Written on my Heart (The Oracles Book 1)

by Piper Davenport

  I stepped back and followed him slowly to the tub where he lowered himself into the water, a sigh of relief relaxing me slightly. “Better?”

  “Yeah, sugar. Much.”

  “I’m going to get Kade, okay?”

  He smiled, his eyes closed, his lips dry. “Can you get me some water first, please?”

  “Oh, sure.” I grabbed him a glass and helped him take a few sips before he nodded and relaxed against the porcelain again. “I’ll be right back.”

  I rushed out of the bathroom and yanked open the bedroom door. “Kade!” I called, hating the sound of panic in my voice.

  He appeared immediately, almost like he’d teleported to me… I didn’t know if that was a thing, but I filed it in the back of my mind to ask.

  “Is he in the bath?” Kade asked.

  I nodded. “He’s really hot.”

  “I know, lass. It’s all normal.”

  We’d almost reached the bathroom when pain hit my legs and I lost my footing, falling with a thud to the floor. Samantha rushed into the room and knelt beside me. “Kade’s going to take care of Dalton, honey. I’ve got you, okay?”

  I couldn’t speak. The pain was so intense it knocked the wind out of me. Thankfully, it didn’t last long, and I dragged myself off the ground. “How much worse is he feeling this?”

  Samantha gave me a gentle smile and I knew it was severe.

  “Damn it,” I whispered.

  “He can take it, Andi. Promise,” Samantha assured. “Come have a seat. I’m going to wrap your legs with ice. It’ll help cool your whole body.”

  I shook my head. “I’m okay. I need to be close to Dalton.”

  “The pain’s only going to get worse.”

  “I’m okay, Samantha, but I need to be with him.”

  She smiled. “I get it.”

  I took unsteady steps toward the bathroom, kneeling in front of the tub and taking Dalton’s hand. He pulled away.

  “Am I hurting you?” I asked.

  “If she touches you, it will help, brother,” Kade said. “Both of you.”

  “You’re in pain?” Dalton rasped.

  “It’s nothing, honey,” I promised, taking his hand again.

  “Why’s she in pain?” Dalton demanded.

  “She’s taking on some of your pain,” Kade explained. “This is all part of the process.”

  “You didn’t say she’d be in pain, Kade.”

  I squeezed Dalton’s hand, drawing his focus back to me. “I’m okay, honey. Let’s just focus on getting you pain free, okay?”

  “Damn it,” he rasped, his body contorting as his head dropped hard against the tub.

  “His head.” I reached to pull it away from the porcelain, but Kade stopped me.

  “He’s alright, lass,” Kade assured.

  “He’s in agony,” I snapped. “How is that alright?”

  “His body must go through the change. The pain is part of the process.”

  “Is there anything we can give him? Dilaudid or something?”

  “It won’t work,” Kade said.

  Before I could rain hell down upon him, pain shot through my stomach, and it took everything I had to keep hold of Dalton.

  Dalton sat up with a roar. “Help her!” he bellowed.

  “I’m okay,” I forced out.

  “God damn it, Kade!” Dalton snapped. “Samantha!”

  “I’m here,” Samantha said. “I’m not coming in, but I’m here, big brother. Andi’s okay.”

  “Take her somewhere,” Dalton ordered.

  “I’m not leaving you,” I countered.

  “Andi.”

  I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed it gently. “Don’t bother trying, Dalton, it’s not happening.”

  “I’m monitoring her, Dalt,” Samantha said. “She’s wired for sound so to speak.”

  She was right. I had pads over my heart and one on my forehead keeping track of my temperature.

  “I’m good, baby.”

  You better be telling me the truth.

  I heard his voice in my mind and gasped. “Do you realize you didn’t say that out loud?”

  His eyes closed, and he smiled. Yep. Try it.

  I closed my eyes and concentrated. You’re freaking me out.

  I’m fine, sugar.

  “His temp’s coming down,” Kade said.

  I laid my hand on Dalton’s forehead. “He’s still very warm.”

