by M Guida
I vaguely felt Lucien wrap his arm around my waist. Something bad was coming. He could feel it too.
“Xavier, what aren’t you telling us?” Lucien’s thundering tone rumbled in his chest.
Xavier winced. He put his elbow on the table and rested his forehead against his palm. “Raven’s dad…” His voice trailed off as if he couldn’t get the rest of the words out.
Please, no. Please no. Please no.
I frowned. “What about my dad? Tell me what happened.” I was having trouble keeping the hysteria out of my voice.
Xavier raised his sad eyes. “They have him. They have him, because of me.”
I clenched my fists and let out a loud moan.
“Shhh.” Lucien grabbed me and pulled me into his chest.
I turned to look at Xavier and balled my fists in Lucien’s shirt. He wrapped his arms around me, cocooning me in a blanket of warmth and strength, and then kissed the top of my head.
Xavier shoved his long black hair back with both hands. “I was being chased. Not by just shadow demons this time. Ryker and King Cormac were hot on my trail, and then he came.” Tears leaked down his cheeks.
Anton scowled and stood. “Who?”
Xavier raised his head. “Bo. I couldn’t believe it. He had the same red hair, same smile, same sword.” He rubbed his side where Dr. Greenwood had stitched and bandaged him.
Zayne swore under his breath. “Damn, Cormac.”
“Bo and I fought, and he stabbed me. I thought I was done for.” He downed a glass of water that King Finbar handed to him. “Then a bright light lit up the forest.”
“The Golden Phoenix,” King Gregori murmured.
“Yes. It blinded the shadow demons, and they retreated, even Ryker did. But not King Cormac. He was like an avenging angel with his white hair and gold crown upon his brow, but he was evil. Pure evil. It made me feel sick to my soul.”
Mina stood behind Xavier and rubbed his shoulders as he quieted down. Her touch did something because he spoke again.
“They battled on the field. Just the two of them. Sword clashed against sword. Then all of sudden Bo leaped into the foray and stabbed your father.” Xavier scrubbed his face.
I quietly sobbed into Lucien’s shirt. He cradled my head and laid his cheek upon my head.
“He’s not dead,” Xavier said quietly. “They took him.”
“How has it you found the prison when no one else could?” Montae’s sharp voice stopped my tears.
I pulled away from Lucien and took a sobering breath. I was a leader and couldn’t fall to pieces. My mother wouldn’t have. My father wouldn’t have. I pulled my shoulders back. And neither would I.
Xavier didn’t wilt underneath Montae’s gaze. “I followed them. They were so preoccupied with getting the Golden Phoenix back to their lair that they failed to notice me falling for them.”
“Or maybe that was part of their plan,” Anton said grimly.
Lucien put his hands on my stiff shoulders. “So they know we’re coming.”
“Yes,” Anton said.
Xavier scanned each of our faces. “You’re never going to believe where the prison was.”
I blurted, “Mt. Elbert.”
He laughed bitterly. “Almost right under our noses. A trail over the mountain ended abruptly at a rocky ledge. But it was an illusion. That’s why no one could see it. To see it, you had to know the password.”
Anton cocked his eyebrow. “Which is?”
“Expelim.”
The lights flickered overhead and then dimmed. The air grew colder, as if the wind had blown open the door, but it was tightly shut. It was as if everything good had died in the room, replaced with an overbearing feeling of dread.
Anton tapped his finger on the table. “That is a foul word from the Pestarmus demon spell book. I didn’t know Ryker possessed such an ability. He has grown powerful in the dark arts. Or perhaps he had helped.”
“Cormac. The prison must be where the portal to the Elder Dimension is.” King Gregori added. “But Cormac would not have given such an ability to Ryker without requiring a payment.”
“I think I know what it was.” Xavier leaned back in his chair. “It’s monstrous. I can’t believe a father would do such a thing.”
Anton rubbed his forehead. “He gave Cormac one of his children. I presume his daughter.” His words made my gut recoil at such an evil revelation.
