by 1
Roller skating, mini golf, go carting and a renaissance faire later, Elhara suspected that she was falling in love and he was wrong for her in every way…and right for her in every way. She was a Warder in love.
Chapter Three
She met Solar in the park and greeted him with a kiss that caused a few people to turn away, embarrassed, and others to stare with hungry envy. When they parted, she licked her lips and smiled. “Hello, Solar.”
His hungry gaze focussed on her mouth.
“Elhara.” His growled speech was the sexiest thing she had heard since he said goodnight the evening before.
Her family was growing suspicious, but since she always returned to work in a good mood, they let her absences slide. Her father and uncle sniffed the air when she returned, but since she and Solar did little more than kiss and hug, the traces of him on her skin were minimal, while her hormones were rocketing out of control.
Goblin fathers were notoriously protective of their daughters, but being in the human world meant that Reytil had to throttle back his responses. Her skills as a Warder gave him peace of mind, but he was still her father and still wanted to know if males were sniffing around.
Solar inhaled deeply and relaxed as her scent surrounded him. “Today, we go for a walk.”
He kept one arm wrapped around her. The perfectly fit business suit that he was wearing suited him as well as jeans and a t-shirt, though she did miss seeing the flex of his arms as he swung a putter.
She was wearing a lacy blouse and a long skirt with moderately high heels. Her hair was in a chestnut curtain down her back and she was wearing work-appropriate makeup. This was her lunch hour and as if she needed it, her grandfather ordered her to take the afternoon off. There had been a twinkle in his eye when he said it.
The sun was flirting with them through clouds as they walked down the path toward a private walkway. “Where are we going?”
His hand caressed her waist. “It is a surprise.”
She bit her lip as they made their way into a lush, green corridor. The scent of green and bright life was unmistakable.
An elderly woman was waiting for them at the end of the path. “Solar, I am so glad that you could make it. Is this your lady?”
He smiled and made the introductions. “Elhara Warder, this is Elise Macinaw. She is the horticulturalist that I mentioned on our first date.”
Elhara shook the woman’s hand and blinked as she felt nothing but human energy. No power ran through her bloodstream as it did with Elhara’s kind. “I am very glad to meet you, Elise. Or would you prefer Ms. Macinaw?”
“Oh, Elise, please. It is so wonderful to see Solar with a woman of his own kind. He has been lonely, dear.”
Elhara looked to Solar, but he shook his head slightly before addressing the woman with a smile. “We will return to have tea with you on the way out, Elise.”
She grinned. “I will wait an hour and then put the pot on. Enjoy the gardens, the walks. I will be in my cottage.”
The woman gestured for them to continue their walk and she left them, her gait slow and the cane she used helped her along.
As they walked, Elhara asked, “How long have you known her?”
“Since she was a young woman, in her early twenties.”
She breathed deeply of the scent of flowers and green. “That looks to have been over sixty years ago or more. How old are you?”
He chuckled. “Old enough to know love when I find it.”
They rounded a corner while she stumbled over his acknowledgement of love. The roses were all in bloom. Hundreds of colours, scents she had never imagined, they were all surrounding her and lining a pathway around a cheerful and sparkling fountain.
It was probably the most beautiful setting that Elhara had ever been privy to.
Solar led her to the edge of the fountain and sat her down. He knelt at her feet and looked up at her, showing her his true aspect as he did when they were alone.
His dark red skin, endless black hair and deep black eyes were offset by his tailored suit. The earnest expression on his face and the nervous twist to his full lips were all she needed to see.
She held her breath as he took her hands in his own.
“Elhara Warder, I know we have not known each other long, but the instant that I saw you, I knew that you were the woman to complete my life and make me happy for the rest of my days.”
She swallowed and tears tracked down her features.
“I want to wake up with you next to me and to sleep inside and beside you all night long. I want to share my days with you and to make your nights rival your most detailed dreams. I will feel your joys, share your sorrows and revel in your triumphs.”
He reached into his pocket and drew out an exquisite ring that he slid onto her ring finger. It was a heavy setting of ruby, the same colour and depth as his skin, and it thrummed with magic. “Elhara Warder, will you marry me?”
She flung herself into his arms and kissed every inch of his face that she could reach. “Yes, yes, yes, yesyesyesyesyes.”
He laughed and kissed her, bringing them both to their feet and twirling her around.
She held onto him as he spun them together, the moment perfect with the fountain, the flowers and her demon.
Elhara’s smile didn’t want to stop. When Solar put her back on her feet, she brushed away the tears on her cheeks.
He leaned forward and tasted them. “Your joy is filling us both.”
“When can we tell people?” She pressed her hands to his immaculate suit.
“I will tell my folk as soon as we part today, but I have many more things planned this afternoon.” He chuckled and lifted her into his arms.
Elhara had the feeling that after today, her family was going to know all about her and Solar whether she willed it or not.
A bower in the woods showed not only his intent, but his optimism. It was crafted from the very roses that she had admired, but not one thorn was visible.
