by Aspose
He laughed darkly. “We’ve tried. It’s not as easy as you think.”
She hated the chill he brought with him, hated how he made her afraid. “Try harder. What are his weaknesses? I understand he has a new wife.”
Eyes glinted in the smoke, then disappeared. “She is never alone.”
“Fine. Who does she love? There is always someone who is weak, unprotected.”
The shadow considered. “She is uncommonly fond of two humans.”
“Perfect. Here is what we will do…”
Gale sat in a soundless box, watching dispassionately as the crowd buzzed silently around her. Nitro spent a long time searching for her. He’d come and gone several times, his soldiers and wolves hunting her. She wasn’t sure how she’d made the invisible box she presently inhabited, but she rather liked it, so much that she’d remained there for three days.
Why should she leave? It was quiet, for one. No one was crowding her, forcing her to socialize. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed space to think, to process her feelings. Rage had given way to sorrow that made her shake. She’d been jittery for most of the following day. It had finally given way to an exhaustion she was slowly recovering from. Thoughts of her family teased her, coaxed her to abandon her sanctuary. Soon, but not yet. She deserved this time to herself.
She’d figured out the entrance to her hideaway was located in the upper corner, the entrance no bigger than a pinhole. It was a neat trick, one she hoped she could replicate at will. There were advantages to unassailable personal space.
The question was, what did she do now? After wrestling with the question, she’d decided it was best to talk to Nitro, see if he’d cooled off. If he was reasonable…
She missed her cat and her new kitten. She could use a fuzzy friend right now.
She tilted her head, considering the friends she had. It was Tuesday, wasn’t it? Cara wanted her to visit. Gale took out her cell phone and was surprised to see she had a signal. She smiled. What were the odds Cara knew what it was like to need some space from the man in her life?
Of course, Nitro would know minutes after she left her hideaway, but she bet it would take him a while to track her down, and it wouldn’t hurt to meet on neutral ground.
“Hello?” Cara’s voice was alert, concerned. “Gale? Are you all right? We heard you were missing.”
“I’m fine, but I could use a portal to your house if you can arrange it. It’s Tuesday, isn’t it?”
There was a brief silence. “I’ll get Tremor. I assume you don’t want Nitro to know where you are?”
Bless her. “He’ll figure it out, but no, I’m not ready to forgive him yet.”
She could hear Cara talking in the background. “Tremor wants to know where?”
“If he could open it in the main square of Celestial City that would be great.” She’d no sooner asked then it was done.
Squeezing out of her box proved interesting; she was fairly certain she’d lost some skin, since the opening didn’t seem as elastic on exit. She straightened her clothes and marched to the portal, ignoring the stares of those around her. Judging from the rips in her dress, she probably looked like something the cat dragged in. Also, she smelled.
Fixing a frown of doom on her face to discourage concerned parties, she entered the portal and sighed with relief when she saw Cara and her husband.
“Good grief! What have you done to yourself, girl?” Cara demanded, rushing forward to look her over. “Do you need a doctor? You’re…er, steaming.” She looked at Gale’s scratches with concern.
“We have a steam room,” Tremor said. “I’ll start it if you’ll get her some clothes. We can patch her up after that.” He strode away purposefully.
“I can heal it,” Gale assured Cara, touched by her concern. “I wouldn’t mind washing up.”
“No problem. Follow me.”
The steam room was tiled in stone and the open courtyard smelled of hot, dry air. Cara stayed on the other side of the privacy divider to chat as Gale cleaned up. It was easy to tell her about the argument that had made Gale snap.
“It sounds silly now,” Gale admitted, “but at the time I was so mad!” She had sealed off her leaks and was slowly healing the superficial scratches.
“Well, yeah! If Tremor said that to me, I’d have slapped him. You’ve been through so much, I’m surprised you didn’t cause a super storm or something. Or did he prevent that? I hate it when Tremor controls my power. I mean, I don’t want to destroy a city or anything, but a woman needs to vent, you know?”
