He couldn’t fly with his injured wing, but they were better moving in on foot over the charcoal-like soil. In the air, it might be more difficult to control the force flowing from her.
They pushed back across the realm. The incubus king slashed at the shield with furious strikes. More demons flew in, attempting to attack from various angles. They roared in frustration as they pounded to no effect.
Crossing the realm on foot took longer, but at least she had the earth to ground her. Each pounding of sword or fist on the shield reverberated in her skull. She forced herself to ignore it. Expending all that energy drained her. Centuries seemed to pass.
Eventually, they reached the swirl of energy that indicated the edge of the portal. She had to hold on a bit longer. Just a bit more.
“Keep going,” Talia encouraged.
Larissa’s body shook and vibrated. Perspiration coated her skin. She had to remain in control.
“Hold on,” Roman said. “You’re almost there.”
Right. She had to continue. But, her entire body convulsed. It was too much power to handle. Too draining. It taxed all her internal systems, threatening to shut them down.
Shit. She wasn’t going to reach it in time.
With the last bit of her reserves, she projected her magic to protect them.
A funnel of icy black air seemed to swirl around and claim her like a demon’s dark embrace.
Chapter 13
Roman cried out when Larissa collapsed. Was she dead?
The shield she’d cast began to disintegrate. Soon, they’d all stand there like rabbits amid a pack of wolves. But, hell if he wasn’t going to give it all he had. They’d made it this far.
“Leap in!” he commanded the sentries. “Hurry, go!”
While Talia, Erik, and Diego rushed to the portal, he dove for Larissa. If he could cover those last few feet, he’d carry her in.
He lifted her, and a swell of emotions swirled through him like a tsunami. His mate…
Not now. He ran as he carried her to the portal, his wings dragging uselessly behind him—and almost blinding him with excruciating pain.
Only a few more feet.
He could make it. One—two—on three he leaped into the air to enter the portal.
A yank on one of his damaged wings pulled him back. He thundered as the flesh of his wings tore even more, but clung to Larissa. He refused to let go.
“She’s mine!”
The devilish roar was one Roman recognized. When he turned back, the incubus king had pierced a weakness in the shield. Then, just as suddenly, the intense hold on Roman’s wing was gone.
The demon turned and seethed at Arto and Janie. Roman quickly deduced why it had released him. The crimson slash mark across the demon’s bicep indicated Arto had wounded him.
That also meant Arto and Janie hadn’t jumped into the portal. Fuck.
“I’ve got your back, Roman.”
Roman stared at Arto with astonishment. “You always do.”
The incubus advanced on Arto, but he was ready with his sword. He swung it with precise aim leaving a vicious red strike in the demon’s chest. It clutched the injury, falling backward to the ground.
“Finish it!” Roman commanded.
Arto strode over to the wounded demon. Blood poured out from its chest, additional spurts erupting as it coughed—a certain death wound for any but an immortal.
“No!” Janie shouted.
They both turned and stared at her. What the hell was she doing? The shield had been pierced in multiple places, and the demons were trying to climb through. Their team had to escape.
“Let me.”
Janie’s expression burned with determination. Larissa had always described her as optimistic and outgoing, almost bubbly. But, what he glimpsed on her face was fierce.
The demon’s red eyes glared as it reached for her with its claws, but it was too injured to rise.
“I told you I’d kill myself before bearing your spawn.” Janie raised the sword. “I like Plan B better.” She impaled the sword into the incubus king’s throat with a shattering cry.
Arto exchanged a glance with Roman and communicated, she needed to do it.
Right, she did. She’d suffered more from the demons than any of them.
After seeing the bloody carnage beneath her, Janie dropped the sword and gasped. She stepped back, raising her hands in retreat.
The smaller demons had penetrated the shield and were flying toward them. The larger demons climbed head or feet first through the openings. In moments, the beasts would reach them.
Arto raised his sword and severed the incubus’s head from its body. Then he grabbed Janie. “It’s over.”
“Now!” Roman commanded. He wouldn’t dare leave this realm without Arto and Janie.
Arto lifted her and soared into the portal.
Roman followed suit, leaping into the portal with Larissa dangling like deadweight in his arms.
Chapter 14
She’s alive.
Roman repeated that phrase whenever his fear resurfaced as the hours passed with Larissa in his bed. She’d expended so much energy that he could barely detect her life force. But, it was there—a faint but steady pulse that refused to give up.
You’re a fighter, he told her. Fight for your life.
He recovered, in agonizing pain, beside her. The damage to his wings was significant. As they repaired themselves, at times it felt like someone was sewing his flesh with a jagged needle. He curled into a ball and swallowed a scream. It was a small price to pay to have them once again.
It took over two days for his body to heal, the longest he’d ever taken to recover from battle wounds.
Stay with me, Larissa. Come back to me, my mate.
Three days after returning through the portal, she finally opened her eyes.
She blinked slowly and glanced around in confusion. “What happened?”
He took her hand and rubbed her palm. She curled her hand around his. The small movement made his heart flutter.
“We made it back from the demon’s realm.”
