by Setta Jay
“Fine. My muscles were just tight as shit when I woke.” She tried for something to avoid the topic she knew was coming. “Do you think we’ll find any clues in the rubble at Cynthia’s?”
“No. I’m sure she had tunnels, and she’ll be long gone. The explosion was smart; the scent made it impossible to track her.” He tapped a hand on the mantle of the stone fireplace. “I don’t think she will have left any clues. The human authorities are all over the place now. Once they’re gone, I’ll have someone double-check.”
She sat on the couch and tried to relax. “I guess I missed a lot while I was out.”
A fire was lit, giving the room a warm glow. She crossed one leg over the other and jiggled a foot in the air as they waited for Sirena to arrive. What was taking so long? Her sister was fastidious, but this was ridiculous.
“How long?” Drake asked with a raised eyebrow. She didn’t have to wonder at what he meant. She guessed that meant chitchat time was over. She hoped Sirena got there soon, though she was sure the healer would take Drake’s side.
“Too long,” was her best evasive answer.
Sirena finally walked in. The tap of her heels on the stone sounded deafening in the silence after her answer.
“Brianne,” he growled.
Damn. “A century, give or take.”
That caught him off guard. His eyes went a little wide. That was a huge reaction from him, which wasn’t necessarily good news for her. She looked over at the flames behind the grate.
“Are you fucking kidding me, Brianne!” he roared, and smoke billowed from his lips. “Do orders mean nothing now?”
Shit, he was really pissed. “Vane, Erik and Alex were helping out with the possessed on Earth, and you said yourself that we were supposed to avoid them so we didn’t have to exile them to Tetartos. We needed the help too much to worry about separating them from humanity.”
“How is fucking him avoiding him?” Drake snarled. The room was filling with smoke.
She just stared at the dragon, her mouth open. “I never tell any of you guys who to fuck. I can’t believe you’re going to tell me.”
“Brianne, I’m not your fucking daddy, but I gave an order, and you blew it off. I’m not happy everyone keeps hiding shit. First hellhounds, then a mate and now this. I took Uri’s ass to the mats. I don’t ask for shit other than you all do your fucking jobs and don’t make things harder for us.” Smoke filtered from his lips. His green dragon eyes were old, a lot older than they should be. He carried the weight of the Guardians. He watched over the sleeping Gods so that none of the Guardians would be tempted to off the bastards, and she knew he rarely slept. Sometimes he may seem a little cold, but he took his duty seriously.
“It wasn’t hurting anything,” she said, knowing that it didn’t matter. She had gone against his orders.
“Wrong. Sirena, explain her fucking blood work,” he growled, emerald eyes flashing dangerously.
Sirena finally spoke, and she looked exhausted and worried, which scared the shit out of Brianne. “It looks like both your and Vane’s cells have mutated. It’s like there is a connection melding between the two of you. I’m not sure what that means. It’s different than anything I’ve seen. Similar to a mating, but we know that’s impossible. The races never blended in Apollo’s labs. He tried to create mixed species on his own, but that failed. One body has never been able to house two animals.”
Brianne sat in shock as her sister took a deep breath before continuing.
“I’m not sure if it’s something to do with the ofioeidis venom or if it’s been there longer. I need to keep doing tests on the both of you.”
Brianne sat there, her muscles so tense she thought they’d snap. Connected? Mutated? What the hell did that mean?
“Your fucking actions had consequences. A damn century with a male that could never be yours was a bad fucking idea. What happens if this mates you in some weird way and we lose you to the animals? Will I have to fucking put a sister down?” Drake was furious and, more, worried, though she only caught a glimpse of it in his hard gaze. Her stomach lurched.
“We haven’t said anything because we still don’t know what’s happening. It’s your choice to tell the others. I’m not sure what any of it means for certain, but I’ll be taking blood samples often so I can figure it out.”
Chapter 30
Guardian Manor, Tetartos Realm
Rain was almost ready. Alyssa was doing the last checks on her dress.
“I can’t believe he took you shopping,” Sirena said with a smile.
