by A. C. James
He was never her friend. Her gaze darted from Nathan, to the driver, to the skinny man beside her. She had a terrifying, dizzying flash of horror when she realised the truth. If she said anything about her pregnancy, they’d probably flog the daylights out of her and call the baby an abomination. She swallowed hard, still clutching her belly as subtly as she could.
“’Ey, you, throw me her bag,” Nathan called to the skinny guy seated beside Cyn.
Before Cyn could move to snatch her clutch again from the man, he’d grabbed it and tossed it forward to Nathan. He opened the clutch and began tossing make-up, tampons, her wallet and cards, candy, and other things onto the floor of the van. He must have been looking for her mobile. Finally, he turned it upside down and shook it. Cyn winced as the portal Fallon had given her tumbled out and landed with a small clink on the van’s metal floor. Her mobile landed next to it.
The van turned a sharp corner, and Cyn slid across the surface. As quickly as she could, she tried to reach forward for the portal, but it skidded right into Nathan’s hand. He held it up in the air with a triumphant look on his face.
“And just what is this?”
Cyn licked her lips and raised her eyebrows. “Dunno, I found it somewhere.”
Nathan seemed aware that the device was not of this world.
“Really, Nathan,” Cyn said, trying her best to distract him. “Was a bit rum of you to go through my rubbish like that.”
“Shut up,” the skinny man next to Cyn hissed. He pinched her arm roughly until she cried out and yanked her arm back. “Bit of a big girl, aren’t you?”
Cyn glared at him, and then turned back toward Nathan.
“Why’re you doing this? We used to be such good pals,” she said, trying like hell to keep her voice sweet. Maybe if she could get him on her side she’d have half a chance. “Can’t you see this is wrong?”
“Bugger off,” Nathan mumbled.
He was holding the portal up in the air and staring at it with his arms outstretched. “This is fascinating,” he said, moving it so it caught the light.
Cyn groaned. The shimmering surface of the portal couldn’t be disturbed too much, or else it would notify the party on the other end—in this case, Fallon. She held her breath as Nathan shook it vigorously, staring into the watery surface.
The skinny man turned toward Nathan. “What’s she got?”
“Some kind of portal. Dunno how to use it, though.” He curled his fingers around the portal and shook it again. “Damn!”
Every muscle in her body tensed. “Nathan, don’t—”
“A-ha!” Nathan exclaimed.
Cyn inwardly groaned as she watched the surface of the portal starting to clear. He’s done it now. Bloody hell.
“Love?” Cyn’s heart broke at the excited sound of Fallon’s voice coming from the small portal. “Love, is that you?”
The watery surface was always hard to see through until it fully cleared.
“It’s not Cynthia. It’s her...old friend,” Nathan said with a sneer.
A faintly metallic taste seeped into her mouth, and for a moment she thought she’d be sick.
PRETENDING THAT HE was facing a disobedient subject, Fallon forced his features into a grim, serious look.
“If you don’t turn yourself over to Only Human we’re going to kill your mate,” Nathan said with a roguish grin.
“If you touch one hair—”
He laughed. “You’d better do it.”
“How do I know you have her?” Although he was desperate, his voice still managed to sound regal and dignified. “Tell me.”
Nathan laughed. He swivelled his arm toward Cyn, sprawled in the back of a van. Fallon didn’t make a sound as he saw his mate through the tiny, blurry portal, splayed with her legs wide and her arms clutching her belly. A stab of fear pierced his heart and he swallowed hard. She didn’t look hurt, but Cyn was a masterful actress. Fallon knew that better than anyone. He only hoped that skill would help her now.
“We’ve got her,” Nathan said confidently.
Fallon balled his hands into fists.
He grinned again. “I wouldn’t have thought her to be so daft. I called her up on the mobile, telling her that I wanted a little chin wag to say sorry.” Nathan shook his head as if in disbelief. “And she said yes!”
The bloody bastard. Fallon’s stallion was snorting and pawing the ground. When he finally got his hands on that arsehole, he was going to wring his neck.
