Reign

by Alaska Angelini

  Persuasion. It was Aetas’ gift. Could I use it differently that what was expected?

  Harder, I pushed, until I hit the surface of something. I wanted to find the moment where Marko thought me most beautiful so I could use it to my advantage. Instead, I came across a barrage of images of myself that didn’t exist. Fantasies? Dreams?

  Baffled, I grasped one, clinging to it in confusion. As much as I wanted to think over it, I didn’t have time if I wanted to attempt my plan. I studied the detail, willing it to become me. Aetas had talked of object materialization before. I could do this. I knew I could. It was no different than disappearing and reappearing somewhere else. Instead of it being me, I would materialize objects to fit what I wanted.

  A deep breath left me as tingling raced over my skin. For minutes I stayed in deep concentration, envisioning nothing but the black see-through gown. It was different than any I’d ever worn before. Lace covered and concealed my most intimate areas, but the rest was sheer, leaving my skin visible under the dark, thin material. The deep slits up each thigh left it floating out around me when I walked. It went beyond sexy and had a low cut top that left my shoulders exposed. My hair was piled high on my head, fitting within my crown. What was so different than my usual self was the dark make-up I wore. The eyeliner and shadows around the green color of my eyes left them glowing as I walked toward him. The memory was looping. I was just walking, showing how much I wanted him as I neared.

  “Ma minette?”

  My eyes opened, leaving me with view of the dark smoke hiding me. The coolness from the swirling raced over my exposed neck and I couldn’t stop the smile from coming as I glanced down at the black dress.

  “What are you doing? I know you’re there, but I can’t see you.”

  The fog sunk into my skin, fading from the surroundings as I began to walk through the curtain, just as I saw in the clip. Marko’s eyes flashed with lust, but he shook his head. There was shock there, and something else. Something so much deeper that he wasn’t meaning to reveal.

  “How did you see that? How?” He swallowed hard, beginning to circle around me. “Answer me! Were you in my mind?”

  My eyes cut over to the side to look at him and my suspicion heightened as his fear turned to anger.

  “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be? You’ve never cared before.”

  “You wanted in mind, so you just, what, took this image of yourself and materialized it?” Marko stepped in, spinning me to face him. “Talk to me.” He gave me a shake, gripping to my shoulders tightly as he glared at me.

  “That’s exactly what happened. I saw the image and I chose to become it.”

  My eyes scanned his as I willed the persuasion to return. Almost immediately Marko’s features softened.

  “I just wanted to look good for you. I wanted you to want me. Instead you’re acting like I did something wrong. You’re being mean to me. I can’t believe you’d yell and shake me for doing something you asked me to.” Tears welled and I could almost laugh at how real the actions appeared. I was pouting, looking up at him through my lashes as his eyebrows drew in regretfully.

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. I told you to learn and I shouldn’t be angry with you. You have every right to be in my mind. I guess it’s Aetas blood that is making me defensive. I’m sure he didn’t like people in his mind. Please, forgive me.”

  His arms pulled me into his body and I couldn’t stop the smile from greeting me in the mirror I face.

  “Do I look pretty? Do you love me like this?” I pulled back pushing my persuasion through his stare even more.

  “You have to ask me that?” Marko’s hand cupped my cheek as he learned in, kissing me. His other grabbed my ass, pulling my body into his. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined you like this. So exposed, and yet concealed in all the right pleases.”

  The lamp on the table behind me rocked as he pushed the back of my thighs against it. The next thing I knew, he reached out and cleared it with his hand.

  I’m going to fuck you like this. It’s not a dream anymore. You made this real and now I will have it.”

  “I would have done this a long time ago had I of known.”

  I was lifted to sit on the table. The sheer material fell over and between my legs at the slits. Marko growled, gripping my waist as he lowered and pulled me down to kiss on my thighs. When he looked up into my face, there was a yearning there. A longing I didn’t quite recognize. It was as though he was looking at me for the first time. Love. Yes, he loved me. I knew that, but why was this different than before?

