Chapter Three

 

 

 

What is he doing out here? How the fuck did he find me and what am I supposed to do with him now? All questions she wanted answered, but as her sign flexed, the warning told her there wasn’t time for that currently.

“Can you use a sword? Mace?”

“Mace?”

She launched one of her katanas at a demon coming closer and called up a mace for him. Tossing the club in his direction, she immediately replaced it with another weapon. Her trepidation melted away as he hefted the metal object with a slight grin. Then the fight had resumed.

Dracen did what she’d been trained to do. Kill these things. Still, she kept an eye on the man battling beside her. In some ways he reminded her of Tiarnán—though those similarities ended with the fighting ability. However, Luc learned quickly, and after a few well-placed curses, figured out how best to avoid the acid they bled.

Moving, she exchanged weapons and soon had her dagger with chain in hand. Also created by Inaki, the chain was over six feet long and hooked to the dagger’s pommel. The blade itself was eight inches long and honed to a razor-sharp edge.

She whipped it around and sent the deadly weapon out, taking down the demons and keeping them at bay. The fury that seemed to thrive in her blood hummed with happiness as she continued battling. This settled the need a bit…not completely, but it helped.

Being around Luc also helps. Not something she needed to focus on at the current moment. As she yanked the final demon from the air with the chain and sent the blade into its neck, she allowed herself a small, feral grin.

She walked to the downed creature and stared at it. Ignoring the hiss, she called forth a kama with which she severed its ugly head. Then the weapon vanished and she coiled up the chain in her hands, not minding the blood because she was protected by her gloves.

With a breath, not too deep, because demons—especially dead ones—reeked of rotten eggs, she turned her attention to the man standing there with her, holding a bloody mace in one hand.

“I think I deserve an explanation now,” he said, walking to her side and brushing some tendrils of hair away from her face.

The bark of laughter surprised her. “That’s it, you think you deserve an explanation?” Why do I want to lean into his touch?

“Yes. I knew I hadn’t been hallucinating before. It was you who battled that night you found me. All I could recall was seeing someone, but now, after this, I know it was you.” He gestured about, the ball of the mace sweeping easily through the crust of the snow. “What do we do about all this?”

“Nothing. We leave it here.”

“What if someone finds the bodies?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking why you followed me and what you’re doing out here in the first place?”

He shook his head, snowflakes landing on his eyelashes and hair. “No. You should just accept it.”

Accept her fate. Accept it. Accept him.

“Fair enough. Let’s go back and I’ll answer your questions on the way.” She turned from him and recalled the mace.

“What the fuck? Where’d the weapon go?”

“Things come and go,” she remarked as she struck out back to the cabin. Her sign worked at pushing free the toxins that had gotten inside her system. “Did you get cut?”

“A few times. I’m feeling weird,” he said and she spun around in time to see him waver on his feet.

She moved to his side, slipping her arm around his waist. “Explain.”

“Lightheaded. Did they poison me?”

“More than likely. I need to get you back to the cabin.”

“Didn’t this start us being naked in bed together?”

More laughter fell from her lips and his answering grin made her heart flutter a bit as it dislodged some of the ice covering it.

“Maybe this time,” he said, holding steadfast to her gaze, “it won’t be all because of delusion.”

She smiled and put her lips upon his. “Maybe that’s all this is. Perhaps you’re really back at the cabin sleeping.”

“In that case…” He kissed her. Took her mouth with his and slipped his tongue between her lips.

The surge that rocked her nearly took her to her knees. Nothing had felt so right before in her life. His taste mingled with hers, conquering all but thoughts of him. He wrapped his arms around her and plundered her mouth. She allowed him to dictate the pace he wanted.

In and out he stroked with his tongue, touching all he could and yet he seemed to be searching for more spots. She fisted his coat in her glove, anchoring them together as the exchange continued. Her head grew light and swam with thoughts she’d never had before. Happily ever after. Future. Kids.

As if it were a movie playing in slow motion in her head, she saw it unfolding. Her and Luc standing on the porch of a house, children running by, chasing each other. Four of them—two boys and two girls.

