Her willow stood proudly in front of her, of that she was sure. Only she wasn’t at her willow, exactly. She’d woken up in the Witches’ Meadow, not Carson City. Confusion wracked her mind, making her discombobulated state intensify.
“I brought it home for you.”
Nexi spun around on a gasp and discovered Zia behind her. She could only blink, totally baffled. “What?”
Zia angled her head back, gazing at the long leaves trailing down around her. “This willow was Tillie’s favorite tree when she was alive.” Looking at Nexi again, she smiled softly. “Your mother spent a lot of time here, especially after you were born.”
Nexi’s breath caught, her throat tightened, and tears welled in her eyes. “She did?”
Zia nodded, twirling a leaf in her finger. “When you were sent away, I wanted to give you a piece of her with you, so I placed the tree in the forest near your house. I had hoped the draw of magic would lead you to it.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I was glad to find out it did.”
Nexi swallowed the swell of thick emotion rising in her chest. “My connection to this tree is my mother?”
Zia inclined her head. “Was I right to have brought it home?”
Trailing her fingers along the leaves, Nexi was somehow not as surprised as she would have expected to learn that’s why she loved this tree. Her connection held so intensely, maybe deep down she always knew it had to be something like that. “Yes, perfectly right. I’ve come home. It’s only right my tree comes home, too.”
A long pause followed before Zia said on a sigh, “Losing Drake is a horrible tragedy. I’m so very sorry, Nexi.”
Nexi’s chin quivered, the tears now escaping down her cheeks before she brushed them away. “We’ve all lost him. Not only me.” She stared into Zia’s teary eyes. “It’s sad for everyone. Death always is.”
She didn’t even know how to sort through or process what had happened. Nor did she know how to start to deal with the loss of Drake, or the real reason her adoptive parents were murdered, or even how to understand how to live without any of them.
Regardless that she faced an uphill, emotional battle, one truth remained: her family was gone. Nothing would ever bring them back. It didn’t matter how hard she wished for a different end for them. This couldn’t be undone and wishing for something different was pointless.
Zia had stayed silent. Perhaps she’d been reading Nexi’s thoughts. Maybe she knew all of what she’d been reconciling in her mind. While Nexi, at the moment, wanted to embrace the silence at her willow, too many questions demanded answers.
Pushing away the pain lingering on the surface, she released the leaf from her fingers and asked Zia, “How did you find us?”
“Valor and Briggs.”
At the low, smooth voice, Nexi raised her hand across her brow to cover the sun, and she found perfection. Kyden leaned against a tree across the way and the sun shone down on his body, his tanned skin glistening. “Did you just get here?”
He shook his head. “I never left you.”
An unfamiliar intensity hummed off him, even from where she sat, almost as if the air seemed charged between them. She might’ve been surprised she hadn’t noticed him, but she cut herself a break considering how confusing everything had been when she had woken.
When Kyden didn’t move to approach her, she frowned. “Do you plan on staying over there?”
He hesitated, his gaze wracking over her, and when his eyes caught hers again, his jaw clenched. “For now, it’s best that I do.”
Before Nexi had a chance to ponder his distance, considering she craved his touch and nearness, Zia said, “Valor came to the Otherworld to help you, and we would’ve arrived sooner, but wolves attacked the Otherworld.”
She jerked her head to Zia in horror, since she had thought she imagined the sounds of fighting before she teleported into Carson City. She stared in silent concern, as Zia added, “I suspect to keep us away from your home long enough for Lazarus to attack you.”
Nexi swallowed. “Did anyone die?”
Zia shook her head slowly, but no pride shone in her gaze, only compassion. “Our Guard protected the Otherworld. I suspect Lazarus gave the wolves hope that once he drained you, he’d come and aid in the fight.”
“That’s good…” Nexi swallowed again, thick emotion crawling its way over her. “It’s good no one else died from the Otherworld.” Needing more answers and not allowing herself to fall to pieces, she put her despair in that place in her soul that allowed her to go on. “Explain this: why was the magic so painful?”
