“I-Inez,” she stammered.
“Inez, huh? Not a very regular name, but I like it.”
Inez swallowed nervously. “Who are you?”
“Vincent.”
Inez blinked. So this was Vincent.
“It's over, isn't it?” she asked.
He shook his head. “It has only begun. You have three days before we will return. Make sure Aledyan is free by then.”
Now it was Inez time to look surprised. She definitely hadn't expected that.
“What makes you so sure that I can set him free?”
“Because I made sure, without Yorin's knowing, that the woman who enters the cave will be the one for Aledyan. You are meant to be here.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up on her feet while he straightened himself. “I will do my best to make sure Yorin doesn't return before the three days are up, but I can't make any promises. He's very stubborn.”
Inez was confused. Who was this man? She had been sure that she was doomed the moment he stepped inside Aledyan's so called bedroom, but Vincent seemed to be protecting her.
“I have to go,” he said and stepped away from her.
“Wait,” she said and he stopped. “Why ...”
“There's no time for a thousand questions. Just make sure Aledyan is set free. It's important.”
She swallowed and could do nothing but nod.
“Thank you,” she said when he turned around to leave.
“Don't,” he said. “I'm not your friend.”
He walked away, and silence filled the cave.
Chapter 14
Aledyan moaned and felt that he was slowly coming around. He opened his eyes with no clue as to how long he had been out. He winced when he saw Inez lie next to him on the ground under a blanket. Another blanket covered him. He assumed she had put it over him.
Then he noticed the urn. He stared at it with hatred, and wished he could destroy it, but he had tried that in the past and had ended up with badly burned hands instead. The urn was protected by magic, but at least it wasn't his enemy right now. Right now it made him stronger again, but only because he had to withstand another draining once Yorin came back.
Inez was asleep. Her face was peaceful and her breathing slow. Instead of waking her up he admired her beautiful features. There was nothing about her that didn't appeal to him. Just one look at her and his heart started to race. That had never happened with other women, but he knew very well why it was happening now. It only happened with the special one, and Inez was his special one. He hadn't understood it immediately, but he understood it now. When she had first walked inside the cave he had still been foggy from all the sleeping he had done the last ten years, his body had still been weak, but now his strength was returning and his mind was becoming clear again, along with his feelings.
His body wasn't only aching from Yorin's chanting, it was aching from being near her, and still not touching her. All he needed to do was reach out, and he would feel her skin against his. He wanted to move closer, embrace her, kiss her and ... The thought of feeling her underneath him, being inside her made him shiver all over from desire. He wanted it, badly, but he also knew what would happen if he gave in. She was the key to his lock, but she was also the lock as much as he was the key.
Inez started to move. He smiled when she opened her eyes and looked at him. She sat up quickly when she saw that he was awake.
“Oh my God,” she said. “Are you alright?”
“Don't worry,” he said. “I'm just a little tender, but it will pass.”
“I thought he would kill you.”
Aledyan smiled. Her obvious concern made him warm on the inside, and her concern was real. He could see it in her eyes.
“I'm too important for him, but he enjoys tormenting me whenever he gets the chance.”
Inez lowered her head. “Yeah, I've realized that.”
“Where did the blankets come from?” he asked.
“Yorin brought a big bag with him for you. I found these blankets in it.”
“How sweet of him,” he said without meaning it.
She really was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He couldn't stop smiling to himself. Even if the situation was far from good, he felt happy. He was sure it was because of her. The presence of Inez calmed him down, but the memory of their kiss set his body on fire.
Without waiting for an invitation, he moved closer and caressed Inez on her cheek. Somewhere in the back of his mind he registered that Inez pulled away from him, but he needed her too much to notice. He leaned down to kiss her, but she turned her head away, avoiding his touch.
He gave her a confused look. “What's wrong?”
“You have some explaining to do,” she said.
“Explain what?”
“What did Yorin mean with that I have to sacrifice myself to save you?”
A cold chill went through Aledyan. He knew he had to tell her eventually, but he didn't know how. He was sure she would change her mind if she found out. He wanted her trust first, but now he was doomed. Inez wanted to know. He could already see her walk away. It didn't matter what he said or did. She would never agree to set him free once she knew the truth.
He was lost.
“I ... ” he started, but was unable to go on.
Inez looked him straight in the eyes. “It's alright, you can tell me. Nothing you say or do will make me want to walk away again.”
He almost jumped from surprise. “Really?”
“Yes,” she said. “Whatever it is we will find a way around it.”
Aledyan doubted there was one, but her faith in him made it easier to say the words. He swallowed hard and knew it was now or never.
“You must take my place.”
Inez was silent for a long time. He couldn't tell what she was thinking. This was nothing like him. Usually he would never ask anyone, especially her, for a thing like this. But he had been in here for such a long time now, and the thought of remaining here yet for God knows how long scared him. Actually, it made him almost freak out even more.
