Book 8⌇17. Dangerous and Carefree

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Chapter 17 ∣  Dangerous and Carefree

-Maverick

"I want to go shopping in town," Eris had her arms folded in front of her chest, sitting with one leg crossed over the other in the living room across from the parlor. I eyed my grandfather, who happened to be sitting in a chair to the side of the couch she sat on. Eris' translucent pale green eyes shot my direction, "I want to go out. I'm tired of sitting in this mansion as the world passes by outside."

My grandfather's icy blue eyes just glanced from her and then to me, raising his eyebrows as he let out a sigh.

"Eris, there are many dangers out there, mostly in regard to the war with the werewolves-"

"Maverick...I don't care, I can't just sit in here like you all do, defending everything here while others are living their lives," Eris' temper flared, her ebony hair falling over both of her shoulders.

My grandfather tried to assist by stating, "It'll be over eventually, we're tracking down this mysterious Alpha King whom no one appears to know his location. All the wolves we managed to capture instead of kill, refuse to give...stubborn and loyal their kind."

"I understand that," Eris rose from the couch, "Yes, it'll eventually end one way or another, but I don't have forever to live my life. I don't want to spend the majority of it within these walls being 'protected'. So what? Maverick, you're what everyone fears. Would they really try to attack you, or those who knew me would they seriously think I am alive?"

I breathed in deeply, thinking this over and exhaled slowly. She's mortal now and knows she doesn't have forever...

It was clear I was frustrated, but Eris smiled when I told her, "Fine, we'll go into town if that will make you happy."

"No, that won't make me happy," she scrunched up her nose and replied, "not having your lips all over Arlynn's shoulder would make me incredibly happy, but I can't expect you to change your ways."

Eris walked right past me, nearing the front door, and reaching for a black hoodie. She'd changed into light blue jeans and the long-sleeved red shirt quickly was hidden when she pulled the hoodie over her head and straightened her clothing out.

"You let her-"

"Don't start with me," my grandfather shook his head, "that one over there is far more sarcastic and defiant than any slave I ever had in the past...I'm not going to stand in her way or I might hurt her on accident. She knows how to...push buttons and quickly adapts to those around her. I have no idea how you put up with her, to be honest..."

"Note the one over here that can hear every word you are saying about said person," when I turned around, she had her right hand placed on her hip firmly, having slipped into black boots. Her hair flowed out around the hoodie, almost blending in with the color of the fabric.

My grandfather rose from his chair, walking past me and coming within a foot from Eris. She flinched for a second when he took another step toward her, but she held her ground firmly and even glared up into his eyes, locking her fired up ones with his. "And now you know what I think of you. Try to be a good little human and not get yourself killed," my grandfather patted her on the head, and she fumed.

"I can take care of myself," she growled at him, pushing his hand away and moving closer to the front door. She took the handle into her hand and darted outside, the wind catching the door and blowing it slightly ajar with the breeze.

My grandfather chuckled and said to me, "She may be a pain, but she's got a good heart. Someone that headstrong is a perfect match for you," he nodded to me as I let out an exasperated sigh. Walking toward the door, I grabbed my leather trench coat from the hook and made a move toward the open door. My grandfather, however, placed a strong hand on my left shoulder, forcing me to stop my actions.

"Be careful," he stated the obvious, but he caught me off guard with his next sentiments, "Werewolves are more than likely the least of her concern right now."

"What are you talking about?" I furrowed my brows.

My grandfather shook his head, "At least, you can physically fight them if it comes to it...Rook isn't around to send you through another round of Hell should something...demonic realize she is alive."

My breath caught in my throat. I hadn't thought about it, considering it'd been a few weeks, and everything seemed normal.

"Maybe it's the portion of her soul I carry," I returned, "maybe those demons can't sense her."

"I wouldn't drop my guard, especially after everything you told us about," my grandfather removed his hand from my shoulder, "it only takes a moment, a single second of not focusing on the ones we love to have them slip away."

"I won't," I responded simply, making my way through the open door, and letting it shut behind me. Now I was more anxious, that fear of having Eris torn away from me, was something I never want to come into fruition.

My fear slowly melted away when I saw Eris sitting on the stone railing, her hands deep into the tunnel pocket of the dark hoodie. The breeze gently blew her hair in front of her face, wisps catching in the air for a moment before falling back down. I breathed in deeply her scent of rosemary, letting it calm, even helping me to relax. The moon was practically nothing in the sky, the world a dark mass before us except for the streetlights that flickered in the distance.

Coming up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist, diving my hands into the tunnel pocket and entwining my fingers with hers. I let my chin rest on top of the fabric on her shoulder, able to hear her heart beating from the pulsation of the veins running through her exposed neck.

