by ML Guida
He cradled her shaking hand. “I know.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “And?”
He gazed at her flushed face. It was lovely, one that would launch a hundred angels to defend her. She had high cheekbones, a wide brow, and large, luminous eyes that were filled with love and compassion. Her bruised lips were full, and he’d always be tempted to kiss her and bring her to orgasm just to hear her cry out his name. “You know how I feel.”
She slumped, and disappointment flickered in her eyes. “Sometimes an angel needs to hear the words.”
He lifted his arms and gripped her shoulders, rolling her onto her back.
Her eyes widened. “Lethal. What are you doing? You can’t—”
“Yes. I can.” He put his thumb on her luscious lips. “You wanted to hear it. Yes, my little Valentine. I love you. And now, I’m going to show you.”
For the next few hours, Lethal made good on his promise. He took his time making love to Cupid, first sampling her breasts, then suckling on her soft mound until she beat the ground with her fists in fiery passion. His curvy angel was as lusty as he was, and he looked forward to finding new ways to satisfy her.
Afterward, they lay intertwined near the waterfall, the mist cooling their hot bodies. She slept in his arms, totally sated. Or at least, he hoped so.
But as much as he wanted to lie there, he had to find out what happened with Balthazar. He stroked her damp hair, then kissed her neck. “Cupid?”
“Hmmmm.”
“I need to find Michael.”
She looked up at him. “But you were just healed.”
“I know. But—”
“Even Angels of Death have to rest.”
He looked into her searching eyes. This woman was his mate, and secrets were not to be kept from her. She deserved to know the truth about him.
“I’m not just an Angel of Death.”
“You’re not?” Her eyes clouded, then opened wide. “You’re an assassin. One of Michael’s chosen ones, aren’t you?”
He tried to ignore the distrust in her voice. He ran his palm down her curvy side. “You sound like you’re disgusted.”
“Assassins are...are...”
“Are what?”
“They’re so full of hate.”
“Is that what you think I am?” He lowered his voice and tried to hide the disappointment. He wasn’t full of hate. He only killed to protect the innocent. A fallen angel was very dangerous to both humans and angels. “Do you think less of me?”
She sat up, and he followed her. She leaned her forehead against his. She put her palms against his cheeks. “No, I don’t feel hate brewing in you. I can feel inside you. You’re full of justice and righteousness. But most of all, I feel the love you have for me. It humbles me.”
She kissed him briefly on the lips. “I’ll stand by you, Lethal. I’ll always be here for you.”
“You’re my sunshine to my darkness. I need you.” He cupped her chin. “And I’ll tell you something else. I’m glad you pierced my heart with your arrow.”
Her cheeks reddened, and he liked how her body turned a pretty pink. He could get used to making his angel blush.
“I didn’t mean to. But I’m glad I did, too. Maybe being colorblind isn’t such a bad thing.”
“In our case, it’s nice.”
She looked at the waterfall longingly. She picked up his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Before we go, will you make love to me under the waterfall?”
He hardened immediately. He’d never get enough of her. Michael could wait. Besides, if he needed him, he’d someone to get him, no matter what he was doing. He stood and brought Cupid to her feet. “I’ll give you an orgasm you’ll never forget.”
The same beautiful pink hue fell over her cheeks, but wickedness flared in her eyes, and she cupped his balls with her hand, taking his breath away.
“I’m counting on it,” she said.
Together, they disappeared into the gushing waterfall and lost themselves in each other’s secrets.
Chapter Nine
Cupid held Lethal’s hand as he led her into the Great Hall. An angel playing the harp stopped and angels who were talking quieted.
Michael waved his hand. “Leave us.”
The angels bowed and shuffled out of the room. This wasn’t good.
Michael was back, his face grim, and he was talking to Gabriel and Raphael in the center of the room. They were examining a parchment. Cupid forced herself not to hide behind Lethal’s broad back. Gabriel nodded at her in approval, and Raphael looked at her curiously.
