Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel)

by Boone Brux

  “But if she is our mother, and she was a powerful Oracle, why didn’t the Demon King use her to open the Abyss?” Meran said.

  Gregory smirked. “First, because your mother would have found some way to foil his plan, of this I have no doubt. But another reason is that for all his knowledge of the Bringers, Vile doesn’t know everything. It takes three Oracles to open the Abyss, the Trilation. It is a secret the royal family shares with only their most trusted.” He looked around the room. “I feel confident after everything that’s happened, my decision to share this information is sound.”

  Ravyn met his gaze. “Then my sisters and I can command the army of souls?”

  “Perhaps, or you may never be faced with that decision,” Gregory said.

  “Let’s pray not.” Meran gave a tiny shiver and rubbed her arms. “The very thought gives me nightmares.”

  “We need not deal with this now.” Rhys massaged Ravyn’s shoulders and she placed her hands over his. “But I think it’s obvious what our next step should be.”

  Jacob provided the answer. “The Shadow World.”

  Rhys nodded. “We must know what we’re facing.”

  “Yes.” Luc’s hand rested firmly against Jade’s hip, his fingers curling into her flesh. “It’s time we take this war to the demons.”

  Silence stretched through the room. Jade’s stomach roiled at the thought of reentering the Shadow World, of battling the Bane and perhaps dying. The weight of their future pressed too heavily around her. Not wanting to think about what would be needed of her, she struggled to lighten the oppressive mood.

  “Have you always known about Ravyn?” She asked the question of Meran, but it was Gregory who answered.

  “I have, but Ravyn and Meran were unaware of their connection or each other’s existence. For their own safety, we separated the girls when they were very young. Both were sent to the Order to serve because on warded ground they would be unreachable by the Bane.” He gave an apologetic smile. “Or so we thought. Brother Powell was a miscalculation.”

  “Luckily, Rhys was there to save me.” Ravyn glanced up, her expression filled with love.

  “Yes,” Meran said. “We are so thankful for you, Rhys.”

  He shifted in his chair. “I still didn’t prevent her from being kidnapped.”

  “Nor did we,” Gregory said. “Actually, it was Ravyn seeing Juna that gave Powell the opportunity to abduct her. I did not pick up on his presence and that is something I will never forgive myself for.”

  “It wouldn’t have mattered.” Ravyn looked at Gregory and then Rhys. “If not then, he would have found another time to take me. He was driven.”

  “What about Juna?” Jade asked, wanting them to get back on the subject.

  Gregory sighed, as if mustering great patience. “Even as a child Juna had a mind of her own. She was four when your parents were killed and she refused to be cloistered within an abbey.”

  Meran smirked. “I’ve been told she climbed a tree and tied herself to the highest branch, refusing to come down until Gregory agreed to keep her.”

  He nodded. “Like I said—stubborn.”

  “Where is Juna now?” Willa asked.

  “She had some business to finish up.” Meran’s gaze landed on Jade. “But she’ll be arriving tomorrow.”

  The woman’s look made Jade uneasy and her question came out more suspiciously than she’d intended. “Why?”

  “Jade,” Willa said. “Don’t be rude.”

  She opened her mouth to defend herself but her mother’s expression brooked no argument. She harrumphed and leaned back against Luc, crossing her arms. “I was just asking,” she mumbled.

  “She’s right to inquire.” The Ascendant stood and moved to stand beside Siban. She turned and faced the group. “We would like your permission to try and heal Esmeralda.” Though she looked at Willa, the question seemed to be asked of everybody. “There are other Redeemers besides Ravyn, Juna, and me. Jade, we would like you to help.”

  Luc’s hand ran up her back and caressed her shoulders. She slowly turned her head and peered at him. He neither encouraged nor offered her advice. This was a decision she had to make. Would she be able to control her powers? And even if she could, what would she do if the healing didn’t work? In the Shadow World she’d been unable to free her sister’s soul. Would she fail her again?

