Kiss Me, Beloved

Anna Michelle

Their day-to-day activities were on hold because of what happened to her sister Rie and their new friend Indali.

Some horrible events affected them all. Her security detail was tightened even more. A powerful mix of wolves, vampires, and dragons. She should be afraid since she and Rie were humans. Far from it. They felt secured. All the time.

Since she couldn't go out --she didn't mind that much, she doesn't go to clubs or parties nor does she have many friends.

Maestro Roberto was instructed by Alexander, her powerful brother-in-law, to conduct her music lessons inside the estate. The teacher readily agreed and well the other professors had no choice. Apparently, Xander's business partner owned major stocks at Juilliard's and entrusted him with the business while his friend was gone.

Overall it had been a tediously boring day. She had a lot of energy to spent. She did and played with her nephews and niece. Yet, she was too restless to get some much-needed rest.

Mish hasn't had a good night's sleep since the attacks --worried for her sister, Rie. She knew Lucas, her mate, a Dragon King will care better for her than she could. He was doing exactly that when she left the library.

Her lips lifted in a faint smile. Lucky Anna Marie, her sassy sister. The man was drop-dead Greek-God gorgeous --not as gorgeous as her beloved-- and he was crazy over her.

Frowning, Mish looked at the ceiling. Ridiculous. Why would she be so obsessed with the man she had been dreaming of for such a long time, she doesn't know. It's inevitable. He had been a part of her since she was young.

Staring at the crystal chandelier in her bedroom --twinkling softly in the partial darkness, courtesy of the moonlight beaming from outside, she could see clearly enough.

Time to sleep.

Touching her throbbing neck, she started counting. Her heart following the beat and her breathing became shallow --greenish-brown eyes began to droop.

-Startled, she woke up and found herself on the bedroom's balcony.

-How did she get here?

-She folded her arms below her dress, closed her eyes, and tilted her face towards the brilliant moon. The night breeze was biting. She loved it even though she was wearing a flimsy silk chemise --a new habit of hers to feel sexy-- she smiled delightfully.

-Then her skin pricked. The hair on her arms and nape stood, creating goosebumps. She twirled around and gasped.

-"Beloved," Mish breathed in reverence. He was watching her with his hard ice-blue eyes. Face taut and his whole body tensed --expecting her to bolt. She inwardly frowned.

-She did run. To him. There was never any doubt he would catch her in his arms. He did --her limbs locked around him-- and his arms felt like a band of steel on her slender back. Holding her securely. No words escaped his lips, yet his eyes said it all.

-Pained longing and yearning, his desire for her. His love. Tears filled her eyes. She felt the same. She was in love with him the moment she started dreaming of him.

-"Kiss me. Please, my heart." He growled. Excited by her request. What he did next made her arched her back. He dipped his head and sucked on her tattoo. There was a pin-prick pinched then it was gone. Replaced by pure sensation. Pure pleasure. She moaned and clutched his burnished gold hair tightly. Feeling wanton, her bare legs pulled his hips closer to her body, rubbing herself on his defined torso.

-In the middle of it all, she realized something...something vital that she had known all along. This evening confirmed it. And his actions were proof.

-He was drinking from her, filling his thirst. His hunger. For her. She shuddered at the realization. Her beloved was a vampire and she belonged to him. He was claiming her.

-He groaned on her heated skin --raising his head reluctantly. He looked almost afraid. Of what? She whimpered. She wanted more. She wanted to ease his pain.

-His sharp piercing gaze caressed her flushed face, imprinting every nuance and deep breath she took. Slowly, as if giving her the chance to move away, he lowered his head and gently crushed his cold lips to her. He was hard, unrelenting, instinctively, she softened for him. Her lips blossoming beneath his.

-Her beloved moaned and took her breath. Their lips moved in harmony, in practiced ease. When he delved deeper to savor her taste, she let him, she was there to welcome him. To received him.

-She was no longer empty. He filled her. He healed her.

-He healed her heart.

***

She wanted to scream and wail from the unfairness of it all. It was another dream. All had been a figment of her imagination and her longing for everything to be real.

He was not. But it felt so much so.

Mish can feel heat coursing through her veins and there was roaring in her ears.

Licking her dry lips, it felt raw and sensitive. Like she had been kissed all night. Scrambling out of bed, she ran to her bathroom.

The reflection in the mirror said it all. On the side of her neck laid his puncture marks. Swollen and achy. In perfect impression with her tattoo of a crown. And the most damning was the purplish hickies on her chest and collarbone.

Reluctant and cautious --fingers trembling-- she grazed the mark gently. And shuddered when pleasure unimaginable went straight to the deepest part of her core. Every inch of her skin became sensitive. Aware.