“Yep. In the stores by the beach. He also took me to breakfast in a car. Then we walked around before coming back. He was twitchy and growly the entire time, and holy hell, if anyone got too close to me, he scared the shit out of them.” She grinned and continued. “It’s different than in the movies. You get the smells and sounds that are so different from here,” she explained to Alyssa.
Sam smiled as Rain recounted her morning adventures.
Rain felt lighter, almost giddy. She hoped they went back soon. She wanted to experience it all. Now, she just needed to get through the mating ceremonies to come.
Sam, Alex and Alyssa were there with the three female Guardians, Sacha, Sirena and Brianne, most drinking wine as they listened to her. Brianne had been tight lipped, claiming that she was still feeling some effects from the poison.
“Did you talk about the mating?” Sirena asked.
“Yes.” Rain felt nervous as hell. Excited about what would happen but worried at what his reaction to sharing her would be.
Dorian had contacted Tynan and Conn that morning. Conn would be there as a witness and to watch over the blood bonding. Of the brothers, she felt most comfortable with the wolf, but the whole thing would be emotionally trying, and she knew it.
“Done.” Alyssa tied the dress at the back of her neck so Rain could stop holding it over her breasts. It fell beautifully with a long gather that vee’d almost to her belly button. Her entire back was exposed in the pale pink silk gown. It was so low it nearly showed her ass.
“You look beautiful,” Alyssa said, smiling, and then she flushed, and her hand went to her stomach.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just the weird blending thing again.” Her friend gave the same answer she’d been giving for a while.
“What are you talking about?” Sirena asked, concerned.
“It’s no big deal. I just keep getting a weird sensation in my stomach, and my power surges. I’m sure it’s just normal power-melding stuff.”
Rain watched as Alyssa looked to the others. Alex and Sam frowned right along with Sirena.
The healer looked at her closely, and then her mouth fell a little, and her eyes grew wide. “Let me see,” Sirena said, and her hands went to Alyssa’s stomach. A second later, Sirena’s mouth fell completely open before saying, “Son of a bitch!” Her hands roved over Alyssa’s stomach again as a hush filled the room.
“What?” Alyssa said, and her pale eyes went instantly to panic. Gregoire was there within seconds.
“What the hell is going on?” he demanded as he came up beside Alyssa and pulled her into his chest.
“You’re pregnant,” Sirena whispered reverently before breaking out in a big watery smile.
Both Alyssa and Gregoire stared at the healer for a split second, and then Gregoire turned to his mate and dropped to his knees in front of her. His big hands caressed Alyssa’s stomach, so gently. He gripped her hips and pulled her stomach to his face. “Gods! Sirena, will she be okay carrying my child? She’s so damn small,” she heard him say softly, a hint of panic in his voice.
Alyssa’s fingers slid into his hair as she smiled down at her mate. He was holding her so gently, and Rain saw a tear slide down her friend’s cheek as she massaged her fingers through Gregoire’s hair, soothing him. There was a light smile tipping Alyssa’s lips, and she looked happier than Rain had ever seen her.
The moment was heart-wrenchingly beautiful, but private. S
he and the others left the room as quietly as they could, leaving Sirena to answer their questions. Alyssa whispered down to her mate, still smiling at him. So much love. Her friend was going to be a mother. She’d be an aunt to a little warhorse. Her hands went to her chest.
“I didn’t think it was possible for at least a decade?” Alex said, obviously still shocked. She and Alex were equally affected by the new development. Anxious and pale. They both set their drinks down on the nearest table as if the alcohol burned their fingers.
“It’s not surprising that Gregoire and that huge-assed horse dick of his knocked her up so fast,” Brianne mused.
Four sets of wide eyes turned to Brianne.
“What?” She looked at them, wide eyed and innocent. “You can’t tell me no one else was thinking it.” She turned to Sacha with her hands palms up. “You’ve seen his warhorse. I’m surprised he hasn’t broken Alyssa in half. My respect for that female went up fifty notches when she didn’t run screaming from him when she caught sight of that thing. Shit, we all know she was a virgin.”
