Page 15

Chapter fifteen

W hen I finally opened my eyes, Deus had shifted us to our room. Candles and flowers scattered the surfaces. I looked into his sensual eyes. His smile revealed those perfect white teeth. He was truly the definition of lust; yet, he had become my definition of home.

“If you’d have me,” he said softly, running his fingers through my hair. “I’d like to celebrate by spending the rest of this day, and most of tomorrow, and possibly the rest of this week, making love to you.”

My stomach twisted with excitement and anticipation. I tried to conceal it, but a smile stretched as my cheeks flushed. “Are you sure?” I asked.

His fingers found the two strings that held my dress in the back. With one intensely slow tug, the laces loosened. His eyes darkened with desire.

“You tell me,” he whispered into my ear, his voice low and sensual. He opened his mind to me. Through his dense walls of shadows and brimstone, I drifted deep into his thoughts. Where there once was torment and pain, I now found hope. The wounds that had plagued him were gone. I found his love and desire in full bloom.

I opened my eyes, pulling my conscious from his. His fingers traced small circles along the bare skin of my back.

“I told you I’d find my way back to you,” he said. “Back to us.”

I swallowed deeply, beginning to fill with need. Not from lust, but love. I needed to love him. To show him that word meant nothing in comparison to what I felt. Only when we were connected mind, body, and soul could he truly understand what he meant to me.

“This will be the first time,” I said softly, “that we’ve been together since we’ve been mated.”

He smiled, playing with the string of my dress that barely clung to my shoulder. “I’m aware,” he replied, flicking the small strap to fall.

I ran my hand down his chest, tracing my fingers over the buttons.

“You take the lead,” I said. “If, at any point, you feel un—”

He placed a finger of my lips, shaking his head slowly. “Nothing and no one will ever keep me from you again.” He bent his head towards me, gently kissing my lips, brushing his fingers over the final strap of my dress, sending the smooth fabric to the floor. All that remained was soft, paper-thin underwear.

Deus kissed me passionately, taking his time with every brush of his lips and flick of his tongue. His hands slid across my body, not leaving one part of me untouched. My skin heated in response. I unfastened each button slowly until his bare chest was finally exposed. I pushed the shirt off his masculine torso and moved to his pants.

Once we were both unburdened of our clothing, he slowly backed me to the edge of the bed, his mouth never leaving mine. When I reached the mattress, I finally pulled back, searching his face for any hesitation or fear, but there was none—only happiness flickered behind the gateways to his soul. I ran my hand down the length of his neck to his chest.

He gently pushed me onto the bed and stood at the edge of the mattress, towering over me, displaying his perfectly sculpted body. His skin was richly tanned thanks to the hours we had spent in the sun. His shoulders were wide and his stomach tight, with shapely mounds of muscles. He was built like a god.

The heat deep in my core roared to life as my eyes locked on the thick, hard length between his strong legs. I licked my lips, wondering what he tasted like. There were still so many parts of him I had yet to explore, even though I had dreamt about each scenario multiple times.

My hungry gaze seemed to amuse him. His eyes roved over every inch of my body, admiring me like a piece of priceless art. As his eyes fell between my legs, his muscles jerked. I opened the door in between our minds that I had created just for him.

“ See something you like?” I asked, trying my best to sound seductive.

“Everything I see, I like,” he replied, his lips curving to one side in a sexy grin. “Somehow, I forget how beautiful you are.”

I laughed softly. “Nonsense. You tell me how beautiful I am every day.”

He bent down and drew his thumb against my lips, then trailed his fingers down my neck, my chest, and the center of my breasts. He continued across my abdomen and stopped once he got to my knee. He placed his other hand on the opposite knee, pulling my legs apart.

The breeze off the ocean swept through the room, sending goosebumps across my skin as the cold air met my already wet center. I gasped faintly. Deus’s eyes darkened as he knelt at the edge of the bed.

“I may tell you how beautiful you are …” he said, his voice becoming predatorial. “Now, let me show you.”

His soft, warm lips met against the inside of my knee, and I almost came at the contact. I had wanted him like this for so long. A part of me had feared I would never experience this again. Yet, here we were, mated. Engaged. Happy.

