“I lo…” She put a hand up to stop him, placing her fingers over his lips and refusing, once again, to hear those words from his mouth. She couldn’t hear them until she believed them. He sighed, picking up the thoughts in her head and continued. “Bond or not, Rory, I will prove it to you. You’re my world, if you weren’t, I would never have left you.” He pulled her into his arms and she let him.
“I get that, I do. I’m trying to believe you but you handed me over to Caspian. You were willing to risk me falling for someone else. You were willing to let me go and I can’t imagine ever feeling that way about you. Even though I’m angry, you’re still the only one I ever want to be with. What if he and I had really loved each other? What if I wanted him over you now?”
“It wasn’t a risk I was happy taking, I can assure you. I had faith in us, not just in our bond, but in you and me. I had faith, that what we have was strong enough to withstand the separation. I had faith that we would find our way back to each other. I still have faith is us, Rory. Do you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.” She stepped out of his arms and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
Jax sat at the breakfast bar staring into an empty cup of coffee. Aurora had gone shopping with Melaina, having announced that she was no longer prepared to stay in hiding. Hunter and Marco were along for protection and he was brooding. Being back next to his mate was proving to be more difficult than he could have foreseen. He wasn’t naïve enough to believe Aurora would just fall into his arms declaring her undying love. He’d known she would fight him and expected to have to work for her love. She wouldn’t be the woman he had fallen in love with if she didn’t question him. Anger, he had anticipated, it was the pain he hadn’t counted on.
His mate was hurting, Jax could feel her pain through the bond. When she left him on the other side of the bathroom door, he didn’t need to listen for her sobs, he didn’t need to see her tears, because he felt them. Each one opened a new hole in his heart. He wanted to show her she could trust him, that he would never leave her or break her again. He wanted her to believe that she was his life, but other than saying the words and staying by her side, he didn’t know how to do it.
“A woman’s heart goes as deep as a well, Jax. It can hold a lot more pain than the heart of any man.” Zane’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“She’s got to you, hasn’t she?” Jax smiled, it was unlike Zane to do the deep and meaningful, but it seemed Aurora had brought out his soft side.
“She’s sunshine mixed with hurricane. A force to be reckoned with and yet, vulnerable. She needs guidance and protection.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that,” Jax laughed.
“And she’s fiercely independent,” Zane added, with a quiet laugh. “Have you actually told her you love her?”
“She won’t let me. Every time I start to say it, she stops me,” he replied. “She doesn’t want to hear it until she believes it.”
“Then show her.”
“How? The only time she lets me in is when the bond gets too much to resist. Unless I wait until she’s asleep, I can’t get near her.”
“She’s not one of our ops, you know. You can’t just invade under the cover of darkness.” Zane grinned at his second in command.
“I can try,” Jax laughed, but there was no humour in it.
“Actions speak louder than words, buddy. Speaking of ops,” Zane changed the subject. “I received a call earlier, from HQ. They’ve had a request from a vampire to speak with us.”
“Is it to do with the vampire queen?” Jax asked, his attention diverted by a noise in the courtyard.
“I have no details yet. I’ve arranged to speak to him tonight and I’ll update the whole team afterwards. Just wanted to put you in the picture first. What the hell is that noise?” Zane rose from his stool and looked towards the front door.
Loud voices came from the courtyard, followed by laughter and Hunter’s voice, yelling excitedly. Zane frowned at Jax, but Jax had an idea what was going on. He stood and slapped his commander on the back. “Come on. You don’t to want to miss this.”
In the courtyard, Hunter was jumping up and down like a maniac. Cole, who had been on patrol, was standing stock still with his mouth agape, his eyes fixed on the sky. Marco was shaking his head and grinning widely. And Aurora? She was circling above, in human form with wings and holding onto Melaina, who was screaming with delight.
“Unbelievable,” Zane whispered, his steps coming to a stop.
“Isn’t she amazing?” Jax asked, a rhetorical question.
