Hilda POVThis place is creepy as hell. Being lost down here on your own would be a nightmare. We catch up to Soren and Cerelia, who seem to be unable to stop smiling at each other. We obviously missed a special moment between the two. I’m in no position to judge where they find joy in each other, considering Arlo and I didn’t make it out of the caves without ripping each other’s clothes off.“We only got four of them and Maelor got away,” I tell them, briefly filling them in on what had happened to us. Cerelia looks at me wide-eyed, “I should have stayed with you. What if Arlo hadn’t been able to catch you in time?”“He did, so we’re not going to fret about what ifs. This was more important anyway. Percy let us know how difficult it was to find the entrance and if Maelor and the others decide to chase after us, I’d rather we have a head start on saving these women’s lives.”Cerelia smiles at me and it’s the first time there’s no hesitation in her eyes. I can’t explain why it means so
CereliaI imagine this is what being a tick feels like. Instead of blood, I’m a skin sac bloated with magic, right on the edge of bursting at the seams. Soren, Hilda, King Arlo and Percy are working on the pillar, handing the tatters of material they’re tearing loose to the soldiers waiting below.It’s taking a while, but lives are at stake and everyone’s being extra careful. The pods are very slowly getting closer to the ground around the perimeter of the chamber and I’m looking forward to the moment when I can release the power I’m hoarding.The relief of letting go is profound and I watch in relief as the magic races back to where it came from. The power is more than the weakened structure can contain and everyone scatters when it crumbles to dust, sending molecules of magic draining into the earthen floor.“It’s like walking on a carpet made exclusively from static electricity,” Hilda says, grinning at the way everyone’s hair is standing up and floating around their heads. I hope
Soren“Thank you for guarding me so fiercely today,” Cerelia says, leaning her back against the wide trunk of a tree. “Are you kidding?” I hope she hears every ounce of disbelief in my voice. “Cerelia, what you did was extraordinary. Protecting you will never be something you need to thank me for. I love you and keeping you safe is as important to me as breathing.”Her soft smile makes my chest ache with unspoken emotions. “I love you too,” she admits and I work at tamping down the joy her words bring me. She’s admitted before that she still cares about me, but can’t forget what happened with Hilda. I shouldn’t get carried away.“And I’ve realized how unfair I’ve been to blame you for events you had no control over. You’re the most decent man I’ve ever known and I adore you. I don’t want anything to divide us anymore. You’re my mate and I’m proud to be your Luna.”My heart is thundering so loudly, I can barely hear myself think. Which is fine, because the next thing she says completel
HildaI can’t tear myself away from the hall where cots have been set up for the women. All of them have woken for short periods and we’ve managed to get them to ingest a little bit of broth and water, but they seem oblivious to their surroundings. Obediently doing what they’re told before lying back down again.“Do you think they’re minds have been destroyed?” Arlo asks, looking haggard next to me. “You need to go and get some sleep,” I tell him gently, but he shakes his head obstinately. “I need to know they’re truly saved and not just in a new environment. Besides, you haven’t left here yet either.” I frown at him, “I slept for several hours in your arms. If you’d like to come and sit in my lap I’m happy to oblige.”He rolls his eyes at me, “I’ll squash you like a little lady bug. I need those legs to be able to wrap around my waist later.” He’s quiet for a while, before admitting uncomfortably, “I’ve been trying to remember who the ones are that I took to their doom, but only 5 of
HildaWe spent hours with the women, listening to their stories and helping to feed them. They were all deathly pale from the years without sunlight, weak as kittens and still struggling to comprehend that they’re really free.Despite all of that, I don’t doubt we’ll eventually restore them to full health. Their will to survive is inspiring. The mental shock will probably take longer to heal than their physical impairment. The sharing of life energy kept those who’d been there longest from atrophying. I suspect that has more to do with the difficulty of separating them than any kindness on the part of the mages.“I told you it wasn’t your fault,” is the first thing I say to Arlo when we’re alone in our cottage. Neither of us wanted to leave until the women were settled down again and resting, but I’ve been dying to be alone with him.“Honestly woman, is this what our married life will be like? You’ll be throwing I told you so’s at me, at every opportunity? I was hoping there’d be far
ArloI don’t deserve the sheer amount of grace that’s been heaped upon my plate. Absolution from the women I’d thought of as my victims, as well as the gorgeous creature smiling at me invitingly from our bed. Right now she’s lifting the covers to show me her nakedness and patting the bed invitingly. “I’ve kept it warm for you,” she purrs, biting her lip and staring at my cock ardently. “I didn’t want to wake you up. You looked so peaceful and I know how tired you must be,” I tell her, struggling, and failing, to keep my eyes from fixing on her breasts. “Some things are way more important than sleep,” she informs me. “Get that sexy ass of yours over here.”“Careful what you wish for my queen, you may just get it,” I warn, stalking over to her predatorily. She stills and stares at me, her eyes suddenly full of uncertainty. “Hilda, what’s wrong?” I ask, fear nibbling at my insides. “If you’re not ready, or don’t want such a serious commitment, you can tell me. I’d rather know now.” I