His lips brushed down my inner thigh while his hands followed, gently stroking the sensitive skin. My head leaned back, relaxing underneath his care. One of his hands splayed across my stomach, trailing up until it found my perked breast. He kneaded the sensitive tissue softly, causing my insides to tighten with desire and need.

I bit my bottom lip, finally falling completely flat against the mattress. He pressed soft kisses around my sex, teasing me with each pass of his lips. My legs began to quiver while my mind began to lose patience.

“Deus,” I whispered, trying to remain in control. I felt his warm breath laugh against the center of me.

“Someone is impatient,” he replied, continuing to torture me.

“Please,” I cried, running my fingers through his dark, thick hair. I opened my mind, body, and soul to him completely. I felt him tense before his desire and need followed me off the edge. His mouth slammed into my sex, consuming me, his tongue lashing desperately to taste me … to please me. My legs clenched around his head, my moan of pleasure roaring from deep within my throat.

His hands gripped my ass as he brought my hips higher, allowing him to press his mouth deeper around my bundle of nerves. Everything inside of my fought to release. I ground my teeth, clutching his hair with one hand while the other tangled into the sheets.

As my own pleasure flashed through my body, another feeling—similar, but not entirely my own—began to bloom. As Deus sucked and kissed and flicked his tongue across me, taking away any self-control I had, that sensation began to grow. My hips moved in a rhythmic motion as my clit swelled, my insides throbbing.

The intensity.

The pleasure.

It was all too much. Deus pulled away from me, sliding his devilish tongue down my center, starting from the top and ending at my entrance, right before he pressed that same tongue inside of me. I shattered, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of my chest. I cried out, gripping at anything my fingers could find.

He held me there as my orgasm crashed into me, setting all my nerves on fire. His tongue moved in and out while night exploded around us, laced with trickles of moonlight and something else. Something new and dark, yet smooth and captivating. My body shook uncontrollably while his hands pinned me to the bed, forcing me to experience every moment of my own release.

Finally, I inhaled, filling my burning lungs with air. My throat was scratchy and sore from the frantic screams that had bellowed from deep inside. My hips fell to the bed in exhaustion. Even my limbs felt heavy and weak.

Deus continued to softly kiss the area, flicking his tongue against me every so often while his hands grazed across my glistening skin. I opened my eyes as he rose above my immobile body, a prideful smile adorning his beautiful face. He laughed softly, a dimple to appearing on either cheek.

At the mere sight of his happiness, something inside of me roared to life. Some need that I had never experienced before. An uncontrollable urge to consume … to ravish … to dominate.

I pushed up from the bed and slammed my lips into his frantically. My hands tore at his body, ripping at the smooth flesh. My powers flared to life. Deus tightened his grip around me, matching my hunger with his own. This frenzied need was too much. I couldn’t think, couldn’t process what was happening. All I knew was that I needed him inside of me— now .

Straddling him as he sat on the bed, I gripped his hard length, positioned myself above him and slammed my body down with force. I cried out, stars and fire blazing behind my eyes. Deus roared the moment our bodies united. His fingers dug deep into my hips, bruising the area in the most satisfying way.

From our union, a massive wave of power exploded from our bodies, shattering each window in the house. We didn’t stop. I moved on top of him, desperation turning to greed with every thrust and stroke I took. He sank his teeth into the column of my neck, sucking and licking the soft skin. I did the same, riding harder and faster, now exhilarated, and full of life.

Sex with Deus had been amazing before we bonded, but this … this was something unnatural. Inhuman, yet extraordinary. The small blossom I had felt brush against my own pleasure now exploded to life with vibrance. I could feel the bond between us strengthen, reinforcing itself each moment we spent inebriated by our passion.

Deus slammed me into the bed, pressing his full weight into me, forcing himself deeper until his angle rubbed his tip against that perfect spot deep inside of me only he could reach. I cried out again, giving myself over to be completely ravaged by him. All control was gone, and the walls I had built around my being crumbled away.

In that perfect moment, as my body succumbed to the pleasure of my mate, I took a deep breath and then was pulled from myself, my awareness bursting into a familiar yet foreign form.

Lust. Passion. Sex. Pleasure. Need. Desire. Love. All these emotions swept over me, yet they weren’t my own.

