“It was to save her life and she bonded with me, didn’t she?”
“Point taken.” He plopped in a chair. “I don’t know if she will forgive me and more important, keep forgiving me. We both know I will stick my foot in my mouth again and again.” He tipped his head to rest on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. “The jealous rage I felt at the thought of her with another man, it...”
“It will happen again.” Marcus interrupted. “Get used to it, learn how to control it better and most of all be prepared to spend a lot of time on your knees begging for forgiveness.”
Seth lifted his head. “That doesn’t help.”
“Sorry, but as Cassie points out all the time, we are stubborn, overbearing jackasses. But we love them with all we have. You do love her, right?”
“More than anything. I crave her touch, her smell and the look of contentment on her face, but I don’t deserve her.”
“No, you don’t, but don’t question it, just accept. You’ve lived so long being messed up you’ve forgotten what normal is, what it’s like to really live. You have a second chance, don’t lose it. Be open and tell her how you feel and for gods’ sake bond with her.”
He knew everything Marcus said was right and he wanted Katie and he wanted to make her his. “A bonding ceremony will have to wait, this isn’t the time.”
Marcus held up a hand. “You’ll do me no good with your head up your ass. Patch things up with her.”
“You’re right. I’ll give her some time to cool off first.”
“Good luck.” Then he was gone and Seth was left with his thoughts, which on its own seemed ironic. He hadn’t had his thoughts to himself in centuries. He would follow the advice of his brethren. Find his mate and grovel, then he would ask her to be his for eternity and gods help them both.
Katie paced the marble floor of what was now her home in the Temple of the Gods. Fury at Gabriel caused sparks to fly from her fingertips. The angel was an ass. Why did he say those things? It didn’t matter, she’d deal with the angel later. There was anger and hurt that Seth would even question her on the issue, but the person she was really mad at was herself. She still had feelings for him and was well aware that he struggled with the changes he’d gone through. Instead of talking it over, they both blew up. From great mind-blowing sex to accusing each other of who knew what else, she had to wonder if they ever stood a chance, or would their relationship always be so rocky.
She stopped in her tracks. There was no sense in eating up the floor when there were things to do. She’d give Seth some time and hopefully he would come around. In the meantime, she headed to where she kept the book and her dagger hidden. There had to be something she’d missed. A reason why her father, the Phoenix god hadn’t awakened yet.
Procuring the book from under her mattress, she plopped on the bed and opened it. The first couple of pages talked about her and how she had to save the guardian. She read every word carefully, made sure she missed nothing. As far as she could tell she had saved him. His voices were gone and Marcus had reported Seth’s stain, the blackness that was the curse of Drayos on his soul, had started to shrink.
Next was the bit about her own transformation. Again, she was careful to read each word. She had done what it said, allowed her mate to drain her so she could be reborn. She closed the book and put it back in hiding. “I have to be missing something.” She was going to confront Zarek. Tried to flash to him and nothing happened.
“What the hell?”
She tried again and found herself locked in the same spot. Was he blocking her somehow? She decided to try one of the other gods she’d met, but nothing was working. “Okay, don’t panic.” She held out her hands and tried to conjure fire, but all she got was smoke and a headache began to pound in her temples. Dread coursed through her as she came to the realization her power had slipped away and all the ailments she’d experienced previously had returned. Katie opened her mind and searched for a connection to anyone. God or guardian, but there was only silence. Her stomach burned with hunger, but the thought of food made her want to retch. As her limbs grew weaker, she managed to make it back to bed and lie down and that’s when the sweat began to trickle down the back of her neck.
Deep in her soul she knew she was dying. The fact itself didn’t frighten her, but being alone did. She’d finally met people who she felt a connection to and now she would leave them. Perhaps this was her fate after all. Maybe the only way her father would be reborn was upon her real death, yet she didn’t want to leave Seth. Fought to hold on, but black spots danced in front of her and she slowly closed her eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Seth finished loading himself down with weapons then flashed to Chicago. As much as he hated the city, he found himself wanting to help Katie’s people. He walked into the Fire and Ice with the hope he might find her there protecting her employees. Granted she’d signed the rights to the club away, but he knew she cared a great deal for the people who had once worked for her.
He didn’t sense any humans or a goddess, but there were demons that most likely searched for the dagger. Producing his sword, he slipped through the dark bar and toward the back of the building. The sound of wood being splintered reached his ears as he parked himself outside her office. He pushed the door open enough to peer through and spotted three demons. They were so focused on tearing the place apart they didn’t sense his presence. He was about to flash in behind them when he sensed someone approaching.
“You need to come with me.”
He turned to face the sweet feminine voice. “Why are you here?”
Qadira frowned. “Your mate is in dire straits.”
He stiffened. “What do you mean, and keep your voice down.”
She snorted. “Oh, never mind them.” She raised her hand and power zipped by him raising the hair on the back of his neck. The door blew open and the three demons, who were headed toward them dropped to the floor. Seth ran into the room, but they had already begun to turn to ash by the time he reached them. He strode back to the goddess.
