3013: SPELLBOUND: A 3013 Novella (3013: The Series)

by Kali Argent

  Cynda could understand that. “Then, why do you stay?”

  “This is where Jael is needed for now.” She didn’t elaborate. “It is, however, difficult being here.”

  “Because it affects your magic?”

  “In part,” Syrie agreed with a tilt of her head. “You see, none of us have ever been away from Xenthian before.”

  “In our defense,” Jael said, shuffling into the room wearing a pair of pink pajamas that made her look incredibly young and innocent, “until recently, we didn’t even know it was an option.” She stopped to hug her sister, laughing when Syrie cringed. “Good morning.” Next, she bounced over to embrace Cynda as well. “Oh, what do you have there?”

  Cynda lowered her gaze as she opened the box’s lid. “Another gift from Xi. He really doesn’t need to spoil me like this.”

  Jael gave her a look of censure but said nothing as she plucked the bit of silver from the padded lining and held it up to the sunlight. “What is it?”

  “A crescent moon charm for my bracelet.”

  She held her arm up and wiggled her wrist to indicate the thin chain there. He’d left a sun charm at the beginning of the week, and a star charm the previous day. There had been no explanation attached to the gifts, but she understood the message clearly.

  “He, uh—” She ducked her head as heat crept up her neck. “—calls me fayah.”

  “Radiance.” Jael’s free hand went to her lips as unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. “That’s so romantic.” Depositing the charm back into the soft, black lining, she turned to her sister with a sniffle. “Isn’t that romantic, Sy?”

  “Positively inspiring,” Syrie said flatly. “I can barely contain my joy.”

  Seeing the stormy expression that settled over Jael’s face, Cynda stepped forward and cleared her throat. “So, you were saying that none of you had ever left Xenthian before coming to Earth.”

  It took a few seconds for Jael to look away from her sister, but eventually, she calmed herself enough to answer. “That’s correct. For thousands of years, the elders cloaked our planet.”

  “And lied to us,” Syrie added.

  “Yes, that, too.”

  “Like the shield we have around Earth,” Cynda mused. “Was it magic or technology?”

  Jael considered her for a moment. “Both. Why do you ask?”

  Cynda released a long, breathy sigh and shook her head. “Never mind. It was stupid.”

  “Tell me anyway.”

  Cynda shrugged. “I had this thought that maybe our technology could be interfering with your magic. I read something kind of like that in a book once, but if you have technology on Xenthian as well…”

  She thought the sisters would laugh at her, but Syrie just blinked while Jael furrowed her brow in concentration.

  “Why didn’t I think of it before?” Jael said so quietly it was just on the edge of Cynda’s hearing. “Yes, that could…I mean, just maybe…of course, I’d have to know…” Her eyes glazed over, and she turned away as if forgetting she’d been in the middle of a conversation. “Yes, yes, that might work. If we just…and then invert the polarity…no, no, that wouldn’t work. Well, maybe…”

  She exited the kitchen, head down and muttering feverishly under her breath the entire way. Considering how distracted she seemed, Cynda was impressed she managed to make it out of the room without stumbling over a barstool or walking into a wall.

  “Does that happen a lot?”

  Syrie nodded.

  “Do you have any clue what—”

  “No idea.”

  At least she wasn’t the only one who was completely lost. “So, I guess—”

  “I have enjoyed engaging in conversation with you, human.” With another nod, Syrie turned and strode purposely out of the room.

  Cynda shook her head and chuckled under her breath. Well, alrighty then.

  The first time Syrie had abruptly left in the middle of a conversation, she’d worried that she had done something to offend the female. Then, she’d witnessed the same thing happen in a conversation between Syrie and Osian. Then, it happened again with Xi. Apparently, when Syrie was finished talking, she was finished. Period.

  That she’d even bothered to offer a parting sentence was unusual. Hell, it was practically a miracle that she’d initiated the conversation in the first place. Apparently, she was in high spirits that morning.

  Still laughing, Cynda tucked the gift box into the pocket of her pale-yellow sundress.

