They'd been standing here for over an hour, moonlight keeping them cool. She had experienced a stirring of pride as she'd watched her man - is he? - fight to be near her. He'd made sure of it, shoving Brand out of the way when the dragon tried to take the stump opposite her. Assured of the warrioress's stamina, Delilah shifted her gaze. Her sister seemed fine, anchored and steady. Those words ringing in her ears, Delilah peered down the opposite line and eyed Nola. I wish you all the strength you are surely going to need. The other team, the losing team, will say goodbye to another member. Your team will then know the glory of our delight - but since I suspect you will not fully comprehend just how great a reward that is, you will also be granted a more tangible prize. But above all else, your mission is to be the last one standing. Encourage each other if you must, distract your opponents if possible. And so you will stand and endure, proving by your tolerance that you have earned the right to call yourselves warriors. They were to stand on the tiny planks while the waves danced at their ankles.Ī worthy warrior can endure heat, exhaustion, hunger and inactivity for long periods of time, one of the gods - a female this time - had said before the game commenced.

One team on each side, opposing members facing each other. Every member of the two teams had been told to choose a log rising from the water. The gods had indeed decided it was time for another challenge. But she couldn't deny the fact that she liked the thought of having some part of Layel inside her. How would it affect her? As strongly as the man himself did? She shivered as she remembered the way he'd hovered over her, determined to keep her alive, protective, focused only on her, everything she'd ever dreamed - and almost fell from the log she currently balanced upon. He'd told her many humans had died after drinking vampire blood. His weight pinning her down.his strength.his ferocity. There had been pain in the savage bite, but there had also, unexpectedly, been pleasure. So she'd taken the force of his fury herself. If he had killed Tagart, her team would have killed him.

One encounter she'd enjoyed a little too much. She'd spent her life fighting one battle or another, had gone weeks at a time with barely any food or rest. SHE MIGHT NOT SURVIVE the night, Delilah thought.

The Vampire's Bride by Gena Showalter