by Setta Jay
Jax rolled above her and wrapped her in one of the colorful blankets. She frowned up at him.
“I’m going to talk to Dorian, and he’s not seeing you naked.” Her frown evaporated and she smiled as he left the bed.
A few strides had him at the balcony door just as Dorian appeared. His brother raised one light eyebrow before grinning wide as Jax stepped out the door. “Nice outfit.”
“It’s definitely my best,” Jax said.
“What’s up?” Dorian was in his fighting leathers, and the Nereid’s blond hair was spiked high with blue tips as usual. The male looked around and continued. “You’re not in danger, and judging from what I’m looking at, I gotta point out that I’m a happily monogamous male. Not to mention Rain would have my balls for even getting a glimpse of your mate naked.” The Nereid’s eyes lit when talking about his little mate.
Jax growled low. “I’d have your balls for seeing my mate naked. She’s mine.”
Dorian grinned as he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “I’m happy for you, man. Really. But what the hell am I doing here?”
“Will you be the sentry at our blood bonding?”
Dorian sobered. “I’d be honored.” Then the male slapped his arm, smiling. “When’s the ceremony?”
“Now. There won’t be a ceremony.”
Dorian frowned. “I know shit’s crazy, but I’m sure Alyssa would do the whole dress thing, and Rain and the other females would fawn over her before the ceremony. I’m sure at least some of us could be there, man. You don’t need to do it like this because of fucking Apollo.” Jax had no doubt Gregoire’s mate would make Ileana a dress, Alyssa lived for that shit, and Jax could contact Astrid if his mate wanted, but Ileana wasn’t one for being the center of attention, and he didn’t give a fuck about anything but making her his.
“It’s not because of the bastard God. Ileana doesn’t want a ceremony.” He paused. “If she decides to have one later, we’ll do it as big as she likes.” He’d give her anything she ever wanted.
Dorian eyed him before nodding. “Okay. I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks. I don’t know how long this is gonna take.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll be here.” Dorian grinned and turned his back at the outside wall as Jax headed back into the room.
The scent of them in the air lifted his dick to full attention, and just one look at his mate told him she was pleased at that. Her head was resting on her hand as she held the blanket over her tits and trailed her eyes over his body. A soft groan left her lips and he smiled down at his beautiful female.
“Rain’s mate?”
She’d yet to truly meet most of his brethren. She’d seen many of them at the cave, but everyone had been on constant duty since the moment he’d found her. “Yes.”
He prowled to the bed and tucked her beneath him, straddling her bundled form.
“He’s getting a good view of your ass.” There was amusement in her breathy words.
“He’s not looking.” Not that Jax would care. He’d only have an issue if his brother saw her ass.
“Teeth?” They’d need to break the skin.
She groaned. “Yes.”
He searched her eyes for a second, still amazed by her. She appeared peaceful, but he knew she was steeling herself for what was coming. He felt it in the bond.
He turned to his side, his back to the door, shielding her from view. “You first, kitten.”
“Anywhere I want?” She purred and he smiled at her.
“Anywhere you want, Ileana.”
She leaned in and trailed her lips to his ear and nipped, taking her time. He growled, enjoying her heated breath at his ear, then down to his neck. She pushed on his chest and he conceded to lay back for her. His eyes tracked her movements as his dick bobbed against his stomach. She was drawing it out, and he wouldn’t stop her. They may not be doing the ceremony, but this was still about her. Anything she wanted of him she could have. Every soft kiss or nip she made was driving him mad. He groaned as she made it to his nipple and then rubbed her nose over his chest and stomach. She scraped a sharp tooth over his skin, and gooseflesh rose over his body at the thought of having her fangs in him.
Without warning she struck, her mouth covering one piercing. He groaned as her teeth broke his skin and her hot tongue lapped at him. Long seconds passed before she lifted up, her glassy eyes filled with arousal.
“You taste good.” The sultry drugged sound to her voice made his blood heat.
He growled. “My turn, kitten.” The memories wouldn’t start until he had his turn.
