by Franca Storm
Ryan chuckled. “No, I’m sorry I said that. I love you, Cora. It’s always been you.”
“I know. I watched you with her recently.”
“What?” Ryan exclaimed in shock.
“You were kinda mean to her.”
“I know,” Ryan said. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. It’s not her fault.”
“Really?”
“What?”
“I dunno. I thought you’d be jealous or something?”
“I was…before I died. But I saw a lot of things being dead and all.”
“Like what?”
“It was Oriana, Ryan. She did this. Sure, we had some issues between us, but it was her and Vazra that escalated them with their magick and their manipulations. The bond between you and Jada, which, in turn, pushed me towards Luca, left our son unguarded when he and I were together and ultimately succeeded in getting me out of the way.”
“But why? She didn’t succeed. The Dark Realm still stands. Nathanial and Marella are fine.”
“Because she underestimated my power. I didn’t die completely. My magick still holds over the Dark Realm. She can’t breach it.”
She fell silent for a few moments and then he heard her spitting and he realized she was brushing her teeth. He crept towards the shower and pulled the curtain aside suddenly.
She shrieked in surprise and brought her hands up to shield her breasts from him.
“Please, I’ve seen you naked countless times.”
“It’s different in the shower. I feel more…exposed.”
He laughed. “You’re so damned cute.”
She stepped towards him and held out her arms to her sides. “Can you smell anything now?”
He sniffed her. “Nope. Just you.” He pulled her to him and thrust his tongue into her mouth. And then he suddenly pulled back and released her. “We’re all clear.”
“You’re such a tease,” she said as she stepped out of the shower.
He snatched a towel off the back of the door and patted her dry before wrapping it tightly around her. “Now tell me I’m not a gentleman.”
He took her hand and led her out of the bathroom. He drew her towards the overturned couch.
“Oh my God. I didn’t notice the state of this place before.”
“Yeah, I was a little upset,” he said as he returned the couch to its rightful position with one hand. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “You know, the first time we realized we were mates was on this very couch.”
She leaned her head back against him and murmured peacefully. “Yeah, I know.”
Ryan fell silent and she craned her neck to look at him. He was crying. She turned into him and drew her hand gently across his cheek. “Baby?”
“I’m sorry. It’s just, I really thought you were gone, Cora. I couldn’t fucking breathe without you.”
She cupped his face in her hands and told him softly, “I’m here, Ryan. I’m here now.”
He tightened his hold around her and held her close, burying his face in her neck as he let out all the pain he’d been feeling for the last few weeks, all the hurt and agony.
They sat that way for a long time until he felt her shifting around on his lap. Assuming she was just trying to get comfortable, he was shocked when he felt her tight little pussy slide onto his cock.
He grunted in surprise. “Cora?” he asked, shocked that she was taking the lead for the first time.
“We need to restore the bond…do the ritual again.”
Nathanial’s words rang in Ryan’s head. “I know. But, are you sure? After what I did?”
She cupped his face in her hands. “Yes. I’m sure.”
“Cora--”
“Ryan, I had weeks of being trapped in death to get over it and to understand it. Do you want to do this; to officially get back together?”
“Yes. More than anything.”
She smiled. “Then relax.”
He studied her closely. Her big blue eyes were wide and intense as she started to ride him slowly, teasingly. He smiled and pulled her towel off.
“Do you want to--?”
He knew what she was asking him. Did he want to take control as usual? He shook his head. “It’s all you this time.”
He saw the surprise in her eyes that he was relinquishing control after all their issues with it. And there was something else there also; excitement. He smirked at her as he lowered his mouth to her breasts. He flicked her right nipple with his tongue and she yelped and arched her back, pushing her breasts into his waiting hands.
He released her breasts as she reached for his chest, allowing her to take the lead. The sensation of her soft, gentle hands running all over his skin was absolutely mind-blowing. He moaned and cupped her face in his hands as he took her in a soft kiss. He took his time with her, relishing the taste of her lips, exploring every inch of her mouth as she parted her lips and granted his tongue access. He was caught up in the slow, hypnotic rhythm of their lovemaking. He’d never taken it slow with anyone before, but he loved every second of it with her. He could feel her; every part of her. She was giving him everything and he was offering her all of him.
He broke their kiss and saw that her eyes were glowing gold for him. He could feel his were too—he could feel the heat there. He held her gaze as he reached between them and drew his finger along her soaking wet slit. She bucked against him and let out a tiny cry. He smiled and called one of his claws forth. He drew it across the top of his chest. And then he gently did the same to her, drawing a scratch across the top of her right breast, just enough to break the skin.
He gripped the back of her head as she leaned into him and lapped at the blood trickling down his chest. As he suckled at hers, he teased her clit with his free hand and she screamed against his chest. As soon as he felt her pussy contracting around him, he was done. He grunted and emptied himself inside her.
A surge of warmth enveloped them and Cora gasped, “Do you feel that?”
He nodded. “The bond is mended.”
