Beneath the Broken (Otherworld Book 3)

by James Cox

  Her eyes were wide and a tremble racked her body. She blinked the expression away like it never existed. “There.” She went back to her place on the blanket and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re nothing but another man.”

  My goal in life just became to prove her wrong.

  Chapter Eight

  I’d fallen asleep sitting up. The soft gasps and moans woke me. At first, I thought it was a lingering customer, but early morning light greeted me. It slipped through the thin curtains creating slivers of color on the floor.

  “Darrow.” Joen jerked upright.

  The sound had come from Aralynn. She thrashed on the blanket as Joen rushed toward her.

  “Aralynn.” He shook her shoulders. “Aralynn, wake up.”

  I shoved beside him. “Aralynn!” I couldn’t exactly yell, but I spoke close to her ear.

  She gasped, threw her hands out and kicked her feet.

  “Damn it, woman, wake up!” I hauled her upper half into my arms.

  She took a long, deep breath and shoved away. Her whole body shook and she was taking fast breaths. She crawled backward until she hit the wall, her hands up like she was fending us off.

  “Aralynn. Hey, it’s us.” Joen put a hand on me to keep me from getting closer. “Joen and Darrow. Resident healer and werewolf. It’s just us.”

  Her chest heaved with each breath and her beautiful blue eyes shifted around the room then paused at us. “Darrow. Joen.”

  “That’s us.” He smiled softly. “You were dreaming.”

  “Are you okay?” I pushed his hand away. “Talk to me. Are you okay?”

  She nodded, placing her hand on her face and curling her legs up. “I was in the water. It was so cold. I couldn’t … couldn’t see anything. Then, I don’t know. Suddenly there was sand and these red eyes. Those fucking red eyes kept following me. Chasing after me. The darkness moved like it had a mind, like I was its prey.” She shivered.

  “It was just a dream.” Joen tried.

  “It was a memory!” She yelled then stared around and whispered, “I know it was a memory. I was there. I could feel the fear. What happened to me? Who has red eyes?” She stared at me, furious. “Tell me!” She shoved to her knees. “I have to remember. I want you to tell me the truth. Right now. What made me like this, an evil former queen being hunted by assassins? Why am I so … angry? Why do I imagine stabbing people that look down on me and sometimes catch myself going for a weapon?”

  That was a lot to answer at once.

  “Damn you both! Tell me why I have scars. How did I get them?”

  “You’ve already remembered some, Aralynn.” Joen’s voice was soft. “Your memory will return in time.”

  “I don’t want it in time.” She pushed at his shoulders. “I want to know. Now.” Aralynn wrenched open the top three buttons of her dress so the swell of her breasts were bared to us. “What gave me these scars?”

  I didn’t know she had these. She always wore chin to ankle length gowns. Sets of two scars marred the tops of her tits. The marks had faded, giving the illusion of pink drops on her skin. I counted fourteen, then reached out toward her. It was a fool’s thing to do. The queen would have my hand cut off, but Aralynn refused to cower or pull away. I dragged my fingers over a set of scars on the curve of her right breast.

  “Tell me.”

  “They’re fang marks.” I knew because I’d made a few in my day with my canines. These were slightly wider, deeper. She’d kept them hidden the entire three years I knew her. I dragged my fingers lower, unable to stop myself from touching her soft flesh. The neckline sagged and a beautiful pink nipple slid free. I slowly swiped my middle finger across the hard point. “I swear on Dullahan, I have no idea how you got these scars.”

  Aralynn flinched and blinked rapidly. She fell back on her ass and I swear I saw her expression change. It hardened, darkened. “I-I remember.” It wasn’t Aralynn that stared up at me but the queen.

  “What do you remember?” Joen. “Aralynn…” He touched her shoulder.

  She jerked away. “The king coming to get me. Taking my innocence in the wagon on our way to the shore.” She slumped to the floor. “The island. I jumped…”

  “What?” Joen and I spoke in unison.

