Punishment

by ML Guida

  Michael led the way with Excalibur, a shiny beacon.

  Power ignited around them. Blade’s speed increased, and it was like he swallowed a bunch of steroids. The red sky parted, revealing a midnight sky with twinkling stars. He and Saber burst through it. The portal to hell vanished. Only white clouds drifted around him. Cold air gripped him, cooling his sweltering skin from hell’s fire.

  Abigail slept peacefully in his arms. His angel-mate. He wanted to hoot in celebration and do flips in the air, but such behavior was frowned upon. Michael detested dramatics, and since he was his boss again, demure decorum was demanded.

  Dark mountains loomed around them and the soft lights of the town of Frisco beckoned. Michael swooped down toward Buffalo Mountain Treatment center where Poison, Ringmaster, and Raphael waited.

  Blade and Saber followed and landed next to Michael. Scythe collapsed, but Saber gripped him, holding him close. They walked up the stairs of the treatment center.

  Raphael greeted them at the door. “Took you all long enough.”

  “Thank God, you’re safe.” Poison rushed down the stairs. Her voice was a mix of fear and relief.

  “We had a little trouble.” Michael nodded at Blade, Scythe, and Saber, but he smirked. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  “Yes, your modesty behooves you.” Raphael closed the door. His face turned dour. “Balthazar?”

  Michael's eyes darkened. “Back where he belongs.” He turned to Blade. “Your mate is still in danger, Blade. Make the bond or lose her forever.”

  Scythe swayed on his feet. Blade nodded at him. “My brother?”

  Saber helped Scythe to the couch. Closing his eyes, Scythe leaned his head back on the couch.

  “He’ll be all right,” Raphael said. “It’s not the first time I’ve had to take him to Heather so she could heal him.” He tilted his head. “Go. Get out of here while you still can.”

  Blade gazed at Abigail’s sleeping form and he wanted to whisper those binding words, but Abigail had to agree. What if she refused? Hollowness carved into his chest at the thought of losing her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Blade lifted Abigail until his arms, cradled her close. She moaned, and he smiled. She was waking up. He flew into the sky and headed for his condominium. His pants tightened. He wanted to thrust deep inside her, branding her to him, but she had been to hell. He wouldn’t take her until she asked.

  He landed on the balcony to his condominium, and with a wave of his hand, he opened the door. It felt good to have his angelic powers back. He was tired, damn tired. His back throbbed, but Raphael wouldn’t be able to heal him, only his mate could heal him now.

  Abigail groaned again, and he kissed her on the forehead. “Red, wake up. We’re home."

  When her emerald eyes fluttered open, she frowned as if waking from a nightmare. Her eyes were glossy, and her fever had returned. She put her hand on her forehead. “Home? We’re home.”

  “Yes,” he whispered and carefully laid her on the bed. He shook as he brushed her wind-blown hair out of her face. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and got thrown into the tornado.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” She dropped her hand and swallowed. “But the poison...” She stammered. Her face turned ashen. “I was in Hell and saw…” Her eyes widened. “Balthazar, he wanted to keep me as his—” Tears trickled down her pale cheeks.

  Damn Balthazar for creating terror in her voice. He’d spend the rest of his life helping her forget. If she’d let him. “I know,” he said, his voice soft. “But Michael thrust him back into the pit. He can’t hurt you now.”

  “He’ll never be able to bring me back to hell?”

  Her voice died out.

  He clasped her hand tighter. “Red, that won’t happen again. I’ll protect you. I promise.”

  “But he said the hell poison will kill me. I can feel it growing.”

  “We can stop it.”

  “We?”

  “You have to trust me.”

  Her eyes widened, and her mouth tightened. “Oh, God, the pain.”

  “Unless—”

  “Unless what?”

  “You agree to be my angel-mate.”

  He held his breath as emotions flickered over her face. She had once said she loved him, but what about now? Hell changed a person.

  “I have to utter the binding words,” she whispered.

  “Yes. Don’t you understand? I’d die for you.”

