by H. C. Brown
opened the gate and marched into the grotto. A welcoming glow surrounded the interior of the building. The scent of roses filled the night air. He stopped inside the small vestibule and gazed at the bowl of water. Gods, what did he have to do? Drink it?
Wash in it? He searched his mind and could not come up with a damn thing. He scooped up the water with his hands and drank a little, splashing the rest over his face. He wiped his hands on his jeans, and then walked through the swirling portal. Peace surrounded him, and he fell to his knees in the center of the room. He bowed his head. "Dear Lady, unworthy as I am to be in this holy place, I've come to ask your help. Dallin is lost. I think Passio has killed him. I don't know what to do." The hairs on his nape stood up. His cat shrank in fear. A soft whisper echoed in his head. " Open your eyes."
Stryker's eyes flew open. The shimmery image of a woman sat cross-legged on the floor before him. She smiled sweetly and tossed moonbeam curls over her shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak, and then shut it again with a snap.
" Don't fear me; I am your goddess." She inclined her head. "You must have faith, Stryker, my champion lives. He is returning to the castle." Stryker grinned. "Thank you."
" Not so my daughter, Lailii; she is imprisoned by the demon, Passio." Her face grew sad. "I cannot enter the Underworld to save her, nor can you. Once inside, there is no escape for us." She got to her feet and began to pace the room. "The Great One allows me only one champion. Dallin must go alone and fight the demon. Bring him here in the morning. I must have time to beg my father for a small indulgence. Use your talent to contact Lailii; make plans for escape."
Stryker looked at the goddess in disbelief. Passio had Lailii. How could this have happened? Grief hit him like a sledgehammer. He fought words past the lump in his throat. "Will Lailii survive? What about our cub?"
" For now, Lailii surrounds your son with magyck so strong even the demons have not detected his presence. She knows nothing of her heritage. When she was born half-mortal, I locked pure, white magyck deep inside her. It took your bonding to release her goddess power.
She will have the knowledge to defeat the demon, but Dallin is the only one capable of bringing her back through the Gate. The innocent cub she carries will prevent the demon magyck no matter what poison they try to inject into her."
"And if Dallin fails?"
"He will become Passio's toy, and Lailii and your son will remain in the Underworld for eternity."
* * * * *
Midnight struck, the old clock in the great hall counting down the hour. Dallin shouted for the servants to feed his starving battalion and ran up the stairs to his parents' chambers. He brushed past the guards and threw open the door. His mother was on her knees before the king's chair, sobbing into the cushion. He moved to her side. "Mother."
"The king is dead, all hail the king." The queen lifted her tear-streaked face. "Are you satisfied now? Your little whore has killed your father." Dallin's hands balled into fists at his sides. Not even the death of her mate would soften his mother's frozen heart. "Father sent my queen to the Underworld. He imprisoned her and had her bound in silver. Do you know why he would do such a thing?"
"He wanted to make sure you never damaged our bloodline." The queen sobbed.
"You live your life with a Talynx, then chose an ancient Spellweaver— you might as well have mated a Neanderthal." She dashed away the tears. "He wanted to burn her the moment you left the castle."
Rubbing his neck, Dallin gazed helplessly at his mother. How could she condone such treatment? "Mother, couldn't you see the man was deranged?"
" He was my mate." The queen staggered to her feet. She slapped Dallin's face, then leaned heavily against the chair and glared at her son. "You will never be the king he was. You are weak— I should have drowned you at birth. I should have killed all of
you. You don't deserve to live." She sank into a chair. "If you bring that girl and her bastard cub into my castle, I'll destroy them both too. Go away; I can't stand to look at you."
