by Moni Boyce
Soon his tongue swiped inside her mouth and slowly he dominated and devoured her as he deepened the kiss.
After he finished his exploration of her mouth, he nuzzled her neck and delivered deep, slow strokes. Her tight, wet pussy was squeezing him. A grunt fell from his lips and he lightly bit her shoulder. He hooked her left leg over his forearm, opening her up even further. Their heavy breathing mixed with the slapping of sweaty skin upon sweaty skin. He could stay here all morning like this.
She was close. He made it a point to thrust hard and deep and rub the tip against her G-spot. In no time flat, she was thrashing her head back and forth beneath him as she came. Feeling her tighten around him sent him over the edge. He flooded the condom with his semen and buried his face in the crook of her neck as his body spasmed after his climax.
She still couldn’t get enough of him. Although they’d both cum, her pussy continued to milk his cock dry. He jerked against her. The lingering tremors of his orgasm flowed through his body. He knew he needed to take off the condom, but the thought of pulling out of her right now was not possible. He kissed her sweat damp skin and inhaled the heady scent of her body. When she wrapped her hands around him, he held her tighter.
After a few more minutes, he pushed himself up on his hands and looked down in between their joined bodies. He didn’t think that sight would ever get old. When he looked back up at her face, she gave him a lazy smile. He kissed her nose and her chin and then looked back down to watch as he slowly pulled his cock from her body.
Once he disposed of the condom in the bathroom, he came back into the room. Somehow they’d kicked the blankets and sheets to the edge of the mattress. Willow lay on her stomach, her arm folded beneath her head on the pillow, still naked. “I was right.” He smirked and sat on the edge of the bed beside her. His fingers stroked between her shoulder blades.
“Hmm?”
“You do have the better ass.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on each of her ass cheeks. When she giggled, he stroked his hand over her backside and smiled at her. “I’m gonna go see if I can find someone to spar with. Why don’t you get some more sleep?”
“I think I will. You wore me out.” She opened an eye and peeked at him. The way she looked right now he wanted to remember always: bee stung lips, mussed hair, damp, dewy skin, flushed cheeks and that love drunk look in her eyes. He was tempted to grab his cell phone and snap a shot. She turned on her side and reached for him. Without hesitation he bent over and she twined her arms around his neck. Even though they’d just enjoyed each other’s bodies, the lingering kiss she gave him made him want to crawl back into bed with her.
She released him. “Go spar. I’m going to sleep.” She shut her eyes again. He couldn’t help himself. He leaned over and kissed her shoulder before he left.
“EASY MAN, EASY.” MAX used his staff to repeatedly block Eli’s moves that were intent on destruction. “We’re just sparring.”
He stopped. He was panting with the exertion of his movements. Despite making love to Willow before he left, he couldn’t stop thinking about the person behind her night terrors.
There was all this aggression and anger inside of him that he didn’t know what to do with. Last night, her broken sobs after the nightmare made him feel helpless and powerless. She was fighting an evil monster that none of them could yet defend against. The fact that he could get into her head like that and had been doing so for years infuriated him beyond anything he’d ever known. How could he fight her dreams?
“I don’t know whose head you want to take off, but I’d like to keep mine on my shoulders.” Max handed him a bottle of water.
“Thanks.” After removing the cap he drank the water down in huge gulps. He wanted to ask Max a question, but he was almost afraid to hear the answer. He swiped the back of his hand over his mouth and watched Max tidy up the room. “When you were acting as Willow’s dog... the dreams she had about Killian... did they often become violent?” He looked down to avoid Max’s gaze.
Silence ensued for so long, for a moment he wondered if Max chose not to answer the question. When he looked back up, Max was eyeing him wearily. It was the most serious he’d seen him look. “She had a nightmare last night?” They held each other’s gaze. Eli nodded.
“There were night’s she’d wake up screaming, thrashing around in the sheets. I believed it was mostly out of fear. Nothing ever indicated he got physical with her...” He looked at the floor for a second before looking back at him. “That first night on the road when she had the bad dream was the first time it appeared he was hurting her.”
Involuntarily, Eli’s hands balled into fists. He wanted to hit something until this anger disappeared from his body.
In a burst of anger, he gave way to the fury he felt and slammed the staff in his hand against the ground repeatedly as he yelled out his frustration. Soon there was nothing left of the piece of wood that had withstood many fights. It was splintered into broken bits that were scattered across the floor. What was left in his hand was a fractured piece of the weapon. A small jagged piece protruded from his palm and blood welled up from the puncture wound. He stood staring at it for long seconds before Max came over.
“Let me get the first aid kit.”
Eli pulled out the jagged piece of wood. “It’s fine. I can just heal it.” He placed his other hand over the wound. “Sana.” A white light glowed from underneath his palm over the puncture wound. When he removed his hand, he was healed.
Max stared at his hand impressed. “That will never get old.”
