Read Online Everlasting Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

his body sang with lustful fire and didn’t seem to care. He could hear the lapping of Selena’s tongue as she fed on his blood, and it excited and repulsed him all at the same time.
    Millicent’s roar shook the walls and broke through the haze that befuddled Gareth’s mind. He grasped Selena’s shoulders and tried to gently pull her away from him but the woman fought, beating her wings and digging her nails into his back. He’d forgotten how strong a shape-shifter could be. With an oath, Gareth shoved her hard. At the same time he saw a flash of black fur slam between them, knocking him backward and sending Selena head over heels to land on a velvet settee, the color of the fabric nearly a match for the blood that smeared her hairy snout. Most weres quickly took either human or animal form, but Selena appeared to manage a half-shifted state, with only her bat wings and snout marring her human features. She hissed at Millicent, who now stood between them, tail swishing in fury.
    Gareth pressed his hand against the wound in his neck to stop the flow of blood. “Do you think that was wise, my lady? You will never find out where your Nell is now.”
    Selena shifted fully to human, licking the blood from her lips, a dreamy smile lighting her face. Millicent snorted at the other woman and turned to him, shifting to human as well. “I couldn’t let her… I didn’t think…”
    Gareth smiled. Perhaps she didn’t want him yet, but she didn’t like seeing him in the arms of another woman. His hopes soared anew.
    Seemingly at a loss, Millicent settled on glaring at him. “That vamp would have sucked you dry.”
    Selena rose, her glossy black eyes fixed intently on him, a strange new softness in their depths. “No, Sir Knight, I would never do that.” Then she blushed and ducked her head. “I could never harm the man I love.”
    “What’s wrong with you?” Millicent snapped at her, exchanging a startled glance with Gareth.
    He had to admit Selena’s change in demeanor surprised him as well. Many women had professed their love for him, but it was usually after he’d seduced them.
    Selena threw the were-cat a venomous look before stepping around Millicent to clasp his hand and bring it to her lips. “You believe me, my darling, don’t you? I admit it’s hard to control my nature, but once I tasted you, I knew. You are my one true love. Don’t you see? I am the one who will break your curse.”
    Gareth flinched and Millicent growled.
    Selena pressed her body against his. “Please make her go away so we can finish what we started.”
    She had gone mad. That was the only thing Gareth could fathom. “Nay, Selena. Perhaps later.” He gently patted her arm. “Why don’t you get dressed, now?”
    She stuck out her lower lip. It might have looked coy if it hadn’t still been stained with his blood. “Only if you promise we’ll be together later.”
    Gareth frowned. He could not in good faith make a promise he had no intention of keeping.
    “Blast your damn honor,” muttered Millicent under her breath as she stepped past him. She raised her voice to Selena. “He might be yours once you have this.” She thrust her arm forward, the moonstone in the relic glowing like a beacon. “You know His Grace won’t let you have him all to yourself when he finds out you have it. He’ll be too busy trying to figure out a way to use the relic to his advantage.”
    Selena eyed the bracelet with fevered intensity, reached out a shaking hand to touch it. “Give it to me now.”
    Gareth blocked Selena’s hand with his own before she could touch Millicent. He could not allow the woman to hurt the relic-holder again by trying to wrestle off the bracelet.
    The were-vampire bat stared back and forth at the two of them, her lips tightening with jealousy.
    “I’ll give it to you,” assured Millicent. “But first you have to take me to Nell. Then we’ll leave the castle, and you can have Gareth all to yourself. You want to get