by Lynn Hagen
Einarr had to get the guards away from the door. He pressed a kiss against Kendrick’s cheek, inhaling his mate’s scent, bathing in the sweet aroma before he whispered, “I’m going to overpower them. While I get the guards away from the door, I want you and Dasani to run outside.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Kendrick’s tone was clipped.
“Do you want to chance being caught?” Einarr asked. “If we stay here, they’ll find us.”
“He’s right,” Dasani said in a low tone. “We have to leave now or chance being recaptured.”
Just as Einarr was about to release Kendrick and Dasani, Kadrino walked into the foyer. He stood so close that Einarr could hear the man growling softly.
“They couldn’t have left,” Kadrino bit out. “They have to be here somewhere.” He looked around and then his lip curled back. “I know you’re here, Einarr.”
His uncle’s statement sent a spike of fear down Einarr’s spine. His grip on both men tightened.
It was the same tone his uncle used right before he inflicted pain.
“Come to rescue the human?” His uncle narrowed his gaze. “And take the elf as a bonus?”
Dasani shrank closer to Einarr, as though he were trying to make himself as small as possible. That wasn’t a hard feat considering the man was only around five foot four and as skinny as a toothpick.
“Give me the Shadow elf, and you and the human can walk out of here unharmed,” Kadrino promised.
Einarr knew that was a lie. If he showed himself, his uncle would try and kill him. Kadrino didn’t honor his deals. Besides, there was no way Einarr was leaving the elf in his uncle’s cruel hands. He wouldn’t leave a rabid dog to this demon.
“You have five seconds before the deal is off,” Kadrino said as his nostrils flared. “Give me the elf.” His uncle had snarled the words like the demon that he was.
All three men ducked when Kadrino swiped his arm out. His uncle had just missed hitting Einarr by half a second. The man growled and walked toward the room he used to display his whores to his clientele.
Einarr waited until the man was out of sight before he released Kendrick and Dasani, shoving at the guard closest to him. The demon shouted as he staggered into the other guard. Einarr knew they had precious seconds. He swung the door open and thrust his mate and the elf outside. Before Einarr could follow, his head was yanked back. Someone had a tight grip on his hair.
“Show yourself,” Kadrino snarled before he shouted for the guards to go after the human and elf.
Einarr showed himself as he spun, breaking the connection. He stood toe to toe with his worst nightmare.
Before he could blink, Kadrino slammed his fist into Einarr’s jaw, sending Einarr reeling backward. His uncle followed up with a few more blows, knocking the air out of Einarr’s lungs.
“You pathetic bastard,” Kadrino said with a snarl. “How dare you come into my territory and think to take from me.”
He grunted when Kadrino slammed a fist into his side. Einarr swore he heard a few ribs break. He staggered until his back hit the wall.
Kadrino moved in to slug Einarr again, but Einarr moved out of the way, and his uncle’s fist went through the drywall.
“You think because Panahasi made your pathetic ass a warrior that you can defeat me?” Kadrino asked. “Do you think yourself better than me now?”
Einarr blocked the next punch. Fear had a death grip on him. All he could see was a whimpering little boy who had begged his uncle not to hurt him, who had prayed night after night for a way out of this place.
But Einarr was no longer a small child who was afraid of the big, bad monster.
The only power Kadrino holds over you is fear. Panahasi’s words echoed in Einarr’s mind. That was what all bullies held over their victims. Einarr refused to be Kadrino’s victim any longer.
Kadrino slammed his fist into the side of Einarr’s head, making Einarr see stars. He shook the pain off and stood to his full height, which now towered over his uncle. “Yes,” he said. “I know I’m better than you, and I will defeat you.”
His uncle threw his head back and laughed. “Bring it on, you worthless piece of shit.”
As soon as his fear faded, Einarr’s training kicked in. When Kadrino swung at him again, Einarr grabbed the demon’s fist and used his other hand to inflict as much damage as he could. He knew his brethren had Kendrick and Dasani. They were safe.
Now it was time to take his life back.
Einarr landed one punch after another, never letting up, never giving Kadrino a chance to overtake him. The guards stood by and watched. He even spotted a few with smirks on their faces.
