Malakai (The Stone Society Book 13)
Page 26
“Legend tells of a mighty male. The seventh son of a seventh son. A male blessed by the gods. Strengthened by the elements. One who has the voices of the Sevens who have passed on from this realm to the next guiding him through his journey. A male who is strong. Kind of heart. True to his word. Yet one who is imperfect until he is united with the other half of his soul. When he left the island nearly a century ago, Manaia was that male. He has returned to us with his soul complete. He is no longer Manaia the male. Now, he is Manaia the warrior. Rise, my son. Rise and join your mate as we welcome Josie to our family.”
Gracefully, Kai stood and faced Josie. Ariki took their hands and joined them, placing his on top and below theirs. “Manaia and Joselynn, may the gods bless this union. May the elements never forsake you. May the voices of the Sevens guide you in your journey together, through this life and the next.” Ariki released their hands and pumped his fist into the air with a roar. The other males responded in unison with their own shout. Kai snagged Josie around the waist and kissed her deeply. Hoots and whistles went up all around them. When Kai finally broke the kiss, Ariki called out, “Now we feast.”
Lachlan couldn’t believe what was happening. How…? Shit. He had to fix this, but first… “Carter, would you please give us the room? I’d like to speak to Hunter alone.” Lachlan had one shot to convince Hunter to give them a chance at being together.
“We’re in the middle of watching out for Unholy.”
“There’s been no movement in over two hours. I think you can give me five minutes to talk with my mate.”
“He’s not your mate,” Carter seethed.
“It’s okay, Carter. Lachlan and I do need to talk.” Hunter stared at his brother, and something passed between them.
Carter scrubbed a hand down his face. “Fine. Five minutes.”
Lachlan changed the monitor in front of him to another camera. One which showed the area Carter had been watching. When he turned to his mate, the cold gaze looking back at him didn’t bode well.
“How have you been?” Lachlan asked.
“About as well as one can be whose mate is a traitor sitting behind bars.”
“And I’ve paid for my crimes. Why haven’t you visited? Have you given up on us?” Lachlan hated the neediness in his voice.
“Why would I visit you? The moment I found out who you really are, you became dead to me.”
Lachlan’ heart was breaking. Again. “Then why are you here?”
“Rafael called.”
Of course. Hunter was there to babysit him.
“Please, Hec– Hunter. I’m trying to make amends. I won’t always be stuck in this prison. Then you and I can—”
“Stop. There is no you and I.”
“But we’re mates,” Lachlan whispered.
“No, we aren’t. Not really. We never completed the bond, and too much has happened.”
“But I didn’t do this! I swear on all that’s holy, I swear on our mate bond I had nothing to do with the plane going down.”
Hunter stared at Lachlan. Stared into his eyes for the truth. He shook his head. “I can’t. Lachlan Rokesby, I…” Hunter let out a deep sigh. “I release you.”
“No. No!” Lachlan’s vision blurred. His stomach twisted, and his beast howled. “No, no, no,” he muttered, rocking back and forth. He had to get out of there. Had to get away so he could prove his innocence. If he ever wanted things to be right with Hunter, Lachlan had a lot of work to do. Hunter had his back to Lachlan, and as he grabbed Hunter’s head, he whispered, “Please forgive me.”
His father’s words resonated within Kai. He had been incomplete until he met Josie on the side of the road. When she denied him, his soul had shattered, but when she accepted the bond, she put him back together. Now, he was whole. They were one entity in two bodies, stronger than any couple with the exception of his parents. When Kai was young, his father explained how being the seventh son was different. He told Kai many times how their connection was one written in the stars by the gods eons ago. It would one day be Kai’s turn to explain the legacy to his own seventh son. He would need to follow his father’s example by ensuring the first six never felt less than. Kai’s brothers might have teased him over the years, but they never showed jealousy over his legacy. If anything, they joked and said they were glad it was him and not them.
