by Gina Kincade
“When we die, we can choose to come back or to stay on the astral plane. The only time we truly die and have no choice in the matter is when our bodies sustain too much damage and it’s beyond the phoenix’s ability to restore it.”
“Do many phoenixes choose to stay in the astral plane? I mean, if you can come back and be with your loved ones, wouldn’t you want to do that?” If she had a choice, she’d choose to be with her family.
The intensity of his stare had her squirming in her seat. He opened his mouth to respond, then hesitated again. “It’s not so simple. Our kind live long, yes, but it’s not always easy. In the last few decades, humans have been more tolerant, but since the beginning of time, there have been those who haven’t wanted us around. Some hunt for sport, others are driven by hatred. None of them value the life of a phoenix. When a mate dies the true death, the one left behind often chooses to follow.”
She scooted closer to him and placed her hand on top of his where he was gripping his thigh. “Is that what happened to your parents?”
He swallowed hard and nodded. “My father was gunned down, and my mother never recovered.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and flipped his hand, entwining their fingers. “It was a long time ago.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t make it right.”
“No, it doesn’t.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I think that’s enough heavy talk for now. I bet you’re exhausted. How about we get some sleep, and I’ll show you the rest of the castle tomorrow.”
Chapter Twelve
Cortney woke to her heart pounding against her ribs. Even though the room was cool, sweat slicked her skin. The blankets she’d covered herself with when she’d gone to bed were in a pile at the foot of the bed. She’d never had a more realistic nightmare in all her life. She sat on the edge of the bed taking deep gulps of air. Clean, fresh air, not smoke filled, like what had been choking her in her dream.
Her door flew open, and Draven came rushing in, making her scream. His gaze flew to all corners of the room. “What happened? Are you okay?”
She lifted shaky fingers, shoving her hair away from her face. “Yeah, I’m fine. I had a nightmare. That’s all.” She gave him what she hoped to be a reassuring smile, but by the look on his face, she didn’t fool him.
“Want to talk about it?” he asked. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her onto his lap, then rested his forehead on the back of her shoulder. “You scared me half to death with that scream, little bird.”
“I’m sorry. It was nothing. I can’t even remember it now,” she lied. The truth was, she didn’t want to think about it, much less talk about it. The pain of the fire on her skin, the lack of air, and burning in her nose and lungs. She’d swear the acrid smoke still singed her nostrils.
He stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I guess I should let you get back to sleep.”
It probably wasn’t a good idea, and she’d might regret it later, but she didn’t want him to go back to his room. The sexual tension between them was still there, but the comfort of being in his arms was too tempting to resist. “Would you mind staying a while?” She’d had similar nightmares all her life, but never had they been so real, so intense.
He pressed his lips to her shoulder and without saying a word stood, cradling her in his arms, and placed her on the bed before climbing in next to her. He pulled a light blanket over them both, then tucked her into his side with her head resting on his shoulder. “Sleep well, little bird,” he finally said.
Cortney snuggled closer, draping an arm around his waist. His energy pulsed around her, cocooning her in his warmth. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She’d probably regret allowing the closeness come morning, but right then, she didn’t care. With his arms wrapped around her, the tension in her body seeped out, and her eyes grew heavy. She’d deal with the repercussions in the morning.
***
Draven lay there for an hour, eyes wide open, listening to Cortney’s soft, even breathing. He hadn’t expected to fall asleep with her curled so sweetly against him, but he had. The need pounding through him woke him as the first rays of light filtered into the room, but he hadn’t had the heart to move and risk waking her.
Having her so close was both heaven and hell. His body ached with his need for release, but at the same time, the phoenix was more settled than it had been in ages. It had raged when her ear-splitting scream jolted him from sleep. The thought of anyone or anything attacking her had sent it into battle mode, but when there was no threat, it had released its fury and wanted to comfort her. He hadn’t expected her offer to stay, but he sure as hell hadn’t been about to refuse it, either.
As much as he wanted to keep holding her, he couldn’t. Not only was it becoming impossible to keep his hands to himself, but he had to go check in with Ry. The Odyssey hadn’t been attacked in a few years, but unknown phoenixes were in the area a few nights ago. He had to get a status update.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and slipped his arm from under her.
Cortney blinked her sleepy eyes at him and smiled.
“Go back to sleep. I have to take care of things. I’ll be back in a while,” he whispered.
“Okay,” she mumbled, before she pressed her lips to his, then rolled over.
After a quick shower, he headed to Ry’s place where his friend was waiting for him on his lawn. Though the man rarely smiled, he didn’t usually scowl quite so deeply.
“What’s going on?”
“The phoenixes are just outside our lands on the western most end.” Ry told him. A muscle jerked in his jaw as he ground his teeth. “I’ve sent some men out there to see what they want. They’re not moving fast, but they’re coming this way.”
“Shit.”
“I saw you out flying last night. You have to claim her,” Ry told him. “She’ll be safer once you do.”
Draven shook his head. “It’s not that simple. She’s not ready.”
