Heavenly Desire

by J. L. Sheppard

  “Why?” Landon barked.

  “I’ll help you out,” Lucas said.

  The comment took him by surprise. He drew his attention away from Ashley and toward him. “Why? I was horrible to you.”

  “Even so, I knew you wanted what was best for Jenna, and Jenna cares for you, so I’ll tell you. Jacob isn’t interested in her, and he likes her as a friend and vice versa, nothing more. They are just friends.”

  Clyde knew it was true. He couldn’t read Ashley, but he could read Jacob, and after Jacob had taken Ashley on an excursion, he had read the angry demon, not immediately of course. At the time, he’d been too jealous to think straight, but after Ashley had admitted she preferred him, he had and learned a lot, too much, in fact. The only thing that concerned him was that Jacob wasn’t interested in Ashley romantically, but it didn’t stop jealousy from churning through him. The emotion he’d become too familiar with. Until recently, he’d kept his distance from Ashley, but he’d watched her during her outings with the demon and had witnessed their friendship grow.

  “But why him? He’s so…” Clyde asked, thinking aloud.

  “You know Ashley. Why do you think?” Lucas asked.

  “What are you boys talking about?” Jenna interrupted.

  Landon and Lucas cleared their throats simultaneously. “Nothing.”

  “You’re both horrible liars. I’ll take a wild guess. Since Clyde looks like he’s about to kill someone and Ash is with Jacob, I guess you were discussing Ashley’s friendship with Jacob,” Jenna laughed.

  “You’re enjoying my misery too much,” he spit, glaring in her direction.

  “Oh, Clyde, come on, seriously, they’re just friends.”

  “Clyde!” Ashley yelled from across the room, dashing toward him.

  He smiled, loving the way his name sounded on her lips.

  “Jake’s going to let me see him turn. Isn’t that awesome? I can’t—”

  His smile faded instantly. What the hell, he thought then yelled, “No!”

  Startled, Ashley jumped. Jenna smacked him across his shoulder.

  “Oh boy, Ash. Get ready,” Jocelyn said, her voice coming from behind them where she stood, her side tucked against Landon.

  “It’s dangerous. You can’t be near… I’ll kill him,” he continued, then ran toward Jacob.

  “Clyde, don’t…” Ashley pleaded.

  Jacob materialized an inch from him, a smirk spattered on his face. “Is there a problem, angel?” Jacob asked nonchalantly.

  Clyde growled. “You aren’t turning anywhere near her.”

  “Clyde, please, don’t—” Ashley said, now standing beside him.

  “It’s up to her,” Jacob said, letting his anger roil around them.

  Clyde’s anger spiked, his eyes narrowing to slits. When he spoke, his voice laced with barely controlled fury. “Demon, do you have a problem listening? I said no. No.”

  “But I want—” Ashley began.

  He faced her. “No. It’s dangerous. I’m not having you around turned demons, ever, especially him.”

  Her face fell, and her eyes pleaded, “But Jenna and Joce—”

  Fisting his palms, he said, “I don’t care.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do, Clyde,” she snapped.

  Everyone turned to stare at her, seemingly flabbergasted by her retort.

  Her cheeks flushed, then she squared her shoulders and said, “I’m an adult, and this is between Jake and me.” She sighed, frustrated, and walked away from him.

  “I thought you said she never got angry,” Landon remarked, chuckling.

  “She’s related to me,” Jocelyn said. “Of course, she can get angry.”

  “Come on, Clyde,” Jenna said then rolled her eyes. “You know better than to try to control an Elemental.”

  “She’s been spending too much time with these two,” he said glaring at Jenna and Jocelyn.

  “Yeah, okay. Believe what you want, but no woman likes it when a man tells her what she can and can’t do,” Jenna added.

  Lucas wrapped an arm around Jenna’s waist, then said, “You better fix it. Quick. The longer you let her stew, the worse it’ll be.”

  Crap! he thought, then materialized near the elevators, inches from her. “Angel, please—”

  “I’m mad. You aren’t allowed to call me that when I’m mad.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” she said, then hesitated. “I can take care of myself, you know. Besides, Jake’s not going to hurt me.”

