Dex's P.O.V. My sweet little sun will be 18 soon. Just a couple more days. So here I am sneaking away from her to find the perfect gift. What could I get her that would mean something? It's got to be perfect. I guess a trip to Jaime it'll have to be. Maybe I can find something to help her with the pain that still remains in her. I know she's trying, but a month just isn't enough time to get over it. A month is like a blink of an eye when you're grieving someone that important. If she were a weak wolf she would have died with Toni. Sometimes I wonder if that's an easier mercy than having to live with the pain. I went down by the creek and opened a portal. Traveling has been much more convenient since I've gotten a handle on making portals. I guess I have Jaime to thank for that. I still haven't tried my luck with mom's pearl. I need to accept her before I can accept that magic. I don't want to go dark like Toni had. I stepped through the portal instantly stepping on the dock. I pre
Dex's P.O.V.I raced to my room, fishing the box and clean clothes out of my dresser. I stuffed the sink drain and turned the water on. I filled it up to the top, before turning the tap off. I took the necklace and held it tightly in my hand. "Toni?" I called his name staring into the water. I felt like an idiot staring into a sink full of water. At least until it began to ripple, when the water stilled again Toni was starting back at me. "Well I'll be damned, it worked." "Dex?" Toni was just as surprised to see me. "What is this?" "Magic. It's a pearl. I'm giving this to Ember for her birthday. She'll be able to speak to you whenever she needs to. Your son can too." I said excitedly. "Dex, I don't know if that 's a good idea." Toni sighed. His words shocked me. I assumed he would be happy. "At least not yet. She's still grieving and this will keep her in that state. She'll cling to me instead of letting me go. Give it to her in a couple years." I hadn't thought about that. Well
Dex's P.O.V.I had Ember stand and walk once we got to the palace. I would have continued to carry her if I wasn't worried about being scolded by her parents. I missed the feel of her body against mine when I set her down. She held my hand and led me to her room. I was surprised she didn't want to eat first. I guess that month of not eating much has decreased her appetite now. It still hurts me to think about how sad she's been. I know she still is. I know she's trying hard to move on, but I also know she'll be sad for a while. I stared at her ass and she led us up the stairs. It's so damn round and plump, it makes me just want to slap it and see it shake. The thought had the blood rushing to my d*ck. "Stop staring at my ass." She told me without even looking at me. How'd she know?"But it's just so perfect." I argued. She didn't say anything, instead she swayed her hips more. She was teasing me. Little minx. I chuckled at her action. "You're too much, sunshine." I smiled at her
Rain's P.O.V. Dex took a moment to come back with my brush. He sat behind me and began to gently brush my hair. He took such good care of me. He was gentle and nurturing. He was caring and deeply compassionate. "Dex?" "Yes, sunshine?" He brushed my hair again. "You're going to be a really great father. I know I've said that before, but I really mean it." I know he will be an amazing father to Toni's child even though it's not his own. "I want to have kids of our own." I admitted. I couldn't take that chance away from him. He deserves a kid of his own. He wrapped his arms around my own and rested his chin on my shoulder. "You mean that?" I could hear the smile on his face. "Yes, I do." I felt a tug at my heart as I spoke those words. My heart has been healing very slowly, but it is still very broken. I was doing my best to keep from crumbing again. Honestly, having Dex was helping. I could feel his emotions now, our bond having sealed with my mark. He was elated at my words and
I let go of Dex and practically tackled the large figure. My arms wrapped around his large shoulders tightly and he did the same. We let the tears fall as we hugged. "Miss you." He told me."I've miss you too, asshole." He laughed that husky laugh of his. I've missed that too. "Ash." Dex greeted him from behind me. We pulled away from one another then. I took a good look at my twin then. He had gotten bigger, if that's even possible. He'd grown a couple inches. His shoulders were broader and his hair was longer. "Hello Dex." Ash gave him that large grin of his and the pieces of my heart pulled together again. I had missed that grin of his. I had missed his scent, his presence and his alright goofy self. I had missed my twin so much. I had forgiven him finally, but there was still a tightness in my chest. "Hi, Ember! It's so lovely to finally meet you." A young girl with Larminiel's hair and blue eyes stepped forward. "Oh right, sorry." Ash said bashfully. "This is Layla." He l
10 years later"Gabriel, sweet heart. We need to get going. Do you have your shoes?" I peeked my head around the corner. His little chocolate eyes met mine with such sadness. "What's wrong, mi amor?" "I can't find my other shoe. I only have this one. I can't walk around with one shoe on." Tears began to pool in his eyes. I forget how small things like this could affect a little 4 year old's heart. "Oh, sweet boy." I hugged him for a moment. "It's okay. We'll find it together." "No need. Hero D found it already!" Dex jumped into the room with a table cloth wrapped around his neck like a cape. I stifled my laughter as Gabriel's little face lit up with admiration. "Yay Hero D!" He ran wrapping his arms around Dex. "Sit down, let's get this shoe on. A certain someone wants to wish you a happy birthday." Dex wiggled his eyebrows excitedly at Gabriel. "Dad!" He yelled ecstatically. "Yes, dad." Dex smiled. The scene continued to play out in front of me, filling my heart with such joy