Deus … I was feeling him, what he experienced while we were together. Another breath and I was pulled back into my own body, invigorated by the revelation of his bliss while buried deep inside of me. He slowed for only a second, bringing his eyes to mine in su rprise. We both laughed with joy. The bond allowed us to share in each other’s pleasures, connecting us completely—as one.

Without a word, he leaned down and pressed a calm kiss against my lips. I wrapped my arms around him, matching his slow and deep pace with my hips. This was the very definition of completion. To not want nor need for anything else.

My insides tightened around his length with each passing thrust. One of his hands wrapped around the headboard for support while the other held me close, as he filled me with his desire. The pressure building inside me was like nothing I had ever experienced. His pace quickened again. I could feel him losing the small amount of control he had mustered. He needed release.

I dragged my nails down his hard back. I tangled my fingers through his hair, pulling his neck down against my mouth, sinking my teeth into his skin for my own enjoyment. He groaned, ramming into me like a wild animal.

I came over and over again, soaking the sheets around us as he slid in and out, screaming against his skin while my body took every hard thrust he offered. I held onto him, utterly out of my mind as he thrust one final time, convulsing inside of me as we held each other tightly, neither willing to be separated. He roared, shaking the house around us.

Night. Shadows. Red sparks. White flames. All our power ruptured in that moment as some final piece of our bond clicked into place. I gasped with a feeling like a wave of adrenaline. Something heavy and powerful pressed into my chest.

All of him. His power, his strength, his dominance, the very essence of who Deus was flew across the bridge that connected us, wrapping itself around me like a sheet of darkness. My own power reached and raced towards the opposite side.

The rush of his strength hit me like a dangerous drug. The power was like nothing I could have ever imagined. I felt invincible. Deus shuddered against me. My skin blazed with fire while the bond finished snapping into place.

I gasped, fighting for air while our powers calmed—a power that was now shared between us. Deus was panting, his grip now softer and more relaxed. I held onto him and knew that I now had access to his power, and he to mine. The miracle that had been cleaved in two during our creation had now been reunited. We were truly one.

Deus lifted his head, leaving his body on top of mine. He ran the back of his knuckles down my face. A soft smile appeared on his face lazily.

“Well, that was …”

“… intense,” I finished for him.

He laughed deeply. “I had no idea that would happen.”

“Me either. I mean, I could feel your strength when we bonded, but not … not whatever this is.”

He raised his hands above me, focusing on his fingers. A moment later, my white flames swirled around his fingers and upper arm, just like they appeared for me.

“Would you look at that,” he said, alternating the flame over each finger in a serpentine manner.

“So … does this mean I can control lust now?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I would assume so. If I have access to your gifts, it would make sense that my arsenal is now at your disposable. And here I thought you couldn’t get any more powerful.”

“Thee of little faith,” I said.

He chuckled uncomfortably. “Faith has nothing to do with this.”

“No,” I said, running my hand down his beautiful, sculpted face. “But fate does … destiny.”

His eyes filled with love. “My reason for existing,” he whispered, placing his forehead against mine. I allowed a moment to pass, relishing our intimacy.

“How are you feeling?” I finally asked.

“Powerful.”

“And … about being … together. Were you—”

He stopped me by pressing his lips firmly to mine.

“Nothing has ever been more perfect than the moments we share together like this. I’m perfect, my love. Truly.”

“Good.” I bit the bottom of my lip. “So … how quickly can we do that again?”

Surprise flickered behind his eyes. “Apparently, I am a bit out of practice if you’re already asking for seconds.”

I laughed. “It has nothing to do with that. It’s just—” I paused, feeling that all-consuming need burning inside of me. It was like an insatiable craving I would never satisfy, no matter how often I had him. I wanted him inside of me … no, I needed him inside of me. I wanted it hard and rough and fast. I wanted him to fuck me like an animal until I couldn’t move.

His eyebrows rose with understanding, followed by a sensual grin. “You feel it,” he said; not a question, but a statement.

“Feel what?”

“The lust. The power it contains. The need to unleash it. To bury yourself inside of it. To feel every moment of it, because nothing will ever compare to the power and pleasure it holds over you.”

“Can’t it just be because I love you? ”

He chuckled, tracing a finger down my chest to my stomach. “My love,” he whispered. The very sound of his voice felt like his fingers had dove deep inside of me, twisting and stroking the spot only he had ever touched. I groaned.

