I could feel the even pattern of Alexander’s breathing and knew he was asleep. I knew by the way that Sebastian didn’t seem to leave his side that he wasn’t healed as much as he tried to let on. I hoped he would soon be himself based on the few ornery comments he’d made earlier. They all seemed to heal faster than normal human beings did, which made me totally thankful.
I couldn’t stop thinking about it as I lay there looking at the amazing bodies scattered around the cave floor. Would they tire of protecting me, and one day realize that I just wasn’t worth all the pain? Perhaps William Dark would somehow find a way to kill an immortal and then one or more of them would die, because of me.
I just couldn’t see this ending happily for any of us. I knew what I had to do to protect them. I had to leave again. This time I’d have to make sure that I wasn’t found. If my dad could find a way to disappear then so could I. After all, I was his daughter…
Chapter Eighteen
I discovered one thing about sleeping with Alexander. It was an experience that warmed my entire body, literally. I understood why he could run though the cold snow and the bitter air in the mausoleum without freezing. He was hot in more ways than one I thought as I snuggled into his hard body. His body temperature must have been at least ten to fifteen degrees hotter than mine was, which felt good on the cool cave floor.
I’d finally drifted off to sleep after formulating a plan in my mind. Slipping away from all of them wouldn’t be easy. If I could convince them in the note, I’d leave that I just couldn’t deal with this whole multiple males thing. I’d have to convince them that I just didn’t want any part of them. Maybe then, they wouldn’t follow me. I didn’t think I’d ever used the L word with any of them, well, maybe with Alexander, but I could say it was because I was so distraught over his condition. I’d think of something when the time came to do it.
I must have drifted off to sleep sometime in the night, because when I woke up Alexander was already awake. He’d been watching me sleep. He was propped on his arm. I must have gotten too hot lying beside him and rolled over onto my back.
I smiled up at him and he leaned down to give me a quick little kiss and whispered, “Good morning, honey. You were genuinely worried about me, weren’t you? Do you have any idea how happy that makes me? I know how much you care for me now. If I’d known I’d get a kiss like the one last night, I’d have slain a dragon for you.”
I’d been keeping my eyelids partially covered for fear he’d see my true feelings mirrored in them, but I looked up at him in surprise. “Are dragons real, too?”
“Yes, but they’re actually pretty nice, as long as you don’t piss them off. They aren’t fond of water or a snowball thrown at them.” Had he really thrown a snowball at one of them, yes, that was the eternal teen in him, I thought as he continued. “It’s something about water. They can damn near burn down a city when those huge flames burst from their mouths, but a little water and they get wild. I learned quickly not to irritate them. Actually, they’re the sun seraph beasts of choice when we ride into battle. They’re a lot sturdier than a horse and much fiercer looking to our enemies. If an arrow hits them, they aren’t hurt badly and they start spluttering flames at the shooter.”
I wondered if I’d ever understand the world Alexander had come from or any of them for that matter. My world had been so simple compared to the complexities and dangers of theirs. As I looked up into his cognac eyes, I wondered how I could ever leave him as he grinned at me.
“Before you ask, the ones on the sun are red with large scales, long teeth, enormous spiked tails and sharp talons. They are definitely fierce looking. The one I rode into battle was Max. Well, I called him that, and he liked apples. Hard to find those on the sun, so I did a little illegal trading with one of the supply ships and got a bushel or two when I could.”
He brushed a lock of hair from my forehead and bent to kiss me again. “There’s no one about, honey.” He said as his lips found mine, while his hand gently stroked my cheek sending waves of pleasure through me.
His lips traced a path across my cheek and up to my eyelids kissing each one. I couldn’t focus on anything but those soft lips almost caressing my face. Alexander stopped kissing me long enough to whisper, “You know I’d do it again for you.”
“I don’t want you to be hurt because of me, my golden knight.”
“I believe I like being called your golden knight. Is that to be my new nickname?”
“Yes, I think I like it. I haven’t thanked you for saving me…”
“No thanks are necessary. Your kiss was thanks enough, unless you have something else in mind.”
I swatted him as he grinned at me. “You’re just as bad as Victor you know. You’re both trouble in an overly handsome package.”
“Yes, but you love us. We aren’t boring like some of the others around here.”
“That’s not nice. You’re all just different and special to me.”
“So true, I don’t want much, just to be your knight and day. I want to be your favorite.”
“I don’t have favorites.” He raised his eyebrow at that as Raven walked in. I was glad that we’d stopped kissing. I was finding that kissing one of them, with any amount of passion, in front of the others was still uncomfortable. I just didn’t want to hurt any of them or cause anymore animosity between them.
When I would have spoken to Raven, he abruptly left the chamber. There was so much I didn’t know about any of them, but Alex didn’t seem concerned about Raven’s sudden departure. I wanted to know so much about my shields that I asked Alexander another question about the sun. I knew if he started kissing me again and someone walked in the room, I’d be embarrassed again, and maybe unable to stop. I had to be careful or I’d give away how I really felt about all of them, especially Alexander who’d basically returned from the dead.
