Afterlife (Afterlife Saga)

  Once I had showered under the warm waterfall I squeezed my hair, ringing out the last drops from washing it with the most marvellous smelling products. I got out as my wrinkled fingers told me that I had spent too much time in there already. I looked around for a towel as I dripped on the floor but couldn't find one.

  “You will be needing this” Sophia's voice startled me and my hands flew to my more private parts as she held out a lush thick white robe.

  “Sophia I'm...”

  “Yes, yes, you don't need to worry, you don't have anything I haven't seen before...well except them,” she said nodding to my arms and I blushed.

  “Sorry I didn't mean to be so blunt...I usually just say what I think without …well thinking about it.” She said as I hid my nakedness away under the soft towel material.

  “It's fine... I guess it just takes some getting used to,” I said quietly hiding my past.

  “Well we have work to do...or more like I have work to do, so come with me and we will get this show off the roof!”

  “Isn't it show on the road?” I asked laughing nervously at what she had planned.

  “Not when you have wings my dear!” She giggled as my face dropped. She took my hand with ease and pulled me to what looked like a Moulin Rouge boudoir. There was a grand looking chair waiting for me in front of the biggest gilded mirror I had ever seen, which filled the whole of one wall. I swallowed hard knowing there was no way I was getting out of this and Sophia knew it too as that evil grin reappeared when she held out a hand for me to take a seat.

  “What are you going to do?” I asked sitting down slowly and looking at the entire contents of a beauty counter on the table in front of me.

  “Don't you trust me?” She said pulling my hair from under my robe and holding out a pair of scissors. This did slightly unnerve me at the sight of someone I knew to be a demon coming at me with a sharp implement in her grasp.

  “Not with those in your hands!” I said panicking at what my mother would say if I cut it all off.

  “I'm only going to trim a bit off the bottom, don't worry Keira...try and relax. I'm only going to enhance the beauty that is already there.” She said brushing my long waves and for a demon she was a hell of a lot more gentle that Libby had been.

  “Plus Dom would have my head if I were to change you too much, I have had my orders,” She said rolling her eyes at the memory.

  “Sophia, can I ask you something?” I once again played nervously with the sleeves of my robe as Draven had pointed out earlier.

  “About?”

  “About Draven” I said looking down, feeling the heat in my cheeks.

  “Keira, I think it is about time you called him by his first name don't you?” She said amused at the idea.

  “Well I wanted to know about Aurora?”

  “I think that is a question best left for him, don't you?” She said stopping the comb for a moment, which told me she knew where I was going with this.

  “But I have asked him!” I said regretting it as soon as it was from my lips.

  “And?”

  “He wouldn't tell me anything.” I said deflated.

  “Then what makes you think I would?” She asked taking pride in her grooming me, which made me feel a bit like a pet horse of hers.

  “Because I have bribery in my favour”

  “Oh really and what bargaining power are you playing with?” She asked intrigued.

  “Well if you were just to answer a few of my very innocent questions then I will let you do whatever you want to me with no moaning about it...free rein!” I said swivelling my chair around to face her.

  “Or I could just put you in a trace and do that anyway,” she said bringing out her cocky side that reminded me of Draven.

  “Sophia please...I won't tell him and besides, wouldn't you want to know?” With this I had her, knowing that she would most definitely do everything in her power to find out, after all, her and her family had found out everything about me!

  “Ok well I can understand it when you put it like that...but Keira he is extremely powerful and he will already know we are having this conversation.” This shocked me and I couldn't help but turn nervously towards the door as if readying myself for him to come bursting in the room.

  “So you won't tell me?” I said like a sullen child.

  “I didn't say that but let me ask you, do you love my brother?”

  “Yes of course!” I said full of certainty and she smiled.

  “And he loves you, so what does it matter about his past?”

  “Well my past mattered to him!” I said being firm and proving my argument with a damn good point.

  “Your logic is hard to argue against, you are right he did in fact go to great lengths to find out everything about you.” Her hands were now running through my dry hair even though I hadn't heard a hair dryer being used.

  “So I gather he knows about every tiny last bit of my past and therefore my past relationships....why then should I not get the same privileges?” I said cringing at everything he knew.

  “It does seem to be very one sided doesn't it?” She stated and I felt as if I had someone on my side for the first time and my triumph showed through, presenting itself as a wide cunning smile.

  “Ok I give in! Sorry Dominic...What is it you want to know?”

  “Were him and Aurora ever you know....together?” I asked knowing this was a no-brainer!

  “Well if it helps then yes they were...involved intimately.” She said shaking her head but I didn't know if it was at me or the memory.

  “For how long?”

  “Not very long and it was some time ago.”

  “Ok, so explain ‘not long’.” I asked hoping for weeks more than months...of course I was very wrong!

  “Oh I don't know ten or twenty years give or take.” She said this so matter of fact. I on the other hand nearly swallowed my own tongue!

  “WHAT!” I shouted at her, not being able to contain it.