“My power is intrinsic, yet, in all the thousands of years I’ve been alive, nothing has given me more pleasure than being buried inside of you. Feeling you clench against my cock. Watching those perfectly round breasts tighten at the sound of my voice. The way you bite your lip right before you scream from the pleasure I give you. Knowing …”

He paused, sliding his fingers to the seam between my legs. I gasped as he slipped down my lips, tracing my entrance tauntingly.

“… that I can make your body wet. That I can make you find release time and time again.” My hips rose in a silent command to go further. “Everything with you has become more. Better. Stronger. Power or no,” he traced my brow tenderly, love and awe flashing across his face, “This desire is because of our love.”

He bent down, kissing me softly on the head. “Nothing else.” He kissed my cheek. “It is because our love is inimitable.” Kiss. “Unparalleled.” He hovered over my lips, barely grazing his against mine. A shiver went through my body. “Transcendent.”

He shoved his fingers deep inside of me. I unleashed, releasing our darkness into the room. I gasped from the pleasure, succumbing to every need only my mate could sate. My fiancé. My world.

That night, we didn’t sleep a single moment. Just as one adventure would finish, another would begin. We tasted every inch of each other, leaving no area unexplored. As the sun began to rise, Deus held me against him. I was safe. We both were. I pressed my ear against his chest, listening to the beating rhythm of his heart—the one that was fully and completely mine.

Some hours into the late afternoon, I stirred from my exhausted sleep needing to use the restroom. I pulled away from Deus, trying not to wake him as he slept peacefully. Stumbling to the sink, I washed my hands. Taking in my disheveled appearance, I laughed in astonishment. My skin was lightly bruised in random places thanks to my mate’s fierce kisses. My hair was a hot mess, and I looked completely spent.

I dried my hands, taking care with the beautiful ring that now decorated my finger. I would wear this ring for the rest of my life … which wasn’t going to be long.

The knowledge of my impending doom came crashing around me. I clasped the porcelain sink, making it groan under my grip. I threw wall after wall around myself, trying to stop my panic from escaping down our very bright and flourishing mating bond.

My chest felt like it was going to collapse. I gasped for air, panicking. Everything that I had worked so hard for was going to be ripped from me. I stared at the ring, wondering if I would even get to share a wedding ceremony with my mate.

I splashed cold water onto my face, forcing deep breaths until my rapid heart finally calmed. This sacrifice was necessary for the people I loved to live a life without fear or pain. I closed my eyes tightly, fighting the pain that threatened to destroy me, and stroked my ring.

Was it wrong of me to want to be selfish? To leave everything else behind and walk away, so I could live a happy life? How much more did the universe expect me to sacrifice? I guess it wouldn’t be happy until I forfeited my life.

My reflection fought the tears that burned my eyes. I focused and blinked. Behind me, a static black blur flickered in and out of sight. My heart pounded against my chest in fear as I swung around, readying for an attack.

Nothing.

I calmed, using all my senses to take in my surroundings. Was I dreaming again? I heard only the sound of my steady breathing. Then … a darkness flashed in the corner of the bathroom near the shower, laced with bright ribbons of white light. A woman opened her long gaping mouth, unleashing a high-pitched, wailing scream, lashing her head from side to side, stretching her hand towards me as if fighting against being pulled from this existence. Her image vibrated in and out like static from a television.

I lit my flame, preparing for whatever or whoever she was, but she flashed out of sight again. I frantically looked around, waiting for her return, but the dark figure never appeared. After waiting ten minutes, I returned to our bed to find Deus sound asleep, as if there hadn’t been a woman screeching at the top of her lungs twenty feet away. Which forced me to wonder … could he hear her, or was her visit intended just for me?

I curled my body against his, replaying the image of her ghostly presence. I couldn’t make out many details except that she was a woman. The darkness surrounding her felt tainted in a way I had never experienced before. And the flickering, that was unsettling. Even when I had seen spirits, such as Giana when she had been dead, they always remained whole. Not fragmented, like this one.

I closed my eyes, trying to push the thousands of questions down, but I couldn’t ignore the impression I was now being watched. As if, during her visit, she had somehow latched onto me, using me as an anchor to this world. This was the third time I had been visited by this spirit. She obviously had a message for me. Yet, who was she? What new monster had come to leech the happiness I had found? What new horror awaited?

