Cast Into Shadow

by Angela Colsin

  Though she nodded and smiled, most of his statement had gone over her head, her mind too focused on Mikail's subsequent kiss as he urged her over to the chaise.

  There, he effortlessly lifted her from the floor to settle her knees on the cushions, then leaned behind her and suggestively remarked at her ear, “Now, all I can think about is making up for the past three days we've spent apart.”

  As if his meaning wasn't clear enough, he drove the point home by cupping her breasts to massage through the silk of her caftan. Kivsey didn't bother stifling a moan in turn, grasping the back of the chaise in one hand to steady herself while clutching his arm in the other.

  In response, Mikail tugged her sleeve down one shoulder, pressing kisses across her flesh as it was bared. The adoring attention nearly left her too rattled to mention, “Three days is a lot to make up for, big guy. Are you sure you're up to it?”

  Glancing back, she saw a devilish smirk lifting the corners of his mouth just as he pressed his erection against her ass.

  “Does it feel like I'm up to it?”

  Somehow, she managed a breathless laugh as desire ignited her blood. Perhaps it was their newly formed bond, but three days without him had felt more like three weeks, a fact she demonstrated by clasping the back of the chaise in both hands to lean forward and shift her hips against his erection in a silent display of need.

  A low growl rumbled from his chest in return, her heart racing when he aggressively jerked her skirt above her ass, then grabbed her panties to yank down around her thighs.

  The move ratcheted up her arousal to a painful degree, particularly when he sat back to admire her and groaned, “Gods, I almost feel like I could come just looking at you, love.”

  Glancing over her shoulder to see him opening his pants, an unexpected whimper escaped her throat the moment he freed his cock and leaned over her, bracing one arm on the back of the chaise while pushing his thick, hot shaft against the slit between her legs.

  Drawing it back and forth, she sucked in a breath when the tip brushed her clit, and impatiently rolled her hips, wanting more so badly she nearly couldn't stand it. Every inch of her body was already alight with anticipation, as sensitive to his touch as she would ever be.

  Thankfully, he didn't make her wait.

  Proving himself to be just as desirous, Mikail finally penetrated her, slowly filling her body at the same time he tugged her caftan down below a breast to squeeze with a low groan of pleasure.

  He then punctuated the sound by uttering at her ear, “I love you so much.”

  Kivsey wasn't certain if it was their time spent apart, her instinctive need to take him, or the swell of love she felt in her own heart, but she couldn't resist the urge to immediately rock against him, moaning the same phrase back on a throaty voice.

  And damn, did she love him, more than those words would ever be able to say.

  But there were plenty of ways to show him, and as their bodies worked together in an erotic reunion, she promised to spend her immortal life doing just that.

  CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

  ♦

  Each day Mikail had spent in Terra felt more like a week, leaving him aching for the company of his mate and rushing through the task of acquiring her belongings in the effort of returning as soon as possible.

  Now that he was back, he knew the rush was well worth it.

  Just seeing her again felt like a breath of fresh air, and he found himself taking in details as she entered the house without knowing he was there. The way her butterscotch hair curled around her shoulders against the lavender silk of her caftan was a sight for sore eyes, and his heart ached when she cussed in thinking he wasn't actually home.

  But the best part of all was the way she kissed him in greeting, a passionate gesture proving she'd missed him just as much—and he knew waiting would be impossible. He'd initially intended to ask how she'd fared during his absence, but couldn't stop focusing on the way she melted from his attention, or how it felt to hold her so close again, particularly with her aroused scent growing stronger by the second.

  So he'd ushered her over to the chaise—and when she bent forward and rocked her hips against his erection, he forgot every other consideration.

  Lust clouded his thoughts, and the bliss, even relief of joining with her physically was only overshadowed by the satisfaction of their emotional bond.

  His hips instinctively rocked, sending his shaft plunging into the hot, wet walls between her legs from behind with a groan he couldn't stifle. The movements were desperately aggressive, and filled with emotion so raw he couldn't handle it without telling her how damned much he loved her—and when she chanted the same in return, he felt powerful and weak at the same time.

  “I love you, too, Mikail … more than words can say.”

  As if to prove it, she met his thrusts with a sexy roll of her hips, her muscles clamping down on his shaft so sweetly he groaned, “You don't need them. I can feel it, love.”

  “So can I … ,” she rasped breathlessly. “Ah, don't ever fucking stop!”

  Somehow, that statement was just as satisfying as the physical pleasure she was giving him. Knowing the connection their lovemaking evoked was strong enough to convey his feelings meant everything, his hips increasing their pace to earn a loudly exclaimed yes from his mate that drove him on.

  Their moans grew louder, filling the room as their bodies worked together. Harder, faster, he anchored an arm around her waist, seed already threatening to spill. So he pushed his fingers between her legs to tease her clitoris while thrusting as hard as possible until a tight clench around his cock coupled with her loud cry signaled the start of an orgasm that brought forth his own.

  “Kivsey! Ah, my love!”

  The words tumbled from his lips, consumed by both his climax, and the way his mate thrashed against him in the throes of her own pleasure. It almost seemed violently merciless, and with a harsh grunt, the last of his seed erupted as she cried his name again and again.

