Shattered Warrior

by Brenda Trim

  “I’ll show you sexy when we get home. I can tell you right now by looking at him in those tights, I have a lot more to offer,” he growled as he grabbed a fork and stuffed it into the cake, feeding her a heaping bite of the dessert.

  Her eyes rolled back in her head. “Oh my Goddess. That is so decadent. You have to try it,” she said on a moan.

  Rather than take a bite, he leaned over and placed his lips over hers. He licked the chocolate from the corner of her mouth before his tongue delved past her parted lips. He stole her breath and kissed her until she was dizzy and craving way more than another bite of the dessert.

  Moments later he broke the kiss and murmured. “Mmmm, best chocolate cake ever. Shall we take the rest to go?”

  Nodding her head vigorously, she leaned over to whisper in his ear, “I’m going to spread chocolate frosting all over your hard cock and take my time licking every… last…drop.”

  Eyes wide, he raised his hand to signal the waiter. “Check.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Let’s get these protections set so Rami can teleport Izzy in,” Pema urged to the group standing in the clearing.

  Orlando wiped his sweaty palms on his suit pants. It still seemed surreal that the ceremony they were preparing for was his mating ceremony. He had waited for this day for longer than he could remember. The Goddess had blessed him with the missing piece of his soul. They would finally be whole.

  All they needed now was to make sure the demons didn’t show up and wreck this ceremony, too.

  He shook off the negativity of the demons ruining his day and focused on the bright spot that was Ember. He truly cared for Ember. She was beautiful, tenacious and the smartest female he’d ever met. She deserved so much better than his battered heart. She never asked for more than he could give and didn’t push him. It was a relief to go at his own pace despite the many times he felt her exasperation.

  Elsie stepped to his side bouncing from foot to foot. “You’d think this was your mating,” he teased her.

  Slapping his arm, she smiled at him. “I don’t like being away from Izzy, but we weren’t going to take any chances after last time. This is probably overkill,” she responded.

  “Nothing is overkill where she is concerned,” Orlando assured as he watched the witches cast a cloaking spell.

  They’d already added to the shield surrounding the Grove, along with Jace and Gerrick’s assistance, so no demon should be able to get through the barrier now. But like Elsie had said, they weren’t taking any chances.

  Rami materialized with the exuberant little girl minutes later. Izzy ran up to Elsie blabbing nonstop about her sparkly dress then twirled to show it off. The princess’s energy was infectious and even had Mack complimenting her girly dress.

  Cloaking done, Hayden approached Orlando. “Ready?”

  “More than ready,” Orlando replied. The wood sprites had worked a miracle on the land surrounding the replicated Triskele Amulet. Even in the darkness of night, Orlando could see ferns and lush groundcover had replaced the blackened earth. The trees were still healing and would take longer, but white lights to distract from the damaged trunks surrounded the area.

  Seeking Zander, Orlando couldn’t help the pang that hit his chest when Hayden took his place as the ceremonial conductor. Orlando had been part of the Zeum family for centuries. These males and females fought by his side and shared in triumphs, as well as, failures. He’d made the concession with Ember that Hayden would be the only one performing the ceremony, and, while he wanted Hayden to be part of it, he was saddened that Zander would not be the one tying him to his future.

  At least they would be in the inner circle, he reasoned. Each member of his Dark Warrior family was present, even Santiago and Tori. The timing had worked perfectly with Santiago’s release from the dungeons and his best friend was there to share in his special day.

  Ember’s mother caught his eye and nodded in his direction.

  This was it. There was no turning back.

  His life would never be the same after this night and he had no idea if he was ready. This signified so much change and a vulnerability he didn’t know how to protect. He couldn’t stifle her or lock her away. He was, however, certain that he wanted the pain of the mating brand to fade and planned on spending an uninterrupted week in bed with his sexy mate.

  Taking in the setting, the area was dotted with tables and chairs off to one side while a path of rose petals led from Jesaray house to the natural arbor of two evergreens. The weather had warmed slightly and the snow was gone. As a being of earth, sun, and the wild, the outdoors was the perfect location for a shifter ceremony.

