Pillar of Light (The Lost Princess Book 1)

by A. Mashburn

  “Scar, please don’t cry. It hurts worse than my back does; I can’t stand to see it.”

  Her eyes steeled instantly and her spine straightened, “I’m not crying; I’m fucking pissed. I’m so Goddess damned mad right now, the only way for me to relieve it is to let a few tears escape. But believe me when I say, I will repay this favor one day,” she vowed, her hardened stare never wavering from his face.

  She is fierce, brave, and so fucking foolish, Jade thought. Yet, his heart swelled with pride and he squeezed her thigh, giving her a small, crooked smile. “No more tears, Scar.” Her eyes softened at his words and she tipped her head in acknowledgment as if a silent agreement had been made and she got back to work.

  Once she was finished, she helped him to his feet. “The bandages have—”

  “Coconut oil,” he finished for her. “I know,” he grinned.

  She eyed him intently. “Okay, big guy; let’s walk it off.” She smiled at him as he straightened his back and knew how badly it hurt him. Yet, his strength and resilience were two things she had always admired about him. He was the exact opposite of his brother in stature as well as spirit. They walked step for step in sync, shoulder to shoulder in case he needed her aid. She knew he wouldn’t and if he did, she was going to go back and kill that fucking hybrid.

  We will avenge what we claim as ours or we will not have earned our name, her wolf whispered in her mind. We are the Priestess of the Night and we will have our pound of flesh.

  The words of her wolf eased the knot in her stomach, for she knew that the things her wolf said and saw always came to pass—Thank you, Koko Meda, I love you.

  And I, you, fierce warrior, she then retreated to the dark recesses of Scarlett’s mind.

  As they approached Jade’s cobblestone cottage, she unlocked the door. He followed behind her.

  “Go lay down; I will make dinner,” she ordered, pointing towards his room.

  “Your bedside manner is atrocious, you know. You’re quite rude,” Jade grumbled but lumbered in the direction she pointed anyways.

  She stared after him for a moment, making sure he made it without needing assistance. As she heard him groan, then settle, she got to work making dinner. Once she was finished, she carried the tray of steak, potatoes and carrots to the bed where she found him lying on his side, brows furrowed with sweat beaded across his forehead.

  “Oh, you foolish male, why didn’t you ask for help.” He grumbled some kind of response incoherently and she assisted him in sitting upright so he could eat. “Take this; it’s a pain killer.” She held her hand out palm up with the tablet in the middle.

  He eyed the large pill like it was an evil assassin sent there to take him out and shook his head. “I don’t need it.”

  She set his plate on the bed side table and pointed a finger at him. “If you don’t take this damn pill, I will shove it down your throat, Jade; it’s not an option. You heal best in your sleep and this will help you.”

  He grumbled and peered at the food she made. He looked up at her with a shocked expression on his face, “You cut up my meat?”

  She appeared a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze, “Well, the sawing motion wouldn’t have done your back any favors. Don’t think too hard about it or you might hurt yourself.”

  He grinned at her and held his hand out for the pill. She looked at him and broke it in half before handing him the two halves. Somehow, she knew it just as sure as she knew her name that he couldn’t take a massive pill like that. She couldn’t name the expression that he had on his face at that moment, but it made her feel shifty, so she walked out of the room to get her plate. They ate in silence until it was time to clear the dishes.

  “I’m going to clean up. Do you need help getting ready for bed?”

  “Nah, I just sleep in my briefs; I’m good.”

  After she did the few dishes, she changed in the bathroom into something appropriate to sleep in. She found one of her sports bras and a pair of work out shorts she left there in case she needed a quick change of clothes and figured that would do for the night. Once she was all set and ready for bed, she walked to the room to find Jade sitting in his boxer briefs, staring at the pillow with his brows furrowed as though he was thinking altogether too hard about how to do this without hurting himself. A light throaty laugh escaped her and he turned to look at her in shock.

