Chade

by Montana Ash

  “I can guess what you’re thinking and it’s not that easy for her. Taking vitality? Forming an Order? Sharing such an intimate tie to others? It’s not normal for Max. We take it for granted, having been raised in this society, but Max never knew any of this. She didn’t even know what recharging was or why she was so sick. When she first came here, her shields were practically non-existent and she was leaking energy all over the place. She’s made so much progress in such a short amount of time. We’re all really proud of her.” Lark informed him.

  Dex had figured as much, having seen her clueless nature many times over the years. He had been flabbergasted to realise she had been unbound and had been sorely tempted to try to contact Darius or others in his old Order so they could aid her. Unfortunately, his humanity slipped further and further away from him, his thoughts often chaotic and his memory sporadic. Plus, he had been a coward, not wanting his old family to see him in such a state and positive they would have killed him on sight anyway. He was so very glad she had managed to find her way to these honourable knights and that they were teaching her what she needed to know. Having said that, if she was learning to control her shields and her energy input and output, she should be able to pick and choose the degree of empathy she felt. Which meant – no sensing the chades.

  “Although her control of the bond is incredible, as is her power over her shields, she is limited due to her makeup. Her shields are made up of thousands of holes that just can’t be plugged no matter what we do – it’s like a filter or a net. I think at night, when she is relaxed and asleep she loses what ability she has to block those holes and the world’s pain seeps in. And I think the biggest sacrilege in nature at the moment is the chades.”

  Either Lark truly was empathic or a mind reader, or he was far more intuitive than Dex had given him credit for, for he had spoken once again answering Dex’s unspoken thoughts. He had seen Max doing it over the past week and figured it was the link she had with her people but Lark and he had no such link.

  “You want to know how I know what you’re thinking huh?” Lark grinned at him, flashing even white teeth in the darkness. “Don’t worry, I can’t read your mind like Max.” Wait, Max could really read minds? “But I can read your body language and your facial expressions. I’m, ah, I’m pretty smart. Picking up on small details is kind of what I do.” He shrugged and Dex thought it was in embarrassment. Really wishing he could speak so he could question the paladin further, they were interrupted by a shrill whistle. Turning, they saw Diana give a wave as Axel and Ryker joined her. Looks like it was the shift change.

  Lark sprung lightly to his feet in an instant, “Changing of the guard.” He smiled. “You’re okay, man. A pretty good listener.” He held out his hand and Dex was shocked at the clear offer of friendship. He was more surprised though by how badly he wanted to accept it. Clasping the offered palm, he smiled tentatively and nodded his head in thanks. Lark gave a hard squeeze but didn’t release him and Dex’s heart sank a little, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “You’re okay and Max thinks so too. In fact, she loves you.” Dex looked away at that – he kind of loved the little trouble-maker too. “She’s given up a lot to help you; sacrificed her standing with the IDC to force the issue of chades, caused rifts within her Order, allowed herself to be the laughing stock of society despite her Custodian status. She believes the chades are worth it. She believes you are worth it. Just … don’t let her down.”

  With that, Lark released his hand and walked away, leaving Dex’s mind once more in chaos.

  NINETEEN

  One week. Dex had been practically living out of the gym for a whole week now and Cali had successfully managed to never be alone with him. It wasn’t too difficult given Ryker’s rule of at least two guards with him at all times but the proximity was beginning to get to her. He seemed to be progressing by leaps and bounds thanks to Max’s constant energy supply. The sinister air that used to surround him was no more and his eyes hadn’t looked black since that first day. Max reported that his soul was looking healthy and happy, although still not completely ‘right’ – whatever that meant. His physical appearance had also changed as the days went on; broad shoulders had filled out, dark hair was now shiny, arms were bulging with defined muscles …

  And that right there was the problem, she told herself as she dived from the pool’s edge into the temperate water. She swam half the pool under the water before surfacing and beginning a swift freestyle as if she could outrace her troubled thoughts. She had found him irresistibly attractive, their chemistry electric all those weeks ago in that hotel room. It was far worse now, at least for her. He had been sexy before, now he was positively gorgeous. He was a walking advertisement for every woman’s bad boy fantasy; tall, dark, troubled and on the verge of redemption? Oh yeah, he was beautifully compelling and she couldn’t force her thoughts away from him. She was even dreaming about him and would wake up flushed and feeling very satisfied despite her solo presence beneath the sheets. She had never been one to have a lot of sex dreams and certainly none that were this vivid and this realistic. But holy hell, with the object of her lust sleeping just below her bedroom window, she was feeling hornier than a cat in heat. And apparently that heat extended even into unconsciousness.

  But it wasn’t just his outstanding physical attributes that appealed to her either. No, it was also the courage she saw in him, that fight to survive. It was the daily battle to try to be a better person, despite the horrific circumstances thrust upon him. For there was now no question from any of them that becoming a chade wasn’t a choice as they had all believed. It was definitely an affliction, at least for some of them like Dex. His heroic effort now coupled with the rich gallantry of his warden history, stimulated Cali’s mind and heart as much as his lean waist stimulated her in other places.

