by Isa Fae
Miranda had a dire need to touch him, but she was trapped underneath him, unable to twist around. Arching her back, she pushed against him, meeting his hips and needing to release this pressure inside of her once and for all. His name escaped her lips with a moan, and her fingers tightened around his, squeezing and squeezing as he slammed against her drenched opening.
Deeper and deeper inside of her he went. Harder with want and desire to make her his. She didn’t know how much more she could take. Miranda was on the edge of insanity. Losing all control over everything.
Eric thrusted into her, faster and more intense this time as her magic and his Fae magic became one. Then it happened.
The orgasm ripped through her and she dropped her head and bit down on his arm, muffling her screams as her entire body shook violently. He pressed his own body down on hers, holding her still as he gave one more push into her, going so deep she didn’t even think it was possible. She cried out again, the tears returning to her eyes as he held himself inside of her, his cock sending an explosion through her which rocked her entire core. Her legs shook. Her arms shook. But she held out and accepted every piece of him. Anything he was willing to give.
Miranda dropped to the mattress, attempting to catch her breath as Eric twitched inside of her. For once in her life she felt as if she were flying, soaring high in the sky above the cabin and the entire faction. She’d never felt so free. So loved. Or so owned. And now he belonged to her as well.
Eric’s weight shifted off her and he fell beside her, taking her in his arms. “And to think I wanted you dead.” His voice was breathless, his breathing still rushed. Miranda could feel and hear the urgency of his heart beat under the skin of his chest. “What the fuck was wrong with me?”
“You were a fucking asshole.” She giggled, unable to resist. “That was what was wrong with you.” Even though her body ached in unfamiliar ways, she’d never felt more happier and more alive before.
“You said were.” He squeezed her tighter against the side of his body. “How about now? Am I still a fucking asshole?”
“I’m sure you’re still an asshole deep inside somewhere. And with the fucking part. You do that fairly well.” She smiled against his chest, loving how easy it was to talk to him now.
“Fairly well?” In one swift movement Eric shifted her over so she was now on top of him, straddling his body. Lifting his arms, he swept strands of hair away from her face as she looked down at him, tucking it behind her ears. “Maybe, I need more practice so I can be fucking spectacular.”
Yes. That. “Maybe.” She smiled down at him, more than willing to practice as much as he wanted even though he exceeded fucking spectacular.
Eric lifted her up and slipped his length back into her, causing her to gasp as he slid all the way into her core. He guided her up and down in slow, drowsy motions, letting her savor all of him. She tightened and clenched around him, loving every minute of the way he made her feel. Cherished. Adored. Loved. The way, deep down, she’d always wanted to feel.
Miranda rode him like that for what seemed like forever, Fae magic and witch magic encircling them together, uniting and shimmering with more power than she had ever experienced. And each time they came, they came together. It was beautiful, magical, and intense. He’d stole her breath away more than once. Took her heart and held her soul captive. The best part of everything was that she never wanted it back. It was his. And it would always be his. Forever.
Eventually Eric shifted her beside him, turning her over and pressing her back against his chest, holding her in his arms. His lips lingered on her neck, his hands softly touching and tracing every part of her body. She no longer questioned his trust. No longer questioned if he felt the same way. Because somewhere deep inside her soul, she had trusted him all along.
29
Eric
“Fae blood doesn’t weaken me, it nearly kills me. Actually, it would’ve killed me, but I’ve managed to be saved twice.”
Miranda didn’t turn toward him when she spoke, but she drew in a deep, rigid breath as if she was terrified or upset by speaking the words. Eric’s lips paused on her neck, and he tightened his hold on her, wanting to make her feel safe. He knew it would be hard for her to feel that way with how he treated her in the beginning. But things were different now. At least, they were different for him. “If you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.” And he meant it. As much as he wanted to know before, it really didn’t matter now.
“I need to tell you, Eric,” she continued. “I’ve kept it inside my entire life. Nobody else knows except you and my mother. But my mother is dead.”
“She saved you didn’t she.” He already knew the answer to his question. He’d put everything she said together. “She gave her life to save yours.”
“Yes.” Her body trembled. “The Fae were injecting their blood into every witch coming through the portal. I was too young to remember all the details, but I clearly remember being really sick. When I came out of it, my mother was lying right beside me. She was so cold and pale. I stayed in that small shack alone for a very long time. And then Millenia found me.”
“Millenia?” He faintly remembered that name coming from one of the witch’s mouths. “Is she a Renegade?” He rubbed his hand over her stomach, attempting to smooth her tremors away.
“She is the Renegades. She created them to take down the Fae.” She drew in a deep breath and finally turned in his arms, facing him, tears tugging at the corners of her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Eric,” she whispered. “I hated the Fae for what they did to me, what they did to my mother. I wanted to get even with them. Help Millenia take all your kind out. I agreed to get accepted as Lord Manchester’s slave. It was the only way I could get in on the inside. But, my powers were my downfall. He saw from the beginning I was different. He could feed off my magic for days and I wouldn’t die like the others.”
