Paladin (Book Two of the Elemental Paladins series)

by Montana Ash

  “Darius …” Diana’s voice was husky and a just a little breathless. Well, he wanted her a lot breathless.

  “Yes?”

  “Get up here.” She demanded. Wasn’t she cute? She seemed to think she was in charge.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like the view from down here. Besides, it allows for easy access to one of my favourite places.” Leaning forward he parted her soft folds and began to devour her with no further preliminaries. She released a thin scream and gripped his head by the ears, pulling him up slightly higher. She knew what she liked and wasn’t afraid to ask for it; she was so damn sexy and beautiful. He loved everything about her; her smell, her taste, the way her internal muscles sucked his fingers right in. It took only minutes for her to be bucking and screaming out his name. Instead of backing off, he gripped her butt cheeks hard in his hands and forced her up that precipice of pleasure/pain once again.

  After her second orgasm in as many minutes, her knees buckled and he caught her up, placing her perfect butt on the vanity. She smiled saucily and crooked her finger at him, spreading her legs wide in invitation. He didn’t need to be asked twice. He stripped in record time – no strip-tease this time, that memory was still somewhat mortifying – and took his place between her thighs. Leaning over, he brushed his lips over hers in a heated, slow kiss, enjoying the play of her tongue against his.

  Pulling back, she smiled at him and ran her palm over his new brand. “Sexy.” She said.

  “I’m glad you think so.” He also thought the dark lines against her latte skin were incredibly sexy. “I love you.” He whispered then, and thrust inside her in one smooth stroke. He groaned at the exquisite feel of her heat surrounding him and began to move in slow, steady motions. The last couple of times they were together he had been overcome by either lust or alcohol. He wanted this time to be perfect.

  “I love you too, but if you don’t get your sexy arse into gear, I’m going to kill you.” She glared at him, raking her nails over his chest and across his nipples. Seems she didn’t appreciate slow and steady. Giving her what she wanted, he began to power into her, their shared cries echoing off the tiled walls. He thought he may have passed out for a moment or two as he came, seeing stars behind his eyelids and going momentarily deaf. Diana appeared just as blissed out, slumped back against the mirror, her dark curls stuck to her face and chest and her gorgeous grey eyes closed. Smiling in satisfaction, he lifted her once again and lowered her into the waiting bubble bath.

  “Hmm …” She murmured, opening her eyes to peer up at him. “Thank you. That was amazing.” She said, holding out her hand. He took the offering, slipping in behind her and pulling her between his legs.

  “Well, I did owe you after the night you gave me.” He admitted, tangling their legs together.

  She stilled. “You remember that?”

  He ran the soapy bubbles up and over her breasts, loving the slippery feel it created. “I remember everything. Thank you for giving me my deepest fantasies. I’m sorry I forgot, even for a moment. Whiskey and I don’t really mix.”

  She chuckled at that, turning over and sloshing water everywhere. She pecked a quick kiss to his lips but he grabbed her head, prolonging the moment. She pulled back gasping. “I think you’re cute when you’re drunk, Dare.”

  “No. Hell no. You are not calling me that.”

  She chuckled evilly and leaned forward to suck up a kiss on his neck “But just think about all the things I could dare you to do …”

  He perked up at that. He never backed down from a challenge. “Like what?”

  “Well, I dare you to …” What she whispered had him surging from the bath in one motion with her in his arms.

  Good thing they had all day.

  THIRTY-ONE

  As it turned out, they had two days, Diana thought as she waited outside for the rest of her Order to join her. Two glorious days, spent largely in her bedroom while she and Darius made love on every surface possible. They had only ventured out for food and water and the good-natured teasing that accompanied such excursions of course. The camp was happy for them both and no-one seemed concerned that another couple had been made in the house. Man, she loved the lot of them. It had also taken the full two days for Max to completely recover and for Ryker to allow her out of bed. That morning however, Ry had received a phone call from the IDC – they were all in town and their presence was requested immediately.