With a shake of his head, Dallin turned to the door. The king's servants hovered in the corridor. "Pack up my mother's belongings; she will be moving to the summer palace first thing in the morning." He turned to his mother. "Well, now you won't have to look at us ever again. Feel free to take your staff with you, Mother. They've become as twisted as you over the years." He strode from the room. In the hallway, he stopped and pressed both hands against the wall. Lady help me. I am king, and my queen is trapped in the Underworld. He must address his people to assure his loyal subjects of his ability to rule with compassion and strength. They would be living in fear of a demon attack. They needed their king—and he needed to rescue his mate. He rested his forehead against the cold stone. Lailii was his first priority. Gods only knew where Stryker was. His head spun with fatigue; he could not think straight. His cat reminded him that he needed to eat. He sighed and jumped to the great hall. To his surprise, the entire gathering stood on his appearance. He gazed around at the bent heads and prostrated servants. He lifted his chin. "From this day forth, all men are equal. No man will lie at my feet, and a bow is all that I require for courtesy. Those of you who wish to leave the castle may do so. Those who wish to serve me of their own free will may stay. I offer you what any employer offers his staff: good pay with time off and my gratitude."
Applause broke out, along with cries of 'long live the king'. Dallin straightened his weary shoulders and met the gazes of his people. He would speak to his brothers and delegate responsibility for the running of the empire in his absence—or death. "My queen was taken to the Underworld by the demon Passio."
Cries of disbelief echoed through the hall. Women fell to their knees, pleading with the Lady for help. Dallin held up his hand for silence. "I am the Lady's Champion; you have my word as your king, my mate will be returned."
Amongst the cheers and well wishes, Dallin strode to the head of the table. He sank into his father's chair and waited for his squire to fill his plate. Before he took his first bite, Stryker walked stiffly into the great hall. The man looked bone weary, and his hair stood out in all directions. He let out a long groan and slumped into the chair beside Dallin. Meeting his lover's gaze, Dallin squeezed Stryker's hand under the table.
"Passio's got Lailii."
"I know; I went to see the Lady. Then when I left the grotto, Zane filled me in by phone. I can't believe this; it's a fucking nightmare." Stryker downed a full goblet of Miza, then refilled his glass. "Best we eat. After, we'll go up to our room to discuss what the goddess told me."
Dallin dropped Stryker's hand and rubbed both palms over his face. "I'm worried— what if the demon has hurt Lailii and she loses our cub?"
"You look like you've been dropped off a flybike." Stryker grimaced. "How did you survive the Underworld?"
"Dunno. Passio let me go when he swapped me for Lailii." He groaned. " Lailii, gods, Stryker, she hasn't got a chance down there. They're not what I imagined, but they have more power in their pinky finger than our entire Pride." He stared into the distance. "Fuck, for the first time in my life, I don't know what to do." Dallin met Stryker's gaze." The Underworld is like nothing I've ever faced before. Not the fire and brimstone I expected—the demons look almost normal, but they're psychopaths. They feed on fear and pain." His hands closed into fists, and he banged on the table. "I felt defenseless and weak. The guards have this superhuman strength, and when I tried magyck, my head almost exploded. I'm guessing the zaps won't work either." He held his head in his hands and moaned. "I have to work out some brilliant tactic to beat them, and then try and find a way back into the Underworld without being detected."
"Eat. The Lady is working on a plan." Stryker accepted the plate of food from a servant and began to eat. "You'll need your strength. The goddess wants to see you first thing in the morning."
With a shrug, Dallin forked up some food. His lover was right. He must be strong to meet this challenge. Lailii's life depended on it. "Oh, I bet the La
dy's real pleased with me. She gave me one specific thing to do. Take care of Lailii. What do I do? I lose her in under a month."
"I don't think the demon wants to kill her, or he would have done it by now." Stryker's brow furrowed. "I believe Passio wants her for her powers. This being the case, he'll need to keep her happy, or she won't have any magyck for him to steal. This at least gives us a little time."
"How will he extract her magyck?" Dallin chewed slowly. "She can't just hand it to him. Gods, my stomach is in knots just thinking of her in that place. I feel so fucking useless." He reached for his wine and drank, then placed the goblet back on the table. "I fear our cub will not survive such terror. We will be lucky to get her out of there alive. If Passio knows she is immortal, he'll know how to kill her too. The bastard will do it out of spite."
"We have a son." Stryker whispered. "The Lady said our son was safe." Tears pricked the backs of Dallin's eyes. A son he would never see. He dashed his knuckles over his cheeks and drew a deep breath. He grabbed Stryker by the back of the neck, drew him close, and kissed him hard. Stryker's large hand closed over Dallin's thigh and met Dallin's kiss with urgent passion. His body responded, his cock pressing hard against the front of his pants. Reluctantly, Dallin pulled away and met his mate's eyes. " Promise me, if you have to make the decision to save Lailii or me, you choose her and our son."
