Shades of Pink

by 33 authors

  Cleito looked back at the girl, confused for a moment and opened her mouth as if there was something she wanted to say, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “Forgive me, but we must hurry before they notice my absence in the palace. King Nereus is determined to see her eliminated before she finds her Alma Xemelga and fulfills the prophecy. We will be waiting.” Atreyu called from the doorway, shutting it before either girl could utter a response.

  Cleito helped Natasha finish getting ready in silence as she thought about the limited information Raifuku had given his mate. She wondered if she should say something, but in the end, decided that it wasn’t her place. Perhaps Natasha’s leaving in the morning would be enough to break the curse. Perhaps, they didn’t need to do the rest.

  She watched the mating ceremony in silence, bearing witness to their mating as pain lanced through her heart. She barely heard Atreyu as he performed the ritual, only when he got to the last part did her ears perk up.

  “Thrice called, thrice answered, the souls are now combined. In perfect love and perfect trust they remain until the end of time. So mote it be.” Atreyu rang the bell three more times and a hush fell over the clearing.

  The birds stopped singing; it was as if the entire universe was holding its collective breath. They walked around the circle again, the opposite way, sealing their vows with a kiss as they ended. The ground rumbled, and the wildlife exploded into song. All was right with the world. The first Alma se Funden in Atlantis in over eleven thousand years had been performed. There was no going back now.

  Cleito hosted a grand, albeit small, celebration in her palace. It was a small feast, with pleasant company. She had to admit, the ceremony was beautiful and the two were surprisingly perfect for one another. Cleito felt the urge to cry both with joy and regret. It started raining outside, just as it always had when she needed to cry. This would be the last rain that would fall in deference to her tears.

  Natasha still needed to complete the ritual that would return Cleito’s tears. She’d told Cleito that she’d do the ceremony before retiring for the evening, which was fine with Cleito.

  The men left a while later to congratulate Raif, praise Poseidon, and whatever else it is that men do at a Hand-Fasting, leaving Cleito alone with Natasha.

  “I think this is as good a time as any to give you my tears, is it painful?” Natasha asked, her voice quavering, betraying her nerves.

  “No it is not painful. It is just a strange feeling to cry without shedding tears. You must first bring yourself to cry, and then simply give them to me. Your sacrifice will be remembered for ages. I know better than most, how much all of this is costing you.” Cleito’s heart contracted with the pain of loss and the knowledge of what this innocent girl would have to go through. The rain came down stronger.

  She smiled uncomfortably at Cleito before the tears started to flow. She stood there for a minute, letting them fall, and Cleito waited silently, giving her the time she needed. When they started to slow, Natasha gently scooped one from her cheek and placed it against Cleitos’ eyelids.

  “I freely give of my tears,” she whispered. In an instant Cleito’s cheeks were wet, the rains stopped, and so did the flow of tears from Natasha’s eyes.

  “Bless you child. You and Raifuku must say farewell. Take your time, but remember that time is a luxury you don’t really have here. I shudder to think of what Nereus will do if he finds you here. You will always be cherished in my heart.” She kissed Natasha’s forehead and walked away.

  * * *

  3

  Cleito found Atreyu alone, nursing a bottle of amber liquid. He looked as if his entire world had just been destroyed and the solution could be found if he emptied the bottle.

  “Stay with me tonight,” she pleaded in a whisper. She couldn’t live with the broken expression on his face. She needed one last night with him before she lost him forever.

  “I could never deny you anything. You are my queen, my life, my heart. You command and I live to obey.” His bitter words slurred. He’d had more to drink than even he realized. He was only glad the others thought his drinking was in celebration, not from heartbreak.

  She slapped him. Hard.

  “How dare you.” She spat out, the venom in her tone barely concealing her pain. He only called her queen when he was being rude. “We may only have tonight and this is how you want to spend it? Drunk and slinging barbs at one another? You’re not the only one in pain, Atreyu.”

  “Well, I’m the only one who’ll be alone tomorrow. You’ll have a god to turn those olive cheeks pink. Why would you even want to fuck me when you know who’ll be warming your sheets come tomorrow?” He leered at her, too drunk to be mortified at his words or actions.

  She pulled back as if he’d struck her. His words wounded her more than any actions ever could. Now that Natasha had given her tears, she could barely contain them. They spilled from her eyes before she even realized they were there.

  “How can you think so little of me?” She choked out between gasps of pain. “Can you truly not know me after all these years together?”

  Her tears were more effective at sobering him up than anything else ever could be.

  “Cleito,” he began, opening his arms to her in supplication.

  “Fine! If I must say the words, I will! I was only trying to prevent you more pain!” She sniffed, angrily wiping at the tears that refused to cease from her cheeks.

  “I love you! Atreyu, I love you. More than my life, more than the bonds of my mating, more than the lives of my children, more than any person should be allowed to love, I love you. You’re the air I breathe, my reason for existing.

  I may be gaining a husband tomorrow, and yes, he’s a god, but he isn’t you! If Poseidon wasn’t my Alma Xemelga, and I was able to choose just one person to spend eternity with, it’d be you. A thousand times over, I’d choose you.

