“It wasn’t time yet.” Kyrian gestured with his hand.
Pandora headed deeper into the trees and he fell in step beside her. They walked for a while and he was silent then he paused by a fallen log and sat. Pandora straddled the log and stared at him.
“Zyric will protect you.” Kyrian studied her. “What I’m not sure of is, will you protect him? If he died, would you even care?”
Pandora clenched her fist and slowly uncurled it. “That’s my business.”
“And Zyric is mine. He is my best friend and I would die for him. Kill for him. Would you do the same?”
Pandora frowned. “What did you see?”
“It was jumbled. That’s my concern. Usually I see clearly what is coming and can prepare for it. But this time, it’s like I’m blind to it.” Kyrian frowned. “I can sense something is coming but not what.”
“Maybe Blagden.”
“Maybe.” Kyrian rubbed his fingers up and down the bridge of his nose.
“Whatever comes, we’ll deal with it.”
“I’d like to believe that. And I will hold you to it, Pandora.” Kyrian glanced at her. “You’re getting good at masking what you are. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t be able to figure it out.”
“I didn’t even realize I was doing it,” Pandora said.
“It’s become second nature to you. That’s good and as you said, a good weapon.”
“Yes. You, your brother and Zyric are great teachers.” Pandora shook her head. “Taskmasters, but good.”
“Weakness is easily exploited—you can’t allow it when in battle. You need to think eight or more steps ahead of your opponent.”
“Tell me more.” Pandora settled in to listen to Kyrian’s take on fighting.
In the time she had spent with him and his brother, she was intrigued with the way they thought. She didn’t know much about the Sidhe, since they tended to keep to themselves. Kyrian crossed his arms and told her another story of one of his battles.
* * * *
“There you are.” Zyric detached from the shadows.
Pandora glanced at him, startled. She looked up, realizing the sun had almost set, which meant a few hours had passed.
“I was talking with Kyrian.”
“Hey, Kyrian.” Zyric put his hand on Pandora’s shoulder.
“Zyric, when are you going to cook us dinner?” Kyrian looked at Pandora. “Zyric is a really good cook.”
“I’m getting to know that,” she replied.
They had been sharing the cooking and other chores in the house.
“See you soon.” Kyrian disappeared.
“See you.” Zyric helped Pandora up. “Now you and I have some plans.”
“Plans?” Pandora walked beside him as they headed back toward the house.
“Yes. We’re going out to eat, dance and listen to some music.” Zyric glanced at her. “We’ll be leaving in about an hour and a half. Wear something sexy.”
“I’ll try to find something.” Pandora patted him on the chest. “Make sure you look cute.” She walked away.
“I’m not cute,” he called.
“To me you are,” Pandora returned.
Zyric continued to mutter that he wasn’t cute. Pandora went up the steps and into the house. Moments later, she was in her bedroom getting ready.
“Sexy, huh.” Pandora had the perfect dress to make him lose his mind.
As she went to retrieve it, her thoughts went back to what Kyrian had said—if she would care if Zyric died. Pandora didn’t have an answer. Yes, she liked his company, but she wasn’t sure if she cared enough to give her life for him. She pushed off thoughts of that and went to get ready.
* * * *
At exactly the time he stated, she left her bedroom then went to the landing leading downstairs. Zyric waited at the base of the stairs. His lust-filled expression confirmed she had achieved what she’d set out to do—make him lose his senses. Pandora descended, then she stopped in the center of the steps as the truth dawned on her.
Zyric lifted his hand. “Come to me, Pandora.”
Son of bitch. I would care if he died. She had no idea when it had happened, but Zyric had gotten underneath her guard. Pandora stared at him as the truth coursed through her. She licked her lips and tried to still the shudder of lust that filled her. Turning, she looked over her shoulder.
“You come to me.”
“Wait…what?” Zyric put his boot-clad foot on the step.
“Bed. Now. I want you.”
“What? Why all of a sudden?” Zyric frowned.
