Salvation in Darkness (Misplaced Halos Book 2)

by Nicole Edwards

  “Didn’t we just do this?” Orianna’s breathless words had Eclipse pulling his mouth from hers.

  “It’s been two hours.”

  She laughed, a sound that made his chest swell.

  “Well, in that case…” She pulled his mouth back to hers.

  “I want to put my tongue somewhere else,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Is that right?”

  Eclipse slid his hand up her thigh, sliding higher until he reached the waistband of her leggings. He loved that she favored these things because they made it extremely easy to get her naked. Pretty soon, though, he was going to insist she wear skirts because … yeah, that would take no effort at all.

  The amnigh had all but consumed them, and though Eclipse knew what they needed to do in order to offer them relief, he was having a difficult time suggesting it. The thought of slaying the female he loved more than life itself was not something he could fathom. After the hell he’d put her through when he’d brought her back from Oklahoma, he couldn’t imagine hurting her again. Knowing he’d been the one responsible for her pain had leveled him.

  On the other hand, being the one who took her life… He wasn’t sure he would survive it.

  However, the alternative was going to be keeping her drugged, and he already knew her feelings on that. Obsidian had assured him it was the only option aside from going through with the lintamair. They’d already agreed to discuss with the healers when they arrived, to see if there was something they could do in the future, but that wasn’t going to benefit Orianna. Again, she wasn’t going to succumb to being drugged.

  As he tugged her leggings down her thighs, Eclipse went to his knees, trailing kisses over her hips as he uncovered the soft, smooth flesh beneath.

  “Eclipse!”

  He smiled. “I love when you say my name like that.”

  Eclipse looked up at her as he lifted one of her legs and draped it over his shoulder.

  She cried out his name again when he dragged his tongue along her cleft. He loved the way she shuddered as he pleasured her. These moments were few and far between because of the amnigh. Eclipse spent more time easing than exploring, and he wanted the shift to be permanent. He wanted to spend his evenings with his tongue buried between her thighs, his mornings sliding into the warm haven of her body. And in between … he wanted to make Orianna happy. Whatever that looked like. As long as she had a smile on her face, he would consider it a job well done.

  “Eclipse…” Orianna squealed when her other leg gave way, but Eclipse was right there, holding her up with his hands as he worked her clit faster.

  A soft, guttural moan escaped as her hand stabbed into his hair, tugging roughly as she came against his mouth.

  After a quick shift to his feet, Eclipse lifted her and carried her over to one of the medical exam tables being stored there. Without fanfare, he set her on the edge, freed his erection, then aligned their bodies. His head fell back on his shoulders as fireworks danced behind his eyelids when he sank into her tight sheath. This was heaven, right here. His amsouelot in his arms, their bodies joined, the soft rasps of her breaths as she urged him to pump harder, faster, deeper.

  And when her body shattered around his, Eclipse let himself go, filling her, marking her, claiming her. She was his. From now until eternity, and there was only one way to ensure that would forever be the case.

  As he caught his breath, Eclipse leaned forward, pressing his forehead to Orianna’s.

  “I want to mate you,” he whispered.

  “Okay.” Her hands trembled as they trailed up to his shoulders.

  “I mean … I want to make this joining official.”

  “Okay.”

  He lifted his head, tilting her chin up so he could peer into her beautiful eyes. “I don’t think you understand. I want—”

  Orianna’s soft fingers pressed gently to his lips. “I know what it means, Eclipse. And I want the same thing.”

  Fear trickled into his veins, strangling the elation.

  Orianna’s hand shifted to his cheek, the other one joining on the other side. “You’re the only man”—she smiled brightly—“angel, who has ever made me feel this way. Like I’m … valuable. I love you. I want to spend eternity with you. Not just the amount of time I have left here. Forever.”

  Her eyes searched his as her thumb brushed over his cheek.

