“Good.” Ash stood, checked Greer’s placement on the pillow and nodded in satisfaction. “She’ll be here shortly. I think Selena wanted to talk to her first about what’s going to happen.”
Greer lay back on the pillow and tried to relax. This was it. When he’d been under Mollie’s touch, her fire dancing across his skin, he’d had a choice. He could have walked away.
But not now, and never again. He was tied to his tree, his hand inside it, unable to leave for any reason save one: the imminent destruction of the Throne. Only then would his birch let him go, but it would demand that he resume the claiming as soon as was possible.
He was as helpless as he’d ever been, trusting his family to take care of him while his mate prepared for their claiming in her own way.
Greer watched as Ash placed candles in between the birch tree’s roots, a tradition of long standing. Never had a candle set fire to a tree during a claiming in the Throne, and as far as Greer knew, it was tradition only among the ruling dryads. The candles were dipped in sacred oils, runes carved into them that only they knew, the curls and lines passed down through the generations. If Ash had been uncertain what to carve, his tree would have told him, and it would have been done.
“Wow.” Mollie’s soft whisper drifted to him, and Ash bowed, backing away until he was completely out of sight. No doubt he was joining his own mate, as Mina had hers. Greer had decided to claim his mate in the dark of night, while the shadows of the trees guarded them. It was the best time, the midnight hour when the stars were white embers in the dark sky and the moon was a sliver of silver light. Nothing would disturb them but the soft cries of an owl or the yip of an occasional fox.
She stepped into the clearing. There was an air of expectancy, as if leaf and branch had been waiting for her arrival. “Is all this for me?”
“Yes.” Who else would he make himself vulnerable for? “I told you, remember? That I would have to make myself defenseless before you?”
“Never.” Mollie glided forward, already naked, her steps sure and her eyes sparkling. “You’re never defenseless, not while I still breathe.”
He closed his eyes at her words, overcome with emotion. “I love you.”
She laughed, the sound so filled with delight he couldn’t help but open his eyes again. “I know.” She sighed, kneeling in front of him. Her expression as she looked him over was filled with quiet joy and aching desire. “We wasted so much time, but never again.” One single tear, gleaming in the candlelight, slid down her cheek. “I love you too.”
“I know.” Greer held out his free hand. “Come and take me.”
She nodded and stood, taking his hand and allowing him to help her straddle him. “How do you want to do this?”
He quirked up an eyebrow. “Giddy up?”
She laughed again, slapping his chest lightly. “I have a better idea.”
“Oh?” He’d thought his idea was awesome, but this was mostly her show. It had to go the way she needed it to, not him.
“Mm-hm.” She kissed him as the leaves above them rustled, adding their quiet song to their joining. “I want you to turn around and get on your knees.”
“But what about—”
“Shh.” She put her finger over his mouth, silencing him. “We’re doing this my way, right?”
He nodded. “Yes, dear.”
She giggled. “Good boy. Now, on your knees and face your tree.”
He did as asked, maneuvering it so that one hand was always inside his tree, the other free to do whatever it was his mate had in mind.
She slid between him and the tree, her face pressed up against its bark, her backside against his groin. “Get the idea now?”
He whined. His cock actually hurt, it was so hard. “Yes, dear.”
She looked at him over her shoulder, and no witch had ever been as seductive as his lovely lady of fire. “Selena warned me what was coming.”
“Did she?” He arched his hips, the tip of his cock finding her entrance.
Oh gods, thank you. She was already wet.
“Yes, she did.” She held up her hand. “So guess what I’ve been doing?”
A sudden picture of her on their bed, her hand between her thighs as she pleasured herself, had him moaning in anticipation.
When she placed her fingers over his lips, he took them in, tasted her essence on her skin.
“You weren’t the only one preparing,” she whispered, arching her back and taking the tip of his cock inside her. “I want this, Greer. I need this.” She was pushing back, back, until she’d taken all of him inside. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dazed. She pulled her fingers from his mouth and placed her hand between her parted thighs. “Fuck me.”
Greer clenched his teeth as the fire of his mark blazed white-hot, nearly burning him from the inside out. It had been throbbing all day. Had she been thinking about this final claiming him? It burned bright as the sun, his desire overpowering his senses until only she remained.
She moaned. “God, I can feel that. I can feel your desire, did you know that?” She shuddered, rocking back and forth, fucking him with slow, deliberate thrusts. “It’s so hot it scorches me.” She shivered, sliding her hand farther until he could feel fingers dancing across his exposed cock. “Do it, Greer. Fuck me.”
He couldn’t stop now if the Throne were on fire. His palm slapped against the trunk of his tree as he began to pound into her, barely acknowledging that her face was against it.
But his tree, like her fire, would never harm her. No splinter or mark would mar her perfection while they joined, their love a flame all could now see.
His head bowed, his nose buried in her hair, he fucked her. It was a fierce joining that rocked him to his core.
He could feel his tree joining them, their pleasure becoming its own, blending them together until Greer had no idea where he ended and they began. He barely heard Mollie’s scream as she came, clenching around him so tight he thought he might shatter.
