by Brenda Trim
“That’s possible?” he asked entirely too interested in the thought. She had the urge to kick him off the spindly chair he was sitting on.
“I don’t know, but I have no problem being the first in the realm to deny a mating. I have no desire to be tied to a male who doesn’t want me. I’d rather live with constant pain from this mate mark,” she informed him. Her bicep screamed and called her a liar.
The pain mainly felt like she had a bad sunburn, but at times, it sent sharp stabs straight to her soul and she knew it would be unbearable to go through the rest of her life with the constant reminder of a denied mating.
Orlando held up his hands and shook his head back and forth. “I am fucking this all up. That’s not what I meant. This whole situation has taken me by surprise, but I want to mate with you. I’m trying to ask if you’d like to complete the mating with me,” he suggested.
She’d always been particularly good at discerning lies and sensed he was being completely honest with her. It was the resounding declaration of love and devotion that was missing from his speech. She wanted, no needed, to have that with a mate. But truth was, they barely knew each other and it would take time to develop a relationship.
As she opened her mouth to respond he stopped her then added, “But, I need you to know something first. I have a child and if we mate he will be yours, too. Are you okay with that?”
“Is it that female’s child? The one that died in your arms? I wondered what had happened to him,” she observed.
She had admired his promise to look after the female’s child and knew he could’ve chosen to do it from the sidelines. The fact that he had taken the child into his home told her he was loyal and protective. Both were qualities she wanted in her mate.
“Yes. His name is Brantley and I formally adopted him, so there is no going back on that score,” he warned firmly.
There was a glimpse of the Dark Warrior in him and it made her shiver. She was blessed with one of the most powerful males in the Tehrex Realm and couldn’t be more pleased with the Goddess’s choice.
“I would be honored to help raise him. Things have been so crazy I hadn’t had time to find out what had happened with him. How is he doing without his mom?” she asked, sympathy for the baby filling her chest. She wished he were there so she could wrap him in her arms and offer comfort.
“He’s doing fine. Fits in with the rest of the house as if he was meant to be there,” Orlando said with a smile as he reached over and pulled her into his lap. She went willingly soaking up his warmth.
His presence filled the entire kitchen, sucking all available air and she suddenly realized they’d have to add onto her home. One bedroom and a small main room weren’t big enough for the three of them. She made a mental note to ask her grandfather and uncles to build additional rooms.
“I still can’t believe I found you,” he murmured, interrupting her thoughts, and kissed the pounding pulse at her neck.
She understood his disbelief. The past several hours seemed like a dream, but then her brand would flare, reminding her it was all too real. She wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and threaded her fingers in his short hair.
“You’re mine,” she declared.
His glowing eyes met hers and he chuckled. “So it seems, Wildcat. You know we never did make it to the bed last time,” he said as he kissed his way across her collarbone.
“Screw the bed. This table is perfectly fine,” she whispered in his ear and felt his body shudder.
“I like how you think, you naughty, naughty female,” he responded lifting her shirt over her head.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Stop glaring at the Vampire Queen,” Faith whispered in Ember’s ear.
Ember turned to the female that had been by her side nearly her entire life. She loved Faith like a sister, but felt she was betraying the best friend oath.
“I know you aren’t taking her side,” Ember countered sharply.
They were in the park near the main dining hall along with the Zander and his precious Elsie, Orlando, Hayden, and Ember’s sister, Emily, and their mother, Evelyn. She laughed to herself recalling how her father had called them his three E’s referring to their common first initials. She couldn’t help but miss her dad as she looked over the area where she would hold her mating ceremony. She was so glad Orlando hadn’t put up an argument to mating at the Grove.
Santiago had been mated at Zeum so Ember had expected Orlando to follow suit, but he said it was her choice. It had always been her dream to claim her mate on sacred ground belonging to her people. To her, there was no other option.
“Never. You know that I’ll always have your back. What’s her deal anyway?” Faith asked, her voice a little louder this time.
“What’s whose problem?” Emily asked and all eyes turned to them.
Faith jumped right in without hesitation. “Oh, you know. We’re just trying to decide what Grandma Flo’s going to cook for the ceremony,” she quipped and ember gave her a grateful smile for saving her from an uncomfortable conversation about the vampire queen.
“You have to have her make her rack of lamb. She puts this crust on it…” Hayden said as he closed his eyes and a satisfied grin crossed his handsome face, “make you feel like you’ve died and gone to Annwyn,” he finished and rubbed his stomach.
Ember couldn’t recall having that specific dish, but Hayden would know best given that Grandma Flo was his blood relative.
Elsie screwed up her face and joined the conversation. “Orlando doesn’t like rack of lamb. His favorite is Chicken Parmesan. I have the recipe if you’d like it,” the queen offered.
Ember’s fingers curled into a fist that itched to meet those clear blue eyes. How dare she speak for Orlando when he wasn’t her mate? Unfortunately, it was one more reminder that she didn’t know much about Orlando. They’d spent the past few days becoming more acquainted in the unlawful carnal knowledge department but not much else.
“Hell yeah. Your Chicken Parmesan is the best. I think I need to taste test it before we decide though,” Orlando teased Elsie who returned his smile.
