Beautiful Corruption (The Corruption Series Book 2)

by Jessica Manson

I tore a piece of my shirt to stop the bleeding above my eye. I took a seat on a large rock and sat there until my body temperature cooled off. When my body felt rested enough, I got up and started on my journey again.

  It wasn’t but a few minutes later that I reached a large opening. The sun was shining inside from an opening in the ceiling of the cave. It illuminated it. Inside the walls of the cave were different types of crystals. Rubies, emeralds, ambers, amethyst, aqua aura; there were so many different types and when the sun hit them, they formed a rainbow inside of the cave. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

  I was so fixated on the way the sun hit the crystals I hadn’t realized the dragon was behind me. It roared causing me to cover my ears. I looked at it just in time to realize it was about to breathe fire at me. As a safety reflex, I laid flat on the ground. The fire missed me, but the heat was enough to make my skin burn. I jumped up and went in for an attack, but the dragon hit me with its tail sending me flying across the cave. My body slammed into the rocks with so much force I was sure I had broken something.

  The dragon didn’t waste any time. It was getting ready to blow more fire toward me. I jumped out of the way just in time to keep me from going up in flames, but not fast enough to keep the ends of my hair from catching on fire. I patted the flames out as quickly as I could.

  The witch inside of me was begging to be released and I let her. I looked the dragon in the eye, moved my finger in the shape of a figure eight over and over and then started chanting:

  Dragon, dragon

  I mean no harm

  In peace and goodwill

  I cast this charm.

  I knew the spell would only last a few minutes, so I had to move fast. Once the calming spell took effect, I walked over and threw the demon’s eyes into the dragon’s mouth. I walked very carefully underneath it and stabbed it in the place I was sure its heart was located. The calming spell had worn off and the dragon was madder than ever.

  It didn’t work. The knife didn’t turn into the demon’s knife. I quickly realized what I had done wrong. The spell. I forgot to say the spell. Hoping that the knife wouldn’t fall out, I tried to say the spell:

  Dragon scales and demon eyes

  Combine to create the…

  I didn’t see the dragon’s tail coming toward me. Suddenly, I was thrown against the wall of the cave again and the breath was knocked out of me. I tried to sit up while coughing and gasping for air. The dragon flicked its tail at me again. This time the tip of it hit me across the face leaving a long cut down my cheek. Blood poured from it, but I didn’t let that stop me.

  I stood up with the help of the wall and started the spell again.

  Dragon scales and demon eyes

  Combine to create the demon blade inside.

  Dragon scales and demon eyes

  Combine to create the demon blade inside.

  The knife started to glow inside of the dragon. It must have been painful to the dragon because it started whimpering. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor animal.

  With each second the knife glowed brighter. When it got to where it was almost unbearable to look at the light, the dragon let out a loud ear shattering roar. Then suddenly the knife fell from the dragon’s chest. While it was distracted in its own pain, I ran over and grabbed the knife.

  As I was running away its tail caught me one last time. This time it twirled me into its tail before sending me soaring into the air. It was as if twirling me up like that gave the tail more throwing power. I hit the ceiling and one of the crystals that was sticking out stabbed me in the shoulder. But that was nothing compared to what I was about to feel.

  The fall from the ceiling had to be at least fifteen to twenty feet. When I hit the ground, I heard a snap. Pain shot through my body and the wind was knocked out of me. Something was definitely broken. Blood poured from my shoulder and face and my ankle seemed to be twisted. I tried to stand, but it was no use. The dragon was getting ready to breath fire straight at my face. I wouldn’t be able to run this time.

  Get me out of here. I said to my inner witch. Suddenly, as if the witch inside of me had taken over my body, I pointed to the pathway that I entered from and started chanting:

  I am here, I am there

  Teleport me over there.

  Instantly, I landed in the pathway. I forced myself up using the wall. The pain was unbearable, but I didn’t let it get to me. I couldn’t. Not if I wanted to survive.

  I wasn’t going to die in this cave away from Ava and Elijah. With tears streaming down my face and what felt like two hours later, I finally reached the exit of the cave. I could see the sun and the weeping willows from where I stood.

  Once I made it outside and into the sun I collapsed. I had lost a lot of blood and my body was becoming very weak. I could feel the darkness of my unconsciousness coming on; I spoke to Odin with my mind. “Odin help me please. Come to the weeping willows.” That’s all I could get out before the blackness of the abyss took over.

  When I woke up, I was back at the castle. Tristan and Odin were sitting on either side of the bed. “Hey,” I said with a raspy voice.

  “Hey,” they both said in unison as they got up and leaned over me.

  “How are you feeling?” Odin asked

  “What happened after I left the cave?” I asked a little confused as to how I got back home.

  “You blacked out once you got out of the cave. When we got to you, you were nearly dead. Lilith, you broke three of your ribs and your ankle. You got stabbed in the shoulder and it caused you to lose a lot of blood. I haven’t even mentioned the burns on your back yet. And…” Odin trailed off.

  “And what?”

