by Dawn Ibanez
Ryan’s eyes flashed green for a moment. He came around the island and stole a kiss from her. “If she dresses you, I hold no promises for that dress. Or our making it to the party to begin with.” His tongue entered her mouth when she parted her lips to protest. He easily lifted her from her chair and turned so she could sit on the island. “I should tell her to go back to her own hell and leave us alone,” he said.
Kalina touched the sides of his face. She shook her head. “We need to keep her close. Neither of us know what she’s fishing for. And if she’s here to spy for Faust, then we can feed her crap and have the upper hand.”
Ryan smiled. “I didn’t think you had a devious bone in your body, Miss. Benton.”
The smiled that started to cross her face fell. “It appears I have to grow one,” she said as she started to play with his hair. “I still don’t think I’m strong enough for this.”
Ryan reached up and massaged her shoulders. “We aren’t going to make our move for a little while. We have some time.”
“What’s going to happen if he forces our hand?”
Ryan shook his head and kissed her again. “We’ll figure it out,” he told her. “But we can’t do that with her out there waiting for us.”
He moved away from her, and Kalina felt a chill. She hopped down from the island and grabbed one of the trays. “Then let’s go deal with the queen,” she said before leaving from the kitchen.
CHAPTER 18
Elena finished her drink and wiped at the sides of her mouth. “Dinner was delicious, thank you,” she said.
Kalina smiled as she looked at Ryan. He had insisted on grilling the food, and she let him. Everything had been seasoned to perfection. But there was something else on her mind besides dinner. “Elena, what is Faust up to?”
Elena looked out to the ocean and sighed. “This is all a game to him. He wants power. You’re an easy way to get it.”
Kalina brought her drink up to her lips and took a sip. She didn’t want anyone to know what Lucifer told her. She knew Faust would try to drain her dry of magic the instant he had the chance. Kalina just had to make sure she never gave him the opportunity.
“I don’t like the idea of a debutante ball. She’ll be out in the open for whoever is trying to hurt her,” Ryan said.
Elena frowned as she looked at him. “You brought that specific problem to her door. It’s really on you to figure out. And if Faust wants everyone to meet his daughter, that is his prerogative. In my opinion, it would be best for everyone involved for Kalina to enter our world introduced as the big dog’s daughter, and not just the goblin’s flavor of the moment.”
Kalina sighed as she turned to face Elena fully. When she looked at the former queen, she noticed how the woman’s back straightened. “I know you work for Faust. I also know you were a revered ruler when you had your kingdom. But right now, you are in my home. I will no longer tolerate people calling Ryan the goblin. I don’t care how much it was done in the past.”
Elena kept her eyes locked with Kalina’s for a moment longer. She then smiled and nodded her head once. “It appears our little witchling is growing a set of claws.”
Ryan made a noise of agreement before standing and going to the grill again. “She’s always had claws.” When he returned, he carried two bottles of beer. He placed one in front of Elena and opened the other for himself. “She’s just been every selective on who gets to see them.”
Elena smiled as she looked at Kalina with new interest. “Hide your dangerous side until the last moment. No one will see you coming.” She waved her hand over the table and a tablet appeared. “For tomorrow, you’ll want to wear something like this. It will compliment your figure and enhance your best features.” On the tablet, a design appeared on a pencil drawing of Kalina’s body.
Kalina looked at the garment and frowned. It was a body-hugging dress with a plunging neckline and backline. It was also dark red. “That dress isn’t me,” she said, shaking her head.
Elena rolled her eyes and the dress on the tablet changed. This time it was a bubble gum pink monstrosity constructed of tulle. “Is this more you?” she asked.
Ryan frowned. “Now you’re just being mean.” He waved his hand over the tablet and a dark magenta colored gown appeared. It was floor length with a split in the front of the skirt, but the top draped over her breasts to show off a decent amount of cleavage without being tasteless. But like the first dress, there was no back. Kalina sighed as the idea of wearing a formal gown soured on her. “You know what, tell him to cancel the whole thing. I’m not ready to be all dressed up and paraded around.”