  I only have this one night, our last night, to be free to love you. After tonight, I belong to another. Not by choice, but by chance and a stupid curse.

  Don’t you dare tell me I’m not suffering just as much as you! I love you, I love you, I love you!” She collapsed into his open embrace, sobbing as she felt her heart break.

  He held her gently, stroking her blond curls with his hand, marveling at her confession. She did love him. And she was right, knowing her feelings didn’t change what had to happen and while he was overjoyed at knowing she shared his love for her, it hurt beyond measure to know they could never be together. Tonight truly was their last night.

  He deftly scooped her into his arms, carrying her to their secret garden. If they were to spend this night together, he’d have no reminders of Poseidon to enter her mind. If nothing else, they’d have tonight to remember, to cherish.

  He laid her gently on the plush grass, already littered with thousands of pink flower petals. Straightening, he gathered clusters of blossoms in his hands, crumpling them, scattering the fresh petals over Cleito, releasing the fragrant scent of roses and creating a multi-hued pink blanket that covered her body. He tossed the stems away, not wanting her to pierce her perfect skin on the thorns.

  As her sniffles subsided, he removed his clothing, wiping the small droplets of blood off his hands where the thorns had pierced his skin.

  Cleito wiped the tears that’d been absent from her cheeks for longer than she could remember so she could see the molten beauty that was Atreyu. His long silver hair completely covered his toned backside. Glimpses of his shimmering silver skin peeked through, an unconscious peep show that teased her senses; she’d never admit to anyone that for this reason alone, she was glad to be trapped at the bottom of the ocean.

  The Surface Dwellers called it bioluminescence, a glow that creatures seemed to obtain from living in the ocean’s depths. She didn’t care what it was called, she only knew she loved the way it made his body glow and shimmer with an internal light. Her body did it as well, but hers was more olive and pink. His looked as if magnes
ium lived just barely contained under the sheer layer of skin holding him together.

  Her body warmed, knowing what was about to happen.

  The man she loved more than life was going to claim her.

  He turned, feeling her gaze upon him. He looked at her, covered in her pink petals, her body glowing with a blush of desire. He had a passing thought, one he’d had many times over the years, would she glow like this for Poseidon, or was that glow just for him? Just as he had all the other times, he let the thought pass, knowing he’d never know the answer. Nor did he want to.

  He kneeled down, one hand out to gently cup her face, the other placed firmly on the ground next to her. With his thumb, he gently wiped away the remnants of her tears, his heart bursting and shattering at the same time.

  “You were right, but I’ll never regret hearing those words come from your lips. I love you. Let me show you.” His voice was husky, filled with desire and a need greater than any he’d ever known before.

  She placed her palm against his cheek, pulling him close to her, until only a breath separated their lips. He closed that space, kissing her soft lips with his. She felt his contented rumble vibrate through his chest seconds before he was on top of her, crushing her with his insatiable need.

  He tore her clothes off, taking her in an almost animalistic way, the need to be inside her, greater even than his need for breath. He claimed her with almost bruising force. Her surprised cries turned into moans of ecstasy just as he finished.

  He collapsed, panting, half on her half on the pink rose petal lined grass.

  “That wasn’t how I wanted tonight to go.” He gasped out.

  “The night’s not over.” She replied, her lips curling in a coy, wicked grin.

  His eyes burned with lust at her implication. He lifted his arm to brush the loose strands of hair off her face as his breathing slowed.

  “I love you.” He whispered.

  Before she could respond, he laid claim to her mouth. Kissing her slowly, deeply and with a passion that was slow burning now that his desperation had fled. He caught her soft moans and whimpers with his talented lips as they danced across hers.

  Her hands fisted in his long silver hair, clenching him to her, unwilling to release him just yet. He ignited a fire that burned hotter inside her. She was need and her only release could be found with the man in her embrace.

  His kisses turned wicked as he nipped at her, knowing she was his. He could smell her arousal overpowering their previous joining. He knew he had her all to himself now. If tonight would be all they had, he’d make certain it was a memory she’d carry with her for the rest of her days.

  He feathered kisses across her jawline, bringing his lips to caress the sensitive lobes of her ears and suckle the artery just below her skin. He was careful not to actually break her skin, there wasn’t a need; he didn’t gain sustenance from the life force flowing underneath. However, he knew the gentle suckle caused her to cry out and writhe beneath him.

  He licked and nibbled until her leg wrapped around him and she was thrusting helplessly against him. His hand cupped her small breast, teasing the already taut nub between his fingers, sending jolts of pleasure straight to her core. His lips created a path leading to the other breast, taking that nub into the wet haven of his mouth just as his fingers pinched the other.

  She cried out in passion beneath him, her body convulsing as a wave of pleasure went through her. He was merciless in his claiming of her, not even allowing her a moment to think, just to feel how he loved her so. He played her body with expert precision, keeping her on the precipice, barely giving her the relief she so sorely needed.

