Can't Stop-Smoke

by Claudy Conn

  I was in shock. I couldn’t speak.

  “Sharon,” Wilder said with an inclination of his handsome head. “Let’s all go inside and talk.”

  She gave him a rueful look, “I suppose you and Smoke meeting at this time was inevitable?”

  “I suppose, but, she shouldn’t have been kept in the dark…so, time for you to come clean with her, but not out here.”

  “No, I hear Vidal is on the hunt for her,” Sharon said grimly.

  “On the hunt?” I shouted. “He found me. I escaped but don’t you think my best friend should have warned me?”

  The next thing I knew, I was back in Wilder’s arms and in a dark cloud traveling. We stepped out into his office.

  I just laid my head on his chest. So far in my world, he was the only one who had told me the truth.

  Sharon stormed in a moment afterwards, looking like fury.

  “Don’t take off with her like that. She isn’t baggage!” Sharon yelled.

  “No, she is a precious Princess of the Light and her time is now,” he said quietly. “And as to taking off with her, I will do so if and when I think she is threatened in any way. Understood?”

  Sharon’s amber eyes were lit with anger, and they narrowed, but she did not object. Instead, she said, “Right…you have appointed yourself her…what? Guardian? Fine. Now it is time to let her know what is expected of each of us and what we are up against, if we are to stop a declaration of war from Vidal on all paranormals!”

  * * * * *

  It was a couple of hours later when Sharon left us, saying she had a ‘meeting’ she couldn’t miss and my Holy Grail as I now think of him, softly said my name.

  “Smoke…I want to try and see if you can access the gift your father left you. Are you willing?”

  “A gift?” It dawned on me. Somehow my father had left me a memory he believed I would be able to access in time. I still asked, “You mean…in my head? A memory that he left for me?”

  “Yes love. But it will be more than a memory. You will be unlocking something both frightening and beautiful. I think you can handle it. Do you?”

  “Damn straight,” I told him not sure I could.

  “I will be with you every step of the way if that is what you want…or you can leave me behind and go exploring in your head on your own.”

  “I want you with me,” I said and realized just how much this was true. I had come to trust him. Thus far, he had been honest with me, which was more than my parents or even my closest friend had been.

  We were still in his office. He set me in a black leather chair and said, “Close your eyes, baby.”

  I did as he asked and he put his fingers on either side of my forehead and lightly massaged. “Good. Now, I want you to imagine a low burning fire. Do you see it?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “Throw a sprinkle of water on the fire…”

  “How?

  “Imagine you have a bowl of water in your hands.”

  “Yes, I have now,” I said.

  “Sprinkle the low burning fire.”

  “Smoke…it is smoking…” I told him, excitedly.

  “Go into the smoke. You can travel through fire into the smoke, any kind of smoke and emerge unscathed. That is one of the reasons he named you Smoke.”

  “But…?” I said.

  “Just do it. Wait…do you see me. Take my hand.”

  “I saw him beside me and did just that.

  He said, “Imagine yourself with me…taking a leap into and through the smoke.”

  The next thing I knew I yanked on his hand as I pulled him into the billowing dark smoke with me!

  Everything cleared and a warm feeling came over me. I looked at Wilder, who squeezed my fingers and whispered, “Patience.”

  A familiar and dear voice said, “Smoke, my daughter.”

  My dad’s voice filled my head and I almost burst into tears. It had been so long since I heard him speak. My father stepped out of nowhere and I ran to hug him but there was no substance to him. I went right through and turned to Wilder, “What happened?”

  “Your father installed an image of himself in your brain along with the information he wanted you to have. Think of it like a chip—a mixture of science and magic. He isn’t really here. Only his image and voice. You won’t be able to talk to him, but you will be able to learn from him.”

  “But you are here, I can feel your hand,” I said.

  “Because I am here baby. I am holding your hand and my magic allows me to join you in your head.”