  Kade squeezed my shoulder gently. “By human standards, aye, but this is a good sign for the Cauld Ane.”

  I nodded.

  “If his temperature continues to drop, he can leave the tub. Jesska’s already got the ice sheets on the bed.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Kade.”

  He nodded, and I focused back on Dalton.

  It took another hour for Dalton’s temperature to drop enough for Kade to feel comfortable letting him out of the tub. We’d had three more severe pain instances, but they were relatively quick for both of us, so I wasn’t as panicked.

  Kade had wanted to carry Dalton to the bed, but curse words I’d never heard out of my man’s mouth before stopped that. Dalton struggled, but he got himself out of the tub and to the mattress.

  Samantha made herself scarce, but I know Kade was updating her telepathically, which was why when Dalton was finally under the ice sheets, I opened my eyes to find Samantha and Kade leaning over me.

  “What happened?” I whispered.

  “You passed out, honey,” Samantha said. “Just stay still for a sec. I’m going to check you.”

  “What the hell is going on?” Dalton snapped. “Someone better start talking.”

  “She’s okay,” Samantha assured.

  “I want her here… next to me,” Dalton ordered. “Now.”

  Kade lifted me like I weighed nothing and settled me next to Dalton.

  “We should get your robe off, Andi,” Samantha said. “Let the ice do its thing.”

  Kade turned his back and Samantha helped me peel off the robe. Weak though he was, Dalton pulled me against him and I sighed. The ice felt amazing. I’d never felt anything so comforting in all my life. It also didn’t hurt that I was settled against Dalton and that felt best of all.

  I love you too.

  I glanced up at him, but his eyes were closed. Get out of my head.

  He smiled. No. I like your head.

  I kissed his chest. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m good, sugar. I think the worst is over.” He slid his hand to my hip. “You okay?”

  “Yes, just really tired.”

  “Don’t sleep yet,” Samantha said. “I need to do some checks and make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

  “I’m okay,” I said. “I don’t have any of the signs of concussion.”

  Samantha smiled. “Don’t be a bad patient, Andi.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t take you for bossy.”

  “I hide it well,” she retorted.

  After she ran through my vitals and asked me a series of questions, she freed me to sleep. I didn’t hesitate to snuggle up to Dalton who was already deep in snoozeville.

  Andi

  SOFT LIPS SURROUNDED by stubble kissed my shoulder and I grinned as I stretched and rolled to face Dalton. “Good morning.”

  “Mornin’, sugar.”

  I stroked his cheek and studied him. “You look amazing.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes. Younger, but not.” I grinned. “Extra hot somehow.”

  “Wow,” he breathed out. “Didn’t know I could get any hotter.”

  I giggled. “Me neither.”

  “You feel the difference?”

  “Completely.” I scooted closer. “It’s like we’re so connected no one could ever break us apart.”

  “Exactly.” He kissed me gently. “So worth the pain.”

  I blinked back tears. “I still can’t believe you went through all that for me.”

  “I’d do anything for you, Andi.”

  �
��Apparently.”

  He smiled. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “We have matching birthmarks,” he said.

  “What?”

  Sliding the sheet down, he ran his finger gently over a light brown birthmark just below my belly button I didn’t have yesterday. It wasn’t really shaped like anything fun, just a blob of brown, but Dalton had one in the exact same spot on his stomach.

  Since I decided to investigate further, I kissed his chest again, then worked my way down his body, kneeling between his legs and kissing the tip of his cock before sliding my mouth over the head.

  Dalton grunted, and I gripped his length gently and pulled down as I took him into my mouth again.

  “Baby,” he whispered.

  I slid my hand up his chest and ran a nail over his nipple, continuing to work his cock with my mouth and hand. It took him a little longer to relax, but when he threaded his fingers through my hair and gripped my scalp, I knew he was finally there with me.

  “Now, sugar,” Dalton warned.

  I sucked a little harder, flattening my hands on his thighs as his body locked, and he came in my mouth. I waited until his hands left my head, and then I released him with a gentle smack.

