by Eden Ashley
Her hands shook with need as she fumbled with the clasps of his chest armor. Finally, the leather plate dropped to the floor. There. Now she could reach all of him. She kissed his neck and shoulders, slid her hands across his skin, found new scars and pressed her lips to each of them. Her mouth moved to his chest and stomach, licking his sweat, tasting the battle from which he’d returned. His quickened breath urged her onward. Smiling against his flesh, Kalista dropped slowly to her knees and let her lips trace every inch of him as she went down. Moments later, he was panting and gasping. Tugging both hands through her hair, he found her shoulders and pulled her up, lifting her off both feet as if she weighed as little as a feather. Quivering touches kneaded her skin. Fingers that could bend iron dug into her hips, turning and lifting her buttocks as he pushed her to face the wall. Then the full length of his body pressed against hers, muscles hardened by training and fighting molding into her softness. There was a sharp pinch, more pleasure than pain, as his teeth bit her neck. She parted her legs willingly, gasped as he slid between her thighs and moved inside of her. Clenching and unclenching spasmodically, her hands scratched the walls. Her stomach tightened. Her back arched and she shoved backward, pushing him deeper. Kalista moved with him, biting his hand to mask the scream that burned in her throat. They mated with the same raw passion twice more and then made love, but their cries never rose above a whisper because their beautiful son still slept in the next room.
#
Freshly bathed, they lounged on a mattress of furs in the outer chamber. Rhane’s eyes were half closed. Kalista knew him still drunk with the taste of her, and could only guess at the depth of his exhaustion. He’d returned from mission only hours before, but she loved these moments between them. In darkness breached merely by candlelight and with permeating silence, she could pretend the outside world didn’t exist. That it was only her and Rhane, and no one else mattered. She rested her head against his shoulder, wishing they could stay in each other’s arms forever. Wishing she didn’t have to lie.
“Why were you afraid?”
The sound of his voice startled her but didn’t release her from dark thoughts. Because the devil sleeps here. “I’m always afraid when you’re gone.”
“You shouldn’t be. You and Rhaven are safe. Jehsi watches over you.”
“I know he does.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
“They do not fear him as they fear you.”
Rhane shifted, sitting up to see her face. His green eyes were nearly black in the dim lighting, making him look dangerous and wild. The Warekin were a superstitious people. By law, Rhane should have never seen a second day of life. He had been born with eyes the color of Glowing Stone, a substance deadly to the kin and their enemies. It was the worst of omens. Most of the kin, even the Primes, were frightened by Rhane’s appearance and his power. Kalista had feared him only once. It was when he’d first washed ashore on Crozet, the island of her sisters. In a fight that should have been to the death, he had spared her life and healed her wounds. And since that day, she had loved him.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing you don’t know. Your people have never accepted me or our child. They think he is an abomination.”
Half of a smile crossed Rhane’s face. “The poor youngling has a couple of freaks for parents. The immortal bane wolf as a sire…” He tugged gently at a spiraled tendril of her hair. “And a mother who is the most beautiful, stunning creature this world has never seen before. It leaves poor Rhaven at a severe disadvantage, to have inherited such a bloodline.”
Kalista thumped his ear lightly. “I don’t know what a freak is, but it sounds terrible. Never call our son that.”
Rhane chuckled. “It’s a word I acquired when I left home. A freak is simply an aberration, that which should not have existed in the natural world.” He paused thoughtfully. “In the world of humans, we are all freaks.”
He was still smiling, his eyes full of laughter. There was no doubt the laughter was for her. Kalista didn’t care. She kissed him. Whenever the odd indentation appeared in his cheek, she couldn’t stop herself. The kiss deepened. His hand drifted to her breast, cupping it as his thumb circled her skin. She sighed with longing when he eased away.
His eyes were pulsing as they locked onto hers. “I must leave again in within the next fortnight. There is word of an attack planned on our northern borders.”
“I’d wager you haven’t slept in as long.” She kissed him again, long and slow. He groaned, tangling one hand through her hair while the other stroked her back. She tried to pull away. He needed to rest.
