Dark Promise (Underworld)

9



Eric wished he could erase Cassandra’s horrified expression at the scene on the playground. He had wanted to show her the smallest victims falling prey to the darkness hoping her compassion would push her to agree to be his mate, but she glared and stuck out her chin. Another one of his ideas to get her to commit had gone straight to hell.

He held Cassandra’s trembling body and flew into the air. Below, Bruce and Louis shoved Toby and kicked him when he fell. He wanted to throw those two oafs into the Chamber, but there was nothing he could do. They had succumbed to the darkness and were following his father’s royal decree.

Eric took Cassandra back to his room and set her on her feet.

She staggered and pushed away from him, her green eyes blazed with fury. “Why did you take me there? How could you stand by and watch those children hurt each other?” She whipped open the balcony doors and stalked into the room. “And then what they did to your nephew? How could you leave him with that woman? What kind of prince are you?”

His plan of winning her heart spiraled out of control. “Cassandra, Mistress Shandra used to be a caring and loving teacher. She never raised her voice to her students and she used to lower her voice to get them to listen.”

“What?”

“If you lower your voice, children must stop in order to hear. It’s the darkness that has consumed her. This is only a small sample of what is going on throughout my father’s kingdom. By tomorrow all will be dark.”

“Including Toby?”

“If he’s lucky.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Any demon who does not turn will be killed or tortured.”

“What happens after tomorrow night?”

“Father plans to march on the demon clans. We are the strongest and they will soon be enslaved and then—”

“Earth.” Her shoulders sagging, Cassandra sat on the bed and sighed.

“Yes.”

She raised her head and twisted her ring. “You’re not giving me much choice are you?”

He leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. “If I could heal the Golden Tree, I would, but I do not possess this power. Only you do. The choice is yours.”

She bit her lip. “What does mating mean?”

“Sex.”

She put her hand on her chest. “You're kidding right?”

“No.”

“Great,” she murmured.

“Sex with a soul mate is different than with anyone else. Once consummated, the bonds are sealed.”

“There’s no ceremony?”

“You mean a wedding?”

“Well, you’re a prince,” she said.

“No.”

She hung her head. “Oh.”

“I'm sorry, Cassandra, there isn't time.”

She frowned. “Time?”

“My father isn’t exactly supportive of this union  .”

“Does he know I’m here?” Her voice shook and she rubbed her arms.

“He does.” He forced himself not rush to her side. She was still reeling from the schoolyard and he doubted she wanted him to comfort her. He was now the enemy.

“Is he going to stop the…mating?”

“No.” He half-smirked. “Not unless he wants to face the Wraith.”

“She’ll kill the king?”

“With the snap of her fingers. Besides, my father doesn’t believe in the prophecy nor do my brothers.”

“How many brothers do you have?”

“Two, I’m the youngest. You met my nephew.”

She hugged a pillow. “Toby.”

Outside the window, the two suns set. “Lucien’s son. Toby was banished for not killing a Komodo demon.”

“Lucien knows his son is being tortured and does nothing?”

“Cassandra, Lucien has grown dark. He's the eldest and was the first to fall. He follows our father's every command, including turning his son over to Gryffin. He's now spying on the Komodo dragons, trying to discover their weaknesses. Mistress Shandra works for Gryffin.”

She slammed back onto the bed and tossed the pillow against the headboard. “I can’t believe he would do this to his son.”

He leaned his head against the wall and studied the white painted ceiling. “You can change Lucien back into a loving father.”

“By sleeping with you?”

“And you must touch the Golden Tree and breathe into the bark.”

She flounced up and her eyes shone with hope. “What if I touch it now?”

God, she did loathe him. “Doesn’t work that way. We’re not mated yet.”

* * * *

A noose of fate had slipped around her neck and tightened. “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”

Despite his scowl, his eyes pleaded for her to believe him. “You don’t. But I’m telling the truth.”

The weight of two worlds fell on her shoulders. Dragon demons enslaving humans was not something she wanted to be responsible for. “What happens if I do this?”

“You’ll free my people.”

“And?”

He took a deep breath, sadness reflecting in his eyes. “I told you, you can return to Earth.”

“You mean you’ll let me go?”

He turned. “Yes, I give you my word.”

“Like that?”

He snapped his fingers. “Like that.”

She sat on the bed again and dragged her feet under her. Could she sleep with Eric?

She'd saved her virginity for the man in her dreams, but her dreams did not future a man who allowed children to be tortured or who threatened to enslave her.

She wanted to give herself to someone who loved her, accepted her and needed her. Toby’s beaten face flashed in her mind. How many times as a little girl had she prayed for someone to be her champion and save her? Now she had the power to save someone else. All she had to do was hand over her virginity to a demon. “If I do this, I’ll never have to see you again or ever come back to this forsaken place?”