  By the time he entered her slick folds she was glistening with sweat. Tears of need helplessly fell from her eyes. He slid inside, causing her to shudder and cry out with satisfaction. Finally, she had what she wanted. Him.

  He kissed her as he rocked back and forth, claiming her in a slow, passionate embrace. Her nails scored down his sweat-slick back, clenching him to her as her body convulsed around his. She milked him, yet he remained steadfast in his desire to claim her as his own.

  “Oh gods!” She cried, “No. More. No more.” She panted out, her body shivering and convulsing in little aftershocks of pleasure while he stroked her most intimate parts to a fever pitch yet again. She was certain that if he continued, she might die from pleasure.

  His lips curled in a knowing grin and his thrusts quickened with her pants. Her breath left in shorter gasps and he knew she was close to exploding around him. He wanted to be with her when it happened. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she clung to him, unsure if she wanted more or not. His panting breaths quickened with hers.

  She screamed her release to the roses. Clenching and writhing beneath him, she shattered. His cries joined her seconds after, but were drowned out with the intensity of her orgasm.

  When it was finished, they lay in a pile of intertwined limbs, their breaths coming in shallow gasps as they returned to themselves. Before they fell asleep, tangled in each other’s embrace, she heard him whisper.

  “You are my heart. You will never know how much I love you.”

  * * *

  4

  The next morning he was awake before her. She found him huddled before her, his hair blocking him from her view to pool beneath him. She sat up, a contented smile upon her face as she reached out to him.

  “I’m not sure what to do now.” She heard him whisper. The pain lacing his voice brought her back to the reality they faced.

  “What do you mean?” She replied, her hand dropping to her lap.

  “I’m not sure how long we’ll be down here before the Rising. I’m not sure how long I’ll have to watch you with him.” He said, bitterly.

  “I shall do my best not to flaunt our relationship in your presence, Atreyu.” She whispered, unsure of what to do in these circumstances.

  “You have to know something before we leave the alcove today.” He started as he turned to face her, pain and love swirling in his silver eyes. “Once Atlantis rises and I’m able to, I’m leaving and I will not return.”

  She forced the tears back that filled her eyes. It was stupid to feel such pain at his words; she knew he had to leave if he were to have any chance at finding his mate. He deserved happiness.

  “I understand,” she whispered through a choked voice.

  “I’m not sure how finding a mate is supposed to alleviate the pain of losing you,” he began, unable to finish the thought he’d had so often these past millennia.

  “You are my heart, Atreyu. I’m not sure if that brings you comfort or not, but it’s true nonetheless. I’m not sure what the dawn will bring either, but I know I could not have survived the past eleven thousand years without you.”

  He gathered her in his arms, embracing her one last time.

  “May the god’s bless you with clear skies and strong winds at your back.” He whispered the standard farewell to her, the words holding more meaning now than they ever had before. He was wishing her well, sending her off to an unknown future that would be without him, but blessed by him.

  Her eyes filled with tears that fell down her cheeks. “And you as well.” She whispered back, sealing her words with a chaste kiss to his soft lips.

  They left the clearing together, not as lovers but as High Priest and Queen, ready to complete the prophecy they set in motion the day before, the dawn greeting them as if their lives were not immeasurably changed.

  ~~~

  Jean Booth lives in Nevada with her husband and cats. When she's not out risking her neck on the back of her motorcycle, she enjoys the more calm activities of reading, gardening, and spending time with her friends and family. She has worked in health care for most of her adult life before deciding to finally share the stories that have been living in her head.

  To see what’s coming soon in your favorite series visit www.jeanbooth.com

  I ALREADY AM

  Highland Wolves 3.5

 
Catherine Bowman

  Determined loner McKenna is being pursued by a man her soul recognizes as its mate. It isn’t until she is beaten by a rejected suitor that she truly sees the man within and allows herself to love him.

  ~~~

  Dougall McCalleum stopped, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He ignored the people bumping into him in the crowded Barras Market and took a moment to savour the scent of the woman he’d come to think of as his. Doug is the Master at Arms of Glasgow’s Four Claw Wolf Pack. His mother was a Wolf, a fourth generation member of the pack, who had been raped by a demon. The union produced the unique combination of humour and temper that is the slim, wiry, café au lait coloured Doug.

  The object of his affection was McKenna Amberson, artiste extraordinaire. The tall redhead with a porcelain complexion and elfin features was entrenched in his heart the first time they spoke. The connection was instant and he knew she knew it though, for her part, McKenna didn’t want to acknowledge it. After everything she’d been through—molestation when she was but ten years old, a mugging, an attack by a Tiger and the death of her mentor—she had no room in her life for flirting or for men.

  It just made Doug work that much harder.

  Doug, who was in the marketplace with his female Alpha, his Beta and two others, touched the Beta’s sleeve and gestured slightly at McKenna before slipping off. He stopped a few booths away to admire her wares. She drew fantasy figures—fairies, dragons and wizards—including ones humans only thought were fantasy. She had mugs, prints in frames and calendars but her biggest seller was the line of clothing. She had socks with her baby dragon drawings on the sides, t-shirts and hoodies with her work silk screened on the front.