Free Blood of the Wolf by Brynn Paulin Page B

Lucan’s natural regeneration. What no one was saying screamed loudly in Lucan’s mind, and that underlined the fear for Meda already assailing him. With the trasporation portal, the Djinn could have taken Meda anywhere. It was a big world to search for one Dragon mate, and they didn’t know all the Djinn dwellings. He prayed Riven would have some clue as to where she might have been taken.
    * * * *
    “Eat.”
    Meda glanced at the opulent table set between her and Tawren. Though somewhat unfamiliar, the food didn’t appear unappetizing, but there wasn’t a prayer she’d eat any of it. Though her stomach growled, she wasn’t giving the Djinn the opportunity to drug or poison her.
    Tawren scowled and his dark eyes took on a faint blue glow. “Fine,” he grated, then took a bite of his food that had been dished from the same bowls as hers. “Do you think I’d eat this if it was harmful to you?”
    She remained silent. He’d killed Lucan and kidnapped her. Who knew what Djinn were immune to that would adversely affect humans? She wouldn’t share her thoughts. He’d only take satisfaction in her barely suppressed agony over Lucan’s demise. Poison aside, food held no allure. All she wanted to do was to crawl under the blankets and cry out the first waves of the grieving. She’d survived before, and she’d make it through again. But this time, she knew about the Dragons, and as soon as she found her way out of here, she’d join them and fight against this common enemy.
    She shifted, adjusting the long skirt enveloping her legs to her ankles. Cold had forced her to relent and change into the dress he’d offered earlier. Besides the warmth it offered, she felt more protected with the thick layers covering her. Somehow, it also seemed to emanate heat and cut into the stinging ice that had filled her. Having the cold dissipate made way for an unsettling sensation in her belly. It seemed to coil around her channel, driving her to an unwelcome arousal.
    Meda swallowed and kept her eyes from Tawren. Heaven help her if he saw the intensity in her gaze. She didn’t understand this. She didn’t want him . But suddenly, she felt like a cat in heat, willing to rub against anything to ease her desire—anything but him. That thought brought acid to her mouth. She might be sick if he touched her.
    Thankfully, the sensation was coming and going like a hormonal hot flash. If she could get through this… In a few minutes, she’d be fine.
    Tawren reached for her hand, and she recoiled. Her sleeves covered her to her fingers and she wondered how much more her skin would have crawled if he’d touched bare flesh. Her stomach heaved and she covered her mouth, covering her reaction with a sob.
    He leapt to his feet, upsetting the table and sending the dishes clattering to the floor. “Am I so hideous?” he exclaimed.
    She shook her head, unwilling to infuriate him and cause reprisal. Tawren was actually stunningly handsome, with dark aristocratic looks. Aside from his mercurial temper and the fact he’d killed her husband, he was charming and solicitous. He’d seen to her needs, even when she’d rebuffed him and refused his offerings.
    He approached her, and she turned away in a panic. His arms went around her, pulling her back flush to his chest. Her stomach roiled as he splayed his hand over her belly to hold her against him. His erection jutted against her buttocks while he pressed his lips to her neck. His dark, earthy scent enveloped her. Though it wasn’t an unpleasant smell, his proximity raked across her body. Her body jerked as she fought to control the sickness exploding through her. She breathed through her teeth, struggling for air and choking on his essence.
    Desperately, she yanked away from him. She stumbled away, putting the settee between them. “You just had my husband killed,” she exclaimed. “Don’t touch me! Don’t ever touch me, you monster!”
    His chin lifted as he regarded her. She saw a flash