The Raven

Their gazes locked, and, for a moment, he could have sworn the air shimmered with heat between them. That he could detect a hint of something flashing in her eyes. Dismissing it, he held out his hand. "Speaking of sunset, we better head inside." His voice sounded hoarse, gravelly with arousal. "Even I prefer not to be caught out in this forest after dark."

She accepted his hand, let him lead her inside. Her throaty chuckle drifted into the night on a wisp of mist.

Illiana could feel the magic radiating from him. His body practically buzzed with it. She might have used a bit too heavy a hand with the Arling root, she realized, amused. And let out another mischievous chuckle. But since it seemed to only be helping her achieve her goal, there was no harm done. Well, at least not to her. And that was all that mattered. If the man ended up going mad quicker than the others, she'd just have to find yet another pet.

Bradan closed the door, turned back to face the wickedly alluring woman. For a moment, he forgot how she'd gotten there as arousal shrouded all rational thought in a haze. Then his mind cleared, and he noted she was watching him with curiosity, lips pursed into an enticing pout. The thought of having those lips wrapped around his shaft had his cock jerking violently against the fabric of his pants.

She must have noticed, for her blue eyes lowered to his groin, her thick, long lashes fanning out on her alabaster cheeks. He could have sworn he heard her purr as her gaze travelled back up to meet his.

Illiana knew he must be darn near ready to pounce on her by now. Yet there was something that kept holding him back. Figuring it couldn't hurt, she decided to give him another little nudge of encouragement.

Dancing her fingers up his massive arm, she gave a little shiver of female appreciation at the feel of steel-hard muscle under her fingertips. "So, . . . what exactly are you planning on doing to me, now that you have me at your mercy?"

"Are you certain you want to find out?" The words came out on a groan that sounded almost like a growl. In fact, Bradan was beginning to feel almost feral. Never in his life had he desired a woman as much as her, and the need to claim her threatened to shatter the last of his control.

Leaning closer to him, Illiana brushed her breasts against his broad chest. "Oh, I'm certain I will enjoy every moment of it. Particularly the end."

If he registered anything weird about her statement, he didn't give any indication. He made another sound—part moan, part growl. Then his mouth came crushing down on hers.

It was hot and hungry, and urgent, and her loins caught on fire from it. It had been too long, entirely too long since her needs had been sated, even though her previous pet had been gone for less than a month. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him with feverish intensity, taking his mouth as thoroughly as he took hers.

And felt a rush of power wash over her. Despite his superior physical strength, he was no match for her cunning, her abilities.

Slipping her hands under his shirt, she ran her nails down his back, felt his whole body tense. He was all but quivering with need, she noted, delighted with how well the potion had worked. Her hands travelled to his front, over the broad expanse of his hard chest. She teased his nipples with featherlight brushes. Then pinched.

His deep moan reverberated through her mouth. And the last bit of reserve he might have had crumbled. He pressed her back against the wall, trapping her there with his weight. His hands, large, strong, and calloused, flattened over her breasts through the shirt she wore, squeezed.

A mewling sound escaped Illiana's throat as she arched up against them. His fingers dug into her tender flesh, rough and possessive. It only increased the fire burning in her loins, fueled her arousal until it flashed almost as blazingly as his.

Greedy with need, he took her mouth harder, slid his hands under her shirt, over her waist, up her ribcage. His thumbs found her nipples, stroking, teasing the sensitive buds. With a skill she hadn't expected, he caressed them until they were tight and aching, until she moaned and shivered with pleasure.

Her whole core throbbed with desire, demanding attention. He was more potent than she'd given him credit for, Illiana realized as her body responded much stronger than it ever had before. Near mindless with need herself, she pushed her groin against his, rubbed against him with an urgency that turned her blood to steam.

She could feel the hard length of him throbbing and jerking against her heated core. The strength of his desire obvious even through the layers of their clothes. And she knew the potion was beginning to hit full force.

Impatiently, he yanked her shirt over her head, discarded it. For a moment, he just stood there, watching her intensely while arousal swirled in his eyes. Then she heard him catch his breath, and he leaned forward, brushed his lips over her nipples, softly, searingly, one at a time.

