War's Passion (Sons of War) (10 page)

He hung a right a little sharper than he intended when a powerful gust of wind slammed into his left wing, lifting it up almost causing him to roll in the air.
Gwen screamed and dug her nails into his neck. Markus gritted his teeth and pushed the sharp stabs of pain away. Leveling out, he headed back to the beach.

Markus slowed
and landed on the sand, then settled so Gwen could slide off. When she came around to stand in front of him, her face looked a little pale. Shifting, he didn’t bother with clothes. “Are you okay?”

With
a wide smile on her face, she nodded. “That was amazing. A little frightening, but amazing.”

He laughed and cupped her cheek.
Satisfaction, along with something softer he couldn’t name, filled him as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Lowering his head, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Come swimming with me.”

Opening
her eyes, she nodded. “Okay.”

Gwen started to remove her shirt as something flashed from the top of the cliff, drawing his attention. He placed a hand on her arm to stop her.
Drawing her brows together, she glanced at him then turned to follow his gaze up. “Who is it?”

Markus growled, low. “
Ashlynn.”

“Do you want to go see what she’s up to?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m sure Ty will follow her.”

“What makes you say that?”

Meeting Gwen’s blue gaze, he smiled “Because he’s attracted to her.”

Gwen smiled, then frowned. “He won’t hurt her, will he?”

“No. Ty may not trust females, but he’d never harm one unless he’s protecting himself or his family.”

As if unsure, she
turned back to peer up at the cliff’s edge. Markus glanced up as well, in time to see Ashlynn disappear from sight.

Just to be safe, Markus sent a mental nudge to his brother.
Ty, Ashlynn is taking a walk.

His brother replied instantly.
I’m on it.

Satisfied that the female
would be watched, Markus focused back on Gwen. “Still up for a swim?”

A slow smile lifted her sensual lips and she
proceeded to remove her clothes. When she was done, she gave him a sexy grin before running toward the water. Delight bubbled up in his chest then turned into a need to chase her. He darted after her, running and jumping over the small waves as they broke on the shore.

When he
caught up with her, he tackled her into the next, larger wave. When they surfaced, she laughed out loud and splashed water at him. “You’ll pay for that, dragon.”

He raised a brow. “Oh yeah? I look forward to it.”

Closing the distance, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. A moaned escaped her as she threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling slightly as she fisted a handful. He slid his hands down her back, over the curve of her ass and lifted her so she could wrapped her legs around him, her pussy pinning his cock to his stomach. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, making her move her hips against him, stroking his dick with each slow movement.

He
trailed his hand further down her ass and between her thighs and slid one finger inside her. Her muscles tightened around him and she gasped against his lips then started sucking his tongue. Pleasure built to the point he almost came. Breaking the kiss, he kissed his way down her cheek to her neck while fingering her slick pussy.

Gwen tightened her grip in his hair and increased her rhythm against him
. Pleasure built in a powerful wave until it crashed over them, pulling them under as an orgasm ripped through both of them.

Wrapping his arms around her to hold her still, he walked them to the shore and laid her down on the hard, wet sand.
Bringing his hand to her face, he swiped a few strands of hair away and held her gaze. She was beautiful, her eyes half closed and her full lips slightly parted. Gods, he’d never have enough of her, he knew that now.

Now
that he’d tasted her, he couldn’t give her up.

Yet, in order to keep her it had to be true love. Hell, he didn’t know what that was. Didn’t know if the feeling growing inside him for this female was love or just affection or even an obsession.

Damn Aphrodite for implanting the little buzz in his ear about soul mates and true love not being a part of the curse.

Gwen frowned and cupped his cheek. “What’s wrong?”

He lowered his head so his lips pressed into her palm. “Just thinking how beautiful you are and all the things I want to do to you.” Lowering his head, he kissed her nose, then her lips. “And that I want to keep you for eternity.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ash stepped into the forest around the dragons
’ mansion still amused at seeing Gwen and Markus on the beach. She’d stepped to the edge of the cliff just as Gwen climbed atop of Markus’s dragon back and watched as he flew over the ocean with her. Enjoying the interaction and the huge smile on Gwen’s face, Ash hovered too long at the edge. Her presence—even from the large distance between them—drew Markus’s attention, surprising her.

The dragon most likely telepathically connected with one of his brothers—an ability she knew about
, thanks to her mother—which was fine by her. Let one of the dragons follow her around. It didn’t matter. She’d already told them she was a spy for the gods. What more did they want?

Continuing
along the narrow path, she scanned the area for threats. The hairs on her arms stood to attention as a cool shiver rocked through her whole body. Someone was out here and it wasn’t Markus or his brothers.

A moment later Garrick stepped onto the path in front of her, halting her in mid-step.
Fuck
. The murderous glare and pitch black eyes said he wasn’t pleased.

