Author: Christine Feehan
Quotes of Author: Christine Feehan
For a brief moment he allowed himself the luxury of wrapping himself in her warmth, her laughter, her love. Why God had chosen this time, when Mikhail was in his darkest hour, to send him such a gift, he had no idea. What he had to do was inevitable; the continuation of his species demanded it. The brutal ugliness of it filled him with revulsion. He would have to return to her with death on his hands, the deaths of more than one human. He could not walk away from it, could not hand the job over to someone else. His regret was not in taking the life of Noelle's murderers so much as in having to ask Raven to live with his deed. It would not be the first time he'd taken a life. Of course, he'd been active in several ways, and certainly there was a time when human vampire slayers had almost been a fanatic religious cult. He had been very busy, but he hadn't had Raven's beautiful blue eyes to look into then. book-quoteHe knew exactly what the ancients meant when they said one lifemate could not survive the passing of the other. He would not want to live in the world without her. There would be no Mikhail without Raven.His body, his needs, his battered emotions, were taking over again, pushing him to the very edge of control. He had never known such a depth of feeling, such a total, encompassing love for another. She was everything. His air. His breath. His heart. Mikhail's mouth found hers in long, drugging kisses, moved to her throat, her breast, found his mark. One taste. Only one.Raven moved in his arms, turned her head to give him better access, her hands entwined in his hair. "I'd better marry you, Mikhail. You need me desperately." He lifted his head and looked at her face, so beautiful with his lovemaking, so accepting of him and his needs. Her heart wrapped his in love, her mind soothed his, fed his, teased his, matched the wildness in him. His hands framed her face, his black eyes staring into her blue-violet ones, drowning in his feelings for her. Then he was smiling. book-quoteFine, Raven, sell yourself to the highest bidder like some whore. Try to find yourself a rich husband. He'll use you and dump you, that's what men like Dubrinsky do! The two of you deserve one another. And don't come crying to me when he leaves you pregnant and alone." Jacob shouted. He spat out a few additional ugly words and stomped away.Raven let out her breath slowly, thankfully. --she forced laughter into her thoughts--From the other side of a grove of trees, out of her sight, Jacob suddenly screamed in terror, the sound fading to a thin wail. The roar of an enraged bear mingled with Jacob's second scream. Something heavy crashed through the underbrush in the opposite direction of Raven.She felt Mikhail's laughter, low, amused, very male. Jacob was broadcasting fear, but not pain. book-quoteOne last thing," Mikhail was gone almost before she could blink, and returned nearly as fast. He took her left hand in his. "Your people will recognize this as a clear sign that you are taken."
She hid her smile. He was so territorial, like a wild animal staking his claim. Like the wolves roaming so freely in his forest. She touched the ring with a reverent finger. It was antique, gold, a fiery ruby surrounded by diamonds. "Mikhail, this is beautiful. Where did you find such a thing?"
"It has been in my family for generations. If you prefer something else…something more modern--" It looked as if it belonged on her finger.
"It's perfect, and you know it." She touched it reverently. "I love it. Go, but hurry back. I'll find out all your secrets while you're gone."
Mikhail was hungry, needed to feed. He bent to brush her forehead with his mouth, his heart aching. "Just for one day, little one, I would like to have a normal, happy conversation with you. Court you as I should."
She tilted her head to look at him, her blue eyes dark with emotion. "You court me just fine. Go eat now and leave me be."
Mikhail touched her hair just once before he left. book-quote
