Unbearable Page 5

  “Sleep now, my Rose. For in a couple of hours I'll wake you for some more. I haven't finished your punishment yet. But you wear me out, Red.” He lets out a deep groaning sigh. “You wear me out.”

  He doesn't realize the denial of his kiss is all the punishment I need.

  Chapter Six

  The gentle rise and fall of her chest entrances me. Her soft, pouty lips open into a smile as she dreams, and I pray they're of me. My fingers itch to trace her beautiful face. While I told her I still planned to punish her further, I don't have the heart to wake her.

  Tonight turned out far from how I'd planned it. I knew the moment I saved her from that frozen river, which already seems like a lifetime ago, that she would change my life forever. The last flames of the fire sink low, turning into only glowing embers, like our night together. Dawn comes for me, and the last thing I want to do is leave her side.

  Rolling off the bed, I head to the fireplace and stoke the flames to keep her warm. The chill in the room attacks my skin, sucking from it the heat of Rose's body against mine. As the fire roars back to life, so does my desire to climb back in bed with her. Dropping to my knees, I watch her sleep, counting her breaths.

  When I'm sure she's still sound in her dreams, I lean in and brush my lips over hers. The softness drives an ache through my heart. I wish it to be more, to claim her mouth and ravage it with my tongue like I did the rest of her body. This last part of her I shall have in time, and it will be worth the wait.

  But first I must get rid of Hestor.

  I sit on the floor, knees pulled to my chest, and look at her. She has no idea I'm a bear, let alone a prince. If life had been different for me though, our paths might never have crossed. I was to lead a life of luxury, ruling a kingdom, next in line for the throne. That, I'm sure has since passed to my brother, Darien, in my absence. After two years, I'm sure they've given up the search for me.

  But once I find a way to kill Hestor, I can rid myself of the animal curse and return to my kingdom. Hell, Darien can keep the throne. My only wish is to be back with my family, to be whole. And to make Rose my princess.

  Ironically, the entire reason I'm a bear is a result of me running from marriage. I didn't want to be forced into an arranged union with the Princess of Evansdale. Hestor was my answer. In exchange for jewels, my precious family stones, we struck a deal that he would fix it so I didn't have to marry Princess Marianna. And fix it he did. He cursed me to become half animal, half human. And I ran.

  Yet here I am, staring at a woman I met two days earlier, fucked twice, and thinking about how incredible a wedding gown draping her hourglass figure would be. Not to mention all of the things I would do to her on our wedding night. And every night thereafter.

  I will fill her full of my seed and give her lots of babies. That should please my father, giving our kingdom future heirs. And oddly, it pleases me. Thoughts of her gorgeous belly big and round carrying my child, stiffens my cock. I feared having children before her, never wanting to settle down. Yet one thought of creating a new life from our love sends a heat to my dick, again aching to drive it into her.

  A haze of purple surrounds my skin. Pinks and oranges fill the horizon as the sun wakes up while my human side goes to sleep. I place one more kiss over her lips, lingering on them a little too long and she stirs. Fear swallows my heart, and I pray she thinks it all a dream. I dash out the door as the change takes hold. I drop to all fours, barely shutting the door behind me.

  I gallop my way to the tree line behind the cottage and plunk down into the snow. A soft bray eases out of my throat as I say goodbye to Rose, sending a prayer to her on the wind to come back to me tonight.

  Hunger rumbles in my belly, and I take a slow stroll to the river's edge for some food. I'll never look at another damn fish again when I remain in human form. The icy water seeps into my fur, covering me in shivers. I swipe at a fish deep under a layer of ice, stabbing it with my claws. As I drag it to shore and devour my breakfast, the snap of a twig catches my attention. Grabbing my kill, I launch my robust body around and expect to find Rose.

  Instead I come face to face with my brother, Darien.

  The fish falls from my jaw as I stare back into a set of blue eyes that resemble my own. A roar of surprise juts from my throat, which I'm sure to him sounds like an attack, as his eyes shoot wide open and he reaches for his gun.