“Maybe not, but this Odyssey needs you. If something happens to her, we lose you both.”
Draven opened his mouth to deny it, but he couldn’t. If he lost his mate, even after having known her for such a short period, he’d choose to be with her on the astral plane.
“She needs more time. What the hell am I supposed to do, bind her to me without her consent? She’d hate me.”
Ry shook his head and glanced toward the house next to his. “We may not have more time to give them.”
THIRTEEN
Cortney woke to the smell of freshly baked bread and bacon. A small part of her, the one that wasn’t ravenously hungry, wanted to burrow under the blankets and wait until Draven came looking for her. The other decided it was time to haul her ass out of bed and hit the shower. If the amount of sunlight streaming into her room was anything to go by, it was closer to noon than it was breakfast.
She vaguely remembered Draven slipping out of her bed that morning. Like a true gentleman, he’d held her while she’d slept and done nothing more than kiss her temple once or twice. As odd as it had been sleeping with a practical stranger, the tender gestures had warmed her heart more than a little.
Everything was quiet when she got out of the shower, but the delicious smells lingered in the air, making her stomach growl. An image of Draven standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but an apron flitted through her mind. Now that was a sight she could get up early for. Just because she’d never been a morning person didn’t mean she couldn’t change her ways. She giggled at the thought, only to stop herself short. It wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t be there long enough to warrant changing her sleep habits.
Dressed in her comfiest jeans and an oversized shirt, she made her way to the kitchen just in time to see Draven close the lid on a picnic basket.
“Good morning.”
He turned to face her, a huge smile lighting his face and making his eyes crinkle a little at the corners. “Yes, it is a ve
ry good morning,” he agreed.
“Oh? What happened? I’m sorry I missed it.”
Draven closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek. “Nothing. But you’re here. And that makes it an amazing morning in itself. Are you ready for lunch?”
She wanted to bristle at his cheeriness and tell him to point her to the coffee, but her grin broke free at his boyish excitement. “Does it involve fresh bread and bacon?” she asked.
He took her hand and led her to the picnic basket. “And coffee.”
“A man after my own heart,” she said with an exaggerated sigh.
“So, is that a yes?”
“It is. Where are we going?” Cortney asked when Draven took her out through a different door leading toward the back of the building.
“Our private garden. I didn’t get to show you yesterday, and you can’t see it from the turret we were on.” He led her down a long hallway with doors on either side. Most of them were closed, but the few that remained open were unfurnished.
“What are these, bedrooms?”
“Just empty rooms now. Back when the Odyssey lived under one roof, these rooms were designated for the unmated males. The mated couples and families lived in the main part of the castle. After we’ve eaten, I can give you a better tour if you want.”
There was so much history within the castle walls. She’d be crazy not to grab hold of the opportunity and learn more about his people. “I’d like that.”
He took them straight to the end of the hall where an ornate set of wooden doors led to the garden. If she could call it that. She couldn’t have found a more picture perfect garden in a magazine for the rich and famous. Every shrub, every flower, every blade of grass, it seemed, were perfectly manicured.
“It’s beautiful.”
“But?” he asked, the brightness in his eyes dimming a little as he brought her down a winding path leading around some tall, flowering hedges. The pale pink blossoms sweetened the air with their delicate fragrance.
“No, really it’s stunning, but I’m afraid to step on the grass,” she finally admitted.
“Don’t be,” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “A few of the women enjoy gardening, and tend to all this, but it’s a garden to be enjoyed. The kids love playing hide and seek here.”
She could just imagine the squealing laughter of her niece and nephew as they chased each other around the hedges.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you like children?” he asked her as he led her to the center of the garden.
“I do,” she told him as she settled onto a blanket already waiting for them. “My sister has a girl and a boy. I love them to bits.”
“They’ll love it here,” he said as he pulled a thermos from the basket, then proceeded to fill a cup before handing it to her.
She wrapped her fingers around the mug and brought it to her nose. There was just something about the smell of coffee that made every morning a little brighter.
He handed her a small bottle. “Cream for your coffee.”
“Thank you,” she said as she added some to her cup.
He waited until she had taken a sip before pulling out a plate. “The toast is cold by now, but I hope the sandwiches will still be good.” He took the wrap from the plate and sat it between them.
Cortney looked at the sandwiches he’d prepared and up at him again. “How did you know?” She grabbed a piece of her favorite, toasted BLT, and took a bite. Mayo squished out from between toast. Not too much, but enough that she could taste it. She closed her eyes and moaned. So good.
“I wish I could say it was all me, but I’ll admit, I went to Trista for the information.” His cheeks reddened.
She licked a spot of mayo from her bottom lip and smiled. He was trying, she had to give him that. “It was very thoughtful, thank you. I love this. All that’s missing is a big bowl of peas.”
Draven stopped with his hand midway to his mouth as he prepared to take a bite. “Peas?”
She nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I love them. I could eat a whole bowl of them for a meal and be happy.”
