Page 37

If Blood Spills in the Forest, Can You Hear It?

Death

“Ro, brother. Wake up.” A deep voice rings in my head.

A strong hand jostles my shoulder, shaking me awake. I moan groggily as my eyes flutter open. I see Grace asleep next to me. My head spins as I start to pull myself up. I reach out for my mate, touching her shoulder gently. What happened?

“I’m guessing you two completed the bond.” Tai’s voice is behind me. “I was wondering if you guys had done it yet. I saw your marks on her, but I never saw hers on you.”

“What do you mean?” I murmur confused, eyes still on my Grace. I gently shake her. “My feisty little human, wake up,” I call softly, caressing her face.

“ No .” Her voice sounds in my head, but she is still asleep. I narrow my eyes at her. This is some trick.

“It is no trick, brother.” Tai chuckles. “You two are fully mated now. Mates have the capability to talk through their bonds.”

I clench my teeth. “Anything else you have decided to not tell me, brother ?” That fucking asshole is very good at leaving out core information. I turn my head to him, and he is fucking smiling. I narrow my eyes at him, ready to punch that smile off his stupid face.

He chuckles. “Hey, it’s not my fault you never had any interest in learning things like this from the mortals. Wake up your mate and come to the training room. I’ll explain everything.” Tai chuckles once more and leaves my bedroom.

I snarl at him as he leaves.

My mood thoroughly soured, I turn to my little stubborn human, sleeping peacefully. “Grace, wake up,” I demand as I shake her harder. The obstinate mortal turns away from me, swatting my hand away.

This iron-willed brat will be the death of me.

“Grace, wake your ass up now.” Losing all remaining patience, I shove her off the bed.

I watch her flail off before hearing a deep thud on the ground. “What the fuck? You asshole!” Her voice is dangerous as she stands up, her scent radiating a spicy anger. “What the blazes was that for?”

I shrug. “I tried to wake you up nicely, you refused.”

A little voice rings through my head. “ Dagger .”

We lock eyes, and I quickly glance to her bare legs. Her pants, where are her pants? Urgency overwhelms me as I search the room. I think back to last night—Oh, right, she tossed them over the bed last night before she fucked my face.

We both look to the edge of the bed at the same time. Locked in place, neither of us move as we are stuck in a standoff. Grace breaks first as she darts quickly around the bed. If I run, she will get to it first. So, I dive over the bed and slide off the edge. We reach the pants, wrestling with them until I get to the sheath and pull out the dagger.

I dangle the weapon high above me, triumphant. “No dagger!” I boom.

My stabby Queen crosses her arms and pouts. “How did you know I was going for the dagger? ”

I chuckle. “You are just predictable. Anytime I make you mad, you get violent.”

“Maybe you should just stop making me mad,” Grace suggests.

“Maybe you should be less emotional,” I tell her through the bond.

She gasps loudly, her eyes going wide, and the smell of spice grows stronger. “I heard that, asshole! I don’t know how, but I know what you said!” Grace runs up to me, jumping high, trying to get the weapon. “Give me my dagger! You deserve to be stabbed!”

I chuckle. She is so violent. I love it. I watch her little jumps, coming nowhere close to my hand in the air, and a sense of pride overwhelms me. My little mate is ferocious.

I lean down and pull her body into me, kissing her gently, against her cries of protest.

“I’m still mad at you,” she whispers into me, slapping my chest.

“I see. Perhaps my mate deserves another ride on my face,” I purr.

She bites her lip and giggles. “Two rides. One for kicking me off the bed and another for calling me emotional.”

I chuckle. “It is a deal.” I hold out my hand, ready to shake.

She smirks and grabs my hand. Immediately, she gasps, wincing in pain. The little human looks down to her forearm, and there lays a small black skull, marking her inner arm, evidence of her deal with Death.

I feel the deal mark me as well, the small burn carving her name into my chest. I smile, knowing her name is on me and mine on her. Our bites may heal quickly, but my mark will dance on her skin forever.

“What is this?” Grace squeaks, holding up her arm.