  “I rigged the ship to go down and I jumped.” Her eyes jerked to mine. “I swam to that island. It was so cold. I could hardly stand it. My fingers and toes had gone numb and I was flailing around.” She closed her eyes. “Something touched my leg. Fins. Green. Merman.” Her eyes popped open. “There were mermen in the water and I kicked at them, but the waves were too violent. They couldn’t grab me and then I was on land. Sand. The beach. I couldn’t stop shivering and I climbed up some kind of slope.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head. “I wanted to find him. The fallen god. I wanted to find Dullahan and have his child. It’s all so clear. The rage. If I couldn’t destroy men, then my child would.” Her whole body jerked and her eyes popped up. “Then Dullahan found me…”

  I fell on my ass.

  “The king raped you.” Joen sat to. “You went to find the Dullahan.”

  “And I did.” She jerked suddenly. “They are fang marks. He … he has fangs. I remember his cold skin, the timber of his voice, those eyes. I let him fuck me so I could have his child.” Aralynn grabbed her knees.

  A powerful kid. Aneen. Fuck me thrice. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do. She made sense now. The anger, the attraction between us without acting on it. I thought it was because she knew what I was. How could I have been so fucking blind?

  Joen moved slowly to her side and gently sat. He didn’t say anything, but he stayed there and didn’t flinch when she slammed her fist into the wall. Then she leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her.

  She whispered. “I want them to hurt.”

  I sat down on the other side of Aralynn, my indomitable queen and wrapped my arms around her.

  She buried her head against Joen’s chest.

  I had no idea what to do. I had no idea how to help her. So we both held on tight and didn’t say a word.

  ****

  I was regretting her memories returning now. They were a hurt I couldn’t help her heal. She was broken and she hid that pain with rage. Soon she’d remember her plan worked. She did have a child. I’d have to make sure we were far away from Fairaine when that happened.

  The floor creaked. Not outside the door, but in the adjacent room. It was near ten in the morning. Whores were generally not working these hours. I sniffed the air. Bolvark. What was that fucker up to? I shifted, we were all curled together on the blankets. My movement must have woken Aralynn because she startled awake. I shook my head then tilted it toward Joen.

  Aralynn placed her hand over his mouth.

  “Ta Fwck?” He mumbled, grabbing her hand.

  Way to be fucking stealthy, Joen. I flicked his ear and shook my head. When he nodded, I eased to my knees and placed my ear to the wall.

  Whispering greeted me, “On three.”

  Fucking fuck. I drew my sword and surged to my feet. The door burst open, sending the bottle of ale smashing into the wall. The window shattered, glass spraying over Joen and Aralynn. The roar that came out of me was completely animalistic. I elongated my claws as I jumped. My feet smacked into the guy rushing through the door. He flew back from the impact as I rolled to the side and surged to my feet. I came up to meet the fucker coming through the window, but Aralynn was there. Dullahan’s dick, she was standing right in his way.

  Aralynn punched him in the head. Just punched him. She kicked him between his legs and then Joen pushed him back out the window.

  I was smiling when I spun around and another guy came through the door. I shifted out of the way of his sword and raked my hands down his arm. He cried out, his blade wavering. That split second reaction was my advantage. I clawed his throat, warm blood spraying in an arch as he went down. “Bolvark!” The fat fucker was running out of the other room and down the ha
ll. I charged after him, leaping and landing on his back. We both went down. Him harder. He coughed as all the air left his lungs. “You shouldn’t have betrayed me.” I whispered in his ear.

  “I-I didn’t. I would never…”

  I jammed my claws into his back and twisted. He cried out, gurgling. “Nobody fucks with what’s mine. And they are mine.” A moment later he went still beneath me.

  Joen and Aralynn ran past me. “Talk later, run now.” He shouted.

  I spun on my knees to see a bright surge of flames burst from the door. Well, fuck me thrice. I ran, catching up with them as they ran out the front door. The mid-morning day had already started, leaving the streets busy with people. Clouds were overcast, but nothing would hide my tall form splattered with blood.

  Someone screamed.

  Fuck. “Keep moving.” I pushed Aralynn and Joen forward with my hands.

  Another scream.