She smiled and then moved to lift herself off his cock. His hands shot out and gripped her hips, holding her still.
“Not yet,” he breathed. “I need you.”
“Okay, baby,” she said, leaning into him and resting her head against his chest.
He cupped the back of her head and started to stroke her hair gently.
“You let me take control,” she said after a few moments.
He chuckled. “I know.”
“And?”
“And now I know I was just being a fucking idiot with all my control crap, because that was incredible.”
She kissed him chastely on his forehead. “May I?” she asked, gesturing between her legs.
“If you really must.”
She chuckled and lifted herself off his cock. He grunted at the sudden withdrawal. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself. “There’s something I need to do,” she said, as she walked into the bathroom and snatched up her clothes.
He called over his shoulder to her, “Well, if you’re going anywhere, I’m coming with you.”
“Ryan, I don’t think--”
“Do you really think I’m ready to let you out of my sight right now? I just got you back, my love.”
He heard her mumble her agreement but he didn’t hear exactly what she said, because he was preoccupied as he glanced down at his cock and realized what they’d just done. Oh shit! He hurriedly pulled on his boxers and walked into the bathroom.
“I’m sorry, Cora.”
Her hands on the zipper of her leather pants, she froze at his grave tone. “For what?” she asked, nervously.
“I…in all our excitement…I didn’t…we didn’t…I fucked you without a damn condom!”
Her eyes were wide with shock. She was speechless.
“Both our eyes were glowing. There’s a good chance I may have just got you pregnant…again.”
She shook her head. “Oh no. No way. I said no
more excruciating wolf baby births.”
“I know. I’m sorry, my love. Shit!”
“No, it’s both our faults. Well…maybe now that I’m stronger than I was the first time around, it might not be so bad, right?”
“True. Very true. You could just teleport the baby out.”
Cora laughed. “Hilarious.”
Ryan crossed to her and pulled her against him. “I want to get Orion back. I miss him so much.”
“I know. I do too. And we will.”
“After whatever you have to do tonight, I want to go to Nathanial. He met with this vampire, Kristoff, earlier. He knows how to get our son back, Cora.”
She pulled back and continued getting dressed as she told him. “Even if I have to rip through every damned plane of existence, I will get Orion back, Ryan.”
Ryan smiled. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“So am I.”
“Don’t ever leave me again.”
“Never.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“This is where you wanted to go?” Ryan complained as they approached the gates of the vampire mansion.
“You can wait outside if you want,” Cora suggested.
Ryan scoffed. “I don’t think so. I’m not letting you be in the same room with him without me there.”
“That’s all over now, Ryan,” she said, cupping his face in her hands. “Just like it is with you and Jada. Do you believe me; trust me?”
He sighed. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Okay, then let me do this. Trust me; it will benefit you as well.”
“What exactly are you planning to do?”
“You’ll see.”
Ryan growled at her cryptic response, but let it slide. As they reached the doors to the mansion, he gripped her hand tightly. To his surprise the doors opened for her, welcoming her inside.
They’d barely made it down the hall when Luca stepped out of a room into the corridor.
“I thought I sensed you,” he said to Cora only.
“Hi,” she said kindly.
“I see the vampire is gone,” he said sadly as he approached them.
She nodded. “It’s the real me now.”
He looked between her and Ryan. “And you two are back together? I can feel the bond.”
“Yes,” she said.
He stopped in front of them and folded his arms across his chest. “I see.”
“Thank you,” Cora said.
He cocked an eyebrow in surprise.
“For taking care of the vampire version of me. I saw how you were with her, how much you loved her.”
“Cora--”
Ryan could see the pain in his eyes; the same pain that Ryan had felt when he’d thought he’d lost Cora. He looked away, released Cora and stepped back, allowing them to have their moment. He might hate the guy, but how could he deny him this much?
“I have a gift to thank you,” Cora told him.
“A gift? I do not need anything, princess.”
“Yes you do,” she insisted. She moved closer and whispered, “Aerona.”
Luca looked at her in question. “I don’t understand. A woman’s name?”
“She is yours; the one meant for you.”
Luca caught Ryan’s eye and saw the same look of disbelief all over his face that he was feeling. “How do you know that?”
“Being dead, you get to see a lot,” Cora said with a wink. “She’ll come into your life sooner than you think?”
“Why now?” Luca asked.
“Because her father has kept her hidden for decades from you.”
“I must know him then,” Luca said, wryly.
“You do.”
She smiled and then turned away.
“Where are you going?”
“To the Dark Realm to figure out how to get our son back,” Ryan answered as he wrapped his arm around Cora.
“I’ll go with you. I’m due to meet with my father.”
“You are?” Ryan asked in surprise.
“He wants me to shadow him, learn the ways of a ruler.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Cora slapped him across the back of his head. “Ryan.”
“Well, good,” Ryan forced himself to say. “Just keep away from my wife from now on and you and I will be fine.”
“Agreed,” Luca said.
