So, this was what it would be like, she thought, as she pushed a strand away from his face, tucking it behind his ear. Juice from a ripe peach he was eating, dripped down his chin. She leaned close and quickly caught it with her tongue and the moment seemed right again.
He pulled her on top of him and she rode him to the pinnacle, as once more he took from her vein.
When she lay in his arms, she laughed at the site of all the disturbed fruit and cheese and thought she could stay this way forever.
*** *** ***
Ethan held Samantha in his arms, his cock still inside her though only half-erect now. He’d come again and again. He was fired up because of her blood, and eased at the same time. His stomach no longer cramped; he was satisfied.
He didn’t want to let her go, not now, not ever. He wished he understood the mystery of what was happening between them. The logical part of him kept calling him away from his house. By now, he would have been down at the training camp with his Guard, going over the terrain of Bergisson once more, devising new strategies, taking charge, ordering the patrols out, watching his men fly.
It was almost full-dark and still he didn’t leave. He just held the woman, half-fae, half-human, tight in his arms, almost unable to release her. Definitely, unwilling.
He’d never experienced a connection like this before in his entire life, although shades of it felt very much like his birth family, the closeness he’d known with his sister and with his mother and father, now long gone.
Was that what Samantha had become to him in only a few short hours, his family?
That’s what she felt like, something he must protect with everything in his body and soul, to his dying breath.
He loved…
Sweet Goddess, did he love her?
He lay with her quietly for a long time, even as he watched day give way completely to night.
Finally, his compulsion to be with his Guard, to protect Bergisson became a pulsing weight in his chest and he sighed heavily.
*** *** ***
“You need to contact Finn. I can feel it in you, like a boundless drive, stronger than any other part of you.”
“Yep. Exactly. I’m sorry, Samantha.”
She rose up and smiled down at him then kissed him once on the lips. “Never apologize for that. It’s your finest quality, your loyalty and service. I value that about you. Remember that, Ethan.”
He nodded.
She grabbed for a washcloth he’d provided and caught their shared wetness as she rolled off him, away from the platter of food. But she stayed in bed, letting him go about his business, taking the food away and putting it in the living area of his suite then heading into the shower.
The sight of him was beautiful and for that reason alone, to get to watch such masculine perfection walk around naked in a room she shared with him, was sufficient reason to stay.
She lay on her side enjoying the show as he showered, lathering up, his brow growing more furrowed by the second.
The connection of frequencies grew thinner and thinner until at last they dissolved, almost naturally, which was nice except now she didn’t have the warmth of his spirit caressing her abdomen, because that was the only way she could explain what now felt cold and almost empty within her body.
She pressed a hand there, wondering if Ethan felt it as well.
I thought it for the best.
His voice in her mind startled her. Were you reading my thoughts?
No. But I was feeling the loss of your fae frequency and figured you might be experiencing something similar. Were you?
Yes. Such a strange emptiness.
He paused and she watched him turn into the spray so that the water hit the back of his neck. He parted his long hair and she had the best view.
I love what I’m looking at.
He shifted to look at her over his shoulder, to meet her gaze and for her benefit he smiled and flexed his butt-muscles a couple of times.
She laughed, her fingers now pressed to her lips. And for some reason, tears touched her eyes. How could she ever let a man like this go? But how could she stay?
*** *** ***
As Ethan toweled off, he tried not to think about how all he wanted to do was climb back in bed with Samantha and stay there for a decade just enjoying her.
But Finn tapped at his pathing frequency and he responded. I’ll be on my way in a few. Are we good out there?
We’ve had a red-wind sighting at a community dance over at Caldwell. I’m sending two patrols over there now. I’m going with.
I’ll join you.
You sure that’s a good idea?
Ethan’s gaze shifted to Samantha, whose eyes were closed. She looked so peaceful. I have no idea anymore.
Then sit tight and let me take a look. I’ll be there in five minutes, then I’ll report back.
Okay. Five minutes.
You got it.
Ethan ended the communication, then moved into his dressing area and put on his usual nightly battle-gear. When he opened his closet, he felt the need to thank his housekeeper, again, for how much she kept his gear in excellent shape. Several rows of leathers and woven shirts, even the a choice of long, sleeveless coats, ranged down the long metal rod. His leather boots gleamed with polish.
He tended to like extra metal on his leather pants and boots, medallions and what not. Gerrod had lifted a brow but Quinlan said he needed to be more wrecked in his choices; they were too mild for Grochaire’s mastyr.
As he dressed, he heard Samantha hop in the shower and even start humming. His woman was content. He liked that. He’d done that for her. He understood that the sweet release of sex sent a lot of good things moving through the veins.
Using the hair dryer, he worked his hair to a state of half-dry knowing that a few minutes of flight would finish the job.
But he left the bathroom as soon as Samantha emerged from her shower. She was too damn appealing to be tolerated easily right now.
He waited for her but when she was dressed in jeans and a loose green blouse, tied at her hips, he thought that clothes or no clothes, he wanted her bad. He almost opened his arms, but he saw that she had a frown on her brow.