Malakai knew he was different. He was aware of which element had claimed him. It was one he learned to control early on. It was one his shifter kept guarded because it was too powerful if unleashed. He gazed down at his mate who wore the colors of both his Clan and his element. Colors he couldn’t wait to remove so he could see her lush curves. Touch her skin with his hands and lips.
“You were amazing,” Josie said, caressing his biceps. Her fingers ghosted his skin as she trailed them down his arms. “The way you moved was spellbinding. Powerful.” Kai clasped her hands in his. The need to claim her was great, but the celebration had just begun. There would be plenty of time after eating to take his mate to their island home and continue in private.
“I’ll dance for you anytime, Sunshine.” Kai kissed Josie on the nose before leading her to where his father was waiting in front of the buffet.
When Kai and Josie gathered with the others, Ariki held up his hands, and the crowd quietened. “In Samoan culture, drinking of kava comes before whatever ceremony was being performed, but over the years, I’ve come to find I like doing things my own way.” One of Kai’s great nieces was the taupou, the mixer of the tea. She stepped back, and Ariki grabbed a hollowed-out coconut, then dipped it in the tanoa fai’ava. He held up the coconut and saluted them. “La manuia.” Ariki sipped the kava then passed the bowl to Lani. Kai was next who took his own coconut, sipped, then passed the tea to Josie. After everyone had a chance to taste the drink, Ariki took another sip, and the crowd called out “Malo le soifua.”
Kai’s family wasn’t as strict with Samoan traditions as humans in the area. They didn’t frown on someone standing when they ate. They had regular furniture to go along with traditional cushions to sit on the ground. Since they believed in gods and not God, Sunday wasn’t reserved for church. At least not in their village. The humans who worked for them lived in the other villages, and his parents respected those traditions. Other than ceremonies like the one they had earlier or weddings between the mates, there were no gatherings to worship. Spirituality was a singular activity in his father’s eyes. No one, no matter what deity they worshipped, believed the same thing. How could they? Gods were an unseen entity. Teachings were passed down from one generation to the next, and it was up to the individual to interpret the teachings themselves to be the best person or Gargoyle they could be.
Kai and Josie mingled both together and separately. His Sunshine has taken to his family immediately, and Kai could imagine living there in the future. When they had children, he would make sure to return to the island as often as possible so his sons would know where they came from. And yes, he believed the legacy of having seven sons would continue even though Josie was human. Having Henry and Kili around thrilled Malakai. He wished more of his extended family would move to the States, but he understood why most didn’t. Island life was simple. Laid-back. His family was well-off for Samoans, but their wealth couldn’t compare to that of the Stone Clan. If his relatives knew how much money Kai had amassed over the last century, they’d be amazed. What they wouldn’t do was be jealous or ask him to share. That was something he would do on his own if his father ever needed help. But Ariki was a smart businessman as well as powerful King.
When the celebration began winding down, Malakai found his mate and held out his hands. He pulled Josie to her feet. “I think it’s time to take this celebration back to our home.” Josie’s eyes heated, and instead of tossing her over his shoulder like he wanted, Kai placed his arm around her shoulder and ushered her toward their house.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Shouldn’t we say goodnight?” Josie asked, looking back ov
er her shoulder.
“That’s not necessary. Everyone probably expected us to sneak off well before now,” Kai explained, grinning. Josie’s cheeks pinkened, and Kai chuckled. “With the exception of the younger children, most everyone here has found their mate. They remember what their own ceremony was like.”
When they reached the house, Malakai picked Josie up and carried her through the door. “Why, Mr. Palamo, I didn’t realize you were a romantic.”
Kai waited for Josie’s reaction to seeing the bedroom. Teuila petals covered the bed, and dozens of candles lit the room.
“Oh, my. It’s…” Josie choked back a sob, and Kai set her on her feet. He carefully lifted Josie’s headpiece and placed it atop the tall chest out of the way of flickering flames. One by one, he removed the pins holding her long, dark hair in its pretty do.
