A dial, crank—okay. As Tierney did just that, Jax sucked in a breath and stopped breathing for a moment, causing her to flinch. C’mon. I can do this. Nothing happened.
“Tierney, picture Samarias beside you,” Kyrian said.
So she did, grateful when Sami appeared in the connection of her and Jax’s mind.
“Together, use your power to uncover the dial.”
Focusing their combined power, Tierney imagined a flat disk that looked a lot like a clock, and let her power loose. The sand swirled around, blowing away until a shiny golden surface appeared, about as big as a dinner plate with a raised handle. She bent down and grasped the handle, turning the dial, shocked when the waves of pain began to recede.
She wanted to cry with glee when they grew smaller and the pain finally disappeared. She opened her eyes and gazed at Jax fearfully. His chest rose slowly, steadily, breathing now normal, as he slept. She grinned at Sami in relief. “We did it.”
“No, you did.”
Tierney shook her head. “No. I couldn’t have done it without you and Kyrian.”
“You did well,” Kyrian said.
“Thank you.” Tierney had never been so grateful for a stranger’s help in her life.
“You are extremely powerful, Tierney. You just need to learn how to use your power.”
The praise left her uncomfortable. “Well, thanks. I don’t know why you helped us, but we’re grateful.”
“You’re welcome, but I should like to speak with you about something later,” Kyrian said.
Huh. “Okay.”
“Goodnight, Tierney.”
“Goodnight, Kyrian.”
Chapter Ten
Understanding
TIERNEY, FEELING EXHAUSTED, wiped her eyes and before long she and Sami dozed off. About an hour later she awoke to find sad blue eyes staring at her. Jax’s self-loathing was overwhelming. But as he became aware of her gaze, something else filled his eyes, making her heart miss a beat.
“Hey.” She smiled and started to say something, when his eyes darkened and the pain hit full-force once again. Jax sucked in a ragged breath as his body bowed in agony.
Closing her eyes, Tierney concentrated. Her power built until it surrounded her and with a ferocity she hadn’t had before, she beat the unwanted pain away. When she opened her eyes, Sami smiled at her.
“You did it.”
“Tierney.” Jax’s voice was raspy.
“I’ll get you some more water,” Sami said, then got up and left the room.
“I’m here,” she said, looking at Jax. Even with her arms around him, he seemed to need more and snuggled in closer to her. But the smoldering heat in his gaze made her blush, suddenly self-conscious at how close they were. Jax was no longer the skinny little kid he used to be. At six feet tall, his solid, muscular body sent heat rushing through her. Her skin tingled and her heart beat faster. She began to pull away, put some distance between them, when he shivered.
“You’re so warm.”
Tierney relaxed, closed her eyes and savored being next to him.
When Sami came back, Jax guzzled the water and handed the glass back to his brother. “Thanks.” Turning back, he snuggled into Tierney’s arms once again, unfurling desire inside her. Sami, without looking at them, refilled the glass with the pitcher he brought with him, and then set both on the bedside table.
“I’ll ah, be in my room if you need me.”
“Thanks Sami.” Tierney was sure that her face was bright red.
Jax sighed with contentment and she lay there, mind swirling. Then, believing Jax to be asleep again, she started to get up. She planned to go put on pajamas, but Jax’s arms tightened around her, stopping her.
“No, don’t go, please,” he whispered, his breath felt a warm caress on her skin.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she reassured him, glad when he relaxed in her arms once again.
“Thank you. I never meant for that shit to happen earlier. Serena used a spell of some kind on me. I know it’s no excuse, but I can’t let you think I wanted her.” His revulsion shivered through her. “I don’t know how I ever thought she was you.” He stopped and his arms tightened around her.
Stunned and angry, Tierney’s hatred of Serena blazed as she felt the truth in his words, along with his self-loathing. I’d love to get my hands on that bitch, just once! Things made sense now, and guilt ate at her for not seeing what was happening. “I’m sorry too Jax, I should’ve known.”
