Aftershocks

by Marie Harte

Marcus grinned evilly at his uncle but said to Cadmus, “Nice to see you back home, where you belong.”

  “Well, I figured things were most likely going to hell here without me, so I had to come back.” Cadmus’ pleasure at being with his brothers again tamped some of his rage at his interfering uncle. “It’s good to see you two.”

  Ellie cleared her throat, and all eyes turned to her.

  With pride, Cadmus introduced her. “I’d like you to meet my affai, Ellie Storm.”

  Darius raised a brow. “Who’d have guessed?”

  “Nice to see you too, Darius. How’s Samantha?” Ellie earned a grin from Darius at mention of his affai.

  “She’s fine, I’m sure,” Arim interrupted in measured tones. “Now unleash this ancient trunk before I’m forced to kill some of Tanselm’s living forest.”

  Cadmus unclenched his will and the roots released Arim, streaking back into the ground, the grasses covering what holes had been formed, making it appear as if nothing had happened.

  Marcus whistled. “Nice work, Cadmus. It seems we aren’t the only ones with increased power.” He gave Ellie a subtle once-over. “It appears your affai is indeed much more than just a pretty face.”

  Darius grunted. “Yeah, she’s a knockout, and she’s Djinn. First Aerolus with Alandra, now Cadmus with Ellie. Too bad we don’t have another brother. Then we might welcome a Dark Lord into the family.”

  Cadmus saw the humour in the situation. Even Ellie smiled. But Arim watched the group silently, his gaze disapproving.

  Marcus broke the sudden tension. “Okay then. Time to see Mother. She’s been out of her mind with worry since the last Netharat attack.”

  “When was that?” Cadmus and Ellie joined the others, and the group entered the entrance into the kingdom. The door closed behind them, magically protected and sealed with an invisibility spell. A dark passageway opened before them, one that tunneled under the kingdom, branching into several strategic exits as well as leading directly into the main keep. Darius held a small ball of flame in his hand to lead the way. Cadmus and Ellie walked by his side. Arim and Marcus brought up the rear.

  Darius spoke. “The Netharat hit again just a few days ago. A weak attempt to divert our attention from the west. They struck at your territory, Cadmus. The north,” he clarified for Ellie. “Of course, that attack was nothing on the one they struck when Aerolus nearly bit it.”

  “What?”

  Darius filled him in as they walked through the narrow stone passage that would take them right into the heart of the castle.

  Cadmus squeezed Ellie’s hand, pleased when she squeezed back. As happy as he felt to finally be home, he worried about Ellie’s impression of Tanselm. Seattle had been her world her entire life. In just a short span of time, she’d been hit hard with the Djinn culture, then was jerked out of it only to be shoved into Light Bringer central. Hell, he’d had a hard enough time adjusting to Foreia, and he was used to magic. He could only hope Ellie had an easier time here.

  “You okay?” he asked her.

  “Fine. Tanselm seems very welcoming. And being down here in the cool dark feels really, really good. It’s like a big cocoon of magic.”

  “Too warm for you outside?”

  He could feel her shrug. ”I’ll adapt. I always do.”

  “You know, you could have just teleported us into the castle instead of making us walk the long way,” Marcus muttered to Arim.

  “But then where would the fun, brotherly camaraderie be? So Ellie, what do you think of Tanselm so far?”

  “It’s ripe with magic.”

  “That it is.”

  “It’s a lot like Foreia, actually.” She sounded surprised, and Cadmus watched the academic within her come to life. “That feeling of power brims in the very soil beneath your feet. You probably don’t notice it so much since you’re used to it. But trust me, it’s very different from Seattle.”

  Cadmus glanced over his shoulder and saw Arim’s speculative gaze rested Ellie. Cadmus wished he knew what his uncle had really done to his affai, but he knew he’d get no answers from the sorcerer. Maybe Aerolus could take a look later and shed some light. A subtle probe brushed his mind, and he immediately withdrew into himself, using the techniques Lexa had taught him to shield himself.

  Odd that he would automatically turn to the teachings of a Dark Lord in his homeworld. Odder still he didn’t instinctively turn to Arim for help. Concern for his affai overwhelmed him, the sudden thought that he had brought her into danger untenable.

  Acute pain lanced through his skull, and he stumbled as visions overtook him.

