Below the Surface

by Marie Harte

  Aerolus saw the perplexed look on Cadmus’ face and started laughing. Both his brothers stared at him in astonishment, but he couldn’t stop. Marcus, who should be dead, wasn’t. Cadmus, one moment a Storm Lord and the next a Djinn, was complaining already. And Tessa, lovely, powerful Tessa, slept like a baby while their enemy had vanished into the Next, or hopefully Hell, at the hands of a rebellious Djinn.

  “Aerolus?” Cadmus asked hesitantly, his eyes haunted but sincere with concern. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” Aerolus said honestly. He felt alive, deliriously happy and surrounded by brotherly affection. Within him resonated Darius’ satisfaction that all was well, and he turned to Cadmus with a smile. “Let’s go home.”

  * * * *

  Tessa murmured for Marcus and smiled when she felt him running strong hands up her thighs. Succumbing to her superb lover, she spread her legs wide and sighed with pleasure when his hands found her.

  One finger penetrated while another rubbed her hardening clit. She writhed as her body pooled with want. A warm mouth covered one aroused breast, and when he nipped lightly, she arched up with a moan, completely at his mercy.

  “Yes, sertia, more,” he rasped and added another finger, widening her passage. His fingers slid in and out easily, coated with her slick need that continued to grow as he played.

  With amazing skill, he coaxed her to a quick orgasm. Unable to stop, she shuddered and came, tightening around his fingers as she rode his hand.

  “That’s it, sertia.” He withdrew from her body and began kissing his way up her belly.

  She could feel his cock hot and hard against her leg, and just the thought of him wanting her sparked her desire.

  Marcus, however, would not be rushed. He kissed her gently, touching and stroking until he’d built her need once more. And he refused to let her touch him.

  “If you touch me now, I’ll lose it,” he warned in a thick voice. “I want this to last. I want to watch you come around me when I spill inside you. I need to see your eyes when we’re one.” His blue eyes deepened to black.

  “I love you, Marcus,” she whispered and circled his neck to bring his mouth to hers.

  He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking and sliding along the recesses of erotic zones she hadn’t thought existed in her mouth. But each swipe of his tongue against the roof of her mouth made her breath hitch, and when he thrust his tongue against hers, her sex quivered, wanting his shaft deep inside.

  She arched into him, pressing her breasts against his chest and scraping the hardened peaks in slow circles.

  “Tessa,” he groaned, reaching between them to position his cock on her clit. He rotated the head of his shaft, applying pressure to her sensitive area, sliding closer but never close enough to allow penetration.

  He was killing her.

  Not wanting another orgasm without him, she took charge. She battled and assumed control of the kiss, pulling and pushing at his tongue until he was panting and thrusting against her clit in time with her mouth’s rhythm.

  “More, Marcus,” she commanded, spreading her thighs further and wrapping her legs around his waist.

  Her wet heat coated his shaft and snapped an invisible thread on his control. Her skilled and considerate prince suddenly vanished, replaced by the frenzied lover she desired so very much.

  “Fuck,” he snarled and thrust inside her in one long, deep stroke. “I tried so hard to be patient,” he said as he continued to pummel her without mercy. “But you won’t let me. You won’t let me protect you,” he said, and she couldn’t stop the rush of euphoria gathering in her womb.

  “You won’t let me care for my affai as I should,” he gritted and thrust harder, making her cry out as she came.

  He continued to drive, working her as she throbbed and spasmed around him, her mind drugged with rapture so intense her vision dimmed. Then suddenly he tensed and pressed deeper, and she could feel him shuddering as he spilled inside her.

  “Ah, Tessa,” he groaned and pulled out, only to sink deeper once more as her body milked him. He kissed her deeply, his energy binding, seeking hers naturally, just as she accepted him without reservation. “I can’t believe this is real.”

  She sighed and nuzzled the underside of his stubbled chin. So sexy, and so mine. “I can’t either.” She tensed as memories invaded, dark, fearful visions of a life without him.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, running his hands along her sides to calm her.