“You were injured. Your wings torn.” She scanned his body. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I healed while you recovered. Like I said, shifter healing is fast.”
She tilted her head as she appraised him. “Magical.” She straightened and blinked several times. “The last thing I remember is heading to the portal, and then everything went black."
He smiled at her. “Let’s get some food, and I’ll tell you everything while we eat.”
She glanced out the window. “It’s night? My internal clock is off, I guess. But, I could eat.” The mention of food tugged a hunger ache inside her. It had been days since she’d eaten. “I’ll skip breakfast and go straight for dinner.”
“We have trays of chicken parmesan and eggplant here.”
She clapped her hands. “Perfect. I’m so hungry I could probably eat the entire thing.”
“I’ll heat it up and bring it out to the rooftop. Meet me there when you’re ready.”
After a quick shower, she dressed and joined him up on the roof. He handed her a plate and a glass of Pinot Grigio, and then explained what happened after she’d collapsed.
Her eyes widened. “Janie killed the incubus king?”
He nodded. “She’s a warrior, that one.”
Her mouth fell open. “Talk about conquering your demons…”
Roman laughed. “Exactly. It will never bother her again.”
“Where is she now?”
“She’s staying with her parents for a few days.”
Larissa nodded. “That’s probably the best thing for her right now.”
“Once we made it back through the portal, I sealed it,” Roman added. “We haven’t had any signs of trouble since.”
She took a sip of her wine. “Good.”
After they ate dinner, Larissa excused herself to make some calls. She especially wanted to speak to Janie and her father
. Roman took the time to check with the Sentries. All appeared calm.
An hour later, she joined Roman in his chamber. “Janie’s enjoying being doted on by her parents. Her mother makes the best comfort food.”
“That’s what I hope to do here. Dote on you as much as you’ll let me.” After fearing he might never see his mate again, Roman could barely keep from making contact with her in some small way—a brush of their fingers, a touch of her shoulder, a gentle squeeze of her knee.
She flashed him a quizzical look. “You keep touching me—like I’m a ghost and you’re not sure if I’m real.”
“I was afraid I might lose you,” he admitted. “My soul ached. A future without you would be as bleak as that barren wasteland. When I sensed your lifeline, nothing can describe the happiness and relief that radiated through my soul. I don’t think there’s a word for it.”
“I think I might understand.” She stepped closer and searched his eyes. “I feel the same way.” She reached around and ruffled the hair at the back of his neck. “Thank you for going with me. Thank you for putting up with my craziness. Thank you for saving Janie and me.” Her gaze lowered to his lips.
“You saved me, too, Larissa. More than you’ll ever know.”
She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him. He kissed her in return, struck with a bit of wonder. After her close call with death, a part of him questioned if this was real and not a dream.
As their kiss deepened, he was certain. The intense sensation shot tremors of heat through his body. They clutched each other as the urgency rose. They were alive, and what better way to live than to love fiercely and with all they had?
After he led her to the bed, he crawled on top of her. He covered her face with kisses and then cupped her cheeks.
He didn’t want her to leave. Not now. Not ever. But he would have to take this one step at a time. “Stay here with me for another night.”
“Yes,” she purred.
“Despite all that happened,” he said, “I’ve enjoyed you being here.”
A decadent gleam shimmered in her dark blue gaze. “I’m enjoying myself a great deal, too. And looking forward to where it will lead.”
He ran his hand down over her side and back up to cup her breast. “Oh, and where are you hoping that it might go?”
As he caressed her breast, her breath turned ragged. When he stroked his thumb over her nipple, she gasped. The beast within him woke, and all the muscles in his body tightened with raw anticipation.
“Experience has shown me that it will be incredible,” she said. “It always is with you.”
His cock hardened, but he couldn’t push so soon after she’d recovered. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? You don’t want to rest more?”
She caressed his cheek, running her fingers along his jawline. “Roman, I’ve been resting for days. I’m shocked and thrilled we survived. It makes me appreciate life all the more. And nobody makes me feel more alive than you.”
He dropped his head to her neck and inhaled her unique scent. His witch. It sent a tremor of electric heat pulsing through him, intensifying his need.
Then he murmured, “Sounds like I have a lot to live up to in order to keep my reputation with you intact.” He licked and kissed her neck and dropped his free hand just above her knee. Then, he trailed his way over to stroke her inner thigh.
“Oh, Roman.” She writhed beneath him and spread her legs another inch. “You are already so high up on the charts.”
He loved it when her voice softened to this sensual tone, knowing he brought it out in her.
“Do you like this?” He drew his hand up between the soft flesh of her thighs and stroked higher.
She arched beneath him. “Yes. Take these off. Take it all off.” She tugged at his shirt, freeing it from his waistband.
They hurried to remove their clothing and tossed them onto the floor. He glanced at her, naked and burning with heat for him. Her chest rose and fell from her quickened breath. Their eyes locked, and the truth echoed through him once again like he’d been branded.
She was the one for him. The only one.
Shit, he was done for. With that intense look, she leveled him. He gulped. The veracity of their connection thrummed through him with the certainty that nothing had ever felt like this before. It never could.