  His mother’s welcoming face, her green eyes blazing with love and affection. Then she lay still, unmoving on the cold stone floor, her dress scorched above her heart, the burn of blue flame still smoking while her attacker fled the scene. Shouts and incriminations, tears. Samantha and Tessa leaning over Ravyn as Darius and Marcus shouted the alarm. And there, behind them, Ellie backing away, guilt stealing over her face as she continued to apologise over and over. She glanced up at Jonas with tears in her eyes and murmured something Cadmus couldn’t quite make out.

  “Cadmus.” Ellie breathed a sigh of relief when he blinked up at her.

  Up at her? “What am I doing on the ground?”

  “You tripped over your own two feet, you clod,” Darius growled. “What the hell happened?”

  “A vision?” Marcus asked.

  Aware everyone waited for him to speak, he couldn’t keep from studying Ellie, wondering what in the hell that vision had meant. His mother hurt? Ellie involved? Had she been guilty of not reacting quickly enough, or of perpetrating the attack?

  “Cadmus, are you all right?” Arim asked quietly.

  Cadmus glanced at his uncle, knowing the searching look in his eyes saw too much and yet, not enough. Should he share this vision with them, they’d surely turn on Ellie. Though Darius and Marcus didn’t seem to mind she was Djinn, and Aerolus would welcome her regardless, Arim was another matter.

  Deciding to keep what he’d seen to himself, Cadmus said, “I’m good. Sorry, I had a weird vision of Mother crying and welcoming me home, and it threw me.”

  “Well, be glad she’s just crying. She nearly knocked me on my ass to welcome Samantha when we walked through the door,” Darius muttered.

  Marcus chuckled. “Hell, Darius, we all wanted to congratulate Samantha. I still can’t believe you found a woman who can tolerate you.”

  “Me? You’re one to talk, you pompous water-walker.”

  “Here they go,” Cadmus said to Ellie as his brothers started in on one another. The argument grew in volume as they travelled towards the castle.

  “So tedious.” Arim sighed, but a smile curved his lips all the same.

  Ellie smothered a laugh when Darius suddenly turned to her. “Tell him, Ellie. Tell him what an outstanding bartender I really was.”

  “Ah, yeah. He did a good job.”

  “A good job?” Darius glared, his eyes flaming red and glowing in the dark. “I took home huge tips.”

  “That’s because the women were dying to get into your pants,” Marcus said dryly. “Had nothing to do with your uncanny ability to serve drinks.”

  Darius turned to her again, but Ellie shook her head. “Sorry, Darius, but he’s right. Now I really was a great bartender.”

  Darius scoffed and drew Ellie into a heated debate about clients, tips and the art of pouring a decent drink.

  Cadmus wondered. Had he really missed his idiot brothers?

  “So, dirt-for-brains, what the hell have you been doing with yourself since we’ve been gone?” Marcus asked him.

  “Oh, I’ve been busy. Making deals with the Djinn, seducing The Sarqua’s daughter, dancing with wraiths.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Arim’s eyes narrow dangerously.

  Marcus’ eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  “Unfortunately, he is.” Arim swore, clapped his hands, and they suddenly appeared in Queen Ravyn’s chambers
, where the queen sat talking with Samantha and Tessa, her daughters by marriage. “You four are giving me a headache. Cadmus, go greet your mother. Introduce her to your affai, properly.”

  Surprised Arim actually wanted him to admit his ties to Ellie, Cadmus did as instructed. Pushing his disturbing vision to the back of his mind, he took Ellie and approached his stunned mother. He bowed gracefully, but before he could speak, his mother had him in her arms, crushing him to her breast.

  “Mother, you’re choking me.” He coughed, trying to breathe, and heard laughter behind him.

  “Where have you been, Cadmus? I’ve been worried sick!” His mother pushed him back and stared at him, from the top of his head to his leather Djinn boots. “And who is this lovely young woman, hmm?” Her impish grin told him she already knew, but the delight in her eyes made it hard not to go along with her.

  “Mother, I have the great pleasure of introducing to you my affai, Elliara Storm.”

  “Elliara?” Darius murmured, and Samantha elbowed him in the stomach to be quiet.

