by Lizzy Ford
Chapter Nine
Yully awoke in a cozy bedroom that smelled of lavender. Light poured in from a large window, and a fan overhead made the curtains flutter.
“Hey.”
She twisted at the sound of Jule’s voice. He sat beside her bed, his large body awkward in the small chair. He wore a snug T-shirt that displayed the roped forearms covered in tattoos. Tattoos peeked from the V-neck of the T-shirt. His dark gaze was steady, his body rippling with the power she couldn’t quite pin down. The flow of energy between them, though, was open and warm. She was safe again.
“Hey,” she replied.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Tired but good.” She looked around again and drew her knees towards her chest. “Where are we?”
“Home,” he said with a slow smile. “Temporary home. Damian’s headquarters is in Texas for now. You’ll find home is wherever we are.” His words warmed her from the inside.
“I like that idea,” she said. She held out a hand to him, and he took it. “My father …”
“We sent his soul back to the immortal world.”
“Good, I think,” she whispered, chewing her lip. “I guess I should feel sad, but I don’t. I still feel angry.”
“You have every right to feel angry,” he replied. “You’re safe now. No one can ever hurt you again.” His gaze flared at his words, and the energy between them pulsed. This time, he wasn’t a fever-riddled man incapable of defending her.
“Something happened to you,” she said.
“I regained a couple things I thought I’d lost.” His look was too intense for her to doubt she was among what he’d discovered. “Do you feel well enough to take a walk?”
Yully cleared her throat and nodded, her face hot.
“I’ll come get you in a minute. Bianca brought you some clothes.” He indicated the neatly folded clothing on the table beside the bed. He kissed her hand and left her alone.
Yully looked around again, uncomfortable in the strange place without him. She wore a soft nightgown and changed into the clothing left for her. The window was open, assuring her it was neither cold nor raining. The jeans, T-shirt, and sandals would suffice. Whoever Bianca was, she’d thought of everything. Next to a small toiletry bag was a brush, hair clip, and scrunchie.
She wasn’t accustomed to anyone taking the time to think of her. Her father sent her to the store for her own things since she was adopted. While she could’ve bought anything and everything she wanted with the handful of money he’d give her, she found even the simple thoughtfulness of a scrunchie touching.
Yully finished readying herself and stepped outside the room. Jule waited patiently, a smile crossing his face as he took her in. He held out a hand, and she hugged him instead of taking it. The warmth of his body made her senses tingle with both need and happiness. While she didn’t quite know where she was, she felt a sense of belonging.
“You can have hugs whenever you want,” he said with a laugh. “And anything else.”
“Just you,” she replied. “Everything else terrifies me right about now.”
“You have nothing to fear, sweetheart,” he said and tilted her chin. Yully met his gaze, utterly relaxed and content with his heat and power moving through her. His thick arms squeezed her closer. “C’mon. Let’s meet your new family.”
Her chest tightened at his words, but she nodded. Jule took her hand and led her through the large log house with its earthy décor. They paused in the doorway of a large library, where a beautiful, petite blonde sat. Yully entered ahead of him and spotted the reclining Guardian dressed all in black in one corner.
“This is Sofi and her bodyguard, Pierre. Sofi is Damian’s mate. She’s also an Oracle, so she comes up with strange, random things sometimes,” Jule said, winking at the small woman.
“Random?” Sofi repeated with a smile. She rose. “Happy to meet you at last, Yully.”
“Welcome,” Pierre called from the other side of the library. “Irish and French share common ancestors. We’ll get along well.”
“I’m actually not Irish,” Yully said. “The accent says otherwise, but I was born in New York.”
“Never mind. You’re on your own,” Pierre replied.
Yully looked at Jule.
“Ignore him. He amuses me,” Sofi said with a smile. “Welcome home. Bianca’s out back. You’ll have some time here with us to adjust before Jule yanks you to Europe.” The Oracle’s gaze sharpened as she looked at Jule.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jule said with a snort.
“Thanks,” Yully murmured, amused to see the tiny woman stand up to someone Jule’s size. He tugged her hand, and she followed him out of the library and through the sprawling house and a large kitchen to the back door.
A shapely woman with curly dark brown hair leaned against the railing of a paddock between the house and a large outer building. The Texas sun was gentle, and Yully enjoyed the light breeze and warmth after the Irish autumn. She shaded her eyes as they crossed to the paddock.
“Bianca!” Jule called. He turned to Yully. “She’s a Healer. She can bring people back from the dead.”
