Blaze Ignites (Scourge Survivor Series Book 1)

by J. L. Madore

  "You were a good sport with all the shameless flirting of the Queens." I gave him what I hoped was a warm smile.

  Galan shrugged, tucking me into his neck. "To each their own, besides . . ." he ran his hand down his bare chest and flashed me a seductive grin, "can you blame them?"

  I couldn't stop the laughter from bubbling up. "Easy, Cookie, you're not half as mouthwatering as you think you are."

  "Really?" He rolled on to his side so we lay face to face. My head swam with the closeness of him. He smelled like suede, sunshine and musky male. "Then why have you undressed me twice in as many days?"

  "What?"

  "Once in the storage closet and," he lifted the covers and glanced down the length of his body, "apparently, again as I lay unconscious and unable to defend my virtue." He feigned a look of shock so hysterical I burst into giggles again.

  "I am a medical professional who needed to examine you." I was amazed I kept a straight face on that one. "Hey, your boxers are still on."

  "Mhmm." His eyes sparkled in the moonlight from the window. "I would hazard a guess you examined my body in its entirety whilst I was unconscious?"

  "I am nothing if not thorough."

  He traced my burning cheek with his finger, his smile so cocky he beamed. "I am not surprised you were unable to resist. The reaction of the females on campus indicated my outfit was quite fetching."

  "Fetching?" I repeated, raising a brow. "All right, I'll bite. Go on."

  "On the way to the gatehouse several women ogling me smelled more than pleased." He captured my hands, his smile shifting to something sultry. "Did you know humans give off discernible scents in emotional situations: desire, fear, anger, stress, all trigger the release of pheromones?" He wet his lips, smirking. "Quite fascinating, actually."

  "Fascinating, is it?"

  "Yes. My brothers and I first noticed it on our quest. Then, on the way from the gatehouse, three females made less than appropriate remarks to one another regarding what they wished to do to 'our rockin bods'. We were not familiar with the vernacular, yet had an accurate mental image of the intent. Verily, Elven hearing is much more acute than they realized."

  I gasped. "When we're together, you can smell my moods toward you?" As his grin grew, my stomach started to squirm.

  "I scent when you are angry with me, worried about me or. . ." He waggled his brow.

  "You can actually smell when I'm attracted to you?"

  "Mhmm." His eyes drifted down my body and he inhaled deeply. "Your desire is sweet succulence. As Lexi would say, it has become my fix."

  "Oh gods that's embarrassing." I turned away, my cheeks flaming. I thought I had been conveying an aloof, composed image, but he could smell that I had the hots for him. "I am officially mortified."

  He wrapped his arms around me, his chest pressing against mine. "Why would you be mortified when you do the same thing with your touch? You have private knowledge of both thought and emotion from the moment you lay your hands to heal."

  I shook my head. "That's different, half the time I can't figure out what you're feeling. Your emotions shift around so much I can't get a read on you. You're a twister, taking out half the mid-west. I just try to follow the path of destruction to head you off and save the innocent."

  The bed shook as his musical laugh filled the room. "So, the fact that I am an emotional natural disaster has been thwarting your god-given powers?"

  "And the fact that you can smell my desire—" I gasped as another thought struck me like a truck in an intersection. "Oh god, they can all smell it, can't they?" I buried my face in his chest. "Tham and Aust? Your friends? No. No. No. How do I face them when they know I want to rip off our clothes and roll around naked?"

  Galan chucked my chin, holding it up to meet his gaze. "Verily, pheromones are not quite as informative as you seem to believe. We simply pick up the scent of attraction. I thank you though, for the visual. It is nice to know what you have been thinking."

  I pinched my eyes closed and buried my head back into his chest, fully intending to hide there for the rest of my life.

  "May I ask you something?" His voice was honey-suede, wrapping me in decadence. I shook my head, still buried in hiding. He laughed and ignored my refusal. "Does being a warrior not conflict with your natural passion for healing? I understand the urge to avenge your family, but it seems to me, killing and fighting counters your greatest skills."

