by Tigris Eden
Like brand new lovers, they talked well into the pre-morning light, which Bael informed her was due to the geodes. There was no sun in Wraith. But there was a concept of time. It was different from that of Earth—Terra. A bit slower. Terra’s time passed based on its rotation around the sun. Wraith’s time revolved around the flow of lava.
As their conversation progressed, Bael brought up the servants.
“I will not share alone time with my servants. I will take my early and mid-day meals with you. I will also bathe and dress with you.”
She hadn’t realized his statement would mean so much to her, but when he told her, her chest seized, and Abrihet thanked him by taking him into her mouth. A thing she was informed wasn’t done in Wraith, but something Bael thoroughly enjoyed.
“No one has ever done that to you before?”
“How could they? Our horns would get in the way.”
It made sense, but as Abrihet lay in his arms, she got creative. Very creative. An idea was already taking shape in her mind. Bael could change his form if he wanted, but she didn’t want that. She wanted him just as he was. When she’d suggested he could do the same to her, it only took him a few seconds to understand what she meant, and once he caught on, he didn’t waver, simply maneuvered them so he could taste her.
Bael shoved his hands under her ass, his long fingers curved at her hips to lift her as she held on to his horns. It certainly wasn’t conventional by any means, but it worked. Bael rubbed his face against her opening. He purred as he did it. His horns weren’t overly long, but they weren’t short either. When he’d sat between her thighs in the arena, they had not obstructed her view, but she could definitely see how, in their current position, things required finesse. Bael took a tentative lick, and his eyes snapped to hers. Liquid amber doused with lust eyed her hungrily as he took another taste. Each stroke of his tongue was hot. His mouth latched on to her clit, and any thoughts of going home, going anywhere at that point evaporated. Her hips jerked, and her hand tightened on his horn.
That was the right thing to do, apparently, because Bael let out a deep rumble of satisfaction and told her quite avidly to squeeze harder and not let go. Abrihet obeyed. She held onto him and gripped him as she rubbed harder against his mouth. She didn’t know what had come over her, but she couldn’t stop. She wanted more, wished she could reach down and grab hold of his thick, beautiful hair. Bael didn’t relent he sucked harder, pulling her orgasm from her body with such force she screamed.
“You taste like honey,” Bael rasped against the side of her neck moments later. She didn’t know how, or when he’d done it, but she was draped across his body, trying to catch her breath.
“Well, you get a million gold stars for that performance.” She breathed harshly. At her words, Bael laughed. He laughed long and hard as his arms wrapped around her body, and his wings covered them like a warm blanket.
“Rest, Luxa. We go and see the Teller in a few hours.”
Chapter 13
None of what he said made sense. They were going to see some woman--that much she’d gathered. She knew nothing about what a Telling or a Teller was, but she was trying to piece it all together. From the beginning, Bael had kept saying that she was his light, his Luxa. That she would be the next Karaliene, which she now knew to be queen. She was to rule by his side.
“Explain one more time what we’re doing.”
“There’s no time. There are protocols that must be followed. I am to take you to the Teller.”
“Teller?”
“Think of it how your kind go to fortune tellers or psychics. My Telling told of someone who is made of light.”
She pieced together that much, but she still wasn’t following completely.
“What is your name?” he asked. As if that were the answer to the entire puzzle.
“You know my name. Abrihet Candace Diro. What does the meaning of my name have to do with us visiting the Teller?”
“She will do your Telling now. It is what should have happened the first day I brought you here. But you were not receptive to me or this place.”
And now he knew she was… Abrihet could have pulled out all the stops to try and thwart his plan. But she couldn’t deny what he said was true. She was receptive. I’ve given up my world for him. If that didn’t confirm that she was in love, nothing would.
“If I agree to this, will I at least get to see my family?”
“I won’t lie to you. Going to Terra is forbidden. Especially for females. Only Enforcers can go, but if there is a way, I will see to it that you see your people.”
Could she accept that? If there were a chance she’d see her brother and mother, she’d take it. She just hoped Bael would explain when he could.
“I wish to give you my chain.”
”Your chain?”
“The claiming chain is given to a female by her male. It can happen before or after a true bond.”
“Why haven’t you given the chain to anyone else?”
The look he gave her was one of guilt.
“You have already given the chain to someone, or you tried. Am I right?” she asked.
“Yes. Tenna. But she wanted to wait until I returned from my assignment.”
It hurt to hear him say that, and she visibly flinched at his honesty.
He took a step toward her, getting in her face, his eyes turning red as fire burned behind his gaze. He wasn’t angry, but determined.
“Is there a chance you could still give it to her?”
“It does not work that way,” he said, gritting his teeth. “I cannot run from my Telling. I do not wish to give it to Tenna any longer. I wish only to give it to you. I wish to give you everything,” Bael said fiercely. “Now, get dressed. Once we visit the Teller, we shall go and visit your father.”
“My father?” Abrihet gasped. She didn’t know how she felt. Happy? Sad? Angry? She wasn’t sure. But she definitely felt…something.
