His eyes lowered. “Exactly as I am.”
“An angel?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought angels were only in Heaven. Does that mean I have to die?”
His voice was laced with gravel when he spoke. “Yes.”
Penelope inhaled sharply, his words sinking in. In order for her to be with Obsidian for eternity, she had to die.
Holy crap. That was … terrifying. She wasn’t ready to die. Not now, maybe not ever.
Obsidian reached for her, his hand cupping her cheek. “I’ve waited two millennia for you, Penelope, having known since I was old enough to understand that I had an amsouelot. There’s no rush for more.”
“But you’ve been with other women? Other humans?”
She could tell he didn’t want to answer that question, but she waited him out.
“Not humans, no. Other females, yes,” he said simply. “But there was never a romantic entanglement. Nothing serious, anyway. I’m not a saint, Penelope. But when I learned of your existence, everything changed. I vowed to be the male you deserved. Hence the abstinence.”
Penelope had to admit, for him to abstain seemed quite the feat. Especially considering his age and that whole amnigh thing.
“How were you created? Do you have parents?”
His eyes shot to hers. “No, I do not. I was the first warrior, brought into existence by Michael.”
“And your brothers?”
“God didn’t like the fact that I lacked nurturing, so He insisted Michael do things naturally. My species has what’s known as archsires and archdams. They reside in Heaven. Vitus, the angel of virility, and Asha, the angel of conception, select the strongest offspring in the bloodlines to procreate. The young are raised by the archsire and archdam who created them, then once they’re old enough, they’re trained as warriors.”
Wow. That sounded so … clinical. Almost businesslike. A reproduction system for warrior angels. She couldn’t imagine.
“When was the last time you fed?” she blurted.
His full attention returned to her. “Yesterday.”
“Will you feed from me?”
Obsidian’s face twisted, as though he was in pain. “Like I told you, I can. But I won’t. Not yet.”
She frowned. “Why not? Because it’ll hurt me?”
“For amsouelots, it’s not painful. However, there are other … complications we must account for.”
“What might those be?”
Silence hung between them for the longest time. She was beginning to think Obsidian wouldn’t answer her question when he reached for her. With minimal effort, he positioned her over his thighs.
She straddled him, and the instant she did, her desire for him hit her like a Mack truck going full speed down a mountain.
“Because of that,” he whispered, his big hands gripping her hips, pulling her toward him until the hard ridge of his erection pressed intimately against her.
Her breaths became raspier as her body warmed. “Because you make me hot?”
Obsidian’s eyes blazed. “Amsouelots have this connection. A need for one another. Most easily identified by their sexual hunger.”
“I’m not sure that’s restricted only for your kind. We call it lust,” she whispered, rolling her hips as the friction between her thighs intensified her desire for him.
“Trust me, this isn’t lust. Nothing compares to this. Now that they’ve found one another, our souls are intent on remaining together. Sex is the most intimate joining. But rather than abate, it only grows stronger. The longer we’re together, the more powerful it becomes. It’ll cripple us both if we don’t satisfy it frequently.”
“You make it sound painful.”
“It can be. The desire can be so strong it borders on pain.”
Penelope was breathing heavily now, a near-desperate ache pulsing between her thighs, but there was nothing painful about it.
Obsidian cupped her face, pulled her toward him. “The only way to satisfy your need is for me to come inside you.”
She whimpered, heat blooming throughout her. “What does that have to do with you feeding from me?”
“If I consume your blood, you become a physical part of me.” His lips brushed hers. “At that point, when I come inside you, our connection is strengthened. It’ll sate you longer, give some reprieve. But only for a bit.”
“How long’s a bit?”
“A week, a month. Maybe even a few months. It depends on the souls, their needs.”
“You’re saying we won’t want to have sex for a month?”
That sexy smirk appeared. “More like we won’t be desperate for it. A couple of times a day should satisfy it.”