  “Fire! Fire!” I yelled. This was the only chanced we’d get to escape. “Fire in the whorehouse.” I shouted as loud as I could. More screams rang out. People ran past us with buckets. “In the next alley.” We traversed the city carefully, moving further away from the chaos of the roaring fire. Thick black smoke gushed into the sky, giving us the perfect distraction to get out of there. It was only a few blocks before I stole a hat, another few when we grabbed some unattended bread from a baker and as the day wore on we found a well to clean up in. Walking around with blood all over me might attract attention. “I taught you that.” I said as we finished cleaning up at that lonely well.

  “What?” Aralynn crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Kicking a guy in the balls. I taught you that, along with the right hook.” I grinned, “You did good.”

  She shrugged. “It doesn’t mean anything if we don’t get out of Fairaine.”

  Joen shoved his hood back up after cleaning his face. “Even if we do get out, where do we hide from assassins?”

  I wasn’t worried too badly about them. There were only so many who were stupid enough to go against me for any amount of money. Besides, once we got out further there was more cover, more chances to fade off into the darkness. It was hard to blend in here with all these fucking humans.

  “Where to now, mangy mutt?” Joen asked.

  I growled at him. I checked the street once more, only seeing a few lone people walking around. “There’s a grove of trees between Durnin River and the beach. That should work for the night at least. I have some supplies there.” I had supplies hidden every fucking where. Being prepared was part of the job. Joen took one step before I grabbed a handful of his shirt and dragged him close. “Don’t call me that again.” Normally I’d ignore useless verbal jabs, but I didn’t want those words coming out of his mouth.

  “Okay.” His gaze shifted to my lips.

  “Do you guys ever think about anything other than your dicks?” Aralynn stood beside the building tapping her toe. “Let’s move.”

  I scoffed and grinned. That’s my queen. Once again, we took off, moving through the city’s back alleys and avoiding any busy areas. It started to rain a few hours after that, but they were so tired I don’t think they noticed. I moved them along. The smoke had died down so they must have gotten the fire out. The white plumes added to the low rain clouds, creating a muggy heat. Then when the sun began to fall, the weather created a chill that made Aralynn shiver. But we were almost there. We passed the last few homes on the edge of Fairaine and entered the grove of blooming trees. The waves lapped on the beach which was already empty of people. No one dared go near the water at night—mermen. They were tough suckers and I knew that first hand. It was just before midnight when we reached the last tree in a long line where my goods were hidden.

  Joen opened the basket with a sigh as he finally sat down. “Blanket, weapons, food, water and…” He glanced up at me and smirked. “A vial of oil.”

  Well, I thought I tucked that away better last time. “It’s great over food.” I kept my face like stone as I grabbed the blanket.

  Joen snickered. “What exactly are you eating out here?”

  I pressed my lips together hard to keep from grinning. Jackass. I spread the blanket and glanced back to see Aralynn staring at me. She was standing a few feet away with wide eyes and a blush upon her cheeks. “What?”

  Her gaze shot to my crotch and quickly to the ground. “Nothing.” She blushed harder.

  “Tell me.” I walked to her and grabbed her hand.

  “I just remember some things.” Her voice lowered. Aralynn sucked on her lower lip and wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “Come here.”

  “I’m busy.” She moved to walk toward the deserted beach.

  I grabbed her forearm and was proud when she spun toward me and gripped my wrist, her nails indenting my skin. Being this close to her had me inhaling her delicate scent. She was excited—I could smell the hint of her underlying lust. My cock swelled as she locked eyes with me. “Come here for two seconds.” A shiver ran down my spine and I felt that first tingle of need. That uncontrollable growl was the first signs of wolf rage. Something that plagued my species. I’d experienced it a few times, but tried to prevent it at all cost. It led to some questionable bed mates. I slid my hand down her arm and placed my hand over hers. My whole body was tense with need. When werewolves don’t find a life mate they suffered from wolf rage on a monthly basis. It’s an uncontrollable urge to fuck and usually leads to violence. I tended to keep my wild beast under control by satisfying that need beforehand. But with the wound and then saving Aralynn, I hadn’t had a chance to get to the whorehouse for fun. “Aralynn. Come with me.” My voice went low and husky.

