“Lizbeth?”
“I’m here, my love.”
“Remind me never to make your Gypsy mad at me.”
“I’ll protect you, Midnight. I’ll protect you.”
Chapter Eleven
Liz snuck out to watch the sunrise. Slathered with sunscreen and protective shades, she studied the people of the sleepy little town as they started their day. A dog barked excitedly until a woman with two children clinging to her skirts threw him a piece of bacon. A shop owner unlocked his door, stretching and smiling at the arriving day. To them this had just been another week, full of bills and dates and homework. They had no idea that a supernatural battle had taken place at the edge of town only a few days before. Only this time, instead of werewolves versus vampires, it was good versus Shadow. It was surreal, walking amongst humans. And wonderful.
All the memories of her old life were dark and full of hardship, but this morning she found herself recalling her own morning rituals. Her favorite younger brother’s smile of thanks as she handed him the shirt she’d patched up for him. Blushing when she asked how it’d been torn in the first place.
To Malcolm, who hadn’t had those recollections, it must have seemed like an alternate universe. Had he ever wished to be different? To be human the way she’d wished to be like him?
She turned back toward Haven, knowing she’d done this to say goodbye. Her heart would always have a place for Malcolm, he’d been so good for her. And he’d loved her. But the part of her that had been filled with guilt, the part that had been trying to prove herself worthy of her deceased husband, was finally at peace.
Midnight. He’d been recovering for the last few days. Quiet. But she knew he was still tormented. He’d been through so much. To finally regain his memory, only to learn everything he’d thought he knew about his life had been a lie. His father wasn’t responsible for the secret society of Shadow Wolves and Truebloods bent on creating chaos from within. And his mother. His mother was far from the sainted victim he’d always imagined her.
She didn’t know what else she could do.
The ivory box.
“What?” Liz looked down the narrow alley she’d just passed. No one was there. She could have sworn she heard…no, she was just talking to herself again. With Malcolm’s voice. She needed to get back to Midnight.
She ran lightly up the stairs, shaking her head at the unmistakable sounds of pleasure coming from the other apartment. Jasyn and Hannah were still at it. They’d barely come up for air since they’d returned.
Zander and Regina had taken the children to the ruins for some family time. Alexei had come out of his trance knowing Nicolette was gone. He still hadn’t spoken, poor child, but Regina said he wasn’t blocking her anymore. He just needed time. Before they left, the Mediator had told Liz that the clans were in agreement. After they’d given everyone some time to recover from the shock, the Clan Trust would convene and sign the new treaty. The Nocturne Treaty. Named for Nicolette. She would have liked that.
Max was still missing, though Kit seemed sure he was alive. He could be right. He had married into the right family to know. She hoped so. Dealing with Nicolette’s death had been more than she could handle.
Wyley had gone back to Dydarren land with Lux and his family until it was time for the treaty signing. He’d told her life was so exciting in Europe that he might stay for a while longer. She’d sent him with a letter for the Devas, telling them she’d come to them soon, and promising that they would always be taken care of. Just because she was Trueblood now didn’t mean she would forget where she came from.
A long, loud moan echoed through the hallway, and she sighed. She had to admit, she was jealous. She needed her mate.
The door opened, and he grabbed her from behind. Pressing her against the wall. “I woke up, and you were gone.” Her clothes disappeared, and she gasped at his thick erection prodding her hip. “I’ve spent the last hour listening to those damn Weres fucking and wishing I was inside you.”
She moaned when he slid his hand between her and the wall, cupping the mound of her swiftly heating pussy. “You knew where I was. All you had to do was ask.” She would have come running, she wanted him so badly.
But he wasn’t listening. “I think you need to be punished, wildcat. Go kneel on the bed for your mate.”
Liz shivered. This was what she wanted, her wild man, her aggressive lover. She bit the inside of her cheek to hide her smile. “Telling me what to do again?”
