by Lexi C. Foss
Part II
Issac glowered at the ceiling. Astasiya had compelled him to stay. Like a dog. On his birthday. When she returned from whatever she’d run off to do, he would have a stern word with her about using her gifts inappropriately. There were so many more enlightening ways to persuade someone.
Undress.
Fuck me.
Harder.
“Don’t move” was not on his list of ideal activities. At least Balthazar had left him alone.
Issac sought out the mind reader’s gaze, curious to see if Astasiya was nearby. Sure enough, she stood in the kitchen beside him, flipping a pancake.
Ah, she wanted to cook him breakfast in bed.
All right, he could forgive her for that. But she could have allowed him to move.
She glanced up at Balthazar, her green eyes grinning at whatever he’d just said to her. Unfortunately, Issac’s gift didn’t extend to sound unless in a dream state.
He sighed—his chest moving—but his arms and legs remained locked. Astasiya grew more powerful by the day. She’d told him not to move, then altered the command with her mind. Fascinating.
If only they could determine her secondary gift.
The door opened as his Aya sauntered in holding a tray.
He attempted to move his jaw and found it free. As was the rest of him now that she’d returned. He sat up again and leaned against the headboard. “You realize, love, that I would have preferred you to stay in bed and indulge in something else for breakfast, yes?”
Her cheeks flushed as she set the tray down on the nightstand. “That can be your dessert.”
“Oh, I believe it will be your dessert,” he corrected. “It is my birthday, after all, and since you seem so keen on celebrating, then that is what I want.”
She licked her lips. “After breakfast.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Before.”
“Issac, people are coming over—”
“Is it my birthday or not?”
“You’re impossible.”
He grinned. “You adore it.”
She crawled onto the bed, losing the robe along the way. “Fortunately for you, that’s true. Now lie down again.”
Ah, now that was a command he didn’t mind following.
Part III
“Remind me to celebrate my birthday more often,” Issac murmured as he wrapped a towel around Astasiya’s shoulders. Her lips were beautifully swollen and her eyes drowsily sated. “You’re gorgeous, love.”
“Sweet talker.” She grabbed a towel for him as well and took great care in drying his chest and abs.
He grinned down at her. “And you call me insatiable.”
“What? A woman is allowed to admire.” She kissed him carefully on the cheek before stepping away. “Now that your breakfast is cold, let’s go make another one.”
He caught sight of Balthazar still in the kitchen. “Our host is already working on it.” And it seemed she was right about having guests. Alik and Lucian were seated at the counter, both with plates in front of them.
Issac pulled on a pair of grey pants and a dress shirt that he rolled to the elbows while Astasiya watched him with a bemused expression. She’d thrown on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top.
“What?” he asked at her continued look.
“It’s over ninety degrees outside and you’re dressed for work.”
He pulled a pair of shoes from the closet before saying, “This is how I dress.”
“Do you own a pair of shorts?”
“Actually, yes. I do.” He set down his shoes and opened a drawer to show her his beach attire. “Happy?”
“I’ll be happier if you put those on with a pair of sandals.”
He grimaced at the wardrobe choice. “No.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Please?”
Issac couldn’t believe this was what she chose to beg him on. “You wish for me to dress casually?”
Astasiya nodded, her green eyes imploring. “Please?” she repeated.
Suspicion trickled into his thoughts. She never cared about his attire. “Why?”
“Because I want you to be comfortable.”
“I’m comfortable as I am.”
“Right now, but you’ll thank me later if you change now.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why? What have you planned?”
“Not me…” Her eyes sparkled as she trailed off.
Oh, hell. He knew that look, and it could only mean one thing. “They’re throwing a beach party because it’s my birthday.” The damn Hydraians would use any excuse to celebrate. “Fuck.”
Part IV
Issac agreed to the shorts under the condition that Astasiya would remove them later. With her teeth. She’d accepted the challenge, which was the only reason he managed a smile when he met Lucian and Alik in the dining area. He ignored Balthazar on principle.
“I made you a waffle,” Lucian said in greeting. He pushed the monstrosity across the counter with a grin. “I even added a candle.”
“Why is it covered in melted ice cream?” he asked, disgusted.
“Because it’s a birthday waffle that melted while you were busy with Stas.” Lucian folded his arms, his disapproval evident.
Whether it was in regard to what Issac had been doing to Astasiya or the disastrous birthday waffle, he didn’t know. Everyone had expressed their concerns regarding his continued relationship with Astasiya, but it wasn’t their decision. They were working things out between themselves. Everyone else could go hang.
“I told you not to put the maple syrup on it,” Balthazar murmured. “It melted the ice cream.”