The next week was filled with love, passion, and sex. Troves and troves of sex. Deus had gladly introduced me to his world— our world—of lust. We couldn’t keep our hands, mouths, or bodies off each other. We graced every surface, room, and wall of the house. On the beach. In the pool. In the jungle.

I never thought sex could be like this. So freeing and consuming. And just when I thought I had experienced the most astounding pleasure of my life, Deus introduced a new method, device, or position that sent me over the edge. His favorite addition was restraints. No matter where we were, he found a way to confine me, forcing me to endure whatever method of pleasure he chose to bestow upon me.

The nights passed with ease, yet I still had the notion that a presence lingered in between realms. The flickering spirit didn’t appear again. I would have shrugged it off as a dream or an illusion, yet my intuition warned me otherwise. I didn’t bring it up to Deus. He was finally happy after everything he had endured, and I didn’t want to burden him with something I couldn’t explain.

Sunday morning, I pulled myself from our bed. My body was pleasantly sore and relaxed, the scent of us lingering on my skin and clothing. I smiled, knowing I would never tire of this. I stalked through the halls down the stairs towards the kitchen, desperate for food. I wore one of Deus’s black button-up shirts and nothing else. The tiled floor felt cold against my bare feet as I turned the corner and screamed.

I unleashed my darkness, which was laced with red ribbons of static, towards the figure that stood at the edge of the kitchen island. The intruder threw up a shield, forcing my shadows to bend around the sphere of protection. A second later, Deus was at my side.

The shadows dissipated, revealing Belz in a defensive stance, hands outstretched towards us, keeping the shield in place.

“For the love of Father,” he mumbled, relaxing and standing up straight. “Was that really necessary?”

I shifted my feet, embarrassed. “Sorry,” I whispered. His gaze trailed slowly over my barely covered body. A sensual grin rose on his face, his eyes darkening. I pulled at Deus’s shirt, trying to force it to cover more of my body.

Deus growled at my side, stepping in front of me protectively. “I suggest,” Deus growled, “that you force you attention elsewhere, brother , and rather quickly, before you lose your eyes.”

“Oh, come now, Deus,” Belz said tauntingly. “Now that she’s your mate, don’t you think it’s only fair that you share with the rest of us? I’ve never been with a tribrid before. I bet it’s one hell of a ride.”

Bam . Deus’s fist flew across the air, smashing into Belz’s face. Before I could gasp, Deus and Belz were flying across the room, slamming into every surface, wall, and object that had the misfortune of getting in their way. Their powers seeped from them, zapping with electric energy while they pummeled each other like schoolboys.

Walls cracked. Tables broke. Glass shattered. Deus managed to take Belz down to the floor, pinning him underneath his own body. A deep laugh bellowed from Belz. At the sound, Deus seemed to relax a bit, hovering over him while trying to steady his breathing. Deus released his brother’s arms.

Belz patted his face mockingly. “Good to have you back, brother,” Belz said with a bright grin.

“You’re an asshole,” Deus growled, standing to his feet. He extended his hand to my mate.

“Aren’t we all,” Belz replied, dusting off his pale blue shirt and dark black jeans. He smirked at me. “Nice to see you again, dear Seren.”

“You too, Belz,” I replied.

Deus returned to my side. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Well, if the two of you hadn’t turned off your phones, I wouldn’t have needed to waste the last week of my life popping across this Father-forsaken planet searching for you.”

If he had gone to this much trouble to find us, something must be terrible wrong. “What is going on?” I asked, panicked.

“Fun time is over, I’m afraid,” Belz said, looking between the two of us. “Time to come home.”

“Is everyone okay?” I asked.

“As of right now, yes. But Hashen and Mal have discovered what Lucy has been up to and why he’s been so quiet since our little adventure into Hell.” Belz paused, examining the tray of cinnamon rolls I had made the morning before. He pulled one from the plate, placing a piece in his mouth and moaned with satisfaction.

“Belz, focus,” demanded Deus. “What did they find?”