  I wasn't sure I liked the change of subject. After a deep breath, I raised my head. "I fight to keep innocents safe, Galan, not just for vengeance or to kill. As a kid, I swore I'd never be a helpless victim again. Reign ensured it. He hired Chiron and I trained for almost fifteen years to become the woman I am."

  Galan's smile was brilliant white in the dim light. "I am enamored by that woman," he whispered, "but would you have chosen the violence of the warrior's path had the world not turned on you?" The depth of sadness in his voice stole my breath.

  "I'll never know, but being part of the fight is everything to me. It's who I am now."

  Galan winced as he shifted under the covers and I became very aware the only thing separating his almost naked body from mine was my thick terry robe and a flimsy pair of boxers. In a fleeting thought I wondered where this might lead.

  I jumped at the rap on the door and the blinding slice of light streaming in from the hall. "I hear voices," Kobi said, swinging the door open. "Is sleeping beauty finally awake?"

  I sat up and tightened my robe. "What are you doing here? I thought you headed out?"

  Kobi set a tray of food on the desk and pulled the chain on the desk lamp. As the room lightened he shot me a scowl. "Like I could leave with Scourge tracking you. If you won't call Reign, you need someone watching your fine ass. And who better for the job than me?"

  Galan's eyes shot across to me.

  "I did call him. I just don't need a babysitter, so I left him a message."

  Kobi pulled out a pack of smokes. "This isn't just about you, Blaze. If you get yourself killed Bruin will kill me and then Reign will cut off my balls. I'm rather attached to all my male parts, fuck-you-very-much." He winced and cupped himself. "Don't roll your eyes at me like I'm being dramatic. You know he will. That man is one seriously scary beast."

  "There's nobody like him," I said.

  "And thank the gods for that," he grumbled. As I made my way over to look at the tray, Kobi lit his cigarette and looked me up and down. "Where did you find that hideous robe?"

  "Inside the armoire."

  "Well it's wacked. It covers all your bells and whistles. You look like a marshmallow."

  I scowled. "Kobal, Demon of hilarity, this is Galan."

  "Call me Kobi." He held out his hand and Galan eyed the large silver thumb ring. "Are you two hungry or what?"

  "Yes, and thanks. I'm famished." Freeing my hair from the robe I looked over the spread.

  "You hungry, sleeping beauty?" Kobi asked.

  "Yes, gratit—" Galan tried to sit up and winced again. "Kobi, might I trouble you on another matter which is even more pressing?"

  "Sure. Shoot."

  "Would you object to helping me into the privy? I am not certain I can venture myself."

  I strode to the footboard of the bed and ducked under the canopy. "Galan, I would have helped you in the bathroom. Why didn't you say something?"

  He threw me a beautiful scowl. "I fancy myself more of a gentlemale than to ask a female I am newly courting to aid me in relieving myself."

  "Well that's stupid."

  Kobi stepped to the side of the bed. "Kids. Kids. It's not a problem, Galan. Are you ready now or did you want to get something to eat first?"

  "No. Most assuredly now."

  Kobi slid under Galan's shoulder and hoisted him off the mattress. Another moment had the two of them shuffling to the en suite. I was unsure if the discomfort on Galan's face was from the poison, becoming vertical or from having to pee-like-ninety.

  Elves . . . Men . . . Elven Men.
/>   I popped a few grapes into my mouth before the water turned on in the next room. A few strawberries later and the bathroom door opened. Kobi strode out, opened the armoire by the window and brought out a pile of fresh towels.

  "What's he doing?"

  "He saw the shower and begged me to get him naked."

  "And you left him alone?" I lunged for the door when Kobi met me, towels in hand.

  "He's all right. I wedged him into the corner and told him not to collapse and crack his head open on the tile while I got the towels. He said, 'I shall try my best.'"

  I raised my hands and took the towels. "I've got this. Thanks."

  "Well, well." Charcoal eyes danced as he grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Has Blaze finally started to smolder—"

  "Goodnight Kobi." I didn't wait for the ribbing I knew he was about to let loose. Stepping into the bathroom I closed us in. Galan was indeed pressed into the corner, arms braced against the opposite wall of the shower. Even unsteady he was a vision standing under the stream of warm water. Tossing my robe onto the pedestal sink I stepped in wearing bra and panties. Same as a bathing suit, in theory, and so lacy thin it'll dry in no time.

