Chapter One

 “With blood I call you forth...”

No... no no no! Please no.

“Ah shit, you’re sharper than you look...”

 “Let desire control you or pain engulf you.

I invoke the darkness as my witness...”

“What a load of bullshit this is...”

“Isla...”

 “So you have a name as well. Oh goddess of desire!  Well let’s see if you have a body too, shall we...”

“Isla, your freedom is mine to give.

Your flesh is mine to command, I bind you to me...”

 “Who the hell came up with this drivel...?”

“Let the light within be cast into darkness for your betrayal.

“Noooooooooooo.” Heartbroken, the scream tore through my burning lungs. There is nothing to be done though, he has almost finished. My soul mate will die by my hand. Again!

“Come forth and be mine, I command it.”

His voice faded as unimaginable pain engulfed me, disintegrating my body, pulling it apart.

How had he found the knife?

“Shit, I shouldn’t have had those tequila shots,” He says, rubbing his eyes.

There is too much pain for me to respond to him. My brain is learning, forging this new language as my skin tingles and eyes focus.

He looks good, better then I remember.

This time it will be different. I will make sure it is.

His blond hair is shorter, curled around his ears and framing the nape of his neck. The colour is darker by a few shades. His silver eyes are now slate grey. He looks older than eighteen, his physique sturdier.   

Our eyes locked, and for a brief, heart pounding moment, I thought I saw recognition. Squashing his face in his hands and rubbing vigorously, breaking out connection. Shaking his head, he walked away from me.

His shoulders are wider, his back tanned and toned, his biceps rippled as his shirt dropped from strong forearms and landed at his feet. The trousers were next to follow the shirt, sliding down incredibly thick muscled legs, dusted with dark blond hair. Naked he was glorious.

 “Shit, shit...” His body convulsed and jerked, before kicking off shoes and falling face first onto a bed. Socks were the only thing left on him.

I suppressed the laugh and delight at seeing him again.

So different! He was so different. Two thousand years had changed him. Hopefully for the better!

Standing completely naked in his dwelling... no not dwelling, his house. This was a first. No man had ever ignored me. What was I meant to do now? I needed to explain things to him, tell him the rules.

“Reece... Reece, wake up!”

Nothing, he was unconscious and smelled like he’d been bathing in... Alcohol!

The bed, so inviting and warm looking, and big enough that I could safely sleep on the other side without fear of him touching me.

My body ached and my mind sought refuge in sleep, there was nothing I could do tonight.

Climbing into its comfort and pulling the covers over my naked flesh, I rested my head and let my eyes flutter closed.

For three thousand years, time moved forward, occasionally allowing me to be held in the present, before moving again. How many lives could have been beautiful and happy, if it weren’t for me?

Determined that this time would be the last I allowed the darkness to take me.

**

“Good morning sweetheart,” His voice was horse and crackled as I lay with my back to him, snuggled in his arms. It felt so good to be wrapped in his arms that I couldn’t respond, couldn’t breathe for that matter. His fingers trailed a hot path up my thigh, leave tingling flesh in their wake, over the crest of my thigh and along my side, brushing against my breast. Wet heat, pooled between my legs as he nuzzled my neck and all I could think about was having him douse the fire he was building. His fingers glided round my breast before reaching the nipple, which ached and peaked for him. His hot wet lips teasing my neck and shoulder with tongue and teeth as his fingers rolled my nipple. Need so intense, I was helpless to fight it, tore through me and I had to have him no matter what. My thighs parted, inviting him to ease the painful ache between them, as a groan escaped to coax him inside me.

“You smell glorious when aroused,” He breathed against my shoulder.

His arousal pressed between my thighs, rubbing against my throbbing clit, extracting a needful whimper from me. I needed him to fill me, to complete me; it's what I was made for and what I would always seek from him.

“So wet already,” His arms tightened around me, drawing me hard against his chest before one hand trailed its way to my sex.

“Reece, please, please,” I needed him to take me over the crest into blissful oblivion as he filled me.

His breath hitched before he shoved me aside and flew off the bed, clutching the sheet to him.

I turned to face him, desire riding hard, making it hard to think. He had left me aching for him, but it would not be long before the pain overrode that feeling and I clung to it even though it was painful. Thank goodness he had stopped for I would not have. So lost in having his touch again I had forgotten the curse and been back to just loving him.

Fool. Stupid heartsick fool that I was, I had almost killed him.

“Who the fuck are you?” He shouted, rage colouring his cheeks. “Get out. Get out of here now.”

“I cannot leave.”

“Sure you can, whatever they paid you I’ll double it, just get your shit and get out.”

“Paid me? I don't understand?”

“Stop with the games. I don't need your services and I sure as hell don't need to have sex with you to prove to my fucking mates that I'm doing the right thing.”

“I really don't understand what you are saying.”

“Did I... did we have sex last night?”

“No.”

“Oh thank god,” he said, sinking to his knees. “Look this isn’t your fault and I'm sorry that I shouted at you. Please, please get dressed. I will pay you double what you charge but I want you out of here.”

“You really don't want me do you? I never thought this would happen, all these years I have been alone, suffering without you. And you don't even want me,” This could be my chance.

“Wha...”

“No, don't interrupt me please. Just listen. I know you don't remember me or who you are and right now it doesn’t matter. All that matters is I’m cursed, you released me last night and I can't leave for a month. I am your sex slave for that time.” I thought it best not to mention what I would ask him in six days. He needed to believe me first.

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” He blurted out, anger straining his voice.

“If only it were a joke,” I sighed, how much to tell him without unlocking his memories? I had no idea so instead told him nothing.

“I'm still dreaming. I have to be because there is no way that any of this shit is real,” Still on his knees, he stated staring at me.

“I am as real as you are,” I said moving towards him, I need him to know, to understand. To believe! “And for three thousand years I have been trapped in this knife. Only to be freed by men who speak the words.” Kneeling in front of him, tears brimming in my eyes. I can't tell him about the pain or how... No! This would end differently. “Please Rale,” Oh Gods Isla, keep counsel with your tongue! His eyes widen. Does he remember it?  I search his grey eyes, does he remember? No, they where blank but angry. No love, no compassion. My fingers itched to hold him, to love him but I cannot. “You are my soul mate, only you can free me,” My time was almost up, the pain building and truth harder to say. I had to tell him the most important part. “You must not have sex with me or you will die,” Still looking in his eyes, begging him to believe, I braced one hand on his shoulder. “Remember that always,” I panted, pain ripping through every fibre of me, arching my back unnaturally causing a scream to bust from my lungs through gritted teeth. Eyes burning as they change from emerald to safire. The curse has me wrapped fully in its talons and Reece is on his own to defend himself against me. Will he be able to do it this time?