“When you entered the ceremony with my parents, you were the most stunning vision I’ve ever seen in over four hundred years. You stole my breath.” When the last pin was removed, he carded his hands through her hair and fluffed it around her shoulders. “It took every ounce of strength I possess not to drag you back here then and there.” Kai twisted a tendril around his finger and brought it to his nose, inhaling. “Your scent is intoxicating. I could drown in it, dying a happy male, but not before we spend the next few hundred years building our life together. I’m ready to create our own legacy. I want to see you round with my child. Most of all, I want to give you everything your heart desires.” Kai pressed their lips together, pouring all the love he held for his mate into her mouth. Josie deepened the kiss, threading her fingers through his short hair. Kai untied the knot holding Josie’s lavalava in place and slid the fabric down her body. Kai followed the material, dropping to his knees. His palms smoothed over her hips, down her thighs. He teased her belly button with his tongue before licking a path downward. Josie sucked in a breath as Kai used his thumbs to separate her wet folds. He flicked her clit with his tongue, and Josie moaned.
“Kai…”
Kai’s dick throbbed, tenting the material covering his lower body. Ignoring his own needs, he feasted on his mate. Drank down her nectar that was sweeter than any fruit he’d tasted. Her scent was heady, and he drew it in. The needy sounds escaping his mate were a siren’s song, calling to his beast, but he didn’t let up until Josie found her release. Only then did Kai stand and untie his lavalava. He had removed the ceremonial gold leaves from his neck and legs earlier, so he now stood before his mate, matching her nakedness. Kai lifted Josie then settled her atop the soft petals of the red flowers. Their sweet aroma mixed with his mate’s essence. He knew in that moment he would never forget the combined smell or the way Josie looked at him as she waited for him to take her. Her eyes were filled with want, need, and love.
Malakai lowered his body to hers and entered her wet heat in one slow move.
“Yes,” Josie husked, sliding her feet up his legs. Her hands found purchase on his shoulders. As he slid in and out, slowly, languorously, Josie arched into him, her nails digging into his skin. He covered her mouth with his, their tongues swirling in sync with the rhythm of their lower bodies. The need to bite her again clawed at him as his orgasm built. Kai leaned back and slid his arms under her thighs, angling her so he could brush his hardness against her clit.
Josie’s hands found her ample breasts and squeezed her nipples, rolling them between her fingers. “Kai, I need… Please…” He could make love to her all night. He would give her everything she needed in that moment because they had a lifetime of lovemaking to do it all again. Kai increased his pace, and when her breath hitched and her inner muscles clamped down on his cock, only then did he allow himself to come. Kai’s fangs dropped and he lowered her legs so he could reach her shoulder, biting into her tender skin. Josie shouted as her orgasm resurged. Kai pumped his seed into her core, their releases mixing together.
He rolled to his back, taking Josie with him. Kai’s dick was still half hard, and it threatened to fully inflate when she rubbed her nipples against his skin.
“I’ve never felt as free as when I’m with you. Being with you is like I’m a different person. You’ve unlocked a part of me I never knew existed. Thank you.”
Kai smiled. How could he not? Pushing Josie’s hair over her shoulders, he simply responded, “You’re welcome.” He didn’t bother cleaning his mate because he planned to get her dirty at least one more time. But he also knew she was human and required sleep. After another round of lovemaking, this time harder and faster, Kai gently wiped away the evidence of their coupling with a warm, damp cloth. Kai turned back the covers, sending the teuila petals fluttering to the floor, then wrapped his sated mate in his arms and held her while she slept. Malakai lay awake all night, relishing the softness of her skin, the cute sounds she made in her sleep, and the way she tightened her arm around his waist. He thanked the gods for giving him this perfect creature to love and cherish.
When he felt the pull of the sun, Kai awakened Josie with kisses to her forehead, her cheeks and eyes. Her kissed nose, then her lips. “Wake up, Sunshine. There’s something I want us to do.”