“That, my little Goddess, is our deal.” I kiss her forehead. “Go get dressed, Tai is waiting for us.”

I walk Grace down the stairs into the main hall, turning to face behind the steps. My path is aimed for the halls behind the stairs, heading to Tai’s sparring ring inside .

“Where are we going?” Grace looks up at me with furrowed brows.

I roll my eyes. “Do you ever stop with the questions?”

She crosses her arms, fuming. “I don’t like you anymore.”

“Please, you have been obsessed with me since you arrived here. You follow me around like a little lost puppy. You worship me,” I say smugly, a smirk on my face.

She gasps, stopping in her tracks.

I chuckle to myself. I do not dare look at her. I have angered the little beast. I have to admit, she is a worthy opponent. She has never been afraid of me. Not once has she backed down from me, even in the beginning. For that, I admire her greatly. I will never tell her this though. It would only bolster her already overflowing confidence.

“Ok, and who is it that fell in love after a little pussy?” she yells at me, attitude thick in her voice.

I stop and turn to her. “I apologize, did I say I loved you? I do not remember uttering those words.” I feign a grimace. “That is quite embarrassing for you.” I turn back to my path, listening to the quiet rage building behind me.

I grin as I hear her soft footsteps run at me as she jumps onto my back. A hearty laugh escapes me as she climbs on me, hitting me with her little fists.

“I’ll show you what’s embarrassing after I kick your ass!” Grace yells, her voice echoing into the Grand Hall.

“Get ready to have your wish granted, my violent creature. I am taking you to train with Tai. Maybe someday, very, very far off, you can deliver a proper punch to me.” I grin. I like making her angry. I have come to like the smell of her hot spice burning my nostrils because there is always a second scent. Of which I have come to recognize as her arousal. Her scent is so fucking addicting, I would do anything to get a whiff of her. My mouth waters as her perfume beckons me, inviting me to taste her.

I walk the rest of the way with her on my back, delivering small punches onto my shoulders. We walk up to the massive wooden doors, and I hear her breath hitch. I have to admit, the sight is quite captivating. Each door design mirrors the other; a beastly horse is rearing its legs with a warrior rider aiming his spear to the other. There are several runes carved into the dark wood: strength, protection, warrior, luck. I push open the doors, but do not dare cross the threshold into my brother’s realm.

Tai stands on the other side with welcoming arms. “Brother, you made it! I was afraid the little warrior would defeat you in battle before you arrived.” He snickers.

“Hey!” Grace shouts in offense.

“Careful, little brother, do not anger her right before giving her a weapon.” I chuckle.

“I’m guessing you’re talking from experience.” Tai laughs at me, eyeing Grace on my back. “Well, you know what to do. Make your sacrifice.” He motions to me with his hand, giving me his permission.

I speak over my shoulder, “To enter the War Gods realm, he asks for a sacrifice of blood. It shows you are willing to shed blood and offer your commitment to battle.” Her little hands tighten on my back as I extend my own hand, opening my palm. I use the sharp claw from my pointer finger and slice into my hand. I barely register the small cut, but I hear Grace’s heart beating frantically, her little hands squeeze my shoulders tightly. I extend my palm into his room, letting my black blood flow from the cut, dripping onto his sacred ground.

Tai turns his attention to Grace. “If you’re coming into my training grounds, you give me an offering.” His voice is stern as he stands, dominating the space.

She slips off my back and comes to stand next to me, silently grabbing her dagger out of my boot. Her breathing is rapid as she holds out her palm. I stare as she holds the dagger over her delicate hand, ready to cut, when a fierce possessiveness overcomes me. Her blood is fucking mine, only mine. I will let no other soul taste her but me.

I grab her wrist and take the dagger from her. “Her blood belongs to me,” I growl, baring my canines. I go feral, leaning into Grace dominantly. I want to bite her, to show my claim, but I dive to her lips instead. I kiss her hard, slamming my lips into hers. I give them a little bite and taste her blood. I moan, my mate’s delicate taste dances along my tongue. Every fiber in my being begs for more. My hands start to wander, feeling her soft curves as my body’s needs awaken.

I hear Tai clear his throat, letting out a small chuckle.