  I slid back up his body and he kissed me, rolling me onto my back. “My turn.”

  He ran his tongue over one nipple, then the other before continuing down my belly and to my very private area.

  His arms wrapped around my upper thighs and pushed them apart, then he leaned down and covered my core with his mouth. I arched into him as my body came apart. His tongue swirled around my clit and then he sucked gently and I bit my fist to keep from crying out. I lost his mouth and stared down my body, shivering as he knelt between my legs and hovered over me with a grin.

  “I want lots of babies, okay?” I whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded.

  “How many, sugar?”

  “Four.” I bit my lip. “Is that okay?”

  His mouth crashed down on mine and our conversation was over. His hand slid between us and he guided himself inside me before shifting so I could wrap my legs around him. He cupped my breast and slammed into me over and over again. I gripped his shoulders and he slowed. “You’re so tight.”

  I smiled. “It’s been a long time, honey.”

  “Am I hurting you? Need me to stop?”

  “I will kill you if you stop.”

  Dalton chuckled and buried himself again. His hands cupped my bottom and he held tight as he slammed into me over and over again. I whimpered and, when I knew I couldn’t wait anymore, I cried out as my orgasm exploded around me.

  “Sugar,” he rasped, and I felt him pulsate inside of me.

  I dropped my forehead to his shoulder, panting as I tried to catch my breath, eventually settling my head back on the pillow.

  Dalton grinned and peppered kisses along my jaw. “Beautiful, sugar.”

  “So are you.”

  “That’s gotta be good for one baby.”

  I laughed. “At least.”

  “I never want to leave this bed.”

  “I know what you mean,” I said, and snuggled closer. “What time do we need to be at the chapel?”

  “Five.”

  We’d bonded in the way of “our” people, and now that it was done, we would have a private ceremony in the church to be blessed by the reverend. The whole thing was very Biblical… sex first, party later… and I kind of liked it.

  “We have lots of time,” I pointed out. “But we should probably eat at some point in there, too.”

  “I’m happy to eat you.”

  My body shivered. “Ohmigod, yes, please.”

  Dalton chuckled and did as I asked.

  * * *

  Dalton and I were made official at five-fourteen p.m., our names permanently written in Kaspar’s family Bible, the final piece of our bonding complete. Jesska had organized a special dinner and we were in our room getting ready.

  “I didn’t really prepare for fancy,” I said, as I smoothed my hands down one of my stretchy, black maxi skirts. I’d paired it with a purple wrap around, deep Vee, blouse, which showcased my assets quite nicely, but it wasn’t formal by any stretch of the imagination.

  Dalton wrapped his hands behind me and met my eyes in the mirror. “You look beautiful, sugar.”

  I leaned back against him, holding my left hand up. “The ring helps give it some tszuj.”

  He smiled. “You sure you like it?”

  “I love it.” I turned to face him. “Seriously, honey. I couldn’t have picked better. Can’t wait to pick yours.”

  “Nothing fancy.”

  I giggled. “I was going to get a diamond encrusted, man ring. No?”

  “No.” He kissed me. “I trust you.”

  “Good.”

  “Mom’s gonna want a real wedding.”

  I smiled. “I’m okay with that. Nothing fancy.”

  He grinned. “Want me to ride in on a white horse?”

  “Hell, no.” I tapped his cheek with my palm. “I trust you.”

  “I’ll leave the ceremony to you… the honeymoon, however, is all mine.”

  I shivered. “Mmm, okay.”

  He kissed me gently. “Ready?”

  I nodded, and we left our room.

  Arriving downstairs, I gripped his arm and stalled. A flurry of stunning blonde flew into Dalton’s arms with a squeal and he lifted her off her feet.

  Pepper leaned back and gripped his face, kissing his cheek before hugging him again. “It’s so good to see your stupid face.”

  He laughed and lowered her to the ground. “Good to see you too, Pep.”

  She turned and pulled me in for a hug. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Hi, Pepper.” I hugged her back waiting for visions, but none came. “You look just as beautiful as ever.”