  If it weren't for Rose, I may have just let him kill me. Most days I'd thought about dying to end this curse. Yet I never found the courage to do so. Too vain to end my own life, I guess. And now the chance comes before me, at the hands of my brother, and all I can think about is staying alive to protect Rose. I take a tentative step forward. Looking me square in the eyes, he cocks the rifle.

  I try to speak with him and let him know it's me, but it only comes out in roars and brays. If only he'd really look at my face. Maybe he would see the same eyes staring back at him. Instead, he inches closer, squinting as he focuses down his scope. I close my eyes and drop my head.

  My ears perk as footsteps crunch in the snow and a scream pierces the crisp air.

  Rose.

  My eyes jolt wide open and I raise my head. Darien whips around, gun still cocked. I fear he'll shoot her. I lean on my haunches, ready to launch myself at him.

  “No!” Rose screams, throwing her arms out in front of her. “Don't shoot it!”

  I swallow hard and can't believe the words as they fill my ears.

  “He is a kind bear. Please, I beg of you. Don't harm it,” she cries out as she pants for breath.

  “This is a beast, madam.” Darien looks at her as if she's mad.

  “No. He is my bear. My friend. A protector. If you kill it, I will kill you in return.” Fire blazes in her eyes as she glares at him. My heart flutters at her fury for me.

  He tosses his head back in a laugh. “I don't see you killing me.”

  Before he finishes his chuckle, Rose pins his arms behind his back and his rifle bounces to the ground. Her dagger digs at his jugular and his legs buckle from the position she has him in, dropping him to his knees in the snow.

  My Rose has turned Red.

  The intensity in her eyes is the same I've seen when I fuck her. She is beauty. She is brave. And she is mine.

  “Okay,” Darien chokes out. “I promise I'll let the beast live.”

  She releases her hold and sheathes the dagger between her breasts. The same breasts I long to crush with my mouth right now, if I were a man, and properly reward her for her actions. Here I swore to protect her, and she is the one who protects me.

  “Is this your cottage?” he asks, fanning his arms toward my home.

  She slams her hands on her hips. “Yes, and you're trespassing.”

  My heart warms when she calls my house her own. I study her stern face, and if Darien has half a mind, he should run while he still can. But my brother never was very bright when it came to women.

  “Seems awful tiny. And don't you fear being in these haunted woods, alone?” He folds his arms and stares her down.

  I pray she keeps up the facade. He cannot find me. Not in my current state. I must change the curse before I can go back.

  Inching into his personal space, her eyes narrow. “I can take care of myself. If you're not convinced, I will show you all the other ways I know how to kill.”

  Tossing his hands up in surrender, Darien takes a step back. “Aye, lass. No need. I'm sure you can take care of yourself very well.”

  Her eyes widen as she works her gaze over the length of him. She tilts her head and I can see the wheels turn in her mind. His accent. His eyes. His build. She's connecting the dots. Aye, my Rose is clever. And it makes me love her more.

  “Thank you, now if you excuse me, bear and I need to have breakfast.” She turns her eyes to me and flashes me a stunning smile. Part of me wonders if she can see right through me and connect the dots even further, realizing who I am.

  She beckons me to follow her as she turns and heads
back to the cottage. Darien catches her arm.

  “I'm sorry. Just one question, if I might have a moment of your time?” he pleads.

  “One question,” she says with a huff and crosses her arms, covering her almost exposed breasts sitting atop her corset and blushed by the chill in the air.

  “I'm looking for my brother. He's been missing for some time. I'd almost given up hope of finding him until someone recently told me they'd seen him here, near the river. You wouldn't happened to have seen someone by here in the last week or so?”

  Biting her bottom lip, she gives a shake of her head. “No, I haven't paid that much attention really. What does he look like?”

  “Well, like me only a tad older. We have the same eyes and build. But his hair may be longer now. Please, he may be in grave danger and I must find him.” He pleads to her with his eyes and for a moment, worry hardens her face as she wavers.

  No, Rose. Do not give in. Yet I wonder what this danger is of which he speaks. And who gave him tell that I'm out here.

