Page 30 of Emerald Waves (Primordial Protectors #2)

Chapter Twenty

Emerson

Rage.

That was what I felt through my connection with Caro.

Quint had come to escort me to Ionus and Alex’s home where he and Odem were ordered to keep us safe while the other three dealt with a threat at the archive building.

Thankful didn’t even cover how I felt upon insisting the most important pieces be moved to our horde space when I moved in with Caro.

Granted, I didn’t want to lose any of the extensive collections, but after they dealt with the threat, I knew we’d move the rest to a safer location.

Likely within the compound for which we lived.

But something felt off. Not necessarily with Caro, but in general. I sensed a familiar presence and one that had me on edge.

Gramps and the Drakemyre clan were here, all except for Baird and Angus, who’d flown into town to assist the protectors.

Odem was rocking the twins to sleep, while Griffin and Luna napped on the couch between Gramps and Alex, and Quint paced nearby.

Ignatus, Elgin, Rory and Hamish were outside, having eyes and ears on the exterior in case any threats came this way.

I didn’t like this. I didn’t like this one bit. Why would anyone target the archive building?

Unless…

“Mate.” Caro’s voice startled me. Grim thoughts had held my focus far too long. I’d been so lost in what-ifs that I’d not heard them return. I jumped into his arms, and it wasn’t until the foul, coppery stench of blood assaulted my senses that I actually looked at him.

“What happened? Please tell me that’s not your blood?”

He squeezed me tighter. “Some here and there may be, but for the most part, it’s not.”

I took a life, mate. I hadn’t meant to, but anger propelled me.

How does one respond to that?

Don’t jump to conclusions and hear him out , my dragon warned.

“Alex and I will put the children to bed, then we’ll debrief you.” Ionus scooped up Griffin and Alex cradled Luna while Odem carried the twins up for them.

Do we have reason to be worried?

Uneasy silence filled our connection for a few moments until the answer I’d hoped not to hear came.

Yes.

“Raven is in town adding a new caveat, if you will, to the wards,” Ionus began as he returned. “When we arrived at the archives tonight there were several dragons that had tunneled in and were in the midst of destroying the building in order to get into it.”

“I collapsed their tunnel,” Caro added, though the tick in his jaw was still present.

“Sheriff Larkin has two of the intruders in custody, a third didn’t make it.”

“Didn’t make it as in he got away?” Alex questioned Ionus.

“As in, he didn’t survive.”

Fuck, the one Caro killed.

“How were they able to get through the wards?”

This time, Ionus made eye contact with Caro, and it was my mate who responded. “They shared a bloodline with you.”

“What?”

“The wards were altered with each mate, so they could pass through the wards. In doing so, this allowed those that shared their bloodlines in as well. Raven is currently amending that. Baird and his clan are in town assisting with packing up the archive building and bringing those items here. We’ll keep them in a spare room at Caro’s home until a suitable archive room can be constructed. ”

“This is all my fault.”

“The hell it is!” Caro’s anger shook their home, triggering his earthly element and a near earthquake.

“Somehow, they heard that one of their outcasts was here, and that he was finally able to shift. They were searching for you, and thank fuck you weren’t there!

I fear this kidnapping wouldn’t have gone as well as your last.”

Guess Caro’s adrenaline still ran high, not that I could blame him.

“Wait, if they heard that, then the others may be in danger too.” The brothers glanced at each other. I had a feeling they hadn’t thought that far ahead. “We need to get word out to the other clans we’ve met. The Merdragons, in particular.”

“I’ll handle it,” Mattias said.

“We hadn’t considered that. It’s time to move reaching out to the others up in the timeline.

Tonight’s actions proved the Gorynych are on the move.

There may be a mole to contend with.” Ionus wasn’t fucking around.

“I’ll meet with Baird first thing in the morning.

He’d mentioned other clans he ran into over the years, and I think it’s time to pay them a visit. ”

My anger got the best of me when I realized they were after you. Nothing is worth losing you and our baby for. I’ll protect you both until the end of days. I love you, Mate.

I love you too, but I don’t want to cause problems.

The only problem would be if you left me.

That will never happen. Not only because my heart couldn’t bear it, but to do so would end both our lives through the mate bond.