  She lifted her eyebrow.

  “Yes, damn it. I mean, Heaven help me, I love you.”

  She traced her finger over his chest, outlining the snake. Chills followed her gentle touch. “I love you. You came back for me.”

  “I’ll always come for you. You’re my angel-mate.”

  “You keep saying that, but Balthazar said we were not fully mated.”

  He leaned over and kissed her on the lips, tasting her sweetness. She gripped his shoulders and pulled him down, his body stretching out on top of her. “Blade, make me forget. I don’t want to remember. It was too terrible.”

  She half sobbed. He stopped kissing her and put his forearms on either side of her face. His heart wept at her falling tears. “I’m sorry, Red. I never wanted any of this to happen to you.”

  “I wish I could be stronger. I’ll never forget those ghost demons.”

  “Lucifer’s creations. He tried to create angels like God, but he doesn’t have the power and could only create shadows of demons. Ghost demons are very powerful and only a heaven blade can defeat them. Without a heaven blade, angels are powerless against them.”

  She trembled beneath him. “They guarded me while I was in Balthazar’s house.”

  “I see.”

  “He said that he planned on making me his concubine to punish you.”

  He sucked the air out of his lungs. “Did he—”

  “He didn’t rape me, Blade. He said he had eternity to wait for me to succumb to him.”

  “Next time I see the bastard, I’ll rip his throat out.”

  “I wouldn’t have, Blade,” she said, determination rang in her voice. “I’d never have given into him.”

  He kissed her on those resolute lips. “Such a fiery wench.”

  She pushed him away. “What needs to happen for me to become your angel-mate?”

  “Are you sure—”

  “Don’t. Even. Say. It.” With each word, she punched him in the chest. “I love you. And you know it. Now tell me.”

  He laughed. “Sure, amazon.” He grinned. “We consummate.”

  She blinked. “But we did that already.”

  His cheeks heated. “I uttered the words—”

  “But you didn’t give me a chance to agree, is that it?”

  “Yes.”

  ***

  She slipped her hand around his neck and pulled him closer. “Then let’s stop talking and do it.”

  Abigail kissed Blade’s lips, not allowing him to respond. She wanted to forget the nightmare of hell and needed a distraction. His masculine taste was a start. She pushed him away.

  His face saddened. “You changed your mind?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “No, of course not. But I want to take a shower.”

  He blinked. “Oh.” He sat up and pulled her up.

  “With you. I want you to wash hell’s brand off me, Blade.”

  He gripped her hand, gently tugging her to her feet. “Your wish is my command."

  She forced her shaking legs to move and followed Blade into the bathroom. She started to take her top off, but Blade gripped her hands. “No, let me do it.”

  He lifted her shirt off slowly. His hot gaze made her shiver. The shirt fell to the floor. Blade put his hands on her shoulders and slowly moved his calloused palms down her arms until he came to her elbows where his hands slipped behind her back and unsnapped her bra, and then dragged the straps down her shoulders. Her heavy
breasts were free and ached for his touch, for his lips to suckle them. The bra dropped to the floor.

  She stretched her arms out and parted her lips. She took a step closer to him, but he edged away.

  His eyes smoldering, he said, “No, I want to finish undressing you.”

  She swallowed and dropped her arms. Her heart quickened as he moved closer, and she inhaled his leather scent. She itched to move her hands over his naked skin, but she did as she was told and kept her hands to her sides.

  He unbuttoned her jeans, and he gently pulled them down her trembling thighs. His warm breath caressed her legs, sending blood to pool between her thighs. God, she wanted him, wanted him now.

  “Step out,” he whispered.

  She put her hands on his shoulders and stepped out of her jeans. His hair moved along his back, and she sucked in her breath. Caked blood marred his back. She remembered the Hellhound slashing his back. “Blade, you’re wounded. You should have had Raphael heal you.”

  He peered up at her. “He can’t, Abigail. Only my true mate can heal me. You.”