Zia studied her a moment. “As I explained before, I didn’t know what was going to trigger your magic—”
“Oh, I know. I had a vision of Tillie—I saw her dying.”
“Did you?” Zia asked.
Nexi nodded.
Sadness swept over Zia’s features, darkening her eyes. “I imagine that’s your Spirit Witch abilities. You obviously tapped into an imprint left on Lazarus and witnessed the event through him. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I’m sorry too, but I’m sorta glad at the same time.” She shrugged, glancing at Kyden, who continued to stare at her with intensity, then she turned to Zia again. “Without that, I’d probably be dead.”
“Powerful, yes,” Zia agreed. “Apparently, your strong reaction to the vision triggered your magic to rise, and because you were so angry, you couldn’t control it. Magic is potent and if unmanaged, it does hurt tremendously.”
Reaching for a leaf, she twirled it, feeling Kyden’s gaze all over her as if he ran his finger down her neck. “So, what happens now? You know, with my magic stuff?”
“It’s imperative you start your training. You’re like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.” Zia hesitated, searching Nexi’s eyes. “But I think it’s best for you to take a little break first.”
Nexi pointed out the obvious. “If I’m so dangerous, why wait?”
Zia gave a reassuring smile, patting Nexi’s leg. “Right now, you’re filled with despair, sweetie, it’ll only lead to disaster. You saw what your anger did tonight. You need to get in control of your emotions before we start digging into your power and open the flood gates, so to speak.”
Nexi thought over the implication Zia presented, and she didn’t like where her thoughts took her. “Are you saying I can’t be a guardian anymore?”
Zia hesitated again, seemed to choose her words carefully. “You need a break. You can always return to your guardian duties, as long as you can control your magic.”
Kyden didn’t give Nexi the chance to ask when they would test her control. His tense voice cut in, “Are you done now?”
Turning to him, Nexi shivered from the promise in his voice. His intent became all too clear. He didn’t avoid touching her because he didn’t want to. He avoided her because once he touched her he didn’t plan to stop. The tightness and almost curtness in how he spoke indicated the past minutes were a strain for him, and his patience had fled.
“Yes, we’re done,” Zia said sternly to him, but to Nexi she smiled. “Don’t stay here too long. You both need rest.”
After Zia stood, Nexi looked to her guardian, drinking in the sight of glorious masculinity. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Zia leaving the meadow and vanishing up the hill, but she couldn’t take her eyes of Kyden. “Can you stand there a minute?” She smiled, leaning back on her arms. “It’s a nice view.”
“No, I’m afraid I can’t.” He strode forward, and once he reached her, he assisted her to her feet. He brushed his hands up her neck to cup her face in his strong hands. “You said you loved me, do you remember that?”
“Of course, I do,” she whispered.
He hesitated, his eyes filled with emotion. “This is more than that you know.”
“More than what?”
“What I feel for you, Nexi, extends beyond any type of love I’ve ever known.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Your life here is new, but this…between us…” H
e looked into her eyes again. “This is new to me.”
She smiled, teary-eyed. “So, you kinda love me, too, huh?”
“Last night, Álainn…with Lazarus…” His fingers tightened around her face. “I would give all that I am to protect you.” His eyebrow arched, as his head dipped toward hers. “Love cannot possibly describe what this is between us…it’s more.”
Not giving her the chance to say she understood, that she went to her old home not only to inflict justice on the vampire, but because her life without Kyden in it was unthinkable, he sealed his mouth over hers.
Running his hands along her body, he then unclipped her kilt, letting it fall to the ground. After which, and through kisses that became more heated with each one, he removed her bra, followed by her shorts.
A moment of worry hit, about being naked in the meadow, but her concern instantly settled as the sun warmed her back, reminding her that everyone would be fast asleep. Besides, Zia had placed her willow in the far corner of the meadow, away from watchful eyes.