Gale smiled. “I know. No, he didn’t have a chance. I busted a hole into…somewhere…and created a time-out box. It worked great.” As in, nobody died.
“Hm. Wish I could do that,” Cara said enviously. “I’m stuck with stomping around and throwing things.”
“Does it help?”
“Sure. It tires me out, anyway.” She laughed. “It doesn’t hurt that I can hurl boulders.”
Gale winced, thinking of the damage that would do to a house. Maybe Cara kept her tantrums outdoors? She stepped out of the steam room and dressed in the fresh clothes Cara provided. “Where did you scrounge up jeans and a t-shirt for an air elemental? It’s been so long since I had familiar clothes, I didn’t realize how much I missed them.” The jeans were self-adjusting and fit like a glove.
Cara grinned as Gale came around the screen. “We’ve got to introduce you to the elemental mall. You’re going to love it.”
“Deal! I don’t suppose they have coffee for air elementals?” she asked hopefully. She’d kill for a mocha.
“We’ll make it our mission to hunt one down, and if they don’t exist, we’ll console ourselves with booze,” Cara promised. “They have tons of different elemental ethnic foods, so there’ll be something you’ll like.”
Gale brightened until she remembered she had things to deal with. “I’m all over that, but first I have to talk with Nitro. He’s not a fan of humans, and I have to make sure he doesn’t change his mind about freezing Alaska.”
Cara grimaced. “They can be temperamental, but he seemed to care about you. How much is he willing to bend?”
Gale chewed her lip. “Pretty far, actually. He’s proud and stubborn, though he’s so polite, it doesn’t seem like it. Now that I think about it, it’s exhausting living with someone so formal. I can’t really let down my hair.”
“Hm. You could try pissing him off. Most guys can’t be mad and formal at the same time. Maybe he has hidden depths.” Cara led the way to the living room and they curled up on the couches. There was a tray of food already set out.
Gale snorted as she helped herself to a vaporous drink. “He probably does. Wow, this is good! What is it?”
Cara smiled. “I remember you complaining about the bland food, so I did my homework and got some stuff with stronger flavor.”
“You rock,” Gale moaned in approval as she bit into a snack. “These remind me of dill pickle potato chips.”
“I’ll keep them stocked for you.”
A deep knock rolled through the house. Cara raised her brows as Tremor looked into the front room. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
“Nitro? That was fast.” Gale sighed and started to rise.
Cara waved her back down. “Relax. We’ll let him in if you want to see him. Neutral ground will make him behave.”
Gale wasn’t precisely afraid of him, but he walked in before she could explore her nervousness. She blinked, caught off guard by the armored black leather. He had a sword on his back and bristled with knives. She recognized the belt whip from the dojo, or she might not have realized the ornate handle wasn’t a belt buckle. He was loaded for bear, and it would have made her more nervous if he hadn’t seemed so relieved to see her.
“Gale,” he said huskily. “I’m so glad you’re alive.” Before she could respond, he knelt in front of her and took her hand. “I am deeply, truly sorry I frightened you.”
She’d been expecting an argument, and it took her a moment
to regroup. “I wasn’t scared. I was taking a time out. You know, to calm down.”
He drew a deep breath. “I thought you’d been snatched. By the time I knew otherwise, you had been alone for days. That is unforgiveable.” There were harsh lines around his eyes and mouth; he clearly thought she’d been through hell.
She withdrew her hand, uncomfortable. “It was peaceful, actually. It gave me time to think.” She waved a hand. “Cara was kind enough to let me vent. I feel better now.”
He immediately looked at Cara. “You have my deepest gratitude, my lady.”
Cara shifted uncomfortably. “Anytime. Would you like to be alone?” She directed her question at Gale.
Gale looked with some amusement at Nitro. “Are you likely to behead me if she leaves us alone?”
“No,” he said, and it had the weight of a vow. He waited until Cara left and said, “I was wrong to push you into society. You told me you weren’t ready, but I thought I knew best. I cannot convey how much I regret it.”
