“Of course not.”
“You used me—used my fire.”
“I’m not like you anymore!” he shouted.
“Until yesterday, I wasn’t like me either.”
He couldn’t prevent a laugh. “You’ll adjust.”
She gave him a penetrating look. “Just like you’ll adjust to who you are now.”
“It’s not the same.” He faltered. “I’m not whole.”
Kenna’s eyes widened. “Airiana. She led me to you in the void.”
Fear knifed through Erion. He’d been so obsessed with the changes in him, he hadn’t thought about Airiana.
He’d stranded her in Ghen.
Chapter Fifteen
“Erion!” Kenna cried as Erion fell to his knees.
She dropped beside him on the cool ground.
He looked at her. “What have I done?”
Her heart wrenched. Erion had taken Aiden into oblivion to save her and sentenced Airiana to a timeless hell.
Kenna placed a hand on his arm. “You couldn’t know.”
“But I forgot her. How…”
“It’s that place,” she said with a vehemence that sent heat spiraling through her. “It’s—it’s soulless.” He paled, and she cursed her stupidity, adding in a gentler tone, “I worried you wouldn’t remember me. I called for you, pulled as hard as I could, but you were—I don’t know—stuck.”
He frowned. “I heard you. I thought you were a dream.”
Kenna jumped to her feet. “I’ll bring her back.” Heat warmed in her core.
Erion surged upward. He yanked her against him. “No!”
She shoved at his chest. Her teeth rattled with the hard shake he gave her.
“I can’t live with knowing I’m responsible for both of you being there,” he rasped.
She stilled. The fierce pounding of his heart beat against her breasts. Kenna stared into his face. “I saved you. Let me save her.”
“For all you know, you left your element there as well,” he said.
She dropped her gaze to her stomach. A soft glow lit the space between their bodies.
Erion whirled toward the Drakaura. “Stop her.” He took a step toward them. “Stop her.” He lowered his voice. “I beg you.”
“Who is Airiana?” Wyvern demanded.
Kenna’s heart twisted at the pain that crossed Erion’s face.
“She was the first Element I merged with. I…I consumed her.”
“Consumed her?” Wyvern’s sharp reply yanked Kenna’s attention to him.
“Yes,” Erion replied.
Kenna tensed at the intense look that entered Wyvern’s eyes. “Yet she has existed in your consciousness since?” He exchanged a glance with Ormond.
Erion glanced from one man to the other. “What is it?”
Wyvern gave a single, slow shake of his head. “No Element survives being consumed.”
Erion barked a harsh laugh, but Kenna cut off any reply he intended to give. “I sensed her. She lived within him.”
“Impossible.” Wyvern’s attention shifted to Erion. “Had you consumed her, she would cease to exist. She could not affect your return from Ghen.”
“You profess to know what goes on in that place?” Erion snarled. “I’ll make sure my next trip to hell fits into the neat little box you think it should.”
“I heard her,” Kenna cut in.
“There is only one explanation,” Wyvern said. “She is not Element but Shadow.”
“Ryalda?” Erion said. “Fuck—”
“You did not consume one of your own kind,” Ormond snapped. “She is Shadow. She possessed you. She has taken your element.”
“I don’t understand,” Kenna said.
“Shadows are the Ryalda that reenter the world of form. They are—”
“Parasites that exist in this world only as Shadow,” Kenna ended, recalling what they had told her only moments ago. Had it been such a short time since she had gone into Ghen?
“You’re talking demon possession,” Erion said and scoffed. “Airiana possessed the song of an angel. She was Air.”
“Unknowing symbiotic relationships. So yes, they are demons in nature,” Ormond said.
“No Ryalda have entered our world for centuries,” Erion said. “You saw to that when you sealed the door—and every crack you could find.”
“And she is a perfect example of why that was necessary. The Shadows are not like you.” Ormond stared hard at Erion. “Shadows don’t care who or what they use—she used you.”
Erion’s fists worked at his side. “I don’t give a damn—”
“Wait.” Kenna looked at the men. “How can you be so certain Airiana was Shadow and not an Element?”
