In the Beginning...

by Calle J. Brookes

  Her hands traced every muscle of his chest, to sooth the wounds still red and raw, and to familiarize herself with his shape. With the touch of his skin. His mouth pressed against hers, all the heat concentrated in that one spot.

  It wasn’t at all like before. There was no taking, no force. Just a man who cared about a woman.

  And a woman who cared about her man.

  This time it was Mallory who kissed him. His hands touched her everywhere, and she was just as fervent as he. His left hand slipped the pardus from her, leaving her in nothing but a white scrap of underwear. The underwear followed, hitting the floor where he threw them.

  A moment of uncertainty took hold. Her hand dropped to cover the worst of the scars where it wrapped around her hip. Plastic surgery had only done so much to remove the marks of the attack.

  Masculine fingers covered hers, forcing her hand to relax over the marred flesh.

  His gold eyes stared into hers. “You are beautiful. Every inch of you was made for me. Just as every piece of me is yours. For the taking. Just make the decision, kitten, to take what the Goddess decreed was yours.”

  Mallory pulled in a deep breath and did just that. No more moments of hesitation, he was hers. She took and took from him, and he let her. Laughed at her fervency. Appreciated it.

  His hands were just as busy, touching her everywhere. Stroking her delicate skin until every nerve in her body hummed in pleasure. When she thought she could take no more he guided her legs around his hips. She felt him against her in every way that mattered.

  She eagerly tightened her legs around him, her hands pulling him closer. “Hurry, Aodhan. Please.”

  “All in good time, my kitten. All in good time.” He nipped along her neck, sending streaks of lust straight to her abdomen. She shivered and held him tighter as he pushed inside her easily. She arched to meet him, locking her ankles around his waist as he begun to move.

  His teeth sank deep into her neck, and sensation so hot and so damned right shot through her that it was several moments before she was aware of the world around her again.

  He held her against his chest while she tried to catch her breath, his hands hot but gentle on her skin. “I did not hurt you, did I? I did not take too much?”

  “You didn’t take anything that I did not give.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It didn’t change anything. Not really. Mallory still didn’t know if she was going to stay with him, but the decision to leave eventually seemed even harder for her to make. Thankfully he’d been gone when she’d finally opened her eyes that morning. She’d been relieved then upset then relieved again when she’d realized he wasn’t there beside her.

  What would she say to him? Thank you? She had absolutely no experience with morning afters.

  Still, she couldn’t avoid him all day and she needed to check on his injuries, make sure he hadn’t hurt himself any worse when he’d lifted her or twisted around on the bed. Had she ever been with someone quite as physical as Aodhan?

  No. She hadn’t.

  That thought gave her a warm little thrill that she tried to ignore.

  She found him in his office surrounded by his friends. Cormac nodded at her. Mallory nodded in response, then turned to Aodhan.

  He looked ok, though the stitches on his arms were still visible beneath where he’d rolled the sleeves of his turquoise vestis partially.

  “Mallory? Kitten, is there something you needed? I’ll be finished here shortly.” His tone was tender and his gaze warm. Mallory felt a flush hit her cheeks. Had the other men guessed at what they’d done the night before? Was it evident?

  “I-I-I want to see Rand.”

  He nodded. “Of course. Can you give us ten minutes? I can meet you in the lobby.”

  Mal nodded. Maybe in that ten minutes she could decide what to say to both of them Rand and Aodhan.

  Aodhan’s sister and Kindara were in the lobby when she got there, Rathan and another man standing at their sides. Mallory joined them. It was then she noticed the packs each carried.

  “We’re going to Relaklonos,” Auri said, motioning to Rathan. “Apparently, the demon thinks some of the medical knowledge in his realm will be beneficial to our people.”

  “Aodhan used demon blood last night.” Mallory still couldn’t fathom that the man she’d known for ten years was a demon. He’d been a close friend, yet she’d never suspected. “He said it worked.”