“Two times a day? Seriously?” Penelope wasn’t exactly up to speed on what a healthy sex life entailed, but that seemed like a lot.
Not right now, of course, because she wanted to get her hands on Obsidian as frequently as possible.
“Then it’ll return with a vengeance and we won’t be able to quench it, no matter how hard we try. Not until we complete the mating.”
“And how do we do that?”
His eyes locked with hers, the silver glow faint at first, then brightening until the entire room was brighter.
“It’s a ritual known as lintamair. It requires a full moon, a specific setting, some magical stones. We feed from one another while our bodies are joined.”
Okay, so she knew she shouldn’t find the idea of that erotic, but in that moment, she couldn’t help herself. Especially not when his warm hands cupped her hips beneath the shirt she was wearing. The button-down she wore covered her more thoroughly than the dress she wore to work, but she still felt completely naked.
“Obsidian…” Penelope leaned in, kissed him, tried to get closer.
She felt his hands moving between them, but she didn’t stop kissing him. Their tongues thrashed as she worked the buttons free on her shirt, wanting to feel his warmth on her skin. His palms squeezed her ass, forcing her to lift up. It was then she realized he had freed his erection from his jeans and he was shoving them down his hips. Finally, the blunt head pressed urgently against her sex, relieving some of the ache within her. She sank down on him, her lips tearing away from his as she threw her head back. He filled her completely, the sensation exquisite, just as it had been every time he penetrated her.
Instead of allowing her to work herself over him, Obsidian rolled them so that she was on her back and he was over her, one knee on the sofa, one foot on the floor, driving deep inside her again and again, his thrusts timed perfectly to deliver mind-numbing pleasure.
When their eyes met, Penelope cupped his face, staring into that intense glow. And when his upper lip pulled back, revealing his fangs, she nearly came. The thought of those sharp teeth at her neck drove her absolutely crazy. It wasn’t that she wanted him to bite her, but the thought of it was erotic as hell.
A rough growl sounded in his throat as he drove deeper inside her, making her nerve endings sing.
Feeling bold, Penelope brushed the tip of her thumb over the razor-sharp canine, drawing blood. He growled again, sucking her thumb into his mouth, and she came, her orgasm shattering her.
A second later, he released her thumb, his head falling back as he roared, a sound that made the hairs on her arms stand on end as it rattled the walls with the intensity.
And when he looked down once more, the bright glow was gone, but there was something else in his silver eyes.
Love.
Pure, unfettered love.
Penelope felt it deep in her soul.
ASMIA WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A SHOT, to nail the eight ball into the corner pocket, when she heard it.
The feral sound was like a sonic boom through the entire mansion.
“Was that…?” Acadia turned to look over the railing, though Asmia could’ve told her the sound had come from the floor above them.
“Obsidian,” she whispered. “With his female.”
Though the sound didn’t surpr
ise her in the least, the aftereffects that swept through did. A wave of energy passed through the house, stronger than anything she’d ever felt before. Sexual energy.
As soon as it hit her, Asmia felt a tremendous rush. The emotions slamming into her, filling her completely. The equivalent of a human consuming a Thanksgiving feast. Shortly after the high subsided, her womb contracted, her sex clenching fiercely. She gripped the table to keep herself upright even as she noticed Acadia dropping into a chair, a grimace on her beautiful face.
“What is that?” Acadia whimpered.
Asmia suspected it was the phenomenon known as gathenya, though she’d never witnessed the surge of energy produced by an angel mating before.
Before she could answer, Taayin appeared, materializing before her.
“Do you feel it, too?” he asked.
She nodded, breathing through the overwhelming desire.
“Go away, Acadia,” Taayin hissed over his shoulder, even as he moved behind her.
A second later, Reidar appeared. Without a word, he lifted Acadia into his arms, carried her out of the room. A male on a mission, no doubt.
