by Amy Sumida
“And all because you came to Earth in search of immortality,” I whispered.
“And because it was given to me in the most extraordinary way.” Malik took my hand and kissed it tenderly.
“What about your people?” I whispered. “They'll know something has changed with you as soon as they look in your eyes.”
“My eyes aren't a problem,” Malik said. “I'll just cover their color with eye films.”
Eye films?” I asked.
“Like contacts but easier to put on and far more comfortable,” he explained.
“Oh, of course.” I released a relieved breath. “And you're okay with deceiving your people?”
“If I did, it would jeopardize both of us,” Malik said. “Not that I don't trust my father, but there are people around him who might...”
“Try to trap you and take your blood?” I asked with a smirk.
“Just so.” He smiled back. “The more people who know about this, the more who could let the truth slip. I can't tell the Bleiten how you saved my life, but I will tell them that you did. I want my father to know what kind of woman you are.”
“You mean that you want him to feel indebted to me so that he'll give our relationship his blessing,” I said shrewdly.
“That as well.” Malik laughed. “It will help that you were raised on Earth, but saving his heir will be something my father can't ignore. If nothing else, he will never disrespect you, and you will be welcome in our home.”
“That's reassuring,” I said. “Although, I should probably visit Eden before I go to Hell.” I made a face. “Wow, that sounded strange.”
“And there is your humanity,” he said with a bright grin. “That will win him over. My father has always liked humans.”
“He has?” I asked in surprise.
“He admires their tenacity and passion,” Malik said with a nod. “He used to tell me that passion can sometimes drive a man to destruction, and so many men fear it. But humans embrace their weaknesses—even those that destroy them. When they've lost everything, they simply start fresh.”
“But the Bleiten came here and fought with the Triari,” I pointed out. “Why bring your war here if you respect us?”
“War goes where it will.” Malik sighed. “But my father has tried to keep it from Earth; it was his father who brought it here.”
“Lucifer the First?”
“That's right.” Malik smiled but it was tight and forced. “He was proud of his infamy and the fear his name inspired. He wanted to perpetuate that. But my father has spent his life working against his own name; he wants to inspire admiration, not fear.”
“Talk about a legacy to live up to,” I murmured. “Or to live down.”
“I suppose that's why he likes humans,” Malik mused. “Humans reinvent themselves all the time.”
“If only we weren't so cruel to each other,” I said softly.
“That's the way of all people.” Malik shrugged. “Even the Triari. We are individuals who happen to be born on the same planet; sometimes we love each other and sometimes we hate.”
“But both of your races have kings,” I said with confusion. “Aren't Eden and Hell united under a single rule?”
“They are, but there are always discontents; people who think that they can do a better job at ruling,” he said. “A king must constantly fight for and against his people.”
“That's rather sad,” I whispered.
“My father says that he'd rather rule people who have the strength to rise against him than those who have been beaten into submission,” Malik said. “A king leads, while a dictator suppresses.”
“Your father sounds like a wise man,” I said. “And a good one.”
“He is.” Malik smiled proudly. He's even become open to changing some things with the Horde. He sees that we must move forward, and he's not too proud to accept advice.”
“Changing,” I whispered as I blinked. “You're the son who's been making changes?”
“You heard about me?” He lifted a sin-black brow.
“Kyrian mentioned it.” I shrugged.
“Interesting,” Malik murmured. “I didn't know that the Triari were so aware of our politics.”
I cocked my head at him in question, but he just shook his. Then he glanced to our left and chuckled.
“I suppose I shall have to get used to men casting angry glances at me,” Malik murmured.
I looked up and saw Davorin standing across the room; leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He was shooting daggers at Malik with his eyes. I sighed and settled back against Malik. I felt bad about Davorin and Kyrian; I cared about both of them now. But I couldn't be with them all, and Malik was the greatest mystery. I knew what it would be like with Davorin, and I had a pretty good idea what a relationship with Kyrian would entail, but Malik... I had a feeling that every day would reveal something new about him and possibly even myself. I needed to discover what we would become together.
“The front door is two steps away,” Malik whispered in my ear. “Shall we sneak away?”
I looked up and smiled at Malik; let the revelations begin.
Chapter Forty-Eight
As soon as my front door was locked behind us, Malik scooped me up and started for the stairs. His heavy boots pounded on the wooden landing, and then he paused.
“The second door,” I said as I nuzzled the thick cords in his neck all the way up to his ear.
Malik breathed out in a sexy rumble as he carried me into my bedroom and headed straight for the queen-sized bed. Instead of laying me down upon it, though, he set me on my feet. I kicked off my heels as he started to undress me. I was beginning to regret going with the casual look of jeans and a loose T-shirt. It was hindering our progress. But Malik enjoyed a challenge and instead of becoming frustrated with the delay, he relished it.
Malik took his time undoing the button and then unzipping my jeans to reveal the white lace of my panty beneath. I sucked in a breath when he rubbed the pads of his thumbs over the lace as he growled low in his throat—more vibration than sound. Then Malik slipped his fingers between the thick denim and my belly and eased his hands out toward my hips. He pushed down steadily; massaging my thighs as he drew the thick material lower and lower. By the time it was around my ankles, Malik was crouched before me; his face on the same level with the lace. But he turned his head to the side—just brushing his chin against that sensitive area—and looked down as he removed my jeans.