  “What, did you think I was going to leave you? Alpha’s orders, remember? I am to stay with you until you’re all better. I’ll sleep over here in case you need anything.” She pointed to the oversized recliner in the corner. “Do you need some help?” she asked as he stared at her for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. The pill must be kicking in, she thought; he’s never this agreeable.

  She leaned over him and held his body to hers so that he could shift his weight. A groan escaped his lips; when she tried to pull back, arms like iron wrapped around her lithe body and dragged her to the bed with him.

  “Jade—” she screeched. “You’re going to hurt yourself—”

  “Dunnae care,” he huffed, smelling her hair. “Stay,” he said, as his strong arms maneuvered her to where she was flush against his chest. Her head at his heart, breasts to his washboard abs and stomach to his. He’s aroused, Koko said in her mind.

  No shit, Sherlock! Immediate arousal pooled at Scarlett’s core and she tried to wiggle free.

  “Stop that, or I won’t be able to stop myself,” Jade ground out. A gasp escaped Scarlett’s lips as she looked up to his eyes, which were hooded with lust. “Your scent, female, it’s driving Asher and me crazy.” She knew he was under the influence but, by the Goddess, he wanted her. At this moment, He. Wanted. Her. Yet, her conscience ate at her and she knew she couldn’t take advantage of the guy in this medically induced state of arousal. He would never forgive himself.

  In three days, though, she thought. In three days-time, he will know what I know to be true.

  She breathed deeply as his scent cocooned her, and she focused on the calming effect it always had on her. She began to drift into sleep but not before she heard the words, Is brea’ liom tu’. His arms held her closer as he buried his face in her hair. His breathing evened out and they both fell into a peaceful sleep.

  The next morning Scarlett awoke to the sun shining through the slit in the curtain. As she opened her eyes and inhaled, all she could smell was the familiar scent of Jade behind her. She felt his strong arms around her, and she tried to steady her breathing in an attempt to calm her erratic heartbeat.

  A low rumble vibrated through her body as he nuzzled into her hair. “Mornin’.”

  The sound of that gruff voice in the morning made her insides quiver.

  “Good morning,” she squeaked out. “H-how are you feeling?”

  Another low rumble reverberated from his chest, sending shock waves right to her core.

  “A-are you hungry?” Scarlett asked as she tried to maneuver away from him. Instead, the more she tried to wiggle free, the more determined he seemed not to let her go. “Jade, you need to eat,” she stated plainly, as she silently pleaded that he would see the logic behind it.

  “No,” Jade grunted.

  “No? What do you mean, no? I didn’t even ask you a question. Now, let me up.”

  “No.”

  “Jade, come on, stop being a baby and let me get up.” She smacked his arm.

  “Nope.” This time she felt him smile into her hair.

  Ohhh, he’s trying to be cute.

  “I have to pee. If you don’t let me up, I will pee on you.” That ought to do it, she thought. But nope, very much to her chagrin, he just replied with a shrug. Scarlett crossed her arms, “What is wrong with you? Why won’t you let me up?” Another shrug of his big shoulder.

  “Hey,” she tried to turn around to face him, but again, Jade’s arms were like vice grips and she was immobile unless she hurt him. Damned wolf, she thought as a wicked idea came to mind sending more than a little heat between he
r legs. Wiggling back against him, she felt him stiffen. Her butt pressing into the apex at his legs, she stretched like a cat moving her hips against him.

  “Female, you’re playing a dangerous game,” Jade grumbled behind her, but she felt him nuzzle further into her neck and goosebumps rose across her skin.

  “It feels good to be next to you in the mornings,” she purred, drawing circles on his oversized forearm.

  The only response she got was a grunt. “Oh, come on, I know you like me being here, or you wouldn't care if I got up.” Yet, another grunt. “Did that lashing limit your vocabulary as well?” she teased as she gyrated her hips against him.

  “Just a few more minutes before you continue your torture, please,” he huffed into her neck. “I just don’t want to move yet.”

  “Let me at least roll over; I’m stiff being in this position.”

  “You’re not the only one,” he grumbled as he pushed against her body slightly.