  Despite everyone’s worry, no one from the Alliance had come looking for her. No elites had shown up at the door with accusations of kidnapping or other wrongdoing. Honestly, it hurt a little to know her family thought so little of her that they hadn’t even tried to find her. On the other hand, that meant instead of worrying about her mother, she could focus on her mate and whatever worries he was trying so hard to keep hidden from her.

  She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and headed down to the lake.

  Maybe it was her imagination, but the cloudless sky seemed bluer than usual. The grass in the field that lay between the water’s edge and the mansion was soft and thick beneath her bare feet. Sunlight sparkled across the surface of the lake, birds tweeted cheerful songs from nearby trees, and the scent of new blooms carried to her on the breeze.

  It was so peaceful, and she could see why Xi often sought sanctuary there.

  She’d made it a little more than halfway across the field when a furry head peeked around Xi’s leg, and a loud, enthusiastic bark greeted her. Ears flopping and tail wagging, Daisy bounded across the distance, coming to an ungraceful stop at Cynda’s feet. She grinned as she bent to scratch behind the pup’s ears.

  “Hello, sweet girl. Having a good morning?”

  The dog’s tongue lolled out of the side of her mouth as she tilted her head, pressing more firmly into Cynda’s hand.

  “How is he today?” She’d never been allowed a pet before, and she’d instantly fallen in love with the darling puppy with soft, golden fur.

  Daisy whined.

  “I thought so, but you’re taking good care of him, right?”

  The pup lifted her head and yipped.

  “Good girl.” Cynda gave her another scratch under the chin, then straightened. “Should we go see him, then?”

  Another yip, then Daisy was off, sprinting back across to the field to Xi.

  Cynda followed a more leisurely pace, acutely aware of the two sets of eyes tracking her every step. Xi smiled when she sank down onto the sand beside him, but it was thin, frail, and it faded too quickly. She’d known from his body language that he wasn’t happy about something, but up close, he looked so much worse.

  His normally bronzed skin was dull and pale. Dark shadows swept under both eyes, giving them a sunken appearance. Even his hair looked limp and lifeless.

  “Rough night?”

  “I’m okay.” It was the same answer he always gave, even if neither of them believed it. “How did you sleep?”

  Cynda shrugged. “Okay, I guess.” Pulling the gift box from her pocket, she held it out for him to see. “Thank you, by the way. It’s beautiful.”

  Without a word, Xi took the box, flipped open the lid, and pulled out the little moon. When he held his hand out, she obediently placed her wrist in it, watching quietly as he attached the charm to her bracelet.

  When he finally looked up to meet her gaze, his smile had taken on a more genuine quality. “It suits you.”

  “I really love it.” She bit her bottom lip and sighed through her nose. “You don’t have to keep buying me things, though. Xi, you’ve already given me so much. I—”

  “And you deserve so much more.” Cradling her cheek, he leaned closer to brush a kiss against her brow. “I would find a way to bottle sunlight if you asked it of me.”

  He was too damn sweet, but she didn’t need things. She didn’t need new clothes, pretty shoes, or sparkly jewelry to be content. Everything she wanted, every happiness she’d ever
dream of, was right there in front of her.

  Yet, he felt as far away as the stars.

  “Talk to me,” she said, and she couldn’t hide the note of pleading in her voice. “Please, Xi. I know something’s wrong.”

  “Nothing’s wrong, fayah.”

  “Bullshit!”

  Cynda sank back and clamped her lips shut, surprised by her own outburst. Where conditioning from years of holding her tongue told her she should apologize and beg forgiveness, fear and anxiety wouldn’t allow it. There was anger there, no doubt, but mostly, she was worried for her mate.

  “You look like hell. You barely eat.” Taking his hand, she brought it back to her cheek and nuzzled into his palm. “I’m willing to bet you aren’t sleeping.” She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t see the tears shining there. “You’re hurting. I can feel it.” She didn’t know if it was because of their soulmate connection or just intuition, but she felt his pain like a dull ache in the pit of her stomach. “Please, talk to me.”

