QUINTUS

by Kym Grosso

  He’d spent the last three weeks nursing his beautiful wolf back to health. She’d broken down, admitting she’d been devastated about not being able to have children. It had crushed him to see her in such pain, but there was little he could do.

  Acceptance was forced on a vampire. In exchange for power and immortality, they drank blood to stay alive, sacrificed their human existence. You were born into a new family, vampires. When you bonded, your human mate accepted your limitations, everything you were and weren’t. Biological children weren’t part of that equation.

  Quintus had put out feelers into the supernatural world, searching for his brother. When he’d gone to seek assistance from the fae, his realm was gone. Thorn, the half-demon, hadn’t been heard of since he’d gone missing after the Mao attacked Viktor. Absinthe claimed to have no knowledge of his disappearance or how to reach him. Both Quintus and Kade had scoured New Orleans for Ramiel, but no one had seen him since the night they’d killed Lilitu.

  Although he still couldn’t sense Viktor’s life force, Quintus vowed to find him, dead or alive. But Hell wasn’t a place he could go until Gabriella was settled and he had established a solid plan to get in and out of the underworld safely.

  The elevator dinged, drawing him out of his contemplation. His breath caught at the sight of Gabriella exiting from the elevator, seemingly floating on air. She was sexy as fuck without even trying, every curve of her body accentuated by her sheer fitted dress. Her hair had been pulled up, exposing the satiny skin of her neck. Radiant as the sun, she glowed. Her smile told him his surprise had been successful.

  Tonight she’d find out how much she meant to him. As he approached Gabriella, his face beamed with pride.

  “You’re stunning,” he told her. Lifting her hand upward, he spun her around, and she giggled.

  “You look so handsome. A tuxedo? Sexy,” she purred, falling into his embrace. “And this hotel…it’s beautiful.”

  “Sorry, but you’re the only beautiful one here. You’re everything.” His forehead rested against hers. “But interesting you should mention this hotel. You see.” Quintus briefly pressed his lips to hers and led her toward the ledge, gazing onto a view of the Mississippi.

  “Everything changes. This hotel, when it was first built, it was only five stories high. It was a great hotel at the time. But there was a fire, destroyed nearly the whole building. It had a good foundation, so they rebuilt it. And over the years, there were more renovations. Today, this hotel is over one hundred years old and more beautiful than ever. Visitors from all over the world flock here to enjoy the elegant ambiance of the restored lobby and its world class service.”

  “It’s beautiful here. The view is amazing,” she said, smiling as she gazed over the horizon.

  “You. Me. Everything about us. We’ve been born. I’ve nearly died. Your magick is gone. We’ve faced trials. But we had good foundation,” he gently placed his palm to her chest, “in here. Our hearts. Changed, si? But we prevailed. And tonight, with you by my side, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

  Quintus held her hand in his. “Gabriella, I know we’re mated. This is what wolves do. But I…” he gave a small laugh, “I’m an old-fashioned man.” He paused, looking onto the muddy river.

  Gabriella smiled, tilting her head in confusion, but remained silent.

  “You came into my life a month ago. The bonding, the mating, that was fate. Destiny…it wasn’t in our control. Love, however is something we choose.” Quintus reached for the small box in his pocket and flipped open the top, revealing the stunning rectangular diamond ring. “I love you, Gabby. I’ve never in my life felt this way about another person. I know neither one of us needs to do this, but I want you. I want you as my wife. Will you marry me?”

  “Quintus.” Gabriella’s hands covered her lips in surprise. “Yes, yes…oh yes.”

  He slid the ring onto her shaking hand and as she rushed into his arms, he held tight to her. Quintus had never imagined he’d be whole again. That anyone could steal his hardened heart, claim it as her own. He captured her lips with his, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. Demanding and possessive, he kissed her with all the passion in his heart.

  Gabriella broke contact, her eyes brimming with tears. “No, wait. Quintus. I have to tell you something.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Everything she’d ever hated was tied up into a neat little ball called ‘magick’. Its dangling cords had strangled Gabriella, haunting her entire life. Even as a child, well before she shifted, she knew there was something different about her. She didn’t want to be a witch, or have anything to do with her coven or the evil they represented.

