by Grace White
"Okay, okay, let me up. If I don’t leave now, I’m never going to make it out of here, and I really have to work." His body rolled away from me as he swung himself onto the edge of the bed.
Disappointment flooded me. I don't know what I'd expected. But I didn't like the idea of him leaving.
I pulled the sheet to me, but then he was there. Sliding it down my body, pressing wet kisses to my neck. "I wish I didn't have to leave." He rolled me onto my back and pushed my hair away from my face. "Hi."
"Hi," I whispered.
Why did this feel so awkward? Last night, in the throes of passion, it had been so easy between us. But now it was like there was a big, black shadow hanging over us that neither of us was willing to acknowledge.
"You are so beautiful." Marcus smiled before leaning down to press a tender kiss to my lips. "But I really have to go."
He left the bed and started yanking on his clothes, and all I could do was watch. I wanted to ask so many questions, but I was scared that I wouldn't like the answers. So, I swallowed them down. When he was dressed, he looked at me and said, "Thank you.”
Thank you?
What in the gods did that mean?
Was he seriously going to just walk out after one of the best nights of my life? What had Allegra been trying to tell me? That Human men were only after one thing—is this what this was? I clutched the sheet, overwhelmed by the emotions storming through me. Marcus was almost at the door when he paused. I watched as he bowed his head, raking a hand over his silver mussed up hair. Slowly, he turned, his eyes alight. “Can I see you again?”
My body sank into the mattress with relief, and I smiled coyly. “Yes, I’d like that.”
He nodded stiffly before disappearing out of my bedroom. I heard the front door open and close and then it was quiet. I flopped back against the pillows and let out a soft sigh. Being with Marcus was nothing like I’d ever imagined. But for as much as it was all I’d dreamed of and more, I also knew there would be no going back now.
What happened here last night, would change everything.
Marcus
There wasn’t time to shower. Not that I wanted to wash off her scent. Alora was everywhere. On my skin, on my lips, in my soul. It was a mistake going to her—I’d broken my cardinal rule, don’t get attached to anyone—but by the galaxies if it wasn’t a sweet way to go.
Our bodies fitted together like perfection. It felt so fucking good, but more than that, it felt right. And that terrified me, because now I knew what she tasted like, I wanted more. Like an addict chasing that first high, nothing would stop me from experiencing Alora again.
Not even the promise of death.
“You’re late,” Kyan was waiting outside the farm entry. His eyes narrowed and I ducked my head to avoid his scrutiny.
“Come on then, we’d better get in there.” I went to move past him but his arm shot out blocking my way.
“Wait a minute, you look different.”
“No I don’t,” I said keeping my voice even.
His palm flattened against my stomach and my eyes snapped to his. He smirked. “You got laid.”
I bared my teeth. “Keep it down, will you?”
“So, it’s true?”
“I’m not having this conversation.” I shoved him off me and barged past, his laughter hot on my heels. He jogged up beside me and said, “Come on, this is me.”
“Not listening. We’re late, better hop to it or Gardener will dock our earnings.”
“Fine, be that way.” He veered off to his area. “But I’ll get it out of you later.”
Like hell he would.
What happened between me and Alora was between us, no one else. I’d made damn sure no one saw me slip out of her room this morning, especially the hostile sister from the club. I had a feeling she wouldn’t take it too kindly if she found out about us.
Us.
Was there really an us?
I mean, what could I offer her? She was a Meta, with the ability to manipulate water, and I was a Human with a death sentence. It was doomed.
Yet, every time I tried to remember that, I remembered the feel of her skin pressed against mine. Her sexy as fuck little moans as I thrust inside her. By the galaxies, I needed to get a grip. I was at work. Work. My eyes glanced up at the housing dome. Could she see me? Had she been watching me all this time? Is that what I sensed the other day?
Something was happening between us—something outside of our control.
And I wasn’t sure I could fight it anymore.
~
I waited until night fell. I didn’t want to risk someone—or something—seeing me, and reporting a suspicious Human roaming around the upper levels of the housing dome to the Intra. When I reached her suite, I knocked quietly. The door opened a fraction, and I slipped inside.
“You came,” she breathed out, and I could see the tension leave her shoulders.
“You thought I wouldn’t?”
Alora’s head dropped.
“Hey.” I slid my fingers under her chin and tilted her face to mine. “I said I’d be here, didn’t I?”
Her eyes closed as she nodded. “Marcus, I—”
I cut her off, wrapping her into my arms, and crushing my lips to hers. By the galaxies, she tasted so good. Our tongues tangled together and she moaned into my mouth. This was what I could be for her. Maybe I couldn’t do the big heart-to-hearts, or the commitment, or any of that stuff, but this, I could do.
“You should have worn the sheet again,” I murmured, tracing my hands down her body until I found the hem of her scrub top and broke away to yank it up over her body. Thankfully she wasn't wearing the trousers. Alora sucked in a sharp breath.
“Is this normal?” Her voice was quiet, the fine hairs on her arms standing to attention.
“What’s that, babe?”
“This. Us. Is it always like this?”