  I digested this and turned back to my father. “Dad,” I said. “I have missed you so much.”

  “My dear-heart. You need an explanation, so I am here to give it to you. Your mother needs an explanation. I shall start with that.”

  “Dad…mom died while I was in college. In an accident…”

  “He can’t hear you, baby,” Wilder whispered.

  “I am a prince in my realm. Prince Canyon of Naraclyn. I broke the law when I took a mortal as my wife. I was, however, forgiven what they called an indiscretion, because your mother was a mortal and when she was gone, they believed I would return home and take my place on the council. I love your mother. The thought of her…dying, was unacceptable. I looked for and finally found a way to give her immortality without destroying her soul. That is a law when broken is punishable by death in Deatach. Before I was able to give her the elixir, I was captured and imprisoned by the council.”

  I turned to Wilder, “My dad…he is alive.”

  Wilder put a finger to my lips. “Listen, baby.”

  “My sister, at great risk to herself, traveled to you and installed this memory chip in you while you slept. I want you to concentrate on all your inherent powers—those you get from me and the earthly magic you inherited from your grandmother. Time runs differently in our realm, as do seasons, so I am unable to tell you at what age you will come into your rightful mana. I only wish I were there to help you. My brother always wanted my position. He betrayed me and now means to do what he can to become a King of the Realm. There are factions here that have rebelled and wish to free me. But as I said, our time here is very different than yours. What seems like a month or two here, could be a year or two in your world. Remember always, tell your mother, that my love for you both is deep and everlasting.”

  With that last, his image and voice vanished.

  And then I felt like I was falling into open space. Through the silent tears running down my face, pouring into my heart, I clung to my Holy Grail and when we landed, it was in a cloud of smoke so thick I had to use my free hand to part the waves.

  When I did, knowledge flooded into my head, fast and sure and overwhelming and magic I never thought possible suddenly became very real and mine to employ!

  And then everything went blank.

  * * * * *

  “Smokie…”

  “I heard him calling my name over and over. Icy cold and wet hit my forehead and then my cheeks. What? He was wiping my face down with a cold wet rag. My lashes flickered and I tried to focus on his blue eyes, full with concern.

  I tried to give him a reassuring smile and it hit me, I wanted to reassure him. I tried to sit up and felt him gently keep me in place. I must have fainted which is absurd. I don’t faint. I never fainted as a human…and as a vamp, I was pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to be able to faint. This was crazy shit.

  “Hi,” I said. “Did I black out?”

  “Yes,” he answered softly.

  “How long?”

  “Not long…ten, maybe fifteen minutes.” The back of his hand rested on my cheek a moment and his voice was low, so low and full of emotion when he asked, “How do you feel?”

  “Ten minutes?” I shook my head and pushed up and into a sitting position. I trusted him to tell me the truth and asked, “You were really with me…in my head? You saw my dad?”

  “I did and now I am certain he is alive. I suspected it because he wouldn’t just leave you and
your mother…and killing an immortal such as your father—a royal, is nearly impossible, at least for any paranormal here in this realm,” Wilder said quietly.

  “How were you and my father friends? I mean…you are the Dark Lord…?”

  “Never mind all that, let’s get you fit. I have nice hot tea with a shot of smooth brandy just waiting for you to sip.”

  “Hmmm,” I said and allowed him to help me to my feet and see me seated at a small round table with two upholstered black leather chairs near the window. It was then that I realized we weren’t in his office but in his home in the Garden District. He must have transported us there while I was out cold.

  I sighed and then sipped at the hot toddy.

  The back of his hand rested on my cheek a moment and his voice was low, so low and full of emotion when he asked, “How do you feel, baby?”

  When he called me baby, or sweetheart, it bolstered my sexual craving.

  The truth was he made me hungry for a toss in bed. I was certain he was the one that would fulfill me. But, though I trusted him to tell me the truth, I still saw him as a player. In the end I would care far more than I thought he would or could.

