by Kay, Sharon
He needed to give her what she wanted. Whether that was him, or whether she decided it wasn’t him. Either way, he was hers. And if it wasn’t him, he’d have to kill any SOB who caught her eye.
She took a position between his thighs, kneeling there as he had with her. Her mouth was swollen, either from his kiss or from her own little teeth biting her lips as he went down on her. Pink, plump and sweet, just like the tender flesh he’d just feasted on.
Dipping her head, she locked eyes with him and opened her mouth. And just …breathed.
Holy shit, he was going to die and her tongue hadn’t even touched him yet. Hot breath danced over his cock in a heated wave and he groaned.
Her eyelids lowered to half mast, and she bent closer, licking him from root to tip. He flexed and groaned, unable to stop his reaction.
Lips against his cock, she whispered, “You like that?”
Holy. Shit. Yes. “Gods, baby. Fuck, yes.”
Flattening her tongue against the sensitive underside of his head, she swished and flicked, creating a rush of velvety sensation that lit up every nerve in his body. Everything else faded to the background of his senses. There was no water, no rocks or grass. No prophecies or evil or lost years. Alina was magic and sin, beautiful and tough, and in that minute, she owned him. He couldn’t help but thrust into her mouth. Rational thought was gone. Left far behind, and all he wanted was this woman.
Her little hands gripped him, one at his balls and on at the base of his shaft. She lowered her mouth.
“Fuuuck, baby.” He threaded his hands into her hair, needed to touch her somewhere, lost in the bliss of her mouth. Hot and soft and unexpectedly dominant, she sucked him so hard her cheeks hollowed. His orgasm built at the base of his spine.
No. It was too soon to come. He wanted the sweet suction to go on forever and after that, he wanted to sink balls deep into her tight sheath. But then she moved lower, taking more of him. And lower…he stared in mind-blown awe as she worked him down her throat.
Her sucking had slowed, but the visual alone was nearly enough to make him detonate. Almost all of his cock erotically obscured from view because it was in her incredible mouth. Warmth bathed every inch of his length. Her tongue rubbed and laved. One hand still cupped his balls.
He was lost in her. His brain had blissed out and he hadn’t even come yet, dialed down to one word descriptions and choice phrases, and he growled every curse word he knew. She met his eyes, hers full of wonderful, wicked intent.
She drew back oh-so-slowly and he savored the slight pinch of her teeth lightly dragging along his skin. Releasing him, she stayed between his legs and went back to teasing circles around his swollen head. His cock throbbed with the driving need for more of her. “Fuck, baby. Can’t wait.”
He lunged forward, pushing her to her back and spreading her legs high and wide. Kneeling, he drew her thighs up onto his and plunged deep inside. No chance of going slow. He slid out and thrust deep again. He held her under her knees, keeping her wide open. The lazy smile on her face changed into a gasped moan of desire.
His cock slicked out and back in, squeezed by her body’s silken embrace. His balls tightened. He was close.
Her body bucked wildly, and she shrieked his name. The pulsing waves of her orgasm dragged him with her, and he thrust over and over until his lungs fought for air and the dizzying pleasure made his vision swirl black at the edges. “Alina!” he bellowed as the last of his pleasure spent deep inside her.
In one move, he scooped under her bottom and rolled them so he was on his back and she lay on top of him. “Holy shit.”
“Mmm.” She nuzzled his chest. “I couldn’t have said it better.”
“You’re amazing.”
“I’m a puddle of goo. That’s what I am. Can’t move a muscle.” Her words were spoken against his skin, like she was too tired to lift her head.
Good, that was fine with him. “I don’t think I’ve ever come so fucking hard.”
“Me neither. Need a nap before swimming.”
“Nap away, Boots.”
They lay for a few minutes with the sun warming them. Alina wasn’t asleep; he could tell by her breathing.
“It’s so peaceful here,” she murmured.
“Yep.”
