by Mia McKimmy
“Good, you’re conscious. Today is our birthday, or have you forgotten. I wanted to make sure you were awake to watch as I open my present tonight. Sorry,” Vind said with feigned regret. “I didn’t get you anything. But I’d like to personally thank you for the special present you’ve given me.”
Cy’s brows lowered. “Why are you babbling about presents? I’ve given you nothing.”
“Oh, but you have. You’ve given me your life-mate.”
Cy lunged at Vind. The chains around his hands and ankles rattled violently throughout the cavernous cells. “If you lay a hand on her, I will kill you.”
Vind crossed his arms over his chest as if regarding Cy’s threat. “I’m going to make you a promise, brother. I will not do anything to Riana that she doesn’t ask me to.”
“She would never ask you to touch her.”
“Under normal circumstances, she probably wouldn’t. But tonight, you’re going to watch her beg me to fuck her.”
“You evil son of a Haagon whore! I’m going to rip you to shreds.” Blood rolled down Cy’s arms from his futile attempts to pull the chains from the wall. “Don’t do this, Vind. It’s me you really want, not her. Torture me. Kill me. I don’t care…just don’t hurt her.”
Vind erupted into laughter. “Cy, as much as I love hearing you beg, if I continue to physically torture you, you’ll die before I’m ready. So, I found more constructive means of torture. By the time I’m finished, you will take begging for death to a whole new level. However, I’m not going to end your pathetic life just yet. You’re going to watch as I take everything from you. The same way you took everything from me.”
“You are delusional. I’ve never taken a thing from you,” Cy said, breathless from his onslaught with the chains.
Vind shook his head. “No, brother, you’re wrong. You took what was most important to me. You took my birthright.”
“What are you talking about? Father named me successor because I was first born.”
“Ding, ding, ding, wrong again. I was first born.” Vind studied Cy’s stunned reaction. “What, after all these years mother never told you? I should have known she would still be protecting you. Well, let me enlighten you. This all started before the war, when Alpheus accidently told me I was first-born. Once he realized what he’d done, he pretended to be confused. I’ve known him my entire life, and he’s never confused a single fact. I went to Mother and, of course, she wouldn’t admit it. She’d never betray her precious husband’s decision—you know her motto, stand by your man and all that crap. To make a long story short, I captured the doctor who delivered us and beat the truth from him.”
“I can’t believe this,” Cy said. “This, is the reason you tried to kill me before my coronation, and then started the war? Let me tell you something about our father, Vind. He was a smart king, who knew exactly what he was doing by not choosing you. He always saw through your suck-ups, and pretentiousness. Every time you tried to convince him you were the, ‘good son,’ he knew what you really were. So if you believe the reason he chose me was due to anything other than you’ve been an evil, self-centered, prick since the day you were born—” Cy stopped, took a deep breath and blew it out. “You know what, I don’t care what you think, because regardless if you feel our parents betrayed you, it does not give you the right to prey on others the way you have your entire life.”
The chains creaked as Cy leaned forward and pinned Vind with a cold stare. “I’m going to give you some ‘brotherly’ advice,” he said, spitting the word as if it left a bad taste. “You need to go ahead and kill me now, because I will get out of here. And when I do, I’m going to send you straight to hell where you belong.”
Vind stood with his arms crossed and placed one hand up to cup his chin, as if considering the advice, “Nah,” he said with a zealous flair. “I cannot end your life, yet. I’m enjoying myself way too much. I haven’t even told you the best part. I’m taking Riana to a fertility site tonight. And when she begs me to take her, she will become pregnant with my child. I may even put a monitor down here so you can watch your lovely life-mate give birth to my first born.” He walked out the cell door and motioned to the guard at the end of the hall.
“I’m going to kill you for this, Vind,” Cy screamed. “If it’s the last thing I ever do. I. Will. End. You.”
Two guards entered the cell. One held a ball gag in his hand.
“Shut him up.” Vind shouted the command over Cy’s screaming threats.