I gritted my teeth. “What the hell is wrong with Ryker?”
Anton’s grin was slow to form. “You misunderstand me, Raven. I assure you it’s not of the sexual nature. Cormac would never lower himself to be with any demon, no matter their beauty. The Unseelie crave power above everything else, and of Ryker’s two children, his daughter is the more powerful.”
I looked at the grim faces of the kings and Anton. “What does he plan to do with her?”
After a long silence, King Nico was the only one who answered me. “Control her. She will become his weapon to use as he pleases. He would add dark magic to her power until she was stronger than her father and her brother.”
Montae’s pales eyes flickered from each of our pinched faces. “She’ll become evil––a soulless pawn of the Unseelie.”
I don’t know why I asked, but I needed to know. “Is there no way to save her?”
Xavier scowled. “Why would you want to save that bitch? You have no idea the horrible things she’s done. My dad told me tails that would curdle milk.”
“Because my mom’s been a prisoner. Wouldn’t King Cormac find her a rare prize too?”
Anton rubbed his chin. “He would indeed be lustful of such a prize, but the Unseelie can only claim a prize when a bargain has been made. Let’s hope that such a bargain hasn’t been made.”
I held the gaze of each of my Defenders. “The time has come. We’re out of time. Tomorrow, we need to practice the Puriforgio Virtueus spell. We meet at dawn in the arena.”
They all nodded in agreement.
Dr. Greenwood put his hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “You are not yet ready to fight.”
Xavier shoved his hand off his shoulder. “Don’t even think I’m staying behind. Ryker killed Poppy.”
Dr. Greenwood looked at Anton, who only shrugged. He wasn’t getting help with that one. The good doctor sighed in defeat.
King Gregori held up a finger. “May I make a suggestion?”
Lucien and I glanced at each other. We didn’t need to speak, because whatever it was, we knew we wouldn’t like it.
“Yes?” Anton asked curiously.
He gestured to his captain. “I would like Montae to fight with the Defenders.”
“What?” All of us burst at once.
“Here me out.” King Gregori put up his hands. “You are already down by two Defenders and no matter how brave our dear wolf is and our two new courageous dragons, you’re not going to be a match against Ryker and Cormac.” He stared at me. “You need a weapon that neither of those two would suspect. I believe an invisible warrior would fit that bill.” He bowed his head. “But the choice is yours, Raven. You are the leader of the Defenders.”
Anton was silent and didn’t utter a word, but his eye twinkled with eagerness.
My first instinct was to immediately say no, but I could tell this was a test. Leaders didn’t make decisions based on personal feelings or likes or dislikes of someone. They did it based on advantages. I looked at each of my friends and none of them said a word, not even Lucien. Lucien had said that Montae was a great warrior and what better weapon to have than an avenging invisible Golden Demon.
I lifted my chin and stared into Montae’s shocked eyes. “You would have to follow orders from me.”
He quickly glanced over at King Gregori, who nodded.
Montae groaned and rubbed his bunched up eyebrows. “I know I’m going to regret this, but yes, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Good. Tomorrow, we meet on the practice field.”
“I’ll be there.” He grabbed his w
ine and downed it.
Lucien whispered in my ear, “I need to talk with you.”
I nodded and turned to the others. “I suggest you all get a good night’s sleep.”
An amusing smile fell across Anton’s face. “She’s sounding more like the Golden Phoenix.”
King Gregori laughed. “No, her father. He would be so proud.” His words warmed me.
Lucien bowed slightly. “If you’ll excuse us, I need to talk to my silver dragon in private.”
We left the cafeteria and went out into the cool night. All I could think about was I worthy enough to fill my dad’s shoes.
Chapter 15
The sun had set behind the mountain peaks and stars struggle to poke through pink and purple clouds overhead.
I looked up at Lucien’s handsome face. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I need to talk to you.” Lucien lead me to the little clearing with our favorite bench that pine and aspens guarded.