Rhane didn’t allow it. “More,” he whispered.
Submitting to the lust, she rolled on top of him, nibbling at his shoulder and his neck, purring when his fingers burrowed into her backside. “Is there no one else to lead them? These royals sit on their haughty asses while you fight their wars.”
“Kalista, you know it is not their place in battle.”
“So why is it yours?” She spoke into his ear before she kissed it, running her fingers through his dark, silky hair. “The same royal blood flows through your veins.”
“I am not the same as them. I have been given a great weapon that must be used to destroy our enemies.”
“Then you should probably start within this mountain,” she muttered.
“Kalista, you shouldn’t—”
“I know.” She sighed and straddled him, frowning as she ran her fingers over his left side. The entire ribcage was blackened and swollen. He didn’t flinch, but the corners of his eyes tightened with pain. It was one of her husband’s few tells. “Why has this not healed?”
“Gareth and Flynn’s oldest sons were severely injured. I used my strength to heal them.”
“You’re right. You are not like them.” She stared down at him, and the words just slipped out. “I’m glad to have loved you.”
Rhane tilted his head. “You said loved.”
“And?” She bent down, pressing her lips to his stomach to avoid his eyes.
“You spoke as if it were in the past.”
My love, it is because I will betray you soon. Her insides began to hurt as that awful, terrible feeling came roaring back. “Rhane, I’m right here.” She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and forced a smile to her lips. “Silly warlord, close your eyes and rest. I fear the battle still rings in your ears.”
With no further argument, the very tired warlord kissed her. Then he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 25
Kali’s world was on fire. Trees, grass, shrubbery—it all burned. A large doe sailed through the sky, fur coated in flames. White belly. White tail. Orange blaze. Gasping at the terrible sight, Kali got a lungful of ash and burst into a fit of coughs. Her eyes stung, tear ducts working overtime to keep the smoke and drying heat at bay. She had to get out. But Kali couldn’t run because she couldn’t feel her legs. Actually, she couldn’t feel any of her body.
I’m going to die here.
She screamed for help. No answer came. What happened? How did I get here? A million questions battled for answers she didn’t possess. She was certain it was the end.
Wait.
It’s fire. I can control fire.
She lifted her head. Attempting to raise her hand, she swore in frustration when it didn’t move. She tried reaching out with her mind. A fire had started in Rhane’s living room without her even thinking about it. Maybe more concentration could accomplish the opposite.
Seconds ticked by like hours of useless effort, and the fire only grew thicker. A nearby tree exploded, sending chunks of bark and fiery embers catapulting toward her. She turned her face away and closed her eyes. Where the debris hit stung like a hundred ants biting her scalp. Gritting her teeth, Kali bit back a sob. It wasn’t working. She couldn’t stop the fire. She had to move.
Pouring every brain cell into her right leg, Kali willed the appendage to move. Something close by crackled and broke
apart, overwhelmed with heat. She didn’t look. Escape was her only focus. Finally, there! Her big toe…it wiggled.
For some reason, the foot was bare. She didn’t remember losing her shoes. But she remembered a lot more now. The car accident. The fight with Gabriel. And Rhaven. She would never again forget him. He was gone, but his father was still here. Kali vowed to never let anything ever hurt Rhane again. And if she died, it would hurt him. So she couldn’t let that happen.
Move!
Her leg turned, bringing with it her hip and torso. Smiling with triumph, Kali rolled onto her stomach. Her body was back. Tingly and shaky, but it was back.
I am not going to die here.
She started to crawl.
#
“You can’t go in there.”
Rhane shrugged away the restraining hand. “Kalista is in there.”
“The fact that Ian sent us here means we should proceed with extreme caution.”
“York, the entire freaking forest is on fire. There’s no time for caution.”
“She’s a siren. By default she is fireproof.” York stepped in front of Rhane to try and force him to listen. “But you—this can hurt you.”
“I know.” Rhane shook his head. “But I have to. Something about this is different. Don’t try to stop me again.”
