by A C Wilds
“I know your life hasn’t been the happiest, but you need to stop finding ways to not agree to this bond.”
His words sting. I’ve always done everything myself. Never questioned my place in the Tenebris coven, but Rahna made it so easy to believe demons were liars.
Thirteen
ANIMA
“I’m not used to having a second person to count on. I’m used to a team. Take the enemy down and go home. Start all over again. Ever since I’ve found you, it’s like everyone who was supposed to be in my life from the beginning appeared.”
He gets on his knees in front of me, clasping my hands. His face softens as he places his lips to my knuckles.
“I don’t know what you’re going through, but I understand it. All of this, I’m used to. It’s been a part of me since I was born, but it’s hard for me sometimes to realize you know nothing about this world.”
A sigh escapes me as I gaze out the window. Now is the time to get everything out. We can’t continue fighting all the time, especially since we are both so important to this cause.
“We need to find common ground. As you said, you’re not new to this, so guide me. Show me how it’s done.”
“You’ll have to be more specific about the guidance part. There is so much I could show you.”
He rubs my wrists with the lightest touch, forming goose bumps in his wake. It’s starting to get hot in here.
“I meant in court. There are rules here that I don’t know. I stabbed a guy before, but I’m sure it wasn’t the right thing to do in front of all those people. I’ll probably get a lecture tomorrow.”
“He deserved it. I heard everything he said. If you hadn’t done it, I would have. But it wouldn’t have been with a fork.”
“Why does Scur hate you?”
The change in the subject has him taking his seat again. He pours himself an enormous glass of wine and stares off into the distance.
“My father was a fair ruler. He always looked out for his people. But when there was war or something had to be handled, he’d send Scur. After a time, it changed him. He became hungry for violence.
“When my father was dying, he decided the best thing for the Bloodlands was to make me king instead. Scur was furious. The kingdom was divided in half, and most of the army was already loyal to him. It didn’t take long for him to push me out.”
“You ran? Without defending your home?”
“No. The war lasted for ten years before all the resources of the kingdom dried up. We took too much from the land and the people. When I realized they were suffering, I decided to cross realms.”
“If it was only the Bloods that were in the army, how did the Dark cross over?”
The wine is hitting me in all the right places, so I take my shoes off and curl my feet under my legs. He looks dreamy in the fire’s twilight.
“The Dark has always worked with the Bloods in some capacity. Your fathers may not like me, but they supported my cause, Uriel especially. They knew the monster Scur was. I don’t think Nox would have left if he saw what Scur had become. The outcome would have been different.”
“How did you find out about Rahna? That she had holy magic?”
“The first battle we fought cost us a lot of casualties. She had too much power. It was only then I realized she wasn’t a normal witch. After we signed the treaties, I had spies placed on the citadel.”
The clock on the mantel ticks as I mull over what he said. If I’m the only one who could wield the magic, how was she able to thirty years before I was born?
“Are you sure it was Rahna who used the magic?”
His thoughts drift to the past, and recognition dawns on him.
“No, I’m not. I only remember her casting spells that shouldn’t be possible for a witch, and it wasn’t demon magic.”
“It makes sense then why she needed to create me. If whoever was yielding the magic before died in that battle, she’d need someone else, and what better way than to train the person from birth? Allow them to be molded in your image.”
My stomach turns at the thought of why I was born. No sad story about a mother who couldn’t care for her child or parents who died. They created me to fill a void.
Rising from the seat, I start to pace. Anger pumps through me as flashes of my past come to the forefront of my mind. All the beatings and training. The tests and conditioning. They made me into a star pupil, someone who would follow blindly.
“I’m so stupid. I never even questioned it at all.”
He gets up and pulls me into his arms. For once, I don’t let go. His giant hands rub circles on my back, letting out some tension.
“You’re not stupid. What they did to you is unforgivable, but we can change it. We’ll destroy her and everything she’s built. The witches will see what she’s done. After that, it’ll be your choice.”
He places his chin on my head. For a moment, I allow myself to get lost in his embrace. My hands slide up his arms of their own volition. The hardness of his biceps and the firm shoulders.
I look up into his eyes, and the ruby orbs bore into my soul. Licking my lips in an invitation, I wait for him to come to me, but he stays still.
“I told you’d I’d let you decide.” His sexy smirk is enough to drive any woman insane.
“If I tell you I want this, will you promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“We will be equals. In everything we do. Whether it’s defeating a high priestess or choosing something mundane like the color of our bathroom towels, you’ll always have my back and I will always have yours. No matter the consequences.”
“It’s easy what you’re asking. I already pledged myself to you that day on the road. You were so angry that the silver in your eyes was like starbursts, but I knew then if you’d ever accept me, I’d do anything, be anything, for you.”
I take a chance. Jumping with both feet into one of the scariest moments of my life, I rise on tiptoes and kiss him. His lips are warm and soft against mine. The kiss is tender and full of want.
His hands find their way to my hips, and he pulls me closer. I lick the seam of his lip before biting the plump bottom one. He lets out a growl that spurs me on.