“Fucking magnificent!” Hunter walked over and fist bumped Jax, just as Aurora flew a loop in the air. Melaina cackled hysterically at being flung upside down. “She’s so bloody strong! You are one lucky wolf.”
“Believe me, I know,” Jax told him, eyes only for his mate.
“They’re insane,” Cole observed, finding his voice.
“They’re freaking awesome!” Hunter laughed.
“My sister has always been insane,” Marco added.
“It could be worse, they could hate each other,” Jax said.
“That might be preferable. When those two gang up on us, we’re not going to stand a chance,” Zane pointed out.
“Shit! You’re right,” Jax realised, as Aurora finally came to land in front of them.
She set Melaina on her feet and folded her wings back into her body. They disappeared completely, fitting back snugly beneath the black vest she wore. Melaina had adjusted some of the men’s t-shirts to accommodate the partial shift, so the Aurora didn’t have to remove her clothing. A slash, from hem to just below the neck on the back of the shirt, allowed the wings room to extend and disappear unhindered. No ripped clothing and, much to Jax’s relief, no bare chest when she let her wings out.
“You are the shit, girl!” Melaina cackled. “Did you show Lykos this?”
“Nah, I didn’t shift while I was in the castle. Silver,” Aurora replied, taking a black leather jacket from Marco, and putting it on.
Jax rubbed his chin thoughtfully, wondering why there was no resentment in her tone. Lykos had kept her prisoner and she was referring to it as though it was a weekend away. Could she have changed her mind about him because she thought he was her sixth warrior? Why did he get automatic forgiveness when Jax didn’t?
“But he took the collar off?” Melaina questioned, furrowing her brow.
“The necklace,” Aurora revealed.
“There was silver in that?”
“Yep, covered in leather, to make it seem as though I was there of my own free will. He didn’t force me to wear it, I could have taken it off at any time. I did when Axel attacked me, I just couldn’t shift fast enough before he had the collar on me.”
“So, he was lying to the pack,” Melaina said, with quiet disappointment.
“Lying by omission, just one of his many talents,” Aurora said, almost fondly and jealousy sparked inside Jax. She glanced at him, feeling it too and moved close to him, laying a palm on his chest. “Down boy.”
He let out a long breath and wound his fingers around her hand. She didn’t pull away. He’d expected her to, instead she pushed up onto her tip toes and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. He was about to lean in, take advantage of her affectionate mood, but she was staring up into the sky through narrowed eyes.
“What?” Jax asked, following her gaze.
“An eagle,” Aurora pointed upwards and the team all followed the direction of her hand. The large bird was circling above them, low enough to see but not to be caught.
“Shifter?” Jax wanted to know.
“Yes, but I don’t think he’s a threat.” Aurora made to remove her jacket, intending to shift.
“No, you’re the only one who can go up there. We can’t back you up if you’re in the sky. We’re a team, remember?” He laid his hands over hers and chose his words carefully. He deliberately left out words like protect and
safety, knowing she would throw them back in his face.
“What do you suggest then?” she deferred to him.
“Wait and see what it does, we’re not a threat to him unless he poses one to us.” Jax’s response came with the knowledge that each of his teammates had their hands on their weapons, ready to fire the second the bird changed its course and became a threat.
“He’s pretty.” Melaina smiled up at the sky.
“I wonder if he can part shift, like me…” Aurora mused. “I’ve never met another bird shifter.”
The eagle swooped suddenly, still too high to threaten them, but just low enough for the shifters to see its enormous wingspan. It circled twice more, seeming to be concentrating on Aurora but not coming close enough to make contact. Then it disappeared, no sign of it left behind. Aurora scanned the sky, looking for a sign of the bird but saw nothing. It had vanished.
“What kind of fuckery was that?” Hunter rubbed his beard and frowned.
“Mind fuckery,” Aurora told him and he nodded in agreement.
Chapter Eleven
Three queens,
three crowns,
three reigns.