“Taayin…” Asmia sucked in air, but it didn’t help. “I need…”
The sound of a zipper being pulled down was overly loud in her ears. Cool air caressed her bare ass when Taayin shoved her skirt up over her hips. The thong she’d been wearing was ripped off, and seconds later, he plunged into her from behind as she was bent over the pool table.
As her mind whirled with sinuous pleasure, Asmia couldn’t help but wonder how the others were faring. She’d never felt something so overwhelming before, a vicious need that threatened to unravel the mere structure of her chemical makeup unless it was sated.
“Acadia!” Reidar yelled, his deep voice bouncing off the walls.
Yep, this wasn’t good. Whatever had happened with Obsidian had triggered an epidemic.
Taayin’s hands curled over Asmia’s shoulders as he drove into her, deep, hard. The clothing that remained on her body scraped her hypersensitive flesh, irritating. She willed it gone, freeing herself. The second the cool air caressed her flesh, she came.
Taayin growled roughly and she could feel him throbbing deep inside her.
Crying out as another orgasm bested her, Asmia reached back, gripping Taayin’s thigh, urging him not to stop. Two wasn’t enough. Hell, she wasn’t sure a million would be enough.
“Fuck,” he hissed, hammering into her as she came again.
And again.
Lucky for both of them, this male was thorough. He didn’t slow his pace, drilling her until they were both weak. Thankfully the pool table was holding her up, otherwise Asmia would’ve been a puddle on the floor, her knees like jelly.
Taayin’s hips slammed into her one final time, his cock pulsing inside her as he came. Only then did the painful need subside. She was immensely grateful for the male she’d come to love, knowing he was there for her when she needed him most.
Asmia didn’t move, even when Taayin’s body covered her, both of them drained physically. On the flip side, her emotional fuel levels had never been so high before.
“What the hell was that?” he whispered.
“Obsidian.” Asmia turned her head, listened for the sounds echoing from below. They had trailed off.
“What about him?” Taayin’s weight lifted off of her and she stood tall, grateful some of her energy had come back.
“We heard him upstairs. He roared…” Asmia grinned. “You know, the sound that escapes after a really good orgasm, but also unlike anything I’ve ever heard before.”
Taayin stared at her.
“It was like the energy was displaced, redirected into the mansion, through all of us.” Turning to face him, Asmia rested her naked butt against the pool table. “If I’m right, it’s gathenya. And I think it’s the first of many episodes to come.
“I fucking hope not. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Asmia wasn’t sure anyone had.
Chapter Fifteen
Sunday, July 28, 2019
OBSIDIAN HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT SLEEP WAS OVERRATED.
At least until his body had begged for it.
After that last bout of sex, he’d carried Penelope to their bed, placed her beneath the blankets, and crawled in behind her. He’d been too tired to move, grateful to have her in his arms.
That had been a little over twelve hours ago. They’d slept through the day, waking twice when their bodies had sought pleasure from the other. He’d made love to her both times, keeping her close as he slowly drove them to orgasm before they’d drifted off again.
Of course, now that his eyes were open, his cock was raging, desperate to feel his female wrapped around him. Since she was still breathing deeply, Obsidian fought the urge to wake her, staring up at the darkened ceiling.
Perhaps because he didn’t have a blood-born family, he’d always anticipated the day he would have someone to call his own. Though the fiestreigh had become his family over the centuries, Obsidian had never felt complete. Not the way he did now. Not until Penelope.
Before his brothers had come along, Michael had kept him sheltered, with him at all times. Admittedly, the archangel wasn’t the fatherly type, nor had he pretended to be. The only thing he’d cared about was proving his worth to his father, ensuring God knew Obsidian was everything Michael had promised he would be. In turn, Obsidian had done the same, proving his worth to Michael. He’d never even received praise until his first mission with Stygian. His brother had been the one to outwardly express his gratitude for a job well done.