  “You almost died,” she said softly, her temper growing as she recalled how willing he’d been to die for her. “You were willing to kill yourself for me. And I have a problem with that,” she snapped, pushing him off her.

  Rolling to the side, she sat up, heaving with anger. When his gaze settled lazily on her breasts, she fumed and grabbed a shirt from the nightstand. Obviously his, the way it draped over her. The T-shirt made her warm and fuzzy, and she had to fight to hold onto her mad.

  “I’m a little hazy on the details,” Marcus said as he laid back on his pillow and placed his hands behind his neck. “I’m remembering bits and pieces, but not the whole. The last thing I remember is you standing up behind the couch, walking right through our protection spell that should have been impenetrable.” He kept his voice light and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or merely rehashing the incident.

  “Don’t even try blaming me for any of it,” she said defensively. “I spent hours alone with that monster and woke up from Jonas’ mind zap with a raging headache. But I survived. I’m no delicate princess,” she used the word deliberately and scored a hit when he frowned, “who needs pampering and protection.” She thought about that. “Okay, so maybe I could have used a little protection.”

  “We haven’t been using any, you know.” He grinned, throwing her off. “Protection, I mean.” He laughed at the small ‘o’ she made.

  “I, we, I mean, you—” she stammered, feeling like an idiot, but her hands crossed her abdomen in an instinctively hopeful gesture. “That’s not the point!”

  “What is the point, affai?” he asked lazily, staring at her chest until she could feel her nipples grazing the cotton fabric, arousing her once more.

  “The point, River Prince, is that you were going to die. For me.”

  He shrugged. “And for Tanselm and my brothers.”

  “So what, I’m chopped liver?” Fury washed through her, that he could be so casual about this. Her eyes filled and she grew even angrier. Dammit. He’d made her cry, and she never cried.

  “Oh, Tessa.” He immediately sat up and cradled her stiff body in his arms. “I’m sorry, sertia. I’m just so happy to have you safe and sound, I can’t worry any more about what happened. I love you so much.”

  He kissed her, a meeting of hearts that kicked their desire into high gear again. Marcus groaned and shifted her so that she sat astride his erection with the sheet between them.

  “Marcus,” she protested, needing to air her concerns. Though when he rotated his hips like that…

  Marcus sighed. She was right. His cock could wait, her answers couldn’t.

  “Tessa, when I couldn’t find you after work I went a little crazy. I’ve been afraid I wouldn’t have what it takes to defend what I prize most. But I did.” He felt a moment’s pride that he had, in fact, passed his own test. “It’s my job to protect you. Wait, I’m trying to explain something difficult for me to say.” He could hear the stiffness in his voice but couldn’t help it. “I make mistakes. I’m not perfect.”

  She stared at him, amazed, and broke into laughter.

  “It’s not funny,” he said coolly, not amused when she laughed harder.

  “Hell, Marcus. I could have told you that from day one. You’re bossy, conceited, too free with your affections, but that’s stopped now, so I’ll let that one go.”

  He waited for her to finish, and when she continued his vast litany of faults, he sighed in defeat. “Okay, okay. That may have come out wrong.”

  “No, it didn’t.
You don’t have to be perfect all the time, Marcus. Your father told me all about you months ago. I thought it was all a dream at the time, a Freudian joke for having spent so much time at work both fantasising and disliking you. But now that I think about it, with everything that happened, it might not have been a dream after all.”

  “You saw my father?” He swallowed around a dry mouth.

  She nodded. “His name is Faustus, and you have the same shaped face, the same chin. He’s very proud of you by the way.”

  “I know,” Marcus said, his voice thready. “I used to think I’d never be good enough to be king, to be even a fraction as good as my father. But I know better now.” He hugged her tight, pleased when she squirmed against his still-hard cock. “You make me whole, Tessa. With you I can be me, just Marcus. And I don’t have to pretend.”

  “Oh Marcus, you’re not as good an actor as you think. At first I used to think you were an arrogant jerk because you believed yourself better than everyone. But as we grew closer, I could see you used that ‘kingly’ tone as a front. Don’t you know I love you because of your many flaws?” she teased.