  She sighed and dropped her shoulders. “Fine.”

  I walked toward the blanket. “I think I know what you’re remembering.”

  That blush started on her cheeks again.

  “You know where all my piercings are.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

  She pulled her hand from mine, then gave Joen a glance. He was focused on building a fire as the chill of the night set in. “I don’t want to do this.”

  “You don’t have to do anything, my queen.” I slid my thumb over her palm. “Just watch.”

  “And if I don’t want to watch?” She crossed her arms under her breasts.

  I leaned close, sniffed her neck and grinned when she shivered. “I can smell that you do.” She was getting sexually excited. I wasn’t sure if that was from the memories of her watching me fucking someone or if she knew what I was going to do. She always liked to watch.

  Aralynn took a deep breath and kept her chin high, defiant. “Fine. I’ll watch.”

  I grinned, “That’s my badass queen.”

  She fought a grin then covered it by sitting down on the rock beside the tree. “Okay, I’m watching.” She put as much boredom into her voice as possible.

  “Watching what?” Joen asked as he stood up.

  I grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him close. “I’m being the most honest I’ve ever been in my entire fucking life.”

  “Okay…”

  “I kissed you to affect her.” I leaned closer so our breaths could mingle.

  “I know.”

  What? I tilted his chin up with my finger. “You knew?”

  “I guessed.” Joen licked his lips. “But I figured it’d be my only chance to kiss you.”

  I sniffed, smelling his interest and if that wasn’t enough, the erection tenting his trousers was a clue. “Well, Joen, now I’m going to kiss you because I can’t keep my fucking lips off you … but I want her to watch.”

  Joen leaned into me, slipping his hands into my hair and kissed me first.

  I eased my tongue into his mouth, taking control. The growl slipped free as I shoved the hood back to reveal his multicolored hair. I jammed my fingers between the strands and tugged until his head jerked back revealing his throat. I nipped my way to his collarbone.

  “It’s been a while.” Joen whispered and then moaned
.

  I licked his chin and then tugged his shirt over his head. His red hair flopped onto his forehead. I dragged my fingertips down his chest before I bent and licked at his nipple. Joen’s groan was music to my ears. A burst of warmth from the virgin fire blasted us. I took the shirt and wrapped it around his head so his eyes were covered.

  “What…” He went to pull the blindfold off.

  I slapped at his hand and kissed him. The intensity grew the longer my tongue invaded his mouth. He was a wicked, submissive temptation that no dom could pass up. “Shut up.” I nipped at his lower lip. Then went for his trousers, tugging at the buttons until the material fell down to his ankles. His cock sprung free, bobbing and taunting me. “Mmm, how long has this been hard for me?” I skimmed my hands over his hips to grab his ass and press our bodies together.

  “Long time.” He mumbled then groaned.

  I gave his cheeks a good smack and then led him to the blanket. “On your back.” While he settled, I glanced at Aralynn on her lonely rock. Her eyes were on Joen and she was breathing heavily enough to press her breasts tightly against her peasant dress. Her nipples were hard. Her gaze shifted to me and that blush on her cheeks was fucking intoxicating. Joen began squirming, his hands going for my leg. “Hands above your head, boy.”

  He instantly obeyed.

  I lowered to my knees and rewarded him with a deep, breath stealing kiss for both of us. It left me woozy and aching to release my own dick. I massaged his thigh as I struggled to get my shirt off, ripping one sleeve and revealing my pierced nipples. I tugged at the bar, enjoying the sting as I drifted my hand to Joen’s balls. His hips arched up and I straddled him, rubbing our bodies together. My pleasure wasn’t nearly as potent as his because my trousers were still on. That extra layer between our skin was a big deal. I groaned and laid atop him, keeping as much of my weigh on my knees. Our lips met in a fierce kiss before I shifted higher. “Fucking trousers.” I fumbled with the buttons as Joen grinned beneath me.