“You couldn’t, and besides, you came back for me. Thank you. I don’t deserve—”
Her anger spiked even higher. “Stop. I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was happening, but don’t ever say you don’t deserve anything, because that’s not true. And as far as coming back, I’m sorry I took so long to get home, I should have been here, no matter what. I’d never let you go through this alone.”
Tierney felt Jax swallow against her, and his next words made her frown.
“I didn’t know if I wanted this.”
“Want what?” But even as she asked the question, what he said finally sank in. He didn’t mean—? “What are you talking about?” Dread began to fill her.
“The Awakening. That’s part of why I stayed away.”
If the Awakening was part, what was the other part? Her? And what the hell? “Why?” she asked, completely perplexed.
“I fear my dark—” He paused for a moment. “Tiern, I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” she asked, wary of the warning screaming inside of her.
“Promise me … if I can’t control my power, or my dragon, you’ll do what needs to be done?”
Oh hell no! “What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t you be able to control your power?” She was trying not to freak out.
“Please, Tiern. Just promise me.”
“No. I can’t. You know that. Besides, even if I could, I wouldn’t without knowing why.” He didn’t say anything. “Please, tell me why you are asking me to do this, I need to understand Jax.”
“I may not be able to control my power—my dragon.”
“Why would you even think such a thing?” She was sick at what he wanted from her.
“Because there’s this darkness—this rage—inside me,’”he admitted, and she remembered the inky black cloud from last night. I figured that came from inside him, but what the hell?
Jax nuzzled her neck, making her bite back a moan, her senses going wild at his proximity. Everything made sense now. Though her heart broke to realize what he’d been going through. “Jax, you’ll be fine. I know it.” She wanted to promise him but couldn’t say the word. Instead, she caressed the side of his face, making him shiver. Her fingers trailed around to the soft hair on the nape of his neck, something she’d dreamed of doing for so long. He’ll be fine. I can’t lose him. “I’ll be here with you. I’ll help, whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” His eyes closed.
Tierney lay awake and thought about what he had just asked her.
They both managed a few hours of sleep before the pain reared its ugly head once again, stronger and more powerful than before. “I’m here,” she said, but Jax didn’t hear her, he was blocking her with his shields. “Jax,” she called through their connection.
He stood with his back to her between two walls, a thick brick one in front of him, and a glass one behind, blocking her. Pain beat down on him like golf ball sized hail, and no matter how loud she called, she couldn’t seem to attract his attention.
Tierney forced herself to relax and breathe. Physically, he was still snuggled up against her. She opened her eyes and drank in the sight of him sleeping. With a gentle touch, she ran her fingers through his hair. He shivered. Closing her eyes, she connected to his mind again. “Jax?” Nothing happened.
With the mental connection open, she trailed her fingers over his brow, down his face and around to his neck. He shivered and moaned. As the physical stimulus worked, the pain started to relent. Tier
ney ran her hand down his shoulder and over more scars to his arm. “Jax, let me in,” she called, and in his mind, he turned. The passion blazing in his eyes made her bite her lip in anticipation.
The pain let up even more, so she continued to physically run her hand up and down his shoulder and arm. In his mind, the glass-wall shattered, and suddenly he stood in front of her, heat in his gaze. “Tierney.”
“Jax.” Mine! She thought, shocked at her possessiveness as molten heat in her veins made her tremble with desire.
The scenery changed and Tierney gaped as she glanced around. She’d been here before but had long forgotten this place. She took in the familiar cotton-candy clouds. The beautiful sunset bathed everything in a warm, soft light, and the soft green grass under their feet. Birds twittered in trees that swayed gently in the breeze. Off in the distance, a snow-capped mountain range reached as far as the eye could see, and a perfect little stream ran just a few feet away.
It was paradise, and also the place where she had visited Jax all those years ago. When Marcius took him away. How could I have forgotten this? Except, it hadn’t been a real paradise. Although it was warm and inviting, the spot where Jax’s soul called her to each night for about six months, had been devastating. She would sit for hours, holding him, and soothing all his pain and fear away.
