by Kim Loraine
She does as I tell her, lowering down and I'm enveloped by her scent. I lick and suck, all the while her thighs tremble around me. She's close, there's a fluttering pulse throbbing in the hard button of her clit. I close my mouth around the nub and roll my tongue hard and fast until my mouth and chin are coated in her release as she screams my name.
Gripping her hips, I help her off me and coat my aching length in her slickness. Then I gather more and slowly press one finger inside the tightly closed ring of muscle at her ass. She sucks in a sharp breath but soon starts moving, back and forth, rocking into my invasion. I add a second finger. So tight. She'll bring me off in seconds. By the time she's ready for me, she's begging, her soft pants and moans making my cock weep for her.
"Are you ready, love?" I ask her even though I know if I don't fuck her ass now, she'll never forgive me.
"Yes." Her response is pained.
Removing my fingers, I line the head of my cock up with her virgin entrance and slowly sink inside. It's hot and tight and everything I imagined. Her long hair spills across her arched back, begging me to tug as I thrust. But not yet. She's not ready. I move with as much care as I can. My orgasm threatening at the surface already. "So damn perfect," I bite out when I'm fully seated inside her.
"I need more. I need you to move." Her plea makes my balls tighten. Fuck, I could come right now with just the pressure of her around me.
Easing back, I pull out until just the tip remains before sliding home again. This time she shouts her pleasure.
"Harder," she demands, and I've forgotten our little game of dominant and submissive. She owns me.
I fuck her harder, the firm pillows of her ass cushioning my rough thrusts. Reaching out, I do what I fantasized about and gather her hair in my hand, wrapping it around until I can use it as leverage.
She cries out and I loosen my grip, until she says, "Fuck, yes, pull my hair."
It's fucking explosive. The cave is bright, and I can see every shake of her arse. Beautiful and made for me. Then, she lets out a high and thready cry as she comes, her walls pulsing and bringing me right along with her. The light grows blinding as I pump my orgasm into her ass and for a moment, the pleasure has my eyes rolling back in my head.
I pull out and lean over her, kissing along her spine. My come trails down her inner thighs. "That was fucking intense."
Plopping down on her side, she stares at me with sated, hooded eyes and says, "Maybe purgatory isn't so bad."
21
Helena
"We can't stay here forever," Tamiel says, his fingers running along the line of my hip. "As much as I'd love to fuck you non-stop, we might have a way back. We'd be stupid to pass that up."
Heaving a long sigh, I nod. "I know. I need to be there, with my sisters, helping the angels, making up for my mistake."
"What mistake? You didn't do anything other than sacrifice yourself for Izzy and her baby."
"But if I hadn't put our magic in the moonstone…if I hadn't been overconfident, she wouldn't have taken the damn thing from me. It wouldn't be lost and in God knows whose hands now."
He presses a kiss to my nape and stands. Holding out his large palm, he tilts his head in the direction of the tunnel. "Come on, then. Let's clean ourselves up and see what the wayward knight has to say."
A few minutes later we're cleaned and dressed, walking back toward the mouth of the vast cave. I wonder if the knight heard us. Heat floods my cheeks as embarrassment crashes over me. I'm sure he heard us. I was fucking loud. But I've never felt anything like that before, the intensity had me nearly blacking out at times. A shiver courses through my body and Tamiel gives me a sideways glance.
"Cold?"
Glancing down, I see my nipples are sticking out like hard little bullets against the fabric of my top. "No."
"Oh, really? Not spent yet, then?"
"What can I say? I'm insatiable."
He leans in and nuzzles my neck. "As am I, when it comes to you."
The light of the fire casts a white glow on the dark cave walls as we round the corner of the tunnel. I want so desperately to see our world in color. The idea of never seeing Tamiel's chocolate brown hair as anything other than shades of black and gray leaves loss sitting heavy on my chest.
"What is it?" he asks.
"I want to see you."