  Abruptly, she found herself slapped in the face by a tiny wave of water. Scowling at the offending liquid, she was gearing up to give it a stern lecture when movement at the end of the pool caught her attention. Speak of the devil; Dex was standing there in all his redeemed glory; worn jeans, black tee shirt, bare feet. She shivered a little. Why did the bare feet make him so much sexier? She gave herself a mental slap; she needed to keep her shit together and portray the cold bitch she had been all week. She couldn’t allow him to know how much he affected her.

  “What are you doing in here? Where are Beyden and Lark?” She demanded, knowing they were on watch this morning. Naturally she received no reply. Although he appeared very much human now, he still hadn’t spoken a word that she knew of. Luckily for him, his eyes were eloquent enough and she felt her nipples stiffen behind her bathing suit as his heated stare seemed to penetrate the water and caress her every curve. Damn, he’s potent.

  She cleared her throat, “You’re not supposed to be in here.” She informed him. “I suggest you leave now while you can still walk before I call the others.”

  He simply crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows as if daring her to call them. Cocky bastard. She loved cocky men … dammit! “I mean it Dex, you –” She broke off with a gasp as he suddenly dived into the water. He surfaced and shook out his hair, flinging water in all directions before commencing a leisurely breast stroke.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She demanded, but the breathless quality of her voice wasn’t from fear – it was arousal. Given his connection was to air, he looked damned fine in the water with his black hair slicked back and water glistening on his skin. In fact, to Cali he looked like a mythical Irish selkie; selkies were dangerously seductive, handsome males with the ability to seduce any woman with a mere look. Well, he was looking … and she was feeling pretty fucking seduced.

  His expression didn’t change as he made his way slowly to her in the water and she held her breath as the water rippled around him, not heeding his progress in the slightest. Traitorous water. She was on the edge of no return here and her own element couldn’t even help her o
ut? He came to a halt a mere breath away from her, his dark eyes mapping her face as if committing it to memory or searching for something. He reached out a hand slowly and picked up a tangled piece of her blonde hair, now a shade darker from the wetness, before tucking it behind her ear. Her lips parted and she saw his eyes zero in on them. His pupils dilated and she felt herself leaning forward.

  This was a bad idea, she knew, a very bad idea. But hey, he was a baddie, so who could blame her really?

  *****

  Dex grunted as the sleek female launched herself at him – much the same as she did their first night together. Luckily, he was more prepared this time and didn’t find himself pushed backward into a thin wall. Not that there was a wall to break their fall anyway. Just the calm, warm water obviously heated and naturally salted from the ocean. Even warmer lips parted his own as their tongues duelled for dominance. She was such a hot piece, he thought in excitement.

  He couldn’t believe he was here with Cali in his arms once more. What had possessed him to sneak out of the gym bathroom as Lark and Beyden completed their morning workout, he couldn’t say. But the two men had been giving him more and more freedom and that morning they had said their hellos before immediately entering the gym and hitting the equipment. He had opened the bathroom window, hearing the whisper on the wind that the lovely Cali was heading to her morning swim. The woman was almost compulsive about her swimming he had noticed. Taking the whisper as an encouragement instead of a warning, he left the two paladins to their weights and slipped into the indoor pool area.

  His newly returned breath had left his body the moment he got his first good look at her; she was like a seal in the water, all sleek and graceful. And she filled out her plain navy swimsuit to perfection. Taking the onslaught of her body against his as tacit permission, he manoeuvred them towards the edge of the pool, pressing her back against the cool surface. Not even hesitating – he felt half mad in his need – he slipped the straps off her shoulders and almost drooled at the sight before him. Her breasts were high and firm, not large, but they fit perfectly into the palms of his hands. She moaned, arching her back and he sacrificed holding one glorious mound in order to roam his hand over her ribs and trim waist.

  She was long and slender, not the curvy handful of Max or even the statuesque build of Diana, and as her subtle curves moulded to his frame, he couldn’t help but think she was perfect in every way. Her slim thighs rubbed against his denim clad legs as he cupped her butt, drawing her closer. She twined her arms around his neck and sucked a path to his ear before nibbling on his earlobe. He was unable to stop the automatic thrust of his hips against hers as her mouth played havoc with an erogenous zone he didn’t even know existed. The wet denim was beginning to become a hindrance to his ever-growing manhood and he wondered what he had been thinking, jumping into the water fully clothed. Wet denim was a bitch to peel off.

  A slender hand on his zipper had his thoughts fleeing once more and he allowed a groan to escape as it was slowly and carefully lowered. An efficient twist of the woman’s wrist had his button undone and his erection bursting free in less than a second. He hissed when his sensitive flesh came into contact with the water – it may be heated but his flesh was far hotter in his current state.

  “I like that sound. Let’s see what other noises you can make, shall we?” Cali’s voice was huskier than normal and it went straight to his dick, making it jerk as it bobbed in the water. The sensation had him releasing another groan and caused the sultry minx in front of him to smile in satisfaction.

