by Lawrence, S
I run a finger through her folds, testing her readiness. She moans as I slide it inside her. "So wet, so ready," I growl.
"Yes," she moans as she begins to ride my finger, moving languidly. Is there anything more beautiful than this woman taking her pleasure from me? I can't stand it, pulling away and grabbing myself, positioning my cock at her entrance. She grins up to me, a temptress, calling to me. My beast is growling unceasingly, and I can't wait any longer.
I capture her lips with mine and plunge my tongue in her mouth, teasing her pussy with my cock. She thrusts her hips, but I pull back, teasing us both. Her teeth bite at my tongue, and I growl before I grab her knees, pulling her legs up and open, burying myself to the hilt. She cries out into my mouth in pleasure.
I break the kiss so I can hear her cries, moving my mouth to her neck. She is gasping for breath and chanting my name. Over and over, I slam into her body, driving us to the edge, pushing her higher and higher.
"I want to see you come, Emma," I growl at her as I bite down on her neck hard. She screams as her release breaks over her. I can feel her muscles clamp down on me and I lose my rhythm, pounding harder, pushing her toward another orgasm. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me in tighter against her, rubbing over her clit as her nails score my back. I slam in one last time before throwing my head back and roaring.
Still, I move in her slowly, savoring every last moment. She smiles up at me, a satisfied look on her face, before she wraps her fingers in my hair and drags me down for a scorching kiss. When she breaks it, her eyes are gleaming with the sheen of tears. I frown.
"What's wrong?" I ask, afraid I scared her with my needs.
60
EMMA
"Absolutely, nothing. Happy tears," I whisper, afraid to say anything else. How can I explain that for the first time, I feel my anger and fear dissolve into calm. For the first time in my life, I tasted the sweetness of serenity and it terrifies me. Now, I have so much to lose.
He studies me for a moment before he rises and pulls me to my feet. Reaching in the shower, he turns on the water, leaving his hand under the spray until it get hot. I rise on my toes and place a kiss on his neck. It's as far as I can reach without him leaning down. I taste the maleness of him and sigh before stepping in under the hot water. Turning my face up, I let the water cascade over me, hoping it washes away some of my fears. His arms come around me, and I lean back on his chest, savoring the strength of him. We stand like that in silence. After a while, he reaches for the soap and rubs it over my skin. His hands linger on my breast and core, and I smile as I feel him harden behind me. I'm going to be unable to walk if we repeat what we just did. Honestly, I have no problem with that. I giggle at the thought, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel to dry off.
"What's so funny?" I hear the humor in his voice as he moves in behind me again.
I turn, pressing my breasts into him, sliding my hand between us to cup him. I revel in his swift intake of air and the growl that follows it. "I was only thinking that I'm not going to be able to walk tomorrow."
"Emma." One word, but a pain shoots through my head and I glare at him.
"What did you just try to do?" I step back a little but tighten my hold on him, daring him to lie.
"Fuck! I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. Well I was, I was thinking I wanted to make you come over and over without causing you any pain. Your hands on me scrambled my brains, and I forgot my power doesn't work on you. If they did, I could simply whisper your name and you'd come or I could take you to the edge and keep you there for hours, heightening our pleasure." I release my hold and move away a little, my body swaying at the thought. His eyes glaze over with lust and my core clenches. I'm suddenly really fucking pissed at that fucking fever. I imagine spending a day with his breath and power whispering over my skin and I shiver. He notices and grins.
"Well, since you can't use your power, you're just going to have to use other things." I raise my eyebrow in challenge, stepping further away, and his eyes narrow. Challenge accepted.
His hands snake out to grab me, and I yelp in excitement, jumping back. We are both laughing when there is a gentle knock on the door. He growls in frustration, and I dive for my clothes. Perséphone's voice calls out, "I need your help."
I glance at him and sigh. "We have a lifetime. Right?" A rumbling growl is his answer as he grabs his jeans, pulling them on over his wet skin. Then he moves to the door, leaning back on it to watch me dress. The girls on Bourbon would be proud of my performance and his eyes flare red, letting me know both he and beastie are happy with it, also. I'm buttoning the leather pants, which were a bitch to get on in a sexy way while I was still damp, when he opens the door.
I gather my wild and wet hair and twist it up into a bun, looking around for something to pin it with. Perséphone holds out her hand and a large clip appears in it. "Man, that is wonderful. I don't know how much time I've wasted in my life looking for a rubber band or a clip." I grin at her as I put in my hair.
"You said you needed help." Jason's voice is aggravated when he speaks and I hit him, glaring.
"What can we do?" I ask smiling at her, moving in front of him to draw her attention from his scowling face.
"I built the prison, but I thought since you are the only one who feels any compassion for Arias, you could help me with the final touches." Her voice is hopeful as she says, "Hades decreed that it be a prison a place of punishment, but you can decide the punishment."
I am floored and disgusted. I don't want to chose his eternal punishment. And yet a part of me does, the part that was raped, threatened, and had some bitch screw with my mind. The last part has my gaze whipping to Jason. My eyes widen, as I realize they have no idea a goddess had been helping him.