His birch’s mind, so familiar, so comforting, caught Mollie before she fell, and Greer, seeing she was safe, allowed himself to come as well. He gritted his teeth, the orgasm consuming him, destroying him. Remaking him until it was no longer him and her, but them.
They were joined, dryad and fire elemental, once and for all, with the blessing of his tree on their mating. Greer pressed his head to its trunk, sighing out his thanks as the tree gently withdrew from their minds, its presence always there in the background should they need it.
“Holy crap.” Mollie fell, landing on the pillow, Greer’s cock slipping out of her.
“You okay?” He pulled his hand free of his tree with a whispered thanks. His birch shivered in response, a gentle, loving touch to his mind its only acknowledgement.
“What was that?” Mollie rolled over and stared up at the tree in awe.
“That was my birch joining us.” He settled next to her, so that he, too, was staring up through the branches toward the night sky. He took hold of her hand, curling his fingers around hers. “It likes you.”
She turned her head until she was staring at him with wide eyes. “Does it want to...?”
He pretended he didn’t know what she was talking about, even as his tree’s branches began to sway, the equivalent of its laughter. “Do what?”
She gulped. “You know.”
He shook his head, pretending innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She glanced up at the tree again and shivered. “Never mind.”
“Never mind what?”
“Ugh.” She turned until she was cuddled up to his side. “Just shut up and look pretty for me, okay?”
He could do that. He shifted until her head was pillowed on his shoulder, right where her mark sat. “Yes, dear.”
Epilogue
Noah was standing there, staring at Iva’s tree with a confused look on his face. It had been a week since Peter Bradley had been kind enough to introduce himself, and the alpha had been healing during that time. He’d shifted enough times that the scarring he’d acquired looked at least a few years old, and the minor burns had healed without a scratch.
Still, the flesh of Noah’s arms had twisted and scarred, as had half his neck. His stomach had taken the brunt of the scarring, the skin thick and ropey, darker in some places than others. His face had been spared, as had his legs. Mollie had stopped the fire before it had gotten too far. Why Lena had chosen to start the fire in Noah’s stomach rather than his head, Greer would never know, but they were all grateful that the alpha still lived. During the week of shifting and healing, he’d stretched himself, keeping the marked skin as stretchy as he could. Greer had given him a concoction to help with the process, but it was the alpha’s innate healing ability that had allowed him to come so far so fast. While he still had healing to do, he was able to run his pack with the same amount of grump and love he’d always given them.
Noah glared at Greer. “Why is Iva’s tree trembling?”
Greer shrugged. “It’s cold?”
Noah rolled his eyes and turned back toward the tree. “How the fuck does Mollie put up with you?”
“I let her play my Xbox without bitching.” Greer glanced at Iva’s tree, the shudders finally making sense. “Oh. So that’s why.”
“Are you going to share with the class, or should I get the principal?”
Greer patted Noah on the chest, so excited he could barely speak. Iva was finally coming out, and his family would be complete once more. “Ready to say hello to your mate?”
Noah growled. “Fuck yes.”
The yew tree gave one final shudder. Iva’s leg appeared, her foot landing daintily on one of the outstretched roots of her tree. Her torso appeared, then one of her arms, and soon Iva was standing tall beside her tree, her eyes closed as she took a deep breath.
Greer grinned as Ash and Mina ran up, stopping beside Noah and Greer.
“Iva,” Mina breathed, barely breaking the sudden silence.
Iva smiled. Her black hair, cut ruthlessly short during her time with the Van Helsings, had grown while in her tree. It needed a good cut, but looked healthy. Her skin, sallow and bruised the last time he’d seen her, was glowing with health, and her bones were no longer poking at her skin. Best of all, her smile was the same as always, sweet and filled with affection. “Mina.”
It was when Iva opened her eyes that they all gasped. Only Noah stood his ground. The rest retreated a step, too stunned to process what they were seeing.
“What?” Iva’s hands went to her face, touching it gently. “Do I have a leaf in my teeth or something?”
“Your eyes,” Ash whispered. “Fuck, Iva. I’m so sorry.”
“What?” Iva stared at them all in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
Noah stepped toward her and took her hand. “Sweetheart?”
“Yes?” Iva looked at Noah, blinking. “Oh. I remember you.” She gave him that sweet smile. “I heard you. You helped keep me sane.” She laughed, the sound so beautifully Iva that for a moment Greer doubted what he’d seen. “I’m your mate, aren’t I?”
Noah nodded. “Yes.”
She studied him, frowning slightly at the burn marks. “Who hurt you?”
“A dead person.” Noah kissed the back of her hand. “You can thank Greer’s mate, Mollie, for that.”
Iva nodded, her gaze never leaving Noah’s face. “Seems I have a lot of catching up to do. No offense, big guy, but I dozed a lot. I don’t think I heard everything you said.”
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Ash stepped toward her and put his hand on her back.
When she flinched, Noah growled, warning Ash away.
“Fuck off, fur ball.” Ash stroked Iva’s back. “She’s my sister. I’d never harm her.”
