Elemental Awakening Book Bundle

by Nicola Claire

  "Give me what I want," I complained, still trying to get him to enter me, to stretch me as only he had ever done. I needed that connection, I wanted his touch, deep down inside.

  "You broke the rules," he panted against me, slowing his thrusts through my folds to teasing strokes. "Maybe I should punish you."

  I started laughing, my head too heavy to lift from where it rested on his shoulder. My body shook against his, making the teasing thrust of his erection become irresistible, desperate, consuming. For a second neither of us said anything, and then Theo stilled. No more teasing thrusts. No more anything, other than our rapid breaths and heartbeat.

  "No punishment?" he asked, his lips pressed into my hair when he spoke.

  "To punish me would be to punish you," I pointed out; the reason behind my laughter. There was no way he could deny himself now.

  "Ah," Theo replied with understanding. "Do you trust me?"

  He'd asked me this before, when we'd first become intimate. I'd had to think about my answer back then, now it was a given.

  "Yes."

  "Then do as I say, only as I say. Understand?"

  "Yes."

  He moved his hips, one hand pressing between our bodies to find his erection and positioning it exactly where he needed it to be. Then with one firm, deliciously slow glide of his hips he sank deep inside.

  No. There was no way he could deny himself.

  He rocked, I ground back, our breaths intermingling; erotic and fast and out of control. An orgasm built within seconds of him seating himself completely. A need so strong I was biting my lip to stifle my cries.

  "Don't come," Theo whispered in my ear. I ignored him. Continuing to seek my release. "You promised," he added, and my eyes blinked open in confusion.

  When did I promise?

  "Do as I say," Theo semi-repeated, reminding me of what exactly I had promised.

  "No," I whimpered, when understanding caught up with me.

  "Yes," he breathed, rocking faster, seeking his own release. "This is your punishment, Oraia."

  A surge of anger rushed through me at that. No fair! I wanted to come, too.

  He let out a huff of breath on a laugh and taunted, "I'm so close. Can you feel me getting bigger?"

  Oh, freaking hell. I shook my head, my lip firmly caught between my teeth, eyes clenched shut, my moans and whimpers getting louder, as an orgasm teased on the edges of my senses.

  "Hold back, deny yourself," he grunted, revealing some of the effort he was expending right then, too.

  "Theo," I begged.

  "Oh, Aetheros," he cried, bucking and pounding harder into me. The harder he thrust, the more I wanted, and the closer that damn orgasm came.

  My body came alive along every nerve ending. The sting of water against sensitive flesh making me writhe. The slide of his engorged length spearing me against the wall of the shower stall, making my stomach flip, my innards contract and a pool of luscious desire to coat my centre, running freely down Theo's and my thighs. I had no idea I could be so turned on, so wet, so desperate to come and still because he'd commanded it, I denied myself.

  "Ah, Casey," Theo rasped against the wet skin of my neck. "My Thisavros!" he moaned, sinking his teeth into my flesh, on the curve that meets my shoulder.

  And if I thought I was turned on before, it was nothing to the feeling I had when Theo claimed me again as his. Marking me for all to see this evening at the banquet. A display of his possession, but also an intimate gesture of his desire for me. I'm not sure if it was strategic on his part, or just a natural progression of getting ourselves so worked up in this shower stall right now. Or maybe the conversation beforehand, of not knowing what lay ahead for us both and taking what we could today. It didn't matter, I wanted it, and my cries of "Yes!" and "More!" and "Oh, God!" let him know just how much.

  He pulled back, groaning, panting with his need to climax, then just as his lips found mine he rasped, "Come with me."

  The moment his tongue touched mine I fell apart, a scream swallowed by his kiss, as the world exploded in technicoloured splendour, sending me over the edge of the abyss into sheer, blinding bliss. I came apart into I-don't-know-how-many different pieces and only Theo could put me back together.

  Panting, breathless, light-headed and more than just sated, I found myself sitting in Theo's lap on the floor of the shower. The water still falling around us, steam coating the glass walls, sealing us inside our little haven. His hand was softly stroking through my hair, my cheek was against his chest, which was rising and falling as rapidly as mine.