HildaArlo’s kiss has all my synapses firing at once. I’m lost in him, clinging to his neck as his tongue drives me mad with desire. My mate. My king. My husband. My everything. I want him so much right now. Everywhere. I don’t want him to stop kissing me, but I also want my lips wrapped around his shaft, while he thrusts into me at the same time. I will always be a glutton when it comes to him.“I need you,” is all I manage to whimper when his hands skim up and down my sides, his thumbs brushing across the sides of my breasts. I’m burning up with lust and his touch is driving me wild. “You have me,” he growls into my ear before nipping the lobe hard.His palms slide along my inner thighs and I moan expectantly, confused when he veers away from the area craving his touch the most. His fingers curl around my buttocks and then he’s lifting me above his head, with my back still against the wall, until my sex is right in front of his mouth.The world dissolves into colors and lightning wh
CereliaThere’s no other way to describe me and Soren than loved-up. We’re worse than teenagers feeling the first flush of love and quite possibly randier too. For days we haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other and leaving him to attend to other duties feels like being punished.We never had this when we first met and realized we were mated. Soren’s heart was still heavy with the loss of Hilda, made worse by the guilt he carried. She sacrificed her life for his and he felt ashamed for moving on with his life so soon.I was too timid to fully open myself to our sexual relations, always feeling like I was his second choice. Inferior to his first mate in every way. Not to mention that I’d been brought up to believe that a lady acted demurely in the bedroom. Always aiming to please, but never to demand. How wrong they’d been. Soren seems to adore it when I’m demanding.We loved each other, but we never had the opportunity to fall in love. Our time apart is quite possibly the m
HildaThe sun is warm against my skin, the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers thick in the air as we sit beneath the sprawling oak tree next to the creek. A checkered blanket is spread beneath us, weighed down with a picnic basket, filled with an assortment of sandwiches, and a sticky-fingered toddler who’s currently smearing honey across her chubby cheeks.Scarlett giggles as she waves her piece of bread in the air, utterly unconcerned with the mess she’s making. Of course, she’s not the one who’ll be cleaning it up, so why worry? “Mama, the bees are gonna love me,” she declares proudly, looking at her honey-covered hands.Arlo chuckles, reaching over to wipe her hands with a damp cloth before she can rub it all over her dress. “They already do my sweet princess, just like everybody else.” She beams up at him, “You too daddy?”Arlo picks her up and swings her in a wide circle, to her shrieking delight. “Especially me,” he assures her. The little minx already knows she has her daddy
AshThe morning light casts a warm golden glow over the tangle of limbs sprawled across my bed. The sheets are a mess, bodies lazily draped over each other, the scent of perfume and sex lingering in the air.The brunette to my right stirs, nuzzling into my shoulder with a satisfied sigh. The redhead to my left mutters something unintelligible in her sleep and shifts, her fingers skimming over my chest.Yes, life as a human has its compensations. It didn’t take me very long to find that out and indulge prodigiously in every single one of them.I eventually extract myself from the tangle, stepping over discarded clothing as I make my way to the bathroom. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, rubbing a hand over my jaw. Not a single flaw, I’m absolutely fucking gorgeous.I can’t detect any changes in my features. Still not aging it seems. Perhaps 2 years isn’t long enough to make such a determination, but I suspect I’m still immortal, even without my powers.I smirk, “Guess that makes
AshI tilt my head, inspecting my reflection in the mirror with a critical eye. Still devastatingly handsome. Still possessing a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. Still absolutely irresistible to anyone with functioning eyesight and a pulse.I smirk. Honestly, the world should thank its lucky stars it got me.I run a hand through my dark hair, the thick waves tousled just enough to look effortless but not unkempt.I may have lost my power, but the body I was blessed with nearly makes up for it. I occasionally miss others cowering in fear at my approach and my name being whispered in terror, but in truth, I far prefer being idolized and adored.Instead of making them shriek in fear, I have them screaming my name in passion. Instead of relying on demonic power to get what I want, I have to use charm. Fortunately, I have that in abundance.“Ash, you’re up in five.” I turn away from the mirror, flashing my most rakish grin at the harried stagehand peeking into my dressing room. “Darling,