  “Then let’s—”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I’m fine, Red. Just you touching me reduced the pain.” He glanced over his shoulder. “See, it stopped bleeding. It’s because of you.”

  “Me?”

  He ran his fingers up her legs. “Yes, you.”

  He grabbed her lacy underwear with his teeth, pulling it down her thighs. She tilted her head back. “Step out,” he growled.

  She nodded.

  “I want you sleek and wet.” He moved away and opened the glass shower door. Abigail’s legs threatened to collapse. He turned the knob. Water spilled onto the granite wall.

  “So, what about you?”

  “I take it you want to undress me?”

  She stepped closer. “Of course.” She unbuttoned his jeans and ripped them open. He sucked in his breath. She slipped her hands behind his back, down to his firm buttocks and squeezed. “I’ve waited long enough to touch you.” She gazed up into his hooded eyes. “Now, take them off. Now.”

  “In a hurry?”

  “Yes,” she panted. “Yes.”

  Blade wasn’t a good sex slave. Instead of shredding his pants, he slowly slid them down his thighs. He was commando and his erect cock thrust forward. She stared at it, unable to take her gaze from it, remembering how good it felt inside her.

  He stepped out of his jeans, and his hand lifted her chin. Steam swirled around in the bathroom. “Come.”

  She followed him into the shower. Water cascaded down his hard body, swirling around every sculpted muscle. He leaned down and kissed her, his tongue exploring her mouth. Heat rushed over her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he crushed her, his cock pressing against her thigh. Warm water pelted against her back. When his hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs caressing her budded nipples, she moaned.

  He slipped his hand down her belly and slipped a finger inside her wet heat. “You’re so ready.”

  She moaned with need. “Blade.”

  He rubbed her clit with his thumb as he moved his finger inside her, stirring her longing for him. Two could play at that game. She moved one hand and clasped his cock.

  “Minx, you’re playing with fire.”

  She shuddered as she thought of hell.

  Concern flashed in his eyes. “Sorry, wrong word.”

  “No, it’s okay, please, Blade.”

  “Please what?”

  “Take me.”

  “Not yet. I need to fulfill your wish.” When he pulled out his finger, she groaned with disappointment. He removed her hand from his cock, and she glanced at him with surprise. What was he doing?

  He picked up a bar soap and lathered it in his expert hands. He moved over her trembling body, exploring her, caressing every inch of her, teasing her. She clasped his arms, afraid she’d fall. He knelt down and pushed her against the wall. His dark head kissed her dark mound. Warm water spilling down her, she panted as his wicked tongued licked and kissed her. She gripped his shoulders and arched her back as her first orgasm threatened to sweep through her blocking out her nightmare. All she could think of was the water cleansing away the horror and Blade’s wicked tongue and hands molding her buttock as he sucked her inner core. Digging her nails into his shoulders, she shuddered, gave way, and screamed.

  He glanced up and smiled. Slowly standing, his hands moved up her body. He pinched her sensitive nipples, and she cried out, still reeling from her orgasm.

  “My turn,” she whispered.

  He nodded. She lathered her hands with the vanilla soap. She kissed and licked his nipple as she soaped his chest and got a well-earned groan—nothing like bringing an Angel of Death to his knees. Tempting fate, she bit his nipple. He hissed. Keeping her eyes on his, she slid her hands along his hard muscles, inching her way down. His eyes darkened as she knelt. The water pulsated on her back and head. His erect cock was an inch away from her, begging to be pleasured. She didn’t disappoint. Wanting to please him, she kissed the tip of his cock, and her hands massaged his heavy sac. Feeling bolder, she swirled her tongue around his flesh, enjoying the taste of salt and his moans. He was trembling. She couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

  Fingers gripped her hair and pulled her head back. “Enough, wench.”

  He gripped her under the arms, lifted her off the tile, and flattened her against the wall. Wet hair plastered against his face, passion embedded in his eyes. “I choose you to be my mate for all eternity.”

  “You said those same words.”

  “Now,” he panted. “Say the words.”