"Are you really mad at me?" I questioned her and wanted an honest answer. I knew I'd sensed her, but Arlynn's blood was the only thing clouding my senses while I fed. Apparently, she had seen exactly what I hoped she wouldn't and from her reaction, yes, of course, she was mad, but I wanted to reassure her.

"Yes and no," she replied, feeling the grip of her fingers tighten on mine. She turned her face to the side, the tip of my nose brushing her cheek. Eris said gently, "I'm mad because I can't be the one you feed on and spark that deeper connection. I'm not mad, because I know you're trying to do everything in your power to keep me safe. But, if being safe means I can't live my life out here, then I don't want to be safe..."

"Eris," I murmured, feeling her skin heat at my touch, the wind pulling her hair around us in a shroud for no more than a second. I breathed out, "I don't want you to feel trapped. You're not a slave, you're not a pet, you're my beloved and I want you to be happy. I can't stand seeing you sad and I know that me being a vampire here is holding you back."

"Why don't you just leave then?" She asked, "Start your own life with just me."

I shook my head, "I can't."

"You won't," was her response.

"I will rule one day, and I've done a very fucked up job of learning the world and keeping balance. After all, I caused a lot of problems and I need to learn how to fix those problems and move on," I felt her tense again and I knew she was expecting another answer. I really wish I could just up and take her away, but there were still dangers uncontrollable in this world. Maybe there always would be, but I wanted to put a stop to the obvious threat of her being hunted down if those who knew her realized she was alive.

"Oh, they would let you be King?" She giggled, pulling her cheek away from me and loosening her hold on my fingers. She slipped down off the stone railing, taking a step back and watching as her smug face glanced at me, "Even though you were a rogue," she tapped her chin, "I'm enjoying those memories of you being dangerous and carefree."

Is that what she wants?

Happy to oblige.

Gently enough so I wouldn't break her fragile form, I drew her up against the wall of the mansion, taking each of her wrists into my hand and placing them beside her head. Pinning my lower body against hers, keeping her against the wall, I glimpsed the look change in her eyes.

"I will always remain dangerous sweetheart," her heart was beating fast in her chest and if I weren't mistaken, I could already smell the faint scent of her arousal. She adored this, though she wouldn't admit it, considering exactly who she is...strong, stubborn, and has to always have it her way.

Pulling her hands up above her head, I gathered her wrists into my left hand. Taking her chin roughly in my right hand, I tilted it upward, bringing my lips down against hers in a heated kiss. Her lips easily opened and allowed for my tongue to dart into her mouth, meeting hers in a battle for dominance. She didn't last as long as when she was a demon, but she moaned and sighed against me, letting me take control of her body.

It became obvious of my own arousal, my hardening cock pressing through my boxers and pants, pushing against her abdomen. Her heart skipped a beat, breathing sharply when I hungrily took her lower lip between my teeth and sucked it into my mouth, reveling in her taste.

Releasing her lip, my own trailed down the side of her neck, breathing in her sweet scent mixed with the blood beneath her skin. My nose touched her flesh, my tongue running a line up halfway before I found myself with the tips of my fangs pressing against the delicate skin. My eyes had shifted to a black rose and I had to pull myself away, letting her wrists go and stepping back. Shaking my head and turning away from her, I tried to steady my breathing, the overwhelming desire to bite and taste her was testing my control.

How much do I have? How much control before I can't stop myself?

"Ma-Maverick?" Eris asked with concern in her voice, her hand touching the spot between my shoulder blades. I didn't mean to, but I shrugged her off and tried to inhale the cool air, clearing my head.

I'm not going to be able to have sex with her, now am I?

"I-I'm sorry," she whispered. I turned around; my eyes have shifted back. She stood before me, hugging her arms in front of her chest as though she'd done something wrong. Eris didn't, this was something I would need to fight on my own. I just didn't know how.

"Eris," I had finally gained control of my breathing and gently brushed my knuckles against her left cheek, watching her eyes fall to the ground, "It's not your fault. It's mine and I'll have to live with that for eternity."

A tear slid down her cheek, a rattled breath coming from her throat when she parted her lips to speak. While I brushed away the tear that had escaped the stone wall that she put up, she said gently, "I'll just keep my distance then."

"I don't want that," I pulled her into my chest, resting my chin on the top of her head, "I don't want you to pull away from me or run off because you think you're the reason I can't control myself. I'll learn, just...don't walk away. Please."

When Eris pulled her head back, her chin resting on my chest as she looked up at me, she smiled, "I won't." She got on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the nose, coming back down and smiling at me.

The warmth lingered where her touch had graced my skin. I slowly let go of her and asked, "Are you ready to go into town then?"

"Of course!" She let out a loud squeal, "Besides, what could possibly go wrong?"

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To Seduce a Mortal by K. A. Young and Laisha C. Gardner

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