  Still, I wanted his mouth on mine, his hands all over me. Will power at work. I controlled the urgings of my libido and said, “Not exactly sure.”

  “Sick? Are you sick?”

  “No, as to that, I feel rejuvenated…like I want up and out for a run…I feel…completely and totally loaded with power and ready to take on Vidal and bury him.”

  He laughed, “You have magical might coursing through you. I can sense it, but, you still need to train in order to use that might.” He took my hand and squeezed. “Then tell me, Smoke, because, when you parted your hand through that last thick smoke, I was thrown out of your head. I felt a force, an incredibly powerful force, literally take hold of me and send me flying. What happened—can you remember?”

  “Yes, I remember the moment I lost hold of your hand, but I wasn’t frightened at all.” I shrugged, “I’m guessing that apparently my father’s DNA kicked in which in turn released my grandmother’s magic as well. I felt vines of incredible force…delicious white magic thread through my nerves. I felt this all-encompassing knowledge hit my brain, all sorts of spells and science bombard me at once. It felt as though my head was going to burst. I was filled with more magic than anyone one person was meant to handle all at once, and yet, I remember feeling…complete as all of it came together. Then, boom, I couldn’t take anymore and the lights went out.”

  “Indeed, it is incredible to me that you look…completely recovered after such a harrowing experience.”

  I stared at him as I thought about this. Yes, I felt all powerful and yet, hesitant about taking my power in hand and using it. How could I control this awesome mana inside of me, if I let loose?

  I felt as though I could do anything, and my body felt…tingly as though waiting, no, itching to be used. I felt something wild surging through my blood and it needed release. I thought about him, and what it would feel like to have him under me…no, control. I looked away and said, “Am I recovered? Perhaps physically, but…not sure about my head.”

  “You need relief,” he said and frowned. “You need to use some of all that energy vibrating with newness in your blood. Try using some of your white magic.”

  “Magic? Like what?”

  “Think of something you want from your house…a favorite book. Think about that book and use your magic to bring it here.”

  “You think I can do that?”

  “You now know that your father was a prince in a Realm of Immortals. I think he—you are shall we say cousins to the Seelie Fae. I mean to do some research on Deatach and find out more, but in the meantime, yes, I think you can do that with just a thought.”

  I remembered I had been reading a romance novel by my favorite author. I pictured it in my mind, resting on my nightstand, and wished for it to appear in my hands.

  Voilà. In my hands, right in my hands, with its sexy cover and…I saw him smile, no not smile, but smirk.

  “What?” I demanded.

  “You read those?”

  “Yes, it is great reading,” I felt my eyes narrow.

  He put up his hands, “Okay, okay. What is more important is that you were able to immediately access your power. Not an easy thing to transport physical items over space.”

  I grinned, “Feels good, I feel good.”

  Wilder looked excited as he said, “Excellent, baby. We’ll start your training tomorrow.”

  “Training? Start?”

  “Yes, if your father had been here with you, for you, he would have been able to help you secure your magical abilities without injury to yourself or anyone else. He isn’t here, so, please, accept my help, Smokie.”

  I eyed him, one brow up, “Well, since you ask so very nicely…that is, if you think you can handle me?”

  He took me into his arms and whispered, “Handle you? I don’t think anyone can handle you, but I would love to find out what we can do together. Smokie, do you know what it is you do to me? Because I don’t…Smokie, forgive me…but, I just can’t stop.”

  He kissed me then and damn, my mind went into hyper-drive. I was burning for him. He couldn’t stop? Neither could I, and I had no intention of doing so. All better judgement dissipated and I turned into a primal woman in need. Gone was my self-control, my so-called will power. Damn, no will power, it was out to lunch!

  He had my clothes off with a flick of his magical wrist. I reciprocated with a thought and reveled in the release of power.

  His voice, low and husky was at my ear, “Baby, I am going to take you now hard and fast because I can’t wait…don’t want to wait.”

