Crais

by Jaymin Eve

  Brace’s nod confirmed my thoughts.

  “Every time the Bracentine came it offered me that same deal.”

  Brace interrupted. “Bracentine? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  I shrugged. “It was better than calling it ancient-dude-wearing-my-mate.”

  He snorted, shaking his head, before crossing his arms tightly. As his biceps strained against his shirt material I lost my train of thought for a moment.

  Josian cleared his throat.

  I swung my head back around, but not before I caught the darkening of Brace’s eyes and the flare of heat in his gaze.

  “So it said if I helped to free its third brother it would release Brace and never repossess him.”

  “Why did you believe it, Abbs? You of all people are generally cynical enough to ignore a deal like that.” Lucy faced me as she pulled her legs up into a cross-legged position. She still had the gel over half her face.

  “It said it’s bound by the balance of the universe. If it gives its word it has no choice but to follow through.”

  Josian shifted closer to us. “That’s actually true. The original powers were the balance, the yin and yang of the star system. Which is the reason for the birth of the Seventine. They balanced out the original seven. And neither of these primary powers can be destroyed, just contained.”

  “I still don’t understand why they can’t be destroyed. There are plenty of other equalizers now.” Lucas spoke up, although his tone was flat.

  I looked at him closely for the first time, noticing how red his eyes were.

  “The Seventine and the original seven were created in the dawn of this star system. They are the first and without them balance in general would no longer exist,” Josian said.

  “So this Bracentine never told you that your blood was the key to releasing the third and without you the remaining four would have stayed locked in there?” Lucy asked bluntly.

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “No, Luce, it conveniently left that part out and there’s no way I would have followed through had I known that information.”

  At least I hoped not.

  Lucas snorted. “I doubt it, Abby. You don’t listen to much reason when it comes to your mate.”

  I faced him, working to keep my face expressionless. I so didn’t have time for his royal ass-ness right now. After a few moments of exchanged glares I decided it wasn’t worth commenting, so I turned back to Josian. My father’s normally jovial face looked – sad. My heart hurt seeing the dull bronze of his eyes.

  “I am so sorry, Dad. I hope you aren’t disappointed in me.” I’d never had to worry about letting people down before. “Despite the fact I’d have done almost anything to free Brace, I still don’t understand my complete acceptance of its offer.” I hung my head a little, blinking to stop the guilty tears. “I should have come to you and asked for your help.”

  “Stop that right now, Red.” Brace’s anger flooded the room. The air suddenly felt harder to breathe. “The Seventine is a power beyond anything I’ve known. None of us would have stood a chance. It manipulated our melding bond.” He clashed eyes with almost everyone in the room. “Abby’s not to be blamed for this.”

  His protectiveness wrapped around me.

  “Seriously, is there anyone who doesn’t protect –” Fury’s words were cut short when Brace swung his head to stab her with his gaze.

  “Stop talking,” he bit out, his tone low and deadly.

  There was something different about Brace now. He’d always been a tough guy, but there was a simmering energy beneath the surface, coiled and waiting to strike.

  “Don’t speak to her like that.” Dune stood.

  He’d taken two steps toward my towering mate but as Brace shifted his hard gaze Dune halted, his expression torn. I couldn’t blame him. Brace looked downright scary.

  “If we’re done with the questions I need some time with Abby. If we don’t cement the melding bond I won’t be able to control my actions,” Brace said, dismissing the rest of the room.

  It was clear that he’d reached his limit as he scooped me up in his arms. I couldn’t deny that we needed time to work on our bond. I felt the urge eating away at me also. That of course didn’t stop the heat flooding my cheeks; I was definitely bright red.

  Lucy let out the loudest laugh ever.

  “Oh, yeah! Abbs is going to get some.” She started doing some weird cheer-dance thing and I wished I was close enough to punch her.

  “Shut up,” I hissed.

  Brace continued to ignore everyone, turning to leave.