  She ran her hands over his chest, stopping for a mere second to tug on his nipples through his wet shirt. Busy hands then reached under his shirt to scrape and claw at his overheated skin. He was being seduced as surely as he was breathing in the humid air and he couldn’t believe his luck. Not wanting the fantasy to end, he stayed completely still and completely at her mercy. It had been so long since he had shared any form of human contact, let alone this type of intimate seduction, that he was more than willing to let her be in the driver’s seat … at least for now. He fully intended to allow his hands to reacquaint themselves with her soft skin. Just as soon as she finished, he assured himself.

  *****

  Cali couldn’t believe how bold she was being with the silent male in front of her. Nobody could blame her for one night of debauchery six weeks ago – she hadn’t known who or what he was. The same excuse wouldn’t hold true now but she couldn’t seem to bring herself to care. Not when she had such a pretty specimen of manhood in front of her … and in the palm of hand. That night had been a rush of torn clothes and getting each other off as quickly – and as often – as possible. They had both been a little crazed in their lusts and she really hadn’t given the man her best when it came to foreplay. Knowing what she did now, that it had been years for the poor deprived man, she found herself wanting to give him something more.

  Unfortunately, given their circumstances and the fact that his absence could be discovered any minute, she really didn’t have that luxury. One day, she promised herself. So instead of continuing her slow torture, she took his hardness into both hands, giving several good strokes as she licked the saltiness from his Adam’s apple. He grunted, thrusting more forcefully into her slippery grip and she found herself entranced by the sounds he made. What she wouldn’t give to hear him talk …

  She gasped when she suddenly felt strong hands gripping her waist and lifting her onto the pools edge. She sat, breathing heavily, with her breasts out and her swimsuit rolled down to her belly button. Oddly enough, she didn’t feel exposed. She felt sexy and powerful as if she were the most alluring woman in the world. She knew that all-consuming look in his eyes was likely only the result of years of celibacy and her being convenient but she didn’t care. Right now, all she wanted was his hands and mouth on her. She didn’t need to wait long as he planted both hands flat on the edge of the pool and heaved himself up and over her in one strong motion. She found herself lying flat on her back against the cool stone with a dripping Dex flush against her from head to toe.

  He dipped his head, taking a pebbled nipple into his mouth and she threaded her fingers into his long hair, bringing him even closer. His hands were busy, pushing aside her swimsuit but not removing them, before broad fingers danced over her sensitive flesh. She moaned, shuddering as they began a swift plunge and retreat into her core. There was no way this was going to last minutes, let alone the long hours she wanted to spend discovering the man. Reaching down, she found her own prize easy enough and began a steady stroke, matching his movements as if they were racing each other towards that invisible finishing line. She had been thinking of him for weeks and dreaming of him for days, yet her peak remained just out of reach. That was, until he spoke;

  “Cali.” He whispered roughly against her neck.

  The gruff, scratchy voice was deep and raspy with disuse and acted as a detonator, causing a series of explosions throughout her entire body. She cried out, biting down on his shoulder as she shook and shuddered her way through a viciously long orgasm. She felt an answering shudder from the hard body aligned with hers as her hand continued to work his hard length. Although he made no sound, his breath came out in rough pants against her skin, causing her damp flesh to prickle. Finally, after what seemed like forever, her body relaxed back against the stone paving and she dared a peek at the man above her.

  He looked like he had just won a war; self-satisfied, flushed, and triumphant. She couldn’t help but wonder if this is how he looked after all those battles he had fought in the past. She also felt an irrational burst of jealousy over the countless women he must have celebrated his victories with. She reached up and traced his lips with a fingertip; “You can talk.” She stated.

  He frowned in concentration or confusion as if her words made no sense, before biting down on her finger playfully. Oh, he was going to be more trouble than she had anticipated. “I like your voice. You should use it more often.” She informed him. And was
n’t that the truth? One word from him and her orgasm had practically blown the top of her head off.

  To her disappointment, he pushed himself up and away from her before discreetly adjusting himself and re-zipping his jeans. Not feeling particularly exposed – she had a healthy attitude about her body – she still figured she had better get dressed also. It wouldn’t do to have someone walk in on them in their current state of disarray. It would be obvious what they had been up to and they would slice Dex’s head off first and ask questions later. There was no sense in causing more problems for the reformed chade – not when he was starting to make some headway with the others.

  Dex waved his hand and a lovely warm breeze swirled to life within the enclosed room. She gasped as the air seemed to act as his personal hairdryer, drying his clothing, skin and hair in an instant. He turned to her and cocked his head; “Air Warden.” He stated in a halting voice, before ducking his head as if in embarrassment.

  She realised the whole talking thing must be very new, for even in his chade-like state, he had always appeared strong and confident. This unsure man in front of her was an anomaly and although she found it to be rather endearing, she wanted to put him at ease more. “Of course. Must be handy. It takes me forever to dry this mess.” She smiled, wringing water out of her long hair. Warm air danced around her playfully before sweeping her hair up and drying it in record time. She fluffed it around her face, “Yep. Handy.”

  He smiled a little but it didn’t reach his eyes. Why did that bother her so much? “Thanks for drying my hair. And for drying your clothes. It wouldn’t do for the others to find out what went on in here. And if we walked out dripping water, it would be fairly obvious.” She told him and was alarmed and disappointed to see his entire face shut down into his usual stoic mask.