“Unfair?” he said. “What is unfair, love, is having to live the same life twice.” He shook his head and backed away from me. “I should have never returned to the courts.”
I inched closer to him and took his hand again. “I’m sorry. I’m being unfair. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I appreciate your kindness. I do know this is hard for you, and I have no desire to make it more difficult.”
He gave me a half smile and ran his hand through his thick waves of dark hair. “I know, love. Why don’t you go back to sleep?”
Sleep? Not after what I’d just gone through. I didn’t honestly know if I ever wanted to sleep again.
He sat up and the covers slipped to his waist. My eyes traveled along his sculpted torso. I shouldn’t be attracted to him. I shouldn’t feel anything for him at all, yet here I was dishonoring the commitment I had made to Heath.
Zach cleared his throat. “I have an idea. Get up and get dressed.”
I was loathe to remove my covers. He laughed at me. “I promise not to look…if you hurry.”
“Why does it matter how long I take?”
His grin made my heart flip. “We don’t have much time.”
I smiled at him, and the thing that surprised me was I meant it. “Turn around then.”
He did. I ran into the closet and the lights flashed on. My eyes rebelled, but I didn’t give them long to recover. Within minutes, I was dressed and standing in front of a smiling Zach. He looked at my sneakers and gave an approving nod.
We tiptoed through the corridors and out into the predawn morning. The trees and plants were still lit with the phosphorescent veins that made the land feel fantastical. Zach reached for my hand and when our fingers brushed my pulse exploded. I should have been used to the feeling, yet it got me every time.
Zach leaned into me. “I know your secret.”
Secret? My mind raced. I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.
He laughed. “Through that trail lies a sight so inspiring it will make your heart fly.” He had my undivided attention. “To get there, you will have to traverse the dark forest of Flannery. You may encounter creatures of questionable origin, specters too gruesome to name, and a lord who wants to steal your pounding heart.” He straightened, looking down his nose at me. “Are you up for such a challenge?”
I laughed and to my surprise, it filled my soul with tremulous joy. “Try to keep up.”
I lit into the forest, fast as I could go. He was right behind me, nipping at my heels. His breath tickled my bare neck. I wasn’t about to let him take the lead, so I put everything I had into my stride, stilling my breath into tight controlled bursts.
We ate up the trail like starving wolves. I reveled in the rush of our run. I reveled in the rate of my pulse and the hum of my heart. When the strange wisps of love coursed through me, I let them flow. I did love Zach. He had been everything to me once, and he could be that way again if I let him.
The soft glow of morning shone in the distance. Now I knew his game, and I was all for it.
“Hurry!” he prodded.
I laughed, kicking into a faster pace. I had not raced this fast since Heath…
Oh. Heath. A flush shot through me. I swallowed.
I was at a crossroads. If I let my thoughts linger, I knew my road would be rough. If I stopped myself from thinking about him, would it take the pain away? Would I be free to love the man behind me?
I had to try. I buried Heath into a compartment so deep it would take a lifetime to uncover him. At least I hoped it would. Letting my mind linger one last time on his angular face, I said a silent goodbye, then I closed the casket.
Zach caught me around the middle. I squealed into the awakening dawn as he spun me around and around. He pulled me up against him, and I let him cocoon me in his arms. Warm fingers brushed the tendrils of escaped hair from my nape and cheek. His lips found the hollow of my neck and I sighed, leaning back against him.
Without warning he bent down and scooped me into his arms. I laughed at his antics. He carried me through the arch of the trees and into a magical realm.
The sun was moments from cresting the rugged mountains in the distance. The blush of morning rising in the sky that increased its glow with salmon, orange, yellow and all sorts of colors I couldn’t name. Well, maybe we’d have to fix that. The lake reflected everything, making the experience almost three dimensional.
Zach led me to a grassy hill that overlooked everything. Anticipation ratcheted my already giddy heart that hadn’t slowed even though it should have by now. It was because of him.
Even the air was suffused with the essence of him. He was everywhere all at once, lifting me to a height I had never known.
Was this how bonding was supposed to feel?
He guided me down to the grass and sat me in front of him. I watched his legs stretch along mine, marveling in the feel of his body as it molded against mine. Or was that me molding to him?
“There, now,” he said, his rich voice startling me in this quiet moment. “Lay back, love. I won’t bite…this time.”
A tremulous laugh escaped me. I did as I was commanded, all the while aware of every inch of him. Warm arms encircled me. I pressed my hand against his, interlocking our fingers.
This was so new, so real. I’d never felt so alive in my life, as if my heart beat to the drum of mother earth. It was if I had been enchanted right along with the morning.
Zach leaned into me. “What do you think?”
Think? Was that even possible right now? “It’s beautiful.”
He caught my chin and turned my face toward his. “It doesn’t compare to you. Nothing can.”
I tried to look away from his intense stare, but he wouldn’t let me. I settled for looking at his lips because I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
“In all my days on Earth, I have only loved once…until you came along. You shattered every barrier I had created. No other Elemental had lived up to the spirit of my first love, but you have changed all that. You have reinvented me, shaped me into a man that can only love you.”
