twenty

Fuck, they were having twins.

Tegan might not know all of the implications, but he knew enough to know that this wasn’t a good thing. Descendants had been made infertile for a reason. Was it fair? No. Was it necessary? Yes. And it didn’t take a genius to know why.

Descendants were born from gods. By all accounts, that should have made them gods themselves and yet, it did not. They were something different, something new. And they were feared because of it.

Their powers had been restricted. Their souls had been split. Their ability to give birth had been taken away. It had all been done in an attempt to keep the peace. The archangels had thought to stop the descendants from overthrowing the gods as the gods had once overthrown the titans, the jötnar, and fomóire. But now…

With the birth of Emma and Rogan’s children, a new age could begin. Tegan just hoped it would be one of peace and prosperity instead of death and destruction.

Catching Gabriel’s frown, the berserker dropped a kiss on Phoebe’s head and excused himself. He forced a smile as he passed the new parents-to-be. Tonight should be a night of celebration for them, not worry. Time for the latter would come all too soon, anyway.

Stopping beside the angel, Tegan asked softly, “What will he do?”

He didn’t have to mention the name of the man he was talking about. Michael was the head of the archangels, the Enforcer of Balance, the Destroyer of Good and Evil.

Gabriel flicked him a glance. “What he believes to be just.”

“Believes?” Tegan parroted in shock. Was Gabriel having second thoughts about their righteousness? An archangel had to be completely neutral in their dealings. Sometimes that made their acts seem cruel, but they did what needed to be done in order to keep the balance in the universe. After all, light could not exist without darkness.

But if Gabriel no longer believed in their cause, it was only a matter of time before he began to doubt. Before he became a fallen angel.

Lowering his voice to a mere whisper, Tegan asked, “Is that why your wings –”

He was cut off with just a look. “That is none of your concern.”

Tegan pursed his lips. “Forgive me, but it’s everyone’s concern. If you – If any archangel falls, the worlds will spin into chaos. The gods will no longer be restrained. Fuck, the jötnar, titans, and fomóire could –”

“You do not have to tell me what I already know.” His tone was final.

“Gabriel –”

Suddenly, Tegan found himself struggling to breathe. As his hands clutched at his throat, Gabriel held his gaze with cold indifference. Whatever gift the gods bestowed, an archangel could take away – including the gift of air…and life.

“We will speak of this no longer.” He turned, finally relaxing his power. As Tegan drew in ragged breaths, Gabriel stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I will not tell Michael about Emma’s pregnancy until tomorrow,” he murmured. “Make sure they enjoy tonight.”

For it could be their last.

Tegan’s eyes snapped to Emma and Rogan. He would die for them. They weren’t just his agents; they were his friends, his family.

“Gabe –” he gasped.

The angel sighed. “I know.” And then he was gone, having phased to who knows where.

Massaging his throat, Tegan tried not to cough. He didn’t want to draw any attention to what had just happened. He knew that he wasn’t the only one willing to die for Emma and Rogan. Everyone here would, even the demons.

In the short time Emma had been helping them with Hel’s Exit, she’d become like a pet to them. They might think of her as a puny weakling, but she was their puny weakling. Of course, it also helped that the Heldrons would go against angels just for the shits and giggles.

Regardless though, the outcome would be the same. They would fight. And they would die. So if this was to be everyone’s last night, Tegan wanted them to enjoy it.

With a mask of joviality, the berserker made his way back to Phoebe. She was talking to Jack and Charlie, stopping every so often to coo over the kaprosuchus that had yet to leave their sides.

Catching Jack’s eye, Tegan shook his head. Then he looped an arm around his lifemate and pulled her close. “Dance with me,” he murmured.

Phoebe looked up at him with a smile. “But there’s no music.”

Before he could reply, notes drifted overhead. It was a soft melody, one perfect for slow dancing. Shooting Jack a grin of thanks, Tegan led Phoebe to a bit of free space.

He held her close, his hands on her waist. Despite what he’d said, he wasn’t actually in the mood for any dancing. He’d just wanted to hold her, to look into her eyes and find peace.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Phoebe slowly started to sway to the music. Her breasts brushed across his chest in the lightest of touches. Her fingers feathered across his shoulders. Dipping his hands to her ass, Tegan pulled her closer. Her eyes grew heavy-lidded at the feel of his erection. Her lips parted in desire.

Bending his head, Tegan worshiped her mouth. He poured his entire soul into it. All the love he’d held onto for the past twenty-five years. All his hopes about the future. All his fears…

He’d been married once before, so he was no stranger to the hardships of love. Helena, his first wife, had started off wanting to soothe all of his worries. Then she’d begun to complain that he was too troubled, that his constant worrying about the fate of the worlds was making her depressed. Tegan hadn’t realized he’d been crushing her under the weight of his responsibilities until it’d been too late.

