Corruption of the Heart (The Corruption Series Book 1)

by Jessica Manson

Herb for strength,

  Herb help Ambi cope,

  I call on thee, spirits of water, earth, fire and air,

  To aid me in this healing,

  Thrice I bind thee, and so with nine calls,

  You will heal.

  Power of healing, I command you,

  Heal Ambi from all this pain,

  Be well, be free of pain.

  Within a matter of seconds, she opened her eyes. She stared at me with hate but there was also a sliver of something else. Admiration.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  When I was positive Ambi was okay I went into Odin’s room to lay down. I couldn’t explain what happened to myself, let alone trying to explain it to someone else. I had used Odin’s bathroom and some of his clothes, so I could shower. I hope he wouldn’t mind. I stepped in and let the hot water pour over my body. Time slipped away as I tried to sort everything out. I am terrified of my power. I am scared because I don’t know how to control it. I don’t like the way it takes over me leaving me with no control whatsoever.

  When the water ran cold I stepped out of the shower, dried myself off and quickly got dressed. I needed sleep. I suddenly felt so exhausted. When I stepped out of the bathroom Odin was sitting on the edge of his bed with his elbows resting on his legs and his face in his hands. I stopped at the sight of him. He looked worn and stressed. Suddenly my guilt came rushing back and smacking me in the face.

  He looked up at me. “I brought you your food. I hope Chinese is okay.”

  “Thank you,” was all I could say. I felt awful and there were no words to justify my actions. I did a horrible thing and I know it. I almost killed one of their Coven members, their friend, his ex-girlfriend. I would soon be a part of that coven and I know I’m not welcomed with open arms. Every one of the guys must hate me right now.

  “Look Lilith, I know you don’t want to be around me but…”

  I cut him off, “Odin I am sorry. I didn’t mean things to go that far with Ambi.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. She was in my face attacking me, saying horrible things and this rage I have never felt before built up inside of me and it caused me to attack her. She had me pinned and I knew she was going to kick my ass. The witch in me took over and I chanted a spell for strength. Once I got her off of me. I chanted another spell.” I sat on the bed and pulled my knees up to chest burning my face in them.

  Odin reached over and grabbed my hand, “Can I sit next to you?” he asked. I guess he was trying to be cautious around me. I was a force to be reckoned with. No words were needed, I pulled him toward me. He got up and sat next to me wrapping his arm around my back. “I’m sorry for everything earlier. I didn’t mean to make you feel the way I did. That was never my intention. I love you baby and I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  I leaned into him, “Odin.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “The witch inside of me.”

  “Why would you be scared of that? It’s a great power to have.”

  “Because I almost killed Ambi.”

  “No, you didn’t, you just knocked her out.”

  “Who knocked me down earlier?”

  “Please don’t be mad but I did.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Stopping me.”

  “You weren’t really going to hurt her.”

  I shook my head. “Odin listen to me, I wasn’t going to just hurt her, I was going to kill her. I was chanting for her to be burned alive. I was going to watch her lay there and burst into flames. If you wouldn’t have stopped me…” I began to cry. The tears flowed even harder when Odin lifted my head and cradled my face between his hands.

  “Don’t blame yourself. You are newly transformed. You can’t control your powers yet. We will get through this.” He pulled me onto his lap and I buried my face into his chest. He let me cry on him in silence. He was good about that. He was my rock and he let me cry when I needed to. He knew when let me have my silent break downs. He didn’t speak again until he was sure I was done crying. “You need to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry anymore.”

  “You will need your strength for tomorrow.”

  “How much strength does one need to get married?” I asked half joking.

  “It’s not the wedding you will need strength for,” he said with a wink. He always knew how to lighten the mood.

  “Do you think Ambi will talk to me? I would like to apologize.”

  “Let’s go see.” He dragged me off of his lap and pulled me off the bed. When we reached the door, he turned around and looked at me. I wasn’t expecting him to stop so suddenly. I ran right into his chest. Before I could pull away he stopped me holding me in place by wrapping his arms around me. He leaned into me and kissed me so forcefully I almost forgot what we were supposed to be doing.

  I laced my fingers in the back of his hair and pressed into him harder. The electricity was raging to be let out. It was begging for us to connect in the only way two people who shared a soul could. He slipped his hand under my shirt and ran his fingers along the lower part of my back. I moaned causing a growl to escape from his throat. I rubbed my fingers slowly across his chest. I started moving my hand lower until I reached his pants. I thought about unbuttoning them, but I decided against it. I went straight in instead. I rubbed my hand against the hardness that was begging to be let out. He was hot, and the heat only grew the harder he got. Not having much room, I slid him between my fingers and moved them up and down.

  He moaned then grabbed my arm pulling my hand out of his pants. “We can’t do this.”

  “Why not?” I asked a little disappointed.

  “Because tomorrow you will be my wife and I want to do what’s right by you. I will not take you until you become my wife.”

  “When did you get all noble?” I asked frustrated.

  He laughed, “Come on baby, let’s go find Ambi.”

