Free Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series by Heather Fleener Page B

throat,
Lorcan knew he had been successful in lulling her with his arousing
play. He withdrew his mouth to study her.
    Her eyes were on his, delving into the depths
of the icy rage lurking there. Kaitriana ascertained his game. As
Lorcan made move towards her neck yet again, she flinched from him
and her body began trembling. She hurried, her tone pleading with
him as much as her words, “Please…you must know me Lorcan…you must... the cottage.”
    She was beginning to feel so weak and the
darkness was pushing at her. A whimper rose as he began suckling
and licking at her neck wound again; she was already shaking
against him in anticipation of his next play. In desperation,
Kaitriana redoubled her efforts, “You knew me….I waved
… you knew me then .” Lorcan paused, raising
his head, suspicion growing in his expression.
    Kaitriana was begging him, needing him to acknowledge her. She swallowed hard,
the rise of magic within her was now taxing her as much as the
Vampire hunger and the pull between the two was threatening to drag
her into unconsciousness. If she could not gain his protection
before she succumbed to either the darkness dragging her under or
the magic forcing to the surface, she could very well perish at
these gates. She maintained the same pleading tone, continuing,
“Lorcan…please...I need you…your protection.”
    Lorcan’s eyes were probing hers and she
struggled to keep her gaze locked with his as she shifted as much
as his grip would allow. She could see a bit of hope warring with
the bitterness and disbelief in his eyes now. Twisting ever so
slight to grant her arms freer movement, she slid both sets of
fingers from his chest up to his face.
    The palm of each hand found home on either
side. Fingertips caressing softly, Kaitriana simply whispered,
“ Mine .” She used her last remnant of
strength to lift up and press a light kiss to his brow. The effort
had cost her and she collapsed down against him. If he chose more
torture or her death there was naught she could do; her lids
slipped wearily shut, anticipating her defeat.
     
     

CHAPTER 10
    The single word washed over him and Lorcan
felt a physical pain tearing at his chest. His fingertips swept the
same spot on his brow as her lips had and then he dropped them to
her cheek. He clenched his teeth when she cringed. Cupping her
face, he used the pad of his thumb to slowly trace around the
pretty little features of the female that now lay so still in his
hold.
    Lorcan wrestled internally with the fact that
he had just sadistically abused and contemplated the death of the
one creature that he had been missing for over five hundred years.
None had seen her interactions with him at Laverock the day of her
rescue nor that night at her Uncle’s cottage. He had given an
accounting of her antics to no one.
    Lorcan knew with certainty by her last words
and actions that she spoke the truth. Her breathing began to ease
and he dropped his forehead to hers. His eyes closed as a
previously unacknowledged acrimony began to leave him. Uncertain
who exactly he should be thanking for this treasure, he merely
offered a silent word of praise to whomever might be listening and
nuzzled his face against her dark curls. He did whisper it aloud
this time, reverently, “Kaitriana.” Relief spread visibly across
her features though she remained unmoving in his arms.
    Still reeling, Lorcan pulled her more tightly
against him but gentled his hold. His fingertips nudged her chin
upwards, “Open your eyes, little one.” When she complied, his
steely gaze penetrated the depths of her blue, questioning, “How?”
The breathtaking witch was in fact now the stunning little vampire
female in his arms. Her eyes were true and with his reasoning no
longer clouded by fury, he knew them. He had been living with the
memory of their sparkle for an eternity.
    Kaitriana whispered, “Myrrdyn.”
    Lorcan’s jaw clenched tight with the
realization that the wily old witch had a