Grabbing his head, she pulled him closer, was rewarded when he drew a nipple into his mouth, sucked it, flicked his tongue over it until her head fell back against the wall. She let out another throaty moan when his teeth grazed over the sensitive bud, thoroughly enjoying his rougher nature.

Then his mouth met hers once more, kissing her with fierce, hot urgency that made her tremble and quake. She kissed him back with a flaming hunger of her own while his groin rocked into her, sending little sparks of pleasure shooting through her core.

She needed more of him, needed to feel his throbbing length deep inside of her. Reaching between them, she found his pulsing cock, gave it a few, rough strokes through his breeches. His mouth tore from hers as a deep, long moan rumbled in chest. Then he encircled her wrist in an iron grip, snatched back her hand.

Braden was barely hanging on to his control. This little vixen of a woman was driving him out of his mind with need. He knew if he let her tease him for even the slightest bit of time, it would be over all too soon. Already, he could feel his balls draw closer to his body, churning as if he hadn't released in over a year. And while it took all the remaining strength he could muster, there was still part of him that insisted on seeing her pleasured as well.

Impressed that he could still summon up so much discipline despite the magic that coursed through him, Illiana waited for him to make the next move. While she was thoroughly looking forward to draining him of his seed, there was no reason she couldn't enjoy the encounter to the fullest in the meantime.

She felt his hands at her waist, pulling at the laces that held up her skirt. A moment later, he let it slip down over her hips, and it fell to the floor with a silken whisper.

His eyes bore into hers as he sank to his knees in front of her. Leaning back, she pressed her hands flat against the cool plaster of the wall as he painted a hot, wet trail with his mouth down her right thigh, then her left. His calloused fingers dug into her butt, yanked her heated center forward.

She felt his hot breath feather over the apex of her thighs, caught her lower lip between her teeth while she waited, waited. Her whole core tingled with anticipation, and it was all she could do not to press her center against his mouth.

Then his tongue trailed a path between her folds—from the bottom of her heated entrance to her clit—one long, smooth swipe that made her hips jerk in response. He waited a beat, hovering a hair away from her, enjoyed the way her hips were squirming. Then repeated the process. He wanted her as wild with need as he was.

She gasped when his tongue found her clit, thrummed a quick, soft drumroll against it. Curling her fingers in his hair, she held him steady, urged him on. Then flung one long, shapely leg over his shoulder to give him better access.

His tongue danced over her clit, circling, flicking, tapping the sensitive bud until her head fell back against the wall, and she whimpered, near desperate with need. He changed the rhythm, the speed, the pressure until he knew exactly how she responded to every little stroke. Then used the knowledge on only her most sensitive spots.

Eyes closed, heart pounding, she dug her fingers into his shoulders as his tongue drummed against her clit relentlessly, as her pleasure rose and rose. Her moist tunnel clenched and released in a throbbing rhythm that matched her racing pulse. She craved to be filled, to feel herself stretch, to receive the hard, punishing strokes that would bring about her release.

Arching her back, she moved against his mouth, enjoyed the skillful movements of his tongue. The surprise at discovering he was a talented lover only enhanced the sensations radiating from her core. Featherlight strokes alternated with hard flicks and circles until she felt herself rushing toward her peak.

When she felt the tension, the tightening of her core that marked her imminent release, she pushed his head away. She had no intentions of failing to achieve her goal because she'd crested too early.

Mind hazy with lust, Bradan rose. The taste of her still lingered on his tongue, surprisingly sweet, and utterly addictive. His whole body burned, almost feverish, desire threatening to consume him. A little warning bell in the back of his mind cautioned him to keep up his guard. But he was too far gone too care, too aroused, too desperate to find release to pay it any heed.

Impatient to get on with it, he yanked off his shirt, discarded his breeches. The woman's sharp intake of breath only heightened his arousal further. Her blue eyes glittered as they studied him, her luscious lips turned up at the corners with an appreciative smile.

My, my, Illiana mused. The man was a sight to behold. Tall, broad, heavily muscled, naked. Glorious. Smooth dark hair formed a trail from his wide chest to the apex of his thighs. His legs were long and powerful looking.