At Bianca’s sunny smile, Yully could see the woman cheerfully helping the injured. The Hispanic woman hopped down from the fence and shielded her eyes to see them as they approached.
“Did you get a horse?” Jule asked, looking at the animal in the paddock.
“Yeah,” Bianca said. “He’s a rescue from a local rancher. He was headed for the dog food factory. Fixed him up, and he’s good as new. We have dogs now, too.”
“I always wanted a dog,” Yully said. “You rescue them, too?”
“Yes.”
“What you’re saying is that you rescue pitiful animals like your mate,” Jule said.
“Jule!” Bianca gave him a disapproving look that quickly melted into a smile. “He was lost when I found him. I think all these Guardian-men are.”
Yully smiled, at ease with the two women she’d met so far. She hadn’t had friends since she was twelve. The idea of spending her days with the reserved Sofi and cheerful Bianca was surprisingly appealing, though she couldn’t help feeling intimidated by their happiness. She didn’t think she was capable of such an emotion after living in fear for so long. Her gaze went up to Jule.
“Dusty around?” Jule asked.
“Probably in the gym with Darian,” Bianca answered. “We’ll see you for dinner, Yully?”
“Yes, of course,” Yully answered.
Jule led her away, and Bianca returned to the railing. Yully looked up at Jule again.
“You ever think we have a lot to learn about each other?” she asked.
“We do,” he confirmed. “But I know what’s most important about you. The rest we can discuss over a lifetime.”
“I like that idea,” she said, surprised to find she did. “I kind of have your soul, don’t I?”
“No kind of about it. You claimed me the first time you touched me,” he said with a smile.
“Okay, good.” She didn’t have to wonder about him as she had her father. She’d never known what would set him off, or what would earn her a blow. Jule was right; she’d learned who he was in the alley, when she’d first touched his soul. He’d never hurt her, ridicule her, or think she was the freak of nature her father called her.
“What’re you thinking about?” he asked.
“I’m glad I tried to turn you into a rock a few days ago,” she replied. “And just as happy I failed.”
Jule winked and opened the door to the gym. Several Guardians used the rows of machines or free weights while a few were gathered around the boxing ring in a corner. She recognized Damian and Darian as they neared and crept closer to Jule at the sight of the strange man with red glowing eyes. Two more men, one she recognized from the cottage, and another with darkly handsome Hispanic features, stood watching two Guardians box.
“Hi Yully.” Darian was the first to spot them. Something had changed with him, too, a
nd she sensed the subtle power that hadn’t been there at the monument.
“You here to kick Darian’s ass again?” Damian asked with an easy smile. She reddened and shook her head.
“This little thing beat you up?” the man with the chiseled features asked.
“And Jule,” Darian pointed out. “She shot him and ran him over.”
“It was a misunderstanding,” she managed, her face hot.
“Jule kicks my ass every time we spar. I’m okay with you running him over,” the man with the cool blue eyes said.
“I was human at the time,” Jule responded. “Yully, you’ve met Damian and Darian. This charmer is my brother, Dusty, Bianca’s mate. Bianca’s sweet and cute, and Dusty’s … Dusty.”
“Everyone likes Bianca,” Darian added. “She doesn’t tell people what to do.”
Dusty eyed the wiry man coolly, and Damian chuckled.
“This is Toni, one of Dusty’s Guardians. And this … thing-- ” Damian indicated the man with red eyes “-- is Charles. He’s one of the Black God’s men, an exchange student, here for a few weeks.” The exchange student was growling at her.
The positive energy around the four men was contagious, and she found herself drawing it in. Unlike the cold rain of her father’s energy, theirs was warm and cheerful, like her bond to Jule.
“Do you always glow?” Darian asked curiously.
“No, sorry.” She pushed their energies away self-consciously at the sudden silence and sets of eyes gazing at her.
“You’re probably tired today, but when you’re ready, you’re welcome to spar with us,” Dusty offered. “Jule says you can fight pretty well.”
“It’s good stress relief,” she replied.
“I need your man for a few minutes,” Damian said. “You’re welcome to stay.”
“We can spar,” Darian said. “I have my honor to regain.”
Yully smiled and shook her head again. “I think I’ll go see Bianca’s horse,” she said, more interested in the animal than being under the intent scrutiny of the Guardians.
“I’ll catch up with you,” Jule promised. He kissed her forehead and released her.
