Ash and Layla came in using the side door."Something smells good!" Ash's deep voice came around the corner. He was smiling widely as Layla held his hand. She seemed a little off. I can't quite place the emotion, it seems almost like guilt? That's very odd. "It'll be ready in 5." Dex told him. "Great! I'm starved." Ash rubbed his belly stupidly. I poked his side. "Again?" "Every time you're being stupid or annoying." I told him. "I am not that annoying or stupid." He referenced the millions of times that I have poked his side over the years. "Apparently you are." I poked his side again. "Hey." Ash whined, rubbing the spot. A laugh I didn't recognize had me turning around to face the door. Zain was standing in the doorway, making his way inside. He was fully clothed this time. A light blue shirt and jeans covered his skin. "You guys are cute. I want a little sister." He told us. "No, you really don't." Ash told him, sticking his tongue out at me. "I'll remember that." I poke
"What do you want with my wife?" Dex asked him. He tried to keep his tone calm, but I could hear the anger stirring in him. "Just to tell her the truth." Zain wasn't phased by Dex. "Hey, keep your eyes on me." Dex yelled at Zain.I wasn't looking, but I could feel Zain's eyes penetrating my skin. I hid into Dex's chest further. I didn't like the feeling his eyes were bringing me. It was too familiar…a familiar I'm worried about."Tell me what you want with my wife." I could tell Dex was now using his siren magic to get to the truth. "I want to make her mine. She's meant to be with me." Zain answered plainly. He'd said that to me earlier today…meant to be."What do you mean?" Dex was holding me tightly against him. He was getting angrier with each word Zain spoke. "She's my beloved. It's the equivalent of destined one to us witches. She'll help me unlock stronger magic that only my beloved can." Zain was deep in Dex's trance. His voice sounded melodic and dazed. My mind was reelin
Dex's P.O.V.I'm not sure how I got so blessed to have a destined one like Ember. I couldn't take my eyes off her as I carried her to our bedroom. I didn't think it was possible, but she managed to make me fall even deeper in love with her. Her words to me this evening were everything I longed to hear and more. She looked so radiant in my arms. I couldn't sustain my hunger for her any longer. Both of us have had an insatiable hunger for one another that just seems to be growing everyday. I don't know what it is, but I can't deny how happy it's been making me. Her hands clutched at my shirt letting me know how badly she wanted me at this moment. I didn't rush to our room. I want to take my time with her tonight. I'll mark her again as she asked and I know just the spot. I took the stairs one step at a time. I could feel her anticipation growing with every step. Her breath was already steadily increasing and her grip on me was growing stronger. God she's so beautiful, even more so no
Zain's P.O.V.That siren really thinks that I would fall that easily into his trap. My mother taught me a long time ago how to guard my mind. He never really locked away my memories. Even if he would have, they wouldn't have stayed locked away. He can't just make this bond disappear. It's not up to him to deny me. I honestly never expected to meet my beloved here. I definitely never thought she'd be pregnant and married. It doesn't matter though, I'll take her just the way she is. I'll have her come to me before I need to leave. I've never had a problem making a woman fall for me. This won't be any different. Hell, it may even be easier. I'm sure she feels the bond too. She's feisty though and extremely strong. She likes it dirty too. I watched how much she enjoyed being bent over like that. Her body is so beautiful and I can't wait to explore it myself. I won't let that siren keep us apart. He can try as much as he likes, but I'll take what's mine. I need to get Ember alone again
Ember's P.O.V.I gave Dex a big hug as he entered school again. He's doing so well. I wish Dex didn't have to go this morning. I miss him already. He told me about his late night visit with Zain. He's pretty certain that Zain forgot about our bond. As long as I avoid going to Ash's house then I should be fine. I almost went with them, but I don't want Gabriel missing school already. It seems counter productive. I know Dex and Ash will be just fine too. Kaitlyn isn't dangerous. She'll give them what they need and they'll be home before I know it. I opened my front door, locking it behind me. Something felt off. I felt magic all throughout the house and on the door. What is this? "Hello, beautiful." Zain's voice rang in my head, and I panicked. I turned around to find him leaning against the wall. His large arms were crossed in front of him. What's he doing here? Does he remember? "It didn't work,
"Hey." I felt someone shaking me awake. "Are you okay? Can you hear me?" My eyes slowly began to open as I started to regain consciousness. My vision was still blurry. I could see familiar black hair that hung in waves. As my eyes adjusted I saw beautiful tan skin and met those all too familiar chocolate brown eyes. "Toni?" I whispered, my heart heavy in my chest. "No, I'm sorry, I don't know who Toni is. I think we should get you to a doctor." He said as he picked me off the floor. His touch felt like it was healing me. I began looking around the house. Everything that had happened was fluttering back into my mind. Where's Zain? I saw blood on the kitchen island. I followed it down to Zain's lifeless body on the floor. I yelled in horror. The last time I saw a dead body was when Toni had passed. "Don't look." The man told me. "Tell me where the doctor is here." I pointed out the front door and then right. "Who are you?" I
"My twin and my husband are coming now. Would you mind staying until they get here?" I asked Sam. "I told you, I'll stay until they come." He smiled sweetly at me again. He had a very kind smile. "Thank you, Sam. I don't think you realize how much you've done for me." I gripped his sleeve harder. He saved my baby. He saved my marks. He saved me. I owe this man a lot right now. I heard the office door swing open. "Where is she?" I could hear Dex's panicked voice. I sat up a little bit on the bed, trying to get a better view of the door. He came running in and looked at me with misty eyes. My eyes instantly began to water. I let go of Sam's sleeve then, holding my arms open for Dex. He ran to me. We held each other tightly and I began to sob uncontrollably. "I'm here now." He whispered to me as he rubbed my head. "I'm so sorry, Ember. I shouldn't have gone." "You! What happened?" I heard Ash's commanding tone. He was probably asking Sam. Sam began to explain it all to them, inc
Dex and I headed out of the clinic shortly after I woke up. Dex wouldn't let me walk again. He was being very protective and I could tell he was still feeling bad for not being here."Oh your mom called while you were sleeping. I let her know what was going on. She couldn't believe it. Your mom said they got the blue flame. Your dad ended up getting hurt, but nothing he won't heal from. Those were her words." Dex smirked. "She said Kaitlyn will probably seek revenge so we need to be on our guard. Your mother is going to reach out to other witches to see if they will help Ash and Layla." There was so much to unpack right there. I hadn't thought about Kaitlyn in all this. Zain is her child after all, of course she's going to want revenge. As a mother I understand that completely. I feel terrible for causing her that kind of pain. I can't imagine what I would do if I lost Gabriel or Nova. That's too terrible a thought to dwell on.Mom and dad got the flame. So we have everything we nee
"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