by Emma Dean
“You could,” Mika finally said. “I’m not trying to control your life like that.”
“What about here?” Malachi pushed the door open to a room that looked like a study or an office. It had shelves along every wall and around the massive fireplace that was taller than she was.
There was a couch, but most importantly a roomy balcony. Mika nodded, eyes roving over the books on the shelf. The spell had reverted the entire castle to the day Morgana Island had fallen to the Hellfire Society. As if nothing had changed. The spell had even repaired the damage from the battle.
It was like stepping back in time.
“Do you think I’m going to leave because I was with Jessica over the summer?” Malachi asked, pushing the couches until they were against the walls and there was a clear space in the center.
“No.” Mika knelt on the plush carpet and helped him pull out the food and drink in the picnic basket.
Wine and chocolate cake with fresh strawberries from the greenhouse. She smiled and pulled out the plates. A dessert date was probably one of the best dates.
“Then why?”
“You’re not bonded to me, Malachi. I don’t expect you to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with doing, and you should have the freedom to move on if you want to.”
He tossed a stack of wood into the fireplace and set it on fire with a blast of magic before turning to face her. “I want the blood bond, Mika.”
She froze with the knife in her hand just as she was about to cut into the cake. “Excuse me?”
Malachi slipped his hands into his pockets and dropped to his knees before her, so they were nearly eye to eye. She couldn’t breathe as she stared into those dark brown eyes. They glittered with the reflection of the fire and she jumped when she heard the wood pop.
“I want to be bonded to you by blood, Mika, because I’m not going anywhere.”
21
Mika didn’t know what to say or do. All she could do was stare at Malachi as he knelt before her.
What was there even to say at this point?
“Do you love me?” she asked, genuinely curious.
Fuck, the way he looked her up and down, Mika could barely breathe, and it sent a pulse straight down. How he could put so much heat into one look was something she’d never be able to understand, but it made her entire body shiver.
Malachi didn’t answer right away, but Mika felt something strain between them, forcing her toward him almost like a magnet. She crawled over to him, watching the way his eyes widened as she did so. Mika slid her hands up his thighs, and then up and under his shirt.
“I asked you a question,” she murmured, brushing her thumb over his nipple.
He put his hands over hers, stilling them. “You’re distracting me from answering, and I want you to know I mean it.”
She looked up into his dark eyes and licked her lips. “I’m listening.”
The fire crackled and popped and Malachi’s eyes dropped to her lips. “I’ve fallen in love with you twice,” he confessed.
Mika hadn’t been expecting that. Her heart started pounding and she shivered even though she wasn’t cold. “Twice?”
“The first time was right after you joined the dodgeball team,” he murmured, moving his hands so he could slip off his suit jacket. “I’d never seen anyone work as hard as you to overcome their weaknesses. You’re still pretty bad at normal shields, but I loved the way you found creative ways around that weakness.”
Then Malachi started unbuttoning his shirt and her heartbeat sped up even more.
“You were kind and cared about people like Audrey – human born witches and hunters who had nothing to do with high society. I fell for you pretty hard,” he admitted, chuckling as his shirt hit the ground.
Mika couldn’t help herself. She reached out and ran her hands over his smooth chest, admiring the hard planes of muscle, the abs that were so cut they looked like they couldn’t possibly be real, but her fingers told her otherwise.
“I was so in love with you that when my father came for me, I knew I would never do what he wanted. I only stayed to try and find out everything I could about his operation. If I could keep you safe…that was all that mattered.” Malachi reached out and placed his hands on her hips, yanking her forward until she was pressed against him.
Her breath left her body when she felt just how hard he was against her, the bulge pressing against her center. Mika’s hands went to his belt, but Malachi bent down and kissed her, grabbing her wrists and wrapped her arms around his neck instead.
His lips were soft and warm. She sighed into him, opening her mouth to invite him in. Then his tongue slid inside, and she sucked on it. Mika shivered again when he groaned into her mouth, the deep timbre of it thrumming through her to make her clit pulse.
Mika pressed her thighs together to try and ease some of the ache. She tightened her grip on him and it took everything she had not to grind against his dick.
“So, after that you fell out of love with me?” she teased, trying to distract herself from the ache between her legs.
His shoulders were broad and the skin smooth. Mika ran her fingertips over them lightly as she waited for his answer.
Malachi brought up a hand and trailed one finger from her ear, down her jaw, and then down her throat. “No, I didn’t. It was just…” He trailed off as his eyes followed the path of his finger downward, tracing the curve of her breast.
Every nerve in her body flared to life and Mika felt goosebumps rise as his finger dipped below the fabric of her dress.
“We were both different people after that summer,” Malachi murmured, tugging the fabric down.
He licked his lips when her breast fell out, nipple peaked. His thumb rubbed around her nipple as he spoke, and she forced herself to focus on his words despite the sensation.