The fact that he so easily smiled with this female burned Ember and she was at his side before she realized she’d taken a step. He glanced down and his smile faded, but he reached out and grabbed her hand and interlaced their fingers. The connection zinged with electricity, warming her.
“Sure, I can make you some tonight if you’re coming home,” Elsie jabbed.
“Doona blame him, a ghra, he’s a male in love,” Zander interjected with a chuckle.
If only that were true, Ember thought. They hadn’t even said the three little words that every female craved to hear. If she were honest, she wasn’t ready to say them, either. No matter, they were building something true and lasting and she knew love would find its way into the equation.
Faith and Emily were at her side in the next heartbeat, a silent offer of support. They understood her better than anyone else. It was just another reason Ember loved belonging to a pack.
“So, is this where you will hold the ceremony?” Elsie asked as she glanced around the area.
Even in the dark of night, Ember could see the dissatisfied look on the female’s face as she looked around. Izzy struggled in her mother’s arms until she put her down then the little girl took off running to the nearby swing set. Luckily, there were plenty of lights from the nearby buildings, but Ember could see the queen’s protectiveness for her daughter as Izzy squealed her delight.
Nothing about the pack was as fancy or stuffy as Zeum. The place screamed money and refinement whereas shifters connected with nature and lived simpler lives.
“It’s so charming,” Elsie continued, surprising Ember. “Did you and Zeke help make this replica of the amulet?” the queen asked Hayden, referring to the intricate pattern made from various stones of different shapes and colors. It was a truly stunning work of art and Ember was proud to have been part of its construction.
“Yes, most of the pack was involved with its creation in some way. Whether picking up stones, clearing debris from the area or in the design itself. This spot has a purpose now and that gives the pack a peace it had been missing,” Hayden explained.
The center of pack land was where the nursery, school, medical ward and dining hall were located. She, like most members, had crossed the image of the Triskele amulet over the years and not paid it much attention, but ever since the Goddess had began bestowing Fated Mate blessings everyone regarded the area with reverence.
“If you don’t want my recipe, what can I help with?” Elsie asked. The offer seemed genuine, but Ember didn’t trust it.
“I have my sister and Faith, not to mention, my mother and grandparents. What Grandma Flo can’t do, they can,” Ember told her flatly.
“I’m sure there’s something Elsie and the other females can do,” Orlando interjected.
If she didn’t know better, Ember would say he was playing peacemaker and she took it as a clue to play nice.
“Them being here for you is enough,” she told her mate as a sudden thought occurred to her. “Is your family coming? Do they live in the area?”
“No, they’re in New York and they aren’t coming,” Orlando replied as his brows furrowed.
He hadn’t said one word about his childhood and the look on his face told her it was a sore subject. She hoped he would eventually open up to her and talk about his family. She wanted to know everything about her mate.
“Okay, so the inner circle will be my family with the rest of the guests will form the outer circles,” Ember clarified.
“No. The Dark Warriors and their mates will be in the inner circle, as well. They are my family,” Orlando added as he pulled his hand away from hers. Ember couldn’t deny the bond between Orlando and this formidable group even if she wanted to.
“My mother asked to hold Brantley during the ceremony if that’s alright,” Ember offered, realizing he may have another plan for the baby. She had spent a few hours each day with the baby and was quickly falling in love. He was such a happy baby it was hard not to.
Orlando turned and gave her the biggest smile yet. “I hadn’t even considered where he would be, but yes, I like that idea. Your mother will be perfect.”
“If grandma doesn’t steal him from her,” Emily added with a chuckle. “She loves babies and Goddess knows we’ve had too few of those.”
Izzy ran up to them at that moment and tugged on Ember’s leg. Bending down, she met eyes identical to her father’s. “I have a sparkly pink dress for your mating. You need sparkles, too. Can I have ice cream now?”
Laughing, Ember stood up and grabbed her hand. “Sure. Grandma Flo has the best homemade chocolate ice cream on the planet.”
“I like strawberry,” Izzy informed her as she scrunched her eyes.
“Her strawberry is even better,” Faith chimed in.
Before they’d made it two steps from the group, a bloody arm sailed through the air.
*****
Disbelief settled over Orlando as he saw the limb land in the middle of the group. It stood out like a sore thumb on the snow-covered ground. On alert, he scanned the area for the source.
“Shite!” Zander shouted as he pulled his weapons from their sheaths. “Elsie, take Izzy into the dining hall, now.”
Elsie was in motion right before demons seemed to fall from the sky all around them. It was disorienting to see them drop out of thin air. Some writhed in pain, others landed in a crouch and attacked.
“She’s teleporting demons in and tossing them through our protections,” Hayden shouted with eyes trained towards the night sky.
“Fuck. Don’t these bitches ever stop?” Orlando asked rhetorically. “I didn’t realize that was even possible.”
“Neither did I,” Hayden growled. Clearly, none of them had considered this weakness to the protection wards.
Before Orlando knew it, they were surrounded. “Ember, go with Elsie. Get to safety,” he called out. Every fiber of his being objected to having her so close to danger.