“Does it matter?” Pandora wasn’t ready to say out loud that she cared.
It wasn’t love, but she would give a damn if he got hurt. If he died, she would feel it deeper than she’d thought she would. Knowing that now, Pandora was ready to take things to the next level.
“Pandora—”
“Stop asking questions and come to me.” She let the melodies of her kind seep into her voice.
“Seducing me with your voice. Not fair, Pandora,” Zyric said.
“I don’t really need my voice to seduce you. As you mentioned numerous times, the rhythms of my body lull you to me. Make you want me.”
Zyric had no idea his saying that was like an aphrodisiac to the very essence of her Siren. She heard, felt and lived with the lyrics of the world. It was at the base of a Siren to sense all that was in the air. There was power in the cadence of everything.
“I do.” Zyric shook his head. “I must need my head checked to be questioning you. But, Pandora, with shadow mates…once I sleep with you, I won’t let you go.”
“You don’t have to.” She stared at him. “You cannot keep a Siren unless they want to be kept. Convince me to give myself into your keeping.” She laid down the challenge, knowing the effect it would have on the shadow inside him longing for its mate.
Zyric’s eyes lit with flames and he came up the stairs to her. Pandora headed up, listening to the tread of his steps. When she reached the landing, she turned toward her bedroom. His movements were steady as he followed her. With a sway of her hips, she entered the bedroom and went to stand by the bed. She waited until she sensed him come close then lifted her hand behind her neck to tug on the string holding her dress. It flowed off her, leaving her body bare. Pandora pulled the sticks holding up her pinned hair. The locks tumbled down to mid-back. She glanced over her shoulder, meeting his smoldering, pale gray gaze. Zyric came toward her, deliberate intent in each step. He stopped behind her and lowered his head, kissing her.
He claimed her with a forceful kiss that made her lock her knees so she didn’t fall. As if sensing it, he placed his calloused palm flat on her belly, holding her against him. She gasped as her naked back met his naked front. Instinctively she knew he’d taken off his clothing with a thought.
“Mine” reverberated on their private telepathic path.
Pandora moaned, sucking his tongue. Zyric slid his other hand down her belly while keeping her in place with the other. He feathered his fingers on her bare pussy before pushing into her heat. Pandora pushed against his touch, widening her stance. Zyric deepened his caress and his kiss. She rocked into his hand, need rising inside her. Zyric slowly licked along the inside of her mouth then moved down, pressing kisses along her jaw. She lifted her head, moaning at the feel of his lips on her neck. He circled her clit with his thumb then pressed firmly. Pandora shuddered as she clenched, needing to be filled.
“In me now,” she demanded, digging her nails into his arms.
Zyric turned her in his arms then took a step back before he lifted her and set her on the bed. He moved between her thighs and plunged into her. Pandora arched beneath him, groaning as his penetration filled her to overflowing.
“Yes,” she hissed, as she grabbed his ass.
The muscles of his butt flexed under her fingers as he thrust into her, fast and deep. Lifting her legs higher on his hips, Pandora held him, moving with him.
“Mine, mine,” h
e repeated in a litany, puncturing each with a thrust.
Pandora licked the side of his neck, taking in the salty taste of his skin. She nibbled on the pulse in his throat then scraped her teeth along it. She clenched her inner walls, moaning at the delicious friction.
“Pandora,” Zyric grunted as he moved faster.
Pandora wrapped her legs around him and held his ass, urging him on. Each move set off sensation deep within her. He slowed and Pandora dug her nails into his butt.
“Move,” she gritted out.
“You’re demanding and like control.” Zyric lowered his head until he was almost kissing her. “Not this time, Pandora.”
She bit her lip, stifling a moan as his slow motions made her shiver. Zyric chuckled—a decadent sound. It resonated within Pandora, making her heart race. She rubbed her hand up and down his side. His shudder made her smile. Zyric might think he was in control but she wasn’t one to cede easily to anyone. She tightened around his hard shaft.
