She nodded and looked up at him, swallowing as she opened her mouth to speak, wanting to thank him for taking such an enormous risk. Before she could speak a young elven girl ran over to them, her lip bloodied and a dark ring starting to form around her eye.
“Ma’am!” She called, panting as she stopped in front of Mariska.
“What? What is it child?”
“Your parents…” She panted.
Mariska’s eyes went wide and she put her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “What…What about them?!”
“They’re…They’ve been…”
“Spit it out!”
Tears came to the girl’s eyes and she wiped at her bloodied lip. “They were taken…”
Chapter Seven
Mariska’s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach and she whimpered softly, her legs going weak as she put a hand against the wall, trying her best to keep herself balanced.
“They’re…They’re gone?” She whispered, her voice weak and cracking.
She’d been trying so hard to hold herself together this whole time and now everything seemed to be crumbling around her. Her parents were…Gone. They were taken by that woman’s army; she was sure of it. Where else would they have gone? They weren’t hiding out in the house anywhere; Mariska would have been able to hear them. No…She knew they were gone.
Her legs gave out but Jamesson managed to catch her just as Daemon came running down the hallway.
“Mariska!” He gasped, taking her from Jamesson’s arms. “Darling…Oh god…What’s wrong?” He whispered, brushing hair out of her face almost desperately. “What’s wrong?”
She closed her eyes and covered her face. “I could not protect them! I could not protect them!” She sobbed, shaking her head back and forth.
“Who baby? Who are you talking about?”
“My parents! They have my parents!”
The color drained from his face and his eyes widened as he stared down at her, cupping her cheek gently. “What…?” He whispered.
The little elven girl looked up at him and then away. “I saw them…I saw them take Ma’am’s parents.” She whispered softly. “I tried to stop them but I was not strong enough.” She whimpered, wiping her black eye.
Daemon frowned and shook his head. “You did well, child. You did your best and we are so thankful for that. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful we are for what you’ve done.” He said gently, trying to calm the poor thing down. “It’s alright.”
The young girl nodded as Daemon hoisted Mariska in his arms. Her world was spinning and she wanted it to stop but there were just took many emotions. She did not even have control of her own right now and it was taking a toll on her to register ever one else’s.
Elso came down the hall, walking quickly but just as gracefully as ever. Out of everyone she was the most collected. Mariska looked up at her, wide eyed as the woman raised a hand and touched her forehead.
“I’m sorry Mariska.” She sounded truly regretful as she reached out and touched a finger to the woman’s forehead.
The second Elso touched her, Mariska’s vision went black and she faded into oblivion. It was total darkness; which Mariska was thankful for in a way. It meant that she did not have to think or dream or even contemplate what had just happened.
She drifted in darkness, unaware of her missing parents and the bloodshed. She could be at peace for at least a few moments. She was thankful for the peace of mind but she was also unsure as to what to do with it. People’s emotions often overwhelmed her even in her sleep. This was the first time in long time she could not feel anything…Not even her own emotions. There were no dreams, just peace.
When her eyes finally fluttered open the sun was shining and birds were chirping outside. The sunny atmosphere made the battle the day before seem almost unreal. It was like it never happened. Someone was dabbing a wet cloth along her forehead, the water cool and refreshing.
Her eyes finally landed on Elso’s face and she whimpered, bringing a finger to her temple. Why did her head hurt so badly?
“Elso?”
“Yes, child?”
“I was…I was asleep?”
“You were.”
“The war…it was just a bad dream?”
A moment of silence followed the question and Elso sighed sadly. “I wish that was the case, but unfortunately that war was all too real.” She whispered, dipping the cloth back in the water.
Mariska groaned and tried to sit up but Elso pushed her back into the bed, shaking her head back and forth.
“You need to lie down, Mariska.”
“I have to find Daemon.”
“He’s preparing a meeting with another island.” She said simply.
“What island?” She asked, frowning deeply. “What’s going on? Why was not I involved in any of this?” She snapped.
“Because you are not the leader of this island.” She did not sound mean or angry when she said this. It was very matter of fact, but that did not make it any easier a pill for Mariska to swallow.
She looked away for a moment. “Daemon said that I…was part of this. I had job to do. I was supposed to help him rule.”
She nodded and put her hands in her lap. “That is what he wants, but this isn’t about ruling the island. This is an entirely different monster.”
“Why? Because we are going to be dealing with leaders who might not be too keen on a human woman being put in a place of power.”
She frowned deeply “They think I am below him?”
“In a way, but you have to remember we are dealing with men who have very conservative mindsets.”
Mariska nodded slowly, starting to understand what Elso was telling her. Basically she was going to have to play the role of a good little housewife.
“What is the meeting about? Can I know that at least?”
“Of course. We are not keeping you out of the loop.” She hummed, running her fingers through Mariska’s hair and starting to separate it out so that she could put it into a neat braid. “We need their armies…Their fire power.” She said simply.
“What about out army?”