Not wasting time, he flipped them both to their sides facing each other. He still felt the heat from her mouth on his skin and groaned again. His lips found hers, tasting his blood there, inciting his beast. Taking his time, he kissed and nipped at her jaw before nuzzling her neck with his nose, inhaling deep. She was so damned addicting. He hesitated a second, dreading the bad things to come. They’d know each other on an entirely different level after this, and it wasn’t going to be easy for either of them.
He turned her again and settled her back against his chest as she moaned. He dug his fingers in her hair, lifting it away before nuzzling her neck. He wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his hand over one of her perfect tits. With one last kiss to the sweet spot at her shoulder and neck, he struck. She arched back and groaned as he tasted her sweet, warm blood and was lost in the haze.
First flash.
Her mother’s link being ripped away. Agony. Panic. Her father’s pained howl. Sick. Her father’s words of being a warrior. Love. Loss. Bloody nails and knees. Digging in the rock to get free. Fear and dizziness as she ran as fast as her animal could go. Death. Blood. No noise. Lying shivering in her parents’ blood. Gone. Alone.
Next flash.
Weak. Tired. Hard to walk. The cave. Cold, so cold. Teeth chattering. Fear. Sickness. The scent of her parents on the fur. No comfort. Only loss. Cold. Dark.
Next flash.
Ileana older now. Screeches of beasts fighting. A pained howl. Anger. Running. The bigger beasts preying on a small family of cats. The father’s throat ripped out. Blood. Death. The beasts fighting the mother protecting her cubs. Growling and sharp cries. Fury. Crimson. Dizzying movement. Standing in a clearing. Beasts’ dead bodies in broken heaps all around her. The mother cat crouched in front of her cubs. Turning away.
Next flash.
Ileana much older, naked with dirt-covered feet. Pacing. Frustrated. Placing the signal on the tree. Impatient. The female appearing in front of her. Astrid. Recognition from the images her parents had shared. The female was beautiful, her long black hair was up, bronzed skin, dark eyes that looked over her with only a hint of emotion. There for only a second. “Lilka and Baldur’s daughter?” Hearing words from another unsettled her. Hearing her parents’ name hurt her heart. Failure was acid in her gut. “Yes.”
Next flash.
Astrid’s calm voice: “Knowledge will give you power, Ileana. You’ve been unable to find Cyril and Elizabeth by hunting. Learn about the people. Ghost within the cities and you may find answers you need.”
Flash.
Astrid: “You’ve always been welcome here.” The same words the female said often through the years. “No.” She would not live with the female. Attachment equaled weakness. Gut clenching, she walked away. Eyes closing.
Flash.
Jax the night she met him. His scent. Intoxicating. Shock. Mate. How?
Flash.
Jax their first night together. Pleasure like she’d never felt. Connection.
Flash.
Jax. The river. Deciding to give in to the beast. Pleasure. Possessiveness. Love…
Flash.
The taste of Jax’s blood. Euphoria. Excitement. His eyes on hers. Hers…
*****
Ileana was lost in the memories. They ripped through her with blinding speed.
Flash.
Jax with Ladon. “We have to submit to the ex
periments.” They needed the power if they were to have to go against the crazed Gods. Need. Determination. Walking into Apollo’s workspace.
Flash.
Fire seared his veins. His back bowed on the table as he snarled like a beast. Roars split his skull. The flashing blue of Apollo’s eyes as he turned him into an animal.
Flash.
Fury. Growls and snarls splitting his head as he fought Apollo’s guards. Transforming. Paws instead of feet. Bounding, not running. Ladon’s harsh battle cry. The flapping of wings. Sharp talons in muscle and fur. Sea air. Freedom.
Flash.
Relief after years of searching. Pothos breaking through the protection spell. Sander, Pothos and Jax covered in clay, prowling through the secret black temple. Cries of fear and anguish filling the night. Coppery blood and other fluids. Humans, naked and hanging with barbed chains digging in flesh. Their bodies torn from brutal use. Fury. They were dying. Bleeding out. Impotent rage. The mission was too important. Staying in the shadows. They had to find the box. Silently stalking up the stairs. Searching. P finding the secret staircase. Jaw tight. The bowels of the Earth. Black fluid on the stone, power. Hidden in the wall, gold. Excitement. Taking it. P porting it to safety as screams rent the air.