  “Come and meet Connall and the kids.” She clapped. “I’m so glad you guys are bonded. I’ve been driving Con nuts with my excitement.”

  “Hold up,” Dalton said. “Who else is here, Pepper?”

  She grinned. “Everybody.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  I gripped Dalton’s arm again. “Who’s ‘everybody’?”

  “You get to meet Max, sugar.”

  “No.” I dug my heels into the floor.

  Pepper giggled. “He’s nice. Promise. Besides, Niall’s here and he’s amazing. He and Grace help soften Max.”

  “He’s like the greatest male vocalist of all time,” I whispered. “I can’t.”

  “Ohmigod, don’t tell him that,” Pepper ordered. “His head’s already too big as it is.”

  Dalton linked his fingers with mine. I’ve got you.

  I smiled up at him. You better.

  We followed Pepper out of the foyer and into the great room where an intimidatingly large group of people milled around. I took a deep breath and squeezed Dalton’s hand, but didn’t have much time to think of bailing as we were suddenly being congratulated.

  I met Pepper’s sisters, Charlotte and Sophia, who both hugged me, and I was surprised I had no visions. The other women greeted me, but didn’t touch me and that seemed weird to me. I wondered if they weren’t happy about me bonding with Dalton.

  Pepper, Charlotte, and Sophia are the trifecta, sugar. They can block your visions. No one else in the room can, so they’re being sensitive to that fact. Don’t take it personally. They already love you.

  I smiled at Dalton and nodded. You’ll have to fill me in on the trifecta later.

  You bet.

  I was filled in on how everyone was connected, and I was sure I’d forget it all, but it was incredible how small the world was.

  Grace and Charlotte were from Portland, Oregon, best friends, who were bound to Max and Niall (brothers), much like Samantha and Pepper, best friends who were also bound to brothers.

  Max was actually very nice, even though he was a rock god. He smiled a lot and
was wholly devoted to Grace and their kids. There was nothing better than seeing a man love his woman and family so much.

  Brodie and Payton Gunnach were a hoot. Brodie was the half-brother to Kade and Connall and he was a giant of a man whose sons would easily be as big as him. Payton was a petite red-head who had a wicked sense of humor and a quiet grace that made you want to hang out with her all day. Their girls seemed to favor her in looks, but I could tell, their eldest probably took her brothers to task on more than one occasion.

  Cole had arrived with Samantha, but he’d been in meetings with Kade most days, so I’d only seen him once… until now. I was looking forward to getting to know Dalton’s closest friend, I just wasn’t sure how much he’d let me “see.”

  Kaspar’s brothers were also there with their mates and kids. Ari was bonded to Megan (mother and father to the trifecta) and Gunnar was bonded to Kenna. They had two boys who were already princes in training.

  Once introductions were made, the kids were ushered off to the play area until dinner. I couldn’t wait for our kids to be running around with their cousins.

  Dalton wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. Soon, sugar.

  I closed my eyes and leaned against him. I love you.

  Dalton pulled me onto the overstuffed sofa and I sat partially on him loving the closeness. Samantha sat beside me and handed me a glass of wine.

  “You can read my mind now?” I asked.

  Samantha chuckled. “It’s always wine time, so unfortunately, no.”

  “I’m relieved… I don’t know if I could handle anyone more than Dalton traipsing through my mind.”

  “I don’t traipse,” he countered.

  “Hmm-mm, sure you don’t.” I sipped my wine and grinned.

  “So now that Mom and Dad know you’re “engaged,” we’re going to need to plan a wedding,” Samantha said.

  Dalton had called his parents earlier and told them the good news. They’d welcomed me into the family with loving words and excitement, and I couldn’t wait to spend more time with them.

  I nodded. “That’s what Dalton said.”

  “Don’t let Mom overtake you with her excitement. She’ll plan a million dollar wedding if you don’t hold her back.”

  “I just want something small.”

  Samantha patted my knee. “Good luck with that.”

  I groaned. “You’ll have to help me rein her in.”