“I still loved the girl you were, but I fell in love with the person you became too. You’re strong and resourceful and I have to admit, you’ve got a mean streak that makes my dick harder than a rock.”
Mika reached down and gripped him through his pants, closing her eyes as she processed his words, his touch, and just how wet she was.
“You’re definitely not as innocent as you used to be,” she said, voice embarrassingly husky. “I never know what to expect from you. Every time you move, I can see the barely restrained violence.”
Malachi gripped the back of her neck roughly, tilting her chin with his thumb to kiss her softly. “It seems you have a type.”
Before she could say anything, he spun her around and hiked up her dress. One hand held her throat, holding her against him, his hard dick against her ass, but Malachi didn’t take her just yet. He murmured against the back of her neck and Mika gasped when her underwear disappeared.
His knee shoved between her legs and Malachi forced them apart, his hand gripping her thigh hard. She shivered as he breathed hard, his breath sending chills down her spine. “Now, I’m curious. Do you love me?”
She was so wet and achy Mika was breathing just as hard as he was, her chest rising and falling as all she could do was hold on. “Of course I love you, you idiot.”
“But you don’t want to be blood bonded to me.” Malachi dragged his hand upward, painfully slow.
“I never said that.” Mika gasped when he slid his fingers over her wet center to rest gently on her clit, as if waiting for a better answer. “The blood bond is permanent,” she whispered, arching her neck to ease some of the strain from his grip. “You just agreed to be my boyfriend. This bond would be far more than that.”
Then his hand started moving as if he liked her answer. He circled her clit, using her own slickness as lubricant. Mika moaned, leaning back against him as her legs started to shake.
“Good,” he murmured, keeping his rhythm slow and torturous. “Labels can be overly complicated anyway.”
Her hand gripped the wrist holding her throat and the one she had on his thigh held on tight. It was all she could do to keep her
nails from piercing his skin. Her teeth sharpened as the pleasure built slowly and Mika licked her lips, closing her eyes to fight the urge to mark him.
It was a strange part of who she was now, but Mika was far more connected to whatever wildness the Morrigan was ever since she’d been given the ability to shift. It was like she could feel the controlled chaos of the universe and how it pushed and pulled nature, how despite its seeming randomity everything still had a purpose.
“So, will you give me that blood bond?” Malachi asked, speeding up slightly as she shook in his arms.
“If you still want it tomorrow, then I’ll think about it,” she managed, right on the edge. Mika ran her tongue over her teeth and hissed when she forgot how sharp they were. Blood filled her mouth and she barely even noticed.
All she could think about was his hand on her, the way his hard length pressed against her back, and how badly she wanted him inside her.
“Malachi,” she whispered, careful of the pressure she used on him. “Malachi, please.”
“Please what?” he murmured against her ear, voice deep and husky. It sent shivers down her spine and Mika gritted her teeth. “Tell me what you want.”
She shook her head and held on, taking what he was willing to give her even though it was slowly driving her mad.
“What are you so afraid of?” Malachi slid two fingers inside her, and she nearly screamed, holding onto him for dear life as her entire body clenched around him.
“I’m afraid to hurt you.” Mika trembled, right on the edge, ready to beg when his hand went completely still.
“I’m not as fragile as you think.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and then released her completely. “And I’m going to prove it to you.”
Malachi turned her around and gripped her wrists hard enough her bones ground together before placing her hands on his neck. Then he released her.
“What are you doing?” Mika’s hands shook. She was terrified a simple slip up could accidentally kill him – she was afraid that she would do exactly what Audrey had mentioned and get tired and hurt those she loved most.
He grinned down at her and undid his belt, sliding his pants off his hips until his cock was free of the fabric. Malachi bent slightly and gripped her thighs, lifting her up and on top of him so that she was right against his hard length.
Right there for the taking.
When one of his hands slid under her dress to slide over her folds, her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Then he pressed the head of his cock against her entrance. “Take me,” he teased. “Do your worst. I won’t break.”
Mika searched his eyes, trying to figure out if he actually had a death wish, or if he was trying to prove to her that she didn’t have to be careful all the time.
“I’m still getting used to the new powers and strength. After a while…I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
They weren’t weak, none of them were. They were all powerful witches or shifters with training, and they had each other. Even with her new powers it would be difficult to hurt them if they didn’t want her to.
Emily had already proved that to her.
She wrapped her arms tighter around Malachi’s neck, bringing her closer to him so now she was the one looking down at him. Without a word she lowered herself on top of him slowly, watching his face change inch by inch until his hands were fisted in her dress.
The sensation of him inside of her was exquisite. Mika held on tight as she got used to him, breathing hard.
“I love you,” she murmured, tracing the perfect line of his eyebrow.
Malachi gripped her hips through the dress and rocked her against him. “Then give me the blood bond. I want it, I want you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you Mika. Nothing.”
He pulsed inside of her and she closed her eyes, gritting her teeth against the emotions, against the physical feeling of him.