  “Keira...understand that we view time very differently...that is not that long.” Oh no, not long at all, I thought bitterly.

  “I don't think I can breathe. No wonder she hates me....” I said, putting my head back giving me a full view of the spectacular moulded ceiling that right now I wasn't that interested in!

  “Keira, she doesn't hate you, she is just extremely jealous of you.” She said liking this fact more than I knew.

  “Why on earth would a goddess like that be jealous of ME?” I said feeling all my hope fade.

  “Simple, because he ended things with her and now he is with you, only the big difference is that he loves you dearly and he never loved her.”

  “He dumped her?” Now my ears pricked up at this new bit of information and my fading hope was quietly creeping its head back around the corner.

  “Dominic has never been happy, he has never been in love before so his distractions were just what they were…distractions! But he has been waiting for you since the beginning and this was something Aurora could never accept”

  “I bet it must make it even harder looking at someone like me,” I said biting down on my lip at the thought....at what her thoughts must be.

  “Keira, you underestimate yourself greatly! No doubt you saw the way she looks at my brother. She has done this always but when you joined our table last night his eyes never left your face. I know Dom well enough to honestly say this is the happiest I have ever seen him and he deserves to be happy...he deserves you and you him.” At this she motioned towards my arms reminding me of my past and all I had endured. Was she right? When it came to Draven did she really think that I deserved him?

  “Thank you Sophia, I feel better now I know...I think he tries to protect me too much when all I need is the truth.”

  “I think he keeps expecting you to run from him.” She added before carrying on with the next stage of my beauty regime.

  “Why would I ever do that?” I asked amazed...surely he didn't actually think this?
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  “Keira you are a human, granted not like other humans, but still, he is what he is....No doubt you were taken back when you saw his other form?” She said reminding me of the immense power that I saw coursing around his indestructible body.

  “I learnt long ago how to deal with things I couldn't understand but I controlled the fear and well, that night I was more nervous than frightened. Not because of the way he looked but because of the obsession I have on him. To find myself in that position with him, my heart pounded for other reasons shall we say?” I said being completely honest and she seemed not only shocked but happy with my response.

  “You really were born for him Keira. And I'm glad to have you for a sister. Now let’s get on with making him weak at the sight of you!”

  “Umm, Sophia can I just ask one more thing?” I asked being all shy again and she nodded

  “What is that big room for back there?” I asked referring to the private club we had walked though.

  “Oh that's my fun room but Dom is adamant that you won't be joining us.” And I was soon to learn why not.

  “He is very possessive over you, not wanting to share you with anyone....I guess we won't be seeing him there again.” And with this it suddenly dawned on me, making me let out a gasp in shock but Sophia just laughed at me and my innocence. The penny dropped and landed on a very dirty floor...

  It was for orgies!

  After what was most of the day, as it was now dark outside, I was ready. It felt as if I had spent the day at posh health spa, all the time being waited on hand and foot. Sophia and I had giggled with girl talk over champagne and Pizza, of all things! This was because she knew it was my favourite and there wasn't an anchovy in sight. I had, had every part of my body worked on, until everything was smooth and smelt luscious.

  I still hadn't seen the finished product and well, my heart was proving how nervous about this I was, as it was starting to sound like a pneumatic drill in my chest. Sophia was walking me through to the other room, the one with all the mirrors, as I hadn’t even been allowed to see anything she had done. She had thought of everything including very luxurious underwear that I was now wearing underneath my purple satin dress, of course this had been the only thing I had been allowed to choose. She held my gloved hand in hers and pulled me towards her full length mirror. She told me to close my eyes as she guided me left a bit then right again until she clapped her hands with satisfaction and said…

  “There, now open your eyes you beauty!”

  I stared into the mirror as if searching for myself in the reflection looking back. It was as if I was looking at an impostor who was trying to change me into something beautiful. I mean, when Libby had made me over I had been shocked but now well, I was stunned into silence. I looked amazing! Sophia had my hair half up in a mass of loose curls that came down like a golden waterfall. My makeup was minimal but as she had said it just enhanced what I already had. My lashes looked longer thanks to curling them up and they tickled the top of my lids which were now a soft purple with darker shadowing by the fold. This made them look more seductive, which I knew Draven would enjoy. My skin glowed, feeling softer than ever before and the colour of my dress emphasised it.

  My dress was gorgeous, a deep purple with a satin corset top that tied at the back concealing the underwear beneath. It crossed over at the front with two thick straps that went over my shoulders and again crossed over round my back. These were a dark indigo colour that matched the underneath fabric part of the skirt. It came down to a short skirt that flowed around my legs showing one more than the other. It flared out longer at the back, spreading the colours as I moved and twirled round. My legs looked longer than they ever had before, probably down to the fact that this was the most of them I had shown. The shoes were made from the same two materials of the dress with ribbons that tied up and around my ankles making a pretty bow at the back that also matched the corset part of the dress. I looked like an exotic bird trying to attract a mate!

  “I can't believe it...it's...” I stammered as Sophia stood back to admire her handy work.

