by Jean Murray
“Over there, and don’t ask. I don’t remember a thing, just waking up next to you naked.”
“Having sex,” he said aghast.
“No, I had a part in that.” Wrapping her legs around his hips, she pulled him in deeper. “Notice anything else different?” She took advantage of his distraction and rolled him onto his back, so she straddled his hips.
“You on top.” Despite his smirk, worry colored his eyes. She traced her glyphs on his chest. Just beneath fluttered his heart beat in unison with hers. He had finally surrendered to her.
“You are mine, Kamen.”
He sat up and covered his palm over her hand. “I’ve always been yours.”
“Not all of you.” His heart beat harder against her palm.
He trailed his fingertips along her collarbone. “I love you.”
“I love you.” She hugged him.
He lay back on the sand with her still seated against his hips, usurping his control. His hands slid up her sandy thighs and grasped her hips, coaxing her to continue. Obligingly, she rocked her hips forward and back. Closing his eyes, he tipped his head back.
Pressing her palms to his chest, she increased her rhythm. She gasped as he grew harder inside, lengthening his reach. Grasping her breast he brushed his rough thumbs against her nipples. Arching back, she drove him deeper.
Each thrust caused him to moan. This was how she wanted her last moments with him. Pleasure threatened to burst, and not wanting it to end, she slowed. He grasped her hips and jerked her forward, deepening his penetration. Her orgasm erupted, long and powerful. She arched back and screamed with each spasm.
As she drifted down from her high, Kamen rolled her onto her back and unleashed his desire. Unforgiving, he crushed her mouth, consuming her completely. Orange embers burned with intensity in his gaze. Wild and dangerous. She may have thought she was in control, but Kamen would always dominate her and leave her begging for more.
With each penetration, she gasped. Deeper. Harder. Her entire body trembled, letting her know all that preceded was mere foreplay. His muscles rippled under her fingers as she dug into his skin. Trembling turned to shaking, her core burned as energy tightened and coiled to the point she thought she would explode.
Kamen growled and tightened his grip. “Kitten.”
“Yes, now,” Kit yelled and thrashed beneath him. “God, Kamen now.”
His entire body stiffened as he burst inside her. Shrapnel of dark energy ignited the flames in her core, boiling her pleasure over into pure ecstasy.
He shouted and jerked as he orgasmed again with her. Pinning his elbows in the sand, he collapsed. Kit panted against his neck, too exhausted to move. His body shook against hers so, she worried he might retreat to the chamber. She fingered through his hair. “Are you okay?”
He kissed her neck. “Yes.”
Despite his assurances, his body still trembled and he had yet to look at her. Something had happened when they blacked out. Things felt amazing but slightly off. “Are we okay?”
He lifted his head and brushed his thumbs against her cheeks. “Yes.”
“Good.”
His dark stare analyzed her. He shook his head.
“What?”
“Come on…” he shifted up to stand, keeping her tight to his hips.
“Where exactly are we going?” With him supporting her weight in his hands, she reached out and snagged the discarded garments.
“A quick shower and bed.”
“Bed?” The last thing she wanted to do was sleep.
He grinned wickedly. “Bed. Floor. Shower. I have millenniums to make up in the next twelve hours. I am sure as fuck not going to waste it.”
Twelve hours. Kit forced her uneasiness away in a deep part of her soul. Now was not the time to be reminded about the war. Kamen and she deserved every minute of this, however short. She loved him—that would never change.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Beads of water trailed down Kit’s spine, tracking along the scar left by the snake. She arched back into him as he entered her from behind. Her legs trembled with each thrust. He had been brutal and unrelenting, but for the love of the gods he could not get enough of Kit’s climatic screams.
One more, he promised himself before he lost himself completely. He forced away his worry about the missing time. The beast had taken control of him. What happened after was anyone’s guess, but since waking, the beast was silent as if it never existed. Kamen did not want to ponder why, for it would return and enact its vengeance. It always had.