I twisted and cupped his flushed cheek. Sweat dripped from his hairline in tiny rivulets down his face and along my fingers. I moved my fingers over his forehead toward his chin. He caught my hand and touched his lips to my palm.
I closed my eyes, letting my body anticipate every zing of electricity his movements created. Taking in a breath, I shivered. His lips found mine, and I melted into him, becoming a part of him, letting him take me to an indescribable height. He groaned, pulling me closer. My skin exploded in tingles as he traced my neck with his tongue. His breath came in my ear, catching then releasing. He tugged the edge of my shirt and slid the rough edge of his fingers along my abdomen.
I stilled.
He pulled back. “Is this okay?”
My heart fluttered and my breath stopped. I dipped my chin in a slow nod.
He smiled, his blue eyes flaring with desire. I found myself on my back. He lifted his shirt over his head and placed it under mine. Then he lay beside me.
Every inch of me burst into lightning. I inched closer, running my palm down his chest. The slight dusting of hair tickled my fingers. I got caught up in the beauty of him, exploring the hills and vales of his body. I stopped at his belly button and looked at him.
His breath was so shallow, I could barely hear him breathing, but I could see the effect I had on him. This was a power I had never known. Well, not never, but I wanted the power this time. I wanted to make love to him. He was my future. I couldn’t allow myself to focus on things that would make us both miserable.
I gave him a shy glance, not really knowing how to start this. All I’d ever focused on was stopping myself from making a mistake.
His gaze met mine. The intensity sent a shockwave to my bones.
That’s when I noticed the tiny green line circling his blazing irises. I took a second glance just to make sure. It was still there. My stomach turned to acid.
Muscles hardening, I scrambled away from him and leapt to my feet. My body surged with the power inside me. Never had I connected so strongly with the elements. Both my hands lit up in blinding white light. My breath still hitched in my throat. I could hardly believe what was happening.
She got him too. Ainessa had Luke and Zach under her spell.
His eyes flew wide. “It’s not what you’re thinking, love. I know how it looks, but she doesn’t have control of me.”
I shook my head at him. “I can’t trust you.”
He stretched his hand out toward me. “Rayla, please. Come back to me.”
I took a step away from him. “I can’t risk it.”
His muscles tightened and he stiffened straight as a stick before his body convulsed. I knew what was happening, but I still didn’t want to believe it.
A wicked smile stretched across his handsome face. Zach no longer gazed back at me. His voice came different, no longer holding the light lilt I was used to. “So surprised?” He stood, taking his time as if we had all day.
My fear for him tore from my throat. “You have to fight her, Zach!”
His body stepped closer. “I’m afraid Ammon’s not here right now. If you’d like to leave a message please hang up and try your call again.”
My brows rose; she was trying to be funny. Well I sure as heck wasn’t laughing. “Why are you doing this to your own brother?”
“Ha! I’ve already told you he doesn’t deserve to be called that.”
Still, she had never said why. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but you can’t be that cold.” Something strange crossed Zach’s eyes. He was fighting her—I could see it. Maybe if I gave him some time. “I don’t see why you think you need my power. You seem to have plenty on your own.”
“I know what you’re doing, Rayla, and it’s not going to work. Ammon cannot break my connection at the moment. I’m sorry to interrupt your little tryst, but I needed to speak with you. I tried earlier yet was sent away for my efforts. When you did not accept my gift, I had no other choice.”
Full of disbelief, my eyes narrowed. “You’re gift?” I shook my head. “I should have known.” I’d considered it, but the note had thrown me off. I’d been slipping up a little too much lately. I should have never come here. I should have fled with Heath. As if a rushing tide, my feelings for him flowed through me, lighting my body with his fire. “I really have nothing to say to you, Ainessa. You may have gained acceptance within the fae courts, but you will never have it from me.”
Zach’s face twisted in anger. “You self-righteous little twit. I don’t care what you think or what you want. You are nothing more than a means to bring fae into true power. I know your secret.” I seemed to have many secrets I wasn’t aware of lately. “Human blood does not flow in your veins. It is only a matter of time before I will know who your sire is.”
A shiver hissed over me. “Why should I care about that?”
She scoffed. “No point in playing the fool with me. When I have him, I’ll no longer need you. I will create my own race to rule.” Her ring flared to life, rivaling the blue sky above. “Few things remain between me and my new world. You think you are powerful, yet you know nothing of power. You’re precious humans will succumb to me, just like you will.”
She reached for me, but I skidded away. “You’re insane.”
“Most genius is labeled as insanity, Rayla.” Her compulsion slid up against my mind, seeking a crack in my armor. “Think of it: a world we could control together without the restraints of a creator who does not care.”
Yeah, ‘cause she’d make such a great god. Um, no thanks. “I don’t want to be a god, Ainessa. I just want to live my life, free.”
She threw up a hand. “Freedom! So many claim to want freedom, yet those same people will stand in line to have those freedoms stripped one by one merely for money or false power or fame. I used to have hope for the human race, but it has withered away in recent times.”
Anger flared inside me, charring my veins with acidic fire. “You don’t get to decide what happens to humans or anyone. I will slit my own throat before I will let you have my power.”
