The Curse Breakers

by Denise Grover Swank

  “Thank you.”

  He kissed my forehead and then continued to clean the wounds. He found bandages in the first-aid kit and wrapped my arm with gauze. His gaze fell to the bloody sheet that I was clutching to my breasts. “I need to look at your stomach.”

  “Oh.”

  He pointed his thumb toward the door. “I’ll step out and let you get things . . . situated, and then I’ll be back.”

  “Where are my pajamas?”

  “I don’t know. You were naked when I found you. I figured that’s why you locked your door, which seemed odd. You never even close the door all the way in your apartment.”

  “I went to bed in pajamas and I left the door open so I could see the bathroom light.”

  His face paled. “Ellie, your door wasn’t just closed; it was locked.”

  “Oh, God.” Those things had access inside the house somehow.

  David’s eyes widened with fear. “I’ll go look for your pajamas.”

  “No.” I shook my head, frantic. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Okay. I’ll just turn around.” He stood in the doorway, facing the hallway.

  I dropped the sheet to my waist and pulled a towel off the rack to cover my breasts. “Okay.”

  He turned around and took a step toward me, freezing when his gaze landed on my stomach. “God, Ellie. What did he do? That’s his mark.” His voice cracked, and his eyes glassed over.

  My chin quivered. “He claimed me as his own.”

  David swallowed. “Does that mean—?”

  “No. I still have to choose, but both sides have claimed me now, whatever that means.”

  He put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me backward so that my shoulder blades were pressed against the back of the toilet. His voice softened. “What happened?”

  “My dream was real. First I saw the badgers, where I got this.” I lifted my arm. “Then I saw Ahone’s messenger, who promised to show me Ahone’s mark after the next part of my dream, which was when Okeus cornered me.”

  “Did you see the mark?”

  “No.” I didn’t hide my bitterness.

  He dabbed my stomach with a wet washrag and I flinched.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I gritted my teeth as he continued to clean it.

  “This thing is a good twelve centimeters long. I think it’s going to scar.” He sounded devastated.

  I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I think that was his intent. He wanted it to match the one he gave me on my arm.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I opened my eyes and offered him a small smile. “Quit saying you’re sorry.”

  “I can’t help it. This happened to you while I was across the bloody hall.”

  “Well, I don’t want to think about what would have happened to me if you hadn’t been here.”

  “What happened with Okeus, Ellie? I know he did this, but why?”

  Total disclosure. “Okeus promised to give me back Daddy.”

  His mouth dropped open. “Can he do that?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Daddy was there, but it wasn’t him. His look-alike tried to get me to accept Okeus’s agreement.”

  “To get his mark?”

  “That too.”

  “What else?”

  I looked away. “He wants to use me as a breeding mare.”

  He sat back on his heels. “What the bloody hell does that mean?”

  “The demons are Okeus’s creations. But his ultimate goal is to create children who look like him. Like us. So he moved on to making babies the old-fashioned way. Only his babies were still monsters. He thinks my pure soul plus my Curse Keeper blood will make the babies he’s always dreamed of.”

  “He wants to impregnate you?”

  “So it would seem.”

  David sat on the side of the tub and took my hand. “You were naked.”

  “If you’re asking me if he was successful in his attempt, the answer is no. But if I hadn’t woken up when I did, I’m sure it would be a different story.”

  “Ellie, I’m sorry.”

  I put my finger on his lips. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You saved me. Thank you.”

  His fingers wrapped around mine, and he placed a kiss against my fingertips.

  “Are you done with my stomach?”

  “I’ve cleaned it up. I’m not sure what else to do other than give you something for the pain.” He stood and found a bottle of ibuprofen in the medicine cabinet. He handed me two with a cup of water.

  I swallowed the pills and then pulled the sheet up to cover my breasts. “Okay,” I said as I clutched the covering and stood. “I’m going to get dressed.”

  He reached for my arm, but I shrugged him off. I needed to feel like I was in control of something, like I wasn’t completely helpless. “I’m better. I can walk now.”

  He followed me into my room. Standing at the foot of my bed, he combed the room with his eyes, coming to a stop at the window. He stepped forward for a closer look.

  “It looks like the salt is missing.”

  “So that’s how they got in my dreams?”

  “I don’t know.” He moved to my bed, slightly lifting the dream catcher that hung from the headboard. “I wish to God I did.”

  “Well, one thing’s for certain. I’m not going back to sleep until the sun comes up.”

  “I’ll stay up with you.” He bent over and picked up my pajama bottoms and camisole top off the floor, handing them to me. “If you want to get dressed, I’ll turn around.”

  “Thanks.” It seemed stupid. He had seen me naked earlier, after all. My eyes drifted to the busted door frame.

  “I had to break the door in.”

  “Thanks.”

  He nodded and turned around as I slipped on my clothes. My arm and my stomach throbbed, but I managed to do it without causing myself too much pain.

  “I’m done.”

  He spun around and watched as I moved toward him. The pain and guilt in his eyes was nearly my undoing.

  I stopped in front of him. “David, don’t do that. Don’t feel sorry for me. I can’t take it.”