“Yes, get dressed. And, Abrihet?”
His pupils dilated when he said her name, and the heat of his breath fanned over her face as she looked into fathomless eyes.
“Bael?”
“You have come to mean something to me. This is not too soon, things happened right on time.”
Abrihet swallowed the words that would have come out of her mouth. She wanted to say more but settled with a head nod. She wasn’t ready to put voice to her feelings. Not yet.
Chapter 14
He should have allowed her some privacy but Bael found he couldn’t. He was…dare he even say it? Happy. He watched as she dressed, marveling at her flawless body, even after the fire. She’d healed quickly. Her skin, her hair, even her tattoo looked as if nothing had ever happened. If she could survive hellfire, then she at least stood a chance in Wraith.
She dressed quickly, but not before Bael was able to get a good look at the smooth expanse of skin exposed. The full swell of her breasts, the elegant shape of her hips, and the curve of her thighs. She was pleasing to his eyes. Even if she lacked horns or wings, there was still an exotic beauty about her, and it had him swelling in his pants. He adjusted as she turned to face him, her eyes widening as she took him in. She was the perfect package to him.
Temptation was one of the first things he’d bested as a young male. A male’s desire could become his greatest weakness. As a warrior, he had no choice but to exercise control in all things. He found in the privacy of his rooms, Abrihet owned him, body and soul. Should would take his chain, and the two of them would drown in their passion for one another on a daily basis.
“I’m ready to leave now,” she said, grinning up at him. Bael walked over to where she was and gently enclosed her hand in his.
Herba was on the outskirts of town, and getting there on foot would prove troublesome. There were a ton of Pastlifes in the woods. Those that hadn’t been claimed were left to roam the red forest. They were restless, and some could even be harmful to her. Bael and Abrihet had to be careful.
“We are going into the red forest.”
Bael led the way.
An Ustrina female bowed as they passed, others did the same. He knew it wasn’t because of Abrihet, but because of him. As an Incaendium, and next in line for his father’s throne, the lower caste of demons automatically gave him room. It was the other Incaendium that gave him sneers or whispered as they passed. Some were still upset about the challenge that took place in the arena the day before. Like his brother, there were those who were not as accepting of a Nefas. Especially one who would soon sit next to him on the throne.
“Do not pay them any mind, Abrihet.”
“I wasn’t,” she said quietly beside him. As they walked, she squeezed his fingers briefly, and Bael found himself enjoying the contact. Each pass of her fingers against his sent a pleasant warmth through him that buzzed just beneath his skin. A constant reminder of her nearness. Their bond was stronger than he suspected. As they neared the forest, he noticed a change in her breathing.
“Show no weakness, Abrihet. I am here; you can do this. You have to.”
He looked over at her, and she nodded, her movements jerky. He could feel her trepidation as they stepped into the red woods. She had good reason to be apprehensive. Not only did they have the Pastlifes to worry about, there were also the hellhounds. Vicious canines with three heads and claws longer and thicker than one of his legs, they also had a long, serpent-like tail with a metal spike on the end. One bite from a hellhound was certain death, even for him.
“Right, says the demon who is from this land. Of course, you’d say that. You live here. All of this is new to me.”
He couldn’t say why he did it, maybe it was because of their bond, he wasn’t sure. But he reached out and pulled her into his arms for a hug.
Abrihet let go of a deep breath but didn’t pull back.
Chapter 15
Abrihet took everything in. From the blood-red trees with black and gold leaves to the babbling streams that were lava flows. Surprisingly, it wasn’t hot. Hell wasn’t at all like she’d expected. There were no devils with pitchforks or demons with scaly skin, or beings skeletal in structure. Her version of hell didn’t have a market or a dining hall. But the red forest was eerie and creepy as well…hell. Bael’s fingers tangled with hers, and she wondered if he noticed he caressed her pulse with his thumb. She wasn’t going to complain. It was working; he was keeping her grounded. Calm.
Thick, tall trees rose out of the ground to brush the tops of what could only be the equivalent of a sky. It wasn’t light but dark. There were lights in the sky that seemed to twinkle in and out of focus.
“Geodes or diamonds?” Abrihet asked.
Bael looked up, and she could see the beginnings of a grin on his lips. “Geodes. There are many different ones, but over the red forest, there is mostly Celestine--it’s a type of mineral. I know it looks almost white, but it’s really a soft blue.”
Bael tugged her closer as they passed what looked to be a log. It wasn’t. It was some kind of animal that had six legs bent backwards as it rested on its belly. Each step was a spongy crunch. Layers of dead leaves and twigs bunched beneath her boots. The smell was pleasant. Almost like a type of incense.
“Not much farther. Her home is just that way.” Bael nodded toward a thicket of bushes, and just on the other side, Abrihet could see white smoke billowing from the top of a hut. Not much farther to him was literally twenty-three steps; Abrihet had counted.
There was no door to the hut, but inside she could see an old, frail, human-looking woman with dreaded hair and leather-like skin.
“Oh, Bael, I see you’ve brought us a stranger,” the old woman cackled.
