This could be the last time she traveled with him, their last night together.
8
Kagan closed his eyes and rose through the vortex with Mira, carrying her high above the rooftops of downtown Chicago. The Hancock Building shown in the distance, the round spires of the Marina Center, the iconic old Water Tower.
He turned and headed toward the Willis Tower again at a slow pace, enjoying the feel of her in his arms and the wind against his face.
She was quiet, nestled in his arms, deep in thought. He didn’t want to disturb her, so he cradled her close, careful with his precious cargo. He wasn’t sure what to do. The city passed below them, a stream of lights and noises, but he kept his focus on the distant tower, considering everything Mira had said. She’d relieved him of his duty, proclaimed his mission for her complete. There was no reason for him to remain here with her now. He could return to the heavenly realms and continue his observations of the first Seal’s host remotely.
Except he didn’t want to go back.
Glancing down, Kagan wished he could see Mira properly, wished she would speak to him. The vortex surrounding them suddenly felt heavy and cumbersome to maneuver, and his heart ached. He wanted to stay with Mira.
She pressed closer against him, silent. Not even flying past the pinnacle of the Willis Tower drew a reaction from her tonight. She didn’t smile. Just kept her head on his shoulder, her breathing slow and soft, her fingers clutching his clothes.
He wanted her to smile again.
He wanted things to be as they had before Argus had revealed his true nature and purpose.
Kagan flew higher and Mira buried her face against him, her fear pulsing through their shared connection.
“I will never let you go,” he whispered close to her ear and held her safe in his arms. He stopped their ascent and hovered, the vortex around them swirling, stationary. “You do not need to fear, Mira. I’ll catch you if you fall.”
She pulled away then to look at him, her hazel eyes wide in the dim light. “Would you?”
“Always.”
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“How long?”
“How about forever?”
“Forever sounds divine.” He kissed her gently then sighed, pulling away to meet her gaze. “But you have no need of me here anymore.”
“I take it back.” Her grip on his lapels tightened. “My vengeance isn’t done.”
Kagan shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way.”
Lake Michigan stretched out before them, lights twinkling along the shoreline, all of it on display for Mira. He would bring her here every night if she asked him.
He would do anything for her.
A bright white beam of light shown down from above, locking in Kagan’s concentration. He blinked hard, shielding Mira’s face as best he could, though she seemed completely unaware of the blinding glow. In his head echoed Divinity’s voice. “Your orders have changed, Scion. Stay with the Seal until the Nephilim threat is vanquished. Await additional orders as available.”
“Kagan?” Mira frowned up at him, her expression confused. “Are you all right?”
“I...” His Scion sigil flared with divine duty and his pulse quickened. This was what he’d yearned for, prayed for, hoped for. His fellow Scion warriors from the bar had said they would report back to Divinity on what they’d seen tonight, but he’d never expected things to happen so fast. He’d expected to explain himself before Divinity, defend his choice to heed Mira’s call and make direct contact with his Seal’s host.
Scion couldn’t quit. They served at Divinity’s command. His life was one of servitude. Mira had commanded him to help her gain revenge. Divinity had now given him a new command. One he was more than happy to fulfill. “I have received a new summons.”
“Oh.” Mira’s expression fell, unshed tears sparkling in her beautiful eyes. “This is goodbye.”
“No.” Kagan took her hand and held it over his heart. His Scion sigil continued to shimmer, glowing brighter until it lit up the space around them. “Look at me, Mira.”
“Will you return to heaven now?” Tears streamed down her cheeks and he swiped them away with his thumb.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She blinked up at him. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” A slow smile curved his lips. “I received new orders from Divinity. To stay here and defend my Seal’s host until the Nephilim threat is neutralized.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened along with her grin. “Oh!”
Kagan felt happier than he had in eons. He kissed Mira, slowly and lightly, a sweet brush of lips that warmed him from his heart outward. Her hands twined around his neck, her lips soft and yielding. He waved his hand and dived back down into the vortex with her, spiraling toward Earth. Never would he tire of her. He adored her, now and always. Loved her.
With another twitch of his fingers and they soared upward again, over downtown Chicago. Mira looked out over the city while he looked at her. Her eyes twinkled with joy and he couldn’t help smiling too. He didn’t need directions now. He used his senses to guide him home.
When they were close, he swooped down to land gently on roof of the liquor store and set Mira on her feet.
She looked up at him, a few shadows returning to her gaze. “You’ll have to go back someday though, right?”
“Someday, perhaps.” He ran his fingers through her curls, enjoying their silky feel. “But for now, let us enjoy the time we have.”
“Agreed,” she whispered against his lips and he kissed her again, harder this time, stirring the passion that burned so fiercely between them. He swept her back into his arms, carrying her down the stairs and into the apartment. Kagan wanted to strip her right there in the hallway and make love with her again.
“Wait.” She wriggled out of his arms and pulled him back up to the roof.
