Enlightened

by Moni Boyce

  As they pulled up at the station, she noticed the maenads were standing on the curb. Arsenio must have made a call to tell them they were leaving.

  Nyssa and Damaris stood in front of her fan club. Damaris was her usual subdued self, but Nyssa looked like she’d already had way too much sugar or caffeine. She half expected them to hold up signs. Nyssa stepped forward with a pout on her face. “We hate that you must leave so soon.” The woman ran forward and hugged her and the others followed suit. Pretty soon she was suffocating from the big group hug. When they finally released her she let out a much needed breath.

  “Thank you. It’s been fun.” It was the only thing she could think to say.

  Nyssa gave her one last wave and they walked off. Lysander and Arsenio walked up as they walked away.

  “It has been lovely to meet you. I do hope we meet again.” Arsenio smiled and then wrapped her in a big hug. She was going to miss him.

  “It was nice to meet you too, Arsenio.”

  He proceeded to give each of them a hug. Then Lysander stepped forward. He held his hand out to Eli and they shook hands. “If you need anything further, you know where to find us.” After the handshake concluded, his eyes rested on her for a few seconds. He said nothing and his face gave nothing away. Then he turned on his heel and left. She thought his behavior strange and interesting much like the man.

  Over twenty-four hours later they were back in the U.S. It felt a little like coming home when they boarded the Protectors RV 2.0 and headed to Salem. Ulrik had been a great travel companion. It was nice to have him along. She knew he’d told Eli things about Killian and Katana. She’d wanted to ask her own questions, but hadn’t found the right time. Maybe once they were at the coven. He could possibly have some ideas on how to deal with Killian.

  Her thoughts were presently consumed with finding The Book of Prophecy. Now that they knew it was in Egypt, what was there next move going to be. It was a good possibility that they were currently one step ahead of Killian since he would have no clue where the book was located.

  They arrived at the Walker house late at night. There was no waiting for Archie to come and greet them this time around since most would be asleep at this hour. All they wanted to do was get to their beds.

  When Eli turned around to shut the door, they found Ulrik still standing outside on the porch.

  “It’s late Ulrik. I know you haven’t been on U.S. soil in a while, but we can sightsee another time. It’s late.” She yawned to indicate just how late. It was hard not to be annoyed that he was keeping her from her bed.

  “Yeah, come on man.” Eli gestured him inside.

  Everyone stared at him, still standing perfectly still on the other side of the door.

  Ulrik was amused, judging by the look on his face. “All of you must be very tired if you forgot.” He pointed to himself. “Vampire. I cannot come in unless you invite me.”

  So that was a thing? If only she could disinvite Killian from her dreams.

  “Ulrik, you are invited inside. Please come in.” Eli said with a mocking bow.

  The Dane stepped over the threshold.

  “I’ll show you to a room.” Zoriana smiled tiredly. “Then I’m going to find my husband and sleep.” It was the first genuine smile she’d seen on the woman’s face in a while, it wasn’t the kind of smile that only hid her pain. It was probably a comfort to come home to someone that loved her. She led Ulrik down the hall. Everyone else said their good nights and departed for their rooms.

  Last time she was here, she didn’t get to see Eli’s quarters. A little thrill ran through her at seeing what his space would look like. Unlike the room she inhabited last time she was at the Walker House, Eli’s suite was a far contrast.

  The living room was painted a light gray with abstract and modern art decorating the walls. A large Chesterfield sofa sat against one wall with a giant flat screen TV mounted on the opposite wall over a cabinet. An Eames lounge chair sat in one corner. There were shelves overflowing with books. The coffee table even had a few books sitting on top. His place was very cozy.

  She smiled sleepily at him. “I really like how you decorated it. It feels very... you.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her forehead before walking further into the room and switching on a lamp. The light illuminated a kitchen sitting off of the living room.

  “What? You have a kitchen?” She walked into the room filled with modern, stainless steel appliances.