As far as Obsidian was concerned, the true praise came from Penelope’s love. She hadn’t said the words outright, but he could see her emotions in her eyes. Now, as he lay in the dark, it was hard to believe he was home and Penelope was here with him. From the moment he’d learned of her existence, he’d allowed two dozen scenarios to play out in his head. Honestly, Obsidian hadn’t expected it to turn out quite like this. Certainly not this quickly. But he couldn’t deny it felt as though they belonged here, secure within the walls of the mansion. If all went well, his brothers would arrive soon, safe and sound, their amsouelots at their side.
His cell phone buzzed on the nightstand and he reached for it, not wanting the noise to wake Penelope.
Taayin: We need to talk.
“Mmm, you’re awake,” Penelope whispered from beside him as she moved closer.
Obsidian dropped his phone and turned toward her, her curvy little ass spooned against his hips, her head resting beneath his chin.
“Definitely awake.” He leaned forward, kissed her jaw as he rocked his hips, his cock seeking the warm haven between her thighs.
Penelope moaned softly, inching closer, her lips brushing his forearm where it rested beneath her head.
“I need to be inside you,” he whispered against her ear. “To feel you.”
His female angled her hips as she lifted her leg, allowing him to guide his cock into her from behind.
She moaned softly as the slick walls of her sex clutched him, driving the air from his lungs in a rush. Exquisite sensation consumed him. She was wet and hot, her body taking him with ease.
He nuzzled her neck, his lips brushing the soft, warm skin. That sweet, powdery scent was stronger there. Obsidian took his time, rocking into her as he hugged her to him, her sweet scent intoxicating him.
“Obsidian … that feels so good.” She moaned softly. “Just like that.”
Closing his eyes, he allowed the sensations to consume him as he moved inside her. Minutes passed before he shifted his hand between her legs, teasing her clit in an effort to increase her pleasure.
Penelope began rocking against him in earnest, driving her hips back, his cock burrowing deeper.
“Make me come,” she pleaded, her urgency evident.
With his finger on her clit, his cock buried in the tight haven of her body, Obsidian drove them both to the edge, then right over the other side.
In an effort to give Penelope some privacy, Obsidian urged her to take her time in the shower while he pulled on his clothes and slipped out of the room. He texted Taayin, told the male to meet him in the main-floor office.
Obsidian stopped in the kitchen, accepted a cup of coffee from Phillip, the heurosp in charge of the household.
“Good evening, sire,” Phillip greeted kindly. “It’s an honor to have you home once again.”
“It’s good to be home.” Though he’d only been gone for a few weeks this time, it had felt like an eternity.
“Shall I prepare the evening meal?”
He nodded, took a sip of his coffee, then headed toward the office at the back of the house. He’d just stepped inside when he heard footsteps behind him. Taayin walked in, closed the door.
“I expected you to look like you’d been hit by a truck,” Taayin joked.
Obsidian’s attention was drawn to the steel shutters that began to open, first those on the interior, then those on the exterior side of the windows, the night settling heavily around them.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, not intending to go into the details of his interactions with Penelope.
Taayin took a seat in the chair opposite the desk. “First, I figured we could discuss what happened this morning.”
As he eased into his chair, Obsidian cocked an eyebrow in inquiry.
“Well, from what I can ascertain,” Taayin explained, “something transpired between you and your amsouelot.”
Another eyebrow launch was all he offered.
Taayin sighed, evidently not impressed with Obsidian’s avoidance tactics and hoping for a response. “A sound reverberated through the entire mansion, followed by an intense wave of sexual energy that consumed every one of us.”
Obsidian frowned. “What in hell are you talking about?”
“Asmia calls it gathenya. I call it brutal.” A mischievous grin formed. “The outcome wasn’t, but still. An all-out orgy ignited throughout the mansion, everyone scattering, finding the closest available orifice in an effort to assuage the painful hunger.”
Relaxing into his chair, Obsidian considered what the lieterra was saying. “And…?”
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