  “To you?”

  He nodded. Fear flickered in his eyes. Was he afraid she’d say no? After all they’d been through.

  She licked his chest, and he sucked in his breath. “I choose you to be my angel-mate for all eternity.”

  Her voice rose on the word my, wanting to brand him.

  He parted her trembling thighs wide, and her sleek heat took in Blade's cock.

  “Finally,” she whispered.

  She arched her hips, taking him in deeper. He thrust hard into her, and she met each thrust, wanting to be his, wanting to be his mate, wanting him to be hers. Blood swelled through her, and tingles glided over her sensitive skin. Between the gentle drops of water and Blade’s thrusting, Abigail couldn’t breathe, the orgasm ripping through her was different, powerful, and stronger. Water splattered as their bodies slapped together, molding into one.

  Heat built up in Abigail, and she screamed as she came over and over again. She clutched Blade’s shoulders to keep from sliding down the wall and raised her legs, locking them behind Blade's thrusting hips.

  A white light billowed around them, soft and beautiful. She cried out and glanced down. The tattoo below her nipple glowed silver. Water splashed into her eyes, and she shook her head. “What? What happened?”

  Blade did a final thrust and arched his back, his seed spilling deep inside her. He rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her. “You’re mine. We’re mated.”

  Below Blade’s right nipple was a pair of silver wings. Happiness surged through her. She clung to him and gripped his thrusting hips tighter. “Thank God.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “By the way, Red, did I tell you you’re immortal?”

  “I am. What about Brayden and Jessy?”

  “Brayden is completely healed. Ringmaster is with him. He’ll be the best therapy for him. Since you’re my angel-mate, I can bring you back and forth to Heaven and Earth so you can see Jessy and Brayden as often as you like.”

  “That’s what Jessy meant when she left wasn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  She smiled. “She had faith in you, Blade. She knew you’d succeed.”

  They stayed in the shower until the water ran cold. Blade turned off the faucet, and Abigail unraveled her legs. He slipped out of her and opened the glass door. His wet hair stuck to his broad back, and she couldn’t help but admire his back
side.

  He took her hand, and then dried her off, careful patting her body.

  Unable to resist, she laid a finger on the wings, and he gasped. “I love that you have a matching pair.”

  “I didn’t completely have my powers before and could only brand you, but it wasn’t enough to protect you from Balthazar.”

  “And now?”

  “He’s powerless to break our bond.”

  “He was always powerless to break us. Not even the end of time can break the feelings I have for you. Not Heaven, not Hell. I love you.”

  Blade wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him, and kissed her, making her forget everything but his lips, his demanding tongue, and reminding her that she was his for eternity.

  Cupid, Angels of Death Excerpt

  Prologue

  Lethal followed his target to a wide open meadow in the Colorado Rockies. The moonlight played peek-a-boo through the clouds overhead. Cora landed and flattened her wings. The wind blew her long red hair, shielding her face. She looked nervously over her shoulder as if someone was watching her, but she wouldn’t see him. He was cloaked and hiding behind a thicket of aspen trees. She was a lower angel and didn’t have the power to detect assassins.

  “Balthazar,” she called. “Are you here? I have the information you need. I found out what angel possesses the hidden power you need.”

  What hidden power? Michael hadn’t said anything about this, but then his boss, the archangel, wasn’t known for spilling all the information on assignments. He only shared what he wanted his assassins to know.

  She looked around the meadow, waiting for her lover.

  How could she withstand the stench of that black-hearted demon? Balthazar had no heart and would have only spoken lies of love, but it must have been strong enough to sway the little Angel of Love.

  A sense of regret over what he was about to do filled Lethal, but she was a traitor, and traitors received no mercy. Michael had given him strict orders that she was to die swiftly.

  Balthazar flashed into the meadow next to her. As always, the demon was shirtless and wore his leather pants and boots. He’d seduced many humans with his rock star persona, but it was a trick that lured the innocent down a dark path. “You called, beautiful?”