by J L Lawrence
Kate swallowed, feeling out of her league. “I’m new to all this and don’t really understand everything. Xavier says we will be safe here.” She didn’t want to insult the couple, but also wanted them to know she was still suspicious.
Lucia smiled and nodded. “We understand and have been waiting for you for many years. I have known Xander and Xavier for over a hundred years. Joseph grew up with them, but I moved there later. We trained every day and took many classes together before Xavier’s tragedy.” She looked off into the distance.
“We would stay up till all hours of the night, imagining what you would be like and how the Rising would play out. Once Xander’s destiny was revealed at his birth, the Meadows became consumed with the Mystic and the Rising.” At the mentioning of the future battle, her tone saddened.
Joseph stepped behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “After Xavier went into the shadows, and Xander began actively searching for you, we bought this farm and decided to have a few years of peace and quiet. We needed some time from all the talk of battle, but don’t get me wrong. We always intended this to be a safe house and have been setting it up for years. We plan to fight by your side. We swear allegiance to you.”
Kate wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Should we survive,” Joseph continued. “We intend to finally start the family we’ve been hoping for. But we have to help defeat the Omega first, so our children will have many years of peace before facing something so horrendous.” He leaned forward and kissed Lucia on the cheek, then sat down to drink some more tea.
Lucia wiped at her eyes, trying to hold in her emotions. “Forgive me for making a scene, but you being here starts the timetables that have seemed frozen for years. I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and, whatever the future holds, I’m ready. We will hang onto this farm as a vacation home, but I’m excited to return to our true home in the Meadows.” She turned back toward the stove to grab more food, since the guys had already cleared the table ... twice.
Kate finally began to understand the emotional impact of the upcoming war and how many people were placing all their hopes and dreams on her. It was a real wake-up call. She tried desperately to forget that the fate of mankind rested on her shoulders. At least for now. And it could only be her. No one else could save them. If she failed, they all failed.
Thankful once again for her mental compartments, she pushed everything aside and focused back on Xander.
* * *
Xander was finally becoming aware of his surroundings. He felt like someone had ripped him apart and turned him inside out. His head was pounding, but he could feel the pain beginning to ease as Xavier pushed energy inside him. Xander was careful not to accept too much and weaken him further. He could no longer absorb any energy from his surroundings. His time was dwindling fast.
Xavier had chosen Lucia and Joseph for high magical ability and loyalty to the family. Joseph had always been one of Xander’s best friends. He trusted him completely.
He leaned back. Kate’s arm came around him. Her scent invaded him. With time running out, he intended to make some good memories for them here. Maybe one day she would be able to come back here and remember what could have been.
She met his eyes. He leaned back and smiled. She had feelings for him, but he wasn’t sure how strong they were. He glanced toward Gregory and noted that he was making great progress. He knew they needed several hours of sleep to be fully restored. At least he finally felt Kate was safe and well protected for now.
Xander glanced up at Joseph. “Could you take us to our room, so we can let them sleep for a while? I could use a good sleep myself, and Kate is so excited about sleeping in a bed she can barely contain it.” She shoved at him good-naturedly, but nodded her head.
“Of course,” Joseph said. “Follow me. Xavier wants you all deep undercover, so we have set up accommodations in our basement, which has an escape route built in for extra safety. There are a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom.” He paused as Kate and Angie cheered. “I take it you’re excited over the bathroom, too.”
Xander smothered a laugh, watching both of them nod vigorously.
“You better believe it,” Kate said. “Indoor plumbing was the greatest invention ever!”
When Angie saw that the bathroom also had a shower, she squealed in delight.
He guessed they were more than pleased with these accommodations.
Gregory snickered and threw his bag down in one of the rooms. They were all still sleeping in the same area for safety, but at least they had separate rooms this time. Sleep was first and foremost on Xander’s list. He was surprised, but pleased, when Kate chose to room with him instead of Angie.
Maybe her intentions were for safety, or this happened to be the room with its own bathroom. But the sparkle in her eyes led him to believe that maybe she wanted to finish what they had started at the campsite. Once he could actually function again, it was on.
* * *
Kate woke up before anyone else and finally paid attention to her surroundings. Joseph and Lucia had done a great job trying to make them feel at ease. The beds were big and comfortable with fluffy pillows and soft sheets. The walls were a pale blue, the sitting chairs were dark brown leather, and the furniture was all a beautifully polished cherry. There was a door leading outside for increased privacy and training.
She examined the trap door that Joseph had shown her briefly. It led a mile away and had weapons and transportation for a quick getaway. It could only be opened magically. She wouldn’t mind spending some time at this beautiful home, but didn’t want to put her new friends in danger.
Sitting in the nearest armchair to her bed, she watched Xander sleeping. She tried to keep all her emotions at bay, but she could possibly lose everything. Even if she defeated the assassins, made it to the portal, and survived the awakening, there was a high likelihood that she would die fighting this Braxus character in the near future.
Of course, this point was moot if she didn’t transform correctly during the awakening. She couldn’t see how a human body could endure a complete transformation. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, since she’d been born for that destiny.
