Pride of the Lion

Chapter Five

Power exploded through her veins and flooded her body briefly before she quickly contained it. The Lady of the Beasts knew another one of her warriors had been released from captivity. She paused in her treacherous climb, closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks. Then she wiped the sweat from her forehead, shoved her fingers into the tiny crevices in the rock wall and once again began to scale the steep, jagged cliff. Her feet and hands were bloody from trying to find purchase among the deadly rocks and every inch of her body ached. She didn’t dare draw on the reserves of her power lest she draw Hades’ attention.

She was so close she could almost taste freedom.

Hades’ gaze was currently directed elsewhere and his demons would do little without his order. And the God of the Underworld would not give such an order. He knew if she were killed an enormous amount of power would be released, which would bring the other gods to investigate. And that was the last thing Hades wanted. It was the reason he’d kept her imprisoned all these long years rather than attempt to kill her. He might think her weak, but she was still a goddess, still a force to be reckoned with.

A light breeze hit her face, carrying with it a hint of spring and the promise of summer. The Lady allowed no hint of her excitement to show, none of her power to leak from her control. She did not want to draw any attention her way. Not when she was so close to achieving her goal.

Voices chanted in the distance. The climb seemed endless, but she ignored her growing exhaustion and kept moving steadily toward the sweet sound.

Leander couldn’t believe he was free after the long centuries of captivity. The sensory overload was almost too much to handle as he struggled to take everything in. The smell of lavender drifted from a room nearby. There was the slightest hint of it on Araminta and was probably her soap. A harsh smell of cleaning chemicals overlay that. But above all of them was the sweet perfume of aroused woman. Araminta’s scent was sweet with a hint of spice and he couldn’t wait to taste her.

Her mouth was sexy with a wider bottom lip and thinner top one. He traced it with his tongue, drawing a low moan from deep inside her. He knew he should get out of the bed, knew they had to move, knew danger was all around them. The Lord of the Underworld would not wait for Leander to get his fill of the woman in his arms.

But it had been so very long since he’d felt the touch of a woman warm against his skin, felt her sweet breath on his face or heard her soft moans of pleasure.

He stroked his hand over her silky skin. It was so incredibly smooth and supple and the sounds she made when he cupped her breast made his cock swell to the point of almost bursting.

He was alive.

He pulled his mouth from hers and stared down at the face of the woman who’d answered his fervent prayers after so many years. He knew she couldn’t see him very well, but with his enhanced vision he could see every inch of her delectable body and exquisite face. Her tawny brown hair spilled over the pillows like a waterfall. Her eyes were like the mist on a foggy day, gray and mysterious. Her body was full and curvy, her breasts a handful. And he had very large hands.

But it was more than her beauty that captivated him. This woman had released him from his prison. After more than five thousand years in prison, Araminta had set him free. He owed her everything, including his life. He would not fail to protect her from harm.

The lion within him roared in agreement.

She blinked at him, so innocent and trusting, like a lamb waiting to be led to the slaughter. The image turned his stomach sour and brought a bad taste to his mouth. What would happen to her if Hades had his way?

“Is anything wrong?” He could hear the insecurity in her voice and it made him want to roar with fury. A woman this incredible should never feel inadequate in any way. He’d learned much by watching his fellow warriors be set free and knew that the women who released them were special, each of them a ray of light in the darkness, a beacon of hope against despair.

He gently combed his fingers through her hair. “No, my beauty, there is nothing wrong.”

Her cheeks turned the most delicate shade of pink and he smiled. She was shy, his Araminta. The possessiveness of his thoughts gave him pause, but he shrugged. She belonged to him now and he would not fight it.

He knew his brethren had probably felt the same about the women who freed them, and most of them had probably fought it, thinking it would make them weaker to become attached to a fragile human woman. But Leander was more pragmatic. If she could release him from the curse she was destined to be his. If he had something more to lose, he would fight harder.

His eyes narrowed and fury filled him. If Hades thought he could take her from him then the god was sorely mistaken. He would kill any demons, immortals, gods or humans who tried to take her away from him. He would protect her with his life.

“Leander?”

He shook his head to help clear away the bad thoughts. He was here with her now and that was all that mattered. He leaned down to kiss her again, wanting to sample her lush lips before moving lower to uncover all her secrets.

A harsh ringing interrupted them. Leander leapt out of bed in one motion, landing on his feet in a crouched position, ready to defend them both. The ringing sounded again and he whirled toward it. Before he could destroy the offensive object, his mind caught up with the rest of him and information flooded through him. A phone. It was a telephone.

