“You know I don’t-” I began.
“I heard what you said when we were falling from the helicopter,” he muttered. “I know how much you love him. The savage.”
I frowned, unsure what he wanted me to say to that. His fingers slid through the length of my hair and he sighed.
“You can have your divorce.”
“What?” I stared at him, unable to believe what he’d just said.
“I want you to be happy,” he said. “And I have to accept that that won’t be with me.”
My mouth fell open in surprise and I could only stare at him. That was it? No argument, no screaming or refusing... I hadn’t even had to ask this time.
“You deserve to be happy too,” I said, catching his hand as he removed it from my hair. “You just need to follow this more.” I placed his hand above his unbeating heart and he smiled faintly as I released him.
“Well I suppose I can try.”
Callie came to fetch us from the truck and I headed into the beautiful house with the others, taking in the wooden staircase and the scent of flowers in the air. It felt like walking into a peaceful dream.
“Chickoa said there's rooms for everyone upstairs,” Callie said. “She's gone to fetch us some food.”
I smiled at her, relief spilling through me that we'd discovered this sanctuary. I knew we had to face our task soon and find our way to the holy mountain, but for now we had time to rest, recuperate and ready ourselves for that journey.
“I'm pooped,” Miles announced, taking Warren's hand with a dramatic yawn. “Wanna head up to bed?” The glint in his eyes told me he had no intention of sleeping.
Warren nodded with a wicked grin, following him from the room.
Fabian was sitting on the couch, his skin bloody after his ex-fiancee had shot him. I was glad she'd come round to the idea of us staying here anyway, but wondered how far her hospitality would extend if she wanted Fabian gone soon.
Julius dropped down into an armchair with a heavy sigh. “Oh...that's so good. That hard truck bench was killing my ass.”
Clarice chuckled as she headed to the chair beside his. He eyed her curiously as she fought her grin away.
“I want a shower so bad, but I don't think I can move till I've eaten,” Julius said, leaning back in his seat. He reached over the space between him and Clarice, tapping the back of her hand. “You're covered in blood.”
“I know,” she said as his fingers brushed across her skin for half a second longer before he pulled back.
Julius cleared his throat. “And you stink so maybe you should go wash,” he added harshly and she frowned at him, turning away.
“I could do with a shower,” I said longingly, backing up toward the door.
“Go nuts,” Fabian commented. “I'm sure my adoring ex-fiancee won't mind.”
I released a snort of amusement, heading out of the room and jogging upstairs to a landing where the light of dawn was spilling through a large skylight. I eyed the golden patch of light curiously then thrust my hand into it. I smiled as the sunlight did nothing but caress my skin with its warm glow. I stepped fully into it, gazing up at the golden hue with a sigh of relief. If the prophecy couldn't be broken then at least this wasn't lost to me forever.
I headed down the hallway, the wooden flooring leading me to rows of rooms. I followed it, opening the doors as I went as I hunted for a bathroom. I finally found one, stepping into the room decorated with green tiles and making a path for the shower.
Chickoa had provided us with fresh clothes and I soon sat with Fabian, Julius and Clarice in the living room, all of us washed and changed. The men wore jeans and checkered shirts from a collection of items that must have belonged to Chickoa's late husband. Julius had nearly busted out of the red one he'd been given so he'd opted to wear a tight-fitting t-shirt underneath it and left the button-down open.
Me, Callie and Clarice had been given long, flowing dresses to wear in varying shades of green and blue. My sister had headed outside to find Chickoa and I was tempted to go after her but I wanted to have a drink while she wasn't here.
I made my way into the country-style kitchen, opening the refrigerator and finding it packed with blood. I took a bottle, drinking the contents quickly before disposing of it in the trash. It was getting easier to do without the wave of guilt that followed, but that didn't mean I liked it any more than usual.
One day, I'll be free of this damn curse.
I scratched the rune on my palm as I headed back into the living room, an itch growing in it that was driving me to madness. I rubbed my hand harder and Fabian turned to look at me.