  Ellie blushed but stepped closer to Ravyn. “Just Ellie, actually. It’s a pleasure, ma’am, ah, Your Highness.”

  Alandra and Aerolus suddenly appeared. “Might as well start calling her Mom,” Alandra teased.

  “Man, I hate when they do that,” Tessa said as she joined hands with Marcus. “Freaks me out.”

  “I have all my children together, and such beautiful brides. Ellie,” Ravyn said, a tear in her eye. “Welcome to the family.” She embraced Ellie with a sincerity that made Cadmus’ eyes burn, and he had to blink rapidly to keep from looking like a lovesick idiot. Fortunately, all eyes were on his mother and Ellie. The sheer pleasure on Ellie’s face at being accepted made his homecoming more than special, and he couldn’t thank his mother enough for her warmth and love. By the Light’s breath, he’d missed her.

  “It’s so good to be home again,” he said thickly, kissing Ravyn on the cheek.

  “Yes, it is.” She linked one arm through Ellie’s and the other through Cadmus’. “This calls for a celebration.”

  Marcus groaned. “I knew you were going to say that.”

  “Hey, at least you don’t have to procure several barrels of rare cinarum,” Aerolus complained. “That ale is expensive and damn hard to fabricate.”

  Alandra chuckled. “Not really. He just likes to grumble to feel duly appreciated.”

  Aerolus gave his affai a look, one that had her batting her eyes in innocence.

  “You see, Arim? I told you everything would work out.” Ravyn beamed, looking around at her children. “So much joy in our house again. How I’ve missed it.”

  Arim’s gaze settled on Ellie, and he pursed his lips. “Everything is working out. I just wished I knew for whom.”

  * * * *

  Though everyone had been more than pleasant, and Cadmus’ mother a genuinely caring woman, Ellie felt tired and overwhelmed. Tanselm had so much more magic than Foreia. Her jump from Seattle to Foreia had felt strange, but Foreia’s Darkness and muted power had eventually felt as natural as breathing. In Tanselm, she felt as if she were continually being tested. Probing mind touches, feathers of Light mixed with welcoming Darkness, and the pressure of keeping a pleasant front so as not to interfere with Cadmus’ welcome home had taken its toll.

  And then there was Arim—a hulking mass of testosterone who kept a constant eye on her, as if waiting for her to do something evil. The first hour she’d tried to be understanding, but now, half the night had passed, and the powerful mage still watched her.

  While the others continued to talk and dine, she whispered into Cadmus’ ear, “I’m really tired. Would you mind if I went somewhere to rest? You don’t have to leave, though. I know how much you’ve missed your family.”

  He glanced down at her, his brown eyes sparkling, and a wave of lust replaced her tiredness. As if he sensed her feelings, he grinned, a sensual smile that made her stomach flutter.

  “It’s no problem, baby.” Oh, no, not the I’m-going-to-make-love-to-you-for-hours baby. “I’ve been getting a bit tired myself.”

  He put a hand to her shoulder and rubbed softly, the heat of his palm spreading Dark want through her system.

  Cadmus turned to his mother. “Mother, I’m sorry, but Ellie and I are pretty tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “Of course it has. How thoughtless of me.” Queen Ravyn leaned close to accept a kiss from her charming son and shooed them away. “I’m sorry to have kept you, but I’ve missed you so much. Ellie, it’s been a true pleasure. I look forward to getting to know you like the daughter I’ve been missing.”

  Cadmus raised a brow. “You’ve got three daughters sitting right down the table.” He motioned to Samantha, Tessa and Alandra joking and eating with their husbands.

  “Yes, I know. And I’ll never take any of them for granted. But now, my last, irascible son has finally found a bride, and I couldn’t be happier she’s so lovely.”

  Ellie smiled but wondered, uneasily, if Ravyn had been told who and ‘what’ Ellie really was. Would the queen find her so acceptable if she knew of her heritage?

  “Relax, Ellie. Light or Dark, it doesn’t matter to me,” Cadmus sent with warmth.

  Maybe not to him, but Cadmus didn’t feel the need to prove himself to his family. Whereas she had a hell of a lot to prove.

  “Oh, really?” came the dry response. “We really need to talk, Ellie. But not now, later. After we get some much-needed…sleep.” He stood with Ellie and asked, “Is my room still mine, Mother? Or have you turned it into a scrying centre like you’ve always threatened to do?”

