by Tigris Eden
She was making sense, yet his mind kept coming back to the same thing. He couldn’t fly. Admitting defeat is a form of weakness. Dammit, he knew that. The tree began to teeter back and forth, and now they had no choice. Either his wings were going to work, or they weren’t.
“Hold tight to me, Abrihet. Whatever happens, don’t let go.”
“I won’t,” she said, grabbing tightly to his shoulders.
The tree rocked again, this time tilting further, and the sounds of the hounds howling as they continued to ram the trunk were grating on his last nerve. With Abrihet firmly in his arms, he leapt again, stretched out his wings, and focused on trying to keep them spread. There was no updraft, no wind. He flexed his back muscles as a slight draft seemed to whistle through the trees. It wasn’t enough.
They fell to the ground, him taking the worst of the impact as he landed on his back with Abrihet on top of him. The hounds were there, all three of them, surrounding them, their mouths open and ready for the attack. They were going to die excruciating deaths.
One of his wings was broken, but he was still able to use it to cover them. It wouldn’t do much of anything, but it was something.
“We are not going to die like this,” Abrihet screamed. “I refuse to go out like this.” With a hard shove, she pulled out of his embrace. Standing in front of him, the hounds rushed her, all at the same time. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle.
A burst of blue energy surrounded her entire body, engulfing her in blue hellfire. Her eyes were open, and she looked back at him only for a moment before returning to the threat in front of her. Fire shot from her mouth, from her eyes, even from her fingers. She was one with the flame. As she stepped toward the hounds, they instinctively stepped back. But with every step she took, the fire blazed. It didn’t just surround her, it leapt, licked a tree, and then the tree itself caught fire.
That can’t be good.
The hounds were backing off, but Abrihet kept going.
“Abrihet, stop!” Bael yelled. His father could control the blue fire, but while she could wield it, it seemed she couldn’t. He could see it in her eyes when she turned back. They were wide in fear. It was an emotion he wasn’t familiar with, and something he never wanted to feel as his chest became hollow, and his stomach muscles tensed. He didn’t know what to do to stop what was happening to her.
Bael watched as she dropped to her knees and let out a blood-curdling scream. Her body was shaking, and although, Abrihet appeared to be safe inside the fire, nothing outside of her bubble would survive. She would burn the entire forest to the ground if she kept going.
“Go to her,” Herba said. The old woman was suddenly there at his side. She raised her hands, and a strong gust of wind carrying wet mud swept through the trees, coating them completely. It put out the fire.
“I can’t,” Bael said. He wasn’t a fool. If he walked anywhere near her, he was going to get caught in the flames.
“You can. You are her savior. My Tellings are never wrong. Just like you were sent to save her, you can save her now.”
“No, I was sent to kill her.”
Herba shook her head. “No, boy, you were sent to save her. Now go before it’s too late.”
Bael closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “If I die–”
“You won’t.”
Bael walked quickly over to Abrihet, the blue flames surrounding her. The light was bright, but he forged forward, his arm up against his face his only protection as he penetrated the fire. It was hot. Damn hot. But he was okay. When he got to her, tears streamed down her face as she tried to pull in air. Instinct had him cradling her in his arms, his chin resting on top of her head as he spoke to her.
“Rest easy, Abrihet. I am here. Nothing will harm you. Breathe with me.”
Her body seemed to calm, but only slightly. Bael slowed his own breathing, hoping she would eventually match his. She did. She buried her face against his bare chest, taking in his scent. The moisture from her tears was a cool balm against his skin. His hands rubbed gentle circles against her back, over and over until, finally, she calmed. He knew she was sleeping.
“Get home now, boy,” Herba said, walking back to her hut.
Bael gathered Abrihet up in his arms. Although she was asleep, she still grabbed his shoulders and tried to burrow closer. She clung to him, and he found that he liked it. He liked it a lot. Even in her sleep, she knew she was his. Bael pulled in a deep breath. He knew it was true, but to have it reconfirmed lifted a weight off his shoulders.
Chapter 17
The woods were burning. Just like with her friend Sara when she was younger. Only the trees were bleeding. Actually bleeding. And the dogs had ripped her in half. She could feel every claw, every tooth, as it tore into her skin, ripping her wide open. The pain was unbearable, and every time she thought she would pass out, she’d somehow stay awake to endure more pain.
Abrihet woke up fighting. Her arms tangled around something hard, strong. Hot breath fanned across the back of her neck, and his voice rumbled. “You are safe, Abrihet.”
Christ, she was dreaming.
“I’m not safe, Bael,” she whispered, too afraid to turn around because of what she might see. It wasn’t his form she was afraid of. It was her feelings. She loved him and knew if she looked at him now the words would come spilling from her lips.
Bael’s wrapped his arm around to her stomach, where he placed his palm flush against her bare skin. He pulled her to him and groaned as he shifted forward, placing the heat of his erection into the crease of her ass.
“Bael?”