HildaThe fire crackles low in the hearth, casting long shadows against the stone walls of our chamber. I press a hand to my belly. It’s still flat, but I know it will start rounding soon. I’m nearly at the 3 month mark. There’s life inside me again. Another piece of Arlo and me, growing.Scarlett sleeps soundly in the adjoining room, her soft breaths a gentle reassurance that all is well. She’s nearly 2 now and precocious beyond belief. She knows nothing about her bloodlines and being a nexus of power. For now her only job is to be a busy little girl, adored by everyone.Arlo watches me from where he stands near the fireplace, shirt unbuttoned, those deeply carved muscles making me long to touch him. His tawny eyes hold a hunger that hasn’t waned despite the years, despite the child we’ve made and the kingdom we rule. If anything, time has only made it more potent, more consuming.“I can hear your heart racing,” he murmurs, voice thick with that dark, commanding edge that unravels me
HildaI wake up feeling like a person again. A person who’s had sleep. A person who isn’t entirely on the verge of collapse. A person who now has to keep a promise to a demon.Dread coils in my stomach. The moment I remember what Astaroth said, it’s like I never rested at all. I glance at Arlo, who’s staring at the ceiling, jaw tight, eyes shadowed. He knows too. We have to go.Scarlett shifts in my arms, her tiny body warm against mine. I hold her closer, pressing my lips to the soft, dark curls on her head. She makes a small sound of contentment, utterly unaware of what we’re walking into.I murmur an apology to her as we walk. “I’m so sorry, my love.” She looks so content. So happy to be outside.My feet feel heavier with every step toward the temple ruins. Arlo’s hand rests protectively against my back. Whatever happens when the demon receives Scarlett’s blood, we’ll both fight to the death to protect her. Fear presses in on me, cold and suffocating, making it harder to breathe th
Hilda Two days. Two full days of no sleep, endless crying, and a tiny dictator ruling our lives with iron lungs and a complete disregard for reasonable sleep schedules.Scarlett wails again, a high-pitched, furious sound, and I groan into my pillow. “It’s your turn.” No response is forthcoming. Cracking open one eye, I glare at Arlo, who is pretending, astonishingly unconvincingly to be asleep.His chest rises and falls with exaggeratedly slow breaths, his face serene, but I know that trick. I’ve used that trick. I jab him in the ribs. “I said it’s your turn.” Arlo grunts, cracking his own bleary eyes open. “I just had her.”I prop myself up on one elbow, narrowing my eyes. “No, you handed her to me five minutes ago and said she was hungry.”He rubs his face, sighing heavily. “She probably still is.” He reaches for the bundle of fury in the bassinet and plops her into my arms before I can protest. “See? She’s making that face.” I scowl at him. “You think every face she makes means sh
ArloHilda’s screams could probably be heard in the next territory over. And if they can’t, she’s doing her best to make sure they will be soon. “Breathe, love,” I say, brushing her damp hair from her face.She turns the full force of her glare on me, “If you tell me to breathe one more time, I swear on the moon, I will rip your throat out.” Cerelia snorts softly but wisely keeps her attention on the business end of this operation.I swallow hard, nodding. “Right. No more breathing advice.”Hilda groans as another contraction seizes her, fingers digging into my forearm with strength that would make towering warriors cower.I would take every ounce of her pain if I could, bear it a thousand times over just to spare her this agony. But all I can do is kneel beside her, letting her crush my hand as she brings our daughter into the world.“You did this to me,” she growls, panting through the pain. “I know,” I say solemnly, as though she’s just sentenced me to exile. “I’m so sorry.” She na
CereliaSoren and I arrived late last night. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Hilda’s time was near and I insisted we come and wait. My best friend isn’t going through labor without me there to help.I step out onto the porch, stretching beneath the pale morning sun. Arlo’s pack has been nothing but welcoming since Soren and I arrived, but there’s an undercurrent of tension in the air. The anticipation of Hilda’s labor and a lingering fear of Tara’s prediction about their Luna is keeping everyone on edge.Hilda joins me, walking over from their cabin next door. She settles into one of the wooden chairs with great care. She looks exhausted, but there’s a glint of resolve in her gaze.“I never thought it would come to this,” Hilda murmurs, breaking the silence. I don’t need to ask what she means. The deal with Astaroth lingers like a ghost between us, its’ potential consequences a looming shadow.“You did what you had to,” I say, leaning against the railing. “The other option was a dea
Morgana The air in my chamber shifts, the temperature plummeting as the shadows deepen unnaturally. The scent of brimstone lingers on the edges of my senses before I hear the slow, deliberate click of boot heels on the wooden floor."Morgana, darling," Astaroth purrs, his voice as smooth and decadent as aged whiskey, laced with something far more potent and dangerous. "Did you miss me? You don’t visit, you don’t write, I’m feeling all blue at this terrible neglect."I don’t startle or betray the ripple of unease slithering down my spine. Instead, I turn in a leisurely fashion, an indulgent smirk curling my lips as I take him in.He lounges against the doorframe, every inch the devilish aristocrat he delights in portraying. More shadow than person but he manages to give the general idea. Sharp features are framed by a fall of obsidian hair, his midnight-black attire pristine save for the faint trace of blood at his cuff. Whose, I do not know. Nor do I care."Astaroth," I coo, lifting