Einarr lifted his arm to deliver the deathblow but hesitated.
Through his bloody and bruised mouth, Kadrino smirked. “You don’t have it in you anymore, you filthy bastard.” He wiped at his mouth. “I’ll keep coming, Einarr. I won’t stop until I’ve destroyed everything you hold dear.”
The threat was all Einarr needed. He gripped Kadrino’s face and snapped the demon’s neck. His uncle fell to the floor. Einarr gazed at the man’s unseeing eyes and felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
When the guards moved in, Einarr spun, taking up a battle stance.
They walked past the corpse and headed out the door.
Einarr leaned against the wall and drew in a deep breath. His mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that the one person who had tortured him, the one person who had given him nightmares, would no longer be able to harm another living soul.
Kendrick stepped back inside, gazed down at Kadrino, and then rushed to Einarr’s side. He fell into Einarr’s arms. “Take me home.”
Einarr wrapped his arms around his mate and held on to Kendrick as though his very life depended on it. He buried his face in Kendrick’s neck and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in his life.
Chapter Nine
Kendrick found Einarr sitting on the steps of the back deck, staring off into the woods. Even though Kadrino deserved what Einarr had done, it had to be hard on his mate. Kendrick wouldn’t know anything about killing someone, though. He had no idea what to say.
As soon as he took a seat, Einarr turned and buried his face against Kendrick’s chest. Kendrick held his arms up for a moment before he began to card his fingers through the demon’s hair. He didn’t ask any questions or try to fill the silence with words he had to fumble for.
Kendrick just sat there, listening to the sounds of the woods as the slight wind rustled past them.
“I don’t understand,” Einarr said as he caressed his cheek over Kendrick’s chest. “How can you want someone like me?”
Kendrick was thrown by the question. It took a second for him to grasp what Einarr had said. “Don’t you mean how I can love someone like you?” Kendrick continued to soothe his hands through Einarr’s short hair. “How can I not love someone who is brave, strong, compassionate, and makes me laugh?”
Einarr pulled away, his gaze wary and bewildered. “Love? Are you saying…” The man glanced away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Is the concept of love so foreign to you?” Kendrick slid his hand into Einarr’s. “Why is it so hard to believe that I’ve fallen in love with you?”
Einarr pulled his hand free. “I killed someone when you were just outside the door. Doesn’t that frighten you? Doesn’t that make you want to run away from the monster that I am?”
Kendrick remembered the wary gaze Einarr had given him when he’d rushed back inside the brothel. The demon had been stiff as Kendrick hugged him. How could Einarr be so hard on himself? The man was like no one Kendrick had ever met. In his eyes, Einarr was a true Warrior, not some criminal who deserved to be shunned.
“You removed the threat from ever coming after me again,” Kendrick reminded Einarr. “You stopped that elf from being sold. You gave him his life back. That doesn’t sound like a monster to me.”
“My past—”
Kendrick pres
sed his finger to Einarr’s lips. “We all have pasts. Some are jaded, and some are filled with tragedy. But it’s how we live our lives, what kind of person we truly are that matters. You did what you had to do in order to survive your time with Kadrino. No one can blame you for that.”
“I do,” Einarr said as he glanced up and stared out into the backyard. “I could have left at any time.”
“And go where?” Kendrick asked. “You were a young child. Where would you have gone? I saw where you grew up. That place doesn’t welcome a child into its bosom.”
He had to make Einarr see that what he’d done all those years ago wasn’t his fault. Kendrick wanted to bring Kadrino back to life so he could kick the demon’s ass for what he’d done to Einarr.
The guy’s self-worth was nonexistent. Kendrick pressed his hand against Einarr’s cheek and forced his mate to look at him. Kendrick’s heart ached when he saw the misery in Einarr’s blue eyes. “You saved me, Einarr. Kadrino got what he deserved. I cringe to think of how many lives he’s destroyed.”
When Einarr tried to look away, Kendrick firmed his hand, refusing to release the demon. He scooted closer until their legs touched. He felt Einarr’s jaw flexing under his hand and could see the demon working things out in his mind. Kendrick leaned in and kissed Einarr with all the tenderness he felt for the man.