“What is it?”
“My faeness seems to be really alive right now, but I don’t
know why. I don’t know what it means.”
He went to her and took hold of her arm. “Just go with it, go with your instincts.”
She looked up at him still frowning, her light blue eyes full of concern. “Would you go back to the conservatory with me? I think I should open up my fae-power with the crystal right now. I just sense something needs to be looked at.”
“Then that’s exactly what we’ll do and don’t worry about what’s going on out there. I’ve been in contact with Finn.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
He led her back to the conservatory, to the disk, and she walked straight beneath it. He moved in close behind her, his chest to her back. He slid his arms around her and he felt her engage her fae power and the latent igniting effect of the crystal as if by long habit. He knew she didn’t understand how easily she’d taken to her faeness or even how powerful she really was.
The vibrations of her realm-energy passed through him like a warm wave of healing sensation. Whatever she felt, he was given a tremendous sense of peace, even of purpose, as he anchored her in the stream of light.
She leaned her head back against his chest, which caused him to breathe deeply as he thought yet again that he never wanted to let her go.
Ethan, I’m having a vision of the dance in Caldwell.
What do you see? His heart-rate increased, thumping heavily in his chest.
The Invictus, Finn, your guard.
Do you see Ry?
No, not yet, but Ethan, I don’t think you’re going to like this.
His heart might have stopped for a moment, then pressed on with dull thuds. What?
I’m there, I’m in this vision. I’m
supposed to be there.
Without thinking, he stepped off the disk, pulling Samantha with him. Of course the resulting abrupt severing of power, caused her to list. Then she grabbed her head. “Oh, that hurts.” She looked up at him. “Hey, don’t ever do that again.”
But his mind had only one-track. “I’ll stay here with you or I’ll leave a guard here with you, but you’re not going anywhere the Invictus are, now or ever, do you hear me?”
He almost didn’t believe that these words had come out of his mouth and Samantha couldn’t have looked more surprised.
“This is no time to go Neanderthal on me. Save all that goodness for later.”
Her words split his mind in two directions at once, the first taking him straight back to the bedroom, but the other reminded him of his most important purpose. “My job is to keep you alive.”
She opened her mouth then closed it. Her gaze flitted over the room for a moment. He knew she was choosing her words carefully and then he felt it, a certain odd excitement emanating from her.
“Wait a minute. What else did you see? What’s going on?”
“Ethan.” She shook out her hands in the air. “Listen, I think . . . I mean, if what I saw can actually happen, I might have the power to break apart the Invictus pairs, and to save the enslaved realm-folk, those bonded to wraiths who were forced under duress to join them.”
Ethan took both her arms in his hands. He shook his head back and forth. “But no one can do that. And you’re not even fully realm, so how can you?”
“It’s not me, Ethan. You’re with me. It’s us. We can do this thing. Together.”
“Holy shit.” He let go of her arms and moved in a quick circle. “What this would mean for our world. Oh, Samantha. And that’s what you saw?” He faced her again and held her close.
“That’s what I saw. So get me there and let’s see what we can do.”
Ethan had such confidence in her in this moment that he didn’t hesitate to contact Finn and rearrange the patrols.
Once the plans were laid, he took her to the front door, then straight into the air, heading to Caldwell.
Chapter Nine
Samantha held tight to Ethan as he flew her in a northwesterly direction, higher in the air than she’d flown before because they’d be passing a tall, rolling set of hills and covering more country than she’d yet seen. Eight Guardsmen ranged on either side of them, their long coats flapping behind, a sound that gave Samantha some comfort.
Caldwell, an ancient place and built primarily of stone, was the largest town in the northwestern portion of Bergisson realm, and had a population of sixty thousand mixed realm residents. As high as they were, Samantha could see the central town square all lit up, but directly north of the city, a dozen Guardsmen battled the Invictus, at least twenty bonded pairs.
I’ll be taking you to the square. Kyle’s in charge of on-the-ground security right now. You’ll be safe with him if I need to do battle.
He dropped into the square, landing at the far east edge, where the lights were dim and deserted of party-goers.
A handsome troll, with three beautiful forehead ridges hurried up to him. “Mastyr Ethan, we are so glad to see you and how well you look. Guardsman Finn has left several imprisoned wraith-pairs as you requested. We’ve never had a problem with the Invictus at one of our assemblies before.”
His wife, an elven with strong features and her blond hair wrapped in a series of unique braids on top of her head, nodded. “They’ve never attacked this far north.” Her troll husband slid his arm around her waist.
Samantha stepped off Ethan’s boot as he said, “Mr. Mayor, I can see that you have your people well in hand.”
Samantha glanced at the thinning crowd on the opposite side of the square.
The troll clucked his tongue. “There are always a few youths decrying the mistreatment of wraith-pairs and who made it almost impossible for the band to leave, but all that is settled. The square will be cleared in just a few more minutes.” He shifted his gaze pointedly to Samantha.