Nathan crowed with laughter, throwing his head back and cackling. “Fallon, you’ve really got teach your mate to be a little smarter.”
“What must I do for you to release my wife?” Fallon clenched his jaw, then took a deep breath. “Tell me and I’ll do it.”
“I told you already,” Nathan said casually. “For a king, you’re not a very good listener, are you? Just turn yourself over to Only Human, and the bird is yours. Well, not yours. I s’pose she’d belong to whichever horse takes your place.”
Fallon didn’t reply. He continued staring at the unfamiliar, pudgy face, replete with forehead wrinkles and topped by scruffy hair.
“Hey,” Nathan barked. “I’m talking to you!”
Fallon closed his eyes briefly and tried to summon the deepest part of his strength. “I’m listening.”
“And don’t even think of trying anything. You’d better come alone—it doesn’t matter if you don’t, we’ll have enough men to take down anything that you lot could think of. But you’d better not risk it because we have orders to shoot on sight, y’know.”
Fallon bit the inside of his mouth so that he wouldn’t make a sound. The thought of his mate—not to mention his child—being hurt was unspeakably painful. Seconds later, he tasted bright, coppery blood.
“How can you expect me to come to London alone? I’ve never been there before,” Fallon gritted through his teeth.
Nathan snickered. “I suggest you figure it out, mate.”
“I can’t believe you’d do such a thing,” Fallon said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about you, Nathan. My wife was shocked that you’d decided to publish that book in the first place. She told me of your adoration for her.”
Nathan laughed again. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t hurt her. Only Human might, but I certainly won’t. Cross my heart.”
He squinted at Fallon through the small portal. Before Fallon could reply, the surface of the portal went watery once again and Nathan disappeared.
Fallon closed his eyes. His stallion was racing around in frantic circles, tossing his mane in the air and whinnying nervously. We have to do something. He slammed his portal down on the hard wooden desk in his bedchamber. It clattered and then fell to the floor.
Episode 11
Chapter One
Maelíosa ran a hand through her sweat-soaked hair. She grinned—sometimes, there was nothing like a good, long run in the morning to solve life’s problems. Or at least some of them. As she tugged on her leather leggings and tunic, she watched the sun rise over the horizon. Sage would likely be awake by now.
The thought of seeing him made her mare whinny and neigh, even though they were both exhausted from the run. Maelíosa was already feeling the mate bond more strongly than she could have imagined. She’d never quite understood how the bond had such an ill effect on her father’s health when Cyn decided to leave. But now, having experienced the bond herself, Maelíosa had no doubt why he’d fallen sick. It was like Sage had imprinted on her body, mind, and soul—inseparable from her mare—and she could sense him even though there had been miles between them while she was running through the forest.
Her heart thudded, the bond growing stronger as she pushed open the castle door and stepped inside. Maelíosa’s skin was gleaming with sweat, and her breath came fast. It was hard to tell if she was tired from the run or excited about seeing her mate again. She couldn’t help her wry grin as she climbed the giant stone staircase. I’m turning into a b
loody fool. Everyone’s going to think I’ve turned arseways.
With a deep breath, she reached the top of the stairs and pushed the door to her chamber open. Maelíosa had expected to see Sage in bed, sitting up, maybe even flipping through one of those spy novels he’d brought from America. Instead, she was startled to see that he was fast asleep, snoring lightly. A wicked grin stretched over her broad face, and she slipped into the room quietly. She shut the door behind her with a soft click, pulled off her tunic and leggings, and climbed beneath the warm counterpane. Suddenly she realised her chamber smelled different. Woodsy, like a man. Like him. And surprisingly...she liked it.
Sage murmured in his sleep and rolled onto his back, exposing his muscular, tattooed chest. Her heart began to pound, and she slipped close to him, running a hand down his smooth, strong body. Sage croaked, then slowly opened his intense grey eyes. A lazy grin stretched across his face as he blinked.