The hand on her sex tightened, and he growled. “Bed. Now.” She obeyed, crawling up onto the bed slowly, catlike, looking over her shoulder to see what he’d do next.
His indigo eyes were dark with need. “Spread your legs wider, grathita. I want to see what belongs to me.”
She breathed in deeply, her knees separating until she felt the cool air brushing against her sensitive clit. She knew he could see how wet she was already, how hot he was making her. Knew he could scent her arousal filling the room. But he didn’t move.
Her lashes fluttered, hair falling over her arm as she watched his large hand stroking the cock she wanted in her mouth, in her ass, everywhere. Why was he making her wait? “Midnight…”
“I know, wildcat. I know what you need.” He stalked toward her, the jaguar in him shining through, playing with her the way he had when they first met. “I’m not playing, Lizbeth. I’m deciding.”
“Deciding?”
“Where I want to take you first. How I want to make you come. Lower your arms, that’s right, present that sweet ass to your mate.” She laid her hot cheek against the cover, panting now as he knelt on the bed behind her, still stroking himself, still not giving her what she needed.
Her hand reached between her legs, needing the pressure, but Midnight wasn’t about to let that happen. In fact, she had a feeling it was exactly what he was waiting for. “Bad girl. I seem to remember promising to tie you up. Do you need to be tied up, wildcat? Do you need me to tie you to the bed and take you any way I want?”
“Aye. Yes. I need it.” She ignored her warrior’s pique and embraced the part of her that needed to be controlled. Dominated by her mate. He touched her at last, flipping her onto her back and up to the top of the bed, where scarves were already dangling from the headboard. Two scarves on each side. She sent him a questioning glance.
Midnight’s wicked smile made her heart pound. He tied her hands above her head without a word, tugging to ensure they were strong enough. And then he reached back, his fingers wrapping around her ankles. “What are you doing?”
“Now, now. You said you needed it. You wanted it. Wanted me to tie you up so I can lick and fuck and take any part of you I wish, anyway I choose. Are you saying I can’t?”
Great Mother. Was he really going to…? Yes. Yes he was. Her knees bent toward her shoulders and she watched wide-eyed as he tied her ankles beside her wrists, leaving her wide open to his gaze. Completely vulnerable to his touch.
“You’re so beautiful like this.” He ran his fingers over the lips of her pussy, sliding through the liquid heat of her, making her whimper. “I don’t know how I lasted a day without tasting your honey.” He bent his head to press an open mouthed kiss against her clit.
Her hips were high in the air, making it nearly impossible for her to thrust closer to his mouth, his fingers that were caressing the entrance of her sex, slipping in and out lightly. Too lightly.
“More.”
“Yes, my fiery wildcat. Tell me what you want.”
She licked her lips, rocking against her bonds, needing more, needing him now. “It’s been too long. I can’t take the teasing. I need more. I need you to fuck me.”
He straightened above her, rubbing his cock against the cheeks of her ass, her thighs. “You want my cock? “ He wiggled the head of his erection against her swollen clit.
“Aye. I want it. I crave it. Please.”
She saw his eyes close and his body shuddered beside her. He wanted to torture her, wanted to
play, but the need for his mate was too strong. All he could think of was getting inside her, deep as he could go.
“Aye, Midnight. Punish me later. Right now I need you to fuck me, deep as you can go. Over and over and over again.” He leaned in one hand gripping the headboard while the other guided his hard cock to her pussy. He had to curve his body over hers to get inside, her tied legs angling her hips until they were parallel with the ceiling.
“I’ve missed this. Goddess, Lizbeth. Fuck.”
He was shafting her. The position sending his cock so deep inside her she couldn’t hold back. With every hard jackhammer thrust, she cried out his name. “That’s right, wildcat. Scream for me. Tell me how much you love my cock inside you. Only mine, mate. No one else’s.”
“I love your big cock. Fuck me harder. Aye. Don’t stop. Only you, Midnight. Only you. Love you. Oh Goddess, Yes!” She loved it. Loved the feeling of being taken. Of being totally out of control. Loved her mate touching her again, seeing her.
