Angel or Demon?
Who is Lord Christopher Templeton really?
Uncaring about rules in general, Chris had
fallen in love with Duncan the first time he had seen him.
“You know, through the years, I’ve kept
careful watch over you, not just for personal reasons, but also because I
wanted to study up close a Virt I‘d heard only from ancient traditions, which
is the rare ability to combine both positive and negative energy. And though
you come from a very powerful family, no one else to my knowledge can blend
these two opposite forces as easily and effortlessly as you can. I haven’t told
anyone about your special talent
“My angel?” A
rueful smile, full of love and mischief, crossed his lips. “You don’t know the
half of him. Unlike me, he’s never been too choosy when it comes to making his
body available to anyone catching his fancy, if only momentary.” He glanced at
her ironically. “At least as far as men go. His restless soul has made friends
with practically any pair of beautiful eyes, belonging to a pair of pants,
naturally.”
“I’ve always felt Chris to be different from
any man I know. He’s an angel…” Drowning in images of the beloved face, Duncan
sighed. “And a demon. He consumes me with desire, but then his fire gives me
new life every time.
“I…I don’t know what happened there, with
that burst of love, and to be honest, I don’t want to know. She needed our
help, both of us, and I’m very glad I was there for her, really. But I’m still
coming round to the fact she’ll be a permanent addition to my life that I just
can’t deal with anything else about her, not for the moment.”
“But will she accept your fooling around, knowing she’s not what you
really crave?” Deliberately hateful and hurtful, Carl’s tone became more acute.
“Does she know how to suck your cock in such a way you won’t wish it was a man
doing it? Do you really like all that wetness getting in the way of your
pleasure? And what about that dastardly heat stuff that makes you fuck her even
when you can’t stand her?” He sniggered. “Will she learn to cope with the fact
you’ll never be interested in her cunt, just her ass?”
(Carl Strepton, from THE PLEDGE, Virtus #5)
“At his best, he’s charming, funny, playful
like a child but loving like a man.” While at
his worst, he’s passionate and hot like a demon come from another dimension.
Richard’s stomach caved in at young
Templeton’s disheveled look. By the gods, how can anyone be so fucking
gorgeous? No, gorgeous was not the right
word. Sensual…that fit Christopher to a tee and explained Richard’s distraction
every time the man moved around the classroom, looking as slick as a feline,
whether ready to devour a victim or have sex with it.
The problem was that, with one tongue sweep,
Duncan wiped out his rage, erased his doubts and spun his senses into a vortex
of pure, unashamed, unabated lust. He did not want just anyone. He wanted the
almighty prince and him alone. He wanted to drop on his knees to beg for his
forgiveness while sucking his cock dry. He wanted to give up his very life, to
prove what a stupid fool he was. He wanted to have Duncan’s love overflowing
him, instead of the dark, furious cloud engulfing him. He wanted…by the gods,
everything he wanted was wrapped up in one person alone, and he almost could
not stand it.
“Be careful about what you feel for
Christopher Templeton.” Embracing his shoulders, she leaned closer. “I’m not
going to tell you not to fall in love with him…” ‘Cause I’m too late. “Just
watch it. Chris is a wonderful person who can become the worst bastard in the
matter of seconds.” And she knew what she was talking about. “He tends to be…”
Cruel? Vicious? Impatient? Jealous? Indifferent? “Careless with other people’s
hearts…” Except that of his adored prince. “If given half the chance.” She
gazed deep in his eyes. “Did I make myself clear?
That he is a vain,
egotistical, heartless bastard seems undeniable, but his adored prince, the
only one to have stolen his heart until THE PLEDGE, Virtus Saga Book 5,
gets a whole different and better side of him. Angel, Prince Duncan Caldwell,
Leader of the High Council, calls Chris. But for everyone else, including the
woman Chris has come to love, he is a real Demon.
Christopher is an extremely handsome male specimen who
by his lover's confession could have anyone he wants as he is tall, elegant,
desirable, and has a lithe body that exudes sex from every pore. He loves
Duncan with all his heart, yet is annoyed when he wants to bring another woman,
Ylianor into their bed, and their already steamy relationship. Christopher has
a very jaded view of women, and Ylianor in particular believing them to be
unpredictable and fickle, and is under the impression he does not need one in
his life. Once Christopher has been left with Ylianor for a while at Blue
Oasis, he sees her in a different way, she is not the clinging vine he thought
she was originally, and thinks he might have misjudged her. That does not mean
his view of her as an interloper has changed, no, he had already made up his
mind to loathe her being there, even though he only wants what is best for his
lover. A lover of Arthur Fairchild, his former leader, it is interesting that
Christopher decided to keep it in the family by being Duncan's lover also. He
has a secret resentful streak in his personality he has to try and keep in
check, hoping that his lover will not notice. He does have a kind nature, but
it is hidden beneath jibes and insults about the woman in Duncan's life.