Death was a high possibility from her point of view.
She sighed and went into the bathroom, which was mostly plain with white walls and pale blue rugs and towels. It didn’t matter, as long as it had hot water and a toilet. She’d never been this thankful for modern plumbing.
As the warm water ran over her face, she felt the tears she’d been holding in for days mix with the water. She’d tried to understand, needed to find her place, but no one deserved this destiny. Including her.
A small selfish part of her wanted to run away and not face her future. But if she didn’t have full confidence in herself, how could she ask others to believe in her or to fight? And this would be a weakness demons would prey upon.
No, she couldn’t allow it. She had to save all the faces rotating through her head. Just like the relentless pursuits of her perps throughout the years. She had to win. She made the promise to herself in the mirror and saw determination take over. She smiled. Somehow, she’d found the way back to herself again. She found purpose. The reflection staring back at her was finally the one she recognized. It was time to embrace her new world, starting with Xander.
With a new mindset, she dressed in a silky robe Lucia had given her and walked out of the bathroom. It was still late, but Xander was awake and sat propped up in the bed. Grasping for courage, she made her way to him. There would be no interruptions tonight. It was time to declare the passion swirling inside them.
Xander met her eyes, and his demeanor shifted. Apparently, she was giving the right signals. His chest moved rapidly, and he quickly shoved the sheets aside to move toward her. She loved him. At least she could finally admit it to herself. She’d fallen head over heels in love with this arrogant and overbearing man in a matter of days. More importantly, she knew he loved her too. He hadn’t said
it, but she could feel it in every touch and glance.
Her eyes met his, and she held him close for several minutes, feeling and accepting the emotions. Xander kissed her softly and then plunged deeper. His tongue stroked across her lips, gaining access. After a few moments lost in each other’s arms, he pulled back a little. Her eyes reflected in his.
He leaned in. “I love you, Kate,” he whispered against her ear. “With everything I am.”
She could see the love in his eyes, and he opened his mind enough so she could feel the depth of his feelings for her. She barely held her tears in check. She’d finally found the person who loved her for all that she was. So, she would put her complete trust in him.
They’d never have lies between them. “I love you too, Xander,” she rasped. “With all that I am.” And for the first time, she opened her mind to him and let him feel her emotions.
* * *
Xander felt humbled and guilty all at once. Part of him knew he should tell her everything. The rest of him refused to lose her. Every minute was precious. The bond between them had become solid. She had given him her full trust, but he would eventually break her heart.
He couldn't speak for the feeling of cotton covering his tongue. He loved her more than anything and would have to find the strength to eventually let her go. He pushed the emotions aside and focused on the beautiful woman in front of him.
After his initial reaction of self-pity, came the salivating and panting. He was truly pathetic. Her robe was barely existent and made entirely of silk. He had always had a weakness for silk. The robe was a radiant white against her tanned skin, and it was glaringly obvious she wore nothing underneath. Good Lord, he was already about to explode, and he hadn't even touched her. Yet.
Her electric blue eyes hypnotized him, and her hips swayed in time to the beat of his heart. Anticipation and longing set his body on fire and had his groin hard again. There should be a limit on how much torture he had endured waiting for this moment. He was desperately trying to hang on to his sanity for a few moments longer. There was one more thing he needed from her for tonight to be complete. In case he didn’t make it to the Meadows, he needed to finish their bond.
Reaching out to pull her into his arms felt like heaven and better than any of his fantasies. Her skin was smooth like silk, and she smelled of strawberries with a light hint of spice. He combed his fingers through her hair and met her eyes with love and determination. He wanted the ultimate commitment from her. "Kate, there's something I need to ask you."
"All right." She nodded encouragingly, giving him her full attention.
"In my world, we don't have traditional weddings like many humans have, or at least that's not all we do. We have a bonding ritual to go beyond the physical into spiritual connections. It's a deep connection that can't be severed until death."
Her forehead crinkled in doubt. "What kind of ritual?"
Fear crept into her voice. This was not the way he had planned for this to go. He decided to jump in and hope for the best. “It's a promise to love each other eternally and have an unbreakable mental link. I’ve heard it also builds stronger attraction over time, so boredom does not become an issue when you’re living for centuries.” He smiled. She rolled her eyes.
“We do this by connecting mentally and spiritually during our climax. It's called the mating of souls among my people. Essentially we mentally and physically accept each other as soul mates, and it creates a special unbreakable bond between the two of us that will work no matter how far we are apart." He didn’t add that it would also transfer all of his abilities and knowledge to her in the event of his death. It would give her an extra power boost for the future.
Taking a deep breath and regretting not being able to tell her everything, he added, "I would like to create this bond with you, to be one with you. I want you to accept me for who I am, while you're still completely human. It's the way our relationship began, and I believe that this is the time for us to make our commitment."
At least that much was truth. It was how they began and quite possibly how they would end. He waited patiently for her answer.