Elena frowned as the tablet vanished. “That’s not how this is supposed to work, Kalina.”
Ryan took her hand and caressed her knuckles. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m not a show pony. I don’t really care who will be there.” She stood and moved away from the table. “He can keep his unveiling for all I care.”
Ryan stood and went to her side. “Everything will be fine, Kalina,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. “No one is going to parade you anywhere.”
Elena joined the pair and made Kalina stare into her eyes. After a long moment, Elena frowned. “You and Shae have a lot in common. It’s a shame that she broke before anyone could strengthen her.” She glanced at Ryan before taking a step closer. “This is one of his games. Don’t let him win.”
Kalina shook her head. “I don’t want to be in some tug of war for the rest of my life.”
Again, Elena’s eyes turned to Ryan. “You aren’t his opponent,” she said softly. Elena stepped back and waved her hands. The tent and chairs she created in the distance on the beach vanished. “Thank you both for your hospitality,” she said. A small smile crossed her face. “I actually had an entertaining time. Maybe we can do it again.”
Kalina’s mind was turning over what Elena said. As the other woman opened her own portal to leave, Kalina looked at Ryan. “I’m not his opponent,” she said lowly.
Ryan shook his head. His lips turned down in a frown. “No. Unfortunately, he’s just using you as a pawn.”
“Then that means I’m either a pawn in his game against Lucifer or his game against you.”
“Odds are good either way.”
Kalina frowned as she waved her hand. The dishes on the table vanished. “I was hoping that wasn’t the case.” She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his head on her shoulder. “I’m tired of the games.”
“This is how the world operates. You’re either a player or a pawn.”
Kalina tangled her fingers with his. “I hate being a pawn.”
Ryan turned her around. “Then become a player.”
The confidence he had in her was endearing. She traced her fingers along the neck of his throat. “If only it were that simple.” Before he could argue with her, she kissed him. She didn’t want to argue with him. She didn’t want to think about what was waiting for them the next day. Kalina just wanted to be with him. “Let’s go inside,” she whispered against his lips.
Ryan pulled away from her and smirked. “Do you trust me?” he asked. When a portal behind him opened, Kalina saw the glint in his eyes.
She stepped closer to him. “Yes.” A high-pitched squeak escaped her as he swept her up into his arms. Kalina wrapped her arms around his neck and gasped as the world beyond the portal came into view. “Ryan.”
“This was the first place I called home,” he said as he sat her feet down. “This one spot has stood the test of time and will always be mine.”
The walls of the cavern were covered in various crystals. Each seemed to be a light source of its own, making the cave appear to have a night sky. Kalina heard the sound of flowing water nearby and pulled away from him. She inhaled as she wandered deeper into the cavern to find an underwater pool. “This is beautiful.”
“I come here when I get stressed.” He went to the edge of the water and his clothes disappeared. As he stepped into the water,
it lit up in various colors.
Kalina dropped to her knees, her attention focused on the water. “What the hell was that?”
He laughed. “Bio-luminescence. Science trumps magic here.” The mocking smile he wore the day they met crossed his face. “Touch it, I dare you.”
Kalina rolled her eyes before carefully sticking her finger in the water. The water around her finger started to glow in a soft neon teal. “I think my hair was this color.”
Ryan approached her. “It was. Bringing you here was all I could think about when I first saw it.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck as she sat on the edge of the pool. “Why wait until now?” She let him open her legs and move between them.
He shrugged. “Because no woman wants her first date to be in a cave. No matter how luxurious.”
Kalina closed her eyes as he started placing opened mouth kisses on her neck. “And you wanted me to try and relax.”
He pulled her off the edge and swam to the center of the pool. “I wanted to share something with you that I haven’t shared with anyone else.”