  “You stayed in one of the guest rooms while you were here. If you’d wanted a kitchen we could have added one on for you, but you never said anything.” It was clear he was trying to hold back a grin that she wanted to wipe from his face.

  Her mouth hung open as she looked at him. “I didn’t know it was an option... no one ever said anything.” Her eyes narrowed into slits. She wanted to throw something at him. The whole time she was here she could have had a kitchen? “You’re going to pay for that.” She took menacing steps towards him.

  “Babe, be sensible. You have to admit it’s funny.” She chased him into his bedroom and they rolled onto the bed when she tackled him. They giggled as she lay on top of him. Once they’re laughter died away, he pulled her down for a sweet kiss. His lips feathered kisses across her skin. “Did you want a shower?” He asked in between the drugging kisses he was giving her.

  She shook her head. “Just want to fall asleep with you wrapped around me.” She kissed him and rolled off of him and started removing her clothes. She stripped down to her panties and tank top. He smiled at her from across the bed where he was removing his clothes. The sexy boxer briefs he was wearing made her want to rethink going straight to sleep. When a yawn escaped, she knew tonight would not be a sex night. They pulled back the covers and crawled beneath them. His arms encircled her and she placed a kiss on his forearm. She wanted to stay in his arms all night.

  Halfway through the night, she found herself dreaming. This time she knew he’d invaded her dreams and not the other way around. She stood in the middle of his throne room and tried to look defiant. It should have been expected. Katana and her minions had failed to get the book or her in Greece. Of course, he would try and get to her the only other way he knew how after that defeat.

  He was always hard to read. The sly smile he sported didn’t necessarily mean he was happy. He was just good at holding his cards close to the vest and giving nothing away. She puffed out her chest and stood taller, chin out, to try and prove her bravery.

  Maybe, that was a bad idea. Killian stood and walked down the steps from his throne. If these dreams had taught her anything, it was to expect the unexpected. He took slow, deliberate steps meant to intimidate her.

  “Where is the book?” His tone was menacing. He bared his teeth in a threat, reminding her what he was capable of, that he could butcher her. When he continued to approach she took a step back and cursed herself for a coward. She would have taken another, but found herself gripped tightly by her arms and held fast. Glancing back over her shoulder she found Katana glaring at her. “Going somewhere?”

  She turned back around to face Killian, who now stood in front of her. “Tell me what I want to know.” Nearly nose-to-nose with him she could see the flash of rage that he barely held in check.

  Could he tear her limb from limb in a dream? Would her mortal body survive? It was possible she’d had all the bullying she could take from him, she couldn’t tell for sure. But with a fearlessness and boldness that she didn’t quite feel she stood up to him. “I will never tell you.” Her eyes stared into his unwavering. A tremor started in her body moments ago, but it was okay. She would do her best to withstand whatever torture or punishment he intended to inflict to get what he wanted.

  His nostrils flared in anger before he masked it. The sadistic smirk that crossed his face made her want to shrink away from him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was about to hurt her. His hands gripped the sides of her head and his touch ignited a pain so vicious she cried ou
t. If Katana hadn’t been holding her she would have fallen to a limp heap on the floor. The last time he’d hurt her paled in comparison to the thousand flames that licked over her brain. She howled and screamed for relief.

  “Tell me where the book is.” He demanded and increased the torment. The agony was like a blowtorch frying her brain. It was possible he was going to kill her. Tears ran down her cheeks, mixing with the bloody nose that had started. She couldn’t form the words to tell herself to wake up.

  “Willow! Willow!” It took several seconds for her to realize it was Eli’s voice calling her and not her punisher. She tried to focus, but her tears obstructed her vision. Her head was still on fire. For a moment, she felt like she was going to be sick.

  “Willow.” This time he spoke her name softly.

  She finally managed to focus and her vision cleared. His face was horror-stricken. He cradled her in his arms. The inferno in her head was finally extinguished when she clearly saw his face. Tears seeped out of the corners of her eyes.

