Awakening

by Warneke, A. C.

  Auberon laughed at his brother’s unaccountable naivety. “She knows enough about us to make her justifiably afraid but she does not know that we are on her side; that we are not part of the Hive anymore.”

  “I should find her and tell her,” Adam said, distractedly. He was eager to see Celeste, to hold her in his arms; to alleviate any of her fears and shelter her.

  “Whatever spells that the Fates are using to protect her are powerful, Adam, but they cannot last forever,” Auberon said casually. “The Monoliths will discover her whereabouts eventually; even the Fate’s shielding spells are limited. She is in grave danger, especially if she is to be the mother of a new Queen.”

  “I know,” Adam mumbled, needing to find her, keep her safe. Abruptly, he stood, knocking over the chair as he made his way to the door. There was not enough time and she was too stubborn for her own good. As soon as he grabbed the handle, the door flew open and Celeste stepped into the room, her eyes widening in surprise. “Celeste.”

  "I need to talk to you," she blurted, the words spilling from her mouth in a rush. She turned her head and saw Auberon sitting there and her cheeks flushed red and she took a step closer to Adam. As if she perceived Auberon as a threat.

  Standing, he bowed his head in deference to her obvious nerves. “I shall leave the two of you alone for a few minutes.”

  "You don't have to leave," she said quickly, guiltily, even as she moved closer still to Adam.

  "I do," Auberon murmured, exchanging a look with Adam. He paused when he reached the door, his eyes closing in ecstasy as he smelled the metallic air surrounding Celeste. Opening his eyes, he looked down and saw the line of blood on her arm, tempting him; damning him. “You are bleeding.”

  Adam’s concern twisted his face as he carefully lifted her arm as his eyes locked on Celeste’s and they immersed themselves in one another. Running his tongue along the red path, ecstasy darkened Adam's black eyes and Auberon felt lust swirling in his own gut. Closing his emotions off, Auberon cast a final glance at Celeste, wanting… more. Wanting and not allowing himself to want, he walked a few steps and vanished as Adam raised his head, the wound healed and forgotten.

  Celeste watched as Auberon walked out the door, wondering how she was going to tell Adam what she had to tell him. With a slight frown, she walked over to the window and sighed. How did she plan on broaching this subject and was she really prepared to die should Adam prove to be all-too-Apocritum? Her stomach tightened in apprehension as her body temperature dropped to deal with the stress. Great, she was going into hibernation mode, leaving her vulnerable to attack. Then his hands were on her shoulders, his mouth by her ear, his breath on her neck. With another sigh, she leaned back into his embrace and felt at home, “Adamanteros.”

  “Celeste,” he murmured, the heat of his hands seeping into her cool flesh, the taste of her blood fresh in his mouth. “I’ve missed you.”

  “It’s barely been two weeks,” she murmured, letting herself melt into his embrace, trying to hold onto her worries and fears; if not for herself then for her baby. With that, her body stiffened; they had much to talk about and it was time to lay out her worries. “I'm frightened, Adam and I'm afraid of telling you what frightens me."

  “Tell me, Celeste,” he implored as her body tensed further and he could feel the fear coming off her body in waves; strong enough that she was unable to mask it. It was killing him knowing that she suffered and he couldn't help her until she told him. “Talk to me, Celeste; tell me what scares you.”

  Turning around to face him, her brain tried to convince her lust-filled body that being with Adam right now might not be such a good idea. What if she was wrong and she was flying towards her death? Did she have a choice? There was no one else she could trust. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, not missing the way Adam focused on her mouth. Softly, she asked, “Why are you researching prophecies?”

  “Our Mother is concerned,” he said, bending his head and meeting her eyes, seeing the tears glisten as she stared up at him, wariness in her posture as if she was getting ready to run. "She wanted Auberon and me to check out a wrinkle."

  Inhaling and slowly letting the breath out, her pulse racing along her throat, she rasped, "Am I the wrinkle?"