He was happy for the distraction of Max’s good-natured vibe. It was exactly what he needed. He smiled at him and was about to ask if he wanted to do some boxing when Archie shuffled in. “The Council wants to see you and the Protectors in one hour.” He delivered the curt message and walked out.
Any other day he would have ribbed Archie for not greeting them or teased the old man, but today he was in no mood to be jovial. He was sure The Council wanted a report on what happened in Greece. Now that they knew the book was in Egypt he needed to start making plans. The sooner they got there and found the book the sooner they could end Killian.
He was about to clean up the mess he made when Phaedra walked in. “We need to talk.”
“Okay.” She seemed more serious than usual. “What’s up?”
She glanced over in Max’s direction without saying another word. It was clear whatever she had to say were for his ears only. Max seemed to take the hint. He grabbed his towel and left.
“They know.”
“What?”
“Someone talked.”
“Can you stop being cryptic and assuming I know what your coded messages are about. If you were going to be like that, you could have let Max stay. What are you talking about?” He continued to pick up the broken pieces of the staff.
“Someone from Greece called and spoke to The Council about you and Willow.”
He stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
“They know you’re involved with her.”
For a while he said nothing, then he resumed picking up the bits of wood.
“Aren’t you going to say anything? Aren’t you worried?”
He tried not to be angry with her, she was only the messenger, but he couldn’t help his agitated tone. “What? What do you want me to say? You want me to tell you that I’m going to stop being with her to appease The Council and my father? Well I’m not. I love her and she loves me.”
“You know it’s not that simple, Elias. This goes beyond The Council.”
His jaw ticked. “I guess I’ll just have to face the consequences.” He glared at her for a second before he turned his back on her and continued cleaning up.
“You’re being stubborn... Don’t do this.” For the first time since he’d known her, he heard real fear in her voice. He knew he should be concerned too, but he wouldn’t let his father, The Council or the law dictate to him. When he continued to do what he was doing without a
cknowledging her last statement, he heard her walk away. She slammed the door open with such force on her way out, it rattled on its hinges. He appreciated that his friend was worried about what price he’d have to pay for choosing love above duty, but he wouldn’t change his mind.
His thoughts went back to that morning, when he’d woken to find her in his arms, staring up at him. If it hadn’t been for the horrible nightmare, it had been the perfect way to wake up: looking at her beautiful face. He’d almost lost her once. He wouldn’t chance it again.
CHAPTER 13
Willow
After he left, she fell asleep without the fear of Killian invading her dreams. Considering he’d escalated the level of pain and horror he subjected her to, she was thankful to wake up in Eli’s arms after being terrorized.
When she’d woken, Eli hadn’t returned so she took a shower. As much as she wanted to keep thinking about how good Eli made her feel sexually and otherwise, Killian kept occupying her thoughts.
That bastard meant to terrorize her. He’d won again last night. At least he hadn’t been around to see the aftermath of his torture. She knew one thing: she wasn’t going to let Killian break her. The long shower helped her clear her head.
When she emerged from the bathroom someone was knocking on the door.
Did he forget his key? Last time I was here I didn’t need a key to get into my room. Why is he knocking?
She opened the door. “Is there a reason you’re...” The rest of what she was about to say died on her tongue when she saw Phaedra standing on the other side of the door. “Hey... um, Eli’s not here. He stepped out for a minute.”
“I know. I’m here to see you.” Phaedra stepped inside without a smile and without invitation.
“Okay.” Willow shut the door behind her. This felt ominous. She was only wearing a bathrobe and after last night she still felt vulnerable. At least if she was fully clothed she’d feel like she had a shield or some sort of protection against whatever Phaedra was going to say to her. She wrapped his robe tighter around her body. “What is it?”
“I think you should break things off with Eli.” Her stare was unapologetic.
She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting to hear come out of Phaedra’s mouth, but it wasn’t that. Her mouth hung open in shock and surprise. Phaedra was with Max, so it couldn’t be jealousy that had her in Eli’s place telling her to break up with him. “Why would I do that?” She turned away from her, trying to mask her hurt. Even though they weren’t friendly like she was with the other Protectors, she at least thought Phaedra liked her and that they were becoming friends.
“You’re new to this world. There are things you don’t yet understand.” Sometimes she wondered if the woman was a robot. Phaedra spoke in such an emotionless, matter of fact, no-nonsense tone it annoyed her, given what the woman was asking her to do.
“Does this have something to do with the anti-hybrid stuff that Eli was talking about?” A horrifying thought struck her. “Are you one of them?” She hissed at Phaedra and leaned away from her in alarm. Revulsion settled like a stone in her stomach.
“No.” Phaedra rolled her eyes so hard, for a minute she was afraid they would roll right out of her head.
“Why don’t you approve of us being together?” She was so confused.
Phaedra looked torn and exasperated. “This has nothing to do with me... I can’t say more than that... Things are about to get really bad for him. If you care about him, you’ll do this.”
The anger she felt was going to erupt any minute and she’d rather not have to apologize later. She crossed over to the door and ripped it open. Her body was trembling she was so furious. “I think you should leave.” Her voice shook a little on the end. The tight grip she had on the doorknob was sure to leave an imprint in her palm if she didn’t break off the knob first.