  “Yes.” Kindara studied Mallory and had Mallory squirming. “No side effects?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Aodhan seems fine this morning. He’s supposed to join me. We’re going to talk to my brother for a while.”

  Rathan wrapped a hand around her elbow. “Your brother loves you, Mal. But he’s facing a struggle now. You know how he is...”

  “No. I don’t. Not anymore. He should have told me, Rath. Made me understand. He’s alone only because he wanted to be.”

  Rathan’s gaze held compassion. He hugged her. “Just remember that he does love you. In the meantime, don’t let your vampire give him or you too much trouble while I’m gone, ok?”

  He did something with his hands that had a misty cloud forming in front of him. Mallory stepped back, unsure what exactly was happening. The cloud darkened and widened. Rathan motioned for the other man a Dardaptoan. The man stepped into the cloud and disappeared. Mallory gasped.

  Aureliana grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “We’re traveling to the other realm through this portal. Wicked, huh? Kinney, Bronwen, and I have never been outside of Gaia. Do me a favor, ok?”

  Mallory nodded, her eyes on Theo’s sister Bronwen as she disappeared into the filmy mist. “What?”

  “Keep care of my brother. He needs you. And loves you. Without someone to keep him in line he can get a bit arrogant.”

  “No kidding. How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

  “I have no idea.” Aureliana shrugged, then stepped toward the cloud. “But I’ll hold you to your word. Take care of him for me!”

  “I will.” Mallory doubted the other woman heard the words as she disappeared into the other realm, followed by Kindara.

  Then it was just Rathan standing in front of Mallory. “Take care, poppet. I will see you and the family upon my return!”

  Mallory sank down onto the orange chair she’d occupied once before and stared at the space where the others had been just moments before. It really was a different kind of world she now inhabited.

  “Quite a show, huh, kitten?”

  She looked at Aodhan. “Have you ever been to another realm?”

  “Once or twice. Some are just like this one, others are more Middle Earth, Tolkien-ish. Interesting, actually. Maybe sometime we can go on a vacation. Did Auri get a good send off, then? I was hoping to catch them before they left.”

  “I think she’s excited.”

  “I’m sure she is.”

  “She wants me to take care of you while she’s gone. Not that I think that’s necessary. You’ve lasted this long without someone watching over you.” Mallory stood and started walking beside him down the hall. Her shoulder bumped his as they moved. It felt right, so she didn’t move away. It was time she started listening to her instincts at least where he was concerned. “But she seems to think someone needs to keep you in line.”

  “And are you up to the task? I may actually cooperate with you.” His hand slipped around her waist as he led her to a bank of elevators at the end of one long hallway. “I think we may have a bit of fun if you take charge of me.” His words turned serious. “I did not hurt you last night, did I?”

  Mal shook her head. “No. You didn’t. What about you? Did your stitches pop or anything?”

  “One or two. But I can say that it was entirely worth it. I’d gladly pop every one if it meant we could do it again and again. And again.”

  Mal smiled, but didn’t look at him. “Maybe we could. Where is my brother?”

  “He’s in the basement. But he is comfortable.�
�

  “But you’re keeping him locked up.” She didn’t have to like it, but she did understand. Rand could have killed someone.

  “Just until he can control himself. Kitten, you have to know if there was any other way to ensure he wouldn’t hurt someone, I’d do it.”

  “I know. Rand...Rand is my best friend, my brother, and he would have hurt me yesterday without thinking twice about it. I don’t know who to trust anymore.” And that hurt. She’d thought she could trust her brother absolutely, yet that simply wasn’t true. But she trusted Aodhan. But was that trust absolute?

  She wasn’t sure.

  They entered the elevator and Aodhan pushed the button for the basement before turning to look at her. His hands wrapped around her upper arms and he pulled her to his chest. “I know, kitten. And trust takes time to build properly. But you can trust me. Trust that I love you and that I will do whatever needs to be done to keep you safe and happy.”