“But you left. Working as a grower didn’t appeal to you. Obviously. I mean, look at you.” She dropped a hand to his bicep and squeezed.
He chuckled. “I did my time when I was a kid, bringing in the harvest when it was ready. But from the minute I heard about the Watchers, I wanted to join. Left when I was sixteen.”
She raised her head and searched his face. “What did your family think?” Something about her gaze, maybe it was a flicker of concern, told him she wasn’t sure if it was okay to ask. And hell, he loved that she was curious as much as he loved her compassion.
He propped one arm behind his head. “They were proud. My mom was worried. Told me I better come back in one piece or she’d drag me by my ear and stick me in the spice fields for the rest of my life.”
Alina smiled and most traces of her wariness disappeared. “Do you mind telling me about your family?”
He fell for her a little more in that moment. All his brethren knew what had happened. Most figured he didn’t want to talk about it. Or dudes being dudes, didn’t want to get into feelings. And that was okay with him. Because until now, the images he so rarely brought up had been filled with as much darkness as light.
But there was something different about Alina. Golden, sweet, and magical, she magnified the joys of his childhood. Maybe because she had lost hers…while his had been happy. Then darkness had descended for him, while a new, illicit life had opened up for her. And now his family was gone, while she had been dropped into a boisterous, ready-made group that no one had expected.
They’d both survived. Both missing something, both missing someones, but still here and still moving forward.
“I don’t mind.” He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “My memories of them are happy.”
She breathed out a tiny sigh of what could’ve been relief. Her eyes twinkled. “Let me guess… were you the oldest?”
“And the lady is as perceptive as she is beautiful.” He sifted his fingers through her shiny hair. “Yes. Oldest of four. The only boy.”
“So you were protective of them?”
“Very. Made sure to ward off any boys that hung around.”
She giggled. “I bet they just loved that about you.”
“They were plenty mischievous.” He shook his head as memories filtered back, buoyed by the love of family taking the edge off his loss. “My two younger sisters once came here and gave all the local kids sand and grass shampoos.”
“Oh my gosh.” Alina giggled and covered her mouth. “What a mess.”
“Yeah, when one parent got word of it, they all marched over here and dunked their kids before they were allowed home.”
“Hmm.” Her voice took on a mirthful purr. “Speaking of dunking…”
“What about it?” He feigned innocence.
She traced an idle line across his pecs. “You have one coming.”
A grin spread across his face. He liked her persistence. He shot a glance to the shadows, now lengthening as the sun drifted farther west. “I’ll give you a rain check on that, I promise.”
She opened her mouth. He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip before she could speak. “There’s something else I want to show you. It’ll happen soon. You won’t regret it.”
She tilted her head. “I’ll take that promise, with an extra dunk for interest.”
He chuckled. “Deal.” Gods, this woman was adorable. He couldn’t imagine saying no to her. He pushed up and got them both to their feet.
They dressed quickly and Alina was glad Caine guided her away from the high drop off where she’d gotten her first glimpse of the swimming hole. Climbing down was one thing. She didn’t relish the idea of climbing up.
He led her t
hrough soft green grass and over one low hill. At the top of the rise, she could see a field of fragrant green stretched out in front of her. “This is coriander?” She inhaled. “It smells like…”
“Cilantro?” He draped an arm around her shoulders.
“Yeah.” She frowned. “Why is that?”
“It’s the same plant. The seeds are kept whole, or crushed, and called coriander. The leaves are cilantro.”
“I never knew that!” She stared at the green leaves swaying in the breeze. “That’s cool. Thank you.”
“That’s not what I wanted you to see. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand and led her into the neat rows.
“Is it okay for us to do this?” she asked, looking around.
“Sure, as long as we walk between the plants and not on them. Let’s go a little farther.”
They walked deep into the herbs, which were only about three inches tall. And though she looked around again, she saw no one tending to the field. “These plants look so little and vulnerable,” she said. “Do insects or rabbits eat them?”
“They try, but the growers have perfected pest warding spells.”
