Free Avador Book 2, Night Shadows by Shirley Martin Page B

between a man and a woman, that coupling she'd never experienced but could only imagine. And for the Goddess's sake, she chided herself, tell him your real name. Mustn't let him continue to call her Angharad if she would spend the rest of her life with him. When would he ask her to marry him? Tonight, she hoped. She couldn't wait to lie in his arms, to feel his lips on hers. The music and dancers, the fair goers faded in the background, so that nothing and no one existed but Stilo, this man who would claim her for his own.
    As the tempo of the music increased, she swung her hips and thrust her breasts out, flashing him her most seductive smile, her hair flinging in wild disarray. The other dancers blurred in her vision, the rest of the world shut out. Perspiration beaded her forehead and dampened her clothes, whether from passion or the heat of the night, it didn't matter.
    With a crescendo, the music stopped, the dancers flushed and breathing heavily as couples stopped, to catch their breath and talk among themselves. Then they left the dance grounds while the band started packing away their instruments. Overhead, millions of stars glittered in the sky, and a full moon silvered the land. A light breeze cooled her body and lifted her hair from her shoulders, her cotton skirt billowing around her ankles. Her knees shook, every thought on Stilo as he clasped her hand and led her back the way they had come. The fair grounds stood near empty now, most of the crowds gone home.
    He looked her way, an expression of longing in his eyes. "Come with me. I want to have you alone."
    Burning with desire, she leaned into his embrace. "Oh, yes!"
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Haunted by thoughts of Fianna, Gaderian rushed from the cave and mounted his horse as soon as the sun sank in the east. Goddess! He'd be glad when his mansion was renovated and he could move in. Hoping Fianna would have the evening off for the fair, he headed in that direction, toward the meadow that bordered the Nantosuelta River.
    After stabling his horse, he dashed along the cobblestone streets and cursed himself for not asking Fianna to accompany him to the fair, but a journey to the village of Sligo had detained him for several days. Word had reached him that another vampire there was killing innocent mortals for food instead of feeding off criminals, this at a time when the vampires were already suspected throughout the kingdom of Avador. The undead must convince the mortals that they provided protection against the bandrega, then and now. Orrick, the leader of the undead, had remained in Moytura to enjoy the charms of his latest mistress, Goddess damn the bastard! With stern persuasion and threat of punishment, Gaderian had convinced the maverick vampire to halt his murder of the innocents.
    The entire mission had taken too much time, too many days away from Fianna. He'd seen Stilo's gaze following Fianna in the tavern and feared Stilo's attention boded no good. What if Stilo had escorted Fianna to the fair? His insides clenched at the thought.
    Hunger roared inside him. He had gone for days without sustenance, but food must wait. First, he had to find Fianna. Over the years–centuries!–he'd learned to hone his intuitive senses and to trust his instincts. Now he feared the worst.
    Lacking the strength to make himself invisible and to transport himself, he hurried past shuttered stores and businesses, heading for Aventina Way and the meadow beyond. Others passed him along the way, everyone going to the fair. Every few minutes he stopped to rest, furious with himself for going so long without feeding.  His strength was failing him; he couldn't continue much longer.
    Next to a sword shop, he heard the fair in the distance–the chatter of countless fairgoers, the laughter of children, a band playing farther on, close by the river. From where he stood, he saw thousands of men, women, and children. How in the name of the Goddess would he find Fianna among the