Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (16 page)

Neman gripped her shoulders, pulling her up. He captured her mouth with his own, hard and demanding.

Nessa gave herself over to his embrace. She didn't know how she was ever going to manage without his touch or kiss when this was all over. “Make love to me,” she whispered, when he let her breathe again.

"Sweetness, in your state, you shouldn't, I shouldn't—I don't wish to tire you out again."

"I'm feeling really good. I need you, please, Neman.” She nibbled along the line of his chin.

He gripped her tightly, pulling her up on top of him. “I cannot deny you, my sweetness. Take it easy now."

Nessa straddled his hips. She shimmied off her silk nightgown, tossing it aside. His hands skimmed upwards, starting from her outer thighs and moving on to her hips over her ribs, his fingers caging her breasts, squeezing her ample flesh in his hands, thumbs flicking over each tightened nipple. Nessa leaned down to hover them above his face, and Neman greedily accepted her offering. When he sucked the right one into his mouth, his tongue swirling over the bud, Nessa closed her eyes with the sensation shooting through her. She slid her hips farther down and his rock-solid cock made its presence known by pressing into her stomach. Unlike human men, Neman had an amazingly quick recovery from climaxes. Raising her hips, she reached down to find his cock and guide it into her aching, wet channel. They moaned in unison as she sank down onto him. The feeling of her inner walls stretching around him was sheer bliss. Neman released her breasts to grip at her hips, helping her slide up and down on his cock.

He always felt so darn good. Everything about Neman was better than good. As much as she wanted this to last, she was eager for her own pleasure. Almost three days without having Neman inside her had turned her back into a horny twit, desperate to have him. She threw back her head, moving her hips up and down faster.

He chuckled. “Eager minx."

His hands slipped down between them, his thumb finding her clit, rubbing in firm, gentle circles making her gasp and moan. He thrust his hips up, taking control. Through her whimpers and moans, she knew he wouldn't last long before his need to take control took over—not that Nessa minded. She'd take him any way she could have him. Her whole body was like a finely wound string which came bursting apart under his talented skill.

"That's it, my love—come for me."

Nessa wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly as her mind and body soared. He kept pummeling up into her body, over and over, keeping her at the edge until he groaned loudly and thrust his hips up, lodging himself deep inside her as he came. Nessa collapsed forward, panting.

"Sweetness, are you all right? We didn't overdo it again?” A look of concern consumed Neman's handsome face. He rolled her over, withdrawing from her depths.

Nessa sighed and looked up at him with a smile. Her love for Neman was almost overwhelming. The words she wanted to tell him of her love hung just on her lips, but she was unable to utter them and instead only smiled. She knew he only cared for her because of his children, and it tore at her inside. She covered the pain by leaning forward and kissing his lips. “Just wonderful,” she said, which was only a half-lie. Physically, she felt good. Mentally, she felt the weight of her uncertainty. Resting her head against his chest, snuggling into his warmth and closing her eyes, she decided she'd try to hold on to this—and on to him—for as long as she could.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Neman paced. Every instinct told him something was not right. It had been way too quiet for too long.

"You're going to wear a hole in the floor,” Nessa said from her seat in the corner of the library. A box of chocolates sat on her lap and she nibbled at one. Neman allowed her out of their room on the condition she not do anything. Slazzamar was puzzling over a mobile phone as Darren tried to teach him to use it.

"I don't like any of this. It's been too quiet. Do you think you can go to the Outer Realm and gather some information, Slazzamar?"

"And be boiled alive if I'm caught by any of Jezebel's or Belshazzar's spies? I'd rather not."

"Don't you have any contacts outside in the Human Realm?” Neman turned to him. He seemed to think for a moment.

"I do, but it would be awkward.” He looked across at Darren.

"I know that look, Slazz,” Darren said without even raising his head. “Do what you have to do if it means helping Nessa. I don't mind."

Mark swiveled in his chair, looking up from his computer screens. “All reports are saying the activity has died down topside. The London team came out pretty unscathed."

Neman was relieved no one got seriously hurt in the skirmish.

"I hate to be a pessimist, but isn't there always a calm before the storm?” Nessa asked.

