Broken Butterflies

by Stephens, Shadow

“Right.” She looked down at her legs.

  Damon slid closer.

  “I thought he saved my life. I felt strong with him and protected,” she continued.

  “And what do you feel with me?”

  She looked up at him. “I can feel everything.” A few tears trickled down her cheek. “I feel our life together, even though I can’t remember it. Your essence and spirit fills me. I can’t seem to get the smell of you out of my head. I’ve tried to ignore it, but I feel our bond. I felt it the moment I saw you.” She paused. “Bram asked me if I believe in soul mates. He was the closest thing I could come up with, that was until I saw you.”

  Damon slid her up onto his lap. She sat back on his knees trying to keep some distance. His index finger ran down her cheek, followed the curve of her neck, over her clavicle, and circled around her breast. “I won’t have you until you want me, but I want you to know how hard that is.”

  He put his hands around her butt and slid her down his legs. With their chests touching he said, “At least let me kiss you.”

  Damon moved her hair to one side and ran his tongue across her lips. Ilisha’s mouth parted. He sucked on her lower lip, then brought his tongue to meet hers. Ilisha didn’t resist him.

  He stood up from the couch and she wrapped her legs around him. He took her to the living room rug. She raised her arms as he pulled her sweater over her head. As soon as it cleared her face she brought her lips back to his.

  He tossed the shirt aside and his fingers traced up the undershirt she was wearing. He gripped her tank top in both hands and pulled. The fabric ripped from her torso, but she continued to kiss him. When his lips left hers they found her chest. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel.

  Ilisha’s pants slid down her legs and she heard him remove his own. Is this really going to happen? I need to stop this. But, she couldn’t; she was completely lost in him. A wave of love and deep admiration filled her.

  “Look at me.” Damon’s face rested against her stomach.

  When he had her attention his face dipped lower. She drew in a breath and fought to keep her eyes open. After shocks were coming when he found her mouth again. She could taste herself and kissed him long and hard.

  He entered her and she ran her hands along his back. Sparks of energy converged on the tips as she brushed his skin.

  Without missing a beat he picked her up and walked up the stairs. He spun her around and she hit the bed face first as he took her again. Ilisha white knuckled the bedspread. When she screamed she heard him let out a breathy chuckle, then a long moan.

  He lay on top of her back, and kissed her shoulder. She could feel that he was ready for more. Holy crap it’s been like a minute.

  “Yes it has,” he replied.

  She moved out from under him. “You’ve got to stop doing that.”

  “I told you.”

  “I know, it’s me.”

  He rolled onto his back and Ilisha took him in and gulped. I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow. Damon smiled and started to say something.

  “Don’t.” She put her finger across his lips.

  He got up and walked to the bathroom.

  Ilisha lay there, puzzled.

  She heard the water turn on and immediately jumped up.

  “What are you doing?” She put her hand on her hip and stared him up and down admiring the view.

  “I’m waiting for you so I can have you again.”

  She walked in and he put her in the shower. As he lifted her she wrapped her legs around him and this time he finished first.

  They lay in the bed naked and wet, not caring to dry off after the shower. Damon placed his head on her stomach and she stroked his hair.

  “I need to know who Bram’s mentor is?” he said taking her free hand in his.

  “What?”

  “Bram’s mentor, you know, the priest that helps him?”

  “His name is John. He lives in some run down church just outside of town, why?”

  “I need to speak with him.”

  As Damon spoke, she thought of Bram. She hoped he was okay, but it didn’t go farther than that.

  Ilisha showed Damon where John lived. They walked to the back of the church and knocked on the door. Damon leaned against the wall waiting for an answer. John answered wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and reading glasses.

  “Hi Ilisha, this is a surprise. Where’s Bram?”

  “Not here. But, we need to talk to you.”

  “We?”

  Damon came into view and John’s mouth fell open.

  “A word,” Damon said coolly.

  John swallowed hard. “Of course, come in.”

  Damon ducked to get through the door and John closed it behind him and stood there for a second.

  “Nice place,” Damon said sliding a linoleum-covered chair out for Ilisha. He sat in the one next to her, but flipped it around so that the back was at his chest.

  “Can I get you anything?” John asked nervously.

  Ilisha’s eyes flashed between the two men feeling the tension in the air.

  “Yeah, you can tell me where Bram is.”

  John’s forehead crinkled. “He’s not with you?” he directed at Ilisha as he sat down.

  “No, he was taken by some angels in black suits.”

  John rocked back in his chair. “What?”

  “A few days ago,” Ilisha added.

  “How long did you know he was screwing my wife?” Damon spit out.

  Ilisha’s eyes bulged. “Stop.” She put her hand on Damon’s arm as he continued to stare at John.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Fear filled John’s eyes.

  Damon leaned back and took his coat off and laid it on the chair back. “I know you know who I am. You were once a active member of my kingdom. So, you can tell me the truth or we can make this difficult.” He leaned forward on the straddled chair.

  John’s hands were gripping a coffee mug and it began to tremble against the table. “He said you dismissed her.”

  Damon cracked his knuckles. “And you believed him?”