In the meantime he would make the most of his time with Kit. Her pleas pulled him back to the moment.
She squirmed against his chest. “You’re killing me.”
He kissed the deep curve of her neck. “Want me to put you out of your misery?”
“Yes.”
He slipped his warm fingers around and caressed her swollen clitoris, granting her wish. He slowed his thrust to match the lazy torturous swirls. She gasped and rocked against him in a slow but beautiful rhythm.
His groin tightened into a heavy ache as the pressure built with each moan and gasp. A small amount of his seed spilled into her. He grunted, forcing himself to wait for her. He forced himself deeper and danced his fingers fast across her. Her channel clenched him tightly, caressing his head and shaft in its grip.
He cursed, unable to hold on. Growling, he grasped her hips with both hands and drove into her. His orgasm exploded and ignited a cascade of energy through his entire body. She screamed as his energy penetrated her, setting off a series of orgasms.
Kamen pulled her to his chest and sat down on the shower floor with her in his lap. It would be a few minutes before he could pull out of her.
She groaned and rolled her head to the side. “I think you destroyed me.”
He tipped his head back on the stone wall and smiled, contentment flowing through him. “I think I destroyed myself.”
He ran his hand down over her long black hair draped against her shoulder. For so long he had wondered the smoothness of it. Softer. Shinier now that she had transitioned, more beautiful than he ever thought possible.
He had nothing to offer her, yet here she was, curled against his chest. Beneath his muscle and bone, beat a heart he’d feared he had lost. He supposed on some level he had all those many years ago. Could he be that male? The one deserving of her.
He did not know the answer but would make it his mission to honor her.
She turned and snuggled against his chest. Gone was the pain he had always lived with, replaced by an unfamiliar sensation of warmth and need.
“Did you know we would end up together?” he asked against her neck.
She exhaled a long breath and looked up at him. “Yes. Do you hate me?”
He brushed the hair from her cheek. She had fought him every step of the way. Taunted him for reasons he could only guess. An attraction long since denied. “Never.”
“I’m sorry for what I put you through.”
“Do not speak of it. I was not any better.”
“Guess we deserve each other,” she said with a sly grin.
“Yes.” He believed it. Both outcasts on some level.
She turned in his lap and touched the hieroglyphic on his chest. “I’m glad we found each other.” A hint of sadness colored her words.
His heart clenched knowing in a few hours their lives would change even more than they had already. He rose to his feet, cradling her against his chest. She needed to rest. Asar’s deadline to report was fast approaching. Soon the palace would become a fortress full of warriors dressed for battle.
“I’m not tired,” Kit said on a yawn.
Ignoring her obvious lie, he laid them both onto the soft mattress.
“I don’t want to sleep.” She frowned and stared up at the ceiling.
“You won’t be alone,” he said and pulled her tighter against his body. “I will watch over you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes and she quickly looked away. H
er sadness rippled across the bond.
Kamen grasped her chin and turned her to meet his gaze. “I will never leave you.”
* * *
Kit believed Kamen’s words with all her heart. His commitment to her reverberated across that invisible line. He would never leave her. But, she would need to leave him. It was the only way to ensure they could defeat Apep. Her mother was right—she needed to bring her father and the other cursed souls home to Aaru.
Kamen could not follow. He was needed on the frontlines to fight Apep’s army and kept far away from the Dark Lord’s castle in Duat. For it was there in her dreams, Kamen would die. And that, she could never let happen.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just overwhelmed I guess.” Kit kissed his lips.
Kamen narrowed his gaze. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and hugged him tight. “I am here. That is enough for me.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
The scent of bacon and eggs roused Kit from her sleep. Standing shirtless with low slung black pants, Kamen held an enormous tray of breakfast foods. Kit stretched her arms over head and smiled. It was the little things.
She crawled to the edge of the bed and picked off a slice of bacon. The salty meat crunched in her mouth. “Mmm.”