  “I couldn’t... I couldn’t get you to wake up. You were screaming and crying... kicking and flailing about... I was...” He’d been scared. The words wouldn’t form and move past his lips, but she knew. She could see it all over his face. Then she saw the bloody towel or whatever it was in his hand. Her trembling fingers reached up and touched her nose. When she pulled her fingers back to look, the smear of red stained her fingers.

  It was all too much. Later, he would tell her she was in shock, but she started babbling, unable to shake the horror of how the torture had felt, but glad she’d stayed strong. “I was brave. I didn’t tell him anything... I stayed strong.” She shook her head and then began to keen and wail in a way she’d never done before. Her body shook with the effort to exorcise the event from her sub-conscious.

  “Yes, you’re very brave. The bravest person I know.” He kissed her brow and crooned reassurances to her as he held her close. “You’re safe... I’m here... You’re safe.” She wrapped herself around him tightly. It was a possibility she was hurting him, but he let her stay like that. Fear had her in its hold and wouldn’t let go. She was frightened that if she let go of him she would find herself back in the nightmare, being tortured all over again. As long as she was in Eli’s arms, Killian couldn’t get her. Her grasp on him tightened every time she wandered to that dark place. It was a little after dawn when she finally wore herself out and fell asleep in his arms.

  CHAPTER 12

  Eli

  He sat with his back against the headboard. She was cradled in his lap, her cheek pressed against his chest. When she’d finally fallen asleep he let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He cleaned her face and placed a kiss on her forehead, not knowing if she felt his presence as she slumbered. If he had to sit up the rest of the night, he decided he would sit vigil over her like an avenging angel ready to defeat any more bad dreams that came along.

  Her hold on him had eased some, but he was afraid to let go of her, afraid she would wake up frightened if he wasn’t nearby. A few times she whimpered, but he would stroke her hair or rub the backs of his fingers across her cheek and she would relax and burrow into him. After a while, he couldn’t fight his sleepiness anymore and he dozed off.

  The light from the window stung his eyes. He winced and pried his tired eyes open. When he looked down at her, he found her staring back. “You’re awake?”

  She nodded.

  He looked around for a clock. “What time is it? How long have you been awake?”

  “Not long.”

  They stared into each other eyes. Her fingers lightly stroked his chest. After a long silence he spoke. “Are you okay?” He didn’t want her to feel like she had to talk about it if she didn’t want to.

  “You made it better... I’m really glad you were here.” She kept her eyes pinned to his chest as she spoke.

  “You didn’t answer my question. I asked if you were okay?”

  “I’m getting there.” She gave him the barest smile.

  It would do for now. She was trying to be courageous, but he wished she knew she didn’t have to be, not with him.

  He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead and for a while they just held each other. Twenty minutes later, the mood in the room shifted from one of a comforting need to a carnal need. Last night she clung to him in fear, now all he could feel was her need for him. Her tongue darted out and licked his nipple. His cock became hard when her soft, warm lips sucked his nipple into her mouth and she gave him a love bite before releasing it with a pop. He pulled back and stared at her as his desire awakened. She did it again. The effect she had on him was drugging.

  Sitting up, he kept his eyes locked on hers. His fingers slid down her stomach and underneath the waistband of her panties. His fingers were on a quest. When they reached their destination he could see her eyes get drowsy with lust. She was aching for him to touch her. The closer he got the harder her little cunt throbbed. He toyed with her. Using the wetness he found between her legs, he rubbed his wet finger in circles around her tight little bud. Never once actually touching the sensitive area he knew she wanted him to touch.

  After he’d completed his eighth, slow circuit, her head was thrown back, her eyes closed and a small sheet of perspiration covered her. He knew she needed friction, the rough texture of his finger giving her enjoyment.

  ‘ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.’

  She opened her eyes and peered at him. He dragged out another circle around her clit without giving her what she wanted. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. A tenth circle.

  ‘PLEASE.’

  ‘I WANT YOU TO SAY IT. I WANT TO HEAR THE MAGIC WORD FALL FROM YOUR PRETTY LIPS.’ He rubbed around it again. She was so wet. When he was ready to shove his cock inside her he wouldn’t be met with any resistance.