  “You look beautiful Keira and it wasn't hard to accomplish that.” She said affectionately. I turned round to her and hugged her tightly.

  “Thanks Sis!” I said making the biggest smile come to her face as she hugged me back.

  “Well time to see what your dark Prince thinks...maybe he will buy me another car, I haven't got a yellow one!” She said making me laugh at her optimism.

  “Umm, I think he has to like it first before you start thinking about paint jobs.” I reminded her as we walked back through the room that made me blush at the thought of what went on in there.

  “I don't think we need to worry about that!” She laughed as Zagan's eyes saw me and looked again to check it was in fact me. At this my cheeks went from blush to full rouge, which got me thinking, what were they going to be like when Draven saw me? How was I ever going to do this?

  It didn't take us long before I realised that we weren't going back to his bed chamber, we were going directly to the club and my heart rate flew through the roof. So much so that I had to try very hard to control the urge to start hyperventilating into full panic mode.

  “Why are we going here?”

  “Because those were my rules, I knew that if he first saw you like this in private then the both of you would never make an appearance. Dom can be quite selfish and well, when it comes to you...he becomes obsessed.” That word took me back as it was exactly how I felt about him, but I wondered if she had added this last part for my benefit only.

  We were soon at the double doors and I was just about to turn to Sophia and ask if she needed to get ready. I prayed she wasn't just walking me to here and then expecting me to go it alone, as I knew I would never have the balls to do that. But when I turned back round she was fully dressed in her own beautiful gown looking like a bird of paradise in midnight blue. It reminded me what a Roman goddess would look like as the dress flowed down to her feet moving gracefully with her body. Its halter neck plunged down showing her curves like mine did. It was only now that I noticed Zagan who wore his usual hood up over to his eyes, that burned with desire at the sight of Sophia.

  “Why didn't you just do that with me?” I asked stunned at her ability.

  “Because where would the fun have been in that...plus we had a good girlie bonding session.” I couldn't help the huge grin that was plastered across my face at her response.

  The doors opened as we approached and Sophia's curls bounced excitedly as she walked with her arm through mine. As soon as we were in sight every eye followed us as if there was an unseen connection they were trying to keep hold of. I hoped this was more at the sight of Sophia than me.

  We strolled over to the table where I could see the back of Draven's dark suit and I hoped he wouldn't turn my way as I couldn't remove the heat from my skin. Vincent however was going to give me away as he hit his brother with the back of his hand on his arm. Vincent looked as shocked as Zagan had, but this was nothing compared to the shock I saw in Draven's dark eyes. I looked up at them staring and Sophia giggled noticing it too.

  I could taste the gloss on my lips as I bit down on them, full of nerves. I walked up the steps and Draven's eyes followed every move I made, from the bottom starting with my legs moving upwards to the bit of my exposed thigh, and then continuing up to my boned corset tightly clinging to my skin making my curves more developed as I moved. Until finally he got to my face and I swallowed hard at the desperate want in his eyes. The Demon in him looked as if it wanted to devour me there and then, not caring if we were in a room full of intrigued eyes. I looked away like a frightened servant girl in the eyes of her Masterful Lord.

  Draven was the first one to stand, with the rest following his lead. Aurora was already there looking breath-taking as usual and her eyes couldn't tear away from Draven, but it didn't bother me as much as it should. This of course was down to the look he was giving me and I wanted to kiss Sophia for makin
g this happen. We were about to take our seats but Draven had other ideas. He took my satin covered arm in his strong hand and walked past the table pulling me behind. I could just catch Sophia giggling at this, while Aurora looked away with eyes full of disgust. Draven was breathing heavy and he wasn't the only one by the time we got to the balcony. As soon as we were out of sight he whipped me around and pushed me to the wall making sure to be careful with my breakable body. His hands slid up my sides making me quiver under his hands.

  “I take it you're pleased?” I said but it came out as more of a nervous whisper, through a mix of fear and the overwhelming bliss that affected me down below.

  “You put the stars to shame and make every Goddess shy away at the sight of your beauty!” He said in a deep voice as his body closed the space between us letting me feel for myself just how pleased he was. His lips were at my neck and I felt his teeth hold my skin as though he was trying not to bite me. I arched my neck more, wanting him too, waiting for the rush of pain to mix with the pleasure that I felt last time. But his teeth released their hold and his lips took over, which I could feel smiling at my neck.

  “You really are a temptress and the Gods will envy me tonight as you are mine and....mine alone!” He said smiling at the thought. His lips moved over to mine to envelope me in a deep controlling kiss. I could feel him tasting me and his hand went to the inside of my thigh, moving upwards, causing me to let out a moan, making my want for him as clear as where his hands wanted to be...

  Everywhere.

  Chapter 46 - Under a Spell

  Finally I came back down to the balcony below where I stood just in time to stop him from going any further.

  “We can't do this ….not now,” I said trying to control my breathing to a slow pant. He, however let out a low growl which startled me.