Tangled Sin (A Dark Realm Novel) (33 page)

A smaller lounge painted in warm caramel tones. Two matching armchairs flanked a dark burgundy chaise lounge. A low, wooden coffee table piled with several books stood in the center of the room, facing a marble wall sculpture of several female figures set above the fireplace.

But the person seated in the armchair was whom he targeted.

Not by a twitch did Jemima acknowledge his presence as she dropped her gaze from the sculpture she’d been staring at.

Too bad for her, he wasn’t leaving until he got what he’d come for.

Riley leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Why?”

Her lips pinched in displeasure, Jemima closed the book on her lap and rose. “Spying?”

“Hardly. You had to know I wouldn’t let this go. Why?”

Her expression smoothed back into one of disdain. “Why no longer matters. You have her. But hurt her in any way—”

“Got it. Answer the question.”

His gaze drifted back to the sculpture behind Jemima. The Apsaras. Female Indian deities likened to the Greek muses. He knew some mortals prayed to idols, but Jemima? She didn't seem the type to pray for anything. He studied the perfectly carved marble figures of the Apsaras. But the one seated in the background drew his attention.

A young female with soft, elegant features, she stared into the distance at something only she could see. Something in the angle of her head, her expression tugged at him, like he’d seen that before...

No fucking way. He brushed the idiotic thought aside. Lack of sleep and the trauma of nearly losing his mate had turned his mind to mush.

He pinned Jemima with a cool stare. Waited.

Her hand tightened around her book, looking about as happy as a wasp trapped in a Venus flytrap. “At Saia’s birth, I
saw
death’s shadow surround her during her twenty-first year. I saw you!”

What the fuc
—the truth punched him straight in the face. “That was no fortuneteller’s warning bullshit you spewed at Edward. It was yours.
You
,” he said in disbelief. “You always knew what I was. So to avoid that fate, you meddled in Saia’s life. It was the reason for the twenty-nine suitors. Safer to marry her off to some human, even one who’d hurt her than have her destiny take shape and be with me.”

“Your species wasn’t the issue—
you
were,” she spat. “My daughter deserves better.
You
will only bring her pain!”

Furious, Riley stalked to the sculpture and glared at the thing as understanding dawned. He pivoted. “That’s why you gave Liz such a hard time—Jai may have been a part of it, but with Liz living next to me, it was only a matter of time before my path crossed Saia’s. Bloody hell.” His laugh held no humor. “
Me
. I'm responsible for the fucked-up life Saia and Liz had.”

Jemima’s expression became stone. “Liz is accountable for her own shortcomings. I couldn’t stop Jai’s death, but I would do anything to prevent the same happening to Saia. I tried to keep her safe, look at how well that turned out. She nearly died because of you!”

“I would never allow that to happen.” Riley knew then, it wasn't Saia’s death Jemima had seen, but their child’s. His heart ached at the loss. By the nine hells, he had to get away from her. “I’m sure you must sleep like a babe at night.”

“I would appreciate your silence in this regard.”

Riley didn't respond. He glanced back at the young woman in the sculpture. His jaw hardened. It all made sense now why he couldn’t read her—why number twenty-nine near pissed his pants at whatever she’d said.

Slowly, he turned and met her wary gaze. “I don’t give a damn what secrets you hide or why. But never meddle in my mate’s life again, Apsara.”

Her features paled at the name. With rigid control, she set the book on the table and straightened. “My silence gives me a chance at a human life. A word to anyone and it all ends. My family—Edward cannot know.”

Riley threw her a cold look and stalked for the door. She wanted to keep her secret—her problem. Secrets always had a way of coming out and biting you in the ass.

Riley’s eyelids snapped open at the feel of fingers in his hair. He lifted his head from his arms resting on the bed and met smiling brown eyes. Worry morphed into relief. A mischievous dimple winked to life. It felt like sunlight warming him after a long, long storm.

“Why are you sleeping in a chair when there’s a perfectly good bed here?” Saia asked him, patting the space beside her.

He grasped her warm hand, his heart swelling at the intense emotions crowding him. “It’s late noon, and I can hardly be seen lying in bed with you…you gave me quite a scare, Saia.”

“I’m sorry. I seem to be doing that quite a lot, don’t I?” She glanced around the room and back at him. “What happened?”

He shook his head and took a moment to calm himself before he spoke. “How do you feel?”

Her brow puckered as she examined herself. “Hmm…fine, but tired.”

After what she’d been through, she would.

“I'm thirsty.” She pushed up. He helped her sit and stacked extra pillows behind her. Then he handed her the OJ from the bedside table and sat on the mattress facing her. “Do you remember anything?”