  His hands were warm, comforting, on her shoulders. There was no malice in his touch, no hint that he planned on using those beautiful hands to choke the life from her. “I bit you.”

  “Several times,” she expanded, her free hand pressed against her stomach, as much from nerves as from protecting the life that grew in her. Would Adam be her savior or her executioner? Why did she have to have such a strong compulsion to tell him when she touched the little box? “But I'm human.”

  He chuckled, rich and warm, “Yes but you don't change when I bite you; we have to be prepared for any repercussions.”

  “What if there are none?” she prevaricated, looking down and avoiding his probing eyes. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to prevent the heat that was burning her cheeks, knowing that she was blushing. If only she could concentrate on how she felt just being in his arms once more; how safe she felt. What if it was an illusion? “What if you just get the pleasure of feeding from me as often as you desire and there are no consequences?”

  “There are always consequences, sweetheart,” he murmured gently, running his hand along her jaw, touching the smooth curve of her cheek. Her body was still so tense even though it was slowly relaxing. If only she could trust him with her secrets.

  “But what if the consequences are more than I can handle?” she whispered, closing her eyes and wondering if his touch would turn violent; hoping…. God, hoping for so much. Would these be her last moments on earth?

  His voice lowered to a rasp as he asked, “Celeste, what are you hiding?”

  Slowly, hesitantly, she raised her head and her eyes met his. He didn’t look at her as if he meant to harm her; no, he looked concerned. It was time to take that final leap; if only she knew if she was going to be landing in water or quicksand. Chewing on her lower lip, she glanced around the empty room, suddenly wondering if it was bugged, if the other Apocritae were aware of their conversation; if the Queen could hear. Swallowing against the lump of fear and doubt, she whispered, “Not here.”

  “Tell me what it is,” he urged, his gaze drifting down to her abused lips before returning to her wary hazel eyes.

  “I'm afraid, Adam,” she whimpered, her eyes pleading with his, desperate to confide in him, desperate to keep her peace.

  “Celeste,” his voice was low, comforting but she felt his need for answers. "You can talk to me here; it's safe."

  “Are you sure this room isn't bugged?” she whispered, resting her forehead against his chest, hearing the steady thump of his heart. How could he make her feel so safe, so secure, when he could be the end of her existence?

  Her pulse in her throat was racing and her whole body trembled as she hovered on the edge of the cliff, not knowing if Adam was going to pull her back to safety or push her over the edge. Taking her hand, he led her to a comfortable couch a few feet away. “This room is where Auberon and I discuss many things that would enrage the Queen,” he explained softly. With sincerity burning in his black eyes, he lowered his voice and continued, “The two of us have taken many precautions to ensure privacy within these walls and nothing you say will go any further, Celeste. You’re safe here. You're safe with me.”

  She sat down on the couch, her hands twisting in her lap. Gently, he curled his body around hers, physically protecting her from the world. Gathering her in his arms, he whispered, “Tell me, my love. Whatever it is, I will protect you.”

  She looked up at him with liquid eyes, hope warring with fear, “Really?”

  “My life is yours,” he said softly, passionately, brushing her lower lips with his thumb as he held her eyes and willed her to believe him. “Tell me, Celeste.”

  Closing her eyes, she leaned forward, her lips against his ear, and in a hushed vo
ice, she rasped, “I’m going to have a baby.”

  “A baby?” he croaked, his arms clenching around her.

  She squeezed her eyes shut as she waited for the fates to decide her future, whether or not it was going to exist past the next heartbeat. After a long moment, she slowly opened one eye, just enough to peak at Adam and see the longing and sorrow on his face. His eyes were closed in what could almost be described as a painful expression, yet she didn’t get the feeling that he was in pain. “Adam, she's a Queen; I know she is.”

  He opened his eyes and her breath caught at the look of apprehension in his eyes. Tilting his head to the side and studying her face, his expression worried her. He started to raise his hand to cup her cheek but his hand was trembling and he quickly dropped it back to his lap. Holding her eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers and exhaled. “I was afraid of that.”