“Raven is strengthening the wards here, again,” Ionus winked at Alex. “This time they will only detect individual blood as opposed to bloodlines.”

“The archive building will need to be demolished,” Mattias added. “It’s no longer structurally sound.”

“That’s not a bad idea, even if the damages weren’t as extensive. One less place for concern. Caro, are you certain you collapsed the entirety of the tunnel?” Ionus asked him.

“Yes, though it did end in the woods just beyond the ward. We may want to scour the area tomorrow.”

“All of you, meet me on the pitch at daybreak. Caro, you’ll lead the search.

Sleep well, brothers.” Ionus dismissed us as we all headed to the tunnels within the mountainside that led to our respective homes.

Caro practically dragged me home. His hand never left mine.

The tension in our connection was insane.

As soon as we walked in and the door slammed close behind us, Caro pinned me against it.

“You have no idea how scared I was. The second he mentioned the castaway that lived here, all I saw was red. I can’t lose you, Emerson.

” Tears overflowed as he took my mouth in a searing kiss.

“I need you, Em, I need to feel you inside me. Around me. I need you.” I’d never seen Caro this upset before.

I’d have found a way to move the earth had he asked to take his pain away. “Please.”

“Okay, but not here.”

He grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs to our room, then proceeded to undress.

I’d seen Caro naked more times than I could count, but somehow this time felt like the first. No one had ever needed me before and yet in this moment I’d never felt more treasured.

More…needed . Before I had a chance to disrobe Caro was done and sprawled across our bed.

His reddened eyes staring deep inside me.

Our mate mark pulsated and even before I glanced down at it, I knew it was aglow as Caro’s was too.

What did that mean?

Now wasn’t the time to obsess over a new finding. It was a time for bonding and ensuring my mate, our egg, and I were both fine, safely tucked away with him in the sanctity of our home.

Topping him wasn’t a position we’d often engaged in.

But Caro needed me, and I understood that.

Had the tables been turned and I learned of another wishing to cause him harm, I can’t say I wouldn’t have acted in the same manner.

The reality of what had unfolded hit me hard and I wasn’t the one who’d engaged in battle tonight.

As I removed my last piece of clothing, Caro spread his legs and stared expectantly at me. I’d never seen my strong mate this frazzled. “Please. Hurry.” Nor had he ever begged for anything.

Just the fact that another had made him feel this insecure infuriated me to no end.

But to know I was the key to putting him back together was a heady emotion.

When I was close enough, he wrapped his arms around me and drew me into a frenzy of heated kisses.

Our erections grinding together nearly set me off, though I did my best to hang on.

When Caro reached the same state, he broke our kiss and panted.

“I need you Em, now.” I moved to prep him only to have him stop me. “No. I want to feel everything.” He pulled his legs to his chest, opening himself as much as he could.

“Are-are you sure?” Hurting Caro wasn’t a choice I’d ever willingly make.

“Aye.”

With the head of my cock at his entrance, I silently prayed to the Goddess to not let me mess this up.

Screwing up a tender culmination such as this was a memory I’d rather not have.

I glanced up at my mate, Caro’s face showed no pain as I continued to press inside until I was as deep as I could go.

I swear, I held my breath the entire time.

“Breathe, Emerson,” Caro whispered. “You’re right where I need you.”

Okay, okay. I can do this.

I want to do this.

More importantly, the man I loved asked me to.

Caro pulled me down into another kiss and whispered against my lips, “I love you, Emerson.”

Tears filled my eyes. The intensity of the moment hit me hard. “I love you, too.”

“Now, move.” I almost laughed, but was so happy to see his beautiful smile again. It edged me forward, pushed me to make love to my mate the best I could. I may’ve stumbled a time or two, but for the most part we were perfectly in sync. Two hearts beating as one until we reached the final apex.

He was so tight. If I felt anything like this, gripping his cock in a tight vise, as he was mine, it was no wonder he enjoyed making love to me as much as he did. Though these thoughts were doing nothing more than pushing me right to the edge. I seriously couldn’t take much more.

Stroke yourself, mate, I can’t hold off much longer.

Hell, I couldn’t even get the words out. Saying it through our connection was the only way. With my eyes darting between his hand rapidly stroking his cock and the throes of ecstasy on his face, that was it for me.