Vind looked at Soren. “You and the men go ahead to the site and make sure no one’s around. Place them two thousand feet from the fertility pool, circling the entire area. Soren left to follow his orders.
He watched Cy fight to keep the ball-gag from entering his mouth until he hung limp from exhaustion. Fresh blood ran from his wrist down his torso, stopping at the waist of his jeans. “I’ll return with my present soon, brother.”
Cy cracked one eye, a weak roar emitting from his muffled throat.
Vind left the cell and headed upstairs to Riana’s room. He unlocked the door and looked around her empty bedroom, but the low hum of a blow dryer came from inside the bathroom. He sat in the chair beside her bed and waited.
Five minutes later the bathroom door opened. She wore the gown he’d instructed Ms. Rizzo to put on her earlier. Her skin looked like porcelain beneath the lace, and her auburn hair flowed down her back in loose waves. But the huge smile on her face surprised him most. For the first time, she looked at him without her usual loathsome expression.
“Cy.” Riana ran to him, climbed onto his lap and kissed him like he really mattered. Her tongue slipped between his lips and she explored his mouth. She tasted fresh, and as sweet as a spring breeze in full bloom.
I’m going to enjoy this more than I thought. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. Man, that witch did a number on her. “I have a big night planned. Are you ready to go?”
“I’m more than ready.” Her voice held a sultry tone he’d never heard from her before.
Vind stood and sat her feet on the floor. He walked to her closet and pulled a long white fur coat from the hanger. “Here, let’s take your necklace off so the minerals in the water don’t ruin it.”
Her hand went to her throat, and for a fraction of a second, confusion flitted through her eyes. As fast as it appeared, it left. “You’re right. I definitely don’t want to ruin it.”
Vind deactivated and removed the choker and placed it inside a drawer. He slipped her coat on, then picked her up and transported them to the geothermal pool located near Reykjanes in northwest Iceland.
When they materialized, Riana’s eyes widened as she looked skyward. “Wow, this is amazing. I can already feel the magnetic pull throughout my body. It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever felt.”
Vind looked toward the sky. The view of the Aurora Borealis made him homesick for Sivadia. Various shades of blues, greens and white swirled through the air, displaying Mother Nature at her finest. He could feel her energizing pull deep inside his cells, too. The atmospheric pressure was as close to Sivadia’s as any place on Earth, and the reason a lot of Sivadians lived close to these regions.
He sat Riana on her feet. “Are you ready?” he asked. They needed to make this quick. Henley told him the spell would last until she slept and woke in the morning. If the witch knows what’s good for her, it had better be the truth.
Riana let the coat slip from her shoulders, and pulled the satin ribbon on the gown. It fell to the ground, revealing full breasts and the feminine curve of her hips. She was a pain in the ass when she wasn’t cursed, but he couldn’t deny her beauty. He walked her to the edge of the Olympic-size geothermal pool. She pulled his hand as if expecting him to go into the water. He shook his head and turned her hand loose. “Go on,” he urged. “This is for you. I’ve been told it’s quite energizing for females.”
She eased further into the steaming pool. A look of pleasure came over her as she slipped beneath the warm
water. She remained under for a few minutes before surfacing. Her skin took on a faint, silver glow, accompanied by a look of pure bliss. She fell back and floated atop the water. The longer she stayed and absorbed the combination of electromagnetism and centuries old minerals from deep within the Earth’s core, the brighter her body glowed.
Ten minutes later, the glow left Riana’s body and she swam to shore. “I’d like to explain how incredible I feel, but it’s indescribable.” Her voice was low, permeated with pure lust. She wrapped her arms around him and rubbed her wet, bare body against his. “I’d rather show you. I’ll explode if you’re not inside me this instant.”
Vind looked down at her sultry expression. “That’s why we’re transporting to a nearby cave.”
“Cy,” she moaned. “I don’t think I can wait.”
Vind picked up the gown and held it out for her to slip her arms through, and then draped the coat over her shoulders. He picked her up and transported them back to his castle. Her lips trailed soft kisses down his neck as he carried her down to the cells. He motioned with his head for the guard to open Cy’s cell door.