We sat down, and he lifted my chin. “I’ve missed you. You’re all I think about.”
I frowned. “Is anything wrong? Are you ill?”
He pushed back my hair. “Dr. Greenwood believes I healed faster because of you, but I don’t think I’m completely healed and I don’t think you have either.”
Panic stirred in my heart. “Why would you think that?”
He kissed my hand. “Because war is about to begin and we need to be at full strength.”
I studied him, and noticed up close, his eyes weren’t as bright as they should be. “Then we should go back and see Dr. Greenwood.”
He shook his head. “Greenwood’s medicine can’t help us. We need to help each other.”
I frowned. “I don’t understand. How?”
He gently traced his finger down the side of my face, making me shiver. “You’re my mate. I am yours. We have the power to heal each other.” His voice mesmerized me.
“Meaning?”
He gave me a hot, melting smile. My cheeks burned, and I avoided his smoldering gaze.
“You complete me.”
I rested my forehead against his and cleared my throat. “Do you really think we can defeat Cormac and Ryker?”
“I’m counting on it. We’ve come up against real evil, Raven. With Montae, we can’t lose. If my father didn’t you could do this, he never would have allowed me to fight by your side or offered Montae’s assistance.”
“What if––”
He kissed me, cutting off my doubt, forcing my lips even wider, thrusting his tongue deeper and distracting me from anything but him. His lips suckled, molded and coaxed until I could scarcely breathe. He gathered me close and in one swoop lifted me onto his lap, and I gasped. I could feel how much he wanted me, but he wasn’t the only one with a deep-seated hunger. My breasts tingled and my nipples pushed against my wine-stained shirt. He planted kisses down my throat, and I racked my fingers through his thick hair.
“I need you,” he whispered in a husky voice.
“And I you.”
“Come with me.” He led me away from the grove to toward the auditorium.
“Where are we going?”
He gave me a wicked grin. “For us to heal each other.”
My insides turned to mush at thinking of his hands and lips on my body again, and I shivered with anticipation.
He led me to the arena where we practiced with the Defenders. “Ah, what are you doing?”
“You’ll see. I have always wanted to do this.” He opened the door.
I cocked my eyebrow. “You wanted to show me the boys’ locker room?”
He laughed. “No. I want to worship you on the battlefield.”
I stopped abruptly. “What?”
He put his arms on my neck and pressed his body against mine. “Every time I saw you fighting in the arena. I wanted you. I wanted to strip you down and take you on the grass. You’re a warrior and I want to take you as a warrior.”
My mouth dried up at his words.
He caressed my chin. “Are you game?”
I nodded wordlessly.
“Good. Come, warrior princess.”
When we got to the field, the podium where the judges always sat and the stands were empty. The lush grass looked soft inviting blanket. The sky had grown darker and the stars brighter.
“Are you sure we won’t get caught?” I asked in a hushed whispered.
“Why are you whispering? No one’s here. And no, we won’t get caught. Who else will come here at night?” He put his arm around my waist and penned me to him. “I promise.”
I put my hand on his broad chest and could feel his heart pounding fiercely as mine. I stared into eyes with those ridiculous long eyelashes. His dark shadow of beard only made him more dangerous, more arrogant and all Lucien.
“You’re mine, warrior woman.”
I parted my lips and gave into my mate.
He kissed me with a thoroughness that stripped me of my breath and any doubts of giving myself to him on the practice field faded away. His tongue probed deep, penetrating my silky mouth, taking what he wanted, promising me on what was about to come. Each lavish stroke unleashed a hunger inside me. He wedged his knee between my thighs and used his harden flesh to flame the growing knot of sensations I’d been in experiencing into a fiery, sultry, shimmering heat. I slid my hands up around his neck and clung to him, afraid my trembling legs would betray me.
My nipples budded, pushing against my damp shirt, brushing against his chest. He placed his hand on one breast, squeezing and massaging it. He groaned, thick and low, and his lips turned even more dominant over mine, keeping and holding me until I was a raw mass of trembling need. My skin burned so hot I’d thought I’d melt into a puddle of desire.