Flash.
Standing on the mountain as P and Drake broke the box. Anticipation. Power flooded over his body. The bright pulse of light shooting to the skies.
Flash.
The Creators a bright light hovering above. Peace. Beauty. His mind invaded with a soft caress. Torrential rains. Skies darkening. Fury. Not his. Theirs. Whirlwinds whipping over the mountains. The Gods trapped. Silence. The fear in their eyes.
Flash.
Love. Knowledge flooding him. His assent. The Creators gifting him powers. Staggering at the new power flooding him. Standing tall and proud on the mountain. The rains stopped. Gone. Drake standing above them, the box at his feet. Responsibility.
Flash.
Seeing Ileana for the first time. Awe. Confusion. Heat.
Flash.
Ileana with water flowing over her bare face. Reverence. Arousal. Hunger. The taste of her pussy. Shock. Intoxication. Need. Ease. Devotion. Possessiveness.
Flash.
Her nightmares. Fear. Fury. Regret. Need to comfort. Respect.
Flash.
Ileana in the river. Heat. Love.
She sucked in air as she came awake in his arms, the love in the memories still bright in her mind. Jax was staring at her, worry in his eyes. “I’m here. Are you okay?”
She rolled into his body with all her strength and captured his lips with her own as she straddled him.
Dorian, go. She barely heard his words. Her heart was so full of her male, she’d never felt so consumed by him.
He fisted her hair as her tongue dueled with his. She wanted everything.
You can have anything, kitten.
She moaned, knowing her mind was open to him and happy to let him feel what he was doing to her. I want to suck you.
He growled. As long as I get to eat my fill.
She moaned as it flowed like a dream. Slick skin, the taste of his cock as his tongue devoured her pussy. She was in a frenzy, demanding, swallowing around him. It was like she couldn’t get enough. His fingers dug into her ass as he spread her wide, trying to get his tongue all the way inside her. She moaned around him over and over, enjoying every second of her mate’s hips flexing to get down her throat.
His mind opened to her. She felt everything he was experiencing, felt how much he loved to eat her. Long moments passed until they were coming and she found herself impaled straddling his lap. He wrapped her legs around his back and took her mouth furiously. He was getting off on the taste of his come on her lips, and that made her hot.
His hands were everywhere, pulling her close, fisting her hair, pulling tight as his other hand rode her up and down on his cock. It was wild, it was perfect and beautifully mindless. Emotion flowed through them both, taking them higher. She heard the jar of cream he’d used on her, just giving her his fingers. It tingled and aroused, and she couldn’t wait for him to use it to ease his cock in her ass. She shivered in anticipation of his final claiming. One finger massaged it around and finally inside as the digit slid deep. Her chest pushed into his. Her nipples rubbed against his chest as her fingers pushed into his hair, down his shoulders, digging hard.
You want me to fuck your ass, kitten?
Yes, she did. He was the only male who would take her there, and she was excited by it. The act was primal, and the idea made her cat keen inside her head.
Good.
She cried out as he hammered her down on his cock while his finger filled her ass. She dug her nails into his back and met him thrust for thrust. When she sank her teeth into his neck, he growled deep and Ileana loved it.
“Clamp down on my dick,” he growled.
“Come, Ileana. I want it raining down my dick right now,” he demanded, and it was all she needed to come undone, screaming his name.
Warm jets of come pulsed deep inside her, and it felt perfect.
“I’m not done.”
She moaned at his words. She was in the air and then down on her stomach. Her hips were propped up with pillows and more special cream was filling her ass. She writhed and dug her nails into the bedding. She was dizzy with excitement. A smack landed on her ass and she smiled and he did it again. “My hellcat likes her spankings.”
She loved the warmth on her flesh, and she could feel how much he loved how it looked.