  “Oh, fayah.” With a heavy sigh, he gathered her into his arms and held her close as he stroked her hair.

  “If I’ve done something—”

  “No, don’t ever think that.” He rested his cheek atop her head and sighed again. “I’m sorry that I made you feel that way, even for a moment. None of this is your fault.”

  She pulled back so she could look into his eyes again. “Then, what’s going on? I can tell you’re not happy, but I can’t help if I don’t know why.”

  After a moment of consideration, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. “On my home world, I have a lot of responsibilities. I’m a sentry at the Emerald Palace, protector of the Southern Isle and its people, including Vasere Snowden.” Lifting his head, he stared out over the vast lake and shook his head. “Here, I am no one. I guess I’m not used to feeling so…useless.”

  His confession broke her fucking heart. “You are not useless.”

  In return, he gave her an indulgent grin. “Thank you for saying so, but I am. I came here to protect my siblings, but Jael has her mate now, and the others are capable sentries in their own right. I have no duties, no purpose.” His grin slid from his lips, replaced by a grimace. “I don’t even have control of my magic on this planet.”

  “I’m sorry.” She’d suspected his magic—or lack thereof—had played a part in his recent mood, but she hadn’t realized how much it was affecting him. “That has to be frustrating, but you are more than just your magic, Xi. With or without it, you’re still a soldier…a warrior.”

  He shook his head. “I am nothing without my magic.”

  “I don’t think your brother and sisters would agree with you on that. I know you think they don’t need you, but—”

  “They don’t need me,” he interrupted, his voice flat, hollow. “No one needs me.”

  The tears she’d been fighting since the conversation had started finally spilled over and trekked down her cheeks. “I do.” She traced her fingertips along the curve of his jaw, soft as a butterfly’s wings. “I need you.”

  Not since her fathers had died had anyone looked at her the way Xi did, like she was special. She knew her dads had loved her, but over the years, she couldn’t help but wonder if their love would have proven conditional. Had they lived to see her tested, would they still have smiled when they looked at her? Would they still have thought she was worthy of their affection?

  All she’d known since her tenth birthday was judgment and disappointment. It seemed that everyone she met made sure she knew exactly how unworthy she was, how lacking they found her.

  When she’d tested negative for fertility, the Alliance had marked her face so that the rest of the universe would know her shame. Then, they’d told her she wasn’t fast or strong or smart enough to attend the Academy. Since she also couldn’t read minds, sense emotions, or see the future, she would never be good enough to be an elite.

  Her mother and sisters had made it clear early on that they found her inadequate in every way, undeserving of love, kindness, or even basic human decency.

  Then, she’d met Xi. He didn’t see her flaws. He didn’t look at her like she was unworthy. To him, she was perfect in every way possible, and he never missed a chance to tell her. When he smiled at her, she felt beautiful. When he kissed her, so sweet and chaste, she felt desired. With him, she felt strong, capable.

  He celebrated all the little things that made her different. She’d been made to feel ashamed of her petite size, but Xi loved how seamlessly she fit in his arms. Every time she lamented her lack of real-world skills, he was quick to remind her she simply hadn’t been given the opportunity to practice many. In his eyes, there was nothing she couldn’t do, nothing she couldn’t accomplish.

  When he said things like that, with such conviction, she believed him. More importantly, it made her want to believe in herself.

  “I…I didn’t…” There was so much pain and uncertainty in his eyes when he dipped his head to take her mouth in a heated kiss. “My fayah.” He said it like a plea as his arms tightened around her. “It is I who needs you.”

  “Maybe,” she whispered, “we need each other.”

  “Yes, I believe you may be right.” He kissed her again, harder and more demanding this time. “Forgive me my melancholy. I was wrong to focus only on the negative when I’ve been given so much.”

  His mouth connected with hers again, his tongue sweeping across her lips and seeking entrance. She opened to him willingly, her moan ending on a sharp gasp when he dragged her across his lap.