  ****

  A silence fell over the living room as we entered. They all looked at me and stared cautiously. Tristian smiled at me, but it didn’t meet his eyes. Odin spoke first, “Ambi, Lilith would like to speak to you in the kitchen please.”

  “Hell no. I’m not going anywhere near that crazy bitch.” My head fell. She had every right to hate me. This time the hate was welcomed because I actually did something awful to her.

  “I didn’t ask,” Odin snapped.

  “Is that an order,” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Odin don’t. It’s okay if she doesn’t want to talk to me. I understand, and you shouldn’t make her,” I said. Ambi didn’t move from her spot on the couch so I stepped in front of her. She flinched, and my heart fell. I didn’t want her to be scared of me. I kneeled down in front of her, so I wouldn’t be intimidating. “Ambi, I am truly sorry for what I did to you. I know you hate me and one day I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” She didn’t say a word. She sat silent looking like she was lost in her thoughts, so I got up and walked back over to Odin.

  Ambi jumped up out of her seat and walked past me. “You coming?” she asked heading toward the kitchen. I smiled at Odin and followed her. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “I wanted to apologize. I won’t make excuses. Even though I had no control over what happened it was still wrong, and I could have seriously hurt you.”

  She stared at me with a raised eyebrow before speaking, “Yeah. That was a real bitchy thing to do.”

  “I know you hate me, and I know we will never be friends, but I hope for the coven’s sake we can learn to get along with one another.”

  “So, you almost killed me huh?”

  “Yeah sorry about that.”

  “What were you going to do to me?”

  “Set you on fire and watch you burn to death.”

  She leaned against
the counter and stared at me. It was becoming awkward. She finally broke the silence, “Okay. Let’s start over.” I was completely shocked. My jaw hit the floor. “Jesus Lil close your mouth. I don’t need to be on the wrong side of a crazy ass witch bitch that can kill me with mere words.”

  “So, you want to be friends?”

  “Well don’t be planning any sleepovers and makeovers any time soon but yes. You are right we do need to get along for the coven’s sake and I’m over the fact that you and Odin will be together. I know the Luminaries will find someone for me. I just have to be patient. Plus, I want to fight on whatever team you’re on, so I don’t get struck down by a chant.”

  “Does my nickname have to be Lil though?”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “Not really.”

  “Then yes, Lil you will forever be. It can be your punishment for nearly killing me.”

  “Okay then I accept the name as much as I hate it.” We walked back into the living room laughing and all of the guys stared in shock. “What?” we both asked in unison.

  Odin walked over to me and pulled me into him. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes.” I leaned into Odin’s ear and whispered, “I think I should say sorry to the guys too. I didn’t mean to freak them out.” He smiled at me then nodded in approval. I stepped into the middle of the living room and Latham, Gunner and Dex sat back away for me like I carried the plague. “I just wanted to apologize to all of you. I didn’t mean to freak everyone out. I consider you all like my family and I truly am sorry.”

  Tristian walked up to me and hugged me. He whispered in my ear, “There is that beauty I was talking about.” I blushed and hoped Odin didn’t notice. The last thing we need is another fight in the house. Everyone else sat in silence while I stood there looking like an idiot in front of all of them. When no one said anything, I walked back over to Odin and shrugged my shoulder in disappointment.

  When we were about to turn and head back toward Odin’s room Cal broke the silence. “Dude did you see her eyes when she was attacking Ambi? That shit was freaky.”

  “I think it was hot,” Brant said.

  I smiled and turned back toward them. They all at once gathered around for a group hug. I was so thankful they weren’t afraid of me. Tears burned at the rims of my eyes. “Oh geez, looks like we have a crier over here,” Dex said, but then suddenly looked like he regretted the words. “Lilith I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

  “It’s okay Dex.”

  Odin stepped beside us, “You all do know Lilith wouldn’t hurt you right?” No one answered. “She wouldn’t.”

  “Dude we watched her take your lips, then we watched her try to kill Ambi,” Latham said.

  “Yeah and did I mention the eyes?” Cal asked.

  “What happened to my eyes?” I asked.

  “Man, that shit was scary. They turned yellow and began to swirl. I will have nightmares about that shit,” he said.

  I looked at Odin for confirmation, he nodded. “Are you kidding me?”

  “I kid you not. You have seriously ruined my dreams. Sorry Lilith and please don’t kill me for saying this but you are no longer allowed to walk around naked in my mind.”

  “Oh, I’m so offended,” I said with my hand across my chest. “But seriously guys, I would never hurt you. Ever,” I begged for them to believe me.

  “We know you wouldn’t hurt us, but this is new to us too and we need time to get used to the new powers you carry,” Tristian said.

  “Thank you.” I pulled Odin to the side, “Can I ask you a quick question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do they have bridesmaids in the Sacrament?”

  “Yes. It’s just like a real wedding baby.” I smiled at him. “What do you have planned?”

  “You need to pick one of these guys to be the best man,” I said, as I started to walk off.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get me a bridesmaid.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  It was so hard to lay still in Odin’s arms. I was too excited about the wedding that was going to happen in just a few short hours. I knew if I didn’t get some type of sleep there would be bags under my eyes, but I was bursting at the seams with excitement. Ambi said yes to being my bridesmaid. She was thrilled that I had asked her, and I was shocked when she said yes.

