Reynner wasn't surprised the male had no idea what she was up to since he spent most of his time in the underworld.
“It will bode well for the future of the Sumerian pantheon if you keep her leashed.” At his warning, Dumuzi pinched the bridge of his nose then dropped his hand, his gaze hardening.
Reynner released her, and she stumbled forward. Dark fire burned in her eyes. She glared at him. “You dare trap me?”
Dumuzi grabbed her arm. “Enough. I put up with a lot, Inanna. But this goes too far. You would put our pantheon at war with the Empyreans when it barely thrives?”
She shoved at her mate. Dumuzi didn't let go. Anger rolling off him, he escorted his wayward consort back to their pantheon.
The gods were a scandalous lot, but Dumuzi had to be admired for putting up with Inanna’s shit. The idiot must be blind with love to have agreed to spend half his life in Hell for her.
Inanna, however, was no longer his problem.
Reynner smiled when he thought of Eve waiting…no, not waiting, more likely ready to tear into him. Her safety was all that mattered, though. When he thought of her going against a crazy bitch like Inanna, he broke out in a cold sweat all over again. Yeah, best she was out of the way while he dealt with this problem.
Now, time to go release his mate, and face her ire.
Chapter 29
Reynner took the stairwell to the dungeon. The air carried the slight smell of mold. A cool breeze drifted over his bare chest and he remembered that Eve still wore her damp clothes from her fall into the fountain. He jogged down the steps.
It would be a while, hell, a damn long time before he got rid of the sheer terror seizing him every time he thought about her lying broken on the floor.
He rubbed a hand over his face. Eve had to understand that she couldn’t place herself in danger like that again. Fighting Inanna to save him... He frowned. How had she known what to do? For millennia, he’d tried everything to get rid of the curse.
He walked into the dungeon and nodded at his servant. Izzeri rose from the ground and flashed out.
Eve sat on the dusty floor, her face hidden in her knees, her arms wrapped around them.
His leathers creaking, he crouched in front of her.
“Go away, you fiend.” The words were muffled. Ah, so she was aware he’d come back. He slipped into her mind, surrounded her with his love and kissed her bent head.
I love you, Eve, he said through their mind-link.
She lifted her head and scowled. “You chained me, left me in this horrible place.”
He caressed her cheek, but lingered in her mind, felt her annoyance, but more, he reeled at her love for him. Like a brilliant light, it poured through him. About to release her, an image blindsided him. Left him dumbstruck.
And wary.
Then a smile tugged his mouth. It may have been a dream, but one he could make come true. He wasn't one to deny her anything.
“Just so you know, I'm going back home—my home. Alone.” She hurled another threat at him.
Like he’d let that happen. So she was pissed at him. It didn’t matter for what he had in mind. He drew her to her feet as he rose. Then he grabbed the end of the chains and looped the extra length around a metal handle attached to the wall and raised her arm up.
Glowering at him, she pressed her lips in a tight line when he shackled her other wrist above her head. He stepped back and summoned his dagger. The moment his weapon materialized in his hand, she eyed him warily.
He stroked the sharp edge against his thumb. “Afraid of me, are you, Eve?”
“Oh, yes. Over that puny blade, I’m heaps afraid,” she shot back.
He didn’t let his smile show. Merely caught the front of her tank and sliced it neatly down the center. Her top fell apart. Her mouth dropped open. She wore no bra, which was good. Her nipples tightened in the cool air.
He circled the stiff nub with his fingertip. “Very nice.”
A gasp left her. “What are you doing?”
“Giving you what you want.”
She frowned as he unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. Crouching, he pulled off her damp sneakers. Leaving her panties on, he tugged the denim down and tapped her thigh with the flat side of his blade. “Lift.”
When she didn’t move, but instead glared at him, he simply lifted her foot and removed her jeans.
***
Eve’s heart thumped hard in wariness as Reynner rose to his feet, his expression cool, focused. But the look in his indigo eyes held her spellbound. Love and desire edged with anger. Yep, he was still furious at her for taking on Inanna.