  Orlando was surrounded by the energy of the pack and allowed that to feed his body and nurture his soul. He’d been gone so long that he’d forgotten what it felt like to be sustained by the pack on a regular basis, but since spending time with Ember, he felt more energized than he had in a long time. He received a similar jolt from the Dark Warriors, but it wasn’t quite the same. His animalistic nature reveled in being here.

  Grandma Flo exited the dining hall signaling to Orlando she’d finished preparations for the feast afterward. No shifter missed mating ceremonies mainly because they loved to eat and he had no doubt there was enough food to feed ten armies. He’d gone to Zeke’s mating a while back and the pack had traveled to Zeum for Santiago when he’d mated a few months ago and both events had more food and drink than anything else.

  There were several things common to everyone’s ceremony and Orlando found those were the pieces he most looked forward to. The bonfire was at the top of his list. He’d made sure theirs was big enough to last throughout the night. He wanted his bond with Ember to be celebrated long after they left the ceremony to move onto his most anticipated portion of the night…the blood exchange.

  Hayden adjusted his suit jacket and nearly dislodged his ceremonial cloak. Orlando got his first glimpse of the garment at Zeke’s mating ceremony. It was comprised of the hides of every animal that lived inside the Omega.

  It was rumored that the Goddess gave it to the first Omega and since then it had been passed down to subsequent leaders. Hayden wore it with pride. The sight was a major shift from the rugged attire of jeans and t-shirt the male usually wore. He’d even tied his hair back to complete the sophisticated look.

  Adrenaline flooded Orlando’s body as he waited for the event to begin. He wanted to howl to the night sky how honored he felt to be mating Ember. There were no words for the excitement he felt and that was buoyed by the emotions of everyone present.

  “Oh my Goddess,” Orlando breathed as Ember exited the back door of Jesaray house.

  Stunning was his first thought, mine was his second. She was gorgeous in her cream-colored silk gown with a matching shawl over her shoulders. Her brown hair was pulled back and flowers adorned her head. His eyes locked with her amber gaze as she walked beside her best friend to his side and his knees weakened from the onslaught of her emotion. She was happier than he’d ever seen her and he vowed to make her smile like that every day for the rest of their lives.

  Hayden chuckled and said, “Every time I do this the male wears the same goofy expression. I’m on the fence if it’s a good thing or not.”

  “Very good,” Orlando replied automatically.

  The murmuring noise of the crowd evaporated when she reached his side. Nothing else mattered but her. He’d never understood the reason the males brought their females into their arms right away until now. It was because they were helpless to do any less. The second Ember was in his arms, desire coursed through him making him hard as stone. He kissed her rosy lips, not caring about the onlookers surrounding them. He had to taste her. The kiss quickly heated and his hands roamed down her back.

  “I can see what you mean by good,” Hayden teased, breaking into the moment. Ember was beaming when they parted lips and winked at Hayden.

  Hayden directed them to the stone image of the Triskele Amulet inlaid in the dirt. Whi
le Orlando’s blood, sweat and tears were in the amulet at Zeum, a piece of Ember’s family lay in this replica and that made it just as meaningful.

  “Friends and family, please form a circle around the couple,” Hayden instructed.

  As the embodiment of the amulet, Izzy strode to Hayden’s side and grabbed his hand. The big male bent down and lifted her in his arms.

  A loud cry interrupted the ceremony and Orlando jumped, realizing the cry came from his son. Brantley was in Evelyn’s arms and wasn’t happy about something. Ember’s mother bounced the boy and turned him around to face Orlando and Ember. A smile immediately lit up his mate’s face and the baby responded with a sweet laugh. Orlando waved and Brantley settled down.

  Orlando loved Izzy, Aria and Donovan, but he hadn’t been prepared for the unconditional love and devotion he felt toward the little guy. He hadn’t expected such an all-consuming emotion given the indifference his parents had shown him. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Brantley and Ember felt the same way. He may not be their blood, but he belonged to them and he hoped Jaidis was looking down, pleased with her decision to ask Orlando to care for him.