Seconds later she felt the thick head of his cock at her ass. “I’m going to pin you flat. I want you at my mercy, kitten.”
She groaned when he slid deeper, feeling perfectly full as the cream tingled inside her.
“Hands next to your head.”
She obeyed the command, and his fingers twined with hers as his breath ghosted over her ear. “I’m going to hold you down tight.”
“Yes.” She moaned deep.
She wiggled and he thrust and pushed her hips into the pillows. “You love my cock, kitten.”
“Yes.”
“You want it deep in your tight ass?”
She moaned, panted. He stilled, stopped pressing in.
“No,” she complained.
“Then tell me.”
“Yes, I want it in my ass.”
“Whose ass is this?”
“Yours.”
“I can do anything I want to it.” He thrust deeper.
She moaned. “Yes.”
“I can stuff it with a toy and fuck your pussy?”
She keened and bucked for more. “Yes.”
“I can tie you up and lick that tight hole until you beg me to stop?”
She was dying; his words alone were sending her over the edge. He fed her more of his weight until his hips were the only thing lifting away and she loved it. He hammered into her, filling her so full she could barely breathe from the pleasure.
“I’m going to fill you with my come.”
Creators, yes!
“Is that what you want, kitten? Ask for my come.”
“Please give it to me.”
“That’s it. Come and you’ll get it.”
She panted and was on the edge as he pressed her hips deeper into the pillows until she came at the same time his filled her.
Claimed.
Chapter 32
Tetartos Realm
“I did it!” Ileana pumped her fist when she reformed in the jungle next to Jax on the second day after they’d completed the bonding. She was relieved. One power down.
He grinned down at her, and she was taken in by the sexiness of the male who was all hers. “I’m both happy and hoping to hell I won’t be tracking your ass around the entire Realm.”
She turned and looked at the new search area they’d been assigned. “You’d like it. My ass makes you happy.” She felt his eyes on her and shook her head with a slight smile.
He pulled her back against his ch
est and growled. “Yes, it does, kitten.” She barely had a chance to lean back and enjoy his warmth before he stepped away. A sharp smack landed on her ass as he spoke. “We need to get moving.”
She nodded her agreement. They had only days before the formula was out of Donovan’s system. Tensions were running high. She could actually feel it through the Guardian link, and Drake’s fury only seemed to grow with each passing day that they came up empty.
“Let’s port,” she said, needing the practice. She intended to master each new ability as quickly as possible, and that meant using it.
He nodded, and after the first few times, she felt comfortable and less dizzy from the speed at which they moved. They would hit the farthest section they could see and pause to scent the air and scan the area before moving again. It was a slightly faster way to hunt than when they’d run a grid in cat form.
Working and talking about anything helped take her mind off the bigger issue stressing her out.
“Drake confirmed it?” she asked, because he’d gone to the manor alone to get their new search location.
“He couldn’t scent me.”
“That’s good, except how will we hide that from the Realm?” She frowned, though she was happy he had gotten a part of her. Having no scent was a tactical advantage, though. One she’d kept hidden her entire life, and now he shared that ability. How would they both keep it secret in a Realm of Immortals?
“Drake said we stay low for now. It’ll only be a problem if I’m needed to help guard one of Tetartos’ cities against hell-beast attacks, but Drake said I’ll be last on the list.”
“We’ll be last on the list,” she growled. “If I’m part of this ‘family,’ then I fight at your side. Alex fights at Uri’s side,” she pointed out. He’d been sharing a lot in the last few days. Starting with Brianne and Vane’s mating. They now held two beasts each. Something that both shocked and awed her. She still couldn’t fathom what that would feel like. Having two beasts pushing for you to feed their animalistic needs had the potential of driving a person insane.
“Yes, kitten. We fight together,” he said with a smile in his voice. “Drake agreed.”
Damn straight, she wouldn’t have given the dragon a damned choice. Jax was hers. Her male would not be fighting anywhere without her at his back. She’d lost her parents, she would not lose him; it didn’t matter that he was a big strong Guardian.