  “I'll be sure and let you know if I see him.” Squaring her shoulders, her lips purse to a thin line as she brushes him off.

  Ah, my good girl. I shall properly reward her tonight.

  “But you don't even know who I am, do you?” His eyes knit together as a sly grin curls over his lips. “How would you find me if you do see him?”

  Her hands settle on her hips as she sticks her chest out. “You've been staring at my breasts most of our conversation, sir. I'm sure you'll come back and check in with me.”

  Watching her in action turns me on. Though the look in my brothers eyes as he salivates over her body sends a spear of jealousy through me. If he dares make a move, he'll earn a brotherly swat from my bear paw.

  “May I have the honor of knowing your name, fair maiden?” He dashes in front of her as she takes a step to leave once more.

  “No,” she says with a devilish smile and continues on her walk to the house.

  He quirks a brow with a smirk. “Don't you want to know who I am?”

  “Should I?” She tosses me a quick glance, as if asking me for confirmation.

  My heart pounds as I wait for my brother's response. If he lets her know he's royalty, then she'll make the connection to me. I'm not ready for her to know. I'm not ready to spill the secret that will separate me from her forever. That day will not be today.

  I charge at Darien. With wide eyes, he stumbles in the snow, struggling to get his feet moving fast enough. A laugh erupts in my soul, reminding me of the days when I chased my young brother through the secret passageways in the castle. A part of me misses him. Longs to be back with my family.

  “Bear, stop!” Rose cries out.

  Her voice halts me in my tracks. I sit, like a trained dog waiting for her next command. If only she knew the power she wields over me. In my bed, she is mine and bends to me. Everything else, I am but her humble servant.

  “Are you all right?” She looks Darien over.

  He nods, panting for breath. “I need rest and libation. Would you mind if I spared a few moments in your cottage to warm myself?”

  “Yes, I do mind. You cannot stay here. But I know of a place where you can rest and have a hot meal. I'll take you there.” Swallowing hard, she tosses me a glance.

  A groan rumbles in my throat, coming out in a threatening growl. She approaches me and her eyes soften as she reaches a hand to my head.

  “I'll be back later, bear. Watch over the house for me.” Pressing her lips to the top of my head, she wraps her arms around my neck in a tight embrace.

  A muffled bray puffs out of my mouth and I release a sigh. I don't like the thought of her being alone with him. In my presence, I can watch over her and hear what information he tells her. But I know she's trying to lead him away from here, though why, I'm not entirely sure. She now knows he's my brother. If she comes back tonight, she'll surely question me for answers. And I have all day to summon the courage to answer them.

  Chapter Seven

  Thoughts swirl in my mind like a brewing storm. Marcus' words from last night slam to the forefront. The day he tells me his secrets will be the day I'll leave him. Yet I professed to him that no matter what he shared with me, I wouldn't leave. Foolish to say in a moment crazed with sex. But my heart still believes it. I just wish my head would too.

  I stare at the back of Marcus' brother, clinging to his waist as we ride his steed along the path out of the haunted woods. They share physical similarities, but his body does not make me tingle at a touch like Marcus. I've never sat so close to a man, yet felt so far away. He holds the answers I seek, yet I'm afraid to ask him. They need to come from Marcus himself.

  “How much further,” he asks over his shoulder.

  “Just over the bridge.” I point to the spot where Marcus saved my life.

  He shakes his head. “It doesn't look stable enough to cross.”

  “It is. Trust me. It's been rebuilt.” I suck in a deep breath as the horse trots across, each plank bowing under our weight. But it holds.

  We canter down the path on the other side to my home and I hope Snow isn't indisposed. Though it may serve some good for her to get caught. And if I weren't already head over heels for his brother, I may have nipped at this one. Even though they share a similar rugged and handsome body, his personality is vastly different. Marcus gives off an air of raw sexuality, strong and protective, with a gentleness behind his eyes. His brother seemed, at least from our brief encounter, a bit cocky, with not much to back it up. He overcompensates, as if awkward around women, from years spent in the shadow of Marcus, I suppose.

