The word tolerate made her want to punch him. They may have mated a century ago, but she’d grown with the times. She lifted her chin. “Trust goes both ways, Connlan.” The heat from his palms speared to her abdomen, peaking her nipples on the way.
“You’re right.” He lowered his face to an inch of hers. “Not once have I tricked or lied to you, Dailtín. So understand this. As my mate, you don’t want to live in a world where I don’t trust you.”
The unsteady energy within her pores ignited with her temper. “Is that a threat?”
His gaze narrowed. “I don’t threaten. Ever.” Black fire danced on his skin, melding blue and green.
What kind of power did the combining energies give him? Her body vibrated with the need to move. To burn off some energy. She struggled to concentrate, to clear her mind. “I’m so tired of everyone telling me what to do.”
His irritated snort filled the entryway. “Stop whining and take a chance, Moira.”
She saw red. “Whining? What the hell? I do take chances, Conn. I take a chance every time I go out and enforce our laws. The chance of losing my powers, the chance of losing the opportunity to someday lead the council.” He had no clue what he was talking about.
“No.” The mocking glint in his eye was going to get him singed beyond recognition. “You’re the Seventh, darlin’, and you have no problem using those abilities. Taking them, doing what you’re meant to do. Enforce.” He moved closer with the grace of any animal at home in his own skin. “The only unexpected, the only true chance you need to take, is ... me.”
As truth went, the statement rang true.
“You’ve been in love with who you thought I’d be for a century.” Her chin lifted. She wasn’t just the Seventh. Or the Seventh they’d all envisioned. What if he couldn’t stand who she truly ended up to be?
“No. I’ve been in love with you.”
At his words, something eased inside her. A harsh fear she hadn’t realized she harbored. The man didn’t lie. For good or bad, for now and the future, he wanted the real her. Whoever she turned out to be.
Time for her to go for what she truly wanted. “I choose you, Connlan.” He’d always offered her everything he had, everything he was—the light and the dark. “We’re going to fight.” The idea of a peaceful existence made her want to sigh—the possibility of it made her want to laugh. “You had better like working with explosives.”
His slow smile filled her with warmth. “The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fires, Moira. A fact I’ve always understood.”
God, loved him. Leaping forward, she caught her knees on his hips, her lips on his. He bore the brunt of her attack easily, both hands cupping her ass. Energy crackled with audible pops between them, around them. She dug her fingers into his thick hair, delving deep, her tongue sweeping inside his mouth, her core against his.
Flame roared through her too hot to be considered passion, too desperate to be considered need. Hunger. Raw and absolute, it opened its jaws and consumed. Good and bad, darkness and light, fate and free will ... all ceased to exist. The world narrowed to her mouth on his, her body absorbing his heat.
A rumble hung in the distance ... a shifting of the earth. Of the universe. She heard the warning, she felt the change ... but passion enslaved her. “More. God. More,” she mumbled, reaching down to rip his shirt over his head.
A low moan escaped her as she pressed a kiss on his pounding jugular, tracing his heated skin down to his collarbone to nip. Prickles of pain swept her scalp as he knotted a hand in her hair and jerked her face back to his. Any restraint he may have owned disappeared, leaving strength and demand in its place. Gone was the gentleness he always seemed to aim for, deserting him along with his control.
Her shirt hit the floor along with her bra. His free hand was everywhere, jerking her clothing away, claiming her flesh with a heated palm. The dark flush across his face should’ve provided warning. Need mixed with determination, and absolute power bracketed hard lines on either side of his mouth, making him look more like a vengeful god than an earthly soldier. She’d given him her choice, and he’d accepted. He was beyond this world. His expression showed he wanted her ... and nothing would keep him from having her.
She shivered at the knowledge.
Cool air brushed her shoulder blades. Moving. They were moving. He kissed her again, growling against her, taking control, taking over. She forgot all about movement or fear. Her back hit the softness of her bed. She had a second to breathe as he shed his clothing.