  Diana was nervous – they all were. They had been informed that Max was up on charges for forming an unsanctioned Order and assaulting and maiming a Warden and paladins. Naturally, they had reported Ignatius and his Order to the appropriate authorities immediately after returning from Caspian’s. Caspian, Leo and Lawson had filed separate charges and Ivy’s personal account also held a lot of weight. The Fire Warden and his five paladins had been remanded in custody and would also face charges today. Caspian and his Order had visited the previous evening with thanks and questions. They had all made a complete recovery and Max had revealed to them that she was a Custodian, not a Life Warden as they had presumed. Cas had taken it well, pledging his support and any aid they might need, from bended knee. Max had blushed furiously and all but yanked the poor Water Warden up by the hair to get him to stand; ‘Jeez, Cas. Don’t do that. It makes me feel like a real dick!’ After that, they had all stayed for dinner and they had finally played the poker game they were supposed to the night of the attack. Max had won – she was a total shark – big surprise. By the Goddess, she hoped today went well. She didn’t know what would happen if the council decided to punish Max. Hell, she didn’t even know if the council could punish Max. Max wasn’t likely to let that happen and they sure would not allow anyone to touch their liege. The day was going to be fraught with danger.

  “Don’t look like that. Everything is going to be fine.” A masculine voice resonated from behind her as warm arms wrapped her up tight. Diana basked. She loved being in Darius’s arms.

  “I’m worried.” She confessed. She felt the sigh move through his broad chest.

  “I am too.” He spun her around. “But it will all work out.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because it has to. And I think it’s supposed to. All this …” he gestured broadly to the pristine environment around them, “it’s meant, I think. I’ve known it for a long time but it scared the beejesus out of me. I couldn’t stop one word from reverberating in my head and it terrified me that I was going to be a part of it.”

  She didn’t need to ask what word he was referring to; revolution. She felt the same way. In fact, Verity had told her as much hundreds of years ago when she had first pledged her allegiance to him. “Verity knew this was going to happen, you know. He told me I wasn’t destined to be by his side forever, but that I would be needed elsewhere. He also told me that you were supposed to be mine – that fate was a fickle wench and she couldn’t be dodged, no matter how stubborn one’s heart.” She revealed.

  “Really?” His eyebrows winged up. “I’d heard rumours he was precognitive. They were true?”

  She nodded, feeling grief well up with thoughts of her previous liege. He was an amazing man and had achieved amazing things in his lifetime. His presence was sorely missed in their society. “They were true. And I trusted him implicitly. I knew if I waited long enough, you would get your arse into gear and –”

  “Throw you up against a wall and have his wicked, knightly way with you?”

  Diana spun, scowling at Axel for his interruption. “You had better be careful. Darius won’t give you his room if you’re not nice.”

  “I apologise. I have nothing to say. Nope, nothing to say over here.” He mimed zipping his lips and Bey and Lark laughed at his antics, coming up behind him. Darius was moving into her suite of rooms – she needed her walk-in closet like she needed air – and Axel would be moving into Darius’s old attic bedroom. He said his mental health couldn’t hold out against the sounds constantly coming from Max and Ryker’s room.
Diana was only glad that her room was on the opposite side of the house so nobody could hear her begging … or Darius begging. She loved when he did that.

  “So, are we all ready to face the firing squad?” Diana groaned at Max’s flippant comment. Ryker, Cali and Max had just closed up the house and made their way over.

  “Not funny, Max. The IDC is no joking matter.” Her man scolded.

  Max just smiled. “Group hug?”

  They just rolled their eyes at her, except for Axel who picked her up and squeezed her breathless. Ryker smacked him up the side of the head, “Hands off my woman.”

  “Boy, you guys sure are possessive. Darius threatened me with castration for patting the lovely Diana’s rump this morning.”

  Darius bared his teeth at the shameless flirt, “It wasn’t a threat.”

