by J. S. Scott
My mate. My radiant. Mine.
His engorged cock throbbed with need, and the place where his mating mark should be burned like fire. He felt like he needed that mark more than he needed to breathe, and he was consumed with the desire to have his own on Sophie’s shoulder.
“Zach and Drew need to take Kat and Talia home to rest,” Athena told Kristoff.
“My radiant stays here with me,” he demanded, unwilling to let Sophie leave his sight for even a moment. It had taken him thousands of years to find her. Honestly, he’d given up on ever being granted a mate. He sure as hell wasn’t leaving anything to chance. He could already feel Sophie permeating his soul, her lightness chasing away the dark.
Then, his doubts started to plague him, the constant knowledge that had been with him since he became the Sentinel king.
I don’t fucking deserve a mate. She can’t be mine. Even though I crave her, I’m going to have to set her free.
The thought of Sophie not becoming his mate made a growl rise low in his throat. The desire to claim her was so strong that rational thought was difficult. His every instinct was to keep her close to him, bind her to him as quickly as possible.
But his humanity was speaking to him much more rationally, making him cautious and considering her feelings. It was his duty to make her happy, and she’d never be happy with him. Plus, she’d been a prisoner for two hundred years. All of her adult life. The last thing she needed was the burdens he carried heaped on her shoulders.
Sophie was everything that was light, curious, and compassionate, everything he’d never deserve because of his past.
“I’ll stay with you,” Sophie answered firmly.
Hearing her stand up to be with him made his soul brighter…and his cock harder.
“I’m putting you into a healing sleep for the night,” Athena warned Kristoff. “I know you won’t hurt Sophie intentionally, but as the Sentinel king who has finally found his mate, your emotions will be hard to control. You’re not at your normal strength and your magic hasn’t come back yet.”
“No. I have to be able to protect her,” Kristoff argued, knowing there was no fucking way he was sleeping and leaving his mate alone. Maybe he didn’t deserve her, but right now, she was his to protect.
“The only danger she’ll be in is from you,” Athena answered sternly. “Guardian Sentinels are surrounding your palace right now. Be reasonable. You know your emotions are sitting on the edge of a very sharp blade right now. Until your magic returns completely, you’ll lack the power to remain in control.”
Kristoff wasn’t feeling reasonable, and he didn’t think the return of his magic was going to change a damn thing. He could sense it. Sophie was a temptation he wasn’t going to control easily, even when he was operating at full strength.
Regrettably, Athena was right about one thing: his needs were raw and uncontrollable, but sleeping to recover his strength while his mate was trying to acclimate to the world in the twenty-first century wasn’t sitting well with him. He wanted to be with her, and the demon part of him was selfish, covetous.
Except…it wasn’t about his wants and needs right now. It was all about Sophie. He wasn’t himself, and a night of induced sleep from a goddess would heal him faster than anything else would.
His need to be healthy and powerful to protect his mate was ingrained into his nature just as much as his need to bond with her was part of his soul. The two warring instincts were fighting with each other.
“Will we still be able to communicate?” Sophie asked curiously.
Athena nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ll stay right here with you, Kristoff. If you need me, just call out to me mentally.” Sophie squeezed his hand.
Kristoff felt his more tender emotions temporarily take control because Sophie was so trusting, so innocent. Her faith in him and her willingness to stay beside him touched his soul.
“Do it before I change my mind,” he instructed Athena gruffly. “I need my magic and my strength back. You and I both know that a half breed with my history doesn’t deserve a mate, especially someone like Sophie.” He knew he was good for nothing except being the Sentinel king. It was his duty, and his salvation. He wouldn’t tie Sophie to a Sentinel like himself. He couldn’t. Somehow he had to fight the overpowering demands of his soul and his body.
He gritted his teeth and squeezed Sophie’s hand, satisfied that she’d be safely beside him through the night with guardians around his mansion. Maybe he couldn’t bond her to him for life, but for now, she was his to protect.
“You’re wrong, Kristoff. Nobody deserves a radiant more than you.” Athena lifted her hand, and Kristoff’s eyes drifted closed, his brain shutting down as he fell into a dreamless sleep.
Not very long after he slept, his mind sensed Sophie moving onto the bed next to him and settling in beside him, her emotional and physical warmth giving him peace.
For now, it was enough to know she was here, right beside him.
He slept, feeling a sense of contentment that he’d never experienced during a very long existence. His body might still burn to possess her, and his soul was clamoring to be merged with hers. But he focused on the temporary light she brought to his soul, and the miracle of her.
Kristoff had a living, breathing radiant, a woman who just happened to be Zach’s long lost sister. Zach had suffered without Sophie, but Kristoff knew he’d go through hell himself if he could manage to somehow separate the bond between them.
As he rested, Kristoff vowed that he’d make Sophie happy, help her catch up on all she’d missed—before he had to let her go.
His body tensed, but he pushed his complicated issues aside as he gave into sleep. Maybe he couldn’t keep Sophie, but she was here now, and that would have to be enough.