Sacha, of all people, burst out laughing, and they all stared at the usually quiet Kairos. Her beautiful bronzed skin was flushed with amusement, and she looked even more beautiful.
Brianne had been quiet up until that point, saying that the venom was making her drowsy. Apparently not anymore. Rain just shook her head, grinning while trying not to picture Gregoire’s dick.
Sirena came out, a big smile on her pixy face.
“How are they?” Rain asked. She needed confirmation that her friend would be okay. Alyssa was small, and Gregoire was one of the largest Guardians.
“She’ll be fine. It’s Gregoire I’m concerned about. He’s working himself into a panic, and I fear that a new level of possessive craziness is moving in. Alyssa might beat him senseless before it’s all over.” Sirena smiled at that.
Sam and Alex shared a look and moved in front of Sirena, each settling one of the healer’s hands on their stomachs. Sirena chuckled. Rain, Sacha and Brianne just grinned. Sirena shook her head. Neither were pregnant, but now the question was whether or not there would be more pregnancies in the near future.
Alex and Sam quickly picked their drinks up off the table, and Alex downed hers and was looking to the patio bar as if she were planning to head there for a refill. Rain tried not to laugh too hard at the look on Alex’s face.
Rain wasn’t sure how she felt about children. She’d never considered anything that far out of reach. A decade seemed a long time, but now… What if she got pregnant with Dorian’s child? She pictured a small blond boy with spiky blond hair playing in the water, and she smiled. She’d be fine with whatever happened.
As it came time to leave for the ceremony, she turned to the others. She was sure Alyssa needed time to wrangle her mate. She wouldn’t hold it against her friend if she didn’t make it. She might be a little sad, but not upset. Alyssa’s life just changed in a huge way.
“We should get to the Temple,” she said. She was anxious to reach Dorian, and Sirena smiled knowingly before grabbing her hand and porting.
Rain took a deep breath as she stared down the long tunnel.
Alyssa came up next to her and squeezed her hand, and Rain was relieved her friend would be there. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Now, let’s get you mated.” Alyssa beamed, but Gregoire scowled at his mate touching Rain.
She shook her head and grinned at her friend’s crazy mate. His frown settled into something that resembled chagrin. He truly was having a difficult time. Alyssa’s hand left hers, and Gregoire tucked her into his side. She was flushed and beautiful, and Rain was immensely happy for her.
At the end of the tunnel the others walked into the cavern ahead of her. When she entered the glittering gold room, Dorian was there waiting. His eyes glittered with heat as Rain moved toward him. His beautiful bright eyes roved over her dress and down to the bare feet that peeked out from under the fabric. The material was light, a soft tease against her skin. She still couldn’t believe this was happening.
She felt rested, happy, and anxious all at once.
Dorian took her hands in his as Drake began. It was weird, but she couldn’t hear anything. It was if they were the only two people in the world. The Guardians were all there, along with Erik and Sam, but she didn’t see them. Didn’t hear anything but her own heartbeat.
The Temple they stood in was coated in gold, and she remembered standing there less than a month ago and seeing Dorian for the first time. Looking at him now, she realized how far they’d come in such a short time. She took a sharp breath at the beauty of his exposed chest. Soon, he would be marked as her mate. She saw the sexy vee that disappeared into his low-hanging black pants and her mouth watered a little. She was a very lucky female.
He said his vows in the old language, and she somehow understood every word. It was a binding pledge to honor and care for her, with his body, soul and in blood for eternity. She felt the words flow over her like a soft blanket for her soul.
Sirena, who stood at their side, lifted Rain’s hand to make the sacred permanent mating symbol on Dorian’s chest. Two serpents intertwined for eternity would always cover his flesh, proclaiming that he was hers. She felt the heat of power and saw his eyes flash. His lips parted as the serpents began forming on his flesh.
The minute it was done, he lifted her up and kissed her deeply. She melted into his arms. His hand went under the back of her dress to the dips above her bottom, and she moaned before breaking the kiss.