I stepped free of the jeans and started to pull off my shirt, but Malik made a growling sound and grabbed my hands; giving me a teasing glare. I laughed softly and released the fabric so that he could remove it himself. The warlord grinned triumphantly as he slipped his hands beneath the T-shirt and hooked his thumbs around the bottom edge. He pushed it up as he coasted his palms over my breasts slowly. His eyes darkened to iris as my bra was revealed. Malik quickly cast the shirt aside while he kept his gaze on my lingerie.
“Lovely,” Malik whispered as he trailed his fingertips over the top of my breasts.
I placed my hand over his to stop him, and Malik looked up in question.
“Take your boots off,” I said.
Malik lifted a dark brow at me but reached down and removed his boots and socks; tossing them aside casually—like he had everything else. I instantly moved forward and lifted the bottom edge of his shirt. Malik helped me get it over his head; he was too tall for me to do it on my own. And then a smooth expanse of muscled chest was out on full display. I ran my hands over the golden-brown curves; learning each dip and crevice as I admired the tattoo in the middle of his chest. I ran a fingernail over the intricate lines of his crown and then up the swirls of fire that consumed it.
“I'm afraid of fire,” I whispered and then looked up into Malik's concerned eyes. “Except for yours. When you shifted, and I saw those flames run across your skin, it was the first time since I was a little girl that fire didn't scare me.”
“I'm
relieved to hear you say so.” Malik briefly lowered his forehead to mine. “I couldn't bear it if I frightened you. Although, it surprises me that anything would scare you. Is it because of your parents?”
I nodded. “I think I may be able to get past that now.” Then I tapped the crown. “Is this a mark of your lineage?”
“Indisputable proof of my claim to the throne,” he confirmed. “It's a direct connection to my father. When he dies, it will shift; the fire will summon me home to take his place.” He laid his hand over mine. “If I'm accepted.”
“I can't imagine anyone finding you lacking,” I murmured.
“A Triari dvarra may change things,” Malik said softly.
I went still. “Are you telling me that you're risking the crown to be with me?”
“Of course. I thought you understood that.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I whispered.
“Amara, you're worth a thousand crowns,” Malik bracketed my face with his hands and leaned down to kiss me. “I don't know how to explain it, but when I touch you, I feel as if I'm holding eternity in my hands. Our eternity. I don't care what I have to renounce or who I have to oppose to share forever with you; it would be nothing in comparison to what we can have together.”
I exhaled an amazed breath as I stared up at Malik in wonder. Had more romantic words ever been spoken? Not to me.
“I hope it won't come to that, but if we are not meant to live in peace, then I will fight beside you,” I vowed as I slid my hands down his hard stomach.
Malik's breath quickened as his hands tightened on my body. I lifted my face for another kiss, but his pants were unusual, and I ended up pulling away to focus on them. Malik's soft laughter shook his chest as he watched me fumble with the hook closure and then the ties beneath that. But he stopped laughing when the garment fell free and my hands slid over the curves of his ass.
“No underwear,” I whispered as I glanced down.
“No,” he said. “And it's time we rid you of yours.”
Malik picked me up again and laid me down on the bed. I admired his trim waist and the bulges of his biceps as he crawled over me. His shaft was thick and hard between us, and he positioned it against me as he shifted my legs apart. Malik lowered his head to kiss me as my breathing began to quicken, and I ran my hands over the breadth of his shoulders; pulling him closer. But he only teased me by rubbing himself against me and working me into a slick state.
I moaned into his mouth and angled my hips upward, but Malik just deepened our kiss and pushed me back into the mattress; using the motion to spread my thighs wider. He moved his kiss down my neck and then his sharp teeth were nibbling their way across my chest as I wrapped my legs around his waist and scraped my fingernails down his back. The slow pace was sending hot and cold shivers over my skin, but he wouldn't give in to my urging.
“I think I've had enough enjoyment from these,” Malik murmured as he ran his hand down my torso; from breasts to belly.
He slipped the straps of my bra down my shoulders but couldn't figure out how to remove it. I chuckled as the tables were turned and reached behind my back to help him. Malik's smile brightened as the lace slipped away, and he instantly replaced it with his warm, wet mouth. I arched up into him; holding his head to me as I felt a tug at my hip. A glance down showed that he'd shifted a single finger and used his claw to snap the thin side of my panty.
Malik looked up at me with a wicked grin. “I'll buy you more.”
“I don't care about the panties,” I said urgently. “Just get them off me.”
Malik's grin widened as he snapped the other side and then pulled the fabric away. The talon shifted back into a finger as he slid his hand between my legs and then began a gentle rubbing. I groaned and clutched at Malik as he kissed his way down my belly; the tips of his teeth scraping lightly against my skin. Then, with his hot stare locked on mine, he lowered his mouth to my sex.