Releasing her mouth, Kyden stepped back, and Nexi watched him remove his gear. First, his scabbard with sword dropped to the grass below. Then his kilt followed and when he hooked his fingers into his shorts, her breath caught in her throat.
Once again, and as it seemed each time she saw him naked, she couldn’t breathe as she took in all of him. Kyden was definitely all male—every last hard bit of him. She scanned over every line of his spectacular physique and with that sexy arch of his mouth, he lowered his hand. With slow sensual movements, he stroked himself, calling her to him—teasing her with his touch.
Nexi didn’t need the invitation.
She closed the distance between them, sank to her knees and grasped his thick erection. As she took him deep into her mouth, he hissed through his teeth, and she set a slow rhythm of fluid strokes.
He stared down at her with fire flickering in his gaze, and he ran his fingers along her jawline. “Yes, Álainn, that’s it.” Tossing his head back, he grunted, “Just like that.”
With each play of her mouth and stroke of her hand, his breath deepened. He tangled his fingers in her hair to guide her in a gentle request that she take him deeper and faster, until she was lost in the pleasure she offered.
When her strokes quickened and her head bobbed faster, his body tensed and muscles quivered. He gave a thunderous gasp as he stepped back, pulling his erection from between her lips. His smoldering gaze burned wicked when he leaned down, wrapped his hands around her face and took her mouth furiously—tasting every part of hers while they worked their tongues in a heated embrace.
Without missing a beat, he lifted her to him and slid his hands down her body, sending warm currents of need simmering low in her belly. He grasped her breasts and her nipples puckered, awakening to his answering thumbs. As they hardened with a desperate plea, he tore from her mouth to bask a tight bud in the gloriousness that was his mouth.
Her only response was to grasp his shoulders in a frantic attempt to remain upright. He licked his way back up her body, and his ravenousness eyes locked with hers. A wild hunger consumed her.
Grabbing his hand, she demanded it go lower, and he grinned devilishly. “Ah, is this what you’re after?” Lightly running his fingers along her inner thigh, he painfully drew out the moment until he finally reached her slick heat, instantly sending her to wobble as the pleasure nearly shattered her.
When his touch lingered inwards, her breath became ragged, and her legs gave out. Kyden caught her in his arms and laid her down in front of him. He settled between her thighs, raised up on his forearms, and slid his hands beneath her head.
His erection rested against her fiery flesh, and she tensed. He rubbed against her, allowing her wetness to spread along his hardened length as he primed her for entry. Then he lifted his hips and pushed forward. She grabbed his hips, stopping him, realizing she almost made a stupid mistake. “What about a condom?”
He groaned, and the strain of waiting showed in his pinched expression. “Condoms are for mortals. Supernaturals—as in, me—are magically protected from pregnancy. When children are wanted, the magic is removed.”
“Oh.”
That was all she got out before he shifted his hips forward, and she gasped at the shock of the sensation, digging her nails into his arms. He stopped with only a little of himself sheathed inside, and kissed her again.
She was barely able to kiss him and everything seemed so strained.
Kyden pushed a little farther, only to meet resistance. Her body was tight against him, and she whimpered. “Shh…” he crooned, brushing his nose against jawline. “We’re meant to fit together. I belong right here, Álainn.”
Bringing his lips back to hers, he deepened his kiss, and her body burned. Some in pleasure. Some in pain. As Kyden’s kiss intensified, so did the pressure between her thighs. He lowered his hand to her side and tightened his fingers against her hipbone, when he gave one steady push.
Hissing against the pain, she had no doubt her nails would leave an imprint on his arms, not that he seemed to mind. He stayed still, staring at her with an obvious battle raging inside of him: he disliked hurting her, but he loved being joined.
When the sharp sting settled and she relaxed, he shifted his hips slowly, allowing her body to become accustomed to him. With each withdrawal, she moaned. With each insertion, she gasped.
He no longer kissed her. His face remained inches from hers and his hand cradled the back of her head. Gazing at her with heady emotion in his eyes, he handled her body like he dealt with everything else in his life, with care, but also with arrogance. Every slide of his body against hers marked her as if he stamped himself on her soul, and she wanted more.