  A family wasn’t ever an option. She dared not dream about the security of having a home or someone to love. But now…now her entire life was different. Mated, she’d fallen in love with an incredible man, lover…father.

  She’d cried in the shower, her hands over her womb, grieving the loss of the dream of having his child. For but a second, she’d had a glimmer of hope upon learning, that on a rare occasion a witch’s magick could create a child, allowing the vampire to sire a biological child. The odds were slim, but the mere chance was all that was needed to plant a seed in her mind.

  When she’d swallowed the poison, she’d given no thought to her decision, determined to kill Lilitu. Gabriella never suspected the hellfire would rob her of her magick. When she’d destroyed the high priestess and coven, it had taken every iota of her energy, the magick released into the night. As soon as she blinked her eyes open, gazing at Quintus, the realization slammed into her like a freight train. Her magick was gone, smashing any hope she’d conceive.

  A week had passed before she’d been able to admit to Quintus how devastated she was. She’d known he’d understand. He’d gone a lifetime accepting he’d never have children. Quintus had assured her that they could adopt a wolf, raising a child within the pack.

  Days had morphed into weeks, and she’d begun to accept her fate. Quintus had gone to New York, while she remained with Lyceum Wolves. Although she loved Hunter, his pack was too far away for her to belong, and she needed to be able to run with a pack where she lived in New Orleans and New York. Home.

  During her full moon run in New Orleans, the Alpha Logan’s mate, Wynter, had pulled her aside. Careful to delicately broach the subject, she asked if Gabriella was pregnant. She’d been with the pack long enough to know when wolves were breeding with their mates, detecting the familiar scent. Given both mates wanted children, they’d conceive.

  Gabriella had kept her secret guarded since yesterday, processing the realization that she could have children. An undetectable remnant of her magick remained and had manifested into a breeding cycle. Nervous, she couldn’t be sure Quintus would want a baby right away. They’d only known each other a short time, but despite that, she loved him, desperately yearned for his child.

  On the way up in the elevator, she’d smiled, wearing the elegant dress he’d left for her on the bed. He’d sent a limo from his house to pick her up to bring her to the hotel, telling her he’d meet her there. As the doors opened, her breath caught at the sight of Quintus standing gallantly in his tuxedo. He turned and gave her a sexy smile, and her heart melted. As she stepped toward him, her eyes widened in awe of the gorgeous rooftop setting. Hundreds of Asiatic lilies, their sweet fragrance kissing the twilight air, accompanied the soft lull of jazz.

  Quintus took her hand and she fell into his embrace, her heart pounding. As he slid the ring on her finger and kissed her, she could no longer keep the secret.

  “What is it?” he asked, smiling.

  She averted her gaze, her lips drawn into a tight smile. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she reached for the words. “I…I…Quintus, I know my magick is gone. And I never really wanted kids or at least that is what I thought when I was running. I didn’t want to subject anyone to the hell I was going through. But then I met you, and you’re my mate. And the baby…Samantha’s baby
Kate. Something inside me. I love you and I just wanted to have a baby…your baby.” Fuck, I’m rambling. She took a deep breath and blew it out.

  “Hey, bella. We talked about this. We can adopt.” He wore a confused smile.

  “I’m sorry it’s just…well…the other day I was running with Wynter. And I know you’re not a wolf but maybe you know this. You see, I’ve spent a lot of the time with the pack. I discovered something. I…I…”

  “Whatever it is, it’s okay. You can tell me,” he assured her.

  “I’m in a breeding cycle,” she told him, her voice soft. “I guess wolves, you know they can decide on when and if they have children - their magick allows them to get pregnant.”

  “I’m sorry…what?” Quintus cocked his head.

  “It means…”

  “But…no…” He plowed his fingers through his thick dark hair. “Your magick.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Yes?” He went still.