Their mouths crashed as they fell back onto the bed. She ran her nails down his back—not deep enough to claw him and draw blood, but enough to set his nerve endings on fire, heightening the sensation. A low growl vibrated in his chest.
“Oh, Larissa. I need you so badly.”
He kissed and touched her body, stroking her velvety soft skin. He licked along her collarbone and down to her breasts. Taking a delicious bud into his mouth, he laved it. Then, as he switched to the other one, he trailed his fingers back between her thighs. When he stroked her slit, she was already so wet. He resisted puffing out his chest with pride and satisfaction. She was slick with need for him. Only him.
When he inserted a finger into her tight channel, her gasp ended with a low moan. The feel of her wet silk on him shot another bolt of fire through his body. His cock throbbed, aching to be within her.
He wanted her in so many ways. He was desperate to be inside her, but he had to taste her first. Make her delirious with passion for him and cry out her ecstasy. He had to touch her, had to imprint himself on every spot of her satin skin. And then he would fuck her until she shattered and collapsed beneath him. He would mark her as his. No other male would ever dare to come close.
She was his.
Just as he was hers.
Even if she didn’t yet understand their connection, he did. And he would guard it like he had already taken a sacred vow to love and protect her for eternity. His absolute certainty in them was more than enough to carry them forward until the day she was ready and would accept him as her life mate.
He slid his mouth down her torso as he worked his way around her naval. She let out a breathy sigh and ran her fingers through his hair. He loved the touch of her hands there, the intimate hold. As if she was claiming him as well.
The scent of her desire grew stronger, drawing his beast to the edge of control. Roman licked the inside of her thighs while he continued to explore her inner walls with his fingers. Her breath turned ragged as the muscles in her thighs tightened. She squirmed as he continued to tease. Small moans escaped her, sounding more frantic as she arched her back.
“Roman, you’re killing me.” Her voice had turned breathy.
Good, that’s exactly where he wanted her to be. Drive her wild with need as explosive as his.
“What do you want?”
She sighed. “You know what I need. You’re teasing me.”
“Because I love to see you like this.” He kissed her inner thigh. “As desperate for me as I always am for you.”
“Please,” she begged.
“Please what?” He pushed.
“You know what I want. You. All of you.”
“Yes,” he said, relishing the victory of hearing her say those words. “I love to hear you say it.”
He buried his face in between her legs and drew in that intoxicating scent before he gave her a slow lick that made her shudder and sigh. Her honey tasted so delicious. Gods, he was relieved to put them both out of their agony.
With both his mouth and hands, he savored every inch of her he could reach, alternating between long strokes of his tongue and intense pressure on her sensitive bead. Whenever he sensed she was close, he pulled back, lowering the intensity before ramping it up again. As he explored her, she responded with more desperate sounds. They grew more frantic as her hands dropped from his head to clutch at the sheets.
She begged him with incoherent words, but he knew what she needed. He was there himself. He’d explode if he didn’t get inside her soon. He had to drive himself into her sweet, welcoming body.
When he thought she could take it no longer, he increased the pressure and pace until she
reached the edge of self-control.
She tossed her head to the side on the pillow and cried out as her body arched and trembled. More honey coated his tongue. She trembled beneath him.
When the quakes subsided, he slid up her body and rubbed his cock against her. Her expression was soft and rapturous. She opened her eyes and glanced at him from beneath hooded lids. A sensuous siren. His beautiful mate.
He slid the tip into her hot sex, unleashing a primal growl as she tightened around him. Her hot velvet channel gripped him. Fuck, this felt so right, he never wanted to leave. Lowering his mouth to hers, he claimed her with a kiss. With the taste of her still on his tongue, their flavors mingled. So damn erotic. The deep, sensual kiss drove his beast to near madness as he penetrated more deeply.
She wrapped her arms around his back and followed with her legs around his waist. Finally, he was in, where he needed to be. As he drew himself out, she clutched him as if worried he might leave. Never. Nothing could steal him from her now, or take her from him. He’d fight hordes of demons, legions of werewolves, and any human or creature that would ever dare try to tear them apart.
They were joined. Connected. Body and soul.
“Larissa, you feel so damn good.”
Her reply of yes was almost incoherent through her sighs and moans. She arched her hips beneath him, meeting him thrust for thrust. Each one turned more frantic than the last. She lifted her lower body, and he gripped her ass, holding her against him as he pounded into her and gave them the greater intensity they both needed.
“Yes, right there!” Her voice rang out clear that time.
Her muscles tightened as she grasped him. He hammered in harder. She cried out as she shattered and pulsed in hot waves around him. He didn’t want this to end, but he couldn’t hold back any longer. Tension claimed his body as blood thrummed through his veins. Pleasure—mindless, roaring, blinding pleasure radiated within. All his muscles tightened, from biceps to quads, as an inferno coiled inside. He detonated inside her with an animalistic roar.
Claiming her. Just as she’d already claimed him—heart and soul.
He rocked into her a few more times, and she milked every drop from him. Then he collapsed on top of her, nuzzling the satin skin on her shoulder.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 12