His eyes sparkled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”
By the time they were done eating, Draven had her rolling on the blanket she was laughing so hard. The things he’d gotten into as a child would have given her parents a stroke, but then the stakes were a little different when you couldn’t easily die.
She looked up at him from where she lay on the blanket, her laughter dying on her lips. The passion shining in his eyes was enough to melt every stitch of clothing on her body. Her gaze darted to his smiling mouth. He’d taken care of her needs the day before. Twice. He hadn’t, as far as she knew, taken care of his pleasure. She sat, heart racing, and closed the gap between them.
His eyes widened, and he drew a sharp breath before she claimed his lips.
Chapter THIRTEEN
The moment Cortney leaned in and kissed him, Draven was lost. Her sweet lips as she’d smiled at him had teased and tormented him while they’d eaten. He’d wanted to toss the basket aside and devour her instead, but he’d been eager to learn more about his mate. And he was glad that he had. But now that she’d taken the first step and closed the distance between them, he couldn’t get enough.
She moaned and pressed her breasts against him as she angled herself closer. The phoenix surged to the surface, demanding more, but Draven held it back. It wouldn’t get the better of him this time. As hard as it would be to keep the beast in check, he’d do it.
When Cortney pulled away, he wanted to protest and bring her back, but then she looked at him with her gorgeous gray eyes and he released her. Not that he didn’t want to keep her close, but the passion shining back at him had his heart pounding, and his cock throbbing.
“You must be sore down there after all that we did yesterday since you didn’t get to finish.”
His lungs labored for breath. Wherever she was going with this, he was happy to follow. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
She raised her gaze to meet his, the twinkle in her eyes bright. “I’m sure you can handle a lot.”
Cortney sat on her heels and leaned forward, the move making her T-shirt gape at the front, giving him a gorgeous view of her breasts. When he looked at her again, she bit her lip and smiled. “I wonder if you could handle my mouth on your cock?”
Gripping the blanket in his fists, he kept his hands at his sides—barely. “I think I could,” he said in a hoarse whisper. Jesus. She was going to kill him if she started talking dirty to him.
“Let’s test that, shall we?” She leaned closer, gave him a quick peck on the lips, then pulled back far enough that she could grip his T-shirt and yank it up his chest. He took it the rest of the way, pulling it off and tossing it to the grass next to them.
Before he could do or say anything else, she had her fingers on the snap of his jeans and popped it open. He couldn’t hear the rasp of the zipper coming down for the roaring of his blood rushing through him. She slid her hand up his thigh, not hesitating for a second as she found his cock and stroked it through the denim.
Fuck. He wasn’t going to last. He had to get her naked. More than anything, he wanted her writhing beneath him, crying out her pleasure.
“Lift your hips,” she said, her voice soft and breathless.
It took a moment for him to figure out what she wanted, but when she tugged at his jeans, he shoved his ass off the blanket. She wasted no time removing his boxers along with his pants. His cock, hard and so full it ached, sprung to his belly.
She pulled back a little, looking at him with her mouth gaping. “I don’t know if I can fit it in, but I’ll try.”
He groaned and took a shaky breath. “You don’t have to do this,” he told her, though if he didn’t feel some part of her on his cock soon, he’d lose his mind.
She bent lower, keeping her gaze locked with his. “One thing you should know is that I never do anything I don’t want to do.” Sh
e took a long, slow lick around the head of his cock, and he saw stars.
His chest heaved, and his fingers hurt from grasping the blanket so tight, but waves of pure bliss stole through him at her light touch. He opened his eyes, not sure when he’d even closed them, to find her watching him with her tongue poised at the head. She swiped it again before capturing it between her lips, pulling with the sweetest suction. Her tongue flicked over him as she sucked.
Draven brought a hand to her head, winding his fingers in her hair. Not to rush or push her for more, but to ground himself to her as the rest of the world disappeared around them. When she took more of him in and moaned, he couldn’t help but thrust a little deeper into her mouth.
“That feels so good, little bird,” he whispered, his voice gritty with the phoenix so close to the surface. “Too good. I’m the one who is supposed to be giving you orgasms,” he managed to breathe out as she pulled her head back to the tip.
She grinned up at him, her mouth still around his cock then took him in again.
His breath hissed between his teeth. Cortney hummed as she sucked him, making his balls tighten right to the edge between pleasure and pain. Her fingers dug into his thighs, and her soft hair caressed his skin. The deep throb in his cock pulsed harder and faster as she swallowed his shaft, swirling her tongue across the head before dipping over him again.
His muscles trembled with the effort to keep from exploding down her throat. She cupped his balls and stroked them with her thumb. “Fuck, Cortney, I can’t—” He moaned again and thrust helplessly into her mouth.
There was no stopping it, no holding back. Heated pleasure raced down Draven’s spine and up from his toes. With his fingers still tangled in her hair, he cried out as his cock jerked and he came deep in Cortney’s throat. She met his gaze, her eyes half-lidded as she swallowed everything he had to give.
His lungs burned, and his muscles trembled, but he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.