“Be careful, little witch. You may get more than you bargained for.”
“I want it all. It’s time.”
He doesn’t waste a moment on words, pulling me up until I wrap my legs around him. Our kiss deepens, turning into something feral. My hands thread through his thick hair, and he presses his hands firmly on my ass.
My blood heats, and all I want is for there to be fewer clothes. I grind against his already-thick arousal. A gasp comes from my mouth when it hits the exact right spot.
My back slams into a wall, but I don’t even register the pain. His kisses trail down my neck, stopping at my pulse point. He breathes heavily for a moment, licking at the soft skin.
I freeze, a shudder of fear washing over me when his fangs come out and graze my skin. I clutch his shoulders and prepare myself.
“Don’t worry, little witch. I won’t take what’s not mine. But when you beg for it, I’ll put so much pleasure into that bite that you’ll come all over my cock, soaking me as you ride the waves of ecstasy.”
I shiver now for a different reason. The anticipation of having my essence inside of him is overwhelming. I grind my hips harder into his thick shaft. We both moan at the same time.
He rips me from the wall, throwing me on the bed. I land with a soft bounce. He unbuttons his shirt, slowly at first, but when I suck my lip into my mouth, his speed increases. His pants come off next, and I’m given a full view of what a king looks like.
“Stand up and turn around.”
It’s an order, not a request. I’d normally scoff at being given commands, but it ignites the desire within me.
Brushing the hair that’s fallen from my bun off my shoulders, I let him unzip my dress. The lightest touch of his fingers on my spine makes me squirm with need.
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br /> “Hurry up,” I whisper.
He chuckles but moves faster, releasing the dress from my hips and bending to help me out of the pants.
My sword and knives go on the nightstand. When he’s finished, I’m standing in nothing but my panties. Kissing my shoulder, he turns me in his arms until I’m staring into glowing orbs.
I cup his face, tracing the powerful line of his jaw. He hasn’t shaved, and the stubble grates across my fingernails. He closes his eyes and leans into me.
I brush his lips with mine as I trail my hands lower down his sculpted abs. His hands graze my nipples, and a glorious sensation ripples through my core.
“Get on the bed,” he growls.
“Make me,” I whisper into his lips.
As he lifts me with ease, my back hits the bed, and he’s on me in a moment. I curl my legs around his hips, pressing him further onto me. He glides his cock up and down my folds.
“You’re so wet for me,” he whispers.
“And you’re wasting time. I want you, Torque. Hard and fast. Give me what I crave, and then we can whisper sweet nothings.”
He lines himself up, then thrusts inside. I cry out in pleasure, getting used to the sensation of being filled, and then he moves.
His strokes are powerful, slamming into me, my breasts bouncing between us. He leans down and pulls one of my nipples into his mouth, the additional sensation driving me wild.
I grab onto his hair and pull, positioning his head to look at me. His fangs descend, and his eyes glow with fire. I push a bit of magic down the bond, watching as he jerks from the shock.
A snarl comes out of him, and he flips me over on my stomach so fast I barely have time to brace myself. He slips in, pumping hard. The sound of skin slapping echoes around the enormous room.
This angle lets him hit the exact spot I need. Peering over my shoulder at my mate, I touch myself. My sensitive nub responds right away, and I buck at the contact.
“Come for me, little witch. I want to see you shatter.”
I match his thrusts, slamming against him and adding to the momentum. One more brush of my fingers and stars burst inside my eyes as I squeeze them shut.
My release comes in waves, crashing me over the surface again and again. Torque slows his pace to stretch out my orgasm, but when I clench around him, he can’t help himself.
After several deeper strokes, he comes with a moan, collapsing on top of me. Our bodies tangle together, and I find my head propped on his chest and my leg wrapped around him.
“That was more than I could have ever imagined,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“Yeah, it was okay.” I try to hide my smile in his chest.
He squeezes my side, and I let out a laugh. He continues to tickle me until I’m out of breath and threatening to use my knife.
“You’re beautiful like this. Your laughter makes my heart full.”
“You mean naked and underneath you?” My smile won’t go away. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s lifted a dark cloud from my shoulders. For once, I can breathe.
“I’m fond of that, too, but seeing you this comfortable and at ease with me is everything I could have hoped for.”
He kisses me on my nose and eyes before coming back to my lips. It’s such a sweet gesture that it makes me squirm with discomfort. I’m not used to someone showing me affection.
“I should probably go,” I say after he breaks the kiss.
“You’re staying with me. Now that I’ve had you, I won’t let you go again. You are mine, Anima, and I am yours, always.”
Sitting up in the bed, I pull the surrounding sheet up to my chest. “I want this, Torque, but I’m not used to this.”
“You mean someone loving you?”
My mouth opens in a large ‘o’. “What did you say?”
“I said, I love you. I’m not afraid of my genuine emotions, and you shouldn’t be either. Open yourself up to the bond and look deep inside. You’ll find me there, a constant.”
I close my eyes and listen to our bond. It flows through all of me, giving me comfort and making me feel warm and safe inside.
I let out a sigh of relief as I fold myself back into his arms. “I didn’t know magic like that exists.”
