“Oh my.” She moved her hands from his hair to the bed and grabbed fistfuls of sheet as another orgasm ripped into her, sucking the breath from her lungs.
He rose, leaving her cold, but when she realized what he was doing, her body flushed. His shirt landed in the corner, and a view of his ripped abs had her licking her lips. He loosened his belt then unbuttoned his jeans. She swallowed, remembering what lay beneath them. She watched his hands disappear beneath the waistband of his pants and slide them down his thighs. His erection sprung free.
She gasped.
His jeans flew across the room.
He leaned into the bed and sucked her nipple between his teeth. She groaned and arched into him. His knees planted between her thighs, pushing them apart while he grabbed her wrists and slid them above her head. He looked up from her breast, raw desire on his face.
“I can’t do gentle. I’ve waited too fucking long to have you.” His voice was low and feral.
She nearly came again.
“Who said I wanted gentle? Claim me, Caleb, take me like the animal you are.”
* * * *
He pressed the tip of his cock to her entrance and hovered, watching her eyes darken with need. He had given her his love, and now he would give her his soul. However, if Argathos had been wrong and he did die, at least he would know love. He experienced a need so deep it nearly shattered him, but he wouldn’t trade it. Not for anything.
Lileta raised her hips off the bed, and he plunged forward. She enveloped him in her warmth and squeezed.
They were a perfect fit.
He pulled out completely then thrust deep. “Dear gods, woman. If I died today, I could want for nothing more.” He had all that he needed right there beneath him, more than he deserved. Only one thing plagued his mind. Dare he complete the mating? If he claimed her completely and bound them together—no, he had to trust the gods.
“Don’t speak of death, you promised me—”
His mouth staked its claim on hers. Gentle went out the window as he pushed his cock in and out. His pace quickened until he thought he might hurt her, but she was a demon. Her body responded, and she bit his bottom lip until a coppery tang danced across his tongue.
His desire heightened more, and his dragon hissed. She knew which button to push. He pulled free of her bite. “Who do you belong to?”
“You.”
“Mine.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
It was all he needed. He pulled free of her warmth and flipped her on her stomach, raising her beautiful round buttocks in the air. He slipped in between her wet folds and dove deep.
She shuddered.
He leaned over her back. “You will wear my mark,” he whispered in her ear. His fangs grew, and he sank them deep into her left shoulder. Her blood trailed down his throat. He kept her pinned as the orgasm racked her body and she screamed. When calm came over her, he release his grip, grabbed her hips and thrust in and out. Her wetness coated him and ran down his thigh. Ancient words escaped his lips.
“I promise to protect you, provide for you, and love you until my last breath. I beg the gods to bind our souls, making us one.”
His cock thickened as burning semen made its way to the tip. He dug his nails into her flesh as he erupted. Pain fired through his chest as part of his soul was ripped out. In that moment, the gods connected them, searing their souls together for eternity.
Sweat dripped from his face to land on her back. “Lileta? Are you all right?” He barely recalled her screams as another orgasm ripped through her. He gazed at the mark left on her shoulder, one that would be visible to only his kind and keep other males away. He bent over and planted a kiss on the bite. Guilt racked him for any pain he caused her.
She moaned. “I’ve never been better.”
Contentment, love and worry flooded his mind, taking him by surprise. His mate’s emotions slammed him. He untangled them and pulled her into his arms. They snuggled into the mattress.
“Lileta, you have to stop worrying about me.”
Her golden eyes blinked. “Damn bond.” She laid her palm on his cheek. “I can stop worrying about your life no more than I can stop breathing.”
He nuzzled her fingers. “I hate to feel your worry.” With the bond came the ability to feel each other’s emotions. He wondered if their telepathic link was hooked up yet.
She smiled.
You cannot protect me from my father.
Like hell I can’t.
His question answered. This soft, beautiful woman in his arms belonged to him and he to her. His determination to save the goddess Qadira ratcheted up several notches. He owed the gods big time, for they had given him the most precious gift ever bestowed on him.