"Emma? What is it." Jason's voice is filled with concern as he moves in front of me, his hands cupping my face.
"He had help..." I whisper, my eyes darting around, "Aphrodite. She stole my memories from me, made me believe I loved him." I let the bomb drop. The look on their faces let me know it was atomic.
"Hades!" Perséphone screams it, her hair floating around her head in her anger. I shift closer to Jason, and his arms come around me. Hades appears in front of his wife, and the concern and anger on his face startles me. I shiver, a tiny part of me feeling sorry for the Goddess I just outed. I listen as Perséphone tells him my revelation, and his eyes grow glacial the blue turning almost white. His skin has blue flames dancing over it. Jason's beast rumbles within him, and from one second to the next, his arms are gone and the Hellhound stands beside me.
"Come, Hunter." Hades’ voice is lethal in its quietness, and I shiver.
Persephone moves to my side. She draws in several deep breaths until her anger calms. I look up at her, and she rubs her hand over my back. "I'm sorry, it is unheard of, unallowed for such things."
"I'm sorry I didn't remember sooner. She made it sound like they had been doing such things for a long time." I grimace at the thought of those they tormented.
"Hades will send Jason after her. I have a feeling we need to ready the prison. I also know you need not worry picking Arias’ punishment, as Hades will choose now. They will both regret the things they have done to you." Her voice is full of venom.
61
JASON
"Your soul will scream for mercy, but I will have none." I whisper. I stand before the man that raped my mate, and it is all I can do not to kill him now. Hades stands at my side, and I see fear in Arias's eyes. He realizes something changed.
Moving forward Hades runs a finger down Arias's arm and he screams out as the flames burn his flesh. "Aphrodite." That one word, and his eyes jump to mine. It is all the admission I need. I turn on my heel, leaving him to Hades. I must hunt. I shift and race to the portal to Olympus. I always disliked Aphrodite, as her "love" always made the beast’s hackles rise, and now I know why.
I burst through into the blinding brilliance of Olympus and a race to her temple. People scatter as
the Hunter races through their midst. Good, get the fuck out of my way. My nails click over her marble floors, and my nose scents the air trying to find her. The need of both man and hound to punish her beats at me. Moving through the temple, I track her scent to her private rooms in the back, but she isn't here.
"She isn't here, Hunter."
I spin around growling; no one ever surprises me. I crouch ready to attack those that stand before me. The Fates. These bitches have never done anything for me.
"We see you have found she who listens but doesn't hear." Their three voice weave together and I'm stunned as their words penetrate my rage. I shift back and stand staring at them waiting for an explanation. "We told Persephone long ago of what we foresaw. Just as we knew we would find you here, searching for she who betrays us all."
"If you fucking knew, why didn't you say anything?" I yell at them, my anger starting to boil. "You could have prevented all of it."
"Knowledge changes things. The thread can be woven into different patterns, and we wanted her for you."
"Emma?" I ask.
"Yes. There is a war coming. Aphrodite has chosen her side. She has gone to he who wishes to rule, the one who misses our old world." The last comes on a breeze as they disappear. I rub my temples. God how I hate them. Who is he? Where has she gone? Couldn't they give me a goddamn clue. 'Speak to Raven.' A single voice whispers through my head and my lips curve, finally a hint. I bow my head in gratitude. Raven. The Druids are not going to like this. I stalk out of the temple and open a portal back to the Underworld. I'm taking Emma with me. Hades can have his time later.
I head straight to the room where Arias is. I know Hades will still be there. Poor bastard. Walking in, I don't stop until I reach the chair.
"She deserted you, ran to whoever you have been working with or for. You should just tell me and save yourself." I look back at Hades, his anger calmed enough for his flames to have died but his eyes are still icy blue. Looking back at Arias, I wait.
"Fuck you!" He spits out, blood flying onto my shirt. "I would rather die than tell you anything."
"Wish granted." Blue flames engulf him and his screams echo through the Underworld as Hades speaks.
"What the hell! I need him to tell me who they were working for." I yell, glaring at Hades.
The flames die out immediately, the smell of cooking meat fills the air. At some point he had passed out, thank the gods. I'm staring at his charred flesh when Emma burst through the door and her scream fills the room.
* * *
I ain't gonna lie, I went down like a sack of potatoes. Nothing ladylike here. No case of the vapors. Nope, I'm one hundred percent sure my head bounced off the floor like a melon. My eyes saw, but my mind couldn't comprehend. The smell, oh god, the smell; I can't even explain it. Then he moaned, and I realized he was still alive. I just can't even. Now I standhere with my head between my knees, trying to stay on my feet. Jason is rubbing my back, and I can't stop the gag that chokes me as I picture Arias's face, or what was left of it.
"I have to get out of here. Now," I scream.
"Hades agreed to let you take your time above now. I'm taking you to Aislin." Jason voice is firm but soft.
My tears start to fall, and in seconds, I'm sobbing her name. He scoops me up and strides away from the horror. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the images that are streaming on a loop through my head. In moments, the salt of a sea breeze fills my nose, and I pry open my eyes, hiccupping as I look around me.
"Welcome to my home," he whispers in my ear a second before I hear my name screamed.