The image was so striking and so real, she stumbled a bit. His arm was there to keep her upright. He moved his mouth off hers.

“I saw it, too. You, me and kids at a house.”

She lost herself in his gaze for a moment. They were no longer strictly green, and she picked up on gray flakes in his eyes.

“We need to get you back.”

His firm lips kicked up in a grin that would have easily had her handing over her panties to him if he’d only asked. “Yes, I need this delusion to continue.”

She shook her head and began walking to the cabin, hoping whatever toxin poured through him moved slowly enough for her to get him some herbs to combat it.

“Where do those things come from and what are they?”

“Demons, and from hell. Or one of the levels of hell. Don’t usually ask them for their address when I run into them.”

“Woman battles demons and has jokes,” he uttered.

She cut her gaze to him and noted the sweat beading on his brow. Using some of her strength, she carried more of his weight and picked up the pace. If he noticed, he didn’t speak on it.

The snow had begun to fall again in earnest when they made it back to the small cabin. She pushed open the door and released him. Shrugging from her jacket, she also removed her gloves and put them in the pocket. As he took off his outerwear, she added a few more logs to the fire.

“Come,” she commanded.

“Time and place, baby,” he retorted, before heading to the bedroom, where he sat with a heavy grunt.

She followed and crouched before him. “This is the part you wanted. Getting naked.”

Her sign pushed against her, reminding her that she, too, needed to get some rest and heal. She ignored it for the moment, focusing on taking care of this man. Dracen tipped her head and stared at his boots before undoing the laces on both then removing them.

When she looked back up, her breath caught. He’d removed his shirts and sat there bare-chested. Her fingertips burned to explore all the ridges and definitions he had.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m going to forget this burning in my blood may be poison.”

She held his gaze. “Hold on to that thought,” she told him, pushing to her feet.

At her bag, she dug for the herbs she never traveled without. She grabbed the bag she needed and put a pinch of the herb in her mouth, moistening it up to make a paste. Turning back to Luc, she found him lying on the bed, wriggling out of his jeans.

Good God! She almost swallowed the mixture and had to look away to gather herself. Then she made her way to his side and took over. She brushed his hands away from his pants and tugged them down the rest of the way.

His cock sprang free, long and hard. She swayed toward it before catching herself. Dropping his pants on the floor, she stared at him, doing her damnedest to remind herself this had to be done and it wasn’t the time to look her fill.

“Remember what I said about holding on to that thought?” she asked around the wet glob in her mouth.

“Yes?” He made no move to cover himself up, just lay there.

“Good. Hold onto that, because this is going to hurt like a bitch.” She dug two fingers into the ball in her cheek and withdrew some of the poultice, then slapped it on the cut along his ribs.

“Holyfuckingshitgoddamnittohell! That hurts like a motherfucker.” He jackknifed up from the bed at the contact.

She kept one hand in place and swung her leg over his waist so she straddled him. His gaze snapped to hers and he settled back even as desire replaced the shock in his eyes.

“You know, this works better if you’re naked as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She took some more out, and without giving him time to think on where it was going, placed it on the cut on his left shoulder. This time his fingers just dug into her hips. She could feel the pain push through him.

“How can you have that in your mouth if it’s making me burn like hell?”

“It’s burning me as well.” She didn’t want to get off him. “Do you have cuts on your back?”

“No.”

She readjusted so she could see the rest of his body. Even making him turn over. The slightest cut, she put some on. When she finished, her mouth had gone numb. She went to the bathroom and rinsed away the lingering remnants of the paste.

Back in the room, she frowned as he rose from the bed and approached her. “You should be lying down.”

“I plan on it.”

Her gaze drifted back to his cock and she battled the yearning in her gut. A whimper almost escaped.

“You checked me. Now it’s my turn.”

“I’ll heal fine.”

His gaze glowed as he stared. “Strip.”

“You don’t have anything to put on my wounds.”

“So make me something from that bag of yours.” He wove slightly on his feet. “I’m administering to you as you did me.”

