The Shadows of Night Read Online Free PDF Page B

bedded a man.   Surely that was the only reason she reacted to him so strongly.
    “I’m sure you’re not a fool.   But I suspect you may suffer from overconfidence.”
    “Perhaps.   My parents have often said as much.   But it is clearly too far to jump, even in my other form.”
    “And you won’t jump for any other reason, I hope.”
    She stared up into his face, at the concern in his eyes, and felt a peculiar warmth in her chest.   He cared what became of her.   It had been a long time since any man other than her father had truly concerned himself with her fate.
    She reminded herself firmly that the reason he was concerned for her was because his monarch had ordered him to keep her safe.   Obviously it would not reflect well on him if his charge leapt to her death.   Surely that was all that mattered to him.   And yet the small flicker of warmth didn’t go away.
    He was standing close to her, too close, really.   Even in her human form, she was aware of his scent, the odor of human skin and male musk, and beneath that, the sweet smell of the Antler.   His odor wasn’t as pungent as the men of the Claw Kindred.   Oddly, she liked his scent.   It was different.   Exotic.
    Sexual.
    Her breath came faster, and her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she looked up at him, seeing the heat gathering in the dark depths of his eyes, reflecting the heat building in her body.  
    The urge to rub her body up against him, to feel his hot, sweaty skin pressing against hers, to feel his cock moving against her abdomen, probing between her thighs, thrusting inside her, became overwhelming.  
    And she knew he felt the same way.   His heavy-lidded expression and the tension in his muscles promised everything she imagined… and more.
    She backed away with a strangled gasp.   Her people became aroused easily and made love casually, but she’d never had so wanton a response to a man in her life.   She didn’t want to desire this man, regardless of how well formed he was, regardless of how good he smelled.   He wasn’t her kind, and furthermore, he thought she was a barbarian.  
    She’d best remember that before she got hurt.
    He seemed to come to himself at the sound of her gasp.   He took a step back and looked away.   “So,” he said, his voice hoarse.   He cleared his throat and tried again.   “So.   You find this chamber to your liking?”
    She lifted a shoulder and spoke with as much contempt as she could muster.
    “It will suffice… for a prison.”
    His brows drew together.   “I am glad you approve,” he said with heavy sarcasm.   “If you need anything, speak into the air, and an attendant will come to you.   I will leave you now, but I charge you to remember your vow not to hurt any of my people.”  
    He turned his back on her and strode from the room, leaving her alone.
     
    *****
     
    Hooves and antlers, but she was a gloriously sensual creature, Hart thought as he flung himself down in the living chamber.   A drone was floating back and forth across the chamber, dusting the wood surfaces of the furniture, but he hardly noticed it.   He picked up his harp and began strumming at it, scarcely aware of what tune he was playing.
    The Claw woman filled his mind.   He remembered the sleek, curving lines of her body before she’d clothed herself yesterday.   Nudity meant little among his people, since they necessarily removed their clothing before shifting, but they rarely went unclothed inside, and the sight of her lovely, naked body had shaken him.  
    And today, he’d found himself strangely affected by the way she’d responded to his nearness, her heart pounding audibly, her breasts rising and falling with each rapid breath.   He’d been able to smell the scent of her arousal, even in his human form.   Claw women didn’t smell the way Antler women did.   She didn’t have a sweet, dainty fragrance.   When she was aroused, she smelled quite plainly of sex.
    He thought of