“Pandora.” Zyric moaned as she held him in her sensual grip.
He thrust, moving his cock deep inside her pussy. Pandora kept clenching and unclenching around him. The motion increased the pleasure. Her harsh breaths and breathless moans echoed in his ears. He continued his slow thrusts, heightening their lust. A heat burned in his belly and he lowered his head, kissing downward along the side of her neck. He shifted his body, moving until he kissed the top of her breast. He went lower and sucked on her nipple, worrying it with his teeth. He thrust into her as he sucked on her breast. Pandora cupped the back of his head, grabbing his hair. Her firm grip made him moan. A tingle of power went along his skin as Pandora used her power to flip them.
Pandora rose over him, bracing her knees on either side of him and rocking against him. She braced her hands on his chest and moved. He was surprised she didn’t increase the pace he’d set. In the next moment, Zyric was lost under the pleasure of her taking. The fierce expression on her face and her narrowed eyes made her even more gorgeous. With a swirl of her hips, he arched under her, groaning. Inside his belly, tension built with each motion.
“Zyric,” she whispered.
He gripped her hips, guiding her on him. She contracted around him and it was too much. He shook as his sac tightened and he jerked as he came. Pandora joined him, shaking under the force of her release. She collapsed on his chest, breathing hard. Zyric held her tight, kissing along the side of her face. She sighed, snuggling into him. They calmed and Pandora lifted her head. She propped her chin on her hands and stared at him. Zyric slid his hand under his head.
“What is it about you, Zyric, that makes me want you?”
“My winning personality,” he teased.
“Funny man,” she said fondly then leaned forward to kiss him.
He met her and rolled them over. Zyric hardened again and thrust.
* * * *
Lifting his cup of juice, Zyric enjoyed watching Pandora as she bustled around the kitchen. She rocked her hips as she whistled and all he could think about was last night. They had barely slept. Pandora stopped and looked at him.
“Wait a minute. It’s your turn to make breakfast.” She came over and sat on the high-backed stool at the kitchen island then snagged the cup from him. “Get to cooking. I’m hungry.”
Zyric kissed her and rose. “Your wish is my command.” Zyric went to the stove and turned the bacon. “What are your plans for today?”
“Are you up for a swim in the lake?”
“Yep.” Zyric stirred the scrambled eggs.
“Good. We can take a picnic and spend the day there.”
“Sounds good.” He continued to make breakfast as they chatted.
They ate then got ready and headed for the lake. They walked along a different path than the one to his friend’s house. When they came out to the clearing, Zyric’s breath caught at the beauty of the lake and the trees surrounding it. Pandora’s release of breath made him look at her. The joy on her face as she stared at the water was lovely to view.
“You go ahead and I’ll get the blanket set up.” He kissed her briefly.
“You’re the best.” Pandora patted his chest then stripped.
She turned and ran to the water then jumped in. Pandora disappeared beneath the surface then she flew up into the air out of the water, twirling in the air before going back in. Her laughter filled the clearing. Zyric spread the blanket before setting the picnic basket on the cloth.
He stilled, sensing something. Zyric looked around, reaching out with his power. After he felt nothing, he wondered if he’d imagined it.
“Come on in,” Pandora called.
He took off his clothing and went into the water. Zyric swam to Pandora. Gripping his shoulders, she stared into his eyes. Pandora kissed him and they sank below the surface of the water. Wrapping her legs around him, Pandora rocked against him and he pushed into her softness. He groaned as she took him into her body. Zyric moaned, stroking into her.
* * *
Zyric glanced around Tular Street, absently taking in the bustling crowd of people shopping in the various stores along the main street of Blackstone Haven. Pandora walked beside him. They were shopping for some things they needed for the house. Pandora slid her hand into his and squeezed. In the last few weeks, he and Pandora had become closer. She reached out more for him each day and Zyric could feel a shift in her.