She’d wanted to leave. He’d begged her to stay, to give him another chance…

But it was a chance she never should have given him. Then at least, she’d still be alive.

Tegan’s heart clenched, twisting in guilt and fear as he held onto his lifemate. What if Phoebe met the same fate?

His world was too dangerous, always had been. As the head of the Elv’ve’Norc, his enemies were numerous and their reach vast. Phoebe could be taken away from him in the blink of an eye.

Or worse, she could live long enough to look at him as Helena had in the end – as if he was the root of all her problems, of all her misery.

Overwhelmed, Tegan deepened the kiss. He needed Phoebe to know the extent of his love. Needed to prove to himself too that he wouldn’t make the same mistakes he had with Helena. That he would protect her from the weight on his shoulders, never letting her feel the burden he carried. Tonight might be their last, but he would protect Phoebe from that truth.

Gliding his hands in her hair, he angled her head for a better kiss. He made love to her lips as he swayed with her in his arms. When he finally lifted up for air, it was only to murmur, “Let’s get out of here.”

Phoebe opened her eyes slowly. They were clouded with worry and confusion. Her brows bunched together as she ran her hands through his hair. “What’s wrong?”

His breath caught. Dalghizer had mentioned she had the power to feel emotions if the connection was strong enough. Grabbing her hands, Tegan kissed each of her palms.

“Tomorrow,” he promised. “Just give me tonight.”

She pushed her tongue against her teeth, undoubtedly feeling his desperation and fear. So he kissed her again, making sure it was his love and devotion that pushed to the forefront. His desire to worship her as he had at the swimming hole.

Breathlessly, Phoebe nodded. Smiling against her lips, Tegan pulled her towards the stairs. He would’ve taken the elevator, but it went to the wrong set of bedrooms. The first floor was divided into three sections and his section was the one with the stairs. The maze-like layout had never bothered him until now.

Growling with frustration, Tegan pulled Phoebe into his arms as soon as they were on the other side of the stairwell door. He pinned her to the back of it, one leg slipping between hers. Grabbing her hands, he pushed them over her head. He wove their fingers together as he took her mouth. A gasp escaped her, flowing through his lungs as he breathed her in. He needed every inch of her. Every breath, every sigh, every cry of his name.

“Tegan!” She rubbed against his thigh, the pressure making her head loll back in ecstasy.

He trailed his lips to her ear, then sucked on her lobe. She gasped, arching again. He feathered his lips down her neck to the hickey he had left on her before. The Rage shifted in approval and demand. It wanted him to mark her again, to claim her so everyone could see she was his.

He kissed down to her collarbone. Suckling on the base of her neck, Tegan bit just hard enough to cause her to jump.

Her fingers tightened in his hair. Her hips rocked on a cry of desire. Tegan took her mouth again, stroking his tongue inside her. His erection dug into her stomach. His hands lowered to her ass.

Lifting her up the wall, Tegan placed her over the large bulge in his pants. He pressed into her as her legs wrapped around his waist. From that simple contact, a bolt of electricity shot through him. Hissing in a breath, he shoved her dress up and froze.

“Um…” Blushing, Phoebe tried to pull the fabric back down. “I was planning on wearing the lingerie tonight, not uh…”

“Colorful dinosaurs?”

Too embarrassed to speak, she only nodded.

Looking back up at her, Tegan smiled. “Honestly, the only thing I noticed about the underwear was that it was in my way.” He pressed a finger against the wet patch in the middle of it. “And this. Oh, I definitely saw this.” His voice was deeper, his eyes darker.

“Tegan?” She shivered as he applied a bit of pressure.

He traced a finger across her panties. Kissing her neck, he slipped his hand to the top hem. “Mmm?”

He was inside the fabric now, touching her, teasing her. She grasped at his shoulders as she arched against him. Her breaths were coming faster now, more erratic.

His cock throbbed with the need for release. Tegan wanted nothing more than to pull his pants down and slam into her. But he knew that once he did, he wouldn’t last long. It had been twenty years since he’d slept with anyone. That night when he’d found her in the riot, Tegan had known Phoebe would be his last.

“Tegan!”

He pushed a finger inside her. She was so wet there wasn’t a single ounce of resistance. She bucked against him, coming wildly undone. Her eyes were glazed. Her lips were parted in surrender. Tegan could get lost just watching her.

“Yes?” he asked as he pushed another finger inside her. She was so close now. He could hear it in her gasps, see it in her face.

She tried to wiggle her hips, but with his free hand, he held her still.

