Three Times Lucky: Five Sizzling Tales of Three-Way Love

by Kim Carmichael

  “What about?” She looked between them.

  As if reading her mind Pell joined them, putting one arm around her and the other around Markov. “The three of us need to be together. We saved each other. You can’t give us back our lives. They are yours to keep. I love you.”

  “We were made for each other.” Markov kissed her lips and Pell’s solidifying their official bond.

  “Yes, we were made for each other.” Pell did the same, his lips lingering with both of them.

  She pulled them close, their lips connected, the three of them together. “I was made for you.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  Kim Carmichael

  Kim Carmichael began writing nine years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own.

  A Southern California native, Kim’s contemporary romance combines Hollywood magic with pop culture to create quirky characters set against some of most unique and colorful settings in the world.

  With a weakness for designer purses, bad boys and techno geeks, Kim married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep her all her gadgets running and finally admitted handbags were an investment.

  Kim is a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as some small specialty chapters. A multi-published author, Kim’s books can be found on Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble.

  When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.

  To find out more about Kim Carmichael visit:

  Website: www.kimcarmichaelnovels.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kimcarmichaelnovels

  Twitter: @kimcarmichael4

  Amazon

  Novels:

  The Indelibly Marked Series –

  Permanent

  Temporary

  Trifecta

  Novellas:

  Closure

  Predictions

  Eternity

  Shorts:

  Interchangeable

  The Promise

  Hands On Me

  Children’s Book:

  My Daddy Wears His Art

  The darkest hour holds the hope of light.

  Darkest Dreams

  By

  Solera Winters

  Dedication

  For all those who need a little light in the darkness.

  Acknowledgements

  CRP—as always you make the darkness light.

  Kim Carmichael—you give me hope to follow my dreams and thanks to you, CP and KP for making me a lovely cover which inspired the story.

  Sascha—thanks for the editing help and loving the story

  Kim, Louisa, Dorothy, Sascha, Chelle—thanks for coming along for the ride.

  Teresa Neely Martin—thanks for your sharp eyes.

  Finally, to you, dear reader—we appreciate you and hope you enjoy the stories.

  Photo Credit: Vishstudios, Nanfe stock photo,

  1989juni Deviant Art stock photo

  Chapter One

  Darkness enveloped Night in his arms, holding her tight. Nyx pressed against him, lifting her head to stare into Kiernan’s eyes, but the god of darkness’s eyes were already closed. His arms became unforgiving bonds, stifling her. She pulled away. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it hadn’t been right between them for ages. It was time she took action. Life needed to change, she needed a change.

  She put on a cloak and prepared to leave the outer reaches of the underworld, her domain. With one look back at her eternal mate lost in the veils of sleep, she stepped into the shadows. She needed solitude, more than this world could provide. With a thought, she left a message for Kiernan if he should care to look for it. When they started their courtship, she’d left messages, little notes of love where he’d be sure to find them. That had been so long ago. Would he look? Did she care? She wasn’t sure anymore.

  In an instant no longer than a millisecond, she transported to another galaxy, another planet in the depths of space, Nocterra, an uninhabited world she’d visited once in an era of chaos when the mists of creation surrounded the universe.

  Desolate and dark, without the pandemonium of mortals or immortals, Nocterra provided the tranquility her soul needed. Just sand and rocks. A wind moved them gently into a landscape similar to a giant Japanese rock garden with only the elements to rake the sand into patterns. In the designs she saw the past and the future and meditated on both.

  Days didn’t pass as they did on earth. It was just one eternal night, that place her innermost core sought and found—a state of being she’d lost somewhere along the eons. She’d allowed Kiernan to take center stage in their relationship, and their interactions with everything, even their work. Perhaps it was the easier path, to allow his strength to protect her and for her to stand back. However, in standing back, she lost her self. It was time to take back her power, to take back her life. Whether it would be with or without her lord of darkness, she couldn’t tell at this point. Her heart ached at the thought of their separation, but if they were to continue in the direction they’d traveled for the last century or more, she would die. Death—not the transient death of mortals, but the much more terrible loss of existence which lasted longer than infinity and held no promise of another life to come.

  Space spread out above her, ceaseless stars and galaxies. She could go anywhere and find a new place to call home. Not even Zeus could stop her, but he could make trouble for her. Nothing said she couldn’t take a little hiatus though. Already her spirits had improved, just by taking time for meditation and reflection.

  She smiled. Maybe no one would miss her after all.

  Time passed. With new resolve bubbling inside her, she sizzled. Nocterra provided lots of places to explore, and in the perpetual shadows of the planet without light, she wandered over rocks and sand and searched out caves and tunnels. So like earth, and yet different. Each discovery delighted her.