  However, that’s all it took. Her eyes widened at the hard length that was now pressing against her backside. “Jade—”

  He kissed the side of her neck and she trembled against him. “Jade, stop, you’re hurt.”

  “I’m fine—But you’re not wrong.”

  He reluctantly opened his arms and as she turned around to face him, he placed an arm over his face muttering incoherently under his breath.

  “You know, I’ll be eighteen in three days, Jade.”

  “Yeah, then you’ll find your mate. I know, that’s why you’re right, I can’t.”

  “You stubborn oaf,” she smiled as she pulled his arm away from his face, “You are so stubborn in your beliefs, you can’t see or feel what is right in front of you.” She leaned up on her elbow and kissed him gently on the lips. “I love you; I have for years. Why keep denying me, Jade? Why keep pushing me away?”

  “When you find your mate, you will thank me for it.”

  “How do you know you’re not my mate?” she asked as she kissed him again.

  “Scar—” He rolled onto his back which caused him to yelp in pain and she sprung off the bed.

  “Jade, oh, my Goddess. Why the hell would you do that?” She rolled him onto his side and helped him sit up so quickly all he could do was gawk at her.

  “Scar, Scar—I’m fine; really, I’m okay, stop.” She stepped back from him.

  Jade grunted as he stood. Scarlett noticed the long, thick length that jutted out from his body and her mouth went dry as she gaped at his manhood. A hearty laugh rumbled from his chest as he took her chin in the palm of his hand forcing her to look at his face and looked deeply into her eyes, “Make no mistake, I want you more than I would like to admit. You are a fine female and sexy as hell, but when you find your mate—”

  She opened her mouth as if to argue.

  “No, let me finish this. You may not realize this now or think it possible, but you would regret being with me when you find your mate.”

  Her eyes hardened. How dare he try to tell me how I would feel? she thought to herself—Koko growled in agreement. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t regret it? That the only thing I would regret is not losing my virginity to my first love?”

  They stood like that for a moment before his stomach growled and she rolled her eyes, walking out of the room, but not before she heard him say, “She’s going to be the death of me.” Then the bed squeaked beneath his weight.

  She grinned and got to making breakfast. Just three days' time, she repeated to herself.

  After breakfast was made, she brought the food to the room and noticed he wasn’t there. She listened intently and heard, “Shit—Fucking fuck—damn it—” then a loud thud in the bathroom. She made her way there quickly and threw open the door to see him trying to take off the bandages on his own.

  “Stubborn wolf—let me help you.” She walked in and deftly took off the bandages and inspected the marks on his back. They were scabbing up nicely with little redness around the once tattered mess. “You’re lucky you’re a wolf. I don’t think Jayce even knows you heal this quickly.”

  “Still hurts like hell,” he growled.

  She walked to the shower, turned on the water and hung dried eucalyptus to infuse the steam, “This will help relax you. Now, get in.”

  He raised an eyebrow at her, “You wanna give me some privacy?”

  “Like I’ve never seen you naked before. I’ve got to clean the scabs and it’s best to do it while they’re damp.”

  “You’re not showering with me.”

  “What? Are you worried you won’t be able to resist me? Listen, I promise I won’t try to steal your virtue—Unless you ask me to.” She winked playfully at him.

  He stared at her for a long time, not moving. As the steam filled the room, she lifted her sports bra over her head and let her luscious round breasts fall free, bouncing lightly. Jade’s jaw dropped. She then removed her shorts, bending over towards the shower, so he had a perfect view of her heart-shaped ass. He groaned, “Scar, come on—this is bullshit. I can do this myself.”

  Scarlett looked over her shoulder and stepped under the water. Jade stood there like a statue watching her body move under the steady stream of water. “Jade stop it. You’ve seen me naked a million times; this is no different. Being naked around each other is completely normal for us. Why are you acting like this?”

  He stayed silent for a moment longer, weighing his options. He knew Scarlett was right; they’re werewolves; being naked around each other did not have to be sexual. Now he just had to convince the soldier standing at attention of that. This is not sexual; this is not sexual. He tried to steel himself against the affects her wet body had on him before he removed his briefs and stepped in with her.

