by Lexi Ostrow
“And it just took my life to make it happen?” Seraphina sneered.
Lucius did not rise to the bait. “I will never apologize for the fact that I cannot trust you. For what you did to me in Hell for centuries, to what you did to Eliza and her parents, I have forgiven you, but I do not trust you. I was in a dark place, and I knew we would be able to save you if things went wrong. I’d meant to tell him the incorrect location, but the thought of having my people back . . . I couldn’t ignore that.”
Silence passed over the room, and Clara had never heard anything as deafening. She could practically hear the heartbeat of every human and demon in the chamber.
“For any that cannot forgive Lucius for what he has done, let it be known that you are hereby dismissed from the council. For any that cannot trust him, your spot remains. For years, he has worked beside a woman who stole much from him. If you can do the same with him, then all is well.”
“And what of me?” Seraphina hissed, fangs extending.
“You are what you always were, a member on extremely loose circumstances. You have proven to the universe that you were worthy of your wings. That is all I need to trust you on my council, but I cannot force others to trust.”
“So, he simply gets a pass?”
“Aye, love. Just as ye did with me. We’ve all had hardships wit one another. Let this be just ta another mark on tha post.” Kellan spoke gravelly but smiled at Lucius. “We all have a moment of weakness. I’ll not be condemning him for his.”
Seraphina bristled, her hands going to her hips. “I suppose as I am alive, I have nothing to truly hate you for. We’ve struck far harsher blows at one another, and I am deeply regretful over exterminating your race from existence.” She shrugged. “I suppose I had it coming, even after all these years.”
“Then it is settled,” Odette rose. “Lucius, you are to be on strict watch to ensure your actions remain loyal to us, not yourself. Your wife will be reinstated as Master Inventor for her part in this—she is already aware. Kellan, you will be in charge of your wife. See to it that some of her baser instincts do not return in these hours of challenge. This council is dismissed.”
Clara sat, blinking, and staring, as did Lucius. She’d known the Alliance to be forgiving, but even for a man with as many high marks as Lucius, she’d expected the worst.
“I don’t deserve this,” Lucius said, awestruck.
“Aye, ye probably dinnae, but we all are weak. I nearly turned ye lot in ta get my mate back.” Kellan chuckled and offered Lucius his hand to help him stand.
“I apologize for being less than myself. Torture is not a reason to concede as I did. My loyalty is here, and I will work with every breath I have to make amends for the damage I created.”
“It’s still hard for me to think of you as the conniving little twit from all those years ago,” Greyston smiled as he clapped Lucius on the back. “We all fuck up. See to it you don’t do it again, and none of us will bat an eyelash.”
“You’ve saved nearly everyone but me at one time or another,” Felicia smirked. “I figure that alone was reason to save your arse from yourself.
Laughter broke out amongst them, and Clara realized that she too was laughing. A situation that had started because of Hugo’s over eagerness had ended with minimal casualty. Her life was so different from the solo existence she had led before the Alliance, and she wouldn’t choose anything else.
“I love you,” she smiled at Hugo. “I felt I needed to say something, what with everyone else talking to Lucius.”
He chuckled and tugged her against him. “I love you too.”
Hugo’s mind was reeling. He knew little of the council, save for that they were fair from the outcome of his misguided mistake. Yet, he hadn’t foreseen such comradery betwixt them after something that could have taken a very different turn. Perhaps that is the most amazing thing to have come of your journey—the accidental family you have made with these people . . . and demons.
“Seraphina!” a female voice resounded near the doorway, drawing all heads to it.
A female Fallen with wings as black as a raven’s wings fluttered in the air in front of the council room door. The surrounding mood tensed, and every Hunter had their weapon out and drawn.
“How dare you enter these chambers,” Jacob barked as he stepped forward, only to have Greyston and Philippe block him from danger.
“I enter where I please,” the woman replied, her fangs biting into her lower lip as she spoke.