His only response was to nuzzle the back of her neck before she heard his soft snores. Abrihet lay there, unmoving. She thought back to everything Herba had told her. She was going to give Bael five children. Three sons and two daughters, one of which Ranore would come want to be with. Not if I can help it, she thought. Ranore was too damn old for her daughter. Bael is too damn old for you. That was different. She was an adult now. She hadn’t grown up around Bael. Her daughter, on the other hand, would grow up around Ranore.
Abrihet tried to pull herself free from Bael but found she couldn’t. She gave up after about five minutes of trying to move his arm which would just go back to its earlier position, squeezing her tighter.
There was a loud knock at the door. It was more of a pounding. Bael growled, and she could feel his teeth scraping her bare shoulder right before he untangled himself and walked around the bed, butt-ass naked, to answer the door.
“Could you please put on some clothes?” she called after him.
He didn’t respond, but she could hear him at the door.
“What is it?” Bael roared.
There was low murmur of voices before she heard him agree to whatever it was they’d asked before slamming his door again.
He stomped back to the room and abruptly stopped when he noticed that she was awake. She had been for the last hour or so, but Bael was not only a cuddle monster; he also held the cuddlee captive.
“You’re awake.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Dress. Your father is demanding to see you.”
Abrihet looked down and noticed, yes, she did need to dress. She was in a slip of a gown that was practically see-through. She didn’t remember undressing he must have done it for her. As if he could read her mind, he answered her question.
“Yes, I put you in what you’re wearing now. You were too exhausted to do it yourself. The power you drew from drained you. I carried you all the way back to the citadel.”
“Wouldn’t that make me look weak to the others?”
Bael looked deep in thought as she waited for him to answer.
“Yes, to some, but once I explained how you singlehandedly took on three hellhounds with the use of blue fire, everyone was more shocked than anything else. You are somewhat of an anomaly. No one can do that. Not even Braxus. He can’t call forth blue fire, he can only wield it.”
Abrihet pulled in a
deep breath, almost afraid to ask her next question. “Did I hurt anyone?”
“No, you just burned some trees, but that is hardly a crime here. They will grow back. Now that they’ve tasted the fire, they may even grow back stronger, healthier.”
They dressed in silence. She was back in her jeans and top. Bael put on his kilt and strapped what could only be a dagger to his belt. He looked over at her as she eyed him.
“Being cautious?”
“Careful. Someone is trying to harm you. Remember what Herba said. I don’t think the hounds were there by coincidence.”
“So where is my father?”
Bael walked up to her and pulled her closer to him, his eyes penetrating as he eyed her from head to toe. “You are well?”
“Yes, of course, why are you asking?”
“Your father is concerned about your well-being and is insisting that you stay with him in his quarters. I can’t allow that. You belong to me, and I to you.”
That warmed her from the inside out to hear him say that.
“How do we ensure that I stay with you and not him?” She wasn’t going to stay with her father, and she wasn’t sure on the protocol or if there even was one.
Bael’s nostrils flared, and his eyes widened just a bit before he smiled. “We will need to convince him of your happiness.”
“Okay, what?”
Bael walked into the room where his weapons were stored and came out with a box.
“Here, you will need to wear my claiming chain.”
Abrihet took the box from his hand. When she opened it, she sucked in a deep breath. The chain itself was pure gold, but so thin it was almost like thread. She pulled it from the box and noticed that it was no small chain, but ropes and ropes of it. It fell to the floor, and Bael gathered it up in his hands and looked between her and the chain. He too pulled in a deep breath.
“By accepting this, you’re admitting to our bond. You’re telling everyone, including me, that you belong to me, and no other. Even your father will hold no claim over you. Will you accept my claim?”
“Yes, Bael, but what about you? What guarantee do I have that you belong to me?”
She asked the question because it was warranted. She was giving herself to him. What would he do to ensure that he was giving himself to her as she was to him? He hadn’t had to leave home and all he knew. He wasn’t trapped in a place that he had no way of escaping. She was.
He cleared his throat. “It is different for males, but you have me, Abrihet. I am yours.” He lifted her shirt, wrapping the chain around her bare waist before pulling it so that it went up between her breasts. He clasped it behind her neck, and the remainder of the chain dangled across her back in sweeping rows. She could feel each link as the cool metal rested against her skin, its final resting place at the base of her spine. “There, it is done. Now we are ready to go and see your father.”
Chapter 18
Her father looked nothing like she’d expected. She assumed he’d taken his human form so as not to frighten her. But she was so used to everyone now, it wouldn’t have made a difference. He was tall, like Bael. His black hair had a bit of salt and pepper on the sides. Feur had a full beard, and kind of reminded her of a distinguished gentleman. Complete with a smoker’s jacket.
“Abrihet.” His voice was deep but lilting.
“Feur.”
He lifted an eyebrow at the use of his first name. “Down here, I am to be addressed as your father.”
“Yes, of course, Father.”
Bael grabbed her hand for support. He pulled her in front of him and wrapped her firmly in his arms. “As you can see, Feur, she is fine.”
“I did not ask you to speak, boy.”
Bael did not react in the way she’d thought he would. Most men would have bowed down to a woman’s father. Not her man. Things were swift in motion, and she would have thought they were at another challenge. Bael let go of her, toss her behind him, almost hitting the door. She watched as his wings spread, and his horns grew to a length she knew had to be heavy. Like two men jousting, they met in the middle of the room…with their horns.