  By the time he slides down from the horse and reaches to assist me, I'm already dashing to the house, alerting Snow I'm here and we have a visitor.

  I burst through the door. “Snow!”

  Long black curls whip over her shoulder as she spins around in the kitchen. “Rose, is everything all right?” Her deep brown eyes furrow with worry.

  “Yes and no. We have a visitor.” I smile as Marcus' brother approaches behind me.

  Snow's lips pop open and her eyes expand like a budding flower. Immediately she grips the outer edges of her skirts and drops to a flourishing curtsy, bowing her head.

  I quirk a brow. “Snow?”

  “Prince Darien,” she says, staring at the ground.

  I spin around and stare at him. A prince? My heart hammers an erratic rhythm against my ribs.

  “You may rise, m'lady. I appreciate your reverence. Perhaps you can teach your friend here a thing or two about addressing a member of the royal family.” He tosses me a wink.

  “You never mentioned you're a prince.” I throw my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes.

  “You refused to ask who I was. ‘Tis of your own making. And I still do not have the pleasure of knowing your name.” He winks and brushes past me to assist Snow up from her regal curtsy. Slipping her hand in his, he brushes the back of it with his lips. “It's a great pleasure to meet you. Snow, I presume.”

  She nods as pink floods her pale cheeks. “Yes, Snow White and this is my sister, Rose Red.”

  A low growl prickles the back of my throat that Snow gave away my name.

  “What brings a royal to the outer edges of the kingdom?” Snow asks, curling her fingers around Darien's still holding her hand.

  “I'm in search of my missing brother. I happened upon Rose at her cottage. Someone advised me my brother may have been seen near the river.” He curls Snow's arm into the crook of his and guides her to the living area by the fire.

  “Rose's cottage?” She darts a glance to me with pursed lips.

  I give her a minute shake of my head, hoping she doesn't give away anymore unnecessary information. Until I can confront Marcus on why he's hiding from his brother, I can't give up his location. But this danger of which Darien refers to knots my stomach.

  “Yes, the one with the bear she's so fond of.” He eases Snow to a seat and sits on a nearby ottoman.

&nbsp
; “Rose has her little hideaways. She's a free spirit. I do not tend to her business and she doesn't mine. But we take care of each other at all costs. I'm sure if she knew of anything having to do with your missing brother, especially a royal, she would do right and tell you.” Her glare bores a hole through my heart.

  Rightly so, as I haven't been truthful to my sister. I've never once lied to her. And I still haven't. I merely haven't shared the details of my whereabouts for the last two nights. Yet I must go back to Marcus tonight for answers. And I refuse to let his body distract me.

  “So, what exactly happened to your brother?” I fold my arms and lean against the far wall.

  “He disappeared, just shy of two years ago. We think it was because of his arranged marriage.” Darien rests an arm on his knee and looks up at me.

  “He's married?” The words shoot from my lips before I can stop them, and they circle back to punch me in the gut.

  Darien cracks a smile as his brows knit together. “No, that's the whole point. He was running from the marriage. He was to be wed to Princess Marianna of Evansdale. But a week before the wedding, he disappeared.”

  I suck in a breath of relief, swallowing past the lump in my throat. The thought of him being married to someone else nearly shatters my heart.

  “I'd heard that he ran away,” Snow adds. “Word has popped up over the years that he's been seen off and on. But no one's ever located him.”

  “What is this grave danger you speak of?” I ask, locking eyes with him.

  “You know of the dwarf sorcerer, Hestor?” he says.

  Snow shoots me a glance, fear swimming in her eyes. I dart my gaze between her and Darien. “The name rings a bell. What of him?” I force the words out as evenly as I can muster, yet they drown in anxiety.

  “What we think happened is, he sought Hestor to strike a deal to get out of the marriage. But you well know Hestor does not give favors. Marcus never came back from his visit to Hestor. And I wouldn't even know if he's alive or dead, except for a few rumblings of townsfolk who claim to have seen him haunting the forest.” Lowering his head, he rubs between his eyes and releases a deep sigh. “If he did in fact team up with Hestor, there's no telling what his fate is or will be. I must find him.”