“Right,” Belz said, still chewing on the sticky bun. “Our brother appears to have discovered a spell to mute all magical abilities, including ours. This requires a rather extensive and priceless selection of ancient relics that have been imbued with Father’s power. When the covens got a report about an Italian relic that had been stolen from an abbey in Montecassino, Frankie cross-referenced the relic to other reports around the world and discovered two other relics stolen.”

My heart dropped at the mention of Montecassino. Deus felt it. He ran his hand down my back for comfort. “What did they … what did he steal from Montecassino?” I asked, hesitantly.

Belz shrugged. “Your cousin has the specifics, but if I remember correctly, I think it was an urn full of some dead saint’s remains.”

“Saint Benedict?” I whispered.

Belz looked surprised. “Yes. That’s it. How did you know?”

“Because I grew up in that abbey,” I answered. I racked my brain trying to figure out why Lucifer would want Benedict’s remains. Why was this saint so important? But then … it all clicked into place. “I need to get to Frankie,” I said, turning from the princes and heading back towards our room.

I fumbled through the closet full of unused clothing and pulled a dress over my head. Deus appeared behind me a moment later. “What did you remember?” he asked.

“St. Benedict … he’s the saint that protects against curses, evil, and vice. Evil … meaning our magic, according to the Christians.”

“Well, then, it makes sense why he chose to place you there,” he said, buttoning his shirt slowly.

“What do you mean?”

“Placing you in that abbey prevented your powers from manifesting fully. It helped silence your magic. Though, once you hit the proper age, your magic was too strong. Even for the relic to work.”

“Wait. So you’re saying the relics actually contain power?”

“Why do you think the Catholics horde them so desperately? They do offer an amount of protection and healing. They work well as a repellent against lower demons. To us, they just deliver an annoying headache and bouts of dizziness depending on how strong they are and how close they came in contact to the Son.”

“And the spell?”

“Unfortunately, I have never heard of such a spell.”

I tied my hair back into a ponytail, rushing around the room to gather my belongings.

“He would need a witch powerful enough to create and cast a spell of that magnitude. Someone with unnatural gifts. My mother is no longer an option. Who else would be able to do that?”

Silence. I turned towards Deus; he stared at the floor, solemn-faced, hands in his pockets. Something like panic and guilt flickered down the bond. I walked over towards him. He didn’t seem to notice me until I was standing right in front of him. I pressed my hand against his chest.

“Love,” I whispered softly. “What is it?”

His eyes finally found mine, his brow furrowed. “Victoria,” he answered.

At her name, my vision tunneled and a buzzing sounded in my ears as my skin heated. The last time I had seen her, she had been curled up in my mate’s lap, her hands on his skin, her lips pressed against his, her tongue sliding along his neck. And God only knew what happened after I left. If she had … if they had …

I felt hands on my face, cool against my blazing fury and jealousy. I met Deus’s eyes. He gave me a knowing smile.

“That wasn’t …” he began to say, but stumbled over his words. “That wasn’t me. Not the real me at least. I chose you, remember. And I will ch oose you every day for the rest of eternity.”

My heart calmed, muscles releasing the tension of the memory of them together.

“I know,” I exhaled, surprised by my flames flicking up and around my arms. I absorbed the power and ran my hands over my face. I went back to gathering my personal items throughout the room. Deus just watched me.

I paused, turning my attention back to him. “What?”

He dropped his head. “I just don’t want what we’ve built here to be ruined when we go back. When our pasts—my past—eventually catches up with us.” He smirked. “Some part of me wishes we could stay here forever. Leave everything else behind.”

“That we got this time is a blessing in itself,” I replied. “But our responsibilities and families would have eventually caught up with us, no matter how hard we tried to outrun them.”

Deus nodded, smiling as he looked around the room. “I think this might be my new favorite place.”

I laughed, throwing the small bag over one shoulder. “Mine too.” I walked towards him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He looked down at me and grinned, though worry still danced behind those icy eyes.

“We’re stronger than ever,” I said. “Nothing is going to change that.”

“I know. I just hate what I put you through in Hell. That you saw Victoria and I—” he paused again, unable to finish his sentence.

“Oh, make no mistakes,” I said, gathering our darkness around us. “I am going to kill that bitch, and I am going to enjoy every moment of it. And this time, she will stay dead.” I smiled, pressing my lips against his as I shifted us back to Castle Salvo.