I come up from the kiss, feeling breathless as I look into her eyes. The blue shines so deeply as she breathes into me. “I make an offering on her behalf.”

Tai smirks at me, cocking his head. “Fine, but you will give me a decent cut.”

I extend my forearm without hesitation. With her dagger, I slice deep into my arm, from my elbow to my wrist, letting rivers of midnight blood gush from my fresh wound. The pain does not bother me, I am built upon pain. It does not matter whether it is from mortals or my own. I welcome the burn from the cut. Besides, we as brothers have given each other far worse during sparring, and I would take much more if it was for my Queen.

“Sufficient?” I snark.

“Wrap your arm and get in my ring, smart-ass.” Tai walks away from us in a huff.

I hand Grace her dagger back, giving her a gentle kiss on top of her head. I escort her into the ring, watching it transform around us. The walls melt like hot wax, dripping down a spent candle. Meanwhile, the floor shifts under us, revealing a flat grey stone. Together, the once wooden sparring ring has morphed into a mountain, towering high in the sky. Fluffy clouds billow around us in light blue skies. A light wind flows through us, playing in our shirts and dancing in our hair.

Grace grips onto my arm like a vise, hugging my side.

I chuckle. “Do not worry, my dear human, it is just an illusion. You could walk off the cliff and be perfectly safe back in his war room.” I soothe her.

“No, I’m good on the mountain. I’ll wait for the floor to come back before I try to leave,” she squeaks.

I laugh, astounded. “Grace, are you afraid of heights?” I ask in disbelief. “I have flown you much higher than this.”

“Yeah, but you were holding me. I know you wouldn’t drop me—again, I mean.” She hugs me closer as wide eyes glance around.

“Get used to it, Grace. As a fighter, you need to get comfortable with all possible settings. You aren’t always going to be in a neat little ring. You need to be diverse in all aspects of nature,” Tai yells to her. He strolls to us, standing in front of us confidently. He is comfortable here in his war room, this is where he excels.

Just as I feel most comfortable in the darkness, reaping souls.

I sigh. It has been a long time since I have gotten to reap a soul. Sure, the dying souls come to me naturally, funneling through Bonum and Malus. But it is not the same as reaping the souls yourself. I like to help them cross; they are always so lost when they die.

“Alright, I promised some answers about your mateship.” Tai crosses his arms, smirking. “First, as you have discovered, you can communicate through the bond. You can talk or send imagery to each other’s minds.”

Grace cuts me a look, no doubt remembering my little comment earlier. I snicker. My emotional stabby beast. I love how she has bloomed into such a confident and violent woman. She was so lost when she came here, so young. Grace was brave, sure, but it was much more destructive. Now, she is much more vicious. I love her anger and passion. I love even more when she tries to throw a dagger at me because that means I get to punish her. I have really come to love punishing her.

Tai clears his throat, obviously eavesdropping on my thoughts.

“Another thing will be possessiveness, which I am sure you just felt a moment ago, Ro. You’ll get more accustomed to it over time, but it won’t fully go away. You’ll just learn how to handle it better. Another item I should mention is mate sickness. If you separate from your mate for too long, you will start to lose your mind. Your emotions will swing all over uncontrollably, you’ll have vivid hallucinations, and all reason will stop making sense. You’ll essentially go mad.”

Grace squeaks next to me. I squeeze her hand assuredly. “I would not let that happen.” I bend down and kiss the top of her head.

“One more thing, brother. You two must have noticed you’re having a hard time staying off each other. You should think about what you want for contraception. Mates have a high likelihood of conceiving.” Tai chuckles, winking at me.

I choke on my breath, wheezing as I cough, doubling over to the floor. I stare at the smooth stone ground, my breathing starts coming in rapid bursts. A child? Why have I not been thinking of this? I have given her my seed already. I cannot have a baby. I do not know how to be a father. I am Death for fuck’s sake. What kind of father is the God of Death?

Tai starts laughing, his voice booming across the open air.

“Wow,” Grace mutters next to me.