“You were asking me something.” He leaned down and licked her neck. She shivered, squeezing his fingers as she did so.

He moaned. Dragging his lips over to her shoulder, he pulled the strap of her dress aside with his teeth. He did the same with the other one.

“What did you want to ask me?” he rasped as her dress fell free from her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra.

“I…”

She moaned as he dipped his head to her chest. His lips grazed across her skin. His tongue swirled around her soft bud. When he pulled it into his mouth with a hard suckle, Phoebe bucked on a scream.

Instantly, Tegan laid a hand over her mouth. “Shhh. Everyone’s just on the other side of the door. The music isn’t that loud.”

He rubbed his thumb across her lips as he went back to worshiping her breasts. She sucked his finger in on a moan. Hissing in a breath, he couldn’t help but imagine that it was his cock sliding into her mouth and getting caressed by her tongue.

He lavished her breasts with his lips and teeth and tongue. She gasped. He moaned. His pressure built until he was on the verge of coming.

Groaning, Tegan finally began to work the two fingers he’d placed inside her. He’d wanted to build her up, keep her on the edge until Phoebe came on an uncontrollable scream of ecstasy.

Sliding his fingers in and out of her tight folds, Tegan rubbed her clit with his palm. All the while he caressed her breasts. He brought her so close to the point of release that Phoebe gasped on every breath.

“Not yet.”

He removed his thumb from her mouth and replaced it with his tongue. Holding her hip, he stopped her from bucking as he stilled the fingers inside her. She made a noise of frustration as her nails dug into his shoulders.

When she realized he wasn’t going to start moving any time soon, Phoebe took matters into her own hands. She touched herself, rubbing her clit in an increasing tempo. At the feel of her hand beside his, Tegan looked down and cursed. If he watched her any longer, he was going to come himself.

Grabbing both of her hands, Tegan pinned them back over her head. She growled in frustration, whimpered in need. His cock throbbed so hard, he knew just rubbing against her would make him see stars.

He sucked in a breath as he did just that. Moaning, he sagged against her. One more rock of his hips and he’d come all in his pants like a bloody schoolboy.

Clenching his teeth, Tegan focused back on the pleasure of his lifemate. He gripped both of her wrists in one hand. Kissing her roughly, he slipped his fingers back inside her panties. She was so soaked. Her scent washed over him like a perfume.

Growling, Tegan pushed inside her. She bucked with a scream he caught in his lips. He claimed her mouth with his tongue as his fingers moved in an increasing rhythm.

She twisted against him. Her arms thrashed as she neared release, but still he refused her. Stopping his movements, he waited until she came back from the edge.

“Tegan!” Phoebe begged. Her voice was hoarse with desperation.

He could feel her quivering against his fingers. She was still so close, too close for him to keep moving.

“Please.”

He kissed her slowly. As he did, he withdrew his hand.

Phoebe whimpered, her whole body trembling with need. Tegan was right there with her. His muscles were tight on the verge of release. His cock was as rigid as stone. Precum had already dampened his boxers.

Lifting his lips, he looked into her eyes. Gods, she was so beautiful. He kissed her softly, just a brush of the lips, as he released her wrists. Fumbling with his pants, Tegan pulled his erection free. He hissed at the feel of his boxers moving against him. He was so sensitive, he feared he would come as soon as he touched her.

Gripping his cock, Tegan rubbed it against her thigh. He closed his eyes on a moan. Clenching his teeth, he fought the orgasm threatening to bring him to his knees.

“Gods, you’re so fucking wet.” He kissed her neck, then sucked on her earlobe. “I want you squeezing around me as I pump inside you. I want your nails digging into my back as you come all over me.”

“Then do it!”

He groaned. If only he could.

But they’d left the condoms in the fucking bedroom. So for now, they’d just have to settle with rubbing against each other. Gripping her hand, Tegan wrapped her fingers around his cock.

As soon as she started to pump him, he pushed two fingers back inside her. Lowering his head, he kissed her breasts. Her hand jerked when he sucked on a nipple. Knowing she was close, Tegan crushed his mouth to hers and then curled his fingers in the way she loved.

In an instant, they came together. Phoebe on an uncontrollable scream and Tegan on a groan of pleasure. He spurt cum everywhere, all over her hand, her thighs, her panties. She clenched his fingers like a vice and gods, did he wish that was his cock inside her.

Breathing heavily, Tegan slowly withdrew his hand. She sagged against him, her eyes half-lidded. Little gasps escaped her.

Smiling, he lifted her into his arms. She leaned her head on his chest as he carried her down the stairs.

“That…that…” she tried.

“That,” Tegan informed her, “was just the beginning.”