  Knocking had him standing. A threatening sound rumbled his throat, filling the space. “It’s Colin. There’s a problem. I have to take care of this. Just …” His hand rose even as he walked and threw open the door. Whispering erupted and he looked over his shoulder, still staring, longingly. When he finally turned, he was so angry that it left me concerned. “It might be a little bit. I can’t fucking believe of all times, I have to leave you now. Perhaps I should tell them to handle it on their own.”

  “No,” I rushed out. “I’m fine. Go ahead. I’ll keep this on. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  A smile stretched across his face, but it was just as fake as mine. He threw me one more look, scowling before he shut the door behind him. My grin instantly melted away. I turned, facing the mirror once again. Before I could so much as try to figure out why Marko suddenly liked this look, the door swung open. Hunter jolted to a stop as his gaze met mine in the mirror.

  “Wow. My queen.” His head bowed. “I’m sorry, I …thought the training room was empty.”

  “No you didn’t,” I said, turning to face him. “You can’t lie to me, Hunter. We’re bonded, remember? And I’m stronger and more experienced than you.”

  His mouth twisted. “I’ve miss you. I wanted to see you. Marko, I don’t think he wants me around you anymore. He keeps pushing me away. I don’t understand. He encouraged me to get close to you. Now, all he does is order me to leave.”

  “Encouraged you?”

  Hunter nodded. “After he was first turned. He said I had almost just as much right over you as he did because I was your bonded now. He was just yours, legally. Something like that. Anyway, it’s starting to piss me off. You are my mate, dammit.” He walked closer. “And I can’t stand being away from you. You’re all I can think about. Do you think of me?”

  “All the time,” I admitted.

  A frown came to his face. “This is so unfair. I want to kiss you. I wanted to hold you, and I can’t. He’ll kill me if I do. I know this. It’s written in the looks he gives me. He’s waiting for me to cross the line. He wants an excuse.”

  “He can’t kill you, Hunter. If he did, he’d kill me. Besides.” I headed toward the door. “I wouldn’t let him hurt you.”

  My hand extended toward him and Hunter walked over to take it. I tried not to think about how wrong this was. Not because he wasn’t my legal mate, but because I truly had forgiven him and it was too baffling for my vampire to understand. The truth was, I longed for him. I loved him, again. The bond was making sure of that.

  “Where are we going?”

  “The City of the Dead. I wish to speak with Aetas.”

  Chapter 21

  Hunter

  I couldn’t hide the awe as I followed Tessa through the City. We’d been silent up to this point, but as I saw the memorials for the fallen enforcers I couldn’t help but stop and show my respect.

  “This place is amazing. So much energy. So much history.”

  Tessa’s hands clasped as she gave a nod. “Yes. And it’ll only get more intense as we get closer to Aetas. His power radiates even after death.”

  My hand trailed over the black marble and I couldn’t help but frown as I turned and began walking again.

  “What it is?” Tessa asked, lowly. “Something upsets you.”

  I threw her a glance and took in the large tower ahead. It had to been three stories high. A steeple protruded from th
e white cathedral top and it looked more like a church to me than anything else.

  “I’m torn on what I should do. I’ve been giving thought to joining the enforcers. I’m just not sure if I should.”

  “It’s a very dangerous profession in our field.” Her low tone didn’t hide what I knew she meant.

  “Yes. It’s the reason I think I’m going to have to pass. If I die, well, we both know what will happen, then. I do believe Marko would make me suffer even after my death if I were to take you away from him.”

  Tessa’s face turned stoic as she stared ahead. Our pace increased at whatever she was thinking. “Maybe. Although I’m not so sure.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s different now, but you know that. He’s very self-centered.”

  I laughed, not able to help it. I’d gotten to know him well enough before his bond with Aetas, but I was remembering more from my past.

  “Hasn’t he always been?”

  Tessa’s gaze shot to me. “Not like this. He loved me once.”

  “He loves you still.”