  “Yes, need that...need it now!” I definitely agreed, hard and fast was good, very good.

  He held my waist with both his hands and picked me up. Oh hot damn! Yes, I wrapped my legs around him as he positioned his cock, jeeez, big cock and slammed into me.

  Holy good gosh! The sensations that swept through me took me to a planet called heady pleasure. I couldn’t pump against him enough. I was reckless and wanton and had the super strength to take what I needed while I held on to him with everything I was, or had become.

  He walked me to his bedroom, groaning with pleasure and walking like that with his cock inside of me touched all the right places inside my sex. I exploded with a release that went right to the top of my head and then I shuddered all the way back down to my toes.

  He put me on the bed, I let my legs drop and he raised my legs up so that my calves straddled his hips. He pulled out of me then and I grabbed for him, didn’t want it all to stop.

  “Oh baby, I’m not going anywhere but back inside,” he said in a voice that sent me into a tornado of lust. He was on his knees, taking a hold of my ass, lifting me to meet…oh fuck, his lips!

  He did as promised, but not with his dick. Instead he was between my legs, lapping and diving deep with his talented tongue. I arched in a glory of heat. I called his name. I have never had this done to me, for me—ever, and I told him, “Holy Grail…I…you…oh, yes…yes!”

  He nibbled at my clit and there it was, that rising sensation climbing all through my nerves, demanding release and getting it! He brought me to a climax that almost had me on the ceiling. Tremors of pleasure relaxed my body and I fell back again against the mattress. All I could think was, more, I wanted more of him.

  He had me in his grip, but as I settled down, he released my butt and climbed closer to me on the bed. I smiled as he pulled me onto my hands and knees. He never gave me a moment to wonder what he was about to do next. I found out, and joined him in a wild pumping of sexual need.

  He was at my rump, pressing his large dick against me, as he said, “Smokie, you are perfection. You just don’t know how exquisite you are, do you? Let me show you what you do to me.”

  He slammed into me then, and I felt that wonderful cock of his go deep, so deep as his movements annihil
ated everything but the pleasure. I rocked back against him. He reached around me and fondled my breasts and then lightly brushed my nipples with his thumbs.

  Harder, faster, he slammed into me. His rhythm was easy so easy to meet merge with. Damn, but we were crazy wild and I thought we would break his bed as I responded with equal fervor.

  And there it was again, that growing, pure primal, feral sensation that took me into space and detonated with a force that made me shake and tremble and say his name.

  “Good girl,” he said. “Oh baby, I could live inside you!” he said as his voice rose and my Holy Grail exploded deep within me.

  Even as his body stiffened, even as his climax roared through him, he held me close and rolled over holding me cradle-like as he whispered, “Smoke.”

  I smiled and closed my eyes.

  He said, “What are you doing?”

  “What do you mean?” I was surprised.

  “No rest for you, baby, you have super stamina now and I mean to tap it,” he said with a chuckle.

  He had me on my back and took my breasts in his hand as he lowered his lips to brush gently one nipple and then the other. He suckled there until I was arching and heating up all over again.

  His kisses then traveled to my neck and my ears and he whispered, “This round…I am taking the slow and easy route. This round, baby, I am making love to you…”

  His kiss was like our first, wild and hungry and full of mystery. Just who was this Dark Lord? He was passionate and yet gentle. He was determined, yet considerate. He was…oh holy hell, he was good…I almost said out loud as his fingers played between my thighs and found just the right spot.

  All at once, I wanted to play. I wanted to hold his dick. I wanted to kiss and lick and suck. I pulled away from his wonderful fingers and pushed him onto his back, “My turn,” I told him and bent to his rigid, now dancing cock.

  I held its length and stroked with a gentle up and down motion before I bent further and kissed the tip, tentatively sucked it partially into my mouth, paused to look up at his face and ask, “Is this right?” Again my one nighter had not prepared me for this.