Satisfaction curled the edge of his lip. “Sit.”
She leaned up against the headboard in the middle of the bed and patted the spot next to her. “How did you know I was starved?”
He sat and placed the tray across her lap. “Your growling stomach woke me up.”
“Funny,” she said and stuffed eggs into her mouth. “God, this is so good.”
His eyes traveled over her face and then down her body. “Are you sore?”
She ached in all the right places. The good kind of ache that left an indelible memory of great sex. She grinned and leaned her head against his shoulder. “God yes.”
Grasping her hand, he traced the lines on her palm while she stuffed in more food with the other. Filling her fork, she gave him the next bite. “Want more?” she offered.
He shook his head. “I am fine. Finish, I will just watch.”
Always difficult to read, she assessed his expression. A mix of curiosity and disbelief. Realization settled in. He had never woken up with a female like this before, sharing breakfast in his bed after an amazing night of love making. She wished she could give him many more, but everything hinged on them winning the war. All the more reason to do what she needed to do to finish Apep once and for all.
She wiped her mouth with the napkin and pushed the tray away. Straddling his hips, she rubbed her full belly. “Thank you.”
He brushed his thumb across her lips, dabbing a spot she missed. “Do you want more?”
“More of what?” she asked with a smirk.
His fingers trailed down her neck to her collarbone and then brushed her peaked nipple. She inhaled sharply. God, she wanted him all over again to the point they would never leave this bed. “A whole lot more of that.”
A low purr rumbled in his chest. “Sadly, it will have to wait. Your sisters are waiting for you.”
Kit groaned and rolled off of Kamen. “I don’t want to go to the Council. A bunch of tight nosed hypocrites.”
He rolled onto his side and traced the line down her sternum. “I will not argue that fact. However, today’s decision may lift the Underworld curse and commit Creation forces in the war.”
It won’t help, she thought. “Maybe we can sneak off and have sex on the Chancellor’s desk.”
“I will not be going.”
She sat up. “Not going?”
“Someone needs to stay back and watch Aaru.”
Narrowing her eyes, she knew there was more to it. If the bond was good for one thing, it was sensing when he wasn’t quite telling the whole truth. “They won’t let you come, will they?”
He exhaled a long breath and shifted off the bed. “Come, let us get you ready,” he said and walked into the bathroom.
“Damn it.” She jumped off the bed and followed him.
“It is how things will be, Kit.” He held a white silk gown with gold filigree.
“It’s not fair.” She pouted and crossed her hands over her bare breasts.
Frowning, he said nothing.
“What is that?” Kit curled her mouth in disgust.
“A Councilman’s dress.” He pulled it from the hanger and motioned her forward.
“I am not going to wear it.”
Ignoring her protest, he settled it over her head. The cool silky material caressed her skin, covering her chest but leaving her arms exposed. Unlike the dresses she had seen Lilly and Kendra wear, this one lacked the deep plunging neckline.
Either this was Kamen’s way of keeping her assets covered or his mark on her chest. “Is this really necessary?” She pointed to the fabric.
“Yes.” He glared at her, warning her not to go there.
A warning she ignored. “I told you before, Kamen. I don’t care what they think.”
He steamed a breath out his nose and stared at the floor. “I know you don’t. As far as they know, Aten was responsible for your transition. Apep must not know you are mated to me, so you can sniff out those influenced by the Dark Lord.”
“Chancellor Thoth?”
“Him most of all, but there may be others.”
She stepped into his arms. “I don’t want to go without you.” He had always been at her side, watching over her.
“I do not like it either, but I will always be with you.” He touched her mark on his chest. “As you are with me.”
She sighed and stepped back, grumpy with the task at hand. “Fine.”
“Do not be angry with me, Kit.”
“I’m not angry with you.” She was angry at the Creation Pantheon. With Asar for doing this to Kamen.