I closed the distance, hooking my arm around her waist and drawing her to me. “It’s never been like this for me."
“Me neither. I’m confused, it’s—”
I cut her off again, sealing my lips over hers and kissing her hard. I didn’t want to talk about all the reasons we shouldn’t work together—I only wanted this.
Her.
Us.
I grabbed her ass and forced her up against me, and her legs went around my waist. Alora giggled, the musical notes filling the room as I walked us into her bedroom. I'd known what I was going to ask her to do before I even got here. It had played on my mind all day as I heaved buckets around from station to station. I walked straight past the bed and into the small bathroom.
"Marcus, what are you..." The water rained down on us as I walked us into the shower pod, and Alora yelped but it quickly turned into laughter.
"You're crazy," she said, her hands tightly clasped around my neck. I pressed her against the tranlucite and kissed her breastbone.
When I looked back up at her, she was gazing at me with such awe I felt like the wind had been sucked right out of me. I didn't deserve that look, but by the galaxies if it didn't spark something in me.
"Can you do something for me?"
"What?" Her eyebrows furrowed and I kissed her nose.
"Not until I say."
"Marcus? What are you...oh to the gods," she moaned as I slipped a finger inside of her. Still fully dressed, I wanted to feel Alora skin on skin so I pulled my hand away and lowered her to the floor. "What ... oh." The corners of her mouth tipped when she saw me strip out of my scrubs.
"Now, where were we?" I crowded her against the tranlucite screen. Running my hands down her back, I cupped her ass and lifted her up. My dick slid between her legs as if it knew exactly where it needed to be. I teased her, grinding up against her, but not fully giving it to her. Alora moaned, her head falling back.
"Please," she begged, wiggling in my grip, trying to lower herself onto me.
"Cold and hard, babe, remember?"
Her head snapped up, her eyes
colliding with mine, and I saw the realization spark. But I didn't give her time to reply as I thrust into her while I pulled her body down onto me. Our groans filled the small space, steam rising off the water.
"Again," she cried, clinging onto my shoulders.
I leaned in and nipped her shoulder. "Your turn," I whispered, holding her prisoner, my dick still inside of her.
Alora flexed one of her hands, her eyes focused over my shoulder. Her hand cut through the stream of water and I felt ice cold at my back. When I glanced back there was an arch of icicles suspended mid-air.
"More," I said, memorized by the sight before me.
Alora grabbed my jaw and slammed her lips to mine, catching me off guard. I released my hold on her hips and she started to ride me. Then I heard it, another swoosh of water hardening to glass. The temperature around us dropped, the air biting at my skin, but it felt so fucking good.
"You're something else," I rasped, sucking at the skin of Alora's neck as she writhed above me. Her hand slid up my chest, the droplets of water freezing instantly. It was so cold it hurt, but then she slammed down on me again and my head dropped back. The sensation was mind-blowing. Pain and pleasure. Ice and heat. Right and wrong. It all rolled together until I couldn't see straight and a familiar tingle started to build at the bottom of my spine.
Alora's fingers dug into my shoulders and I knew she was close.
"Let go," I demanded, sucking her nipple into my mouth and biting hard. She shattered around me, collapsing against my quivering chest.
I fumbled behind me to switch off the jets, knocking away some of the ice still suspended behind us. It clattered to the floor, smashing into tiny pieces. Alora nuzzled into my shoulder as I carried her into the bedroom and lay her down in the middle of the bed.
"That was..." I tried to catch a breath while Alora peeked up at me, her cheeks flushed and lips swollen. "I know," she said. "What now?"
I stalked forward, wrapping my hands around her ankles and dragging her to me. She let out a shriek.
"Time for round two."
~
"So, you're a princess?" I ran my fingers up Alora's spine and leaned in to kiss her shoulder. After finally coming up for air, we had spent the last hour talking. About her past. Her life. I wanted to know everything about her.
And keep the conversation firmly off me.
"My father is ruler of the Undines, yes."
"I had no idea."
I mean, I knew there was something special about her, but a fucking princess? I was way out of my league here.
"And you're here with your sister?"
"Sisters." She smiled at me.
"I guess they wouldn't be happy if they knew about this…about us."
Her face paled, and I hated that I'd asked the question, but we couldn't avoid it forever.
"It is forbidden, yes."
"Whew," I whistled through my teeth. "That bad, huh?"
"Marcus, I—"
I brushed the stray hairs out of her face. "You don't need to explain. I knew what I was getting myself into. I tried to stay away, Alora. I tried so fucking hard."
"It bothers you, me being a Meta?" The quake in her voice gutted me, but I couldn't lie. I wouldn't be that guy.
"It did, at first. Me and Metas don't have the best track record." I let the words linger between us, hoping she'd work it out, if she hadn't already.
"You fought in P-Extinction? That's how you got the scars?"
I nodded, feeling the lump in my throat. "So yeah, it bothered me. I'm not here to make new friends or make peace with my enemy or whatever other bullshit the AS are trying to sell, I'm here to pay my dues."
"Pay your dues?"
"That's a story for another day." My voice was sharper than I intended and Alora recoiled slightly.