“Birthday waffles are supposed to be served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, warm pure maple syrup, and sprinkles because they brighten up the ensemble. Had I known he planned to dally in the bedroom, I would have waited.” Lucian nudged the plate even closer to Issac. “He’s going to eat it anyway.”
“I am”—he eyed the soggy breakfast and shook his head—“not.”
“It’s rude to refuse a gift,” Lucian advised, his tone stern. If it wasn’t for the twinkle of mischief in his emerald gaze, Issac may have taken him seriously. Alas, he knew the Hydraian King quite well.
“Make me another and I’ll try it. You may even convince me to update my preference from pancakes to waffles.” He added that last part in coercion, knowing Lucian would never be able to refuse that challenge.
“That means I have to make a birthday pancake to go with it,” Balthazar mused. “Challenge accepted.”
Lucian snorted. “Your flat pastry will have nothing on my geometrically sound brilliance.”
“I can’t believe you’re encouraging this insanity,” Alik growled as he stood. “I’ll be down at the beach. Enjoy your breakfast.”
Part V
Ice cream on waffles wasn’t terrible. Issac would never seek it out for a future meal, but he wouldn’t refuse it either.
The chocolate chip pancakes, however, were phenomenal. Something he refused to admit out loud, not that he needed to with Balthazar hearing his thoughts.
Astasiya squeezed his hand and bumped her shoulder against his as they meandered down to the beach. “I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me it was your birthday.”
“I stopped celebrating my birthday long ago, love. As you continue to age, you’ll understand.”
She said nothing for a long moment, her gaze thoughtful. “I suppose you’re right. It’s weird to think about—the whole living forever thing.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “But it becomes second nature after a few decades.”
“Which will pass you by in no time,” Alik said as he joined them on the path. He lived closest to the beach because he considered it an important perimeter to guard. Issac also guessed the Hydraian chose the location for personal reasons as well, but never pried.
“You would know,” Astasiya said. “Being over three thousand years old and all.”
Alik’s lips twitched, al
most revealing a smile. “Yes, now four thousand will be a birthday worth celebrating. I’m not quite sure why we’re all throwing this party today. Wakefield isn’t even five hundred yet.”
“Yes, whose brilliant idea was this?” Issac wondered. “Because I can’t remember the last time I acknowledged my birthday, let alone celebrated it.”
“Amelia,” Alik replied softly. “She wanted to do something fun since all of her family is here on the island.”
Astasiya frowned. “She didn’t mention anything to me.”
“She wanted it to be a surprise.” Alik glanced at Issac. “It’s the first party she’s planned since her return.”
Issac’s heart gave a little pang at the thought of his sister going through all this trouble for him. She was an entirely different woman from the one he knew a decade ago. So much strength and courage, he barely even recognized her, and yet, he found himself loving her more than he ever had.
“Let’s not keep her and the others waiting, then,” he said. It wouldn’t be his birthday he’d celebrate, though. Just the beauty of being alive and surrounded by family and his closest friends, and his Aya.
Part VI
Applause broke out with shouts of “Happy birthday!” as Issac’s sandals touched the black sand of the beach. Amusement stirred in his chest at the sight of them all cheering over something so inconsequential.
“This is not a milestone birthday,” he chided as Amelia rushed to greet him. He released Astasiya’s hand just in time to catch his sister in a hug. Her exuberance washed over him, causing him to chuckle.
After years of presuming her dead, this was the best gift she could have ever given him. Life. He hugged her tighter and spun her in a circle, relieved that she was here. Tangible. Well and truly alive.
“Thank you,” he whispered, meaning it.
“You’re welcome.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him again, her shoulders trembling with emotion. “I’m sorry for all the years I missed.”
“Never apologize, love.” He gripped her tighter. “Ever. Not for what he took from us.”
“I know. Of course I know.” Emotion shone bright in her sapphire eyes—identical to his own—as she gazed up at him. “It’s just harder some days, especially on the ones with the most memories and importance.”
He nodded, understanding. “Then let’s make up for lost time. I assume there’s a cake somewhere?”
Mirth touched her expression. “Why ever would you think that?”
“Because I know my sister well,” he replied. Then he remembered that Amelia had pretty much avoided the kitchen since her return. He frowned. “Wait. You did bake one, right?”
“No, but Lizzie did.” Her smile grew. “And according to Jay, it’s excellent.”
His eyebrows shot upward. “He tried my cake before I even knew it existed?” Issac didn’t actually care, but he enjoyed this game. Amelia loved formalities, and this was certainly against the rules.
“Perks of living with the chef,” Jayson said as he joined their little circle. “Lizzie may have made a second one just for me.”
“Isn’t Elizabeth pregnant?” Issac asked, knowing full well the female was indeed with child. “Shouldn’t you be the one doing all the work around the house, Jayson?”
