Hidden Carmina

by Adri Sinclair

  ***

  Liam turns rapidly, his eyes darker than usual, his mouth in a straight line. He holds his hand to me and I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The water is warm against my skin, the coolness of his a welcome contrast.

  “Carmina Moretti,” His low voice hardly disturbs the room. Liam tenderly brings me closer to him, his arms folding around me like a protective pen. I lift my face to him, my arm snaking up, putting my palm against his cheek. My eyes plead with him to accept me. Dipping his head, Liam’s lips find mine and, without another word passing between us, our bodies move in unison to an Ancient, internal musical beat. I feel the fever in me growing and there is no denying that Liam is dealing with his own ice storm, too.

  Like a ballet dancer, Liam lifts me to just above his head, keeping my body against his. Slowly, patiently, he slides me down resting his head against my chest; the beat increases and the drums roll through my veins. The strength in his movement, the control and the utmost tenderness cascades through me in waves. Gracefully, he lifts my leg to place it around his hip, and the other follow. I lean back into the water, spread my arms and feel myself floating.

  ***

  When Carmina leans back, Liam almost hears the control being snatched away from him. Her red hair floating around her small face, her beautiful body stretched out, makes her look every part the goddess he considers her to be. There was no denying the animal rising through every part of his body. He groans softly, insistent. His hands caresses over her sides, implanting the sensation of her heated skin forever on his fingerprints.

  ***

  I hear the passionate groan from Liam and his hands moving so lovingly over my skin sends an internal shiver running through my heart. Lifting myself upright, my lips find his chest, his neck and then his mouth. Liam is holding my hips perfectly still against him, his kiss burns into my lips and I feel myself sinking deeper into the folds of his spell. Gradually, he lowers me further against him until I feel us connect and unite as man and wife. My head spins with a mixture of dulled pain and heightened pleasure. I whimper against his lips and Liam stops for long enough to look into my eyes. The sparks in his dark golden eyes sends me into a mild euphoric trance while he hugs me firmer against him, sealing the bond between us completely.

  The faint smell of blood drifts up to us both and ignites the fire and ice helix to its fullest potential. When I open my eyes, it is as if the world has taken on a new dimension. I know this is not natural but it feels right. There is a flutter in my heart, like it has stopped and started, skipping a beat or two in the process. I can see every molecule drifting between us and, inhaling Liam’s scent, I watch the vapors of his being rush towards me. I put my hand against his chest, and feel it move past his cold skin, past his still heart and straight onto the warm, beating heart of the animal he brings with him. I wait for the wolf to respond and when he does, I welcome him.

  ***

  Liam feels himself getting lost. He opens his eyes and the look on Carmina’s face strips away any defense he may have had. Her heart is a thundering invite and the touch against his chest reaches inside him. The heat pulsing from her palm reflects the beat of the rising beast he conceals within. The gentle thump in her neck is a sweet torture. Liam has given up the fight to regain control and gives in to the beauty of their bond, the fragrance of Carmina’s blood drifting and nuzzling against him. The man and beast unite in perfect balance. Liam pulls Carmina’s head back as slow as his eagerness will allow. He leans into the soft skin triangle by her collarbone. She lifts to welcome him.

  ***

  I feel the soft kiss above my collarbone. His mouth and nose trace up to just below my ear. Liam’s teeth sink into my neck and I feel the thirst through our joint consciousness. I taste, as he does, the sweetness of my own blood. I hear my heart responding, protesting against the new pain coursing through my bloodstream. For the first time since I’ve heard the word, I truly and extensively understand what it is to be soul-bonded to Liam. When he lifts his head, the wolf is sneering a bloody snarl at me before his mouth closes over mine again, claiming his mate.

  ***

  Liam feels the energy of Carmina’s blood flush through his system. His thirst is quenched rapidly by her smooth, silky life essence and yet… He finds it hard to break away from her. Carmina’s heart is the solitary protestor against his chest. Liam experiences Carmina returning his kiss with a brutal conviction and the memory of Sullen’s words crash down around them both in shards of passion, carnal instincts and the sizzling steam - when fire meet ice.

  “The circle will complete when you spill blood to love”

  ***

  I don’t know how we arrived at the hammock, or when, or what time it is or how long we’ve been here. I wake up feeling the beautiful memory of the night before blissfully playing through my mind. Liam is holding me tight and I wonder if he thinks I will fall.

  “No, I’m afraid of you hating me today.”

  “Why would I hate you Liam?”

  “I don’t know. You scare me with your intensity and I can’t hold onto any control around you anymore Carmina. Never again… Gods!”

  I struggle against his hold and manage to reach close to his face.

  “Liam…”

  “Hmmmm,”

  “I want more.” I tell him.

  Liam’s den shakes in a rolling thunder before his lips find mine, all caution and fear falling into an abyss we don’t care to find.

  * * *

  It was another day before we agreed to go home lest a search party is sent after us. Liam’s eyes follow me through the shower, and into the fresh outfit. I should thank Lilly for her perfect intuition, yet again.

  “My wife…” Liam tests the words as if tasting a very hot potato.

  I giggle happily and wrinkle my nose at him. “My husband.”

