Totally out of breath, his legs shaking since he’d come so hard, Darius pulled Brisa away from the door. She put her arms around his neck and held on. After pulling his pants up near his hips, high enough for him to walk without having to worry about falling, or dropping Brisa, he turned and headed for the foyer. He then went up the stairs.
Inside his room, he placed Brisa on the center of his bed. She stripped out of the rest of her clothes while he shed his. Naked, he climbed in beside her and tugged her in his arms with her positioned along his side with her head pillowed on his chest.
Darius kissed the top of her head when he felt her relax and heard her breathing even out. The nap would do her good. Considering he couldn’t get enough of her, he pretty much assumed he’d keep her up most of the night.
Brisa sighed, blowing a puff of air across his chest. Sated for now, Darius closed his eyes. The last thing he thought about before he followed her into slumber was how good it felt to have her in his arms as he slept.
Chapter Seven
Darius turned his head and looked at Brisa who lay on her back, fast asleep. It was almost dawn, and as predicted, he’d kept her up for most of the hours of darkness. She didn’t stir as he carefully slipped out of bed. He picked up his jeans before he silently walked out of the bedroom. Outside in the hall, he pulled them on.
He headed down the stairs. He needed to talk to Anubis again, without Brisa being around. After the quickie they’d had once they arrived back from the restaurant, he and Brisa had made love three more times. Each of those had been longer, felt more intense. And each time his eyeteeth had dropped. One bout, he’d come so close to biting Brisa, he’d nipped her hard enough to almost break the skin.
Inside the mini-temple, Darius closed the door behind him, then approached the altar. As before, after he called out to the god of the underworld, Anubis was quick to reply.
Darius.
“I don’t know if that demon’s spell completely wore off. I’m still having shifting problems.”
In what way?
Darius paused. Even though Anubis was male, Darius still disliked talking about his sex life with anyone. He figured that was his private business. He never bragged about his sexual conquests.
“It happens while I’m in bed with a woman. Well, one in particular. Brisa. When I reach…completion, my eyeteeth become longer, and I have the almost overwhelming urge to bite her where her shoulder and neck meet. I haven’t yet, bitten her that is. But I came pretty damn close once. That’s never happened to me before, which has me thinking the demon’s spell must be having an influence over me still.”
Anubis chuckled in Darius’ head. Let me assure you that the spell is completely gone. That’s not the reason behind this new change in you. It’s the woman.
“I don’t understand.”
It’s Brisa who brings on your urge to bite her. She’s your mate, Darius.
“My mate?” Darius asked, feeling very confused. “How is that possible? I pledged to serve you. There is no room in my life for a woman.”
Yes, you did, but I never expected you to be alone forever. I don’t expect it for any of my warriors, though those of you who were the first to pledge will take longer to find the woman meant for you. You’re the first.
“Brisa is mortal. It can’t work.”
Yes, it can. I gave you all the ability to bind your mate to you. One bite and her life force will be tied to yours.
“That’ll give Brisa immortality, but won’t it also mean that if I die so does she? If I literally lose my head, it’s all over for me.”
True, but I’ve made you strong enough, so the chance of any prey being capable of doing that is next to nil.
“Then why not make her an immortal yourself as you did me?”
For me to do that, she’d have to be near death and call out to me the same way you did, asking to be saved. That is the only way I’m allowed to grant immortality. Would you like to put your mate through that?
“No.” Feeling death slowly closing in, desperate to cling to life, was not a pleasant experience. “No, I wouldn’t want that for Brisa.”
Then you must bite her, but give her the choice first. Tell her exactly what you are. You can’t force her into it. That I won’t allow.
“I’d never do that to her.”
And he wouldn’t. Choosing immortality was a decision that couldn’t be made lightly. As for his feelings about Brisa being his mate, it felt right. He’d already started to lose his heart to her. Now knowing what she meant to him, Darius didn’t want to let her go. Ever. He just hoped she could accept him and the world he lived in. Having to let her go would be beyond hard.
Brisa rolled to her side and reached for Darius. Feeling the spot next to her on the bed empty, and finding the sheets cool, she came awake. A quick look around the room showed he wasn’t there.
She sat up and stretched. It was still very early in the morning. Weak light shone through the crack in the curtains, chasing away some of the darkness in the room. In need of something to drink, Brisa pushed out of bed, deciding to go in search of some water and Darius.
Finding his t-shirt on the floor where he’d thrown it the evening before, she slipped it on. Out in the hallway, Brisa walked to the top of the stairs. She looked down, but didn’t see any lights on. Not letting that stop her, she took the steps to the main floor.
It was easy enough for her to find the kitchen. Her eyes adjusted to the near dark, she didn’t bother with the lights and headed for the large stainless-steel fridge. Brisa opened it, happy to see some bottled water inside. She took one and twisted off the cap, closing the fridge with her hip as she took a big drink before she placed the bottle on the counter.
Her thirst taken care of, she went in search of Darius. He had to be around here somewhere. The living room was the first place she looked. Stepping inside the room, it appeared empty, but then she heard the muffled murmur of someone talking. The deep, slightly accented voice belonged to Darius.
Brisa looked around, at first not sure where he could be, then spotted the closed door. She stepped closer. Without knocking she pulled it open. Then felt her jaw drop when she took in the smaller room.
The walls were painted a stark white, whereas the living room’s were a dark beige. There were quite a few ancient Egyptian-looking pieces spaced throughout it. Framed pictures looked like those found on the pharaohs’ tombs in Egypt, painted in jewel tones and gold on real papyrus paper. There were small statues and other works of art. The majority of the items depicted the god of the dead, Anubis. And standing near the back of the room, in front of what suspiciously looked like an altar, was Darius.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked.
Darius whipped around, surprise showing on his face. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“So you came down here and closed yourself in a room that looks dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god, Anubis?”
“I know you’ll think this sounds crazy, but being in here helps me relax.”
“And you talk to yourself too? I heard you.”
“I was…ah…praying.”
She gave Darius a quizzical look. “You pray to a god from an ancient race of people?”
He looked decidedly uncomfortable as he shifted in place. “It’s just something I do sometimes, all right?”
Brisa gazed around the room again. “Well, this explains the tattoo on your chest. You must be into the whole ancient Egyptian thing. At least now I know what I can get you for your birthdays and Christmas,” she said with a smile.