His brow softened and he cupped her cheek. “If it wasn’t for Asar’s decision, I would be in Duat.”
“I know.” Despite the truth, it wasn’t any easier to swallow. “You deserve better than this.” He may have accepted his fate, but Kit would never tolerate anyone treating him any differently.
He tipped her head back and forced her to meet his stare. “You will need to accept this as I have. Asar gave me another chance of life. To choose a different path. An opportunity to be with you.”
God, when he put it that way it made her feel sick to her stomach. Had he been condemned, just as Set, they would have been on different sides, maybe even enemies. But watching him suffer after leaving the chamber and knowing night after night he went back for more despite the pain, made her chest ache. So long he had been alone and now they were finally together, only to know it would be taken away.
Blowing out a heavy breath, she hugged him. “Give me a minute to fix my hair and I’ll be out.”
“Okay.” He kissed the top of her head and stepped back.
She turned towards the mirror and twisted her hair up into a bun. After she heard the outer door close, she sagged against the sink, overcome by the weight of what was to come. She worried not about the Council. The war would be lost with or without their help. She needed a plan and quickly. How to get to Apep before the eclipse?
She cranked on the faucet. A clink drew her attention to the bowl. “What the hell?” She picked a crystal vial out of the water. Lifting it up to the light, she inspected the clear liquid shimmering inside. Realizing she had seen this vial once before in her dreams, her breath caught in her throat. Only a flash, she didn’t understand its significance. What was Kamen doing with this?
Straightening, she tucked it into the slim pocket of her gown. Her mother would know and maybe even have an idea how to get to Apep and bring the cursed souls home. After her last trip through Duat, it was unlikely Kamen, her sisters and even Asar would let her go on this suicide mission. But there was one god who could get her there and back. The question was, would she take that risk of trusting Set? Well, trust was not quite the word she w
ould use with Kamen’s brother, more like risk making a deal. But, what would motivate Set to go up against Apep?
She had little time to figure it out. Straightening her gown, she exited to meet up with her sisters. Kamen stood by Asar in a private conversation while Lilly and Kendra nervously waited for her arrival.
“Kit.” Kendra motioned her over.
“Hi.” Kit joined the group.
Lilly assessed her from head to toe. “I take it things worked out between you and Kamen,” she asked with her eyebrow raised.
Kit failed to suppress her grin. “Yes.”
Lilly blew out a breath. “I’m glad. We weren’t sure what was going to happen.”
“Sorry to cause you to worry. We just had to work things out.”
“He seems happy,” Kendra said with a smile.
“He does?” Kit asked, surprised. She had a horrible time reading him. Maybe that would change with time.
“Yeah, he does.” Lilly squeezed Kit’s hand.
Kamen, happy?
Kit looked up to find Kamen watching her. His thick black hair brushed his large shoulders and dusted his brows. She did not have to hide her interest or feign annoyance. He was hers. The thought warmed her heart and quickened her pulse.
Siya waddled up to the group. Her belly appeared to grow even farther overnight. “A Creation delegation will meet you at the gate to allow for your safe passage.”
“Time to go,” Asar motioned to Bakari.
Kamen stepped back along the veranda wall. “Call if you need me.”
“Let us hope it does not come to that.” Asar shook Kamen’s hand.
Kamen pulled Kit to the side. “That goes for you, too. If you get in trouble, beast or otherwise, reach out to me through the bond. I will come for you.”
“I will.”
Kamen was the first to back away. “Godsspeed.”
Lilly reached for Kit’s hand and the entire room shifted. Her body became lighter than air, shifting weightlessly through the realms, absent of Kamen. For all the craziness in her life, he was her rock. Predictable. Stable. When she was anything but.
A wave of dizziness passed through her when her form returned solid. Beneath her feet glittered an iridescent rainbow of colors. Translucent but solid, the bridge stretched for a mile beyond an enormous and intricate gate, not unlike the one separating Aaru from Duat.