Angels parted as Lethal led the way to the huddled archangels. A white dove had delivered a summons. Michael had not only requested Lethal, but her as well. She’d never received a summons from Michael, and wariness weighed heavy in her heart. It wasn’t like being called by Gabriel when he sent her out on a mission. Michael’s calling filled her with dread.
Cupid hunted for a friendly face but didn’t see Venus or Arrow. All the Angels of Love were in the great hall. Not all the Angels of Death were, but that wasn’t unusual. Where was her sister? This was so unlike her.
Michael faced them. “You took long enough.”
Lethal didn’t shrink and squeezed her shaking hand. “We were busy.”
Heat whipped through Cupid’s cheeks down to her knocking knees. She lowered her gaze, afraid to meet the fierce archangel’s knowing look.
Gabriel smiled, but sadness was in his eyes. Something was wrong.
“Obviously, he needed time to heal,” Raphael said. “Don’t you want your Angels of Death at full strength?”
He never missed a moment to needle Michael. Cupid would rather tease a cobra than Michael.
Michael glared at Raphael but didn’t snap back. Instead, he studied Cupid, and she trembled.
“Your power has grown,” he said.
She nodded, not sure what else to say.
“Balthazar was defeated, but he will return. He will strike out at you, Cupid.”
She put her hand on his chest. “Me? Why? I only enhanced what he already felt.”
“You made him vulnerable,” Raphael said, his eyes filling with sympathy. “Something he can’t afford to happen.”
“What are you trying to say?” Lethal pulled her close. “Is Cupid in danger?”
“The good news,” Raphael said, “is that she’s too powerful, and Balthazar will not make a play for her, but there are others she cares for that will not be so lucky.”
“I’m too powerful?” Cupid couldn’t believe it. A demon was intimidated by her, an Angel of Love?
As if reading her mind, Michael said, “You’re not just an Angel of Love. You’re an empath, a powerful one. Not only can you heal, but you also will discover what people are feeling.” He gave her a warning look, as if to say if she tried it on him, she’d find herself in the nastiest heaven cell.
She swallowed, promising herself never to look into the archangel’s soul.
“But you will also develop the power to manipulate others’ emotions and use their feelings against them.”
She frowned. “But that would be evil. I can’t do this.”
“Don’t be a dolt,” Michael said. His harsh voice was like a slap in the face.
“Michael—” Lethal growled.
She whirled around. “Stop. Please.” She didn’t want him cast down over her. He looked at her and grumbled under his breath, but he didn’t launch an attack.
“So, what do you mean?” she asked.
Michael nodded at Gabriel. “Venus was at the battle.”
Cupid scanned each of their solemn faces. “But she’s not an Angel of Death.”
“She’s not,” Michael said. “She thought she could prove she could be on my team. A stupid mistake on her part.”
Gabriel handed her the parchment they’d all been all looking at. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have known. By trying to change teams, she opened herself to vulnerability. Something Balthazar preys on.”
Cupid took the parchment and unrolled it. It was in Venus’ elegant hand writing.
Dear Gabriel,
I no longer wish to be an Angel of Love. I wanted to be an Angel of Death, but Michael wouldn’t take me. There’s nothing left for me here, and I tire of the comparisons with my dear sister. I was once happy here, but since I touched her bow, something has changed in me. I want to be a warrior, and I found an army that will take me. I’ve given up my grace. I shouldn’t be writing this, because he’ll be mad, but I owe you this. Don’t try to persuade me, and tell my sweet sister to stay away from me. I never want to see her again. The next time we meet we’ll be mortal enemies.
Venus
Cupid lowered the parchment. “I don’t understand. This is all because she touched my bow?”
Gabriel clasped her shoulder. “I’m sorry, but yes. It burned her hand and created a consuming jealousy.”
“Something that Balthazar could exploit,” Michael said. “She’s fallen.”
