Defended By Darkness: Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds Book 2

by Bolryder, Terry

  I sigh because I’ll do what I always do. Be the warrior everyone needs me to be.

  I snap, and it’s dark all around us. I hear hissing as something moves, and I call to my inner darkness.

  I can make it so dark that someone dies, or I can make it so dark that the primal fear inside them forces them to run.

  I’ll start with the latter and end with the former if I have to.

  But whoever is here clearly doesn’t want to deal with me, and I see a shape move in the corner, then stand, tall and ominous. As all dark fae, I can see even in the blackest night. The creature locks eyes with me for a second, formless with swirling chaos, and then it lunges in our direction.

  I feel my true form activate as I pull Eva against me, spinning her to the wall, trapping her there as I feel my wings unfurl, wrapping protectively around us both.

  Hiding us in the purest of darkness.

  Then the window opens, then shuts, and I can feel we’re alone again.

  I let out a sigh of relief that nothing happened. Though I’m confident I could defeat anything that came for us, I wouldn’t want to do so with Eva nearby, terrified and not understanding what’s going on.

  I steady her shoulders, then let the darkness fade as I run to the window, wand out but not charged, trying to see where our would-be attacker went.

  But the night is dark and the street is busy with cars, and I can see no sign of him.

  I let out a growl of frustration, then lock the window and turn back to face Eva.

  She’s standing in the center of the room as shadows fade around her, dark shapes lowering down the walls as the room returns to its normal state of dim light.

  Her eyes are wide as she stares at me, and her hand goes over her mouth as she takes a step back, nearly stumbling.

  I step forward to reach her, but she only steps back again, as if still trying to stay back far enough to get a good look at me.

  For a moment, I’m worried she’s afraid of me, and my heart panics because that’s the last thing I want in the world.

  But then she reaches out, points just above me, and I stare up in shock to see I’ve left my wings out and they’re pointed up to the ceiling, which is luckily vaulted, giving me lots of room.

  “Oh my God,” she says. “What are you?”

  I put my hands on my hips and take a deep breath because this is going to be a very long night.

  * * *

  Eva

  What just happened? What just happened?

  It’s all my mind can think as I stare at Tanner standing protectively in front of the window… with an odd suit of armor on that twinkles in shades of black.

  Leather that hugs his muscles, black metal plates that protect critical areas.

  He had a long, ominous black thing in his hand, but he put that away somehow.

  Still, none of that is important compared to the wings.

  Oh my God, my mind wasn’t making it up before when I imagined it.

  Tanner has wings.

  Huge, tall, even more impressive than I ever imagined. I feel like I must be losing my mind right now.

  Was the wine drugged or something?

  No, I’m totally lucid, and Tanner’s face has an expression unlike any I’ve seen on it.

  One of calm resignation. Like he’s not hiding anything anymore.

  I gasp, looking away from his wings to notice long, luscious black hair flowing over his shoulders and down his back, making him look like a Viking.

  It only makes his hard, masculine features more striking, and he’s almost otherworldly beautiful right now.

  And he has long, pointed ears that slash up at a dangerous angle.

  I blink. Have I fallen in love with an elf?

  Still, all I can do is wait for an explanation.

  No matter what, I know that those were his wings I felt around me, keeping me safe, shielding me from whatever was in here.

  And I know that, no matter what, Tanner would never mean me harm.

  I just feel it in my soul, very deeply.

  As if in a haze, I take a step toward him, ready to repeat my question from before. “What are you?”

  He frowns, and even that expression looks imperious in this form of his. Slowly, his face relaxes, and to my shock, he steps forward, taking a knee and lowering his head in a bow in front of me.

  He’s so tall that he’s huge even doing that.

  He slowly raises his head to meet mine, and he’s so handsome it’s almost painful to look at him. “I swear to protect you, Eva. On my life. And in answer to your question, my real name is Tynan and I am a fae prince.”

  I just stare at him for a moment as he stays there on the ground.

  “Get up,” I say gently, reaching down to pat his shoulder. “Hey, why are you doing that?”

  He stands, looking a bit confused. He rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to show you my true form so soon. I wanted to give you a chance to get used to me. To our bond.”

  I step forward, closing some of the distance between us. Now that some of the shock is wearing off, behind it, I can feel a fierce surge of something hot and tempting.

  I think, in this form, without any disguise, looking at me with so much vulnerable honesty, I like him best of all.

  “Fae prince? You’re a fairy?” I ask, reaching up to stroke his hair back, moving over one hand in wonder to graze the tip of his ear.

  His eyes close and he lets out a little groan, and I jerk my hand back, worried I’ve hurt him.

  But the fire in his eyes says otherwise, and he takes a step forward. “I’d be careful where you touch me, soul bond. Lest I lose control.”

  My eyes widen. There’s something darker about him, but it’s like rich, potent wine, tempting me. “You wouldn’t…”

  “I wouldn’t ever do something you didn’t want,” he says in a low voice, eyes running over me. “But in this form, I’m even more sensitive to our bond. And for this fae warrior, being close to you and not making love to you is almost torture.”

  My breath catches at the thought of this magnificent being wanting me so much. Then again, I want him too.