A pus demon cut off Elsie and Izzy and he saw Ember rush to help them. Suddenly, Orlando went sailing through the air and lost track of his mate. Felines always landed on their feet and the second he touched the ground, he was spinning to meet his attacker.
Claws scrabbled in the dirt and then the hellhound charged him. Orlando jumped at the last second and plunged his blade into its back as he sailed over the top of it. Using the handle as leverage, Orlando jumped and swung his legs over the large beast so that he straddled its back.
Like riding a bull, Orlando was bucked and tossed, but he managed to maintain his hold. He felt a pop and knew his shoulder had slipped out of its socket, but he ignored the pain and wrapped his arm around the hellhound’s neck and twisted with all his might. A loud snap followed and the beast slumped to the ground.
A bright flash of white light momentarily blinded him before Ramiel appeared. “Do you ever stay out of trouble?” the angel asked Elsie and Izzy with a shake of his head as he placed himself in between the females and the demons.
Orlando marveled at Rami’s enormous black wings. With a quick flare of the black appendages, several demons shrieked then heads went flying as black blood dripped from the razor-sharp tips of his wings. The male was lethal without even trying.
“Take Izzy and Elsie to safety,” Zander ordered the angel, but Rami glared at the vampire king and continued to fight off the demons.
Ember stayed close to Elsie as Izzy disappeared from her mother’s arms. “Where did she go?” came Ember’s panicked question.
Orlando prayed the princess teleported to safety rather than a demon’s arms. The little girl was very aware of her power to end a demon’s existence with a touch of her hand, but no one wanted her taking such risks at her young age.
A second later she appeared in Rami’s arms squirming and saying, “Play, play.”
“Not now, Izzy. I’m a little busy with these demons. You stay with your mom and don’t teleport anywhere. Do you hear me?” Rami ordered as he handed the child back to Elsie. Orlando marveled at the patience Rami showed Izzy when it was clear he wasn’t a patient male.
Orlando punched a pus demon in the throat and felt his hand sink into the mushy smelly mess. Temporarily stunning the pus demon, Orlando risked a glance skyward. The blue-winged archdemons were nowhere to be seen, but he did see the faint shimmer of the protective wards and wondered if the presence of demons was making it do that.
Sensing movement to his right, he ducked and then checked before stabbing anything. They were fighting in close quarters and he didn’t want to injure a friend. He was glad he took pause when he spotted Zeke charging the scene with reinforcements.
“Give us the Princess and we will leave,” announced a Fury demon that was standing in the middle of the melee.
“Over my dead body,” Ember spat, her breath coming out in an angry white cloud. He loved her courage, but he wished she’d shut her mouth and slink into the shadows where it was safer.
Hayden had shifted into a bear and swatted a Sheti demon aside as he tried to reach the mouthy Fury demon. In his fear for his mate, Orlando reached the enemy before Hayden and his leopard growled as it burst free right before the demon leaped for Ember.
Orlando didn’t stop to think about what he was doing, just lunged. His canines sank into gray flesh and acid burned his tongue when he bit down. He thrashed his head and kept tight hold of the demon. His powerful jaws quickly tore through flesh, muscle and tendon as black blood sprayed in an arc. Ember cried out and clutched her arm while Orlando mentally called out to Zander to finish the bastard so his leopard could get to Ember’s side.
Emily and Faith were standing together and shaking like leaves. With a hiss at Ember and a nudge of his head to her thigh, he tried to convey that she needed to stay with the females as he turned back to the battle. The snow was melting as the ground sizzled and the area turned black as the vegeta
tion died. Rage surfaced that the site of his mating ceremony was being desecrated.
Too much had been taken from him and he was tired of it. His life had been one pile of shit after another, beginning with parents who favored his siblings to taking hit after hit in the female department and ultimately losing Jaidis to the demons destroying everything he cared about.
He’d been too wrapped up in his head to realize his mate was slowly gluing his pieces back together and he’d be damned if he allowed any demon to ruin his one chance at some happiness. She wanted to be mated on pack land and he owed her that. He had no idea how things would play out between them, but he looked forward to strengthening their bond and claiming her in every way.
With a growl, he leapt into action and tackled the hellhound, claws digging in before his jaws tore through its throat. The sound of battle waged around him and in the middle of it all he heard his mate curse, but he couldn’t break away from the pus demon facing him. A hellhound paired up with the pus demon and the two swiped at Orlando, their efforts flaying Orlando’s side. Blood poured from numerous wounds and he felt his body weakening.
The second his steps faltered a cougar let out a roar and pounced on the hellhounds back. Relief and panic warred as Orlando quickly attacked and killed the pus demon. Glancing sideways, he caught his first glimpse of his mate’s animal. Ember had a gorgeous tan coat and was graceful in her lethality.
Watching her through predatory eyes, the mating compulsion blasted through him and heated his blood. He fought the urgent need to pin her down by the scruff of the neck and mount her. Shaking off those animalistic instincts, the next urge was to bend her over his knee and spank her for jumping into the fray.
Rami appeared next to them and the three of them worked together to eliminate all the demons near them. Orlando was grateful Rami was there. The angel didn’t hesitate to come to Izzy’s call and this time they had needed his help.