“I’m sorry, grathita. So selfish. I’ve been so selfish.”
“Never. No my love.”
“I love you. Yes, Lizbeth. Take it all. Baby, I’m in you so deep.”
Their moans filled the room, and he banged the headboard against the wall with the strength of his thrusts. Harder and faster until Liz was wondering if a person could die from pleasure.
She watched her mate above her. His fangs were bared, the tendons in his neck straining. She watched the blood pulsing through his veins, and her mouth watered. She needed to bite him. She needed to feel that sinful liquid pouring down her throat as he came.
“Fuck, wildcat.” His muttered growl vibrated against her neck as he sunk his teeth into her flesh. She bit his shoulder and came at the first, exquisite taste of his blood. Her pussy tightened around his shaft as he too found his climax.
“Aye. So good. So bloody good.”
“Mine. Tell me you’re mine.”
“You know I am. I belong to you. I’ve always belonged to you.”
His thrusts slowed, each nourishing the other as their bodies continued to pulse with aftershocks. To Liz it felt like she could finally breathe again. Like everything was going to be fine. Better than fine. Perfect.
They licked each other’s bite marks slowly, languidly. Midnight untied her and curled her against his cooling body, unwilling to separate from her long enough to cover them with the blanket.
Ivory box.
Midnight heard. He tensed against her. He didn’t ask her why she was hearing his brother’s voice in her head, but she cursed the intrusion just the same. “That’s the second time this morning that I’ve heard it.”
“I know.”
“Did you carve that ivory jewelry box?” She lifted up onto her elbow to study his closed expression. There had to be a reason it was on her mind. She knew it.
“Most of it. The last time I worked on it, it wasn’t finished.”
Cursing herself for spoiling the mood, she knew she wouldn’t be able to let it go. She had to follow her instincts. She dragged herself out of his arms and crawled off the large bed. Her legs were quivering, her body still tingling. She wanted him again. Already. She was turning into a nymphomaniac.
“That’s a hobby I could get behind.” Liz chuckled at his muttered reply. She went into the closet to pull out her knapsack, carrying it back to the bed. She sat Indian style as she dug through the contents, smiling as her hand curved around the fragile box.
“Do you know when I saw this for the first time it was right before I came to find Jasyn. And you. I couldn’t stop looking at it. I had to take it with me, keep it close. I never knew why.”
Midnight sat up, holding his hand out for Liz to hand it over to him. His full lips quirked, and she studied his face. The scar was gone. In a way she missed it. It had been a part of him for so long. Her wild man.
His raised brow was the only indication he was following her thoughts. “I spent a lot of time hiding in the tunnels and my room. I had an image to maintain, but it was exhausting to keep that kind of wastrel schedule. When I was supposed to be involved in some blood servant orgy, or causing general mayhem, I’d be curled up on my bed carving this box.” He shrugged. “It helped me think.”
“The snakes?”
“They were the secrets, the traitors in our midst, swarming around the Trueblood foundation. I’d carved out the top but I didn’t add these other designs. Malcolm must have finished it for me. The moon is easy enough. Malcolm was a devout follower of the Mother.”
Liz nodded. “And the thistle is a Scottish flower. That’s why I thought it was meant for me.”
“Maybe it was. Not sure what this design is…though it looks like…Lizbeth, do you still have Malcolm’s dagger?”
She reached back into the knapsack and pulled it out. “Always. Mal made me promise to always keep it with me. Although why I’d need a dagger…what are you doing?”
She watched as Midnight studied the dagger. He started to smile, rubbing one of the raised designs just so, causing an oddly shaped pick to pop out from the hilt. “He was always the clever one.” He stuck the pick into the strange, unexplained design in the corner and jiggled.
The box clicked. It had been a trick lock. No wonder she couldn’t open it. “Why would he finish your box and then make the key to it so hidden?”
“Only one way to find out.”