  “Brace!” Josian’s terse word halted him, but he didn’t turn around.

  Surprisingly, the final warning came from someone else.

  “I would hate to have to kill you so soon after getting you back. So I’m going to assume that you will show her the upmost respect and care. Don’t forget the precious gem that she is.” Lallielle’s gentle voice held a hint of steel.

  I peered around Brace’s shoulder to see that Lallielle had one hand on Josian, holding him back. My father looked upset, but as I met his eyes he gave me a slight nod of acceptance.

  “Abby is more than a precious gem to me. She is everything,” Brace said before starting to move again.

  I blew my parents a kiss as we neared the door. I caught one last glimpse of Lucas. His face looked dark and thunderous. I remembered that he’d wanted to tell us something, but one glance at the stone-like features of my mate told me Lucas’s problem would have to wait.

  Brace said nothing as we marched along the hallway of the children’s wing. I didn’t mind. I enjoyed being in his arms and words could wait until we reached the privacy of my room. My door slid open and we stepped through.

  He lowered me to the ground before turning and muttering a few words that sent out a shield to settle around the room’s perimeter. He captured my gaze, his expression one of longing and anger.

  Suddenly he turned and strode away. He didn’t go far, just to the metal railing near my balcony. Leaning his arms against the wall, he let his head fall to hang between them. I ached to move closer, but he seemed to need a few minutes to pull himself together.

  He lifted his arms and, faster than I could process, slammed his fists into the steel pole holding my deck up. He repeated the action. I gasped, moving forward.

  “Don’t,” I cried out. “Don’t hurt yourself, Brace.”

  He faced me, the blood on his knuckles already starting to dry.

  “This isn’t hurting me, Red,” he said wryly.

  He moved and was right in my face before I could blink. Everything he’d ever done to keep up his ‘human’ facade was gone now. He was wild and strong and god-like.

  “Hurt is being trapped in my own head unable help you. Hurt is watching that dead, empty look on your face.” He swore a few times as he grasped my biceps and pulled me closer. “Hurt was knowing that that piece of shit was manipulating you and I couldn’t stop it.” He roared the last part.

  It was kind of messed up but this outraged anger for me was actually turning me on. Bumps crossed my skin and my heart rate galloped – and not out of fear.

  Was there anything more beautiful in the world than the knowledge that you were loved, and loved so much that there was nothing above or beyond that could compare?

  Before I could analyze the consequences I threw myself at him.

  As my lips hit his I managed to murmur, “You know how to get rid of all that hurt? Shut up and kiss me.”

  I felt his lips shift under mine. “Yes, Red.”

  When we eventually pulled apart, our breathing heavy, I was distracted by a shimmering portal opening in front of us. Why had Brace opened a doorway? I swung my head around to meet his gaze.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to take you somewhere.” He held out a hand to me.

  I didn’t hesitate for a moment, reaching out to follow my mate.

  Brace pulled me into him, his strong arms scooping me up again. I w
ould have protested but somewhere deep down I liked it.

  We entered the vacuum. It didn’t take him long to walk through. I tried to see clearly what was on the other side but it was too dark. He paused just a moment before stepping out of the doorway. As we moved into the cool air my jaw dropped open.

  “Where are we?” I gasped, never having seen any place so beautiful.

  We stood on the edge of a snow field, the white expanse spreading out before us. Flakes swirled around, and icicles reflected off every surface, forming the most intricate patterns.

  But the part which took my breath away was the stars.

  Lighting up the darkness were millions of fiery balls, spanning almost to the untouched horizon. I’d never been so close to the sky beauties. It felt as if I could reach out a hand and capture them.

  “This is the Northlands of First World. It’s always winter and perpetually night, but it is the one place in the worlds where you can stand amongst the stars.”