Inez still didn't say anything. Instead, she watched him with an emotionless face, thinking, about what, he still couldn't tell. After a while, she got up on her feet and walked slowly toward the exit.
Aledyan held his breath. His heart was beating so fast that it was almost painful. Was she going to leave after all? She stopped near the exit and just stood there. Something told him that his one and only chance for freedom had just passed him by.
Chapter 15
She had three days. That was what Vincent had said. Three days to set Aledyan free. After that it would be too late. Inez looked at her watch. Eight hours had already passed since Yorin and his men had left. She and Aledyan had slept them away, and it was night outside the cave.
For some reason, Aledyan's words hadn't surprised her. She had expected something like that, and it hadn't made her change her mind. She still wanted to set him free. The attraction she felt for him was strong. The more she looked at him the more she wanted to be in his arms, but it was more than that. She wanted to be with him, every day and every night for the rest of her life. She wouldn't give up on him. Somehow they would find an answer. They had less than three days to figure this out.
Inez lowered her head and sighed. Was there even a future for them? She was a human, he an angel. Once he was out of this cave she wouldn't be able to see him. If she was lucky, she would be able to sense his presence when he was nearby, but that would be all.
Inez turned around and looked at Aledyan. He sat where she had left him, with a worried expression. She believed him when he said that he was unable to touch any other woman but the one who was meant for him. She still had a hard time believing that she was that one since they couldn't be together once he was set free.
Aledyan seemed to be a lot stronger now. His wings were finally up and pressed against his back.
“Show me,” she said.
At first he looked confused, as if he didn't
understand what she meant, but after a while he nodded and sat down on his knees. Slowly he started to expand his wings. He never took his eyes from her.
His wings were huge, bigger than she had expected, but also majestic and strong. The power he radiated when they were fully extended made her knees weak. The wings were dirty, but they must have been white once, and they would be again, once she had set him free.
There was something new in his eyes. Before there had been sorrow and loneliness. That was still there, but now there was also strength and determination. He seemed to grow in confidence with each passing minute.
Inez approached him while he stood up with his wings still unfolded.
“You're going to leave,” he said with a low voice.
Inez tilted her head slightly. “I already told you, I will not walk away again. I just ... needed to collect my thoughts.”
She heard him sigh as if he was relieved.
She grabbed his hand. This simple touch made her long for him even more. All she wanted was to throw herself upon him and forget about everything, forget about Yorin and forget about the chains. Her arms closed around his waist, and she leaned her head against his chest. It felt so good. When his strong and muscular arms closed around her, it felt like she was finally home.
Inez knew what would happen if she touched his wings, and this time she wanted it to happen. A small and wicked smile graced her lips. Slowly she started to glide her hands upon his back, gently caressing him between his wings. Aledyan gasped and his arms tightened around her.
“What are you doing?” he asked when her hand slipped up on one of his wings.
“I'm touching you.”
“That's not what I meant.”
“Don't you want me to?”
“More than you can imagine, but we need to talk.”
“We can talk,” she said, but instead started to search for the place that would set him off.
“You know, touching an angels wings is a very intimate and private act. It will make it difficult to talk.”
“I know,” she said and giggled.
Aledyan took a deep breath. “I see, you're enjoying this.”
“Very much so.”
His wings started to move, and when they closed around her Inez jumped. She hadn't expected him to do that, but she didn't mind. The wings felt soft and tender against her, but also strong and firm, too strong for her to move. She was stuck.
She closed her eyes and leaned against his chest again. She didn't mind being stuck. He felt warm and safe. She had never felt safe before. When his arms caressed her hair and back she felt calm. It was strange, but she trusted him, and needed to be with him. It didn't matter that they had just met because it felt as if she had always known him.
His hands found their way under her t-shirt, his fingers unbuttoned her bra. His wings pulled back a little to make it easier for him. She didn't even try to stop him, she didn't want to. There was so much care behind his every touch. Gently he removed her t-shirt as she lifted her arms up, giving in to him completely. Cold air touched her skin and gave her goose bumps, but his wings were instantly there again, shielding her from the cold when they wrapped around her.
“I thought we were going to talk,” she said when his hands closed around her breasts, discovering them, making her body heat up and her knees weak.
“Talk ... yes ....” he answered with a dreamy look in his eyes. “Soon ...”
Inez silently agreed. First she wanted to feel him, touch him, make him come apart in her arms. When she reached out and started to unbutton his pants he moaned as if in anticipation. She looked straight at him. She saw excitement and nervousness there. A thought crossed her mind.
“This is new to you, isn't it?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “But please, don't stop.”
Inez had no intention of stopping. With every breath her passion increased and became like a raging fire. She was already too lost in her passion to turn back now. Her head was spinning, her breathing came hard, and with each touch or kiss, she sank deeper and deeper into her desire.
