Stolen Magic Bk. 01 Taken Pt. 06

Slater rolled his eyes and tried to sit up. Gabriella pressed her hands to his chest, trying to force him back down. At first he allowed it, too tired to protest. The shimmer of light glittering with his every breath froze him. Gently setting Gabriella from him he turned his head slowly, gaze set hard on the old woman.

His tone was dangerously level. "Did you say dead?"

The old woman leaned forward, snorted and nodded. "Yes. Dead. And well deserved I might add. What were you thinking toying with your brother's prize?"

An angry roar rose from deep in Slater's chest. "Gabriella is no ones prize!"

A satisfied smirk on her lips the old woman reached out and shoved him back before he could stand. "Don't leave the shroud boy, I've no desire to do the ritual again. I'm pleased to know the girl sacrifice is well deserved. You'll do right by her Slater. Won't you" The elder's eyes narrowed at the last, her tone dropping, the words fair ground out.

Gabriella watched, amazed, as Slater deflated and nodded, looking thoroughly chastised. "Yes granny."

A shocked laugh left her before she could stop it. Gabriella covered her mouth and stared at Slater, then the old woman. "Granny?"

Puffing her chest out the old woman's chin rose with pride. "Aye. This scoundrel is my grandson. My daughter--Gods rest her soul--was shamed by his royal father. Knew his manners before his brother came and corrupted him."

Slater dropped to his back and groaned, setting his hands behind his head and scowling at the ceiling. "I doubt Gabriella is interested in your colorful tales of our family Granny. Be done with the ritual. You've obviously been snatching out what's happened from my mind--Gabriella's as well I'm sure. If we stay you'll have company you don't want."

Hand swung out the old woman hit Slater's chest with a resounding smack, shaking her finger at him as he stared at her in shock. "Watch how you talk to me boy. You haven't grown to old be to strapped, mark my words." Satisfied she stepped back and waved a hand in Gabriella's direction. "And don't play daft either. You know what you must do. Have at it, but be gentle. Don't worry about the noise neither. The walls have been sounded nicely."

With that, and a wink shot Gabriella's way, the old woman turned and headed for the door.

A low growl stopped her.

Slater sat up, only a slight strain in his features betraying his pain. Darkness and anger stole over his face. "No."

Back stiff the old woman turned slowly. "What?"

The blanket of light shivered in the cold that rushed between the two. Gabriella wanted to shy away, find a corner where she could avoid the danger she felt simmering about them. Recalling the elder's commands she stayed where she was, crouched among the ruffled covers. She couldn't leave the bed. Her power was what kept Slater alive.

Clenching his fist against the blanket Slater looked down, as though afraid of exposing his grandmother to the violence of his glare. "I won't do that to her."

Moving faster than her body should manage the old woman grabbed Slater's chin and forced him to face her. "You listen to me. This girl went through hell to bring you here. Those men could have killed her, but she faced them to save you. I don't know why, you've done nothing to earn her loyalty. But she did and..."

Slater jerked away from her. "I won't use her."

The old woman stepped back. "Then you will die and your brother will. She is alone here and without you nothing can shield her from being drained by him and whoever he'll pass her on to when he's done with her. You know that." Hands dropped limp to her sides she shrugged. "I'll leave the two of you to work it out. I'd miss you sorely if your pride makes the decision boy, but there's nothing more I can do. If you don't value your life I prey you value hers. Know my love and peace be with you."

With a parting that left grim uncertainty the old woman backed out of the room and closed the door. Gabriella held her breath, waiting, wondering at what would happen next.

With a firm grip on her arms Slater pulled Gabriella against him and pressed his lips to hers, passionate, hungry, drugging. It was over so fast Gabriella was left stunned. All she could do was gaze up at him as he held her at arms length.

"What has she told you?"

Slater's word startled Gabriella. She'd come to believe he knew it all, as the old woman did. The answer was forced out in the midst of her confusion. "That you needed what was inside me. Your powers have limits. It take time to recover what's been spent. In death you lost it all. What I have can give it back."

Closing his eyes Slater stroked a hand over her hair and shook his head. "So vague. Damn it. You have no idea how I must draw it out."

Gabriella pressed her teeth into her bottom lip. "I'm not stupid Slater. I kinda figured it out."

