Kiss of the Sun Read online

  When she finally opened her eyes it was the evening of the fourth night of safeguarding. “Darius,” she whispered with undisguised relief.

  He felt her arms tighten around his neck as he lay in the bed beside her. It had been the longest four nights of his long existence. Not knowing if she would make it through without some type of brain damage or new fears. He tried to keep his impulses under control, but his heart was so relieved that she was okay. He pulled her tightly into his embrace.

  Closing his eyes, he lowered his head into her neck to breathe in her scent. A vampire's sense of smell was almost as strong a werewolf's. His lips gently grazed her chin until she arched her neck in pleasure.

  "Darius,” she moaned.

  He took her pleasure filled sigh into his own mouth. The vibrations tickled his hungry lips. He nibbled her lower lip until it pouted for more. All he could think was more, more of her. Years of more. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, wanting the taste of her tongue on his.

  Tongues danced, lips met. When Rosalind felt the sharp points of his fangs she begged for more, “Darius, please.” She couldn't breathe. The pleasure of having his hard body over her was taking her to a place she had only dreamed of. Rosalind groaned in surprise when she felt the sharp nip at her neck.

  "Rosalind,” he whispered, halfway out of his mind. “I want to mark you. I want to mark you so badly.” He drew in a ragged breath, finding it hard to control his heartbeat. He had never had that trouble before.

  She looked into his eyes and saw a fiery passion there that excited her further. “Then mark me, Darius.” She gave her neck.

  He gave a relieved smile, showing her his lengthened fangs. They only made her wish for more. “Darius!"

  He grabbed her hands and thrust them above her head. Seconds later they were locked in one of his strong hands as he smoothed a finger down her cheek. He gave her a teasing kiss and turned her chin up to give him a good angle. Bending his head, Darius opened his mouth. Rosalind's breath stopped in anticipation.

  The loud banging at her door interrupted them. “What, Roman?"

  "Darius, it's Mrs. Wilson. Rosalind's vision came true."

  "We knew it would.” He lifted himself half off her stiff body.

  "The mortal's family is in mourning. They request a word with you, my King.” With that reality slammed back between them, he turned to Rosalind and saw what they had almost done. What she would have allowed him to do.

  "Don't, Darius,” she pleaded against what she knew was coming.

  "I'm sorry, Rozzy."

  With those regret filled words she knew her world would never be the same.

  Part One: Mortality

  One

  Near the borders of Vampire City, six years later

  Her solitary walks through the beautiful meadow always calmed her aching heart. She had had six years to put away broken memories. Memories of him. Of course, one of the steps to separating herself from the pain was not to say his name so by request no one around her ever spoke his name. After a few years her friends realized it was less painful for her not to mention him in any way. They didn't know why she preferred it this way.

  She laughed softly. At least as far as she knew no one knows the truth.

  Rosalind wiped at a wayward tear. The truth, so simple, yet it had been so hard for her to accept. His people came first. How could her young mind have forgotten? Six years ago she forced herself to leave her safety zone in the heart of Vampire City. For a while the distance had kept her rocky emotions under control. The only way to keep her heart intact was distance from him. The only way to keep her sanity was away from mortals.

  Rosalind exhaled a strained breath. The pain in her head came more often again. A sign that she would have to leave the meadow—her home the past two years. She didn't want to leave, but what each ache brought left her no choice but to leave Vampire City once and for all. Her only home.

  "Damn you, Darius. Damn you to hell alone as you have damned me.” She laid her head against her knee, finally releasing the tide of emotions beating at her to be set free.

  Vampire City

  Darius sat in his office, trying to listen as Roman updated him on the security of his city. This formal setting was only temporary. Once Roman finished his monologue he would sit and become his most trusted friend once more. He watched the six-and-a-half-foot-tall man stand straight and proud, like a well trained soldier. His blue eyes stared straight into nothing as he reported on the city.

  Darius had never bothered to let Roman's height intimidate his own six-foot-three frame. After all, Roman was an elder, three thousand and forty-five years old. Roman had only been a vampire for eight years when in the year 998 the Historians, Mason and Veronica, had ordered all vampires into the Long Sleep, a slumber that had lasted three thousand years.

  Mason had seen the future for mortals during his slumber, a future that had to be endured in order for evolution to continue. He knew 998 was not a time in history for their people to involve themselves with. They could change nothing, but with their powers may be tempted to hinder nature's progress. The violence that was coming would tear apart the world, but would also bring about greatness for the entire species if left to continue on its own.

  No vampire was able to disobey Mason and Veronica during this era, so all put themselves to slumber until the day the call was given. Not even the Historians predicted it would take over three thousand years to happen.

  Darius had been the exception. Veronica had made him in 2998. Already the world had begun to restart its evolution. There had been wars: bloody massacres, killings of animals, people, and the very planet itself. There had been great inventions of improvement, but also of destruction. If only the humans had learned to live as one with one another. Instead they had wanted to rule other people, own land not their own. They killed indiscriminately if anyone stood in their way.