“Where is your mark?” Seraphina demanded, stepping past them all to stand in front of the group.
A sneer spread across the female’s lips as she threw her head back and laughed. “I have no need for a mark. None of us will have reason for a mark in a short time.”
“Explain yourself,” Seraphina hissed, twisting her wrist to immobilize the woman from a distance as she had done to Hugo the very day they’d met.
“Dieargog was quite effective at creating an atmosphere of dissention. Where once only a few demons despised the new ways, now an entire army waits to march.”
Seraphina growled as she tugged her Seraph blade from her back, making it visible to all in the room. “I do not believe in idle threats.”
With lightning speed, she drew the blade over the Fallen’s throat, severing head from the body. Hugo shuddered, forcing himself to stand strong at the sight of death. Seraphina tugged on her tunic and turned to face them, her eyes glowing black.
“It would seem I needed in Hell. Dieargog may be gone, but it is evident he has created a daring amongst those that oppose me that I cannot ignore.”
“Seraphina,” Kellan warned.
“I will not be killing anyone today. Merely stationing those most loyal at every entrance. Rebellion will not happen while I am on the throne. Izazal’s head will remind them of that, and I so happen to keep it in my chambers.”
“Bloody hell,” Felicia cursed shaking her head. “Some things will never change, will they?”
“Never,” Seraphina said with a wicked grin before flashing out.
“Do you think there is cause for concern?” Philippe asked, looking to Odette.
“I think there will always be cause for concern. I believe there are hundreds of humans whose minds we could not wipe because we could not find all that saw the Dragoniari-shaped ship.” She looked to Hugo and then Jacob. “However, I think it is time we step ever so slightly from the shadows. It’s time we bring electricity to the world.”
Hugo grinned, he’d never heard of a better plan in all his life, except for making Clara his official bride.
Twenty-One
“There are not enough words for me to express how sorry I am to have not looked at what you had to offer,” Tesla grumbled as he watched the glass orb flick on. “This is astonishing. You are certain you cannot speak of how it is done?”
“We did not invite you here to share our secrets.” Jacob’s voice boomed across the space. “I simply felt the pair of you deserved to see this brilliant work before it is shared with the world. I know how much it’s meant to both of you.”
“It’s outstanding,” Edison whispered as he reached to touch the glass. “It’s not too warm. I cannot tell you how many times I ruptured a bulb trying to capture light.” He looked up, eyes twinkling. “I am ashamed to say that I failed but honored to know the chap that pulled it off. When we will see these in homes, labs, pubs?”
“When the time is right. We have found the way to harness, expel and hold the light. As you can see by the installation before you, the light is very much connected to the floor.” Jacob’s tone exuded the power a King could wield.
“It’s remarkable,” Tesla breathed, still staring at the bulb.
“You have seen what we have done. You are both welcomed guests in my Court. Stay as long as you wish, or return to your homes on the next ship. The choice is yours.” Jacob rose. “I hope you will stay. Our country has come a long way since the battle betwixt yours. There are many sple
ndors here that you might enjoy knowing.”
“I think I shall stay. Perhaps more out of the hope to speak with Hugo once again than anything else.” Edison reached out and shook his head. “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
With that, he turned and walked away from the center of the room where the bulb had been connected to the ground. Tesla remained, eyes glued to the invention as if he were trying to work out what he could not see beneath the floor.
“Nikola,” Jacob warned.
“Beg your pardon.” Tesla finally looked up at him. “I am remiss to admit it, but I must congratulate you. If I could not best Edison in the race for light, I suppose I am pleased my mentor did.” He wrung his hands together and cleared his throat. “Might you consider returning to the workshop with me? As a partner.”
The offer nearly knocked him onto his arse. Tesla considered himself above all others. His offer was astounding, but not one he cared for.