  With her inner clock tuned to earth, she was aware a month had passed since she’d left Kiernan lying in bed to sleep the day away. Carefully, she searched him out with her thoughts, but hid her essence from his consciousness. It was only for a moment to check on earth’s status while she took her vacation. At least that’s what she told herself. The new self-knowledge she’d attained wouldn’t allow the lie to continue. She missed him, even if she wasn’t ready to go back to him. Curious, she peeked at him, still glorious in his dark beauty, his long hair tangled around him. The fur he used to distribute darkness over the planet wrapped his shoulders and left his chest bare. From the moment she first gazed on him in those ancient times, she’d been lost. He’d swept her into his arms and nothing could stop his passion from rolling over her. In truth, she’d never wanted it to stop.

  But he had changed. The darkness that surrounded him trapped him within its grip. Without her presence, would he release that ominous quality? The question bid her to find out and she watched from Nocterra. But nothing seemed different. He hadn’t shaved and his dishevelment spoke of the restless attitude she’d noted before she left. Obviously, it still encompassed him, worse now. A shaft of pain at his desolation shot through her, but she remained hidden. Long ago, they’d promised not to use their powers of mental perceptions to probe one another’s minds. A good rule, she’d thought, though she longed to break it now, to see behind the confident face Kiernan put on for everyone to see. Were his thoughts as threatening as his expression, or was he merely tired of the sameness they’d slipped into as she had been?

  He lifted his head as if listening or searching. Startled, she slid away, and returned her mind and spirit to Nocterra. In that brief moment, she caught a connection between them, one that existed even before she saw him that first time. He had sensed her. How she knew this, she wasn’t sure, but he had.

  The next thought set her aback. Had that been the reason she’d reached out to see him? Was her motive so transparent, that he would sens
e her and come for her? She shook her head. No. She’d missed him and just wanted to make sure he was well, nothing more.

  A yearning filled her. She could return of course. Nobody could prevent her. In her heart, she realized if she did, Kiernan would accept her back, no questions asked. Except she wanted him to ask questions. She wanted him to search for her, to miss what they’d once shared as much as she had, to want to dance among the stars again. Memories swamped her. There had been such good times, where they’d taken flight and swept through the universe and back again, savoring each moment they spent together.

  Why couldn’t they have that again? Instinct told her it must be possible. They loved one another, always had. Perhaps they needed more, some other dimension to their relationship. Her dreams were filled with strange longings she didn’t quite understand. Other hands touched her, not Kiernan’s, and yet they were his also. Often she awoke feeling confused.

  Hope soared in her heart before plummeting to her feet. He had not come looking for her. Obviously, he hadn’t even searched for a message. Had he asked any of her friends if they’d seen her? The Erinyes or Hecate were just as oblivious to her whereabouts. Her unannounced departure may have been unplanned, but it wasn’t unwarranted. She’d guess her friends would not show any surprise at discovering her disappearance.

  The last time she’d seen the Erinyes Megaera asked her, “Why are you sad every time you visit?”

  She’d shrugged off the question, but remembering it gave way to the thought that all was not well with her and Kiernan and it most likely had not gone unnoticed. Zeus could summon her at any time to return, and if he did, would she stand up against him? Since he’d taken over the pantheon, he left her alone, knowing that as his elder, she held a little more sway with the ancients and could not be bossed around like some of his brothers and sisters.

  The thoughts ran circles in her mind until finally she walked to the top of a sand dune and sat, looking up at the heavens. Meditation calmed her and soon she regained the serenity she’d momentarily let lapse in her quest to see Kiernan. Beneath the calm, her heart held a dull ache.

  Chapter Two

  Before another cycle of the moon rounding earth passed, Kiernan vowed he’d find his wife. How dare she leave him without word? At first he’d looked for her, wandering the earth as he made his nightly rounds. It hadn’t been the first time she’d left for a day, letting him take over the full duties of their partnership. Always he’d found her without too much trouble. Nyx was rather predictable, just like her following the day.

  Anger filled him when she didn’t arrive at dusk of the second day. No one would realize darkness lay upon the land a little earlier that evening. Nyx was nothing without him. They were perfect together, always had been. Gods, he’d loved her the second he met her. He’d carried her away that first time, her long black hair wafted around them while they flew through the solar system, relishing the fact they’d found one another, the other half of their soul.

  That first trip they’d landed on the dark side of the moon. He drew her into his arms and kissed her eyes, her nose, then hovered over her mouth until she whimpered and lifted her arms to encircle his neck. Only then did he lower his mouth to hers, tasting her sweetness. One sample and he was addicted. One kiss would never satisfy his appetite. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth and hers welcomed him, playfully dancing around his and following it into his mouth. When he’d finally lifted his head and gazed into eyes the color of the stars, he knew he’d do anything to have her.

  “Yes,” she whispered in answer to his unasked question.

  Needing no further invitation, he’d torn away her clothes and laid her on the soft powder. Delicate and pale, she shivered under his scrutiny.

  “I’m burning for you.” The words dropped from his mouth as his fur wrap and leather tunic fell to the moon’s surface.

