Dark Promise (Underworld)

14



Professor Martin Hash stood behind the auditorium podium on the stage and spoke into microphone. “Cassandra Marie Wyvern.”

Applause drowned out the last syllable of Cassandra's new name as she braced her shoulders and walked onto the stage. Cold air caressed her arms and the back of her hair stood up on the back of her neck, but she beamed, her fear long gone. A black shadow emerged next to her oblivious professor.

The Wraith slightly bowed. “Congratulations, Cassandra.”

Cassandra beamed and winked at the Wraith, but her professor turned red. She took her diploma and tried not to laugh. Poor man.

A massive sea of people sat in the auditorium. Somewhere out there was Eric, Toby, Lilly and her parents. Chills ran down her back and she shivered, not from cold, but from Eric’s hot gaze. Hidden in a crowd of people, the man could stir her blood. She slid into her seat and ignored the weakness forming between her legs.

She opened up the thick red gold folder to her diploma. She smiled as she ran her finger over the words: University of Colorado and her Master of Art in Communication Disorders. The overhead lights glinted off the White Dragon Ring of Fire, now her wedding ring. Mother would faint if she knew the power embedded in the ring and would die of shock if she knew she’d had married the Prince of the Dragon Demons.

The ceremony wound down. Cassandra wandered through the crowded auditorium. People pressed against her as she moved toward the double doors opening to the outside grounds. Eric maneuvered through the crowd his massive shoulders carved a path between the sea of people.

Heart quickening, she wedged herself between people, rushed toward him and flung her arms around Eric’s neck. He lifted her off the ground and spun around.

“I did it,” she laughed.

He kissed her and ignited excitement. All she wanted to do was strip him naked and have her way with him.

“You guys want to get a room?”

Cassandra laughed. Toby’s teasing warmed her heart.

“Ahem,” someone said in a deep disapproving tone.

Eric sat her on the ground and wrapped his arm around her. She smiled at her scowling father. Shorter than Eric, his blond hair, his sun burned skin and crinkles around his blue eyes revealed his passion of being a frequent golfer. “Can you give your old man a kiss?”

Cassandra smiled at Toby’s teasing. Since he had come to live with her and Eric, he had started to laugh again and lost some of his fear, but when his grandparents visited, his fear returned and he disappeared, staying with friends. His grandmother would plead for him to at least talk to her, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Some wounds never heal.

She edged away from Eric and gave Toby a big hug. He held her tight. “Congrats Cassandra.”

“Thanks Toby.”

“I’m waiting,” her father said. She released Toby and took a step toward her father, but he grabbed her first, giving her a grizzly hug like he had when she was a little girl. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”

Her mother laughed. “He hasn’t stopped bragging to his friends about you.”

Cassandra turned to her mother and tears reflecting in her big green eyes. “I’m so happy for you.” She hugged Cassandra and her scent of lavender washed over Cassandra, comforting her, making her feel safe. “You’ve worked so hard for this,” her mother said.

“I want a hug, too,” Lilly said. She gripped Cassandra tight. “You proved me wrong.” She tilted her head toward Eric. “You got it all.”


“You do, too, woman,” Cassandra said.

“Maybe, someday. Oh, by the way, did you hear Luke moved back to Utah?”

Eric glowered. “Good. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay there.”

“Got that right,” Toby said.

“Settle down you two.” Cassandra chided. Her two demon protectors.

Eric clasped her hand and squeezed. Pride and desire reflected in his eyes. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Tonight, I’ll give you my present.”

Shivers ran through Cassandra. She ached for his touch. Damn him! One word, and he reduced her to a wanting harlot.

Later that night, Cassandra lay naked next to Eric and she drew on his smooth chest. She stared into his proud eyes. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“When you agreed to be my wife.”

She kissed his shoulder, liking how he said wife—possessive, protective, passionate.

He rolled on top of her. Rough hands roamed over her body.

“Let me show you much I love you.” He stroked and massaged her and created a thundering well of desire.

Another orgasm brewing inside her, Cassandra cried out as she clutched his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. She kissed him hard, feeling the strength move through him. He’d risked his life for her, fought for her, killed for her and now he was hers forever. Her dark demon lover.