The Lion's Den (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles) Read online

  Titles by D.N. Simmons

  Knights of the Darkness Chronicles

  Desires Unleashed

  The Guilty Innocent

  The Royal Flush

  Hostile Territory

  The Lion’s Den

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2011 by D.N. Simmons

  All Right Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the author. Exceptions are in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give or sell this e-book to anyone else. If you received this e-book publication from anyone other than Kindle Amazon.com, you've received a pirated copy. Please contact the author (D.N. Simmons) via e-mail at [email protected] and notify the author of the situation. Thank you.

  Dedication and Acknowledgments

  As always, I dedicate this novel to my absolutely wonderful, loyal, understanding and truly patient readership. I thank you all for the opportunity you’ve given me to entertain you. It has been my greatest pleasure. I want you know that your unwavering support inspires me and I am honored to have you all as readers.

  I’d like to thank my mother for being the wonderful, supportive and loving person you are. Thank you for pushing me to meet my potential. I’d like to thank my father for your support, love and guidance. Last, but not least, I’d like to send a specil “thank you” to all of you who have supported me in life and in my career.

  Love Always

  D.N.

  Chapter One

  Natasha entered the bedroom she shared with her two lovers. Both men lounging on the bed watching television, looked up at her.

  Xavier chuckled. "You have that, 'I have a favor to ask of you', face," he said, noting Natasha's expression.

  "Do I?" Natasha asked.

  "Yes," Xavier answered.

  “Wow, you can read me really well. Do you mind?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No, of course not. What’s the favor?”

  Natasha smiled. "These cravings are driving me crazy. I actually think they’re stronger than before. Anyway, I would really, really, really”

  "Oh-oh, she said 'really' three times, this must be a big favor you’re getting ready to ask of us," Xavier teased.

  "Well, that depends," Natasha began. She climbed on the bed, sliding closer to her two men. "I really want a big, juicy burger loaded with all kinds of trimmings like the one I saw on TV yesterday. That thing looked like it was the bomb, don't ya'll agree?"

  "Are you talking about the one that’s a pound of ground beef, three different cheeses, six slices of thick-cut bacon, honey-glazed-deep fried onion rings, a potato pancake and a layer of marinated beef brisket sautéed with mushroom in au jus sauce?" Xavier asked.

  Natasha nodded. "Oh yeah! That's the one. Although, when you put it like that, it does sound like a ridiculous burger, doesn't it? But it looked soooo good and the dude eating it on TV was chowing down and made me want it even more."

  "That burger looked like it would give a person instant diabetes and a stroke at the same time to me," Xavier commented. "You sure you want to eat that while you’re pregnant?”

  Natasha pouted, her lover was making perfect sense. "I know it's not the healthiest thing a person can eat. That's why I only want one. I've been eating enough fruits and veggies to balance it out."

  Darian laughed. "So you’ve been preparing yourself for this, have you?”

  “Maybe,” Natasha said, smiling.

  "Wasn't that restaurant in New York?" Xavier asked.

  "Was it? I don’t know," Natasha said.

  "I believe it was," Darian confirmed.

  "Well see, that’s why I said ‘really’ three times,” Natasha said. “Because I knew it was a huge favor to ask.”

  "I guess I’ll get it. We both know Darian won’t," Xavier said.

  “I resent that, I would go,” Darian said.

  “Oh really? All right, do you want to go instead?” Xavier challenged him, one eyebrow cocked.

  “Well, you’ve already offered, far be it from me to cast a shadow on your chivalry and outshine you. By all means, my young one… you may go in my stead,” Darian retorted.

  Xavier laughed. “Full. Of. Shit.”

  Darian only laughed. “You know, you’re just spoiling her, doing irreparable damage.”

  “Excuse, how are you going to talk about me like I’m not sitting here?” Natasha asked, poking Darian in the arm. “And by the way, I’m not spoiled.”

  “Yes you are,” Darian laughed.

  Natasha smirked. “Shut up, whatever,” she said, laughing at Darian. “Anyway, I do appreciate it. Thank you for going for me." She kissed Xavier twice on the mouth. "I love you so much." She stroked the strong line of his jaw with her finger, causing him to moan.

  "So gullible,” Darian jested.

  "No, I'm not. You're just mad she didn't kiss you," Xavier teased.

  "Oh, I'll have her all to myself when you go on your little errand," Darian retorted, laughing to himself.

  "Oh boys, there's enough of me to go around, especially with this big-ass belly," Natasha said, pointing to her expanded stomach, which was quite large as she was nearly seven months pregnant. Both men decided to play it smart by not commenting on her joke, they just smiled. They had learned in the past just how sensitive a pregnant woman could be.

  "You're beautiful to me," Xavier said, playing it safe. “I’ll be back shortly.” He then turned, walking toward the balcony, stepping outside, closing the doors behind him. A second later, he disappeared into the nighttime sky, flying toward New York.