“Ooh, a vampire,” Aurora cooed. Fucking cooed! Jax frowned at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.
During a phone call the previous evening, the vampire had offered important information regarding the Morrigan prophecies, in return for the team’s assistance in dethroning the vampire king. A meeting had been arranged for the following night. The vampire and his companion were to come to the house to discuss the matter further, Zane having felt familiar ground would put the team at an advantage.
“Aurora,” Zane warned, warily watching her take steps towards the vampire.
“He’s so pretty.” She turned to the house. “Hey Mel, come and meet the pretty vampire.”
“Seriously, Rory, I’m standing right here,” Jax reminded her.
“I can see you,” she said, without even a glance in his direction. “So, Mr Vampire...”
“It’s an honour, my queen.” The vampire bowed at the waist and Jax gauged the distance between his booted foot and the vampire’s face.
“Oh, he’s English, I’m done.” Aurora fanned her face with her hand.
“Rory!” Jax snapped.
“You are quite beautiful, little one.” The vampire eyed Aurora, hungrily. Jax’s body rippled, readying itself to shift. The vampire inhaled deeply. “And you smell divine.”
“Wanna bite me, Fang?” Aurora tempted. Moving her long hair to one side, she exposed her neck. It didn’t matter that he knew she was deliberately testing the vampire, Jax wanted him dead.
“Aurora!” Zane shouted, at the same time as a growl tore through Jax’s chest.
“It would be an honour, my queen.” He never once took his eyes from hers.
“Enough!” A new voice snapped, from near the gates and they all turned to face the intruder, weapons raised. “Eldon, you will behave yourself. You are a guest here and you will not forget it.”
Upon hearing the order from the new vampire, the idiot, who was taking his life in his hands by flirting with Jax’s mate, lowered his head.
“I apologise, sire,” Eldon said, not an ounce of remorse in his apology.
“I take it you’re Drake?” Zane addressed the new vampire.
“I am. You may as well lower your weapons, we are not young vampires, they’re useless against us,” Drake informed them.
Zane nodded to the men and they put their weapons away. Jax looked to Aurora, who was now inspecting the new vampire with interest. She must have realised how insane she was making him with this behaviour, surely? He was on the verge of shifting and ripping both vampires to shreds.
-Rory…
-Jax…
-Please!
His mate moved to stand next to him, linking their little fingers to calm him, but it wasn’t enough. He needed more and he intended to make a point. Muttering swear words under his breath, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Then, turning sharply, he carried her inside to their room. She kicked, and screamed, and threatened to rip his balls off all the way there. He ignored her. Entering the room, he threw her down on the bed and crawled over her, covering her body with his. He kneed her legs apart and wedged his body between them, pinning her to the mattress with his weight. Before she could react, he reached down and unclipped the cuffs from his belt, deftly fastening one end around her wrist and the other to his own. Jax usually preferred cable ties, but in this instance, he was glad of Zane’s insistence that they all carry handcuffs. Aurora yanked on the metal and narrowed her eyes at him.
“When I get free, I am going to kick your sorry arse all over this house!” she vowed.
“You won’t listen to me any other way.” He entwined the fingers of their hands and pressed them onto the bed.
“I’m not going to listen to you this way,” she screeched. Yep, getting angry.
“We have all night. You’ll listen eventually.” His eyes sparkled as he smiled down at her.
“I hate you, Jax.”
“You see, I’m pretty sure you don’t.” He pressed his lips to hers and was rewarded with her violent kiss.
She pushed her shoulders up from the bed, taking his weight with her and attacked his mouth with her own. Her legs wound around him and with a twist of her hips she flipped them, putting her on top, straddling him. Their tongues did battle, her dominance exciting him, as she ground her hips against his and they groaned together. A nip on his lip drew blood and she pulled back, with a satisfied grin.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Jax,” she taunted, her onyx eyes shining. He licked the drop of blood from his lips and readied himself to flip them again.
