Seraphim Academy 3: Fallen Kings

by Briggs, Elizabeth;

She pokes a finger at his chest. “Who I sleep with is no longer your concern. You gave up that right, and news flash, I will definitely not be sleeping with you again. Not after what you did. Besides, you refuse to share me with Kassiel,and I’m not giving him up. Unlike you, he actually treats me well.”

  “Okay, that’s enough.” I step between them and push them both back. “All I wanted was a nice quiet dinner at home with the woman I care about. Callan, you’re welcome to have dinner with us if you’re going to be civil.”

  “Hard pass,” he says, before walking out of the room. A moment later I hear the front door slam.

  Liv blows out a long breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have antagonized him like that. He just drives me crazy.”

  I kiss her on the cheek. “He’s easy to antagonize. Don’t sweat it. He’ll get over it.”

  The worst part is that Callan’s right. Olivia does need to take another lover, or we’ll all grow weak. I remember how bad Bastien got last year when she was only feeding on two of us. Three is better, but she’s not seeing Kassiel very often, and it will start to tax us over time. It probably already is.

  “Let’s eat and you can tell me all about school.” I gesture for her to sit down and then begin serving up the food on plates. “I miss it, you know. Being an adult is so boring.”

  She laughs and the tension from before slips away. “How’s the new job?”

  “Like I said, boring. Angels don’t need much healing, after all. I have nothing to do all day.” I’m a part-time assistant at the one and only clinic in Angel Peak. Another Malakim named Sienna runs the place, and I fill in for her and help out as needed, but in a town of angels, there’s really not much for us to do. As the son of Raphael and a powerful healer myself, I was offered many prestigious jobs all around the world, but I turned them down so I could stay close to Liv, and so I would have enough free time and flexibility to keep looking for the Staff. Plus, this gives me plenty of time to visit my mom, who had a baby a few months ago—my little half-brother Griffin. They live out in the big angel town near Yuma, Arizona, with my mom’s current guy, an Ofanim named Ervin.

  I sit beside Olivia at the table. “The highlight of my week was when a pregnant woman came in for a routine check-up. Reminded me of my mom.”

  “How’s she doing? And little Griffin?” Liv asks. “He’s so cute in his photos.”

  I smile, thinking of his happy smile and chubby cheeks. “They’re good. Really good. I hope you can meet them sometime.”

  “Me too. It’s so exciting that you have a little baby brother. I’d love to meet your mom finally.” She takes a bite and makes happy sounds. “Also, this is amazing. You need to cook for me more often.”

  I can’t help but grin. “I’d love to. Maybe when this is all over we can get a big house and live together. I’ll cook for you every night.”

  She laughs, but it sounds a little nervous, and I worry I’ve crossed a line. I got too serious too fast or something. Olivia can be skittish about that stuff. But surely she knows how much I care about her. And not just me, but Bastien too. That guy has never loved anyone, but I’m pretty sure he loves her. Kassiel must also, if he risked so much to be with her while he was her professor.

  And then there’s Callan. I hope the two of them can get over their issues and make up, but it won’t happen unless he apologizes and does some serious groveling. I think Liv needs him, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

  When we’re done eating, I take Olivia’s hand to pull her out of her seat and into my lap. I instantly see the change my touch brings, as her breath quickens and her eyes darken. Not because she’s using her powers on me, but because neither of us can touch the other without a spark of desire. Her hands rest on my chest and for a few seconds we just stare into each other’s eyes. Then we start kissing, and I taste the red wine on her lips while my cock hardens at the feel of her body against mine. The dress she’s wearing is a little black number with tiny straps and a slit up the thigh, which I’m sure is just taunting me. I slide a hand along her leg and up that slit, savoring the feel of her smooth skin and the way she kisses me harder at my touch. My fingers find some little lace panties under her dress and I easily shove them aside to discover her already wet and slick with desire for me. She moans her approval as I tease her clit, while my tongue slides into her mouth.