"I love you,” she finally said after what seemed like hours, but was only a few seconds. “And I want to be with you in every way possible. But I also want to understand what I’m agreeing to. You're saying this is a simple ceremony joining us together. No crazy blood rituals, weird soul bonding, life force sharing, or anything else right? I don’t want you to automatically die if I do."
Laughing, Xander pulled her in close. "You read too many books. It's simply making a lifetime commitment including a solid mental link, which we would sort of have anyway since I’m your Guardian. My life is not physically connected to yours if you should die or vice versa. But I want you to choose me to be one true mate on your own. What do you think? Would you be willing to do this?" It was selfish, but he wanted to be with her completely.
* * *
Kate dismissed her initial feeling of fear. Xander was the one for her. He offered total love and acceptance. He was the one person who could see behind all the masks. Her eyes watered as she nodded and smiled. "Yes, I'll bond with you. I already know you’re my soul mate, my heart. There's nothing I want more than to know you're by my side for as long as we both live."
She pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips against his. It started sweet and slow. Then deepened. She’d waited a lifetime to feel this way and to feel her heart soar free. She pushed aside the thought of how much time she had left in her world or his.
The temperature of the room skyrocketed, and Xander’s hands began a slow exploration of her thighs and bottom. She automatically felt the heat pool, and a steady pulse began between her thighs. His tongue delved deeper. His hands moved upward, slowly taking her gown up as he went. She was on fire and wanted the clothes gone. Xander must have read her mind and removed all their clothing with a wave of his hand.
It went from hot to scorching, as bare flesh touched bare flesh. She wanted to take it slow and savor every moment, but also wanted the ultimate connection. His thumb brushed over her nipple, and her core literally spasmed with desire. She ached with tension and pent up need. If someone interrupted them now, she would shoot them dead.
She moaned. His hands began massaging her breasts, then rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. Her muscles clenched with longing, but she wanted more. She wanted to make him lose control.
She began her own exploration, wanting to learn his body like he was learning hers. Starting at his shoulders, she slowly drug her nails down his back and over his buttocks. She reached down and grasped his impressive manhood.
She felt his immediate reaction and heard his swift intake of breath. It was exciting to be driving him as crazy as he was her. Then, he took it up a notch. Lacing his fingers through hers, he held her arms above her head and then did a full out assault on her breasts. Licking, sucking, biting, and making her go wild with pleasure.
She could hardly think. Could hardly breathe, but she still wanted more. She wanted all of him. Grabbing his hair, she pulled him up to meet her in a passion filled kiss. Releasing her hands, he began his descent down her body. Relentlessly he teased and nipped, making his way to her feminine core. She hissed in pleasure as his fingers and mouth worked a magic all their own. A kaleidoscope of colors hit her eyes when she orgasmed the first time.
But he wasn't through. Before long, she’d gone over the edge again. Dear Lord, he’s good.
Arching her hips, she invited him inside. He used his fingers to make sure she was ready and looked deep into her eyes. She lifted her hips even higher, and he slowly entered her. Inch by slow torturous inch. She was on fire, panting. With a deep thrust, he fully encased himself inside her. Tears came into her eyes at the sheer impact of their all-consuming connection.
He began a slow and steady pace, but she needed more. She craved the ultimate connection with him. Once again their eyes met. He leaned in to kiss her. "Don't forget to open your
mind for me," he whispered into her ear, heightening the sensation all the more. She was ready to explode.
She felt like her insides were being torn apart from the pressure escalating inside her. The intensity built up from her toes. As he drove into her again with a powerful thrust, reaching deeper than she thought possible, she screamed from the pleasure.
Using her last moments of sanity, she opened her mind and connected to him. Instantly, emotions overwhelmed her. She could feel his passion, desire, and need for her. She could see the two halves of a whole fitting perfectly together. She couldn’t stop the tears, as she began tipping over the edge. It was more than she could take. They both exploded into orgasms stronger than she’d thought were possible.
Her mind was warped. Wow! Holy crap! Wow! Her body kept buzzing, and she could still feel him inside her. Her body drifted, as if on a cloud, without a worry in the world. Her bones were like jelly. She wasn't entirely sure she'd ever be able to move again, and she didn’t care.
She was addicted now, no doubt there. And knowing his feelings and how much pleasure he’d received was astounding. She wouldn't need any of those fancy therapy books about women on one planet and men on another anymore. She could simply look into his mind and read everything she wanted to know. It was kind of scary knowing he could do the same, unless she invoked her Mystic powers.
He placed feather light kisses all over her face and smiled, as he slowly began moving inside her again. He looked awfully proud of himself and very satisfied. She couldn't help but smirk and nipped at his chin playfully. She gasped as he moved a little deeper inside her, and her body started to react.
He pushed up on his forearms. "Are you okay?"
"I'm wonderful. That was amazing. Did I do the mental thing right? Did we bond correctly?"
"Search my mind and see." He held still and let her explore his mind.
She closed her eyes, trying to push her hormones aside. Connecting with his mind was amazing. It was as if it was hers. She could see his memories, thoughts, and desires. Everything was open.