Nephew,” Hallburn greeted him with a flourish. “It

warms my heart to see you have returned. How was your
journey?”

“Save it, Uncle. I know you have Raine. Where is

she?”

Hallburn smirked. “Then we shall cut this needless

pleasantry and discuss what matters the most, shall we?”

“I swear if you lay a finger on her…“
“She is sound, worry not, Nephew. I ordered my men

to be gentle with her. I know human females are quite
delicate.”

“I want to see her,” Avaran demanded.
“Of course, in due time.” Hallburn rose and stepped

down from the dais. He signaled one of his men to fetch
him something. The man scurried and returned with writing
instruments. He unrolled a parchment on a table and
dipped the quill in the inkwell.

“You know what I want, Nephew. The throne of

Surian. And in exchange, you will have your bride…
unharmed.”

“You are jesting!” Councilor Rohim burst out in fury.

“Your Highness.” He turned to Avaran. “You cannot consider
this travesty. You’ve fulfilled all of your father’s decrees. The
throne of Surian is rightfully yours. Your father’s legacy. To
surrender to General Hallburn’s demand is an insult to your
father’s memory.” Councilor Rohim threw a poisonous look
at Hallburn. The rest of the Elders voiced their support in
unison.

Avaran was torn. Weeks ago when he crossed

realms, he would never have considered giving into
Hallburn’s demand. But after he met Raine, he couldn’t
bear the thought of losing her. He would go mad, he was
certain. Raine was his world. What was the point of ruling
the throne if it meant he would lose the woman he loved the
most? His life would be empty…

But on the other hand…
The people of Surian would suffer. They had lived in

terror ever since his father had fallen ill and Hallburn
became the shadow king. What would become of his
people if he let Hallburn rule Surian?

The needs of the many outweighed the needs of the

one.

It was his duty to protect the weak.
It was his duty to defend the people of Surian.
But Raine…
If she was hurt. If he lost her…
Avaran shook the thought away from his head. He

straightened his posture. “I need to see my mate before I
make any decision. I need to see her safe and sound.”

“I am hurt. You doubt my honor for not…“
“You have no honor!” Avaran barked. “A real warrior

would not use a woman as an instrument of his
machinations. Using Raine as a shield just shows how low
you have sunk. Do not lecture me about honor when you
lack any.”

Tamyan Hallburn roared with laughter. “Pity. All of

those times you spent on studying the art of war. Not all
battles are fought with swords and blood, Nephew. I am
simply utilizing the oldest military technique: know thy
enemy’s weakness. You of all people should know that. But
today I am feeling generous.” He motioned his men. “Bring
in the prince’s bride.”

Two guards in Hallburn livery scurried to the door

and returned with Raine in tow. Rage boiled in his chest
when Avaran saw Raine was chained and being herded
like a common slave. She looked dirty, confused, and
scared.

Goddess,

he lamented in silence,

what had they

done to her?

His uncle had the infamous reputation of

torturing his prisoners. Showing mercy was something his
uncle was incapable of. No one was ever spared. Not even
women and children.

“Release her from the chains.” Avaran’s voice

choked with anger.

Hallburn nodded at his men. The guard hurriedly

removed the manacles from her wrists and ankles. Raine
rubbed her arms.

“Avaran?” she called. “Who are these people?

What’s going on?”

“It will be all right, beloved,” Avaran answered.
“Your Highness…“ Councilor Rohim began.
“Silence!” Avaran barked. “I cannot lose her. And I

cannot betray the good people of Surian.”

Hallburn snorted. “You cannot have both, Nephew.”
“I can have both or nothing at all.”
“I am listening.”
“I challenge you in

aghanqai.

Fight to the death. The

winner takes all.”

Hallburn smirked.
“If I lose, you will have the throne of Surian, but you

have to return Raine to the human world.”

“Why would I fight you when I practically have you by

the leash?”

“It is an opportunity to redeem your honor. If I lose, I

will be out of your hair forever and Surian is yours for the
taking.”

Hallburn pondered. “All right. I accept your challenge,

Prince Avaran. We shall commence the

aghanqai

at

sundown.”

Avaran bowed his head. “Very well. I would like to

have a moment with my mate.”

“I do not think that is wise. You will see her if you win.