Liz wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Another secret Malcolm didn’t tell her. What if he was in league with the asura? There were some things she just didn’t want to know. She looked. “It’s a letter.”
Midnight paled. “Read it.”
She unfolded the crinkly brown parchment, looking at the top of the first page. “It’s for you. But if he thought you were dead…” Midnight stood and looked in the mirror. “Read it, Lizbeth.”
“My Dearest Brother,
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you, don’t wonder where you are, or look for you in each new face I see. Sometimes I walk through the village in the morning, wondering if you are hiding around the corner, ready to sneak up on me and laugh, telling me this was one of your more elaborate practical jokes. I miss those jokes.
I do not believe you are dead as they claim, not anymore. After the war, things didn’t add up. Father isn’t the same man he was when we were children, and he’s raising Sebastian to be a weak-minded dandy. But it’s more than that. This house has eyes. And I, taking a lesson from my older brother (two minutes older, but you never let me forget it), kept my eyes open. And I found something.
But before I tell you what it is, I also wanted to let you know I am married. I knew from the moment I saw her that Elizabeth was special. That she deserved everything I could give her and more. She had such a hard life for one so young, so I took her into my heart.
She is not my grathita, though I won’t lie and say the knowledge doesn’t pain me. Yet when we could not share Unity it hit me like a message from the Goddess herself. Elizabeth is yours. I know in my heart that it is true. There is a fire in her that matches yours. And your same streak of stubbornness that always charmed me. I love her all the more for it, because she is a piece of my beloved brother’s heart. I promise to keep her safe for you, Marcus. And teach her all she needs to know to survive if anyone should find out that I am continuing your good works.
I knew you were deceiving me. You’re my twin, Marcus. We are connected. When I discovered your suspicions, I did some digging of my own. On the next page you’ll find a list of all the current members of asura saMsaki. I couldn’t believe they really existed, but you were right all along.
I miss you. More with every day that passes. I cannot speak your name, nor tell Elizabeth about you, for fear I will unman myself and weep like a babe. You were always the strong one. Always the one that hid our secrets. The Midnight Fog. But this one secret I’ll keep for you until you return.
Malcolm”
Liz wiped the tears from her eyes. He knew. He�
��d always known. She looked up to find Midnight on his knees, his head bowed over in grief. But it was a healing grief. His brother hadn’t given up on him. Hadn’t believed he was dead. And he’d found the list of names that would protect his people. But it wasn’t his secret to tell. In his mind, that honor belonged to Midnight.
She dropped the letter and went to embrace her mate. With the list Malcolm had found, Zander would be able to clean house. To make sure the demon coalition was punished and disbanded.
And Midnight knew he’d been loved. They’d both been loved. By a true hero, no matter what he thought of himself. Midnight caught and held her gaze. “I was angry at him for leaving me to rot, for loving you, for not seeing the truth. Was I right about anything?”
“We’ve both been foolish, my love. But for the first time in a long time, the past is past. And the future is looking bright.”
He pulled her into his arms. “As long as you’re by my side, wildcat.”
She smiled at him, wiggling in his lap suggestively. “Not even Elvis could drag me away.”
“I warned you about mentioning other men.”
“Yes you did. I obviously haven’t learned my lesson. I may need to retake the class.”
About the Author
Stolen away by a free-spirited Gypsy as a child (though she still swears she’s my mother), I spent my childhood roaming the countryside, meeting fascinating characters and having amazing adventures. As the perpetual “new kid”, my friends more often than not were found between the pages of a book…and in my own imagination. I read everything I could get my hands on. At the age of 11, I read my first romance and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’ve been a nurse, a lead vocalist in several bands, a published lyricist and even a returning university student majoring in Anthropology and Mythology. Throughout all of my varied careers, I would sigh as I read one fantasy-filled story after another saying, “Someday I want to write one of those,” until one day my husband said, “So do it.” And I did. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Midnight Falls: Children of the Goddess, Book 4 Page 16