Cupid clutched the parchment tight and pressed her hands against her chest. “No!” She’d found love now, only to fill the deepest agony. Venus would be hunted down. Maybe even by Lethal. Tears blinding her vision, she turned to face him.
He glanced between Michael and her. He held her close and rubbed her back. The tears wouldn’t be denied, and she buried her face into his shirt, hating herself for crying in front of the archangels. She closed her eyes, listening to the beating of his heart. He couldn’t hunt down her sister. She’d make him listen.
“Not all his lost, child,” Gabriel said.
She lifted her head and turned around, leaning against Lethal. He wrapped his arms around her, embracing her in a warm cocoon of love.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You’re power might be able to turn her back,” Raphael said. “You could help her see past her jealousy and bring her back to the true light.”
She didn’t look at Raphael or Gabriel, but at Michael. “What if she won’t?”
“Then she’ll pay the price.”
“You’ve already sent someone after her, haven’t you?” Lethal tightened his hold around her. Tension rippled through him, and she read his feelings, feelings that made her heart break.
“Arrow. You sent him after my sister.”
“Fallen angels do not go unpunished,” Michael said. “He needs help locating her.”
“You want me to find my sister so Arrow can kill her?” She couldn’t believe Michael was asking this of her.
Michael glared as if he was assessing whether she was in danger of falling, too.
“No.” Gabriel pulled a little black book out of his back pocket. “We are hoping that when he finds her you’ll be able to help turn her back. Balthazar has her hidden somewhere deep, and Arrow hasn’t been able to locate her. I fear Balthazar wants her to stop him from feeling lonely.”
Cupid was too stunned to talk. Venus had always detested Balthazar, and now, she was falling for him. What had her blasted bow done?
“He wants her to be his mate?” Lethal asked.
“We don’t know,” Raphael said. “He’s crafty and wants to punish Cupid. What better way than turning her sister?”
“Take this book,” Gabriel said.
Cupid unraveled from Lethal’s protective arms. “What is it?” She nearly fell over. It was written in Saint Peter’s handwriting.
“It’s about the power of empath’s,” Gabriel said. “Saint Peter was an empath. That’s why he is the rock the church was built upon. His greatest emotion was faith while yours is love. This will explain how to you can enhance your ability with the aid of your angel-mate. You must master your ability or Venus will be doomed to become a demon.”
“And Arrow will kill her,” Michael said. There was no mercy in his voice.
“Don’t pay attention to Mr. Gloom and Doom.” Raphael waved his hand dismissively at Michael. “There is always hope.”
Cupid clutched the book. “What hope? If I fail, my sister dies.”
“You forget the Book of Love,” Gabriel said.
Michael snorted. She wanted to slap him. She got so tired of his disdain for Angels of Love. They were just as important as Angels of Death.
Gabriel put his hands on her shoulders. “Arrow’s and Venus’ names are written in the book.”
He squeezed her shoulders, sparking a determination inside her. The Book of Love was never wrong. Raphael was right. There was hope. Maybe she could save Venus. “Really? They’re destined to be together?”
Gabriel lowered his hands. He was so different than Michael, always wanting to bring hope and love to not only humans, but to the angels on his team.
“Yes,” Raphael said. “But Balthazar will be working hard to break this bond. He’ll do everything in his power to keep them apart and create havoc.”
“This is so futile,” she said, as the weight of her sister’s fate hung heavily on her shoulders.
Lethal put his hand on her lower back. “No, it’s not. You had the ability to heal me. Together, we’ll find a way to bring your sister back home.”
“If she doesn’t change, Arrow will be forced to kill her,” Michael said, as he gestured toward the book. “I suggest you start working on your power. You’re both officially on my team.”
“But I love my job.”
Gabriel clasped her arm. “For right now, we need you to keep angels from falling. You’re an empath and can heal their hearts.” He winked. “It doesn’t mean you can’t go out on love missions every once a while.”