It was late before Sophie finally climbed quietly off the bed where Kristoff rested and went to the closet of clothing Athena had manifested before she and the rest of the Winstons had finally left Kristoff’s residence. Absently, she searched for what looked like sleeping attire, and finally pulled a nightgown from the closet and pulled it on after removing all of the clothing that the goddess had used to dress her.
She’d spent a lot of time watching television, trying to catch up on everything she had missed. Some of what she saw was almost unbelievable. Women wore pants often, and skirts that barely covered their behind.
It seemed that women didn’t need a man in the twenty-first century, but many still chose to marry. Men could marry other men, and a woman could marry another woman, something that wasn’t even whispered about when she’d been a child.
So much has changed.
Sophie felt like a fish out of water, still not able to comprehend how different the world was today compared to how it had been two hundred years ago. Women’s roles had definitely evolved, and they could actually vote, hold important political offices, or be professionals.
Wandering into the bathroom suite, she marveled at the plumbing, sighing as she saw the bath tub, knowing now that she could turn the knobs and it would fill with hot water.
Everything is so much easier.
The human realm was filled with wonders and luxuries that she could have never imagined as a child. She and Zach had lived in poverty during their childhood, but even if they hadn’t, none of these things had existed in their time. The rich had just had far more servants to keep from being inconvenienced with the trivial tasks.
Pulling at the hem of the nightwear, which felt strange to her because it didn’t touch the floor, Sophie went to the bed and crawled between a set of sheets that were so luxurious that she wasn’t sure she’d ever want to get out of bed.
She’d never really had a bed to sleep in, and it felt decadent and wonderful.
Lying next to her, his broad chest rising and falling rhythmically, was Kristoff, his chest bare, and the sheets down around his wai
st. The sleep that Athena had put him into must be working well, because he hadn’t moved. He hadn’t reached out to communicate with her either, even though Athena had said it would be possible.
Tentatively, she put a palm against his chest, marveling at the smooth skin that covered so much muscle. She stroked his hard shoulders and chest before moving downward to trace his well-defined six pack abs with her index finger. Curiously, she followed the line of fine, blond hair that trailed from below his belly button and disappeared underneath the sheet.
“You’re so handsome,” she spoke aloud, turning her attention to his face. In sleep, he looked like he was at peace with the world. His beautiful mane of light blond hair was just long enough to make her itch to run her fingers through it. “Why was I, of all people, chosen to be your radiant?”
He thinks I’m beautiful. He didn’t even seem to notice my scars. How crazy is that?
Just like Athena had claimed, Kristoff couldn’t seem to see any of her imperfections. He looked at her like he wanted to devour her whole, and Sophie couldn’t stop remembering how the same emotions had surged up inside her when he’d kissed her: the need, the longing, the desperation to have Kristoff claim her. In his unguarded moments, their embrace had been feral and all-consuming.
I have to stop thinking about how I felt when he touched me. He himself told Athena he didn’t want to bond with me.
The thought consumed her with an overwhelming sadness.
She was all wrong for this fierce male, the King of the Sentinels. With her scarred face and her past—including her human life as a street urchin—Sophie knew she’d never be this man’s mate. He was too gorgeous, too royal, too wise, too powerful…too much of everything.
Feeling a man up when he’s helpless is cruel, Sophie. It could get you into a lot of trouble when I finally wake up.
She startled at the rumble of Kristoff’s voice in her head, mortified that she had been fondling him when he was unable to rebuff her. Really, it was pretty rude to be fondling him as he slept. But it was hard for her to control her actions when he was lying right next to her. Even if she could never be his, the instincts of her soul and body were clamoring for their mate.
She backed off to her side of the massive bed.
I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. She was instantly contrite. Touching him had been so wrong for so many reasons, not to mention making her ache for him more than she had before she’d touched him again.
Never be sorry for touching me. As your mate, I’d always welcome it. It’s the way of Sentinel mates. But right now, all I can think about when I feel your hands on me is claiming you.
He’d seen her quite clearly. Why would he want to touch her?
He answered as he picked up her thoughts. Because to me, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for my radiant? How many times I was certain my mate had somehow perished.
She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. No. But I’m not fit to be the mate of the Sentinel king. You know what Zach and I were as children. And I’ve been used and defiled by demons for two hundred years, Kristoff. I’ve been gone so long I don’t know how to function in this world. This is all some kind of mistake.
It’s not a mistake. You. Are. Mine.
Sophie shivered at the primitive tone in his communication, but it wasn’t fear that caused the reaction. Her body began to go up in flames, and she desperately needed…something. Her core clenched, and she felt a flood of heat rush between her thighs.
Whatever Kristoff was feeling, she felt it, too, and it was a connection so elemental that she ached to be part of him, even though she barely knew him.
Don’t over think this, Sophie. The mating connection is strong, almost powerful enough to overcome Athena’s magic. Sleep. It’s been a long day for you, and I can sense your weariness. Come back to me. I feel better when you’re close.
She frowned as she answered. I thought it was painful.
He answered with strained amusement. I’m screwed either way because it hurts when you aren’t touching me, too.