Her frown returned as she sipped some of the juice then licked her lips. “Some. I was with you in the bayou. Zayn had escaped… I was leaving, then that blood-demon grabbed me… You killed Ayperos, an explosion…
Oh, Christ!
” Instantly, she handed him the glass, pulled up the tee he’d put her to sleep in, and stared at the dollar-size scar on her lower belly.

Her mouth dropped open. Her expression hovered between shock and horror. “It’s true. A spear did stab me.”

His lips tightened. He nodded and set the glass down on the bedside table. “I healed you, but the scar had already set.”

She pulled her tee down, covering the reminder of his failure.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “The explosion happened when I killed Ayperos. The tricky bastard doused himself in a spell. It was set to destroy everything nearby when his death occurred. His damn spear got caught in the flying debris and impaled you in the stomach…” he broke off, didn't know what to say about the baby. What they’d lost. However fleeting it was, it cut too deep. Saia would hate him. He’d failed to protect her and their child.

“It was an accident.” She reached out and stroked his hand. “And you look like you want to break something?”

Break something? Yeah, he’d prefer putting his fist through a wall to telling her the ugly truth. Thrusting to his feet, he paced to the end of the bed and looked across to her.

“You were pregnant, Saia.”

***

Saia stared at him. Surely, she’d heard wrong? “What are you talking about? I'm not pregnant.”

“You were a few weeks along.” Riley’s pained green eyes held hers. “The trauma your body suffered caused you to miscarry.”

At his naked anguish, her heart rate sped up and crashed against her ribs. Her lips trembled at the truth. All those bouts of nausea and dizziness were because she was
pregnant
? Not stressed?

No!
She shook her head. Pressed a hand to her belly. A baby? Her vision misted.

Riley was back at her side. The mattress dipped as he sat. He reached for her hand. She shook her head, raised her knees and wrapped her arms around them.

“I'm sorry, Saia.”

She blinked back the tears welling in her eyes and met his pain-darkened gaze. “I thought—I thought I was too worked up with all that happened. I didn't know—hadn't realized...”

Unable to look at him, devastated, she dropped her gaze to the duvet cover. Oh, dear God!

“Saia?”

She didn't answer. Couldn’t. This was all her fault. She—
she’d
lost their baby because she’d rushed right into the path of danger.

A long moment of silence passed. The embroidery on her duvet grew hazy as tears dripped down her face. She brushed at the wetness.

His hand resting on his thigh clenched. “Do you want me to stay?”

She wanted him to hold her. But at his tight voice, she shook her head. Couldn’t bear to see the blame in his eyes instead of love.

He rose. Hesitated. Sliding his fists into his jeans pockets, he walked out of the room.

A huge, heaving sob rolled from her chest and tore out of her throat. She doubled over, clutching at her belly.

***

Night had fallen when Saia awoke. Silvery moonlight flooded the room. She lay in bed and stared at the window. Her eyes felt swollen, her chest hurt. The sensation that something was terribly wrong stayed with her. Unshakeable.

Pregnant.

Oh, God, she’d been pregnant. She inhaled a choppy breath and rubbed the ache in her sternum. Her heart shuddered at the thought of the baby—hers and Riley’s—a beautiful little boy with green eyes. The weeping storm had passed, but still tears sprung to her eyes as gut-wrenching sadness filled her.

Riley. She needed him. Had to see if he was okay—tell him she was sorry.

She shoved the covers off and scrambled out of bed. Her legs refused to support her, so she sat down again until the wooziness eased. She grabbed some tissues off her bedside table and dried her face and runny nose. Her gaze lit on the folded note propped against the antique clock.

She opened it and read the masculine scrawl:
At Satire. R.

He wasn’t here. Her fingers crushed the note. Loss and pain creeping back inside her.

Well, she’d to go to the bar, then. Speak to him. Hope he’d forgive her.

She went in search of Ikaria and found her friend in her room sprawled across the bed, watching a vampire show on TV. At Saia’s entrance, she sat up, eyes wide with concern. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I have to go to the bar.”

“Saia, no.” Ikaria slid off the bed and hurried across the room. “You’ve been through a horrific ordeal. You should be resting.” She tried to turn her back toward her bedroom.

“No.” Saia stopped her. “I’ll rest later. After I’ve seen Riley. I don’t want to drive just yet. Will you flash me?”

Ikaria groaned, her expression resigned. “I really don’t want to, but I know you. All right… I really feel for Réomer.”

Saia snorted. “You sound like my brothers. Give me a few minutes to change.”

A half hour later, they took form in a dark, recessed doorway close to the bar. A little woozy at their method of arrival, Saia hooked her arm through Ikaria’s as they slowly made their way to Satire.

Zac was at the entrance. Surprise flashed in his gray eyes when he saw her. “Saia? Riley didn't say you were coming.”

“Change of plans, last minute,” she murmured, looking past him into the busy place. “Don’t tell him I'm here. It’s a surprise.”