“You are fighting a losing battle. It would be so much better if you just concede. I will spare your family along with any other person you deem worthy of living.”
“Everyone has a right to live!”
She laughed. “Come now. You can’t possibly be that naïve. There will have to be casualties for my plan to work. My followers need bodies, after all.”
I stared at her with unbelieving eyes. “Your followers already have bodies.”
A chuckle split the morning. “Most do, that is true, but immortality without the ability to progress is an unbelievable hell. I do not expect you to understand. You will come to submit. All do.”
“I won’t.”
A dark smirk covered her brother’s face. “You’ve been able to resist; I will give you that, but you have no chance of keeping it up. No matter where you go, I will find you. No matter how you fight, I will win. I’m offering you a chance to save those you love. Why do you care about people you have never met?”
“I’m not a monster.”
“Ho. A monster, am I? I used to have such ideals…until I saw what happens to those who do not take what they want. You will come to see as your mother has.” She reached out her hand. “I will take the pain away, Rayla. Let me be your champion. Together we can create the world we both want.”
I shook my head, backing away.
Her ring flared and energy clamped around my body like a tractor beam. “One moment of contact with you is all I need. There is no escape.”
My feet shot forward before I could stop them. My mind raced, searching for some spec of hope. I remembered my angel giving me a spec of light; however, I still didn’t know what it was for. I reached for that spec, but it was just beyond my grasp. Giving up on that, I summoned my power, pulling everything to the surface. My heels dug into the grass. She was only three feet away. Any further and she could reach out and take me. Our struggle intensified until my mind stretched to a snapping point.
A voice so welcome, I nearly cried out spilled into my thoughts. “I’m here. Take my power.”
Heath! I only had a split second to think, to act. I called his power to me; it radiated into me like sunrays through a breaking thunderstorm, slipping over me, buoying me up. Zach’s face twisted in rage.
My arms glowed so bright my eyes squinted. Power built up in me gaining strength until I had to release it or explode. Lightning erupted from my fingers and connected with Zach’s chest. His body flew backward, smashing into a tree ten feet behind where he just stood. He lay there lifeless. No matter how badly I wanted to help him I couldn’t risk her coming to. I needed to leave.
That was the last I saw of him before I drifted away…to the man I love…to the man I should have never left.
It took me no time to lock onto Heath, as if some force guided me along. I emerged from the matter stream in a place so dark my eyes took several seconds to adjust. Heath snatched me up in less than a second, filling my soul with his essence. I buried my face into his neck, reveling in the feel of him next to me. Tears came unbidden. “I’m so sorry, Heath. I should have listened to you.”
He laughed. “Well, that’s not something I thought I’d ever hear you say.”
I pulled back, joy overwhelming me as I studied his face in the candlelight. I could never get enough of him, not in ten million years.
“Wow, if I’d known this was how you’d greet me, I would have shipped you off to Zach sooner.”
I frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”
“We had to know for sure.”
I recoiled away from him. “You knew about this!”
Tabitha stepped out of the shadows. “I’m sorry for putting you through that, Rayla, but it was necessary.”
My body went limp, and I stumbled. Realization slammed into me. They’
d set this whole thing up—to see if Ainessa controlled Zach. Anger raged through me, stiffening my muscles, hardening my mind. I took turns looking at them, but I was angrier at Tabitha. I’d given everything up because of her visions. “How could you do that to me? I trusted you.”
Her face stayed serene as ever. “I told you hope was not lost.”
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me so close every inch of me was pressed against Heath’s body. “You had to have known I would never let you go so easily.”
But I didn’t. I couldn’t.
His jaw brushed my hair back from my ear, sending a quiver along its wake. “We can talk about this later because right now we have unfinished business, remember?”
I whirled on him. “Not so fast, one track mind.” Shaking, I shot out a halting finger that touched his broad chest to keep him from pulling me closer again. “I’ll deal with you in a minute.” He smiled. I shook my head fighting the distraction.
With a fraying leash on my temper, I faced Tabitha. “Where’s my family?”
She didn’t react, keeping her voice as calm as her expression. “They are safe, as are the Elementals who have not been bonded.”
I relaxed a little bit, but something unexplainable kept the wariness in my mind. “Where are we?”
Creed’s voice came from behind me. “Don’t tell me you’ve already adjusted to being here. Last time took you hours.”
The dark realms? A smile found my mouth. His were the hands I’d felt guiding me here. He’d brought me where not even Ainessa could touch me.
Every time I saw him lately, his face was more human. His skin had paled again to a light gray. It could have been the lighting, but I figured soon he’d be back to his old self.
“Thank you,” I said, finding it hard to use my voice. This was twice he’d helped me get away from Ainessa, and this was twice I had no words to express how grateful I was to him.
“As I told you before, we are at your command, my lady.”
My jaw tightened. “In that case, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
Zach had mentioned Travis. If I didn’t act fast, they would take him to use as leverage against me. “I have a cousin that needs rescuing, and unfortunately, I’m not able to leave the realms.”
Genesis Page 30
