Fierce Enchantment

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “I want to taste you,” he growled then knelt in front of her. He kissed down her belly, licking underneath the edge of her jeans. Her hands shook, but she kept them on her breasts, afraid she’d tangle her hands in his hair and press him closer.

  He undid the top button then slowly unzipped her jeans. Then he kissed her panties, his eyes on hers as he looked up.

  “You’re so fucking hot, Faith. Have I ever told you that before?”

  He might have, but she couldn’t think, not with his mouth so freaking close. She licked her lips instead of answering then rolled her nipples again. When he pulled her pants and panties down to her ankles in one motion, she sucked in a breath.

  “Step out of them.”

  She did quickly, wanting his mouth on her something fierce. Then he had her back against the couch, one leg over his shoulder, and his mouth on her pussy.

  “Fuck!” she screamed, holding on to the back of the couch so she didn’t fall over.

  He hummed against her clit then speared her with two fingers. She came, throwing her head back and pressing herself closer to his face. Her body warmed and shook, going sweat-slick from just one lick.

  He continued to lick her, taking his time around her lower lips while still fucking her with his fingers.

  “Levi,” she panted. “Please.” She didn’t know if she was begging him to stop or make her come again. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.

  “Again,” he growled, his beard scraping along her thighs. His fingers played a delicate, delicious beat within her and she shuddered.

  She came. Again.

  Her body went limp, her knees going weak once again at his touch. She opened her eyes then gasped as he crushed his mouth to hers. Their tongues tangled as he pressed deeper, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. He gripped her knee so her leg was up high and draped over his arm.

  “Levi?” she asked then screamed his name as he entered her to the hilt in one thrust. He was so fucking big she was sure she’d never felt so full. She winced since it had been a hell of a long time since she’d been with anyone, but before she could fully think about what was going on, he was moving, and she didn’t care that her inner walls were clamping down on him. She wanted to feel him fuck her. She must have been truly out of it if she missed him taking off his pants. Damn it. She’d wanted to see his cock, and now it was too late. He pumped in and out of her, slamming into her with such ferocity that they moved the couch with each thrust.

  “Look at us, Faith,” Levi panted. “Look down and see me fucking you. Watch the way my cock slides in and out of you. You like this?” He pumped again. “You want more of this? Just say the word and I’m yours, Faith. Got me?”

  She nodded, mesmerized at the sight of his cock filling her. She knew he was large, but seeing him enter her was an experience. He was thick and long, but not too much of either. Just right for what she needed. Again, she wouldn’t dwell on that. She would focus on the man and the sensations.

  He gripped her neck, pulling her forward. She wrapped her hand around his wrist then dug her nails into his back with her other hand.

  “Kiss me,” she begged. “Fuck me, Levi. Make me come.” Make me yours.

  He crushed his mouth to hers, his hips picking up the pace. He moved his free hand between them then brushed his thumb over her clit, and that was it. She came once more, clamping around his cock. He pulled back, shouting her name and slamming home once more. The action sent them both over the edge of the couch, him landing on her but still connected.

  She let out a laugh then gasped when the bond between them flared once before slamming into a true thread. It was as if what they’d had before had been a pale gray while this one was a vibrant rainbow of color and sensation. She could feel him inside her and near her, feel him in a way she hadn’t thought possible before. She had no idea what it meant or what she’d do with it, but this was something that meant more than a promise, more than an idea of what could happen. Her chest warmed, and her eyes widened as she met his gaze. Levi’s face went from a smile to a look of awe, and she knew there was no going back from this. No matter what happened in the future, no matter if she had to walk away to protect him, she’d never forget this moment, never forget this feeling.

  “Faith,” he whispered.

  She opened her mouth to speak but froze before she pushed him away. What the hell was going on? Something was wrong and it hurt.

  “Get off, get off!” He scrambled off her, his still hard cock bouncing against his belly. The look of anguish on his face was like a kick to the stomach, and she stood up, pressing her hand on his chest.

  “No. No it’s not that.” She winced, a burning pain slicing down her back. “It’s my back. Fuck. Something’s wrong, Levi.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away. “What’s wrong with me?”

  Levi cursed then turned her around. “You have two bright red lines down your back. Faith, baby, I think you’re growing wings.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. Wings? The whole paranormal thing. Fuck, I forgot about that.” She looked over her shoulder at a worried Levi. “I was too busy thinking about how good you felt.”

  He gave her a small smile then kissed her shoulder. “You felt like paradise, Faith, and we can talk about all of that once we figure out how to help you. Does it still hurt?”

  She tried to roll her shoulder then winced again. “Yes. Wings? Really? Am I an angel?” She knew of two angels personally, Shade and Ambrose. They’d be able to help her deal with what it meant to have angelic powers at least. Plus, they were both warrior angels and were pretty badass. She wouldn’t mind being an angel.

  Levi pressed around her shoulder blades, and she pulled away from him, her eyes stinging.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low. “I’m trying to figure out if I need to help your wings come out or how.” He cursed under his breath, and Faith bounced from foot to foot. This was so not how she’d pictured her afterglow, but at least she hadn’t passed out like the other girls.