Her words put a smile on Slater's lips. "No. I guess you're not. Why though? Why would you be willing to do that for me? As my grandmother said, I haven't been kind to you."

Licking her lips Gabriella nodded slowly. "Not at first, but that changed. You wanted to take me away. You wanted to help me. You care about me."

Slater drew her close, kissed her sweetly, and nodded. "Your talent dear one. You make one see beyond that pretty face."

Face flushed Gabriella ducked her head. "I madeyou see past it. And I don't regret it." Lifting her head Gabriella set her eyes on his. "Do you?"

Without pause Slater shook his head. "No. Only..."

Hand pressed over his mouth to silence further objection Gabriella forced a smile to her trembling lips. "Please Slater. Trust that I know my own mind. This might all be going faster than I'd like, but I don't want to lose you."

It was all he needed to hear. The conviction in her words filled him with a feeling of quenched need, a need he hadn't even known he had. Nothing warm or fuzzy, but a fierce burning of something true, something powerful, something greater than all he'd ever held dear.

The muscles in his arms were hard, but his embrace was gentle. Lifting her up against him, her small form molding to his, he pressed his lips to hers. Feeling them tremble Slater focused on easing her fear. Laying her down he leaned over her, looked into her eyes, and smiled.

"It won't be as horrible as you fear my love." He stroked her side as he spoke, a light touch, just enough to distract her, to slowly bring her senses to life. "You've heat within you, I've stirred it before..."

Gabriella flushed. Then she closed her eyes and bit back a moan as he moved his hand to her thigh. Slater used the silk of the gown to tease her, gliding the smooth fabric against her flesh, curving his hand down, stopping just before the juncture of her thighs.

"Remember when I first touched you?" His fingertips brushed her tender lips, his calloused flesh made soft by the silk.

Breath soft, controlled, Gabriella licked her lips and nodded. "Yes."

Slater smiled, slid his hand up around her thigh, over her ass, squeezing gently. He bent down to kiss her throat as she arched back. "Do you remember when I tasted you?"

When his hand slid down the firm round cheek and he began a delicate press of his hand, still covered in silk, against the growing head between her thighs, Gabriella lost her ability to speak. Now she could only feel. Could only take in each sensation he was giving her, take it in and let it roll around her, within her.

Slater kissed her neck, soft, sucking kisses while he gathered the silk in his hand, pulling it up to expose the lithe length of her legs. The light pass of his rough hand on her bare flesh sent a tingle of longing through her. Gabriella wanted to feel those hands, touching her, without, within, everywhere at once. She wanted him to hurry, more and more it was all she could think. Hurry. Please.

Gabriella couldn't ask, not in words, but her body begged for it. With every doting touch, meant to prepare her with as little pain as he could manage, Gabriella shifted closer. Clinging to him, curving against him, her body shifting with the slightest pressure. When Slater helped her sit up to free her of the wrinkled silk dress she lifted her arms, all too willing to lose the slight barrier.

Tossing the dress aside Slater took a moment to drink in the luscious form, from the slight rounding of her hips, the smooth plane of her stomach, to her small, firm breast. One glance at her face and he abandoned his perusal. Desire was becoming torture, he could see it in the glazed look of her eyes, in the way she was panting and tugging at her lip.

With his lips pressed firm to hers he pushed her back down on the bed. His mouth traveled along her jaw and he licked his way down the graceful arc of her throat. Her fingers curled and then clenched into his hair. When his attention shifted to her breast she bucked, crossing and uncrossing her legs, letting out throaty little moans.

Moving lower Slater wrapped his arm around her waist, pressed his lips to her belly and held her still so he could caress between her thighs. Trapped in pure reaction Gabriella's thighs parted. Slater's fingers passed over the dampness of her pussy and she hissed in a sharp breath, holding it now, hoping he would give her some satisfaction.

His fingers dipping into her made her sigh. She was tight, still so tight, but wet enough that Slater managed to work two fingers in mid-knuckle with little difficulty. He pushed a little further, felt her tense, and knew now he would have to tread carefully. When she lifted her hips again he corrected himself. Carefully, but not too slow.

Lowering his mouth he teased her clit with his tongue, sucking at it and pushing his fingers deeper when he felt her relax. Only when his fingers were fully embedded within, slicked nicely by the wetness of her, did he begin to move.