“But not by blood, and that’s what’s setting my wolf off.” Noah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “And I haven’t claimed her yet.”
“Ah.” Ash took a respectful step back. “My apologies, then. I forgot for a moment how strong the pull would be for you right now.”
Greer ignored the squabble, focusing instead on Iva’s wellbeing. When he hummed, she vibrated the way she always had, but there was a deeper, darker note to her that hadn’t been there before.
He focused again on her face and caught the knowing look she sent him. She bowed her head to him once before looking at Noah. “Are my eyes green or something? Did those assholes do something to my eyes?”
“No,” Noah replied, obviously surprising Iva. “They’re jet black, like obsidian, beautiful and dangerous.” He cupped her cheek. “So beautiful, my mate.”
“Oh. I always wanted green eyes, damn it.” She sighed, taking a seat on the root of her tree. “Well. Fuck my life.”
Greer laughed. It was good to have Iva back.
The laughter didn’t last long, though. Something plowed into him from the back, causing him to stagger forward. “Oh my gods!” A familiar voice squealed in his ear, causing him to reach back and piggy-back his mate. “Iva, welcome back.”
Iva giggled. “Hi, Mollie. Good to see you finally caught your man.”
“I did, didn’t I?” Mollie lifted her hand from around Greer’s neck to wave hello, nearly choking him in the process. “And Mina mated Dragos.”
“Selena got Ash,” Selena drawled as she joined her mate and took his hand. “Why, I have no idea.”
Ash merely grinned at his mate’s good-natured grumbling. “Love you too, little witch.”
“Aw, you’re so cute together.” Iva clapped when Ash began trying to get a smooch from his lady-love, who pushed him away with a disgusted look. Greer knew they were just playing around, but Iva might not from the frown that began to form as she watched them.
It wasn’t until Selena sighed and rolled her eyes, not only allowing the kiss but practically devouring Ash’s face, that Iva relaxed. She turned to Mina, her brows rising. “I guess Dragos is asleep, huh?”
Mina nodded and finally rushed Iva, hugging her close. “I missed you so much.”
Iva patted her back, her expression content, her eyes closed as she soaked up the Forest Queen’s presence. “I’m here, my queen. I promise, I won’t leave again.” Her eyes opened, and Greer was suddenly glad he was between Iva and Mollie. Iva’s eyes were glowing with an eerie, dark light that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. “The ones who did this to us will pay.”
Greer and Ash exchanged a quick glance. Iva’s tree, with its bright green leaves, now bore black berries instead of red. The same black as Iva’s eyes.
Iva stroked Mina’s back, her eyes as hard as black diamonds. “I swear to you. They will pay.”
* * * * *
About the Author
Dana Marie Bell wrote her first short story when she was thirteen years old. She attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts for creative writing, where freedom of expression was the order of the day. When her parents moved out of the city and placed her in a Catholic high school for her senior year, she tried desperately to get away, but the nuns held fast, and she graduated with honors despite herself. She’s now a USA TODAY bestselling author with Carina Press and Samhain Publishing.
Dana lives with her soul mate, Dusty, their two maniacal children, an evil ice-cream-stealing cat and a bull terrier that thinks it’s a Pekinese. She’s been heard to describe herself as “vertically challenged” and “a lapsed brunette.” Dana also suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (a progressive inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine), and can be seen walking with a cane or tooling around in her mobility scoo
ter.
Loved SONG OF MIDNIGHT EMBERS?
Discover more stories from Maggie’s Grove—available now!
BLOOD OF THE MAPLE
Maggie’s Grove, book one
“This is a fresh vampire tale begging to be devoured.”
—RT Book Reviews
A seduction-gone-wrong leave vampire Parker Hollis with a new vegetarian lifestyle and on the run from a vengeful witch. Moving to small-town Maggie’s Grove, Parker meets a redheaded dryad with green, leafy blood that draws him in a way he hasn’t experienced in decades. His new neighbor smells divine, and it isn’t long before craving gives in to need.
THRONE OF OAK
Maggie’s Grove, book two
Vampire Dragos Ibanescu, Mayor of Maggie’s Grove, is about to lose his mind. His mate, the dryad queen Mina Chainey, refuses to have anything to do with him after her ordeal at the hands of an evil witch. If he doesn’t mate with her soon, he may lose control of the beast within him—a force far more dangerous than anyone in town knows...
OF SHADOWS AND ASH
Maggie’s Grove, book three
Overprotective dryad Ashton Ward is pissed off. His mate Selena has been tortured by humans who hunt supernaturals, and she’s flat-out refusing to let him near her as she heals. Her magic is so compromised that just being near her puts him in danger, but he’s sure he can help ease her pain if she’ll just let him.
Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers and much more!
Visit CarinaPress.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/CarinaPress
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/CarinaPress
We think you have a good book in you!
Do you write in the below genres? Harlequin’s Carina Press wants to see your manuscript.
• Contemporary Romance
• Romantic Suspense
• Historical Romance
• Paranormal Romance
Song of Midnight Embers Page 27