  Hearing her refer to Jacob as Jake again sparked his jealousy anew. “His name is Jacob,” he said, his voice low.

  “He doesn’t care that I call him Jake.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “Why?”

  Was she serious? Couldn’t she see? Furious, he blurted, “Because it’s a step away from an endearment, and you haven’t given me one.”

  “Oh…” she said, softly, her temper melting away.

  Realizing he’d just revealed his jealousy, he began, “I mean…”

  His words drifted away when she stood on the tips of her feet, leaned into him and placed her lips over his igniting his desire. He wrapped one arm around her waist, the other gripping her neck, then delved his tongue into her mouth to deepen their kiss.

  Against his lips she whispered, “There’s nothing to worry about.”

  She was still in his grasp, her body pressed against his. It took him too long to answer because he could barely think. She’d kissed him. She’d initiated it. She wanted him. He loved it, her initiation, her kiss, her.

  Closing his eyes, he forced himself to concentrate. “Yes, there is. It’s dangerous.”

  “I meant there’s nothing to worry about with Jake. He’s just my friend.”

  What the hell would it take to convince her? Demons were unpredictable and dangerous. She could get hurt in the crossfire, and he wasn’t willing to risk her. “You can’t watch him turn, Ash. It’s dangerous.”

  “But you said—”

  “I know what I said, but this is different.” Because it’s you, he thought, but left the words unspoken.

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not. Jenna is around them all the time. They’ve never hurt her.”

  “Jenna is Jenna. You are not Jenna.”

  She pulled away from his embrace, her eyes narrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not strong like Jenna?”

  “It’s not about being strong. It’s about you being you, and it’s about me being me. I’m not willing to risk you because I can’t live without you in this world.”

  She placed her hand over her heart as if his words caused it to ache.

  He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him until their bodies touched, then he snaked his other arm around her waist. “I can’t let it happen. I can’t risk it. I have to protect you, and I will. With every breath in me, I will.”

  Her eyes softened, then she said, “It will happen eventually because of the prophecy, Clyde. It’s better I see a turned demon now, so I’ll be prepared.”

  He couldn’t follow her words, because he still held her close or because she expressed something he couldn’t fathom, he didn’t know. “Prepared for what exactly?”

  “The war—”

  His arm around her waist tightened. “Who’s been putting all this crap in your head? You will be nowhere near any war, Ash.” The words flowed from his lips easily. If he could help it, she wouldn’t be near any war, any demons, any danger. Ever. She’d be shielded from all the horrors of the world. He’d ensure it.

  She ran her fingertips along the side of his face then said calmly, “I wouldn’t want you to be either, Clyde, but no one can change destiny.”

  A searing pain enveloped him with the mere thought. Ashley fighting a war she didn’t belong in. She was too timid and delicate, too…special. And yet, she was right. None of it mattered much. Nothing would change destiny. The prophecy was as it was. Her kind predicted the future of mortals a
nd immortals alike.

  There was only one thing he could do: ensure she survived and ensure her mate, whoever he was, survived. Losing him would wound her, and he couldn’t bear the thought. He’d protect them both regardless of what the Lords requested. If he hadn’t already, he’d fall from the graces of heaven. Who fucking cared? He sure as hell didn’t care about anything but her.

  “We’ll be fine, Clyde, as long as we’re together, everything will be fine,” she said.

  He swallowed past the bile rising in the back of his throat then reluctantly, nodded.

  ****

  Anxiousness and unsettled nerves clawed Ashley as she readied for the impromptu party Jenna had decided to throw in her honor where she’d meet the rest of the Guardians including Kellen, king of elves, and Giovanni, king of vampires. She’d rummaged through her clothes and tried on several dresses already but felt nothing suited.

  She sighed in frustration, then heard a light knock on her door. “Come in,” she called.

  When the door opened, Jenna and Jocelyn entered the room. They looked like they were headed to a gala. Jenna wore a red silk fitted dress. Jocelyn wore a yellow dress that accentuated her small bump.