  “I wouldn’t say many.” He felt somewhat defensive. “Maybe one or two, perhaps.”

  She shifted the blanket away from his hips and sank down over his rock-hard shaft. He groaned, his mind emptying of everything but the feel and scent of Tessa.

  “You talk too much,” she said and lifted up, only to sink heavily over him again. “If it weren’t for my brother’s advice to go with you to Tanselm and be deliriously happy for the rest of my life, I’d leave you in a minute,” she gasped.

  “Three faults, but that’s my final offer,” he murmured and swallowed her laughter.

  She rode him hard, all teasing aside when he found her nipples and toyed her into submission. Watching her take him, he couldn’t help thinking her perfect for him, and thanked the Light for sending him to this place.

  With or without Tanselm, Marcus’ life finally felt complete.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You do know this isn’t over yet,” Aerolus said as they waited for Arim.

  “Obviously,” Marcus answered. “If it were, we’d all be going home. But I’m sure Arim will explain when he gets here.”

  It was a sure sign how much Tessa meant to Marcus that the River Prince didn’t mind waiting for explanations. Aerolus couldn’t help the joy that filled him, despite his nagging certainty that the woman in white would bring more trouble than he wanted to handle just now. But she was a matter that could wait.

  Both Darius and Marcus had found their affai, women to love and cherish, to bless them with children. Already the burden of gratifying the prophesied Tetrarch was half fulfilled. If something were to happen to him, at least Darius and Marcus stood a chance to reinstate the Storm Lord line.

  He shook his head. Brooding about his possible death was pointless, so he returned his attention to his brothers. The mood in their living room was decidedly warm with Marcus set to return home today. However, a glance at Cadmus disturbed him. His brown-eyed brother had been worrying him for weeks.

  “I’ve got to be at work early tonight.” Cadmus’ mouth tightened briefly before relaxing into a lazy smile. “Ellie has issues Gerry thinks he needs to address.”

  “Issues?” Tessa asked curiously.

  Since the fight in Davis’ apartment two weeks ago, Cadmus had been surprisingly upbeat. Granted, they had defeated ‘Sin Garu, but even Marcus agreed his brother was acting outside the norm.

  Cadmus shrugged. “Issues with me. I don’t know. Half the time the woman’s a pain in the ass, the other half she’s not there. Who am I to complain?” He grinned and elbowed Aerolus, changing the subject. “Didn’t I tell you Marcus would be the next to fall? I knew he had the hots for her.”

  “Cadmus, we both know you had no clue who Tessa really was,” Marcus said, his tone condescending. “It was only my decision to lower my standards after so many months at Tomanna that made her acceptable as an affai.”

  Sudden silence met his declaration, and all eyes turned to Tessa. Marcus’, Aerolus noted, shone with laughter.

  “I just love when that stick appears up his ass.” Tessa grinned and Cadmus laughed, a sincere chuckle that made Aerolus happy to hear. “Lowering standards, that’s a good one.”

  “But you know it’s not true.” Marcus squeezed her tight and kissed the breath out of her. He whispered loudly in her ear, “Around you, sertia, nothing on me is lowered.”

  Tessa flushed.

  “Just what I love to see, a royal prince desperately in love with his affai.” Arim walked towards them, appearing from out of nowhere. “So you’re finally ready to go home, then?”

  Marcus nodded. “Might as well. Then Tessa can find some acceptable clothes to wear.” He eyed her frayed jeans and blouse with disdain.

  “You’re such a snot. Remember, Marcus, I’m about to become a queen. Show a little respect.”

  Arim smiled and gestured them to the dark circle growing on the far wall of the living room. “Your future awaits.” Then he turned and stared at Cadmus, a frown on his face.

  Marcus lingered while Tessa hugged Aerolus and lastly, Cadmus. Before stepping away, she whispered something in Cadmus’ ear that had him pulling back.