“I love you, Einarr.”
Instead of questioning Kendrick’s declaration, Einarr nodded.
Kendrick chuckled. “Don’t look as though I just told you that you had days to live.”
“I’m trying to understand you,” Einarr admitted.
“I’m pretty simple. You’re a good man. How can I not fall for you?”
Kendrick sighed in relief when Einarr smiled. “You think I’m good-looking?”
“Don’t get a big ego over it. But yes, you are stunning.” Kendrick bumped shoulders with the demon. “And we get along like two peas in a pod. Well, when you’re not trying to push me away.”
Einarr blushed, and Kendrick’s heart leapt. “I just wanted to keep you safe,” the demon admitted. “But I do like when we’re hanging out. You’re fun.”
Einarr said the word fun as if he had never spoken those three letters before. Kendrick jumped up and pulled Einarr with him. The demon frowned as Kendrick drew him farther into the backyard. “You ever toss a ball before?”
“No.”
Kendrick picked up Dylan’s football, raced toward the woods, turned, and threw it. Einarr caught it with ease.
“Just toss it back,” Kendrick shouted. He’d lifted his arms, ready to catch the ball when it sailed over his head, over the tree line, and kept going. He was pretty sure it would land somewhere in town.
“I think I need to work on my strength,” Einarr said as Kendrick ran back to his mate. He jumped, and Einarr caught him. They both tumbled toward the ground and laughed as Einarr turned to make sure Kendrick didn’t land on his back.
“This”—Kendrick peppered kisses over Einarr’s face—“is what I refused to give up when you pushed me away. Seeing you smile and hearing you laugh is worth any battle I have to endure. I’ll take on any bad guy and slay any dragon to hear that magical sound.”
Einarr ran his hands over Kendrick’s back as he grinned. “Your smile is just as priceless to me.”
“Good, then stop trying to figure me out and know that I love you. It’s just that simple, buster.”
Einarr lifted Kendrick and set him aside as the demon stood and brushed himself off. He helped Kendrick to his feet and pulled at his hand. Kendrick had no idea what the demon wanted until they were climbing the stairs that led to his bedroom. The demon gave him a heated look that told Kendrick exactly what was on his mind.
Kendrick walked up the steps behind Einarr and couldn’t stop staring at the man’s butt. He reached up and pinched it.
Einarr turned and gave Kendrick a sexy growl. Kendrick laughed softly and pinched his mate’s butt again. “Exactly how many squats do you do?”
“Squats?”
Kendrick rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, you were born with this fantastic body.”
Einarr grinned as he blushed. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”
“No, but those who bust their balls in the gym hate you,” Kendrick said as Einarr led him to his bedroom. The demon closed the door and then turned, his blue eyes darkening.
“And are you one of those men who work out?”
Kendrick shook his head. “I could work out until the cows came home and wouldn’t get anywhere. I’m cursed with fine lines and unimpressive pecs.”
“Cows?” Einarr seemed genuinely puzzled. “What do grazing cows have to do with a man’s body?”
Kendrick burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he held his side. “Has anyone told you how adorable you are?” Kendrick asked when his laughter finally subsided.
“No one has ever used that word to describe me,” Einarr stated as if the very idea was preposterous. “And what do you mean unimpressive?” He pulled Kendrick into his arms. “Everything about you is impressive. I love how the gods molded you with such loving care.”
“Gods?” Kendrick asked.
Einarr began to nibble at his neck, and Kendrick became putty in the man’s hands. “Only a god could make something so beautiful.”
“Such a charmer.” Kendrick tilted his head to the side.
“Is it working?”
“Oh yeah.” Kendrick’s eyes rolled to the back of his head when Einarr squeezed his hand against Kendrick’s flourishing erection. The man knew how to get him heated up.
“Undress,” Einarr said, his voice strained. They both stripped right there by the bedroom door.
Kendrick gasped and then groaned when the demon lifted him from his feet. He quickly wrapped his legs around Einarr’s thick waist as his mate pressed him into the wall. Einarr’s fingers trailed down his throat, lingering at the hollow. Kendrick swallowed. Einarr smoothed his fingers down his front and then traced Kendrick’s nipple.