 

Hours later, Phoebe collapsed on top of Tegan’s chest, completely and utterly spent. That had to be the eleventh or twelfth time he’d made her come tonight. They’d started on the kitchen counter, then somehow stumbled downstairs and into bed. He had made love to her every way imaginable before carrying her into the shower to clean up.

What had started off as an innocent wash had ended with his tongue between her legs and her screaming his name. Again. They had toweled off, fucked fast and hard on the bathroom sink, and then fallen back into bed where he hadn’t wasted any time putting on another condom and sliding into her from behind.

He’d worshiped every inch of her skin, had left love marks on every limb. She’d been sore and exhausted by the time he’d pulled her on top of him. Yet, somehow she’d found the strength to ride him once more.

But surely, that was to be the last. She could barely breathe, let alone move.

Slowly, Tegan trailed his fingers across her back. They lowered down to her hips, leaving a trail of goosebumps. She shivered out of reflex, then sucked in a harsh breath as she felt him thickening again inside her.

“Tegan…I can’t,” she panted. But her words faded on a moan.

He had pushed her half upright and was now sucking on one of her nipples. With every scrape of his teeth, he sent little aftershocks of pleasure rippling down her spine. Her hands fisted in his hair, holding him close.

Rolling her beneath him, Tegan lifted his head with a seductive smile. He kissed her sweetly on the lips as he massaged her breasts. Finally, he pulled out of her to remove the condom…only to put on another one.

Phoebe whimpered. “Tegan…”

She arched on a moan as his head dipped between her legs. He licked her slowly, tenderly. Parting her folds with his tongue, he built her back up again. Twisting in bittersweet torment, Phoebe clenched at the wayward sheets. Gasps escaped her in increasing volume until at last, she spasmed on a cry. Her thighs jerked together automatically. Her body shuddered from another release.

Mercilessly, Tegan pushed her legs back open and moved his attention lower. She sucked in a gasp as her eyes flew open. To be fair, she’d bought lube, but –

Moaning, Phoebe’s eyes closed again on a wave of pleasure. He swirled his tongue around the hole, across it, and then in. He trailed a hand up her stomach to a breast. Massaging her, he pinched her nipple. As she bucked beneath him, his tongue darted in and out of her. His other hand eased up her leg…

“Tegan!” she moaned.

He didn’t hurry up at all. He took his time, coaxing her body to get used to his foreign administrations. Finally, he raised his hand to her clit and rubbed her. Needing him to go faster, Phoebe reached down herself.

This time, he didn’t stop her. Instead he removed his own hand, trailing it down to the opening in her folds. He stuck a finger inside, swirled it around, and then moved it to her ass.

Phoebe jumped at the first application of pressure. Releasing her breast, Tegan moved his hand to her hip, holding her down. His tongue continued to work her, coaxing her to accept his finger.

Phoebe quivered more so the further it went in. She rubbed her clit faster. Gasped harder. Gripping his cock, Tegan stroked himself as he pushed his finger further into her ass.

And then she was orgasming yet again. Her entire body was flushed and covered in sweat. She could barely breathe. Gods, there was no way she could withstand another one.

With his finger still inside her, Tegan nudged her onto her side. Too overwhelmed to think, she went willingly with a little sigh of contentment.

But then he had her on her knees. A wet gel was being worked into her ass. Moaning into the sheets, Phoebe tried to beg him to stop. Only, all that came out was a gasp of excitement.

“Gods, Phoebe, you drive me wild. I’m going to slide my cock into your ass now.”

She shuddered, too turned on to answer. He pressed against her, easing in one inch at a time.

“That’s it, baby. Take all of me.”

Moaning, she fisted the sheets. She pushed back against him. It was just a little wiggle, but it was enough to cause him to hiss in a breath.

He rocked another inch inside her. Leaning forward, he reached around to her clit as he lavished kisses onto her neck. She turned her head and as soon as she captured his mouth with her own, Tegan pushed all the way in.

Phoebe gasped against his lips. He gave her a bit of time to adjust before beginning to move. And then he was pounding into her and she was meeting him thrust for thrust, moan for moan.

With a final scream, she exploded in a burst of ecstasy. Tegan pushed into her one last time before throwing his head back on his own powerful release. Quivering, he collapsed on top of her. Rolling them onto their sides, he removed the condom and then curled around her.

He kissed her head and slid a hand over her breast. Phoebe froze on a whimper before she’d realized that his breathing had finally started to slow.

Yawning, Phoebe wiggled tighter against him. She weaved her fingers through his hand and then raised it to her lips.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”

He squeezed her hand. A wordless murmur tickled her ear, but that was okay. She didn’t need to hear him to know what he had said. She could feel it.

I love you too. Forever and always.