  “Are you going to kill me?” Celeste questioned, staring at Adam with an anxious expression on her face, thinking that he might pull an Apocritum mind-fuck and wipe all trace of her existence from the face of the earth.

  “Do you honestly believe I could?” he asked with a hint of hurt in his voice as he studied her face, her mouth, and she wanted him to kiss her, just once more before he killed her. He raised his hand once more and she almost flinched but she managed to remain motionless. Tracing her eyebrow, the line of her cheek, her full lower lip, he touched her as a lover and not an executioner.

  Her eyes moved over his face, her heart thudding painfully in her chest; she hadn't truly believed he would kill her otherwise she never would have told him. Slowly, she shook her head no and euphoria filled his eyes a moment before he closed them. She tenderly ran her fingers over his closed eyes, her hands trembling in relief and gratitude. His breathing was ragged as he leaned into her caress and she had to kiss him; kissing him was more necessary than taking her next breath. Leaning forward, she softly pressed her lips against his, wanting to drown in his midnight kisses.

  He pulled away from her and put his hands on her stomach, "We'll protect the new Queen together."

  Swallowing thickly as a tear slid down her cheek, she nodded her head in acknowledgement before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for another kiss. He groaned as he dragged his hand over the contour of her fuller breast and she had to bite back a moan as he brushed a thumb over the sensitive tip. “And now that I have you in my arms again, I’m never letting you go.”

  His heat surrounded her and her body responded accordingly. "I'm afraid."

  “I know but you have me,” Adam murmured gently, brushing his lips over her temple and breathing in her sweet scent. It had been thirteen days since he was joined with her; thirteen long days of needing her and being denied. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her with all of the devotion he had. Kissing the curve of her neck, he smiled, “Fate doesn’t always give us a choice but together we will triumph.”

  “I just want you to fuck me,” she murmured against his chest, her arms snaking around his waist. Heat raced through her body; she was done thinking, worrying; she simply wanted to feel Adam moving over her, in her. She wanted him to make her forget the huge burden hanging over her.

  “No; I am going to make love to you.” Laying her back on the couch and covering her body with his, he pressed his lips against her throat. He reached between their bodies and tugged at her pants, losing himself in her arms as she unfastened his slacks, pushing them off his thighs. His erection sprung free, proud and thick; her fingers brushed the heated skin and the air hissed out of his mouth at the too gentle touch.

  Smiling tenderly up at him, she lifted her hips and he pulled her pants from her body. Settling between her legs, the tip of his penis at the entrance of her body, he looked at her, loving her so much. Brushing her hair back from her forehead, he took her mouth in a hungry, desperate kiss.

  Slowly, he pressed into her and her body arched upwards and she thought it had been foolish to avoid him for all of this time. Two weeks had been an eternity to go without this closeness, without his touch. Her fears and uncertainties simply faded away when she was with him and she realized that she had trusted him from the first moment she saw him. Of course he would protect her; why had she ever doubted?

  Roughly, he rasped, “Celeste, I am yours forever.”

  When he spoke those words, emotion overfilled Celeste and her heart lurched in her chest. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him to her, loving him. For that moment, she knew everything was going to be okay; the future was going to be incredible because Adam was with her and she was with him. Nothing else mattered. “Forever, my love.”

  *****

  Silently, Auberon sat in the corner, grimly watching his brother and the girl. Adam wasn’t even biting her and he was experiencing bliss. What the hell? He should be the one who experienced the bliss of fucking a girl that remained human when bit; he was the one to convince Adam that the Queen, that Mother, was insane and corrupt. Running his thumb over his lower lip, watching the girl’s face, watching Celeste, he decided he had to try her. He had to know what it was that consumed his brother.