“He knows.” Wyvern stared hard at Erion. “You did not experience her as you did Fiera.”
“You son of a bitch.” Erion lunged for him.
“Erion!” Kenna seized his arm and yanked him back.
He turned blazing eyes on her.
“Please,” she whispered.
His mouth thinned, but he turned his attention back to the men. “This better be good.”
“Shadows appear human,” Wyvern said, “but cannot experience the world of form. They must attach themselves to humans in order to do so.”
“But I’m not human,” Erion countered.
“No, but your kind are closer to their natural selves than humans. You are, in effect, a symbiotic extension. Imagine how much more they experience through you than is possible through humans.” Wyvern regarded him. “Your experience with Airiana was not like that of Elements.” His brows rose in challenge.
Erion didn’t immediately answer, and Kenna feared his anger would get the better of him.
“Kenna is the first since Airiana,” he finally said.
She gasped. He looked at her, the despair in his eyes so deep, she wanted to cry.
“After Airiana, I couldn’t chance stealing another Element’s life.” He paused. “She was a singer. Her voice…”
“That explains her wind song,” Kenna murmured.
He nodded, then returned his attention to Wyvern. “This is bullshit.”
“Have you heard of an Element living with another after being consumed?” Wyvern demanded in an impatient tone.
Erion shot Kenna a glance, and she realized Wyvern had finally made a hit. “You believed you’d destroyed Aiden,” she said. “If you’d consumed him, he would have lived within you.”
“I consumed Airiana…as we merged. Not in battle.”
“Do you understand why we can’t allow Shadows into the world of form?” Wyvern asked. “She led you to Kenna. She’d manipulate both of you in hopes of experiencing Fiera’s existence as well. She possessed your element and she would find a way to get to Fiera.”
Something in Erion’s expression stopped Kenna cold. Wyvern must have noticed as well, for he said, “Wait.”
The strange tone in his voice sent a wave of fear through Kenna. “What haven’t you told me?” she demanded.
“Airiana didn’t lead him to you,” Wyvern said.
“Shut your fucking mouth.” Erion took a threatening step toward him.
Wyvern looked at Erion. “Kenna is your mate.”
“Motherfucker,” Erion cursed.
“That explains why she could find you in Ghen,” Wyvern said.
Shock rolled over Kenna. Her heart pounded so loud, the rushing in her ears and the heat that churned in her stomach frightened her. “Erion?”
He whirled, and their eyes met.
“What is he talking about?”
Erion threw a dark glance in their direction. “They’re lunatics, Kenna, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Erion, please.”
He looked back at her. A long moment of silence passed before he said, “What do you want me to say?”
The trees spun around her. “Only the truth. Is it true?”
He didn’t reply.
“What does this mean?” she demanded.
/> “Nothing,” he said. “I’m a man now. It doesn’t mean a fucking thing.”
“Airiana stripped you of your air,” Wyvern said. “Can you see now why we won’t allow Shadows back into the world of form? She possessed you. Lied to you. And will do it to others if we allow her to return.”
Erion whirled on him. “You say you protect the world from Shadow. I say you condemn beings of beauty to an eternity of darkness.” He gave Wyvern a disdainful look, then added in a dark mutter, “Alal.”
“Alal?” Kenna repeated.
“Not us,” Wyvern said. “The Air Shadow stripped you of your air and kept it with her in Ghen. We cannot blame her. She is what she is. Just as we are. This is our destiny.”
“Destiny?” Erion repeated with such vehemence. Kenna stepped closer and placed a calming hand on his arm. “You Drakaura never tire of using that fucking line. You really expect us to accept your claim to be among the first beings Tiamat created as a reason for hunting us?”
“We protect the world from your kind and from Shadows,” Wyvern said.
Erion gave a mocking laugh. “Self-appointed judges.”
Wyvern’s eyes flashed. “You had no inhibitions about destroying the Fire Element.”
“To protect Kenna. Now shift into your natural form and get out.”
They looked at Kenna.