Aware he wouldn’t be able to handle the one she’d used, she grabbed a general herb, not entirely sure why she was going along with this. She also pulled out a small bowl, aware she had numerous cuts. Soon the paste was in his hands and he held her stare, eyebrows up.

“What?”

“You’re still dressed, and as sexy as the leather is to me, I want you as naked as I am.”

She flicked her tongue over her lips and undid the snaps on the front of her jerkin. “Very well.”

 

Luc almost dropped the bowl as she exposed her body to him. Succulent. Magnificent. There were so many other words he could come up with as he stared.

High, firm breasts, a small waist with flaring hips. Toned legs and, overall, a body to die for. She was all wiry muscle and yet not a bit of that took away from her femininity. “Stop,” he ground out as she stepped toward him.

She froze, one eyebrow lifting in question.

“Give me a second to look.” At least a second. I could stare all day and still not have enough time.

Her pussy drew his attention, covered by a neat thatch of trimmed hair. He wanted nothing more than to drop to his knees and place his mouth on those lips. Push his tongue deep inside and taste her flavor. Would she be sweet? Or spicy? Something totally different?

He walked around her, cataloging all the cuts on her exposed skin as well as the art form she created. Her ass was something he could jack off to for years. Perfect. Women had been a passing fancy for him until now—he could give offhand stats about them…measurements, information on their big breasts, tiny waist, something like that, but Dracen… He would be able to give a full description of her to any artist for a rendition. He wouldn’t ever forget her.

“On the bed,” he rasped. His cock bobbed as he stared.

She walked to the edge of the mattress and climbed on, lying on her front. He turned and stood over her. The tattoo was there again in a wings outstretched, talons extended position. The lone eye, he swore, followed him.

She had a few small cuts along the backs of her thighs and on her calf. He crouched beside her and picked up some of the concoction before smoothing it along her skin. She was warm to the touch and he looked up at her head. A gray mist hovered around her entire body.

“Turn over,” he ordered once the few cuts had been attended to.

She did without any hesitation. Her eyes were open and sought his. Dracen was a beautiful woman. He gave her a small smile and turned his attention to doing the job he needed to complete before anything else could happen.

Up one leg then down the other, he attended injuries. Then he bypassed her pussy and focused on her torso. Taking care of the sides then her arms. Her breasts were fine, in more ways than one, and he soon had nothing left to do.

His cock was so hard it hurt. He put the poultice off to the side and reached for a cloth to wipe his hands off. “Now?”

“We heal.” She reached a hand out to him, tugging him beside her.

“You know this is hell, right? Being this close to you, seeing you naked, and wanting to be inside you so bad I can barely see straight.”

“Let the medicine work. You’ll be asleep in no time.” Her words were confident.

“And then?”

“Depends on how you feel when you wake.” She closed her eyes and he tucked her as close as she could get. Her body fit perfectly against him and he bit back a groan as the warmth he’d encountered on her skin flowed over him as well.

She’d not been lying—his eyes struggled to stay open. Giving in, he buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply. This is the second time I’ve been with this woman, naked, and nothing is happening. I want to fuck her so bad it’s not even fair.

That was his last thought as he drifted off to sleep.

When he woke, he knew nothing had changed. Dracen still lay in his arms and he was still hard as stone. He didn’t bother opening his eyes, for he didn’t give a damn how much time had gone by.

Moving his hand down, he brushed the outside of her breast as he moved to rest it upon her hip. She flexed against him, bringing his erection closer to her pussy.

“Dracen,” he uttered.

“How are you feeling?”

“Horny.”

She curved her fingers around his cock and stroked him. God, her touch was electric.

“Don’t tease,” he begged.

“Not teasing.” She swiped her thumb over the crown, smearing the pre-cum residing there. Dracen guided him inside her pussy, and with a buck of his hips, he sank smoothly into her.

“Shit,” he bit off.

Her body hugged him like a glove. Her wetness was instantly addictive. The velvet heat surrounded him and he never wanted to leave. He began thrusting his hips and gripped her ass with one hand while he sank the other into her hair. Tugging her head back, he possessed her mouth.