  “I trust you, Eclipse. Together, we can get through anything. Even my death and my resurrection.” Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “Am I scared?” She nodded. “Terrified. But I trust myself as much as I trust you. I know this is the right thing. I know we’re meant to be together. If it’s any consolation, I’ve seen it in my visions. I know we get through it unscathed. I will return to you and we will be together for eternity.”

  He wasn’t sure if that helped or not, but he was past the point of talking himself out of it.

  “I’m ready whenever you are,” she whispered.

  Eclipse wrapped his arms around her, yanking her to his chest. He was probably cutting off the circulation to her brain, but he couldn’t let go.

  It was all he could do to remain standing.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  One would’ve thought his ereswa had given birth by the way the mansion lit up with excitement on the day the healers arrived. Luckily, they’d opted to make their appearance at daybreak rather than nightfall. Had it been the other way around, last night would’ve been a complete and total waste, something they couldn’t afford right now. Not with Asmia still out there.

  Obsidian remained just outside the infirmary, what the fiestreigh had dubbed the torture chamber, watching his female introduce the healers to their new workspace.

  “We tried to think of everything you might need,” Penelope told Apollo and Amethyst. “I’m sure we’ve missed something, but you need only ask, and we’ll ensure you get it.”

  Apollo, ever the strong, silent type, merely nodded his head, his silver gaze swinging across the vast landscape of gleaming white and stainless steel. The male’s dark hair was shorn to the scalp, likely a style that was easy to maintain, and every so often he would run his hand over it as though it was a recent development.

  The medical facility was complete, the patient rooms set up, the surgical suite holding every possible tool they could get their hands on, including what humans called an MRI machine. Obsidian knew nothing of human medicine, nor did he have any desire to get acquainted with it. The only thing he cared about was getting some assurance that his female and their baby would be in good hands once their son or daughter decided to make an appearance.

  “We thank you kindly,” Amethyst told Penelope, reaching out and giving Penelope’s hand a gentle squeeze. “And we’re glad to be here.”

  Based on the slant of Apollo’s eyebrows, Obsidian wasn’t so sure the male felt the same.

  “I’ll show you to your private quarters,” Penelope offered, nodding to the far end of the hallway.

  When the females departed, Obsidian turned to Apollo. “Are we going to have problems?”

  The male turned to face him, silver eyes locking onto Obsidian’s face. “I don’t anticipate any. You?”

  Offering a half-hearted shrug, Obsidian held that stare. “I get the feeling you’re not keen on being here.”

  A partial smile appeared, softening the male’s hard-lined face. “As you can imagine, moving tends to take it out on a male.”

  That dragged a laugh from Obsidian. “I understand fully. I did the same fifteen hundred years ago.”

  “Then you’ve had a bit more time to settle in than I.”

  True.

  “Not sure what you like to do in your spare time,” Obsidian told him, “but don’t feel like you have to remain down here. The entire mansion is fortified for access during daylight hours. There’s plenty of recreation up there, including a fully equipped gym and an Olympic-size pool. Down here we’ve got a dedicated sparring room. Should you feel so inclined, simply let me kno
w if you’d like a partner.”

  Apollo smiled, the tips of his fangs flashing. “I might just take you up on that.”

  Obsidian wondered if those fangs were a new development. Angels in Heaven didn’t have the necessary tools to feed here on Earth, and the fact Apollo was sporting the new dental hardware told Obsidian the male was being held to the same rule: feed from the Fae so the Almighty could keep close tabs on you.

  “I look forward to it.” Obsidian motioned toward the end of the hallway in the direction the females went. “You’ve got a chef’s kitchen, and while I’ve asked the heurosp to give you space, I can’t say with absolute certainty they’ll follow my command. They prefer to be of service, and I’m pretty sure they feel it’s a crime when one of us attempts to do their job.”

  “These are humans?” Apollo asked.

  “Immortals, but yes, biologically, they’re still human. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “We’ve got a vast knowledge of human physiology, so I’d say no.”