“Set me down. I want one too.” His eyes flashed with hunger, and then she turned her back. She heard his intake of breath when he saw her bare back exposed to her ass. It still seemed as if they were the only ones in the beautiful golden Temple. As if they were in a Realm of their own.
Soon power flowed from Sirena’s hand through his, this time marking her skin with a thinner, more feminine version of the serpents running the length of her spine. From between her shoulder blades to just above her ass. She faced away from him and tried not to moan at the biting sensation when the hot mark rose on her skin. She knew hers would be a soft plum color instead of the obsidian of his. She clenched her thighs as liquid flooded her. It was so damn intense. The minute it ended, she was in his arms and halfway out the tunnel.
His eyes were penetrating, and his jaw locked tight. “I’ve never seen anything more fucking beautiful. I’ll see that mark every time I bend you over.” He groaned. “I’m going to trace every line with my tongue the minute you belong completely to me.”
Her eyes went to his chest, and her lids lowered. “I want to do the same to yours.” She heard his teeth grinding as she traced the mark with her fingertip.
Chapter 31
Temple of Consummation, Tetartos Realm
When they reformed on the soft sand, she felt his hesitation. Arousal and heat ran wild just beneath the surface of her skin, and she breathed through it.
A few seconds later Tynan and Conn ported right next to them. Dorian’s eyes were locked on the male that would touch her.
Tynan looked ill at ease with the situation as he said, “I get it, D.”
The two males walked up the steps into the Temple, giving them a moment alone.
She smoothed a hand over his jaw, and he shook his head, still staring at the doorway into the Temple. “I’ll get through it. Hopefully, without killing him. Your eyes need to be on me the entire time. I want it to be good for you, it will be, but I’m walking a fine line.” He looked down at her and put his forehead against hers.
“Okay,” she agreed, understanding. She’d die if she had to watch him having sex with another female. It didn’t change the fact that it had to be done.
He carried her up the steps and into the massive stone room with mosaic tiles depicting all forms of sexual excess. There was a huge ornamental bed in the center. Each doorway surrounding the big room was open to the night air. Silk curtains billowed with the soft sea breeze coming in. A sof
t glow shone from the hundreds of candles arranged throughout the space.
He set her on the bed, watching as she tucked her feet under her body. She knew that he’d met with Tynan before the ceremony and had made the Aletheia well aware of his boundaries. Tynan looked vaguely like she’d been handed up as a sacrifice of old, and it only added to her anxiety.
Conn walked out of the room, leaving the three of them. He was to watch over the blood bonding and be there in case Dorian lost his mind with Tynan. She knew the wolf was standing sentry outside for this part of her Immortal ceremony.
Dorian took a deep breath and leaned in, kissing her until she was clinging to him, her arms twining around his neck, holding him as he made her dizzy. His hands went to the tie at the back of her neck and released it, letting the fabric fall to her waist. She grew more heated knowing that she was on display.
He doesn’t taste your sweet pussy, and he won’t touch these. His hands came up and plucked at her nipples to show her just what was off-limits to Tynan. Her back arched, pushing the swollen mounds further into his hands. I can smell how wet this makes you. I think we need to explore the fact that you get so wet being displayed. You want me to fuck you while others watch, don’t you, nymph? You want them to see you impaled on my cock.
She moaned, knowing he was right. It really did turn her on. His mouth tilted against hers, breaking the kiss.
He stared down at her for a moment as his thumb came up and caressed her bottom lip. “Tynan’s going to use your pretty mouth now, and you need to drink every drop.”
She swallowed, trying to get through the fog he created in her mind.
It was beginning.
He moved, discarding the silk pants, and she caught sight of his chest again. That mark said he was hers, and she loved it, wanted to lick it. She wanted him never to wear a shirt again so that every other female could see it.
He looked up at her, grinning, and she realized she’d been directing her thoughts to him.
“Close your eyes, and let him slide between your lips while I make you come,” Dorian said, and she looked over as Tynan got onto the bed. He was naked and stroking his hard cock. He didn’t say a word, just looked torn as though he hated his life when he moved in front of her. She felt for him. This couldn’t be anything like the sexy interludes he was used to.
