by Brenda Trim
“Whoa,” Rhys croaked, “I admit I don’t recall all the females I’ve slept with, but I remember names and I’ve never heard that name before, I swear. I don’t have your sister. Hell, I would never harm another living being, unless they were demons or their minions.”
“He’s lying. Let’s kill him and move on,” snapped the brown-haired angel.
“No!” Rhys croaked past the hand constricting his throat. The angel that had hold of him rolled his broad shoulders and his massive red feathers ruffled, sending the smell of a thunderstorm into the air. At first glance, he’d thought their wings were all one shade of red, but up close, he noticed there were multiple layers and they were various shades of red. He knew a little about angels, but couldn’t recall what the color red signified. Somehow, he doubted they were angels of happiness.
“Fuck you. I’m not lying. I’ve taken an oath with the Goddess Morrigan to act as one of her Dark Warriors and it is my sworn mission to protect the Tehrex Realm and the humans of earth from demons and their skirm. We can help you find this Illianna, but I swear to you that I do not have her and I don’t know where she is.”
“Stop, brother. He’s telling the truth. If you backed off and used your truth-sense you’d see that,” the blond angel murmured, taking the atmosphere from immanent-death to might-survive.
The black-haired angel snatched his hand away from his neck with a growl. “Where the fuck do we go from here? And, why the hell did my cloud send us to this male?”
Rhys felt for these males. They obviously loved their sister and something inside his soul reacted to them. He’d meant what he said when he offered to help locate Illianna. In fact, his entire being strained to join that hunt, surprising him given that they had come at him with hostility and threatened his life. “I’m not surprised your cloud sent you to me. I am made of pure awesomeness,” he joked as he rubbed his neck, cursing that he was going to carry bruises for the next few hours. That was going to be difficult to explain when he returned to Zeum. The last thing any warrior wanted was to appear weak.
Shaking his head, he refocused on the group. “We have a bit of a crisis in the realm right now, but I promise you that I will do what I can to search for her. Do you have a calling card? Or, will you magically appear if I think of you?” They visibly bristled at his comment. Yeah, red-wings definitely didn’t have a sense of humor.
“If you find our sister, we will know,” the brown-haired angel promised and they launched into the air, disappearing in the next moment. If Rhys never saw them again, it would be too soon, but something told him that this was far from over.
*****
Gerrick kicked the door closed and murmured a spell to lock it. He had plans and didn’t want to be interrupted. He almost felt guilty about rousing Shae from her sleepy state, but the second their skin touched he’d sizzled with a need so great it was unbearable.
“What do you plan on doing with me?” she asked demurely as they passed through the living room.
He paused after entering the bedroom and muttered a spell to start a fire in the fireplace. The room filled with the amber glow from the flames, providing the perfect lighting for what he had in mind. “I’m going to fuck you, Red. I wanted this time to be more leisurely, but my need is too high right now. One day soon I plan on taking my time with you.”
He threw her to the mattress so hard that all four corners lifted full of air then hissed slowly in release as he rose on his knees to join her. He prowled up the bed and lay down next to her. He pulled her top over her head and tossed it in the corner. Her sweats and shoes followed. He propped himself up on one elbow and glanced down at his mate.
She lay on the bed in a lacy bra and matching boy shorts of emerald green. The sight of her shyly trying to cover her body had blood trying to fill flesh that was already heavily engorged. Shit, he could have broken cinderblocks with his cock at that point.
“You have too many clothes on,” she murmured.
“If I get naked right now then this will end sooner than I want,” he countered and reached behind her to unclasp her bra. She wiggled her arms and the fabric fell to the bed forgotten as her breasts mesmerized him. The first time they had been together had been hurried and frantic and he hadn’t gotten a good look at her.
Leaning down, he captured her mouth in a kiss. Lips sliding overs hers, he relished the zing of contact. She quickly tried to take over, licking and nipping wanting him to open his mouth. Grinning, he gave in and her tongue slid inside immediately to tangle with his.
He hovered over her and slid his hand up and down the side of her body, luxuriating in the feel of her silky skin. Unable to resist the taught globes, he cupped her breast and squeezed. She moaned into his mouth, pouring more passion into her kiss.
He pulled and tweaked her nipple and his mouth watered for a taste. Breaking away from her lips, he kissed his way down her throat and to her pearled nipples. By the time he’d taken one into his mouth, she was squirming in impatience and need. She was so hot it nearly robbed him of his seed. Goddess, she was lush and delicious.
His free hand pushed her panties down and she helped kick them off her legs, his mouth never leaving her breasts. His hand traveled to the new center of his universe and ran through her slick folds. “Gerrick. I need more.” He opened his eyes and smiled down at his mate, allowing her to see the molten lust simmering there.
Uncomfortable with the scrutiny, she tried to hide from his gaze. He saw when she steeled her nerves and opened to him fully, laying herself bare. She was amazingly beautiful in that moment. It was breathtaking to see an imperfect female become stunning just because she willed it from the inside out. “You have nothing to hide. Everything about you, even your scars, is so damn sexy, it makes my head spin. I’m going to lick and nibble them because everything about you turns me on. There is nothing about you that is less than perfect to me.”
