Of Blood And Snow - Paranormal Romance Serial Ebook

Chapter 25

Scarlet heaved a sigh and rolled her neck to relieve the tension in it. She trudged across the courtyard, heading away from the assembly room and back towards Corazon’s quarters. Aradne had been silent all throughout their dinner. She hadn’t said much either. It had been hard to get a word in over Milton. He was so excited about the prospect of fighting on the frontline at last. Scarlet got the impression that Aradne wasn’t so happy about it. Her friend had seemed troubled and fear had laced her scent.

“Scarlet?” Aradne’s voice roused her from her thoughts and she turned around to face her.

“Is something wrong?” she said and walked the short distance back to her. She remembered the last time that Aradne had followed her from an assembly room like this. She had offended Troy beyond measure that night. There was no chance of it tonight. He was in a meeting with Corazon and the other high-ranking officers. The only captain not attending was Daliel.

“No... nothing... forget it.” Aradne went to leave. Scarlet caught her arm and held it gently. The fear that had been lacing Aradne’s signature grew stronger.

“What is it, Aradne? You’ve been out of spirits since we arrived.” She wanted her friend to see that someone had noticed and that she cared enough to want to know what was wrong with her. She had an idea about why Aradne was so quiet and distant. If it was what she thought it was, then she could sympathise as she felt the same way.

“I’m scared, Scarlet. I’m not cut out for war but I do my duty. Back at the fourth garrison it was easy... the occasional fight against a human. I could handle that.” Aradne stepped closer.

Scarlet smiled reassuringly.

“Humans are weak,” Scarlet said with a glance around the courtyard to make sure none were nearby. In the assembly room, tension had been running high, with the humans grouped in one small corner and looking ready to kill anyone who even dared to walk near them. They had given her some filthy looks for enjoying her cup of blood. “It’s the vampires you fear... and losing Milton.”

Aradne’s eyes widened momentarily and then she nodded. Her brows furrowed and she took hold of Scarlet’s hand.

“He won’t stop talking about the war, about how he’s going to distinguish himself just as General Constantine said. He thinks he can gain another rank and I’m afraid he’ll get killed trying.” There was genuine fear in Aradne’s voice.

Scarlet wanted to tell her that they were both in the same boat, but she realised that they weren’t. Milton was only a lance corporal. Aradne was a private. They would both be in the front line of the attack. Corazon was a captain and as such he would be away from the front line. He would be protected by his soldiers, herself included. He and Troy would act as defence with the other captains and high-ranking soldiers.

“I’m scared too,” Scarlet whispered and looked at her friend. “I know that Corazon will be expected to remain in the garrison with the others, but...”

The idea of him facing death again was too painful. It tightened her throat, stealing her voice.

“He won’t stay in here, shut away from battle,” Aradne said, her voice soft and understanding. “They will both want to be at the front, fighting.”

“For us, Aradne, can’t you see that?” she said with a sigh and looked up at the stars. “They both fight for us. Corazon told me so himself and I’m sure that Milton is the same. He wants to be distinguished so you’ll be proud of him and you can be together openly.”

Aradne was silent. Scarlet looked at her, watching her dashing away the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks.

“I know,” Aradne whispered and closed her eyes. “I wish we were all back at the fourth garrison already and all this was over. I can’t bear waiting to see what will happen.”

“We’ll be alright.” Scarlet pulled her into a hug. “They’ll protect us and we’ll protect them, and we’ll protect each other. I promise to look out for you and Milton, as well as Troy and Corazon. I won’t let anything happen to any of you.”

Aradne squeezed her tight and then let her go. She wiped away her tears and laughed. “Hell, I’m being a fool.”

“Not at all,” Scarlet said with a smile. “At least your man isn’t stuck in a meeting. Spend some time with him tonight, make the most of this quiet.”

Aradne nodded, smiled and walked away.

Scarlet watched her go and then heaved another sigh. She hated seeing her friend so upset and couldn’t bear seeing all her own feelings reflected in Aradne’s eyes. The thought of losing Corazon again made her heart feel as though it was tearing in two. Even the thought of something happening to Troy was too painful.

She turned around and continued to walk slowly across the courtyard towards Corazon’s quarters. Off to her left was the room in which the high-ranking officers were discussing battle plans. She wished they would hurry up. She wanted to see Corazon again, now more than ever. She wanted to tell him that she loved him and that she would do everything in her power to make sure they came through this together.