  “Just think about it,” she said. At Marcus’ puzzled look, she shook her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

  He shrugged and turned to his brothers. He grabbed Cadmus first, crushing him in a mighty hug his brother fully returned.

  “Don’t give Aerolus a hard time,” he warned, a smile on his lips. “And tell him whatever’s bothering you.”

  “Why should I?” Cadmus asked flippantly, all the while Aerolus remained aware Arim’s intent gaze hadn’t wavered from his brother. “You never did.”

  “Yes, but that’s because I’m a conceited asshole, remember?” Marcus smirked and shoved Cadmus aside, considering Aerolus before he spoke. “I’ll miss you too, brother. Have you need of us, just ask.”

  Us, he said. Marcus and Tessa. Aerolus lip curled in a smile, one that reflected in his gaze. “Would that I meet someone as well-matched for me as Tessa is for you. You’ve the luck of the Light, Marcus. Go on home, and tell Darius and Samantha we miss them. And Tessa,” he said, staring solemnly at his brother’s affai with a twinkle in his eyes, “keep him straight, will you?”

  She grinned and nodded, eager to start her new life. Taking Marcus’ arm, she and her prince walked through the portal, turning one last time to say good-bye.

  “Darius and your mother are waiting for you on the other end, Marcus. I’ll be along,” Arim said, and with a wave of his hand, gestured good-bye to Marcus and Tessa while closing the portal behind them.

  Just great, he meant to stay a while. Aerolus mused the potential problems this visit would surely pose.

  “Now that the happy pair has left, which one of you wants to share what the hell’s been going on since my last visit?” Arim narrowed his gaze. “What aren’t you telling me?” He stared at the two of them, no longer the affable spellcaster, but a furious mage on the verge of losing his patience.

  Cadmus stared wide-eyed at Arim before turning to consider Aerolus with a sharp gaze. He whistled. “Holding out on me, too, eh, bro?”

  Aerolus forced himself to remain calm, holding in place the shield that sheltered him from Arim’s prying mind. He turned back to Cadmus, sorry to put his brother on the hot seat, but grateful for the excuse to find out what bothered him. “I’m not sure what Arim’s referring to, but I think we both know you turning Djinn during the battle with ‘Sin Garu was no freak accident.”

  Arim froze. “Turning Djinn?” He grabbed Cadmus by the shoulder and spun him to stare directly into his eyes. Then began the long inquisition Aerolus had hoped for, giving him more time to shelve his problems.

  A bright light winked at the corner of his eye, and grateful for even the smallest of distractions, Aerolus turned in its direction. Paying it more attention than
it probably deserved, Aerolus subtly studied it, using a small spell to enhance his vision, when his breath caught.

  His lady in white was the size of a dime, complete with sheer wings, a warm glow, and an irritated scowl darkening her violet eyes.

  Queen in council. The Aellei. Dark Lords. Suddenly it all came together, as his intense studies in the Great Hall bore fruit.

  Her iridescent white skin. That otherworldly glow. Wings. She commanded the Shadren as evidenced by her familiarity with the Nocumat. And her reference to the Aellei. How had he forgotten mention of them?

  Aelle—a land more notorious than Tanselm, one steeped in raw, shadowy magic. With a legendary reputation for amusing themselves through deception and a conceit that made Marcus look tame, the Aellei made poor allies and even poorer enemies. And they had, if memory served correctly, been briefly associated with the Dark Lords during Tanselm’s dark years, before the Storm Lords liberated the land.

  His heart wanted to pound out of his chest. With a knowledge he wished, by the Light how he wished, he did not possess, he knew the woman in white was an Aellei, his affai, and trouble with a capital ‘T’.

  About the Author

  Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with the warmth of first passion and knew writing was her calling. Over twenty years later, the Marine Corps, a foray through Information Technology, a husband and four kids, and her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in Georgia with her family and loves hearing from readers.

  Email: marie_harte@yahoo.com

  Marie loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound/com.

  Also by Marie Harte

  The Perfect Creation

  Creation’s Control