Her hand lifted to her neck. “The mating compulsion is making you say that,” she protested. He saw the vulnerability and insecurity, as well as, her deep desire for him to truly mean what he’d said. She wanted to be loved and accepted.
“The mating compulsion does a lot of things to me, most of them involve my cock and snarling at any male who looks your way, but it doesn’t have control of my eyes or my words. And, I never say what I don’t mean.” He used his magic to remove his clothing and take away the objection he knew she was planning on voicing.
Her mouth opened and closed and then her small hand crawled across the comforter to his aching shaft. It leapt into her touch and she licked her lips. His little devil wanted a taste. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wanted that more than anything, but that was going to have to wait, he needed to be inside her.
His eyes snapped open when she twisted her wrist and did something with her hand that stole his reasoning. “Goddess, you have no idea how good that feels,” he ejected on a gust of breath, hips moving against her grasp. Her smile turned into a sly little expression that touched her eyes so wickedly Gerrick’s soul shuddered in anticipation and delight.
She pushed on his shoulder and he rolled to his back, curious what she had in mind. She kept hold of him and straddled his thighs, stroking his erection with sure, heated ministrations. His hips lifted of their own accord and she laughed openly, clearly pleased with the power she had over him.
“I’m on a razors edge, Shae. You’re killing me,” he groaned. She ran her thumb over the tip of his shaft and he snapped.
He sat up and lifted her from under her arms and settled her onto his cock in the blink of an eye. She yelped in surprise then cursed as he filled her in one swift thrust. “I had planned on teasing you, but this is so much better,” she admitted and began a swift pace of riding him.
Gerrick fell to the bed and lifted his hips, meeting her thrusts, punctuating his rapidly rising need with sharp jabs into her welcoming body. Her core clenched around his shaft, bringing him even closer to the edge. He chastised himself for his lac
k of discipline. He wanted to hold off and make this last a little longer.
He needed to bring her to orgasm before he came so hard he blacked out. He refused to leave an unsatisfied mate in his bed. He placed his finger between their bodies and sought the bundle of nerves that would send her over the edge. Pressing into the rigid nub, he released his magic in rapid waves that he knew created a subtle vibration.
Shae was a vision as she surged above him, sweating and panting, lifting and lowering on his shaft. “That’s it, Red. Take your pleasure and cum for me.” Her glowing jade green eyes flared and her core squeezed him painfully. His body was on fire from the charged effect she had on him. The sensation of his cock filling with seed was intense and still foreign to him and enough that it threatened to rob him of all control. Sex had never felt this good for him and it was enough to steal his breath.
With fervent thrusts, he claimed her like an explorer stabbing a flag into uncharted territory. Shae was his and he settled deeply inside his mate, holding her to him, electrified by the dominance of it. The most exquisite female in the universe belonged to him.
She panted and screamed and moaned as she came and it gave him a feeling of satisfaction he’d never forget. He pushed deeper into her, determined she’d never forget the moment, either. His release rushed up on him and unable to hold back his orgasm, he cried out frantically and came just as wildly.
Shae collapsed on top of him, gasping for breath along with him. His hot semen overflowed their meshed bodies and ran down his thighs. He would never get enough of this sensation. Everything about ejaculating was exhilarating to him. To be able to release after four centuries was a revelation. He’d only experienced the phenomenon most males took for granted a handful of times in his life, but he could easily say it had never been as intense as it was with Shae.
“That was unbelievable. I’m just sayin’” Shae murmured, kissing his chest. He couldn’t help but laugh at the connotation he was becoming very fond of as he rubbed her back, her body relaxing on top of his.
“It was indescribable, Red,” he replied, kissing her as she drifted off into a sated sleep. It felt right to have her sleep like this, with him still inside her. Everything with her felt right. Yeah, he was in big fucking trouble with this female.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Gerrick inhaled the crisp winter air, clearing his lungs. He’d laid awake watching Shae sleep while her intoxicating jasmine scent enveloped him. He hadn’t been able to totally let his guard down around her given the knife to the throat he awoke to last time. She’s been so peaceful, free of the incessant fury he felt pulsing through her when she was awake. It gave him an enticing glimpse of what she would be like when she was free of the archdemons.
At some point while she was gone, he had accepted that Shae was his Fated Mate. He only wished it had silenced the echo of Evanna in the back of his mind. It was impossible to ignore the pain of losing Evanna or the bond that they had shared. It may have been in its infancy and not completely cemented, but it had existed.
How was he ever going to fully embrace Shae and be the mate she deserved? He’d given his heart to Evanna a long time ago and it had shattered into a million pieces when she died. He simply didn’t have it to give Shae, even if he wanted to. A sudden stab of pain shot through his mate mark in objection.
He opened the passenger door to the SUV he and Shae would be riding in and turned to the female who consumed him. “You ready for this?” he asked, unable to resist tracing the fine lines of stress bracketing her pursed mouth.