“It’s a nice night for a walk,” a male voice said behind her and the hairs on the back of her neck rose and prickled.

She continued walking, a little quicker now, wanting to be away from Captain Daliel. She shouldn’t have dawdled. She should have remembered that he was in charge of the watch tonight and she was exposed in the wide open courtyard. Her eyes scanned the walls and then the buildings around her. There was no sign of soldiers. If she wanted, she could run. No. That would only give him reason to chase her. She had to face him this time and show him that she wasn’t weak and she wasn’t going to stand for anything he was going to try.

“Corporal Scarlet?” he said.

She came to a halt, turned and looked at him as though she had only just heard him.

“I said it was a nice night for a walk.” He waved a hand heavenward. “It’s quiet.”

That one word made her swallow hard and become keenly aware of the fact they were alone. Her eyes darted about, trying to see if anyone other than members of the twenty-first company were nearby. No one. She glanced at the room where Corazon and Troy were, and then back at Daliel. There was intent in his eyes even if it wasn’t in his voice. Maybe this was a bad idea. She should have gone and locked herself in Corazon’s quarters instead of thinking that she could face him.

Her heart said to call out to Corazon or Troy, that they would hear her and come to her aid. Her sense overruled it and said that calling out would only anger Daliel. At the moment, he showed no intent of hurting her or trying anything. There was just a look in his eyes that said he was considering it.

“It is,” she said and turned away, walking stiffly towards Corazon’s quarters. She fought to remain calm.

Daliel stepped in front of her, blocking her path and smiled wide, exposing sharp teeth. She frowned and backed away. Turning, she headed back towards the assembly room. Some people were coming out of it. She sniffed and frowned. Damn. Humans. They wouldn’t help her.

Daliel slid into her path again. “You’re always in a terrible hurry. You should try slowing down sometimes... or is it that you like things fast?”

She glared at him for that comment.

“Do you make Corazon do it quickly?” he said and slid closer to her, until he was barely two feet away. He bent his head towards her ear and she went rigid, fear pounding down on her. “I bet you like it rough and hard.”

She shivered when he touched her neck and the marks on it.

Her eyes closed and she gathered her wits. “I have to go.”

She went to leave but he grabbed her arms, his claws digging in. She screwed her face up and struggled against him, desperate to get free. His grip was too tight. It hurt.

She tried to yank her arms free but he tugged her against him and wrapped his arms around her. His cheek pressed against hers. Her breathing accelerated as panic drove her on. She should have gone to Corazon’s quarters. She should have run.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he whispered into her ear. She shivered again, sickened by his touch and fearing what would come next. He was already in his vampire guise. It would be all too easy for him to bite her. She wriggled until her hands were against his chest and tried to push him off her. He held her tighter, his arms like steel bands around her, impossible to break free from. His cheek grazed hers. “Your blood was so sweet... alluring... I have to have you. I want you.”

Scarlet frowned and set her jaw tight, anger welling up inside her and chasing away her fear. “You only want me because I’m Corazon’s. It’s sick!”

He shoved her away from him and, before she could get her balance, slapped her hard across the face. Her head turned with the force of impact and she barely managed to maintain her footing on the damp cobbles.

“That’s no way to speak to your superior!” There was so much fire and darkness in his eyes.

Scarlet rubbed her cheek and scowled at him, waiting for him to make his next move.

His expression changed, his face becoming drawn. He swallowed. She wondered what was wrong. He was staring straight ahead, beyond her, as though startled by something there. She noticed the slim delicate fingers that held his shoulder. No. Not startled by someone behind her, but by someone behind him.

He swallowed again and General Violet appeared in view, stepping around him. His eyes remained fixed straight ahead.

“Corporal Scarlet is perfectly just in her response to your unwanted attentions,” General Violet said but there was no anger in her voice. Scarlet could only watch, wondering what was going to happen. General Violet’s hand remained on Daliel’s shoulder and he still stared into the distance, as though frozen. “It is you who acts wrongly, Captain Daliel. You are on duty. She is not. She does not have to give respect to a man acting against duty. Also, she is right. Your fascination with everything that is Corazon’s is not a healthy one. If I see you near Corporal Scarlet again, you will be punished.”

Daliel looked at her now and Scarlet noticed the change in his expression and Violet’s. Scarlet frowned, not quite understanding what was happening. There was so much hurt in both of their eyes. She had never seen Daliel look so submissive and weak. So vulnerable.

