by Lexi C. Foss
Stand, I told myself. “Now,” I added out loud.
Using the wall for support, I forced myself up and bit my lip at the ache shooting up my legs. Had I broken them? I couldn’t remember. Everything post-Kalida was foggy. Something about Shadows…
Goose bumps pebbled along my arms at the thought, a shudder traversing my spine. Creepy little fuckers.
Stop thinking and walk.
Easier thought than done.
I took a shaky step and winced. Maybe if I had my wings for balance, this wouldn’t be so difficult. A deep longing settled inside me as I wished yet again for my feathers.
And nothing.
My eyes closed. What if my wings never come back?
I swayed on my feet at the thought. My hands flew outward to help steady myself and connected with something hard on one side.
“Oh!” I jumped and my equilibrium went sideways. A pair of sturdy arms saved me from meeting the ground again.
“While I prefer this over your prone condition, you should be resting.” Xai kissed my neck, his chest to my back. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.” His hold tightened as he buried his face against my nape.
I tried to turn, but he didn’t budge, his body very much in control of mine. “What happened, Xai? Were those portals?”
He sighed, his breath warm and welcome against my skin. “We don’t know what or who created them yet, but the problem has been dealt with for tonight.” He rotated me in his arms and captured my mouth in a kiss that bespoke of longing and pain. Every memory, every feeling, every desire was punctuated with his tongue against mine.
A relearning, I realized. He wanted to remind me of who we were to each other, how our bodies connected, where we belonged.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, threaded my fingers through his long, dark hair, and held on as he devoured me.
All my worries and concerns disappeared.
The agony rippling through my being vanished.
Only Xai mattered and the way his body felt pressed against mine.
“More,” I demanded against his mouth.
He smiled. “I love that you think you’re in charge here.”
“I am.”
“Mmm.” His hands fell to my hips as he backed me up against the wall. “I told you I’ve missed you, and you didn’t reciprocate, Evangeline. What should I do about that?”
I blinked up at him. “Make me show you how much I missed you?” I suggested.
“That would be contrary to you resting, love.” His lips whispered over mine, brief enough to tease, long enough to prove his yearning. “No one knows you’re awake yet. It’s just us.” He nuzzled my neck, his lips trailing over my collarbone. “But you’re not healed enough for what I need to do to you.”
I shivered under the promise of those dark words. “I won’t break.”
“I know,” he whispered. “You never break, my strong, resilient Evangeline.” He kissed my jaw before hovering his mouth over mine again. “I almost lost you forever.”
My heart skipped a beat at the torment etched into those words. “Xai…”
“You have no idea what it was like, searching for you and not knowing if I would ever find you in time. And seeing you beneath those Shadow demons.” His forehead fell to mine, his grip on my hips tightening. “It nearly broke me. Do you understand that I would destroy everyone and everything for you? Had I lost you…” He swallowed roughly, tension rolling off him in waves. “I can’t lose you.”
I captured his face between my palms and forced him to meet my gaze. “You will never lose me, Xai. I’ll always fight to find you.” I smiled then, recalling some of the words whispered in my dreams. “And you’ll always follow me anyway.”
He didn’t return my amusement, his midnight irises smoldering with unveiled emotion. “I could hear you in my head, Evangeline. Only briefly, and only when your soul called to mine, but I could hear your torment.”
I stared at him. “That… that was real? I thought… I thought I had imagined your presence as a way to, I don’t know, escape.”
“It was your soul reaching out to mine to survive,” he whispered. “It’s rare and it’s how I found you in the Shadow realm. The aura in your ring finally registered, but it was your soul that directed my path more than anything.”
“Shadow fields?” I repeated, frowning. A shiver followed the words, plummeting me into blackness…
Dark beings feasting on my energy.
Sucking away every ounce of my strength.
Leaving me defenseless.
Alone.
Dead.
Forgotten.
Nowhere to go.
An endless pit of solitude and—
“Evangeline!” The shout brought me back, my watery eyes flashing up to a pair of simmering dark orbs. Worry crinkled his brow, his handsome face my favorite memory. I touched his jaw, his chin, his high cheekbones and ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair. The same color as the feathers at his back.
My dark angel.
“Why is your hair so long?” I asked softly, entranced by the length. He hadn’t worn his hair this way in centuries.
His pupils dilated, a long breath escaping through his luscious lips. He seemed conflicted, if a little perplexed. “I spent a lot of time in Hell trying to find you and stopped caring about trivial things like my hair.”
I continued fondling the strands. “I like it.”
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “Then maybe I’ll keep it.”
“Okay,” I whispered, unleashing the weight of my exhaustion in a yawn.
“You need rest, love.”
I nodded. “Everything is so fuzzy.” Even the last ten minutes or so. Or longer. I couldn’t quite remember. There was something important to discuss. Maybe.
Another yawn.
We could discuss whatever it was after I slept a little more.
He lifted me off the ground, one arm under my knees, the other around my back. I snuggled into his shoulder, enjoying his strength and familiarity. “You smell like battle.” One of my favorite scents. All woodsy and male, with just a hint of Xai beneath. “I like it.”
