The Devil’s Kiss

by Stacey Kennedy

  He nodded in acknowledgment and glanced around us. “As to your question, this is Logan Canyon.”

  I followed his gaze and gasped. We were standing in the heart of a canyon—large steep cliffs surrounded trees, lush plants, and thriving wildlife. Breathtaking couldn’t even describe this.

  “I’m going to head off now,” Atticus said. “When you wish to return home, whistle for me, and I’ll come.” His expression turned sultry. “I can scent some young mares that are looking for a stallion such as I.” He grinned, then he shifted and galloped off.

  “Okay, that is just freaky.”

  Kyden chuckled. “Thought you might enjoy that.” He took my hand and started toward one of the cliff. Stepping in behind me, he gave me a little help as we began to climb up. When we found a large ledge, we sat down.

  I sighed, surrounded by eons of mountain beauty. “It’s so gorgeous here.”

  “It is that,” Kyden responded sounding just as awed.

  Time passed as we just sat in silence, enjoying the sound of birds chirping and brushes of wind against the trees. I finally glanced over at Kyden. He stared at me intently, so much so it made me laugh. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  He smiled softly, his green eyes alight with joy. “You capture my thoughts.”

  How did the man always seem to know just what to say to make me melt? I leaned in and kissed his lips. It was soft and delicate, which was so unlike him. Normally once my lips met his, he ravished me. A bit confused, I backed away. “What is it?”

  Lightly, he traced my jaw line with his fingers. “Eternity is not long enough to love you, Álainn.”

  “Kyden…” I responded softly.

  He smiled sweetly, placing his finger on my lips to hush me. “Before we met…” He hesitated, looking out to the scenery, then met my gaze again. “Before we met, my existence was an endless waste—a life amounting to nothing.” He continued to trace the contours of my face. “The day you arrived, all that changed. It was as if my soul had settled, found its rightful home.”

  My eyes glistened with tears. Kyden speaking of emotions—what was this?

  His fingers never stopped their dance across my face. “Still to this very day I feel undeserving of you.”

  “Kyden…”

  He stopped me, touched my lips again. “I will eternally feel overjoyed that I have been granted the right to share in your life.”

  “As will I.”

  He smiled at that, ran his thumb across my lips. “You are truly a blessing. In every part of you I find joy. Even the stubborn pain in the ass side of you brings me much amusement.”

  I laughed through my tears. To be loved, so completely, without any restraints¯never had I thought I’d be this lucky.

  “I will forever work to be one who deserves you.” He took my hands and held them tight on my lap, his face warm with emotion. “Do you remember when Drake first learned of us?”

  I nodded, the memory was hard to forget. My late birth father hadn’t been thrilled about the idea of us becoming a couple. Kyden’s womanizing past left Drake more than unhappy seeing his daughter with the likes of him. After a little scuffle and a talk, Drake’s feelings were appeased.

  “Do you remember what he and I talked about?”

  I thought back. I didn’t know all the details of what they had talked about that changed Drake’s mind, but responded with the only thing I did know. “Your intentions?”

  “That’s right.” He nodded, appearing pleased I remembered the conversation. “That night I told him I would always protect you. Do anything in my power to see you happy and that it was my intention, when the time was right, to bond with you.” He smiled softly, his eyes shining in pure happiness. “I believe the time has come.”

  Dear God, he was proposing. I wasn’t expecting this in the least. My heart blossomed. Happiness soared through my body and sent butterflies aflutter. Without hesitation, I grabbed the Guardian who stole every part of my heart and kissed his mouth in answer. He responded immediately with more emotion than I had ever felt from him. This wasn’t about heat or intensity—it was about the love that had evolved between us.

  He released my mouth to run light, sweet kisses along my neck. “I’m taking that as a yes.” Amusement filled his voice as his lips created heaven along my skin.

  I grasped the sides of his face, drawing his gaze to mine. “Kyden. You say those things, but the truth is those are my words you’re saying.”

  His eyes glistened. All that we had been through, all that had gotten us to this point, made everything about this moment mean more than the world itself.

  “Álainn,” he whispered before he captured my mouth with his once again.

  With our lips connected, our hands worked quickly to remove our gear. Every part of me wanted—needed to feel him. To be connected. My body was warm from emotion and I was ready for him. This wasn’t about passion or about consuming each other with sultry needs, nor was it about arousal. It was the need to be together, be as close as we could to each other skin and skin.

  Slowly, he laid me back, settled between my thighs as I widened them to accommodate him. He ran his hands along the sides of my head and entered me with the smoothest movement imaginable. I sighed at the perfection of it.

  He stared adoringly into my eyes. With each long, slow stroke, our love blossomed deeper. There was nothing else—nothing in the world that mattered except us in that very moment.