  “What does it look like?” she asked, trying to look over her shoulder and failing. “Is there anything else off? Do I have horns or something?” She quickly put her hands on the top of her head and sighed when she found only hair. Well, sexed-up hair since Levi had run his hands through it, but nothing out of the ordinary.

  Levi snorted. “No horns, but…”

  When he trailed off, she turned around quickly, her quick intake of breath matching his at the sight of his naked body. Apparently he liked what he saw as well. She couldn’t help ogling him though, even when she was freaking out. He was all lean lines and muscles. She couldn’t wait to lick every inch of him. Later. Right then, she wanted to know why the hell he’d cut himself off.

  “What? What’s wrong with me?”

  Levi ran a knuckle over her brow, an odd expression on his face. “Take a look at your skin, darling. Notice anything new?”

  “Don’t call me darling,” she mumbled.

  “Faith. Look.”

  She didn’t want to look. If she looked, then she’d take the next step. She wouldn’t be a human woman who walked alone anymore.

  She’d be the new Faith.

  The Faith she didn’t quite understand and wasn’t sure anyone would.

  “Faith.”

  She sighed then looked down at her skin, blinking a few times to make sure she was seeing right. “Am I…glittering?”

  Levi let out a snort. “I’d say it’s more of a sparkle.”

  Her head came up so fast she knocked into his chin. He cursed, and she rubbed the top of her head. Between falling off the couch and now hitting him, they weren’t doing well at this whole awkward sex thing.

  “I am not a sparkly vampire, Levi Hughes. Vampires don’t have wings.”

  And that was something she never thought she’d ever say in her life.

  Levi’s eyes were full of laughter, but he had the common sense to stifle in his mirth. Considering he was naked and his dick wa
s right there, he had good reason to be cautious.

  “Faith, my mate, there are no such things as vampires. No sparkly ones. No vampires with wings. And especially no sparkly, winged vampires.”

  “This is a ridiculous conversation,” she snapped.

  “Agreed. Now do you know what you are?”

  “No. If I knew that, I wouldn’t have mentioned the whole vampire thing.”

  From the look on his face, she had a feeling she might have rather been a vampire than whatever else he was going to say.

  “Levi.”

  “Faith, darling, you’re a pixie.”

  Agony ripped through her back, and she screamed at the pain.

  Levi’s eyes widened, and he reached out, wrapping his arm around her waist. “And from the red of your wings, you’re an angry pixie.”

  A pixie.

  A fucking pixie.

  There was no way Faith Sanders, Wicked Bitch of the West according to her friends, was a fucking pixie.

  The gods didn’t hate her that much.

  Levi winced and looked down at their feet. She followed his gaze and let out a breath. Her toes brushed the ground as she hovered.

  Hovered.

  Steeling herself, she looked over her shoulder at her fluttering red wings, which were slowly fading to a bright pink.

  Wings.

  Faith Sanders was a fucking pixie.

  There had to be a joke in there somewhere, but Faith couldn’t think of it.

  “How the hell did little virgin Nadie end up a succubus and I’m a freaking pixie?” It wasn’t fair. Pixies were sweet and innocent. They were tiny and had pointy ears and fluttered around and giggled.

  Faith Sanders did not giggle.

  Levi cupped her face and forced her gaze to his. “Pixie girl, fate has an odd sense of humor it seems.”

  “Pixie girl? That’s what you’re going with?” For some reason, she warmed at the nickname, and she wanted to throw something.

  “Pixie girl, pixie mine, or just plain pixie. Though there’s nothing plain about you.” He looked over her shoulder at her wings and tilted his head. “Your wings turn colors depending on your emotions. It’s been a while since I studied pixie lore and customs, but I’ll help you with anything I know. I think Ambrose and Dante might know more than I do. My friend Tristan might as well.”

  Great, more people who could be let in on her shame. She shook her head, her back twitching as her wings fluttered faster. That would take some getting used to.

  Levi looked into her eyes and ran a hand over the top of her wing. She shuddered in exquisite pleasure and reached out to grip his shoulders.

  “Jesus, Levi. That felt like you sucked on my clit.” She let out a shaky breath. “What if someone else touches the tip of my wings like that? I can’t control that feeling.”

  Levi let out a little growl. “Anyone else does that and I gut them.” Her belly did a little summersault at his words. “It’s just like an angel’s wings or a demon’s horns. They’re very sensitive, and people know not to touch them because of touch privileges. You don’t go around petting Shade’s wings or Balin’s horns, do you?” He raised a brow, and she snorted.

  “No. Not in this lifetime.” She met his gaze, all the worries from before they’d made love hitting her like a two-ton anvil. “I…I need time to think about everything, Levi. I’m not ready to promise a future yet, and I’m sure as hell not ready to figure out who I am with wings.”

  Levi gave her a small smile then brushed his lips along hers. “I know, pixie mine. One step at a time, remember? We did things backwards, and I know that. We both need to figure out who we are together before we make promises to one another.”

  “But the bond…”

  “Will always be there. If…” He cleared his throat. “If, after we find out who we are, we also find out that fate got it wrong, we will deal with it then.” Levi narrowed his eyes. “But I’m not letting you—or me—give up because of fear. You understand me?”