And what lay between them was nothing short of impressive.

Sauntering closer to him, she ran her tongue over her lip. Gave him a perfect view of creamy skin over full, firm breasts, a narrow waist, and gently curving hips that swayed with every step. Stopping before him, she danced her fingers teasingly down his chest, over his washboard stomach, to the hard length throbbing between his thighs.

When he grabbed her hair, pulled back her head, she let out a wickedly delighted chuckle. Then slowly, seductively sank to her knees before him. Looking up at him, she slowly, slowly wrapped her lips around the head of his cock, fluttered her tongue around it.

His deep, long moan sent pleasurable little shivers down her spine, fueled the fire burning in her loins. She would have loved to play with him for a while, but she knew he was way too restless by now, his need too urgent. So she sucked him down, deep into her mouth, then began to slide her lips over the pulsing shaft with steady strokes. Her tongue flicked rapidly over the sensitive spot on the underside of his head, the thick, throbbing ridge on the bottom of his cock.

The first drops of pre-seed dissolved on her tongue, and she greedily swallowed, savored the taste. Already, she could feel little tendrils of the life-prolonging essence begin to flow from him. The accompanying rush that coursed through her as she absorbed it caused her to shiver with pleasure. Her moan reverberated up his shaft, drew a lower, deeper, rumbling one from him in answer.

Bradan felt the skin of his cock tightening to bursting point as his cock grew harder than ever before. The little vixen's hot, moist mouth felt heavenly, working his shaft with incredible suction. The flutters and flicks of her tongue caused his groin to tingle, then tighten, tighten, until he knew he was about to explode. His heart was pounding in his chest, his breath came in short, labored bursts.

It took all the control he could muster to grab her hair once more, yank back her head. His balls were churning, desperate to release. His cock jerked angrily at the sudden lack of stimulation. The need to spill his seed nearly overwhelmed him. But he was determined to feel the wet, fluttering walls of her tunnel around his cock.

Pulling her to her feet, he molded his lips to hers again, felt her slide her arms around his neck. His large hands curved beneath her butt cheeks, picked her up. In a smooth motion, she wrapped her legs around his waist, eager and ready to receive him.

But he turned, carried her through the doorway to the small bedroom as if she weighed no more than a feather. The powerful muscles of his flanks rippled under her thighs, had a flood of moisture pooling in her loins. She could feel it trickle from her tunnel with every step he took.

A second later, he tipped them both onto the bed.

And thrust into her hard.

Illiana let out a short, sharp cry at the suddenness of it, the sheer pleasure of finally being stretched, impaled. He was big, so big, so hot. And filled her to capacity. Her walls were trembling around his thick girth, massaging his pulsing shaft with little spasms.

Her cry was swallowed up by his mouth, his kisses fierce, possessive, demanding. His cock drew back—one long, achingly slow stroke. Then he drove into her again. Her breath caught in her throat as he began to thrust through her tight, slick tunnel, deep, hard, and fast.

Her walls were clenching at the massive shaft as it slid through them, increasing the marvelous friction. The crown of his cock raked over her inner pleasure spot, caught wonderfully at the sensitive nerves around her entrance.

Long, throaty moans escaped her throat as she arched her back, invited him to drive even deeper into her. Her thighs tightened around his waist, and she pushed up her hips, met his every thrust. Sharp sparks of pleasure radiated from her core when he changed the angle, slid his shaft over her clit with every stroke.

She loved the way her tunnel stretched to conform for him, loved the way he took her, pounded her with near animalistic force. He was driving her wild, so that she could do nothing but gasp and moan, and surge against him.

She squealed when he grew even thicker, impossibly hard. His thrust came punishing, almost brutal now. The look on his face was pure feral, devoid of any control. And she knew it was only moments before he would release.

Exhilarated with the knowledge that she was so close to achieving her goal, she closed her eyes, focused. In her mind, she began to chant the incantation that would help her drain from him the essence that prolonged her life.

She hadn't finished the first line of the spell when he suddenly stopped, sheathed deep inside of her. Opening her eyes, she found his gaze boring into hers with absolute intensity. She could see the arousal still swirling in his eyes. But there was something else there, as well, beneath it. It sent a little shiver of fear down her spine.

