She stirred, gave a small cry, and his attention focused on her. Still in a deep sleep, her nightmares plagued her. He brushed a thumb over her forehead. “Shhh. Sleep peacefully.” Then he sent his own memories of time spent at the ocean into her dreams.
8
Somehow, she’d gone from the night that always plagued her, to the sounds of lapping water, a soft warm breeze on her skin, and something grainy between her toes. Kelana did a slow turn, taking in the scene that unfolded in front of her. It was a beach with sands as white as mountain snowcaps, and turquoise water blended with deep blue. It was the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. She looked down at herself and was surprised at her attire. She wore a black and gold bikini top, and a vibrant orange sarong was tied to her hips. Exhilaration coursed through her veins as she ran to the water. Wet sand squished between her toes, and she loved the feel. The water was warm and like a slice of heaven. She tipped her face to the sun and let it fill her body with its warmth. She hadn’t realized she had been so cold until now. This was paradise and she never wanted to leave. She splashed in the water, getting her sarong wet, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered, only this moment in time, and she was going to drink in every second of it before it vanished.
She suddenly became aware of a presence behind her and spun to face any threats head-on. Instead, the vision that filled her gaze was the most delectable sight ever. Lyzander sat with legs crossed, palms resting on his powerful thighs, and his eyes closed. He looked to be meditating. She took a small step closer, not wanting to disturb him. He wore a pair of black spandex that reached to mid-thigh and molded to every hard line, including the nice package between his legs.
She wet her lips.
His chest rose and fell in the slow breaths of an ancient ritual she knew many warriors practiced. One she had tried a few times herself but had never managed to get the hang of. Apparently, she wasn’t the meditating type.
His blond hair fell to his shoulders and wisps moved freely in the ocean breeze. She loved how it shimmered with streaks of spun gold against his tanned skin. Her gaze dipped to his chest. Sculpted with perfection, the Maker had taken her time creating every peak and valley. Kelana’s fingers ached to touch him. Feel his magnificence with her hands.
“Come here.”
She gasped. He’d spoken so softly, yet the command tugged at her. Forcing her legs to carry her closer, she dropped to her knees in the sand in front of him. His eyes snapped open and he smiled.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“You didn’t.” He never flinched a delicious muscle.
“What is this place?”
“It’s my private retreat. A place I come to when I need to reconnect.”
“So, it’s real then?” She looked around. “I mean I know I’m sleeping.”
“As real as you and I are in this moment.”
She thought about his words, which raised many questions. “I don’t understand. I know my body sleeps. I remember using the charm to save us, which would have drained me and placed me in a coma.”
“That is true, but your sleep was disturbing, so I brought you here.”
Panic tensed her body and her gaze darted, looking for someplace to run. She would have done so if he’d not reached out and gripped her arm to keep her from fleeing.
“Don’t.” Again he pushed, a gentle command.
“But... Tell me you didn’t see,” the pitch of her voice rose with each word.
“I know what happened that night, and I’m sorry.”
Damn him! She didn’t want his pity. She never wanted him to see her pain. Her nightmare. It was her secret to hold tight, and he had no right to invade her like that. She wanted to hate him and tried to force the emotion to the surface, but it refused to obey her. Instead only helplessness, a feeling of being small in his presence overcame her. This bond was a mistake. The emotions she felt overwhelmed her, and she hated her weakness around him.
His fingers traced a line along her cheekbone. “You are anything but weak. The strongest warrior I have ever met, and with our connection, you will grow stronger yet. However, it will not be enough to kill your father.”
Her chest ached from the panic that raced there. He knew her plans, but she’d been so careful to keep them hidden. “How?”
“It’s what I would do. Seek revenge.”
She searched his eyes for sincerity and realized he probably wanted to exact his own revenge. What had they done to him in Lulerain? She found she truly wanted to know.
“It’s only fair I allow you to see my pain as well. Close your eyes.”
She did and visions played through her mind like a movie. Lyzander strung up like a side of beef. His skin peeled away, his tongue cut out, and every feather plucked from his beautiful wings. Horror after horror replayed until she had seen enough. “Stop!” She opened her eyes and stared at his perfect flesh. Reaching out, she touched his chest, unable to believe those things had been done to him. They were both tortured souls.
“That was awful.” She swallowed, wanting to pull away yet unable to stop touching him.
“We all have our burdens to bear.” He slid his hands down her arms, to her wrists then pulled her on top of him as he lay back into the sand. “Live in this moment, Kelana. There is nothing but you and I in a beautiful setting. Whisper what you desire and I will give it to you.” His eyes filled with hunger.
“This isn’t real. I’m sleeping,” she whispered.
“Your body may sleep and mine is in a state of meditation, but our souls are together. This is as real as it would be in the cave we hide in now.” He released her and swung his arms over his head. He lay beneath her in total surrender. “I can stay or I can leave. The choice is yours to make, but you will stay here until you wake. No more nightmares.”
Nightmares. The terror she lived with every time she slept. Would he really take those from her? Could she finally have a tiny slice of peace in her life? What she wanted most in this space and time was him. For some damn reason, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Wanted to explore every inch of him. She really did want to live for once in her life instead of always being filled with revenge and hatred. She kissed him and he opened for her. Their tongues connecting sent sparks of desire between her thighs.