“Aurora! Jax!” Marco hammered on the door. “We do kind of need you out here. Vampires and all that.”
“Be right out.” Jax kicked his legs over the side of the bed and stood, lifting Aurora, whose legs were still hooked around him.
“Uncuff me, you fucking skid mark!” She sneered at him, unwinding her legs, and setting her feet on the floor.
“Nope.” Jax led her out of the bedroom to the dining room, where everyone had gathered.
“He has separation anxiety. Like a puppy,” Aurora told the vampires, straight faced, when they raised their eyebrows at the handcuffs.
She sat down in a chair at the end of the table, deliberately making sure Jax’s cuffed hand was on the wrong side to take the seat next to her. Accepting the challenge, he reached around her with his foot and hooked the chair leg, pulling it to the other side of her and sat down next to her. He threw her a look that said, “fuck you!” Aurora lowered her eyes and grinned. He could see she was loving every minute of winding him up, but two could play that game.
Jax pulled their joined hands up and rested them on the table between them. Aurora rolled her eyes. “He also has ownership issues. His Mammy never taught him to share.”
“Seriously, Jax?” Cole stared at him.
Jax nodded once and addressed the vampires. “Shall we get to the point of your visit? I have a mate bond to seal.”
“Over my dead body,” Aurora hissed through gritted teeth.
“Oh, you’ll be in heaven when I’m done with you, Rory, but you won’t be dead,” he replied and the vampire called Drake laughed.
“Should’ve stayed in the damn castle,” she responded, before turning her attention back to the vampires, ignoring Jax’s amused snort. “Tell me you have someone for me to kill? I could do with working out some aggression.”
Drake leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, steepling the fingers of both hands together in front of him. “The vampire King.”
“Done. Where do I find him?” Aurora asked.
“I like her,” Eldon laughed and winked at her.
Jax watched closely, but Aurora didn’t flirt back this time. Instead, she cocked her head to one side in her birdlike manner and inspected him. Her job as
a tracker within the shadow pack had involved many dealings with vampires and she knew better than most that they couldn’t be trusted. His words were enough to pull a reaction from Jax, however.
“If you want to keep your eyes in your head, vampire, you will take them off my mate.” Jax’s voice hardened as he laid out the threat.
“I sense no bond, at least, not one that is sealed. Tell me, why does she deny you, wolf?” Eldon goaded, flashing a fang filled grin at Jax.
“Why don’t you and I go for a walk in the sun, while I explain it to you?”
“Control yourself, Eldon. She is not for you.” Drake told his companion.
Aurora entwined her fingers with Jax’s, realising she’d pushed him far enough. He felt her prodding at the edges of his mind before he heard her voice.
-I don’t trust him, Jax.
-Nobody trusts vampires.
-No, Drake is fine, but there’s something wrong about the other one. Like he’s broken.
-Details later.
“Continue,” Zane instructed Drake from where he stood, at the opposite end of the table.
“I know the whereabouts of one of your Morrigan sisters.” Drake directed his words to Aurora, getting straight to the point. “She is the intended vampire queen. I have known of the prophecies for generations. I was alive during the all too brief reign of the last Morrigan Queen and I served as one of her warriors.”
“Well, shit!” Aurora whispered, sitting back in her chair heavily.
“I intend to tell you everything I know about that time and what I believe to be true now.” Drake looked between the two mates and then met the eyes of every other shifter in the room.
“Well, I guess we’d better get comfortable if this dude has three thousand years of history to tell us.” Hunter pulled out a chair and joined the others at the table.
“I shall endeavour to keep it brief and relevant.” Drake smiled at Hunter’s joke. “I believe I am one of two vampires left from that time. The other being the king, I know of no other survivors. The king, Leo, holds the vampire equivalent to your book of prophecies. A separate book exists for each queen. However, I hold the pages pertaining to the new queen’s family. I have tracked the descendants of the last raven queen through the generations.”
The Raven Queen Page 24