  His eyes widened, incredulous. “Is that what you think this is? You think I pity you?” He lifted his hands and rested them on my upper arms. “You’re the strongest person I know. I don’t pity you. God, far from it.” His hand rose, his grip tightening as he cupped the side of my face. “Ellie,” his voice broke. “I can’t stand the thought that I wasn’t able to protect you from this . . .” His other hand rose to touch the other side of my face. “I’m supposed to be helping you, but I keep failing at every turn. You’re better off without me.”

  My back stiffened. “Don’t you dare say that, David Preston. You just saved me from . . . that monster. And you have found more information for me than I ever would have found on my own. But you’ve given me so much more than that.” I grabbed his cheeks and pulled his face closer. “I don’t care if you ever find another piece of information. I still want you here. I can’t do this alone. I need you.”

  His mouth lowered to mine, his kiss tender and hesitant.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, opening my mouth to his probing tongue.

  He groaned and placed a hand on my lower back, pressing me to him as his mouth and tongue grew bolder.

  I slid my hands from his neck, needing to feel more of him. I lifted his shirt up and he lifted his head to let me pull it the rest of the way off.

  My hands landed on his chest and my fingertips glided across his skin.

  David searched my eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this, Ellie?”

  My only answer was to pull off the shirt I’d just put on.

  His gaze landed on my breasts and then moved up to my face. “I don’t want to do this in here.”

  I nodded and he took my hand and led me to his room, tugging me to the bed. He kissed me, one arm around my waist as his other hand explored my breast. I buried my hands into his hair, and he pressed his st
omach to mine as our kisses deepened. I winced, releasing a cry of pain from the cut on my abdomen.

  David released me and tried to step back, his eyes filled with worry. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his upper back, pulling him back to me. “I’ll be fine. We can make this work.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me between his legs, wrapping one arm around my waist. His mouth found my breast and I moaned, burying my hand in his hair to hold him in place. Still, I needed more.

  As if reading my mind, his head lifted and he stared into my eyes as his thumb hooked the top of my pajama bottoms, pushing them over my hips and down to the floor.

  Standing, he gently pushed me down to the bed. He began to tug his own pajama bottoms down, but then stopped.

  I looked into his questioning eyes. “David, I want you.”

  His gaze lowered to my stomach. “I’m scared that I’ll hurt you.”

  I smiled. “We’ll figure it out.”

  He went to his bag and returned with a condom. Dropping his pants, he stood between my legs, which hung off the sides of the bed, and rolled on his condom. He leaned down, resting his elbow next to my head, his body hovering over mine as his tongue licked my bottom lip and then sucked it into his mouth, biting lightly.

  White-hot lust spread through my veins and I instinctively lifted my hips up to his.

  He groaned and lowered his mouth to my breast, while his other hand slipped between my legs. I pressed into his hand, needing more, needing this man.

  “David, I want you,” I repeated. “Now.”

  A growl rumbled from his chest as he rose, standing in front of me, the desire and devotion in his eyes making me even hungrier for him.

  He grabbed my hips and leaned between my legs, filling me in a slow plunge.

  I cried out and lifted my hips higher so he could get deeper. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he sank into me again. His head leaned back and a guttural sound erupted from him. His pace quickened as we climbed and I clung to him, desperate for more.

  The pressure built, but I held back, my whimpers encouraging him to quicken his pace, moving deeper and faster. When I couldn’t hold back any longer, I arched my back and pushed against him. Wave after wave washed over me as David gave one last grunt, staying deep inside as my orgasm finished.

  He rested his knees on the bed, still inside me, and then leaned over, raining kisses on my face and neck. “You’re so beautiful.”

  I lifted my mouth to his, reaching around his neck and holding him close as my tongue sought his.

  He pulled back, giving me a reluctant smile. “I need to go clean up. Will you be okay if I leave you alone for just a moment?”

  I stared into his eyes and nodded.

  He left the room and I forced myself to get up and pull down the covers, crawling on my hands and knees. My butt was in the air, facing the door, when he returned. “Now there’s a welcoming sight.”

  He helped me pull the sheet down and then slid in next to me, still naked. Wrapping an arm around my back, he pulled me to his side. I rested my cheek on his chest. He lifted my chin and stared down into my eyes, worry wrinkling his brow. “Are you okay?”

  I smiled. “Yeah.”

  “No, I mean really okay?”

  My smile faded. “As okay as can be expected.” I kissed his chest. “If you’re asking if I’m okay with what we just did, though, I’m more than okay. But the rest . . . I’ll need a bit of time.”

  He bent down and gently kissed me. “Understandable.” Worry and fear tightened his face. “But despite what just happened between us, I still wonder if you should be with me.”

  I rose on my elbow and started to protest, but he put his finger to my lips.

  “Hear me out, love. I need to say this.”

  “Okay,” I said softly, terrified of what he was going to tell me.

  “I want you, Ellie. Not just for your body, but your mind, your wit, your stubbornness, and your courage. I look at you now—like this—and I can’t believe you’ve let me into your life.” He swallowed. “But I can also see that you’re loyal, and I don’t want that to be your downfall.”