Araminta reached out and grabbed her cell phone from the bedside table. “Hello.”

Even though he was a few feet away, with his enhanced abilities he could easily hear both sides of the conversation. “Hi, it’s Mary Jo. I didn’t mean to call you so late.”

Araminta sat up in bed. “What’s wrong? Is it Percy?”

Leander’s hackles rose and a low growl escaped him. Who was this Percy and why was she so concerned about him?

“No, he’s fine. But someone broke into your house. The cops are here now. You need to come home.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Thanks, Mary Jo.” Araminta carefully set the phone back on the bedside table and stared at him.

The lamp on the bedside table clicked on and he blinked to allow his eyes to adjust. She stared up at him, her gray eyes wide and frightened. “This isn’t a dream, is it?’

Leander shook his head. “No, it’s not.” He stepped toward the bed, but halted when she pulled back. Anger speared through him, quickly followed by dismay. Did she not know he would never hurt her?

She swallowed, making the long, slender column of her neck ripple. She clutched the sheet to her breasts, but he could still see their outline beneath the thin fabric. “Who are you?”

He sighed and raked his fingers through his thick mane of hair. “I am Leander and I am a warrior of the Lady of the Beasts.”

She frowned and curled her legs protectively in front of her. “Who put you up to this? Luna? Or are you a friend of Rick?”

He shook his head. “I do not know these people you speak of.”

“I don’t know who you are, but I think it’s time you left. I have to go home.” She inched toward the opposite side of the bed. Her eyes weren’t on his face but his body, and he realized he was still very painfully aroused. He could smell her fear. It permeated her pores and made him want to roar in fury. She’d gone from arousal to fear in the blink of an eye.

He supposed it was a lot to ask of her to accept his story at face value, but she’d freed him from the curse. He thought she, more than any other, would believe. He turned and prowled toward the window and stared out into the night sky. So many buildings and lights. So many people. The world was a far different place than it had been when he’d last walked upon it.

Araminta gasped and he swung around, his senses flaring, searching for any danger. There was none. There was only the two of them in the room. “What is it?” His tone was gruffer now, but it was impossible for him to hide his disappointment and anger.

She pointed, her eyes wide as she stared at him. “Your back.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “It is the tattoo of the lion, king of the beasts. He lives within me. I am he and he is me. We are one.”

Leander had a thought then and stalked around the side of the bed. “Why do you fear me now?”

She clenched the covers so hard that her fingers turned white. “Because I don’t know you.” She paused and cleared her throat. “I thought you were a dream.” A delicate pink color stained her cheeks.

Leander paused as a vague memory flitted through him, a dream of a woman, this woman. Had he had one? Memories of his time in captivity were vague at best, although her scent and the feel of her body were familiar.

It did not matter. He was here now and that was all he needed to worry about.

“I mean you no harm, but I must protect you. Hades and his minions will be after both of us.”

Araminta frowned and eased out of the bed, pulling the sheet with her and wrapping it around her body. “Enough. Please stop. I know this is some kind of prank.”

He tilted his head to one side and studied her. There was no mistaking the genuine hurt in her voice. “Why do you say that? Why can I not simply want you?”

She laughed, but it was a sad sound rather than a happy one. It made him want to go to her, pull her into his arms and offer comfort. He’d never done anything like that before. Hadn’t wanted to. Already she was changing him.

“Because everything you’re saying is from my book. Well, almost everything. The animal is different. I’ve only written about the tiger and the bear yet, but only the book about the tiger has been released.”

Pure possessiveness streaked through him, quickly followed by jealousy. He didn’t know how to handle the volatile emotions. She belonged to him, not to Roric or Marko. “You do not need the tiger or the bear. They are not for you.”

She frowned and shook her head. “That’s what I’m saying. They’re figments of my imagination. I wrote about them in my books. The lion was actually the next one in the series. I had a dream. I’ve already made notes…” Her voice trailed off and she seemed to gather herself. “Look, if you go I won’t make any trouble. I won’t complain to the hotel or anything.”

Leander shook his head. “I cannot leave you. Not with Hades out there somewhere, watching and waiting. You are in danger.”

Araminta needed to get dressed, pack her bags and get the heck out of here. Home beckoned, and even that sanctuary had been invaded. She’d never been the victim of a break-in before. Hillsboro was a quiet town with little crime. Someone must have seen her leave on Friday. Or perhaps they’d simply chosen her at random. Either way, she needed to get home and sort things out.

She hoped nothing valuable had been stolen. Not that she had much that would bring a thief any money, except a set of pearls her grandmother had left her. They could take her television for all she cared—it was twenty years old and clunky. Or her stereo, which she’d owned for at least a decade. Her work was the only thing of value and she had her laptop with her, so that was safe.