He leaped forward, caging her, the meddling energies dancing on his skin. Her nerve endings fired, fighting the burn, then accepting the heat. His mouth sought her nipple, scalding hot. He flicked. She cried out, the pleasure beyond imagination.
Running her hands down his smooth back, she marveled at the strength. His palms glided down her sides, tracing each rib. His mouth wandered up her chest, over her collarbone to nip at the underside of her jaw—gentle and passionate.
His mouth found hers. Firm, possessive, his tongue explored while his body pinned hers to the bed.
Desire, love, fate all combined into a pure need. “Now, Conn.”
With one hard thrust, he plunged inside her. The growl he gave was all animal, all claiming.
She arched her back at the invasion, shock opening her eyes wide. Nerves flared to life in need, and she clutched his ass, wrapping her legs around his hips. His eyes were still black, and she tried to focus, tried to be concerned. But then he started to move, to pound, to take her somewhere nowhere near her bedroom.
The world sheeted white.
All sound disappeared.
She clung onto his shoulders, her nails digging, fighting to stay tethered to earth. Reality spun away. The elements commingled around them in pure energy. Light zapped around the room, whistling through the air.
His mouth dropped to trace her ear, his fang nipping her lobe.
Pleasure cut hard and deep, stamping her for all time. The race to the pinnacle was more important than breathing, than living. A craving set up in every pore as he lifted her hips from the bed, hammering into her with a force born of true need. Life or death. The beginning and the end.
She struggled against the crest, against the unknown for one second, teetering on the brink of the unfathomable, instinct screaming there was no way back.
With a sob from beyond her soul, she broke.
The world exploded. Her insides blew apart with a pleasure so intense her mind shattered, the only possibility of survival existing in Conn’s strong hands holding her against his body. She clung, riding the waves, allowing the energy between them to seep into her flesh, into her existence. She convulsed around him, forcing a growl from his mouth as he came, his entire body rigid.
Seconds, minutes, maybe lifetimes later, he relaxed his hold, resting against her.
She gave a weak push. “Ug. Heavy.”
“Sorry,” he murmured, flopping to his side, deep breaths panting from his smooth chest.
She snorted a soft laugh. The sweat on her skin and on his dried with the air. At least she wasn’t the only one whose world just blew up. She glanced around. Her entire room was demolished. The curtains hung drunkenly from a destroyed curtain rod, her jewelry looked like a spoiled child had flung the collection to the floor and the smooth walls held dents. “Holy crap.”
Conn chuckled, rolling to face her. His amazing eyes had returned to their deep green color. Relief nearly swamped her. Then he spoke. “Ah. Let me check something.” He pushed her gently to her side, his hand caressing her left buttock.
A flare of pain made her catch her breath. “Ow. Knock it off.” She rolled back over.
He twisted his lip, puzzlement drawing his brows down. “I, ah, I marked you, darlin’.”
“I know.” Even now, the marking on the front of her hip pulsed with need. But ... “Wait. Why does my ass burn?” Oh no he didn’t. Twisting her neck, she looked over her shoulder. “Another marking? How?”
“Ah,
I don’t know. It’s never happened before.” He smiled, pleasure softening his hard face. “Perhaps because we’ve been apart for so long ... more likely from the weird energy we took from a member of the Nine. Probably won’t happen again.”
Pleasure swamped her anew. “It means a new start. One we choose.” Just in case, she’d make sure his hands stayed away from her face during sex for the next century.
He yanked the covers over them, drawing her into his body. “So. How are you feeling?”
She took inventory and snuggled her butt into his groin. “Better. That was a heck of a way to burn off energy.” Her fingers plucked at the comforter as she sought the right words. “With the demons being angry we didn’t align with them, Daire will need to cover the Baltic States for a while.”
“That makes sense. We’re sending Jase ... maybe we should send them together.” Conn ran a broad hand down her arm to tangle his fingers with hers, his heated chest warming her spine. “Does that mean you’ll want the U.S. territory?”
She stiffened. “Well, yes. Are you saying my being an enforcer is all right with you now?”
