“Mine!” he said, adjusting his hold on her and beginning to pull her down on top of him with each thrust he made. “You’re mine!” he insisted as he continued shoving himself inside her.
“Mine,” she countered, gripping his hair near his temple and leaning her upper body close to him as he continued slamming her down on top of him. “I claim you, Amilanu. From now until death and beyond. Always one, always together. Always bound,” she growled at him.
“Yes!” Amilanu answered, his face a mask of passion as he struggled to hold back his release he knew was fast approaching. He needed her to orgasm, so that he could allow himself the unending satisfaction that waited just over the crest of his release. He let go of her hip with one hand, pleased when she kept up the rhythm he’d started, and pinched her clitoris between his finger and thumb.
Aubreigne shrieked and increased the force with which she slammed down on top of him, forcing him deep inside her.
Amilanu adjusted his hold on her sensitive flesh, and rubbed the pad of his thumb over the swollen nub held tightly between his fingers as a steady hum built in Aubreigne’s chest. He raised his face to watch her come, and was captivated by the red flames dancing in her black eyes.
Aubreigne looked down at her mate, her Amilanu, just as she lost control and her scream filled the bathroom.
As her body clamped down on his, rippling over his swollen cock, Amilanu threw his own head back and screamed his release. His eyes were closed so he didn’t see Aubreigne open her mouth, lean toward him, and sink her small, razor-like fangs into his flesh just above his collar bone.
The moment her fangs broke the skin, they were both sent into another orgasm, then another, until finally she just barely managed to be able to release him from her bite.
Aubreigne rested there against him, her tongue lazily soothing the wound from time to time while they both made no effort to move. Eventually she felt Amilanu’s hands as they encircled her lower back. Aubreigne pressed a kiss to him, just beside his mating mark.
“I didn’t know you’d mark me with your claim,” he said, stroking her back gently.
“Do you mind?” she asked.
“Not at all. In fact, I think you should do it again on the other side,” Amilanu said, still holding her close.
“It’s the Demon side,” she said.
“I don’t see a Demon side or a Siren side. I see my woman, my Aubreigne,” Amilanu said, kissing the top of her head.
Aubreigne sat up and looked at him. “I love you.”
“I love you. I will never give you up,” Amilanu answered. “For as long as I live, I am yours.”
Aubreigne shook her head and smiled shyly at him.
“What is that shaking your head for? I will not give you up! You’ve just marked me!”
“For as long as I live, you are mine,” she said.
Amilanu lifted a hand and stroked her face. “I will never live as long as you do, my Aubreigne. I am only human now, but all I am is yours,” he promised.
Aubreigne smiled slyly. “I marked you. I bound you to me. Your life is tied to mine. Your life will last as long as mine does. Always one, you and I will always be one in heart.”
Amilanu’s smile began to grow. “I’d been happy to have you for as long as I could, now, I’m even happier, to know I have you for all our lives together! Kiss me again, Aubreigne.”
Aubreigne leaned forward, pressing her lips to her mate’s once more, and rolling her hips at the same time.
“Let us leave this bath. I need more room to explore you,” he whispered between her fevered kisses.
Aubreigne nodded and he cupped her ass in his hands, holding her against him as he got his feet beneath him and stood, carefully stepping over the side of the tub, and carrying her out of the bathroom.
“Bedroom?” he asked.
“Yes,” Aubreigne answered.
Rune stood alert at the bathroom door when Amilanu opened it, and he quickly inspected Aubreigne and Amilanu to be sure both were well, then padded down the hallway to return to the pallet Aubreigne had made for herself earlier, while his mistress and his master retired to the bedroom to do what mates did.
Chapter 30
Several days later…
Enthrall opened his front door and stepped out on his front porch. He smiled as he heard Felicity laugh at a remark Kamilah had made when she thought him out of earshot since he’d walked out on the porch.
“One would never guess he’s a vampire,” Kamilah’d said. “He’s such a gentleman!”