  Obsidian nodded, glad to hear that. “We’ve also got Fae in residence, roughly twenty who come and go. Both male and female, so you’ve got your pick as far as feeding’s concerned.”

  There was a flicker of heat in the male’s eyes. “I have no personal preference. Both are equally satisfying.”

  Well, there you go.

  Apollo scanned the space once more, then turned to face Obsidian fully. “I can assure you, Penelope’s care will be our utmost concern until delivery. You can trust that I understand she’s mated, which means she cannot bear my touch. Amethyst will be handling things in that regard. I, however, will be on hand to assist once the baby’s born. Michael impressed upon us the importance of her status.”

  Obsidian smiled. “I won’t lie, as far as I’m concerned, Penelope’s well-being should come before anyone else. But those are the words and emotions of a reuthet. She is my main concern, always. I take it you’re not mated.”

  “I am not.” Apollo’s stare remained even. “Nor have I any desire to be so. I prefer simple, if you know what I mean.”

  “To each his own,” Obsidian told him. “And I’m glad you’re both here.”

  “It’s my understanding vampires are in residence, as well?”

  Obsidian motioned back the way they’d come. “We have one residing within these walls, the daughter of the Alpha. There are five more, including the Alpha, who reside in the residence adjacent to ours. They have access via the tunnels. It goes without saying, if they need medical attention, I’ll expect you’ll be complicit in providing.”

  “We’re not here to make waves,” Apollo said. “We go where we’re told.”

  Stepping forward, Obsidian maintained direct eye contact. “We all take orders,” he said simply. “However, here, in my home, we’re not merely soldiers in a war. This is a family, Apollo. Every member, be it angel, vampire, Fae, or human. We command the same respect for all. I hope you’ll find your place within this family, as it appears it’s merely going to grow from this point forward.”

  He noticed there was a shift in the male, as though he hadn’t expected as much.

  “We’re not official within these walls,” Obsidian continued, “but we care for our own no matter where we are. Like I said, I’m glad you’ve joined us, and I hope you’ll find your place here.”

  In a rare gesture, Obsidian held out his hand.

  When Apollo met it, clasping Obsidian’s palm and squeezing firmly, he knew they had an understanding. Perhaps Michael dictated the outcome, positioning the pieces as he saw fit, but they didn’t live by Michael’s rules down here.

  And though the archangel would be spending more time on Earth, Obsidian had no intentions of changing that now.

  Obsidian retrieved his hand. “Now, come on. Let’s grab something to eat.”

  “Yes. Let’s.”

  “How is she?”

  Eclipse managed to make it as far as the kitchen island, but he had to drop onto a stool once he was within range. “It’s brutal.”

  Obsidian chuckled. “Never thought you’d say that, huh?”

  “Never.” Then again, as a highly sexual male, his pleasure receptors were tuned to flare up at even the mention of sex. However, Eclipse was beginning to wonder if friction burn was a thing, and if so, how long before he felt it.

  “Maybe there’s a patch or something you could wear,” Reidar noted. “Curb the cravings.”

  Eclipse flipped him off, then hung his head. He was exhausted and he could only imagine how Orianna was doing. They’d slept maybe a total of two hours in the past nine. The rest had been spent attempting to ease the amnigh.

  “I think, at the very least, we need to task the healers with finding something that’ll help,” Reidar tacked on.

  “Wouldn’t matter. Orianna’s opposed to drugs.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe they can come up with something that’ll stop all that fucking energy then,” the male rumbled. “Because fucking hell, man.”

  Eclipse grinned as he peered over at Obsidian.

  “Hey,” Obsidian said with a smirk, “I have to agree with him there. And I’ve only endured from you. They’ve been dealing with this since I brought Penelope back here.”

  “Or maybe you can just keep your amsouelots away until you’ve undergone the lintamair,” Reidar suggested.

  “Not happening,” Obsidian countered. “Safer here.”