  Darian leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He remembered the last time Natasha made a joke about her weight while pregnant with their son. Both men laughed and she got offended thinking they thought her to be fat. After the tears and the rant, she apologized to them, blaming her hormones. Both men had made a mental note to not fall for that one again.

  Natasha laid next to Darian, snuggling closer resting her head on his muscular chest. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, his other hand rested on her swollen belly. Even though it was the second time around experiencing her pregnancy, it was still a complete marvel to him. Laying there beside her, he began to reminisce about their first experience. How happy and excited Natasha was the day she discovered she was pregnant. He also remember his own excitement and Xavier’s knowing they were going to be fathers.

  Throughout her term, they pampered her endlessly. Whatever she wanted, they got it for her. Darian had joked that they were ruining her, to which, Natasha would just laugh and nod. He had thought her all day sickness was interesting as well as unpleasant. He couldn't quite understand why everything seemed to make her sick, even scents she had once loved. Xavier was more in tuned to her needs and he helped him to understand. Both men had delighted in hearing the tiny heartbeat and feeling their son move underneath her soft skin as their child began to grow larger and more healthier inside her. Night after night, he and Xavier would lay beside her listening and feeling the babhile Natasha twirled her fingers through their long silky hair.

  The day Natasha went
into labor was another new experience in and of itself. Never had either man heard her curse so much. Never had they seen her in so much pain. Apparently, asking her questions about the birthing process during the moment it was happening was a terrible idea. Natasha didn't seem to have any tolerance for Darian's inquiries, which was pointed out when she yelled at him to "shut the fuck up, or leave!". Xavier had laughed and learning from Darian’s experience, he kept his own questions to himself until a later time. Darian was extremely curious and stood behind the doctor and nurse as their son began to enter the world. It had been centuries since Darian had witnessed the miracle of life and this was the first time that life was going to be a child of his, that was human. Once it was all over, after twelve hours, the three rejoiced in the little baby that was bundled in Natasha’s arms.

  Xavier managed to capture the birth on video and they enjoyed watching it once they came home from the hospital. Even all of the cursing seemed funny after the experience was over. Natasha had to apologize to her two lovers once she saw and heard all of the awful things she said and done to them in her haze of unimaginable pain which the drugs given to her didn't seem to lessen fast enough, that much she remembered. They had been all too forgiving, as they understood.

  Taking care of the baby proved somewhat difficult for Darian in the beginning. The tiny infant seemed so delicate, so completely dependent on them. He loved his son instantly. His vulnerability and innocence were just so precious. It gave Darian a different perspective on the value of human life. How it begins, how truly fragile it was. It was a gift much like his immortality. That was how he saw it, now.

  Xavier, on the other hand, had taken to fatherhood naturally, impressing both Natasha and Darian immensely. They figured Xavier’s human experience with his siblings gave him the knowledge he needed to care for their own child. That and the fact that he really wanted to be a dad and had read many books on the subject of parenting. It was Xavier along with Natasha, who helped Darian understand their child’s needs and desires. He smiled to himself over the memory as he felt his second child move slowly inside Natasha’s abdomen.

  She looked up at him. "What are you smiling about?"

  "I was thinking about our first born, how easily Xavier took to fatherhood, how eager he was."

  "Oh yeah, I kind of knew the moment he put those headphones on my stomach to play classical music for the baby, he was going to be a great father."

  Darian looked down at her. "What did you think about me?" he asked.

  "You? You were adorable, really. You cracked me up."

  "How so?"

  "Darian, baby, the first time Matthew puked on you, you held him out at arms length." She began to laugh, remembering his aghast expression as creamy infantile vomit slid down the front of his Egyptian cotton, hunter-green, shirt. "For a second there, I thought you were going to toss him to Xavier."

  "I wouldn't go that far. I remember that, he did it without warning and it was projectile vomit. One minute, he was giggling and having fun and the next he was spewing all over me. I've never had anyone vomit on me before … Well, not since becoming a vampire, that is. It was hot and thick and sticky. As you know, the only human fluid I don’t mind with that combination”

  “Okay, I’m going to stop you right now, because you’re starting to go to that place you like to go to.” Natasha poked him in the chest.

  “What place?” he asked with a mischievous grin.

  “Darian.”

  He snorted. “You’re no fun. By the way, I suspected it wasn’t an accident when Matthew puked on me, because he laughed afterwards."

  Natasha burst into a fit of laughter. After a few seconds, she regained her composure. "Think that was his master plan?"

  "I'm not putting it past him. He's tried to catch me off guard dozens of times since then with his carefully planned projectile vomit and urine attacks," Darian joked.

  "That first time was because you didn't burp him properly before playing bouncy-bounce with him. Imagine how he felt! Besides, his stomach was still developing, babies spit-up all the time. It's got nothing to do with master plans.”

  Darian arched an eyebrow. "Explain the urine, then," he said somewhat suspiciously, still believing his son may have planed some of those "attacks".

  Natasha chuckled.

  "Well?"

  "He never pissed on you."