But fear not, I will treat her well.”

Avaran watched in frustration as the guards herded

the cursing Raine through the big door. “Sundown it is.”

* * *

Raine was herded into a room before she had a

chance to talk to Avaran. Her brain was overloading with
what had happened in the last few hours. Actually she didn’t
know how long she had been here. It could be a few hours.
It could be a couple of days. She was parched and hungry
as hell. Dirty. Itchy. Yucky. She even smelled like the hobo
who tried to mug her. She wanted to kick and punch the
mean-looking men who had kidnapped her, but she was
too chicken to do that. She wanted to keep her head fixed
neatly on her neck, thank you very much. These people
weren’t human. God only knew what they would do to her.
The only familiar face in this twisted place was Avaran. And
she couldn’t talk to him.

The guard brought her into a spacious room. Did

this mean they weren’t going to throw her back in that dingy
cell anymore? Raine allowed herself a small measure of
relief. God, she hated the cell. The stench alone made her
want to puke.

The guard closed the door, leaving her alone in the

big room. But not for long. A minute later, several women
dressed in all white came in. Their gowns looked like a
priest’s cassock and they were bare-footed. All of them had
braided their hair at the back and their youthful faces
suggested they were in their late teens.

“My lady, we are the acolytes from the Sun and the

Moon Temple. It is an honor for us to attend your every
need,” the leader of the nun-girls said.

“What do you mean my every need?” Raine asked

suspiciously.

“My lady seems in dire need of a bath and

sustenance.”

Well, yeah. She was hungry and dirty. “Thank you. I

am crazy hungry.”

“The food will be ready once you have finished your

bath.”

The acolytes prepared a hot bath and gave her food

when she was clean. She was given clean clothes. A
simple white long gown, a pair of underwear, socks, and a
white cape for when she went outside. The girl nuns weren’t
chatty. Raine tried asking them about Avaran, but they all
clammed their mouths shut.

Raine ate her food in silence. When she finished,

the acolytes cleaned up the dishes and withdrew from the
room.

A minute later, Blondie came in.
Raine jumped from her seat. “What do you want?”

God, she itched to smack the smirk off his face.

“I trust you are comfortable and rested?”
“Sure, yeah. Thank you.”
“I am Tamyan Hallburn. Prince Avaran is my

nephew.”

“So Avaran really is a prince?”
“He did not tell you?” Blondie laughed. “Of course

not.”

Raine scowled. “What are you people? Are you the

one who sent that monster to kidnap me?”

“The revenant?”
“Revenant?”
“Useful creatures they are. But they are not capable

of handling a lady delicately. For that, I must apologize.”

Raine narrowed her eyes. Usually, she was a very

forgiving person. For some reason she still held a grudge
against this man. Being kidnapped by that tentacle monster
was downright traumatic. She couldn’t just lightly let that one
go.

“As to why I am here, I would like to let you know that

my nephew has challenged me in aghanqai.”

“Aghan-what?”
“Aghanqai—a duel. A fight to the death.”
“Why?”
“He is unable to choose between you or the throne

of Surian.”

“I don’t understand.”
“My half-brother—Avaran’s father—was the king of

Surian. Since I was born from a consort, I was denied my
right as the successor to the throne. My half-brother ruled
instead of me. The throne should be mine. After all, I was
my father’s oldest son. Before my brother passed away, he
made a decree that Avaran was to claim a bride before he
could take the throne. So he went into the human world to
claim one. You.”

“Me?” Raine blinked. The truth ambushed her,

stabbing her heart raw. “He came to me because he
needed a wife?” Raine didn’t want to believe what she just
heard. Avaran wanted her out of necessity. Not because he
loved her. Raine felt like a fool. She should have known. If
something was too good to be true, it probably was.

Then what happened after Avaran claimed the

throne? He’d leave her…just like Andy did.

“What am I doing here?” she croaked. Tears

threatened at the edge of voice.

“It turns out my nephew is fond of you. I offered him

to choose between you or the right to rule Surian. He could
not choose, so he proposed Aghanqai. If he wins, he will
rule Surian and you will become queen.” Blondie paused.
Eyes glared maliciously. “If he loses, he dies.”

“What? I don’t want him to die. Cancel the duel.”
“I am afraid it is a done deal. I wanted to let you

know that at sundown, it will be the last time you see him.”