  With my other hand I tug the tiny straps of her dress down, and then I drag my lips away from her sensual mouth so I can taste her neck. Her shoulder. The swell of her breast. She shoves my shirt up at the same time, her fingers trailing across my chest, finding my own nipples and pinching a little. We’re both driving each other wild, and although I was planning to take this to the bedroom, I sense we both can’t wait that long. I know I promised to take this dress off, but I kind of want to fuck her in it, and those sexy little heels too. I yank her panties down her legs, then adjust her so she’s straddling me, her core pressed right against my hard cock. Her fingers work quickly to unbutton my jeans and yank them open between kisses, until she frees my length and grips it in her hand. I groan at the way she pumps me once, and then she adjusts her hips so my cock slides right into her.

  We both gasp as our bodies connect, like it’s been way too long, even though it’s only been days. I wrap my arms around her and hold her against me as I slowly move in and out of her. Her thighs straddle me, her hips rotating as she rides me, and all I can think is that I want more of her. I’ll never get enough. Together we move faster, and I lift up just as she sinks down on me, our bodies in perfect rhythm, while the pleasure builds.

  Olivia whispers in my ear. “I’m close.”

  I already knew she was by the way her voice changed. Her moans grow higher pitched as her orgasm builds.

  “Me too.” Without breaking my pace, I grunt in her ear and grip her hips harder. Her eyes turn black, and I know she’s feeding on me. It only turns me on more. I thrust up into her faster, pushing us both over the edge at the same time. She cries out my name and I press deep, stopping my movements and pressing a kiss to the soft place under her ear. I cling to her as my orgasm wanes, thankful beyond belief that this woman came into my life.

  She relaxes against me and I hold her close while we catch our breath and float back to ourselves. She runs her hands along my shoulders and rests her forehead against mine with a contented sigh.

  I pick her up, our bodies still joined together, and carry her into the bedroom so we can relax. Once we’re both on the bed we can properly snuggle up against each other. My feelings for her swell and I press my hand to her cheek, marveling at how beautiful she is, and not just on the outside. I can’t wait another minute to tell her how I feel.

  “Olivia, I love you.”

  Her eyes widen and I see something in them like panic before she looks away. My heart squeezes painfully. I didn’t expect her to say it back, but I hoped for something better than that look on her face. Shit, maybe I should have waited.

  She sits up, her gaze conflicted. “Marcus…”

  This is horrible. I want to rewind time and take the words back. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have said anything. You don’t need to respond.”

  “No, I want to say something.” She wrings her hands as she finds the words she’s looking for. “I have strong feelings for you too. Of course I do. You were the first to accept me, even after you saw me for who I truly am. That means a lot to me.”

  “But…” I already know it’s coming.

  “But I’m a Lilim. I’m not sure I’m capable of love. We’re taught not to form attachments to our lovers, because they can’t last. Mother always told me relationships weren’t possible for us. Not real ones, anyway.”

  “I don’t believe that.” I touch her chin and redirect her gaze back to me. “I know you’re capable of love. I see it in your eyes when you look at me, or at Bastien. Besides, you’re half angel too, and that has to count for something.”

  “Maybe. I hope you’re right.” She grabs my hand and holds it
tightly. “Can I stay the night?”

  I blink at her, my mouth open. She’s never stayed with me before, and never let me stay overnight with her either. It’s always been one of her rules with her men. But something’s changed. Maybe she can’t say the words out loud, but at least she’s making an effort. I pull her back into my arms and press a kiss to her forehead. “I would love that.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Olivia

  Another week passes, and still no word from Kassiel. I’m starting to get worried, especially since he won’t respond to my texts, although he often goes dark for a while when he’s chasing a lead. I try to tell myself he’s fine, but the worry nags at me constantly.

  Uriel’s given all students two days a month to leave Seraphim Academy. I used my first to go shopping with the girls and visit Marcus, and I used my second one today to hang out with Jonah and our dad at his house. With the weather warming up, Dad decided to do a BBQ outside and got enough food to feed a dozen people. Way too much for the three of us, but at least he’ll have leftovers now.