Chapter Seventeen
Odage took two steps then stopped and looked at his watch. He’d arrived early in the hopes Oroumea would already be waiting for him. No such luck. She’d told him to meet her in the graveyard where they first met in New Orleans; apparently, she’d found a way to get him into Hell.
“Where the fuck is she?” he growled.
“Patience, dragon.” Her voice filled the darkness in front of him before her shape appeared. It wasn’t lost on him the fact her voice carried disdain. Apparently, she was past giving a shit about his welfare now that she was so close to procuring his wealth.
“You remember our bargain?”
Her ghostly form solidified to reveal a crimson gown that cut halfway to her navel. Raven hair piled high on her head glistened in the full moon like an intricate spider web. “Of course.” She gave a smile that would bring any man to his knees.
“I see you’re dressed to kill.” It was apparent she would be trolling for her next victim once she was rid of him. He supposed it was what he deserved; he’d only used her anyway.
She flicked her tongue out across ruby lips. “I’m confident you’ll not be returning.”
He curled his lip. “Vile woman. Perhaps you should consider pursuing Lowan as your next mate. You two would be a match made in heaven.” He wondered who would win that battle.
A delicate brow arched. “What a wonderful idea.” She held out her hand. “Shall we?”
He grasped her cold ivory fingers. “How do you intend—”
Before he could finish the words, they were sucked into a vortex. Blackness swirled and squeezed him before spitting him out onto a hard surface where he landed on his ass. He reached back to pull the rock out from under him when the ghoul’s voice echoed out.
“Take care, Odage. Lowan is expecting you.” Laughter rained down. That fucking bitch had double-crossed him.
Odage stood, brushing the black dust from his backside and looked around. Lava bubbled only feet away and screams filled the air, definitely Hell. Now he needed to come up with a plan to locate his daughter and get her out of there. Normally, finding his own flesh and blood would prove easy, but Lowan had the child encased in a spell that blocked her scent.
“No matter,” he mumbled under his breath as he shifted, glad to be an ancient. Many younger Draki were unable to call forth their dragon in Hell. It was an asset that would come in handy, for he was certain his dragon could persuade some lowly demon to assist him.
* * * *
Lileta stretched her sore limbs. Caleb and she had spent the last several hours having sex.
I can’t believe we’re actually mated.
So far, he appeared healthy. She hoped he stayed that way. A smile crossed her lips as she lay in the comfort of the bed and watched him pull on his jeans. Every muscle flexed with power, and he was a remarkable sight, her dragon.
“If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll be forced to come back to bed and take care of that desire smoldering within you,” Caleb said, buttoning his jeans.
She sat up, letting the sheet fall. “I am still in awe of this…of us.”
He moved in and sat next to her, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I told you not to worry about me.”
Her head moved back and forth. “I’m happy you’re well, I just wish to know how. Did something change in the years I was gone that allowed our species to be together?”
He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “No. After you left me last, I spoke to Argathos. He told me we were meant to be, I only had to give you your heart’s desire and I would live to enjoy you for eternity.” His eyes flashed from brown to green.
She pulled her hand back. “How did you know…?”
“I didn’t.”
“Then what you said, you really meant?”
“Why do you doubt me? Tell me what troubles you, Angel.” He raised a brow. “You forget I can feel you, and the vibes you’re sending out are making me nervous.”
She bit her lip then looked down at the sheet, pretending to pick off invisible fuzz. “I’m sorry, Caleb, I’m damaged. You should never have mated me. Do you think the bond can be broken?”
He grabbed her chin and pulled her to look at him. “Damn it, stop. It’s time to share your demons with me. Don’t leave me out here in the darkness alone. Let me help you.”
She swallowed, could feel the tears swelling in her eyes. If he left her now, she would be devastated. “When I was taken, I was a slave, used to satisfy a man’s needs.”
He brushed her cheek. “I know; it wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m damaged.” The tears broke past her barrier.