Felicity had laughed. “He is, unless you anger him. Then his passions rise to the forefront.”
“Your husband is a looker! The wildness always lingering just below the surface of his perfect manners,” Zahra had added.
“Until we met, I had no idea how attractive I found the wildness that some men carry with them,” Felicity admitted.
“I agree! Wildness is a desirable trait in a mate, as long as that wildness can be controlled,” Zahra added. “Most of the time, anyway,” she said.
“Perhaps you’ll find your own wild man here,” Felicity teased.
“I’ve not yet found one that can handle me!” Zahra boasted.
Enthrall shook his head with a smile on his face at their conversation, as he walked down his front steps. Since he and Felicity had arrived home the day before and found Brannaugh with Kamilah and Zahra waiting for him, his life had taken a slightly different turn. He now had two single available females under his roof, and a Dark Fey that wouldn’t go away.
Felicity was thrilled to have two new women around the house to visit with, and they’d instantly hit it off, chatting deep into the night and every waking moment since. She missed life in the city from time to time and interacting with human females not familiar with Whispers gave her a sense of what she craved. His brows came down over his eyes as he considered the fact that his mate missed the big city. He’d been aware for sometime, but had hoped she’d get so caught up in Whispers that she’d forget all about city life.
He strode leisurely across the large expanse of yard he and Destroy shared between their homes, headed toward the main path that would take him through Whispers and to Aubreigne’s home. He could have ghosted directly to her home, but, he made it a point to make himself seen and approachable as often as he could — this stroll would do that. He sighed deeply as he considered Felicity. She’d been an attorney before he’d met and claimed her for his own, eventually turning her to be like him — though it had not been his choice to change her. She’d had a busy, full life, and now she was his mate, his wife, and mother to their children. He adored her and all that she was, loved her to the point of obsession and took every opportunity to let her know that, but he knew he could do better by her. As he walked, outwardly smiling and waving at anyone he came across, he formulated a plan in his mind. It was past time he took Felicity back to the city. And Zeke had never seen anything of the world except for Whispers, he had no idea what was out there. “Time for a trip,” he said to himself aloud. He was going to take his family on a long overdue trip, and he was going to do it soon.
~~~
Amilanu stood in the kitchen with bacon sizzling in a skillet, hearty biscuits warming in the oven, and Aubreigne’s teapot filled with water and warming on the stove as well. He was barefoot, and shirtless, clad in only a pair of trousers gifted to him by Brannaugh. Brannaugh had told him they were Dima’s, and Dima was glad to offer them, wanting no repayment for them. Still, Amilanu planned to repay the favor as soon as he could. He grinned as he turned one slice of bacon after another in the skillet, patiently waiting until they’d browned a bit before doing so. It had been a long time since he’d been able to take joy in such mundane things as cooking breakfast. It was made even more joyous by the fact that he was cooking breakfast for his woman.
A knock sounded, letting him know someone was at the front door, and immediately an irritated Rune came charging into the living room from the bedroom where he sle
pt on the rug by his and Aubreigne’s bed. Rune rarely left Aubreigne alone even now that Amilanu was here.
Whoever was at the door knocked again, causing Rune to approach the door, his nose to the crack at the bottom of the door, and sniff repeatedly. Instead of snarling, he began to wag his tail.
“Friend, then,” Amilanu said, watching the wolf as he turned the last of the bacon for the final time before walking over to the door, fork in hand to see who was calling this morning. Amilanu pulled the door open wearing a scowl on his face. He really didn’t want the interruption. He and Aubreigne were still in the beginning phase of their relationship and visitors were not exactly looked forward to at this point. They’d had a quick visit from Murder who was still suspicious of Amilanu, and honestly, Amilanu didn’t blame him. And Brannaugh had stopped by briefly and then returned shortly thereafter with the very trousers Amilanu wore. Then, they’d visited Deaumanique and her husband, but other than that had not left home in several days. But his scowl morphed into a smile when he saw who was standing there.