“What's up?” he asked.
“This mark...it's been acting strange since Callie left and the ring stopped blocking it.”
“I could go and find her if it’s bothering you?” he asked hopefully and I realised his love for her had returned too.
“No,” I replied quickly and his face dropped with disappointment. “I mean, it’s sunny out anyway so you can’t. Besides, I’m sure she’ll be back soon and I won’t have to worry about the mark again for a while.”
“Maybe something's going on with Erik?” Fabian suggested.
I frowned, hoping it didn't mean he was in trouble. Or perhaps it was the opposite...
Julius had fallen asleep in his chair, his mouth hanging open as he snored softly.
“I think I'll go for a walk,” I said and Fabian and Clarice gave me curious looks. “I can walk in the sun,” I revealed, giving them a guilty look.
“Oh I'm so jealous.” Clarice flopped back in her seat with a sigh. “What I'd give to feel it again.”
“Maybe you will soon,” I said hopefully and she gave me an encouraging smile.
“Go have fun,” she urged and I nodded, heading out of the room into the hallway.
As I reached the front door the rumble of a distant engine sent anxiety darting through me. I pulled the door open, gazing up at the track leading out of the farm, fearing the Biters had found us. An armoured truck appeared, spewing up dust as it raced toward the house at high speed.
I stilled, about to call for the others when the horn started blaring over and over again. Biters wouldn't be trying to get our attention...
The rune on my palm burned like a fire had been lit in my hand. My mouth parted and suddenly I knew with all my heart that Erik was in that truck.
“Holy shit!” I cried to alert the others, stilling on the porch as fear raced through me.
The beeping continued and the driver's window rolled down. Erik stuck his head out, yelling, “Rebel!” at the top of his lungs.
My mouth parted and my fear extinguished in an instant. He was him. He wasn't under Valentina's spell anymore.
I sprinted down from the porch and charged up the dusty track, my heart feeling like it was about to combust. Tears poured from my eyes, whipped from my skin as the wind beat against me.
“Erik!” I screamed.
The truck skidded to a halt before me and the driver's door flew open. Erik’s scent washed over me and I rushed past the door before he could get out, throwing myself inside. He caught me with a cry of desperation, one of his legs hanging out of the truck as I forced him back into his seat. He crashed into Magnar beside him and the slayer laughed in surprise.
I gazed at Erik's face for one long second, soaking in the truth that he was really him. His eyes were locked on mine with so much love it felt like a tidal wave rolling between us. I squealed my delight and crushed my lips to his, clawing at his naked chest as I tried to get closer.
Magnar cleared his throat and I lifted my head with a musical laugh.
“Where's Callie?” he demanded, opening the side door.
“She went for a walk,” I said, shaking my head as I didn't have anything better to offer him.
“I'll find her,” Magnar growled, stepping out of the truck.
I spotted Julius speeding up the dirt road toward him while Clarice and Fabian stood in the shadows of the p
orch, staring up at the truck with hope.
“Brother!” Magnar fell on Julius in the fiercest hug I'd ever witnessed.
Erik cupped my cheek, turning me back to face him as another giggle escaped my throat. “You're not angry with me?” he asked.
“How could I be angry?” Tears clouded my vision, dropping down onto his skin.
He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear with a faint frown. “Valentina made me do terrible things...I hurt you. I'm so sorry.”
I pressed my mouth to his to quiet his worries, his tongue meeting mine and sparking an aching desire in me. I pushed our bodies together despite our awkward arrangement and he seized my waist, releasing a throaty laugh against my mouth.
I leant back, grinning at him, wishing I could keep him to myself a while longer. But his siblings deserved to see him too. I sprang from the cab, taking his hand and yanking him after me. I immediately realised my mistake as he winced from the light of the sun and dark veins circled around his eyes.
“Oh sorry,” I gasped but he shook his head.
“It's fine,” he croaked. “It's not far.” His hand wrapped around mind and we ran back to the house as quickly as we could.