  “Please.” She said on a ragged breath.

  ‘YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND.’ He gave her a wicked, lecherous grin before his finger rubbed her clit. She put her hand over his, trying to urge him on.

  “UH UH.” He admonished her. She hesitated and then her hand fell away. He slid one finger inside of her and stroked in and out slowly. Her pussy was so greedy for him it suctioned his finger in further each time. He added another finger and she moaned. The whole time he watched her face. Her lip curled in ecstasy. She began moving her hips. He curled his fingers so they hit her G-spot. That move had her moaning repeatedly. Soon, she was grinding her hips on his fingers. Any minute she would come. ‘DOES THAT FEELS GOOD?’ He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear her say it.

  “So good.”

  He increased his pace and before he knew it she exploded on his fingers. He pumped them twice more into her before he pulled them out and sucked off her juices. She watched him beneath her lashes.

  Once her legs stopped quivering he laid her on the bed and stripped off her panties. He removed his boxer briefs and nudged her thighs farther apart so he was on his knees between her thighs. As he reached for a condom in his bedside drawer she sat up and took his dick in her hands and stroked him. She put the tip within a centimeter of her lips and looked up at him. He held his breath, waiting to see what she would do. An involuntary movement had him pressing the tip against her lips. They held each other’s gaze.

  Clearly, now it was her turn to toy with him because she gave him an impish grin and let him stay pressed against her lips not doing anything. His balls ached. He could feel her breath on his dick and it had him throbbing. After another second she slowly ran her tongue around the tip before she swiped it like it was an ice cream cone. He bucked against her and let out the breath he’d been holding.

  Damn! That felt good. That was just her tongue. What is her mouth going to feel like?

  He willed her to go further, wrap her lips around him and suck. A broad grin broke out on his face when she gave his dick little licks with her tongue, teasing him much the way he’d teased her. ‘WHAT’S THE MAGIC WORD?’

  A ch
uckle sounded deep in his throat and then ceased when her tongue licked around the tip once more. He bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut, enjoying the pleasurable sensations her mouth evoked. Then her mouth disappeared. His eyes flew open.

  ‘YOU DON’T FIGHT FAIR.’

  With deft fingers she stroked his cock and played with his balls.

  ‘NEITHER DO YOU. WHAT’S IT GONNA BE?’ She licked around the tip once more before she placed a kiss on the head and looked up at him innocently.

  ‘PLEASE.’

  ‘UH UH. I WANT YOU TO SAY IT. I WANT TO HEAR THE MAGIC WORD FALL FROM YOUR PRETTY LIPS.’

  His head fell back as he laughed at hearing his earlier command given back to him verbatim. When he looked at her again, he could see the amusement written all over her face. She smiled up at him while her fingers applied the right amount of pressure. His dick was throbbing and pulsing with need. “Please.”

  The minute he said the word, she swallowed him. He groaned at how amazing her mouth felt. She stroked him and sucked him. The more he watched his dick slide in and out of her mouth the harder he became. One of his hands was buried in her hair. Her mouth felt so good he was reluctant to pull her off, but he wanted to be inside of her. Gently, he eased her off. She licked her lips and reached for him again.

  “No, baby.” His fingers caressed her cheek. “I don’t want to cum like that. I want to cum buried inside of you.” He tore open the wrapper and rolled the condom on hastily. When he pushed her back on the bed, she didn’t resist. He positioned his cock at the entrance to her glistening pussy and kissed her before he slid deep inside. He heard her swift intake of breath as he filled her completely. It always felt like coming home to be connected to her in this way, their flesh one.

  They were pressed chest to chest. Her thighs cradled him. He was in no hurry to move. Resting on his forearms, his eyes roamed her face. Her arms went around his neck and she lifted her head and kissed him. The hint of a smile peeked out before he nipped her lips and placed light kisses on and around her mouth, never taking his eyes from hers. Staring into her eyes heightened every sensation he was feeling. “You’re so beautiful.” He murmured into her lips.