As Cy looked up and saw them, raw fury flashed in his eyes. Unable to speak with the large ball inside his mouth, an angry guttural rumble came from his throat.
Vind gave him an amused smile and laid Riana on the granite table in the center of the cell.
“Cy, what’s that noise?” Riana asked.
“It’s only an animal outside the cave entrance,” Vind replied.
“Come here,” she said, pulling him to her by the front of his shirt. “I’ve waited long enough to have you inside me.”
Vind laughed. “If you insist.” He looked at Cy’s tortured face and savored the moment that would rip apart his brother’s soul.
Chapter 37
Vind laid Riana on a stone table in the center of the cell. Pain lacerated through Cy’s chest as if someone had ripped out his heart. If he couldn’t stop Vind, he’d never forgive himself. He’d known from the beginning he should’ve walked away, that their relationship put her in danger. But he’d foolishly convinced himself he could protect her, never believing it would come to this.
Cy fought with every ounce of strength to break free. Until weakness overcame him and his body hung limp from the shackles. Guilt and regret consumed him. His inability to protect Riana would surely destroy him. He’d never been this helpless in his life.
Anger burned in Cy’s gut. What was happening to Riana was as much his own fault as it was Vind’s. She was young and innocent. He’d seen her soul, had seen her pure heart. If she realizes what’s happened after this spell wears off, it’ll destroy her, too. For her sake, he hoped she’d always believe it was him with her now.
The love on Riana’s face as she kissed Vind, believing it was him, caused bile to rise in Cy’s throat. Then Vind unzipped his pants. Cy screamed around the gag, and violently jerked the chains holding him in place.
Riana hesitated and stared at Vind with wary eyes. “Cy, that noise sounds like it’s inside. Are you sure we’re the only ones in this cave?”
“Yes,” Vind replied. “This make-shift bed I set up for us rattles when we move.”
“Oh,” she said, then wrapped her long legs around his waist and pulled him closer to her core.
Riana had heard the noise he’d made for the first time since entering the cell. A new surge of hope energized Cy, and he erupted into a constant, repetitive rattle of the chains. Maybe the spell was beginning to wear off. But for some reason, she believed every explanation Vind spouted.
Vind looked at him with a callous grin, and then rammed himself into Riana’s body.
Cy released an arduous scream as Vind hammered into the only woman he’d ever loved. What had he done to deserve this torment? He was a strong, capable person who’d always tried to do the right thing. He was the future Sivadian king, for God’s sake. He should have more power than anyone on this planet. Vind was right about one thing, hiding out as a Protector had been his way of rejecting the throne. And he’d used the promise to his father as an excuse. Maybe this was his punishment. If he survived, he would accept his position as king. Then he’d create an army of Protectors large enough to wipe Vind and his feeders from the face of the Earth, once and for all.
Riana buried her face in Vind’s neck. Cy froze as her fangs released and she hit his vein. The moment his blood touched her lips, Riana’s head jerked back. She pushed at his shoulders and stared into his eyes. She kicked Vind across the room and flipped off the side of the granite table in one fluid move. Her eyes widened as she looked down at her naked body.
Cy rattled the chains and Riana’s head jerked toward him. Her mouth fell open and she looked back at Vind, her mind obviously grasping for answers. She lunged toward Cy, her hands holding his bloody, swollen face. “Cy?” she asked.
Her tortured gaze searched his eyes for answers. Unable to make a sound, Cy blinked and nodded.
As panic flashed on Riana’s face, she jerked helplessly at the chains securing him to the wall.
Vind stepped toward her, grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “You now carry my child, Riana. I’ve told you all along you’d be the one to produce my heir. You chose not to take me at my word.”
Riana tried to jerk from his grip, but he held her in place. Her fist ineffectively beat at his chest. Without warning, she brought her knee up hard against his groin.
Way to go, baby! He had taught her that move during their time at the compound.
Vind turned her loose and doubled over in pain.
“When I’m through, it’ll be the only child you father!” she screamed. She grasped her fists together and brought both down hard across the back of his neck.