He chuckled. “I’m going to enjoy bringing up this conversation in the morning.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a feeling you won’t remember it.”
Why wouldn’t I remember it? “Of course I will.”
“We’ll see.” He kissed my forehead. “Get some sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Promise?” I didn’t know why I said it, but part of me needed to be certain. My soul missing her mate.
“There’s nowhere else in the realms I would rather be than by your side, Evangeline. I vow it.” Another kiss, this one lulling me into a place of comfort and serenity I’d long lived without.
How many years?
Where was I again?
Hell?
Torture?
Shadows?
I trembled at the thought, my mind and body immediately averse to the word.
Sleep was what I needed—a far more pleasant notion. Maybe it would help me feel right again.
And bring me back my wings…
12
Don’t Tempt Me, Darling
“A residual shadowmare.” Raphaela’s expression turned thoughtful. “Like a nightmare, but of the Shadow realm. I imagine it’s the first of many to come for Evangeline. The Shadow demons are not known for their mercy.”
“She’ll overcome it,” my mother mused, her hazel eyes glistening with the knowledge of foresight.
I pushed away from the wall and went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Both the matriarchs had tea—their favorite.
Evangeline’s emotional break in the cave had frightened me, even more so when she appeared to be completely unaware of her behavior. It had taken me nearly ten minutes to silence her screams. Then she’d awoken and fixated on my hair.
“What about her wings?” I asked as I returned to the patio out
side. Both females sat on backless chairs, their light-colored feathers brightening the balcony’s otherwise dull appearance.
“She woke too early,” Evangeline’s mother replied. “Her body is still catching up to her mind.”
“On the contrary, her timing was flawless.” The Archangel of Destiny paused to sip her tea, drawing out her words in the way she always favored. “Her awakening placed Xai in his destined position. Had she slept, he would have missed his calling.”
Oh, good. More cryptic tales from Mom. “What does that mean, Mother?”
She blinked at me. “What does what mean, darling?”
I shook my head, not interested in playing this game right now. “Never mind.”
“You’re almost ready,” she added, ignoring me. “I’m so excited to see it. But oh.” She glanced at the clock, her eyes brimming with too much knowledge. “We should be going, Rafa. Xai has plans.”
My eyebrows rose. “I do?”
“You do.” She set her empty teacup aside, her lips curling. “Or she does, anyway.”
“Who does?”
“It’s not polite to eavesdrop, by the way. But oh, I do believe you’ve been chastised for that before, yes?” She giggled to herself, her words making absolutely no sense whatsoever. “You’ll find her in Alastor’s realm in three Heaven days’ time, my child. The Archdemon’s not aware, so be kind or retaliation will be dire. But the Succubus deserves her fate.” My mother blinked again in that eerie way, as if waking from some sort of dream. “Were we leaving, Rafa?”
Raphaela merely smiled, very used to my mother’s strange ways. “We were, yes.”
“Preparations,” my mother replied, her voice holding an urgent undertone. “That’s what we are to do. Follow me.”
She stood and stepped off the balcony without a farewell, her opal-shaded feathers glistening in the early morning sunlight.
“I believe that’s my cue.” Raphaela smiled and patted me on the arm. “Evangeline chose well, Xai. Never doubt it.”
“I don’t.” An arrogant reply, sure, but a truthful one. Evangeline was my mate. No one could ever deny that.
Her lips curled. “So much like your father, and yet, I see your mother in your eyes.” She tilted her head to the side. “Try not to lose my daughter in Hell this time.” She winked and followed my mother, leaving me shaking my head at them both.
I ran my fingers through my hair, bemused. “Crazy matriarchs.”
“I’ve always thought you inherited your cryptic ways from your father, but I see clearly now that it was your mother.” Evangeline stood in the entryway wearing absolutely nothing, her hip cocked against the doorjamb, one ankle crossed casually over the other.
My gaze traced every inch of her athletic form. She’d lost some weight during her captivity, but her angelic genetics were slowly reasserting themselves in the slight curve of her hips and supple weight of her breasts.
Gorgeous.
“How are you feeling?” I asked softly.
“Irritated,” she replied, her blue eyes flaring.
I cocked a brow. “Irritated?”
“Yes.” She stared me down. “I’m naked, Xai.”
“I see that, Evangeline.”
“Do something about it.”
My lips twitched in amusement. “I would offer you my shirt, but I’m not wearing one.” That seemed to be my constant state these days—bare feet, jeans, and shirtless. Oddly, I didn’t miss my suits.
Her gaze narrowed. “You know that’s not what I want.”
I cocked my head to the side playfully. “What do you want, love?”
“Right now? To kill you.”
“An entertaining proposition,” I mused. “Try and maybe I’ll reward you.” It would serve as a dose of foreplay shrouded in a test of her strength. I refused to push her until I knew she could take it.
We didn’t make love. We fucked. Hard.
I widened my stance and taunted her with a doubtful look.
Her resulting growl went straight to my groin. Coupled with her lack of clothes, well, my pants were suddenly feeling a bit tight.