I entered the garden looking amongst the crowd. Mom stood surrounded by her mates. Time has barely touched them, the only signs of aging are only evident by the crows feet around their eyes. Charlie was already 5'5 and only 10 years old. That boy will be huge. In the back corner I saw his big shoulders. His head poked way above everyone else's heads, his eyes had already found me. We both grinned so large, like small children on Christmas morning. I started walking towards him, but eventually my walking turned into a sprint and before I knew it we were both running to each other. We crashed into a tight hug. "Twinkie!" He yelled as he gave me a deep belly chuckle. I had tears brimming in my eyes, too happy to see my twin. "I've missed you." I smiled at him with tears shining in my eyes. I dabbed at them with my thumb. "You're such a crybaby." He shook his hand in my hair. "Am not." I poked his side. "Some things never change." Mom laughed at us. Ash and I stared at each other g
Dex scooped me into his arms and carried me out of the garden. We were near my favorite spot now. I could hear the water flowing through the creek as we approached it. "Here?" I asked bashfully. I hadn't had sex in the open like this in so long. "Here." He smiled down at me, gently laying me on the soft grass. The water suddenly twisted around my wrists holding them above my head. Sex near or in the water, with him, is always so kinky. He uses the water to his advantage every time and all I can do is sit there and take it. Dex leaned down, featherly kissing my lips. He peppered kisses down my neck and toward my collar bone. I wanted to grab his hair, but obviously couldn't. Instead I closed my hand into a fist. Dex lifted my shirt with his hand and massaged my sides as he continued kissing my neck. A fire was building deep inside me. My chest glowed brightly as Lien enjoyed the touch of our destined one on us. Dex lifted my shirt over my breast, pulling my bra to the side and expo
"That's it, Ember. Just one more push!" The doctor called out to me. Dex held my right hand and my angel held my left. They both lifted me up more as I pushed with all the strength I had left in me. I heard cry as they suctioned the fluid free of her mouth. That sound is indescribable, tears welled in my eyes with the pure joy of having her here with us now. "You did great. Thank you for bringing our daughter into this world, sunshine." Dex whispered in my ear before kissing my sweaty forehead without a care. His eyes were pink and glistening with tears. I could see the love and pure admiration mirrored in them as he looked down at our sweet Nova, that was now placed in my arms. "She's beautiful, mi amor. You're amazing." Toni kissed the top of my head next. The three of us stared down at Nova's beautiful small features. She made the smallest little noises in complaint of being pushed out of me and into this cruel world. I'll make it safe for you Nova, I promise. She had the rounde
Toni had me laying sweetly beneath him. His eyes held such a deep love for me. His gaze was undoing me long before his touches were. He kissed me tenderly, wrapping his fingers in my hair. His thumb caressed my jaw lightly, sending a warmth flowing through me."Toni." I whispered his name, a silent plea to feel him even closer. There's not enough time, not enough of him to make up for the last decade, but I am damn well going to try. I felt like this missing piece of me was finally put back in place by Toni. "Make me yours again." He kissed me with such intensity. He stole the breath from my lungs and the soul from my body. I was all his and I refuse to leave this bedroom until he's claimed me as his again. I pulled his shirt off, breaking our kiss for just a moment. His muscles were just as toned as they had been when we were younger. There was some of Sam in his body, so it wasn't exactly the same, and yet it was perfect all the same. "I love you, mi amor. I'll never leave you aga
Ember's P.O.V."Why did you come, mi amor? You could have been hurt, or the baby could have." His voice was soft, but his tone was firm. My mind was still reeling with emotions. This is Toni. Suddenly everything about my feelings towards Sam just seemed to make sense and I wanted to slap myself for not noticing it sooner. How could I have not thought about it? "Ash had a vision and he told me you were in trouble. So we all came to help. Lucy cast a protection spell over Nova to keep her safe within me. She did consume some of my magic though, so I'll need to see the doctor. It wasn't enough to make me too weak though." I bit my lip, feeling guilty about putting her in danger. "Ash told me he saw Toni here too. He saw you and we rushed over. Why didn't you tell me?" I punched his arm, furious at how he made me think I had lost him again. "I couldn't." He lightly rubbed my cheeks with Sam's calloused hands. "I am sorry, mi amor. If I had told you they woul