Vind hesitated, then straightened with rage in his eyes and backhanded her. She hit the stone floor with a loud thud. He reached and lifted her around the waist with one arm. She kicked and screamed, “You bastard, I’ll kill you.”
As Vind dematerialized with Riana, Cy sagged against the stone wall. The weight of their combined emotions felt as if he were beneath a mountain of rock.
Tears ran down his face. After Riana had realized what happened, Cy witnessed the kind of brave, determination it took to not only survive, but to come back with a vengeance. She was a strong Sivadian female, his life-mate, and his soul.
***
As they materialized inside her room, Vind threw Riana onto the bed. He grabbed the necklace-bomb from the dresser and stalked toward her.
She scampered across the bed to get away.
Vind grabbed her ankle, jerked her toward him and then straddled her, pinning her to the bed. “I’m putting this on you, Riana. You can either allow it, or I’ll beat you unconscious and put it on. What’s it going to be?”
Riana glared at him. Cy’s swollen, bloodied face sprang to mind. If Vind beat her, she couldn’t help Cy. “How does someone get as nefarious as you—make a pact with the devil? Neither of them moved for a moment.
A venomous smile lifted Vind’s mouth. “Why would I make a pact with myself?” He wrapped one long, powerful arm around her shoulders and held her in place while he put the necklace on her with the other. He turned her loose and crawled off the bed without saying a word. Then strode from the room and locked the door behind him.
Tears burned Riana’s eyes. The moment she’d realized who Vind was, Cy’s pain slammed into her like she’d hit a cement wall at a hundred miles an hour. How could she not have sensed it before? The last time she’d known Vind was himself…was when he’d brought the girl in for her massage. Afterwards, everything seemed like a distant dream. Somehow, that masseuse distorted her reality.
Riana shook her head. How could she ever look Cy in the face after this? She didn’t deserve him. Her hand went to her stomach. Even if they somehow survived, she couldn’t become Cy’s wife carrying Vind’s demon spawn inside her.
She glanced at the clock. It was after midnight. If Iggy didn’t return with help s
oon, Cy would die. He looked like he’d been tortured since his capture. He only wore jeans, and they were covered with dried blood. His face so swollen, he was unrecognizable. But her soul recognized him. The moment Vind’s blood had hit her lips, she’d known. Somehow it slapped her out of the trance he’d put her in.
Arrogance seeped from Vind when he’d told her she carried his child. He had accomplished his goal and loved rubbing their faces in it. He had her and Cy exactly where he wanted, completely helpless and at his mercy. Mercy they both knew Vind didn’t possess.
***
Riana forced her eyes open. Light from the window shot pain through her head, making it feel as if she’d been on a three-day bender. The harsh reality of last night’s events came flooding back.
Iggy had never returned with word of her father. She hoped he was safe. She’d fallen asleep trying to come up with a way to get Cy out of this hell. If they tortured him again, he’d die. Her heart clenched at the thought.
Wondering what time it was, she turned and glanced at the clock beside the bed. “Four-thirty pm?” She’d never slept this long. Vind had either drugged her, or the lack of nutrition had finally caught up with her.
Riana slowly sat up and dangled her feet off the side of the bed. Her head pounded and she fought the urge to lie back down. She forced herself to stand. The room tilted and nausea threatened with each step toward the bathroom. She wanted to take a shower, stay for however long it took to wash the feel of Vind’s hands from her body. But there wasn’t enough soap and water in the world to accomplish that.
As she waited for the shower to get hot, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were blood shot and puffy with large dark circles beneath them. Probably all the hits she’d taken to the face. She not only felt like hell, she looked like it too.
Riana stepped under the forceful spray of hot water, letting the warmth soothe the pain in her head and her heart. She had to come up with a plan to get Cy out of there. Fear threatened to consume her, as she mentally chronicled the visible injuries on Cy’s body. His skin was gray and from the amount swelling in his face, he more than likely had a concussion. That, coupled with extensive blood loss told her he wouldn’t survive much longer.