“Apology accepted,” she said quickly. It made her uncomfortable to see him so deeply repentant, as if she had punished him too long, though that hadn’t been her intent. To change the subject she gestured to his armor. “Why the hardware? Are we under siege?”
He shifted uncomfortably and gestured to the couch. “May I?” As he settled in, he admitted, “There were challenges after you disappeared. They claimed to be outraged on your behalf and seeking justice. It was a convenient excuse.”
She frowned with concern. “How many?”
“Three so far. There may be others.”
She bit her lip. “Do you need backup? I was in the military, you know.”
He flashed white teeth. “You are formidable, thank you. Does this mean you will return?”
She pursed her lips. Part of her was still spoiling for a fight, and he might have flattered her, but he didn’t say he would welcome her help. He was tricky like that. “This seems entirely too easy. There should be more shouting, and I should club you or something. You were insufferable.”
He leaned closer. “Do you want to fight?” he asked huskily.
“You deserve it,” she groused breathlessly.
“Punish me,” he murmured, and singed her with a kiss.
Her hair stood on end as if electrocuted as he cradled her head. He lifted her onto his lap, but it wasn’t comfortable, so she straddled him. He seemed to like it, and that didn’t fit her idea of punishment, so she kissed him hard, taking her frustration out on his mouth. Instead of protesting, he grabbed her hips and surged against them, breaking her concentration. If it was a battle, he seemed to be winning.
“More?” he teased, his hands wandering. When they closed over her nipples, she cried out. She climaxed, and he had barely touched her. Shocked, she looked wildly at him.
His mouth covered her before she could ask questions. Her clothes came off in ragged strips as he tore them away, his mouth replacing his hands. She was screaming, gasping with pleasure, barely recalling that someone might hear them.
She tried to choke off the noise, but he whispered, “I sealed the room. No one can hear. Scream for me.”
That did it. She lost control, biting and scratching as she demanded he hurry. She was dying, he was killing her, and if he didn’t finish, she’d hurt him.
Nitro grinned and dissolved his clothes, lifting her long enough to rip her jeans away. He cupped her hips and brought her over him...and stopped. He was barely inside, and had no trouble supporting her weight.
Gale wriggled in frustration. She tried to sit, but he was crazy strong. “Nitro!”
“Hm?” He gave her a centimeter; his smile wicked as she writhed. Liquid drenched him.
“You…now!” she demanded, struggling to sink her weight and take him.
“You want this?” he asked innocently, giving her half an inch.
“Kill you,” she growled, whimpering as he rotated. “Give me that!”
“As you wish.” He kissed her gently, then rammed home.
She shattered.
Tremor winced at a particularly loud scream. The sounds were muffled, but he suspected Nitro’s control wasn’t what it could be. No doubt he was distracted.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Cara whispered, glancing at the closed door as they lingered in the foyer.
He snorted. “Better than okay, I’d guess. Nitro seems to have things in hand.”
She frowned.
He raised a brow. “You heard her demanding sex,” he said, amused. “Nitro probably allowed the sound to carry so we wouldn’t rush in there. She’s clearly having a great time.” He slid an arm around her. “If fact, they seem to have a good idea. Why don’t we be good hosts and make ourselves scarce?”
“Maybe we should hide in our bedroom?” she mocked, allowing herself to be led. She was already hot, thinking of what would come next. Her husband had a way of making her tremor.
“You read my mind.” Tremor smiled as his hand slid south, the vision of a happily married man.
Gale lay slumped over Nitro, his hands slowly stroking her back. “I’m a terrible house guest.”
Nitro snorted. “That old rogue won’t care. Trust me, he’s probably used the opportunity to seduce his own wife.” When she frowned, he kissed her brow. “I won’t repeat his escapades, but suffice to say he had a reputation before he was imprisoned. He might be happily married, but no sane man would leave his woman alone with him. Remember that if you visit and Cara isn’t here,” he said sternly, then spoiled it by tickling her. “You’re all mine.”