Sophie moved back to Kristoff’s side of the bed. I’m starting to think that having a radiant is more of a curse than a blessing.
His powerful voice came back to her quickly. No! A radiant is never a curse. You put light in my soul, and you take away the emptiness. Being bonded mates is intimate and special. It’s the one good thing that happens for Sentinels. It’s just the mating heat that really sucks.
Sophie reached out instinctively and touched his bare shoulder. I burn here. And I feel like my body is about to catch on fire. Is that the mating heat?
He let out a mental groan before answering. Yeah. That’s where the mating mark appears. And the heat is from the need to be joined together.
Even as Kristoff spoke telepathically, Sophie was yawning. She snuggled up close to him and put her head on his chest, comforted when she heard the strong beat of his heart. Trust shouldn’t come easy to her, but for some reason, she felt safer being next to him. Goodnight, Kristoff.
He made a mental noise that sounded like something between a growl and purr, a sound of complete satisfaction before she closed her eyes and fell instantly into a peaceful slumber.
“She has to accept that she’s his radiant and bind herself to him,” Athena said the next morning as she paced the kitchen in the colorfully decorated home she shared with Hunter. “I’m not sure he’ll ever be right unless she does. He had to wait too long, and his hunger is going to be powerful. I’m not sure he’ll stay sane if he doesn’t.”
Hunter looked up from the table where he was tearing into his breakfast. “You have doubts that she will?”
“She has to do it soon. But she hesitates. I can feel her reluctance. And even though finally finding his radiant is almost a miracle, Kristoff is reluctant, too. I think she’s as attracted to him as he is to her. But she doesn’t feel like she’s his true radiant. And my stubborn king is never going to convince himself that he deserves her because of his own past. They are both going to be pigheaded when they actually have so much in common. They’d understand each other if they just try.”
“She’ll figure it out as soon as he gets her naked. There’s no way he’s going to be able to hold out for long,” Hunter replied with a smirk.
Athena gave her husband an irritated glare. She loved Hunter with everything she had, but he was still a smartass at times. “He needs time to understand he won’t survive without her. It’s mating dance time, and they both need to get in step.”
Hunter shrugged. “Then they can dance naked.”
“This isn’t a joke,” Athena snapped. “I don’t want to lose Kristoff. You know what he is to me, and he was loyal to me before the demons were even created.”
As though he sensed the distress in his radiant’s tone, Hunter got up and stood in front of her, causing her to slam into his body as she turned to pace a different direction.
The goddess sighed as their bodies collided, loving Hunter’s powerful form against hers. She could never stay mad at him, which irritated the hell out of her. He took her wrists and put her arms around his neck. “Kiss me,” he demanded.
“Hunter, this is no time to—”
He pulled her head back with her long braid and covered her mouth with his. As always, Athena caved in, opening to him so he could have what they both wanted. For a brief moment, her troubles faded and all she could feel was Hunter.
As he finally released her mouth, she murmured, “Why do you always do that?”
“Because it’s the only way I can get you to calm down. Besides, you’re sexy when you’re all worked up.” He paused, taking her face between his palms as he added, “Stop worrying. Kristoff knows what he’s doing. I’ve always had faith in him as a king, even though I was a jackass at times.”
“Maybe he’s wise in
all other things except this. But he’s never experienced the mating urge, and nobody is ever going to experience it the way he does.”
“He’ll be fine,” Hunter grumbled, kissing Athena’s forehead.
“He’ll be stubborn. He dedicated himself to spending the rest of his existence keeping the Evils in check and watching over my Sentinels. Honestly, I think he has always been hoping he’d never find his radiant, even though he secretly yearns for one, as all Sentinels do. I don’t want to lose him. I’ve been terrified for him since I found out he’d been taken by the Evils. If Sophie hadn’t been there, I’m not sure he would have ever been the same. He has a chance at a normal life now, a happy life. But I know Kristoff. He’ll sacrifice himself before he does something he thinks will hurt somebody else.”
“We aren’t going to lose him,” Hunter rumbled.
“Are we ready to go wake up Sleeping Beauty?” Drew asked as he popped into the room with Talia at his side.
Athena turned, feeling more reassured as Hunter grasped her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “I suppose we should.” Athena knew she was going to have to send Kristoff and Sophie away, someplace that would calm her Sentinel king. And she knew exactly where they needed to go.
“We’ll go, too,” Zach chimed in as he appeared next to Drew with Kat by his side. “We’ve been trying to wait until a decent hour, but I want to see my sister. Leaving her alone last night didn’t feel right to me.”
Athena nodded. “I understand. But Kristoff needs her more right now. You’ll have eternity to spend with your sister.”
The goddess knew Zach wanted to be with his sibling. Losing Sophie had nearly destroyed Zach, but he’d have to delay a full reunion until his king was stable and safely mated.
Zach frowned. “Is Sophie really Kristoff’s mate? It just seems so surreal that she’s actually a radiant, that she’s really alive. I’ve spent so many years trying to accept her death. Now that she’s alive, it doesn’t seem possible that she’s not gone, that she was never really gone.”