Kalina looked at him and pushed his hair away from his face. In the time they were together, Ryan always made an effort to make her feel special. She would be the first to say their relationship was complicated, but they were still learning each other. Kalina leaned her forehead against his. “I don’t think I deserve you,” she told him.
He kissed her nose, then her lips and chin. “I know I don’t deserve you. But don’t think I’ll give you up just because of that.”
Kalina kissed him. She tilted her head to the side and opened her mouth. As their tongues mated, they sank under the water. Before she could panic, Ryan had her back at the edge of the pool. Her swimsuit was gone as he trailed kisses down her cleavage and stomach. Kalina raised her head and watched as he lifted one leg to his shoulder and sank deeper into the water. She felt her face warm as she bit her bottom lip. “So lovely, Love.”
She reached down and touched his hand. “Why do guys always say that?” she asked. She knew she was rambling, but with him, she couldn’t stop herself. “I mean, it’s just flesh and tissue. It’s nothing really to write home… Oh God.”
Ryan chuckled as he licked her. Kalina released his hand and transferred her hold to his hair. The air filled with desperate whispers as he tasted her. Kalina’s hips shifted and moved with him. When two fingers entered her, Kalina let out a whine. “Ryan.”
He pulled her into the water with him. His body kept her pinned to the rocks behind her as he entered her. Kalina cried out as he moved inside of her. She held on to him as every thrust made her forget her worries. With Ryan, it was just them, and together, they could be unstoppable. She looked into his eyes again. They were bright green and vertical again.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and moved against his body. In the morning, she would be sore and tired. But a night with him was worth it. Kalina gasped as his thrust sped up.
His hands were all over her body. She clawed at his back as passion overwhelmed her. Moments later, Ryan’s own cries of pleasure joined hers. Kalina buried her face in the crook of his neck as she felt his member pulsing inside of her. As he rubbed her back, Kalina held onto him.
Ryan pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I will never let you be a pawn,” he whispered against her skin.
Kalina knew if she looked at him, she would break down in tears. She was being held so tenderly, she couldn’t help but realize she found the kind of relationship the Harts had.
She just didn’t know if she could trust him not to break the heart he stole.
CHAPTER 19
“You look fine. There’s no need for you to worry.”
Kalina examined her reflection. She turned her hair teal to match her dress. The floor length gown covered her breasts with panels of fabric that twisted and wrapped around her body. The skirt itself was full with a high slit. The only thing missing were pockets.
Carly bit into an apple as she walked around her friend. “Really, Kalina, you’re gorgeous. Even if you turned your hair back to normal right now, you’d still be the hottest thing there.”
Kalina turned her back to the mirror to check a different angle. “He’s up to something. And I don’t want to be caught off guard.”
“I hate to say it, but it’s gonna happen.” She went to the lounge chair in the corner and sat. “Faust is the type to have so many cards, that you never know which one he’s going to play. The only thing you can control is how you react.”
The thought wasn’t comforting, but Carly was right. Kalina waved her hand over her head and watched her hair color change to the deep magenta everyone favored. “This doesn’t look so bad. It’s not as matchy as the teal hair.”
Carly ate her apple as Kalina checked her earrings and bangles one last time. “Stop it,” the blonde said.
Kalina turned to her friend and took a step back when she appeared in front of her. “I don’t want to do this.” Kalina would have been more entertained if she and Carly hung out watching tv, or if she and Ryan never returned from the grotto. She took another step from the mirror. “How could he do something like this?”
“Because powerful beings forget about the lives they’re destroying with their whims. And as much as we try to ignore it, Faust is powerful.” Carly went to the bed and picked up the matching clutch to Kalina’s dress. “And right now, you’re a shiny new toy. Keep your head and don’t let him break you.”
Kalina sighed as she took the purse from her. “Are you sure you can’t come?”
Carly shook her head. “Death dealers and demons don’t mix well. It’s best for everyone that we stay away.”
“Those that consider themselves immortal don’t like being reminded of their mortality,” Ryan said.