Bael, a foot taller than Feur, pushed until her father was against the wall. Both men stayed locked like that for some time. Neither of them budged. She didn’t know what was happening or if it was just a test of wills.
She was going to speak, when in a flurry of movement, both men began to attack the other. Meaty fists pounded into Bael’s chest. He returned the blows. Striking Feur full in the face until his head snapped back, Bael was the one to draw first blood. Something inside of her chest cracked at the thought of Bael fighting for her.
Abrihet wasn’t one to be easily turned on, but two men fighting… One fighting to control her, the other to claim her, had her breath coming in fast pants. She didn’t know if it was all the testosterone in the room or what, but she was completely turned on by Bael. That he would fight for her, was adamant about her safety…she was more than ready to stand by his side. She was either fucked up in the head like her mom, or she was built for this life. She was independent, but in all her time down in Wraith, Bael had seen to every single one of her needs. He fed her, clothed her, and fought for her. Their time in the bedroom was an added bonus that she would never tire of.
If those weren’t attractive qualities to find in a man, she didn’t know what was. He’d given her his chain, even when he’d told her he’d been with someone else. Someone who didn’t seem all that put out by the new development in their relationship. But she wasn’t going to forget. Women had a way of hiding their deepest, darkest feelings. So she’d keep an eye out, maybe Tenna was the face Herba couldn’t see in the darkness.
There was a loud crash, bodies hitting the wall, and both men grappled. Bael pinned Feur against the stone. Her father had blood coming out of his nose. There wasn’t even a scratch on Bael.
“She is safe with me, Feur,” Bael stressed.
Feur’s chest expanded before he let all the air out of his lungs. He looked past Bael’s shoulder into Abrihet’s eyes and smiled.
“She will give you many sons.”
“Three to be exact, and two daughters--we’ve been to Herba’s,” Bael said with pride in his voice.
“I’m right freaking here. You don’t have to talk as if I’m not in the room.”
Abrihet watched as her father’s eyes narrowed. Small crinkles at the corners were the only sign she had that he wasn’t angry. If he were smiling at her, she couldn’t tell.
“She is a feisty one, like her mother. Good luck siring children with her.”
“I’m sure her mother is where she gets it from. Couldn’t possibly be your fault,” Bael joked.
It seemed the men were bonding now.
Feur grunted and gestured for them to have a seat. Just like that. The fight was over. Bael turned and made his way over to an oversized chair. It didn’t look comfortable at all, and she wasn’t sure what the custom was so she waited for his direction.
Her heart still beat like crazy and as he stepped up to her, his eyes closed tightly as he pulled in a deep breath. When they opened, the amber orbs were now a fiery red. There was lust in his eyes. Raw lust.
Her father cleared his throat and quickly spoke, his words directed at her.
“You have awoken his desire, child. As he has done for you. Your mother consumed me in much the same way when I first met her.”
“Why did you leave us?”
“It was to keep you and your mother safe; I still go to the pools every day in hopes of atoning for my actions. I am not the warrior I once was; otherwise, I’d have bested Bael.”
“She went into an asylum because of you. You drove her crazy.”
The look on her father’s face was one of pure shock. “I had no idea. If I could change things, I would. But that is not our way.”
Abrihet looked to Bael. “Is there anything you can do for her? Bring her here, perhaps?”
Both men said “no” at the same tim
e.
“She is Terran, not Nefas like you. She would not survive. But I will see what can be done to at least get her reunited with your brother. Come, Abrihet.”
She would have asked her father more, but Bael had her by the arm and all but dragged her from her father’s quarters.
“What did I do?”
She got no answer. For each of his steps, she had to take three in order to keep up. They made it back to his suite of rooms in record time. The door slammed shut behind her, and her heart kicked into overdrive.
Abrihet turned her attention on Bael, his eyes still held the same fiery glow. His chest rose and fell with each breath he took as he eyed her. A sound almost like a purr vibrated in the air, and she realized belatedly that it was Bael. He was purring. Or was it humming? She couldn’t tell because the temperature in the room rose. Sweat beaded on her brow, and something inside her said she only had two choices. Submit or run.
Bael closed his eyes before opening them again. His stomach muscles rose and fell with each breath as he stepped toward her. “I fought for you.”
“Yes,” Abrihet answered hesitantly.
“I drew first blood.”
“Yes.”
“I won you.”
His eyes were unfocused, and she didn’t know if Bael could even see her anymore. But, somehow, she didn’t think that was the case. He could see her. He was seeing her. And with every step he took toward his goal, she took two steps back.
He was stalking her. Bael, the apex predator, and she was the prey.
Abrihet found herself trapped in a corner. She tried to maneuver herself towards a door, any door, but found she’d taken a left when she should have gone right.
“Bael?” Abrihet whispered.
He was right up on her, their breaths mingling together as he stared down at her with blazing eyes.
Bael grabbed her face, and though his palms were ridiculously large, he managed to be delicate as one hand slid to the back of her neck and his other cupped her cheek, his thumb and index finger brushing her ear.