“Ah, smart.” Of course they would. It was no accident this region had a healthy economy. “So…now what?”
He cocked his head. “Any second now. Just wait.”
“Okay.” She waited. Birds chirped and insects flitted. High above, a hawk glided in slow, wide circles. What was out here that Caine would want to show her? Curiosity made her veins buzz. He’d gotten a gleam in his eye, and that made her dying to know what was up.
“Here they come. Stand very still.” He was grinning, looking east.
“Stand still? What’s coming? I don’t see any—” Her jaw hung open, the unfinished word stuck in her throat. Far across the field, a dark cloud appeared, low to the ground. It moved and shifted and was…coming closer?
“Caine?” she whispered, grabbing his arm. “What is that?”
“You’ll see.” He tucked her against his side, one arm around her shoulders.
“Are we in danger?”
He let out a low laugh. “Thought you knew me better than that, Boots. Just watch.”
The cloud stretched and undulated, moving above the plants and undeniably closer to them. As it neared, she realized it wasn’t black, but actually a deep blue, and it wasn’t one big shape…it was hundreds of tiny ones.
Tiny wings, tiny bodies darting and ducking, swooping high and low, flying out from the group but always returning to it.
She looked at Caine, her mouth open in wonder. He grinned down at her, eyes dancing as he watched her put the pieces together.
Butterflies.
Myriad blue wings edged with black, the leading edge of graceful insects reached them seconds later, parting to zoom around them. Their tiny bodies stirred the barest whisper of wind across her skin, and she and Caine were enveloped in blue.
She had no words, only wonder as she took in the flitting shades of turquoise and aqua. “This is…this is…the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Agreed. One of the best.”
“Do they do this often?”
“Every night, this time of year.”
She gasped as a flash of blue landed on her arm. “Look!” she whisper-yelled. Its tiny feet were weightless, and its antennae extended. She could see miniscule white speckles along the black edge of its wings. “Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful.” Looking up at Caine, she couldn’t suppress a giggle. “They’re on you too!”
Sure enough, he had a new friend perched on each of his broad shoulders. “They’re friendly. Guess weapons don’t bother them.”
Her butterfly walked along her arm, doing what, she had no idea. Alina was content simply to watch it. The waves of wings beat an azure breeze around them, and Alina felt something shift deep inside her.
She couldn’t love him. But she didn’t know what to call the storm of feelings that made her heart beat as fast as the hundreds of tiny wings around her. Caine had endured the worst and had learned to put his loss in perspective. Yes, she knew he hunted the Viper general. She understood his need for vengeance and if she could, she would mete it out for him.
This strong warrior, under his brawn of muscle and dark menacing looks, possessed the playfulness to bring her to his boyhood swimming hole and a vibrant field full of butterflies.
He’s amazing.
A second butterfly alighted on her arm, right in front of the first. Their antennae touched for the briefest moment, and the second one flew away. She watched it disappear into a cloud of blue.
A confused reality crashed through her. What was she doing with Caine? Were their lives bound to touch for a moment in time, then they’d go their separate ways? Could she let him go?
You have no choice.
Her heart raced and pounded wildly like it had when she’d thrown her knife. Just for a few seconds, but it gave her pause. Was it a physical manifestation of the earth’s demand?
Her butterfly turned its dark head and seemed to look at her, antennas waving, then it opened its wings and rose. To her surprise, it flew a lazy loop around Caine’s head, stirring the butterflies on his shoulders, before all three of them flew away.
“Hey, where’d you go?” Caine tilted his head. “I know that butterfly was interesting, but you were a million miles away.”
He’s so perceptive. She shook off her muddled thoughts and looked up to see the last several butterflies zooming past them. “I don’t know. Just never had an experience quite like this.”
He took both her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “I aim to please.” He dipped his head and kissed her, his lips warm and full against hers. Would she ever get enough of him?