He took a step back, his gaze skimming over her. Apparently, satisfied he had her restrained the way he wanted, he came closer, the blade gleaming in his hand.
“Look, if you’re angry about what happened with the goddess—darn it, Reynner, I had to do something. I couldn’t let her continue to hurt you. And I would do it again,” she added for good measure.
His expression didn’t change. “How did you know what to do, hmmn?”
His off-handed tone worried her. “I didn’t. I saw Lila. She’s an oracle who lives in the Village.”
His eyes narrowed as understanding dawned. Eve bit her lip, a flare of guilt enflaming her cheeks. She had gone against his wishes and put herself in danger, and as a result, both Inanna and the Darkreans had easy access to her.
“So you broke your promise and lied to me when I asked why you’d been on the street.”
“I had to…” she mumbled, cautious now at the sudden flash of fury that turned his dark eyes to molten blue.
“What did she say?” Cool. Controlled once more.
“The oracle?”
A stare.
Crap. “That I would know what to do when the time came, but I had to confront the goddess.”
“Why didn't you tell me all this?” The cold steel trailed slowly over the curve of her left breast. A shudder rippled through her body.
“Because I knew you’d never agree,” she said, her gaze following the blade gliding down her belly.
“And why is that, Eve?”
She didn’t answer. Her fingers tightened around the chains. She tried again to summon her abilities to melt the chain. Darn. Still nothing—not even a chink in the stupid links. Almost like she no longer possessed that skill.
“I didn’t die, okay?”
“You could have.”
Oh, hell. That chill in his voice didn’t bode well for her. She tugged uneasily on the restraints holding her prisoner. His attention shifted to the rattling fetters, reminding her of a predator toying with prey.
He stopped his torture with the blade and stepped back. “Those chains were made by the god Hephaestus,” he said softly. “They won’t be affected by your capabilities. Now answer me. Why did I not want you anywhere near Inanna?”
“I had to see it to the end,” she evaded. “Or you’d be tied to her for eternity. And that, I refused to let happen.”
At his unrelenting stare, she finally caved. “Because I’m mortal, and I can die—you don’t want anything to happen to me—oh, yeah, and I'm your mate.” She threw the last one in quickly, hoping to pacify him.
He didn’t say a word. His eyes still retained that icy edge. Damn. He closed the space between them. Then the gleaming tip of the blade glided lightly down her chest, over the curve of her breast to circle her nipple. She trembled. He bent his head, and his warm tongue followed the path of his weapon.
A hiss of desire escaped her. The chain rattled when she tried to hold him, and she remembered that she was still anchored to the wall. But she lost her train of thought when he trailed his lips to her other breast. He licked her nipple once, twice, only to bite down. Hard. Her moan turned to a sharp yelp.
“Owww!” She glowered at him. “You bit me.”
“So you’d know never to put your life in danger like that again.”
Was he freaking kidding her? She’d do it all over again. Only this time, she would keep her
mouth shut.
“Don’t even consider it, Eve,” he murmured as if he’d read her mind. “Or I’ll keep you at Exilum for as long as we both live.” He lowered his head and his warm mouth suckled her abused nipple. A moan broke free. “Reynner, please, release me.”
A moment, then two passed before he pulled his mouth away from her breast. He didn’t respond to her plea, but traced the dagger down her abdomen, past her navel, stopping at the edges of her panties. Then his lips followed the path made by his dagger.
Déjà vu hit her hard. Her dream from what seemed like a lifetime ago took hold of her.
On his haunches in front of her, he looked up—his eyes glowing an intense blue. The rasp in his voice set her senses alight. “What do you want, Eve?”
“You, just you.” The words tangled in her throat.
His gaze holding hers, he stroked a fingertip between her legs over the barrier of her silky panties. A moan tore out of her. Desire like red-hot lava rose, spiking her arousal.
A quick slash of the blade and her panties fell from her. He tossed his weapon and her ruined underwear aside then slid his fingers through her wet, feminine flesh. She jolted, her mind in a haze. The chains rattled.