His words made her blood run cold. Raine struggled

to make sense of everything she had just heard as the
blond bastard left her alone in the beautiful room.

* * *

Avaran entered the palace courtyard with the

Shadow Swords in his hand. Two priests from the Sun and
the Moon Temple had prepared the arena for the sacred

aghanqai.

They purified the air by burning

ramtan

incense

and blessed the ground by sprinkling it with holy oil. Right at
the center of the courtyard, a circular line was drawn in ox
blood. The contender who was pushed out of the circle
would lose. Of course, in this duel it didn’t matter much.
This was a fight to the death.

There would be only one survivor and the winner

took all.

Like himself, his uncle had donned a simple white

jerkin and white trousers. Feet were bare. They weren’t
allowed to wear jewelry or amulets or such. Magic was

forbidden.

Aghanqai

was a battle of strength and sword

skill. The best fighter would win.

Problem was, Avaran wasn’t sure if he would win.

His uncle hadn't become a general commanding the army
of Surian by lounging around all day. Hallburn had honed
his skill in rigorous training and in many battles. His sword
had beheaded many of his enemies. He was merciless.
His nickname was the Butcher of Tolada. Avaran was only
five years old when his uncle marched home with victory in
the war with the neighboring kingdom. The Tolada war had
killed more than ten thousand warriors. Hallburn didn’t take
any prisoners. All of his enemies were executed on sight.
There were so many bodies, they said the blood on the
massacre ground reached knee level. Carrions feasted on
the corpses for months.

Avaran took a deep breath and calmed his mind.
He didn’t have many options. He couldn’t forsake his

country and he couldn’t live without Raine. As he stepped
into the circle, he caught sight of his beloved. She was
seated in a wooden chair, surrounded by the acolytes of the
Sun and the Moon Temple . She had been bathed and
donned in a clean gown. She looked beautiful. His heart
ached for her. So far, his uncle had kept his words. And he
would also keep his word to return her to the human world if
Avaran lost…

Avaran dismissed the disheartening thought away.
No. He had to win.
For Raine. For the people of Surian. Hallburn’s dark

reign must end.

The whole court watched his every move. Avaran

unsheathed the Shadow Swords from a white linen that
wrapped the blades. No one was talking. Every face he
saw was tense. He glanced at Raine. She silently mouthed
his name. Avaran looked away. He couldn’t afford to be
distracted at a moment like this.

“Are you ready, Nephew?” Hallburn called.
Avaran didn’t indulge in his mockery. He swung the

pair of Shadow Swords to his sides, striking a defensive
position. He studied his opponent; the way Hallburn held his
swords. The way he was breathing. His facial expression.
Nothing escaped Avaran’s observation. His uncle was of
the predisposition that he would win this duel. He also got
easily angry. Hallburn was infamous for his wrath on the
battlefield. Avaran’s tutor once said that anger bred
carelessness and stupidity. Avaran planned to use the
tactic to defeat his uncle.

Hallburn shouted and struck the first move. But

Avaran was beyond ready. He blocked the attack. Their
swords clashed. Metal against metal. Sparks of fire
erupted. Hallburn pushed him and launched a series of
lightning-fast thrusts.

But Avaran had calculated the pattern of attack that

was the signature of his uncle. With the pair of blades in his
hands, he met Hallburn’s sword and struck a counter jab to
his uncle’s side. Hallburn blocked the stab midway. Avaran
was too busy focusing on the stealth tactic, he hadn’t
anticipated that it was a trick movement. His upper right
side was open for attack and Hallburn hit the side of his

head with his elbow.

Pain exploded in Avaran’s temple, making him

stagger for a few seconds.

A smug smile blossomed in Hallburn’s face.

Calm. Don’t lose yourself in fury. Persevere…

Avaran stood his ground and twirled his twin swords

into an intricate pattern and lurched to attack his uncle.
Blades moved fast; one to strike, the other to defend.
Hallburn parried with a breeze. He didn’t even break a
sweat. His uncle had a fast hand, but Avaran was young
and agile, he matched blow by blow. The twin swords
danced, each was the extension of Avaran’s arms.