As Luca moved to walk beside Cora, Ryan cleared his throat noisily, “My side,” he said.
Luca snarled with agitation but did as he asked.
“You’re so possessive,” Cora whispered in Ryan’s ear.
“You know it,” Ryan whispered back. “Always, my love.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“You were right. The bond is false. Created by black magick, courtesy of Oriana,” Kristoff reported as he leaned against the wall of the corridor outside Jada’s room.
“Can you break it?” Nathanial asked.
“Yes, but it will be painful for her as she will still remember everything that happened between her and the Wolf King. I need a sorceress of white light to dull the ache.”
“You mean; to make her forget?”
Kristoff nodded. “Marella, perhaps? She has enough power.”
Nathanial shook his head. “No, she is with my child. Her magic isn’t pure at the moment.”
“Then who?”
“Cora has returned,” Nathanial revealed.
Kristoff choked in surprise. “Amazing. I’d expected that to take a lot longer.”
“Her power is greater than either of us truly realized.”
“Let me know when she is here and I will break the bond,” Kristoff said, turning to go.
Nathanial gripped his arm, stopping him. “You have kept something from me, Kristoff.”
Kristoff turned back to him in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“I saw it when I read you the other night. I had hoped that you would reveal it to me yourself, but you have not. Even after you brought her to the Dark Realm gates.”
“Nathanial--”
“Your daughter is of royal blood. She is not Amelia’s child at all. A pureblood, courtesy of your heritage as former ruler of the Dark Realm.”
“Yes, when I was ruler prior to your conquest centuries ago,” Kristoff said bitterly. “Where you took my throne and stripped me off my powers.”
“Which you made up for by turning to black magick. You already took your revenge when you schooled Oriana in the arts of it.”
“Hiding my daughter was not an act of revenge, Nathanial. I was trying to protect her from your son.”
“He has changed, Kristoff. I am sure that you know this; you have your spies after all.”
“Yes,” Kristoff admitted. “I have seen it.”
“Then you will not keep her from him any longer.”
“Is that a suggestion or a threat?”
Nathanial stepped into him and glowered down at him. Before he could answer he sensed a sudden approach. He stepped back quickly and turned to see Cora, Ryan and Luca walking down the hall towards them.
“Princess, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Kristoff said, smoothly moving around Nathanial and holding his hand out to Cora.
With Ryan still holding her right hand in a death grip, she reached out with her left to meet his handshake. As soon as their hands touched, she felt his power and flinched. “Black magick.”
“Yes,” he said, proudly.
“You’re stronger than Oriana,” Cora said.
He chuckled. “I should hope so. I was the one who taught her how to wield it.”
Cora looked to Nathanial.
“He can be trusted,” Nathanial confirmed. “I’m glad you are here. Kristoff can break the bond between Ryan and Jada. It was falsified. By Oriana.”
Ryan growled in response.
“Then what do you need me for?” Cora asked.
“To make her forget,” Luca interjected. “When a bond is broken, the memories still remain intact. It will be painful for her.”
Cora could see the pain in his eyes and she knew he was talking about the two of them. “I am sorry,” she told him.
“As am I,” he said, before breaking away from her and Ryan and moving to stand beside his father.
I have something that will raise your spirits, Nathanial told him telepathically.
Luca looked at him in question.
Nathanial smiled and addressed Kristoff. “While the three of you deal with this, I will take Luca to the courtyard. Summon her.”
Kristoff released a heavy sigh and closed his eyes tightly for a moment. “It is done. She will be waiting.”
“She?” Luca asked.
Nathanial wrapped his arm around him. “You will see,” he said as he led him away.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“There she is,” Nathanial said, pointing to a woman walking into the courtyard below.
He and Luca stood on the castle roof looking down. Luca employed his vampiric vision to get a closer look at her. Chestnut-brown curls framed her face and cascaded down her back all the way to her waist. She had the most striking hazel-eyes he had ever seen. Her cheeks were flush with her obvious haste to get to the courtyard at her father’s request. She wore a red silk gown that kissed the ground as she sauntered through the courtyard, glancing around shyly.
“Aerona,” Luca breathed.
“How did you know?” Nathanial asked, surprised.
“Cora told me that was the name of my destined mate.”
“She is Kristoff’s daughter.”
Luca spun around. “What?” he choked. “You know that his wife, Amelia and I--”
“Yes, I am well aware of your history with her and, no, Aerona is not her daughter. Her mother perished in The War centuries ago.”
Luca was well-educated in the history of The War—it was the war that had led to his father staking his claim to the Dark Realm throne. He had been a fearsome warrior and managed to overrun the king at the time. Although, his father had never mentioned the identity of that former king. It had never seemed important. But now he realized. “Kristoff is the former King of the Dark Realm.”
“Yes. And Aerona is of royal blood—a princess. Just like you always wanted, my son.”
Luca watched the young woman closely. “She seems so shy, so unsure of herself. That is not a typical quality for a princess.”