A frisson of anger uncurled deep inside her. She didn’t want her choices made for her, goddamn it. But she shoved it way down. If she only had a sliver in time with Caine, she would savor every second. No dwelling on negative crap. They’d fight Elegia and her hordes, and figure the rest out afterward.
Even if the rest meant keeping distance that would break what was left of her heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY
TORTH’S MOONS HAD BARELY CRESTED the horizon when Elegia stepped onto a podium overlooking a massive field full of her soldiers. The wind whipped her long blond hair into her face, but nothing could suppress her smile as she regarded her troops. In this hidden arena high in the Bloodspire Mountains, her most deadly regiment honed their skills.
Ghazsul demons, Vipers, Neshi demons, and more, who would normally be at each other’s throats, stood at attention. All eyes on her, awaiting her command. The narcotic in the lily extract had made them all rapt, adoring drones who craved her potion and didn’t remember clan loyalty or species differences. All they focused on was her.
She had fifty more groups like this one, all lethal though not quite as bloodthirsty, tucked away in remote locations throughout the realm. Though their scents might normally give them away if someone did come close, the scent of the lily extract would override their own natural smell.
“Give me a demonstration,” she ordered.
A Viper, one of her top generals, clapped his hands twice, and two of her demon fighters stepped out of the ranks. A Neshi and a Viper. Light from fire bulbs above winked off their scales. She allowed a smile to play across her face. This should be good.
The Neshi demon’s orange scaly skin resisted fire, and its four arms meant it could hold more weapons. The Viper’s head resembled a snake, and its fangs were full of poison. She watched, pleased, as the two fought, somehow blocking the other’s moves. Both punched and whirled with startling speed, a planned effect of her drug.
Elegia allowed the fight to continue for a few more minutes, then signaled them to stop. No use losing skilled warriors, and these two would fight to the death if she let it go on. They separated, breathing harder than normal and scraped up, but with no mortal wounds.
She nodded in approval at her general and stepped down, heading to the i
nterior of the mountain where she had a lab and several offices. Her Serus demon bodyguards followed and another, an advisor, fell in a half step behind her.
“May I ask a question, my queen?” he asked tentatively.
“Yes, Baul. Have you found any leads on any vampires traveling with fae females?”
“No, my lady, unfortunately we have not. But I would like to suggest approaching the suspicious location from another direction.”
The suspicious location. Where she had followed the magic trail, and had ended up in the middle of nowhere. Elegia growled low in her throat, remembering.
After killing that inept dwarf innkeeper in Halice, she’d ransacked Sebastian’s hotel rooms. His scent and the female’s scent were all over, but there was no sign of them. No belongings left behind. Typical, though. Her brother knew how to leave in a hurry and travel light. She’d ordered her Serus guards to grab a pillowcase from each bed and bring them back, to share the scents with her soldiers and trackers if needed. Additionally, her Serus demons reported the trace scent of Lash demon lingering in the room. One had been there, they assured her.
What was Sebastian doing with Lash demons? She had concentrated on the magical breadcrumb trail in her mind, which took her north to the side of a mountain. But the trail ended, and there was no sign or scent of any demon or fae. Just the forest creatures. Then the dawn neared, and she’d been forced to return home.
She gritted her teeth, furious that the trail for both her brother and the female had simply stopped in midair. Not possible. They were alive and they were getting aid, and when she found them, she’d skin them and whoever was helping them. “Yes, Baul. We will do that. Get the most senior spell caster and we’ll go.”
Tonight she’d bring along some enhanced help. The witches under her command had been especially useful in the production of spelled amulets. Now she’d test their skills further to help pick up any trace of her quarry.
Another growl rumbled as she walked into the roughhewn corridor of her mountain lair. “You’ll get to come too, Razor.” She reached out to scratch behind the ears of her hellhound, whose massive head came up to her chest. His nose was excellent, thanks to the wonder of canine physiology, and therefore better than any demons in her ranks. After one sniff of the pilfered pillowcases, Razor wouldn’t stop until he got a lock on his targets.