“Evening,
Ashlynn.”

His voice glided over her skin like an oily residue and she
held in a wince. “Garrick.”

One side of his mouth lifted in an unamused, freakishly half-grin. Another shiver passed over her spine.
When he took a step forward, Ash braced herself. If there was one thing she had learned from Garrick it was to never let her guard down.

Garrick
was a sadistic prick on his good days.

“What have you been up to, my love?”

Breathe, Ash. Don’t let your temper make things worse than they are.
He only used endearments when he was trying to be charming and get something from her—whether it was information or sex, it didn’t matter—or when there was someone else with them.

A breeze broke through the trees and with it came a scent that made her skin tingle
—dark, sweet, and spicy. A scent she’d know anywhere, especially now that she knew to whom it belonged.

Not bothering to look
around for Ty, she kept her gaze on Garrick. It really didn’t matter, anyway. Garrick most likely knew his brother was near. It would explain why he hadn’t attacked her, yet.

“Why are you here?”
She took a slow and deliberate step back.

Like the predator he was, he
tracked her movement, his dragon in his eyes. “I came for you. You don’t really think that I’d let what is mine go so easily, do you?”

Fury
reared its head, but Ash reined in her temper.
For now.
“I belong to no one.”

Garrick, moving too fast for her to track, grabbed her upper arm and yanked her to him.
The moment he did, a deep growl vibrated through the air around them and Garrick smiled. “I see someone has been a bad girl.”

A spike of hot fear burn
ed her belly and she was sure she would be sick.
Damn it, why couldn’t Ty just go back to the mansion and mind his own business?

She jerked, trying to break
Garrick’s hold on her. Laughing, he tightened his grip. His fingers dug into her muscles and she pressed her lips together to stop a cry from escaping. Pain pierced her arm and traveled down to her hand.

“Let me go,” she demanded.

Garrick ignored her and scanned the forest around them. She did the same as much as she could with her side pressed against Garrick’s. Ty was nowhere in sight, but she knew he was there, lurking. Somehow she could sense him, smell him, and feel him as if he was close enough to touch.

“I know you’re there, brother.”
When Ty didn’t show himself, Garrick added, “Ash, love, why don’t you tell my brother who you belong to?”

Lifting
her chin, she focused on a small empty space between two trees in front of her. It was where she sensed Ty the strongest. “I belong to no one. I’m a servant of the gods and only abide by their laws.”

The slap came hard and fast. Garrick backhanded
her, knocking her to the ground. Her chest tightened and lungs burned as she fought for air. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. Lifting her head, she glared up at Garrick through her hair. Just then, Ty flew from the shelter of the trees and tackled Garrick to the ground.

Ty got a good right hook on Garrick
before the coward dematerialized. Ash watched as Ty stood, then roared. When he turned to her, she gasped then quickly averted her gaze. His sunglasses had fallen off when he attacked Garrick. The right side of his face around the eye was scarred, and his right eye was that of his dragon.

Ash took short, slow breaths in order to push through the pain. When she hit the ground, she
’d landed on an exposed tree root.

Ty’s booted feet came into view a moment before he squatted in front of her and offered his hand.
When she lifted her head up, she stared into the dark lens of sunglasses. “What happened?”

“Garrick and his minions.”

The words were clipped, saying that was all she was getting from him. Yet, he still stood there with his hand out, palm up. Hesitantly, she placed hers in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. The sudden movement made her dizzy and a little nauseous. When she swayed, Ty gripped her elbow with his other hand to steady her. Out of reflex, she placed a hand on his chest. Heat seeped into her palm and traveled up her arm. Desire bloomed within her.

Scowling, she stepped away from him and pulled her arm from his loose grasp. “Why are you following me?”

“Because we don’t trust you.”

She rolled her eyes and
pushed past him. Ash had felt her mother’s presence for a brief moment when Ty attacked Garrick and knew Artemis had abandoned the meeting for tonight.

Ty followed close behind her and growled
. “What were you doing out here? Meeting Garrick and I spoiled things for you?”

Whirling around, she
came nose to nose with the annoying dragon. “If you must know, I came to summon my mother.”

A tic form in his temple. “Why?”

One. Two…
“I’m a spy, remember? I have frequent meetings with Artemis.” She turned and walked with quick strides back to the mansion.

****

Gwen stepped out of the shower, her body still tingling from making love to Markus on the beach. However, the bliss was pushed away by the annoying little voice known as a conscience, and the realization that she had feelings for him.

Grabbing the towel from the
rack to her right, she tried to push thoughts of Markus out of her mind. She couldn’t fall in love with him. He was an immortal shape-shifting god, and, as far as she knew, she was mortal. At least her dad was, or he’d be alive now.

Wouldn’t he?