He resumed telling me about his life on the sun and I listened intently. He’d lived underground for most of his time on the sun. Each of them had their own abode that consisted of, basically, a bedroom and bath. He had no personal belongings when he’d come to earth. He’d gotten a very generous stipend for protecting the sun. He’d made it sound pretty boring, except when someone attacked them.
Their battles sounded as bloody as what I’d seen from Dark Hearts and I couldn’t imagine hundreds of years of fighting. Perhaps that was why he was always trying to stir up something. I wondered if he missed the fighting. I hoped not, because we seemed to have enough with Dark Hearts.
He’d been with women regularly. They were given to him as a reward for a particular act of valor or some such heroic display on the battlefield. When he talked about that part of his life his voice had taken on an even softer, wishful tone. “The women were brought from another planet or galaxy and considered it an honor to be given to a sun seraph warrior. None of them ever worried about whether I would be hurt or if I’d even return to them. Emma, you are the first woman that’s ever worried about my wellbeing.”
He’d started looking at me with those golden fire eyes twinkling with desire as he spoke, “you are an amazing woman. I’m so honored to be one of your seven. I plan to attack any reservations you might have about making me your favorite.”
I smiled at him as I helped him sit up before we got too carried away. I was finding that looking into his eyes when they glowed like a golden sunset was dangerous to my heart. It made me want to touch him all over, which was just not appropriate in the open cave with the others close by.
Helping him sit up was no easy feat. It seemed all his ribs were still healing. I moved very slowly guiding his hard body into a sitting position against the cave wall. I’d taken the extra blanket we’d covered with and rolled it up so he could lean against it, but he still cringed when he leaned back. I saw that he was perspiring from the exertion. Sebastian must have heard his groan and instantly came into the room. He brought two bottles of water and a pocket full of the wonderful granola bars. I’d probably never eat anoth
er granola bar as long as I lived, but it was better than being hungry. I was glad to have something to eat.
Sebastian carefully wiped Alexander’s brow with a cloth and sat down near us. “Good morning. I already know how you feel, Alexander. How are you doing, leallen?”
“I’m better than Alexander. I’m still a little sore, but whatever that salve was that you put on my cuts and bruises is amazing stuff. They’re almost healed. Thanks, Doctor Sebastian.”
He reached over and grabbed my hand, which had been resting on Alexander’s thigh where I’d been rubbing him gently as he tried to get comfortable. Sitting on a hard cave floor when you were already sore wasn’t the comfiest place in the world, but it was better than standing or leaning against a rock wall.
Sebastian’s touch was normal-feeling and not nearly as warm as Alexander’s body. It felt good as he traced a small circle in the palm of my hand. He didn’t hold it long as it was awkward with Alexander between us. I excused myself from both of them after we broke our fast with the water and the ever-present granola bars.
On my way to perform my morning absolutions, Julian stopped me, asking if he could walk part of the way with me. His torch was much brighter than the flashlight I was using and I was glad for the company. I didn’t care much about being alone anymore, especially in the dark cave.
He smiled when I agreed and laced our fingers together as we walked in silence for a little while before he spoke, “I’m so glad to get to see you for a few minutes alone. How’s Alex doing anyway?”
“I think he’s still in a lot of pain, but Sebastian assured me that he’d be fine. It’s just going to take a while for him to completely heal.”
“Yeah, the bastards even ripped off his wings.”
Seeing the look on my face, Julian amended his statement, “I didn’t mean to make you remember that horror. They will grow back, you know, boo. Sebastian is right. It just takes a while.”
“Are you ok, Julian?”
“I’m pretty well healed thanks to my new immortality thing. I’m still a little sore, but that floor is pretty hard.”
“Yeah, it’s rock you know.” I chuckled and his other hand reached around and gently tickled my side. We quietly played around like a couple of silly kids for a few minutes as we half walked, half stumbled through the caves until we reached the bathroom chamber. I ducked inside while he waited outside until I returned.
Then we walked to the bathing chamber hand in hand. Being with Julian was like a breath of fresh air. He was playful, gentle and always said or did something to make me laugh. Our easy comradery was most pleasant.
“How about a little swim? Don’t look at me like that. I think we both know what the other one looks like in their underwear. As I recall you looked sweet. Oh, come on, please, boo.”
I raised my eyebrow and smirked at him, “Thanks, I think. Is it safe? This seems bigger than where we swam before.”
“It’s not as deep as the other chamber we were bathing in, but the water’s warm, too, and there’s no strong current to carry us away.”
He was already stripping down to his underwear and walking into the clear lapping water. When I hesitated to follow him, he almost pleaded, “Come on, get in. The water’s fine. Anyway, it’s not safe to swim alone. You wouldn’t want me in a dangerous situation, would you?”
Then he turned on his boyish charm and grinned at me. He motioned with his index finger for me to come in and then wiggled his eyebrows in the cutest manner. How could I resist?
“You know I could come out there and carry you.”
“When you put it like that, I better join you, but you will have to turn around. I’m only wearing my bra,” I blurted out the words before I chickened out. He grinned at me and turned around. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to be the cause of you getting attacked by a cave fish or a gigantic cavern dweller or suffering back strain.”