“I am sorry,” I croak. I straighten and look at her, my head feeling light. “I am not ready for a baby,” I whisper to her.

“You look like you’re going to pass out,” she says, her voice unamused.

“Grace, please forgive me.” I gently caress her face. “I have never thought I would ever have a mate, let alone a baby. I would be blessed to share a child with you. I am sure you would be an amazing mother, but I am not ready. I just ask for some time, please,” I talk to her softly. I would be the luckiest man to have a baby with my beautiful mate. I cannot imagine the infinite blessings a child would bring me. But the thought of caring for an infant right now is making me nauseous. I have just found my mate. I want to explore her more.

“I have some herbs you can chew on, brother. I use them with Pearl, and they work wonders.” He smiles at me.

I nod, yes, that should be fine.

“Let’s just hope she isn’t already pregnant.” Tai grins mischievously at me.

I swallow past the knot in my throat. I look at her, imagining her swollen with my child. I place my hand on her stomach. She watches me curiously. I look her deep in her eyes. “Maybe that is why you have been so emotional lately,” I whisper.

Her mouth drops. “We’re fighting, now!” Grace shouts.

Tai and I bellow our laughs together.

“I like you like this, brother. You are much more carefree.” Tai saunters over, giving me a hearty slap on my back. “Your mate looks good on you.”

“She brings me much happiness. I have never felt such emotions, Tai, it is incredible. I never knew life could be this way,” I say, watching my mate stare at me angrily. I chuckle.

“Did Hecate ever answer your calls?” he whispers to me.

“No. She has been completely silent,” I respond. I tried to go back to see Hecate before the Winter Solstice without the girl, but she never answered me. Although, it seems a moot point now since I understand why she saved her; she has gifted me my mate. I am not sure what I have done for Hecate to bring such a gift upon me, but I will thank her for the rest of my eternity.

Tai gives me another pat on my back before walking into the middle of the mountain landing.

“Alright, what have you been working on with Pearl?” Tai asks, his tone instantly changing to that of a General. He assesses her with his watchful eyes.

“We’ve been doing strength exercises and stuff like punches and kicks,” she rattles off her training, counting on her fingers. “I’ve also been throwing knives. I’ve gotten pretty good at those. We just started with swords in our last practice before I had to come here.”

Tai nods. “Swords are going to take some work. I don’t think you should be using them yet. I want to strengthen your basics and hand-to-hand combat. Then, we can reintroduce your dagger and work our way up to the sword.”

“As long as I can keep my dagger to keep him in line.” She uses her weapon to point at me .

I arch an eyebrow at her. “I have been going easy on you, you little monster. I will take that away if you try it on me again.”

Grace narrows her eyes at me. “I’ve been training, I know how to fight. Perhaps it’s been me taking it easy on you.”

I chuckle. “You are delusional.”

“Why don’t we test her theory, brother?” Tai asks, looking between us.

I furrow my brows. “Tai, you know she has no chance.”

I watch Grace’s mouth drop in fury as she gasps.

“Sweetheart, you gasp like that one more time, I am going to fuck that pretty mouth,” I warn her. I throw an image into our bond, her on her knees in front of me with my thick cock in her mouth. She’s choking and gagging while I fuck her warm mouth roughly.

I hear her breath hitch, her scent of arousal wafts into the air, making my mouth water. My cock is rock-hard. It takes all of my willpower to refrain from going to her and throwing her on her knees.

“Fucking holy shit, you guys. I’m right here,” Tai groans.

I watch Grace’s face go redder than magma, and I chuckle.

Tai rubs his face. “I just want to see her moves. If she gets a punch in every now and then, well, it’s a win for me either way.” He motions for me to come in the ring. “And no fucking,” he says sternly.

I turn my head languidly to my mate and watch as the angry bull starts to circle me. I cannot stop my smile as I smell her fury waft across the fresh wind. I study the way she places her steps, carefully, but not careful enough. I wait expectantly as she pushes her weight off her back foot, alerting me to her oncoming attack.

