“Eve,”—a heartfelt whisper—“you humble me with that good, kind, and very loving heart.”
She eased back. “You endured and lived through a horrific ordeal no being could have survived. Now that I know, you think I don’t understand why it took you this long to open up to me? You don’t trust easily—no, no, let me finish,” she stopped him when he would have interrupted. “You don’t trust women. After all that’s happened, how can I blame you?”
“No, Eve. You—” His eyes filled with tenderness, with love. “I trust with my life. My heart. You demanded nothing from me.” A smile. “Well, except my unconditional love.”
“Is it so bad, then?” She pushed his unbound hair from his face so she could see him better in the streetlight. He caught her hand and pressed his lips to the ruined flesh.
“Ah, me’morae, never. You see inside me—see who I am. You are all that’s right in my life.”
“What does that mean? What you called me?”
“My love.”
Yes, his. Always. She took a deep breath. Settled.
Then she demanded, “Why do you still allow this woman to see you?”
“I don’t. Goddesses are a self-serving lot. She does whatever the hell she pleases.”
“You’re an immortal. Stop her. Why is it so difficult?” She tried to free her hand from his, but he wouldn’t let go. Eve stilled in shock. “She’s a goddess—not an Empyrean?”
“Inanna is from the Sumerian pantheon. Empyrean females would not dare do what she did.”
She recalled what Aerén had told her about Reynner and the women from his world. Despite knowing he loved her, her stomach twisted into a painful knot.
“Eve.” He cupped her face and brushed his lips against hers. “That was eons ago. None of them meant anything, until you.”
Her throat tightened with suppressed emotions at his words. And deep within her soul she felt his absolute love, like a warm glow.
Eve pulled back, determined to end this goddess’s hold on him. “Reynner, tell Inanna no.”
“It’s not that simple. I gave her my word not to use my powers for that night until I left the next day. But she didn’t release me like she’d promised. Instead, she bound me to her while I was in a drugged sleep. No, I have no idea how. Maybe it was through the wine I had, the crap she burns in her place...”
Shaken to her core, Eve whispered, “But you must have mages, oracles who could—”
He shook his head. “I've tried them—tried everything, I even cut the damn brand off my chest, nothing works.”
“That star?” she said horrified. “She put that on you?”
He nodded.
Now she understood that day in her studio when she’d thought he didn’t want her to touch him. It was the star. Eve’s fingers balled into fists. She wasn’t a violent person, but right then, she wanted the goddess drawn and quartered.
“Eve, there’s something else you must understand, must be prepared for. Being with me is dangerous. I don’t want you hurt or caught in any crossfire. Inanna is lethal—”
“I don’t care.”
“She’ll use you, hurt you to get me to do what she wants.”
At his warning, her heart constricted. “Wh-what are you saying?”
His expression became granite. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle her.”
“Reynner—”
“You are my life, Eve. I will never let anything happen to you.” A vow.
Still, unease filled her. She recalled the kiss in the gallery. Ice brushed over her skin in foreboding. In life, nothing was permanent, and that witch could take Reynner away from her.
No. Never. Not if she could help it.
“C’mon, me’seya, let’s get you inside, you need to rest. We have a long night ahead of us tomorrow. We start scouting for the artifact.” He opened the car door, came around to her side, and helped her out.
Before she could ask, he smiled. Said, “Sweetheart.”
As they headed into the building, Eve’s cell beeped. She retrieved her phone from her bag and read the text message from Kataya. Are you all right?
She tried to text but the darn cracked glass made it difficult. Autocorrect was giving her the strangest words. Damn. She needed to reassure her friend she was okay.
“May I borrow your cell?” she asked him. “Mine’s gone all wonky. It’s Kat, she’ll think something awful happened if I don’t respond.” Eve realized then she probably should apologize for her friend’s anger at the gallery. “Reynner, I know Kat can be in your face at times, but it’s just her way. She saw that woman kissing you, and all her alarms went off.”
Reynner stroked her back then handed her his phone. “You don’t have to explain anything. Make your call.”
***
After Eve had gone to bed, Reynner headed back to the living room. Aerén had taken the bedroom Reynner had used before, but sleep was the last thing on his mind.
Now that he no longer had to hide his feelings from Eve, he slid safely into her mind, needing the contact—the anchor. Heavens, he closed his eyes, reveling in the peace their bond provided him.
A peace he’d never thought possible.
He glanced at the corridor. Longing for her hit him hard. He planted his booted feet to the floor so he wouldn’t head back there. She’d had a tiring day, needed the rest, and he needed to think. He had bigger problems now.
He couldn’t ignore Inanna’s threat from this evening. She rarely made idle ones. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Problems?” North asked.
Reynner found the warrior sprawled on the couch, eyeing him instead of the television.
It still shocked him to see the changes in North. A big male, but his skin seemed to have shrunk over his bones. Too lean, almost gaunt now.
How North survived without his mate, Reynner had no idea. Only knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it if anything happened to Eve. He realized, too, that no words he uttered in condolence could soften the male’s loss.
Still. “I'm sorry about your mate.”
