Free Twilight of a Queen by Susan Carroll

faster, clenching his hands into fists, as his head reeled. Lights exploded behind his eyelids, a maelstrom of fire and color.
    His body lurched as though he had been hurled through some invisible barrier. A place where his breath stilled, his heart slowed, and his mind broke free of the crude barriers that bound him to earth.
    He soared through the sky in a dizzying rush, past cities, over rivers and woods, seas and mountains until he touched down in the lush tropics of a rain forest. Violent tremors coursed through him as he felt his body changing, his limbs stretching, becoming fluid sinew and powerful muscle, his skin dissolving into a sleek pelt of dark fur
.
    As his four paws connected solidly with the ground, he no longer felt like a thing apart from the earth, but at one with it, a black jungle cat prowling through the thick foliage of the forest
.
    A snake rose up in his path, unfurling her diamond
coils with a menacing hiss. He drove her back with a savage snarl, continuing on his way, in search of his true prey
.
    She awaited him where she always did, near the river where it spilled over a cliffside into the roaring falls. A woman with long blond hair, wet and tangled about her shoulders like a mermaid’s, but her eyes were more that of a sorceress, glowing with a pale blue light
.
    Sunlight poured through the gauzy veil of her gown, her body all ripe curves and lush with promise, as fecund as the earth itself
.
    He crept closer, and although he saw her eyes widen and her breath hitch, she did not flee. Not even when he prowled around her, brushing up against her thighs. She buried her fingers in his hair, caressing him with long slow strokes
.
    Only when he emitted a growl, full-throated with desire, did she back away. Mixed in with the tang of her fear was the delicious scent of her arousal, even as she turned to run
.
    Some part of Xavier was aware this was not the first time he had encountered this creature in his visions. He still had no idea who or what she was; witch, mermaid, or mere woman. He only knew he had to have her
.
    He plunged recklessly after her, not hesitating even when she dove into the falls. Crouching he leapt, soaring into the air…
    Xavier sprawled on the floor of his cabin, bracing himself to strike the water. It came in a cold splash, striking him full force in the face.
    He spluttered, trying to twist away from the rough hand that was shaking his shoulder.
    “Captain, wake up.”
    Xavier forced his eyes open a slit. The rich green foliage of the jungle had disappeared, replaced by the close timber walls of his cabin. Gone was the powerful black cat. He was reduced to a mere mortal again, his limbs heavy and awkward, his head splitting.
    He closed his eyes, trying to tumble back into the world of forest and falls, his veil-clad temptress. But rude insistent hands continued to tug at him.
    “Captain! Damn it, man. Heave to!”
    Xavier opened his eyes and this time managed to focus on the tall dark shadow hovering over him. Pietro thrust his arm beneath Xavier’s shoulders and dragged him to a sitting position. The walls pitched up and down, causing his senses to swim.
    “On your feet, sir.”
    “Give me a minute, blast you,” Xavier muttered. “My head—”
    The words caught in Xavier’s throat as he realized it was not his head causing the cabin to pitch and roll. The
Miribelle
creaked and groaned as her timbers ground against each other, the sounds of his lady in deep distress, caught in the throes of a violent storm.
    Leaning heavily on the support of Pietro’s arm, Xavier struggled to his feet. “Damnation! Why did you not rouse me sooner?”
    “I should like you to tell me how that’s to be done when you’ve been messing about with that devil’s brew.” Pietro glowered at him. The Cimmarone’s eyes burned with reproach, but it was nothing to the coals Xavier would heap upon his own head. But there would be time enough for that later. He hoped …
    Steadying himself