Two steps before the blood circle, Hallburn swung

left and gave a hard kick to Avaran’s face. He blocked it in
time. The foot connected with Avaran’s wrist, sending a
tremendous shock into Avaran’s nerves. He almost
dropped his right sword. Avaran retreated while lashing a
left jab to his uncle’s face.

Hallburn avoided it in time and defended with his

sword.

Avaran attacked again with the double sword

pattern. Left and right. Attack and defend. Hallburn danced
with him and pushed back. Avaran struck tightly, covering
all his bases and not leaving any opening. Hallburn gritted
his teeth in irritation, frenzied with the attack.

Good. Make him angry. Make him lose control…

Avaran shouted and launched a rapid attack.

* * *

Raine gripped the edge of her chair; she couldn’t

Raine gripped the edge of her chair; she couldn’t

breathe. The duel was crazy. Those two men were mad.
She had seen men dueling with swords in movies but never
in real life. Each time the swords swung, she thought she’d
faint. She wasn’t squeamish about blood—she was a nurse
for God’s sake. She just never witnessed people trying to
hack each other to pieces.

Silently, she prayed for Avaran. His face was

strangely calm with a hard set determination. Raine couldn’t
guess who would win. They were both fast and fierce. Both
were deft with their weapons. Their fight was almost too
beautiful to watch. But they were deadly. She halted her
scream when Blondie grazed Avaran’s left shoulder with his
sword. Blood stained the white shirt. Seconds later, Avaran
gored Blondie’s stomach. But Avaran’s uncle kept moving
as if he didn’t feel anything.

God, please let Avaran win.

Raine reached her silver cross and squeezed tightly.

She had never been on the edge like this. Her heart wanted
to crawl out of her throat each time she saw Blondie’s
blade come close to Avaran’s body.

The two men fought in fury. Anger turned into hatred.

It was getting too difficult to watch. Raine’s stomach gave
out unpleasant roils. She felt like throwing up any second.
Blondie kicked Avaran in the belly, causing him to fall down
to his knee. He stabbed. Avaran rolled out just in time and
swiped his leg, tripping his uncle. It happened too fast.
Avaran knocked Blondie’s sword from his hand and the
twin blades were poised on Blondie’s throat.

Raine couldn’t believe it. Avaran had won.
“Surrender,” Avaran said in a cold tone.
Blondie’s face was livid. “What are you waiting for?

Finish me.”

Avaran hesitated. “I cannot kill you. We are blood.”
“Coward. I was not wrong about you. You do not

have what it takes to be a warrior.”

“Unlike you, Uncle, I show mercy.” Avaran withdrew

his twin blades and started to walk away. The duel was
finished.

Blondie snatched something from his boot and

pounced onto Avaran

“No!”
Raine jumped from her seat. Blondie stabbed

Avaran from behind. Avaran wheeled over and seized
Blondie’s throat, choking him. The two men were in a
deadlock. Raine couldn’t believe how Avaran’s uncle had
cheated. That was totally unfair. The cross in her hand
pierced her skin. Raine looked at it and had an idea.
“Avaran!” She threw the cross to him. Avaran dropped his
sword and seemed to catch it without thinking. The silver
burned his hand. Raine meant to give it to him so Avaran
could use it against his uncle. Avaran shoved the cross into
Blondie’s mouth. Avaran’s uncle choked. The silver burned
his throat.

Blondie staggered. He released his grip on the

knife. Foam and smoke bubbled from his mouth. He
heaved several times before collapsing onto the ground.
The spectators were silent. They kept their silence even

when the priests who followed the duel declared that
Avaran had won.

Avaran, still stony-faced, pulled the knife from his

back as if he didn’t feel anything. Raine started to go to
him, but the acolytes halted her.

“Let me go!” Raine thrashed.
The girl-nuns were surprisingly strong considering

the way they looked. They dragged her back into the
beautiful room no matter how hard Raine screamed and
fought.

Chapter Seven

It felt like forever, but in the end they allowed her to

see Avaran. He walked in gracefully as if the injury he had
sustained during the duel didn’t bother him at all. He had
changed into clean clothes, but looked exhausted. His hair
was combed and tied at the back. Beneath his simple shirt,
Raine could see the bandages bulging on his back and
arms.

“Are you okay?” she asked. Seconds later, she

regretted her question. Of course he wasn’t okay. He had
just finished playing hack-people-to-pieces.