  “Well don’t get mad but we had to… well we…”

  “Just spit it out already,” I said annoyed.

  “We also had to cut your hair. It got burned pretty bad.”

  I reached my hand up to feel just how much hair I had lost. I was upset that my hair was now to my shoulders, but there really isn’t much I can do about it.

  I didn’t recall getting burned until I remembered when the dragon blew fire at me the first time. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Six days,” Tristan said sounding pained.

  I reached for Odin’s hand and interlocked our fingers. “Where’s Ava and Elijah?”

  “Gunner has them. He has been taking really good care of them since you have been out.”

  “Will you take me to see them?”

  “How about I bring them to you? You probably shouldn’t be walking yet. I will also get you some water.”

  “Thank you.” When Odin left the room, Tristan sat on the bed next to me. He rubbed the top of my head and kissed my forehead. “Baby I was so worried you wouldn’t wake up. I love you so much.”

  “Tristan what the hell are you talking about?” He kissed my lips causing me to panic. “What the fuck Tristan? Odin will kill you for kissing me like that,” I yelled at him as I pushed him away.

  “What?” he asked confused.

  “Odin is my husband. Why in the hell did you kiss me like that?”

  “Lilith, I am your husband, not Odin.”

  “What are you talking about? Of course, Odin is my husband. You have no right to kiss me that way,” I was shouting by now.

  “Hey what’s going on in here?” Odin said barging back into the room.

  “What the hell happened to her Odin? She doesn’t think I am her husband,” Tristan shouted at him.

  “Oh, that.”

  “What do you mean “Oh that”? What the hell happened?”

  “I had forgotten all about the leprechaun with the way her health was. Her memory loss was the last thing on my mind when I found her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we went to see the leprechaun to get the demon eyes, he stole some of Lilith’s memories. He stole her love memories.” I think the guys forgot I was in the room
and could hear them.

  “What do you mean he stole her love memories?”

  “He stole the memories of her love for you. She thinks you are just friends.”

  “If he stole her love memories, why didn’t he still the ones of you too?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Please Odin, you know exactly what I mean. Do you think I am actually that blind? I see the way the two of you look at each other. I see how she runs into your arms when something is bothering her. I know why she cut herself Odin, and it wasn’t because she was stressed. It was because she is in love with you and can’t bring herself to tell me. I’m not stupid. I saw how much it was killing her.”

  “Then don’t you think that now is the time to let her go?”

  “Let her go? Are you kidding me?”

  “She doesn’t remember your love for each other. And she never will Tristan.”

  “Then I will spend every day helping her to remember.”

  “I know this is hard for you, but she only remembers being married to me.”

  “I love her. I can’t, no, I won’t let her go.”

  “Excuse me,” I said bringing both of their attention to me. “So, I’m married to both of you?” I asked confused.

  “Technically yes. You married Odin first under the coven’s laws. Then when you left Odin, you married me under human laws,” Tristan said.

  “I loved you? But I thought we were just friends.”

  “We were at first. But our friendship grew into something more. You are now Lilith Rose.”

  “Rose?”

  “Yes. Do you remember why you named Ava and Elijah their names?”

  “Because I liked them?”

  “No. You named Ava after my mother and Elijah after my father. Their last names are also Rose.”

  “But Odin is their father?”

  “Yes. Odin is their biological father, but you named them after my family.”

  “This doesn’t make sense. Why can’t I remember any of this?”

  “Because the leprechaun…”

  “I know about the leprechaun,” I said cutting him off. “I just don’t understand why I can’t remember this love that we supposedly shared.” I was so confused. Tears slowly started to stream down my face.

  “Are you okay?”

  “No. I need a minute alone with Odin please.”

  “Okay. I’ll go get that water for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Odin, I’m so confused,” I said once Tristan was out the door.

  “I know Lamia mea.”

  “I remember running away from you with Tristan’s help. I remember everything. Except I don’t remember ever being with him. I don’t remember marrying him. Is what he said true?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we aren’t together? You and me?”

  “No.”

  Tears streamed down my face rapidly as my heart broke into a million pieces. How could I live my life without Odin? How could I survive without him? He was my world. I thought we had gotten past his betrayal. “How do I live a life that you are not a part of?”

  “I’m still in your life. I’m just your friend now.”

  “So, I’m just supposed to be with a guy I don’t remember being with? I’m just supposed to cuddle up next to him at night? Let him touch my body? Have sex with him?”

  “You can have my room until you are ready to make whatever choice you choose too. I will sleep in the library. You don’t have to do anything you are not ready for.”

  “But I want you here with me. In my bed is where you belong.”

  “I know baby. But right now, Tristan isn’t ready to give you up.”

  “I’m not his to give up,” I said getting frustrated. “I need you Odin.”

  “How about I sleep up here, but on the couch?”

  “How about you sleep up here in my bed?”

  “Lilith, I can’t do that.”

  “Can’t or won’t.”

  “You know I want to.”

  “Then what is the problem?”

  Letting out a sigh he said, “Fine. I’ll sleep next to you, but only on top of the covers.”