  Lovemaking at its finest.

  Kyden’s eyes were deep and soft. I gazed deeply into them, seeing my future resting within their depths. We would have a life full of love, happiness and complete admiration for each other. How had I become so lucky?

  He grasped my head tightly as his thrusts continued, long and slow, stroking so I felt all of him. So I understood just what it meant to be completely connected to him and how glorious it felt to be united. I reached up, cupped his face, and drew him closer to me. We faded away from existence, knowing only each other. We were bare, completely naked and hid nothing. We exposed every bit of ourselves that defined who we were.

  His angle changed, and with it came waves of pleasure deepening my breath, and arching my hips toward him. He groaned deeply as my muscles clenched against him in the pure agony of my release. His speed never increased. His eyes never left mine as I moaned out our love, completely surrendered to the satisfaction rushing over me.

  As the sensation grew, our souls captured each other in our building release. We never closed our eyes—never looked away as we both came together in nothing more than total trust in each other. We had belief in the wonderful prospect that was our life.

  “Gods, do I love you.” Kyden breathed heavily, still gazing deeply into my eyes.

  “Right back atcha.” I used Kyden’s famous line. He never was one to say the words. But it meant more because I knew when he said it, like moments like these, he felt it deep within him. He chuckled deeply as he rested his head against my neck. Everything was quiet around us as we took a moment to recover. Finally, I asked, “So, what exactly is bonding?”

  He rose up, leaning on his forearms and stared down at me, a brow arched. “You have agreed to something you know nothing about?”

  “I know it’s like marriage,” I shrugged. “I just wondered what you do exactly?”

  “It is very much the same. There will be a ceremony similar to a wedding. The difference is the bonding will tie us together magically. It will deepen our bond.”

  “Really?” What we shared was something I wasn’t even capable of dreaming up. “I can’t imagine it being much deeper than this.”

  He brushed my hair off my face. “It is permanent in ways you cannot imagine. That is why you do not see many who have done it.”

  That I had taken notice of. Only a few Guardian couples I had met were bonded. Even Talon and Zia, who seemed so perfect for each other, hadn’t taken the plunge. “Tell me then, why are so many hesitant?”
/>
  “We will belong to only each other. You will be unable to be apart from me without a sense of real loss. We will feel each other more deeply—know each other’s emotions.”

  “You will feel what I feel?” I asked a little surprised.

  “Indeed I will. It will be similar to your bond with Haven.” Then, he winked. “Just a little more intense.”

  “Ha.” I laughed. “You’re in for it then. Look at what Haven goes through.” She was always on a constant roller-coaster ride with what I went through on a daily basis.

  Kyden brushed his lips along mine. “It will be a moment of great peace for me to finally know all you feel. Trust me, Álainn, nothing will please me more.”

  “We’ll just see about that.”

  He obviously had no idea what a basket-case I could be.

  Chapter Four

  With the blanket pulled high up to my chin, I snuggled into the pillow, wanting nothing more than to just stay in bed forever. Happiness swept through me as thoughts of my night with Kyden came rushing back. Leaving him last night was tough, but I made a promise to Rynn that I would be with her when she woke up. I wasn’t about to go back on my word.

  Suddenly, I got the sinking suspicion that someone was watching me. I cracked open an eye to see Isla’s face very close to mine. I screamed, startled and bolted upright, causing Rynn to scream right along with me. “Jesus Isla, don’t do that!”

  She laughed, thoroughly pleased. “Morning.”

  I glanced over to Rynn, who looked a little ruffled. She started laughing and the sound relaxed me immediately. It was a nice sound to hear. “What are you doing in here?” I snapped at Isla.

  “I have a message for you.” She smiled brightly.

  A few moments passed as I waited for her to say more, but she just sat there smiling at me. “Okay. What’s the message?”

  She handed me a piece of paper. I looked at it:

  Zia told me about the bond. I’ve already started planning. There’s a full moon party tonight and you better make it. I miss you.

  Love, Haven.

  I missed her too, incredibly so. We’d never been away from each other this long before. “Do you mind if I come?” Isla asked.

  “To the full moon party?” I questioned.

  She nodded, happily.

  “Are you up for a party?” I asked Rynn.

  “What kind of party?” She was understandably hesitant.

  Isla interjected. “It’s so fun. The Otherworld always puts on a big bash to celebrate the full moon. You’ll love it.” She bounced up and down on the bed. “Come on, we have to go.”

  Rynn looked uncertain. I grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze, hoping it would comfort her. “It really is a good time and you could use a night of fun, right?”

  She thought for a moment, then asked. “Will Briggs be going?”

  So she was sensing something between them. It made me smile.