Overwhelming sadness filled her as she remembered that time, but the glint in Jax’s eyes pushed the memories aside. The next second, when their clothes disappeared, she jumped. Startled, she grinned at the stunning sight of Jax standing tall and proud, and butt naked in front of her.
He pulled her into his arms and the pain turned to intense pleasure. Tierney moaned at the searing heat of his skin against hers, while scorching blue eyes raked her with unbridled hunger. “Tiern.”
“Jax.” Pleasure swirled as his thick arousal pressed against her belly.
“I want you so badly.” He lowered his lips to hers, searing her with a kiss and drawing a sigh from her at the sweet brush of his lips. He set her blood on fire as he trailed fiery kisses down her neck, nibbling along the way.
His cock strained, making her wet between her legs as she hungered to feel him. Jax scorched his wicked way along her throat and across her chest, licking hungrily, searing her. “Oh baby– Jax.”
She whimpered as he touched her in all the right places. “Don’t stop.”
“Want you,” he groaned and gently squeezed her breast, lightly tweaking the pink nipple and making her moan before moving onto the other. Soon she was writhing against him. His fingers sent shivers through her as they trailed over her stomach, down her thighs and to the sensitive flesh between her legs. She groaned and spread them apart to give him more access. Part of her couldn’t believe she was doing this, but another part prayed he wouldn’t stop.
Her eyes flew open at the press of his arousal against her for real. Though he still slept, his breathing had also picked up. She closed her eyes and clutched him as she focused on what was going on in his mind. Jax sucked her breast into his mouth, and she arched against him with a moan as he swirled his tongue around the tip, before doing the same with the other. Never had anything felt so amazing.
Tierney ran her hands all over his body, while his mouth and fingers worked their magic. A fierce pressure began to build, and though she’d never experienced an orgasm before, she had read a lot of books, and knew she was close. “Jax.”
“Need you,” he said, rubbing his cock against her.
Hesitantly, she reached down and wrapped her hand around him, marveling at his size. Thrilled when he shuddered at her touch, she ran her fingers up and down his length.
“Tierney, I ache for you,” he groaned.
“Gods, Jax, you make me—”
“What? Tell me how I make you feel.” His tongue traced a hot trail from her breasts up to her lips.
“You make me crazy.” She felt ready to explode. “Please,” she whimpered, as his tongue teased hers. Pulses of pleasure continued to build inside of her. “No, I can’t take any more,” she thought, until he took his fingers away, making her whimper again.
Jax lowered her to the soft ground, gazing at her with such hunger he set her heart racing. Then he knelt between her legs. Her whole body ached for more.
“Jax!” she cried out as his tongue tasted her. “Oh yes!” Her body writhed out of control as waves built then crashed, exploding inside her, leaving her breathless at her first orgasm.
“Tierney, I want you. I ache to be inside you.”
She moaned as her body continued to pulse from the pleasure he’d given her.
“You taste so wonderful,” he said, then covered her body with his, arms on each side of her, supporting his weight as she continued to ride the waves of her orgasm. The tip of him nestled at her core, and he shook at the intensity. “Need a minute, about to lose control.” But his throbbing cock, lightly touching her, brought her to orgasm again.
“Oh baby!” She wanted him inside of her more than anything. “Please!” Claiming his lips, Tierney felt as if she were being consumed by fire, but in a good way, while Jax struggled for control. Tierney bit the sweet, fleshy part of his ear, hissing, “I want you inside me.” Her fingers dug into his ass, as his cock slid deep, making her moan at the pleasure as shock waves pulsed through her.
“C-can’t hold out much longer.” Jax buried himself all the way inside her while she raked him with her nails. He moaned, their whimpers of pleasure combining. Pressure built and she arched up off the ground, meeting him as he thrust deep.