I turned my back and stripped off my clothes. I wondered what we’d dry off with, until I saw a couple of blankets shoved in the corner. I knew Julian had been planning this little swim with me.
I felt a little less uncomfortable swimming in only my bra, since it was just my sweet Julian with me.. I didn’t think I’d have the courage to go commando around the others.
The water was warm against my scantily clad body and it did feel wonderful in the slight coolness of the cave. I was still surprised at the temperature being as comfortable as it was when I remembered the weather above us. There was a hot spring somewhere inside these caves for it to be this warm in the winter. I remembered from my reading that the Ohio Caverns themselves were a constant fifty-four degrees year-round, this place felt even warmer.
The stream wasn’t very deep, as Julian had said. The water came to just below my breasts and skimmed his hipline leaving much of his smooth, athletic body exposed to the candle light in the chamber. His pale, toned body glistened from the water droplets running down his chest unto his firm abs.
I studied his almost naked form as he shook out his hair from his brief underwater dip. He wasn’t as fashion model perfect as Alexander, but with his brilliant green eyes, unusual coloring and youthful, fit body he could’ve easily been a cover feature for any teen magazine.
I couldn’t believe I was swimming, this time without my underwear, with Julian. I really don’t know what I was thinking. He just looked so irresistible when he was trying to persuade me into joining him. When he knew I was wearing no panties he’d immediately blushed and turned around like the gentleman he was.
When he looked my direction, I was busted. He knew I’d been looking at him. I pretended not to notice the appreciation in his eyes as I briefly submerged soaking my bra, which made it cling to my pebbled nipples. He said nothing, but I saw the brief hunger in his eyes right before he dipped under the water. The intensity of that look made me nervous, because I’d felt the same way when I was looking at him. I didn’t know if it was my hormones or my blood, but it made me nervous especially almost nude as I was. I wasn’t ready for those kinds of feelings with the guys, was I? I’d been feeling that way more often than not with most of them lately.
My intense thoughts were interrupted. All of a sudden a wave of water hit me from behind soaking my hair and running down my back. I could handle a water fight. I skimmed my hand along the top of the water creating a sudden rush of water that soaked him.
We played at splashing each other for a while and then paddled around as we talked. I made certain to keep my front side under the water. I learned a little more about Julian’s childhood as we swam around. He’d been sent away to protect him from his brutal father who didn’t believe that Julian was his son. I guess, he did look different than Vincent and his father. However, not all siblings looked alike. I remembered the things Vincent had told me about his father. I blamed him for a lot of Vincent’s insecurities as well as a few that I’d briefly encountered with Julian.
I was glad the wendigo spirit had calmed in their father, but it was too bad it hadn’t happened sooner. I didn’t ask Julian if he and his father had mended their relationship, but he looked a little uncomfortable when I’d asked about his childhood, so I didn’t mention it.
I was trying to get to know each of them a little better before I left. I just wanted to remember everything about them that I could. Soon memories would be all I had left of them, but it had to be done. I had to leave.
My sobering thoughts were interrupted by a strong pair of arms that encircled my waist, then tossed me through the air to Julian. Julian must have swam a little distance from me, because I went underwater a bit before he caught me. He must have moved into a deeper section of the stream, because I could no longer feel the bottom under my feet.
I didn’t even look around and knew it was Vincent by his large hands and the fresh, cool scent of a wintery day that surrounded me.
“Hello moppet. OMG, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you weren’t wearing your bottoms. Why aren’t you wearing your underwear? Julian are you, am I inte
rrupting anything.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m the one that’s sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking to swim like this. I thought Julian was the only one around and I knew he wouldn’t look if I asked him not to. I didn’t have any underwear on and the water looked so inviting. I couldn’t swim in my sweatpants in case we had to leave quickly.” I knew I was rambling, but couldn’t seem to stop myself as I continued. “I was going without my panties, because when I cleaned up at Victor’s mausoleum hideout, I didn’t want to put the dirty things…”
Vincent interrupted, “You don’t owe me any explanations. I just hope you don’t mind if I join you two. I promise I won’t do anything to embarrass you, moppet. Besides, I’ve got underwear on, so you won’t be embarrassed. I could use some fun. It’s been a long time since we’ve been swimming together.” Then he whispered against my neck as he spoke sending chills down my spine, “Actually I like your bathing suit, as long as none of the other guys see it.”
My cheeks got warm as I turned away from him to look at Julian, who’d come closer. He had started his splashing routine again, trying to disregard any lingering embarrassment. We had a major water fight with Vincent’s ice wave getting the most attention.
“I didn’t know you could freeze water at the touch of your hand, especially something as big as that wave from Julian’s splash.”
“Yeah, bro, that’s cool. I’ve never learned to do that with water.”
“I can teach you sometime if you want.”
“It might come in handy.”
“It would be nice to know how to instantly freeze water when Emma tries to sneak up behind you with a bucket of it.”
Dark Secrets (Dark Hearts Book 2) Page 20