  When I get back to my room, I jump at the sight of someone sitting on my bed. Then I relax when I see it’s my mother. She loves to show up in my room out of the blue. I have no idea how she gets on and off campus undetected, but I guess when you’re an ancient Archdemon you’ve picked up some tricks.

  She’s playing on her phone and wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but she still looks like a goddess come to life. Every inch of her is beautiful and flawless, making it hard to take your eyes off her. I look like a lesser version of her, with the same olive skin, green eyes, and wavy dark hair, but I’m missing that extra something that comes with being the queen of lust.

  “Mother, what are you doing here?” I ask, as I close the door behind me.

  “Hello, daughter.” She smiles at me and stands, holding open her arms for a hug. I hesitate, not used to this sort of affection from her, but then I step into her embrace and breathe in her familiar rose scent. She’s trying to be a better mom, and I appreciate that. Reconnecting with my parents has been one of the major perks of going to Seraphim Academy.

  “I wanted to check in on you,” she says as she steps back. “See how you’re doing.”

  “It’s good to see you.” I sit at my desk chair and smile at her. “In fact, I could use some motherly advice right now.”

  Her eyebrows dart up as she settles back on my bed. “Is that so?”

  “I’m wondering about relationships. During our training you told me I shouldn’t form any attachments. You said relationships were impossible for us because we need so many lovers to survive. But I have multiple men I have feelings for, and they’re powerful enough that they’ve been able to sustain me. Isn’t it possible we could make it work?”

  “Possible…yes. Probable…no.” She sighs. “I’ve tried to have relationships with multiple men at once and it’s always been difficult, especially as the years pass. Other Lilim have also tried and failed. But you are half angel. Perhaps you can make it work where we failed. Although angels don’t have the greatest success rate with long-term relationships either.”

  My hope deflates. She and I have discussed this before several times but for some reason I keep hoping for a different answer. Maybe because I have a hard time accepting this one. “But you’ve been in love before, haven’t you?”

  “Oh yes, many times. With multiple men at once, even. It’s possible, for sure.” She looks away and a hint of pain crosses her face. “Yet in the end I always end up alone with my heart broken. I only wish to protect you from such pain. Learn from my mistakes and guard your heart as best you can.”

  “I understand.” I lean back in my chair and sigh. “But I’m worried I’m too far gone already.”

  “I’m sorry, darling. I’ve cared for many powerful men in my years. Culann, Baal, Gabriel…even Lucifer, for a short time. I know how hard it can be to let go of them.”

  My breath catches in my throat. “Wait. Lucifer? When was this?”

  She laughs and pats my leg. “It was ages ago. Literally ages. We were both young then and foolish. Lucifer is a tasty meal, no doubt, but he is so not the type to share. We’re much better as friends, anyway. After thousands of years, we’re more like brother and sister than anything.”

  “Okay, good.” For a split second I worried Kassiel and I were related, and I did not need to deal with that mess. “And Baal?”

  “Yes, he’s been one of my lovers, from time to time, for centuries.” Her face darkens and I sense there’s more there, something that brings her pain. Their relationship must have ended badly. But then she smiles again. “Speaking of past lovers, how’s your father doing?”

  “He’s okay. He’s stuck in Angel Peak, but he’s taking his demotion from the Archangel council pretty well, I think. He’s taken over the town’s security, and he’s been a lot more cheerful since Jonah returned.” I shrug. “How did the two of you meet, anyway?”

  Lilith tucks her legs underneath her on my bed, getting comfortable. “I suppose we’ve never really told you that story, have we? Well, you might have heard that Gabriel and Ariel had an on-again, off-again relationship for over a thousand years.”

  I nod. Archangel Ariel is Jonah’s mom, and although I’ve never met her, I’ve heard stories from my brother about her. She’s a Malakim who loves nature and is known for being kind but also rather flighty.

  “Gabriel had strong feelings for Ariel, but she was never interested in a commitment,” Lilith says. “From what I heard, Gabriel wanted more from their relationship after Jonah was born. He hoped the three of them could be a real family, but she ended things with him instead. Supposedly to spare his feelings, but he was still heartbroken.” Her lips curl up with amusement. “I was his rebound.”