  Galan's eyes opened. The astonishment that crossed his face was so funny I had to laugh. "You okay? You look like you might faint."

  His hands were flat against the tile wall, arms braced to hold his weight. "Verily, I may. I was expecting Kobi. You have jostled the very rhythm of my heart coming in here dressed as you are. In my weakened state, it might be too much."

  The shower was spacious for one, but more than cozy for two. I reached under his arm and picked up the fancy flower soap and the facecloth. "I'm your doctor, so I'm sure you'll survive. You're better than you were this morning and by tomorrow you'll be back to full strength. You said you aren't shy and I'd much rather be in here bathing you than Kobi."

  "True enough. Still, I appreciate your sacrifice."

  I lathered the little flower-shaped soap into the facecloth. "I'm all about my bedside manner these days. Someone implied recently it could be improved."

  He chuckled, letting his head drop to rest on his outstretched arm. "I believe you have bettered your services beyond measure."

  Moving the sudsy cloth in slow circles I massaged across the flat plains of his chest, down the curves of his lats, the outsides of his hips and across the cut ridges of his abs. In another instance this would have been deliciously sexy, but he was beginning to fade and needed to get back into bed.

  "I wish I was fit to enjoy the moment," he whispered, his eyes fluttering closed.

  I unhooked the shower head from its mount and slid in behind him. When his backside rubbed against my belly a whole lotta warm and wet slid between us. I bit my lip and tried to breathe. Focus. Running my fingers through his hair, I forced myself not to press up against all that slick sudsy skin. "Maybe when you're feeling better we'll revisit this scenario and you can have a Mulligan."

  "A Mulligan?"

  "Yeah, a Mulligan. A raincheck. Do-over. A gimme. It means you can have another chance at it another time."

  "You are very kind." I heard the smile in his voice.

  It was a crime to hurry, but I rinsed the suds down his back, his hips and his smooth, muscular legs avoiding his man parts with all the will power I had. "All done."

  After finishing the wash-up, I checked that he was steady and nabbed a couple towels. Without fanfare, I dried us off and helped him step into his BVD's. With my robe in place, I helped him into a fresh, clean bed. Huh. Nice. Kobi changed the sweat dampened sheets.

  When Galan's head hit the pillow, he sighed. Horizontal was good. Nobody fell and cracked their heads open when they were horizontal. I snagged the tray of fruit and propped him up enough to brush out his hair while he ate. When he'd finished, I snuggled in beside him and watched the numbers on the clock flip . . . 3:23 am.

  "Gratitude," Galan whispered close to my ear, his warm breath kissing my cheek.

  "For what?" I yawned.

  "Saving my life." He wrapped his arms tighter around me, gathering me close to his side. "Lay your head now, Blossom. We shall speak more in the morrow."

  "Right." I snorted. "Like I could sleep while you rub up against me."

  "Would it be better—" He grinned as I hooked my ankle around his legs and pulled him back in place. "I thought you might prefer space to get some sleep."

  I gave him a quick kiss and closed my eyes. "No. You are perfect right where you are." And he was.

  He really, really was.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Sunshine in my face made it impossible to go back to sleep. Lying motionless across Galan's chest I soaked in my surroundings, the hum of traffic along Spadina, the distant rattle of a breeze coming through the window, the gentle, even breathing of my Highborne bedfellow.

  Opening one eye a crack I peered through the curtain of my crazy hair. It was strewn like red strangleweed, flailing off in every direction. Galan's eyes were closed but the tip of his finger ran a repeating circuit across my shoulder and down the curve of my back, light as the kiss of a feather.

  Sometime in the night, I had eighty-sixed my robe and tossed it. We lay together, wearing only our underthings, sharing the decadent warmth of skin on skin. The blankets were pulled low on his hips, exposing a tight six-pack. My fingers, of their own accord, explored his soft, bare skin. It was no secret Elves didn't have body hair, but to know something and to feel it were two totally different realities. No manscaping necessary.