His exhale blew her hair forward. “All right doesn’t quite fit. But I do understand your need to protect your people ... and you’re good at it.” His soft kiss against her head melted her. “I love you, Moira. Asking you to be someone you’re not, I wouldn’t do. Besides, I’m excellent backup. And now that I have all this witch energy, I’d make a hell of an enforcer.”
She laughed, relief relaxing her muscles. “You lead the Realm soldiers, Conn. That’s plenty.”
“I already told you I’m a multitasker.” He tugged her to her back, covering her with his body. “You don’t go out without me, Dailtín.” Soft, sated, his expression still held no small amount of determination.
Damn compromise. “Yeah. We fight well together.” Talk about an understatement. She smiled. He understood her ... and would let her follow her own path. “I love you, Connlan.”
His smile went wide. “I love you, too. So how about we get married at the chapel where I first saw you? Tomorrow ?”
Married? “Well, I guess it’s time. I mean, since we courted for a century.” Her next smart retort was cut off by his lips on hers. She kissed him back, sliding into fate or maybe destiny. Either way, it was one she chose.
Epilogue
Safe in the underground lab in Oregon, Emma Kayrs slammed her hands onto her hips, facing the King of the Realm. Irritation kept her from jumping into his arms in welcome. “You went off to battle again.”
Surprise flashed in his silver eyes. “Of course.”
She lifted both eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“That’s my job, love.” He cocked his head at the machines hurriedly spitting out data. “What have you found?”
“Oh no.” He was not going to distract her by talking about science. “I know your job. Leading doesn’t include putting yourself on the front line.” He wouldn’t be the stubborn vampire she adored if he had allowed anyone else to face danger for him. And she loved the sweet picture he’d sketched of her sleeping that he’d left on the nightstand for her. But still.
Lethal charm flashed with his smile. “I’ll be more careful next time I fight.” Two strides had him in her space and grabbing her arms. His lips took hers with a rush of power ... and need.
She fell into his kiss with a soft sigh. When he lifted his head, she had to blink several times to regain focus. “So, ah, welcome back. I found a wedding dress.”
Pleasure darkened his eyes. “Did you, now?”
A shiver of want wandered down her spine. “Yes. It’s very pretty.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing compared to you.” He brushed hair back from her face. “Anyhow, you won’t be wearing anything for long.” Lethal charm lifted his lips.
Desire warmed her abdomen. “You’re sweet, King.” Focus. She needed to focus. “Are we all right with the Coven Nine?”
“Yes, solid.” He rubbed his palms along her arms, sending tingles through every nerve in her body. “I have Simone reaching out to the demons now. She seems to think there’s some unrest in the demon ranks. We’ll see.”
Interesting. If the demons fought each other, then they couldn’t fight the vampires. Emma glanced at the humming machines. “The werewolf you caught was a panther shifter ... male.” The first male nonhuman werewolf they’d found.
Dage sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “Have you slept?”
She tried unsuccessfully to take a step back. “Ah, well ... kind of—” She yelped as the world tilted and she found herself over his shoulder. “What the hell?”
“You need sleep.” He caressed her rear. “But first, let’s go for a swim, love.”
In another section of headquarters, Cara Kayrs leaned back against the headboard deep in the earth, her family surrounding her. A bandage covered the side of her neck, although the wound had already healed—thanks to a good dose of Talen’s blood. Soft light cascaded from a bedside lamp, illuminating a spotted white Anne plant surrounded by several budding African violets on the antique dresser. Fresh oxygen pumped into the air from the vents and the natural plants.
Janie snuggled close, the baby slept peacefully on Cara’s chest, and her mate ran his fingers through her hair as she rested on his shoulder. She inhaled a deep breath, tempted to yank her empathic shields into place. “Would you relax? I’m fine.”
Talen growled low and quiet, stretching his long legs out on the huge bed. “You took a bullet right after giving birth. After being kidnapped from what should’ve been a secured location.” His hold tightened, emotion slamming off him in waves. “I’m never leaving your side again.”