  Hope radiated from Willa, making Jade’s decision for her. “Yes, I will help.”

  Siban shifted away from the corner and stepped forward. “You said there are other Redeemers?”

  Meran faced him. She didn’t speak at first. Instead, she looked at him as if she were puzzling something out. “There are other Redeemers among those Bringers who followed Gregory through the Arch. All are powerful and I think we have a very good chance of healing her.”

  Siban gave a single nod, then turned and left.

  A tiny kernel of hope sparked inside Jade. Tonight, when the demons had swarmed across the sky, their situation had seemed grim. Now there were a hundred full-blooded Bringers ready to fight and help heal her sister. A thought occurred to her. She turned to Gregory. “You know everything. The language, the history, what we’ve done right and what we’ve done wrong. You can teach us what we need to know.”

  A murmur of approval traveled around the room.

  Sir Gregory nodded. “Yes, we can benefit from each other’s knowledge. You and Luc can share what you learned from your time inside the Shadow World. Unfortunately, until we find my brother, we are stranded without further aid.”

  “Then we make every move count,” Luc said.

  “But not tonight,” Jacob said. “There will be enough time for that tomorrow.” He stood. “We’ve had quite a night and I for one am starving. Might I suggest dinner?” He gave Gregory his signature charismatic smile. “Your Highness.”

  Gregory cocked a brow. “That’s a good idea, Jacob. I think a little wine is in order if you’ve a bottle or two to spare.”

  “There’s always wine to spare.”

  The group stood and began filing out of the room. Jade rose, her mind trying to wrap around all she’d learned.

  Willa approached. “How is Esmeralda?”

  Jade bit her bottom lip, searching for the right words. Should she try to soothe her mother by sugar coating her sister’s state? Emotional weariness pressed around her. “Despondent. Alone. Feeling betrayed.”

  Willa wrapped her in a gentle hug. “She could have asked for no better sister than you.”

  Jade pulled back. “Me? I’ve done nothing to help her.”

  Her mother gave her a look of patience. “You have done everything for her. Perhaps after tomorrow you will have even given Esmeralda her life back. You stood by her even though she is a Bane. You loved her even when it was the most difficult.”

  Jade shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable with Willa’s praise. If she had done any of those things it had been with a lot of grumbling and lamenting her life. “You would have done the same.”

  “But she didn’t allow me to.” She gripped Jade’s upper arms. “No matter what happens, please believe that you have done everything you could for your sister.”

  Even though Jade doubted she would never feel that way, she nodded.

  Her mother’s intense expression relaxed. “Good, now go get cleaned up before dinner.”

  “All right.”

  She walked toward the stairs. Thoughts swirled through her mind. What would happen from here on out? Across the room Luc talked to Rhys. Her heart skipped a beat. Tonight he had protected her and as she thought back over the last several weeks it became clear that he did care for her. His relationship with Esmeralda had happened a lifetime ago. Since then, their worlds had been tipped upside down and she and Luc had been drawn together.

  He turned and followed her ascent, his stare unwavering, just as his presence in her life had been since the day she had stabbed him. She smiled ever so slightly and his expression turned dark. Her breath caught
in her throat at his purely male look of desire. She let her hand trail along the railing of the stairs, her fingers lightly grazing the wood. From his determined look, she most certainly would not be sleeping alone tonight.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Though Jade sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap and her legs crossed at the ankle, inside she paced like a caged tiger. Too much had happened tonight to take it all in. She needed to expend the pent up energy swirling through her. Going outside wouldn’t be wise, not so soon after the battle. Who knew if the Bane still lurked at the edges of the estate?

  There was always visiting Esmeralda, but that wouldn’t do any good. Her sister seemed set against any solution that might actually solve their problems. Her weariness of always being at odds with Rell squashed the notion of seeing her tonight. There had been too much fighting. But she couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.