  “Yes. I mean if you want this. I know it’s so soon. We haven’t had much time alone. If you don’t want to have a baby…” Anxiety twisted through her.

  “I…I never thought I’d be a father. It’s just not something that happens to us. Are you sure? Really sure?”

  “I’m sure. The other wolves. They know. I can’t explain how it happened. Maybe it started before I lost my magick.” She exhaled, holding her breath before releasing it again. “But if you don’t want to it’s okay.”

  “What? No. I mean yes,” he said nervously. Quintus rushed to her, sliding his hands around her waist. “Yes.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Yes.” Quintus kissed her again.

  “Yes,” Gabriella repeated, her heart racing as she heard his word.

  “I love you, Gabby. So much,” he whispered into his kiss.

  Gabriella lost herself as his lips captured hers. She melted into his arms, her mind afloat in a blissful state of love. Her life had gone from hell to heaven. Quintus was everything she’d ever want or need.

  “Dinner,” he murmured into their kiss.

  “Hmm…this could be, maybe like an appetizer.” Her body flared in arousal, her fingers dropping to his pants and fumbling with his belt.

  “Si, I’ll feast on you first,” he told her. His fingers slid through the slit of her dress, his hand gliding between her thighs. “Fuck, I can’t resist you. Not even a little bit.”

  With his button freed, she unzipped his pants, sliding her fingers around his swollen cock. She fisted his thick shaft, kissing him back with fervor, nipping at his lips.

  “I love you,” he whispered into her lips.

  “I love you, too.” She smiled and tightened her grip on his dick, running her thumb over its wet slit. “Now fuck me.”

  Quintus hiked up her gown and lifted her into the air. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and her mouth crushed on his. They stumbled into a cabana, and she eased back onto the daybed, pulling his body upon hers. His hand cupped her bare mound, a finger grazing through her slick pussy.

  “Jesus. No underwear, woman?” he growled, his lips traveling over her chin and down her neck.

  “I’m a wolf,” she laughed, stroking his cock. “Fuck me now.”

  “You’re a demanding little thing, aren’t you? I’m going to fuck you all right, but first I want to taste you,” he told her.

  “No fair. I want you first,” she giggled, refusing to let go of his dick. “This is mine.”

  “You sure you want to suck me first?” He speared a thick finger into her tight core.

  “Ah…fuck. Yes. No,” she panted as he plunged another finger inside her. “I mean, yes…I want you.”

  “Compromises pet, compromises.” He laughed, biting at her neck.

  Gabriella reached down with her other hand and cupped his balls. “You mean like this?”

  “You play dirty, my devilish wolf.”

  “I want to suck your cock right now.”

  “Seems we’re at an impasse because I’m going to lick your pussy until you come so hard all of New Orleans can hear you,” he laughed.

  Gabriella’s hips pressed up into his hand as he stroked over her clit with his thumb. “Quintus, please.”

  “Begging. Now, that’s a sound I like to hear.” Quintus sucked her lower lip into his mouth, and kissed her again. “Compromises.”

  “Quintus,” she breathed. “Yes.”

  He tore his lips from hers and her pulse raced as he gave her a sexy smile, shucking off his pants. She shuffled back onto a cabana bed, her knees falling open. As he stroked his magnificent cock, the ache between her legs blossomed.

  “Hmm…what are you doing?” she asked with a smile as he crawled toward her.

  Quintus rounded to meet her. “Lie back.”

  Her breath quickened as he straddled her face, the tip of his cock brushing her lips. She went to reach for him and he scolded her. “Ah, ah, ah…no going first. Together.”

  Starving for Quintus, she parted her lips as he slid his cock into her mouth. Her gentle laugh was replaced with a moan as his head fell between her legs. The soft brush of his lips over her mound sent chills through her body. As his tongue swept through her glistening folds and over her clit, her body lit on fire with desire.

  The salty taste of his essence coated her tongue, driving her beast mad with arousal. She struggled to concentrate as he fucked her mouth, his strong fingers dipping into her pussy as he tortured her swollen bead. With each lash of his tongue, she thrust her hips up into his mouth while tasting his cock. When he raised his pelvis, she palmed his dick, moving it to the side. She opened wide, sucking one of his balls into her warm mouth.