Soon, her body didn’t fight his intrusion and she accepted him easily. Wetness increased between her thighs, and Kyden moaned, dropping his head to rest in her neck. The pain gave way to a new sensation, consuming her and setting her aflame.
Raising his head, Kyden increased his speed—still gentle, only faster. Nexi’s moans deepened as she drank in the flexing muscles beneath her hands, the sweat coating his skin, and the sounds of his pleasure.
She rose up and lightly ran her tongue up the length of a bulging vein, tasting salty flesh and inhaling his spicy scent, which made him grunt. Lifting himself onto his hands, he peered down at her while he shifted his hips harder, faster, until she was gasping from his strength. She wrapped her legs around his thighs, angling her hips to meet him thrust for thrust, while sweet satisfaction drifted over her.
“Harder?” he grunted.
“Yes…” she arched up into him. “More.”
He increased his speed and groaned delicious masculine sounds with each rock against her, leaving her breathless. Pumping into her, he created a force inside her, teetering on near insanity. His pelvis brushing against her, mixed with watching all his muscles flex, as well as the primal look he offered her now, took her over the edge. Unable to do anything else, she closed her eyes as he took her higher than she dreamed possible.
“Look at me.”
His demand for her to see him, plus the feral sound of his voice, made her inner muscles spasm and her eyes snapped open. At the sight of Kyden, knowing they belonged only to each other, and at the raw affection she spotted in the depths of his eyes, her entire body, and the world around her, for a few seconds, froze.
No noise. No breath. No Kyden.
Then she was crashing into waves of sensations, washing over her in brutal force. Intense pleasure skyrocketed into every nerve ending in her body, and above her, Kyden pumped in rapid speed as his eyes widened.
At her final scream of satisfaction ripping from her throat, and with a harsh thrust forward, he roared and dropped down on top of her. His deep moans filled her ear and his breath tickled her neck as her body massaged his, eagerly drawing out his release.
When she no longer quivered and her body was, yet again, the equivalent to a jellyfish—something he seemed good at
achieving—she shook her head, breathless. “I should not have waited so long to do that.”
Kyden rose up onto his hands, staring down at her with his hair dangling over his face. “Of course you should have.” His brows drew together with his frown. “Your virginity was mine to take.”
She laughed, cupping his cheeks, bringing his face down to hers. “You’re never going to change, are you? You’ll always be my guardian who acts like a total caveman.”
His mouth curved. “And you’ll always be the spitfire who can handle me.”
Epilogue
Three weeks had gone by in a blur. Nexi enjoyed the rest she’d been granted, and that the Council had given her some time to grieve. Although, right now, she wanted to be at home, in bed snuggled up with Kyden, and not standing in the middle of a circle of witches in the Witches’ Meadow.
However, as Zia had bluntly pointed out, she needed to listen to the Council’s orders, since she had disregarded Talon’s order to stay behind the night Kyden had been taken. Not that the Council wasn’t happy it had all worked out, but Nexi needed to be a good girl for a while. Regardless that she wanted to say no, she joined Zia tonight without argument.
Now she wished she’d put up more of a stink.
Zia smiled at Nexi before she turned to the witches. “We have a new witch among us.” She stepped forward, wrapping her warms hands around Nexi’s. “One who has been lost for some time. Will you join us, Nexi, and accept us as your Sisterhood?”
She hadn’t realized she’d have to talk, and muttered, “Yes,” even if she didn’t at this point truly understand what it meant to accept them. While all the witches looked nice and most smiled at her, this moment could not get any weirder.
Haven’s soft giggle sounded behind Nexi. She looked over her shoulder to give her soul-sister a you’re so dead look, as Haven’s amusement seeped into their bond. Of course, Haven would understand Nexi’s discomfort.
Zia squeezed Nexi’s hand, commanding her focus, and when Nexi turned to her again, Zia added, “Witches, do you accept Nexi into the Sisterhood of the Otherworld?”
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