  “Rockflower?” Liam’s voice suddenly changes from the dreamy undertones to confusion. I stare as he crashes next to me. Liam takes my face between his fingers and gingerly turns it from side to side.

  “Carmina… there’s no bruises or… anything!”

  “Not funny Liam, you didn’t really…” The seriousness in his eyes stops me.

  “I lost it, several times.” Liam close his eyes and look uncomfortable admitting his indulgence to me. I twist my neck from side to side, feeling partially stiff. I never once thought that he had actually –

  “Are you sure?” I ask, knowing the answer when the memory and all it entail barge into my mind. I shrug. “As I recall, Mr. Moretti, I thoroughly encouraged you.”

  The tension from Liam’s face makes place for a boyish smile.

  “You did. I was worried, Carmina. I don’t recall being very gentle with you.”

  “Liam, I don’t recall asking you to be either.” I move towards the overnight bag and take out my hunting blade.

  “What are you—” Liam starts but I lift an eyebrow and cut into my palm.

  “Damnit, Carmina!”

  I hold my hand out to him. Liam moves towards me with a sensual, low growl. His big hand clasps around my wrist and, looking into my eyes, Liam kisses the cut, sucking at the crimson droplets.

  “Liam… if you don’t stop, so help me – we’ll stay here another day.”

  Liam licks casually over the cut and reluctantly lets my hand go. His eyes still burning into mine.

  “I love seeing you lose the iron grip you wield,” I whisper stepping closer. I feel the creature stirring in my bones.

  “Not-this-time.” Liam speaks through his teeth. I give him a teasing look and pout. Inspecting my hand, the burning sensation has subsided and the wound is closing already.

  “Hmmm. Is this what Sullen meant?” I ask.

  “I don’t know, my Rockflower. And right now, if we don’t start walking, I don’t think I’ll care for a while to come yet.”

  Half way home, I simply couldn’t stand being so close to Liam without being touched and practically throw myself at him like a hussy. He
catches me expertly and tumbles us both onto the ground in a feverish embrace.

  “Let’s go back.” I coax.

  “No, you need proper food, you’re very pale.” Liam pushes himself up and takes my hand, pulling me to my feet as well. The next moment, I hear the birds lift up in fright at the boisterous laugh bursting from him.

  “Oh if you – you’re hair’s a mess,” he gasps.

  I grab at the semi-forest that is now tangled and clinging in my hair. I try using my fingers as a brush but it serves to agitate the twigs and grass into wrapping itself further into the unruly red mess.

  “Help me, you brute!” I scowl at Liam.

  There is no help for the mess and we both give up in fits of giggles. Liam takes my hand to show me.

  “It’s healed. It is slower than us… but you heal fast Carmina… “

  “Maybe that is the last of the gifts bestowed upon me by your immortal gods?” I tease, not exactly in the mood to figure this out now. Nor am I exactly in the mood to face our families, either.

  “Or maybe Raina is right, you’re a myth.” Liam teases along. Like a pair of teenage sweethearts, we take the longest way home at the slowest pace we can muster, still reaching the courtyard just in time for breakfast.

  Entering the courtyard, the Moretti family is present, as expected. Jarrod and Lilly are the first to sound the alarm.

  “Oh, it’s about time! We were going to send care packages by pigeon soon!” Jarrod shouts at us and Lilly’s squeak is remarkably well reserved.

  I see the reason for that when my eyes land on the sleeping baby in his cart close by. Momma gives me a quick once over and I know she’s checking to make sure I’m not hurt.

  I stop, confused, noticing that my place is not set as usual. I stare at my Mother. She points to a seat on the other side of the table.

  “You’re married now, my dear-heart…”

  I feel awkward. I don’t think I like this very much at all. Liam touches my arm and pulls the chair out for me, a proud smile playing on his lips.

  “We can take turns.” He kisses my hand before he takes his seat next to me.

  “Welcome to the dark side, Vixen…” John starts.

  “They have milk and cookies!” Jarrod ends.

  Lady E narrows her eyes doing the same as Mother, looking me over. Self-conscious, I put my hand to my neck, wondering if a bruise did show up after all.

  Liam pulls a cheeky grin at his mother.

  “She’s fine Mother...s,” He says, looking between the two women.

  “Of course she is, but she is very pale.” Lilly chirps.

  “I – we’ve not eaten much.” The memories make me shuffle in the chair; I focus on the food in front of me.

  “Liam seems fed.” Uncle Will adds dryly and my eyes stretch wide while everyone else seem to enjoy the comment. Liam puts his hand over mine, leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek. The rest of breakfast was full of hidden connotations and, at times, direct questioning. Trust Raina to bring up the brambles in my hair, under great support of just about everyone.

  New Elders

  Summer rain is pouring down. Life around the Volcano has returned to a margin of normality. Liam has become a lot more protective over me and substantially more possessive. It is not like there is any kind of threat towards me at the moment. Sometimes I question whether it is his love for me or if he has genuinely developed an addiction. Not that I mind either way, I get to be close to him, and I like being close to him. I find myself sulking like a child when he stays away too long on hunts or business with the Ancient Houses.