York backed off. He knew it was hopeless. There was no way in hell he could keep his friend from charging into the burning forest.
Rhane looked at him and then back at the tree line. “I’ll get her out. But don’t any of you dare go into that. That’s an order if you need it to be.”
York nodded. “Understood.”
#
Breathing was a problem. The smoke was thick and hot enough to burn Kali’s lungs each time she inhaled. She leaned against the closest tree, dizzy from the carbon monoxide infused air supply. Choosing a direction that had a sixty percent chance of not being the route she’d just come, she staggered on in search of a way out of the inferno. There was no way to know how much time had passed or how far she’d walked. Her movements were sluggish, and it was hard to see two feet in front of her. She started to get worried. Just keep moving, she told herself. Just keep moving.
Then something big and furry brushed against her leg. And Kali could’ve cried with relief.
Without looking, she knew it was Bailen. Somehow the animal had found her—just as he always did. She took hold of his fur, and an unusual thing happened. Like a burst of fireworks, colors of grey and bright blue erupted before her eyes. She let go. Bailen whined, turned around to nudge her. Kali could have sworn there was a question in his eyes. She didn’t move. The canine nudged her again. At his urging, she reached out timidly. As soon as she touched him, the spark reappeared, lighting up brighter than anything before it. Feeding had been the furthest thing from Kali’s mind. She hadn’t summoned the spark, but there it was, almost as if Bailen himself were showing it to her. Everything suddenly went black, leaving only grey and blue in her world. And then even that dimmed. She was slipping away.
She used Bailen’s spark like a compass to anchor her place in reality. His spirit was a breath of fresh air, making her stronger. The smoke didn’t matter anymore. Her legs were steady again. Her wheezing stopped.
“Thanks,” she panted. “Now get us out of here.”
Bailen took off at a gallop. She did her best to keep a firm hold of the canine’s scruff because the falling ash still blinded her sight. They had only run a short distance when Bailen stopped dead in his tracks. A low whine ended in a menacing growl that vibrated through his shoulders. Kali squinted, but her weaker eyes couldn’t see what Bailen saw. Then a form took shape in the smog, darting across her peripheral. She spun around.
The hooded figure stood behind her, a motionless shadow camouflaged by ashen darkness. She backed away but had taken only two steps when she bumped into a tree. Her hands reflexively flew out to brace herself but instead of rough bark, Kali’s fingers fell against softer material. A chill slid through her blood. She was afraid to look but did anyway.
Demon was the only word to describe the creature. There was no way the thing was human. Two soulless portals stared at her from vertical slits in a tarnished mask. Emitting a succession of low-pitched clicks, it reached out for Kali. She screamed. Fire flew from her hands as she raised them to shield herself. The grey blaze surrounded the creature. It screeched. Kali ran, but movement straight ahead stopped her from going any further. There were more of them. Many more.
Shadows darted in and out of the thick smoke. Others were still. All waited to attack. Snarling like a mad dog, Bailen turned in circles, challenging the threat from every direction. But there were far too many for him to face alone. And Kali couldn’t count on herself to be of much help. She hadn’t mastered her skills as a human torch. She’d been stupidly preoccupied with learning to breathe underwater.
Maybe these things are like Tyrannosaurus Rex. If we don’t move, they can’t see us.
Wrong. One of the shadows rushed forward. Its eerie mask and the claws extending from the creature’s gloved hands were a terrifying sight. The shrill screech became louder and louder as it charged. Covering her ears, Kali ducked. Hoping to live to see another day was her only thought as she squeezed her eyes shut and braced for talons to dig into her flesh. But the awful noise abruptly ended and the pain never came.
Opening her eyes she saw a severed head next to her. Kali bit back a scream, pushed to her knees and looked up. Rhane. He was the center of a whirlwind of bloody chaos. And he was fighting for their lives. For every demon he cut down, two more appeared. Body parts flew in all directions while something like oil pooled darkly at his feet. Her hand slipped in the substance and came away wet and sticky. It was blood. Feeling dizzy, Kali groaned.