Oh, for the love of Pete. “Then I’ll end up beheading you.” She tried to joke, but thought she might actually be serious.
“Humph.” He sighed. “Conn ripped Demidov’s head off.” Irritation tinged the words. “I wanted to finish him.”
Cara wasn’t sorry the witch had died. “What do you think is going to happen with the Coven Nine? Will Moira need to join?”
“She doesn’t seem to want to join. Which is good, because I don’t think Conn would let her right now ... too much unrest in Ireland.” Talen settled Cara more comfortably across his broad chest, reaching over to cup his son’s sleeping head. “We need to name this little man, don’t you think?” His voice lowered in wonder. “He’s big, even for a Kayrs babe.”
Cara smiled into the darkness. “I thought ... maybe ... Garrett Talen Kayrs.”
Talen exhaled. “After my father and myself.” He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “I wondered if you wanted to give him Paulsen as a middle name.”
She hadn’t even considered Paulsen. “No. My last name is Kayrs, as Emma’s will be soon.” Oh crap, what about Janie? Janie’s father had died before her birth, and Cara had given her the Paulsen name.
Talen reached easily into her mind. “No worries, mate. I care little about the human legal system but figured you still might. I’m drawing up papers to legally change Janie’s last name to mine. I guess they’re adoption papers. Though she’s my daughter whether or not some damn paper says so.”
Cara’s bones melted along with her heart. “We should talk to Janie.”
“I asked Janie.” His breath brushed her hair with warmth. In fact, huge rolling waves of heat cascaded off the vampire
“You did?” Cara shifted her gaze to her sleeping daughter. “What did she say?”
Talen chuckled. “She raised one eyebrow at me ... you know, like Dage does?”
“Dage does, huh?” Cara mused. Every single Kayrs man had the gift. With Talen, it usually meant he was irritated with something Cara had done ... often involving danger of some sort. “What did she say?”
“Well, she lifted her tiny little chin and said her last name had always been Kayrs. That I could even ask her preschool teacher Miss Kimmie from last year because that’s what Janie put on her papers.” He shifted.
“Speaking of which, I’m concerned.”
Cara stilled. “About Janie?”
“We’re relocating a few military families here, vampire and shifter. So she has some kids to play with. Our girl may be the key to the future, but she needs a decent childhood. The chance to be a kid.”
Cara shut her eyes, emotion all but choking her. The man truly did love them. Completely. “You’re sweet, Talen.”
His growl made her smile. “I most certainly am not.” Against her shoulder, his heart beat steadily. For her. “We took Janie away from friends and school. When I, ah ...”
“When you kidnapped us?” Thank God.
“When I took you, and you saved me.” He nuzzled her hair. “I hadn’t realized I was only half alive until you showed me warmth.”
For a warrior, the man held charm. “I love you, Talen.”
“I love you too, mate.”
Janie fought a grin at the talking, snuggling even closer to her mama. Life was good. Her baby brother finally showed up, and everyone was okay. Well, kind of. Aunt Katie might get a new job hunting werewolves, and Uncle Jordan was gonna be mad. Aunt Mowra needed to learn how to let Uncle Conn help sometimes, or he’d put her underground again. Auntie Emma was going to punch Uncle Dage in the face. He really wasn’t gonna like that. And Mama. Well, Mama still had the sickness. But it was moving slow and there was time to fix it.
But for now, Janie needed to check in with Zane, so she let sleep come.
The dream started in the middle of a sunny day ...
Janie wandered through a forest with leaves bigger than her daddy’s hands. Big, furry, and green. Lime green. Maybe they really existed somewhere. Maybe not.
The dirt trail crunched under her new tennis shoes, so she imagined peppermint candy lined the way. Up ahead a bunch of rocks tumbled next to the side of a mountain.
Kalin sat on one, swinging his leg back and forth.
Her tummy hurt. Like it did after she ate too much popcorn.
She sucked in air that didn’t smell like peppermint. But her chin lifted like her mama’s always did, and she kept moving until she stood in front of him. “I didn’t think you’d be back.”