Seeing Avaran look so miserable, the last wall of her

defense came crumbling down and shattered to pieces.
After all, this man was willing to gamble his life for her. She
understood how hard it must be for him to choose. His duty
to his people or his love for her.

“Raine…” he began.
“Save it. I believe you.” She wrapped her arms

around him and kissed him. The moment their lips touched,
a wave of exquisite shuddering raked throughout her body.
She didn’t realize how she had missed him until she had
him in her arms. It hurt her to see him like this. To see his
tortured eyes. The agony painted in his face. No. She
couldn’t see him like this. Her instinct took over. She
wanted to soothe him, relieving him from his pain and
burden.

burden.

Avaran whispered her name so tenderly, it melted

her into a puddle of goo. He drew her closer and wrapped
his arms around her back. The fire in his eyes burned with
lust. “I love you.”

The words sounded so beautiful in her ears. A man

who loved her for who she was. Raine deepened her kiss.
Avaran returned the kiss with the same heat, so full of
passion like he always did. Greedy and demanding. Raine
loved the way he kissed her and couldn’t get enough of it.
Her inhibitions loosened. Avaran slid his tongue into her
mouth and claimed her ferociously. Raine felt as if she
wanted to faint from lack of oxygen. When she broke the
kiss to take a breath, she felt dizzy. She was burning from
the inside out. Every fiber of her being screamed for him.
She needed him. Badly. Her nipples hardened. Her pussy
throbbed with unfulfilled longing.

“Take me, baby. I missed you.” Raine was surprised

to hear her own voice. So needy. So wanton. But she was
beyond caring. All she could think of was him. To be with
him. Now and forever.

Avaran let out a primal growl. He didn’t seem to

need any encouragement. He swept her off the floor and
carried her onto the bed. The moment her back touched the
mattress, he went on top of her and continued kissing her.

“I missed you too. You do not know how much it hurt

me to think I would not be able to see you again.” He began
disrobing her.

“But you won and we’re together. Isn’t that all that

matters?”

matters?”

He let out a relieved laugh and laved the side of her

cheek. Raine moaned. She shuddered in pleasure. Her
heart hammed hard. No part of her body was immune from
his kiss or his touch.

Avaran yanked off her skirt and underthings. There

was unmistakable desire in his eyes. He hissed through
clenched teeth as he skimmed the curves of her body with
his wounded hands. Rough soldier hands. Honed by hours
of sword training and hard labor. He kissed the hollow of
her throat, her cleavage, her belly, and her mound. Raine
squirmed under him. She loved the way he kissed her.
Touched her. A keening mewl escaped her when he
palmed her breasts and pinched her nipples. Sparks of
pleasure burst out when he rolled the hardened bud
between his thumb and forefinger.

Her body tensed when he took one nipple and

sucked it hard. Pure pleasure shot deep through her. He
deepened his suck, tongue playing with her erect nipples,
leaving her trembling all over. His teeth scraped her tender
flesh. She didn’t mind that he bruised her. She wanted him
to leave his mark on her skin. The brand of his conquest
over her.

“Bite me.” The words lurched out before she could

think it over. “Mark me.”

Avaran nibbled gently at first.
“Oh, baby, harder.”
With a growl, Avaran sucked the ample flesh of her

breast until the sensitive skin became tender.

“Oh, baby, I love it.” Raine clawed her fingers on his

“Oh, baby, I love it.” Raine clawed her fingers on his

head.

It seemed her encouragements only served as fuel

to the flame. Avaran pinned her under his weight and began
to nibble and suck every part of her body he could get his
mouth on to. Raine gasped. Writhed. “Yes, yes, oh,
Avaran…”

He parted her thighs wide and stroked her pussy.

Her cunt clenched. More liquid sex seeped from her.
Avaran put his mouth on her very core, tongue sliding inside
her.