  He was so focused on trying to convince himself that this was strictly clinical, he didn’t realize he projected the thought to her. She looked at him with an amused expression on her face. “No, this isn’t sexual Jade, get in.” She leaned over, her breasts swinging like pendulums back and forth as she moved to turn on his side of the shower. The water poured over him, and she motioned for him to turn around, giving her his back. She began to gently poke and lather the herbal wash she created for him over each one of the scabs, gently peeling away the dead skin. While doing so, she hummed a melody he had never heard before and it soothed him to his very core.

  “What are you humming?” he inquired.

  “Shhh—It’ll help.”

  Repeatedly, she hummed the calming melody as she placed her hands on his back. His skin tingled, sending waves of pleasure through his sore muscles straight into his groin. He mused over the fact that it wasn’t an overpowering lust he was feeling but more like gentle waves caressing his body. He turned to face her when she removed her hands from his back. He looked down at her and caressed her face as he noticed a stream of water around her eyes. He frowned, seeing that it wasn’t coming from the shower above.

  “Scar, look at me, Love.” She shook her head and tried to turn away from him. “No, no running away, look at me,” he demanded more firmly.

  Her gaze shifted to his face but refused to meet his eyes. “I’m not the one running,” she said stubbornly. She moved her head out of his hands and stepped out of the shower. On the way out of the room she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself.

  Jade placed his forehead against the shower wall and all he could think was fuck.

  Gretchen sat on the swing outside Alice’s cabin while the others finished preparing for the trip to Romania. The rusty chain that the swing hung on creaked as she swayed absentmindedly back and forth. She closed her eyes, leaned back and listened to the repetitious sound as the wind caressed her skin and blew her ponytail to the side.

  This is all so much, Genesis. Her Lycan huffed in acknowledgment in their shared mind, and she continued. I feel like my whole life has been a lie. I’ve lived as a human all my life, and now I’m being told I’m this powerful mythical creature I’ve never even heard o
f and part of me wants to just go back to the way things were before everything got turned upside down.

  Genesis perked up at that remark. Wait, Gretchen, do you mean to tell me you’d rather me not be here so you can live the life you’ve grown accustomed to? Would you go back to being ignorant of my existence? There was hurt in her voice.

  That’s not what I meant.

  Yet, that’s what you said.

  Genesis, I—I’m sorry. That was wrong of me to say; you’re a part of me and I would never want to give you up. Everything that has happened in the last few days, it’s just a lot to take in. Now I’m going to Romania to meet a witch to try to get my memories back. I’ve learned that my best friend is a shifter, that I’m some royal princess, my ex-lover is a bear shifter, the gym I love so much is filled with shifters, Nicoli’s brothers are after us for who knows why and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

  Genesis grumbled a little then let out a long sigh. I know, I’m in here, too, remember? I feel what you feel. So, I know you didn’t mean it like that. But the thought of going back to that place doesn’t sit right with me. You were free to do whatever you wanted. No one understands what happens to a shifter’s animal counterpart when they are bound. They just do it and deal with the consequences after. The human half, free to live their life, and we—we're stuck in the darkest recesses of your mind, never allowed to shift, never allowed to speak to our other half. We have to sit idly by while they are hurt and never be able to protect them. I am strong and I fought for you because I needed to be here for you. Now I am and the only reason I am is that I fought every single day. I know it caused you pain; I felt that, too. You must understand, Gretchen, you must—

  Gretchen could feel wetness upon her cheeks as she heard Genesis’ side of what transpired. She felt the sorrow in every syllable, and it broke her heart. Genesis, I am so sorry. You’re right, and there is part of me that is itching to find the truth about who I am, to be able to remember it entirely. But there is nothing in this entire universe that would ever make me want to rid myself of you. You, ma’am, are the one good thing about all of this. You help make me strong and I am forever grateful that you are mine and I am yours; understand?