  Holy freak, I'd lost a few seconds there, unsure how we'd gotten to the ground. I blinked, trying to focus, but just having to wait for the rest of my body to catch up.

  "Worth it?" he husked, his voice still sounding way too turned on.

  I nodded, words were impossible right then.

  His index finger found his mark and traced its outline.

  "Yeah," he said, a little cockily. "It was fucking worth it."

  I shook my head instead this time, receiving a chuckle in return.

  We sat like that, basking in our respective glows for several minutes, until a loud knocking on the main bedroom door shattered the moment.

  "That will be our clothes," Theo pointed out, trying to shift me, but having co-ordination problems.

  "The banquet," I said with understanding, helping him get us upright. We both looked a little unsteady as we stood to full height.

  Theo blinked at me, then smiled, his hand coming up to cup my neck, his thumb finding his mark with ease.

  "Let the games begin," he murmured, his eyes shifting to where his thumb stroked absently.

  And I realised then, that with Theo, despite his undying love for me, the mark had been as much for possession and desire, as it had been for strategy. Theo was a prince, a politician, and a warrior... and he always would be.

  Perhaps I should have been miffed at that realistic wake-up call, but I wasn't. Because there was no one else I'd want beside me, when facing a Rigas and his people in an enemy's land.

  And the Aeras, for all their help, were still enemy Ekmetalleftis.

  I needed to remember that.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  I Was So Hoping You'd Say That

  My dress was the palest of blues, almost an ice blue, with hints of white in the bias stitching. It shimmered under the lights, as though speckled with miniature crystal beads. The bodice curved with my waist, fitting to perfection and not leaving a hell of a lot to the imagination. The décolletage was low, emphasising what little cleavage I had, and revealing Theo's mark blatantly for all to see. The skirt was floor length, but hugged my legs making movement restricted. I wondered if that was done on purpose, because there was no way I could run in this thing. It was as good an imprisonment as any cell would have been.

  It wasn't enough that the Aeras contained my Stoicheio, they also ensured my body was contained, too.

  I didn't trust them, although they hadn't really done anything that warranted outright suspicion. It was just a feeling I had, or I was becoming more like an Athanatos with time, and paranoia was seeping into my psyche. But with every 'nice' or 'helpful' thing they did, I was sure they had an ulterior motive. I just hadn't figured out what that was yet.

  When Hip and two Guards came for us, to escort us to the banquet, I was already a nervous wreck. Theo had done his best to calm me, his eyes drawn to my outfit even though he was clearly not aware of the distraction it caused. I couldn't help feeling that was also part of the Aeras' plan. Make Theo salivate over my state of dress, compromising him when he needed his wits the most.

  With my heart in my throat I followed behind the two Guards, Theo at my back and Hip trailing at the rear. The procession was slow and long, my pace in this beautiful, but restrictive dress making the going tough, and the size of the Aeras building we were in adding further time on our progression.

  Finally we came to a set of carved doors, similar to those outside
the shaman's rooms, but this time depicting mountains and clouds only. The Guards stood to either side of them, while Hip stepped past us and without further delay pushed both sides open dramatically to reveal a magnificent room.

  High arched ceilings painted to reflect a star-filled night sky. Impressive cathedral style windows displaying the view from the mountaintop over Machu Picchu, but as it was late in the day, replicating the fresco on the ceiling. Stars twinkled in a clear ocean of blue-black, strategic muted lighting making the ruins of the ancient Inca city stand out. It was breathtakingly gorgeous, but my attention was soon back on those inside the room.

  At least a hundred Aeras were in attendance, dressed in all their finery, pale blue eyes that matched the ice-blue of my dress staring back at us. Not a sound was made as we crossed the threshold, walking between the silently observing people towards a raised platform at the end of the long room, where a large blond haired man, and equally blonde haired woman sat.