Sam's P.O.V.I followed Evelyn out past the barrier of the kingdom. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my hands were clammy beyond belief. In the next 30 minutes I'll be fighting for my life and getting the greatest gift I could have…my angel half. The wind was blowing harshly outside the barrier and the freezing temperature seeped deep into my bones. The wind stung my face and blew snow into my eyes, forcing me to look down in order to see. Evelyn led the way as if this freezing weather wasn't a factor in her mind at all. Nothing phases her, she could be on fire and she would still be walking like nothing is happening. When she's focused on keeping me safe she has nothing else on her mind. She's locked in. "We'll do this here. I'll start setting up the wards. You need to start engraving the ruins on your chest. Do you remember how?" She asked, handing me the flaming dagger. "Yeah, hard to forget." I took the dagger fr
Yesterday came and went and today was Sam's birthday already. I still can't believe how young he is. I groaned at the sun's blinding rays as we all gathered outside in celebration. Ash was kind and with the help of Eric and Lucy, who stopped by today to visit, they set up a small party for Sam. It was just us, nothing big or involving all the citizens here. It was small and intimate and a way for Ash to thank Sam for all he's done. Without him and his sister my brother wouldn't be having this child with Layla right now. I owe them both a lot too and I'll be sure to find a way to repay them both in the future. "Happy birthday, Sam." I told him for about the third time now. It seemed to be the only thing I could say to him. I didn't want to say anything more. I didn't want to start flirting with him or getting to know him better. He'll be leaving tomorrow and I need to be ready to let him go. "Thanks, Ember." He gave me a sma
Dex's words had rung through my head all day. How I may need Sam. How I shouldn't send him away. Is there really a bond? And if there really is, do I really want to open myself up to it? I also can't seem to get past this damn guilt eating away at me. I shouldn't be thinking of Sam. My heart should be fixed solely on Dex, and only him. Now that Toni has left me completely, there's this fissure in my heart wanting to be filled. Sam could fill it easily, but is that really the right choice? It may be easier to accept it, but I don't know that I want to. He's not Toni, no matter how much I wish him to be. The fact he has Toni's memories still bothers me deeply. Every now and again I'll get another glimpse of them through Sam and it kills me. He refuses to tell me why he has them. It's been making me trust him less the more he denies me the truth. I don't understand how he could have Toni's memories. "Where's your mind?" Ash's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. We had flown togeth
The next few days seemed to fly by. Gabriel was back at school and Dex was at my side all day. At night I would have the same recurring nightmare of the day Ash killed Toni. Having lost him again seems to have resurfaced everything I thought I had healed from. Sam and Evelyn kept their distance for the most part, although it seemed like Sam really wanted to be at my side. I sort of missed him, which still doesn't make sense to me. I barely know the man. I attribute this feeling to the fact he looks so much like Toni. He's like this thorn sent by the universe to remind me of what I am missing. Fuck you universe. "You alright, sunshine?" Dex raised an eyebrow at me. "Yeah, just thinking." I chewed on my cheek refusing to tell Dex that I was missing another man. That's ridiculous. "Let me in, Ember. What's going on?" He stroked my cheek lightly with his knuckle. His touch sent those wonderful electric sparks flying through my skin. "I just miss Toni and Sam looking so much like him
Gabriel and Dex and I spent the entire day in bed as promised. We watched movies, played games, and spoke about many things. Dex and I kept trying to get Gabriel to understand, but he refused. He kept telling us that we would see what he was talking about soon. This day was certainly something I needed. Dex always gives me just what I need even when I don't know what that is. Gabriel was taking his bath in our bathroom now, leaving Dex and I alone for the first time today. "I saw Sam was here with you last night." My heart stilled. Is he upset? Is he jealous? Is he worried? "Yeah, Ash had to-" I paused, realizing I never checked on him and Layla. Damn me and my selfish heart. "I need to call him!" I quickly reached for my phone. "What's wrong?" Dex furrowed his brows, sitting up with me. "I don't know. He left yesterday saying Layla needed him shortly after he got here." The phone rang as I spoke. "Hello?" Ash's voice came through. "Ash, oh my gosh, I am so sorry I didn't call
Dex held me flush against his chest on the bed. He had me tucked under the sheets and was lightly rubbing my back. He was doing his best to comfort me. "Ember, I have to leave you so I can care for our son. I'll return with him soon. I'll tell Ash to come over." He told me. "I won't let you be alone right now." He pulled his phone out and called Ash. He told Ash everything. I could hear Ash say he was on his way. "I won't leave until he gets here." Dex tried to comfort me."It's getting late. You need to go to him before he falls asleep. Ash is coming. I will be okay until then." I tried convincing him. I could tell he wanted to argue though. "He needs to say goodbye. He needs the chance to say it. You need to go." He very reluctantly got off the bed. He gave me one last kiss before leaving. My heart was breaking all over again. The small glue that held it together was coming undone. I was loudly sobbing again. The door opened, letting small light flood the room. "Ash?" I cried o