Page 18 of Breaking the Bloodstone Curse
She wanted to protest that it was her business, but she suddenly felt sleepy again. And now that she had the big half-Kindred’s arms wrapped around her, she felt safe enough to close her eyes. She knew without asking that he would kill for her and would protect her with his life. So if the red-eyed thing came at her again, he would keep her safe.
“There you go. Relax, little one.” His deep voice sounded almost tender this time. “Just let yourself sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
“Thank…” Serenai yawned. “You,” she finished as her eyelids drifted closed.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured.
But almost before he finished, she was asleep.
13
BRAX
Brax held the small, precious body against his own as his new Mistress relaxed into slumber. What was it about her that drew him so strongly? He honestly couldn’t say. But he couldn’t remember ever feeling so protective of a woman before. Well, other that his first Mistress, Leelah, but she had destroyed his trust and broken his love.
It had taken him a long time to get over her and though he finally was, telling the story of how she’d trained him and then discarded him had touched a deeply buried vein of sorrow and pain in him.
But Mistress Leelah had been considerably older than him—he’d been nothing but a stupid boy and she’d been jaded and cold. His new little Mistress was nothing like her.
Serenai was curious and cautious…innocent but courageous. She didn’t fear him even though she’d seen him fight and she trusted him enough to let him hold her as she slept. Also, she was beautiful, with her smooth brown skin and her big, dark eyes, and her full, luscious curves…
There’s just something about her, Brax thought, as he stroked her hair. She’s different from any other female I’ve ever met—she’s special.
Of course, special or not, he knew he had to guard his heart. He’d lived though the consequences of falling in love with his Mistress before, and he didn’t intend to put himself through that pain again.
But he was determined to keep her safe. So he held her close and scanned the darkness to be certain the red-eyed thing wasn’t coming back for seconds.
Nobody was going to touch his Mistress. Not unless they wanted to die.
14
SERENAI
Serenai woke late in the morning, feeling refreshed. She’d had bad or broken sleep for the previous three nights running but last night she’d slept like a baby. Why was that?
The feeling of a big, hard, warm body surrounding hers gave her the answer.
That’s right—I asked Brax to hold me last night!
Or rather, she had ordered him to. Remembering that sent a little shiver through her and she felt that fluttery feeling in her stomach again.
The big half-Kindred seemed to be relaxed. His chest was rising and falling regularly at her back and his breathing was deep and even.
He must be asleep, Serenai realized. She couldn’t blame him—he’d been up half the night guarding her and clearly he’d done a good job. The red-eyed thing hadn’t come back at all.
It was nice sleeping with someone else, Serenai decided. She felt warm and safe and comforted. Brax was so much bigger than her, she almost felt like a child in his arms. He made her feel protected.
She wiggled, to get a little closer to him and felt that hard lump again, pressing against her bottom. Now what was that? Was it the snake between his legs?
Turning over carefully, so as not to wake him, she looked down. The room was still dim but there was enough light coming through the window that she could see there was a definite bulge in the black sleep trousers. Only this time, instead of hanging down between his legs, the long, thick bulge was pointing up.
What was going on? Was his snake getting ready to strike?
Hesitantly, Serenai put out a finger to touch it. It felt firm and warm against her finger tip. But then, just as she had decided she didn’t have to be afraid of it, the trouser snake twitched.
“Oh!” she gasped and jerked her hand away. Had it tried to bite her? Was it angry?
“Hmm, getting curious, were you, little one?”