  Lilly and Jarrod are staying in their home on Momma’s estate, but that does not mean Lilly is being idle either. She has instructed my Uncle’s home to be leveled to the ground. In doing so, his belongings have been packaged and stored, of course. We found a letter that was addressed to Momma, which we felt appropriate to give to her. Momma has not read it as there has been no news of her brother and, until there is confirmation of one kind or another, she can’t.

  Lilly has also instructed the tunnel between the estates blown up. With there being no need for borders anymore, Lilly is building a private school for the clan families, right between she and Momma’s estate, where the caves used to be. She has also fashioned a search party led by Jarrod to find any other hidden caverns on the estate. Lilly is not having any of this cloak and dagger stuff. Where the caverns were, she starts plantations.

  She is also building a dinner hall and re-allocating the massive piece of land Uncle Darious kept to himself. Family needs room, and the little apartments nearly break her heart. Uncle Darious was rather selfish in his ways while his clan lived packed together like sardines.

  Liam and I agree to join Jarrod, John and Lilly for breakfast every morning, setting the example of meal times. While Lilly will not insist on it, she has spoken to the families individually, inviting them to join us for meals. Jarrod is reaching out to the clan, hoping to encourage them into joining hunts, and helping one another with the food supplies. These families don’t hunt themselves and have always relied on processed foods and produce being delivered to them. Lilly makes it clear that she has no problem with their choice of living, but she also points out the benefits of being a close knit community and working together.

  With the school, there are new jobs available and with the dinner hall, isolation is less of a problem. Working with the other Elders, Jarrod and Lilly are both eager to initiate projects involving the whole of the Earth Clan. Under the advice of Uncle Will and Lady E, Lilly is getting to know the clan’s folk individually and it is emerging that there are highly skilled craftsmen and women longing for an outlet. Jarrod suggests a furniture and interior decorating company. This brings forth a lot of support and sits well with shopaholic Lilly.

  Arriving at the Earth Clan breakfast hall, Liam and I are soaking wet. Liam leans into me, stroking over my cheek, he mutters softly:

  “Rain is a …good smell on you.”

  There was no time to reply but the smile is firmly stuck on my face. Jarrod and Lilly are sitting in the big hall with baby J.J. in a family atmosphere. Lilly is looking sad as, yet again, the hall is empty.

  John arrives right behind us and lets out a yowl.

  “Geesh, Vixen! You reek.”

  I blush and Jarrod is roaring with laughter. “She does smell unusually human today! Unlike you, puppy boy!”

  I glower at my brother pick up baby J.J., who happily grabs my finger and sucks on it making tiny njom-njom sounds to the amusement of the small gathering.

  I trade with the boy; my finger back for a piece of toast, bouncing him on my leg. J.J. looks like a cherub with puffy cheeks and dark eyes. I muse about a bow and arrow, re-naming him to cupid. As much as I am not truly maternal, this little man surely grabs at my heartstrings.

  “Motherhood becomes you Mina,” Lilly’s pitch is sensitively high and J.J. covers his ears.

  “I think he disagrees,” I say dryly. Liam stands with his hand on my lower back.

  Leaning over to baby J.J., he points a finger at him, “No eating my wife, young man,” to which J.J. claps and gurgles.

  “Yeah buddy, that’s his job!” John interjects.

  While we enjoy a casual breakfast, I notice an attractive lady and her two children walking hesitantly towards the dining hall. The rain is coming down hard and they look soaked already. I hand J.J. back to his mother and point the family out to Liam.

  Liam whistles hard to get John’s attention, and the two of them sprint off with me right behind.

  The Lady looks like a dear caught in the headlights when we reach her, and I explain quickly, “We’ll just help you inside - let the brutes take the kids inside for you, you can run with me.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Keep up Lady!” I call over my shoulder and the murmuring laughter chases after me. The Earth Clan has not been encouraged to use their skills, including that of their natural nature. I could feel and hear her enjoyment at
the invite and then I see the streak glitch past me.

  When we get inside, Lilly is already drying off the children, settling them at the table.

  “Good morning, Santine!” Lilly calls out and I sense the surprise reflected on the woman’s face. I smile, proud of my little sister. She’s always been good with people’s names.

  “Morning Elder Li—”

  “Oh, wash. Lilly will do. Come on.”

  Santine is shy, and only nibbles while the kids lay in happily. I hear Raina approach too and couldn’t help but laugh at John’s greeting.

  “Hey gipsy brat! Coming for the second breakfast too?” John calls out to her.

  “If Lilly doesn’t mind. Momma Margarith said it’s alright to come visit.”

  “Is it always like this?” Santine asks me in a whisper.

  “Yeah, pretty much.” I answer, conspiratorially.

  “And you don’t mind being with … us?”

  “I’m married to that big one over there.” I point to Liam, “If I had a problem, it’s too late now, isn’t it?”

  Santine giggle-snorts which brings the attention back to her. She puts her hand over her mouth and apologizes.

  “Don’t be silly.” Lilly puts her at ease. “We’re family.”

  “Yeah, sometimes we even get serious.” Raina comments and I pull a surprised face at her cheekiness. She has most definitely been around John and Jarrod a lot!