  She opened her arms. “Warm me with your heat.” Her grin undid him.

  “You make my darkness right.” He fell to his knees and ran his fingers over her neck, examining her with his hands. Wherever he skimmed her, she leaned toward his touch, as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

  Her explorations were no less fervid. With her palms gliding over his chest, heat rose within his blood.

  “I need you.” He panted.

  “Yes.” Her arms drew him closer.

  In one swift movement, he stroked between her thighs, finding her already wet. He inserted one finger into her center. Under him, she thrust her hips up, a signal she wanted more. Unable to deny her or himself, he kept up a rhythm and inserted a second finger while capturing her lips in another kiss. He needed more.

  He brought up his fingers and pinched her nipple. Her gasp indicated he touched the right nerve endings.

  She grasped his erection and glided over him, mimicking the tempo he set with his finger thrusts inside her.

  A moan escaped him. “I want inside you now.”

  Her only answer was to spread her legs farther and clasp her arms behind his neck.

  He reared back and lunged forward, sinking deep within her. For a brief moment, he paused, taking in the sensations which rushed through him at a velocity he’d never felt before. After being alone for so long, of never seeing the light, everything sparkled as if this place, this moment, this goddess had been created just for him.

  Nyx rose up. “More.”

  Over and over he plunged, and she kept up with him, pressing her palms into his buttocks to hold him close as they joined together. The coolness of her touch heated something deep inside him. Her pleasure mattered more than his, so he moved his hand to encircle the nub that would send her desire over the top. He dipped his head down to her neck, kissing and licking her as if he could satisfy the cravings that ate at him.

  Her trembles began and her groans echoed in his ears.

  Overwhelmed, he could last no longer. “I’m coming.” And he shattered, spilling his essence inside her.

  The explosion rocked them and sparks flew, illuminating the dark side of the moon. The mortals would never know the lovemaking of two gods had burned up the atmosphere on their moon.

  But now she was nowhere to be found. They’d had it so good. Why would she have just disappeared? Nyx was nothing without him, but obviously she didn’t feel the same way. Was everything they had together a lie? If she could leave without a thought, perhaps she didn’t love him the way he believed. Darkness shrouded him further at the thought.

  When he found her, he’d let her know what he thought of her even trying to exist without him. But he had to find her, and find her soon. He refused to accept she was gone for good.

  Once more he went to Megaera. “You’re sure she didn’t mention where she was going?”

  The goddess’s eyes flashed, barely repressing her anger. “No. I have not seen her. Told you that before. Nothing’s changed. What’s wrong? Did she finally tire of your depressing outlook and living in your shadow?” The accompanying cackle irritated him.

  “Damn you.” The dog-faced goddess didn’t understand. “It’s not like that. Last night, I swear I felt her presence, but an instant later the feeling disappeared. Would I have felt that if we didn’t have a connection? You know as well as I do, Nyx and I are made for one another.”

  “Maybe she has other ideas. Kiernan, you need to lighten up.” Megaera shrugged. “Nyx is my friend, but you don’t treat her like she should be treated.”

  “I’ve given her everything. We’ve been just fine for ages.”

  “The last time I talked with her, it didn’t seem like everything was fine.” The grudging goddess headed down a path toward The Fields of Punishment.

  “What? Did she say anything?” He hated the anxiousness and doubt that crept into his voice, but trailed after her, needing answers, any answers she might provide.

  “Nothing specific. It was in her attitude. Sort of like she was searching for something, but didn’t know what. Immortals do that now and then. Sometimes they’re just b
ored.” Again she cackled, more a growl than a real laugh. “I’ve always got plenty to keep me busy, but the two of you have every day to fill as you wait for the night.”

  “But where could she have gone, disappeared to for all this time? No one else has seen her either. I have to find her, talk some sense into her.”

  “Sense?” Megaera rolled her eyes, and the snakes around her head hissed. “Maybe it’s you who need some sense.”

  “I haven’t done a thing.” His defensive tone brought a wince.

  “Maybe that’s the problem.” He barely caught her mutter. “Listen, she didn’t leave any message? That doesn’t sound like Nyx. I mean even if she was mad, she wouldn’t leave without telling someone or leaving a message.”

  “No one I’ve talked to knows anything. You’re one of her closest friends and you don’t either.” In frustration, he brushed his hand through his hair. His fingers tangled in the mess. When was the last time he’d combed his hair? One of Nyx’s favorite things to do was brush it just before they went to sleep. Often the act led to more heated moments. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d shared that simple intimacy.

  “Well, I have nothing more to suggest. You’ll have to wait for her to contact you. I’ve got to get back to work. My sisters get upset if we aren’t all present at the punishments each day.” With that she floated to the fields.

  “Damn it. Where are you Nyx?” The words echoed throughout the underworld, causing the rocks to quake. No one answered. The Shades wandered around unseeing, unmoved by the emotions roiling through the god of darkness.