“Avaran!” Raine thrashed.
He latched on her clit and sucked her ferociously. He

wrapped his arms around her waist, no matter how hard
she thrashed she couldn’t get away from his wicked mouth
and even wickeder tongue. He released her throbbing clit
and licked her folds. Raine shivered, feeling overwhelmed
by the state of her arousal. He slipped a finger into her
opening. Then another one. Raine stiffened from the
intrusion. The tight walls of her pussy clenched his digits
like a vise. He mashed his palm against her vulva and
stroked her in and out like the way he had fucked her with
his cock. The sensation was so intoxicating, leaving her a
quivering mess. Her back arched. She became so wet that
her sex made lewd sounds. Pleasure gathered fast.
Especially when Avaran rubbed her special spot. Raine
fidgeted. The impeding pleasure turned into frustration.

Oh, God. A little more and I’ll be gone.

Raine

clenched the sheet. She knew her climax was coming but

when it hit her, she wasn’t prepared for the intensity of it.
Red hot fireworks exploded before her eyes and a
kaleidoscope of ecstasy swept her in its tide.

Raine screamed his name at the height of her

rapture. Her sex was on fire and her mind was catapulted
into oblivion. Her spine stretched and kinked from the
pleasure. Her body shook as her cunt fluttered around his
fingers.

Avaran stopped. He watched her reaction. A

satisfied smile plastered across his face. Slowly, lazily, he
licked his juice-drenched fingers like a cat savoring its
cream. He shed his clothes. Boots. His jerkin and trousers.
He didn’t have on any underwear. His cock bobbed
obscenely the moment he freed it from its containment.

Her heart raced wildly when she saw his cock. The

virile flesh that had given her so many pleasures. She felt
heady just by looking at him. Her pussy clenched in
agreement as she imagined having that hard shaft inside
her. God. She swallowed hard. A wicked thrill coursed
down her spine. She loved the way he had fucked her,
having him so deep inside her. So intimate as if their souls
melded into one. She just had one explosive orgasm, but
the wanton part of her was already begging for more.

Raine reached for his cock and stroked him. Avaran

kissed her mouth. She could taste her own femininity on
him. She liked it a lot. A fervent greed overcame her. She
couldn’t think of anything else but becoming one with him.
Nothing else in the world mattered. “Fuck me,” she begged.

“Like this?” Avaran finger-fucked her just to tease

her.

“Aww.” Raine sighed. “That feels so good, baby. But

I need your cock. Fuck me with your cock, baby.”

“Raine.” Avaran hissed. “Who am I to deny such a

request from a beautiful woman?”

He grabbed his cock and pumped it several times.

Raine noticed pearly, opalescent drops leaking from his
slit. Suddenly, she felt ravenous. She wanted to taste him.
Suck that addictive, creamy goodness.

“What do you think you are doing?” Avaran pushed

her on her back. He straddled her.

Raine licked her lips. That gesture elicited a growl

from him.

“You are so beautiful, beloved.”
Her heart stuttered from his praise.
Avaran pushed her thighs apart, splaying her open.

He pressed his groin to hers. His cock rested on her sex. It
was intimidating yet Raine wanted it so bad. She had never
been ready to fuck like this in her life. He didn’t penetrate
her right away. He lubricated his shaft with her abundant
juices. He eased himself back and forth, oiling his whole
magnificent length with her sexual elixir. Waves of heat
rolled throughout her body as his shaft became slick and
slippery.

“Baby, don’t tease me. Take me. Fuck me.”
He chortled and pressed his cockhead into her

entrance. He slipped in. But only an inch.

“Yes, “ she urged.
Avaran thrust another inch.

“All of it, baby, please…”
He groaned and plowed into her up to his hilt. Raine

shouted and threw her head back, baring her throat. Avaran
kissed and nuzzled her neck. Raine found his lips and
kissed him hard. Avaran stilled, didn’t try to move. His cock
throbbed in her depths. So insanely huge, making her feel
stretched to the limit. The sensation was unbelievable. She
loved the way he claimed her. Her man. Hers and hers
alone. Raine buried her face in his throat. Avaran pulled
and thrust. The sensation of pure pleasure engulfed all of
her senses. Her chest tightened. Suddenly, she felt out of
breath.

“Raine, you feel so good,” he murmured. “So tight.”
Avaran slid an arm under her and planted a hand on

the small of her back. He pushed deeply until his balls
pressed against her perineum. He let out a primal growl,
praising her. Raine instinctively tightened the muscles of
her cunt. Even though he had fucked her so many times,
somehow she wasn’t used to his size. Slowly, Avaran
moved. Tugged and pushed. The friction caused by the way
his veined shaft rubbed against the inner walls of her
passage rendered her mindless. She could feel the texture
of his cock. She could feel the way it pulsed in cadence to
the rhythm of her beating heart. They became one. Body
and soul.