  Deep inside, I don’t feel scared of him. In fact, it almost feels familiar.

  “You wouldn’t lose control, though,” I say, reaching up toward his ear again.

  A small grin tugs the side of his lips. “No. I would make you lose control in wanting me.” He takes a step forward. “In my true form, I’m nearly unstoppable. You can feel my power. Feel the mate I would make. The way I could always protect you as a fierce warrior.” He runs a finger down over my bare arm, leaving a searing trail of sensation. “Pleasure you.” He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me in, and he was right. The feel of his body is incredible.

  It’s more than his body. It’s who he is. But even that feels more real, more potent, when he’s like this.

  Or maybe it’s just that I can’t deny him anymore.

  “Love you,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I loved you from the moment we met.”

  I gasp as his lips lower to my ear, playing as his silky hair falls around us. “How?”

  “My soul bond,” he says. “So much to explain, and all I want to do is take you right here on this carpet when you deserve so much more.” He kisses my neck, moving to my shoulder, and I stare up at his wings as my heart melts from his warmth. “But seeing you look at me like this, even in my true form, when you should fear me or hate me for keeping secrets… I can’t hold back from you.”

  I pull his face back to mine, then kiss his lips hard, voraciously tasting all he has to give as he lets out a little growl. “Then don’t.”

  He looks over me, then nods, and I stare in shock as his wings and his armor disappear and his hair begins to withdraw.

  “Wait.” I reach up, catching some of his hair in my hands, looking at his ears wistfully. “You’re so hot. Stay like this. At least a little.”

  His lips curl up in a pleased grin, and
his hand moves down to squeeze my hip. “Anything for you, Eva.” He kisses me again, holding our lips together gently before carefully pressing mine apart, sliding his tongue in to explore as my hands grip his shoulders for strength.

  He melts me to the core.

  And I know I should be asking him about his wings. About fae. About soul bonds.

  But right now, I’m not only with a hot fae warrior. I’m with Tanner, and I can’t hold back anymore.

  17

  Tanner

  I have been to hell. I have seen utter darkness where no light can reach.

  And only now have I truly found heaven.

  Eva moans against my lips as my tongue strokes the inside of her mouth. Her knees buckle slightly, and my arms wrap more tightly around her, pulling us closer together. Her soft body, which has been tantalizing me all night beneath her silky black clothing, burns me with the promise of her pleasure.

  I’m still in my true form since Eva said she wanted me to stay like this.

  A unique request. But it only makes me want her more, love her more, knowing she feels that way about the real me, the one not hidden behind suppressors.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” she mutters against my lips, and in an instant, I pick her up in my arms, not caring that one of her shoes clacks onto the hardwood floor as I do.

  “Whoa,” Eva exclaims, looking at me and then down at the ground. “It’s a little higher up here than I expected.”

  “I’m a little bit taller in fae form,” I reply.

  “Nice.” She grins as I carry her past the clean, well-kept entry area and make my way to her bedroom at the back of her apartment.

  I set her down, taking in the way she looks me over with my hair and ears still out.

  “You’re beautiful,” she says breathlessly.

  “Not as beautiful as you,” I reply, kneeling over her on the bed as I strip off my suit jacket, vest, and tie, then begin unbuttoning my shirt.

  I can’t suppress my smile at the way her eyes burn with hunger, darting over my now naked chest.

  She’s all I’ve ever wanted and the only woman I care about wanting me, so I’m glad she likes what she sees.

  I lean down, placing soft kisses down her neck, cupping the back of her head with my hand as I do. Each one is a promise, a wish I will make come true as we come closer together.

  To protect her. To love her. To keep her always.

  Eva mewls softly with each brush of my lips, her body utter perfection, slowly writhing against the sheets. But I don’t stop, moving to her shoulder, to her collar. I reach the black strap of her dress and pull it aside, allowing me better access to the area just above her breasts, and I kiss along her collarbone.

  My hands are at her sides now, holding her, coursing up along her outline as Eva’s hands find their way to my hair.

  Her soft touch on my scalp and her little moan of pleasure almost undo me.

  I need to see all of her. Take her in. Show her just how beautiful she is to me.

  I let out a little growl, reaching for her bra strap. “Tell me I can strip you. I need you naked.

  “Yes,” she gasps out, and I unhook her bra from behind, then help her pull it and her dress off, leaving her just in silky black panties.

  My favorite color.

  “You’re perfect, Eva. So gorgeous I can’t think straight.”

  “Then don’t think,” she says, her blue eyes catching the moonlight from the window with little sparks. “Just touch me. Be with me.”

  “That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” I reply, straddling her hips on the bed.

  Her soft thighs beneath my hard muscle are sheer perfection as I take her breasts in my hands, kneading them. Then, using my thumbs, I tease her nipples until they’re both firm tips begging for my mouth.

  I come down to suck on one nipple, laving with my tongue as I continue to squeeze lightly with my hands. Eva gasps, hips bucking against me, but I’m in no rush.

  I continue, moving to the other breast. I pay it the same attention until she’s wriggling and moaning, her hands tangling in my hair, holding me close.