Drago had become proficient in waiting. In thinking things through. In coming up with a new idea when the last one didn’t go as planned. What he wasn’t used to was his beast fighting against him. Without his sword, he couldn’t go up against another Goyle and expect to win, but that hadn’t been his goal. The text said several of the Stone mates had fled to the little island seeking sanctuary away from him while the males safeguarded the remaining homes against the Unholy. When he and Hagen arrived at the boat dock, Drago had been dismayed at finding the first boat didn’t run until well after sunup, so he came up with a new plan. One which left Hagen on Upolu while Drago made his way alone to Manono.
The flight had been long, giving them time to chat about inconsequential things. Drago learned all about the young man’s life growing up, not much of it good. Hagen had talked about what it was like living under Alistair’s roof, none of it good. Then Hagen spoke of plans for the future, all of which included Drago. They had splurged for first class seats, so they had more privacy than if they’d been sitting economy. Drago’s shifter hearing allowed him to clearly hear Hagen whispering.
They checked into a hotel upon arrival, then Drago took Hagen out to eat. Drago had become accustomed to being around the human, and he enjoyed his company. For a young man, Hagen was bright, insightful, and he would do anything Drago asked of him without question. Anything except get out if the heat became too hot. They hadn’t talked about a future for Hagen should something happen to Drago, but it was always a possibility, so Drago sat Hagen down when they returned to the hotel.
“If something unexpected happens, if I don’t return, I want you to take the money in my account and start a new life.”
“No, Drago. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I came here to the States to work with you, and I won’t accept a life without you in it. You mean too much to me. Not that… I—”
“It’s okay. I know exactly what you mean because I feel the same way. But we both know this is a dangerous game we’re playing. Rafael Stone hasn’t been King for this long because he’s foolish. The male has a Clan full of family at his back. But if something does happen, gods forbid, promise me you’ll take the money and start over somewhere else. Please, Hagen. Let me cross over knowing you’ll go live a good life.”
“This sounds like goodbye,” Hagen whispered.
“I don’t mean for it to, but I’d rather say it just in case.” Drago cupped Hagen’s cheek. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Thank you, Hagen.” Drago pressed his lips to his boy’s forehead, lingering longer than was appropriate between boss and employee, but they were more than that. If nothing else, they were friends.
Under the cover of night, Drago left Hagen in the hotel room and disappeared into the water of the Pacific. He told himself it was nothing more than a reconnaissance mission. He would set eyes on the mates and determin
e what, if any, security they had, and then he would come back later to carry out his mission. Drago phased and launched into the air halfway to the island. Flying high above the four villages, he detected little movement, as most everyone was asleep. That is until he saw two beings cut through the woods down to the beach. His beast sensed one of the figures – the male – was a Goyle. Drago was about to abort and head back to Upolu when the male turned and jogged back into the woods, leaving the female alone. He knew it was a huge risk, but Drago was willing to take it. He dove toward the beach, his target in sight.
“Sunrise is my favorite time of day,” Kai explained to Josie as he led her along the path to the beach. Josie shouldn’t be able to see since it was dark out, but somehow, she could.
“Kai? How can I see in the dark?”
“I didn’t know if it would happen since you’re human, but when a Seven finds his mate, some of his essence transfers.”
“Huh. Will I be able to run fast?”
“I don’t think so, but we can test that out later.”
Josie was still sleepy, but she would never deny her mate anything. Instead of finding clothes, she had wrapped the sarong around herself, knotting it over one shoulder while Kai slipped on a pair of shorts. As they walked through the trees, Josie was overcome with her new extraordinary vision. Sounds were sharper, and the scents? So many different smells swirled through the air like the sweetness of flowers. The dampness of the dirt. The salt wafting in from the ocean. When they reached the water, Josie rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The temperature was probably in the seventies, but the breeze coming off the water was cool.
“Are you cold?” Kai asked.
“Just a little chilly. I’ll be fine.” Josie would endure a little discomfort so Kai could enjoy the sunrise.
“Nonsense. Stay right here, and I’ll run back to the house and get you a blanket.”