North’s lips tightened. He nodded and stared at his laced fingers. He didn't say much—hell, he didn't ever speak about his dead mate.
North seemed to collect himself, his lean face set once more in its usual impassive lines. “Anything I can do?”
Reynner shook his head, aware North was referring to his problems. “No. It’s my mess to clean up.”
He picked up the horse sculpture Eve had given him and ran his fingers over the metal. “Eve… she’s all that is pure and good, and she ends up with one like me.”
North frowned. “We always thought we couldn’t soul-join with mortals. Guess we know differently now.”
“Soul-joined or not, I would never let Eve go. But I'm damn grateful to whichever fate brought her to me.”
“Our creator—”
“Messed up. There can never be a perfect race. It’s time the ruling council faced the truth. It can never be how it once was. Urias created us, but to continue to exist, we must do what we can to survive. I think the Stone disappearing…maybe it’s a good thing.”
Reynner set the sculpture back on the shelf and crossed to the kitchen. “This proves that we can mate with mortals, though I can't see the ruling council agreeing. Can you imagine if I went back to Empyrea with Eve? They would never accept her. Her mortality—her fragility will work against her, and that I will never subject her to.”
“Then you're going to remain on this realm with her?”
“Yeah.” Reynner helped himself to a soda from the fridge, tore open the tab, and took a deep swallow of the ice cold liquid. “And we’ll live in Exilum, too.”
Aerén walked into the lounge, wearing only boxers—for which Reynner was eternally grateful.
The prince’s silver eyes narrowed. “You’re not coming back to Empyrea—to your home?”
“Eve is my home,” he said.
Sensing her still awake, he headed for her room.
***
Throwing aside the cover, she swung her feet to the cool, wooden floors and rubbed the heels of her palms against her burning eyes. God, she had to find a way to help him. No way would she ever accept that evil witch having control over him. Lowering her hands, her gaze fell on Reynner’s cell phone on her nightstand.
A thought flashed through her mind. Eve grabbed the phone, grateful it was unlocked, and pressed star one. It was answered instantly. Oh, God, please let this work.
“Reynner?” The familiar deep, commanding voice filled her ears. To know she was speaking to the archangel sent goosebumps skittering along her skin.
“Er- no, Michael, it’s me.”
“Eve—is Reynner all right?”
“Yes, he’s fine. I…I er- need your help.”
“What is it?” He was precise and to the point, like before.
Eve rose and padded to the window. Moving the curtains aside, she peered into the quiet streets. Her voice low, she told the archangel her problem. When she came to an end, he said, “I understand. It is a delicate situation.”
“Can you help me?”
“I cannot, but maybe the oracle can. But she’s only there for the next day. Don’t waste time. Take Reynner and go see her.”
Eve winced. “I can’t. He er- doesn't want me involved in this.”
The archangel deliberated a long, silent moment. “I see... So it’s on you then to talk to her.” He paused, and for the tiniest moment, Eve thought she’d heard deeper concern in his voice. Worry for her, not Reynner. “I would go with you, Eve. But things are tense right now and I’m needed here.”
“I understand. I can do this alone.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Michael recited the address then ended the call. Eve didn’t bother to write it down. She knew the place. After all, she’d gone there once, when she’d wanted to get rid of her own curse.
Eve set the cell phone on her dresser, just as the door opened and Reynner walked inside. Guiltily, she rubbed her hands down her shorts.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I've tried, I can't.” Her gaze widened when he started to unbutton his shirt.
“You didn’t think I would share the bed with Aerén now, did you?” He shrugged off the shirt and tossed it onto the armchair.
No, she wasn’t thinking at all as joy swept through her.
“This way, we both can rest,” he said as he sat on the bed and toed off his boots. They landed with a thud on the floor. His brow rose when she remained rooted near the window.
“You plan to stay there all night?” he asked. Rising to his feet, he unbuckled his belt, unzipped and got rid of his leathers.
Dressed, Reynner was gorgeous, but naked, he took her breath away faced with all those lickable golden muscles. Her gaze drifted down to his semi-erect sex and her body melted for him. She wanted to touch him—wanted him to touch her again. Then she met his tender gaze and her chest constricted at the absolute love she saw there.
He loved her.
Reynner held out his hand. Eve was so grateful her wobbly knees carried her across to him and that she didn't collapse into a messy puddle of happiness on the floor.
With an inch separating his nakedness from her, he slid his hands up her body. And in a slow, sensual caress, he pulled off her tank top and tossed it aside. “I don’t want anything between us.”
She couldn’t speak, her nerves stretched too taut. Her nipples pebbled at the heated look in his indigo eyes. But he didn't act on his desires, just hooked his fingers in the elastic waist of her sleep shorts and panties, and made quick work of removing them.
Eve slid to the middle of her bed, and he followed, settling her against him. He pulled the covers to their waist. Eve rolled her eyes as she tugged for more coverage.
“Are you cold?”
She glanced at him. His teasing smile was outright sinful. She scrunched her face, her shyness fading. Then she recalled last night, his nightmares. Anxiety took hold. “Will you sleep?”