I was vaguely aware that his hands down my back and his fingers grabbed the edge of my T-shirt, then slowly pulled it up. The back of his knuckles made me shiver.
“Step back,” he whispered.
I obeyed. He tugged my shirt over my head and tossed it onto the cool grass.
“You’re so beautiful, especially with your wined stained bra.” He lifted my chin with his strong, calloused fingers.
Two flames of heat lit up my cheeks at the desire in his eyes.
“I want to taste you.”
Before I could say anything, he wrapped his arms around my waist and his lips were on my bra, sucking my nipple hard. Fire shot through my veins. I clawed my fingers through his hair and arched my back, allowing him to feast on me. I wanted his hands and mouth all over my naked body.
Something soft brushed up against me and I realized he’d laid me down on the turf of grass.
“You taste even better coated with wine,” he murmured.
I looked down at his dark head as he feasted greedily on my other breast. I was hot and dizzy, and a wildness raced through me, whipping me into a frantic hunger. The juncture between my legs ached with sharp sensations that promised a building pleasure if only Lucien would take me.
“Please,” I begged.
“Not yet...sweet mate,” he chuckled.
He undid the button of my jeans and kissed and licked his way down my belly as he dragged the rough material down to my knees. His hot breath and the rough stubble on his jaw heated and scratched my skin that left me quivering. My body turned into a soft, pliable putty, eagerly waiting for the master to control. He got up, and I moaned at his warmth, leaving me for even just a moment.
He pulled off my shoes and dragged off my jeans, his fingers making me break out in goosebumps.
I stared up into his hooded eyes.
“Such a beauty you are.” He yanked off his shirt.
The moonlight glistened off his six-pack abs and his thick hair. He was magnificent, but when he stripped out of his jeans and got onto his knees, my heart nearly stopped. He pressed his mouth into my dark curls, his tongue licking and kissing me. Heat and pleasure swept through me in long, rolling streams, deep and intense, stealing my breath. I stretched my arms out
wide and dug my fingers into the thick grass, tearing strands out by the roots. More and more intense sensations flooded through me and I spread my thighs wider and wider, his mouth driving me crazy, taking me to new and wonderful places, until the bubbling sensations burst inside me.
Lucien edged up my shaking body, his long hair teasing my sweltering flesh. Flesh laid against flesh, he thrust his cock into deep into my wet heat and pumped harder and harder. Our rhythm moved slowly and then picked up the pace, hips moving faster and faster. Skin slapped against skin. I roamed my hands over his back, tracing my palms over the movement of his thick muscles.
He kissed me and I clawed my nails into his plunging hard buttocks, loving the primitive savagery of the act as my heels dug into the dirt. Power surged through me like lightning, hitting every single nerve. The mark on my breast burned, but not with pain but with glorious pleasure as bright stars flashed into my eyes and a white-orgasms burst inside me.
Lucien tossed his head back, and with one final thrust, spilled his seed inside me. He panted, his hips still moving, and collapsed onto his forearms.
“You’re amazing.” He kissed me softly on my lips.
I brushed his damp hair out of his eyes. “You are. I’ve missed you so much. I love you.”
“And…I you. It nearly killed me…when my parents took me away from…you. You’re my life.”
My heart beat faster, and blood surged through me. Every muscle thickened as if energy surged through them, ready to kiss some ass. Was it our mating that had done it? I clasped his rugged check. “And you’re mine.” I put my hand on his forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Stronger. Ready to take on a horde of demons.”
His light comment took me back to our upcoming practice and the bliss I had faded away. I dropped my shaking hand.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
I searched his eyes. “What about tomorrow?”
He shrugged. “What about it? We’ll do fine.”
“But what if we’re not strong enough?”
He kissed me. “We will. Have faith in us. What could go wrong?”
I looked up at and scowled at the magnitude of his grin. “Oh, I don’t know. Everything. When has anything ever gone right?”