He stops us, pressing me against the cool stone wall. "I'm right here."
"I know. You're here with me, but this place is like…I don't know, everyone is fading from reality. I can't make out any colors, the lights don't shine as brightly. It's not as…real."
"I'm real. Do you think me fucking your ass so hard you came from that alone wasn't real?"
My cheeks burn. "It was real." I shake my head, trying to gather my thoughts so I can explain this to him. "This isn't coming out right. I miss the color of your eyes, your hair, the golden brown tan that makes you look like you just got back from surfing."
He presses his forehead to mine and inhales deeply. "And I miss seeing the dusky rose of your nipples and how they match the color of your perfect fucking mouth. Not to mention the way your eyes blaze with copper fury when you're cross with me."
"I'm finding myself less and less cross."
"Then we'll have to figure out some other way to get that fire back." Lips brush mine, once, twice, before his tongue presses inside. Everything culminates in a rush of need because he might think he's staying here with me or that we'll leave together, but I can't control the fear in my belly. He's not taking into account that I died. I have nobody to go back to. If I leave, what does that mean for my soul?
"Tamiel…we…we need to focus." Kisses punctuate my words. I don't want to stop, but over his shoulder, I see the knight's silhouette. We're not alone anymore.
"Can you two rein it in already? There's only so much a man can take before things start to get awkward." The knight's voice carries and echoes, reminding me of exactly how loud Tamiel and I had been.
I push the angel off me and set my clothes to rights. "So," I begin, clearing my throat before I can continue. "Shall we?"
Tamiel grins, not ashamed in the least, and I love him even more for it. "Yes, sir knight, lead the way."
Our guide turns on his heels and strides outside, hand always hovering over the hilt of his sword. "It'll be close to a day's journey, but it’s hard to tell. Time moves differently here."
Tamiel spreads his wings, the wide span of them causing the tips of the feathers to brush across the walls. "I could fly us there. It would be faster."
"And it would call attention to the demons. They'll see you and come after you. You and I both know, angel's blood is precious and worth a large sum of money."
How does he know that? I've never heard there's an angel blood black market. "Well, thank goodness I don't see anyone here who plans to sell his blood," I say, pointedly.
"Quite right, milady. I simply wanted to offer a warning."
We head into the woods outside our cave, trudging through a carpet of dead leaves, the only sound the crunch of our footsteps. The air is heavy, a constant pressure weighing me down. Like I'm walking through water and never getting anywhere.
The longer our journey, the more exhausted I feel. My limbs ache, eyes are heavy, and a faint wave of nausea hits me as we reach the crest of a hill.
"All right, love?" Tamiel asks, taking my hand.
"Fine. Just tired."
The knight stops in his tracks and turns toward us. He frowns. "Really? You shouldn't be. I've never felt tired or hungry in all my time here."
"Well, good for you. I must not be cut out for this place."
Tamiel runs his fingers over my jaw until he cups my cheek. "We'll be there soon, and you'll feel better."
"It's just there. Do you see?" The knight points to a spot of color—real color—in the distance. It's shimmering gold and blue and beautiful.
My gut twists with pain and I fall to my knees, crying out.
"Come on, love. I'l
l carry you." We have to get out of here, I know that, but something about that tear makes me nervous.
The closer we get, the more pain I'm in. It hurts so badly tears run down my cheeks, but Tamiel rushes closer still. "I can't take it," I pant. "It hurts."
"What's wrong with her?" he asks the knight.
Eyes downcast, our guide shakes his head. "I'm not sure. Perhaps she's being judged. She won't last long if that's the case. We need to get to the tear and through to the other side."
My vision goes blurry and I can't feel my legs. I'm losing the battle with whatever is happening to me. Dammit, I'm leaving Tamiel again and there's nothing I can do to stop it.
"I've got you, love. Listen to my voice. Stay with me. We're almost there."
I try. I really do. But every step he takes makes my vision darker, the sounds more hollow. And then everything is gone. I can't feel his arms, the air, any of it.