  A slow smile spread across his lips as he shifted in his seat, trying to ease the burgeoning erection between his legs. Tonight he would… talk to the girl; find out what she tasted like. Maybe he would even experience the bliss found between her thighs. It would be simple; no one could tell him apart from Adam, not when they were naked. In fact, the only thing that made them different was the style with which they dressed: Adam in his expensive suits, looking rich and powerful; and Auberon in his leather pants and tight shirts, looking sensual, reckless and dangerous. When they wore the same clothes not even their mother knew the difference; how could a mere human?

  Besides, she owed it to him. Because of her, the goal he and Adam had spent so many years working tirelessly towards had to change. The birth of a new Queen was a complication that he was going to have to figure out how to use to their advantage. They were going to have to take Celeste and the child away and train the baby to destroy their bitch of a mother, the Queen. And then they would finally, finally be completely free.

  Chapter 11

  Cashmere slacks always felt strange on his body; they did not caress his legs the way leather did. Auberon shifted uncomfortably, wearing his brother’s clothes, watching his brother’s girl. The sheets were twisted about her slender legs and her thin nightgown was bunched around her thighs, emphasizing the curve of her hips, the indent of her waist. He could make out the swells of her breasts in the dim light, generous and perfect, her pebbled nipples ready for his mouth. Her rich brown hair fanned out across her pillow and her long lashes caressed her cheeks as her closed eyes moved in dream. She was glorious! But it was her lips that nearly undid him; slightly parted, as if inviting a kiss. And Auberon watched, waiting.

  The timing was perfect and it was perhaps the only time he was going to be able to discover what made her so damn irresistible. His brother was a fool to allow her out of his sight for even a moment but Adam had wanted to re-enforce the wards and protective spells around their fortress. He didn't want to take any chance that the Queen would find his precious Celeste. Tempting Celeste.

  Auberon had offered his help but Adam wanted to perform the spells in blood, his blood, to ensure their potency; Auberon would have just gotten in the way. His brother's anal retentiveness to achieve perfection was going to be Auberon's one chance and he would be damned if he didn't have a taste.

  Celeste sighed, turning just enough that her gown shifted, exposing the swell of her left breast. His hand twitched, wanting to touch that soft flesh; suckle that soft flesh. Adam had been a fool to let her out of his sight. And Auberon was a fool to take advantage of it.

  A moment of conscience struck him and he froze; what was he doing? She was his brother’s and Adam had never been so possessive about one of his pets before. There had never been any need because they had always shared everything until now. Auberon wanted to know, to underst
and, what made this one so damn special. What made this one so unique? Why could he not stop thinking about her even though Adam claimed her as his own? He should leave, forget this madness.

  A soft moan froze him in place, his cock hardening even further, straining against the unfamiliar pants. He couldn’t leave until he knew, until he tasted her. Brushing his thumb across his lower lip, he watched her sleep, promising himself that he would only drink a little bit, just a little. With that promise to himself his fangs grew and he felt the blackness fill his eyes, seeing the sensual heat of her body even in the dark. He was going to give into madness; he had no choice.

  *****

  Celeste was tossing and turning in her sleep; something was off. Bizarre images of wasps chasing her, wanting to devour her, filled her dreams. She would run and every time she thought she might out-distance the persistent bugs, she would be sucked back, able to feel the tips of their stingers on her flesh. Something loomed in front of her, just beyond her vision but she could feel the menace as it got closer. She didn't want to look but she knew that she didn't have a choice; soon she was going to have to face the darkness that was waiting for her.

  But there was something else there as well, something benevolent and a little desperate. Someone was watching her, guarding her, wanting her.

  Adam.

  No, not Adam; Auberon.

  Celeste awoke with a start, the images and feelings fading as her mind returned from the bowels of her dream. Running her hands over her face, trying to clear the remaining fog, she became aware of someone in her room, in the corner. Turning her head slightly, she made out the form of a man; a god, who was raking his hands through his hair in agitation.

  Flipping on her bedside lamp, she could see him clearly as he silently watched her. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, a dark tie around his neck. Dark pants encased his powerful legs, the matching jacket tossed across the back of the chair. Strange, Adam was the one who wore suits, not Auberon. “What are you doing here?”