She ground herself against his erection, and he kissed her harder. Desperate and demanding, yet he never moved to touch her. He allowed her to have complete control and she took it. “Untie my top,” she muttered between kisses. Before she knew it, he had his hand to her back and pulled the tie loose. The bikini top fell forward, and he reached behind her neck and pulled the other tie, allowing the top to be pulled from between them. She leaned back.
“Taste them,” she whispered and he never hesitated. Hot lips wrapped around one nipple while his tongue swirled over the peak, causing it to harden. White-hot desire had her wanting him inside her, but she held out. She wanted to taste him as well. Explore the divine man who had her thoughts scattered.
She pulled away and ran her tongue along harden muscle. Tasted the saltiness of his skin as she licked her way down his abs, and still he never moved unless she told him to do so. Such power he had given her. Such trust and she still didn’t fully understand why. When she reached his waistband, she gripped it and peeled the fabric down his narrow hips, past powerful thighs, until she had them completely shed. His erection stood at full attention, begging for her, and she wasn’t about to let him down. Taking a firm grip around the base of his shaft, she flicked her tongue over the velvety tip and swirled along the rim before she sucked the head into her mouth.
He hissed.
His approval pushed her forward, and she let the length of him slide into her mouth then back out in a slow tease. Giving his balls the attention they deserved, she brushed her fingertips across them and enjoyed the feel as they pulled tight. Her pace quickened, sucking him until she was sure he was on the edge. The look of bliss on his face was worth more than any gold p
iece in the world. She had put it there. Her alone.
Unable to stand it another second, she let his cock pop free and slid up his body. She poised over him and kissed him hard before she drove herself down his shaft, fully seating him inside her.
They both moaned.
She planted her palms on his chest and rocked her hips. Desire swelled further as he moved inside her, and suddenly she wanted this strong man taking her fast and hard. He must have sensed her desire, because he gripped her waist and rolled her to her back without missing a stroke. He thrust hard and fast until their bodies pounded together. The sky darkened as she neared climax, and she noticed his wings spread out over her. Panic started to peek through her desire, but then she reminded herself this wasn’t real. He couldn’t complete the bond in a dream state, and she relaxed back into the rhythm of their lustful desire.
Higher he carried her and when he pinched her nub, she exploded into a ball of flames. Her orgasm touched every part of her body and plucked every nerve. Wave after wave pulsed over her until he released his own orgasm and pulled her in deeper. Two lost souls touched and promised themselves to each other for eternity.
Finally, she came crashing back to earth. Her breaths slowing, she realized she was alone. Her back was in the sand and the sun shone on her face. It had all been a dream. A wondrous, beautiful dream and for a moment, she was saddened that the bonding hadn’t been real. He hadn’t really wanted her so much that he was willing to spend eternity with her. She brushed a lock of hair from her face and smiled. Still, she had this moment, and when life turned to hell again, she would always remember this one thing he had given her.
* * *
Lyzander brought himself back to the present and the room where he had entombed himself and Kelana. He looked at her still sleeping form and regret filled him. She believed their mating part of her dream, but in reality, it had happened. They were bonded forever, and he had done it without her permission. She wouldn’t realize it right away. Her plans to avenge her family overruled everything else. He had to figure out a way to keep her safe, away from her father and his minions. At least with his mark on her, she wouldn’t hit her father’s radar as quickly. Being mated to him would make her harder to detect, as the angel in her would grow stronger. They only needed to hold out long enough to see what kind of change she went through. Hell, no one had expected Ashley, Eli’s mate, to become the Angel of Death. Most nephilim became guardians, but Kelana was a nephalem. The child of a demon and angel and who knew what the human factor would throw in. There was no telling what she would turn into, but one thing was certain. He would be by her side when she did. Even if she hated him.
His female stirred and he moved next to her. She opened her eyes, blinked then smiled.
“How long was I out?”
“Three days. How do you feel?” He helped her to sit.
“Surprisingly, pretty damn good.”
Yeah, you do feel damn good. He let the small part of her soul that had connected to him nestle in. Lyzander had never hoped to have a mate. He was a warrior, a dangerous position to hold, and he had plenty of enemies. Aezyla was a prime example of that, and he needed to discover how she had kidnapped him. Whatever tool she had used was not only a threat to him but also his brethren and now his mate.
“Were you really there?”
When her gaze searched him and dipped to his naked chest, he felt himself smile. “I was. I can enter your dreams when I’m in meditation.”
She looked around, studied the environment. “Was that really a wise thing to do? I mean, what if something attacked while you were floating around in the universe?”
He chuckled. “I was still very much aware of what was going on here. But I sealed us in. There is nothing in this room with us.”
“Oh.” She rubbed her stomach, and he sensed her hunger. He needed to feed his mate, make sure she was strong before he allowed her to continue the journey.
“Protein bars are off the menu today. You need the real thing. I will hunt.” He reached for the canteen he’d filled earlier and handed it to her. “The water here is pure.”
Her eyes widened. “Look at that.” She eyed the small stream, and he knew she wished to bathe.