He frowned, wondering what she was up to, then raised a brow when she unbuckled his pants.
Kagan cast a glance around at the space. It was dark, but that didn’t mean someone wouldn’t see them. “Here?”
“No one will come up.” Mira smiled wickedly at him. “Can’t you make us invisible again anyway?”
He hadn’t thought of that. He could easily mask them from mortal eyes as long as he was concentrating. Mira lowered the zip on his trousers and he closed his eyes as she reached inside to free his rapidly hardening cock.
If he could concentrate.
Mira crouched, her warm breath tickling his skin before she took him into her warm, wet mouth. Kagan moaned low, weaving his fingers through her hair, gently guiding her as she pleasured him.
When it became too much, he pushed her away and went to his knees in front of her, nuzzling her through the denim of her jeans before undoing them to taste her once more. She cried out, arching against him, her knees trembling. He wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as he ravished her with his lips and tongue.
Finally, he could wait no longer to be inside her and swept her up into his arms again, rushing her into the apartment before tugging off her pants to press her up against the wall in the dining room. While he was here, he planned to take her in every room of their home. He kissed her deeply, tearing open the condom packet he pulled from his pants pocket and smoothing it on, then groaning as he sank deep within her welcoming heat.
Taking hold of her hips, he thrust inside her over and over, claiming her as she had claimed him. She met him stroke for stroke, the pace steadily building between them until she moaned each time their bodies met.
Kagan kept his eyes locked on her, watching the myriad emotions crossing her face—love, devotion, lust. She gasped, her lips parted in ecstasy. She was divine. He would never leave her.
The world fell away. He lost track of where she began and he ended, their connection strengthening until he was awed him with her beauty and her strength and her compassion. Kagan was happy at last, no longer alone. Love puls
ed through his veins, mingling with her affection and he wanted this to go on forever. Being with Mira was more than just intimacy, more than just lust.
They were one.
Her heart beat in time with his, her fingers caressing his Scion mark. He smoothed his hand down her back, touching her Seal mark. He sensed her power rising, calling to his own. Kagan took hold of Mira’s hand, palm to palm. The Seal’s power flowed into him, warming his fingers, and he linked his Scion power with it.
The lights in the room flared, making the space as beautiful as it should be—magical.
Kagan stared deep into her hazel eyes. Under her spell. Forever and always.
He wanted to be under her command. He wanted to protect her, to make her smile, to give her happiness and everything she deserved. She shouted his name and climaxed hard around him. Kagan didn’t stop, his body tightening, bringing him closer to the edge. He closed his eyes, groaning as her body clenched around him, luring him toward the edge. His whole body coiled tight, ready to explode. He came at last, his whole body shaking from the hazy joy running through his blood.
Mira rested her head on his chest, breathing fast, her heart thundering against his.
He held her, kissing her forehead, savoring the feel of her in his arms.
Mine.
After several long moments, Mira raised her head and kissed him. He lazily returned it, lost in her and thoughts of their future. He would fly with her every night, would sleep with her tucked safely in his arms, would watch over her so she was never alone. He would be with her forever, and he would never let her go. He would do anything to make her smile, no matter how foolish or how silly her request.
For once in long millennia, he was happy, and he wasn’t alone.
His mission had changed the moment he’d met her. He had changed. There would be trials and tribulations ahead. Danger too, until they had the Nephilim threat under control. But they would face all of it together.
Kagan held her close, forever grateful for his new orders. He’d waited so long for Mira’s call, for a new mission, and when it had finally come, it had given him more than just a task to fulfill. It had given him Mira.
His Seal.
His to protect.
His to worship forever.
The End
About the Author
Traci is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. Her stories feature sizzling heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes and heroines who are smart, tenacious, and always give as good as they get. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and she loves animals, chocolate, coffee, hot British actors, and sarcasm—not necessarily in that order. Connect with her through her website: www.tracidouglass.net
Also by Traci Douglass
Paranormal Romance:
Seven Seals Series:
Scion’s Destiny
Scion’s Surrender
Scion’s Awakening
Scion’s Redemption (July 2018)
Scion’s Fortune (Coming Soon)
Scion’s Valor (Coming Soon)
Scion’s Completion (Coming Soon)
Blood Ravagers Series:
Blood Bound
Blood Freed
Blood Vowed
Also by Traci Douglass
Contemporary Romance:
Harlequin Medicals:
One Night With The Army Doc
(Coming October 2018)
Entangled Bliss:
How To Seduce A Bad Boy
(Coming January 2019)
Can’t Hurry Love (Coming Soon)
Sneak Peek of Scion’s Surrender
Seven Seals Series Book Two
Chago looked like he’d been rode hard and put away wet.
Irena had never seen him drink anything other than soft drinks when he came into her Big Horn Diner. Seeing him now, though, slumping toward the lunch counter, his head propped on his hand and his eyes half closed while he nursed a bottle of beer, she no longer wondered why he stayed away from the booze. He obviously couldn’t handle it.