  “I guess that is better than nothing. Now bring me my babies please.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I spent the next few days getting used to walking around with crutches. It wasn’t a very easy task especially with my shoulder having a hole in it. But luckily for me, I had the love of my life to help me. Odin was by my side every step of the way. He cared for me even when I didn’t ask him too. Tristan tried to help as well even though I kept reassuring him Odin was more than enough help.

  My recovery time was taking longer than I had time for and it was becoming frustrating. I had Odin help me down to the library, so I could meditate. For some reason, I couldn’t remember how to heal myself. Odin propped me up carefully on one of the bean bags in the middle of the floor. He was so close to me I could feel his breath on my skin.

  “Is this comfortable?” he asked. Not taking my eyes off of him I nodded. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you want to devour my body.”

  “Maybe because I do.”

  “Lilith. We…” I cut him off by pressing my lips to his. I kissed him feverishly. I wanted him. I needed him. I pulled him on top of me letting him know what I wanted. “Lilith, what about Tristan?” I didn’t say anything. One flick of my wrist and the door locked. I flicked my wrist again and the chair from my desk flew across the room and barricaded the door. I didn’t need to speak to tell him my intentions.

  I ripped his shirt open and ran my hands over his chest. I dug my nails in just deep enough to make him growl with pleasure. I unbuttoned his jeans while he pulled my dress over my head. Our lips found each other again. He kissed me with so much passion, longing, hunger, and want. He kissed me like it would be the last time our lips would ever meet.

  He ran his hands through my hair then pushed it to the side exposing my neck to him. He slowed us down when he slowly kissed me from behind my ear down to my collar bone. He kissed me going back up the front of my neck until our lips met. Kissing me gently he said, “I’ve missed you Lilith.”

  “I’ve missed you too baby.” He laid me back onto the bean bag and climbed on top of me. He kissed me starting from my forehead, then my nose, my lips, my chin. Then he slowly made his way down my neck, to my chest, stopping to linger on my breast. He caressed one gently while kissing the other. Once he was done there, he continued kissing my body. He kissed me down my stomach, made a circle around my belly button with his tongue and then continued to kiss me until he reached my panty line.

  He removed my panties kissing my leg as he pulled them down. On his way back up, he kissed my other leg showing each one equal attention. He crawled his way back up to my lips. While he kissed me, I slid his pants off. I ran my hands over his body feeling each muscle in his back and then on his stomach and chest.

  Odin is a beautiful man and just looking at him made my mouth water. I opened my legs up to him letting him know I was ready for him. He looked me in the eyes and asked, “Are you sure about this?” I nodded.

  “I love you Odin.”

  “I love you too Lamia mea.” He kissed me one more time before he slowly entered me causing a moan to escape me. He moved slowly in and out letting me feel every inch of him. He pulled himself out of me and kissed my neck. He was teasing me, and it was killing me. After a few minutes, he entered me again and moved slowly once more.

  He teased me a few more times until I was begging, “Odin please.” He smiled at me like that was what he had been waiting for. He inserted himself inside of me again. He moved slowly at first then he quickened his pace. His body felt so good against mine. It felt like our bodies were meant to touch in this way. We were just two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together.

  We made love for the next ho
ur. We were sweaty and tired and were finally ready for a release. With our bodies in sync with each other, we came at the same time. Odin laid down beside me to catch his breath and I rolled over to rest my head on his chest.

  My body felt completely satisfied. But the feeling I loved the most, was the feeling I had in my soul. My soul felt like it was dehydrated, and it just got a big cold glass of water. It felt like my soul had awaken from a long dark sleep and it was finally seeing the sun for the first time. Odin is my light in the dark, my sun in the rain and my rainbow after a storm.

  Still naked I sat up, “What are you doing?” Odin asked.

  “I’m fixing to meditate. That is what I came down here for remember? Now, shhh. I need complete quiet.”

  “Yes mam’.”

  I closed my eyes and concentrated on what I wanted. It was hard to do since every time I closed my eyes all I saw was Odin’s naked body. A smile formed across my lips. Damn it Lilith, concentrate. I scolded myself. I tried again. When the images of Odin popped in my head, I pushed them to the side. I focused on what I wanted to do and after a few minutes the spell I had used once before to heal myself after my aunt and Jacan had kidnapped and tortured me came rushing back flooding my memory.

  I opened my eyes and began to chant:

  By the light of the moon

  And the path of the north

  Let the pain of my wounds be purged

  And let healing flow forth.

  Let not this simple spell coerce

  Or make my situation worse

  Hear now my humble plea

  As I will it, so mote it be.

  My body started healing as soon as I was done with the chant. “Help me remove my cast and these bandages please,” I said to Odin.

  “Are you sure? Don’t you want to make sure you are healed before taking everything off?”

  “Trust me; I’m healed.” He sat up and pulled the bandage off my shoulder first. As the wound was healing it pushed the stitches out of my skin. Next, he removed my cast, the purple and green bruises began to fade. He reached up and touched my cheek where it had been cut open. That wound had healed as well.