Moving away from him gently, she turned and ducked down beneath the sheets. When she reached her destination, she gently rubbed her cheek against the satiny-hard flesh that had risen with the dawn, and inhaled Kulla’s potent cedar resin musk. When she stuck out her tongue and licked his vast length, she felt her god stir. Turning her attention, Bee-Dee swiped up the sweet droplet that escaped him, and blew across the top of his penis, relishing her selfless task. Yeah, right. She snorted. Selfless. She’d only had a quick taste of Kulla before, so this time his essence was for her, and she’d take her fill. A moan escaped his lips as she closed her watering mouth over the pink, engorged head of his prick. Satisfaction rose within her as he arched into the pressure.
Kulla groaned. “What playful sprite has hidden under my covers?” His morning voice emerged gruff and potent. Obedience’s answer became a slow slide of her mouth farther down his prick, swallowing his entire cock, lovingly, inch by inch down her throat. She convulsed her throat muscles around him, compressing his turgid flesh, and gloated, satisfied with his surprised grunt.
“Bee-Dee, stop now,” he warned.
Screw that. Tired of him being in charge, it didn’t interest her in the least to stop. She wanted him as crazed under her tongue as he’d made her under his, a few days before. She drew her mouth up, keeping the pressure even all the way to the end, then popped free of him for one second.
“Shut up and enjoy,” she told him, landing a surprising little slap on his ass, which she hoped he liked as much as she did. Her wish became confirmed when he hissed, closed his yap, and gave in, probing with his hardness to find her mouth again. Smugly and willingly she obliged, taking his cock back deeply into her warm, waiting cavity.
His hand rested lightly at the back of her head, showing her just the right rhythm; letting her know what he wanted. Sucking him hadn’t been something she’d done back in colonial days. She’d been a virgin to start with, and he’d been very patient at teaching her things. They’d never advanced as far as oral sex for him, although he’d certainly shown her the pleasures that could be wrought with his mouth. She’d learned a thing or two in her centuries without him, and put her clever mouth to good use now.
Bee-Dee used a combination of light teeth, tongue, and pressure to build his bliss slowly. She gently cupped his balls while she did so, a part of her remembering that he wasn’t one for too much testicle play. A delicate hand, she recalled, adequately did the job.
Apparently she recollected just fine, because his movements became more pronounced and she obliged by moving her mouth faster. She felt his prick harden even more under her lips, and his balls draw up tightly into his body. A small surge started low, letting her know he neared eruption. His hand moved from her head.
“Move, Bee-Dee. Now.” he commanded.
Nope. Her seduction, her agenda, dammit. Obedience wrapped her hands around his hips and snugged him in tighter. He didn’t fight. She felt the clench in his buttocks and moments later, warm sweetness poured down her throat. She kept her pressure even as he emptied, and when his surges ceased, she lightly drew her lips back up his considerable length, savoring every last bit of what he’d released.
Closing her eyes and relishing, before she let him go, she gave his satin knob one last swipe, then dropped an open-mouthed kiss on it before working her way up Kulla’s body. His torso went limp. Obedience wanted to crow, giddy with power. She hadn’t seen him this boneless since they’d met up again.
“See what a nice orgasm can do for you?” she told him cheekily, snuggling back up into his warm chest. His arms came around her, and with a sigh, he kissed the top of her head.
“You’re going to kill me, Bee-Dee,” he said.
“That’s not what I want,” she answered dreamily.
“I know what you want, but can’t you understand that sometimes a man has to prove he’s worthy of the woman he wants to wed? For me, erecting something to honor you needs to come first.”
“I hate to burst your bubble sweet cheeks, but we’ve just jumped the gun on both erecting and coming.” She snickered. “Now why can’t you just put that lovely thing in me and call it a day?” She knew what his answer would be, but she couldn’t stop from asking. He landed a slap on her fresh bottom, echoing Bee-Dee’s form of mild punishment.
“No,” he stated, unequivocally, “and it’s time to get out of bed. Move it. I have a ziggurat to complete. Perhaps today.”