  Scant moments later, they went lax against the chaise, chests heaving and bodies still locked together as he rolled to the side in a euphoria that kept reality blissfully at bay—Mikail didn't even realize Kivsey had removed her caftan sometime during their lovemaking until she found enough presence of mind to turn over and embrace him.

  But he was much too overwhelmed to remove his own clothing, lazily leaving his pants around his thighs for the time being in favor of wrapping his arms around his beautiful mate.

  Simultaneously, his mind wandered back to her first night staying in his home. He'd returned from registration to find her sound asleep on the same chaise they now occupied, and only wanted to curl up beside her and learn how it would feel to have the warmth of her body pressed so comfortably to his.

  Now, he was doing precisely that, and it felt much better than he could've ever imagined.

  He kissed the top of her head at the thought, groaning when she snuggled closer to him and turned her head up for a slow kiss.

  With a groan, he slanted his mouth over hers, tongue stroking in a loving glide until she broke contact to rasp breathlessly, “I love how you kiss me.”

  Smirking, he admitted, “Truthfully, I never wanted to kiss a woman until I met you.”

  “Why not?” she asked, sounding mildly surprised.

  “It always seemed too affectionate for anyone but my mate,” he explained. “The kiss I gave you just before we reached Satorala was the first time I'd ever had such a desire.”

  With a coy smile curling her lips, she asked, “Is that why you suspected we were fated?”

  “Part of it,” he replied, idly drawing his knuckles across her cheek with a smile of his own. “That's also when I knew I couldn't continue to treat you indifferently. I just wish I hadn't done so from the start.”

  A few snickers erupted from her throat. “Don't worry, I wasn't too happy with you at first, either.”

  Mikail smirked, not at all surprised to hear her say such a thing. B
ut despite knowing the reasons she would've found him disagreeable, he asked to see how she'd respond, “No?”

  “Nope. I thought you were just a humorless prick who wasn't worth more than a boot in the ass.”

  The blunt confession split his mouth in a grin. “Then I suppose a kiss makes all the difference.”

  “Does it ever,” she murmured, leaning up for another slow, sweet caress of the lips he was glad to accept, and return.

  The loving gesture nearly caused him to forget his intentions of finally asking about her activities since his departure three days ago. So despite the way his blood stirred when she turned her head to trail kisses along his jaw and neck while opening his vest, he finally inquired, “How have things been since I left?”

  Lifting her head, Kivsey groaned the word, “Busy. Today was a long day, and I actually have a lot to tell you.”

  “Oh?” Canting his head, he mentioned, “It sounds bad.”

  “It's not,” she qualified, though her gaze turned to the coffee table in adding, “Well, I know most of it isn't, but that letter is from Mom, so I can't say it's all good.”

  Hearing this, Mikail grumbled under his breath, preparing for the worst in asking, “What did Joan say?”

  “I don't know, I haven't read it yet,” she admitted. “I'm just expecting a bunch of irritating comments about how I'm fucking up my life or something. So let me tell you about the Council meeting before I get into that.”

  Nodding for her to continue, the sight of her breasts as she sat back to relate the first piece of news nearly distracted him too much to listen. But the Council's discussion of establishing portal spheres to Terra and Perosia in Satorala was unexpected enough to snag his full attention—and she was right to think he'd be surprised.

  In ten centuries, his people had never once considered using such devices if only because it would offer their enemies easy access to their home. Still, now that Perosia had a benevolent ruler, it wasn't out of the question that they'd want to establish a quicker method of travel directly to that world.

  Terra, on the other hand, was much more surprising, though the Council seemed to be prioritizing security because his mate next stated, “They want the Order I'm establishing to regulate access to the Terran sphere, and you'll be in on it, too, as it turns out. In fact, I think you'll be an integral part of keeping the Perosian sphere safe.”

  Idly combing his fingers through her hair, he inquired, “I would?”

  Nodding, Kivsey remarked, “Word arrived with Dalia's delegation today, and she's found a way to reward us.”

  “What did they say?”

  With a quaint smile, she inquired, “Have you ever heard of Castle Dokalus in the Imperial Quarter of Perosia?”

  The question was unexpected, and he regarded her curiously in answering, “Yes, it's one of the few structures still standing that was built ages ago by Dok'aal before they were forced to flee the realm, and served as the seat of their government for a short time. I saw it at a distance a few times while serving Dalia's guard.”

  For some reason, his statement had an excited light glinting in his mate's eyes, and she was quick to ask, “You did? What does it look like?”

  Though Mikail couldn't understand the source of her intrigue with the castle, he thought back, trying to find words that might do the sight justice before supplying, “There's a large lake in the Imperial Quarter, and the castle sits upon a hill at the southern edge. The first time I saw it, the only thing visible were the towers rising above the fog over the waters, but even that much was impressive.”

  With that said, he waved a hand and asked, “Why do you want to know?”

  Smiling, she qualified, “First of all, Dalia wants to put the portal sphere to Satorala in that castle, and she hopes to have it fitted for use as training grounds for Dok'aal Warlords.”