"Open your eyes, Helena." A voice I've never heard hits my ears, strong and confident.
Blinking rapidly, I wait for my eyes to focus. The room is white and glowing, but prisms bounce off the walls as light cascades in through crystal cut windows. A handsome man dressed in a tailored gray suit with a robin's egg blue tie and matching pocket square stands before me, hands in his pockets.
"Where am I?"
He smiles, bright white teeth gleaming. "You're here to meet your judgment."
Tamiel
Helena is gone. She was in my arms as I reached the tear in reality. I had her tightly in my grasp when I placed my palm inside the brightly colored light and willed it to open. I thought she was safe. But the moment I stepped through, she vanished.
"No! Helena!" I scream, turning to throw myself back in after her.
"Stop, angel. You can't. It's done. She is lost. She was never meant to return." Even as he speaks, the portal I opened shrinks until it's non-existent and all that's left is a view of the setting sun. There is no way back. Not unless I want to go straight to the true gate I was supposed to guard and fight my way back to her.
I want to kill the knight. He knew. He knew she wouldn't escape, but he let us believe there was hope. "You lied. You fucking lied to me. I could have stayed with her."
"I'm sorry. It was the only way."
Rushing him, I encircle his throat with my hand and walk him back until he's pressed against a tree. His face turns red from lack of oxygen. "Why are you struggling? You're dead. You should be nothing but a spirit on this plane."
He claws at my fingers, eyes wide.
"You're alive. I can feel your pulse racing. How?"
I loosen my grip enough to allow him speech. "I told you, I don't remember anything save a few flashes here and there. I can't tell you how I died. All I know is I woke up in purgatory and spent countless years there."
"So that's why you came through without problems, and why you were never judged. You're alive." With my free hand, I remove his sword from his belt. "I'm not letting you out of my sight until I speak to my brothers."
"Then call them or get ready for a fight and return my sword. The demons will know I escaped. They'll be coming for me."
My skin crawls at the thought of fighting them while trying to keep this human safe. "How did you stay hidden from them in purgatory?"
"I'm not sure. I only know the last time there was an angel in purgatory, he brought a soul out with him and the demons raged."
"There was another angel in purgatory?"
He nods. "Tall, blond, dressed in leather."
I clench my teeth. Gabriel.
There's no way I can get to Gabriel without leaving the knight here to fend for himself. The air around us grows heavy, the sinister pressure that comes along with demons. Lots of them.
"Bloody hell," I mutter.
"Now would be a good time for you to use some of that angelic grace of yours to get us the hell out of here."
We're surrounded. Red eyes glow in the light of sunset and low growls fill the air. These demons are wild, sent to destroy us.
I try to extend my wings, but they won't manifest. My grace is exhausted. "I can't. Opening that portal in purgatory drained my power."
"What kind of angel are you?"
"The fallen kind."
He shakes his head. "That's just fantastic. I can't even get paired up with a real angel."
"I earned back my wings. But I chose love and was…demoted to guardian."
"Behead them," the knight says. "If you don't they come right back."
I roll my eyes. "I know how to dispose of a demon."
"I'll be needing my sword."
He grabs for the sword Gabriel gave me, his gaze strangely focused on the ornate hilt. The moment his hand touches the metal, the blade lights up a bright blue and a shockwave explodes from the weapon. It knocks him on his back, unconscious and useless. Fuck.
I draw my weapon and stand over the knight's form. With the reaction of the sword Excalibur to his touch, I know this man isn't a knight at all. This is Arthur Pendragon. He's a king.
"I see you've immobilized him for us. Thank you, angel," one of the demon's offers. She's not one of the pretty demons who linger on the surface bent to seduce souls away from Heaven. Her eyes are bright red, with goat-like slits for pupils, and the whites have gone yellow. What was once beautiful skin before she sold her soul, is now peeling and red. The stench of sulfur radiates from her—from all of them.