“Ready as I’ll ever be. How do we connect to each other?” she asked Jessie, wrapping her arms around her torso protectively. Gerrick didn’t even stop to think, but enveloped her in his embrace. Rather than melting into him, she stiffened and stood still when his arms came around her.
“I’ve never done anything like this so I have no ideas,” Jessie answered. The female had her hand on the door of the car and turned her head slightly. “Any ideas, Zander?”
Zander paused by the driver’s door of the SUV parked next to theirs. “I called Pema and we’re meeting them at Black Moon. They’ve had firsthand experience with the Dark magic, and if anyone can help channel the energy, it’s them.”
Gerrick nodded his assent. That idea made sense and he had to admit that the young witches had come to be an invaluable asset. Sorcerers were creatures of instinct, magic, and the power of the moon, whereas, witches were creatures of potions, circles and the four elements. The two types of magic were different, yet both stemmed from the Goddess.
He ushered Shae into the vehicle and by the time he climbed behind the wheel, Jessie and Rhys were already in the backseat. Rhys had returned from his run that morning in an odd mood. Looking in the mirror at the scowl on the warrior’s face, he wondered what was going on with his friend. He’d been partnered with Rhys for the past century, and over time, had learned he used humor to cover deeper emotions. Rhys was an enigma, preferring to show what they expected to see from a cambion, a sex-crazed male, rather than someone who actually cared. Gerrick made a note to talk to the warrior later as he followed Zander across town to the witches shop.
Gerrick parked at the curb and jumped out. Zipping his jacket against the cold night air, he went around to Shae’s door. It made his heart jump with joy when she placed her delicate fingers into his hand. He helped her out of the car and then fastened her parka. The sight of her standing there all bundled up was a marked difference from the female who had stood in nothing but his leather jacket and boots a week ago.
Stepping up onto the curb, he pulled the door open to the shop and held it for Shae and Jessie to enter. Zander entered after Gerrick and quickly crossed to the witches, “Thanks for agreeing to meet with us.”
Gerrick glanced around at the changes to the establishment. The last time he’d been there was after an explosion. The triplets had clashed with the former High Priestess, Cele, and the ensuing magical battle resulted in mayhem and destruction. The old wood shelving had been replaced with new polished mahogany, ornate wooden bookshelves stood in place of glass display cases and the floor was overlaid with rich bamboo flooring. The one thing that remained the same was the various magical accouterments that filled the space.
As a sorcerer, he didn’t have a use for potions or raw ingredients like eye of newt, troll snot or rainbow seeds. In fact, aside from using candles for ambiance, he wouldn’t use anything the Rowan’s sold. It always amused him that humans assumed all creatures performed magic in the same way.
“Pema, Isis, Suvi, this is my mate, Shae,” Gerrick introduced when Shae shied back and tried to melt into the shadows.
“Nice to meet you,” Suvi said, holding her hand out to Shae. For the first time, Gerrick saw the emerald mating stone embedded in her palm up close. Normally, the mating stone wasn’t set in flesh like it was with Suvi and her sisters, but the witch triplets were unique. They were the subjects of a long-standing prophecy and their stones were intricately tied to their combined powers. An ache set up residence in his chest. He’d been denied everything about the mating process with Evanna and for four centuries he’d wanted to go back so they could finish the mating. He’d been given a second chance with Shae and wanted it more than anything.
“You guys were there the night I was rescued,” Shae shared freely, surprising Gerrick. She cocked her head to the side, considering Suvi. “I’ll never forget watching you fight in those high-heeled boots. Do you always wear such high heels?”
Her question eased the tension in the room as everyone laughed. “Sure do. If you ask me, the higher, the better. Not only do they make me look good, they can be used as weapons, as well. For instance, the boots I wore that night were retrofitted with titanium heels, just in case. I can hook you up if you want,” the youngest triplet offered.
“That’s nice, but I think I’ll stick to mine.”
Suvi laughed, “Suit yourself. Now, I hear you guys need our help tracking the archdemons.”
> “Aye, we do,” Zander broke in. “As you know, Jessie only minimally experiences the influences of Azazel, whereas Shae hears him giving her commands.”
Isis pulled a wood bowl from a cabinet and placed it on the counter. “I’d love to get my hands on the bastard. He and his cohort gave Cele the ability to find our mates and hurt my son.” The lights flickered and Pema and Suvi immediately went to her side. The three joined hands and the flickering stopped. Isis was known for absorbing emotions and had a very short fuse. Her sisters were able to diffuse her anger and channel the energy in a more positive form.
Shae stepped away from them and at first he thought she was wary, but then noticed she was drawn to a display of jewelry. She picked up a pair of silver earrings that had a dragonfly hanging from them. “That sounds like something the two of them would do. And, you’ll have to get in line because they are mine,” Shae declared.
“Those would look great on you,” Suvi said, referring to the earrings. Gerrick looked at her askance. Surely, the witch wasn’t focusing on accessories at a time like this.
“You think? They seem too long, but I do love dragonflies.” Gerrick would never understand females. How could they stand here talking about earrings at the same time they were discussing something as dangerous as tracking an archdemon?