“Mornin’,” he said in a husky voice.
He wrapped his warm, muscled arms around Maelíosa’s body and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers. Her cheeks flushed as she returned the kiss, slipping her tongue into his mouth. Maelíosa could get used to this in the morning. She moaned softly as his hands travelled down her body, squeezing her ass. A fiery, tingly sensation coursed through her veins, and she wrapped her strong legs around Sage’s waist. For a moment, they tussled together in the sheets. Then Maelíosa rolled on top of Sage, straddling his hips.
“Morning, love,” Maelíosa murmured against his lips.
“Feisty,” Sage said. “I like that.”
Maelíosa bent at the waist and kissed him hungrily. She closed her eyes in happiness when his fingers tangled in her hair. She’d never wanted any of the stallions in her clan, though many had tried to make her their mate, but she found herself falling slowly for Sage.
His cock was hard and throbbing between her legs. Even though she was slightly sore from last night and her run, she couldn’t believe how much she wanted him again. More than she’d ever thought was possible. Her mare responded to him, and she was already wet. As his rough, calloused hands moved to her breasts, Maelíosa threw her head back and moaned. The touch of her mate’s fingers tweaking and rubbing her nipples was driving her crazy.
Maelíosa’s mare whinnied, then stood up on her hind legs and pawed at the air. The bond between them was primal. Maelíosa leaned in for another passionate kiss, and his hands moved over her body, touching and exploring every inch of her athletic but curvy body. She’d never been like the delicate female púca in her clan, and that was fine by her. Maelíosa was used to being big-boned, but no one had ever made her feel more feminine or desired than Sage.
“God,” she groaned. “Take me. I need to feel you inside of me.”
His breath was hot and damp against the inner curve of her ear. “I need you too,” he said in a breathy, low growl.
The sound of her mate’s arousal was incredibly sexy. Maelíosa reached between her legs and wrapped her hands around his length. As she guided Sage inside of her, she let out a low moan. Pleasure flooded her body, and she wriggled her hips. Every time she rubbed against him, her mare was all out of sorts. Her beast demanded that she take him deeper.
Maelíosa obliged her mare, rocking gently on top of Sage. This was too good. His strong fingers dug into her hips, and he fucked her deeply and slowly. It wasn’t as frantic as last night, but it was every bit as powerful. Every inch of her skin was prickly and overheated; a fresh wave of perspiration broke out over her forehead. As she closed her eyes and arched her neck, she felt his hands caressing her breasts again. They fit together so perfectly... She bit her lip and tossed her dark hair behind her head. It was like they were meant to mate, to find each other and lose themselves in the mating bond.
Sage groaned and bucked his hips beneath her. His cock twitched and pulsed, and she shuddered at the intensity. He was going to come inside her, and her mare was ready too. The force of his orgasm was enough to set off her own, and she held her breath as the hot, delicious sensations swarmed in her lower belly and thighs. As she let out a wild, unrestrained cry, she met his penetrating grey eyes. Something burned in her chest—painfully bright—and she knew it was the mate bond, strengthening with each second that passed between them.
Afterwards, Maelíosa lay on her back, sweating and panting. Sage rolled onto his side and looked at her with a wry grin.
“What’s up?”
Maelíosa smirked. “Nothing.”
She was almost embarrassed to tell him that she’d sensed the mate bond and was wondering if the experience was as extreme for him.
“Didn’t feel like nothing,” Sage said.
Maelíosa laughed. “You feel really good. I think that was just what my mare needed after my morning run, but I might need a nap.”
Sage chuckled. He tugged the sheet over her hips and pulled her into his arms. Again, she was surprised at the calming effect his scent had on her nerves. She was relaxed, and light in a way that she hadn’t felt in years.
“You look happy,” Sage said in a low voice. “What’re you thinking about?”
Maelíosa licked her lips. She wasn’t really good with talking about emotions or confiding in people.
“My ma,” she said slowly. She swallowed hard at the lump that had just formed in her throat. “Her name was Aileen. She died, giving birth to my sister Darcy.”