And she was avoiding the issue at hand—a very large, naked issue. Leander kept insisting he was a warrior of the Lady of the Beasts. Just her luck to end up with the sexiest guy she’d ever set her eyes on and he was either in on a very mean practical joke or was a sandwich short of a picnic. Either way, she needed to get him out of her room.

With the bedside light on, she could see him clearly, and she wondered how she could have ever thought him to be nothing more than a dream. He was much too substantial, too masculine, too everything not to be real.

He dwarfed her with his height. He had to be at least a foot taller than her five-four. His hair was even more spectacular than she’d imagined. It was a unique combination of blond, orange, reddish brown and gold that somehow seemed natural on him. His eyes were slightly slanted and golden. His face was unusual with its broad forehead and slightly flattened nose.

But it was the rest of him she couldn’t keep her eyes off of. He stood with his hands on his hips and his legs planted slightly apart, which emphasized the thick muscles in his calves and thighs. His shoulders were as broad as a doorway and his biceps bulged. She’d only seen abs like his on the covers of men’s health magazines. He was totally impressive.

He was also massively aroused. His cock jutted out in front of him, long and thick. The head was broader than the shaft and it was a dark shade of reddish purple, engorged and ready to get down to business.

Araminta swallowed hard at the thought of having that impressive cock buried inside her. Was it even possible? He was much larger than either of her previous lovers. Might take some work, but it would be worth it.

And what the heck was she thinking? He was a stranger.

Problem was he didn’t feel like one.

She pulled the sheet tighter around her and prayed he couldn’t see her nipples pebbled against the material. Her pussy was swollen and damp and ready to take him. She’d never been so aroused in her life.

She needed to get him out of here before she did something stupid, like jump him. “You have to go.”

Sadness emanated from him and she found herself almost feeling sorry for him.

“I cannot leave you. I must stay with you for twenty-four hours.”

Just like from her book. “Until the curse is broken.”

“Yes.”

He really believed what he was saying. She didn’t know if that made him dangerous or simply a man who needed medical help. He turned slightly away from her again and she caught another glimpse of the tattoo on his back. The lion was majestic, his jaw open to expose deadly fangs, his claws sharp and ready to defend himself. He really was beautiful.

“Where did you get it? The tattoo?”

He raked his hand through his hair again and she tried not to notice the way the muscles in his biceps and chest rippled. “I have always had it. As I have said, the lion is me and I am the lion.” His gold eyes narrowed on her face and she took a step back. “I will show you.”

Leander crouched down in front of her until his hands touched the floor. His gaze never left hers as he threw back his head and growled. The feral sound made her take a step back. It sounded just like a real lion. Which simply meant he was a good mimic, nothing more.

At first, she thought she was seeing things and rubbed her eyes. His image seemed to blur until it was overlaid with another. For a brief moment, lion and man seemed to share the same space.

Hands and feet became large paws, thighs and biceps morphed into thick flanks. Fur grew from under his skin, covering him in a reddish brown coat with highlights of orange and blond. His hair fluffed around his face, encircling it in a thick mane. His features changed, flattened even more, the man taken over by the animal.

“This isn’t real.” Araminta sat back on the bed with a heavy thump, her hands twisted in the sheet covering her. She was losing her mind. There was no other logical explanation for what was happening. The lion was massive, much larger than a normal one. He looked as though he could eat her with one gulp.

He prowled toward her and she held out her shaking hand. “Nice kitty.” She should call hotel security. But what would she say? I have a lion in my room. They’d send for the men in white coats. She tried to swallow around the lump in her throat but couldn’t. The lion stopped in front of her, his face level with hers.

She could hear his heavy breathing, feel the warm puff against her skin. His teeth appeared even sharper this close up. His long golden tail with a black tuft on the end swished lazily behind him.

“I must be going crazy.” The words came out in a breathy rush, and she sucked in a lungful of air. Her heart raced and her stomach was in knots.

There was no other explanation for having a sexy stranger in her bed, one who could shift into a lion. “I’ve been doing too much research and writing. Maybe I’ve had a mental breakdown.” The words tripped out, one after another. She always talked to herself when she was nervous, and the fact she was on the verge of being eaten by a large lion was no reason to stop. In a weird way, it calmed and grounded her.

The lion grumbled and caught the edge of her sheet between its teeth. She clung to the thin fabric, refusing to let her only covering go. “Hey, let go. That’s mine.” And why was she arguing with a full-grown male lion? She’d truly lost her mind.