“With you near me, it’s doubtful,” he said, his tone wry. “Don’t worry about me, Eve, I’ll be okay.”
No matter. She’d brought him back last night; she’d do so again.
Eve rested her head on his chest and slid her arm over him, just below the cursed star, reminding her of what she had to do. When Reynner pressed his lips to her forehead, she closed her eyes, and for now, savored being in the arms of the man she loved.
***
After a quick shower the following morning, Eve changed and ran a comb through her damp hair. Taking her charm bracelet from the draw, she fastened it around her wrist, her troubled mind on Reynner. It worried her that he hadn't slept at all last night.
As she gathered up their scattered clothes, and his pants that had fallen to the floor, a gleam near it caught her attention. She picked up the tiny, gold half-circle.
Her earring? A quick look on her dresser and she found its twin still there. Frowning, she ran her finger around the almost-prefect loop. She was so sure she’d lost this at the club.
Guess she was mistaken. She hung Reynner’s pants back on the armchair. He’d already showered and gone off to the kitchen to get started on coffee. Heat spread across her face when she recalled how he’d awakened her earlier. The man was way too inventive.
Heck, she’d gladly wake up like that every day. A smile curved her mouth. But reality forced her to focus. Before that could happen, she had to find a way to leave without Reynner today and go see the oracle.
She rubbed her earring with her thumb and worried over her dilemma. There was no way he’d allow her to go out on her own. She could ask North to accompany her, but he’d probably tell Reynner where she’d been, and chances were, Reynner would know why and that would ruin everything. The man was far too canny and way too protective.
And Aerén, friendly as he was, he would flat-out refuse.
She paced to the door and looped back to the window, recounting the knots on the wooden floors while she tried to figure out the least suspicious way of leaving.
Crap, this was so damn difficult…unless, she told him she wanted to spend some time with her friends before they headed out to look for the artifact this evening, and that she needed to relax after her showing.
She cringed at the pathetic lie. She really didn't want to leave him.
“Why are you hiding in here?”
Her heart jumped and her head snapped to him.
Reynner leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. The heat in his eyes as he ran his gaze over her just about made her melt. Warmth spread across her cheeks. He was such a predatory male. He liked to take charge when they made love. She should have known when he’d first told her to undress in Exilum.
Smiling, he straightened and strolled over to her, his hands sliding into his jeans pockets. He halted, his brow furrowing as he searched in them. Picking up his leathers from the armchair, he rifled through those, too.
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head as he hunted in his back pockets.
Eve grabbed him, stopping his frantic search. “Reynner, what is it?”
He went still. His gaze dropped to her hand on his arm. He loosened her hold and gently removed the earring she clutched. Then he simply stared at the small piece of metal.
Puzzled, she searched his face. “You want my earring?”
His gaze lifting to hers, he rubbed the back of his neck. For the first time, Eve saw him look uncomfortable. Almost sheepish.
“This was what kept me together,” he said softly, his thumb stroking the metal. “When darkness took me under, when I thought I couldn’t hold my shit together, this piece of metal was all I had to hold onto. A piece of you that kept me sane.”
Eve simply stared at him, his words touching a viscer
al part of her. He dropped the small hoop back in his pocket and stroked her face with a gentleness she’d never thought possible from such a hard man.
“At the club, when I crashed into you, your earring caught on my shirt. The moment I touched it, I could sense your spirit, your very essence. It drew me and I couldn’t let go. Now that I have you, I don’t really need it, but I want to keep that piece of you…”
Her heart swelled with tenderness.
“It’s my reminder of what I nearly lost with my…” he broke off, searching for a word.
“Pigheadedness?” she teased, trying to get her shaky emotions under control. If she didn’t, she’d start blubbering like an idiot.
Amusement lightened his eyes. Lowering his head, he kissed her. “I prefer inflexibility.”
He swung her into his arms and crossed to the bed. Then he dropped her. A startled shriek escaped her as she fell. Before she got her breath back, he’d settled between her parted legs and caged her with his big body. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
His eyes warm and tender, he brushed away the stray strands of hair spilling over her face. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
Hiding her grin, she moved her hand down between their bodies to his groin and the delicious bulge there. She stroked him over his jeans. “I think I do.”
“Urias—”
“So you want me naked, huh?”
“Naked, wet, and all over me—” he broke off, his gaze on her charm bracelet.
Grasping her wrist, he studied the ornaments then fingered the heart.
“It was a present from my friends,” she said. “That day we crashed in the club? It was my birthday.”
After a moment of silence, he asked, “Who was there?”
“Hmmm, Eric, Bren, Kat and…” Crap!
“The artist,” he added, his eyes flickering to hers. She bit her lip. His gaze shuttered, his mouth setting in a tight line.
“Reynner, it meant nothing to me.”
“Yet you wore it?”
One minute he was touching the heart and the next it was in his palm. The thing melted into a tiny blob.
Not wanting to start their life with a quarrel over a piece of jewelry she didn't want in the first place, Eve didn't comment on what he’d done. She simply grasped his hair, wound it around her hand, pulled him close and kissed him.
Darkness Undone Page 25