  “Not like before.” She threw me a look. “He also loved his people once, too, but this Marko let them die. I will never forgive him for that. Ever.”

  My brow creased as old memories came back. “He was a different leader before. I remember that. He has changed a lot since then. It’s almost like …” I trailed off, not wanting to go there.

  “Like what?”

  She stopped in front of the pathway that led to Aetas’ memorial, but I continued on, making her follow as she waited for me to speak. I wasn’t sure I should tell her my fears. Although, she could probably discover them herself if she only pushed into my mind like I knew she could.

  I came to a halt outside of the door, amazed that it was almost impossible to stay so close.

  “It’s almost like Marko.” I paused. “Like he and Aetas are one in the same. Does that make sense?”

  Tessa’s lips parted while she nodded. “I feel the same. I’ve tasted his blood, Hunter. He is more Aetas than Marko. In time I suppose it will fade, but what if it doesn’t? What if Marko is doomed to keep Aetas’ personality traits? I feel like.” She lowered her head. “I feel as though I am married to a stranger. Making love to a stranger. He’s so different in that regard than Marko was. Marko took care to …” She stopped. “You don’t wish to hear this. I’m sorry.”

  “No, please. I grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to me. “I want to know everything you’re thinking. Everything that happens that I can’t be a part of. I know that sounds odd, but you have no idea how hard it is for me not to be with you. If I can’t physically, I wish to be in these ways.”

  My hand was lifted and I couldn’t stop my pulse from racing. She flipped it over, kissing my palm. “You were always a great friend. Sometimes I wonder if maybe there wasn’t meant to be more between us.”

  “It will never happen being mated to Marko. Aetas told me those vows are unbreakable until death. Unless agreed by both, but I don’t see Marko giving you to me.”

  “No,” she breathed out. “He will not.”

  “What were you saying before? How is he different now when the two of you are together?”

  Tessa’s arm extended and she put her palm against the large metal door. “He used to take such care with me. Pleasure me for hours before we made love. Now, he’s so eager, so impatient. He takes me almost immediately. It’s as though there’s more lust than passion. I don’t really understand his change. And this,” she said, waving her hand over her appearance. “This is what I materialized from his mind. This is how he saw me when he wanted me. Marko never liked me wearing heavy make-up. He once refused to leave the room until I took it off. He always said I was more beautiful natural than painted up. Is it Aetas’ desires he feels now? Aetas’ lust? I don’t know.”

  The last was almost silent as she moved in closer to focus on the door.

  “Hunter, I don’t know if I can continue to hide my true feelings for this new version. He doesn’t listen to me when I suggest he get our people to come here for safety. He’s acting recklessly.”

  She bit her bottom lip looking around. Instantly, words pushed into my mind.

  “If he doesn’t start helping our people soon.” She left the rest open and I felt my stomach drop at what I knew she meant.

  “I will fight with you. I will support your rule.”

  Tessa’s eyes closed and she reached, grabbing my shirt and pulling me to her. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, kissing the top of her head. When she dropped her head back to look at me, I couldn’t stop myself from moving in. My lips brushed over hers, barely existent in my hesitation from what I was doing.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? You’re not sorry. You want more.”

  “Fuck, I do. I want you so bad I can taste it. Taste you … everywhere.” I pinned her against the door, pushing my thigh between her legs. “I remember what you taste like, Tessa. I dream of it. I dream of our first time after my return. We made love for hours. We couldn’t get enough of each other.”

  Tighter, she gripped to me. “Don’t remind me of that right now. I try not to think of you that way. It only makes things harder.”

  “Because you want me, too?” At her silence, I moved to her throat, sucking against her skin. “You do. I know you do. You love me. And you loved fucking me during the coronation. Do you not think about that day, either?”

  “No. I can’t. It’s safer that way.”

  Tessa’s hand pressed against my chest and I growled, pulling back from her throat.