  Odin was trying to sleep, and I felt bad for making it hard for him, “Lilith please go to sleep. If you don’t I’ll have to very regrettably kick you out of my bed,” I giggled. “It’s nice to hear you laugh for once but baby I’m exhausted. This has been one trying day.”

  I knew what he meant. He hasn’t had a moments rest in a couple of days. I couldn’t help but visit the memories. I got kidnapped and I know not knowing what was happening to me or if he would ever see me again had weighed on him pretty hard. Not to mention me trying to transform only minutes after being rescued from my kidnapping.

  Odin stuck by my side through both times my body tried and failed to transform. He had to listen to me scream in agony and there was nothing he could do for me. I know that messed him up pretty bad. He thought I was going to die, and I would have had he not rescued me again. Then the fight we had and me not wanting to be near him. Plus, I spent that time with another guy instead of him. And not to mention the fight with Ambi. Odin had left for food and walked back into a shit storm.

  A realization hit me hard. In a matter of two days I had destroyed Odin. I broke him down mentally and physically. I knew I needed to apologize but it would have to wait. I needed to let him get some sleep. He deserved it. He deserved a lot more than just sleep but that’s all I could offer him right now.

  It wasn’t long, and Odin was snoring in my ear. This is the first time I had ever heard him snore. He must have really been exhausted. I tried not to move by concentrating on the ceiling. My mind would not shut down. I was thinking about the dress I would get to pick out and wear. And what type of dress I wanted Ambi to wear. I was picturing how I thought Odin would look in a tux. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. I knew he would be drop dead gorgeous no matter what.

  I can’t believe I am getting married. I never pictured myself as the marrying type. Suddenly tears filled my eyes as I thought about how my parents wouldn’t be here to share this day with me. My dad wouldn’t be here to walk me down the aisle. They would miss the most important day of my life. I missed them so much. They were all I had in this life and now they are gone.

  When the tears faded I noticed the clock. Just one more hour until we had to be wherever for my wedding. I don’t know why I haven’t thought to ask where I would be getting married at. I guess I was just too excited to ask. It’s crazy that I freaked out when I first found out that I would have to marry Odin as soon as I transformed and now just a few short days later I was anxious and ready.

  Odin and I have been through so much in just a short amount of time. But I know deep in my heart that the love that we share is more than any normal love. What we have is beyond rare. It’s a once in a lifetime kind of love. It outweighs all the bad, it has no reason, yet it defies all reasons. It’s the kind of love that heals, conquers, protects, trust and it is the kind of love that grows stronger every day. Our love is never ending, and it saved us both.

  Before I knew it, someone was banging on the door. I must have fallen asleep and now I feel worse than I would have if I hadn’t fallen asleep. Sleeping for only thirty minutes made me feel even more exhausted. The knocking continued so I nudged Odin and made him answer the door. “Get up we are going to be late,” Ambi said. “I have a wedding to be in. Chop chop.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. My wedding is finally here. I jumped out of bed. Excitement replaced the exhaustion and I was ready to get things done. “Where will the wedding be held?” I asked Odin as I wrapped my hands around his neck. “When do I get to pick out my dress? Did you decide on who would be your best man? What about deco
rations and flowers? How are we supposed to put a wedding together in just a couple of hours? And who puts a wedding together last minute?”

  “Whoa Lilith breath.” He looked at me like he was trying to concentrate.

  “Sorry. I am just so excited.”

  “Okay. We will be getting married at French’s Point in Stockton Springs. It is only about an hour from here. The Luminaries will have everything taken care of. And Calder will be my best man.”

  “So, they will decorate for us? What do I get to pick out? Do I have any say so for what I want my wedding to be like?” I asked furious that I wouldn’t be picking anything out for my wedding. After all this is supposed to be my day. Isn’t my wedding supposed to be what I dreamed about? Why do they get to choose?

  “Baby trust me on this. They will do everything perfectly.”

  I rested my head on his chest and his warmth filled me. “Fine.”

  He kissed the top of my head before asking, “So how excited are you?”

  I looked up at him smiling, “Very.”

  “I can’t wait to make you my wife, Lamia Mea.”

  “And I can’t wait to be your wife.”

  “I can’t wait for other things either.”

  “And what other things would that be?”

  “You know the perks that come with being married.”

  “And what would those perks be?” I asked with a furrowed brow.

  He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Taking you to my bed.”

  His warm breath on my ear sent tingles scattering through my body. I pressed my body harder against him and found his lips. He tried to keep the kiss innocent, but I refused. He finally let me in. His velvet tongue brushed against mine. The electricity flowed between us making my knees go weak against him. Just as things started to heat up someone frantically knocked on the door again.

  “Why aren’t you ready yet? We have to go!” Ambi was more nervous than I was, and it isn’t even her wedding. “Lil you need to hurry up.”

  “Ok. We will be right out.” She looked at me with questioning eyes. “I promise. We are getting ready.” She finally walked out of the room with a hand on her hip.