“Listen. The remnants of my shirt are on that rock. Bathe while I hunt. I will seal the cavern behind me and you’ll be safe.” A smile played across her lips, and he found that he enjoyed making her happy. He rose and strode to the other side where he had sealed off the exit and summoned his blade. “I’ll not be gone long.” He touched the rock and waited for the boulders to part enough that he could duck through. Once on the other side, he repeated the process, sealing his mate inside. Lyzander flared out his senses and detected several of the smaller krutoi close by. He headed in their direction, beckoning his wings and cloaking himself.
Thoughts raced through his mind. He would have to tell Kelana the mating was real before he allowed her to leave the cavern. She would need to be prepared for any changes her body might face. If he recalled correctly, Ashley had transformed quickly, her new wings popping into place within hours of her mating. Lyzander hurried, for all he knew Kelana could be changing at this very moment.
Up ahead, he spotted a small krutoi, yet it was plenty big enough to feed them both. He sent a power blast to his fingertips and aimed for the creature. With it temporarily stunned, he approached and grabbed it by its tail, holding it firmly to the rock. The demon lizard’s head had to be removed in the correct spot in order not to poison the meat. He raised his arm and brought the blade down above the creature’s front legs but behind the sacs on its head that carried the venom. Perfect strike and the head rolled away. Pleased with himself, he scooped up his prize by the tail and headed back to feed his mate.
9
Kelana had just finished dressing when Lyzander returned with one of the demon lizards. She watched, impressed as he made quick work of skinning, butterflying, and then slapping it on a rock he’d heated using his sword.
“Wow, that blade you carry is pretty awesome.”
He glanced over at her. “It is forged from the finest steel in the universe. Each one is custom made and only obeys its warrior’s commands.”
She moved next to him. “So, you mean if someone else tries to take your blade and use it, they can’t?”
“Correct. Not even another angel can command a warrior’s blade. It is his and his alone. Should the warrior die, the blade automatically goes back to the Maker where it is placed on the Wall of Honor.”
Kelana stared at the sword that he had laid beside him. The hilt was made of gold with thin ribbons of leather wound around the grip. The pommel was nothing more than a smooth, gold knob. She would have expected a warrior’s blade to be more ornate. However, there was an inscription in fancy scroll on the blade itself. “What does it say?”
“It is the meaning of my name in Latin. The translation is liberator.” He flipped over their dinner and the air began to smell of grilled meat. Her stomach growled.
“The name suits you. I mean being an angelic warrior, I’m sure you have liberated many innocents in your time.” She suddenly realized she had no idea how old he was. Not that it should matter, but the older an angel the stronger they were. Would she gain any of that strength to help her defeat her father? Her mouth dropped. “Hey, I just remembered something.”
He pulled the meat off the hot rock and whacked off a hunk, handing it to her. “What’s that?”
“In my dream, you said you knew my father. Who is he?”
“Your father is a very powerful elite. He commands several armies and has been alive since the beginning of time.”
Shit. That would make him hard to kill, but she would find a way. She swallowed. “Are you under his command?”
He shifted to face her. “I was at one time but no longer. I report to another named Tegan.”
She exhaled. What would she have done if he’d said yes? It wouldn’t have changed anything. Kelana still planned to find thos
e who had come that night. Had her father been one of them? She’d always wondered. “Did my father ever do his own dirty work?”
He laughed. “No. That archangel never dirties his own hands. It is beneath him.”
She figured as much. Okay, next question and this was a doozy. “Did you kill my mother? Grandmother?”
He rubbed his hands on his jeans before placing them on her thighs. “I did not kill those you love.”
The weight of a thousand demons lifted off her shoulders, and for the first time since she had met Lyzander, she relaxed. She nodded in acknowledgement and took a bite from her lizard. “Mmm, this is pretty good.” He grinned and bit off a hunk of his own meat. They polished off their meal in silence then washed up.
“So, we should probably head out of here. I’ve no idea how far we have to travel to reach the surface.” God, she couldn’t stop staring at his chest, or remembering the beach and how connected she had felt to him. She looked away and concentrated on filling up the canteen and repacking her backpack.
“Before we go, there is something we need to discuss.” There was no mistaking the seriousness in his voice.
She stopped what she was doing and gave him her full attention. “Okay.”
“Do you remember me telling you in your dream that we really were together? Only on another plane of existence?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Then you will also recall that when we made love, I showed my wings?”
Made love. It was a foreign term to her. She either fucked or had sex to keep up her strength, but never made love with a man. He was right though; this had been different. Something stirred inside her. Feelings of belonging to someone. “I remember.” Kelana would never forget.
“That bond created there is real. We are mated.”
She blinked. Her mind raced through all she learned about angels mating. An eternal bond was created when the male showed his wings during sex. There was no way to break it other than death, and for some not even that was enough. Panic mingled with anger simmered in her gut. “Why the hell would you do that? This bond was temporary, only to get you out of here!” And of course, to serve her revenge. She had hoped starting the bond would gain her entry to places she couldn’t get to before, but never had she intended for this to end up permanent.
Bound By Darkness: Eternally Mated Novel Page 7