"My sister, Allegra, she said that you are all criminals? The ones that work on the farm."
"Most of us, yes." I searched her eyes for any hint of disapproval or disappointment but she wore a look of indifference.
"What did you do?"
I froze. Every bad thing of my life flashing before my eyes. Where did I even begin?
"Marcus?"
"I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of." I held her unwavering gaze. "Some in the name of war, others in the name of greed and selfishness. I'm not a good person, Alora. But I can't change who I am."
Alora shuffled into her side and brought her hand to my cheek. "There's goodness in you Marcus Denegred, I feel it every time you kiss me."
My eyes shuttered. She was a better person than me. Because I couldn't walk away. Not now. Like a true addict, I was falling under her thrall, and I wanted more.
I wanted everything she had to give.
Consequences be dammed.
Alora
“Is it true?”
Madam Dubraire’s eyes widened as I rushed up to the counter. “Alora? What is it, child?”
“I… Marcus… we…”
Her eyes darted around the reception room and she ushered me behind the desk. “Not here, come.”
I followed her into a small room that was her office.
“Take a seat. I’ll fetch us some elixir tea.”
“I don’t mean to sound rude,” I said. “But I’m not here for tea. I need to know the truth, please.”
After spending the night with Marcus something clicked in me—something I could no longer ignore. Once he left for work, I spend the whole day trying to think of a possible explanation. But there was a reason we gravitated, a reason we were drawn to one another. I hadn’t wanted to believe it, but I could deny it no longer. And if anyone knew what was going on, it was Madam Dubraire. She knew something—I realized that now. That was why she warned me about Marcus. Not because she thought I couldn’t handle his surly mood, but because she knew what we were to one another.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
A wistful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth and the old woman nodded. “I suspected something.”
“How? How did you know?”
“The Esse is old, a myth these days, but it is not forgotten, not by everyone.”
The Esse…did she mean…
“It’s impossible. Marcus is…”
“Human?”
I nodded, trying to make sense of what she was saying. The Esse wasn’t real—it was legend. A story made up by lonely female Undines that wanted to believe that one day they would meet their destined mate.
“I see the doubt in your eyes, child. But you feel it, no?”
“I…I feel something.”
“Your heart searches for him when he is not near? Your body gravitates to him when he is? And when your bodies join, it feels right, does it not?”
My body flushed at her words and I bowed my head.
“Do not be embarrassed, child, you have found something few Undines ever do.”
“But how? How is this possible?”
Madam Dubraire shifted, crossing one long leg over the other. “That is an answer I cannot give, but if it is right, and I do not doubt it, you have a choice to make, Alora.”
“A choice?”
“You are immortal, Marcus is not. For the bond to complete, one of you must make a sacrifice.”
A sacrifice? Realization sunk into my bones and my mouth dropped open. “You mean either I have to become mortal or Marcus has to…” I couldn’t say the words, it was too much.
She smiled again, only this time it was filled with sadness. “Now you have found each other, you are bound. If you don’t complete the bond, you will spend eternity suffering. Physically, you will be fine, but spiritually you will mourn the loss of your other half. It is pain I would not wish on my greatest enemy.”
Madam Dubraire spoke with experience and I wanted to ask her so many things, but I was struggling to process the choice laid out in front of me. A choice that I thought was between my duty to my father and my inexplicable connection to a Human. But it was far greater.
And what
of Marcus? I didn’t doubt he felt the connection, he’d told me as much. But we were only just getting to know one another. How could I drop this bombshell on him without scaring him away forever? And if I didn’t, would he suffer the same fate?
“Do you know what will happen to him if we don’t complete the bond?”
From the little I could remember about the Esse, the bond required a joining of the body and mind. In Human terms, it would be like marriage and then physical consummation with a few Undine traditions thrown in.
“I do not. But he has a soul, Alora. A mortal soul. If it hurts for immortals, I can only imagine what it will do to one with a soul.”
“What do I do?” I clasped my hands in my lap. “Tell me what to do.”
“Child, you have been bestowed a great gift. Follow your heart and it will lead you well.”
I needed to talk to Marcus. He was Human. He had a life back on one of the Human planets. And then something else dawned on me. “My father, he would have to…”
“Sanction the bond, yes.” Madam Dubraire’s lips pulled into a flat line. “But it is written, Alora. He cannot deny the sacredness of the Esse, it is forbidden.”
It was?
“I can see you have much to digest. Take some time. Marcus isn’t going anywhere, and neither are you. This experiment is breaking down barriers and uniting Meta and Humans in ways I don’t think even the Ama Seldova could have predicted. Maybe this is just another unexpected consequence.”
I didn’t like thinking of our relationship as mere consequence, but I nodded politely, thanked her, and left. I needed time to let everything sink in. But the second I stepped out on the street, I felt him.
Madam Dubraire was right, I gravitated to him. To Marcus’s soul.
To my Esse.
He saw me and made his way over. “Hi.” Hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes danced around me.
“Hi,” I replied already feeling the pull. The need to be close.
“Will you come somewhere with me?”
“Right now?”