“Never mind her,” he said. “She’s not going to your precious Ghen. I’ll see to that.”
“But Airiana,” Kenna said.
“I’ll take care of Airiana.”
“But how? You can’t—”
His eyes blazed. “Can’t what?”
This time, she couldn’t halt the tears. “You can’t go for her. But I can.”
****
Blood rushed through Erion’s ears in a deafening roar. “Never!” He seized her shoulders.
Tears rolled down Kenna’s cheeks. “I’m just as responsible as you. I know how much you loved her, and that no one can take her place. I have to—”
“No one can take her place?” he repeated. “You think I love her?”
“I understand. I didn’t expect—”
“I love you.”
Kenna’s eyes widened.
“Didn’t you hear what the Drakaura said?” Erion’s fingers dug into her shoulders. “You’re my mate.” He stared hard into her hazel eyes. “But I can’t be the man—the Element—you need until I fix this.”
She searched his face. “How can you do that?”
He hesitated but knew she would never let him walk away without hearing the truth. He also needed answers. “There is a way back.”
“Siusaidh can return him,” Wyvern said.
Erion released Kenna and faced the Drakaura. “So the legends are true?”
Understanding flashed in the man’s eyes, followed by anger.
Erion grunted a mocking laugh. “That’s right. I wasn’t sure. But you just confirmed what I needed to know.”
“Siusaidh?” Kenna said. “The creator of the Ryalda?”
Erion shot Wyvern a menacing look. “Did you outline our entire history while I was gone?”
“The history of the Ryalda also belongs to her. And she would not be denied.”
Erion gave a derisive snort, despite the fact he couldn’t wholly blame the shape-shifter. Even the great Drakaura didn’t stand a chance against his woman’s fury.
“What are these legends?” Kenna demanded.
“Siusaidh still lives,” Erion said.
“How is that possible? My God, where is he?” Her eyes widened. “How old is he—how the hell long do we live?”
Hysteria tinged her voice, and Erion said in a calm voice, “You must know we don’t measure time as humans do. Our lifetimes are not like theirs.”
“How long will you be gone? How will you return?”
How could he tell her? But he didn’t have to. Understanding dawned in her eyes.
“You don’t know when you’ll return. Or if you will.”
Erion traced her cheek with the back of a hand. “I need the truth, and I need to be whole again.” He smiled gently. “I have to find Airiana.”
“You said we.”
“What?”
“‘We don’t measure time as humans do.’ But you’re not part of that we anymore. How many lifetimes before you have your answers, Eric?”
He stiffened. She understood, and he couldn’t fault her anger, but that didn’t lessen the sting. “I may not find the answers in my human lifetime, but I’m sure as hell going to try.”
She shoved away from him. “I’ll end this now.”
He recognized the igniting of fire in her core almost before it began. “Kenna!”
He grabbed her arm. Heat coursed through her, warming his fingers. He couldn’t stop her. “Think!” he shouted. “There’s no way in hell you can find her.” He lowered his voice. “If they’re right, you found me only because we’re mates, parts of the same whole.”
Kenna frowned, and he could see the wheels turning in her head. “I can find her.”
Erion gave her a hard shake. “Even if you did, she’ll strip you of your element as she did me. Who will bring you back? Them?” He jerked her head in the direction of the Drakaura. “You’ll leave me here alone to die in agony, Kenna. Stay for Eric, the man. Please.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I can’t lose you.”
Kenna’s fire flickered, but her resolve was anything but vanquished. It was now or never.
Despite the heat in her flesh, Erion hugged her to him. “Get out of here!” he shouted at the Drakaura. “Now! You can’t stop her, but I can.”
Their dark leather jackets melted into feathers as they spread their wings and lifted into the air above the cabin.
Kenna burned against Erion’s bare chest. He held her tighter. “Baby, don’t go. Remember when you asked me to stay. I didn’t listen. I’m sorry, but listen to me now. We can still be strong together.”
His heart broke. He had chosen. He would remain here with Kenna. Airiana would remain in Ghen until he could find a way back to her and to the truth.