Vanessa was right, and it worried Neman. Something was coming. He watched her set the box of chocolates aside and push off the blanket to stand. The color was high in her cheeks, her skin held a beautiful glow, and her scent had changed slightly. Her pregnancy made her all the more alluring, driving him crazy with lust which he was having difficulty controlling. She was beautifully giving whenever he couldn't seem to hold back, which was nearly all the time around her. “Where are you going?” Neman demanded as she moved toward the library exit. There was something else going on behind her eyes. Neman sensed she was hiding something.

"Relax, big guy. Just going to the bathroom then I'll stop in at the kitchen to see Mona for a womanly chat. Too much testosterone in here—no offense, Darren."

"None taken, honey."

"Hey, I think I got it,” Slazzamar said, and the phone beeped at him. “Not so hard."

"Great, baby. Next I'll teach you to drive."

Nessa vanished through the door and Neman stared after her. “We can't just sit here and wait for the inevitable. We have to make a pre-emptive strike. It's time to put the Realm leaders in their places if we're ever going to have any semblance of peace."

Slazzamar shifted on the sofa to look up at him. “What are you suggesting?"

"It's time to take this war to them, rather than waiting for it to come to us. Let's review who we're facing."

"Lord Derkin has a hold on a good quarter of the demon quadrant. Belshazzar has been warring with Derkin for the past few thousand years. Then there's Beelzebub, Jezebel and any other Outer Realm creatures they've employed."

"What's that, four armies against one? Not that you could call us an army,” Mark pointed out.

"We're soooo doomed,” groaned Darren.

"Pity you don't have your full powers anymore—they could have come in mighty helpful about now,” said Slazzamar.

"We need to draw the fight to a more neutral ground where spell casting and magic use is inhibited and a sword can swing freely. There's only once place I know of.” Neman and Slazzamar looked at each other. They were both on the same page.

"The Sulfur Canyons."

A scream made everyone jump to their feet. Neman flashed from the library to the open courtyard where Nessa stood, facing a hulking, horned beast who grinned down at her.

"My, what a bonnie, buxom lass ye be, wench. Dinna a wonder even a fertility god canna resist ye,” he told her, in a thick Highland accent. “Tell me when he be done riding ya—I'd like a fair go, too."

Neman clutched his sword and slammed himself right between Lord Derkin and Vanessa, pushing her back. The Outer Realm warlord never flinched.

"What in the blue blazes is that?” gasped Nessa.

Darren, Slazzamar and Mark raced into the courtyard, ready to help defend her.

"Lord Derkin, at your service, lassie.” He gave an overly dramatic bow to Nessa.

Neman noted he took his eyes off him and his sword, indicating he was no threat to them.

"What do you want, Derkin? I've no time for your games."

"I've heard ya having a wee bit o’ trouble with Belshazzar, laddie. My enemy's enemy is my friend."

"How did you get in here?” Neman demanded, never lowering his guard.

Nessa moved to stand by his side. There was more curiosity in her eyes than fear.

"Your security is lacking, laddie. Anywho, ya shanna be looking to wave your toothpick at your new allies, lad."

"Allies? You're a demon and a warlord. Who's to say you're not here to stop the prophecy?"

A grin split his large, goateed face. “Been listening to too many rumors, laddie. If you've been fighting as long as I have, the sound of a wee bit of peace be mighty tempting. I'm long overdue a holiday and a lusty wench to bed.” His gaze flashed to Vanessa, winking at her.

"You have just as much to lose if the rift between Realms is sealed, Derkin. Why would you want something which will seal you in?"

"Aaah, therra ye be wrong, lad. If ya remember, I be a creator, half-god meself. ‘Tis no skin off my nose if the Realms are sealed off or not—'tis Belshazzar I wanta see put in his place. So, lassie, do you have a buxom sister perhaps? I do like my women well rounded,” he persisted with a grin.

Vanessa laughed, setting Neman on edge.

"I'm beginning to suspect everyone from these Outer and Lower Realms are nothing but walking horndogs,” she said.

Derkin gave a chuckle. “Ye be right about that, lassie.” His face turned serious. “But it be time for peace and not only I agree—my army will fight for ya, lass, and ya wee bairn. I bring friends to fight as well."

As if on cue, a tall, pale man with luminescent eyes dressed in a tuxedo and sipping what looked like a martini glass full of blood appeared, followed by a very large blond werewolf. Vanessa gasped.