  "That's because I was too quick for him. It was funny when he got Xavier, though … and John. I'm simply saying I think he knew what he was doing. How can I not suspect him?" Darian smiled, flashing his pearly whites.

  "Maybe that was his way of toning down your arrogance. Children do humble you, ya know." She giggled once more.

  "If you say so."

  "Well, maybe not you, but other people have been humbled by the experience of having babies. That new born life is so precious, so beautiful."

  "He is that and I’m humble enough."

  "I remember one time you changed Matthew’s diaper. You laid him on the changing table and your nose was all wrinkled up, eyebrows all furrowed." She continued to laugh.

  "I could smell what was inside his diaper a mile away. You forget, my senses are a thousand times more acute than yours. Besides, I remember you complaining about his bowel movement just the other day after he had broccoli."

  "Hey, that was some serious shit. You didn’t see what I saw. I had nightmares after that!” she joked, chuckling.

  "Nightmares, eh?” he smiled. “I got used to fatherhood all in good time, if I may say so."

  Natasha struggled to catch her breath, she looked up at him. "Yes you did, darling. You caught on very fast. I knew you'd be a perfect father, too." She leaned upwards, kissing him passionately.

  They laid quietly together for several minutes before Darian heard the little chatter coming from the nursery. "He's finally awake!" He swiftly unraveled himself from Natasha, letting her fall face-first back onto the bed. She looked up at him, chuckling to herself as he climbed out of the bed, leaving the room. He returned two minutes later carrying their year old son in his arms. Little Matthew, as some called him, knowing he was named after his biological father, was dressed in a light blue t-shirt and white and blue elephant-spotted pajama bottoms over his pull-ups. His green eyes stared at his father as he carried him towards the bed. Darian leaned forward, kissing his son's soft, curly, dark brown hair. He inhaled deeply, taking in his sweet baby scent.

  "Is he wet?" Natasha asked, reaching over testing his pamper.

  Darian shook his head. "I'd be able to smell if he was. He's just hungry, lonely and he wants to play."

  "I bet he is. He had a very long nap. I'm going to make him a little something to eat." Natasha began to roll off the bed.

  "No, you should be relaxing. I can take care of his dinner." Darian walked out of the room, taking their son with him and leaving her alone, smiling.

  Natasha was both overjoyed and relieved that not only did her two lovers love their son, and were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their second child, but the entire coven grew closer because of the infant. John, Tony, Gary and Christopher took to their “uncle” roles immediately. Even before Matthew was born, they had purchased clothes and toys in preparation of his arrival. Annabelle adored the little infant and enjoyed nuzzling, playing and holding Matthew whenever she could pry him from the hands of his uncles and fathers. The biggest surprises were Miko and April, who were oftentimes reserved, even they couldn’t help making cooing sounds and “baby talk” in the infant’s presence. Matthew, Warren's lover, S.U.I.T. partner and the biological donor of Natasha’s two children loved him very much. He visited often, playing with his son for hours on end. Natasha’s parents, and Matthew's mother were constantly spoiling her son, so much so, Natasha found herself having to put her foot down.

  She didn't want a spoiled brat for a child. Darian's fawning over him was bad enough. Xavier and Matthew understood where she was coming from, and toned down their blatant adoration enough not to spoi
l their son rotten. Darian, on the other hand, needed more restraint. He finally submitted and resisted the urge to carry his son constantly. He also refrained from making exuberant purchases, like the several pairs of thousand dollars infant loafers he had bought several months ago. Even Xavier chastised his lover for that decision. Darian’s reason for having done so at the time was, “only the best for my son.” All in all, everything was wonderful as far as Natasha was concerned. She'd never been happier. She only wished her best friend, Annette were alive to share the experience, too.

  Darian came back into the room ten minutes later, carrying his son and a jar of food. He sat on the bed and began feeding Matthew tiny spoonfuls of puréed vegetables. Natasha laid next to them watching, secretly hoping Darian couldn't hear her own stomach growling.

  "Xavier should be here shortly. You sound ravenous," Darian said, smiling slyly.

  Natasha smirked. "Oh, I see you’ve got jokes."

  "Ah, was that your stab at being sarcastic?" Darian smiled.

  Natasha giggled. "Maybe. I can't help it if I'm hungrier than a hostage."

  "You know, some hostages are well fed," Darian remarked.

  "See, there you go again, talking shit,” Natasha joked.

  Darian laughed.

  Natasha kissed him before taking hold of her son. She lifted his tiny shirt, inhaling deeply, blew a loud gust of air over the surface of his belly, causing him to burst into a fit of laughter.

  "He's ticklish, just like his mother," Darian commented.

  "I know," she said, giggling. Her slender delicate fingers moved erratically over her son's soft skin, ticking him. He cackled loudly as he thrashed on the bed, smiling beautifully at his mother. Several minutes later, Xavier entered the bedroom through the door, and not the window like the last time when he scared Natasha out of her wits causing her to spill her nachos all over Darian’s three-thousand dollar sheets.