It's too bad I had to give you the taint."

"But you... you didn't. You wouldn't."

"Yes, I did. And because I did, you must make me pay."

My teeth chattered. For a moment the room blurred. Were there others around me? When did Jessica and Patrick and Stan get here? I heard snippets of voices.

What's wrong with her?

She's having a seizure. Hold her down. Where's the syringe?

What do you mean she's in the final stages? It's only been a couple of weeks.

Save her! Save her NOW!

Lorcan's roar made the whole room vibrate. "Lor?" I whispered.

I'm here, Eva. Don't go. Please don't go.

"Eva?" The beautiful voice drew me away from the chaos. I blinked and the people and the voices faded into nothing. I was in my room-no, my prison-with Lorcan.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing's wrong, love. It's just you and me." He patted my clasped hands. His eyes glowed as bright as twinkling green stars.

Oops. Wrong color. Silver. Lor's eyes were silver.

"I killed you," he said. "Then I gave you the taint. You should seek your revenge. You should kill me. An eye for an eye... a child for a child."

"Child for a... what are you talking about? What child?" I shook my head. "That doesn't make sense. I would never hurt you."

"No, you wouldn't. I keep forgetting that you're not bloodthirsty or vengeful. That presents quite the problem."

I felt dizzy, as if everything around me was falling away. My mind clouded, thickened with confusion. When it cleared again, I couldn't remember what had been said. What were we talking about? I love you, Eva. Excitement glimmered. Lorcan declared his love for me. Soothed by this memory, I smiled.

"Free me, Eva. Free me from the blackness of my soul."

"What? How?" My smile dimmed. "Forgive yourself, Lor. Didn't we already talk about this?"

"I can't forgive myself. I want to die. I want peace."

"No." Panic raced through me. What was he asking me to do? No, it wasn't fair. I was dying. I wouldn't leave Lorcan to the same fate.

"I love you. I love you so much." He sighed, his gaze sad. "If you love me, you'll do as I ask. I want to die. I want to be free."

A ribbon of understanding twirled. Oh, of course. That made sense. Lorcan wanted peace. I loved him enough to give him closure.

"I'll do as you ask," I said. "I'll do anything you ask."

"I know," he said softly. "Now sleep. When you wake up, we'll be together and you'll help me.""Yes, Lorcan."

The prince kneeled by his dying soul mate and wiped the sweat from her brow. She was beautiful, even though her skin was as pale as the winter moon. Her eyes opened. As soon as she caught sight of his face, she smiled. "It's you," she said. "I knew you would come."

Overjoyed, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Yes, it is I. Your prince."

She chuckled, though the sound turned into a cough. "My prince of death. My angel of mercy. I am ready to go."

The prince's heart filled with dread. "No, my love. I am your soul mate. Worry not. I can give you life."

"I had a life," she said kindly. "It was a very good one. I was happy and blessed with friends and family."

"I've searched a thousand years for you." Desperation clawed at him. "And now that you are finally in my arms, I must let you go?"

"I am honored that you thought me worthy of such a sacrifice. Have your years been wasted, prince?"

"No. Never."

"I'm glad." She coughed and coughed. He wiped her mouth, terrified to see blood smeared on the cloth. "I can save you."

"From what?" she asked, smiling. "I don't fear death."

For the first time in a long time the prince felt fear. He had the power to save his beloved-he need only force his blood into her and she would live forever. But that was his desire, not hers.

Love was not selfish.

Love was sacrifice.

-From The Prince and the Maiden, an unpublished work by Lorcan O'Halloran "Eva?"

I awoke slowly. The room was dimly lit and felt cold. None of the electronics were on-no TV or CD player or reading lamps.

It seemed weird, but it was almost as though I could feel the residual vibes of other people. But no one was in here now. No one but Lorcan.

I looked at him, at the man who loved me, and smiled. "h.e.l.lo, there." My words sounded like a s.e.xy purr. His gaze flashed with surprise, but I knew that he wanted me. And I wanted him.

He leaned forward and put his forehead against mine. "How do you feel?"

"Perfect now that you're here."His lips brushed mine, then he scooted back. "We almost lost you."

"I'm not going anywhere. Not without you." I curled my finger in a beckoning signal. "C'mere."

Frowning, he lay next to me, propping his chin on his hand. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't quite seem like... you."

"I agreed to your request," I said. "Remember?"

"Request?"

"I will give you peace, Lorcan, just like you wanted. But first..." I kissed him. He fell onto the bed and I climbed on top of him, sliding along his muscled form. "You are so yummy."

"Eva, I don't think we should-"

I put my finger against his lips. "We won't bind. There's no need, is there? We'll give each other pleasure. I wouldn't feel right about keeping my promise if I didn't give you this at least."

I sat up, scooting so that the vee of my thighs cradled his hardening c.o.c.k. I whipped off my nightgown.

"A stoirin," he murmured, his gaze feasting on my nakedness. "We must not do this."

"You want to," I said simply as I unb.u.t.toned his shirt. The material parted. I bent down and kissed the revealed flesh. I felt extremely giddy.

Something's wrong. She's not like this. But... I can't stop. I don't want to stop.