  The evil overpowered the good. By the time Darius had been found Veronica had almost given up on the human race. He had given her hope for the future. A mortal human lay dying in the dirt, his dead brother beside him. The two had come upon a robbery and tried to defend the helpless but had been overpowered.

  It hadn't mattered to her that they had failed. They had tried, despite knowing the only outcome would be their deaths. It had eased her heart to be able to turn him before death had taken his last breath. If only his equally good brother had been alive as well.

  Darius’ change had begun the turn for humanity. It had taken another two thousand years for humans to learn to live with each other, not against. Progress began slowly this time. Travel became easier as animals and technology were carefully blended. Nature allowed the skies to once again shine, and rain poured as the ground flourished with activity.

  Not only did people travel on foot or with animals, they could move above the ground with crystal powered skimmers which was mainly used when long distances were required. Most surprising was that space travel had become possible. It had been a great milestone for Earth and her people, but not something Darius had planned on doing anytime soon. He kept the skies above his majestic city spaceship free. It was a no fly zone. He considered the mortals to be lucky that he allowed skimmers in the city.

  As Roman droned on, Darius stood, aggravated by his need to look out the windows. His vision dimmed again, enclosing more of the room this time. He tried to make it to the window and almost fell to his knees with the depth of sadness and anger being indirectly thrown at him.

  He made it to the couch and curled himself tight. “Get out, Roman!” he bellowed into the silence. No one has witnessed him in this condition since it began six years ago.

  Roman, though never witnessing the actual ordeal, knew the toll it took on his friend. “Darius, you can cut the Link you created with her.” He also knew the reason for it.

  "I won't do that to her, Roman.” Darius breathed deeply, then released throughout the pain. He knew from experience that Rosalind would cry herself into oblivio
n. Until then all he could do was help her with the pain.

  Roman couldn't understand his friend's actions. “Your obligation to the woman was finished the day she left your home."

  "Obligation is not why I help her."

  "You aren't helping her, damn it! She is slowly killing you.” Roman voiced his fear for the first time.

  Darius didn't deny the accusation.

  "Why, my King?” Roman stood straight. “Why do you let this human hurt you in this way?"

  "Rosalind doesn't know about our Link. She doesn't know she is projecting her pain to me."

  "This is what her pain does to you?” Roman was shocked. Never had he seen a connection like this, except with Chosen Mates during the beginning of the mating ritual. Voicing the question aloud, Roman knew, was crossing the line. Some things men still did not share. Their women were number one on that list.

  "It is compassion for her that I help Rosalind through these episodes. I owe it to her.” The first was a lie. The second, true. Just because Darius denied his Chosen did not mean she should suffer the consequences.

  "As you wish, my King.” Roman sighed with relief as Darius was able to bring himself up into a sitting position.

  Darius smoothed his hair back in guilty frustration. “That wasn't right."

  "What do you mean?"

  "The link snapped, as if she was moving out of my immediate range."

  "She is already living on the borders of Vampire City. Any further and she will be surrounded by mortals."

  Memories of the last time Rosalind accidentally ventured near mortals flashed through his mind. The destruction of benches, trees, trash spread throughout a ten block radius. The mortals had fled the scene in terror while vampires tried to protect themselves within the elements.

  It had taken Darius hours to calm Rosalind enough to bring her telekinesis under control. It hadn't helped Darius’ peace of mind that he had to forcefully hold her body to the ground.

  Rosalind had been out of her head with other's emotions and scenes of future deaths crashing through her mind. Her screams still echoed through Roman's mind. Finally Darius had had to reinforce their Link and send her into a deep sleep.

  "Oh, shit.” Roman could only imagine the consequences of Rosalind stumbling into a mortal borough.

  "Damn it, baby.” Darius spoke almost to himself as he rummaged through his desk drawer. “I gave you the meadows so that you could be at peace."

  "Darius?” Roman was starting to piece together twenty years of puzzles. Anger the older she became. The protectiveness despite the sudden bouts of jealousy. Sudden trips outside Vampire City.

  "You fed outside of V.C. to keep her from knowing."

  "To keep her from hurting!” Darius spoke without thought.

  "Darius, how long has it been since you have fucked?"

  Darius looked at his friend. “Twenty years."

  "The signs are smacking you in the ass."

  "She cannot survive among mortals. Hell, Roman, the mortals may not survive her outburst one day.'

  Roman showed his anger. “So you hide the woman who may well be your..."

  "Don't say it, Roman! I will not have her suffer for my sake."

  "Darius, what the hell do you think these episodes are that the two of you share? They sure aren't picnics of the mind!"

  "It isn't just the Touch of Death. With her telepathy she doesn't need to touch a person. The telepathy does it for her. She needs an outlet sometimes. So I reach out, give her a release.” He tried to explain his weak reasoning.

  "Where is she headed now?” Roman demanded.

  Still recovering from Rosalind's earlier wave, Darius had to concentrate the Link. “Old Wyoming.” His eyes flew open. “She is riding the motorcycle I sent with Bethany."

  "I thought that thing was broken?"

  "Rosalind has always been resourceful."

  Roman looked at his watch. “That gives my team under two hours to retrieve her and bring her back here before the sun comes up."

  "No. I am not sending a team in to bring her here against her will."

