Dark Hunter 00 - Dark Bites (Novellas) by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

early.” Galen winked at him before he rose and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well.”
    “And you… make sure you sleep at some point before morning.”
    Caleb let out an irritable sigh. “Guess I’ll be bunking with the others tonight. Don’t get used to this, Aricles. I don’t give up my bed or tent easily.” Malphas bowed to her then followed after Galen. “Save some wine for me, you gluttonous bastard!”
    Bathymaas moved to ask Aricles if she could get something for him, but he was already asleep. Relieved, she ran her finger down the line of his perfectly sculpted jaw and savored the sensation of his whiskers tugging at her skin.
    She’d known him for almost two years now. In some ways it seemed like they’d just met, and in others, it was as if she’d known him forever. She picked up her amulet and stared at the stone heart her father had given her. This trinket was no longer the warmth inside her body. Her heart now belonged with Aricles. He was what sustained her and she would be lost without his quiet, gentle nature.
    Even though she should be horrified by what he’d done to her, she wasn’t. Instead, she climbed back into bed to lie beside him so that she could hold him while he slept. But as she closed her eyes, she couldn’t help the fear that stalked her. He was mortal. She was not. What hope could their love possibly have? Was there any way for this to end, other than very badly for them both?

April 4, 12,250 BC
     
    “Run away with me, Ari.”
    Aricles tightened his arms around Bathymaas as they fished in their spot. “I can’t, my love. And neither can you. We have too many responsibilities for that.”
    “I don’t care, anymore. Injustice will continue. It’s the nature of mortals. No matter what I do, they still hurt each other. Ergo, I cede and give up this useless fight. All I want now is to be with you.”
    Closing his eyes, he inhaled her sweet lily scent, wishing that he could forget everything and leave with her. But he couldn’t. And neither could she. If they did, he had no doubt that in time, she’d learn to hate him for changing her. “We must do what we can to help others.”
    She sighed heavily. “And that’s why I love you, even though I hate you.” She kissed his cheek.
    He smiled at her contradictory words. That was the only downfall to her emotions. They were now mercurial at times.
    Bathymaas stroked the arm he had across her stomach as she felt his erection against her back. He no longer bound himself, but neither did he ever make a move to touch her more intimately than a kiss. “Ari? Do you ever think about having children?”
    “I used to.”
    “And now?”
    “I will never love anyone but you, my goddess. So I no longer think about it.”
    He was willing to die virgin rather than dishonor her. It was one of many reasons why she loved him. He’d already made the vow publicly that he would hold himself chaste in her honor.
    But such a precious heart didn’t deserve to suffer.
    “Would you make love to me if I asked it of you, Ari?” She felt his cock jerk at her question.
    “Bathia,” he chided gently, “you know better.”
    Bathia was an Atlantean endearment for her name that he only used when she tugged at his heart. Most of the time, he still referred to her as “goddess” or “my lady” – so as to remind himself that she was born of the Source and not mortal like him. It was why she treasured any time he used her name.
    “But I want to know what it’s like to be with you fully. To have you inside me. And I can think of no better gift than to carry your child for you. My own little Aricles.”
    Aricles clenched his teeth as he savored those words. They meant more to him than any others. Yet…
    “You are to remain virginal. You know that. Who am I to defile a goddess so pure?”
    “You’re the man I love above all others. Even myself.”
    “Bath – ”
    She placed her fingers over his lips to keep him from protesting. “Tell me you