  My lips parted to respond, but the pressure of his finger increased.

  “The day may come when I’m no longer a help but a hindrance. If it does, I need you to promise me that you’ll let me go.”

  Anger surged through my body. “No!” I sat up, wincing at the pain. “You don’t get to tell me what to do!”

  Sitting up, he rubbed the back of my neck, bringing my face closer to his. There was no anger in his face, only patience and devotion. “I know that, Ellie. I would never dream of telling you what to do, but back when we made the agreement for our partnership, you agreed to give all of my suggestions and concerns consideration.”

  “What are you doing, David? Is this your way of trying to leave me? Just like every—” I stopped.

  Sadness filled his eyes. “Like everyone else? Your father and your mother? Hell, even Collin left you—he just forced you to be the one to walk away with his lies and deceptions.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “God, how could I be so stupid?”

  Tears filled my eyes. “Do you want me or not, David?”

  “Christ, Ellie,” he pleaded. “It’s not about wanting you. I just want what’s best for you.”

  My chest tightened, my words thick with emotion. “You don’t get to decide. I do. It’s my decision.”

  “Okay, okay.” His hand caressed my cheeks, wiping away my tears. His eyes burned with intensity. “Elinor Lancaster, I pledge to never leave your side of my own free will. I will stand with you and always be at your service. The only way I will leave is if you send me away.”

  My mouth dropped open and I shook my head in disbelief. “You can’t promise me that.”

  A teasing smile lifted his lips. “I just did.”

  “But—”

  “Ellie, you need to know you can count on someone to be there for you, no matter what. No matter how hard it is or how dangerous. I am promising to be that someone.”

  “But why?”

  His lips pressed against mine, his hand gliding across my bare back. His fingertips dug into my skin as he sucked my upper lip into his mouth.

  I panted with need, clinging to him.

  His head lifted and he looked into my eyes, all the teasing gone. “Do you remember when I asked if you believed in destiny? You are my destiny, Ellie Lancaster. You.”

  We made love again, slow and gentle, but with reverence as we explored each other’s bodies.

  Afterward, sunlight crept through the drapes, and I rested my cheek on his chest.

  His arm tightened around me. “Do you still think you’re broken?” he asked, sounding sleepy.

  What David and I had shared was special, but if I were honest with myself, it wasn’t close to what I’d experienced with Collin. He and I had shared body and soul with each other—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But we’d also shared deception and betrayal. Collin and I were fire and ice, love and hate. When you climb to soaring heights, the fall is much more deadly.

  What I had with David was deeper and more meaningful, and yet . . . it was not quite enough. Collin was right. I’d never experience anything like the pure completeness I had felt when we were connected, but those moments had been fleeting, and our passion had come at a steep price that wasn’t worth it. The sad truth was that Collin couldn’t give me what I needed, because he couldn’t give himself what he needed.

  I needed to make a choice and I needed to stand by it. David deserved the same commitment that he’d offered me. I knew that once I picked, I couldn’t go back.

  I stared into the face of the man sleeping beside me and brushed the hair off his forehead. I knew in my heart he was perfect for me.

  I leaned down and brushed a kiss on his lips, whispering. “I choose you.”

  Then I laid my head on his chest and slept a dreamless sleep.

  C
HAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  We only slept a few hours before I got up to make breakfast for the guests in the inn. With Myra gone, I couldn’t forget the real reason I was staying in the house.

  I hung around the office and small kitchen of the inn, greeting guests and giving them directions and suggestions for sightseeing. David got up with me and hovered nearby for most of the morning. Normally, it would have felt claustrophobic, but after my real-life nightmares of the previous night, I was freaked out enough to not want to be alone. And I knew David wasn’t the hovering type. He was staying close to me because he knew I needed him.

  I pushed him into the office and reached up to kiss him. “Thank you.”

  A wicked gleam filled his eyes. “And what exactly are you thanking me for?”

  I kissed him again and stepped back. “Everything.”

  When the guests left for their day of sightseeing, David followed me upstairs to help me make the beds and clean the bathrooms.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I said, tucking in a sheet. “You can go do something fun.”

  “No. I’ve always been fascinated about the role of an innkeeper.”

  I laughed. “An innkeeper, huh? You make me feel like I’m sixty.” I leaned over in the bathroom connected to the room and grabbed some damp towels off the floor, wincing as I stood.

  “Ellie, you shouldn’t be bending over like that.”

  “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt or anything. It just stings.”

  He took the towels from me. “Where do I put these?”

  “The basket in the hall,” I said, turning on the water I’d need for cleaning.

  He dumped them where I’d told him. “Want me to get started in the next room?”

  “David, you don’t—”

  “Ellie, let me help. The sooner we get done here, the faster we can get back to searching for your father’s notes.”

  I nodded and then rushed out into the hall to give him a quick kiss. “Okay, as long as you don’t mind.”

  He grinned against my lips. “Don’t you have a bathroom to clean?”

  I lifted my eyebrows in mock surprise. “Oh, yeah.”

  He disappeared into the other guest room and I returned to the bathroom I was cleaning, surprised to see that the mirror had already steamed up. I leaned over to crack open the window and gasped.