"Oh brilliant—who let in the stray?” asked the vampire in a very broad British accent with a roll of his luminescent, deep green eyes.

The werewolf snarled at the vampire before shifting into a naked, large-muscled, perfectly tanned man with honey-gold hair and deep blue eyes.

"Shut it, you overgrown leech."

The air sizzled with the hostility between the two.

"At least I'm not a walking fleabag."

"My bite is bigger than your bark, fang boy,” snapped the werewolf.

"Oh, please, I'm at a loss for better insults than that, Scooby."

"Hang on, hold the haggle, I'll get some popcorn,” Nessa said, with a smirk, obviously enjoying the banter between the vampire and werewolf. Nessa tugged on Neman's arm. “What's with the James Bond vampire and overly hairy Rin Tin Tin?” Nessa glanced between the werewolf and the vampire.

The vampire swept forward, taking Nessa's hand in his and bowing over it. “Count Vladimir Draco, at your service, my lady."

Neman's blood was beginning to boil as Nessa giggled at him.

The werewolf sniffed the air. “What an alluring scent.” His eyes turned toward Nessa.

Neman guessed he wasn't the only one to scent her overly charged, hormonal state of pregnancy. Striding forward, unabashed by his nakedness, the werewolf shoved the vampire aside.

"Lucas Valknar, Lycan King. I must say you have a most charming scent."

"Keep your dog on a leash, Derkin,” Neman said in a low, warning tone, pulling Nessa back and away from the trio. “And put some damn clothes on, Valknar."

"Hey, I don't mind,” Nessa piped up. She seemed to be enjoying herself way too much to Neman's frustration. Valknar smiled at Vanessa. “Ever considered being a pin-up boy? You'd make a fortune with that—"

"Vanessa,” snapped Neman, in a jealous rage.

She just raised an eyebrow at him. Derkin chuckled. A set of dark, casual clothes appeared on the werewolf.

"Spoilsport.” She nudged him in the back.

"I'm liking your lassie even more, Neman—she has real spirit."

"So, why are they here?” asked Nessa.

"I believe we have just gained an army, sweetness. You need to understand—if we don't do something, they are going to kill you and the babies. If we've any chance of ever having peace and making this prophecy come to pass, we have to stop those who want you dead."

"Okay, so hiding out in the Bahamas isn't an option?"

Derkin laughed. “Sure you dunna wish to swap your god for a demon, lassie? We're hell on wheels in the sack."

Nessa shook her head. “One god's enough for me, thanks."

Neman was somewhat relieved by her words.

"Stud-r-us on order in the Outer Realm, huh?” Darren quipped to Slazzamar, who strode forward.

"Even with his army, Neman, we are still greatly outnumbered—the odds are stacked in their favor,” Slazzamar pointed out. “If we draw their armies out, it is sheer suicide."

"We cannot hide in here forever,” growled Neman.

"Showing the side of yellow now, Slazzamar? It's good odds ta me, laddie—just more of Belshazzar's blood ta squeeze through my fingers."

"No, this just may work. I have possession of a weapon which will aide us,” said Neman. “Mark, show our guests to the library.” Taking hold of Nessa's arm, he pulled her in the other direction as Mark came forward.

"Gentlemen, if you will follow me, please.” The three of them followed Mark into the hall, the vampire and the werewolf arguing, Darren and Slazzamar taking up the rear.

"I think you should get some rest, love,” he told her.

Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and mirth. “And miss all the fun? I don't think so. They're here for me, so why disappoint them?” She cocked her head, regarding him. “I do believe the great god Neman is jealous."

Neman didn't want to acknowledge or deny the fact, and he didn't want any men near his woman, naked or not. Neman couldn't help the surge of possessive jealousy he felt for Vanessa.

"They are my babies you're carrying, no one else's. You belong to me, Vanessa—I won't let anyone take you from me."

A look of hurt flashed across her face. “I wonder if you'd be saying such things if there were no babies, Neman."

He looked directly into her eyes, while pulling her into his arms. “Yes, sweetness, I would. Fates and prophecy be damned, I've waited a long time for you, Vanessa, and I won't lose you."

The smile returned to her eyes. “You could never lose me, Neman. You're the only hunk-a-licous god I want and need, but you gotta give a girl a break for wanting to have a little fun."