  Jade uncrossed her legs and stood. At the very least she could pace in her room while she wrestled with the magnitude of how her life had changed. “I think I’ll retire.”

  Luc bolted to a stand. The chair scooted backward, sending the legs scraping along the floor. Everybody turned to look at him. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

  Rhys cleared his throat, but thankfully didn’t follow up with a comment.

  A warm blush crept up Jade’s neck. She avoided the gaze of everybody in the room and focused on Luc. A thrill raced through her. His stare was intense, demanding no argument. Since the battle, he had barely left her side. At first it had been somewhat irritating. Even using the privy was no longer a private affair. Though he didn’t accompany her outright, when she exited she found him lurking at the end of the corridor. His hovering prickled her independence, but the fact that he cared tempered her ire.

  Not willing to make a scene, she gave a slight nod. Before leaving, she walked to her mother to kiss her good night. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to that.

  Willa stood and opened her arms. Jade stepped into the embrace, her eyes automatically closing in the wake of emotions that washed through her. So many things in her life were perfect now. It almost made the bad situations bearable.

  “Would you like me to tuck you in?” Willa asked.

  The question brought a smile to Jade’s face. No matter how old she got, she’d never tire of hearing those loving words from her mother. She returned the hug and released her. “I’m a little too old for you to keep putting me to bed, don’t you think?”

  “I’ve missed a lot of years.” Willa’s hand slowly rubbed Jade’s shoulder, giving her the unspoken comfort and reassurance that she would always remain a part of her life. “And you’ll never be too old to tuck in.”

  “It appears we’ve been given a second chance to make up for those lost years.” For an instant she was a little girl again. Her childhood memory of her mother’s loving smile merged with the older, but still beautiful version of her face. Jade hugged Willa again. “All of us.”

  She loosened her hold and stepped back. Their eyes met and Jade knew her reference to Rell was not lost on her mother. Heartache shadowed Willa’s expression, but she gave a strained smile and nodded. Both Rell and her mother bore a lifetime of guilt and anger, but Jade was certain all would be well in the end.

  The room had fallen silent. She turned to see all eyes watching their exchange. Her heart swelled at the sight of their compassionate gazes. No matter the outcome with her sister, she knew she’d make it through with their support.

  “Good night, everyone.” Jade wove her way around the chairs. “Sweet dreams.”

  A chorus of sleep tights and pleasant dreams followed her out the door—as did Luc. They walked in silence, but his presence was anything but calm. Awareness of him pushed against her like a blowing cape in the summer breeze. She didn’t look at him or attempt to fill the quiet.

  At this moment, he was where she needed him to be, alive and attending. They stopped at her door. Jade turned, keeping her eyes on his chest. She opened her mouth to say good night, but Luc reached around her and turned the door handle.

  His body crowded hers and she took a step backward, but collided with the door. The smell of soap and wine wrapped around her and she couldn’t help but look into his eyes. Passion, protectiveness, hope burned in their depths and she knew she would not deny him access.

  Their gazes remained locked as he pushed open the door and backed her into the room. His hand snaked out and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her toward him. He kicked the door shut, pivoting to press her against the solid wood.

  Her heart thundered in her chest and her mouth went dry. Luc gripped her wrists and trapped them against the door on either side of her head. There was no resistance in her. Good intentions had finally lost the fight to selfish desires. Whatever came from their encounter, she would accept it. If it was only one night he wanted, then she would give it to him and carry the sweet memory with her always.

  He bent slightly, coming level with her face. “Tonight, I nearly lost you.”

  Jade swallowed, but the action was useless since there was no saliva in her mouth. “I survived.”

  He nestled his face against her neck and sniffed. “I thought I’d go mad when I saw the demon chasing you.”

  “I was—” Her voice cracked. “Fine.”