  “This is unfair and we both know it. Safer? Yes, I suppose it is, but what about what we want? You can’t stand this new Marko. You talk of the forbidden if he goes much further, but you won’t take me when I give myself to you so freely? Why must it always be like this? We’re so close, Tessa. We’re both vampires now, and we’re bonded for fucks’ sake, and I still can’t have you. I can’t stand this. Maybe for once I’ll accept the risk and finally take what I want. Just like I should have taken you a long time ago.”

  Tessa’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean that.”

  “And if I do? If I take you so you can be with me away from here?”

  Pressure pushed against my chest until I gave in and stepped away, releasing her. I could see the temptation in her pained expression. She blinked, repeatedly, and turned to face the door. Her hand rose back to the metal.

  “I can’t leave, Hunter, no matter how much I want to. I see possibility with being outside of these walls. A chance to save our people. But … I can’t leave. I can’t …”

  “What is it about this place that draws you here? I’ve seen you come down to this city multiple times. Is this what you waste your time doing? Standing outside of the door to a leader who ruined our lives?”

  Tessa spun on me with so much anger, I wasn’t prepared for it.

  “Do not speak of him that way. Aetas may have made mistakes, but he looked out for our kind. He did what he felt was best for us. That’s more than I can say for our new leader.”

  “Agreed,” I said, cautiously. “But Aetas wasn’t as good as you make him out to be. I’m sorry Tessa, I don’t understand this emotion you have toward him.”

  The anger disappeared and her shoulders sagged. “Truthfully, neither do I. I think that’s why I’m here.”

  I scanned the building, taking in the metal door that had no sign of an entrance.

  “What do you say we find out? Should we go in and ask him?”

  “We can’t go in there.”

  My eyebrow rose. “Why can’t we?”

  “Because,” she exclaimed. “For one, there’s no way in. Two, it’s sacred.”

  “Sacred?”

  Tessa’s lips pressed together and she glanced back at the door. “I don’t know why I fear to go in. Do you think you can find a way inside?”

  A mischievous smile came to my face and it wasn’t long before she mirrored it.
/>
  “I can try. I’ll be a little surprised if I can’t. Here, watch out.”

  She stepped out of my way as I approached the door. She hadn’t exaggerated on the energy. The power it held gave off vibes that made me almost want to change my mind. I pressed my palm against the door as she had done and immediately felt myself break into a sweat.

  “What’s in there? Or … what is guarding this place that doesn’t want us to go in?”

  Tessa licked her lips, raising her hand to put next to mine.

  “I don’t know. I’ve wondered the same thing. Some has to be Aetas’ energy, but the aura is off. Something or someone doesn’t want anyone inside. It feels wrong to me, almost threatening. But I can’t help but feel drawn back. I long to be here, Hunter, and I don’t know why.”

  My hand dropped. “If that is your wish, I will get you inside. Maybe not today, but I promise I won’t stop until I find a way.”

  Her head cocked to the side and something was going through her mind, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

  “If you can get me in, maybe this feeling will go away. Maybe then I will be at peace.”

  “Then what?”

  She glanced back at the door. “If I have no reason to stay from the outcome, and Marko does not show improvement,” she turned back to me, pausing. “I will leave with you and we will do what we must to save our kind.”

  I had Tessa in my arms before I could help myself. My lips crushed into hers for only seconds before I placed her off to the side and charged at the door with all of my strength. Hitting the metal was like falling multiple stories and landing on the pavement. I grabbed my shoulder, blinking past the stars in my vision.

  “That isn’t regular metal or I would have gone right through it.”

  Tessa took a deep breath. “I could have told you that. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Just took me by surprise is all.” I immediately stepped back, scanning the front. No windows. “Stay here.” I took off at a fast pace, moving around to the side of the marble building. My eyes ate up every inch as I looked for any sort of opening I could come across. The back was solid as was the other side. As I met Tessa back in the front my teeth clenched in aggravation. If I could ease her mind, we could leave here. We could be together. Alone and away from this new Marko. “The door is the only way in.”