A handsome man with a huge ego in many ways,
Christopher could never imagine anyone being in their bed but Duncan, and he
hates to share his love with someone else, especially another woman. He
normally likes to keep them at a distance rather than get involved with them
and finds it awful that his lover might actually fall for Ylianor. This is set
to break their relationship up as he cannot make compromises and is pretty much
stubborn about the fact he sees Duncan as his, and his alone. Love is a serious
thing where Christopher is concerned, and his obsessive ways have got worse
since his lover let Ylianor enter their bedroom. Christopher is capable of
hurting men with his cruelty, and Ylianor has felt the sharp edge of his blade
at her throat before, so there is no love lost between them both. His feelings
for hurting others could be blamed on his Virt, his power, but could it be
that, or just an excuse to use his power and jealousy to fuel his deep seated
hatred?
“Some Virts are so uncontrollable and
dangerous, I’m not sure any amount of training could curb them.” His gaze swung
to young Templeton. “Like yours, my dear boy.”
Chris blushed violently. “You mean…you
knew about…the other side, too?”
Lord Fairchild nodded. “I’ve always
known.”
“Then, since you seem to know so much,
please explain it properly.” Chris raised his chin defiantly, the blue-gray
eyes brimming with suppressed fire.
Lord Fairchild chuckled. “You know,
through the years, I’ve kept careful watch over you, not just for personal
reasons, but also because I wanted to study up close a Virt I‘d heard only from
ancient traditions, which is the rare ability to combine both positive and
negative energy. And though you come from a very powerful family, no one else
to my knowledge can blend these two opposite forces as easily and effortlessly
as you can. I haven’t told anyone about your special talent and even your
father ignores the full extent of your—”
“He
never cared for me.”
Duncan shook his head in amusement.
Even if he had his pick of women beckoning him, it was nothing compared to his
blond lover’s power of attraction, he mused, watching him talking and
gesticulating excitedly to a couple of men.
“Chris knows just about everybody
here.” Ylianor’s eyes flashed in amusement. “I had no idea he was so popular.”
“My angel?” A rueful smile, full of
love and mischief, crossed his lips. “You don’t know the half of him. Unlike
me, he’s never been too choosy when it comes to making his body available to
anyone catching his fancy, if only momentary.” He glanced at her ironically.
“At least as far as men go. His restless soul has made friends with practically
any pair of beautiful eyes, belonging to a pair of pants, naturally.” He
creased his forehead in mock concentration. “How did you phrase it?”
“Spreading his energy around.”
He laughed. “Couldn’t have worded it
better myself! It’s part of his charm and that’s why I love him.” He could not
help adding as he averted his gaze, unwilling to display the depth of his
feelings.
As if I didn’t know already. Her soft
voice scolded gently.
I know you do, but sometimes it feels
so private, I don’t want anyone to see it, not even you. “Chris is so
private, I’ve never really talked about him to anyone.”
“You’re the one who brought me inside
your love, remember?” Green eyes flashing in challenge, Ylianor sent him the
memory of his passionate declaration to Chris.
Duncan nodded in acknowledgement. “And
I’ve shared my feelings with you. What more is there to say?”
“That’s just the point. You flood me
with everything that moves you about him and I think I understand them now.”
She smiled briefly at her sarcastic comment. “But since you don’t want just sex
from me, I believe I’m entitled to know, from a rational point of view, your
opinion on Chris and on what links you.”
After a moment’s thought, he moved
closer. “Fair enough, although there isn’t much you don’t already know. I’ve
always felt Chris to be different from any man I know. He’s an angel…” Drowning
in images of the beloved face, Duncan sighed. “And a demon. He consumes me with
desire, but then his fire gives me new life every time. I feel…” Words failed
him. “Well, you know exactly how I feel about him. And it thrills me to know
he’s a dangerous fire people love to play with, even if most get burned by it.”
He grinned. “I guess the risk adds to his charm. That’s why one thing my angel
will never fall short on is lovers, though none of them means anything to him.”
“Except Arthur.”
Taking Chris’s arm, Duncan led him to a small and
quite empty room, pinning him to the wall as soon as he closed the door. “What
sick game are you playing with her?”
“Game? I—”
“Be very careful with what you’re about to say,
Angel.” He threatened softly. “If I find out you’ve hurt her in any way—”
“I did more than that, lover.” The blue-gray eyes
shone in challenge. “But she loved it. That’s for sure.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then ask her. I believe it’s no problem for you
to find out right now.”
Taken aback, the prince released him, hesitating
on his next move, wondering if concern for his princess’s strained expression
was getting the better of him, driving him into something he had vowed he would
never do, interfere in the private matters of the two closest to him.