I pause so she can get close, right before I swipe my body out of the way, slapping her ass cheek on her way by. My flower’s frustrated scream leaves me laughing into the sky, clutching my abdomen lightly. I leave my back to her and listen for her little mortal steps to storm me. I quickly turn in time to block her dagger, following a series of tiny punches. I have to admit, Grace has good form. On a mortal, she may have stood a chance.

Unfortunately for her, I am no mortal.

I give her a light shove, catching her off guard. I use the chance to teach her a lesson, seizing her dagger. I turn her weapon against her, aiming it for her beautiful neck. I enjoy the way fear takes hold of my little mate. Sapphire eyes dilate into black oceans as her chest puffs in rapid bursts.

I lift her chin to the sky with the blade of her own dagger, its cold dark bite nicking her throat. Her defined jaw ticks as I watch her swallow. Deep-sea eyes watch me intently. I have often thought about holding a dagger to her throat in this very position, but never would I have thought I would be so turned on. I admire her body, my eyes gazing at her new muscles, filling out her form-fitting clothes. My mouth waters as my focus trails down her hips and upon her thick thighs. Fuck, I would happily be smothered in those blessed thighs for the rest of my eternity.

My eyes fall back to the dagger at her throat. “I think you like your little dagger more than me. Perhaps you would like it inside you next time, instead of my cock,” I whisper seductively, a hint of warning laced in my voice.

Grace’s breath hitches as I lean in, tipping her head back with the blade. I lick my lips at the thought of fucking her with her own blade, a sly smirk coming to my face. I shoot an image of her over the bond. Long legs spread wide for me, her sexy cunt glistening, inviting me in. I rub the pale hilt of her dagger across her wet juices, playing with her hole.

“You look so beautiful,” I breathe, coming in for a kiss.

“Yeah, well, you look like dog shit,” Grace whispers and swipes the blade off of her throat, punching me in the gut. Grace kicks her leg, crashing it into my ankle, trying to sweep my feet out, but I hold my ground. I chuckle at her attempt to get away from me. Instead, I swipe my foot under her calf and knock it out. While she loses her balance, I push her onto the hard ground.

I quickly trap her underneath me, positioning myself between her legs. “Do not take the loss too hard, sweetheart, I will always be here to protect you,” I purr.

She gasps angrily.

“What did I tell you about making that sound.” I bite at her neck, feeling her arch into me. A growl escapes me, feeling her body pressed against me. I grind my hips into her as my hand starts to creep up her body.

“Ro,” Tai calls for me, clearing his throat.

“Busy,” I mutter as Grace writhes underneath me. I lick up her neck, getting a faint taste of her arousal. Fuck, I need more. My hand goes to her pants, trying to find entrance to her delicious cunt.

“Pearl is calling for you, brother, she says it’s urgent.” His tone is serious.

I stop, breathing heavily, and turn my head to my brother. I cannot concentrate, my head is clouded with thoughts of Grace, naked under me, panting and moaning my name.

“Snap out of it, Ro. She says she needs you,” Tai urges me.

I groan, “Fuck.” I look at my beautiful mate; she stares up at me, biting her lip.

“You should go,” Grace says in a sigh.

“I will be back in a bit.” I give her a gentle kiss. “Keep training. You need it.”

She slaps me on the chest as I laugh, getting off her. I stride out of the room, heading for Pearl outside.

I walk out of the dark palace, and an immediate icy gust welcomes me. I breathe deeply, admiring the fresh white snow dusting the ground. I take off into the sky, letting the cold mist in the air wet my skin. I get high enough to see the mountainous forest expanse below me and let my dark shadows unfurl. I urge them to come out from hiding, reaching their tendrils into the air. I stretch and swirl, awaiting the feeling of Pearl’s feet to appear. I peer into the deep forest below, watching my dark shadows expand.

I rarely let my powers out since the war, I usually have no need to. Although, I fear the others need to be reminded of who I am. For Velaya to trespass on my mountain without care, they must have forgotten how cruel I can be. I was the first among them, gifted the responsibility of the safety of souls. But I am not just a caretaker. I was forged in the everlasting Darkness, wrought from the piercing shadows, and thrown into an unforgiving existence. Death is unforgiving, Death is merciless, Death is final. I am Ro the Hrafn, King of Shadow and Soul. They will remember why I am King. They will remember not to fuck with me.