Bradan made a sound that rumbled up from deep in his chest. There was no mistaking it for anything other than a growl. Not the growl of a human, either, but one of a wild, predatory beast. A moment later, Illiana gasped when she felt the cock still sheathed inside of her begin to change shape.

The head grew shorter, blunter, larger, more flared. Her tight walls quivered as large bumps formed along the shaft, stretched them even wider. Her eyes flew open when he pulled back, drove into her again. There was no doubt that the cock impaling her was no longer human.

"You're a shifter!" she screeched at him, raked her nails down his arm.

In answer, his eyes turned golden yellow for a moment, glowing savagely. Then she felt his cock change shape again. The head went down, the bumps disappeared. Instead, the shaft was now lined with numerous tall ridges. They stimulated her in the most incredible ways as he began sliding in and out of her once more, but she was way too furious to acknowledge the sensations.

Along with the fury came another prickle of fear as the full realization of her predicament settled in. He was a shifter. And an incredibly powerful one, at that, judging by the fact that he was able to shift just one part of his body. In all her years, she'd never heard of another one like him. But, as a shifter, there was no telling what effect the potion would have on him, should he decide to change his form. He could easily end up killing her if the magic ended up driving whatever he shifted into insane.

Futilely, she struggled, pounded her hands against his chest, tried to get away. But he simply grabbed her wrists, pulled her arms over her head, held them down. And she felt his cock shifting shape once more.

Illiana suppressed the flutter of panic, summoned her power. How she could have missed this when she'd read his energy this past week was beyond her. Cursing her carelessness, and him, she let the power built, built. She might be no match for him physically, but if he thought he'd get the better of her, he was mistaking. She was just furious enough to blast him with a shockwave that would sent him hurtling across the room.

Rearing as far as she could, she unleashed her fury. The air trembled with the massive release of energy. There was a sizzling, crackling sound, and the whole cabin shook.

But the shifter merely gave a little jerk. Then shook himself like a dog ridding itself of water. "Ouch. That actually stung." He gave her a grin that had her wishing she could plant her fist into his mouth. "You have some serious power. Witch. Too bad that was the last time you'll ever use it."

"What? How?" Illiana just barely managed to choke out the words as panic tightened her throat. "You should be dead."

Bradan's grin grew wider, and she once more noticed that there was a boyish charm to the thrice-darned man when he smiled. "Rest assured, you likely knocked about ten years off my life with that hit. But that's all right. I'll just drain them from your essence when you crest your peak. That should restore them."

Bending down, he sucked her nipple into his mouth, caressed the hard tip with his tongue, then lifted his head again. "Lucky for me, you already fed me the potion. So my body is ready for the exchange of energy."

Illiana's eyes grew round as saucers at his words. "How do you know about that spell? You're a shifter, your kind doesn't use magic."

"Actually, I'm a warlock. I merely learned to acquire the powers of a shifter. Some three-hundred years ago, I believe it was." He sucked her other nipple into his mouth, fluttered his tongue over it.

Irritated, Illiana shook him off. She wanted answers from this brute beast. And, as much as she hated to admit it, his stimulation of her nipples, the cock that was still changing shapes inside of her, were entirely too distracting. His deep, rumbling chuckle had goosebumps forming on her skin. This was absolutely ridiculous.

Bradan shot her glance, laughter dancing in his eyes. He'd thought her stunningly beautiful before. But with her powers stripped, her pouty, annoyed expression, and the defiance still burning strong in her, she was enticing in an utterly irresistible way.

"I have to admit, I'm rather amused that someone would actually be brave enough to try to use my own spell against me." His mouth closed over her nipple again. "The raven was a nice touch, by the way."

The words came out mumbled, and Illiana resented the pleasurable little shudder that went through her at the feel of his rough beard against her skin.

"Would you stop that?" A strangled shriek, full of frustration, burst from her lips. She couldn't think with all the warring sensations churning up her body and mind. And she needed her wits about her if she wanted to make it out of here alive. "Your spell? What do you mean, your spell?"