  She nodded, confused to her very bones. It sounded as if he wanted her but was giving her the time to think things through. In fact, he’d been telling her that since the beginning. What kind of man would wait so long for her?

  What if she took too long to get her head on straight and lost it all?

  “What about your girls?” she asked, worried for a myriad of other reasons.

  “I won’t let you hurt them. Same as I won’t let myself hurt them. They are two of the most important people in my life, and if and when you’re ready to join my life, then we will take that step. Until then, we do as we’ve been doing.” He licked his lips. “Only this time I can lick up every inch of you while we’re figuring that out.”

  She rolled her eyes, even as her nipples hardened once again. “So we take this slow? As slow as we can go since we’re mate bonded, having sex, and I’m now a freaking pixie with wings?”

  He smiled then and tugged her close. Her wings folded back, allowing him to wrap his arms around her. “As slow as we need to, Faith. I’m here for you. You only need to believe that.”

  If only she could.

  If only she could believe in herself as well.

  Chapter Eleven

  Levi growled. Freaking growled like a damn werewolf. It had been four days of bliss, sex, and exploration with Faith, mixed in with breathing time with his daughters, and now it was over. Now, he had to deal with older paranormals who wanted the ways of old and purity rather than looking toward a new vision.

  A realistic one.

  He slammed his hand down on the railing in front of him, but no one paid him any mind. Astoria, the other wizard Conclave member, huffed beside him and flopped on her fainting couch.

  Yes, the woman had a fainting couch in their box. Each of the different species had their own opera-style box in the meeting area. They ranged in size and type depending on the supernatural. The wizard one was ordinary looking considering they were of human height and didn’t need a water tank like the mermaid and merman. Astoria had replaced her normal throne-like seat for a fainting couch last year, and it annoyed Levi to no end.

  That was probably why she did it.

  “Did she just faint?” Tristan asked from his side, and Levi closed his eyes. The fae box was the one right next to the wizard box, hence how Tristan and Levi had become such good friends over the past two years. They’d known each other for much longer, but it had taken trying to circumvent the hostile and treacherous world of Conclave politics for them to truly become the friends they were today.

  “Shut up, Tristan,” Levi ground out.

  “What? I can’t believe you let her get a fainting couch.”

  “He didn’t let me get anything,” Astoria huffed. “I’m four hundred years older than Levi, thank you very much. If I want a damn fainting couch, then I’ll get a damn fainting couch. Anything to get through the most banal meeting of the century.”

  Levi glanced at his friend, who had the grace not to laugh in his face, then turned toward Astoria. “If you have such a problem being here, why don’t you give up your post to someone who actually wants to be here.”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, puppet?” Astoria sneered. “You know the rules. Once you’re a Conclave member, you’re always a Conclave member. Or is that it? You’re going to kill me so you can get some fresh blood in the ranks and try to rule the world with a limp fist rather than an iron one?”

  Levi growled again but didn’t hit the woman. He didn’t hit women unless they fought him on a battlefield, and he was pretty sure the other wizard hadn’t picked up a sword in a century. Astoria was also one of Lynn’s friends and had close ties to his family. There was no way he’d ever shake her.

  “Fuck off, Astoria,” he ground out then focused on the others arguing in front of them. They weren’t having an official debate, but people were still spouting their opinions on the matter.

  The matter being the humans who knew too much.

  And the half-breeds and abo
minations.

  Which would include his mate and any future children he might have with her.

  “You might as well give up. They’re never going to let the abominations live.”

  He tried to ignore Astoria because all the woman wanted was to fight with him, but he couldn’t. Not when Faith’s future was at stake.

  He let out a sigh then touched his throat. “We’re the reason the lightning-struck are here,” he called out, his voice amplifying due to his magic.

  The others in the room quieted, either glaring at him or looking at him with their own agenda. He hoped their agendas aligned somewhat with his.

  “The Conclave decided to use their collective power to shock the seven women’s DNA and pave the road to this mess.”

  “It was only some of the Conclave,” a centaur said, folding his arms over his massive chest. “Not all of us were in on it.”

  “I know,” Levi agreed. “I wasn’t even part of the Conclave at the time, but I am a member now. So that means I will not let our interference lead to death.”

  Because that was what some of the others wanted. It didn’t matter that over half the women were mated to paranormal creatures—including Dante and Levi, who happened to be in the room. The Conclave wanted their mistake to be eradicated so they could move on and deal with other more important matters.

  Not on Levi’s watch.

  And from the way smoke curled out of Dante’s nostrils, the dragon wouldn’t be allowing it, either.

  “Even if we allow them to live, we’re creating half-breeds,” a demon said.

  Dante let out a ring of fire so carefully controlled that Levi froze. “Call my godsons, daughters, and future children half-breeds again, and I’ll lay waste to you and yours. In fact, there won’t be enough ashes left to collect for the tin on your mantel.”

  “No need for threats,” the demon snapped.

  “You’re threatening our mates,” Levi snapped right back.

  “Our?” the mermaid who had helped him before asked. Her name was Calypso, now that he thought about it. “I didn’t know you were mated to one of them.”