Finally, I feel her essence, a bright flame amongst my biting shadows. She is perched on the far side of the snowy mountain. I feel her strength, she is standing solid, completely motionless. She is in an aggressive stance, placed stronger than the mountain she is protecting.

I feel another set of feet in front of her. His stature is light, and his scent consistently changes, morphing between air, snow, sea, and earth. They flex and push, the elements mixing and swirling with each other. I recognize this scent, it is Acteem, the God of Transformation.

A deep growl rumbles in my chest.

Acteem is dangerous, the being can transform into any creature he wants, land or sea. He had given us countless problems during the war. Not to mention, he is a lethal fighter with brains to back him up. The God is a worthy opponent, and right now, he stands on my mountain, no doubt here to question the whereabouts of my human. I race to their location, pounding my wings through the icy air. I need to get him off the mountain, the longer he spends here, the more likely it is for him to find a weakness. And my weakness is the moon-touched girl hiding in my palace.

I have one thing on my mind, I must protect Grace.

I fly through the quiet trees, the wind blowing through the feathers in my dark wings until I find them. I land in the old forest among the gentle giants, standing before Pearl. A large God stands proudly across from us, his snow-fallen hair is windswept from his flight as his icy eyes pierce me. Everything about his true form screams fresh snow.

“Acteem,” I greet plainly.

“My King.” He bows, his pearly wings stretching out wide, formally. “I come on behalf of your loyal subjects.”

“Cut the shit, Acteem,” I snarl.

Amused eyes regard me silently with a sly grin. “Alright, fine. Velaya said you have a human girl in your mountain. We would like to see her.”

“That is not happening,” I say.

“Hear us out, we will not hurt the girl. We simply wish to breed her, so that we may all possess a human.” Acteem smiles proudly at his grand plan. “We could even restart a society here in Elyssus, we could rebuild! Imagine having people here again, Ro. Everyone is so lonely here with no one to converse with.”

“Or to worship you. Or play with. Or kill for sport.” I struggle to keep my expression plain. The fuckers want to breed my mate like some show animal. If they figure out she is my mate, they will take her, and they will do so much worse.

“Oh, come on now, Ro, that is all behind us. This time away from the mortals has really given us all time to think. It has been ages, we’re different now.” Acteem chuckles lightly, taking a step forward. Pearl snarls in response, lunging at his feet without warning and forcing him back into his position.

The sly God extends his hands calmly, always staying poised and collected. “We can play nice,” Acteem continues with a warm voice and unfazed eyes. “Admit it, Ro, it is unfair you have all those servants, and we have none.”

“You lost your privileges to servants,” I growl.

“Ok, ok.” He tries to de-escalate, placing a calm hand in the air before him and the other over his heart. “Yes, we abused our right, and I understand why you took them away. We have had time to think about the wrong choices we made. If you would just give us a human, we could show you.”

I stare into his sincere eyes, his body language is confident as he gives me a trustworthy smile. I listen to his heart beat steady, and his scent is that of gentle flowers in the wind, calming. Yes, it would seem true that Acteem is telling the truth. His voice rings clear that they simply need a second chance.

But I have a simple rule, never trust Acteem.

“No,” I say simply.

I watch the way Acteem’s jaw twitches, he must be pissed if he let that little tell show.

“May I ask why?” he asks gently.

“Do you remember a servant boy by the name of Fen? I believe he was yours, back in the war,” I ask as if he might, but I know he does not. No, why would any of them remember their names?

“Yes, I believe I do, he was a good fellow.” Acteem smiles.

“Yes, so good, you had him pulled apart by a pack of hungry dogs for getting a drop of wine on your boot.” I smile at him as his face falls. “What about the other good fellow, Mathias? I believe he was yours, too, was he not?”

I am met with silence.