  Galan's breathing hitched. "Continue stroking me and you shall experience firsthand how an Elven consort pleasures a woman." His bedroom voice was husky and the look he pegged me with was beyond X-rated. I had to tell my heart to calm the hell down as it started to pound. I didn't want to throw off the scent of horny desperation . . . lusty and ready was bad enough.

  When his expression transformed to something wistful, I propped up on my elbows and flipped my hair out of my way. "What are you thinking?"

  He fingered a curl out of my face and shook his head. "How did I think to resist you?"

  "First impressions." I cleared the morning rasp from my voice. "How are you feeling?"

  "Overwhelmed."

  I snuggled against his shoulder, once again surprised by his directness. I was raised in the presence of warriors. Their arm could be severed and hanging by a ligament and they'd insist they were perfectly fine and ready to return to battle. Only a flesh wound.

  "Overwhelmed how?" I asked.

  "In every sense. How shall I tell Aust and the others that they found themselves beset and besieged because of Lia and me? If not for us, their loved ones might not have been lost. How shall I live with the knowledge that the scum who have my sister intend to use her as their pawn? How shall I justify allowing people close to me when that proximity endangers them?" He sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair. "Add to that the conflict between what I know in my logical Elven mind and what I feel with every cell in my body."

  "Okaaay, a little clarification might help that last one."

  He stared up at the ceiling for a long time before he spoke. "Jade, you know your purpose. It is a clear path set before you. My father told me, time and again that I was a non-committal disappointment with no direction and no prospects to win or keep a mate. His berating never truly bothered me until now."

  "Galan, your father is an ass."

  "Mayhap," he rolled onto his side to face me, "yet the truth remains, I yearn to be worthy of you. For you. You deserve more than a male who cherishes you. You deserve a male you are proud to have at your side, a male with skills and purpose and station. As much as I despise it, a male such as Samuel is the logical choice for you."

  "Oh, really?" I lifted my head and glared at him. "Do I get a say in this?"

  He cleared his throat. "What have I to offer? My life is a shamble. I have no home or worth and it is dangerous to even stand next to me on the street. I have lain here since before the sun broke the horizon
and find there is only one logical answer. We should stop this. I would not survive it if the next ambush led to your death."

  "I can take care of myself, thanks." I gathered my hair away from my face and sat up. "This crazy magnetic force drawing us together doesn't have anything to do with your dowry or your station in life. It's not Samuel or someone like him I want—"

  "Yes, but—"

  "—it's you." I pressed my fingers over his lips and held back his objections. "I want the man who went against tradition and raised his infant sister, the man who held his best friend's hand willing her to survive through childbirth, the man who looks into my eyes and touches a place in my soul that has been cold and empty my entire life. You fill that space, Galan. That's what you offer me."

  "Yet in reality, I have no direction . . . in my world or in yours."

  I tucked the sheet tighter under my arms. "I think the reason you haven't figured out your life is because your destiny was so far beyond your valley. Maybe you are Rheagan's heir, destined to save the Realm of the Fair or maybe you'll simply be a loyal friend to Nyssa and Tham and guardian to Ella. The one thing I am sure of is you and I are meant to happen. If your destiny is simply to grow to love me, would that be so bad?"

  His eyes were filled with emotion as he reached to kiss me. "No. To love you is more than I ever dreamed for myself, however, I will not be a kept man. If Tham, Aust and I are to live on your mountain we must earn our keep."

  I nodded. "Fine. Hugh and the merchants are working on some new construction projects. They could probably use some strong, virile men."

  "Virile?" Galan chuckled, shaking his head.

  "What's so funny?"

  He shrugged. "It amazes me you could know about my life and not see me as weak and unworthy." His lack of confidence broke my heart. His father really was an ass.

  "Galan, you think you're worth less than other men because you took a different path than the elders wanted." I shook my head. "I say you're twice the man because you did."

  His lips brushed across my temple. Warm breath tickled the column of my neck as he traced down my jugular and drew a deep breath. He did that a lot.