  “I didn’t think he would lie about such a thing.”

  “Give me your hand.” Damon said stretching his across the table.

  John gave him a trembling hand and Damon yanked it toward him and slid John’s sleeve back. Damon pressed his index finger into John’s wrist.

  “Did you believe I dismissed my wife?” Damon asked again.

  “Yes.” John’s bottom lip began quivering.

  Damon closed his eyes and Ilisha noticed his fingers were resting on John’s veins, feeling for a pulse.

  He opened his eyes and let go. “Good. Now tell me who would have taken him and why?”

  John visibly relaxed. She wondered what Damon would have done if John had lied, and shivers ran down her spine.

  “The angels you speak of run a blood running racket. If he’s there he’ll die.”

  Damon rested his elbow on the table and put his index finger across his lips. “He’s not there,” he said after a second of silence.

  “I don’t understand,” John replied.

  “I checked last night. What other things are these angels into?”

  “Anything illegal you can imagine. Ransom, blackmail, human drug dealing, you name it.”

  Damon got up and began pacing the small kitchen. “None of this makes any sense. Nobody has contacted Ilisha for ransom money, and the only demon that has seen me is Azriel. If they don’t want to drain him what’s going on?” he said mostly to himself.

  As Damon paced, Ilisha gulped. She thought back to entering Bram’s mind in the car after he was taken. He sat as though he was bound or tied up, but she saw nothing binding him. There was also no fear in his eyes. He went with them willingly.

  Her hand went to her mouth and Damon caught the movement. “What are you thinking?”

  She bit her lip and shook her head. Her legs began to bob under the table.

  Damon straddled the
chair again and slid it over toward her. “Tell me.”

  “I think he knew you may kill him and he left with them willingly.”

  Damon’s tongue went around the inside of his mouth and it made a sucking sound over his teeth. “Interesting.”

  John shifted uncomfortably. Damon’s eyes shot from Ilisha across the table. “And what do you know?

  John cleared his throat and twisted his hands. “He asked me about the goings on up the mountain a few days ago. He didn’t say why or that you were here.” He paused and added, “Majesty.”

  “I need names. Can you get them for me?”

  “I can try.” John replied.

  “No, you will.” Damon gave him a stern look before standing and grabbing his coat.

  Ilisha jumped up and followed Damon to the door. When he was outside she turned to John and mouthed, “Sorry.”

  When they got back to the car she climbed in and turned on him. “You can’t treat people like that.”

  He sighed. “Ilisha, this is the way things are done. Bram is not who I thought he was.”

  “You could have just asked John to help you instead of making threats.”

  “I didn’t threaten him. I’m his prince and he knows it.”

  “Yeah, well he looked like he was about to crap his pants when you walked in.”

  “Angels that are under me have to follow me. There is an order to things.”

  “John said he left your kingdom.”

  “Yes, he physically left, but that doesn’t mean that he escaped my rule. He may have wanted out when my father ruled, but he still needs to obey orders.”

  “Just like the order you followed when you killed your dad?” Her voice was full of accusation.

  His head bent down and he rubbed the top, causing his hair to dishevel. Ilisha started the car and turned onto the main road.

  “My father was corrupt and he was going to kill you.”

  “John has been nothing but nice to me and you don’t need to talk to him like that.”

  “Ilisha no matter what I do angels will fear me. I’m their prince and they follow me. They can always desert like Bram, not that it will work out too well.” He looked across the car at her. “Look at me for a second, please.”

  She steered the car to the side of the road and turned to face him.

  “You think I’m an asshole don’t you?”

  “Back there you were.”

  “I don’t know how to explain this. The angel world isn’t the United Sates Government. We are beings with a ton of power. Leaders are to be respected and followed. I’m sorry if you think I’m an ass, but this is the way it is. If I walk around being nice to everyone who may have done wrong they will have no consequences. As it stands those that follow me know if they cross me I will take them out.”

  “I kind of get it, but don’t think you’re going to talk to me like that.” She pointed her finger in warning.

  He smiled. “Ilisha, I love you, you’re not one of my subjects.”

  She nodded once in agreement.

  “Take me to the barn Bram stayed at.”

  “Please,” Ilisha cautioned.

  “Pretty please,” he leaned over and breathed in her ear.

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Before Ilisha even got out of the car she knew no sign of Bram would be here.

  They walked up the stairs and turned on the lights. Damon began searching around, lifting couch cushions and opening drawers. Everything was empty, no clothes, and no personal belongings were left.

  Damon walked to the closet and pulled the string to turn on the light. With his height he didn’t need to struggle to get to some shelves. His arm fished around the very top and he brought a small box down. He blew the dust off. Placing it on the coffee table, Damon flipped the lid off. Ilisha sat beside him and leaned over to see what was inside. It was filled with pictures of her.

  She took the pile and shuffled through them. From the time she was a child to the day on the train was chronicled in photographs. Some were black and white others were taken from long distances.

  She threw the pictures on the table and walked out.

  Ilisha leaned against the hood of the car, her arms clutching her chest. Damon tossed the box in the back seat and came to her. He rubbed her back and she began to cry.