“Reynner, please. Take off the cuffs.” She yanked at the chain again.
“Not yet.”
“Yes, now,” she growled.
***
Reynner bit back his smile as he rose. He was so bloody hard, he wanted nothing more than to end this torment. But his mate had to learn she couldn’t put her life at risk.
He trailed soft kisses over the curve of her breast and suckled the perky nub, a shade darker than her gorgeous skin. A husky whimper filled his ears. Parting her legs with his knee, he skimmed his hand down the length of her body and then finally between her legs. Lightly, he stroked her slick flesh, avoiding the spot where she needed his touch the most.
She squirmed against his hand, her body undulating against him. The seductive, musky scent of her arousal clouded his mind, fisting his cock into painful rigidity. Too bad for his mate, he’d learned control trapped in the deepest, darkest pit of Hell.
He eased back, ignoring her low whimper of frustration. “You will never endanger yourself again, understand?”
She tried to find his mouth with hers, but he held her off. She whined. He ran his finger down her center, avoiding her clit. She shuddered. He circled her point of pleasure and drifted away. She cursed.
“I'm waiting.”
“Fine. All right—damn you!”
“It’s not nice to curse your mate, me’morae, but I’ll overlook it this time.”
He cupped her face and took her sulky mouth in a deep, heated kiss to leave her panting, and him past the point of no return. He broke away and lowered to a crouch, pushing her one leg over his shoulder.
Reynner stroked her cleft, before parting her. Dying for a taste of his mate, he licked her around her clit then fastened his mouth on the neglected little nub and sucked. A moan tore out of her. He teased his finger into her taut body. The chains clanged. He tightened his grip on her hips as he lashed her clit with his tongue, before licking and sucking her again. Feeling her close to the edge, he bit down on the sensitive flesh—a high-pitched moan ripped from her throat, her muscles spasming around his fingers as she came.
Unable to hold out any longer, he rose, undid his zipper, and freed himself. Stroking his aching length, he pulled her legs around his waist. With one thrust, he buried himself deep inside her.
Reynner groaned, her tight, slick body squeezing him like a sweet, fucking fist, and struggled to hold on. He rested a hand against the wall behind her head, panting harshly.
Damn, he’d hurt her if he pushed her up against the abrasive surface.
With his mind, he released the chains restraining her, and they fell with a clatter against the walls.
Her hands dropped to his shoulder. Her legs wrapped tighter around him, she sank onto his cock, took him deeper as he carried her across to the metal bars running from the ceiling to the ground.
“Hold onto that,” he grunted, pushing her arms behind her. She grabbed the bars above her head. Tightening his hold on her, Reynner pulled out, and drove back into her.
“Oh, god,” she moaned, her eyes shutting.
“No, Eve,” he growled. “Look at me. I want to see you break all over me.”
***
At his raspy order, Eve pulled in a strangled breath and forced her eyelids open. The emotion in Reynner’s dark blue gaze trapped her.
In that single moment, she knew, he’d fulfilled her desires while creating new memories for himself to replace those of his awful time imprisoned in that hellish place.
Now he was all wild hunger and raw passion, and all hers.
“Urias, Eve. You’re so damn amazing. Perfect. Mine,” he rasped. His grunts grew harsher, his movements faster, as he slammed into her. “Say it.”
“Yes. Perfect—mine—I mean yours—whatever you say,” she moaned, all her focus on what he was doing to her body, the pressure inside her unbearable.
Another growl of satisfaction.
“Reynner,” she whimpered, needing that push.
“I have you, baby.” He angled his hips and thrust back into her, his cock rubbing against her swollen clit. Lightning hot pleasure shot up and exploded through her. With a strangled cry, Eve let go of the bars and wrapped her arms around his neck as she fell apart.
Seconds later, she felt Reynner’s body tense. His grip tightened on her then he came with a harsh groan…
***
When Eve opened her eyes again, she had no idea how she’d ended up in bed. Reynner’s warm and very naked body tangled with hers. He kissed her neck, his hand caressing her hips, making her sigh in contentment.