Kalina turned to the room door and inhaled. Ryan stood there in an all-black suit. She looked at Carly and laughed when her friend whistled.
“You clean up good, Gold.” Carly walked over to him and reached up to his slicked back hair. She messed his hair up and stepped back to look at him. “That’s better. Perfect hair usually means you’re the villain of the story.”
Ryan shook his head. “I’m not a hero.” He went to Kalina’s side and held his hand out to her. “You look exquisite.” When she placed her hand in his, he kissed her knuckles.
Carly chuckled as she watched them pair. “I’m so glad Mom and Dad aren’t here,” she said. “They’d be going all prom night on you. Posed pictures and everything.”
Kalina rolled her eyes. “Don’t bring that up. Please,” she pleaded. She saw the question on Ryan’s face and shook her head. “Prom night was nothing short of horrifying,” she said.
“That’s because my parents were so over protective of her. Dad rented the limo and drove us himself. They were already used to my date, so it was nothing to him. But when shy little Kalina said she was going with one of the most popular guys at school, my parents had to know everything.”
Thinking back on it, Kalina had the sinking feeling the Harts did more than just demand to know what she knew about Charlie Sommers. They probably followed him around the entire year they dated.
Kalina put her arms around one of Ryan’s. “Can we get this over with?”
Carly smiled as she hugged Kalina. “If you need me, call. I’ll be there in no time. Demons or not.”
Kalina nodded. When Carly vanished, she turned to Ryan. “I like you better in jeans and a tee-shirt,” she said.
He smiled as he opened a portal. “I saw how you looked at me,” he said. He leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “No, you don’t.”
She felt her face warm. “Ego, Mr. Gold.”
Again, he chuckled as he led her through the portal. “Welcome to Prague, Miss Benton.”
Her eyes widened. With every place Ryan had taken her, every place was more grandiose than the last. Kalina stepped closer to him and held his hand. They stood in a courtyard where the architecture glowed with a gol
d highlight. “Impressive,” she whispered.
He leaned over to her ear. “It’s more impressive in the winter. The snow turns the beautiful landscape into breathtaking.”
Ryan guided her forward and frowned when he saw Jasper at the door. “I didn’t think you would show.”
Jasper smiled and nodded to Kalina. “I didn’t want to miss our dear Kalina’s debut.” He held out his hand for a moment. When she didn’t take it, he shrugged and put his hand in his pocket. “You look lovely.”
She still hadn’t forgiven him for his advances the last time she saw him. “Thank you.” She looked him over. The tuxedo he wore wasn’t out of place. But Carly’s words came back to her as she took in his slicked back hair. “You look nice as well. Do you know where I can find Faust?”
The smile that started to spread across his face fell. He gestured to the large estate. “He’s probably in the grand room. Follow the music. You’ll find him.”
Kalina nodded and moved past him. She held on to Ryan’s hand and ignored his laughter. As the entered the estate, Kalina heard soft music being played. “I really don’t like him.”
“I couldn’t tell,” Ryan said as he stepped in front of her. When she stopped and looked at him, he touched her chin. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to make an enemy out of him if you continue.”
“I don’t care. I won’t let him treat me like a piece of meat.”
Ryan smiled at her. “That’s my girl,” he whispered. “We spoke about your name. Are you ready?” When she nodded, he kissed her hand again. He stepped back and took her to a pair of large doors. Two large guards stepped in their path. Ryan stepped to Kalina’s side. “Mistress Kalina Faust is here to see her father.”
The two guards looked at her and Kalina felt like she was under a microscope. She inhaled as she met both guards’ gazes. “Is there a problem?” she asked.
They both shook their heads and stepped back. They knocked on the doors behind them and spoke quietly with someone on the other side. The doors opened in time with the crescendo of the song being played, and Kalina adjusted her hold on her clutch. She stepped forward and nodded at the guards. As she stepped into the ballroom, she saw Faust sitting across the room.