  "The woman hasn't been in your presence since you first forged the link."

  Darius rose to his full six-foot-three inches, hostility radiating from him. “The woman has a name, soldier, and you will use it."

  Roman bowed his head. “Yes, my King."

  "Send for Niko."

  Roman blinked three times and Niko stormed through the double door. The wood splintered into pieces as he walked to Darius, barely stopping at a respectable distance. “If Rosalind dies because of you..."

  "The Link will kill me before I let her die,” Darius informed the men coldly.

  Both Elders understood instantly what could be at stake. “Where is she?"

  "We're going to Wyoming."

  "We?” Niko tried to hide his shock. No one had seen the King and his mortal in one room together in years.

  Darius heard the vampire's thought but kept his ire to himself. Since he had brought Rosalind to his city his people have been calling her “his mortal."

  "Since you can find her with the Link we may be able to get her before she runs into mortals."

  Darius froze, his eye widening in shock. “Well, hell."

  Roman sighed. “What did she do now?” When Darius looked worried he knew there was going to be trouble.

  "She is building the shield I taught her."

  "Going into a mortal borough, I should hope so."

  "Not good. If she makes it too powerful I'll hurt her during the Link.” Or she'll hurt me. He didn't add that piece of information. No one needed it.

  Niko clutched his shoulder in understanding. “Her shield may hold long enough for up to help her."

  "I'm not worried about that, Niko. I have never completely broken the Link with her in six years."

  "How is that possible? She can sever the Link at will."

  "Only because she is not aware of our connection."

  Niko looked at Roman, He hasn't accepted it?

  No, he believes living among mortals may kill her and he cannot leave his people.

  Niko looked at Darius. “Why don't you change her?"

  "She doesn't know about the Link, or about our emotional tug of war, or about Chosen Mates,” Roman informed him.

  "We are talking about Rosalind?"

  "Pay attention, Niko."

  "Darius, you asked me to teach Rosalind about her gifts."

  "I remember."

  "I have been her friend for over twenty years. Of course Rosalind knows of Chosen Mates."

  Darius let go of his King persona and fell to the couch. His mind reeled with new insight. “So she knows?” He did not have to ask.

  "She has known since she was seventeen."

  Memories from that long ago nightmare in the park came to mind. “Before or after the attack in the park?” He prayed for the right response.

  "After.” Niko sat next to his close friend. “I found her one night sitting in a dark corner of the Library. The girl looked beyond sad. She was pale, on the verge of collapsing. I did not want to upset her, so I just sat with her for hours. When she finally spoke it was the strangest conversation I ever had with a human."

  * * * *

  "I am not psychic, right, Niko?” She looked to him for guidance.

  "As far as we can tell, Rosalind, no. but you show signs of hidden talents all the time."

  "I know. I have accepted that. I just don't know if I can handle what might be happening next."

  "What is going through your mind, kid?"

  Her laughter was filled with hysteria. “That's the problem, Elder. I think there is someone in here,” she tapped the side of her head, “besides me."

  Niko sat in silence, trying to think of a way to explain away her fears. “You know, Rosalind; your telepathy may be getting stronger. Latching onto conversations some mortals have with their conscience.” He smiled. “I have noticed you mortals like to talk to yourselves."

 
She laughed softly. “Sometimes you have only yourself for company, Niko. The important thing is not to answer yourself."

  "Quite right, kid."

  "Is it normal to be able to feel what a certain vampire is feeling?” she asked. “Or other things?"

  Niko felt his mind go on alert. “What other things are you speaking of, Rosalind.” He treaded carefully. Hoping this conversation wasn't going where he believed it was.

  Darius.

  "Other things like ... like ... well other things like sex!” she rushed before completely losing her nerve.

  "Sex?” he coughed.

  "Yes. Feeding and sex. Sometimes together."

  * * * *

  "Niko!” Darius jumped from his sitting position and paced. “I never fucked while feeding. Not since she came."

  "Calm down, Darius,” Roman tried to sooth the frantic male. “We all know that feeding from a mortal is like have an orgasm for their kind. That could have been what she felt through you."

  Darius slowed his pacing. He looked looked at Niko and waited for him to continue.

  * * * *

  "Well, when a vampire feeds from mortals they have a certain reaction from the feeding."

  "Reaction?” she asked doubtfully.

  "Yeah, orgasms. The feeling is so intense..."

  "Okay, okay. I get it. For cripes sake, Niko, I am only seventeen!"

  Niko let loose a relieved breath.

  "What I don't understand is why I am feeling these ... these things in my head. I have enough going on in there without adding Dar ... vampires’ feeding schedules into it.” She tried to cover her slip.

  "It could be the ritual,” he said before he thought to stop himself.

  "The ritual?"

  He looked at her uncomfortably. “Why don't you talk to Bethany?"

  "Niko!"

  "What?"

  "Please tell me. I need ... I must know."

  "Chosen Mates, Rosalind."

  "CM's?” she shortened the term.

  His lips curled in disgust at mortals belittling term for a vampire sacred custom. “Rosalind, a word of advice, don't use that term in front of vampires."