The ground fell away as she was abruptly jerked to her feet. Rhane was shouting. But she couldn’t make out the words. He took her hand, the one covered in demon blood, and wiped it across his shirt. He looked very angry. He also looked very worried. And he was still shouting.
“Kalista!” His voice finally penetrated her soundless mind. “You have to run.”
Shoving her backward with one hand, Rhane raised Bellefuron in an upward sweep, splitting a charging creature in half. Then he grabbed her, dragging her forward as he ran.
Kali did all she could to keep up, but staying on her feet was getting harder by the second. She stared down and focused on putting one in front of the other. She couldn’t fall. Falling would make things a lot harder for Rhane or get them killed. Just as she found the rhythm of their balls-out pace, Rhane’s foot swept underneath her legs in a flash of movement. Kali went down roughly. Beyond the spotted blackness that threatened to overtake her vision, she saw Rhane shoving his elbow into the throat of a creature that was almost on top of her. His sword came up a second later, piercing its abdomen through and through. Two more descended from above in a shrieking, writhing downpour. Their claws had nearly reached Rhane’s exposed back when he whirled, using downward momentum to pummel one of them into the ground. Bellefuron flashed and the other’s head went flying. Then Rhane buried the silver blade deep into the first creature’s chest. Barely a second passed and he was tugging Kali up again, but more gently this time.
The fall must’ve helped to clear her head. She could see things more plainly. It was more smoke and thick ash, but at least things were no longer so blurry. The fire had not reached where Rhane led them. Here the undergrowth was much thicker and the trees more closely spaced. Each breath became easier. Kali couldn’t hear the awful shrieking anymore, but from the way Rhane maintained the pace, she knew the demons were still close.
Finally, Rhane stopped. He whistled sharp and loud before turning to her. For the first time, Kali could see him clearly. Blood was everywhere. His clothing, face, and hair…all of it was covered in the inhumanly dark substance. She wondered how many of them he had killed to reach her and how many more would have to die to make escape possible.
He pulled her close, briefly burrowing his face into her curls. She could feel his smile against her skin. “I’d kiss you, but I’m pretty sure I’m a mess right now.”
She allowed herself to enjoy the relief of having him there. “Get us out of here and then kiss me all you want.”
Rhane pulled away. His face was grim. Kali’s stomach clenched. “We can’t outrun them.”
“You mean I can’t outrun them.” She swallowed. “I’m slowing you down, aren’t I?”
His smile returned. “No. You are what I live for.” He slid his thumb across her cheek. “Bailen will lead the rest of the way. When he signals you’re safe, I’ll be right behind you.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise. Now go.”
When she hesitated even at Bailen’s insistent whine, Rhane urged her forward. But as she started to walk away, he swept her hair over her shoulder and pressed his warm lips against the back of her neck. Kali closed her eyes and grabbed his hand that still rested on her shoulder.
“I’ll see you soon,” he whispered.
Chapter 26
Really hoping he wasn’t going to have to break his promise, Rhane cut down yet another rogue and swore inwardly when three more filled its position. His skin was burning, set afire by toxins in rogue blood. Their poison also caused nausea, weakness, and confusion, but the exceptional healing factor that came with being Banewolf’s vessel kept those symptoms mostly at bay. Mostly. Rhane was slowly being overwhelmed.
Several minutes before, Bailen had signaled he and Kali were with the others. She was safe. Next came the part where Rhane got his self out of this burning hell and over the ridge where the others waited. But he couldn’t see an escape route that wouldn’t lead the horde of rogues, exactly the danger he’d sent her away from, right back to Kalista.
As things stood, there were far too many in the forest. If he took them over the ridge, it would be highly unlikely that he, York, and Rion could defeat such vastly numbered opponents spread out over a large area. Orrin had proven himself a tremendous asset in battle, but wouldn’t be able to join this fight because the young kin’s overwhelmingly protective instincts would make it impossible for him to leave Kalista’s side. Forming a defensive circle around her wasn’t a feasible tactic. If something got through… Rhane closed his eyes at the thought.