“We don’t really have one.” She admitted. “We are not a society built on wars. We accept others who were cast out and have nowhere else to go. We are a sanctuary. War has never been a part of our lifestyle. Our small militias have been enough until now.”
“Mariska’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Until I came.” She whispered, covering her face a little.
Elso put an arm around Mariska and sighed. “Don’t you start. Don’t you blame yourself for this? This isn’t your fault, Mariska.” She said simply, kissing the woman’s temple. “This type of thing was bound to happen sooner or later…You can’t blame yourself.” She said softly, rubbing Mariska’s arm to try and calm her down a little.
“I feel like I’ve caused so much of this.” She whispered, looking around, almost angry at the bright sunny landscape outside. How could it be so beautiful on such a sad day?
“Wars happen…There are catalysts but normally the main problem has been building for a long time. This situation is no different.” She said simply. “That she-devil was going to attack on way or another. You just gave her a convenient excuse.”
Mariska knew the words were meant to make her feel better but she did not feel any better at all. She still felt as if she’d had a hand in all of this and that if she had just done something differently…Maybe she could have saved at least some lives.
“I…I want a shower.” She whispered.
She felt weak and broken and so incredibly sad. She wanted to be alone right now. She did not like for people to see her like this. She’d worked so hard her whole life to have a kind of tough girl façade. She did not want to crack that illusion and let people see just how hard she was falling and just how easily she was starting to crumble.
Mariska slid out of bed and walked past Elso silently, disappearing into the attached bathroom. She looked the door and cl
osed her eyes, her forehead pressed against the wood as she covered her mouth to silence a sob that was trying to work its way past her lips. She did not want to break…Not now. Not when there was so much to do.
She took a few deep breaths and finally leaned away from the door, blinking until the tears were gone from her eyes. Finally, she stripped out of the robe she’d been dressed in and slipped into the pool sized tub. Her bathroom looked more like a Greek bath house than a normal bathroom.
The steam surrounded her, relaxing her muscles and making her take a few deep breaths. She was finally starting to come down and she was thankful for the control that was slowly returning to her. She wanted to be calm and collected when she met these…representatives.
She was going to be the best damn wife she could.
Chapter Eight
Mariska was not typically the type of person who changed the way she did things in order to impress anyone. Her view of it was you either liked her for who she was, or you did not like her at all. It was as simple as that. She knew she had to do things a bit differently this time. It was not just about her anymore. This was about ending this once and for all and getting her parents back. If that meant she had to do a bit of acting, then so be it.
When she finally got out of the bath and walked back into the bedroom Elso was gone and Daemon was sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless and looking oh so handsome in the moon light. She sighed softly and crossed the room, putting a hand on his shoulder and kissing his cheek before settling down beside him.
“How did it go?”
“We did not do too much talking.” He murmured, looking over at her and sighing softly. “I’m just trying to build a relationship with them right now…They don’t really trust me.”
“Why wouldn’t they trust you?”
“They don’t trust anyone who asks for their help.” He pointed out.
“Who are…they?”
He took a breath and laid back against the sheets, turning and glancing at his love. “It’s hard to describe.” He murmured. “The concept of creating a safe space for creatures who have been cast out of their own clans and groups is not a new thing…There are other islands like this one, though some draw a different crowd.”
“I’m still confused.”
“The man I’m going to be talking with is a Valkyrie…He’s a fighter…It’s what he does and so do his people. They’re all fighters of some sort and some have a violent past. It’s the reason they’ve found themselves on Holt’s island.” He explained. “They are exactly what we need but I fear that he won’t trust me. He’s very suspicious of everyone. It’s how he’s kept himself and his people safe for so long. They aren’t going to help us for nothing. I’m sure they will want something in return.”
“We’ll give them whatever they want.”
“You underestimate them.”
“I’m underestimating them…I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to protect our people.”
Daemon nodded and smiled up at her. “You will be a wonderful leader darling. Our island and its people are lucky to have you.” He said, reaching up and cupping her cheek.
She smiled and shrugged lazily, starting to feel at least a little hopeful. There was a chance they might end all of this and get her parents back. It was enough hope to make her feel like she could let her guard down for at least a little while.
Mariska leaned down and kissed him gently. “We should…Unwind…Relax a little so that when we go and meet our ever generous allies we’re well rested and ready to negotiate…We wouldn’t want to go in there with a cloudy mind.”
He smiled and wrapped and arm around her waist, returning the kiss as he started to push her onto her back. “Are you sure?”
It would be nice to forget about all the bad shit for a while. She nodded and pulled him down with her, their lips crashing together in a sudden burst of passion as her arms wrapped around his thick shoulders, fingers digging into the skin hard enough to leave angry little crescents. As they kissed, a soft moan fell from her lips and she whispered his name, already starting to undress him from what little clothing he was wearing. She wanted to forget all of the bad stuff that had happened over the last few days.
Daemon was just as desperate to forget and stripped out of his own clothes, helping her to undress from the thin robe she wore out of the bath. Once they were both naked Daemon pulled away to get a good look at her, always enjoying the sight of her naked body. He would never get tired of it. He let out a happy sighed and leaned down, kissing her deeply, enjoying the taste of her sweet lips.