“Why in the hell don’t you simply smite them all and save your people?” He was hard pressed to contain his temper and had to remind himself he spoke to the love of Zarek’s life.
Her emerald gaze narrowed. “You know we have rules.”
He sighed then remembered she had said something about Katie. “Why did you do this? I thought you despised me?”
The goddess touched his arm. “I have my reasons.” The she flashed them. He stumbled at the sight of Katie lying in bed. Flames encircled her entire body.
“What the hell?” He stepped closer, but the heat from the fire scorched his skin. His mate however, seemed unaffected by the flames.
“I came here to apologize to her.”
He spun to face Qadira, his jaw clenched. “What did you do to her?” He’d kill her if she had harmed Katie in any way and to hell with the consequences.
“I was behind Gabriel’s behavior. I held you responsible for my daughter’s death and wanted revenge.” She cast her gaze to the bed. “I realize my error. Vivian would never have wanted this. She sacrificed so that you could live. When I got here I found her like this.”
He turned back to look at Katie. The fire had grown brighter. “I’ll deal with you later, now how do I help her?” He tried to keep his growing panic at bay. It would do neither of them any good.
“She is in a dire state and can’t control her power. The Phoenix is trying to consume her. If you don’t feed her she’ll die.”
Seth took a desperate step closer. The heat caused sweat to bead on his forehead. “Are you sure my blood will save her?” He wasn’t afraid of burning. Hell, he’d burn himself alive to save her. He just wanted to be positive of the treatment.
“I am the goddess of fire and recognize her symptoms. If you hurry you can still help her. Wait much longer and she will be beyond hope.”
Qadira hadn’t even finished before he pushed closer. Heat seared him
and he was amazed how the entire room hadn’t gone up in flames. He had to assume it was some kind of magic. This was the home of the Phoenix.
He bit his wrist, stuck his arm in the fire and placed his bleeding appendage to her lips. As his flesh began to burn it sent waves of needle-sharp pain to every nerve ending and caused him to grit his teeth. There was a time not long ago that he lived for such pain, but Katie had saved him. He would gladly set his entire body on fire if it would bring her back.
“The fire is cooling,” Qadira whispered from behind him.
He hadn’t noticed. Had been so intent on feeding his mate, but the fire had indeed grown smaller and was almost gone. He pulled his wrist free from her mouth, his charred skin began to mend.
“Will she be okay now?”
“I believe so, but it may be some time before she awakens. I’ll leave you, but if you have need of me you only have to call out.” Qadira touched his shoulder. “And I am sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. I’ll rein in Gabriel.” She flashed before he could reply.
Seth smoothed his palm over Katie’s hair. The fire now completely gone and her skin returned to a normal temperature. He lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. There was nothing that would remove him from her side. Not even the end of the world.
Katie ran her fingers over something hard. The last thing she remembered was being faint and hot then going to lie on her bed. She nestled into the comfort that surrounded her like a warm blanket. Arousal heated her apex and she ground into a firmness that pressed into her. Someone called her name, but it sounded like they were miles away, their voice so faint. She chose to ignore it.
“Baby, you keep grinding into me like that and I’ll have to rip your clothes off.”
She forced her lids open and found herself gazing into a pair of dark blue eyes that swirled with desire. Her fingers were splayed over his tight abs. She shot backwards and off the other side of the bed to land hard on the floor.
“Ouch, shit.” She peered over the top of the mattress. “What are you doing?”
Seth lay on his side propped up on one elbow. “I was rather enjoying your soft curves.”
She crawled back up and perched herself on the edge of the bed. “What happened?”
“Qadira came to me and said you were in trouble. I gave you my blood and you seem to have recovered.” The corner of his mouth lifted and she wanted to kiss the grin off his face, but remembered she was still pissed at him.
“I guess I owe you thanks, but is this how it’s going to be? I have to have your blood in order to survive?” She rose and crossed the room, arms folded over her chest she stepped out onto the veranda. The cool air helped put out the fire that burned between her legs. She stared up at the stars, sensing his presence beside her.
“Is having my blood distasteful to you?”
She turned to glare at him. “You accused me of sleeping with that angel. I find everything about you distasteful.” If only it were true then she wouldn’t have to hate herself for wanting him right now.
“Qadira came to you to apologize. It seems she was behind Gabriel’s little game. She was seeking vengeance for Vivian’s death and that was when she found you.”
“And she came to you?”
“She did, but I was prepared to come to you anyway. I wanted to give you time to cool off.”
Well, at least she had an explanation as to why the angel had said those things, but that didn’t excuse the goddess. She would have to swallow her anger, however, because she might be new at this immortal stuff, but it didn’t take an Einstein to know Zarek would kill any who hurt his wife. “I guess I should thank her as well then, but why did you want to see me?”
“Can we sit?” Seth glanced over at the wicker furniture. She nodded and moved to plant herself in one of the chairs. Seth took the seat across from her.
“I’m sorry for how I acted, I never meant to hurt you.”
His apology was a start, but she needed more. “Then why did you?” She wasn’t about to let him off the hook. He was going to have to work for her forgiveness and even then, she wasn’t sure she’d give it.