If I can get her close enough, I'll be able to take off her head before she knows what hit her. So I start talking. "He hitched a ride. I'd much rather you take him off my hands."
"Certainly, but we'll take you as well." She cocks her head and the demons rush me. Snarling, claws extended, they're more animal than anything now. "An angel will make a wonderful power source for us."
I stand with Arthur behind me, fifteen feral demons coming to drag us to hell, and nothing more than a sword to protect us. This is truly the end.
22
Helena
"Who are you?" I ask the suited man in front of me. He's possibly the most beautiful creature I've ever seen, with the exception of Tamiel. My heart gives a pained squeeze at the thought of Tamiel. He must be desperate to find me. We were so close to returning.
"You may call me Michael."
"Michael? As in—" Before I can finish my question, he extends enormous white wings tipped in shimmering gold that seems to move through his feathers.
"As in the archangel. God's most powerful warrior."
My jaw clenches. "Why would you take me? We were almost through the portal."
"Gabriel shouldn't have interfered with your destiny. He was wrong to send Tamiel to the portal. There's always a plan. You must be judged."
"Gabriel sent him to me?" Tamiel was right, his brother has a soft spot for love.
"You've done a great service to the side of Heaven, Helena. It's time for you to move on. There's a place in Heaven for you should you choose it."
"I get to choose?"
He nods.
"Is Tamiel all right? He fought so hard to bring me back."
Unease flickers across his face, but he doesn't answer.
"Please, I need to know."
"He'll suffer for his attempt to cheat death and return your soul."
My gut clenches. "Why? You said it yourself, Gabriel interfered."
"It was always Tamiel's choice. Gabriel only gave him the information and assignment. Like a dog with a bone, Tamiel couldn't leave it alone."
"What's going to happen to him?" I ask, my limbs trembling with a mixture of anger and fear.
Michael waves a hand across the blank white wall and it's as though we're hovering over a horrific scene. Tamiel stands in the light of the setting sun, the body of the knight on the ground behind him, sword in hand, determination on his face. Even now, the sight of him makes my heart flip. But he tenses and tightens his grip on the hilt of his weapon as a small army of snarling, terrifying demons charge.
"He won't escape them. No
t yet. They'll take him and steal his grace."
"No. You can't let this happen."
"I'm forbidden to offer him aid. I'm sorry."
"I can't believe that. You'd let your own brother suffer their poison and torture? I saw what it did to him the first time he was attacked by a demon. He was trapped in his own personal hell. If you love him, save him."
He shakes his head. "Some may think me callous, but in truth, there's no one I love more than my Father. He has forbidden me from intervening. These demons will drag him to purgatory and he will remain there until he's able to escape."
"Send me back."
His eyes widen. "What?"
"If Tamiel is going to purgatory, that's where I should be. I'll find him. He came for me, and I'll do the same. I won't rest until he's free and we're together."
One eyebrow rises, and the angel crosses his arms over his chest as he turns to face me completely. "You would sacrifice Heaven for him?"
"I would sacrifice anything for him."
A smile turns up his lips. "Very good, witch."
Then, he reaches out and places his large hand on the crown of my head. Blinding white light fills my vision and a cold pain burns its way through my veins. I scream, the pressure in the air changes, and everything is silent.
Tamiel
"Come on, you bloody bastards. Come at me. You won't take me without suffering some defeat at my hands."
Two demons lunge for me and I swing my blade, removing their heads in one smooth move. Two at a time, I can handle. But if they all rush me at the same moment, they'll win.
Arthur stirs at my feet, a soft grunt falling from him. This would be a bloody fantastic time for him to get his shit together. "Arthur, if you could hurry this along and get off your arse, I'd appreciate it."
He groans. "Arthur?"
"Take the angel, kill the knight, we don't have time for this," the female demon snarls.
Arthur scrambles to his feet, Excalibur held tight in his hands. "They've found us."
