11

The second Crone saw his father leave the library, he made a mad dash back into the room. Being separated from Tessa caused him severe anxiety and made his mood even fouler. He was in a no-win situation. The only thing that made up for it was the fact that his bond now superseded Zadicus’s. The warlock couldn’t take her virginity, or so the witch who had performed the bonding had promised. However, that alone didn’t protect her.

“Did you and my father have a nice chat?”

Tessa jumped. Apparently not hearing him enter the room, she’d been busy looking at the wall of books. “It was fine. He’s a nice man.”

He nearly laughed. Yes, Efrain was a good man, but she’d never seen him when someone had crossed him. The older Jinn’s bad side was not a place to be. “I hold a great deal of respect for my father.”

Her smile faded. “You are lucky, Crone. To have a father who cares about you.”

It had never occurred to him what her childhood must have been like. Fathered by a man who had been chosen for nothing more than breeding. Tessa’s mother forced to conceive and bear a child with no love in her life. He suddenly felt ill and wanted to break free. Go to the one place that always gave him comfort. He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers.

“Let’s go someplace more peaceful until we are needed later.” He opened a portal and took them back to his private beach. Darkness had colored the sky an inky black, but the moon was full and bright. Waves crashed on the sand and lulled him into a peaceful state of mind.

“Wow. Last time I saw this beach there were fireworks of an unnatural kind going on.” She stiffened and tried to free her hand from his. He reluctantly released her, sensing she needed some space. “So why bring me back here? To the place where your lover pretended to take me to safety?”

Crone wiped his palm down his face. “Why do you insist Ares is my lover? I’ve never touched her in that way.”

She stepped back. “Don’t lie to me. Just because you have apparently figured out I’m your vetemba doesn’t give you the right to lie to me.” Venom dripped from her voice.

“I do not lie. Did Ares tell you something different? I understand what her plans were, and I’m so sorry.” He allowed her the space she wanted, but if she backed any further away from him, he’d have to snare her and bring her to a more comfortable distance.

“She said you were friends with benefits.” She cocked her head. “Though the witch-demon did say Ares didn’t love you.”

He let his mouth curl into a grin. “Does that bother you? The fact another woman might love me?”

“Oh, you’d love that, wouldn’t you? I bet it empowers you to have women fawning all over you.” Was that a snarl? Oh, she was too cute when jealous.

He shrugged. “I’ll admit, that in the past it did, but I’ve since bonded myself to you. Zadicus cannot claim your virginity. Technically, no man can but me.” Her jaw dropped. Not the response he was hoping for. What was I hoping? That she’d jump me right here? The thought of that caused blood to rush to his nether region.

“Bonded yourself? So the curse is broken?”

He wished it were so. “No. He can still cause you harm, but he cannot take your virginity or force anyone else to do so. They will find themselves impotent in your presence.”

“Oh.” Suddenly her lips drew into a thin line. “So you’ve basically taken my free will the same as Zadicus. I’m not allowed to choose what man I desire to sleep with.”

Damn that stung, but she was right. “Once we have my sister-in-law back, we’ll finish breaking your curse. I’ll get the final piece you need from Zadicus before I kill him and all his kind.” He realized his fingers had rolled into tight fists.

“So even though you know what I am, you still don’t desire me? You bonded to me only to keep another from having me?”

Crone inhaled and the scent of gardenias drifted, mingled with the salty air. Desire her? It was all he could do not to take her right now. Instead, he stepped into her space, pulled her close to him, and brushed his lips across hers. Her body instantly heated and nearly caused him to explode.

“Desire? There isn’t a word in any language that describes what I feel, but taking your virginity so you can gain your grandmother’s power? Not happening.” He slipped his hand under her shirt and rested his palm on her waist. The scent of her arousal wrapped around him and squeezed. Unable to control himself any longer, and not wanting to, he dipped his head and ran his tongue along her neck, upward to her earlobe where he nipped.

“If you want to lose yourself to me mi amor, then you’re going to have to take what you desire.” He felt her shiver, so he slid his hand up her side, enjoying the silky feel of her warm skin against his.

“I-I don’t understand what you mean,” she whispered.

He continued to kiss her neck, causing her to tip her head to grant him better access. “I don’t want this to be about your ancestors’ power. This needs to be about your desire for me as your mate. You have total freedom to take this as far as you want.” He lifted his head so he could look into her eyes as he brushed his thumb across her nipple. Her eyes closed and lips parted.

Such a beautiful sight.

“Tonight however, I will bring you pleasure right here under the stars, but we will not have sex. I want to give you some relief.” And something to remember me by. He wanted her mind to be filled with longing for only him.

He grabbed the hem of her tank and pulled the fabric over her head, tossing it to the sand. He could hardly wait to taste her. Wrap his lips around her nipples that were already hardening in the night’s breeze. There would be no more waiting. His mouth found what he craved. Sucking on the swollen bud, he swirled his tongue around the areola then across her nipple.

She moaned and pushed into him. Her scent grew stronger. Crone knew he could have her. She’d not protest, but it wasn’t how he wanted it and that shocked the hell out of him. Instead, his goal for the moment was to make her come so hard she forgot her name.

He guided his right hand to the waistband on her shorts, relieved that it was elastic. Pushing the fabric aside, he slid past her panties and didn’t slow his descent until he reached her sex. As he moved his mouth to enjoy the other breast, he slid his fingers through her folds.

“Mmm. So wet,” he whispered between nips on her breast. Her breathing increased along with her pulse. She placed her hands on his shoulders and dug her nails into his skin.

Her eyes opened. “Your shirt...”