“It’s the fated mate link. You can only ever experience it with someone you’re mated to. As we grow closer, it will become stronger, and you won’t have to look for it. It will always be there.”
I wrap my arms around him a little tighter, taking in the comfort that I will never be alone again. This may be new to me, but, for once in my life, I’m going to do something for myself and not because others tell me to.
Fourteen
TORQUE
She falls asleep in my arms moments after she connected the bond. I can’t help but squeeze her tighter as I watch her breathing. She’s all I’ve ever wanted in a mate, and now that we’ve explored each other, it’s all I want to do.
Forget wars or reigning kings. I want to squirrel her far away, where no one can find us. Live our lives in peace. Maybe have children and grow old together. Nothing is more important now.
Thunder rumbles, and lightning strikes to lighten up the sky. The wind blows harder into the room and pulls open the curtains.
A giant crack sounds, and I’m up and to the window before it ends. Outside in the darkness, fire is moving toward the castle. The forest is lit up, a blaze overtaking the sky.
People file out of the castle, but as soon as the gardens are full of revelers, they creep from the shadows. Soldiers wear my brother’s coat-of-arms across their chests.
“What happened?” Anima asks, lifting my arm so she can get a better look.
As soon as she realizes what’s going on, she throws open my closet and rifles around. “What are you looking for?” I ask, pulling on a pair of pants and a t-shirt. I can fight in anything; my blood armor will protect me.
“Clothes. I’m not wearing a dress to fight.”
She pulls a pair of boxers out of the drawer and throws a t-shirt over it. She ties it in a knot at her side, so it’s form-fitting. Forgoing shoes, she takes off without another word.
“Thank fuck I had Hubris with me,” she whispers while we run down the hall.
The demons are all rushing around, the sounds of armor and swords clanging ringing out like a call to war.
“Torque,” Mammon calls. I glance behind me to see my general, suited for battle with two swords. He throws me a weapon and follows us.
“How the fuck do we get out of here?” Anima shouts. They’ve barred the front doors of the castle. Demons huddle in a corner, awaiting their fates.
“This way,” a soldier calls out. She doesn’t second guess who he is, just follows blindly.
We race down two more corridors before we come to a small side door. This must be the servants’ entrance. He pushes the door open, and the sounds of battle assault my ears.
My blood pumps as we rush into the fray. Anima sticks to the shadows, dipping in and out to slice down her enemies. Mammon and I charge straight ahead, cutting down as many of our foes as we can.
The sky opens again, and lightning strikes steps away from where I’m slicing through a soldier. It briefly highlights the battlefield, and I look up to see the source of the power.
Three dragons swoop in our direction; one is a storm dragon. Where in the fuck did he get a storm dragon?
Uriel flies high, his flaming sword at his side, ready to cut down the riders and their mounts. I turn my attention back to the fight on the ground to see Anima beheading a demon with Hubris. She has to jump to reach his neck, but her form is perfect.
“King-who-isn’t,” a voice snarls from behind me.
Fucking Caine. I should have known he was here for more than one reason. We were once friends in a way that young lords are. We didn’t care where we were from; it was all about the trouble we’d get into.
“I have you to thank for allowing Scur to know where we are then.”
; “I take great pleasure in watching you get beat. It’s a hobby of mine.”
“This time, it isn’t me that you’re fighting. You’ve sided with the wrong brother. It has been an exceedingly long thirty years.”
He cackles like a mad witch. “You think I’m scared of you?”
“I’d say he isn’t, but it’s probably because he saw me before you did,” Anima says from behind Caine.
“You’re always interrupting my fights.” I pout, but a sly smile crosses my face.
“I never expected to have to save my mate so much,” she quirks back.
The sound of mate coming from her mouth makes my insides heat with want. She’s so sexy wearing my clothes while coated in blood.
“Would you be so kind? Our battle lies elsewhere, and he’s starting to bore me.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she replies, calling her magic. Her shadow smoke wraps around Caine, causing his sword to clang to the floor.
Her silver eyes glow as she lifts him from the ground, using her angel magic to solidify the bonds. Caine yells in agony. A bloodcurdling scream that has several soldiers stopping their fights to see what’s causing the noise.
His skin turns to ash, gray cracks covering his entire body. The light seeps out of his eyes while the force of her power breaks him apart, leaving only small traces where Caine used to be.
“Well, that’s new,” she says, releasing the power and calling it back into her.
The soldiers around us stand stock still, giving Anima another look. She’s more powerful than anything I’ve ever seen. For someone to transform shadow smoke into a tangible thing is odd, but to add holy magic and make it suck out a demon’s essence? That’s fucking rare.
“New magic tricks,” Scur says, coming up behind me and trying to thrust his sword into my back like the coward he is. I spin out of the way at the last minute, managing to avoid the blow. His sword lands in the dirt where I was standing.
Anima’s growl is loud, almost like she’s channeling Namir. “You motherfucking jackhole piece-of-shit,” she spits, moving forward. Her sword is raised, and her smoke coils out of her hands. She looks like a queen of death.