Sage nodded slowly. “Was it hard for you? It must have been...”
She bit her lip, and then glanced into his eyes. “Aye, it was hard. I was only a wee lass, and I had to help Da raise Darcy. And Darcy reminds me a bit of your Carina, only more immature. Sometimes I wonder if I did a good job.”
Sage laughed. “You did fine. It’s all kind of a gamble, ain’t it? Raising a kid?”
“Tis. Carina...she...well...” Maelíosa shook her head. “Sorry, I mean, seeing you and Carina together, well, that was kind of what made me want to help you.”
Sage furrowed his brow, but didn’t say anything. She hoped he hadn’t taken it the wrong way.
She took Sage’s hands in her own. “That was my initial reason, at least. But now...” She glanced down, suddenly feeling shy. “But now it’s turned into so much more, hasn’t it?”
Sage nodded. “It has,” he said slowly. “Thanks for the honesty. I’d wondered what made you change your mind, especially after talking to your dad. But...”
Maelíosa thought there was a glimmer in his eyes. Maybe sadness? She couldn’t be sure, but her mare sensed tense emotions coursing through her mate.
“It’s never been like this for me,” Sage said after a pause. “When Angela left, I swore off women. She wasn’t a good one, really, but since she had Carina we were stuck together.”
Maelíosa’s eyebrows knitted together in concern. “Oh, Sage... I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
His voice took on a bitter quality and he shook his head. “She’d rather be drunk than take care of her own goddamned daughter. Not to mention the late nights out, doing God knows what, and then days of lying in bed with the shades closed. I’m pretty sure she was bipolar or something. I tried to get her help, but she never listened.”
“I never would have guessed,” she said honestly. “Carina’s so mature, and well-adjusted.”
Sage gave a slight jerk of his head. “She is. I can’t believe she’s mine. I’m so proud of her. Every single day.” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “You know, I wanna be sure that our life together is a good one.”
Maelíosa smiled, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
He pulled her even closer, wrapping his arms around her. “I never had the chance to do that before. And God knows I wasn’t exactly excited about the idea of mating. But you...you’re different than any woman I’ve ever met. You’re strong, and independent. I respect that.”
Maelíosa had to admit they were well-matched. His personality was very similar to hers. Not to mention how well their bodies fit together.
A slight blush crept over her cheeks.
“I’m glad you don’t find my strength a turn-off,” she said softly.
It was hard to acknowledge that her own brash personality and stubbornness had chased off most men. The words felt strange in her mouth—it had been so long since she’d exchanged such sincere, open words with someone.
“And Carina,” Sage continued, a grin spreading over his face. “She fits right in here. She and Darcy are like two peas in a pod. I think she’ll do alright over here, in the Realm. I was a little worried that it would be too much for her.”
Maelíosa smiled. “Good, I’m glad. It’s good for Darcy too, you know. She needs someone her own age. Most of the wee ones in our clan are either too young, or they’ve hit breeding age.”
Sage chuckled as he climbed out of bed and stretched. The sunlight gleamed on his close-cropped dark hair, and Maelíosa found that she couldn’t take her eyes away from his sexy, sculpted body.
“You ready for round two?” Sage raised his eyebrows.
“Aye,” Maelíosa said lazily. “But first we have to visit the healer. I think it’s about time we have Ariel take a look at you.”
Chapter Two
Sage didn’t quite know what to expect as his new mate took him by the hand and walked him out of the castle. When he thought of the word ‘healer,’ a bunch of images sprung to his mind. Not all of them were entirely pleasant, but at least they were amusing. Sage figured that regardless of what happened, it couldn’t be as bad as some of the shit he’d gone through in the SEALs.
“Nervous?” Maelíosa threw a glance at Sage as she pulled open the heavy castle door with ease. He admired her—Maelíosa was one of the strongest women that Sage had ever known.
“Not at all,” he lied smoothly.
Maelíosa frowned, clearly not buying his bullshit.