  Her legs parted naturally, falling to either side of his powerful thighs. Hard and swollen, the proof of his desire pressed against her core, creating a firestorm of sensations. Her muscles trembled, her chest constricted, and pure, exquisite pleasure erupted from her very soul.

  She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. Currents of electricity raced across her skin and spiraled down her spine. Her stomach fluttered and tightened. A deep throb pulsed between her thighs.

  When Xi broke the kiss, she dropped her head back and gasped for air. Her hands found his shoulders, her fingers digging into the tight muscles as she fought for control.

  It was no use.

  Xi’s hand stroked down her back, leaving a trail of liquid fire across her skin. His other found the swell of her breast, cupping it gently as he whispered feather-soft kisses along the column of her neck. She arched against him, moaning loudly when the movement lodged his cock more firmly against her aching clit.

  Long fingers dipped under the hem of her dress and danced up the inside of her thigh. He let out a low, strangled groan as he traced the edge of her lace panties. Hooking his finger in the waistband, he tugged and released, letting the material snap back against her lower belly. Fire burned in his eyes, and a wicked grin curved his lips.

  A heartbeat later, her panties vanished, leaving her bare beneath the sundress. “Xi!”

  “Tell me no,” he said, his voice rough and filled with need, “and everything stops. It’s your choice, fayah. Do you want to stop?”

  Though her modesty was hanging by a thread, it was also kind of thrilling to know that someone could catch them at any moment. Stars, she’d probably die of embarrassment if that happened, but right then, there was only one answer she could give.

  “No,” she breathed. “Don’t stop, but…”

  Xi stilled. “But?”

  “No more magic.” She held his gaze and narrowed her eyes. “Promise me.”

  She didn’t know how exactly, but she felt the strain that little bit of magic had put on him. Sure, being able to will away their clothes was convenient, but saving a few extra seconds wasn’t worth what it was doing to his body.

  “Okay, fayah,” he answered after a slight pause. “I guess we’ll just have to make our own magic.”

  Fisting one hand in her hair, he jerked her close and claimed her mouth in a brutal kiss she felt all the way down to her toes. He ravished her lips, biting and sucking at th
e swollen flesh, then thrust his tongue deep between them. There was no battle for control, no dance for dominance. Xi took what he wanted, and Cynda gave without reservation.

  Her heart hammered wildly, beating a fast tempo against her ribcage. Her legs trembled, her stomach tightened, and a soft brush of his thumb over her covered nipple sent another jolt of desire straight to her core. Need pulsed through her, igniting every nerve ending until her entire body thrummed with sensation.

  His hand dipped beneath her dress again, and she gasped into his mouth when his knuckles brushed her lips. Aching and needy, she rocked against him, arching closer as she sought more friction. Her wanton moan ended on a sharp gasp when he parted her slick folds and pushed two, thick fingers deep inside her.

  Her pussy clenched around the invading digits, and the tiny pinch of pain from being stretched sent a shiver down her spine. Stars, he had barely even touched her, and already, she hovered on the brink, one touch away from unraveling.

  He thrust steadily and crooked his fingers, stroking her from the inside out. When his thumb rubbed over her clit, she cried out as her muscles tensed and her body jerked violently.

  “Xi! Oh, god, please.” She didn’t even know what she was begging for, only that she needed it and soon. “Please,” she panted. “I can’t…I need…”

  “Easy, fayah. I’ve got you.” Pulling his fingers free of their sheath, he locked his arms around her and rolled them until her back pressed into the warm sand. “Let me give you what you need.”

  Without his magic, it took a bit of fumbling to undo the button fly of his leathers, and Cynda almost choked when his long, thick cock sprang free. She had only a moment to worry about how in the hell they were going to fit together before he dragged her dress up over her hips and lowered himself into the cradle of her thighs.

  “I would never hurt you.”

  Winding her arms around his neck, she nodded. “I trust you.”

  Their mouths crashed together as he sank into her, opening her wide and filling her so completely she could barely breathe. There was pain there, the sharp ache of overstretched muscles, but it only added to her pleasure.