  Mallory buried her face in his chest and slipped her arms around her waist. The strength of him reassured her for a moment. She pulled away as the elevator doors opened. “I don’t know what to say to my brother.”

  “Just say what comes naturally. You’ll know what to ask when the time is right. And I’ll be with you.”

  Mallory slipped her hand into his.

  A guard was posted outside a room and Aodhan spoke with him briefly before being handed a key.

  “Kitten, are you ready?”

  Mallory nodded. He stepped into the room first and she followed. Rand sat at a small table. A wall of bars dissected the room. The cell and that’s what it was despite the lavish furnishings held a bed and couch and a bookshelf stocked with books. The room thrummed with hostile energy, and Mal shivered. “Rand?”

  The face so much like hers jerked toward her. His eyes flashed once, showed vulnerability she was unused to seeing on her twin’s face, before a mask descended. When next he looked at her his face was carefully blank. “Mallory. What are you doing in here?”

  “Talking to my brother. What else would I be doing?” Mallory stepped closer to the bars separating her from her brother. “Are you ok?”

  “Am I ok? Does it look like it?”

  “Don’t be a jerk, Rand. You have to admit you started this. If you had just left Jierra…”

  “Mallory. Best not to mention his mate.” Aodhan’s hands settled on her shoulders. Mallory was grateful for his support and she leaned against him, letting him support her for a moment.

  “How long until I’m out of this cage?” Rand stared hard at the man behind Mallory. It hurt her, how he refused to look at her for more than a minute or two.

  “Until you can guarantee you won’t hurt someone again.” Aodhan’s words were firm, and Mallory had no difficulty hearing the bite and anger behind them. “You could have hurt my Rajni. That will not be tolerated from anyone. Even her brother.”

  “Aodhan…”

  “No, kitten. On this I am firm. What if I hadn’t been able to stop him? Or if it had been your younger sister or Jocelyn’s? He has proven he cannot control the beast within him. Until he learns that, he will not be allowed into a situation where he can hurt someone.”

  “But…” But her brother was in a cage, suffering. Alone. How could she be expected to stand by and let him?

  “He’s right, Mallory. You need to leave me alone for a while.” Green eyes met green. “Uncle Jason has suggested I take over the Fort Collins home after he sends men to collect Grandfather. It’s close enough to be here for the babes and...and my mate. Yet private enough for me to work out a few things.”

  “I see. When are you going?”

  “When we work out a few details with the new lab. And Grandfather. Until then, it’s best if I stay here, I think. Keep me locked in at night. Away from her. Far away from the little witch.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Survive.”

  Mallory stuck her hand through the bar, needing to touch him. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, and hers did the same with his. The connection had existed between them since birth. She loved him and always would. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? I would have understood.”

  Pain was easy for her to see on his face. “It’s part of the rules. I couldn’t tell you, not and keep you safe. It was better if you just didn’t know. It’s going to be doubly dangerous for Jade now. Because she knows and is human. I’m sure Uncle Jason will do his best to keep her safe, but the risks have tripled. I could never put you or Mick or Becca in danger.”

  “Always thinking you had to protect us. Rand…” Mal leaned her head against the bars separating them. “I love you. I always will. Even if you have dog breath.”

  “And I love you, too. Even if you are a blood-sucking mosquito.” He released her wrist and stepped away. Mal wrapped her fingers around the bars, aware of Aodhan’s supportive hands behind her. “Mal? Take care of Mickey. And...and Jierra for me?”

  “Of course.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Mallory held Aodhan’s hand as they walked around the gardens later that afternoon. He’d spent the entire day with her and she knew he was wanting to keep her from dwelling on her brother’s situation. He’d seemed to sense that she needed quiet, and he’d kept conversation to a minimum, letting her do all of the initiating.

  “I need to see my father. And my youngest sister. Let them know I’m ok. And that Mickey is, as well.”

  “I can have a car arranged to pick them up. If you think they would be willing to visit here. Or I can take you to them. Whichever you prefer.”

