The Mating Intent-mobi by Bonnie Vanak Page B

topple a 50-foot tree, but were gentle upon a woman’s body…
    “You are filled with dark power, but you turned it around, Sienna. When we kissed, all the negative energy and magick was transformed into positive energy and expelled. It spread into the earth and infused the wounded Wyldings with tremendous healing of spirit and body.” He stared at her hands. “It’s the same effect that the spring of Danu has.”
    Deeply troubled at this new revelation, she withdrew her hands from his comforting grip. If he was right, and Gabriel had no reason to lie about this, then she’d acquired a new ability. Or perhaps it was an old one she’d never known about.
    “I spoke a vow, Gabriel. A sacred oath. It was a promise to the Elven world, beyond the reach of the King. I committed my body and my spirit to serving the King by protecting the earth and excising it of evil in my role as a Shadow Guard. I did not speak those words lightly. They were engraved into my character.”
    The vow was solid as cement and she’d already paid the penalty for breaking it. She’d let down more than the king. She’d let herself down as well.
    “You pledged to excise evil, not rid yourself of power once acquired. You recited your oath for me years ago.” He cleared his throat.
    “I am the king’s Shadow Guard. I am Light and Dark and vow with my blood and bones to be the shield for the earth, and rid it of evil whenever I may. I am the secret right hand of the King and will keep my vow unto my dying day, keeping my spirit and body pure for my duties.”
    Hearing her oath spoken in his deep, smoky voice made her insides curl. Sienna met his gaze.
    “Purity of body does not necessarily mean chastity. Where in the vow does it say anything about being celibate? What about purity of love?” he asked.
    She gave a little laugh. “You know how to twist my words.”
    “Not me, pixie. Cael did. Your vow is ancient and sincere, but not binding you to anything other than using your magick to aid the earth, and its creatures. In any language, those words mean you can have sex all you want. Upside down, inside out, toe-licking and curling sex.”
    Her mouth went dry. “That’s your interpretation? And how do you know so much about us?”
    “I’ve studied your people. Had my reasons,” he murmured.
    “And Lana, the king’s Enforcer, punished me for violating my vow last time you and I had sex.”
    Gabriel leaned close. “Perhaps she punished you not because you had sex, but because you were no longer pure in your duties. Confess, pixie. I never left your mind, even when you were back in the king’s court. You kept thinking of me, how deep I was inside you, how much pleasure you felt, how utterly possessed you felt and how you only wanted to turn around, and run back into my arms.”
    He tapped her nose. “Confess.”
    Sienna flushed. There was truth in his words. And when Lana had questioned her on losing her virginity, the Enforcer had remarked on the flush on Sienna’s face, the sparkle in her eye.
    “You must rid yourself of lust and thoughts of the beast shifter to be the king’s Shadow Guard to carry on your duties.”
    And then Lana had ordered her flogged, to rid her of all memories of lingering pleasure, replacing it with only pain…
    A frown touched his face. “With the Enforcer, there is no mercy. But your vow says nothing about sex.”
    She found it hard to comprehend. Surely he was wrong. “I can have sex with you right now?”
    “Not right now. Later. This morning we have work to do.” Picking up his plate, he winked at her as he carried it inside.

 

Chapter 6
     
    Gabriel’s silver pickup truck was shiny and had wide leather seats. It made for a comfortable ride during the hour-long drive from his home to Jonathan Dickenson State Park. Dressed in jeans and a green long-sleeved shirt, Sienna had pulled her hair back into a ponytail and wore her worn, but sturdy boots. Her backpack sat on the rear seat of the cab. She