“Yes, if I recall correctly, you had him strung up and threw daggers at him for sport. He screamed and cried, as a small boy would, until you finally pierced his heart several hours later.” I stare at him with cold eyes. Yes, that boy was barely even a child, and he begged me to come to him. They all begged for me. My face snarls as I remember their cries. “I remember them all, Acteem. I remember each and every soul bearing your crimes. Should I keep going?” I ask, letting my hot anger seethe into my words. “Please, ask me again for the human girl,” I whisper with fury.

Finally, Acteem’s true colors show as his cold icy eyes narrow on me. He bares his sharp teeth at me, giving me a low growl. Long white wings flare as he rolls his muscles back, tight with tension.

“If you ever come on my mountain again, I will kill you,” I growl. “Pearl, attack ,” I order.

Acteem shoots into the sky, but not before Pearl lunges for him, a giant ball of flaming lightning. She bites onto his iridescent wing and latches on, keeping him from leaving. The icy God cries out in pain, trying hard to get away as he flaps his other wing, kicking up snow around us. My Cerberus growls, digging her sharp fangs in deeper and shaking with her whole body, until I hear a crack of bone echo through the forest.

Acteem roars his anguish into the sky, and I watch his suffering with a smile.

“That is enough, Pearl,” I tell her gently.

She lets go of his bloody broken wing as he hollers, trying to keep afloat in the sky, his flaps unsteady. Acteem flies away, rising and falling drastically, trying to gain distance.

“Follow him and make sure he leaves,” I order.

She chases after him, leaving me alone staring at the blood puddle in the messed snow.

He has gone, but this is no victory. They will be back.

I sit, sulking in my study, staring into the dark night behind the reaching window. Wind howls loudly against the large pane of glass while ice forms along the edges. Another storm is rolling through the black mountain, bringing ice and snow. I watch the snow furl in waves, hitting the windowpane. The fire crackles and pops inside, the roaring flames the only light source in the study. I need to feel the dark; I need to feel its cold wrapping me in its icy tendrils. I let my head fall back, closing my eyes, and embracing the shadows.

What am I going to do about the others? I need to get ahead of Acteem. They are planning something, and I need to be ready. I need to call for support. How am I going to keep her safe? I can call on the others to protect her, but they will not stay here her whole life. How can I force her to stay inside the mountain for her whole existence? I cannot do that to my mate. She deserves better than this.

I groan. My fucking head hurts. I need to focus on keeping her safe right now. I need to placate the imminent threat. Once the others are put in their place, I will figure out how to give her a normal life. I just need to keep her alive and unharmed.

I feel the dark expanse calling to me, beckoning me to its clutches. I want so badly to take Grace and give in to its claws. I want to live in the shadows with my mate and just be. I want to reap souls and call them home. I want to be Death once more.

Unfortunately, that will never happen. That will never be again. For the safety of the mortals, they must endure their deaths on their own. They need to walk through the dark by themselves. If they knew why I am doing this, they would surely understand, right? Perhaps Grace was right; maybe I am abandoning them in their time of need.

I sigh, opening my eyes and looking at my brothers. They sit on the long, dark leather couch, bickering with each other.

“Brothers,” I say tiredly. “Shut up.”

They turn to me attentively. Tai looks me over, his face growing concerned.

“Ro, are you ok?” His voice is worried.

I sigh again. I want so badly to be with my mate right now. “No, I am not. I called you in here tonight because I need your assistance. I fear another war is coming, and the prize is my mate. Velaya was on the mountain, and she saw Grace.”

Kai lets out a growl. “That bitch was here?”

“So was Acteem,” I mutter.

“What?” Tai roars, standing to attention. “What happened?”

“He wants Grace. They want to breed her and enslave her children.”

I am met with silence, but I smell their fury.

They are both standing now. “What are our orders?” Kai seethes, his voice dark with Chaos.

A small smile forms on my face; we may have been connected through the Darkness, but we are bonded through much more than that. These men are my brothers.

“They are scheming now as we speak. Acteem is shifty and smart. Kai, I need you to talk to Cael, see if he will join against them once more. You ask him and bring him back. No shenanigans, Kai. I know you two are close, do not get distracted,” I say sternly.

Kai tsks. “You have no faith in me, brother.” He grins mischievously.