Seconds later he stood naked in front of her, his body on fire, ready. She didn't hesitate. She reached out and closed her fingers around his hardened shaft. Aledyan jerked and gasped. It made her happy that she was the one who made him feel in ways he had never felt before.
“Oh my ...” he said between two harsh breaths, and leaned his head against her shoulder as she started to move her hand. She did it slowly and gently, with a teasing touch. His body trembled, his hips moved instinctively on their own. It felt much better when he did that. His moves told her that she was doing it the right way.
“More?” she asked.
He nodded, but didn't give her the chance to decide the next step. Instead, he quickly peeled of her pants and underwear. Within seconds she stood naked in front of him. Aledyan didn't wait. His hands were suddenly everywhere, touching and playing with every inch of her body. She had wanted to make him come apart in her arms. Instead, it was she who came apart in his. He was as lost in the sensation as she was. Kissing, touching, pulling her closer and closer to the edge.
Aledyan turned them around so that she stood with her back against the cave wall. With his wings still around her, he pressed her against the wall, shielding her from the cold rock. His mouth was on hers, never letting go while his hands lifted her from the ground and placed her legs around his waist. He was stronger than she had expected him to be, lifting her as if she weighed nothing.
His hand sank down between her legs. Inez could barely believe this was happening, but then his hand was on her. He felt if she was ready, and she knew she was. He moved closer, and his shaft pressed against her.
The anticipation grew.
Oh, God. This was it.
With one determined stroke, he entered her, making them both cry out with pleasure.
Chapter 16
Aledyan had never experienced anything like this. He didn’t believe that there could be anything better than being in the arms of Inez or inside the deepest part of her. All thought fled, and only emotion remained. His body took what it needed. Faster, harder, searching for release. Her whimpers made him crave it even more. He never wanted it to end.
He almost didn't notice when the chains around his wrists became warm. It was only for a split second, when his mind registered the difference that he noticed that something was going on. The closer to the edge he came the warmer the chains became. They never burned him, it was only the magic in them working.
Working to set him free ...
“Oh, God, no!“ he shouted with force. That wonderful feeling he aimed for grabbed ahold of him the same moment that she arched her back and tightened around him, screaming with pleasure. He felt the energy start uncoiling in his spine until it shot right through his entire being and then into his ready shaft. In the last second, he drew back from her and exploded outside of her with a roar that echoed within the cave.
“Damn it,” he moaned as he sank quivering to his knees, dragging her tenderly down with him when it was over.
Inez put her hands on his cheeks with concern in her eyes. “What's wrong?”
He was still panting and felt warm all over.
“If I had come inside you ...”
He raised his hands and showed her the chains. At first she looked confused, then she gasped.
“You would have been free now,” she said. “Why didn't you take the chance?”
He shook his head. “Not like this, not without your approval. I wasn't thinking when we started, and the last thing I want is to hurt you.”
Inez stared at him, with awe in her eyes.
“You didn't take the chance,” she said and looked surprised. “After being in here for over two hundred years you didn't take the chance when it was offered to you.”
“Should I have?” he wondered.
“I guess anyone else would have.”
“I'm not anyone else.”
�
��No, you're not,” she said and smiled.
It was as if she looked at him with new eyes, and Aledyan liked it.
He placed his hand against her cheeks. “We really need to talk now.”
“I agree,” she said.
They got up and reluctantly put their clothes back on.
Aledyan felt that his strength was returning fast. He felt really good now, standing strong on his legs. His wings didn't feel heavy anymore, and they were finally pressed against his back. It was a good feeling. He would make sure that they stayed there this time. His head was also clear. He no longer felt as if he was on something, no longer wondered if the things he saw were real or part of a dream. No more dizziness, no more weakness. Whatever energy kick Yorin had given him, Aledyan clearly felt that it worked. He was back, and there would be hell to pay now.
Chapter 17
Inez noticed that Aledyan looked different. His legs didn't shake anymore when he walked. He seemed more clear in his head and his eyes had a determined look. The change in him made her see what kind of angel he was. He was a strong and dangerous warrior, a warrior that knew how to hold a sword and how to take down his enemies.
For a second, she wondered if he was ashamed that she had seen him in his weakest state, but it didn't look like it. Instead, he smiled, and the determination in his eyes made her feel weak instead, but in a good way. It made her feel weak for him. She didn't want to stop looking at him. The raw power he was radiating now made her long for him again, and again, and again.
He never walked far away from her. Instead, he stayed close to her, always holding her hand or touching her. Aledyan made a satisfied sigh.
“You are so beautiful,” he said and caressed her face with the back of his hand. “I want to take you for a flight.”
Inez stared at him. She knew exactly what he meant. “I'm not sure that's such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I'm not fond of heights.”
He put on a wry smile and looked up. He seemed to measure how high it was to the ceiling. Inez looked up too and thought that it appeared to be about forty feet high.
Angel in chains (Forever yours) Page 5