He laughed and shook his head. “Thank God. Maybe now whatever’s driving the hardass up our grill will finally ease.”

Guilt surged as her gaze rushed back to Zac. “Where is he?”

“Try the office, first one on the right. Tell Hanson you're Riley’s mate—no, make that wife.”

Mate?
Saia looked closely at Zac. Demon?

Zac smirked. “Half and half.”

Right. She smiled and walked into the warm, wooden interior of Satire.

Light jazzy music filled the bar. The place was jam-packed as usual. People swarmed the counter and tables.

Saia pushed through the crowd and made her way to her right and the short passage with two doors.

“I’ll wait at the bar,” Ikaria said.

Saia nodded and turned for the office passage guarded by a surly, blond bouncer. The man cut her a dispassionate stare. “You're not allowed here.”

She pushed back her hair, a little impatient. “Oh, trust me, he’ll want to see me.”

“Doubtful, he specifically asked that none of the females be allowed through.”

At the reminder of the women who’d had that privilege in the past, Saia snapped, “I'm not ‘none of the females’ I’m his ma—wife.”

The bouncer lifted a brow, snorted. “Sure, you and every other woman here.” His blue gaze slid over her, dismissal turned to interest. A smile curled his lips. “If you hang around, I get off in a few hours. I’ll show you a real—”

“Hanson, let my mate through.” The curt order cut through the noise like a blade. The bouncer froze.

Saia’s gaze skipped past the bouncer, and she drank Riley in. He hadn’t razored off his inch-long hair as yet. She could see the bronze color once more. Dressed in leathers and a faded black tee with a skull on the front and
Bad Mother
emblazoned above it, he looked hot and sexy. But more, she saw the man who made her whole—who owned her heart.

Hanson grimaced. Ran a hand over his blond crew cut. “Sorry, boss. Ma’am.” He stepped aside and let her pass.

“What?” She glanced distractedly at the bouncer. “No-no, that’s my mother. I'm Saia.” She looked at Riley again. “His mate, wife, partner.”

Riley’s gaze softened a fraction. Saia closed the short distance between them. “You left.”

“I needed to keep busy…” His expression tightened. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. But you shouldn’t be out of bed. You need to rest.”

“Maybe.” Saia struggled to voice the words she wanted to say. “But I needed you more…I need you to hold me so I don’t feel so alone.”

“Ah, hell, Saia.” She saw the anguish in his eyes before he yanked her into his arms and pressed his face into her hair. She realized he needed her, too. His warmth seeped through her, steadying her, and she knew he’d always be there for her.

“I’m so sorry, I didn't mean to shut you out earlier. You went through so much, the transference, me being injured from something that could have ended horribly if you hadn't been there, then you had to find out we lost our baby.”

“No, Saia—”

“Shh.” She placed a finger on his lips. Tears blurred her vision at the pain she heard in his voice. He would never blame her for what happened. He felt the loss of their baby just as deeply as she did. She tightened her hold on him. “We’ll get through this.”

“It’s my duty to keep you safe. I failed. Again. First in Stygia and now.”

She eased back from him. The inflexible set of his jaw and his tight mouth betrayed the guilt he held on to. He needed to let it go. “What happened with Ayperos was something we didn't expect—”

“
I
should have known,” he snarled. “I’ve been a pawn in his fucking games once too often.”

She fisted his shirt and shook him, not that it worked. The man stood there, unmovable as this bar. “You were a child then. Not many will get past you now. But isn’t that why you insisted I learn to fight properly, so I could protect myself?” Before he could speak, she rushed on. “Riley, I don’t need you to guard me twenty-four-seven. It’s impossible.”

“I know.” He breathed heavily and stroked her cheek, but his tense expression didn't ease. “Saia, even though you’ll live a long life now, you can die as mortals do. We have to be careful. I couldn’t bear another accident like the last.”

She reached up, slid her arms around his neck, and pulled him down to her. But he remained stiff as a pole, too wrapped in his fear.

Gah! Damn stubborn man. She cocked her brow, taunted, “You're suddenly shy now?”

He stiffened, then that amused glint she loved so much brightened his green eyes. “Oh, you shouldn’t have said that, mate—you shouldn’t have.”

She waited, breathless with anticipation. He yanked her to him and dipped her over his arm.

At the unexpected action, Saia clutched his shirt, startled laughter escaping. Despite her sadness, he made her smile.

And there, in front of all the patrons of Satire, probably all of The Quarter, he lowered his head and kissed her. Long, slow, and deep.

I love you, Saia,
the tender words drifted in her mind.

She couldn’t resist.
Ditto.

His laughter filled her heart. It would take time to move past their loss, but he’d be there for her. As she would for him. Always.

THE END…

Thank you for reading
Tangled Sin.

If you enjoyed this book, please consider recommending it to your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. ♥
Georgia Lyn Hunter