First it was slow, in deep, out inch at a time. When she began to writhe on the bed he moved his fingers faster, sucked harder. He could feel her clench down on his fingers. Just before she reached climax he worked a third finger in. Gabriella cried out and bowed back.

The hot spill of her, wet on his mouth, covering his hand, fair drove him mad. Preparing her had made him so hard he could feel his pulse beating in the swollen head of his dick. The scent of her, so musky and sweet, snapped his restraint. Growling, almost feral with lust Slater grabbed hold of her thighs and pulled her against him. The head of his engorged dick pierced her.

Gabriella's hips rose to meet his hard thrust. The moisture of her made his entrance easy, but it didn't stop the pain. Grinding her teeth Gabriella fought not to cry out. The sound that escaped was enough to warn Slater of her discomfort. He looked down at her and cursed, the tears on her cheeks slicing right through him.

"Shit. I'm sorry." He cursed again. Sorry wasn't going to change a thing. He could feel the power of her, beckoning him. He couldn't back down now. Damn it he didn't want to.

Gabriella swallowed and shook her head. "It's okay. I know what you..." A whimper sounded, deep in her throat, when she tried to adjust to the sensation of being filled, of being stretched. "Just do it Slater."

Slater bowed his head, resting his forehead against hers. "You keep saying that."

Gabriella giggled, tears still glistening in her eyes as she bent up to kiss him. "Well you never listen to me."

Groaning Slater pressed his hands down on the bed, at either side of her head, and pulled out, until just the tip of him was still in her. Then he slid back in, just as slow. He grinned at the awed expression on Gabriella's face.

Bending down he sucked at her lower lip, eyes hooded, continuing the languorous motion. "You like that?"

"Mmm." Was all she could manage as he increased his pace.

Sweat beaded at Slater's temple as he fought the urge to go faster, to slam into her in the fast, wild fuck he was accustomed to. There would be time enough to introduce her to rougher play. Later. Now what she was giving him was more than enough.

It was Gabriella who quickened the pace, rising to meet his thrust, faster and faster as she edged on yet another release. A cold part of Slater, a part which had remained detached up until now, could sense it. The part of him that wanted her only to fill the stores of energy that would take so very long to replenish. Without taking it from her that is.

The muscles inside her began to undulate around him. Her head tossed from side to side and she wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him closer. Tumbling into a powerful orgasm all her walls fell and the ethereal entity which was him, which was his drained powers, attacked. All she would feel was a weariness, as though she was suddenly very tired.

Slater felt so much more.

It was a thirst. Slaked quickly after long rationing of water. A hunger relieved by a banquet. It was the first time he'd ever sped the recovery of his powers by draining another. The headiness of it was drugging. The thrill of it made him pound into her one last time before he came.

Breathing hard Slater rested down on his elbow, holding his head in his hand. Smiling he leaned down and kissed Gabriella on the cheek, trying to think of what to say to let her know how much he appreciated what she had done for him. It turned out there was no point. Gabriella was fast asleep.

Drawing from her, careful not to wake her, Slater stood. That he'd drained her to the point of exhaustion worried him. Without any former experience he had no way of knowing if it was normal. He could only hope the weariness wouldn't last long. It wasn't safe to stay. This was one of the first places his brother would look for him.

Standing naked by the bed he watched the remnants of the spell his grandmother had cast glimmer off his flesh, a lingering smear of silvery light. It was tempting to absorb it, to add it to the overflow of power already seeping hot into his veins. Resisting the urge he pushed it away. Unused magic returned to its origin unhindered. Taking from the Unawakened was one thing. Taking from another of the power showed a lack of respect.

His grandmother deserved better.

Arms stretched over his head, then behind his back, Slater rolled his shoulders and grinned. It was good to be alive. Not that he remembered being dead, but it had no doubt been unpleasant. Returning to a willing, loving young woman made the searing agony that had dragged him to his death almost worth it.

Slater thought on that as he fetched a robe from the large chest at the end of his bed, donned it, and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. His mind went over how his brother's men had followed him, caught him off guard while he waited for Gabriella. No warning, they'd simply run him through and left him in the dirt. The word traitor had been spat into his face, but he knew their actions had little to do with his betrayal.

They'd wanted to bring him down because they hated how the bastard brother of the king had been set above them. Their loyalty hadn't brought his death. Resentment had.