Ethan introduced her and she offered her hand. The troll took it, smiling broadly. “And what a lovely fae resonance you have, my dear. Welcome to Caldwell and I hope at some time you’ll be able to return and enjoy our fair town under better circumstances.”
“I do as well.” She took a moment to cast her gaze around the square. There were many small shops and most had potted evergreens out front, awnings, tables and chairs, even decorative lights.
She glanced at Ethan, willing him to understand that she wanted to be about their business.
He nodded to her. “Take us to the wraith-pairs, please.”
The troll and the elf walked with great dignity toward the southeastern corner of the square, just opposite their current position. Samantha saw the Guardsman, Kyle, and several more standing in front of a municipal building.
Ethan leaned down to Samantha. “The police station is over there, where Kyle is waiting for us. He’s probably holding the pairs inside.”
As they reached the corner, near Kyle, she saw that the crowd, instead of continuing their departure had begun to return. She also heard many whisper, ‘the mastyr is here’ while others were saying, ‘she must be the new blood rose’.
Samantha felt her cheeks grow warm. She’d always lived her life quietly and the most public she’d ever greeted was still just a smattering of one-on-one encounters when she would sell her jewelry during a street fair.
Ethan turned toward her, but his gaze scanned the square. He had one hand on her arm, very gently. “Where were you in the vision when we separated the bonded pairs?”
Glancing around the square, she saw that in the middle of a pedestrian-only track, lined by planters of flowers, benches, and an occasional well-lit street lamp, a central disk formed a cross-path. “There,” she pointed. “The central circle.”
“Of course,” Ethan murmured.
As she moved in that direction, Ethan shouted orders to his Guard. “Bring all the wraith-pairs here. Now.” His voice boomed above the murmuring crowds and the numerous flags flapping in the soft night breeze.
Finn suddenly called down from above. “Incoming friendlies, mastyr, but we have another pair here. The rest of the Invictus have retreated.” He landed, sweaty from battle and placed his short-sword, in his scabbard attached to the leather cross-strap.
He offered Samantha a smile and a nod. “How you doin’?”
“Good. I’m good.” And she was. For the first time since arriving in Bergisson she felt as though she had a purpose larger than just feeding a vampire.
The crowd began moving in. She almost said something to Ethan, but the mayor found a microphone and encouraged his people to remain well beyond the circle. The crowd shifted, moving away a few feet, which gave her some relief.
When the bonded pairs began arriving, the crowd booed heavily. Samantha remembered this from her vision as well, so she didn’t try to stop it, nor did Ethan. For the destruction and the deaths the wraiths had caused, the least they deserved was a measure of public censure.
Ethan took her hand and held her gaze as he pathed, How do you want to do this?
I need to be standing in the center of the circle. I think it must be a fae-thing.
No doubt. He even smiled.
He led her there and she took her place, but her heart had set up a racket. Was she really going to do this, in front of God and everyone, something she still didn’t understand?
But as Ethan gestured for the first pair to be brought to her, she knew what had to be done and her faeness rushed forward, removing her doubts. Something external must have shown as well, because the crowd almost as one, called out a big, surprised, ‘Oh!’
What is it? She glanced up at Ethan.
He smiled at her. You have an incredible aura right now, silver and violet. Beautiful.
Samantha could only take his word for it.
As she turned her attention once more to the wraith pair who now sto
od five feet in front of them. She worked not to be revolted by the opaque skin of the wraith, the yellow fangs and dark lips, or even when the creature let out a shriek, which made the crowd jump. The wraith was bonded to a male troll, a muscular man with large dull eyes, not surprising since the bond robbed the bound individual of will and rational thought.
Samantha waved an arm in the wraith’s direction, in a large arc, which, much to Samantha’s surprise, released a flow of silver-violet energy. When that arc reached the wraith-pair, they fell together on their knees.
To Ethan, she pathed, Put your arm around me and hold me steady. Something big is coming.
I’ve got you.
She loved that he’d spoken just those words, but her fae power felt like a brutal force beneath her now and she trembled as she lifted her left arm aloft and brought it down in a quick, heavy strike between the shoulders of the pair.
Power released and not hers alone, but she felt Ethan’s vampire power attach to her faeness and together the resulting energy forged an arc of light that split the bond in two.
The wraith fell sideways thrashing on the ground, but the troll stood there blinking several times.
A number of trolls moved in close. “Jonas? I think this is Jonas, from out at Evangeline Lake. He had a farm there a hundred years ago. Jonas, is that you?”
Ethan, have some of these realm-folk been bound for over a hundred years.
Yes, some longer.
My God.
The crowds murmurings grew louder and louder.
The troll looked around and took a step back as though astonished. “Where the hell am I?”
“It is Jonas. He always had a mouth on him, that one.”
Some of the crowd laughed, but other trolls approached him and took him by the hand. Ethan called out. “Finn, take charge of him. We’ll need to interrogate them all.”
“Yes, mastyr.”
Several more Guardsmen grabbed the wraith, but the creature didn’t put up a fight, which surprised Samantha. “Is she physically hurt, demoralized, or what?” she asked quietly.