"Aislin!" I throw myself from his arms, racing to her. We collapse in a heap on the ground. I hold her as tight as I can, and she squeezes me until I'm sure she's going to crack a rib, but I don't care. It takes only seconds before we are sobbing, clinging to each other. I ignore the others that have surrounded us and so does she. There is only the two of us.
How long we lay there, I'm not sure. I reveled in her hands rubbing through my hair. I bury my head in her neck as I lose myself in her perfume, the one I had made special for her. At some point, the others have moved away. Well, except Jason and Kai, who stay watching over us. Finally, the sobs die away and I lean back, smiling at her beautiful face. She smiles back before her eyes go to Jason. She squeezes me tight before pushing to her feet. She stands still for a nanosecond before launching herself into his arms. I chuckle and glance at Kai when he also barks out a laugh.
Jason holds her against him, "I told you I would bring her back to you, Kukla."
"Oh Bubba, I love you for it, but I'm also so glad you are okay. I was so worried we found the temple and the blood. I couldn't stand the thought of you hurt either." I smile at the surprised look that flits across his handsome face; the stupid man doesn't realize yet she chose him. He will never be alone again. Aislin is like my daddy, she loves hard once she chooses you. He thought he had no family, but as I look around, I see the faces of his family smiling at him. She slides down after a long while and comes back to me, grabbing my hand and dragging me inside.
Hours later, we are curled together on her bed, laughing and talking. Just like always. Something in me settles. I'm not delusional; I know things are going to be hard. I don't tell her about my deal with Hades, yet. We only crawl from bed because of the smell of coffee and breakfast. A grin break across my face when I open the door, and Jason is standing there holding a steaming cup of tea. I don't miss the wink he gives Aislin. I smile into the rim of my cup. My friend is sharing some of my secrets. I'm totally okay with it because I know nothing major will leave her vault. She crosses the hall and wraps herself around Kai, kissing him deeply. When they break away, she glances at me and we share a look. We had talked all night about everything that had happened to us. All the gory details. She had told me everything and my heart broke for her, but to see her with this man, it amazes me.
Daddy once told me it was the hardest paths that lead to the greatest treasures. I think my girl and I traveled ours. I look up at this man, he who holds my heart, and warmth spreads through me. We all move down the hall into the magnificent garden.
"Your house is amazing," I say, twirling in a circle and taking it all in.
"It could be yours, as well." His answer is quiet but stops me in my tracks. An older lady I haven't met yet stands frozen, hands wringing together at his words. I look at Aislin and she nods, grinning. So what else can I do? I nod slowly at him. I'm surprised at the relief I see on his face. Did he really think I could say no, to this, to him?
"I have to be in Nola too though. My family and everything is there." My deal with Hades beats at me. I don't know how I'm going to be able to keep my studio. Jason's face tells me he knows what I'm thinking, and I shake my head slightly. Understanding flares in his eyes and he drags me into his arms, letting me hide my face for a moment composing myself.
When I look up, Aislin is watching me eyes narrowed. I won't be able to hide it for long. We make our way to the table, and I eat like some ravenous animal as I realize days have passed since I had a full meal. Damia is happy to bring me plate after plate of food. Sean stares at me open mouthed, and I just grin around the piece of bacon I shoved in my maw. Aislin is putting the food away too. Kai and Jason smile at us. Michael and Raven sit quietly.
Aislin told me all about the heat that flows between her two boys and the Nordic beauty. I can see it now and it is hot. I glance at Aislin as Sean runs his hand down Raven’s thigh while Michael rests his arm over her shoulder. Her face is calm but I can feel her giddiness from here. Kai just shakes his head at us as I widen my eyes. We both bust out laughing.
"Whit are ye laughing at?" Sean growls at us.
"Oh, nothing, nothing at all," Aislin answers and we laugh harder.
"Right," Michael says.
We eventually stop laughing and listen as Jason talks about the Fates had told him. Aislin had told me of their prophecy about him and how she knew it was me the moment she heard it. Raven swo
re she had no idea what the Fates spoke of but agreed to speak to her father, Loki. Let me try to wrap my mind around that -- LOKI. Of course I have to meet him, because I can only picture Tom Hiddleston. Please, dear baby Jesus, let him look like Hiddles. I catch Aislin's side eye and know she is thinking the same thing, and she giggles again. All eyes turn to us.
"Sorry," I mumble.
"Um, we are going to go inside and let you guys talk about this. I know we can be obnoxious." She stands and I follow, leaning over and kissing Jason, before smirking at his lust filled eyes. We head in, arm in arm, to the garden. We each flop down on a chaise. I know Kai keeps her informed.
"Before I left to come find you, I started planning your wedding. I know lot's happened but I want to finish it." My deal plays through my head and I calculate my timeline. I have until Christmas.
"Are you sure?" Her eyes twinkle though and I know I have her.
"Yes, as long as we aren't swept up into something else crazy. I know we have to find Aphrodite, but don't you deserve this? Happiness."
"Don't you too? All your life you have put others happiness before your own. You dad, your mom, me, everyone. Jason can give you your own happiness," she responds.