  “Yeah, well, tell that to my dick.”

  Eclipse chuckled again, thanking Phillip when he passed over a cup of coffee. “I’ll need the evening meal delivered to my room.”

  The heurosp nodded, smiled widely. “It would be my pleasure, sire.”

  When the male walked away and Reidar started toward the dining room, Eclipse motioned Obsidian toward the office at the back of the house.

  “What’s up?”

  Eclipse took a deep breath, ignored the churning in his gut. “I need someone to prep the mating chamber. Preferably … you.”

  Obsidian’s eyes widened. “Brother, it would be my honor.”

  Another deep breath cruised through his lungs and back out, a bit heavier this time as the emotion grabbed hold of him by the throat. “I know I have to do this,” he said softly, “but I’m not sure how I’ll survive it.”

  Rather than placate him with words, Obsidian moved close, took hold of Eclipse’s head, and dragged their faces closer. With foreheads touching, Eclipse felt his shoulders begin to shake. He’d been holding it in since he mentioned it to Orianna. He was fairly certain it had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, but in the end, he knew it was a necessity. Ensuring his female’s safety was paramount, and this, no matter how hard it would be, was the only way.

  “I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do,” Obsidian said gruffly. “But know we’re all here for both of you. You will survive this, as will she.”

  “My brain understands that,” he told his brother. “My heart’s the problem.”

  “I know.”

  They remained like that for a couple of minutes before Eclipse squared his shoulders and pulled away from the embrace.

  “I’m going to need you in the next couple of days,” Eclipse told his brother.

  “I’m not going anywhere. Whatever you need.”

  Eclipse thanked Obsidian, then forced his feet to carry him up to the third floor. He knew their meal would be delivered any minute, and he wanted to share it with Orianna before they were pulled under once more. His cock had already hardened, growing more insistent the closer he got to their private quarters.

  When he walked into the room, he saw the bathroom light was now on, the fire still going, keeping the room warm. Orianna was curled up on the bed, her blond hair fanned out over her pillow. Eclipse perched on the edge of the mattress and ran his fingers through all that silk. He watched her face, listening to the soft breaths she took as she succumbed to exhaustion. He wasn’t sure how they were going to make it through the next three days, but at l
east he would be distracted.

  Right now, it was imperative his brain shut down.

  Orianna must’ve sensed his presence, because she rolled to her back, eyes peeling open and a beautiful smile pulling at her mouth.

  “Good evening, sezari.” He mirrored her smile.

  “Please tell me there’s food.”

  “Phillip’s having it sent up. Should be here in a few.”

  “I’m starving.”

  As was he.

  Her smile slipped, her expression sobering as she reached up and ran her fingers over his cheek. “Everything okay?”

  Eclipse tried to nod, just as a reassurance, but he couldn’t lie. “It will be,” he said instead.

  And he was going to latch onto that thought and run with it.

  Because what else could he do?

  “Whatever you do, I suggest you don’t go near that mansion,” Kaj warned the males seated at the table in the dining room. “At least not for a couple more days.”

  “I’ve heard,” Blāz replied with a smirk. “So that mating heat … it’s a real thing, huh?”

  “Real and brutal,” Kaj admitted.

  “What’s it like?” Huracān asked.

  “One minute you’re going about your own damn business and then … fuck,” Kaj grumbled. “Out of the blue, the need overwhelms you.”

  “Damn good thing they’ve got Fae,” Blāz said.

  Kaj happened to be looking at Mirakel, so he noticed the male flinch. Not the first time he’d done so in the past couple of days, ever since that female had fed him. As easy as it would’ve been to give the male shit about it, Kaj had sympathy for him. After all, he knew exactly what it felt like to be bowled over by one of those females. From the very first drop of Acadia’s blood that hit his tongue, he’d been transformed, his entire existence altered.

  “How’s Bijou doing over there?” Huracān asked.

  “Oddly enough, she’s found herself a friend,” Kaj explained.