An Excerpt From: LION’S BOWER

Copyright © MARGARET L. CARTER, 2009

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Terror snapped her to awareness of what she’d been doing. What had come over her, to indulge herself that way with her brother’s life at stake? Trembling, she wrapped her arms around herself and waited for the monsters to pounce.

Instead, the two nearest cats drew back as if to open a path. A figure the height of a tall man strode toward her. When it got close enough for her to make out details, she realized it wasn’t a man.

Although walking upright, he looked like a beast rather than a human being. He had a short, thick mane like the lions she’d heard of in tales. But his sleek body was black like the hides of his guardian animals instead of tawny as she imagined lions’ pelts were. His lack of clothing made his maleness obvious, although fur concealed the details. His eyes, with vertical pupils like a cat’s, had the same greenish glow. He had a tail, which lashed in apparent anger, and he showed fangs when he halted and glowered down at her.

He gripped her arm and hauled her to her feet. He had fingers like a man, although covered in sleek black hair like the rest of his body. His feet, she noticed when she glanced down, resembled an animal’s paws.

“Are you the sorcerer?” Her voice quavered. Who else could he be? Would he strike her dead by magic or rip out her throat with his fangs?

He didn’t condescend to answer the inane question. “You ate the fireberries.” His fingers cupped her jaw and claws emerged from their tips to prick her skin.

Her flesh, still sensitive, tingled at the painless sting. Shame burned her cheeks. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to steal.”

“That is a trivial offense. You shouldn’t be here at all. How dare you trespass within my walls?” Without waiting for a reply he rubbed his thumb across her lips, smearing a drop of the fireberry juice from her cheek onto them.

Her tongue automatically darted out to taste the droplet. The flavor ignited a spark inside her, despite her fear. He leaned over, his face drawing close to hers. Now he would bite her with those gleaming teeth. She stood paralyzed. But instead of clamping his jaws onto her throat, he licked the juice smeared around her mouth. His hot breath smelled like mint leaves.

The rough surface of his tongue rasped her skin. The sensation sent tremors through her body. Shuddering, she grasped his arms to keep from falling. He scoured one side of her mouth, then the other. Her lips parted with rapid, shallow breaths. She couldn’t help wondering how that tongue would feel skimming over them. Instead he lapped her chin and throat. Again she imagined his teeth savaging her neck but they never grazed her skin.

“The fireberries roused lust in you.” His voice sounded close to a growl. “I can smell your musk.” He cupped her breasts through her bodice.

Her nipples tingled. She whimpered and leaned into his touch, clutching his shoulders. The silken fur tempted her to stroke it but fear held her chained. For all she knew, any wrong move might unleash his rage against her.

“How many did you eat?”

“A handful, maybe a little more. I don’t know.” The words came out slurred. Lightheaded, she felt the goal she pursued slipping from her grasp.

A sound that might have been a laugh rumbled in his chest. “Three or four berries would have sufficed. No wonder you need relief. I see I won’t get answers from you unless I supply it.”