Cupid brightened and ignored Michael’s scoff. “Good.”
“You’re time is running short,” Michael said. “I suggest you get started.”
“We’re being dismissed.” Lethal clasped her hand.
Cupid allowed Lethal to lead her out of the Great Hall to her room. She didn’t even realize that was where he was going. “Why here?”
She opened the door then rushed into his arms. An overwhelming weariness bore down her. “What if we can’t save her?”
“We will,” he said. “You’re more than an Angel of Love, Cupid. You’re an empath and love is your greatest gift. You’ve melted my heart.” He nuzzled her neck. “Now let me melt yours.”
She should be working on her powers, but Gabriel had said they should do so together. “Why didn’t Venus tell me about the bow?”
“I don’t know.”
“Now I know why she wore the damn glove. I should have pursued more. This is my fault.”
“No, it’s not. You heard Raphael. Hope is on our side. But if you have any doubt, Cupid, Balthazar will use it against you like he did Venus. You must gather your strength and trust in us.”
“I do. With all my heart.”
“Then prove it.” A wicked smile flashed across his face as he unzipped her gown.
Making love with Lethal unleashed more of her hidden power and rather than arguing, she stepped out of the gown. “Love me.”
His eyes turned smoldering. “Always.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, where he proved without a shadow of a doubt that his heart belonged to her.
Dear Reader
I’m delighted you decided to read Cupid. This is the fourth book in the Angels of Death. I thought it would be fun to write about Cupid, but have a woman portray her. This little novella is part of the Chains of Love books with several other talented authors: Sam Cheever, Holley Trent, Aidy Award, Sandra Kerns, and Jessica Aspen.
By the way, Jessica Aspen is my fabulous critique partner!
If you like Cupid, here are the other books in the series. The first book in the Angels of Death series is Betrayal:
Scythe’s brother, Blade, is a renegade angel bent on exacting revenge. If Scythe doesn’t stop him from killing an innocent woman, Blade will become a demon and Scythe will be forced to kill his own brother. When Scythe tracks him to sexy psychic, Heather Bowen, worldly desires take him over and he realizes�
��she must be his angel-mate.
Heather has been dreaming of a red-eyed dealer peddling a psychotic drug to her clients. When her sister is accused of murdering an old woman and dies soon after, Heather is determined to find out what happened. The only way to clear her sister’s name is to trust an angel of death—the same angel who was there when her sister died—the same angel who did nothing to stop her sister killing herself.
Unable to stop the attraction drawing them together Heather and Scythe must forgive each other—and themselves—to save their siblings’ souls or Heather herself may face death by a demon.
The second book is Deception:
What is an Angel of Death supposed to do when a demon holds the key to her whole existence?
Time is running out for Poison. The Archangel Michael has ordered her to retrieve an evil board and the woman who is it’s victim. It’s a test—and if she fails she will be kicked off the squad and be shooting arrows with Cupid.
But she has a problem—Ringmaster. The demon got there first and possesses the board and the woman. He’s offered Poison a sinful proposal: Sleep with him and he’ll hand over the board and the woman. Or she can go back to Michael empty handed.
Ringmaster has had a hunger for his little angel ever since he first saw her. She changed him form being hell’s favorite trickster to a love sick hell hound. He has to know if what he feels is for real. One hour is all he asks. How can his sweet angel say no?
The third book in the series is Punishment:
I love to hear from readers. I am on all the social media sites, (Facebook, twitter@m_mlguida and Good Reads). I respond to emails, Facebook posts and tweets, so don't hesitate to contact me. If you’d like to contact me, you can reach me on my website http://www.mlguida.com/contact/ or you can follow me my blog http://www.mlguida.com/blog/
Book loaning and reviews are ways that readers can help authors get the word out about books they love, so don’t hesitate to spread the word about Betrayal. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
If you’d like to receive a new email release, please sign up at http://www.mlguida.com/
Sincerely,