The construction, with the help of all the gods, blue guys and humans, moved rapidly, and even if finishing today became a stretch, Bee-Dee knew the monument to her would be completed soon. She counted off in her head, one or two days to finish, one for a dedication that Kulla deemed necessary, then three days for him in Hell. Less than a week for her to decide what to do before he expected a mating ceremony. Should she tell him the bad news before his Underworld sojourn or after? Any way you looked at it, it sucked. She dismissed it from her mind.
“Race you to the shower.” She leaped from the bed, then whooped as his feet pounded right behind her. She lost her breath as he swept her up around the waist with one arm, and carried her into the bathroom like a sack of potatoes, laughter spilling from both their throats. Bee-Dee would make the best of this happy day. Kulla had become whole again, and she wouldn’t be surprised if Ken’s recovery was nearly complete after how they’d left the agent with Vesca.
She’d ponder her future course of action later.
Half an hour later, she and Kulla strolled outside to find that Absu and Charlie had set up a bountiful morning buffet on the back terrace. Sleepy gods and goddesses filtered in and lifted stainless covers off trays to spear bacon, sausages, and Absu’s amazing waffles. Bee-Dee happily noted that Glory had joined the crowd. The goddess, well into her fifth month of pregnancy, continued to have the worst case of morning sickness anyone had ever seen. Dr. Dani knew by the heartbeats that Glory carried twins, but the pretty immortal argued in denial of that fact, and refused to let the doctor confirm it with an ultrasound.
Another unusual occurrence? The appearance of Glory’s mother, Kate. The ex-school teacher, at fifty-nine, had early onset Alzheimer’s. By the time she’d come to live at the compound, she had but a vague grasp of the present and a distorted memory of the past. She thought her son, Douglas, who died long ago in an institution, remained alive. Bee-Dee went to her where she stood with the witch Addie-May.
“Kate.” Obedience smiled. “It’s nice to see you out and about.”
“It’s nice to be out, Obedience.” The witch’s smile was returned full force.
Bee-Dee was immediately taken aback. Kate knew her? This must be a really good day. She looked to where her female cousin-by-marriage beamed from ear to ear.
“I know, right?” Addie May held a comforting hand on Kate’s back while she confided. “Angie and I have been trying some new potions out on Kate, and we seem to have hit on a particularly good mix that’s working.”
Glory came up behind Bee-Dee then, and whispered in her ear. “But she still thinks my brother Douglas is alive, even though everything else seems to be snapping back into place. I’m actually thrilled.”
“I heard that, darling girl.” Kate’s brown eyes found her daughter and were brightly alert. “And I’ll forgive your mistaken belief, but your brother Douglas won’t appreciate you thinking he’s dead.” She looked down at Glory’s burgeoning stomach. “I’d really like it if he were here in time to see the birth of his new niece and nephew.”
Glory rolled her eyes. “Not twins, Mom,” she groused, more than willing to try and change the subject. Her midsection chose that moment to growl. “And my child and I are actually hungry for once.” She turned back to the food-laden tables. “Can I fill you a plate?” she asked her mother.
“You just take care of yourself and your babies, sweetheart.” Kate would not be put off. “I’ll get my own.”
Obedience tried not to laugh. Apparently Kate had reverted to her old self, and that old self was pr
etty feisty. Bee-Dee moved away and looked around at the strange bunch assembling. She realized, somewhat shockingly, that she loved them all. She had been on her own for so long, that the people and immortals of the Blue Hills getting under her skin were a big surprise. Her gut clenched. She didn’t want to be the one to doom all of their futures.
She suddenly lost her appetite and walked down the stone steps into the woods. She didn’t go far. The blue men had let them know that the place remained surrounded by demons just waiting to pick someone off. Hmph. Maybe that would be the easiest way to solve her dilemma. Let herself be kidnapped. At least no one would hate her if the anguish caused by her abduction overrode a mating with Kulla. No. That wouldn’t do. It was the coward’s way out.
She made it as far as the barrier behind one of the cottages when Dorian popped in by her side. “Taking a walk instead of eating breakfast?” he questioned.