  “Really?”

  “Back then, the truce between our people was fairly new and there were regular meetings in Los Angeles between the Archangels and Archdemons to discuss territory disputes, anyone breaking the Earth Accords, and any other issues that came up. That ended when Michael was killed, unfortunately. Anyway, after a particularly boring meeting I could tell Gabriel needed some distraction from his heartbreak, so I started flirting with him. One thing led to another and we found ourselves in bed together. We had a short, passionate affair, but we both knew it could never last. Relationships between our kind were forbidden, so we decided to end it before things went too far. Besides, he still wasn’t over Ariel yet, and I just wanted to cheer him up a bit. I never intended for it to be anything more than that.” She looks down at her hands. “Then we discovered I was pregnant.”

  I hold my breath, waiting for the next part. I’ve wanted to know this story my entire life, and I’m desperate for her to continue.

  “As you know, it’s very rare for a succubus to get pregnant. Even more rare than it is for other angels and demons. You also probably know that pregnancies between angels and demons always result in miscarriage. We assumed that would happen to me also, but it didn’t. We were both shocked and thrilled when you were born as healthy as can be.” She closes her eyes and smiles. “My goodness, you were the cutest baby.”

  “Has there ever been any explanation as to why I survived?”

  “Not really. Maybe it’s because Gabriel and I are both so old and powerful. Maybe our Archdemon and Archangel blood made you strong enough to survive. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that, and it’s a mystery we’ll never solve. Sometimes life persists, against all odds.” She leans over to take my hand with a warm smile. “Maybe it was destiny.”

  It’s a nice notion, that I was destined to be born as the first angel-demon hybrid for some greater purpose. I guess that’s the best explanation I’ll ever get for my existence. “What did you do after I was born?”

  Her smile fades and her eyes turn sad. “We both knew from the beginning we would have to keep you a secret. Your existence was forbidden and supposedly impossible. Some would want to study you. Others would want to control you. Most would wa
nt you dead. Gabriel and I both agreed we would do anything to protect you from that fate. At first, we tried to hide you when you were a baby. I raised you for the first year, with Gabriel visiting me in secret to spend as much time with you as possible. Sometimes he would bring Jonah too, and the two of you would play. That year was one of the best ones in all my long life. But people started to ask questions of both of us, and then a demon tried to kidnap you. Gabriel and I stopped them, of course, but we realized It was only a matter of time before others discovered what you are. So we made the hardest decision a parent could ever make—we gave you up to protect you.” She breaks off and wipes a tear from her eye. “It broke my heart. I sobbed for weeks straight. I wasn’t sure I would ever recover from the despair of losing you, and I know Gabriel was miserable too. But we thought it would keep you safe, so we did it.”

  Tears fill my eyes too at the emotion in her voice. For years I thought my parents had abandoned me. That they didn’t care. But hearing Lilith talk about it makes me realize how hard it must have been for her to let me be raised by other families. “I understand.”

  “No, you don’t. There’s more.” Another tear rolls down her cheek and this time she doesn’t stop it. I get the sense she needs to get this confession out. “We gave you to a perfect family in the suburbs, where you would have two other siblings near your age, but an angel found out about you. The family was killed by an assassin, and you were almost taken, but Gabriel got there in time. He couldn’t save that family, and their blood is on our hands forever. But he saved you. After that, we decided foster care was the only way. We made up a new identity for you and hoped you would get lost in the system. It worked. You were overlooked by both angels and demons. But I do know you suffered for it, and I’m sorry. I often worry we made the wrong choice, but at the time we did what we thought was right.”

  Her voice breaks, and some wall within me crumbles. I climb onto the bed and wrap my arms around her, pressing my face against her shoulder while the tears flow freely. She lets out a surprised sound, and then hugs me tight, stroking my hair. We cling to each other and then I manage to say, “I know you did your best…Mom.”