  Isla laughed. “You think he’d go anywhere without you?” I shot Isla a look to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t take the hint. “You are his mate and all.”

  I hissed, glaring at Isla. “That was not for you to tell her.”

  Rynn appeared completely taken back. “I’m his what?” she squeaked.

  I sighed and glared at Isla. “Time for you to go.”

  She scowled, crossing her arms over her chest. “No way, I want to hear this.”

  “Oh no.” I got out of bed, grabbed her arm, pulled her with me then pushed her out the door. “You’ve done enough. Let me talk to her.”

  Just as we reached the door, Briggs appeared behind her. Confusion marred his charming face as he looked between us. “What’s happened?” he asked.

  “She’s kicking me out,” Isla growled.

  “Are you now?” Briggs laughed. “What have you done, Isla?”

  “She told Rynn about being your mate,” I whispered.

  Briggs laughter ceased immediately, tension filled him. “You…” He glared at Isla.

  I gave her a shove and pushed her down the hall trying to save her from a serious thrashing. “Just go, Isla. I’ll see you later. We’ll go to the full moon party together.”

  She smiled at me as she tried to keep her footing. “Great, I’m going shopping. I’ll get you something.” Thankfully, she left.

  Briggs looked past me to Rynn. When I followed his gaze, she was wide-eyed and trembling a little.

  “Shit,” Briggs exhaled.

  “It’ll be alright. Let’s go explain it to her.” I took his hand, pulled him into the room.

  We sat down on Rynn’s bed. Briggs rested at the end of it, keeping a good distance from her probably in hopes it would comfort her, while I sat next to Rynn.

  “Mate…what…” Rynn’s words were as confused as the look on her face.

  “I’d explain this to you, but I am a little lost myself.” I said in all honesty. “So, go on Briggs. Tell us how it works?”

  With his gaze fixed on Rynn, he said. “I did not want this conversation to come about like this. Are you sure that you are up to hearing about this? I don’t want to rush you.”

  “I…what.”

  He gave her a soft smile, moved forward and took her hand. She stared at their joined hands, then met his eyes again. “Do you feel the connection between us?” he asked, his tone gentle.

  She glanced back to their hands and sighed deeply. “I don’t know what I feel. I know that I feel safe with you and I do like it when you touch me.”

  Briggs lightened at that, his eyes beamed. “Of course you would, darlin’. It’s because we share a deep bond. Our souls have found their counterpart.”

  “So, you’re my future husband?” she exclaimed, obviously still in shock.

  He laughed. “That is a human word. You’re my destined mate. As I am yours.”

  “I don’t have a choice in the matter?” she snapped.

  “You won’t want a choice. This is the way of the wolves. I’m your perfect mate. My role in your life will fulfill you completely. You will not need to look elsewhere because I’ll be everything you will need and want. As you are everything to me.”

  “But I don’t know you.”

  He gave her a soft smile and it spoke of a thousand words of rightness. “You do—your soul does. Do you not feel it?”

  Unexpectedly, she reached out, trailed a finger lightly up his arm and the desire burning through him was undeniable. “I knew from the second I met you,” she whispered. “I wanted to do this to you.”

  Okay, now this was awkward. This was such a private moment—one I shouldn’t be witnessing, but I didn’t want to get up and leave. I didn’t want to interrupt them, so I sat quietly, wanting to look away but unable to.

  Briggs held both her hands, raised them up to his heart. “We do not need to rush this. I know your soul has been damaged and I will take my time to see that it is healed.”

  Tears ran down her cheeks, her eyes flickering between pain and trust. “The weirdest part about all this is that I believe you.”

  He wiped her tears away and smiled. “That is a good thing, darlin’.”

  In a move that shocked the hell out of me and appeared to have the same effect on Briggs, she leaned forward, cupped his face and kissed him.

  My eyes widened as they shared one of the deepest kisses I’d ever witnessed. Her entire body sank into him as he wrapped her in his safety. Their mouths worked perfectly as if they had kissed each other for a lifetime.

  After a very long moment, she drew away. “Wow.”

  Briggs looked ravished, as he ran his fingers along her neck. “Wow is right.”

  They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes as tears fell down her face. I cried right along with her—seeing for the first time since she came here, her eyes held a little life in them—a little hope.

  Briggs reached up, cupped her cheek and brushed his fingers down her cheek. “We will take our time with
this.”

  She smiled, and leaned into his hand.

  Wolves were such amazing creatures. The bond they shared must be an intense one because since their kiss, Rynn instantly glowed with happiness. In less than ten minutes, Briggs got her to trust him, and after what she had been through that was pretty incredible. It was as if, in that very moment, she realized that she belonged with him—that he was her safety blanket.

  Briggs eventually sighed. “I wish we could stay here, but the gathering has been called and we need to go.”