  The Aeras Rigas and Basilissa. White sparked within both their eyes, creepy yet somehow mesmerising. Their hair lifted off their shoulders, floating in its own breeze, in an obvious display of power. I couldn't feel any electricity - reminiscent of lightning - on the air, but I think that was more to do with their control, than lack of Stoicheio. Both watched our approach with a detached interest.

  Hip bowed low when we came to rest in front of them, Theo followed suit immediately. I let a small sigh out and attempted a curtsey, my inexperience on display for all to see. Way to start the night off. The Aether they seemed to know so much, yet so little about, showing her true colours. I couldn't stop this particular blush of inexperience to save myself. I'd never liked being on show and falling short of others' expectations.

  "Prince of Pyrkagia," the Rigas said, breaking the silence that still hung in the room like a threatening cloud. "You honour the Aeras with your presence."

  I don't know what it was, but I knew his words were a lie. He showed no indication of treachery on his face, his tone was pleasant and welcoming. His eyes didn't flash white, just watched us both intently. But I could have sworn this man was on edge; having a Pyrkagia prince in his home. The Aeras confused me. They'd allowed us into their kingdom, given me access to their ancient shaman, yet they were all on guard.

  My eyes darted around the banquet hall, taking in the finery again, in decoration and attendees. Seeing the same pleasant, welcoming look on the faces, laced with something almost undetectable. Fear. I think it was fear, but it could have just as easily been mistrust.

  "The honour is mine," Theo replied, formally. "Not many have visited your fair city, I thank you for the invitation."

  A small shimmer of white speared the Rigas' eyes. I was guessing it was over Theo's choice of words, in particular 'invitation'. I wondered if Theo had chosen it on purpose; to test the waters? In any case, he'd gotten a reaction, confirming my assessment. The Aeras were on guard, and so should we be.

  "I hope you have found the answer you sought," the Rigas replied, but didn't wait for Theo to respond, his attention turned to me.

  In a move that could have been called leering in other circumstances, the Aeras King swept his gaze over my frame; from top to bottom, and then back up. His eyes lingered on Theo's mark, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He'd adopted that Athanatos blank mask.

  "And you are the Aether," he announced, no emotion on his face, to speak of.

  "I guess so," I replied, offering a small smile and shrug of my shoulders. He frowned.

  "What branch were you originally?"

  Now, how to answer that? Originally I was human. Should I tell him that?

  I wanted to look at Theo, to gain an insight into how to play this, but other than discussing we should stand apart - not hold hands or look too dependent on each other - we hadn't covered any other plan. If Theo had thought hiding this was necessary, he would have mentioned it, I was sure.

  "I became Gi three months ago," I said, hearing the rustle of surprise throughout the crowd behind us. The King and Queen didn't show a reaction, at all.

  "And you wield Pyrkagia," the Rigas added.

  "Yes, sir," I replied, wanting desperately to shuffle my feet and stare at the ground. The Rigas wasn't demanding answers, wasn't glaring at me with evil intent. But I felt like I was on trial, or under a scientist's microscope. Being dissected without even realising it.

  "This is an unusual occurrence," the King admitted. "If not for our shaman confirming you are who you say you are, we would believe you an imposter, perhaps an Alchemist trying to undermine the Athanatos."

  He wasn't saying anything I hadn't heard before. From the day I climbed out of that pit of dirt, I had been considered a Gi imposter. Theo had even asked me outright if I was an Alchemist. The truth of the matter was, we didn't know what I was, but we did know I'd been created. Or at least, that's what Noah had inferred. Even my grandfather had supported that notion through my dreams.

  Athanatos were even more distrustful of Alchemists than other Ekmetalleftis branches. Admitting my connection through Gramps to the human group, hell bent on furthering their kind via the theft of various Stoicheio, was not a good idea. And I didn't need Theo to tell me that. Therefore, mentioning I was perhaps created by them, would be very bad indeed.

  Besides, I wasn't entirely convinced of that particular line of thought. Wishful thinking.

  So, I didn't say a word when the Rigas spoke, just stood waiting for his verdict.