“Yes, I ditched it so you could touch me if you desired.” And apparently, she did. The sensation of her nails spurred him on. He rubbed her juices over her clit while he brought his lips to hers. Pushing his tongue inside and sweeping, he tasted every inch of her mouth. His cock throbbed, but he shoved the sensation to the back of his mind. She pressed her naked breasts against his chest, her hard nipples made the zipper on his jeans even tighter. Before he realized what she was doing, Tessa had unbuttoned his pants and freed his erection. Her hand wrapped around him. Squeezing.

Holy fuck!

Crone kissed her harder, and she responded in kind. He slid a finger into her core, careful to stop when he felt the slightest resistance. Circling his thumb over her clit caused her to shudder, and she pumped him faster. Christ, he wouldn’t last long at this rate. The tide washed up and swirled around their feet. The night was calm and perfect for forgetting their troubles, if even for a little while.

He broke their kiss. “Come for me mi amor,” he spoke against her swollen lips. She surrendered to his command and cried out. Watching his mate orgasm by his hand, as the moonlight caressed her skin, was too much. Pleasure overtook him and he growled out his own release, shooting his come all over her belly. She buried her head into his chest, and he couldn’t resist kissing her silky hair. Damn it, how had this woman turned his world upside down?

Tessa’s heart rate finally began to slow to normal. She hadn’t expected when Crone had brought her out onto the moonlit beach that he’d give her the best orgasm of her life. Yet it had happened, and she wondered why she was even surprised by it. After all, she had found him with the intention of seduction and gaining power. Now? Things had changed. She had been an idiot to underestimate the power of being his mate. Thought she could take what belonged to her and walk away without looking back.

She was torn. She wanted him. Craved him to lick and caress every inch of her body then take her in a mad heat of passion. Her mind was confused. She had been given to two men the moment she was born and sucked in her first breath of air. Bonded to a warlock by a curse and mated to a Jinn at the request of her grandmother. Tara had seen something good in Crone or she wouldn’t have asked the ancestors to create such a bond. She looked up at him and knew she had to make a choice. This man had sought a witch to complete his side of the bond to protect her. But was there another reason? He had to know she could still walk away from him, yet he had chosen to do it anyway.

She could break the curse with Zadicus and end his life, so she could live free and go back to her existence. Her magic would likely never obey her commands, so she’d live her life like any other mortal except far longer. Or she could stay with Crone and gain back her Nana’s magic. What kind of life would they have together?

He cupped her cheek and seemed to understand her dilemma. “It pains me to say this more than you could ever know. Once Zadicus and his family are dead, I will break my bond with you if that’s what you desire. For once in your life, you will be free to make your own choice.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but words had become foreign to her.

“Yes, I have the knowledge on how to break our bond but understand this. There will never be another for me. Once you walk away, I will never see you again. Watching you with another man would be like shoving a dagger into my heart.”

She swallowed. “I thought Jinn could take another vetemba.”

“It happens sometimes, but for me it will forever only be you.”

She felt tears sting her eyes. He was willing to let her go. Give back her freedom. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

He stepped back, releasing her, and she found they were both clothed again. “Tell me that you’ll become a powerful witch and live a happy life. Once I’m certain of your safety, I know a way to give you back your grandmother’s power.”

The tears rolled and her chest tightened. She had to give him what he needed too. “Crone, I never blamed you for my grandmother’s death, but if it will release you from your burden… I forgive you,” she whispered. His body visibly relaxed.

“Thank you.” He held out his hand. “It’s time to meet the others.”

She nodded, wondering how one minute she could experience a mind-blowing orgasm and the next feel so empty. But this is what you wanted. Crone can give you everything. Freedom and power. But there was this nagging question.

“Wait!” She’d started to reach for him then hesitated.

“What is it?”

How could she ask this? “Why have you decided to do this? Break the bond?” To the point was always the best.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Because your happiness will always come first.” He grabbed her hand and flashed them to the temple. Crone had explained earlier that the holy place had been built in the center of their world. Surrounding it were the seven houses as the Jinn called them, but they were actually small countries. Some bordered by mountains, others by water, but all equally beautiful. Crone’s family ruled four of the seven. Or in this case, Efrain, their father ruled them until his children came of age. Armand had already taken over Revania, and his wife, Makayla ruled Eral. Crone would soon take his rightful place ruling Tujan, and Lazaro would one day lead Agana. Here Tessa thought witch politics could sometimes be confusing. It was another reason––besides her lack of power––she never went to council meetings. She had pretty much washed her hands of her people since they’d turned their backs on her family.

Another reason to gain my power. As an elemental witch, she could force the council to allow her to have a seat. She’d finally have the acceptance and respect of her people. With no family, the other witches were all she had, but they’d never once helped her. As she watched Crone take command of the flurry of people who began to file through the open double doors, she realized she witnessed the Jinn who she’d come to know. The powerful man who let nothing stand in his way. Who took what he wanted. When had he become so... Nothing like the man she’d just experienced on the beach. That Jinn had been gentle. Given her what she needed and asked for nothing in return. Once she learned he’d bonded them, she fully expected he would make demands of her. Her mind raced back to something he’d said earlier.

“Taking your virginity so you can gain your grandmother’s power? Not happening. You’re going to have to take what you desire.”

She nearly smacked herself on the head. What an idiot she was. She’d come with the intent of taking what she wanted and walking away. Doing to Crone exactly what she feared he’d do to her. It was why he refused to take her virginity. He was afraid of becoming too close to her and then losing her. Take what you desire. He’d already made it clear he wanted her happiness. If she desired to leave and be free, he’d grant it. If she desired to stay, at least he would know that she wanted him and not what he held.

In an instant, she knew exactly what she wanted. After this was over, she would tell Crone.