  I wasn’t cold. Brace’s warmth surrounded me like a favorite coat. Suddenly he started to walk. I continued to stare at the sky, mesmerized by the beauty. Flakes of snow coated my face, leaving tiny pricks of cold. I gasped as a cabin came into view, hidden amongst the untouched environment.

  It was stunning.

  Wood lined the walls, surrounded by a large wraparound balcony.

  Brace walked us across the wooden entrance, before reaching out his free hand and pushing open the door.

  Stepping into the dark room, he lowered me gently to the ground. With a whisper the house lit up and warmth spread over me as a nearby fireplace sprang to life. Being mated to a Walker was never a dull experience. I took in the full expanse of the room before me.

  “Holy amazeballs,” I said, spinning in a circle. “I love this.”

  It was larger than I expected, yet still felt cozy. Very open plan, with a spacious living-dining area all merging onto the kitchen. The wood theme continued, although the luxurious white carpet under my feet and squishy dark-gray couches indicated there were high-quality fixtures throughout.

  Brace smiled. “Good to hear, Red, because it’s yours.”

  I stopped spinning around, my arms falling to my side.

  “What do you mean?” I blinked at him a few times.

  “After we melded I had this built for you. This has always been one of my favorite places in all the star systems. And I wanted you to have a slice of the stars all to yourself.”

  I stepped closer to him. I couldn’t figure out how to react. My heart felt like it was about to burst and there were no words to describe my emotions.

  “How did you do this?”

  He smiled. “A few handy Walkers owed me a favor.”

  He looked so perfect standing there, framed by the white snow visible through the large windows behind him. I couldn’t stop myself from launching into his arms. He put his large hands under my thighs. They almost wrapped completely around them and with no effort he yanked me up. I clenched my legs around his waist. He moved us backwards until I was cushioned against the wall. I absorbed his weight. The kissing was intense, beyond anything we had done before. I felt my control slipping.

  And then as the kiss deepened, any reservations I had were gone.

  Without removing my lips I arched back to gain enough leverage to lift his shirt up over his head. We had to separate for a moment but then were right back to the kissing. Always impatient, Brace ripped my tank-top right down the centre. He was going to be hell on my clothes. Lucky I had plenty of them. I wanted to feel self-conscious just in my bra and jeans, but there was no room for that here. The emotional overload was crazy and the heat we were generating almost had me tearing my own clothes off.

  “Are you sure you want this, Red? Tell me now and I will find the strength to stop.” He spoke as he kissed his way down my neck.

  He hesitated at the swell of my breast, his eyes rising to meet mine, seeking permission to continue.

  I nodded once, gasping out, “If you stop I will kill you. KILL you.”

  He smiled again, the melting chocolate he called eyes drowning my senses. “Message received.”

  And then my bra was gone. We were skin to skin and I couldn’t stop moving. My entire body was so sensitive. Every brush sent shivers through me. I was making all these noises, which should have been mortifying, but I could tell he liked them. And I sure as anything couldn’t have stopped.

  “Holy hell, you are the hottest thing in all the worlds, Red,” Brace said.

  We were still against the wall, but then he shifted, striding in three large movements across the white carpet, along a hallway and into a bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the bed. It was beyond gigantic, spanning most of the room and framed by gauzy white netting.

  Without allowing an inch of space between us, we dropped down on the soft cover, his huge body crowding over mine. And as I glanced up over his shoulder I gasped.

  “The ceiling –” I started, my voice falling in awe.

  He lifted his head, but instead of looking into the open expanse of glass ceiling that showcased the most stunning starlit sky, he simply examined my face. He started kissing me again, raining them over my face, before moving along my neck and down my body. I forgot about the view. In that moment I was about to self-combust.

  “Your lips and tongue should be registered as weapons against women,” I moaned, wriggling against him.

  His expression was soft. “You’re so beautiful, everything about you, and I have lived too many millennia without knowing the sweet perfection of your kiss.” He never shifted his eyes. “I love you, Abigail. I adore you. I cherish you.” He kissed me between each statement.