“This might come as a surprise,” he started, moving to stand beside Jacob. “But I have no interest in working for you, or with you. The British Crown has given me everything I could have wanted. My place is here, though I hope one day we find cause to work together.”
“Yes, Yes. Very well then. My congratulations again.”
Hugo couldn’t help but smirk as he watched both Tesla walk out of the throne room mere moments after Edison had. He’d known that telling the world he’d been behind the light bulb would feel fantastic, he just hadn’t counted on how victorious it felt watching the two most brilliant men in history walk away defeated. They had scoffed at him some months prior when Jacob had announced Britain’s interest in creating light. They still could have beaten you if not for the demon crystal. Shrugging off the thought, he turned to Jacob.
“Thank you, my king.” He bowed his head in respect, an action he hadn’t done to the great ruler since meeting him over a year ago.
Jacob lifted a blond brow. “For what? It is I that should be thanking you for allowing a great accomplishment be synonymous with my country.”
“For seeing something in myself, even after Tesla forsook your invitation. The Alliance has opened up a world to me that includes more than terrifying demons . . . though it has plenty of those as well. I was able to work with tools and technology that the men that just left could only dream of. I felt what it was like to fly, and I found what was missing from my life in Clara.”
Jacob chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. “You also woke up a beast from Hell, nearly died, oh we’ll say three times fighting it, and created a situation that resulted in Seraphina practically being locked out of Hell.”
The smile felt straight off his face. Everything Jacob spoke of was truthful. “I have done more harm that good it would sound. Even after righting the wrongs I created.”
“Nonsense,” McKenna said, lifting her skirts as she rose from her throne. “Though the stories might not be spoken any longer, the members of the council created more than their fair share of disruptions. For fuck's sake, Kellan found himself mated to the very bitch who’d spent almost fifty years trying to kill all of humanity.”
“What I believe my wife is trying to say is that we’ve all made mistakes. They are always corrected in the end, and we all move on in some fashion.” Jacob shook his head at his wife. “When I met her, she was a kitchen servant with a sharp tongue. It would seem that no amount of time as the Queen of England could completely change her spirit.”
“Lucky for you that spirit saved your hide from Hell.” McKenna quipped with a smirk.
Listening to them banter made Hugo immensely aware of the life that was to unfold before him with Clara. It had been a terribly long year, and a courtship gone horribly wrong, but he knew there would never be another he would share his life with. Assuming she accepts. Being in love and mated could be different that being publically with you.
“It seems there is much I still have to learn about the group of people that, so valiantly keep saving the world.”
“There are as many secrets running inside the Alliance as those that we hide from the world. Each and every person there holds something close to their chest, and life is about guarding those truths.” McKenna said, some of the playfulness gone.
“Just as I suppose you have a secret that none of us know.” Jacob squeezed McKenna’s hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. “I heard a rumor that you were spotted with the goldsmith and the jeweler this past week.”
“Aye. There is something I need to ask Clara. Before Christmas, if I can.”
McKenna’s smile seemed too large for her face. “I have some news then.” She nodded, and a guard opened the door revealing Clara standing just outside of the room. McKenna smiled at him and looped her arm through the crook of her husband’s. “See to it that you get that yes, Hugo.”
As they walked towards the door, Clara walked in. A stunning purple gown fitted nicely against her body. The change in the world had occurred when they were not looking, and women wore many styles of dress. He preferred the sensuality of her hunter’s disguise or the plainness of her inventor’s garb, but seeing her like this merely reminded him of how much better she was than him.
Her smile lit up her face as she stopped before him. Clearing his throat, he pulled at the black tie around his neck.
“I was summoned by Odette. She mentioned there might be something you wished to say to me when your meeting with the others was over.” Her tone was bright.
She knew.
“Who told you?” He fished the wooden box from his coat pocket, opening it once he found it.
“Hugo,” she breathed out, her hands reaching out towards the sparkling diamond set in solid gold. “It’s beautiful. It sparkles so much it could light this room itself.”