  “Hey,” Jocelyn greeted. “You almost ready?”

  She shook her head. “I…”

  “Did you try on the white knee-length dress?” Jenna asked.

  “The fitted one?”

  Jenna nodded.

  “It’s too tight and I…” I can’t pull it off, she thought.

  “What do you mean? It’s perfect for tonight,” Jocelyn said.

  “Come on,” Jenna said, walking past her and into the closet. “You’re trying it on.”

  “But I—”

  “No, no buts,” Jocelyn said as she, too, walked past her and into the closet.

  Ashley headed inside her closet and reluctantly pulled off her robe as Jenna reached for the white backless dress. They turned to glance in her direction, their mouths gaped open.

  “Oh my God!” Jocelyn exclaimed.

  Self-consciously, she glanced down at herself wondering what they were gawking at then she remembered her scars were gone.

  “Oh, yeah. Clyde…um…he healed me,” she explained. “I don’t know how or why—”

  Smiles spread across their lips then Jenna spoke. “You know why, Ash.”

  “Well, he said—”

  Jenna’s eyes misted, then she cut her off. “He loves you. That’s why.”

  Hesitantly, she stepped into the dress then turned to the mirror.

  “You look amazing!” Jenna said.

  “Better than amazing!” Jocelyn said then giggled. “Wait till that angel sees you in this.”

  “I just don’t feel comfortable. I mean my back is bare and this is so tight. You can see…everything.”

  “Your back is bare, and it accentuates every curve, but that’s the beauty of the dress,” Jocelyn explained standing to her left.

  “Loosen up. Take advantage of the fact you can wear something like this,” Jenna assured.

  Her sisters reassuring words aside, she was still unconvinced, but after a half hour of them begging her to wear it, she relented. Jocelyn did her makeup as Jenna styled her hair. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her. Jocelyn had done a marvelous job with her make-up. It was much more than she usually wore, but it didn’t look caked on like she noticed on a lot of women. Jenna had styled her long dark hair in soft curls framing her face. She hated to admit the dress and heels made her appear confident although she didn’t feel comfortable in either.

  As Jenna and Jocelyn exited her room, she followed behind walking slowly, still getting used to the heels. She spotted Clyde in the living room and paused. Her eyes scanning him from top to bottom noticing he wore a pair of black pants and royal blue long-sleeved shirt with a silk royal blue tie. He was handsome. She hadn’t expected him to look anything less dressed up.

  She smiled. He didn’t smile or speak; he stood motionless for long minutes, his stare intensifying with every passing second. She began to worry perhaps he didn’t like her makeover. Intent on changing, she took a step backward.

  Finally, he moved, holding up his hand. “Wait. Where…” He cleared his throat and tugged on his tie loosening it. “Where are you going?” He closed the distance between them.

  “I was going to change—”

  “Why?”

  “I thought maybe you didn’t like—”

  He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her, pressing the palm of his other hand to her bare back. Quickly, he pulled away breaking away from their kiss and hissed, then he took her hand in his and spun her.

  Clenching his jaw, he turned his attention to her sisters. “What are you two trying to do to me?”

  They burst in a fit of giggles.

  He rolled his eyes then met her eyes. “You look stunning, angel, truly stunning,” he whispered inches from her lips.

  “I…I…” she stuttered, speechless. “Thanks.”

  As they climbed into the elevator, he pressed the side of her body against his, tucking her under his arm then leaned in and whispered, “Stay close to me, okay?”

  She nodded.

  The elevator doors parted on the rooftop and a large infinity pool came into view, sophisticatedly decorated with lights glittering alongside the railings and on several potted plants.

  Ashley spotted Lucas and Landon first as they walked toward her sisters, then she spotted Cain, Benjamin, Olivia and Jacob near one of the bars with drinks in hand. Jacob met her gaze and nodded. She felt Clyde tense beside her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, protectively. Several men she didn’t recognize then came into view.