Turning, she reached for him and froze.
She jerked upright, dislodging his stroking hand. “You bought it?” Her accusing gaze flew to him. “Why?”
“Why?” An eyebrow shot up. “You didn’t think I would let anyone else see you like that, did you? As if you’d just been made love to? The artist should count his blessings he still breathes for daring to imagine you so.”
She rolled her eyes. “Jesus, Reynner. David is an artist. And there’s nothing sexy about the truth. I was sick that day. Too many pills, add alcohol to the mix, and that,” she pointed to the painting, “is what you get.”
In a rapid move, he had her flat on her back. Ignoring her startled protest, he leaned over her, his pale hair cascading around her like a beam of moonlight. “The only one who looks at you that way—” he growled, “is me.”
“Bossy much?” she teased, looping her arms around his neck.
No, Eve, me'morae, it’s because you are mine, his whisper coasted through her mind.
Eyes wide, she met his amused gaze. “You spoke to me like that before, too.”
He brushed her hair back with a tender hand. “I did. Try it.”
Where Eve felt the warmth of his presence in her soul, she mind-linked with him then complained. Why are you telling me this now?
His pleasure dimmed. “I couldn’t before. I didn’t want you to experience the pain Inanna inflicted on me, yet somehow you did anyway.”
Not wanting to remember that awful time in Columbus Circle when he’d left her, she pulled his head down and slid her lips against his in a seductive glide.
He kissed her tenderly then murmured against her mouth, “Much as I want to remain in bed and make up for lost time, we can’t. They are all here, waiting for us.”
“They?” She pulled back. “I thought only Aerén would be here.”
“I can hear them.” He gave her a quick kiss and rolled off her, pushing aside the dark gray sheets tangled around their limbs. “They think they should just come up here and have the meeting.”
“What?” Eve grabbed the sheet to her chest then groaned, heat surging into her face. “God, this is so embarrassing. They know why we’re not there yet.”
&nbs
p; “Eve, I don’t care if they know. I'm their target because I want to kick them all out but can’t.” Reynner tugged the sheets away, swept her into his arms, and strode to the bathroom. “A shower first. Then we go get this settled and get rid of them.”
Chapter 30
After their shower, Reynner changed into jeans and a t-shirt while Eve, wrapped in a towel, took her spare clothes from the closet. That reminded him that he had to make sure she had more clothes here, too.
He grasped her waist and ran his lips down the damp skin of her nape. Her laughter turned into a moan before she pushed him away. “Nah-uh, I’m not standing here naked with threats of your friends about to walk in on us.”
Sighing, Reynner picked up a suede strip from the drawer and tied his hair. He had to tell her the truth about the accident before they met with the others, and could just imagine how well that would go down. Hell, she still mourned the loss of her parents.
After pulling on her navy yoga pants, she turned to him, her green tee still in her hand, not yet obstructing his view of her breasts and those tempting nipples.
Get your shit together and tell her, or else you can forget getting anywhere near her.
He scrubbed a hand over his face.
“Now, there’s a look I haven’t seen in… oh, the last two hours,” she teased him.
Urias, but she made him smile. Then he sobered. “We need to talk.”
“What is it?” She pulled on her top and covered her lithe body, hiding his view.
“It’s about the Stone.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t find it. Maybe we could try elsewhere?” She glanced around, found his brush on the shelf and tidied the sexy mess of her coffee-colored hair.
“There is no need. The Stone is no longer in its original form.”
She spun to him in surprise. “What? You mean it’s changed appearance now?”
“In a manner of speaking. Eve, the Stone’s magic resides in your blood.”
Slowly, she set the brush down. “I know my blood has some kind of magic that responded to the scroll.”
“That’s not what I mean. It is part of you. It’s why the scroll reacts to you. Our high mage is here, since Lucan’s still a no show—”
Darkness Undone Page 33