The demon’s fingers were magical.
The fire burned deep inside Kendrick, stoking his desires and needs higher and higher. Einarr felt so incredible beneath him, their skin touching. He was still amazed that Einarr was his, that this strong and fierce man wanted him.
“What are you thinking about?” Einarr asked as he kissed his way from Kendrick’s collarbone to his jaw.
Everywhere his lips touched left a fiery sensation that caused Kendrick’s cock to swell—to harden in agonizing need.
“Son of a bitch.”
Einarr cupped Kendrick’s ass and separated his cheeks, a long finger circling around Kendrick’s tight hole. The erotic heat flushed over him, and Kendrick pushed back, desperate to feel any part of Einarr inside of him.
Things could have gone so wrong in that brothel. Kendrick could have been whored out. Einarr could have been killed by his uncle. He even felt relief that Dasani had escaped and was returned to his tribe. The thought of anything happening to Einarr made Kendrick shiver.
He was entrenched in Kendrick’s heart, a vital beat that kept Kendrick alive. Not literally, but it felt as though it were true. He couldn’t imagine a single day without laying eyes on this man who completed his existence.
“I’m going to fuck you.” Einarr growled his words. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, so deep, you’ll never forget what it’s like to have me fill you.”
Einarr lined his cock up to Kendrick’s hole, and Kendrick felt the first spurt. The liquid warmed Kendrick, made him bite into his lower lip in anticipation of what was to come. The man’s muscles, his entire body moved under Kendrick. He even felt the man’s back muscles shift under his hand.
“Kiss me, Kendrick,” Einarr demanded. “Before I go insane for your taste.”
The demon smiled. It was an erotic, captivating smile and had Kendrick almost begging Einarr to fill him right there, right now. No waiting, no preparation.
Kendrick didn’t hesitate. He captured Eina
rr’s kissable lips and plunged his tongue deep as he felt the second spurt and his ass began to relax. His tongue stroked over Einarr’s, and Einarr bucked underneath him.
Breaking the kiss, Einarr moved his lips to Kendrick’s throat. Hot ecstasy washed over his body. His mate’s lips were silken fire as Kendrick tilted his head so Einarr could get closer. Soft hands were like brush strokes of flames on his body as Einarr’s hands slid over Kendrick’s sides.
The demon kissed him again, his tongue slipping into Kendrick’s mouth. Kendrick moaned. The kiss was deep, hungry, his mate’s tongue thrusting in and out, tangling with Kendrick’s, stretching his senses on a rack of exquisite lust.
And then Einarr entered him.
“Feel good?” Einarr breathed into his ear.
“You’re killing me.” Kendrick gasped as Einarr sank deeper.
“No.” Einarr’s hands gripped Kendrick’s ass tighter as he buried his face in Kendrick’s neck. “I’m loving you.”
Kendrick’s hands tightened on Einarr as his pulse quickened at his mate’s confession. He nipped at Einarr’s ear, ran his hands over the man’s silky hair, and bathed in the knowledge that Einarr loved him.
Einarr began to thrust, pushing Kendrick up the wall slightly. The demon crooned in Kendrick’s ear, whispering explicit words that had Kendrick’s body reacting to each syllable.
His mate fucked inside of him with slow, short strokes, pushing his cock deeper. Einarr’s cock throbbed in Kendrick’s ass, brushed over his gland, and had Kendrick moaning loudly for more.
Einarr moved in perfect thrusts until Kendrick’s heightened emotions and overly sensitive body could process. As his mate moved faster, harder, Kendrick cried out, his seed erupting between their bodies. He tumbled headlong into an orgasm so explosive that he lost his breath, lost his control, and surrendered himself to the whiplash of emotions ripping through him.
Kendrick’s climax trigged Einarr’s. The demon gripped Kendrick tighter as he nearly fucked Kendrick into the wall. His back slipped upward and then down as Einarr pistoned inside of him and then snarled and growled his release. His hot seed filled Kendrick before Kendrick leaned forward, resting his forehead on Einarr’s shoulder.