Eric reached up and swiped a runaway tear away from her cheek. “Miranda, please. You don’t have to tell me.” He knew how things could change so quickly. The things you hated could turn into the very thing you loved. He once hated witches. But Miranda now owned his heart. “It’s all in the past, baby.”
“No, Eric.” She shook her head and removed his hand from her face. “Just listen, please,” she begged, her green eyes locking onto his. “You’re the only one I can tell this to. The others won’t believe me. But with you, I at least have a chance that you’ll believe what I’m saying.” She kissed the inside of his palm before continuing.
“Fae aren’t supposed to harm other Fae, unless that Fae has done something wrong in the faction. You know that. It’s another one of Mason’s rules, but he’s broken that rule more than I can count. I’ve seen him do it. And I promised to keep his secret. Not that I could tell anyone anyway. You know as well as I do Fae would never take a witch’s word over one of their own kind. I’m an outcast when it comes to another Fae.”
“Miranda…I.” The words she said clouded his thoughts. The Lord created this faction. He made the rules in order to keep the Fae safe. Eric couldn’t wrap his mind around the Lord doing that. Not to his own people.
“Eric, it’s fine if you tell me you don’t believe me.” She swallowed hard. “I understand, really. But I made a promise. A promise that not only made me an enemy to Millenia, but it also put me in danger with Mason.” She directed her gaze down to the area on the mattress between them. “I promised people, witches and Fae, I would protect them. And with that promise, I slipped when I tried to save Sarah and couldn’t. I went up against him, and this is why I’m here now.” She looked up at him, a deep sadness glistening in her eyes. “Not because I accidently killed his son, but because I tried to save someone who I loved dearly. Tried to save witches and Fae who were unable to stand up to him.”
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you, Miranda.” He cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. “I don’t have a reason not to believe you. You saved me from four witches. Reduced them to ash
es and then brought me back when you could have escaped.” He brought her face closer to his and kissed her softly. “Nobody has ever put their life on the line for me,” he mumbled against her lips. “And that tells me something. It tells me I can trust you.” Eric smiled against her.
“Could you…could you just promise me one thing?” Her voice fell to nearly a whisper as she pulled away to look at him.
“Anything.” He didn’t need to think about the answer. Didn’t even hesitate. Yes, he would do anything for Miranda.
“After you return me to the Lord, could you just somehow get Ronan and the others away from him? I made them a promise. I have to make sure they’re safe. Especially, Ronan.”
Eric had no intentions of returning her now. There would be no way he could give Miranda up, but he wouldn’t let her know that. Only because she would argue with him. She knew if he betrayed the Lord, he would end his life as well. And she wouldn’t be able to carry that weight on her shoulders. Miranda wasn’t a lying, murderous witch like he first thought she was. No. She was the most compassionate soul he had ever met. She was overflowing with good, even though she’d been through nothing but hell. Some of it even by his hands. Something he truly regretted. “Yes, I can make sure they are all safe. If need be, I’ll bring Ronan to come live with me.”
Miranda drew in a deep breath, placing her head against Eric’s chest, making him turn over to his back so she could lay it on his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anytime.” He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed the small of her back, luring her to sleep.
No, Eric had no plans on giving her up. Not now. Not ever. Whatever the price would be.
30
Miranda
Miranda never felt so alive before. It wasn’t only because she had finally been able to tell someone else her secrets and what the Lord was doing, but it was because she had found someone to love her as much as she loved him. Yes, the word love. It was strong and serious. A huge commitment. Eric Winters had not only stolen her heart, but he also had her soul. And as much as she wanted to spend forever with him, she couldn’t. The storm wouldn’t last that long. But, she’d make her time with him memorable.
She slipped out of bed, but not before planting soft kisses over Eric’s bare chest, making him moan. Miranda smiled as she quietly left the room in search of a fresh set of clothes so she could jump in the shower.
She didn’t remember what the sunshine felt like in her old world, and in this world, it had always been cloudy and gray. But the feelings of warmth bubbling up inside of her had to be what the sunshine felt like. Or, it had to be close.
After finding a new outfit, she went into the bathroom and turned on the water. She stepped into the shower and immersed herself under the steamy water. She’d thought about things she could do with Eric today as she washed her hair and soaped up her body. Fixing breakfast would have to be the first priority. Since her magic was fully restored, she was completely famished. Even oatmeal sounded good to her right about now.
She turned around, facing her back toward the flowing water to rinse her hair, thinking dancing or just lounging sounded really good too. Anything that would put her close to Eric. Then two hands landed on her hips and pulled her forward into something warm and firm.
“I can’t believe you got in here without me.” Eric’s voice was deep and velvety as he slid his arms fully around her now, pressing her body to his. The hardness pressing against her stomach caused her to smile.
She wrung out her hair and pushed the water from her eyes, opening them to the sexiest man ever. “You were still sleeping. I wanted to surprise you by trying to make breakfast.”
“Trying?” He lifted an eyebrow to her and grinned. The moisture running down the sides of his face making him appear extra yummy.
“I’ve never made oatmeal before.” The heat of her confession settled in her cheeks. “And I didn’t think you’d want pasta this early.”