Slumping down into a seat at the small round table in the cozy, rustic kitchen Slater leaned back and scrubbed his hand over his face. The cause for their resentment was gone, there was nothing to envy of the life he would lead now. Nothing but the love of the girl he'd abandoned everything for. Not that it mattered. Villem wouldn't stop until he was dead. Irrevocably dead.

A solid smack upside his head brought Slater's eyes to the mocking gaze of his grandmother. "Moping now? Some knight."

Slater turned away from her and hunched his shoulders. Ignoring the amused cackle she let out he accepted the mug of spring cooled ale the scrawny orphaned ward of his grandmother handed him with a curt nod of thanks. The ale did little to soften his ire. After several deep gulps, bitterness taking the taste from his tongue, Slater faced his grandmother.

"I'm not a knight anymore, am I? I'm nothing but a landless bastard who must hide in shame from his king."

His grandmother let out another cackle, loud enough that Slater gritted his teeth and shot his eyes to the door of the room where Gabriella slept, hoping the sound hadn't woken her.

The old woman didn't seem concerned. "Landless? What of this place? Of the lands that surround it? You..."

"They were given to me by my brother! He will reclaim them now! I have nothing!"

The old woman, a woman who had lost her daughter and had taken her place mothering him, one of the best of the sight in the kingdom, looked utterly shocked. So lost in visions, so deep in the minds of others, she hadn't truly considered the repercussions of Slater's actions. That Villem would come for him she didn't doubt. That she'd lose the home she'd lived in for most of her life hadn't occurred to her.

With a resolved sigh his grandmother gave a slow nod. "And the girl?"

"She is mine."

Taking a seat, crossing her arms and leaning back his grandmother smirked. "Then you have something, don't you."

Slater rolled his eyes and pulled a dagger from his belt, using it to carve little grooves in the table, the muscles of his big arms tense against the fabric of his robe. "Cease your prattle woman. I'm hungry. Go do your duty by your grandson and fix a hearty diner."

Snorting his grandmother made a sharp motion with her hand. The dagger slipped and Slater cursed as it slit across his palm. When he bent over to assess the damage his grandmother reached out and cuffed him.

"You arrogant bastard. I'm not one of your men or your hussies." She smacked him again. "Speak to me like that again and I'll see to it that you lose the ability to ever enjoy that sweet little girl again."

Brow furrowed Slater sheathed his dagger, leaving his hand on his blade as he pondered his grandmother's words. Her warning was lost on him, as it always was, but the idea of having Gabriella again made him wonder how long it would be before she was fit to enjoy.

He ducked just in time to avoid another smack. "You test my tolerance granny."

The old woman scoffed. "Do I you insatiable pig? Good. Perhaps if I agitate you enough you'll leave that poor child alone. You should be thinking of how to bring her home, not on how much you want to bed her again."

Slater stood and turned away from her. "How long before she's fit to travel?"

"Two days. I've gathered some herbs to speed the process, otherwise no less than a week."

With a curt nod Slater headed for the door. Much as he loved his grandmother her patent disregard for his status was difficult to bear. More so now that his status was only in his head.

She grabbed his arm before he could walk out the door. "You've no intention of bringing her home."

Slater jerked away. "Living was primary in my thoughts grandmother. Anything more will have to wait."

Before she could say more Slater walked out, heading to the stables to check on his horse. He didn't need to hear the words to know what she would say. To know she would accuse him of being selfish. Needless to say hearing the words aloud wouldn't change the fact that it was the truth.

But it would be much easier to ignore if he didn't have to.

* * *

Crimson. Everything was crimson. The thick hangings around the gigantic bed. The sheets. The details in the tapestries hung on the walls. It created an aura of heat, overwhelming and frightening, as though just the sight of it would burn her alive.

Pushing the covers away from her Gabriella saw she was naked. A dark laugh let her know she was not alone. One glance at the man standing at the foot of the bed and Gabriella dismissed her fear of being consumed by the color and pulled the blood red sheets up to her chin. Better to be consumed by flame than by darkness.

The man was watching her, the crook of a smile on his lips, so much like Slater yet...different in a way she couldn't begin to explain. The eyes were similar, the hair, the features. The differences weren't so much physical, other than the fact that this man was obviously the elder of the two. Slater lacked the deep age lines that rimmed the man's brow, mouth and eyes.