  Now, Mikail was even more confused. Considering the castle's history, it was certainly a suitable place for such activities, but the skills Warlords possessed originated in Satorala after his people fled Perosia.

  So he had to ask, “Warlords? Why would she want training grounds for them?”

  “Because several of the Perosian Dok'aal have made inquiries about acquiring their skills, so the Empress is gifting the castle to us as a reward, and hopes you'll consider overseeing their training there.”

  Uncertain he'd heard correctly, Mikail stared at his mate, asking incredulously, “What? She's giving us Castle Dokalus?”

  Grinning, Kivsey offered an excited nod of confirmation—and he had no idea what to say.

  Perhaps a reward was in order for their help protecting Satorala from the nameless, but this? That castle was a significant piece of his people's history, and he certainly didn't feel worthy of its possession.

  As he had the thought, Kivsey reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand, stating as if she could read his mind, “You deserve it, Mikail. Besides, you said you'd give me a palace, and a castle is the next best thing, right?”

  Locking his stunned gaze on hers, he remarked blankly, “I did, I just … I mean I'd hoped for the chance to tour it one day, but … .”

  “Well, now you can tour it, decorate it, or just T.P. the walls, because it's all yours.”

  He would've corrected her insinuation that the castle was solely his, but was too confused by her suggestion not to ask, “T.P. the walls?”

  Chuckling, she replied, “I'll explain later. For now, I'll just say that I can't wait to see it, and we'll have to uh … test out the rooms, if you know what I mean.”

  To drive her point home, she leaned in to run her lips across his chest, tracing the contours with her tongue as her fingers drew intricate patterns over his abdomen—and he didn't need anymore clarification than that.

  In turn, he mentioned suggestively, “We still have rooms to test here.”

  “Guess that means we should get to work then, huh?” she asked in casting a playful grin up at him.

  He almost agreed, looking forward to the so-called chore of finding interesting places to fuck. But only a moment after his mate offered the suggestion, her expression turned to irritation as she groaned the word, “Shit.”

  Confused, he asked what was wrong as Kivsey sat up and turned to reach for the envelope still sitting on the coffee table, reminding him of Joan's letter.

  Tearing the seal open, she answered, “I just remembered this, and I don't want to keep wondering what it says while we're busy.”

  That was certainly understandable, and Mikail sat up behind her to watch as she tugged a folded sheet of paper from within. Whatever the message said, it didn't look too long, but just when he believed she was going to start reading, Kivsey lowered her hands with a sigh and asked, “Is it wrong that I'm hoping she's written to say she's accepted us?”

  “Why would that be wrong?”

  “I don't know,” she admitted with a shrug. “I don't need her acceptance personally, but I'd still like to have it because it would mean she's started to heal from what that elven warlock did to her so many years ago.”

  Mikail couldn't disagree with that assessment, having heard how a warlock tricked Joan into thinking they were bonding and broke her heart. Elves, he'd thought with a groan, and latched his arm around Kivsey's waist to hold her close in relating, “I think it's reasonable to desire the acceptance of a parent, and to know they're well. She is a part of our family, love, and things will be easier for everyone if she's come around.”

  A sentimental smile raised the corners of Kivsey's lips. “Our family?”

  She sounded fond of the notion, which warmed his heart as he leaned to kiss her, responding, “Of course. You're the most important person in my life now, and I'll always want what's best for us.”

  “Even if it means having a shrew for a mother-in-law?” she asked in jest.

  An amused grin split his lips, and though he knew she wasn't entirely serious, his answer was given with the utmost sincerity.

  “There isn't a single thing in
any world that would ever make me want to give you up, Jennifer Kivsey. So yes, even that.”

  A moment of silence passed following his statement in which she gazed at him with a staggering amount of love in her ginger eyes, saying without words that she felt the exact same way—and he could barely believe it. The thought that he'd earned this woman's heart was baffling, humbling, and as she draped her legs across his lap to sit as close as possible while reading her mother's letter, he knew its contents didn't truly matter.

  Good or bad, nothing would ever come between them.

  “Okay, let's get this over with.”

  With those words, Kivsey took a breath and unfolded the paper in her hand. She didn't relish the prospect of reading Joan's letter, but having Mikail by her side—and knowing he'd remain there—made the task much easier to deal with.

  So she started reading aloud for his benefit, finding the message short and to the point—and they were both pleasantly surprised.

  Jennifer,

  I know you don't care to hear from me after our argument, but I couldn't just let things go without another word. Ardilon did me the courtesy of relating your decision to move to Ithelyon and live in Satorala as a Terran Ambassador, and I can't say I'm not surprised. But I've done some thinking, and I realize that perhaps I'm only shocked because I don't know you as well as I'd believed.

  The night you left, I couldn't stop thinking about the things we said, and no matter how angry you may be with me, I have to tell you I'm sorry. I never meant to offend you. Your well being has always been my top priority, and though I might lose sight of what that means, I only want what's best.

  But you were right about me. Anger has made me bitter, and I was wary of Mikail from the moment you explained who and what he is, though that's not the only reason it's been difficult for me to accept the idea of you being mated to a dark elf and living an entire world away. I also don't want to lose you. I love you, and no matter what happens, I always will.