“I could say the same about you,” she answered carefully. She didn’t want to have a companion. In her present mood, who knew what she’d end up blurting out.
“I ate earlier,” he assured her, thrusting his hands deep into his jeans pockets. He squared his shoulders, walking alongside his cousin. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
“What makes you ask?” Bee-Dee prevaricated, kicking at a stick.
“Oh, just that this whole Kulla building you a ziggurat thing should be making you giddy.” He held up a hand. “I know, I know. He won’t consummate until it’s done. But you’re only days away from that, so back to my question. Why so glum?”
Obedience wanted to confide. No. She didn’t want to confide. Hell. She didn’t know what she wanted. The whole situation sucked. Her control slipped. “I can’t be Kulla’s Chosen,” she cried.
The last thing she expected was Dorian’s chuckle. Guys were such assholes. “In that, you have no choice, Bee-Dee.” He took her elbow and steered her farther away from where the crowd gathered to build for the day. “The god’s Chosen are destined.” He shrugged. “His shoulder lights up, you’re the one, you mate and live eternally every after. It’s as simple as that.”
“I only wish it were that easy.” Obedience chewed a nail on her free hand. “Let me ask you a hypothetical…”
Dorian grimaced. “Don’t go there, Bee-Dee. I can’t stand it. You’ll pretend you’re not talking about you, and I’ll have to pretend that because you’re not vested in the outcome, I don’t give a shit either. It doesn’t work for either of us.” The warlock stopped and turned to face her. “Why don’t you just tell me what the problem is, and then bad-assed, older cousin will fix it for you. Whatever it is.”
Tears came to her eyes. She’d missed Dorian and his winning ways over the centuries. He’d always made things better for her as a child. But her problems had been simple then. Which dead beetle to use in a potion, whose nose to embellish with a wart? How nice he thought he could fix everything now, but also impossible. Her problem stemmed from something dictated by human rules, not immortal ones, and he, a warlock, couldn’t help her. She hadn’t been able to affect a change, and gods knows she’d tried.
“Thanks for the offer, Dorian, but this isn’t something you can make go away with magic. I made a mess of things, and consoled myself that I only had to wait another thirty or forty years for my problem to go away. But now I don’t have that option. Kulla needs me. They all need me within six months, and that I can’t do.” She almost walked away, but stopped short. “I’m going to let Kulla know the truth before he dedicates the ziggurat, and I’m telling you this so I don’t chicken out. If I lose courage, you can force it out of me.” She knew Dorian had the power, as one of the oldest members of the council, to compel truth from any witch. She gave him permission now.
He nodded his head. “I’ll take you up on that, Bee-Dee, because I’m still not sure you’ve thought whatever it is all the way through. It is can’t be that bad.”
Obedience only wished it true. “Let’s go join the others.” She stopped his train of thought, linking her arm into his and leaning on him playfully. Her secrets weren’t the only one on trial here. While she had him, Bee-Dee figured that turnabout might be fair play. “So tell me what’s up with you and Addie May?”
His face shut down quicker than her nose could twitch. Huh. So he could question her, but when it came to his own personal baggage…
“There’s nothing to tell,” Dorian clipped. “We had a marriage, she terminated it. End of story.”
“That’s not what it sounded like to me a few weeks ago,” she gently prodded. “I’m pretty sure Addie let slip that she still has feelings for you, and you talked about stripping her of her pride.” Obedience couldn’t forget his words. They had been chilling.
“All bluster.” He waved a hand. “A threat spoken in anger and in haste.” He pointed with a glance to where his once-wife, and daughter laughed with Glory and Kate. “You can see she’s well and unharmed.”
Obedience followed his gaze and took a good look at Addie. A really good look. Wait. There was something different about the older woman. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but something…
She looked at Dorian’s smug face. “You’re up to no good,” she smirked at him. “I know that ‘Dorian’ look from when we were kids. What have you got up your sleeve?” Obedience narrowed her eyes.