“I will not stand for you to be unruly any longer, Daliel.” General Violet raised her hand and touched his cheek in a way that made everything clear to Scarlet. There was so much love and pain in both of their expressions. Violet’s brows furrowed as she looked up into Daliel’s eyes. She whispered, “Where did we go wrong?”

Daliel held his arms out and General Violet hesitated a moment, her look fearful, and then stepped into them. Scarlet was stunned. She had never known that they were together before. It was strange to see Daliel like this—so tender and gentle. He closed his eyes and pressed a kiss to General Violet’s blonde hair. His arms were locked tight around her and Scarlet could see that Violet was holding him tightly too.

She backed away, wanting to give them some privacy, and turned at the last minute. Now she understood a little more but still didn’t quite know what was happening, or what had happened between Violet and Daliel. Tonight, she had seen a different man. In a split second, he had gone from being the womaniser she had always known him as, to an affectionate and tender lover. She wondered if Corazon would know anything about it.

Her senses sparked and she raised her head, coming out of her thoughts. She saw Corazon standing a short distance away and realised that he had been there for some time and had been waiting for her to notice him. She had been so lost in the moment between Violet and Daliel that she had been oblivious to everything around her. She hadn’t even given thought to the fact that the meeting was over since Violet was able to come to her rescue.

Scarlet walked over to Corazon and stopped beside him, looking back in the direction of Violet and Daliel. They were still holding each other, standing in the middle of the courtyard, themselves oblivious to the people around them. The captains and lieutenants were giving them space, but with the occasional glance in their direction. They looked as stunned as she felt. At least some of them did.

Her eyes roamed back to Corazon.

He didn’t look surprised at all.

His dark eyes met hers, making a shiver bolt through her. There was tenderness in them but in their depths sparked desire.

“I think I’m missing something,” Scarlet said and again glanced towards Violet and Daliel.

Corazon placed his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. She was surprised that he was being so affectionate in public. It was something she hadn’t expected from him.

“When I was at the second garrison, General Violet told me that she knew of my feelings towards you, and yours towards me. She warned me not to keep our love a secret, because she had done that once and the consequences had been disastrous,” he said and drew her closer, until she was pressed against his side. “She told me of Daliel, and how keeping their relationship a secret had driven them apart. Neither could stand it. General Violet felt responsible for Daliel’s change in behaviour, but could never bring herself to call him to her as he wanted her to and heal the breach between them.”

Scarlet pressed her cheek against Corazon’s chest and then pulled back slightly and looked up at him.

“That’s why you left the second garrison that night... and why you’re not hiding your feelings anymore,” she whispered and searched his eyes. All his feelings for her were there in them, all the love and affection that made her chest tight and her heart melt.

He nodded. “I do not want that to happen to us.”

She closed her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then claimed her lips for his own. It was tender and gentle, a soft sweeping dance of their lips against each other, light and so barely there that it tickled.

She moved in his arms, until she was standing in front of him with her hands pressed against his chest, feeling the hardness of his muscles beneath his shirt. Her fingers worked their way upwards to his neck and brushed against it. He moaned against her mouth and deepened the kiss, his tongue caressing hers and sending fire into her veins. His hands caught her sides, his fingers pressing in and his thumbs grazing her stomach. Her whole body caught on fire, burning with hunger for his touch.

Her thumbnails scraped his throat, eliciting another groan from him. She hooked her hands around the back of his neck and held his mouth against hers as she poured out her passion into the kiss. Her tongue tackled his, growing bolder now that desire was stealing over her. She pressed her body against his. His hands slid down from her waist to capture her backside. He dragged her against him. Her eyes shot wide open when she felt his hardness against her hip. Her groin throbbed and the fire inside her became an inferno.

Her mouth left his and she peppered kisses along his jaw towards his throat. She kissed down it and then stared at the smooth skin of his throat as her hunger took a different course. She had never bitten this side. Her teeth itched with the thought of his strong blood in her veins and the divine taste of it. She bit lightly with her blunt teeth.

Corazon groaned, grabbed her upper arms and pushed her off him. There was so much fire in his eyes that she wanted to look away, but she forced herself to look into them, to see the hunger and passion she stirred inside him and know it was as strong and consuming as her own.

His hand caught hers and, before she could blink, he was tugging her towards his quarters.

Her stomach flipped as he opened the door and held it for her. His eyes met hers again, the look in them gentler now, more concerned. He was in control again. She hesitated a moment and then went inside, knowing in her heart that he wouldn’t make her do anything she wasn’t ready for.

Because she was ready for it all.