I roll my eyes. Anytime those two get together, chaos ensues. Cael has a way of bringing the mayhem out of him, and they always get into trouble.

“Tai, once Kai gets back, I will have you go to Talon. I want us to go in shifts,” I say. “When you get back, I will go to Aesha. I want my mate protected at all times. Kai, go now.”

I get back to my room and walk in to see Grace already asleep in our bed. Her pale hair is a mess, strewn all over the pillow in knotted waves. The hair comb she was gifted on the Solstice is still in her hair. The stone glows in the dim darkness. She has not stopped wearing that piece since that night. I smile, looking at the glorious blue stone. I chose it for her, the gem reminding me of her incredible ocean eyes. She smells of salt and sweat, wearing a moderate dusting of dirt on her. She still has her training clothes on as she lies there, lightly snoring. Grace must have passed out as soon as she got back. Tai had worked her good.

I chuckle warmly. I take off my shirt, glancing down at my chest to see her name still on me in black letters. I remove my boots and pants, stretching my body. It feels good to take my clothes off and stretch my wings. I come over to my little mate and take off her dirty boots, throwing them onto the floor. I come to her pants and gently roll them off of her toned legs. Grace stirs, but she is so deep in sleep she does not mind. I crawl into bed with her and gaze at her face. She sleeps so relaxed and carefree. I admire her as I lightly caress her arm. Grace curls into my chest, and sighs.

I smile at her as I encase us with my wings into a cocoon. I lean my face into her hair and breathe deeply. She is so beautiful.

“I love you,” I whisper into her hair.

Someday I will say it to her face.

My shadows curl against her, relishing the feel of her soft, warm skin. I chuckle. I do not think I am the only one who likes her. I do not hold it back, I let Darkness come out to greet her. I watch as they leech from the walls and drip from the ceiling. They curl into a mass around her, petting her gently and brushing through her hair. Grace murmurs in her sleep and twists slightly, opening her body to the dark blanket.

I feel the excitement shoot through Darkness like lightning. It goes into a frenzy, touching her provocatively, slithering on her body. Jealousy heavies my heart as my teeth clench. I do not know why I am so jealous of it, Darkness and I are one and the same. It fills my soul, my entire being. Yet I am finding it hard to watch as it covers her in its black smoky tendrils. I latch my hand onto her leg, my knuckles white as I grip her. I stake my claim and remind Darkness she is my mate.

“ Ours ,” a faint familiar voice whispers to me as midnight mist curls up my arm.

I sigh, frustrated, and speak quietly, “She is my mate, H?l.”

My bedroom starts to disappear as it is swallowed in Darkness. It creeps from the fireplace, turning the once roaring fire into smoldering coals. It crawls, enveloping us into its cold fog. Grace folds into me, a shiver racking her body. I hold her close as Darkness throws its fit.

“ Ours ,” it growls.

“You are behaving like a child,” I grumble. I rub my thumb against Grace’s pebbled skin. “You are making her cold.”

I feel its hesitation within my soul before it reluctantly withdraws. Its shadows crawl back into the dark crevices, but not without gently caressing her face, like a lover saying goodbye.

A small smile crosses my face as I shake my head. It can be so dramatic.

“ Ours ?” H?l’s ethereal voice asks.

I mull it over in my head as I stare into Grace’s sleeping face. I smile, knowing Grace is not just my mate. Darkness has never taken to anyone like this, not even Tai and Kai. For a long time, H?l was alone until I was formed. It bonded to my empty soul and filled it with shadows. Of course, it would be feeling my bond to Grace. Darkness is a part of my soul. I guess it is safe to say it is feeling bonded to Grace as well. It would be good to have H?l looking out for her.

“We are one, Darkness. I wish I could have her to myself, but I know I cannot deny you of her.”

I feel joy swirl and rush across the shadows as a tendril of smoke creeps out from under her pillow, reaching for her hair. I chuckle as it plays with her pale strands like wind in the trees. I lay my head down on the soft pillow, pulling her in close to my body. I nuzzle her head, taking in her scent.

She is my favorite flower.

I then close my eyes and dream of her, as I always do.