  "As it stands," the King went on, "I believe we can aid you no further. You are welcome to enjoy the banquet, but tomorrow you will be escorted from our lands."

  Theo was the one to speak, I was all out of ideas. "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."

  The King nodded, as though the pleasantry was entirely expected, and maybe it was. Then before he turned away, effectively dismissing us, he added, "I would be keen to hear when your Aeras Stoicheio arrives." The first indication he was interested in what I was so far, and I think it had slipped out, unguarded. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to contact Hippolytos when this occurs. Having an Athanatos running around with our Stoicheio, that we are unaware of, would make us... uneasy."

  It was a threat, no doubt about it. These über paranoid people did not like that I would wield Air. And should I not inform them of when I Awakened to that particular Element, then their response would be... harsh. He hadn't said it in as many words, but by God he'd meant it.

  The King turned towards his Queen and pretended we were no longer there. Theo bowed again, although neither monarch was looking, so I did my half-hearted disastrous curtsey and followed Hip's direction to proceed to another part of the room. No one else approached us. This was not a friendly meeting, this was an opportunity for the Aeras to get a good look at me. Whether that was so they knew who to avoid in the future, or so they could successfully hunt me down should I act out of line using their Stoicheio, I don't know. But I did not feel welcome, even though their mannerisms seemed to indicate we were.

  We sat at a table by ourselves. Hip joined us, as his two - I was guessing personal Guards - stood at our backs, within easy reaching distance. One spare seat remained at the table, but I wasn't sure if that was just for aesthetics - matching the other four chair tables throughout the room - or because someone else was still to join us.

  Without considering my manners, I picked the glass of wine, in front of my seat, up and took a healthy swig. My nerves were strung tight. My fingers even shook with an overdose of adrenaline, the trembling making the red liquid ripple across the surface inside the glass. It took two hands to set the wine back on the table's surface, for fear I'd stain the white tablecloth.

  Theo didn't say a word, nor reach out to calm me down. He'd warned that every action he made would be keenly observed, and to constantly touch me - even in support and comfort - would be considered a weakness. He was inches away, but I was completely alone.

  "That went well," Hip said, and I had to work hard not to s
nort in disbelief. "Do you have any idea where you'll be heading next? Back to Pyrkagia?"

  How much did he really know? I had a suspicion that he was fishing for information, and was already well aware that we were not welcome in Auckland and Pyrkagia land. As for the Gi, he surely knew of our near capture. Paranoid people such as the Aeras would have spies everywhere.

  "We haven't decided," Theo answered, taking a slow, measured, and completely relaxed looking sip of his wine. "Perhaps we will seek out the Nero. We haven't visited there yet." It sounded flippant, but nothing Theo did, when in political mode such as now, was done off the cuff.

  "Perhaps they can tell you something my grandfather has not," Hip agreed. "Speaking of," he suddenly added, rising from his seat when the old shaman appeared out of nowhere. Not quite as abrupt as Hip and the Guards had back at the airport in Lima, but pretty close.

  Theo rose when the old man made it to the table, I offered a smile, which the toothless ancient returned. Perhaps my audience with him was not yet over.

  "This is Theodoros Petropoulos, grandfather," Hip said, in introduction to the shaman. "Prince of Pyrkagia and the Aether's Thisavros."

  What an interesting introduction. Clearly Athanatos - or just the Aeras - took one's relationship status into consideration, just as much as one's title.

  "Never two, always one. Alone Aether must face the sum." Oh, just great. We weren't done with the riddles.

  And clearly the shaman wasn't as enamoured of my Thisavros as everyone else seemed to be. I decided that this, being our last chance to get answers, was not a time for me to shut-up.

  "I couldn't do this without him," I pointed out, receiving a blank white stare from the old man.

  Silence, and then Hip, in his - what I presume - normal upbeat style, said, "This has been a most exciting time, hasn't it, grandfather?" He turned his attention to us, not waiting for a reply. Maybe he was used to not always getting one. "My grandfather hasn't been this keen to vacate his room in decades. Your presence has inspired him to attend one of our banquets. A cause for celebration."