  Ravyn shook her head. “I should have. But I never trusted that you hadn’t booby-trapped the area. Especially after Marcus managed to turn completely blue after one such trek into your room.”

  Cadmus chuckled with his mother.

  Marcus scowled. “You know, Mother, I don’t appreciate you taking his side.”

  Tessa jabbed him in the ribs and took another sip of wine. “Relax, Cool Blue. You probably deserved it.” She grinned. “I bet that was something to see.”

  “It was,” Aerolus agreed, his grey eyes twinkling.

  “Right, well.” Cadmus tugged Ellie’s hand. “We’ll see you all in the morning, if you’re still here?”

  Darius nodded. “We’ll meet for breakfast. Then the party’ll break up. Arim wants us back in our respective territories.”

  “But not you two, not yet,” Arim spoke, staring hard at Ellie, then Cadmus. “Enjoy your respite, and I’ll see you both in the morning.”

  “In the morning, right.” Cadmus tugged Ellie after him, but Ellie couldn’t so easily dismiss the vague sense of warning she felt in Arim’s words.

  “Stop dragging your feet, Ellie.”After leaving the dining hall and nearly racing through several dim corridors, Cadmus stopped so suddenly Ellie fell into him. Without giving her a chance to catch her breath, he swallowed her protest with a kiss that set her pulse skyrocketing. His mouth caressed and teased, promising so much more. Then he thrust his tongue between her lips, making her moan with desire.

  “Cadmus,” she rasped, trying to think. “Not here.” They stood in a darkened hallway through which anyone could enter.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. I’ve never had sex with an audience before. Might be fun.” He chuckled when she punched him, and despite the heat in her cheeks, she laughed as well.

  “You’re such a perv.”

  He captured the fist aimed for his arm again and kissed her knuckles. “Yeah, but I’m your perv. So stop stalling.”

  Nimbly racing past several startled pairs of lords and ladies, the pair of them streaked through a maze of hallways and up two sets of stairs. After what felt like forever, they entered a darkened room enclosed by a heavy oak door. Blinking, Ellie readjusted to the darkness and, to her surprise, found she could see with the faint bit of moonlight reflected off an illuminating mirror.

  A loud thunk made her turn back to Cadmus, who s
tood with his back against his now barred door, lazily studying her with bedroom eyes.

  “You know, you really are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. Around you, I’m a walking hard-on.” He straightened and moulded his prominent arousal, cupping it like an offering to her.

  “Tell me what you want, Cadmus,” she said breathlessly, caught by the hunger in his eyes. Those beautiful, chocolate brown orbs made her melt, and she wanted more than anything to see his gaze turn black with lust and love. For her. “Let me give you what you need.”

  He lifted his shirt in a smooth motion and unbuttoned the closure to his trousers. Immediately, his erection sprang free, thick and hard, and she noticed the moisture pooling at his tip.

  “Suck me, baby.” He held his cock to her. “But I want you naked first. Come on, let me see your nipples all puckered and tight for me. And that pussy.” His voice deepened as she deftly removed her shirt and bra, then discarded the rest of her clothing. “I love the feel of that pussy around my cock when I’m fucking you.”

  His crudity turned her on, the harsh words so at odds with the smooth playboy she normally saw. She bit her lip and saw his eyes darken, heard his breathing hitch and saw his cock twitch, the veiny shaft glistening as he rubbed precum over the head and around his length.

  “I love eating you, lapping up your sweet cream.” His fingers moved faster, and she dropped to her knees before him. He reached out and buried his hand in her hair, massaging her scalp as he brought her mouth towards his straining erection. “But I absolutely love your mouth. Take me, baby. Suck me long and hard. Make me come down your throat.”

  He stared down at her through half-closed eyes, and when her lips curled around his crown, he shut his eyes on a rusty groan. “That’s it, Ellie. Light, yes.”

  She ignored the hard stone under her knees, the cool air that circulated through the room, and feasted on his arousal. She loved the salty-sweet taste of his flesh, the smooth feel of his semen as it pulsed down her throat. Bringing her lover to his knees and arousing him beyond measure brought her unbearable pleasure. By the sounds he made and the grip that tightened in her hair, she knew he felt it as well.