“What? Are pregnant women not allowed to bake?” A sharp female voice demanded. “I’m just supposed to lounge around and do nothing?”
Issac blinked at the fiery redhead as she appeared beside Jayson. “Yes?” he guessed, uncertain now that he’d been scolded.
She smirked. “I knew I liked you.”
“Stop giving her ideas, Wakefield.” Jayson wrapped his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders to hug her to him. “I rather like the benefits of her excellent cooking.”
She elbowed his side. “I’m not making you more cookies.”
He appeared positively affronted by the statement as he rotated her around to face him. “Why not?”
“I think that’s our cue to move along,” his Aya whispered in his ear.
He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “Indeed.”
Part VII
An afternoon filled with laughter, love, and friendship. Issac couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the day. And as the sun slipped toward the horizon, the party raged on with Jacque managing the DJ stand.
Issac caught Astasiya by the hip and yanked her against him. She laughed as he dipped her toward the sand and righted her again. Despite everything troubling their lives, they all still managed to find happiness. That was the heart of their world, the reason they would overcome the impending darkness.
As he stared into Astasiya’s smiling eyes, he knew somehow, someway, everything would work itself out. Because he couldn’t imagine a life without this woman by his side. He adored her on a level that surpassed all boundaries and rules.
Their love—which wasn’t a strong enough word—was the kind of love that shattered all expectations. Including the ones that declared this relationship between them impossible.
They would find a way.
There was no other choice.
He twirled her into his arms again, his lips a hairsbreadth from hers. “I will find a way to kiss you again, Aya.”
She shuddered, her cheeks flushed from their dance and his vow. They’d tiptoed around each other, only engaging in activities they knew weren’t a risk, and it only scraped the surface of their lust for each other. He couldn’t taste her, not the way he craved, and it left them both yearning for so much more.
“I love you,” she whispered, her mouth brushing his cheek. “Always.”
“Always,” he agreed, nuzzling her cheek. “Thank you for today, love.”
She hugged him closer. “It won’t be the last we spend together.”
“I know.”
“Happy birthday,” she breathed against his ear.
He smiled. “Does that mean it’s finally time to remove these shorts?”
She chuckled. “One-track mind.”
“You adore it,” he said, repeating his line from earlier.
Astasiya pulled back to gaze into his eyes, her lips curved at the sides. “Yes, luckily for you, I do.”
“Mmm, that sounds promising, love.”
“Take me back to our room and I’ll show you just how promising it is, birthday boy.”
He lifted her into his arms and smiled. “Keep this up, and I might start celebrating my birthday daily.”
“Please do,” she replied. “And mine too.”
“Noted, love.”
* * *
The End… For now. :)
Immortal Curse Series
Dear Reader,
* * *
Well, that was enlightening and surreal—just a glimpse into the chaos thriving inside my head, really. Most of these stories I never intended to share; they were lurking around for my own knowledge and background. Alas, Balthazar insisted on telling them. And, well, could you tell him no? Because I certainly couldn’t. Then when Luc joined the mix, I knew I was in trouble. Those Elders sure know how to force me to write!
* * *
Up next is Blood Bonds. It’s a prequel of sorts to the series that is strategically listed as book five due to the myriad of series spoilers inside the text. All those questions running rampant in your head since Blood Laws are about to be answered, and so much more. Seriously, Blood Bonds is going to blow your mind (I hope).
* * *
For updates, sneak peeks, and fun discussion, please join Foss’s Night Owls on Facebook and/or sign-up for my Newsletter. That’s the best way to keep up to date with all things Immortal Curse related.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you enjoyed Elder Bonds. There are a lot of Easter eggs planted throughout the book that will come to fruition in the not-so-distant future. Including, maybe, more from Leela and Balthazar. ;-)
* * *
I’ll be back soon with more from your favorite characters. Until then, th
ank you so much for your continued support. Cheers, and much love to you all!
* * *
Love,
Lexi
The original love story…
* * *
A night of seduction and pleasure in exchange for vital information.
* * *
Caro never should have consented to such a foolish agreement. Now she’s on the run for her life with the very being who put her at risk.
* * *
Sethios saw Caro as a challenge to be conquered. Something new to play with, to pass the time. But their mutual arrangement created a consequence neither of them anticipated.
* * *
For the seer knows all.
She predicts the future.
And her newest prophecy changes everything.
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How far will Caro and Sethios go to protect their destiny and the fate of their unborn child?
* * *
Sometimes love requires the ultimate sacrifice…
Chapter One
Blood Edict
Disease.
Death.
Deceit.
Devastation.
Filth, humanity, and greed littered the nightclub as obnoxious beats repeated overhead. The humans would call it music. Caro called it hell.