  “So perfect,” I say, breathing against her as she lets out a little moan.

  “Don’t stop, please—”

  “Never.”

  I trail kisses down between her breasts and tease her with my tongue along her belly button and the sides of her hips, where she bucks sensitively in response.

  Even as I pull away each time, my hair brushes over her skin, making her body twitch from the sensation.

  We’re at our most vulnerable together like this. Connection far beyond simple lust.

  I’m with my soul match. Bonding. Everything I ever dreamed of is within my grasp.

  I reach my hand between Eva’s legs, playing along the band of her underwear, then running a finger up her slit over the silky, soaked material.

  Eva’s expression gets wider, hungrier, as she takes little gasps, waiting for me expectantly. Squirming to reach my hand.

  She has no clue how long I’ve been waiting for her. How long we’ve waited for each other.

  I intend to make every second count.

  I slip my hand underneath her underwear now, where she desperately wants me. I gently explore her soft folds, enjoying her moans as they pierce the night air.

  Her wetness makes the feel slick as I tease her clit with my finger, and I’m so turned on by her arousal I have to consciously keep my wings from unfurling again.

  Eva’s soft moans gradually become more ragged as I move faster with my fingers, building the pleasure inside her. My gaze is glued to her body, tensing with each touch as she gets closer.

  But it’s not enough for me. I prop myself over her with my free hand, the other still lowered between us, not stopping. I begin to cover her neck and ear with kisses, and I can feel Eva’s hands wrap around me tightly.

  I drag my teeth slowly over her earlobe just as my finger glides over her clit, and she orgasms for me.

  “Tanner, oh,” she cries out in pleasure, completely overtaken as her body rocks the bed with its release. I hold her close, heart swelling to overfull as I memorize each breathless sound of her voice, every inch of her skin pressed to my chest.

  It takes a second for her to relax. But when she does, I can tell she’s still as ravenous as I am.

  “You’re amazing, Eva,” I say, murmuring the words quietly into her ear.

  “You’re almost too much, Tanner. In the best way possible.” I let her take a moment to explore my body as well, her hands trailing over my shoulders and down my pecs. They linger there as she marvels before going down my abdomen and feeling over the bulge in my pants.

  “Maybe literally too much,” Eva exclaims, eyes widening.

  Just the slightest touch of her hand makes me want to take her immediately. But I’m not done slaking our thirst quite yet.

  “Not too much,” I say confidently. “I was born for you.”

  “Is that what a soul bond is? Like a soul mate?”

  I nod. “It’s a bond so strong that some say it’s far too risky. Or painful, binding that much of your soul to someone else.”

  “What do you think?” she asks quietly, her hand still on me, making it difficult to think.

  I prop myself over her so we’re eye to eye. “The only pain for me would be if I had never found you.” We’re so close I can feel the little warm puffs of breath from her mouth on my lips. “I only know that I want you so badly I’d block out the sun to be with you.”

  She pulls me down to kiss her this time, opening her mouth and drawing me in to pleasure her. The heat instantly arises between us again, and as our tongues clash, I draw my hand down to her cleft.

  Eva growls a sensual, “Oh yes,” and I slowly enter her with one finger. Soft, wet velvet against my hand makes my senses go wild, and I use two fingers, stretching lightly and finding her most sensitive spots.

  When I do, Eva’s legs wrap around my midsection just as I begin to gently th
rust, and when I look at her, she’s blushing from ear to ear.

  “Sorry, a little eager I guess,” she exclaims, and I can’t suppress my smile because her arousal is my arousal. “It just felt so good…”

  “Never apologize like that ever again,” I say, watching as her eyes roll back as I slowly move with my fingers inside her, feeling for her body to relax against me. When I’m confident she’s ready, I use three fingers, and that only makes her arousal build even faster.

  Our lips crash together again as I continue to thrust my fingers, her wet sheath tensing around me as her pleasure builds. Then, just as she reaches the peak, I extend my thumb, stroking over her clit with my fingers inside, and she falls apart in my arms.

  And whether she knows it or not yet, I am completely hers.

  Forever.

  18

  Eva

  My eyes are shut, but I can see a kaleidoscope of colors behind my eyelids as another release overtakes me, engulfing me in pure joy.

  If I thought Tanner was a beast in bed based solely on the printer room, then I really had no clue just how much more was in store for me.

  My hips jolt as aftershocks move through me, the intense, pleasurable waves finally abating. And as I relax into the bedsheets, already missing Tanner’s fingers but wanting so much more, I can see him looking down at me with such tenderness it brands my soul.

  And I’m realizing that all the things I thought I knew about this world are falling apart.

  His nearly black eyes twinkle in the dim light of my bedroom, his long black hair over one shoulder. The bearing of a prince. The heart of a warrior.

  The love of my life.

  But instead of putting away the errant thought, I hold on to it. And as I do, I can feel my heart expanding, growing. Becoming fuller.

  That, and my body is still aching for Tanner.

  When I look up at him again, he’s still smiling, watching me thoughtfully. But in this form, it’s still nearly painful just to look at him. He’s so gorgeous, so perfect that my mind doesn’t know how to comprehend it.