After drying off, she grabbed Markus’s robe from the hook on the back of the bathroom door. His sensual, earthy scent reached out to her, tempting and alluring. Lifting the terry cloth to her nose, she inhaled. Flashes of their tangled bodies formed in her mind, and her skin heated all over again.

Damn
, she was done for. She’d never be able to look at him again without wanting him. Which was ridiculous.

She wasn’t a hormonal teen. She was an adult who happened to have the best sex of her life. That was all.
It was just sex with the purpose of recharging her energy. And it worked.

Gwen had never felt better, more alive and recharged.

However, she couldn’t have sex with Markus again. It was too much of a risk to her heart and her sanity.

Replacing the robe on the hook, she exited the bathroom and entered the walk-in closet where she dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink turtleneck sweater. She didn’t bother with her hair, deciding to let it dry naturally. Besides she didn’t have plans to do anything the rest of the evening but read through her father’s journals.

She damn sure wasn’t going to seek out Markus.

With a sigh
, she picked up the tablet from the dresser and settled into the oversized armchair next to the French doors that opened onto a terrace. She considered grabbing a blanket and sitting outside, but clouds had darkened the sky by the time she and Markus returned to the house, indicating there was a storm heading their way.

On that thought, she got up and opened the twin glass doors and smiled as the sounds of the ocean waves and the smell of the cool, salty air drifted into the room.

Sitting back down in the chair, she powered on the tablet and opened the file to her father’s journal entries.

October 15, 1977

Today Garrick surprised me by telling me he could unlock my godly powers. I laughed at first, thinking he was joking, but he wasn’t. Intrigued, I asked him to explain.

He told me he discovered a serum that
, when injected into the bloodstream, could unlock powers. He said he’d done it on himself and a few others and ensured it was safe. When I hesitated, he called another man into the room and proceeded to inject him with the serum.

When the other man didn’t drop dead and confirmed his powers were indeed unlocked, I wanted to try it. I mean, I am a demi-
god and deserve to enjoy the benefits of the godly magic I was born with. Besides, if my theory is correct, I’ll be able to find others like me once in full control of my powers.

The rush of energy
like I’ve never felt before was incredible. My mind is fully open to every sound, every sight, and a vision of the future flashed in my mind’s eye. Alexia and I will be blessed with a daughter soon.

I can’t wait to meet her and share my discoveries with her.

A knock on the door brought Gwen’s head up. Frowning, she rose and went to the door and then smiled wide. “Elle.”

She drew her sister into a hug. Pulling back, Gwen studied the other woman.
Her pale green eyes sparkled with satisfaction and it made Gwen curious to what her sister and BFF had been up to. “What is it?”

Elle motioned to
ward the room. Gwen stepped aside to allow her to come in and shut the door behind them. “Now, spill. You are too wired for some reason.”

“
It’s not what you think.” Elle laughed. “I’ve been painting. I had the most bizarre dream two nights ago. It’s inspired a whirlwind of paintings and drawings.”

“That’s great. But why are we speaking softly behind a closed door?”

Dropping her shoulders, Elle stepped closer and whispered. “I’m not sure what they mean. It’s hard to explain. I’ve never had this type of drive to paint before. When I finished the first five, I saw it. A pattern and similarities in each one.”

A sinking, almost sick feeling churned in Gwen’s belly. Elle’s excitement suddenly turned to alarm, which set off Gwen’s warning bells. She took her sister’s hand and tugged her to the bed and sat. “Just tell me, Elle. I’m
past the panic attacks. I think being here with the dragons and seeing how they are not evil helped.”

Elle nodded. “Yes, I can see that. The Sons of War have good souls. Well
, as good as they can as dragons.” She gave a nervous laugh before continuing. “The painting are all dark and, at a glance, look like something that should belong to a fantasy art show. But when I looked closer, I can see the truth in them.”

Gwen shook her head, trying to unders
tand. “You’re not making much sense. Please, Elle, explain.”

Elle sighed. “It may be better if you saw them for yourself.”

“Okay, let’s go.” Gwen stood and waited for Elle, who was a little slower and seemed a little reluctant to go down to her studio in the basement.

Folding her arms, Gwen meet Elle’s gaze. “You’re scaring me. First you were excited, now you’re hesitant. What is going on?”

Elle looked down at her hands. “The paintings seem to tell a story. It’s like each one is a different event, but I can’t tell if they are past events or future ones.”

“How many did you paint?”

Elle met her gaze. “About a dozen or so, a few unfinished, and some sketches.”

“
Okay, do you think it’d be helpful if Markus saw them too?”

Elle shrugged. “Maybe.”

Gwen sighed. “Come on, then, let’s go find the head dragon and go look at your paintings.”

Inward
ly, Gwen groaned because she was really hoping that she could avoid Markus for at least a day or two before she was forced to face him.