  She stood up straight and wiped her eyes.

  Damon wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks. “Talk to me.”

  “What do you want me to say? I’m an idiot okay. I feel so…so, disrespected. He left and didn’t even say goodbye. Everything about him seems to be a lie.”

  Damon came in front of her and wrapped her in his arms. She buried her face in his chest.

  “I’ll find him and he will pay.”

  “Just leave it alone. He’s not worth my time.” Ilisha went to the car door.

  Damon put his hand on hers and stopped her from opening it. “Get in the other side.” He kissed her cheek.

  As they drove away she could see that Damon was fuming. His hands gripped the wheel tight and his jaw was clinched. She knew if Bram ever did reappear, he would die.

  “How do you know how to drive?” she asked for a distraction.

  “This isn’t my first time in this world.”

  “Do you have money?”

  “Of course.” He looked over. “What’s your point?”

  “Sorry, that came out wrong. It’s just, Bram didn’t seem to know anything about living in this world and he was dirt poor.”

  “That’s because he made a rash and stupid decision.” His hands twisted around the steering wheel as he spoke.

  Damon parked the car and walked around to open Ilisha’s door. Sitting on her porch was John. He stood up from the swing as soon as he saw them.

  “I have some information,” John said as they walked up the stairs.

  “Come in,” Ilisha said trying to smile.

  “Thank you.”

  Ilisha got him a glass of lemonade and set it on the kitchen table. John gripped the glass with both hands and sat down.

  “I know one low level angel from the facility. His name is Compton.”

  “How do you know him?” Damon asked leaning against the counter.

  “I mentored him; that is until he turned rogue.”

  “I need to know where your loyalties lay, John.”

  John looked up at Damon’s overwhelming stature from the table. “With you, Majesty.”

  “I hope that’s true for your sake. You’re not to tell anyone I’m here.”

  “Yes, of course, I understand.”

  Damon pushed himself away from the counter and took the chair beside John. “I need you to question Compton, find out what he knows.”

  “They’ll have me killed if they find out what I’m doing.”

  “I have faith in you. You’re a smart man. If you really are loyal to me you won’t have a problem creating a bond.”

  John’s mouth fell open and he quickly closed it. “No, of course not.”

  Damon reached inside his jacket and pulled out a dagger. Ilisha recognized it from the vision he shared with her. It was the same one that killed his father. She cringed as he drug the blade down the inside of his wrist. He cupped his hands under the wound to avoid a mess and put the dagger on the table. John took his outstretched arm and drank. Ilisha felt like she might gag and her face said as much. Damon chuckled.

  “Can you get me some wet paper towels?” Damon asked when John was done.

  Ilisha scrambled and wet the towels and handed them to him.

  Damon didn’t use them to put pressure on the wound; he wiped any leftover blood off his arm. The cut was healed. John wiped some drops of silver blood from his face with the same towel and Ilisha tossed it in the trash.

  “I’ll know if you find trouble. Remain loyal and I will protect you,” Damon said.

  “Thank you majesty,” John said as he gave a slight bow.

  John left and Ilisha dumped the glass of lemonade ou
t. “At least you were nicer this time.”

  “Glad I pleased you.” He smiled sinfully. “Several times,” he added.

  Ilisha grinned, and then sighed.

  Damon leaned into her. “What is it?”

  “Are you going to turn out to be someone else I need to survive, because I really don’t think I’ll make it. I lost my dad, then my grandma died, now this crap with Bram.”

  “You’re my world.”

  “Can I be honest?” she asked putting her hands on his chest.

  “Of course, I would expect nothing less from you.”

  “Why did you have to send me away after you killed the king?”

  “He had loyal followers, they would have made a move on you. I did the only thing I could do to protect you.”

  “Did we have sex before we were married?” she asked wondering why Bram had suddenly made such a big deal out of it.

  “Yes, we were already partially bonded. Why do you ask?”

  “That’s how Bram got me to marry him. He said that it was important and he was doing things wrong.”

  “He’s partially right. Bram had no blood bond to you. Once you make that bond it can’t be broken. It’s loyalty and love, so you were already mine. He didn’t have you, so he needed that marriage bond.”

  “He could sense me though.”

  “Yes, he was your guardian angel. It was his job to know if you were in trouble. It’s still different.” Ilisha felt confused, so he added more. “You feel the difference between our bond and the one you had with Bram, right?” She nodded. “There are different bonds for different purposes. He clung to the one he knew he needed in order to try and make you his. He is going to pay for that betrayal.” Damon’s words were absolute.

  Ilisha’s mind drifted and she stared at nothing across the room.

  “Your silence is killing me,” Damon said snapping her out of it.

  “Sorry, I’m just trying to get a grasp on all this. Bram said he needed to marry me or he could no longer have sex with me. It seemed important so I relented. My mom knows him and now he’s gone and you’re here. On top of all of this, you’re my husband. How in the hell am I going to explain this?”

  “Ilisha,” Damon paused and let out a breath. “I can’t handle any more talk about you and Bram having sex. As for your mom, you don’t need to tell her we’re married or the whole story behind it. I do know she will know what I am.”