He lay her down in a pile of rose petals. “Warders have their traditions, incubi have theirs.”
Solar swept his hands over her from neck to toes and with each pass of his hands she was missing a little more clothing. By the time she was naked, her skin was tingling and her toes were curling at each touch of his fingers.
He started to taste her and he began at the crown of her head, licking his way down slowly, enjoying and savouring the flavours he discovered. He growled as he took her earlobe between his teeth, sighed happily as she arched her neck to give him full rein and grunted when she dug her nails into his shoulders when he worked his way to her breasts.
She thought that his hands had woken nerves that she didn’t know about, but his tongue had her shaking in seconds as he enjoyed her flavours and worked toward her navel. Her skin heated and the scent of aroused woman mixed with the crushed rose petals under her back and thighs. It was a heady mix and when he parted her thighs to taste between them, she sobbed and blushed as the noises of appreciation broke out of him and into her ears.
He licked at her with the greatest of enjoyment, his tongue burrowing deep and drawing out every ounce of cream she had to offer, over and over again until she screamed and clutched at his hair, pulling him into her as tightly as she could.
She could feel his pleasure as surely as she felt her own. His hunger was no longer riding him with insatiable insistence. When he continued until she came again, she felt the surge of satiation that ran through him.
With a regretful lap, he continued his exploration of her body’s tastes. Down her thighs, her knees, the arch of her calf and finally each little toe was worshipped in turn.
When she had been caressed and tasted from head to toe, he moved next to her and wrapped her in his arms.
“Why didn’t you?” Her voice was low and husky and with the surge of pleasure she felt, it was obvious he enjoyed the results of his labour.
“This isn’t the time. This just confirmed the match. With you, I don’t hung
er. I don’t have to search for the next woman, because just being with you is enough. We can fly kites, jump rope or do nothing at all, but if you are near me, I am satisfied.”
She snuggled against him. “We will have a wedding?”
He laughed. “And a wedding night, day and full week if I can manage it.”
She grinned. “You will have to ask my family properly.”
“And you will have to put up with mine.”
The seriousness of his tone sent a trill of unease down her spine, but feeling him against her and the gentle thrumming of her bloodstream calmed her quickly.
“Elise helped you plan this?” She gestured at the roses around and under them.
He slid one hand up to cup her breast and the other caressed her hip. “Not everything, but she helped by creating the bower for me.”
“You have been friends with her a long time.” It was a statement of fact.
He sighed into her hair. “One of my cousins drained her to the edge of death. I gave her what I could to keep her alive and helped her begin her life anew. She and I have kept in touch over the years.”
“I can feel the bond between you. It’s good energy.” She smiled and stretched idly against him.
“I am glad that you think that. Many women who know the reputation of my species would think the worst.”
She laughed. “My father is a goblin. I can sense feeding energy at a distance and that is not what this is. You nurture each other in a companionable way.”
He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck. “Speaking of which, she is anticipating our arrival, so I had best get you dressed again.”
He helped her back into her bra, but kept her panties in his pocket. Her skirt and blouse were only lightly rumpled and he pressed kisses to the arch of each foot as he slipped her shoes back on.
Dressed and at his side, they walked together past the fountain and to a rose-covered house.
“How is it that no one comes to this place?”
He grinned and his crimson skin darkened. “There is a glamour around this place. People see it but don’t notice it, so Elise has all the privacy she wants and yet can delve out into the world whenever she wishes.
His thoughtful nature at providing the woman with a sanctuary cemented the blooming of love in her heart.
When they entered the cottage, Elise was all smiles and congratulations. Elhara was happy that their first witness to their pledge was pleased for them. She knew that that would not be the case all around. Warders had prejudices against demons and the same was true in reverse. Explaining to her father that an incubus had stolen her heart was going to be a delicate matter, explaining it to her mother was going to require alcohol.
Hannah Warder was a good woman, a great mom and the most aggressive defender that Elhara had ever known. If she thought her daughter was in danger from her fiancé, then he and his clan had better run for it.
When Solar and Elise had said their goodbyes, he and Elhara made their way back down the path with foolish smiles on their faces. She glanced down at the ring to confirm that it was real.
“Yes, Elhara, it’s real. I am yours and you are mine, we need only confirm it with our families and then we shall make it official.” He walked her to her car and gave her a kiss that scorched her toes.
She was leaning into him, clinging to him with both hands. Her body ached and her clit throbbed as his tongue teased her. When she gasped for air, he pressed his forehead to hers.
“We will meet here tomorrow and from then, we will plan our future.”
She grinned up at him. “Tomorrow at dawn. Don’t be late.”
He disappeared in a puff of smoke and her heartbeat started to work its way down to normal. Smiling with complete and utter joy, she unlocked her car door and paused to look at the park around her.
There was a rush of black and a hard strike to her jaw that sent her skidding sideways. She tried to see what was coming at her, but it was a cloud of black mist. She heard a voice hiss, “He is mine and will always be mine.”