"Lady willing, I'll never have to make that decision. But you have my word." Stryker smiled thinly. "Although I don't think Cruz would agree. He doesn't want to be king."
Dallin snorted. He ran the pad of his thumb across Stryker's bottom lip. "He won't be. On my death, my son will become king, and as my mate, you will make it so."
"Oh yeah." Stryker lifted Dallin's gold amulet from under his shirt. "This belongs to you. I found it near the demon fissure."
Thank the gods. Dallin gazed into Stryker's clear green eyes. How he loved the man. In all the confusion and pain, his lover stood beside him like a rock. "You keep it safe for me until I return." He brushed Stryker's lips with a kiss. "I won't be able to sleep worrying about Lailii. I need you so bad. I want to take the sweet memory of our love with me into the Underworld—my shield against the horror."
Chapter Eleven
Later, in Dallin's bedchamber, Stryker shrugged out of his clothes, and then turned to gaze at the prince. Purple bruises covered the man's body. "Morph. You need to heal those bruises. You'll need to be in shape to fight Passio." The air shimmered around Dallin, and a white tiger appeared. The next instant, Dallin stood before him again, in perfect health. Stryker smiled and moved closer. He ran both hands down Dallin's muscular arms. "I think you deserve to relax in the hot tub, and then perhaps have a nice massage."
"Sounds good. I'll put the Loop out. I don't want her attacking you again when we make love." Dallin moved to the bed, scooped the sleeping beast up in one hand, and walked to the door. "Why don't you make sure that tub is nice and hot?" Stryker strolled into the bathroom. He placed one finger in the water to heat it with magyck, and then slipped into the bubbling water. Dallin joined him, his muscular body gleaming in the water. With one stride, Stryker closed the distance between them. Splashing water over the edge of the hot tub, he straddled Dallin's thighs and sank his fingers into the man's damp hair. His mouth closed over his lover's full lips; his tongue fought and gained entrance. Dallin's long fingers dug in his hips, lifting him with urgency. The mushroom head of the man's cock found Stryker's hole and thrust home. So full and hot, Stryker moaned into Dallin's mouth. Without complaint, Stryker let Dallin take charge. The man thrust upward, sending great waves crashing over the edge of the tub. Long, sizzling shivers of desire curled in his belly. He kissed Dallin hard, dragging his head closer. He drank in his flavor, branding it in his memory forever. His
lover drove in deep, trembled, and came. Hot jets of cum filled his ass. Stryker sighed. He would take his lover long and slow in bed—give him a night to remember. Dallin pulled his head away, his lips swollen from the kiss. Stryker met his passionate gaze. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
After half an hour of soaking, Dallin climbed from the tub and dried off on a white, fluffy towel. Stryker had explained his visit to the Lady. Dallin headed toward the bed to find Stryker had placed an assortment of oils on the nightstand.
"Sandalwood, I think. Lie on your stomach." Stryker poured oil into the palm of his hand.
Dallin climbed onto the bed and sighed. He enjoyed the way Stryker's hands moved across his skin. He tried to concentrate on the plan to rescue Lailii. Fear for her safety constantly pushed logical thought from his mind. "Okay, what do we have so far? I'll dress like a guard. That's easy enough; they wear black and a leather helm. Are you sure you can Dreamwalk in Lailii's dreams?"
"Yes, and your dreams too, with any luck. I'll try to link us." Stryker massaged oil into Dallin's buttocks. "At least she'll know we're coming for her. It's a shame I can't give her the Lady's plans." He sighed. "Try to stop worrying; there's nothing more you can do tonight until we go to bed."
"I don't think I'll sleep tonight."
"You must, or I can't Dreamwalk in your dreams." Stryker kissed a path down Dallin's back. "Let me relax you."