He laced his fingers together and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I have fought the darkness and my own mind for a very long time. Kept anyone close to me at arm’s length.” He stared at his hands. “I killed one goddess already and would have done the same to you in that cell had it not been for your power.”
She gave a nod. “But you didn’t hurt me. Your words stung more than anything else.” She swallowed her emotions. Wanted to forgive him and understood the turmoil he’d been living. Yet she was still unsure of where this left them. She couldn’t live her life always being a slave to his blood and his body. Her heart couldn’t take it.
His eyes met hers. “And for that I’m truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I suppose I can forgive you.” She couldn’t stand the pain in his eyes. Wanted to jump into his arms, but refrained.
“I have had to dominate my own mind and become an emotionless man. Today the voices are quiet and now I have to learn who I am all over again.” He stood, shoved the small table that was between them out of the way then dropped to one knee in front of her and took her hand in his.
“I will continue to make mistakes. I’ll be overbearing, demanding and stubborn, but I’ll love you with every fiber of my being. I want to spend eternity with you, Kaitlyn O’Hara.”
He opened himself to her, allowed her to feel how vulnerable he really was. Yet he also showered her with his love and it wrapped around her like a comfortable blanket.
“What are you saying?” She had to be sure.
“If you’ll have me, I want to complete our bond. I’ve no idea what will happen when we do so, but I don’t care.” He swallowed. “I will even obey your commands, but know this.” His fangs dropped. “I will always own your body, and I will strum it like a fine instrument so take care when issuing those orders.”
She couldn’t stop the shiver that started at the base of her spine then skittered upward, or the heat that went straight to her core. A wicked thought crossed her mind. “I will put you to the test right now. I command you to satisfy my desire.”
He arched a black brow. “Now?”
She licked the corner of her mouth and let her fangs drop. “Now.”
He flashed her a crooked grin as he grabbed the hem of her gown and ripped the fabric up the middle to expose her naked body underneath. He planted a kiss on her stomach, then swirled his tongue around her belly button and kissed his way to her inner thigh. His hair brushed her clit and caused the bundle of nerves to tighten.
So close all she could think of was his hot tongue laving through her folds and bringing her a much-needed release. Instead, he cupped her breasts, rolled her nipples between his fingers then sank his fangs into her thigh. Every nerve fired simultaneously and she arched her back, tipped her head and rode a tsunami of sheer bliss. Never would she have thought a simple act would have given her body such monumental pleasure.
When she’d finally regained some composure, she looked down to see Seth grinning ear to ear. “Who owns your pleasure?”
Oh, he was a wicked man, but there was no denying it. “You do.” She was breathless.
He thrust two fingers deep into her center and twisted. “And I always will.”
She was powerless to argue as he brought her to the brink of another orgasm. Her muscles tightened and she dangled on the fringe of ecstasy, but he left her to hover in a limbo of hell. He pulled free. Tore off his jeans and another desire engulfed her. Before he could react, she dropped to her knees, fisted his cock and flicked her tongue across the velvet tip.
He hissed.
She moved her gaze upward to witness parted lips and fangs that had grown thicker than she’d remembered. “Now I own your pleasure.” She sucked him into her mouth.
He slid his fingers into her hair. “Damn if you don’t, baby.”
Katie moved in
a slow rhythm. Swallowed him, then pulled free and swirled her tongue across the tip then down the thick vein. She let her fangs scrape gently against his flesh and realized the canines were as sensitive as the rest of her body. Who knew?
On a growl Seth pulled her to her feet. “I need inside you.” He cupped her ass and lifted until he was able to slide his cock inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and in a frenzied motion he rocked his hips while he lifted her and brought her back down on his shaft.
She nuzzled his neck. Licked the vein that pulsed beneath her tongue then on impulse pierced his skin. The sensation was unexplainable and she worried if she had done it correctly since it was the first time she’d actually fed this way. Chocolate essence trickled down her throat and the friction between her thighs intensified. Pressure built and she headed toward orgasm.
Seth dug his nails into her backside. “Can’t hold out.” He roared with his release and Katie followed with him as they both soared beyond the heavens and back again.
She retracted her fangs and licked the twin puncture marks. “I think I like having fangs,” she whispered in his ear.
“I definitely like you having them.” He flashed them back to her room and they both tumbled on the bed. “You can sink them into me anytime, baby.”
“That’s good, because I was planning on doing just that.” Katie rolled to her side to gaze at him. “Are you sure you want to bond?”
He traced his thumb across her cheek. “If you’ll have me, but you have to promise to tell me when I mess up and I promise to make it right.”
She rubbed her foot along his calf and loved the hardness of him. “I can do that. We’ll take one day at a time.”
He smiled. “I like that. When would you like to get married?”
“How does now work for you?” She didn’t see any reason to wait.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Baal rushed through the compound in search of Ranata. The need to make sure she was unharmed slammed into him like a freight train. He hated that innocents were already caught up in their war and he hoped she could tell him how she’d almost become a human sacrifice. He spotted Marcus leaving Seth’s room.
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