  Mallory thought about it for a moment. “I need to go home.”

  He stopped walking. Mallory looked at him, taking in the sudden pallor of his skin and the shuttered expression in his eyes. “I need to go home. To see my family. To get a few things. I had a house there, on the property, remember? With my things inside. That has to be dealt with. I want my own clothes. My photo albums. My favorite books. I had a life that just stopped that night. I need to deal with that.”

  He studied her for a minute, worry still clear in his expression. “We can go first thing tomorrow.”

  “You’ll go with me? Don’t you trust me?”

  “Yes. I do. I wish only to help. And I can drive the larger van. I’m sure you have a car of your own you’d like to keep here?”

  She nodded. “I would like that. I’ll need something to go back and forth to the new lab. I spoke with Josey yesterday. She and Uncle Jason will handle the day-to-day running of the facility. I’m to take the head position of this branch. I may have to travel between here and the corporate headquarters, along with Emily. Probably on a regular basis. I hate commuting, though.”

  “I can always arrange a private car to take you and your cousins where you need to go. In fact, I would prefer that for security reasons. But it is whatever you decide.”

  Mallory wasn’t certain she liked his complacent attitude too well. It wasn’t him, and it made her nervous. “You’re being extremely accommodating; any particular reason? Something you’re not telling me?”

  “Hmm. Just complacent due to an excellent night of enjoyment with my Rajni. She’s quite insatiable and I’m worn out.” He gave her a comical leer and had her laughing for a moment. Then he turned serious. “There is something.” Mallory tensed, then forced herself to relax as she settled onto a stone bench overlooking the koi pond. “What?”

  “It seems that your young cousin Jade...”

  “Yes? Is she in trouble? Jade can be a bit impulsive and manipulative.”

  “No, nothing like that. But it seems she’s got her heart set on being with

  Barlaam. And from what I’ve heard, she is his.”

  “His what?”

  “Rajni. But he is trying to put her off.”

  “You’re kidding? Jade has never dated. I mean never. She’s always said she was waiting for the one. And she thinks the healer is him?” Should she be worried? Jade might be young twenty-on
e and inexperienced, but she wasn’t foolish. But the girl did have a way of getting everything she wanted. “How did you find out?”

  “Cormac. He was worried what the rest of your family would say. She is very young, almost still a child by our people’s standards. She is nineteen or so?”

  “Twenty-one. She’s five and a half years younger than Josey, five younger than Mickey. And six months younger than Becca, six months older than Cass.” Mallory thought about it for several long moments. “Jade has always known her own mind. If she thinks she’s meant to be with Barlaam, she will not stop until she is. Period. If he knows she’s his Rajni, why is he so hesitant?”

  “I’m only guessing, but I think it’s a cross between the fact that she is so young and fear.”

  “Fear?” Barlaam was close to Aodhan’s size and strong. He also had a quiet and accepting personality. Mallory didn’t see him being afraid of Jade. “Of what?”

  “For her. We lose many of our females, and Barlaam as healer has witnessed it firsthand. The lack of medical care. We have tried through the centuries, but nothing works.” His face was pale and she could see the fear in his eyes. Fear for her? “No male likes to think of losing his female. It is often our one weakness. I do not wish to contemplate the possibility.”

  “Me, either. That’s why Kindara and Auri are hunting for medications in Rathan’s realm, isn’t it?”

  “There is an old legend that says nothing of this realm will work on our people. Nothing has been said of medications from other realms. I hope they find what they are searching for. Our people need it. Come, we should go inside. Dinner will be shortly. I believe we will be letting your brother out to join us. Your uncle has agreed to keep charge of him. I am curious, though, why your brother is so beastly, yet your uncle not.”

  “Because he’s older, maybe? Thank you for not keeping Rand locked away.”

  “I’m not happy about it, kitten. I wish I could keep you from him, yes. I don’t trust him not to harm someone. I need you to make a promise to never be alone with him. Until he and Jierra work it out between themselves.