“Yes.” His voice was edgy and tense. A deep scowl marred his handsome face. “Then, so be it.”

Was he already warring with the darkness, trying to stay sane or was she already too late to save the man she'd thought she loved?

Neither of them moved. Each was lost in thought, studying each other. Eric exhaled as if he had been holding his breath. He meandered across the room. He circled his fingers and lifted her chin. “Do you remember the dream?”

In sweet caress, his breath washed over her, and she trembled. Not able to speak, she stared into his passionate eyes, the same ones she’d dreamt about her whole life. With one look, he reduced her to a pile of need, but the red flecks in his eyes had grown, darker, and larger, cooling her desire.

“Let me love you, Cassandra,” he whispered.

What he had done to her in her dreams flooded her with anticipation, squashing any doubts. Confused whether she should give in or resist, she tried to sort things out, but she could not tear her eyes from his gaze. She longed to feel his lips and his hands on her skin roaming over her, awakening each sensitive spot. “Yes,” she whispered.

He caressed her face. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”


Except for selling my soul to the devil. Cassandra’s mouth ran dry.

His slid his fingers from her chin and glided them behind her neck and. his perfect mouth lingered a mere inch above hers. She burned for him. He kissed her deeply, making her forget any doubts. Exploring every inch of her mouth, sweet strokes of his tongue possessed her, dominated her and caressed her.

He pulled away, unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it to the ground.

She admired each bulging muscle and his flattened abdomen that flexed as he bent and shed his pants.

His powerful arms were oaken, tawny and the sinews sculpting his thick thighs showed this was a man who despite being a prince embraced hard labor.

Her fingers ached to touch his smooth, sleek skin.

His flesh between his massive thighs was full and erect. She clenched her thighs tight, afraid he’d rip her apart.

“I will not hurt you, I promise. Mating is never violent, little one. Only pleasurable.”

He gave her a slow smile. His eyes turned somber and he clasped both her hands, gently pulling her to her feet. He leaned his dark head and captured her lips. He was tender at first and then his kiss grew more demanding. She pressed his sleek chest and rubbed his hard muscles.

He sucked in his breath and his erection pressed against her thigh. He slipped his hands under her sweater and she quivered.

“Take everything off,” he whispered, his voice husky and strained. “I want to see all of you.” He slid her sweater over her head and unclasped her bra with a calloused hand. Eric growled.

She was afraid he had turned into something evil and kicked off her suede boots, removed her socks and peeled off her pants. She covered her breasts with her hands. She was a harlot at a slave auction.

Eric put his hands on her shoulders.

She jumped.

“Cassandra, look at me,” he whispered.

No monster gazed at her, but a dark-haired angel, filled with hunger for her. “You’re beautiful, more beautiful than I imagined.”

Heat filled Cassandra’s cheeks. His words stirred a pool of desire in her womb.

A bit of uncertainty crossed his face. At the glimpse of vulnerability, Cassandra’s feelings for him deepened. He was as nervous as she was. She stepped forward, pressing herself against Eric’s lean body while reaching around his neck. He captured her mouth again. When he gently lowered her onto the bed, she tensed waiting for him to rip her apart. He stroked her skin and his kiss inflamed her, her fear lessened.

His mouth left hers, ravaging her throat from her ear to her shoulder, discovering every sensitive nerve. He cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing her budding nipple. And when he lowered his mouth, she arched up, eager to feel his lips on her flesh. He didn’t disappoint her. She whimpered and she clawed into his thick hair, pinning him to her breast. With his teeth, he tugged the sensitive peak of her nipple, his rough tongue licking and caressing it. Hungry for more, she marveled at his prowess.

He licked and worshipped her. Rough stubble on his jaw scraped her tender skin and his strong fingers probed and kneaded her breast. Flares of passion ignited and overwhelmed her as his hand slid down her side.

She tried to clamp her legs together, but he gently spread them apart. He pushed his finger in a smooth movement to explore her blonde curls. She jerked. “Cassandra, relax.” He licked her nipple again and she shivered. “Let yourself go.”

Cassandra struggled to obey, but tiny tingles pulses pumped through her, making it difficult to do anything but feel. She shuddered with involuntary spasms, and a surge of unexpected pleasure, more enjoyable than any dream, caught her unaware.

She clenched the soft comforter trying to hang on, frightened by her own inadequacy to manage the sweet, quaking spasms, rippling through her body, so much more intense than the dream. Another wave of liquid heat shivered through her. He inserted a second finger inside her, thrusting and she rocked her hips to his steady rhythm. Devilish strokes built a budding pressure, bursting forth and shaking her.

“This is only the beginning,” Eric said.