His tongue burned as he pushed it around. Her pussy had him in one hell of a tight hold, and as he moved inside her, the walls of her slickness grabbed him, over and over, as if not wanting to release him.

Muscles rippled, passion arced as he continued. She slid her arms around his chest and dug her nails into his shoulders. Her grip was unmerciful and the bite from her fingernails only added to his pleasure.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to slow down. This was too good to be over in seconds, no matter how tight his balls had drawn. More images flashed before his eyes. All of them involving the woman in his arms and himself. Sex on tables, against walls, her on him, him on her.

His body shuddered as she began moving against him. Taking him in deep and undulating her hips, keeping him on edge. He knew he was close to coming. Her cream coated his cock as he slipped in and out of her.

He wanted more. Rolling her to the side until she lay beneath him, he picked up the pace of his driving strokes. He opened his eyes and found hers waiting for him. In the depths of her gaze, he saw a ruby flame surrounded by iced diamond dust. Hot and cold all combined into one. That was this woman. Fire and ice.

“Come for me,” he muttered.

Her stare became proprietary and she clamped her legs around his waist as she came, hard. He thrust deep once more and allowed himself to find release. Dracen hooked her legs around his ass, keeping him buried deep within her. He got the message—she wanted him to stay there.

She gave him a small smile and closed her eyes once more. He followed suit. Twice more they dozed, only to wake up with him buried deep inside her and start all over again.

Right now, she lay on his chest, his arms were secured around her, and they’d pulled the blankets up over them.

“I think you may have given me more wounds,” he teased.

“Guess at some point I’ll have to look you over again then.”

He pressed her head close to him, fingers buried in her locks. She gripped his arm—he liked the possessive way she held him.

“I look forward to it.”

“Did your phone call reveal anything to you?” Her breath was warm along his skin.

“We’re in bed naked, my cock is deep inside you, and you want to know about my call?”

“Yes.”

Dracen didn’t hesitate with her answer and he realized he was seeing the true woman here. She didn’t pull punches nor did she do things to be coy. For some reason he trusted her, and so told her about the call to his father.

She didn’t speak while he told her, just listened. Once he’d finished, he flexed the hand in her hair, expecting her to pull back. He was surprised by her motionlessness.

“Do you remember who took you? Or what?”

“What? Why would you ask what?”

“I have a hunch.”

This time he did move back so he could see her face. Her eyes were guileless as she stared back at him. “What does that mean, exactly?”

Dracen told him. He lay there, joined on the most intimate of levels with another human being, and listened to her explain about her being a Guardian. She didn’t go into an overabundance of detail, but he got the picture.

“And you think,” he said once she finished, “my appearing here has something to do with it?”

“You were engaged in a battle with demons when I found you. Most of the time they don’t show that form to humans unless they plan to kill them, given that form was obvious at that time. Aside, of course, from the one who looked human. But it doesn’t explain why they would have been after you unless you’re part of the prophecy.” She blinked. “I didn’t see any signs of the artifact around you, nor did I see anything which would have marked you. So if they were after you, it means you’re giving off a sign that They can see. And that’s made you a target.”

“And this They are the large creatures who are older than time?”

“Yes.” She flicked her fingernail over his nipple and his cock hardened in response. “That’s correct.”

“Are you saying this was going to happen one way or another? You and me?”

“Yes.” She dipped her head and allowed her tongue to follow the same path her nail had just taken.

He groaned as new lust flared to life inside him. “What does this have to do with the one that brought me here, if it was one of Them?”

“Not sure, I haven’t figured all that out yet, but I’m not sure how else you would have gotten to a place where I was with no recollection of it, and put in the middle of a battle that I happened to come upon. Seems like a bit too many coincidences to me.” She turned her attention back to the nipple, sucking, laving and nipping at it.

He tightened his grip in her hair and she growled, the vibrations pouring through him. Luc pushed on her head, guiding her down to the cock he withdrew from her slickness. “Suck me.”

As he thought about what she’d said, her warm breath wrapped around his shaft seconds before she took him in her mouth. Then all thoughts vanished from his mind other than how magical her touch was.