by Setta Jay
Warriors fell around her, blood spattered as heads rolled, and Era stepped over them, fighting with lethal concentration until she spied a warrior camouflaged in the mist and steam. The fighter was speeding toward her dragon hefting his blade for a killing blow and the fury she unleashed burst the male into flames, screaming as Era stopped his heart, ending him for good.
Everything seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Era felt Drake calm her rage enough that she could stop the hearts of two more warriors without killing them. They writhed and cried out on the ground while Guardians ported in to cuff them and take them away. All enemies were weaponless and few were left standing as they made it to Hades. The portal blinked out and the water rained to the ground as the air evened out and the electric feeling eased away. The dozens of warriors left alive were taken away to cells as she stood at her mate’s side.
Hades was still roaring in fury as Kara sent one more shot, hitting the God in the stomach before she passed out.
Was anyone hurt? Drake demanded.
A series of no’s echoed back.
*****
Nastia reformed at her mate’s side to look around at the carnage. She only had a second before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard.
She was left with a goofy smile when it broke. Jesus, he was so damned gorgeous and she was happy the battle was over. He was fucking sexy when he fought, but that didn’t ease the anxiety she felt watching it.
She looked around, shaking her head. She still wasn’t sure what the fuck just happened.
It was over almost before it started. The second Delia—Era—took the warriors’ staffs away, they’d lost. Nastia thought her sister was badass in battle, but Era’s powers were in a different realm. Telekinesis, the healing ability and fire. She was a trifecta of scary shit, especially when her eyes were glowing that gold color and her hair lifted around her like they were in the middle of an Armageddon movie.
The female was calm now as Drake tucked her into his side. Nastia smiled at how sweet they actually were. Who’d have imagined the big bad dragon could be so gentle, as if his female hadn’t just laid waste to a shit-ton of warriors without batting an eyelash.
I guess it’s good that she’s on our side, Nastia pointed out.
You finally admitting you’re team Sander?
She laughed at his reminder of their first days together, before the frenzy.
I’m pretty sure the mark on your dick makes you team Nastia, she said as she grabbed his neck and brought him in for a kiss.
Perfect. She’d never felt so amazing and she was standing in a bloody battlefield. They still had a God to find, but even that couldn’t ruin her Sander buzz.
Chapter 31
Guardian Manor, Tetartos Realm
Drake was pacing his office with Era seated on his desk.
The warriors would not or could not speak no matter what the Guardians did. They didn’t even speak to each other.
It had been days and they knew nothing more about Apollo, only that the female, Kara, had indicated that he was in Thule.
The female wasn’t awake yet and Hades was still refueling. Kara had hit the bastard with so much energy that once Hades’ adrenaline wore off he wasn’t in good shape. They’d gotten him a cavern room and he wasn’t fucking happy.
P walked in, looking just as angry as he had the day of the battle.
“How is your father?”
“Better. He’s heading to my place now,” P growled.
“He still hasn’t given you any details?” Era asked with sympathy lacing her tone.
“No, but he says he’ll tell me more tonight.”
Hades had apparently only informed his son of the same information he’d already given Drake and Era, which was vague.
“Sirena says the female, Kara, is still unconscious,” P pointed out. Drake knew it was driving his cousin insane that he’d been kept away from the battle and everything about it. “If he doesn’t explain what the fuck the danger is, I will ask her,” P ground out and Drake knew his cousin was frustrated. Understood it. He also understood the male was blowing off steam. P had never acted rashly and he wouldn’t with something so important. If Hades was sure P was in danger from the Gods of Thule, he probably was. Hades loved his son.
“I’m out of here,” P said in frustration and was gone.
Sirena, was anything in their blood? Drake demanded. He hated waiting, but that’s what they were having to do.
Kara is powerful. It’s only slightly different than our Gods. Hades had already told them she was Agnarr’s sister.
“It would be so much easier if Nastia could get in their minds,” Era added. He felt the same way.
Rain knocked. “Come in,” he bellowed, knowing she’d been on her way.
The tiny blonde wore a big smile and held a package.
He tucked Era under his arm and indicated for Rain to stay after she’d given the package to his mate. Era and Rain had spoken the day before and his mate was forging a new friendship with the female. It was difficult for both of them but would grow stronger with each day. Rain watched Era with a wistful expression as she carefully opened his latest offering. His mate leaned up and kissed him softly. “It’s beautiful.”
He’d had Sam, Alex’s sister-in-law, form a picture frame in the shape of their dragons, complete with jeweled eyes.
Rain will take some pictures of us if you want that for your frame. She also located some from Delia’s life that she’s going to keep safe for you, in case that’s ever something you want.
Era looked up into his eyes and he saw hers flicker to copper and back. He didn’t want to cut her off from her former life entirely. He wanted everything for her, but only on her own terms and in her own time. Now if she ever wanted the images of her sisters in their home, if she ever felt the need to see them in the years to come, she had access to them.
I love you, she whispered in the link.
And I love you, he answered before kissing her gently, because Rain was still in the room.
She smiled up at him.
“I need to check on Sacha.” He reminded her.
“I’ll be down with Sirena later,” Era added with a smile.
His mate had offered to help the healer and she seemed to be happy in that capacity. It eased him seeing her wading into this new life with anticipation.
He walked through halls and down steps to the subterranean rooms used to refuel energies.
He stepped into Sacha’s room first, shocked at what he saw there. Drake stilled at the sight of Hades. The God looked like a wreck. His hands were in his hair as he stared down at his injured Guardian.
“What are you doing, Hades?” Drake demanded.
The male ran shaking fingers through his hair and stared, haunted, at the beautiful dark-haired, bronze-skinned female as if she were heaven and hell all wrapped in one package.
*****
Hades looked down at the sleeping female. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and the sight was sucking the air from his lungs. Her scent made him so damned hard, but he forced back the compulsion to touch. Pothos had said that one of the Guardians had been poisoned by an unknown beast. Sacha. He’d seen her in his son’s memories. Those images had been a poor representation of the female lying in front of him.
His wings nearly filled the room in fury that something was wrong with the female who made his soul throb so violently.
He dug his fingers in his hair again as he looked over at his nephew.
“Fuck.” Drake’s voice barely came through the sound of his soul thrumming to merge with hers.
Hades looked back at the bed and made his decision.
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Other Titles by Setta Jay:
The Guardians
of the Realms Series:
Hidden Ecstasy
Ecstasy Unbound
Ecstasy Claimed
Denying Ecstasy
Tempting Ecstasy
Piercing Ecstasy
Binding Ecstasy
About The Author:
Setta Jay is the author of the popular Guardians of the Realms Series. She's garnered attention and rave reviews in the paranormal romance world for writing smart, slightly innocent heroines and intense alpha males. She loves writing stories that incorporate a strong plot with a heavy dose of heat. Her influences include Judith McNaught who she feels writes a smart heroine to perfection, Gena Showalter, Maya Banks and Lora Leigh. You can often find her writing compared to JR Ward, but if you are a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood be warned that Setta Jay's novels are more erotic in nature.
Born a California girl, she currently resides in Idaho with her husband of ten plus years who she describes as incredibly sexy and supportive.
She loves to hear from readers so feel free to ask her questions on social media or send her an email, she will happily reply.
Where you can find her:
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7778856.Setta_Jay