  Tears filled my eyes.

  “They better be tears of joy, Red,” he joked, his eyes narrowing as he examined me.

  “I love you too.” I thought the words would be difficult, but they flowed out effortlessly. “Don’t ever leave me again,” I added, my tone fierce.

  “Say it again.” His entire body stilled.

  Surely he’d been told that before? I opened my mouth, but he captured my lips before I could speak.

  I love you.

  There was something more intimate about saying it through our bond.

  More than my own life, Brace added as he continued to destroy me with his kisses and words.

  And then I caught an errant thought that I knew wasn’t supposed to be heard.

  I will destroy worlds to keep her safe.

  I realized then that Brace wouldn’t have hesitated to release the Seventine and free me. A part of him truly did not care about the consequences.

  But I knew our love wasn’t worth the cost of millions of innocent lives. I’d have to make sure we both stayed on the side of good and didn’t abuse our powers. My worries were swept away then as Brace lifted me into his arms.

  When I surfaced again we were in an adjoining bathroom. The lights were dimmed and the large whirlpool bath was bubbling away. We were naked, which just felt natural; the melding bond wouldn’t allow for insecurities. Which was good. I’d hate to be trying to see my butt in the mirror and worrying about its size or something. Brace sank in and pulled me back against him.

  “Why did you stop out there?” I asked, glancing up over my shoulder at him.

  He groaned into my neck. “You’re a witch, Red, and there’s no rush. I plan to take my time with you tonight.”

  I was relieved to know the night wasn’t over yet. And the warm, bubbling water definitely helped to relax me.

  Eventually we made it back to the bed. I bit my lip as I ran my eyes over him. He laughed before reaching out a hand and clasping my face gently. He pulled me up to meet him halfway. His lips pressed into my own as he expertly seduced me with his kisses. This time there was no pausing, our bodies needing this after all the time apart, the reassurance that we were both together and that the bond was intact. The only break was when I had a moment of clarity and asked about birth control.

  He
shook his head. “Walkers make the choice to create life. I would have to release energy at the exact moment, otherwise there’s no chance of a baby.” He ran his hand gently down my body, distracting me. “And there are no diseases that we need to worry about.”

  Our bodies moved closer and just when I thought I couldn’t take any more the final moment came. The pain was brief as my body adjusted, and then there was only pleasure. It surrounded me, blocking every sense, shutting out the world and all my worries. I shattered beneath him, and was surprised as he too lost control. When he said my name, I think my heart swelled to breaking point.

  Exhaustion overtook me as we lay there, and just before I closed my eyes, surrendering to the darkness, I whispered to him, “Best night ever.”

  His chuckle was the last thing I heard as he pulled me close. The golden glow surrounded us, tightening its loving embrace.

  Chapter 13

  “Tell me everything. Don’t leave one word out.”

  Talina and Lucy had just cornered me in the cinema room. Lucy had knocked me to the ground and was sitting on me firing questions. I managed to lift my head and look between them. Lucy’s eye didn’t look too bad today but it would have been a decent shiner without the help of the gel pack.

  “Seriously? Why would you want to know about my sex life?” I didn’t bother to struggle. I knew my friend and she was far more determined than I was.

  Lucy’s brow furrowed. “Uh, because we’re girls, you’re our best friend and ...” She paused, glancing at Talina.

  “Because we have no choice but to live vicariously through you,” Talina added.

  I sighed. “You’re not going to give this up, are you?”

  They shook their heads.

  “Alright, I’ll dish, just get your ass off me.”

  Lucy’s slight weight lifted and I dragged myself over to the couch. Rubbing my burning eyes, I leaned my head back. I was strangely tired, but at the same time invigorated. Brace and I had stayed all night at the snow cabin, and it had been sort of magical. The brilliance of the night sky had kept me mesmerized, along with my mate, so I hadn’t had much sleep. I’d only been back at the house for ten minutes before this ambush occurred.