  He’d felt the tug of Fate the moment he’d met Jaidis and now he understood it was always about Brantley, not his mother.

  “Someone doesn’t want to be left out,” Hayden chuckled as he looked to Brantley before he continued with the ceremony. “We have gathered here in this beautiful place, under the eye of the Sun and the glow of the Moon. Let the circle be blessed and consecrated with Fire and Water.”

  Faith and Emily stepped forward and lit the candles surrounding Orlando, Ember and Hayden. Whether from the magic of the night, Breslin’s gift of fire, or the power of the Goddess, when the last candle was lit, fire rose from the earth to the heavens like shooting stars. And, as if guided by the same magic, water cascaded down in a sheer waterfall from the heavens back to the earth, extinguishing the fire.

  “We call to the Goddess Morrigan, and invoke her to bless this mating,” Hayden intoned.

  Dozens of animals from deer to mountain lions to squirrels slowly approached the gathering. Owls and various other birds flocked to the nearbytrees. Orlando knew it was the call of the Omega that drew them together and kept them from preying upon one another. The unity was felt between everyone and a sight to behold.

  Hayden smiled at Ember before he placed the mating stone into her hand and gave her a squeeze. Orlando knew the two shared a deeper relationship than most and couldn’t thank Hayden enough for being a father figure to Ember after her dad had been killed.

  Orlando followed Ember’s gaze to the ordinary-looking granite stone. The transformation it was about to undergo was one of the Goddess’s most precious gifts. Orlando knew the mating stone protected different things for different couples and wondered what it would represent for them.

  Orlando felt the electrical pulses that emanated from the stone. It crawled up his arm in a calming wave and he wondered how it felt to Ember. She was trembling as much as he was and their bond told him she was as awed as him.

  Orlando laid his other palm over the top of Ember’s. Power unlike anything he had ever experienced built beneath their hands. His heart raced and his soul stretched in his chest. His leopard prowled wanting in on the action, reminding Orlando the blood exchange would soon follow.

  “We call upon the spirits of the East, of Air, Spring, and new beginnings. We call upon the spirits of the South and the inner Fire of the Sun, Summer, and personal will. We call upon the spirits of the West, of Water, Autumn, and healing and dreaming. We call upon the spirits of the North, of Earth, Winter, and the time of cleansing and renewal. Join us to bless this couple with your guidance and inspiration,” Hayden chanted, his baritone voice carrying to the outer circles.

  Ember placed her right hand over his heart and Orlando did the same, placing his right hand over her heart. “I bless this mating under the Sun and the Moon. This circle of love and honor is open and never broken, so may it be.” Hayden’s voice resonated with his blessing.

  Heat built in the stone almost to an excruciating degree, but Ember’s smile never wavered. Her joy and love shone through their bond. As he stared at his beautiful mate, Orlando was unprepared when he felt both souls leave his body to enter the stone. As brilliant light flashed between their fingers, Orlando’s body filled with the magic. The connection he felt to Ember locked in place, and for the first time, he saw it as a gold chain that wrapped around his heart and ran to Ember’s, entwining them. Ember stood taller when their souls surged back into their bodies.

  Orlando had to take a small step backward. His transformed soul was foreign and slightly uncomfortable, but his chest was filled to bursting and the smile wouldn’t leave his face. His soul was complete because of the stunning female in front of him. Ember was a part of him now and he could feel her in every cell of his body. She belonged to him and he belonged to her.

  *****

  Ember beamed up at her mate when the Goddess’s magic settled around her like a fine mist.

  “Mating stones protect and bless different aspects for different couples. You are a warrior at heart, Ember. You do your race proud, but you’re stubborn. Your mating stone embodies compassion, courage and compromise. You will need all of them to face the battles ahead,” a lyrical voice spoke in her head.

  Ember glanced around. Orlando was smiling down at her and everyone else was clapping and cheering. Light shone between their clasped hands and she realized no one else had heard the Goddess speaking to her just now.

