Free MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE: Book 2 of the Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles by [email protected], Gina Henderson

foot of their bed and crossed the room to greet him.
    “The lad did well. Better than I expected.” Gifting her with a lingering kiss, Broderick patted her bottom before slipping into the wardrobe and emerging with his satchel. “A few strong cups of wine did well to stiffen his courage.”
    Davina laughed and her eyes followed his large form as he glided with purpose around the room, packing for his journey. Returning to the settee, she settled in, content to drink in his presence while she had the chance. They would soon be apart.
    As he turned to put the last few belongings in his satchel, a furrow formed on his brow.
    “What troubles you, my love?”
    “James still holds much anger in his heart for Alistair and I cannot blame him.”
    She nodded. “He is young. He may only need time at home in peace before he can settle his heart.”
    “Mayhap you are correct.” Broderick closed his satchel and knelt before Davina. “What concerns me more is what Alistair’s intentions might be. As I’ve mentioned, I couldn’t hear his thoughts on the two occasions I encountered him. They faded in and out and I could only catch a word or two. I wonder if he may have been taught to block them, but is not yet skilled at it. And yet…”
    “And yet?”
    “Even when you and Cailin were learning to do the same, the patterns were not like this. This is something…I know not, Davina. And I like it even less.”
    She framed his face with her hands, pressing a kiss to his full lips. “Don’t let this stop you from going. We need this. Since James became a Grandmaster and you have given him the silver weapons, I do feel better about you making this trip.”
    Broderick frowned. “Aye, I agree, but only by a margin. The sooner I get back, the better I will feel.” His eyes wandered to the window. “I can’t help but suspect there’s more to this. That I’m being lured away.”
    Though Broderick made an agreement of privacy regarding her thoughts, emotions were like scents carried on the wind to him. Inside, Davina agreed with his suspicions, but she did her best to mask those misgivings. “This is a profound opportunity to finally find an effective way to protect us.”
    His gaze met hers and her heart ached at their intensity. “What good will this protection be if he strikes while I’m gone?” His voice was but a whisper.
    She swallowed the lump in her throat. “We cannot run forever, my love.”
    Broderick nodded. He trailed a fingertip down her cheek. “’Tis many years since I have been away from your side.”
    Tears pierced her eyes and she blinked the pain away. “You will be preoccupied with the swiftness of your journey, and I know you’ll make haste to be away no more than necessary.”
    “That I vow.” Broderick sealed his words with a possessive kiss.
    Davina melted into the arms of her husband, marveling at the fire he still stoked in her spirit after almost two decades together. Sliding his hands down her back to cup her bottom, he lifted her from the settee. Her skirts bunched around her waist as she wrapped her legs around him and he carried her to the bed. With eager hands, they stripped each other of their garments and nestled into the warmth of the covers and their arms. Davina sighed at the familiarity of Broderick’s naked skin against her body, at the thrill of his erection against her belly, the hard planes of his chest and rippled stomach under her fingertips. She opened her thighs and grasped his cock to guide him into her, his tip wet and slick against her trembling quim. With slow, methodic pulses, Broderick eased into her and she savored each inch of him as he entered, delighted in the protection she experienced from his weight atop her.
    “These miles will keep you from my dreams,” he whispered against her ear. “And these days will be a black void. I want the taste of you on my soul.”
    Though Broderick meant he intended to make love to her for as long as possible this last night,