Magnar and Julius were talking in low tones, their hands on each other's shoulders as they reunited.
Erik hurried up into the shade of the porch with a sigh and Clarice threw herself at him, wrapping her whole body around him. He laughed as he held her close and Fabian joined their embrace, sliding his arms around them both.
My heart grew lighter and lighter until I was sure it would float right out of my body.
“How are you here?” Clarice asked as she released him and backed up a little.
“The necklace stopped working.” Erik shrugged and he turned to find me again, catching my hand and tugging me to his side.
“Odin,” I breathed, eyeing him excitedly. “We asked Odin for help.”
Erik clawed a hand through his hair, absorbing that news. “Well thank fuck you did.” He crushed me into another hug, resting his chin on my head and I breathed in the mellow scent of his chest. My skin burned with need and I brushed my fingers up his spine as I bathed in the solid presence of him. My heart, my obsession, my everything. I was whole again. And nothing could break us now.
“How did you find us?” Fabian asked, smiling wider than I'd ever seen him smile.
Erik released me with one arm, turning his palm over to reveal the mark of partnership. “It guided me to Montana.”
“That's why my mark's been feeling strange,” I said in realisation. “It was you heading this way.”
Erik's mouth curved up into a crooked smile as he nodded. “What is this place?” He glanced over his shoulder at the farm.
“Chickoa's home,” Fabian answered and Erik's brows raised.
“She actually let you stay here?” he asked in disbelief.
“For now anyway,” Fabian grumbled.
“Is Valentina…?” Clarice started hopefully and my stomach fluttered with hope.
“She’s still alive unfortunately,” Erik growled.
I sighed, but didn’t want to let the fact sully my mood. I had my husband back and that was more than I could have wished for when the sun had risen this morning.
“Why don't you go inside, Erik?” Clarice offered, throwing me a look. “I'm sure you guys have a lot of catching up to do.”
Erik laughed. “Not very subtle, Clarice.”
He towed me inside and I was more than happy to follow.
He kicked the door shut and tugged me sharply toward him. He seized me like a wolf hungering for blood, his mouth possessing mine. My legs grew weak as I buckled against him, a moan escaping my lips as his tongue pushed into my mouth. His lips were rough and demanding, his grip on me so firm I didn’t think I’d ever escape his arms. And I didn’t want to.
The first time I’d ever kissed Erik it had felt like taking a bite of the forbidden fruit. He had been so off limits and not just because he was a Count. Because he had represented everything in my life that was dark. But perhaps there'd always been a little darkness in me too, drawn to that same part of him like a magnet.
Now it seemed we had met in the middle, the blackened past he held somehow fading before the light our love had created. It was beautiful, powerful and I wanted to remain basking in it forever.
That first kiss had held a promise of all the kisses that would follow. And he was fulfilling them now over and over again, his mouth running from the corner of my lips to my jaw, my neck, my ear. I was unravelling like a ball of twine, delighting in his needy touch.
His hand slid between us to caress my breast and I pulled away with an airy laugh.
I pointed to the staircase, biting into my lower lip. “My bedroom?” I offered and he nodded eagerly, his eyes scraping over me with an intensity that made my bones tremble.
We hurried upstairs and the air grew thick between us. My body started to ache with how much I wanted him. It was like he was gravity, pulling me toward him with an inescapable force.
I took the lead, jogging along as I pushed the door open to the room I'd claimed as my own. I paused in the doorway, barring his way with a teasing smile. “The bathroom's that way, if you wanna have a wash.”
“I had a dip in a lake on my way here,” he said, inching closer with a wolfish grin.
“How savage of you,” I teased, placing my hands on either side of the doorway.
“Well I was keeping the company of a savage so maybe he rubbed off on me.” He moved into my personal space, almost touching me but not quite.
I pouted mockingly. “Poor Magnar.”
“Poor me more like, you're driving me crazy. Let me in,” he begged and a laugh burst from my lips.