“Nothing,” he repeated, guiding her so she slowly rode him.
She ground against him, staring into his eyes as the moved together, as if this moment would never end. “Nothing?”
“Do you want me to prove it?” he gritted out, jerking her against him hard. “Just say the word.”
Mika knew Malachi would kill for her, die for her if she asked it of him. He would lay down his life for any one of the others blood bonded to her, and everything he’d become somehow revolved around her – around what he could do for her.
“Why?” She stopped moving, trying to understand before she gave in to his request.
Mika ran her hands over his hair, enjoying the way it felt against her skin, admiring every perfect line of his face, his lips, the sharp line of his jaw, and the rich darkness of his skin that always looked flawless.
“Tell me why, and I’ll agree.”
Malachi buried his face in her neck and breathed her in, his entire body shaking as he held back, arms wrapped around her tight. “You’re the only one who sees me for exactly who I am, who I was, and you still don’t hate me. You know what I’ve done, and you’ve never once looked at me like I’m a monster.”
She held on tight, knowing exactly how he felt. It was one of her biggest fears—that one day they’d see everything the Morrigan had turned her into and hate it.
“You haven’t even asked me about the shadow realm, even though I know you wonder.” Malachi took a deep breath and when he let it out it was nearly a growl.
Before she knew it, he flipped her around and Mika was on all fours. He lifted up her dress and slid inside, going so deep she couldn’t have held in the groan even if she’d tried. Malachi stroked in and out, making her lose her damn mind as the sensation took over every thought and feeling.
It was exquisite in every way.
Malachi gripped her hair and yanked her up, so she was up against him, his dick hitting different places like this. When his other hand started stroking her clit as he took her, she screamed as she was finally sent over that edge, shaking and shivering. Mika felt like her legs were going to collapse underneath her as the orgasm went on and on.
“I fucking love you, and I’ll make myself into anything you want me to be if that means you’ll stay with me,” Malachi growled. “But the best part is? I know I don’t have to.”
He slammed into her from behind and she moaned, feeling the aftershocks rippling through her like they’d never end.
Malachi took what he wanted from her, what he needed, and Mika knew she’d give him everything just to feel this connection for the rest of her life.
The noise he made when he came, Mika felt another rush of pleasure, quivering as if the first orgasm never really ended, only amplified by his.
Malachi fell backward, bringing her with him.
She laughed and rolled to the side, every limb shaking.
Mika climbed on top of him and rested her head on his chest, relaxing to the rhythm of his breathing. She traced a pattern over his heart and smiled down at him.
“Okay.”
“Okay what?” he demanded, raising an eyebrow at her.
Malachi was gorgeous and the fire flickered across his skin like it was worshipping him.
“Okay, I’ll give you the blood bond.”
He sat up so quickly she nearly fell, but his strong arms wrapped around her. Malachi looked down, searching her expression for a lie. “Really?”
She reached up and traced his bottom lip. “Really.”
“You don’t…want to ask me anything else?”
Mika shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. If you want to tell me you will, but I don’t really care. It won’t change how I feel about you.”
He hugged her then, as if he’d been secretly afraid she would reject him. “Right now?”
“Right now?” she laughed, pushing him away playfully. “Impatient?”
“Very.” He kissed her then.
It silenced every thought as she felt everything he felt through that kiss – in the way he held her close.
Mika pulled back and h
eld his gaze as she placed her wrist against her mouth and bit down hard enough to draw enough blood for the ritual. Then she took his offered hand and did the same to him.
When she gave her wrist to Malachi – his face was something to see. She could practically see every thought go through his head as he placed his mouth over the welling blood.
With her blood in his mouth, he said the words of the ritual as if he’d memorized them months ago and had been waiting to use them. Mika said the words with him, feeling her heart flip as she thought about the permanence.
But there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her boys, for the men who’d sworn themselves to her. Without them she didn’t know what she would do. Mika wasn’t strong enough to live a life without them.
The blood bond snapped into place and settled deep into her marrow like it had always belonged there, right alongside the others.
“Mika, you’re everything to me,” Malachi murmured, kissing her. “And always will be.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.” Mika held on to him tight, wishing she could stop time.
Sometimes Mika wished she could be someone else, someone without all these responsibilities and power. She just wanted to live a normal life with the people she cared about, but maybe they could – after they prevented an apocalypse or two.
“You still have to pick a room,” he told her, scooping her into his arms.
Mika always forgot how big he was, and she smiled, enjoying the feel of him surrounding her.
“Are we staying the night here?” she asked, trailing her finger down his arm.
Malachi stood, lifting her up until they were both standing. He set her down and then zipped up his pants with a grin that made her blood boil with need all over again. “I fully plan on having you again, but I’d rather do it somewhere a little more…comfortable.”
“All right, but only if you help me pick one.” Mika couldn’t look away when he put his shirt and jacket back on but left them open so she could admire him. “Preferably soon, I don’t want to wander the castle for hours.”