  “Holy fuck,” he groaned.

  Relentless, she teased her tongue over his crinkled velvety skin then without warning, plunged his cock down her throat, sucking him hard. She reached her hands up his thighs, gripping his firm ass as he slid in between her lips, the tip of him gliding down her palate.

  She quivered as he took her clit between his lips, his fingers plunging in and out of her pussy. Her orgasm built as he dragged his talented tongue through her labia, flicking at her swollen nub.

  “Oh Goddess,” she managed, her words garbled. She moaned, thrusting her hips upward, seeking relief.

  “Fuck, Gabby. You taste so fucking good. Your pussy…” He lapped at her clitoris. “Now. In you.”

  “Oh my God…” Gabriella gasped as he removed his cock from her mouth, her heart pounding.

  Quintus swiftly lifted himself off her and settled between her legs. Her eyes glazed in desire, her handsome vampire taking possession of her body. With a swift thrust he drove his cock inside her quivering channel. She released an audible sigh, as he buried himself deep. With their hips moving in tandem, she surrendered, every cell of her body in a state of arousal as he made love to her.

  She tunneled her hands through his hair as he slowed his pace. On the precipice of orgasm, she heaved a jagged breath, gazing deep into his eyes. “I love you. I love you so much.”

  As his lips captured hers, emotion flooded her chest, and she poured her passion into their kiss. Her love for him, far greater than the ends of the universe, she had never understood the full magnitude of her mating until now. There was nothing more in this world she wanted at this moment than to have his child, raise a family with her mate. This incredible man, this vampire, was hers for all eternity.

  He peppered kisses down the hollow of her delicate throat, grinding his hips to hers, and grazing his pelvis over her clit. His fangs dropped, teasing her alabaster skin.

  “I love you, Gabby. Now and forever,” he growled.

  Gabriella bared her neck to her mate in submission and cried his name out loud as his teeth pierced her flesh. Her climax pulsed through her entire body, and she surrendered, riding the waves of ecstasy. As her core quivered, tightening around his cock, he thrust hard, long strokes. Quintus gave a final grunt, stiffening in release, coming deep inside her.

  He rolled onto his ba
ck bringing her with him, still panting for breath. As they lingered in their blissful haze, she relaxed into his embrace. Still partially clothed, she gave a small laugh.

  “I really like compromising. Just sayin’ I could do this every day,” she told him.

  “I may have lived a few thousand years, but you may just kill me,” he laughed.

  “Quintus.” She paused, her hand on his chest. “I hope we have a boy. I want him to be just like you.”

  “She’s going to be beautiful like her mama. Running free and wild,” he replied, in a dreamy tone.

  “She?”

  “She. He. Healthy. Happy. As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters, si bella?”

  “I love you. I can’t believe everything we’ve been through and here we are,” she said. “Together.”

  “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Don’t ever forget that, Gabby. I’ve never been more alive than I have in the past month. You are the reason.” He kissed the top of her head, and reflected. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife. I’ve waited a lifetime.”

  “Human traditions,” she mused. “Our family, we’ll make some together.”

  “I love you, little wolf.” Quintus kissed the top of her head. “Always. Forever.”

  Epilogue

  White hot pain slashed through Hunter’s chest as he yanked at the silvered chains. The stench of burning flesh permeated the air, the echoes of tortured souls screaming in the night. Traveling to Hell had seemed like a good idea at the time. In and out, he’d told himself. Yeah, genius, terrible idea. This was a very, very bad idea.

  Hunter wasn’t new to Hell. It’d been a long time since he’d been subjected to the torture of the demons. The last time, however, he’d been tricked into going by the little she-devil herself, Ilsbeth. He’d owed her a favor, saving his brother from certain death. Although he’d never told Tristan, he’d accepted this fate, looking for a scale of a demon, repaying his debt to the witch.