Somehow the angel understood it and took
immediate advantage of it. “Yes, I played that game, though the gods know how
you sensed it since she obviously didn’t tell you.”
“She didn’t have to. I read it on her face
something wasn’t right.”
“And pray, do tell, why did you think I had
anything to do with it?”
“Because this evening, you
dared her to try you and she did.”
(Excerpt from THE FESTIVAL,
Virtus #3)
“In order for
a Fitting to be most successful, the newly made leader should perform a pledge
to testify of his taking formal power.”
“You want me
to pledge Chris?”
James nodded.
“So you have adjusted to the idea.”
“Oh, I have.” But Chris? No way!
“And my son?”
“Well, we’ve
talked…” And fucked. “About it without getting very far, I must admit.”
“What about
your adopted sister?” Raising a curious eyebrow, Lord Templeton leaned forward.
“She’s the only woman he’s ever talked about, not at great length, still enough
to make us believe—”
“Us?”
“His mother
and I. We think she’s the one.”
“Then you’ll
have to convince two people, not just one.”
“Would she
dare refuse a Templeton?” Aghast, mouth open, he drew back abruptly.
Already has. “It’s not a question of
refusing anyone. You’re giving them a very short time to make up their minds.” Especially now that they’ve come to a
balance of sorts for the first time ever. “Three days aren’t enough to
decide if you want to spend your life with a person.”
“Nonsense!”
“Can’t you think of anything else beside sex?”
“Of course not, Chrissy. What else would you have
me think about now that my mate is with child, bloated and fat like an
overgrown pig?” Once more, he addressed the prince. “Don’t you find it ironic
Chrissy should have it so good with two leaders in a row? I mean Arthur
literally ate out of his hand when he wasn’t ramming his ass.” He licked his
lips. “Doesn’t it bother you, Duncan?”
“Why should it?” Prince Caldwell’s tone was even,
though not enough to fool Chris. “The angel is a free man, and he can do
whatever he wants.”
“Sure, but he was your phase mate, and now you’re
all over one another—”
“What we do is none of your business.” Chris could
not help the aggressive tone, which he managed to control exclusively with an
effort. As usual with Carl, it was not worth his time or his energy to get mad.
“Hey, Chrissy, no need to get so touchy.” Uncaring
about the emotional turmoil he was stirring, Carl maneuvered his horse so as to
divide Chris from Duncan, coming between the two. “It’s only natural I should
be curious, considering all the news I heard at the Hall.” The slow movement of
the horses kept them so close together Carl had no trouble staring directly in
the blue-gray eyes. “I mean how can you, of all people, tolerate to pledge so
below your station? You, a pure blood Templeton, one of the noblest and oldest
families, tied to a mere—”
“I didn’t pledge.” Chris would have
ended it there had Duncan not incinerated him on the spot with a fiery gaze.
“To a servant’s daughter. She’s a Caldwell to all effects and purposes. That’s
enough for me.”
“Really? I still can’t get over it.” Amused, Carl
shook his head in disbelief. “Well, servant or no servant, I never thought I’d
see the day my dear Chrissy pledged, and you’re hardly the type for it. You’re
too much like me—”
“I’m nothing like you,” Chris cut in viciously.
“Yes, you are. We both know what you really like,
and it isn’t cunts. I thought at least you wouldn’t make my same mistake.” Carl
looked him up and down skeptically. “Wonder how much pressure your father had
to exert to get your cooperation, or was it a trade-off with the council seat?”
His eyes gleamed coldly. “Let’s face it. She’ll never satisfy you.” For once,
he was speaking seriously and without traces of sarcasm. “Women will never
understand us, our true nature I mean.”
“Wrong again.” Smugly, Chris raised a defiant
gaze. “Besides Duncan, Ylianor is the only other person who truly understands
me.” It was getting harder to maintain a measure of self-control. “I chose her,
and I don’t regret it one bit.” The particular emphasis that charged the words
was meant for Duncan and Ylianor, had she been close enough to catch them.
After the black eyes flashed in agreement, Chris turned back to Carl. “It may
be hard for you to fathom, but I pledged because I wanted her, not just any
woman.”
“Ha! As if I could believe you.” Carl nudged his
horse forward. “I know how much you hate women, remember?”
“She’s Ylianor Caldwell, not just any woman, and
that makes all the difference.”
“But will she accept your fooling around, knowing she’s not what you
really crave?” Deliberately hateful and hurtful, Carl’s tone became more acute.
“Does she know how to suck your cock in such a way you won’t wish it was a man
doing it? Do you really like all that wetness getting in the way of your
pleasure? And what about that dastardly heat stuff that makes you fuck her even
when you can’t stand her?” He sniggered. “Will she learn to cope with the fact
you’ll never be interested in her cunt, just her ass?”
(Excerpt from THE PLEDGE, Virtus #5)
hello! This is a beautiful blog. ~Lauren
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