I ran a finger down his chest, hooking it into his waistband. A dark thought slid into my mind and I released my hold on it, glancing up at him. “Did Valentina...” My throat constricted so sharply I couldn't get the words out. Had she violated my husband? An image of them together sprang into my head and anger coursed through my veins.
“No,” he said softly, his mirth falling away. “But she made me kiss her,” he sighed heavily, the pain of him revealing it glowing in his gaze.
A steely determination filled the place of my anger and I lifted a hand to grip his chin. “I want you to forget all about her.” I tip-toed up, brushing my lips over his and he fell entirely still as I trailed my mouth to his ear. “You don't belong to her.”
He nodded, winding an arm around my waist to draw me flush against him. “I belong to you,” he breathed and light flickered and danced inside me.
He hounded forward and I moved backwards, letting him guide my feet. He shoved the door closed and it banged loudly, sending a quake right down to my toes.
I didn't need my heart to work to tell me how anxious, how hungry, how desperate I was for him. He was my pulse, the thundering beat of my existence. Every step he took was blood coursing through my veins, every touch was the tug and pull of my heartstrings. We'd created life between our undead flesh, and so long as we were together I would always be truly alive.
The backs of my legs hit the bed and I caught Erik in a fervent kiss once more. He grinned against my mouth, pressing me back. “Slow down. I want to enjoy every minute of this. I'm going to imprint it on the inside of my skull so if anyone tries to steal my love for you again, it will be there staring right back at me.”
“You're going to etch a lot of filthy things into your head, Mr Belvedere,” I said, cocking an eyebrow.
He laughed in a rumbling tone that sent a quiver through me. “Is that a problem, Rebel?”
“No, Master,” I forced my expression into innocence and he chewed on his lower lip.
“Don’t call me that.” He frowned.
“Why?” I whispered.
He lowered to his knees, his eyes captivating me as he skated his fingers across my calves. His touch sent fire coursing through my body. My thighs pressed together as I squirmed with desire
.
“What are you doing?” I asked shyly.
“I will only ever kneel willingly for one woman,” he said, his eyes adoring as he gazed at me.
“And who is she?” I teased and he smiled broadly.
“She's moonlight embodied, she's every star in my own personal sky. She's fierce and protective of those she loves and even those she doesn't. She gave her life for me and she stayed at my side when I didn't deserve it.”
Heat flooded through my chest and dripped down into the pit of my belly. My legs could barely hold me up as I stared down at this powerful man who bowed to me.
He continued on with a feral glint in his iron eyes, “She doesn't bend to the will of gods, or the might of a king. She's a girl from Realm G, a girl who shattered the walls I'd built around my heart and taught me how to love again. She is remarkable...and she is you.” He took my hand, placing a chaste kiss on the back of it.
“Erik,” I gasped, blinking away tears.
“I’m not your master,” he growled in a deep tone that almost restarted my heart. “If anything, you’re mine.”
I shook my head, brushing my tongue across my fangs. “We’re equals,” I breathed.
He rose to his feet, taking hold of the hem of my dress as he did so and tugging it up. I lifted my arms as he guided it over my head and tossed it to the floor.
I slid my hands around his neck, staring into his eyes, needing him to know how much I admired him, how much I cherished him. “Whether we break the curse or not, I want whatever future waits for us. Human or undead. It doesn't matter so long as I have you.”
He snared my waist and his fingers ran over my skin in slow, teasing strokes. His hips dug into me and his hardness pressed into my stomach, making his desire clear. My thighs clamped tighter together as I longed to feel him inside me.
“Turn around,” he instructed and I released a slow breath as I complied. His palm glided up my spine and my back arched in response. As his mouth brushed my skin, I gasped at the delightful sensation, shutting my eyes as I relished the graze of his fangs across my shoulder blades. He tore away the strap of my bra with his teeth and the garment fell loose around my breasts. I shrugged out of it, letting it fall to the floor as he reached around to caress me.
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