“You’re beautiful.” He whispered against her lips.
Her own gaze wandered over his perfectly sculpted frame, just as impressed with his body as he was by hers. she chewed her bottom lip when he broke the kiss once more.
“You’re pretty great yourself.”
Daemon chuckled and dropped his head, taking one of her perky nipples between his lips. He rolled it between his teeth, tugging at it just a little while his free hand teased her other perfect breast. She gasped and her head fell back, eyes fluttering closed. It was not their first time having sex. Not by a long shot, but he somehow managed to make it feel like the first time, every time.
He kissed every inch of her olive white skin, working his way down her body and leaving a trail of fire behind each touch and each kiss. Her body was already singing as her legs wrapped around his thin waist and her arms around his broad shoulders before he started to work his way further south.
Daemon pressed wet kisses to her belly and hips before his mouth found her inner thighs and he nipped gently at the skin. A gasp left her lips and her breaths became more erratic as eager moans left her lips with each labored breath. His tongue found her most sensitive petals and her fingers tangled in his hair as her back arched towards the ceiling, yanking home closer. He spread her open and lapped at her sweet nectar with his warm tongue.
It ran along every inch of her womanhood, pausing at her most tender spot, circling the pleasant bundle of nerves and lapping at it with an eagerness no other lover had ever showed her. The warmth of his tongue felt amazing and was almost too good.
She felt herself teetering on the edge of her orgasm. She was ready to fall off the cliff and dive into the pleasure filled waters that waited for her on the other side of the ledge. Mariska yanked his hair and pulled him back up her body, their lips crashing together again. She tasted herself on him and it only made her hungrier for anything he was willing to give her. She wanted him…She wanted every part of him
They did not need words anymore. They had learned to read the wants and needs of each other’s bodies. He knew exactly what she wanted. Daemon straddled her and put a hand on either side of her head as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her eyes widened in pleasure and then fluttered closed as he pressed his entire length into her, sinking in until he was buried inside of her completely, moaning loudly.
“Darling…”
Each thrust was deliberate and meant to bring her closer and closer to the edge. He wanted her to scream his name and beg him for more. She sounded so fucking good when she begged. Luckily he did not have to work too hard for it since she was already there. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she clung to him, whispering his name with each firm thrust. Her fingers tangled in his hair, twirling around them until he she was pulling at the strands with each gasp.
Hot, liquid pleasure was burning in her belly and she wanted more than anything for him to finish inside of her. She wanted to feel that pearly liquid fill her completely. There was nothing better than her lover finishing inside of her. She dug her heels into his hips and refused to let him pull out. His own grunts were coming in soft pants, her name tangled in the moans and grunts.
Her orgasm hit her wave after rolling wave, dragging her under. Each time it washed over her she shuddered and let out a sob of pleasure. Her muscles squeezed around him and she felt him finish inside of her before she surrendered to her pleasure compl
etely.
She’d never felt this way with anyone else. Daemon was the only one who could bring her this close to oblivion. When she came, it felt as if she were floating in a warm ocean of stars. Everything was right in the world and she wanted to stay curled up against Daemon forever.
Even after they finished he did not pull out. He stayed right where he was, holding onto her and kissing the top of her head, stroking her hair as the drifted off into sleep. This was how life was meant to be. She was happy when they were like this and it was easy to let the outside world just drift away and ignore their troubles.
Chapter Nine
Mariska blinked her eyes against the morning sun, sighing happily as she lifted her head from the pillow. She and Daemon must have slept through the rest of the day as well as through the night. She was having a hard time making herself feel bad about it though. They had been through so much these last few days. It felt like they deserved a bit of a break. They needed to be on top of their game if they were going to win this guy over.
She slipped from the bed, leaving her lover to sleep for a while longer. He’d been running on fumes and Mariska knew it. The poor guy deserved a break. As he slept she moved about the room, getting dressed and putting on far more makeup than she usually did. This was not a usual meeting and she understood that. There was much more at stake here.
Daemon was watching her from the bed and smiled softly. “You look good all made up. I haven’t seen you like this in a while.”
“Well, I know I’m supposed to be impressing your new friends so I thought I ought to make myself look nice.”
He stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her cheek tenderly. “Just be yourself. That’s enough.”
She smiled just a little and sighed, turning back towards the mirror. “I hope so…” She whispered, dropping her lipstick back onto the vanity.
As Daemon stepped away she let the smile fade from her lips as she closed her eyes and ran her hand over her face. What was she getting herself into? She knew damn well she was going to say something erratic and stupid that might put their agreement with Holt at jeopardy. She knew she was not in the best mind frame to be doing this kind of thing right now.
VAMPIRE:Vampire Guardian Series: Paranormal Mystery Vampire Alpha Male Romance (New Adult Contemporary Paranormal Royalty Fantasy Romance Collection)) Page 13