She felt a clawing at her left hand while an incredible pressure weighed on her mind. Her memories of Solar flitted through her thoughts and one by one, they disappeared.
Chapter Four
Elhara had a headache that wouldn’t quit. She was sitting in her car and the scent of green grass was all over her. She knew that she was forgetting something, but she didn’t know what. A quick glance at her watch told her that she was late back to work, but her belly was telling her that she hadn’t eaten lunch, so what had she been doing?
Her left had burned slightly, as if she had run it through hot sand or something. She shook it and started her car. Whatever just happened had left her coated with magic and it wasn’t hers.
Her parents would need to know about this and it was going to be far easier if she got her father in on it before they let her mother know. Her first stop would be the workshop and the second would be her parents’ home.
Her hands were shaking as she drove and the moment she entered the workshop, all the males turned to her, nostrils flaring. Elhara was out of luck, Hannah Warder was next to her husband and when he stared at his daughter, she did as well.
“El, what happened to you? Why are you crying?” Hannah rushed to her and examined her from head to toe.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what happened, I am just so sad.” She brushed at her cheeks and wiped away the tears. She ran her fingers through her hair and rose petals fluttered to the ground. Elhara knelt and lifted a petal to her nose and warmth spilled through her followed by an ache so great she thought her heart would break. Without another word, she broke into heart-rending sobs.
Her family gathered around her and she could feel the warmth and support that they offered as they took her home and helped her change clothes. Her aunts, grandmother and cousins came by and they all agreed. Whatever had happened to her, her family would get to the bottom of it and they wanted her somewhere safe. Nowhere was safer than at her grandparents’ home in the Crimson clan of the goblin territories in Realm.
Her cousin Asha agreed to come with her. Their fathers were brothers and they shared the same goblin grandparents. No one would think twice about two Warders visiting goblins.
Asha took Elhara into her charge and they entered the gateway to Realm opened by their fathers and grandfather.
Gran and Gramps were only too happy to have them as guests and despite Elhara’s disorientation, she tried to make herself useful. Her family was working to find out what they could about her situation, so she only needed to keep the pain in her head at bay. How hard could that be?
* * * *
She was gone. One moment she had been in his thoughts and a part of his very being and the next she was gone.
“You were saying, brother Solariec?” Therogan, the head of his clan gestured for him to continue.
“I was saying that I have found the woman I wish to marry and am requesting authorization for a wedding.” He was unable to rush to Elhara’s side. Protocol and the demonic restraints bound him until his petition was heard and a decision was made.
“We have found a woman for you. H’cheri is a lovely succubus who will bear you many strong children.” Therogan inclined his head and the woman in question snaked out of the shadows.
“H’cheri is lovely, that is true, but she is not the mate of my heart. I have met my soul mate and she has agreed to be mine when we can get the approval of both our clan and family.”
The succubus in question bristled for an instant before a smug smile crossed over her features. “Are you sure that she will gain the approval of her family?”
Solar knew that something was up. There was no way that H’cheri shouldn’t be clawing his eyes out right now. “I am sure. She can be very convincing.”
Therogan scowled, leaning forward on his throne. “Why would you propose before you gained the acceptance of your clan?”
Solar bowed low with deference. “Because the bonuses of
an alliance to her family outweigh the desires of one succubus. While H’cheri has had her eye on me for centuries, I have never returned her affections. I wish to wed a woman who can be my equal, who compliments my darkness with light and who will enrich not only my life but our bloodlines.”
H’cheri was still smug and that boded ill.
Therogan leaned back. “What kind of woman would take a demon and how could a human be a benefit to our kind?”
Solariec straightened. “She is not a human.”
H’cheri froze, her smug grin fading. “What do you mean?”
“My bride is not a human. She is a Warder and her clan has ties to almost every species in Realm.”
Therogan grinned and with his horns and exposed teeth, it was not a good look for him. “Excellent. You have my authorization to wed your Warder.”
H’cheri paled. “He can’t, you can’t…”
Their clan leader and H’cheri’s uncle turned and stared at her. “Why can’t he carry out my orders, niece?”
The succubus fidgeted and looked embarrassed. “Uncle, I am afraid that his bride will not want him anymore.”
Solar tensed. “What did you do?”
H’cheri turned to him and hissed, throwing a small object at him. “She can’t remember you, Solar. I took all her memories of you and if she tries to get them back, her mind will erase even more.”
Solar caught the ring and his belly churned as her words sank in. “Where is she?”
H’cheri shrugged. “I suppose she is where she was when I left her minutes after you did.”
The bindings of the demonic hall were all that kept Solar from ripping the bitch’s throat out.
Therogan caught his niece in a grip of power and lifted her off her feet. “You are saying that you have destroyed our only chance to get a Warder into the demon bloodline?”
She choked and her legs kicked in midair. “He is mine.”
Her uncle shook her. “He will wed who I say he will. You will find another male to wed and you will give up your fixation. Is that clear?”