“Actually, I think you’ll do.” He brushed the wet hair away from her neck, dipping down and grazing her skin with his teeth.
“Oh.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say other than that one word. His hands cupped her breasts, her nipples taunt and ready to his caresses, as tingles settled in her core. She thought it was sexy how one sentence from him could basically bring her into an orgasm. The man definitely had a gift.
“Oh,” he repeated her word, coming up and claiming her lips. He slid his hand over and slipped two fingers in between her folds as his kiss deepened.
She drew in a deep breath when both fingers entered her, and she held onto his shoulders to balance herself. Closing her eyes, she dug her nails into him as he kissed and fondled her. Within seconds, she tightened and contracted around him, the energy rushing to the surface and coating his fingers in moisture.
“I think I’m ready for my breakfast now.” His words were rough and unsteady against her lips. Before she could respond, he spun her around and lifted her arms, placing her hands on the wall. He used his feet to spread her legs, his hands gripping her wrists as he thrust inside of her, sending her up on her toes.
Eric wasn’t easy this time. He knew what he wanted, and he was claiming it. And Miranda loved every minute of it. He pushed into her deeper, groaning and growling each time she released another wave of moisture.
Miranda had thought the bed was amazing. But it was the shower that became her downfall. She picked her leg up, placing her foot on the base of the tub, opening even wider for him. The water rained down on them as his pace quickened and he buried his cock deeper and deeper inside of her.
“Come with me,” he grunted, working every inch of her as if his life depended on it. He released one of her wrists so he could rub her clit. And that was all she needed to send her over the edge.
Her body shook and quivered, her walls contracting around him as he grew harder and wider. “Eric,” she gasped, holding onto everything even though it was driving her mad.
“Let it go,” he panted, giving one more push, sending his cock rocketing through her.
And she did. Miranda’s release was more intense than before. Her orgasm flowed into and around him as his surged inside of her.
Miranda leaned her head on the wall as Eric relaxed his body against her. “I can’t get enough of you,” he said, kissing her shoulders softly.
She closed her eyes, savoring his words. The words it felt as if she had waiting her entire lifetime to hear.
Eric snaked his arm around her waist and straightened her body up, turning her around. As he picked up the soap and ran it over her body, his eyes never left hers. He washed every part of her body, and in exchange, she did his too.
After they finished showering, Eric wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out of the bathroom to find some clothes.
Miranda dressed, and then headed out into the kitchen to locate the box of oatmeal. She listened to Eric whistle the same tune they’d danced. It brought a smile to her lips. She peeked out of the kitchen and he smiled back at her.
With a flick of his wrist, the ashy remnants of the Renegade witches shifted into the fireplace. “There, I took care of your mess for you,” he said with a smirk.
“I didn’t—” Her words stopped mid-sentence. That was when she heard yelling coming from somewhere outside. An unfamiliar female voice. She walked to the living room and placed her hand on the handle of the door, wondering who the hell could be out in the storm. She didn’t sense witches this time. She sensed Fae.
But before she could open the door, Eric rushed toward her. “Miranda, no!” He grabbed her waist and spun her away from the door, fear consuming his blue eyes.
The Eric she knew feared nothing. So, now she was more curious as to who the hell was on the other side of that door.
31
Eric
She found him.
He had no idea how she did it. But Matryx had located his position. He’d thought he had gotten rid of her with the last phon
e call, but he knew she wouldn’t let it go. All the missed calls should have been his warning, but instead, he chose to ignore them. He’d almost lost Miranda because of his own stupidity. Fuck. That was too close.
“Eric, what’s going on?” She stood in front of him, arms at her side, appearing confused by his actions. “If someone is out in the storm, we have to help them.”
He became the barrier between her and the door while he tried to figure a way out of this mess. If Matryx entered the house and found her here, he wouldn’t be able to hold her and the other hunters back. “Shit!” He brought his hands up, raking his fingers through either side of his hair. “They don’t need help, Miranda.” He shifted his gaze at her, unwilling to give Miranda up to them. He would never let the Lord get his hands on her again. Not even if it killed him. “They’re from the Division.”
Miranda backed up, shaking her head. “The Renegades and now the Hunters. Eric, why are they all coming now? How can they get through the storm? The elements almost killed us. How in the hell are they out there?”
“Fuck, Miranda!” He threw his hands up in frustration. The position he was in wasn’t what he wanted. More time. All he wanted was more time with her. More time to figure out how they could both get out of the cabin and be together. But his time had run out before he expected it to. He already made the decision to keep her, but he hadn’t figured out where they could go yet. “The storm is over!”
She swallowed hard as she looked at him, fingers tapping the sides of her thighs. A sign she was becoming angry. “Eric, how long has it been over?” Her words were slow, her voice stressed.
He turned his attention away from her, unable to face her right now. He didn’t want to reveal he had known the storm had stopped a while ago. That he had deceived her while he fought the battle raging in his head. But, now because of Matryx, he had to tell her. Eric paced back and forth in front of the door. “A few days. Possibly a week. I don’t know.” And he really didn’t know. He’d been so caught up in Miranda that the days just seemed to slip away from him.