I heard Lorcan's concerned thoughts and hesitated. What was I doing? Why was I lying on top of Lorcan? How had we ended up like this?

I want you, came the rea.s.surance. I want you and need you. I love you. Bring me peace, Eva. You promised. I cannot live without you. I cannot live. Remember?

My purpose was renewed instantly. Of course! How could I have forgotten something so important? Lorcan needed me. He needed my love, yes, but more importantly, he needed me to end his suffering.

My worship of his body continued and like the beautiful Irish G.o.d he was, he accepted my homage. I kissed every inch of skin, flicking my tongue across his nipples. I teased them to hardness and bit lightly.

He groaned, and his hands dove into my hair and dragged me forward. His kiss was pa.s.sionate... hot... consuming. I let him take my mouth again and again. I let the fires build and burn. Then I wrenched away and grasped at his pants. The zipper stuck in my trembling hands.

"Let me help," he said. The offending clothing sparkled away. Eager now, I gripped his hard length, stroking it with one hand, while with the other I cupped his b.a.l.l.s and squeezed gently.

"I wish I could feel you inside me," I said as I crawled down and nestled between his legs. "But I'll settle for this..."

I licked his c.o.c.k from base to tip. The musky scent of his maleness and the soft-hard feel of him against my lips delighted me. I stroked down until my mouth ghosted across his b.a.l.l.s. I kissed them reverently. Then I pulled each one into the warm cave of my mouth, flicking and sucking lightly.

I released him from that sensual torture and attacked his c.o.c.k again. I licked him, flattening my tongue against him as I sought his crown. When I reached the top, I sucked on the mushroomed head, flicking the sensitive ridge.Once again, his hands dove into my hair and braced against my skull. He adjusted position, straining to get more deeply into my mouth. I accommodated him. I took every inch, slowly, teasing him as much as I could. I took him all, felt him brush the back of my throat.

l.u.s.t roared through me. It had been so long since I'd felt this way. I poured all my desire into this one act. I went down on him again and again, until he was thrusting and moaning. I maintained a thin edge of control-I had to, didn't I? Yes. I had to give him this last wonderful thing before I- "Stop, love."

He rolled me onto my back and covered me, his c.o.c.k nestled against my wet heat. His silver eyes were glazed with desire.

"I've never wanted anyone like I want you," he confessed.

"I feel the same about you," I said.

Smiling that wonderful smile, he dipped to taste my collarbone.

He didn't stop there.

Every touch made me shiver, made me want.

Lorcan stretched my arms above my head. My back arched slightly, pushing my aching b.r.e.a.s.t.s into his chest. My whole body was aflame. I wanted to extend this exquisite torture nearly as much as I wanted to feel the bright and shining end of it.

He kissed me, his tongue slipping into my mouth to mimic the mating ritual we couldn't complete. I felt his c.o.c.k jerk against my c.l.i.t and I gasped.

Lorcan released my wrists so that he could cup my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He pinched my nipples into hardness and I moaned as little shocks of need electrified me. When his mouth surrounded my nipple and his tongue flicked the peak, pleasure jolted through me, spearing me at the core. He laved my nipple, suckling it hard while his hand tormented the other breast. Then he switched mouth and hand and I almost died... again.

We were frenzied now, touching and kissing and groaning. I felt so savage, so edged with urgency that I could barely stand the overload of sensations. I wanted to scream.

Lorcan seemed to sense that I was more than ready. He pushed his c.o.c.k between the slick folds of my l.a.b.i.a and began to move.

Joy pierced me, trembling, aching tendrils that wrapped around me tighter and tighter.

"Lorcan," I whispered as my fingernails raked down his back. "Oh, Lorcan."

The o.r.g.a.s.m swelled, waves of rapture threatening... then wham! I sailed over the threshold into bliss.

From far away, I heard Lorcan groan as he increased his pace. I couldn't believe it when my body revved for round two so quickly. The rocking of our bodies singed me to the core. The slap of flesh, the glazed look of l.u.s.t in Lorcan's eyes, and his thick, pumping c.o.c.k brought me to the brink again.

"Eva!"

His c.o.c.k pulsed against my c.l.i.t and the second o.r.g.a.s.m bloomed as I felt the warmth of his come spray onto my belly.

He collapsed at my side, panting and sweating. He looked as though he'd been in battle rather than in bed. The thought made me giggle.

Whispering in Gaelic, he pa.s.sed his hand over my spattered flesh and the area tingled. I looked down and found myself clean.

"I had no idea getting rid of the wet spot was another perk of being a vampire."

He grinned.

I flattened him to the bed and lay on top of him, enjoying the feel of being pressed against him. I rose up just enough to look him in the eye. "I'm ready to give you what you want. I promised."

His gaze shadowed. "What are you talking about, Eva? What promise?"

"The promise of peace."

"Oh, Eva..." I heard sorrow in his voice.

"Don't be sad." I licked his neck. The carotid artery... perfect. My fangs extended.

"Love, we need to talk. You should-"

Quick and deep. Hold on and no matter what I say, don't let go. Drain me. Kill me. End my suffering.

I lay my full weight on him, bracing my hands on either side of the bed.

Love overwhelmed me, guided me, and urged me onward.

If you love Lorcan, you will do this. Do it now.

I bit him.