With a groan, Dallin opened his legs to allow Stryker access to his ass. He loved the way Stryker used his fingers to tease him. The small circles of his lover's thumb made Dallin's cock rock hard. "Make sure you ask her exactly where she is. I'm guessing Passio has her in a room near the ballroom. I saw a row of doors in a hallway close by."
"Turn over." Stryker wiped his hands on a towel. "Bring those knees up." He positioned himself between Dallin's knees.
A shudder of anticipation fluttered Dallin's stomach. He loved this dominant side of Stryker. Hell, he loved the man full stop. He lay back and met Stryker's determined gaze.
Stryker crawled up Dallin's body, lapping his tongue across sculpted muscle. He nibbled and suckled the man's flat nipples, then moved to suck the throbbing vein in his neck. The overpowering desire to bite hit him like a sledgehammer. His venom sacs filled, and his face ached. This should not be happening. He dragged his attention away from Dallin's neck and kissed a path down his belly. Dallin's cock stood away from his groin, the top moist with pre-cum. He groaned and bent to lick the sticky tip. Dallin's unique flavor exploded over his tongue. He drew the heavy shaft into his mouth and savored the feel of the silken skin across his tongue.
"I want you inside me." Dallin groaned, his fingers fisting in Stryker's hair. The desire to fuck his lover and bite his tender, fragrant skin surged through Stryker in an uncontrollable rage. His cat roared. Stryker reared up and plunged forward, taking Dallin's tight star in one hot slide. So damn tight, Dallin's heat surrounded him. He rode him like a mad man, the short sighs of encouragement from Dallin driving him deeper, harder. Stryker gazed into his lover's smoldering eyes and inhaled his intoxicating scent. Magyck crackled in the air between them. Sizzling tremors of exquisite delight started in his balls and shot down his legs. Molten lava careened out of control and climbed up his shaft. He drove in deep and fell forward, his fangs burying in the soft flesh of Dallin's throat. As the man's blood filled his mouth, Stryker came in a shuddering rush. Beneath him, Dallin trembled and covered them both with hot spurts of cum.
Long seconds passed. They lay panting, wrapped in each other's arms. Stryker lifted his head to meet Dallin's gaze. "Was that something to remember me by?"
"Oh . . . yeah. You are irresistible when you lose control. Though I never thought you would bite me. Fuck—I loved it." Dallin gave him a crooked smile. "I like the bad boy side of you."
Stryker cupped Dallin's face in his hands. "Come back to me, and I'll be bad any time you want." He brushed his mouth over Dallin's lips. "Let's take a shower and get some sleep. I have some Dreamwalking to do."
* * * * *
Underworld
Lailii awoke and scrambled up until her back pressed against the headboard. She trembled at the sight of Passio a
nd Kaos standing practically naked beside the bed. Only silk loincloths covered their sex. They sat down each side of her, the sickly fragrance of violets seeping into the air. She muttered spells under her breath, but every incantation she tried bounced off the men. She met Passio's meaningful gaze. The demon's intent showed clearly in his expression. "Please, don't do this. My magyck will die if you rape me."
"Rape you?" Passio waved a hand dismissively. "When you come to us, it will be willingly." He lifted her hand and licked a path across her wrist. "I'm here for payment for Dallin's visit."
With her heart threatening to burst through her chest, Lailii kicked out at the demons. Passio held her firmly in his ice-cold grip. Kaos grinned maniacally and took her other arm. She glared at him. "Payment? That wasn't Dallin, and you know it."
"You kissed him. Now we demand payment. Just a few drops of blood will be sufficient." Kaos kissed the underside of her wrist. "From here—the veins in your neck are tainted by cat."
You are disgusting creatures. Lailii shuddered. There must be a way to appease the demons. She needed more time to think. There must be a spell that would work—a poison, perhaps? Could she taint her own blood without killing her cub? It would take the purest white magyck. Would they allow her to recharge her powers? She lifted her chin and gazed into Passio's red eyes. "I want your word, and I know you must keep a
bargain. If I agree to this, you will promise never to rape me, not you or Kaos or anyone else in this gods forsaken place." She glanced from one to the other. "You do understand taking blood may kill me when my powers are so low? I cannot sustain a power drain. What do you have to recharge my magyck? If you think to fool me with visits from false mates, you may think again."