  Axel just laughed, not afraid of the older paladin in the slightest. Zombie chose that moment to come gambolling around the house, running around in circles before parking his furry rear on the ground in front of Max and smiling up at her. He was absolutely freaking adorable!

  “You can’t come, buddy.” Max apologised, bending down to give him a scratch.

  The puppy was a wonderful addition to the family and though he spread his puppy love equally to every member of the household, Diana knew Max was his master. He had plumped up over the last few days, losing his too-skinny appearance and his coat was now soft and glossy – albeit still a strange mix of colours and patterns. She knew Max had shared some of her vitality with the dog in order for him to heal completely and quickly. Ryker hadn’t even chastised her for it. He was just as smitten with the little creature as the rest of them. Zombie gave a kind of growling yip, as if to disagree with Max. Max replied as though she could understand him – and maybe she could.

  “I mean it, Zombie. We’ll be back in no time. You just hang around here and play with Bert or something, okay?”

  Diana couldn’t believe the little slater bug was still hanging around. But he could frequently be found out in the garden or in the kitchen. Looks like they officially had two pets now. She wouldn’t be surprised if the place turned into a menagerie before long. Max really did have a thing for strays – thank the Goddess for that, she thought.

  Glancing toward said woman, she saw the smile on her face and mirrored it. Darius was right; everything was going to be fine.

  THIRTY-TWO

  Darius gave Diana’s hand one last squeeze as he stepped out of the car and watched as Ryker did the same. They had decided not to draw attention to their personal situations at this time. They had enough to deal with, without throwing that into the mix. They were all also wearing long sleeves once again in an attempt to hide their coats of arms. They had every intention of disclosing Max’s Custodian status to the International Domain Council but they wanted to get through the hearing first without the added complication of explaining Max’s unique – and still unexplainable – origins. He was hoping that the council would be able to provide some answers regarding her lack of memory. As old as he was, half the members of the council were even older. Surely, one of them would have knowledge of Custodians. In addition, Max didn’t want the council to be biased by her background or her possible powers; she wanted a fair trial.

  They made their way inside, flanking Max from all directions and ignoring the whispers and dark looks thrown their way. They received nods and smiles from their allies; Caspian and his paladins, Kai, Kane and Kellan, Fawn and even Ray from the local council gave small waves, showing their support. Darius saw Beyden nod to his sister across the room. She was at the front under the raised platform where all seven members of the International Domain Council were already seated … and guarding a very sick looking Ignatius and five shame-faced paladins. Ivy was flanked by two other Rangers – both male. They were big bastards and just as expressionless as Ivy often appeared to be. Although Darius knew she wasn’t as cold as she seemed, having also visited in the last couple of days. They had told her about Max also, they didn’t really have much of a choice given her eye witness account of the proceedings at Caspian’s. She had received the significant information with surprising warmth and equanimity and had given her word that she would tell no-one. Darius believed her. She was cut from the same cloth as him when it came to her responsibilities.

  Max paused and he could feel the nervous energy pouring through the bond; Max was edgy now. He couldn’t really blame her. The seven figures seated at the front of the room made an imposing image. He had met all of the council members on several occasions and he genuinely liked most of them. Garrett, was the Life Warden representative and was the power house behind the council. His wife, Autumn, was the Earth Warden delegate and they had been married for over a thousand years, back when formal marriages between wardens was commonplace. He believed they could rely on them to be fair and just. Now Cinder, on the other hand, they could not trust. Her domain was Fire and she also happened to be Magda’s mother and Ignatius’s grandmother. Talk about bias! Ares, from Air and Ravyn from Beast were likewise conservative in their beliefs and were instigators of some of their stricter rules and regulations, Darius knew. Blu was the Water delegate and a funny old bastard. Darius had no idea how old he truly was but he was one of the few wardens around to actually look like he had aged. And finally, there was Mordecai. He was a Death Warden and very serious all of the time. He was reserved, cold and aloof and Darius could never figure out what he was thinking or what side of the fence he sat on. He didn’t think they could consider him an ally, no matter what Cali and Diana seemed to think. They thought the Scotsman was ‘hot’. He scowled at the dark haired, middle-aged looking man with the green eyes and Scottish accent. Darius couldn’t see it. He also didn’t like the way the man seemed to be staring at Max, his gaze serious and intent. Darius shifted slightly, nudging Max to the side and out of the Warden’s line of sight. Mordecai’s gaze flicked to him but didn’t reveal anything. No, Darius thought, he most definitely did not see the appeal of those shark eyes.