Kenna continued to heat.
“I can’t feed you, can’t merge with you—dammit, Kenna.”
He kissed her. Her lips, warm with the igniting fire, cooled. She opened for him without hesitation. He thrust his tongue inside, soothing her, touching, tempting her to stay and face endless nights with this and more, so much more.
Kenna threw her arms around his neck and pressed closer. Erion groaned and slid his hands beneath the shirt. Her bare ass molded to his palms. He needed her more than he needed his next breath—the breath of wind he might never again hold.
“Erion.” She reached between them and traced the rigid line of his erection through the fabric of his shorts. “I need to touch you.”
He leaned his head back and hissed through his clenched teeth. “Then touch me.”
Kenna pulled the snap free on his shorts and lowered the zipper. Cool night air rushed over his skin. Blood rushed into his shaft with pleasurable pain. With deliberate slowness, she slipped her fingers inside, teasing him, causing his balls to draw close to his body. He wanted inside her now.
She wrapped her hand around the girth and stroked from base to tip. Pre-cum leaked from the slit and trickled over the engorged sensitive head.
“Continue to stroke my cock, and I’m going to fuck you right here on the ground.” He hesitated. “Are you aroused, Kenna? Even knowing I can’t stoke your fire, can’t breathe air into your element?”
She kissed his jaw, then dragged her tongue along the whisker stubble of his jaw. “Touch me and find out.”
Erion pulled the T-shirt up and over her head. The fabric dropped to the ground beside them. Naked in the moonlight, she appeared so vulnerable, so human. Only he knew the power of her inner strength.
“You’re beautiful.” Threading his fingers through hair, he fanned her fiery locks around her shoulders. Glints of simmering fire sparked in her eyes. Press
ure built in his chest, and the magnitude of all she’d done for him crashed in on his heart.
“You make me feel beautiful,” she said. “Like the fire in my glass, I burn when I’m with you.” Her eyes darkened.
“Promise me you won’t try to return to Ghen,” he said. “Not even for Airiana.”
Kenna hesitated. “You would leave her there?”
“No, the Drakaura have confirmed there’s a chance of saving her.”
“What if they’re right, and she doesn’t belong in our world?”
“We’ve shared the same body for decades. Ghen hasn’t crumbled without her essence. “Either way, I—we—need the truth.”
Kenna cupped his face in her hands. “Then we’ll find her.” She drew his lips to hers.
Her lips had cooled. He pushed aside the sadness the realization caused and pulled her close. Her body molded to his hard muscles. Her mouth opened, and he thrust his tongue inside. Hot wet strokes and gentle sucking intensified his need.
Erion slipped his arm behind her knees and lifted. Kenna threw her arms around his neck. Cradled in his arms, one pebbled nipple grazed his chest. He strode into the cabin and headed for the brightly lit bedroom. Kenna took an earlobe into her mouth and sucked. He tensed when his cock flexed.
In the bedroom, he released her legs and slid her nude body down his length. Her feet touched the floor, and she trailed one long wet kiss across his neck.
Kenna nuzzled his ear. “Make love to me, Erion.”
Erion stepped back and dropped his shorts. Her gaze traveled down his torso to his cock. Quivers trembled in his stomach when she sat on the bed and wrapped her fingers around the root. She leaned forward and took him into her mouth.
He groaned and put a hand on the back of her head, guiding her to take more of his length between her lips. Her tongue caressed the shaft in sweet agony as she milked his cock and sucked the head. Flicking her tongue against the slit, she lapped the seeping pre-cum. Taking him into the heat of her wet mouth again, she sucked hard.
Erion gritted his teeth. The torture was exquisite, but he wanted inside, wanted her pinned beneath him as he thrust into her, reaffirming that their bond surpassed Element and went to the core of a man and woman in love.
Erion eased his cock out of her mouth, then bent and swept her mouth with a passionate kiss. Her arms circled his neck. He shoved the folded clothes from the bed, then, holding her, he scooted them higher on the mattress and settled between her thighs.
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