“Having second thoughts, darling?” I took a step toward her. “Worried you might be out of practice?”
Her irises darkened to my favorite shade of sapphire, telegraphing her response before she moved. I caught her fist before it connected with my face and spun her in my arms with ease, her bare back meeting my chest. The heel kick she attempted at my shin had me lifting her from the ground in an impenetrable hug and elevating us into the sky.
She immediately stopped flailing, her heart picking up in rhythm.
“Xai…”
“Worried I’ll drop you?” I asked against her ear. “Do you think it would force your wings to appear?” I would never do it, even if she said yes. But just the threat had her tensing.
She grabbed my forearms. “Don’t.”
“Afraid?”
Her escalating pulse answered for her. “Don’t, Xai.”
“If you’re ready to fuck me, you’re ready to fly.” I loosened my grip just enough to drive the point home.
Her nails dug into my skin, drawing blood. “This isn’t funny.”
“Neither is you trying to seduce me when we both know you’re nowhere near ready for me.”
“So you’re punishing me by reminding me that I don’t have my wings?” she asked, her voice cracking. “As if I’m not already feeling on the cusp of breaking without them?”
Fuck. That hadn’t been the point of this at all.
My flesh ripped from her grasp as I shifted her in my arms, forcing her to face me. Tears glistened in her eyes, breaking my heart.
“Oh, Evangeline.” I touched my forehead to hers as I slowed our flight to a gliding pace among the clouds. “I’m sorry, love.”
“It hurts,” she said roughly, burying her head against my neck. “It hurts so fucking much that I need to forget, Xai. I can’t. I need you to take it all away, the pain, the memories. I need you to love me. To show me I’m still good enough. To remind me who we are together. To promise me forever again. To prove I’m not as broken as I feel. Please, Xai. Please. I’m begging you. I’ll—”
I threaded my fingers in her hair, yanked her head back, and silenced her with my mouth. It physically pained me to hear her so desperate, so shattered.
If she wanted to forget, I could give her that. I would give her anything she ever desired. She had to know that.
My tongue parted her lips, demanding entry, demanding she give me all her attention. No memories allowed. No darkness, except my personal brand. No thoughts of Hell, revenge, the powers shifting, none of it.
I drifted onto my back, gliding with the wind. Her arms circled my neck, her body melting into mine.
Fuck, I’d missed this.
Missed her.
Missed the air against my wings.
Fucking in the clouds…
“I love you,” I told her. “You’re my reason for being, Evangeline.”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she returned my kiss with a passion that made my head spin. I let her take control, just for a moment, her tongue dueling heatedly with mine as she sought the reassurance she needed.
Then her palms were exploring my shoulders, my torso, my lower abs, the button securing my jeans.
It took all manner of restraint to grant her the power.
My zipper lowered, my cock springing free between us.
“More, Xai.” Her teeth sunk into my lower lip. “You’re holding back and it—”
I growled against her mouth, biting her back—harder—the taste of her blood hitting my tongue. “Wrap your legs around me, Evangeline.”
She immediately complied, her wet heat meeting my shaft. My wings collapsed, sending us into a downward spiral. Her arms and legs tightened around me, her arousal mingling with fear.
Fragile or not, she wanted to forget. And I intended to deliver.
For her.
For us.
To make sure she never forgot who owned her, who owned me, who we were together.
“Mine,” I growled, thrusting into her and up at the same time, taking her high into the sky while claiming her in the harshest of ways.
She cried out, her eyes glazing with tears for an entirely new reason, even as a grin curled her lips.
I kissed her then—truly kissed her—with everything in my being. Fucking her mouth as I did her body, pushing past every limit, owning every inch of her as she possessed my soul, and extinguishing whatever concerns she had about who she was to me.
“I love you,” I repeated again and again and again. This time her tears were ones of bliss and happiness as she returned the words, her heart beating in time with mine as our bodies flourished in the clouds.
She shattered, but only in ecstasy, her orgasm chasing away all the residual torment and pain, her body convulsing in rapture as my name tumbled from her swollen lips.
“Another,” I demanded, refusing to let her off that easily.
One arm remained wrapped around her lower back, holding her as my opposite hand drifted between us to her sensitive clit. She jerked, her body reacting from being stroked too soon, but I relentlessly continued, determined to see that look of euphoria on her face again before I joined her.
Her mouth opened on a scream, her head falling back as I drove into her harder. I used my wings to my advantage and took her the way I craved, the way she had required. And her chants told me she more than approved.
She clutched my shoulders, my biceps, my shoulders again, her body trembling against mine.
So close.
I removed my mouth from hers to bite her neck, my urge to mark her strong. “My mate,” I growled. “Always. Forever. Mine.” I bit her again as I pressed down harshly on her clit.
“Xai!” she screamed, fracturing around me, her walls clutching me so tightly I couldn’t help but follow her into oblivion.
And fuck, it hurt in the best way, my balls tightening as I emptied myself deep inside her. Over and over, claiming every part of her, my soul marrying hers in a bond for eternity—again.
She shook violently, her forehead against my shoulder, and I realized with a start that she was crying.