Leander growled again, but this time he sounded as though he meant business. The fabric ripped and she released it, afraid he might decide to chomp on her next if she didn’t. She pushed herself back onto the bed, but he caught her forearm in his powerful jaws. He didn’t hurt her, his teeth touching her skin but not digging in. She froze, afraid to do anything that might upset him further.

Oh God, what was she going to do? Nothing in her past had prepared her for such an event. She wasn’t an adrenaline junkie, a thrill-seeker. She was a homebody, living a staid, quiet life.

When she stopped trying to escape him, he released her and dragged his tongue over her arm as if in silent apology.

“This is unbelievable.”

He growled and shook his head as if to refute her words.

She licked her dry lips and tried to think logically. He hadn’t eaten her, hadn’t even done anything to harm her. That probably meant he wasn’t going to. Or at least that’s what she hoped it meant.

Tentatively, she reached out and touched his head. He gave a low purr of encouragement and she carefully scratched behind one of his ears. His fur was short and bristly and felt a lot like Percy’s.

“Okay, what if I agree that you are a shapeshifter and an ancient immortal warrior?” He gave a rumble of approval and she kept going. “What does that mean? And why am I suddenly living my book?” That was the weirdest thing of all. If he was real, did the people from the two books she’d already written exist? It was all very confusing. Could a dream be this real? She didn’t think so.

He suddenly pulled away from her and began to change again, this time going from animal to man. Skin replaced fur and hands and feet appeared, but the heavy muscle remained constant. The fur around his face receded until only his incredible hair hung to his shoulders. The tail seemed to be absorbed by his body.

She grabbed for the slightly tattered sheet, but he yanked it out of her grasp. Leander leaned over her, his knees on the floor in front of her, his hands pressed against the mattress on either side of her hips, effectively caging her in. He was so tall he was looking in her eyes even though he was kneeling on the floor and she was seated on the bed.

“You are the special woman who has broken my curse. Five of my brethren have been freed already. Mordecai, the serpent, joined Hades without a fight after slaying the woman who freed him. Phoenix and Stavros, the jaguar, disappeared with their women, never to be heard from again.” He paused and she felt his pain like it was a living, breathing entity. “Roric and Marko, the tiger and the bear, have found their freedom, and now it is my turn to do the same.”

Araminta wanted to touch him but was half-afraid to now that she knew he was more than a dream. “I don’t understand. Why did I dream about them? Why am I writing books about them?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe it is a gift from the Lady. Maybe it is part of Hades’ plan.”

The mere thought that Hades might have been in her dreams gave Araminta the heebie-jeebies, and a shiver raced down her spine. If she believed that Leander was the real deal, Hades was also real.

“Please tell me you drugged me.” She was on the verge of hysterical laughter. This couldn’t be happening to her. She was a former librarian turned writer, for heaven’s sake. Not some sexy female adventurer from some movie or video game.

She reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “Tell me you drugged me. Tell me none of this is real.”

He shook his head and sadness filled his gaze. “I cannot.”

He offered no more than that, didn’t try to convince her it was real. That’s when she knew he was telling the truth.

“Oh, crap.” She tried to calm her galloping heart and her chaotic thoughts. She knew what the heroines in her books had gone through. She also knew that some of the earlier women, ones she hadn’t written about, hadn’t made it. This was truly a life-or-death situation.

“What do we do? I have to go home. Mary Jo said someone had broken into my house. Percy is okay, but I don’t know what might be missing.” Her mind clicked into gear. “Oh my God, do you think the break-in might have something to do with this?” She motioned to him and back to herself. “You know, the whole thing with Hades?”

Leander growled and leaned in until their noses were touching. “Who is Percy?”

“What? What does that matter?”

He growled again.

“He’s my cat.” The look on Leander’s face made her laugh. Her nerves were strung so tight, once she started laughing, she couldn’t stop. “You’re not my first cat,” she blurted out before going off into peals of laughter again. She really had to stop. The situation wasn’t the least bit funny.

Leander sat back on his heels with a slight frown on his face. He pounced faster than she could see, grabbed her legs and lifted them, causing her to fall back onto the bed. He parted her legs, shoved them over his shoulders and leaned inward. His massive shoulders pushed her thighs farther apart, opening her for him to see.

“What are you doing?” She swatted at his shoulders, but he wouldn’t be deterred. “Stop that.” She tried to close her legs, but it was impossible with his shoulders blocking her. Was it possible to die of embarrassment? Unfortunately, she didn’t think so.

“What am I doing?” he repeated. “I’m claiming what’s mine.”