“Just think about what I said.” Those were Phaedra’s parting words. Willow slammed the door behind her.
WHEN ELI ARRIVED TWENTY minutes later she was fully dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans. The anxiety she felt as she waited for him seemed to increase with every minute. The door opened and she jumped up from her seat on the sofa. “Hey.” She wondered if Phaedra had already talked to him. What had she said to him and how had he responded. She looked at his face trying to gauge what had transpired since he’d left. His face gave away nothing.
“We have to appear in front of The Council in fifteen minutes. I need to get cleaned up.” He went to step past her.
“Wait. That’s all? Do you know what it’s about?” She knew after Phaedra’s visit there was going to be more to this meeting with The Council than he was letting on. “Tell me what’s going on.” He kept his back to her for several seconds before he finally turned around.
“Promise me whatever happens you’ll be as brave as you were last night.” That seemed to be the only explanation he was going to give her.
She came over and put her arms around his waist. Her eyes pleaded with him. “You’re scaring me. What’s going on?”
He rubbed her cheek. “Just trust me okay. I love you.” He kissed her and gently pulled her arms from around him and went to take a quick shower.
If she’d had more time she could have sought out Morgana, Zoriana or even Mathilda to find out what was going on, but something told her she wasn’t sure they would be so forthcoming with answers either.
After he showered they walked to The Council’s Chamber. She felt like a dead man walking. Eli didn’t say a word on the way there. He kept his focus straight ahead. She wondered what he was thinking about.
Before they entered the room, he took her hand in his and gave her a sad smile. She wanted to pull him away from the door and demand he tell her what was going to happen in that room, but she knew it was useless. He was used to being the Protector and that’s what he was doing now, trying to protect her. Why did she feel like he was the one that needed protecting?
When they stepped through the door, hands clasped, all eyes were on them. She didn’t miss Silas’ hard look of disapproval the minute he saw their hands linked. All the other Protectors stood in a row in front of Elders of The Council. When they joined them and she glanced down the row, they all looked uneasy. Max was the only one that smiled in her direction and offered a slight wave. The corner of her mouth tried to tilt into a smile, but it was hard since she knew she wasn’t going to like how this turned out.
Phaedra stood with her hands clasped behind her back; legs shoulder width apart like she was waiting for a military inspection. Her face was hard and unreadable. The rest were just trying to avoid her looks. They knew something was up and no one had tried to warn her. An edgy feeling settled over her and she looked down at Eli’s and her conjoined hands. He squeezed her hand and she looked up into his eyes. The flash of a smile he gave her before he turned back to face The Council might have put her at ease if she wasn’t already sure that this was not going to go well.
The members of The Council took their seats now ready to call their meeting to order.
“First things first, did you recover The Book of Prophecy?” Silas had yet to take his eyes off his son.
“No, the book is no longer in Greece and it’s possible it hasn’t been in some time.”
“So where is it?”
She continued to grow antsy. Everyone was talking about the book, while the elephant in the room continued to grow at an alarming rate.
“We believe it’s in Egypt...”
“You believe? You don’t know for sure?” Silas condescension grated on her nerves.
“We won’t know until we go there. Willow...” His father interrupted him again. When he said her name with an edge in his voice she stood a little straighter.
“The Council was made aware of the change in your relationship with Ms. Stevens. Would you like to confirm or deny this?”
Ms. Stevens? Since when did things become so formal she couldn’t but wonder sarcastically?
Eli didn’t hesita
te or stutter, he answered clearly. “I love her and I have it on pretty good authority that she loves me.” His chest seemed to puff out a little bit when he said the words.
She couldn’t help herself. Even though he couldn’t see her, a broad grin broke out on her face at his declaration.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Silas.
She wanted to give the man the middle finger, but he was still Eli’s father after all so she would show him respect. How did Josephine, Eli’s mother put up with his pompous ass?
“You’re aware of the Protector’s Commandment that you swore an oath to that states: A Protector shall not enter a relationship or fall in love with the Oracle?”
“I am.”
Willow’s jaw dropped open. It’s a commandment? Wildly she scanned the room. She felt dizzy.
“You’re aware of the law enacted by the Congress of Supernatural Beings this commandment was derived from that states: No supernatural shall enter a relationship or fall in love with the Oracle?”
“Yes.”
Her head was swimming and she felt sick to her stomach. There was a law that punished someone who wanted to be with her? Love her? “This is bullshit!” She exploded.
‘DON’T.’ He came through in her head, trying to warn her away from whatever she was about to do.
She ignored him and approached The Council. “ Was no one ever going to tell me what had been decided about my life? What gives you the right? A law? A law that I don’t have any say in? That’s set in place to keep me from loving and being with who I want?” She didn’t care that her voice was loud or that she might have been disrespectful. She wanted answers. Why had this law been put in place and why were they enforcing something so archaic?