She tried to comprehend what he meant, helpless to stop him, but she didn’t want him to stop as long as his hot mouth sucked and kissed her body, his fingers filling her core, stretching her. Sweet pleasure swirled over her as he slipped his fingers out of her. His hot mouth left her breast and he edged down her torso, his hair brushing against her hot skin. He knelt in front of her, his possessive gaze flickering over her, igniting her passion. Strong hands parted her thighs wider as he lifted her hips off the bed and slid her thighs over his shoulders. He kissed her feminine mound and she dug her nails into the quilt, hanging on for the next onslaught of pleasure.

He gripped her hips, his fingers imprinting on her delicate flesh. She could not have pulled away if she wanted to, aching for him to linger.

Heat and pleasure plowed through her. She was an out of control snowball, gaining speed and intensity as orgasms shook her over and over again.

“You taste like cream,” Eric murmured. He lowered her quivering body and climbed up the bed. Anticipation consumed her. She wanted so much more.

A laugh escaped her.

He placed both hands on either side of her face. “What’s so funny?”

“Your hair. It tickles.”

“I’ll make you tickle,” he promised. “Spread your legs for me, Cassandra.”

Fear gripped her as he wedged his hips between her thighs, his hard flesh poking into her tender folds. His kiss deepened.

She dug her nails into his arms ready for pain.

“I promise it will only hurt a moment, love. Trust me.”

She nodded, too scared to speak and waited.

He laughed. “Love, relax.” He nestled in the crook of her neck, kissing her and nibbling her ear. He rubbed her *. He inched his cock forward, throbbing and hard and spread her feminine folds. In one thrust, he pierced her and a sharp pain filled her, stealing her breath. She tensed, clutching his arms tighter, but he lay still. She was afraid he’d split her in two, but his kiss deepened and he moved. He rocked his hips, releasing a floodgate of passion and her womb welcomed him with warm spasms of heat.

Clinging to him, she trusted him to lead her. He moved within her, thrusting and withdrawing, in long, hard strokes. He kissed her vigorously, stealing her breath, as he moved inside her, flesh against flesh, heat into heat, sliding and probing, making her writhe in disbelief. She begged without shame for him to plunge deeper, harder as she met these thrusts with equal force. Waves of pleasure took her soaring into blissful ecstasy better than she’d ever experienced in the dream. This was real. Intense. Scorching.

Brilliant, storming torrents of raining pleasure lavished her body as her senses dissolved into a pool of orgasms. Her body shook from one orgasm to another. She barely registered Eric arching his back and crying in the grips of sweet torment.

He threw his head back and roared. Fire burst from his mouth, surrounding them in a burning aura, energizing their passion into another frenzy and sweeping them into a sizzling sensation more intense than she thought possible. Fury rumbled inside her, threatening to ignite, taking her higher than any of her previous orgasms. Fervor seized her and she took Eric deeper inside her. A burst of white filled the room and faded. She clung to him, afraid she’d die. Nothing had prepared her for the feelings pulsing through her veins, her heart propelling them to every sensitive core until her orgasm shook her, releasing waves and waves of pleasure.

Silver eyes replaced his dark ones, the exact color of Toby’s. She parted her mouth and he seized hers, his tongue delving deep inside her taking from her all she had to give. She caressed his back, his strained muscles rippling beneath her touch.


Eric slowed his pulsing, collapsed on top of her. The fire disappeared. Warmth spread over Cassandra’s sweltering skin.

“It’s done,” he whispered into her ear and kissed her neck. His heart beat savagely, mirroring hers. She stroked his thick hair, running her fingers through silky strands and rubbed his trembling back.

He stared at her with shimmering silver eyes. “You belong to me.”

She cupped his face. “Your eyes? What happened?”

“Your Light, Cassandra. It saved me.”

“You’re not growing dark?”

“No.”

She crossed her legs over his buttocks, holding him to her and he rocked inside her. “Umm, that was nice. Better than any dream.”

Lifting his head, he arched an eyebrow. “You doubted it would be?”

Heat flamed her cheeks. “Well, no.”

She quivered as he pushed a lock of hair out of her face. “I can get used to making you blush.” He ran his hand down her side, all her curves, leaving goose bumps. “All over,” he whispered.

She indulged in his kiss, relishing his manliness, his prowess. She clutched his shoulders tight, afraid to let him go. “You’re like Toby. Your father, his men, they won’t hurt you will they? I mean you're a prince.”

A shadow fell over his face. Sighing, he pulled out of her and rolled to the side. “Unfortunately they will.”

She grabbed his arm. “No.”

“Sweet Cassandra.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek and wrapped his hand in her hair, pulling her to his lips, kissing her.

Someone pounded on the door. “Prince Eric, open up,” a male demanded. “The King demands to see you at once.” The door banged open.

Five sneering guards, swords drawn, glared at them. “You’re both coming with us,” one of them commanded.

Cassandra froze.

Eric rubbed her arm and her heart pounding, she glanced back at him.

“I promised to keep you safe.” He snapped his fingers and she passed out cold.