The warlock broke into a spontaneous, full, rich laugh at her words, and the sound filled the clearing. His straight white teeth flashed in a bright smile. “Up my sleeve?” he repeated. “Perhaps nothing but a small, colorfully striped skink, dear cousin. Or a little surprise for the woman who once put it there.”
Bee-Dee shook her head. Yup. Dorian held secrets too.
Chapter Eighteen
“That’s it.” Beletseri chortled. For the first time in a week she felt happy. She’d been furious to find that her human captive had escaped, and taking her anger out on a good number of demons hadn’t assuaged her ire. Matthew had threatened to leave her if she didn’t calm down, an empty threat. And when that didn’t work, he tried to cheer her with some very innovative sex. Nothing had touched her foul mood until now.
“Do you see that, Matthew?” She knew he’d been looking at little else in the compound on every visit they’d made. Currently he remained caught up in a middle-finger swapping stare-down with his old workmate, Lenore.
“That ziggurat. That wonderful ziggurat.”
Matthew turned his attention from Lenore. “Yeah. The same thing that was here yesterday, and the same thing that will be there tomorrow.”
“No. There’s something different. Look closely.” She didn’t wait for his answer. “I’m such an idiot. It’s that little something that’s been tickling the back of my head since dear Kulla started his project. And now I remember.” Her increased joy finally snagged Matthew’s full attention.
“What is it?” he asked. “Good news?”
“Just the best.” She grabbed him by the shoulders and wrenched him in for a hard, passionate lip lock before breaking away and staring back at the stone structure. “In a few hours, Kulla will be in Hell.”
“What?” Matthew looked confused.
“You weren’t around last time, and because I plotted every spare minute, it completely slipped by me, but thousands of years ago, every time Kulla finished a project, destiny decreed he spend three days as a guest of Hell.” Her eyes lit up.
Matthew’s quick brain caught up. “But this time, he could be your new friend Sal’s guest, couldn’t he?”
“Exactly,” she crowed, and narrowed her focus to the base of the structure. “And do you see Dorian there? He’s piling up some wine and beer. Certain offerings are necessary to dedicate a building, and they have to be procured by hand, not magic. And right now he’s stockpiling, which means the structure is nearly finished.”
She continued to enlighten her lover. “He is the only one we know of who can leave the compound undetected to get those goods. So”—she tapped her bottom lip with a sharp, we
ll-manicured nail—”We need to call off the demons. Let the gods get everything quickly, flitting here and there to fill the coffers with their sacrificial spoils. With more hands able to leave the compound, they’ll have their honey, gold, cypress oil and pressed sesame with time to spare. And the faster the better for our purposes.” Bel hadn’t felt this giddy in a long time. This would play right into her hands and she couldn’t lose.
“Just stand back and observe for the rest of the day, Matthew. Let them see that you’re no threat. They’ll have no clue as to why you’re being passive, but I need you to take note of esteemed visitors from the Overworld who will show up, as well as monitor for the presence of the king and queen of the Underworld,” she smiled again. “Having Nergal and Ereshkigal out of the way from down below makes our job of abduction there, even easier.”
Matthew nodded.
Good. He got the point.
“Go, then.” He gave her a hug and another kiss. “I’ll let you know when the guests are assembled and the ceremony is underway. You will have your revenge soon enough.”
Something in her mate’s eyes as he agreed was new to Bel, but she quickly dismissed it. No way could Matthew be having second thoughts about their plans. She quickly misted out and headed for the Underworld and Sal’s lair, deep beneath the Pacific Ocean and the Mariana Trench.
When she appeared inside his office/cavern, the ex-drug lord kept in deep conversation with a tall, and much better-looking human soul. The new male stood just over six feet tall and filled out with solid muscle. Despite a rather desperate looking comb-over, the smile on his face appeared adorably sinister. This person Bel could like. She approached the pair.
“Good morning, Sal,” she announced with the greeting. “You must not have heard me arrive.” She gave him a smile then turned to assess his friend. Even better looking up close, she thought. Well-groomed and very self-assured for a mortal gone to Hell. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
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