Too aware.

She was so suddenly afraid of this newfound feeling, she needed to talk to someone. Preferably, Alexie or her sisters.

The warm shower she took didn't soothe her nerves at all. In case last night was real, she was loath to remove his touch.

Goddess! She must be going crazy.

***

Mish rang her sister Anna first then Alexie. All went straight to voicemail. Muttering a curse, she dialed Rie's number. She picked it up after three rings, her voice was groggy and disoriented. Damn!

Nevertheless, she agreed to meet her at the family's breakfast nook in ten minutes.

Now, looking at her sipping her hot coffee gratefully, eyes sleepy and red, tendrils of hair wet from her recent shower, Mish cursed at the urgency that made her wake Rie up. Of course, her sister would still be recovering from her recent ordeal.

As usual, Rie dismissed her sluggish mood and took care of her. Made her favorite kedgeree, and whipped up some batter for fluffy pancakes. Rie bullied her into helping her. Mish didn't mind. It made her busy for at least an hour and it made her forget her problem.

By the time they were done, they had heaps of food on the table.

The servants hovered nearby, ready to serve them. Anna Marie declined and commanded them instead --and some of their bodyguards that were constantly nearby to share with the food. They did and happily retired in the huge kitchen.

Alone at last. Bidding her time had tried her patience.

"I'm sorry for waking you up so early, Rie." She watched her sister eat without care if she looked pretty chewing or not. Like with everything, she was direct and true. No artifice.

She waved a piece of toasted bread in front of Mish. "You have been and always will be one of my important priorities, Mish. You know that." Admonishment in her tone.

The younger sister ducked her head. What Rie said was true. She started taking care of her when she was still a toddler and she no more than a kindergarten herself.

"I know, Rie. But times changed. Anna's happily married and you also found your mate. I'm so happy for you both. Lucas should be your number one priority from now on." There were times she felt like she should be more independent from them --even toyed with the idea of moving out. Though she knew Anna and Alexander and the rest will never allow it.

She was surrounded by bodyguards --wolves, and vampires-- even without a direct threat to her person. Being the sister of a Queen Luna and apparently, the Dragon Queen was enough to make her a VIP.

"Even if Anna and I, and you were happily married, we will always take care of each other. That also includes Alexie and some friends. Like Indali and her sisters-in-law. Girl power, Mish." She sneaked more food on her plate during her speech. Mish arched her brow. Her lips twitched.

"Thank you, sis." She had to say it. Not just for the food. For all that she and Anna had done for her.

"Anytime, Mish." She waved her hand and paused thoughtfully. Anna Marie was trying to read her and Mish tried to return her gaze as innocently as she could. Her eyes narrowed. "Spill it."

Goddess. She was not ready to show Rie her mark with lots of hickies surrounding it. Her sister would freak out.

"I...um...it's nothing." She shrugged, avoiding her gaze. Say it!

"I know you, Anna Michelle. You wouldn't intentionally wake me up unless something important has come up --or has bothered you-- which made you panic." She couldn't escape her. Rie was right.

"I dreamed of him again, Rie. Last night." She whispered. Finally getting it off her chest.

"That same man you were dreaming of since you were a child?" Her sister asked softly. Almost cautiously.

"Yes. The same curly blond hair and ice-blue eyes." -Please believe me.- "Have I met him before, Rie? I feel like I met him before. It was so real. Like it actually happened. Like he was really with me."

"I...ah...Mish," Rie's voice faltered. Unsure what to answer to the desperation in her words. Maybe she was desperate.

Before they could further discuss her crazy dreams, Lucas, Rie's dragon mate made his elegant entrance into the breakfast room. He bent to kiss her sister's cheek affectionately, then bid her good morning.

Mish looked down at her plate and nodded at his greeting.

"Something wrong, ladies?" He asked in a deep husky rumble, with a menacing purr underneath, reminding her of her beloved's voice.

She frowned. How? She remembered his voice when she was a child, although deep, it was gentle and soothing. Not like Lucas's or Xander's or Michael's. Like they always have an enemy to kill nearby.

Mish was beyond confused. Had HIS voice changed?

"Everything's ok. Excuse me. I have to finish something." They both nodded, Rie with a frown in her eyes while watching her go and her mate looking at her like she made the moon and the stars and everything in between. Urg!

Not in front of her.

At least her sister let her go. For now.

She should take a page from Rie's book. If not, she would be crazy in no time if she didn't let this go.

Maybe she should face reality. It was time to move on.

Make new friends. Date.

Her neck throbbed in response to her thoughts. She paused, took a deep shaky breath, and closed her eyes --when she opened them, they went straight to her ring.

____________