He kissed her lips then her cheek. “No, stop. You are anything but damaged. You are a strong, independent woman who is braver than many men I know.” He pulled back to look at her, and she saw love in his eyes, so real she could almost touch it. It stole her breath. “You are a demon. One of the most powerful beings in existence, and your mate is a dragon. Nothing can come between us. Ever.”
It was in that brief moment she finally realized the gift she’d been given. Her past might never be forgotten, but it was just that, her past. Today began her future, and she was blanketed in love from a man who was bigger than life itself. What a lucky woman she was.
She smiled. “I do not deserve you.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I think you have that backward. Now, let’s go kick some ass.”
* * * *
Caleb sat across from her. He had insisted he be present when she tried to locate Lowan. He’d not been pleased with the setup but agreed because it made her happy. A smile crossed his lips.
“What are you smiling about?” she asked.
“You. I was just thinking about running my tongue across that silky skin of yours.”
Her cheeks grew hot. “Now is not the time to be thinking of such things.” She split her thick hair into three sections and began to braid it. He shifted with a grunt. “What is the matter with you?”
“It’s unnatural for a man to sit cross-legged,” Caleb moaned.
She rolled her eyes. “Who knew a large beast as yourself could be such a whiner.”
“Remember that spanking I threatened weeks ago? I have no problem laying you over my knee, bare ass and all.” He crossed his arms over his chest, as if it would give credence to his threat.
This time, her entire body heated, remembering what he had done to her earlier. She was a lucky woman. Caleb’s love encompassed her, made her whole, but she couldn’t stop the feeling of dread sitting in her stomach. Weighing thick and heavy like concrete. Something terrible was going to happen.
“Are you all right?”
She met his brown eyes and tried to put a smile on her lips. “I’m fine.”
His gaze pinned her, green flecks appeared in their chocolate depths. “You lie.”
Before she could reply, Hades stepped into the room. “Are you ready?”
Not really, but what choice did she have? “Yes.”
“Good. It took you two long enough to mate,” Hades said, running his hands through the air. A ring of fire formed on one side and then circled around until both she and Caleb were in the middle of the flames.
Lileta and Caleb both looked at the god. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“Your mate is the only one other than another shadow walker who can help your soul leave your body,” Hades replied.
“And just when the fuck were you planning on telling us this?” Caleb growled.
Hades shrugged. “Nature had to take its own course. Caleb, you will stay connected to your mate. If Lileta fails to pull back from her link to her father then you will need to bring her back.”
Caleb reached for her hand. “I will let nothing harm you,” he said while bringing his lips to her knuckles. “Ever.”
“Then begin when you are ready, you know what to do,” Hades said.
She nodded. She dropped her hands on her thighs, closed her eyes and searched inside herself for the stain that would be her father. Once Lileta found the thread in her mind, she grabbed hold and followed. Moving deeper into the inky darkness and despair. Violent images assaulted her and caused her to wince. She sensed Caleb on the edge, ready to yank her back.
She pressed forward.
Suddenly, she found herself staring at a mural. She tilted her head and moved closer to study it. Demons of various species were depicted having sex. Some were in beds while others bent their partner over velvet couches. It struck her there was a common theme. The demons were all male, and the females were human. Her fingers reached out to touch the painting then pulled back. She gazed at her fingertips as if they were alien and wondered how she’d been able to feel the painting.
Something tugged at her, causing her head to snap up. A doorway loomed in the distance, beckoning her, pulling her toward it. Her demon sense said the goddess was behind it.
She glided down a corridor, everything around her blurred except for the door at the end of the path. Emotions bombarded her. Did they belong to her father? She didn’t think so, finding it difficult to believe Lowan held any despair. No, this was loneliness like she’d never experienced. So overwhelming it caused her stomach to lurch.
She reached for the doorknob and noticed her hand shaking. Weird, how could that be when she wasn’t really in her body? Clasping the cold metal, she turned and pushed. More darkness. She stepped through the doorway and was slapped with so much hopelessness actual tears stained her cheeks. She was now positive the goddess wasn’t in here. Qadira was much too strong for the emotions that stung her.