“Enthrall! Welcome, my old friend!” Amilanu said, standing back and indicating that Enthrall should enter by gesturing with the fork in his hand. “Come in, come in.”
“Thank you, Amilanu. I came by to make sure all is well,” Enthrall said, leaning over to pet the large wolf who greeting him happily and insisted on pets and attention.
“All is very well,” Amilanu said, his nose twitching as he picked up the scent of just barely overcooking bacon. “My bacon!” he exclaimed, and rushed the few steps to the kitchen. Amilanu scooped out slice after slice until all the bacon was draining on a platter, then he opened the wood burning stove and took out the pan with the biscuits warming on it.
“Since when did you become a cook?” Enthrall asked.
“I used to enjoy cooking. Was at one time quite good at it. I’m discovering that though the techniques are a bit different from that I was accustomed to, I still enjoy it,” Amilanu answered.
“I’m sure there are a lot of things waiting for you to discover you’ll enjoy as well,” Enthrall said.
Having placed the biscuits beside the platter of bacon, he opened the icebox and took out butter and jam, then placed it all on the table. “Would you like to share breakfast?” Amilanu asked, as he added the platters of bacon and biscuits to the table.
“No, thank you. I ate before I left home,” Enthrall answered.
Amilanu took down Aubreigne’s favorite teacup from the shelf and added her favorite mint tea to it before adding boiling water and repeating the actions with a cup for himself. “Tea?” he asked Enthrall.
“Yes, I think I’ll take you up on that,” Enthrall agreed, pulling out a chair at the table and having a seat. “Where’s Aubreigne?” he asked, looking around the living room.
“She’s still sleeping. I decided to make us breakfast so it would be ready when she’s ready to wake,” Amilanu said happily. He handed Enthrall a cup of steaming tea and sat down at the table across from Enthrall.
“You are truly enjoying this, aren’t you?” Enthrall asked with a smile, really looking at Amilanu and taking in all there was to see of his demeanor, and the look in his eyes.
Amilanu chewed a huge bite of biscuit piled high with crunchy bacon, peach jam and butter before answering. He was nodding his head animatedly. “I am!” he finally said. “I am simply waking up every day in the arms of my woman, loved, happy, at peace, and anxious to see what we’ll do that day. I’m even enjoying working in the garden, and helping her with chores! It’s the simple things in life that bring the most joy, and I’ve finally learned that,” Amilanu said sincerely. “I’ve never been so happy, so at peace, so full of appreciation for what life has given me. I am grateful.”
“I’m glad to hear that, my friend. I have lain awake many a night with you on my mind, wishing I could find a way to free you from the captivity of the choices you’d made.”
Amilanu nodded, his expression more sedate. “I was a fool. There is no other reason for it, and no one to blame for my downfall but myself. I gave up all that I was to jump at a chance that I thought would offer me all I desired, all I was missing. I’d been raised in the monastery, never given a chance to live life in any capacity other than as a monk, and was lured in by the promises and sins of one much more experienced than I. But, I’m free now.”
Enthrall nodded. “There could be much to regret, but, had you not taken that path, you’d not be alive here today to have found Aubreigne, and she’d have gone her whole life not finding you and all that you have together.”
“That’s exactly how I see it. I’ll not waste a moment of our life together.”
“I have to say, I’m sleeping much better now without your constant intrusion into my dreams,” Enthrall said truthfully, but painting a bit of jest on the comment as well.
“I’m sorry for the inconveniences I caused. I called to you, because I had no one else to beg for help. But every single time you’d even begin to give me a moment of attention, The Dark One would rush forward and take control. I never got the chance to plead my case.”
“I understand. I’m just glad you’re free of him, and safely away from all damage he can do.”
“As am I,” Amilanu said.
“I doubt I’ll hear from him or Ata’halne now that he’s been banished back to Hell.”