“Will you?” he asked, unable to bring himself to finish the question, his throat growing dry with fear that she might turn him away.
“Absolutely.” She stepped close to him, closing the space. “And to answer your first question, Felicia and Greyston spotted you picking it up last week. I suppose they all just knew you’d choose this moment.” She smiled at him.
“So, you’ve known this whole time?” He took the ring out, slipping it upon her finger. “This whole damned week?”
Chuckling, she placed her hands on the side of his face. “I have absolutely known this entire time. In fact, I have grown rather impatient waiting for you to ask. I feared you changed your mind.”
“Never. I just couldn’t think of a more wonderful end to the day I truly became an inventor in the eyes of the world, or at least the two men that made my beginnings in science hell.”
Smirking, her hands pushed the jacket off his shoulders, sending it quickly to the marble floor. “I can think of another spectacular thing to add to that list of yours.” Her hands worked quickly at his belt, and even faster and unzipping his trousers. “Have you ever made love in the throne room of the most powerful nation in the world?” She whispered, her voice hot against his ear.
The pants dropped to the floor, tangling around his shoes but he let them. His prick had roused as Clara had undressed him, and he felt a drop of excitement at the tip with her words. There was no need to speak. His lips crushed on top of hers with a hunger he was still not used to. Tugging her against him, he dropped the wooden box to the ground. Their tongues tangled and swirled together as their hands roved over each other’s body. Each and every kiss with her felt like the first, and this one was no exception.
Breaking the kiss, she spun around, dragging her arse against him as she did. Her slender fingers shifted her black curls from over her back to over her shoulder, exposing the ties to the dress. His fingers didn’t seem to work correctly as he fumbled to undo the white ties. Finally, reaching the fourth tie the dress slipped effortlessly down her body and pooled at her feet on the floor.
“Bloody hell,” he whispered, staring at her bare back.
She’d forgone undergarments, and her creamy skin was unmarred by a c
orset or knickers. As she turned, making certain her core dragged over his clothed prick, a saucy smile revealed itself.
“There are some benefits to being with a sex demon . . . we don’t have any inhibitions.”
She stepped out of her dress and bent down, to his feet. One after the other she pulled the loafers off and helped him kick off the pants at his ankles. He watched, body throbbing with the need to touch her, as she damn near sashayed over to the thrones.
Realization struck him, and a groan pulled from his lips. “Clara, you cannot mean for me to take you on the King or Queen’s throne.”
She crooked a finger at him and patted Jacob’s throne. “That is precisely what I mean.” Sitting in the seat, she spread her legs, showing how she glistened for him. Her finger swirled around her entrance, dipping in once and sliding out. “My dear betrothed, are you going to make me tend to myself?”
He lunged forward as if kicked in the arse. Padding naked across the cold floor he stopped before her, mesmerized by the look of lust in her eyes as she stared up at him. She was at the perfect height for him, and she knew it as she reached out and grabbed his hand to tug him closer.
He merely needed to thrust his hips out, and he found himself at her entrance. Her hand wrapped around him, guiding him into her heat and then releasing him when he was into the hilt. Then, she placed her hands on his arse and began to rock him.
“Clara,” he groaned, feeling his balls drawing up from just the mere excitement of her pledge to him, and the erotic danger of where he was taking her.
He needed no further encouragement. Grabbing the arms of the ruler’s chair, he began to thrust. Over and over he allowed his length to slide in and nearly out of Clara’s body. She arched on the chair, gasping for air as their bodies found connection.
“Hugo, more.” She growled, biting her nails into his arse.
With a grunt, he slammed into her and allowed his finger to rub her clit. She always exploded with his touch and shaft buried deep inside of her. This moment was no different. Clara came with a scream, and her body pulsed around him, squeezing his cock in the most delightful way. Stroking himself in and out he drew out her orgasm until his washed over him, drawing a growl from him.