“Yes, Herba, this Abrihet.”
Herba, the Teller, as Bael had called her earlier, got a distinctive gleam in her eye.
“She is Feur’s daughter.”
Bael nodded.
“Well, come here daughter of Feur; let me get a closer look at you.” She waved wildly with her hands, gesturing for Abrihet to come inside.
The hut was small--too small for the three of them, really. There was barely room to move. But, somehow, they made it work. Bael stood behind her as she took a seat in the chair t offered while Herba sat across from her and lifted her hands, palm up.
“In order for this to work, you must open yourself to me, girl. Allow me to gain entrance. Place your hands in mine, and I will tell you your destiny.”
Abrihet wanted to look to Bael. She had a feeling if she did, it would be a sign of weakness. Pulling in a deep breath, she placed her hand into the Teller’s and waited. Nothing happened at first. The room was completely silent, save for their breathing. Kole and her brother had taken her to New Orleans once and she’d had her palm read. But the guy who’d given her, her fortune had been full of shit. Promised her she’d have a closet full of close, and a room full of friends. What a crock.
“Aaaah, there you are, child. Your light shines brightly. You are from the line Diro. Your ancestors are connected to this place. But not of this time. You’ve been returned to us. Abrihet, bringer of light. She who shines. Destined mate to heir of the blue throne.”
“How is this even possible?”
“Destiny, child.”
“She is mine.”
“Yes, and there is more. She faces grave danger still from one who is close to you.”
“Who?” Bael sneered.
“I cannot see his face. He hides in shadow. I feel the energy and the connection shared. There is a false intimacy, one that needs to be severed and soon.”
“That does us no good if we don’t know who it is.”
Great, as if she didn’t have enough to deal with. Now someone wanted to off her. Again. It would be great if she could speak with her brother. Or even Kole. They would know what to do. All she’d ever wanted to do was protect people. Tossed into a world of demons. It was enough to make anyone crazy. This had to be the reason her mother was locked away.
“Will I survive?” Abrihet asked.
“Nothing will harm you, Abrihet,” Bael promised, his hand reaching out to grab hers. He lifted her from her chair.
She thought he’d set her on her feet. Instead, he brought her close, burying his head in the crook of her neck, his breath hot on her skin as he breathed deeply. He was sniffing her. Pulling in large breaths. To an onlooker, she was sure it would look like he’d broken down into tears.
Against her neck, he whispered, “I’m taking in your scent. Should you ever get away from me, I will be able to find you no matter where you are. Even if you should end up back on Terra.”
“We won’t let that happen, Bael,” Abrihet said firmly.
When he finally released her, Herba looked to the two of them with a toothy grin. “You two will make beautiful offspring. Three strong males and two twin females. Your second son will grow to be even more powerful than Braxus. The demonarchy will not be able to deny him his throne. Although they will try. Ranore, your second-in-command, will court Enceladus, your eldest daughter, and Ione will find love on Terra.”
“Anything else you want to impart, Herba?” Bael’s voice was strained. Maybe even a little irritated.
“No, your time is up. I hope to see you again soon. You must hurry if you wish to get back before the hounds descend.”
Abrihet stepped back from Bael’s embrace, and he allowed her but still kept hold of her hand.
“Come. We must get back. She’s right.”
Bael stepped out of the hut, pulling Abrihet with him. They weren’t even halfway back to the citadel when the hairs on the back of her neck rose in apprehension.
“We’re being followed. Aren’t we?” Abrihet asked.
“Tracked.”
“By what?”
Her question was answered immediately, but not by Bael.
Bright yellow eyes appeared at first, in groups of six. Like a synchronized dance, three hellhounds stepped from behind a copse of trees. Saliva dripped from their snouts. The beasts we
re three-headed, and their claws, dear God, their claws were longer than one of Bael’s legs. It made them look off-kilter. Their paws balanced them as they arched their backs, making the hair on their haunches rise in irritation. Their growls echoed through the forest.
She was surrounded by hellhounds.
Chapter 16
Bael didn’t waste any time. It would only take the slightest movement for the hounds to pounce. He grabbed Abrihet around the waist and leapt into the air. She was lighter than his kind, and because of that, he was able to carry her. They landed on the limb of one of the trees. But it wasn’t enough.
“I can’t fly.”
“What do you mean, you can’t fly? You have wings. We flew to the Kalns.”
“Yes, but that was because of the wind. It was more of a glide. Coming down is always the easiest part.”
“Well, that’s just dumb.”
His people hadn’t used their wings in over a thousand years. The feathers would molt, and later be replaced by hard bone and metal. Most of his kind had theirs surgically removed. Only the royals kept their wings as a show of dominance. Bael had already molted twice, and still, his wings were soft and manageable.
One hellhound leapt onto one side of the tree, while another took the other side. Together, both hounds rammed into the trunk, making it sway precariously.
“They are going to tear this tree down.”
“Your wings have to work. You’ve just never tried before, Bael. It’s either we give up—which I believe would be considered a sign of weakness—and sit here to become hound food, or we take our chances and you try and fly.”