She caught his hands and looked at him in consternation. She still flickered with satisfaction, but… “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
He settled deeper into the couch. “Do you regret it? The intimacy, that is; I know you enjoyed the pleasure.”
She glanced aside. They’d made love on the couch, the coffee table and once with her bent over the back of an overstuffed armchair. For a man with such a cool exterior, he was an animal in the bedroom, and his intensity made her blush. Nothing embarrassed him, and he was exceedingly confident; heady stuff. “I’d be stupid to think this didn’t give you power over me.”
He stroked her cheek. “Because the ecstasy makes you feel weak? You know it works both ways, princess. I’m under your spell.” He kissed her delicately, a butterfly touch that made her melt. “We should adjourn to our own bed. I could spend hours exploring you, and they’ll want their sitting room back eventually.”
She thought about demurring, but she’d already melted all over him for the last couple of hours. For better or worse, they were lovers, and she had to deal with the complications.
Kira was on her way home when she spotted Alicia on a cliff overlooking the sea. The cloud of sparks landed on the volcanic rock and shifted to her human form. “Hey, girl. What’s the matter?”
Alicia wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “Hey. I was just moping.”
Kira sat on a convenient boulder. “Surge do something to upset you?”
Alicia blew out a breath and plopped onto her own rock. “I asked him if he loved me.”
Kira squeezed Alicia’s hand in sympathy and encouragement. “It didn’t go well?”
Alicia threw up her hands. “He’s been bugging me about a baby, but I’m not even secure in our relationship. He’s all about securing the dynasty and duty, but when I ask him if he wants to be a father, he looks at me as if he already answered the question. When I talk about what kind of father he thinks he’ll make, he shoots back with giving our kids the finest education and weapons training. He knows what I’m trying to ask, but won’t discuss it.”
“You want to know if he’ll love your kids,” Kira said knowingly.
“Exactly! I need to know stuff like how he feels on arranged marriages, spanking, getting up with the baby in the middle of the night. Does he assume a nanny will raise our kid?”
“Ask him. Raze and I talked about all this, too. He was old fashioned
, but reasonable. I think he’ll do all right, but he’s not Surge.”
“Amen. Surge has a hard time showing affection unless it’s in the bedroom. He doesn’t push me away outside of it, but he seems to struggle with what his reaction should be. I think we need time before we throw a kid in the mix. For that matter, I’m not sure I’m ready to be a mom.”
“Sounds like you’re smart to wait,” Kira sympathized.
“Yeah,” Alicia said, dejected. She’d been through so much, and she didn’t want to subject a baby to less than perfect parents. Her world was out of control, but she could determine whether she got pregnant or not. “I’d be crazy not to. What if Surge turns out to be a dictator-like father? What if he’s completely cold?”
“What if three supernatural chicks decide you’d make the next great Sea Queen and decide to drown you, scattering your molecules in the ocean and transforming you into the wife of an über-powerful elemental? Oh, wait. That’s already happened. Compared to that, what’s a little relationship drama?”
Alicia choked with laughter.
“You forget you’re a superhero, sweetheart. If Surge does something you don’t like, you can shove it down his throat. I think you’ll be okay.”
Alicia laughed and wiped a tear. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“No problem. How about you hang out at my place? I’m working on a present for Raze, and I could use your opinion. I need to know if I’m creating art or a train wreck, and I know you’ll be honest.”
“Sure. That’s what friends are for.”
“So are you married or not?” Gale’s mom demanded. “Because it’s obvious you two are an item.”
Gale’s brows crept up. She darted a look into the living room where her dad and Nitro were facing off over a Lord of the Rings chess set. It was the second night since she’d come out of hiding and they were soothing her parent’s ruffled feathers. “We’re working that out.”
“He says you’re married. I want to know why I wasn’t at the wedding,” her mom demanded. She waved the spaghetti spoon around. “I’ve only got one daughter, and I want to be involved in these things.”