His head slipped from his hand and his scruffy black hair fell forward. He jerked upright, blinked several times then cringed, inspecting the damp elbow of his denim shirt where he’d leaned on the wet counter. With a sigh, he stared down at the half-full bottle before him.
Regret stabbed Irena’s chest. Perhaps she should have cut him off after his second beer, but his charming smile had persuaded her to supply him with a third. At the time, he’d seemed fine. Now, he looked close to passing out.
She finished ringing up the customer at the register and handed the guy his change, then walked toward the other end of the long counter and Chago, smoothing a hand down her white apron as she went. She tugged at the hem of the pink shirt she wore underneath then patted the sides of her faded jeans. She had no idea what her hair looked like but considering how humid it was outside on this Montana summer day, it was probably good she’d plaited her long, blond hair into two braids. Bad enough she always felt like a frazzled mess after a frantic lunch service. Today, she wanted to look her best for Chago.
The diner was quieter as late afternoon approached. A few regulars remained, along with a group of tourists sitting in the corner booth by the windows. She could finally speak to Chago without interruption.
Irena leaned on the counter opposite him and swept his dark hair out of his eyes. He leaned away, almost fell off his stool, clutching the edge of the Formica to stop himself as he narrowed his gaze. An all too familiar jolt zinged through her when she met his warm, caramel-hued eyes. He gave her a lopsided smile and her heart fluttered.
“You okay?” She started to move away, but he grab hold of hand in his, toying with her fingers. He frowned down at their joined hands, his expression a mix of concern and sadness. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but stopped, her skin tingling from their contact.
Don’t read too much into it.
This was the first time he’d touched her. And yes, maybe she had nearly swallowed her tongue with want the first time she’d seen him walk into the diner three years ago.
None of it meant squat.
At least, not to him.
Sure, they’d talked and whiled away the hours over the winters when the fields were barren and there wasn’t much else to do out here in the wilds of Montana. Chago was an amazing listener. He’d always seemed genuinely interested in her problems and helping her solve them, but he’d never once shown any interest beyond friendship.
No matter how badly she wished he would.
The man was drop dead gorgeous. Six feet plus of pure masculine beauty. And she wanted to pounce on him whenever he walked through the door.
Which had been almost every day until recently.
He’d disappeared for nearly a month without a word in the middle of growing season, leaving her wondering if something terrible had happened. Now, here he was, back in town and drinking like his life depended on it.
Chago remained silent, his warm brown gaze fixed on her hand as he turned it this way and that, his larger palm warm and gentle against hers. Another patron stepped up to the register and she waved to her cousin Andy through the kitchen pass-through to come out and ring him up.
She couldn’t leave Chago until she knew what was going on in his head and why he was suddenly drinking—or at least until she was sure he wouldn’t tumble off his stool and hurt himself.
Irena bent lower to catch his gaze. His eyes finally met hers, too bright.
“I said you okay?” She searched his face for a clue.
His pupils dilated as his gaze slowly flicked down to her chest. Fire followed in its wake, causing heat to rise in her cheeks. He looked at her face again, studying her, intense and focused. The birthmark on Irena’s lower back burned. Odd, since she never really paid much attention to the thing, except during swimsuit season. Hard to hide a bright red mark that looked like two swords crossed. People stared. She didn’t wear a bikini
often these days.
“July is hell,” he said at last, his words so quiet she would’ve missed them if she hadn’t been paying attention. Thunder rolled through the clear blue sky outside. “Always a bad month.”
“Why? Weather’s been good, crops are doing well.”
His brows rose. “Who cares about the damned crops?”
Not exactly what she expected a local farmer to say, but Irena nodded anyway, putting it down to his inebriated state. Chago released her hand and raked his fingers though his thick black hair, tousling the curls even more. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut.
Something was up. Andy tried to gain her attention, but she waved him away again. Her cousin had been working in the family diner long enough now to handle problems on his own.
Chago needed to talk. She’d seen it the minute he’d sat down, but the place had been so busy for lunch she’d barely had breathe, let alone sit or do anything more than take his order for beer. He’d never really spoken much about himself. Figured the one time he needed someone to listen, she hadn’t made time for him. What kind of friend it that make her?
Her aching heart sank. He’d always made time for her problems, no matter how trivial.
“I was worried about you,” she said, doing her best to keep her tone light and failing miserably. She been horribly concerned. Still was, truth be told. Chago’s smile brightened a tad, as though hearing someone cared made his day. Then, he dropped his gaze again, staring at the stupid bottle sitting on the counter in a puddle of condensation
“Don’t worry about me,” he said, sighing. “I’m not worth it.”
His accent was more pronounced too, because of the alcohol. She’d asked him about it once and he’d simply said he’d lived in many places. Lord above, she’d told him her whole life story and she’d didn’t even know where he was from. The thought only made him more mysterious. And intriguing. And sexy.
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