My heart raced a bit as I stared at the big black numbers. 223. I hope Dex is willing to help, but if he is will I be okay? I ingested the crimson kelp shortly before coming. I ate a bigger piece than usual just in case. Since siren songs are supposed to be more powerful than their mind manipulation. That's a scary thought. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I heard some light shuffling behind and saw the light turn on. It was night time now, and the moon was small in the night sky. I had left Eric asleep in my bed. I'll be back before he wakes.Dex opened the door shirtless again. It seems he likes to undress once he gets home. He had a large burn mark on his chest. I noticed it last time and I wanted to ask about it, but I bit my tongue. It isn't any of my business. "Ember?" He sounded surprised. He had a big smile on his face, happy to see me. "Did you bring me food again?" He smirked. I felt bad for not bringing him anything now. Especially since I am about to ask h
Dex's P.O.V. She had showed up at my door asking for a favor. I didn't think it would be this kind of favor. I warned her. I checked with her many times. She wanted to do it. If I would have told her no she may have tried to get a siren song another way. I tried to hold back. It took everything in me to just keep my siren from entering her. I knew the moment the song stopped playing she would regret her choice. I just wanted to make sure she wouldn't regret it as much. If I would have entered her, she'd feel even more violated. Every moment of it keeps replaying in my head right now. She's so fucking beautiful. She's so damn sexy. Those moans and yells of pleasure will forever be engraved in my memory. She didn't realize it, but what my siren did was mark her as his. She will not be able to enter water without feeling me. She won't want any other siren. A guilt was washing over me as I watched her cry on my bed, dressed only in her underwear. She was feeling so much guilt right no
Ember's P.O.V.My alarm sounded and I bursted out of my bed more than ready. Today we will travel a while in the tree portal to get to the northern fairy kingdom. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I tied my hair back in a tight high ponytail. I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. I headed out, looking back at my adjoining door to Ash's room. I'll save you Ash, I promise. With determination set in my heart I left the palace. I reached the pack land a little early, but I found Dex already waiting. It was probably a bad idea to let him come, but I knew he could be useful to have. I know Toni said he had gotten some siren magic now, but he probably doesn't know how to use it well. At least not yet. Dex pushed off the tree he had been leaning on and made his way towards me. His hair was pushed back, his messy beach waves tucked to the back of his head. He gave me a large grin, showing me those pearly whites. I wasn't as afraid to look into his eyes here lately. I knew he
We stepped out of the portal to the most beautiful kingdom I have seen. It's regal just like my kingdom, only everything is gold and looks like it's been covered with fine specs of white glitter. Everything was so bright and shiny. The fairies flew about another us. Their crystal clear wings were outlined with gold and had small gold swirls in the center of each wing. Fairy dust rained down as they flew. That's what was making everything look like it was shining. That's why it's literally on everything here. It was constantly raining down from the sky. Some fairies were walking instead of flying, their wings tucked tightly against their backs. The women wore small gold tube dresses and little gold flats. The men wore white pants and golden long sleeve shirts with white shoes. Everyone looked dressed up and beautiful. This is the first time I've been able to clearly see a fairy. Their skin looked like it shone with small specs of glitter as well. I now know that is their fairy dust.
"Toni, please. I am so sorry. This isn't his fault." I pleaded, my voice thick with regret and concern. Toni held Dex by the collar. "No, Ember." He growled at me. "It isn't his fault. It's yours, but I can't hurt you." He snapped at me and it felt like a punch to my heart. He wanted to hurt me the way he was hurting Dex, but he knew he couldn't. If he would hit me it would be like he was hitting himself. He would feel all my pain that way. So instead he's taking all his aggression out on Dex. I hate seeing someone get pummeled. Dex wasn't even fighting back either. I can tell he knows how to fight, but for some reason he's not. "Please, stop. He isn't fighting back and you're going to end up seriously hurting him." I cautioned Toni. He let go of Dex and pushed him down to the floor. He turned his attention on me, causing me to freeze in fear. He looked so scary when he was mad. He marched his way towards me, grabbing my neck tightly. He brought his face right next to my ear, whis
"I'm going to take you right here, Ember." He whispered in my ear and I froze immediately."Toni.." I said his name breathlessly. His words turned me on immensely, but Dex was right there. There wasn't a separate room here. There was a round white bed with red pillows in the center back. This white sectional couch in the center of the room and then the bathroom to the right. There was a tv mounted to the wall and a large vanity dresser to the right near the bathroom. I mean we could at least go to the bathroom, but I don't think Toni has that in mind. His hand was already grazing up my inner thigh. He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me down to his lips. He began to very passionately kiss me, erasing any ounce of resistance in me. I began to get lost in his touch… in his taste. I let my hands wander around his skin, eventually ending up in his hair. I grabbed fistfuls of his hair and pulled him even closer to me. Our lips were pressed tightly against one another. Toni's hand
Dex was waiting outside the bathroom door for me. He was leaning against the wall staring at the floor until I came out. He pushed off the wall and came to me so quick he was almost a blur. "Are you okay?" He placed his hands on my shoulders. His eyes bore holes into my face with how intently they were staring at me. "I'm fine." I shook his hands off my shoulders. "Don't worry about me.""Haven't I told you that I'll decide what I worry about. He was hurting you, Ember. He made you bleed." Dex sounded so concerned for me. I wonder if this brought up any dark memories for him. I sometimes forget he's grown up being abused. "I'm fine, Dex. Honestly. It healed. It's fine." I tried to smile at him. The pain I felt in my heart was making it hard to give him a sincere one. "It's not fine." Dex muttered. He was still really concerned, but anger was stirring in him. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise." He whispered sadly at me. I furrowed my brows, confused at his words. "I promised I
Dex froze in the doorway as if seeing us cuddled in bed together was the last thing he was expecting. "Well, that was quick." He sounded disappointed. Like I shouldn't have forgiven Toni already. "What?" I asked him stupidly. I knew it already. He was judging me. "Nothing, forget it." He waved his hands down at both of us with his head turned to the side. He went over to the couch and sat. All I could see was the back of his head, but I started to feel worry and depression deep inside me. Were these my emotions or am I starting to feel his? I don't know what to make of this mark. I don't know what it means for a werewolf to be marked by a siren. How does this play out? The only people I would think to ask would be Toni or Mom. I don't want to ask Toni because I don't want to upset him. I don't want to ask mom because I don't want her to know what Dex did. I also don't want her judging me for going to get the siren song unsupervised. 'This is stupid. She's not really mine. If she
"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