The sense of something just beyond what he could see reached him again, as it had increasingly been doing for weeks. He let his power flare out, seeking what was causing his uneasiness. Like all the times before, nothing was there. Zyric felt in his gut he was missing something but he couldn’t put his finger on what.
“Are you okay?” Pandora asked, resting against his shoulder.
“I’m good.” He hugged her.
“Damn, I really don’t want to deal with her today.”
At her tone, Zyric looked then snorted. The Chief of Police, Sinai Blackstone, strode toward them. Her and Pandora’s animosity for each other was amusing to watch.
Sinai stopped before them. “Someone let you out of your cage, I see.”
“And you off your leash. I really need to talk to Ian about that,” Pandora replied sweetly.
Zyric tuned them out as they continued to snipe at each other. There wasn’t any real heat behind it. Suddenly, he turned his head to his left. The shadows rippled and Zyric didn’t know who had been there but at least he now knew he hadn’t been imagining it. He sent out a mental warning to his friends and brothers. Glancing at Pandora, he didn’t plan on telling her. He didn’t want her in danger. Protecting her was important. For her own good, he would keep her out of this.
That’s the right decision. She will understand after everything is said and done. I can’t afford to lose her.
Chapter Five
“What’s wrong?”
He focused on Pandora then realized Sinai had left. “Nothing.”
“Okay.” She looked dubious but said, “Let’s get our errands completed.”
“Sure. But what’s the rush?”
“You, me, the couch and Leverage. I want to get home to relax.” She led him to the Sinfully McIntrye—Ian’s bakery.
“Sounds good to me.” He kept scanning the area with his power.
Nothing else happened to show someone was there. Throughout the rest of their shopping and even when they were inside Pandora’s house, he was still on guard.
“You’re not paying attention,” Pandora said.
He glanced at her. “I am.” He looked back at the show on TV.
Pandora slid her hand over his. “You aren’t, or you would have noticed something.”
“What?”
“That I haven’t been paying attention to the show either. Been distracted.”
“By what?” He looked at her.
Pandora moved closer then got on her knees before she straddled him. “You.”
She kissed him and he immediately hardened. Zyric clenched his hands over
her hips. He pulled up her housedress and took it off. Pandora took down her hair and it shaded her face. The need in her eyes made his heart race. He never tired of her staring at him like that. Each time they were together, it got better and better. Pandora pulled off his shirt then used her powers to remove his slacks and underwear. Lifting up, she held his erection then sank down onto him.
Her breath hitched in that familiar sound and he held her ass, moving her on him. As she tightened around him, she overwhelmed him. Pandora was everything to him and he would make sure that nothing would hurt her.
“Pandora.” He moaned.
She narrowed her eyes and he recognized the look. Pandora was about to blow his mind. Heart racing, he leaned back and enjoyed.
Pandora stared at the slight smile on Zyric’s lips. He was so sexy and it was moments like this when they were together that she was looking forward to more and more. She undulated and whimpered as his cock slid along the sensitive nerves inside of her. Tightening around him, she watched as his eyes darkened. He constricted his jaw, signaling he was fighting to hold off on his release.
“Zyric,” she urged, moving quicker.
Each motion was punctured by her repeating his name. At his groans of pleasure, she increased her movements then gripped his shoulders. Digging in her nails, she kissed him, taking in his hiss. She sucked his tongue into her mouth, scraping her teeth along the top of it. In her belly, a ball of heat curled and she moved faster, needing release. Zyric opened wide then pulled her to him, kissing her urgently. His firm hold made it hard to shift to get friction. Suddenly she was filled with a blast of power. Pandora instinctively took it and, moaning, she gave him a shot of hers.
“Pandora.” He grunted then shook as he came.
The knot of heat in her stomach dissipated as she joined him. Shuddering, Pandora held him, moving with him, each glide of his cock setting off sensations of pleasure. Slowly they calmed and Pandora sat up, putting her arms over his shoulders. She kissed him softly then stared into his eyes.
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