  “Ash,” Lucas spoke. “This is Kellen. He is the king of elves.” He introduced her to a tall lean man with golden brown eyes.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand toward her.

  She shook it firmly. “Nice to meet you.”

  “This is Giovanni, vampire king,” Lucas said.

  Her gaze shifted to the man with fierce dark eyes, dark hair and striking pale complexion, a cool ambiance surrounded him.

  “My, my…” Giovanni extended his hand toward her. “Beauty runs in the family.”

  Extending her hand to his, she felt her cheeks flush. Instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips to kiss it.

  Clyde stepped forward, simultaneously Lucas placed his hand over Clyde’s chest stopping his movement. Ashley spared a glance in his direction, confounded by his reaction.

  “I’m Marco,” a man next to Giovanni said, distracting her. “And this is Enrico.” He pointed to the man next to him with a muscular build and mysterious eyes.

  “It’s nice to meet all of you,” she said, smiling.

  “Can I get you a drink?” Kellen asked.

  “No, I’ll get it. I know what she likes,” Clyde answered. Her eyes followed him until he reached the bar.

  “Ashley, would you like to sit?” Giovanni asked.

  “Sure,” she said hesitantly.

  A moment later, Clyde stood by her side handing her a glass of wine. He pressed the palm of his hand to the small of her bare back, and chills erupted through her. He took her hand in his other to help her sit then settled beside her as the others took seats around them.

  “Your sisters say you’ve acquired your powers,” Kellen commented.

  “Yes. Jake, Lucas, Benjamin and Cain have been helping me as well as Jenna.”

  “Good to hear,” Giovanni commented, then turned to meet Lucas’s gaze. “On patrol last night, we ran into Asher.”

  She stilled at the mention of his name and felt Clyde tense beside her.

  Giovanni’s fierce gaze zeroed in on her. “I think you should know, Ashley. He’s looking for you, claiming you’re his mate. Says he’s known for a long time considering he was your guardian angel.”

  She and Clyde spoke simultaneously.

  “
He isn’t,” she said, calmly even as her heart rate spiked.

  “He’s a fallen angel.” Clyde’s voice was low, steeped in anger. “He isn’t hers.”

  Giovanni smiled, but it never reached his eyes. His eyes on Clyde, he said, “Need I remind you, you’re an angel as well. As far as being fallen and being allied with the Malums, well…destiny is as it is.”

  Clyde scowled.

  The vampire king’s attention turned back to her. “From what I’ve heard and seen, I don’t believe it’s true, but the fallen is spreading the word, claiming his fated was taken from him by an angel. Our immortal laws are binding.”

  “Wait… I… I’m sorry. I don’t understand. What immortal laws?”

  “Laws regarding our mates are prevalent in all immortal races… One of which is you cannot steal another’s mate. It’s punishable by death.”

  “But he isn’t mine,” she argued. “I would’ve known. I would’ve felt—”

  Clyde stood, shooting daggers in Giovanni’s direction. Lucas stood and placed his hand over Clyde’s chest, preventing him from nearing the king.

  “Not another word,” Clyde barked, his leashed rage evident in his voice. “You’re upsetting her, and she doesn’t need to know any of this.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t need to know, but she deserves to know the danger she’s facing.”

  “I’m her guardian. I protect her. She doesn’t need to know.” Clyde’s voice rumbled with his fury.

  She reached for Clyde’s hand and grasped it in hers. When his eyes met hers, she whispered, “I want to know.”

  His shoulders slumped slightly before he took a seat beside her and wrapped his arm around her. Exactly what she needed, comfort from him. His warmth so easily soothed the worry the news the vampire king delivered.

  Giovanni’s gaze darted back to her. “I don’t mean to upset you, Ashley, but you have a right to know. The Malums are cruel in nature. They are spreading news that an angel who’s known to the Guardians has stolen a Malum’s mate. It adds fuel to the fire. They’re hunting you, claiming they have every right to return you to your mate, per our laws. Others will hesitate to interfere, and hesitate to join our ranks even as the war nears.”