“Most likely not. He’s of a like mind with The Dark One and will not object to all The Dark One wishes to partake of. I’m sure they’ll both be much happier together.”
Enthrall nodded as he sipped his tea. “They deserve each other, compliment each other, I’d even say.”
“Good morning,” Aubreigne said as she entered the room.
“Good morning,” Enthrall answered.
Amilanu was on his feet and at her side before she could even form another sentence. “Good morning, my nephesh. How did you sleep?” he asked, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her.
“Very well,” she answered, kissing him back.
“Come, I’ve made breakfast!” Amilanu said excitedly, leading her to the table by holding her hand.
“It looks delicious,” she said, taking the seat Amilanu indicated and smiling her thanks at him as he pushed her chair in for her.
“I’m surprised to see you here so early,” Aubreigne said to Enthrall while stirring honey into her tea.
“I had to get out of the house for a bit. Too many females and they are always, always chattering!” Enthrall said on a chuckle. “I saw Zeke over to Destroy’s, lingered a bit for sake of hospitality, then made a quick getaway as soon as I finished eating,” Enthrall confessed.
“Who is in your home?” Aubreigne asked.
“Zahra and Kamilah,” Enthrall said.
Aubreigne’s brows knitted together as she tried to put faces with the names, then she realized who they were. “Oh! The two Amilanu brought back with him!”
“Yes! And on top of that I’ve Brannaugh hanging around all the time now, too!” Enthrall said exasperatedly.
“Perhaps he thinks because you’ve asked for him to help you with Whispers that he has to be in contact more often,” Aubreigne said, delicately biting into the very large biscuit-bacon-preserve sandwich that Amilanu had built for her while she spoke to Enthrall.
“No, that’s not it. He’s been busy, trying to find a place to build a home suitable for himself and his mate. That, along with checking on Amilanu, is another reason I’m here this morning.”
“Oh?” Aubreigne asked.
“He’s asked to build on a plot of land here,” he said, pointing to the back of her home. “He’s been searching for a place that will place him close enough to the more inhabited parts of Whispers, yet keep him right at the dark swamp as well, so those that look to him for leadership won’t have to venture too far inland.”
“He wants to build in my back yard?” she asked, her eyebrows rising in surprise.
“Not exactly. He’d like to clear a place just beyond you.
He’s said he’d leave enough trees and foliage to give you and Amilanu your privacy, but his choice of land would mean that from his place he would have a clear view of the tree line at the far back of your property.”
“Ah, and that is where most of his people will come from when they need to speak with him,” Aubreigne finished.
“Exactly. They will not disturb you, but it’s possible you may from time to time catch a glimpse of them as they move down the tree line toward his property, which will be to the west of you, yet far enough past that you won’t hear or see him, and he won’t hear or see you,” Enthrall explained.
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Aubreigne said. “Do you?” she asked Amilanu.
“No, I don’t think so,” he agreed.
“I see them now sometimes. Whenever they leave the dark swamp, they usually pass nearby. I don’t mind them at all. Some are even my friends,” Aubreigne said.
“Good, I’ll let him know he can start building, then,” Enthrall said.
“But, wait! Who is his mate? Is it Esma?” she asked.
“Esma? No, no, it’s Kamilah. And she doesn’t even know. She’s still trying to acclimate, though she does seem to be more at ease when he’s around.”
“Kamilah? Oh my, he’s got his work cut out for him in winning her over,” Aubreigne said, chuckling.
“He does indeed. She’s having a hard time accepting all that is supernatural is not evil,” Enthrall said.
“Sorry about that,” Amilanu said. “I’m sure I frightened her.”
“No, you didn’t. The Dark One did. And that is the difference I make every effort to explain to all I come across. Your actions were not your own and you should not be held accountable for them. I’ve made sure to make it clear to all who express concern that I’ve given you sanctuary, and that you’re now a permanent part of Whispers. I speak of my faith in you and explain that you’ve been a friend of mine for many, many years,” Enthrall said.
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