He pulled out almost all the way to his cockhead

before thrusting back until the delicious, pure sensation
shimmered from inside her. She loved the way he relived
the initial penetration, showing her just how deep she took

him, becoming one with him.

He watched her reaction as he continued his slow

pull and deep thrust. A smile broke over his handsome
face. Eyes blazed with fire. “Good?” he croaked.
Perspiration beaded his temples and forehead.

Raine nodded.
“Faster?”
“Please.”
He picked up his pace. “Like this?”
Raine only moaned.
Avaran quickened. “How about now?”
She was shaking from head to toe, burning with

desire, enslaved by her own lust. “Yes, baby, yes.” It felt so
good having him inside of her while they embraced and
looked into each other’s eyes. She wrapped her legs
around his waist, wanting to take him deeper beyond any
rational thought.

It seemed Avaran felt the same. He fucked her

harder and harder, slamming her pussy with sharp,
relentless thrusts. The pleasure was so intense, Raine
temporarily forgot how to breathe. Avaran growled and
fucked her rougher. Raine panted. Her breathless cry
turned into a keening mewl.

Avaran ambushed her with a hard, starving kiss. He

plunged his tongue into the cavern of her mouth, ravaging
her as his cock plundered her cunt. He seized a handful of
her hair as he fucked the life of her. Each thrust and yank
was rough, the pleasure comingled with the pain, feeling so
mind-bendingly exquisite. He fucked her as if it would kill

him if he didn’t show her he was the master of her body.
Each thrust and grind invoked a jolt of pure ecstasy within
her. The pleasure dragged her higher toward rapture,
making her heart pound and heat rush to her head. She
tore her mouth away from his kiss. She gasped, filling her
lungs with much-needed air. Raine cried out. Avaran let out
a growl that was too primal to be human while flooding her
with one fuck after another until she couldn’t take it
anymore. She cried harder, the ecstasy too intense, a
burgeoning pressure of release building inside her. Her
thighs clenched and her sex muscles contracted. She
surrendered.

Raine came so hard she thought she was going to

die.

Avaran’s face blurred in front of her, replaced by

rainbow sparks as the paralyzing ecstasy consumed her
fully. She didn’t know how long she was trapped in the
rapturous torrent of pleasure. When she finally collected her
mind, she found Avaran jerking, shuddering as he empty
his seed inside her. His face was a mask of ecstasy.

They panted together. Minutes went by before he

finally rolled off her and collapsed next to her shivering
body. He drew her in his arms and held her tight.

“So.” Raine cleared her throat. “The acolytes told me

you’re a nymph, huh?”

Avaran twirled her hair. “I am afraid so.”
“And you’re a prince.”
“I guess I am.”
“Wish you’d told me that when we first met.”

“Would you have believed me then?”
Raine giggled “Maybe not.”
“I thought so.”
“We need to talk.”
“All right. Does it have to be now?”
“I can’t leave my mom.”
“Then she could live with us.” Avaran kissed her

neck.

“Don’t try to distract me with a kiss.”
“Can I distract you with sex?”
“Fiend. You’re a sex fiend.”
“I guess I am.” Avaran kissed the tip of her nose. “I

guess we have a lot to discuss and things to arrange. But
right now I’d like to savor our time together.”

Raine smiled. “Love you too big guy.”

The End

About the Author

Lizzie Lynn Lee was a guitarist, receptionist,

executive assistant, tarot reader, boutique owner and
graphic artist before she discovered writing is her dream
job. The advantage is she can do it in her pajamas and
socks. She’s an incurable chatterbox, heavy metal
aficionado, book worm, digital enthusiast and a night owl
since most of her stories were done in the wee hours of the
morning because of her caffeine-induced insomnia. These
days she still plays her guitar whenever she gets bored,
staring at her computer’s screen or plotting the most
elaborate scheme of world domination. Fortunately, she
has a chronically short attention span.

She loves to hear back from her readers, so drop

her a line at:

mailto:[e-mail]
http://ilizzie.com