I cried out and writhed beneath him; waves of pleasure flowing out from Malik's persuasive tongue. That talented piece of flesh swirled and flicked and thrust until my lips started to go dry from my gasping breaths, and my thighs tightened with tremors. My fingers grasped at Malik's silky hair while he continued to take me higher and higher, until finally—when I thought I couldn't stand the pleasure of it anymore—he lifted himself up and slid inside me.
I was so sensitive from his ministrations—so wet with wanting—that Malik's member moved all the way to the hilt with a single thrust. I instantly clasped him to me tightly; one hand grasping the rounded curve of his ass to pull him even closer. But then Malik began a wild thrusting that I wasn't expecting. To go from a slow, tender seduction to this savage pounding was enough to make my head spin in the best of ways. All I could do was hold on and hope I survived.
But I was immortal, wasn't I? We both were. And as my bed creaked and groaned from the abuse, I groaned with pleasure and finally found enough purchase to lift my hips and meet his thrusts with my own ferocity. Malik growled and slid his arms behind my back to lift me up until I was seated on his lap. He continued driving himself up into me while I got to my knees to use the angle to drop down on him.
The bed slammed into the wall, bits and baubles fell from my dresser to roll across the rug, and then a painting went crashing to the floor. But I didn't care. I shoved Malik onto his back and straddled him. He was making savage sounds that urged me on, and he bared his teeth at me as I slammed down onto him. I had never been so wild in bed—never felt this sense of urgent need—but now, I couldn't stop slamming myself onto him. I couldn't seem to reach that brilliant apex fast enough. And when I did—when I screamed through the ecstasy of it and fell forward with the violent shivers surging through me—it was only to catch my breath. In moments, I was quaking with desire again.
Malik flipped us over and rolled me onto my belly before he roughly yanked me onto my hands and knees. He barely took a second to position himself before he was thrusting into me again, and I knew that he felt the same mindless drive I did; the demand of our bodies to reach that pleasure together. I braced myself with one hand on the mattress and one on the wall as Malik grabbed my hips and brought us toward that pinnacle with furious thrusts and grasping hands.
Finally, the elusive climax came, and we shouted out together. Malik's hands clenched on my hips as his body tightened and emptied into mine. Rolling, pulsing pleasure filled me; rushing beneath my skin to tingle in every sensitive place I had. Colors burst before my eyes as our auras mingled and exploded together; a sparkling shower of lusty red, vibrant splashes of delighted orange, stripes of loyal blue, and a sprinkling of loving rose. There was already love between us. How miraculous was that?
I wasn't going to ruin the moment by saying anything to Malik about it, but as he shifted to the side and pulled me into the curve of his embrace, I smiled in blissful satisfaction. My demon prince was full of surprises; just as I'd suspected. I hoped that he never stopped surprising me; not for all eternity.
Chapter Forty-Nine
The next morning, after Malik and I had breakfast, we went back to The Wilds to collect Malik's men. Landry had the Bleiten soldiers laid out in a storage room with blankets respectfully draped over each body.
“Thank you for looking after them,” Malik said to Landry. “Your kindness will not be forgotten.”
“Just repay that kindness to my daughter, and we'll be even,” Landry said with a weighted look.
“I treasure her already,” Malik said softly. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I see that,” Landry said and sighed deeply. “But simply being who you are might do her harm.”
“No; it will not,” Malik vowed firmly.
Landry stared hard at Malik and finally nodded.
“Well, I'm relieved that's over with,” I huffed.
“Deal with it, kid,” Landry said. “That's what happens when people care about you.”
“I'll remember that when you get a new girlfriend,”
I said cryptically.
Landry grimaced; his last girlfriend had done a number on him, and I'd given her stomach issues for a week. Landry didn't know about my colorful revenge, but I'm sure he suspected.
“What are you doing?” I asked Malik as I watched him adhere metal discs to the walls of Landry's storeroom.
“Setting up a transporter,” he said.
Malik stuck the discs on opposite walls, the ceiling, and the floor. Then he pulled out a little controller and pushed a button on it. The discs lit up and blue light flashed out to connect them. It created a sheet of pulsing energy between them that nearly obscured everything behind it. Malik lifted one of the bodies in his arms and strode through that sheet. He disappeared within the light but returned a few moments later to collect another body. Landry and I watched the process with fascination; neither of us had seen a transporter in action before, much less a portable one.
When Malik had transferred all but one of his men to his ship, he turned to me to say goodbye.
“I'll be back as soon as I can,” he promised.
“Okay,” I whispered as Landry quietly left the room.
“Do you think you'd be able to set this up in your home?” Malik waved at the discs. “Somewhere out of the way? Then I wouldn't have to pilot a pod down to Earth, I could transport directly from my craft.”
“Of course,” I said. “It looks simple enough.”
“Thank you,” Malik murmured and then frowned. “I don't know how to say goodbye to you.”
“I think you just did.”
“No; I mean... I don't want to leave.”
“I don't want you to go either, but it has to be done. Their families deserve closure.” I nodded toward the last body. “I'll be here when you get back, and we can start up right where we left off.”
“I have your word?”