Yully left the gym, feeling as if she’d entered a new world. She drew a deep breath, stilling her nerves, and crossed to the paddock. Bianca was gone, and the horse dozed next to the fence. Curious about the great animal, Yully approached the fence. The horse’s eyes opened, and it lifted its muzzle over the top of the railing. She rubbed its forehead and leaned forward to touch its neck, marveling at how soft its hair was. Absorbed by the horse, she didn’t feel the hair on the back of her neck rise.
“Found you.”
She turned to face the small man and gasped. He looked like her father, only his eyes glowed green where her father’s had been purple. She took a step back, uncertain what the man was but aware her instincts were at a scream.
“The Other had you hidden well,” the man said. “This is the first time I’ve been able to find you.”
“Got him.” The low growl drew her attention behind her, where the red-eyed man materialized beside Damian. She pressed her back to the railing.
“It’ll be the last, Watcher.” The White God’s golden eyes were liquid and swirling as his mate’s had. His power sizzled around him.
“She is too powerful for this realm, Damian,” the green-eyed man said.
“Bullshit. You want to use her as you have the rest of us,” Damian said. He stepped forward and motioned her behind him. “You can have her over my dead body.”
“And mine,” Jule said and materialized with two others. He held out his hand, and Yully went to him.
“And mine,” Dusty said.
“Mine, too,” Darian echoed.
Yully listened, breathless, to the strangers who vowed to protect her from a threat similar to her father. After a lifetime of rejection, she’d found a home with the very people her father warned her against.
“This has been a long time coming, Watcher, but don’t come back,” Damian said.
“And if you come near my mate again, I will show no mercy,” Jule added in a quiet tone that promised action. The Watcher frowned, his gaze going from Damian to Jule.
“So be it,” he said at last. “If this is the path you choose, we will not assist you when the Others come. We will look upon you as enemies.” He disappeared in a wink of light.
Yully’s heart soared higher than she thought was possible. She looked up at Jule, whose features were grim. A couple of them were talking quietly, but she didn’t hear them, instead unable to fathom that anyone would find her life worth protecting after her father hadn’t. Jule squeezed her hand.
Near tears, Yully tugged away from him and ran into the house. She navigated her way to her room before she started crying. She hadn’t cried in years, unless it was out of pain from a particularly bad beating. The tears spilled fast and hot, but they weren’t tears of anger or sorrow.
Jule excused himself quickly from his brothers and trotted after her. He felt her distress through their bond and suspected the Watcher upset her.
“You don’t have to worry, kiri,” he said, pushing the door to her room open. He sat beside her on the bed and wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m not,” she managed. “I’m happy.”
“You don’t look happy.” He laughed. “You look like Charles with those red eyes.”
To his surprise, she pulled away from him and smiled, a brilliant sight that made her eyes sparkle and face glow. Yully wiped her tears and flung her arms around his neck, fluttering hundreds of kisses across his face.
“I have a home,” she whispered. “You really are mine. He can’t hurt us this time.”
“For as long as you want me.” He closed his eyes, enjoying her affection and her emotion.
“I know. I think I’ve always known,” she said and rested her forehead against his. “I think I’ve loved you since I stole your soul.”
“You stole my heart, too, kiri,” he added. “I’ve never met anyone as sweet as you. Nothing bad will ever happen to you again, Yully, I swear this to you.”
“I trust you, Jule.”
Jule cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her deeply. Yully opened herself to him, and he shivered as their souls, then their bodies, met once again.
The War of Gods series
Damian’s Oracle (October 2011)
Damian’s Assassin (November 2011)
Damian’s Immortal (December 2011)
The Grey God (May 2012)
The War of Gods 2011 Holiday Bundle (December 2011)
Also by Lizzy Ford
History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2016)
South (2017)
Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles
Omega Series
Omega
Theta (2016)
Alpha (2017
Non-Series – 2014 & 2015
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
Highlander Enchanted (2015)
The Door
Water Spell (2016)
Dragon Tear (2016)
Lost Vegas Novellas – young adult post apocalyptic
Aveline (2016)
Tiana (2016)
Arthur (2016)
Black Wolf (2016)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)
Super Villainess Chronicles
It’s Not Easy Being Evil (2016)
It’s Complicated (2016)
Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
&nb
sp; Revealed
Escaped
Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope
Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger
Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption
Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2016)
War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God
Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God
Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (2016)
Speak No (2016)
Unnamed Series
Unnatural (2016)
Unmade (2017)
Omega
Omega
Theta (2016)
Alpha (2017)
Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Home (novelette)
Kiera’s Sun
Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter
Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart
Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain
Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World
Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed
Chosen (TBD)
As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)