Free Red Moon Rising by Elizabeth Kelly Page B

chest.  The only time she didn’t feel
afraid was when she was near him.
    He shifted her against him, and she leaned into his warm
body and stared up at his mouth.  Kissing him had excited her in a way that she
didn’t understand.  She wondered what it would be like to share his bed, to
straddle him and feel his hardness rubbing against her.  She would –
    “Bree?”  James was looking at her curiously, and she blushed
and pulled free of his embrace.
    James was kind to her and he was the most human-like Lycan
she had ever met, but she needed to remember that he was still a beast and not
to be trusted.  He had saved her life, and sooner or later he would demand some
type of payment for it.
    What if he demands you join him in his bed?  What if his idea
of payment is taking your innocence?
    Instead of being horrified at the idea, a tremor of lust
went through her belly.  For his size and strength, he was surprisingly gentle.
 There was a secret part of her that wanted him to take her to his bed.  She
wanted to be under him.  She wanted his hands on her body and his mouth –
    “Bree?”  James took a step towards her and she backed away. 
What she was thinking was madness.  Her brother, at great risk to his own life,
had protected her from the Lycans who had wanted to rape her.  Now she was
betraying him by hoping the Lycan in front of her would take her to his bed.
    “You’re fine little one.”  James murmured soothingly.  He
reached for her, and she stumbled back until she ran into the solid wall that
was Nicholas.
    Nicholas patted her shoulder awkwardly as she staggered away
from him. 
    “I’m sorry.  I didn’t sleep well last night.”  She muttered.
    “Is your side hurting?”  James frowned.
    She shook her head.  “No, it isn’t.  I swear it.”
    She hoped he could see the truth on her face.  She really
was feeling better.  Nothing hurt at all, and just four days of eating three
meals a day had already made a difference in how she looked and felt.
    He studied her carefully for a moment and then nodded as
Evan stared at her curiously.  “How come you don’t know how to ride a horse
Bree?”
    “I just never learned.”  She stared at the sword he was casually
swinging back and forth.
    “Oh.”  He turned to Nicholas.  “Are we going to work on
sword training this morning or just hang out in the barn?”
    Nicholas punched him lightly on the shoulder.  “Be careful
Evan.  Your cheekiness will get you extra push-ups.”
    She gathered her courage.  “Would you train me on how to use
the sword Nicholas?”
    Nicholas blinked in surprise and then looked to his father. 
Tristan gave Bree an appraising look before nodding at Nicholas.
    “Sure, I – “
    “No.”  James interrupted.  “She does not need to learn to
use a sword.”
    Nicholas frowned at him.  “And why not baby brother?  Sophia
and our mother both know how to use one.  As will Leta when she is big enough.”
    “Bree is too little.  She can barely lift a sword, let alone
swing one.”  James scowled at Nicholas.
    “She can build up her strength James.  There is no reason
she can’t at least try.”  Nicholas protested.
    “I said no.”  James snarled.
    “I heard you the first time.”  Nicholas said cheerfully.  “But
if father says I can train her on the sword then I will.”
    “Do not try my patience Nicky.”  James growled.  “Bree does
not need to learn sword fighting.  I will protect her and keep her safe.”
    “Travelling to Vanden with her then, are you?”  Nicholas
raised his eyebrow.
    James flushed.  “No sword training Nicky.”
    Nicholas laughed.  “It’s not your decision to make.”
    “It’s not yours either.”  James replied.
    “Do the two of you realize how incredibly insulting you’re
being to Bree?”  Sophia had joined them in the barn.
    She gave her brothers a look of disgust.  “Bree is a grown
woman.  She does not need either of you making decisions on