She held him when he lost all control, and thrust furiously in and out, his tongue warring with hers. Being in his mind, his hunger consumed her as well.
A blissful moment later, he sent her over the edge in another mind shattering climax, making her yell. Then, he joined her in pleasure. “Tierney!”
Their bodies pulsing, thrumming with waves of bliss, he collapsed on top of her, then a moment later rolled to the side and took her with him. He held her tenderly in his arms. Tierney trailed her fingers over his face. “Well, that’s a much better way to fight the pain.” She smiled, eyes hazy with satisfaction as he stared at her with wonder.
“You’re amazing.” His eyes shone and they stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until his eyes closed. Tierney soaked up the sight of him before pulling out of his mind.
Awake, she studied him as he slept. Then she gently caressed the soft hair at the nape of his neck, causing him to shiver and press closer to her before he relaxed with a satisfied sigh.
As much as she loved looking at him, Tierney knew she should get some shuteye as well. But of course, she kept replaying their fantastic lovemaking in her mind. Their mind-sex easily surpassed any fantasy she’d ever had, or even read about. But she still didn’t know what to make of it. Did he honestly want her? If so, why did he try so hard to push her away and make her think otherwise?
When she did fall asleep, Tierney found the connection still open between them, sucking her back into his mind. Once again in Jax’s arms, in the same beautiful spot, she studied the sinfully long, dark lashes that hid the most amazing eyes. A dusting of whiskers shadowed his jawline and his full soft lips. Damn, he’s so sexy, so, lick-able. She thought about what they had done and chuckled. She’d just had the most mind-blowing sex ever, and yet she remained a virgin.
Tierney glanced around, amazed at this world of Jax’s, and brushed her hand along the soft grass before looking up at the fluffy clouds. The sun was still setting, casting a soft pinkish glow over everything. She frowned and wondered what was beyond the rust colored brick wall in the distance. It failed to fall when the glass one had, and she remembered this particular wall from back when they were kids. Even then, Jax had refused to talk about it.
Tierney frowned when she spotted a dark gap between the bricks, showing the outline of a … door? Careful not to wake him, she eased from Jax’s arms and started to walk toward it.
As she grew close, she smiled. It was a door. Whe
n she stepped through, surprise filled her at the sight of another wall. This one, about fifty-feet tall, was wooden and stood just a few feet away.
The wall seemed eerily familiar, but with the setting sun cast ominous shadows everywhere, it was hard to see clearly. A twinge went through her as she surveyed the sharp spikes running along the top. Spikes to prevent anyone from climbing over. She looked both ways along the wall, and gasped when she spotted a skinny, disheveled boy sitting in front of an outcropping of boulders not far away. She started towards him.
As she got close, Tierney swallowed. The boy appeared around eight, and sat with his arms wrapped around his knees. He leaned against a large, red, wooden box with his head lowered to his chest. She sucked in a breath when a set of brilliant, blue eyes rose to meet hers. Bruises and cuts marred his features. But the lost look in his eyes just about brought her to her knees. This was a younger Jax and Tierney’s heart wept at the sight of him. “Jax.” She crouched down. “What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” the young Jax said.
Realization pierced her, and Tierney glanced up at the spiked iron gate. This was their village in Tartaria. Awed, she stood and took a step forward, until the panic in Jax’s voice stopped her.
“No, don’t go in there.”
“Why?” She asked.
“Just … please don’t.”
The fear in his voice gave her pause, even though she itched to see what was beyond the wall.
“Please,” he repeated.
She looked back at the gate and debated whether to listen to him or continue in. The desire to see was irresistible, but if he didn’t want her to, she wouldn’t. “All right, I won’t go in.” She crouched down again and studied him. His head rested in cut and bleeding hands, and Tierney ached to take him in her arms, but she didn’t want to hurt him more than he all ready was.
“Come with me,” she said instead. “You don’t belong here.” He didn’t move. “Jax?”
“I can’t.” His voice was so quiet she almost didn’t hear him.
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