  “Barely.” Luc pulled back to look at her. “Know this, I—” He captured her lips in a brutal kiss. His teeth nipped her upper lip as he pulled away. “Will never—”

  He attacked her mouth again, stealing Jade’s breath and all her willpower. She fought against his hold, needing to touch him, but he didn’t release her. After a torturously wonderful minute he pulled away. Both gasped from the power of the kiss.

  “Lose you,” he panted.

  She stilled her attempts to get free and stared at him, almost too afraid to believe he wanted to be with her. “What are you saying?”

  His grip loosened around her wrists and he pulled her to him. Without thought, she wound her arms around his neck, never losing eye contact.

  “I don’t care if it’s proper or not. You’re mine.” He kissed her again, as if afraid she would argue. With no ability to speak, Jade poured all she would have said into their kiss. He broke their connection to rest his forehead against hers. His voice came out in a rough whisper. “You’re mine.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

  Her comment broke the tension he’d been holding within him. “Well aware.” He pulled back and cocked a brow. “So you’ll consider staying with me?”

  Her face grew serious. He’d chanced so much by telling her he wouldn’t let her go, and in her mind there was no question of his sincerity. This wasn’t a one-night tryst. His words had been clear. This was for as long as she would have him.

  She cupped his face in her hands and shook her head. “I want nothing more than to be with you—forever.”

  He stared at her and for a second she thought she might have said the wrong thing. Then he moved, swooping her into his arms and crushing the breath from her body. Laughter erupted from Jade as he whooped and spun her around.

  “Luc, I’m going to throw up.”

  He slowed his twirl and lowered her feet to the ground. The room continued to spin but there was no chance that she would fall, locked tightly in his embrace. The joyous mood shifted, as did the look in Luc’s eyes. His passionate gaze nearly sizzled her. Her mouth went dry again and she licked her lips. Luc’s eyes followed the course of her tongue.

  The intensity of his stare and the palpable heat radiating off him sent thrills of anticipation through Jade. She took a step backward. Luc followed. She stepped again, as did he.

  “I’ve waited a long time to touch you,” he said.

  The bedpost stopped her retreat. She clutched the pole, steadying herself against the onslaught of arousal. Her words came in short gasps. “I seem to recall you touching me quite often. When you saved me fr
om Icarus. When you carried me through the woods.” She lifted her brows. “In the hot pool.”

  “The hot pools.” He growled more than spoke the sentence. Inches separated them. He reached and rubbed his thumb across her nipple. “I’ve been dreaming of these lovelies since that night.”

  Her breath hitched and her nipples hardened under his touch. She pressed into his hands. A tight tingle sparked from both breasts, joining below her rib cage to spear its way to her core. He tugged on the tie at the neck of her gown, opening it wide and pushing it over her shoulder to pool on the floor. A thin shift was the only covering between her naked body and his voracious touch. Her eyes closed and she let her head fall back to rest against the post.

  His warm palm slid across her back and the other hand covered her breast. Moist heat replaced his fingers. Jade’s lids popped open to see Luc’s mouth pressed against the thin material, drawing her in. Her pebbled tip ached with each tug.

  “Luc.” She combed her fingers through his hair, not sure what she wanted to say. “Yes.”

  He burned a trail of kisses up her neck as he grabbed her shift and lifted the fabric. Without hesitation, Jade raised her arms and let Luc divest her of the barrier. Then it was his turn.

  Feeling far bolder than she ever had, she unlaced one side of his jerkin and then the other, spreading the material to pull it over his head. Each clasp unhooked and each lace untied, slowly stripped Luc of his clothes and bared the sculpted muscle to Jade’s touch.

  She glided her hands across the smooth expanse of his skin. A small patch of golden hair grew in the dip between his chest muscles, descending in a tempting path that disappeared into the waistband of his pants. Her fingers itched to follow that trail.

  Twice in her life she’d been with a man—well, boys really. Neither had had any more experience than she. The encounters were awkward and, in the end, hadn’t filled the empty void in her life. She’d stopped looking to men for comfort, seeing what happened to women who continued on that path.