  “Everyone be seated.” Garrett spoke presently, giving Ryker a small nod of encouragement and acknowledgement. Darius exhaled in relief; he knew he was correct about the Life Warden.

  The Order made their way to their assigned seats with Ryker sitting on Max’s left and himself on her right. The rest of the team lined up behind them and remained standing at attention.

  “Max,” Garrett began, “it is a pleasure to finally meet you, although the circumstances could be better.” His smile was kind as he looked at her from blue eyes.

  “Hello. Lovely to meet you too. Thank you so much for recommending your trainers as temporary guides and guardians. They have been absolutely wonderful and are a credit to your society.”

  There was some rumbling over that one and smirks on some faces but Garrett just smiled. “I am glad they have made you feel welcomed.”

  “Not everybody has.” Max informed him, getting right to the point and eliciting more grumbling.

  “So we are aware.” He acknowledged.

  “That is correct. So let us address the charges, shall we?” Ravyn suggested, snidely.

  Garrett sighed as he looked at his fellow council member but did as he bid; “Max, you are accused of forming an Order without authority and without formal sanction from the local council, nor the International Domain Council. You are furthermore accused of attacking a Warden and an Order, resulting in grievous bodily harm. New charges as of this morning, include attempted murder.”

  “What?” Ryker snarled. They had not been informed of those charges.

  “After listening to the statement of the Warden involved, we had no other choice but to add on the additional charges.” Blu revealed.

  Darius thought it was mighty unfair that Ignatius had been able to spread his lies before the meeting but Max had not been given the opportunity to share her side in privacy. She seemed fairly unconcerned though, smiling and flashing her lone dimple at the male members of the council;

  “
What if I promised not to strangle any more arsehole creeps – even when they clearly deserve it? Would that help?” She smiled innocently and fluttered her lashes up at the council. Blu actually snorted, even as he smiled and Garrett shook his head, sighing almost in resignation,

  “You, my dear, are far too charming for your own good.”

  Before anyone could reply, Cinder exploded out of her chair and rounded on her fellow council members. “You cannot be serious! Charming? She is an outrage! She has insulted the local council, threatened the local paladins with physical harm, used powers that are untrained, untested and unstable! She has surrounded herself with outcast paladins – even bonded with them – and openly supported deviant homosexuals! She has physically assaulted a Warden, almost killing him and his sworn paladins. And on top of all that … I have it on good authority that she is having an intimate relationship with one of her paladins without permission!”

  The murmurs in the room had grown steadily in volume as the long list of Max’s perceived sins were catalogued. Looking around at the disbelieving and shocked faces, even Darius had to admit that it sounded like she had been very busy lately. Lark gave her a friendly nudge with his elbow;

  “You are such a rebel! My cool status increases exponentially just by standing next to you!” Darius shook his head. Lark was such a dork.

  Garrett cleared his throat as he intoned, “Max, Warden of the Order of Aurora …” That resulted in even more murmurs – the formal acknowledgement of her Order from the council was very unexpected and surprised Darius hugely. He had taken it upon himself to register their Order with the council the previous evening, wanting Max’s Order recognised. He was also hoping to make up for all the time he had been acting like an arsehole lately and hoped that naming the Order after Ryker’s suggestion of her name all those weeks ago, would earn him some points.