  “I vow to keep this close to my heart and use it to beat the archdemons. I will not allow Lucifer into this world,” Ember promised silently.

  Tsking sounded in her head, making her flush with embarrassment. Apparently, that was the wrong response.

  “This is about more than the demons. This concerns your future, your mate, the child you’re raising, and your pack. You have the tools to face the trials and tribulations ahead and can conquer them all if you use the knowledge I’ve given you,” the Goddess said before her presence vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

  That cryptic warning settled like a weight in her gut, but she didn’t have time to ponder it as Orlando lifted his hand to reveal an emerald the size of an egg. Their connection to the gem pulsed strongly through her body and its presence was comforting and settled her confused thoughts over the Goddess’s words.

  Orlando grabbed her into a tight embrace and his mouth crashed down on hers in the next moment. As always, their kiss fanned her desire and had her wanting more, but now wasn’t the time as well-wishers descended on them.

  Her mother handed a squirming Brantley to her. Orlando hadn’t let go of her completely and the three of them stood together as the Dark Warriors congratulated them followed by the pack.

  “Food is in the hall,” Grandma Flo announced as she stood by the open doors of the dining hall.

  Hungry shifters filed into the building in search of sustenance. The Dark Warriors held back as if uncertain. Orlando stood firmly by their side and she got another glimpse of the tight unit they represented.

  “C’mon, let’s grab some food,” she urged her mate. “You’re going to need your strength for what comes next.”

  Mack laughed and slapped Orlando on the back as she took the first step to the dining hall. Shifters drifted out with filled plates and wandered to the tables that were set up close to the bonfire.

  “That’s an understatement. Best part of the whole damn ceremony. Welcome to the family, Ember,” Mack said as she and Kyran ducked inside.

  Ember was unsure of the welcome she would receive from the females in the compound. Mack was the only one that had been friendly with her. She hadn’t expected hugs and invitations to Girls’ Night Out, but the cold shoulder she’d received from the queen was a bit much. Mack and Tori were the only ones that hadn’t followed Elsie’s lead.

  The pretty Valkyrie had been consumed with missing her mate while he was in
the dungeons and had withdrawn from everything. Seeing the female with Santiago, she saw a huge difference. It couldn’t have been easy to immediately be separated after a mating. Seemed like torture to Ember.

  “I think the little guy is hungry, too,” Orlando observed as the others followed Mack and Kyran. Falling into step at her mate’s urging she realized Brantley was sucking on his fist and fussy.

  “My mom has his diaper bag with the bottles, I’ll grab it from her,” Ember said.

  “I’ll get food. You’re going to need your strength, as well, Em,” he said with a kiss.

  Ember found her mom talking with Grandma Flo. “I need Brantley’s bag. He’s hungry,” Ember said after greeting them both.

  “Oh, yes. I’ll grab it,” her mother said and hurried away.

  “Thank you for doing all this, Grandma Flo. You’ve outdone yourself this time,” Ember told the Omega’s grandmother.

  “I have missed these gatherings in the pack. We used to have ceremonies and feasts often and I forgot how much fun they were. They breathe new life into the pack and it’s about damn time,” Grandma Flo said as she brushed her blonde hair off her shoulder.

  The tall female wore a sleek pantsuit and looked elegant. She didn’t appear to be any older than Ember until you looked deeply into her warm brown eyes. They held the wisdom of her years and then some. “Give me that baby. You go find your mate and enjoy your Eve of Eternal Union,” Grandma Flo stated with a wink.

  Ember kissed Brantley’s cheek and passed him over. “You’re the best,” Ember said as she hugged Grandma Flo and hurried off to find her sexy mate, tempted to forgo food and head straight to the mating cave.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Orlando could see the candlelight flickering inside the cave from several feet away. “I’d heard about the mating cave. I thought that was a euphemism for a fancy room set up for couples to spend their Eve of Eternal Union,” he muttered and tilted his head to look at his mate. “I didn’t realize it was an actual cave.”