Blood Flows Deep in the Empire (32 page)

“Good. I was just in contact with Zex. He’s on his way here. I told him what Ismini said about Lisrn mentioning a woman whose name starts with
V-e-r
.”

“We both know who that is. Vermylea.”

“Exactly. The big sister of the psychotic Goddess of Illusions.”

Zen growled. “How Zex managed to touch Maivera long enough to get her pregnant, I’ll never know.”

“She’s the Goddess of Illusions, how else? At least he’s not buying into her shit this time. He won’t just declare war on the mother of his child, but getting him away from her is a start.”

“I’ll definitely stay in constant contact then. Enjoy your
R’ma,
my friend. And I promise to try to not stay away for too long. Don’t want to be the one holding up the party. Ian and Cy would have my fucking neck.”

Dyletri chuckled. “Thank you. And I will definitely be the first in line when it comes time for your
Ziaphrite
celebration.”

Zen’s demonic eyes were pensive as he stared off into space. “By the Gods, I hope it
can
come to that.”

“It will, Zen. You got this.”

“Thanks.”

Zeniel didn’t linger. He was gone before Dyletri took his next breath.

Inhaling deeply, he stared at the spot where Zen had stood. He remained there for a few moments before scaling his way back up the steps of the compound. He sent up one last silent prayer to the Universe on behalf of Evesse and Zeniel.

Ismini couldn’t count how many times Dimithinia had gotten excited about the smallest of things in the last few days. They were all going cockeyed from trying to keep up with that whirlwind. She was tormented and dark at times, but this new world, as she put it, held a shitload of wonder for her.

Something Ismini could relate to.

In the four days since she’d been reborn, she’d learned so much. Like why she’d been chosen as the sacrifice by the Fates. The
tangible
Universe was born from the “big bang.” Yup. Although somebody had to come up with a better name for that shit since it wasn’t just a theory and had actually occurred.

Out of the explosion, not only was all matter blown forth from the Source, but also the coherent souls that would lead to every sentient creature in existence. Mortal and immortal alike. One of those souls had been Ismini
and
Dimithinia. A soul that had been split in two shortly thereafter.

Learning that had been mind-boggling for Ismini. Since then, they’d been two separate entities and always would be, but Dimithinia was as close as Ismini would get to a soul-twin.

Still, Ismini missed Evesse. She couldn’t believe she wasn’t awake and with her right now. Her heart broke every time she thought of what was happening to her. And of what was happening to Zen.

The only thing Ismini had was Nylicia’s reassurance that she saw them both together. That she saw Evesse awake. Ismini had to hold on to that, since she refused to break down on her mating day.

She stood inside Dyletri’s temple, staring at the huge bed that had been placed where the altar had once been and shaking her head.

Nylicia walked by and winked saucily. “That is the altar now, babe. And you’re about to consecrate the fuck out of it. Do it for me. Remember what I said—break the bed. Yes.”

Ismini flared red. She had discovered in the last few days that Nylicia was a much older replica of Eve. A
virgin
whose hormones had turned on her and made her go insane and perverted.

“Look at her. How adorable. She already had her brains fucked right out of her head in here, and yet she still has it in her to blush.”

Ismini glared at her friend. “Shut it, Soleria.”

“Hey! Do not move!” Dimithinia scolded, kneeling at her feet and drawing the designs on her legs. She was using some kind of body paint that she had assured Ismini would not only be smudge-proof, but would also taste delicious.

She admired the drawings they’d painted all over her body. “Where the hell did you get this stuff again?” Every inch of her was decorated. Well, not every inch, just specific areas that were ‘sure to drive Dyletri insane’.

Dimithinia’s words, not Ismini’s.

“There are many things modern man has not discovered yet that I can replicate now.” Dimithinia shot to her feet and gave Ismini a brilliant smile as she bounced off to grab her sheer mating dress like some excited child.

“Yeah. Like those Skullcandy headphones. I want them. Give them to me.
Now
.”

Dimi waved Soleria away, her eyes on Ismini’s dress. “You are too demanding. You have the money to buy them.”

Soleria looked truly affronted. “Why the fuck would I buy them when you can ‘poof’ them into existence?”

She ignored Soleria and all but skipped back toward Ismini.

She was too cute. Ismini smiled, still not believing the way things were working out with Dimithinia. That she was okay
with everything. Then again, in the last few days, there had been enough time for Ismini to sit and talk to Dimithinia. It’d been awkward the first day, but Ismini had been determined to get to know her.

She had to know. Ismini had to learn for herself that there was nothing left of whatever Dimithinia had felt for Dyletri. She was ashamed to admit that her mated body had been ready to go MMA on Dimi’s ass if something had been there. It was illogical and incontrollable. She wasn’t going to have any peace until she made sure that Dimi’s attentions were on another male.

Thousands of years were definitely enough time for Dimi to get over Dyletri. Crius was the one who lived in her heart now, although Dimithinia was determined to ignore that fact. It had been an interesting conversation. The kind that lasted hours, forged a bond between them, and left Ismini ready to bloody the God of the Underworld.

What a
fidiot.
Dimithinia had been excited about coming back because of him. But when the time had arrived, Crius had dropped off her
Aristi
in Enzyria and left before Dimithinia could regain her body and meet him face-to-face.

“There, I’m almost done,” Lizzisi said, finishing the design on Ismini’s arm.

Sil flipped her black hair over her shoulder, concentrating as she completed the other arm. “Me, too.”

“Here.” Soleria took the sheer, long, scrap of material that was supposed to be a gown from Dimithinia. “My God, he’s going to lose his mind when he sees this.”

The gown was made of two sashes that were just big enough to cover Ismini’s nipples and then met at the hips where they flared out into a see-through skirt with a huge slit up one leg. The material was exquisite, even though it was obvious that it was only meant to be a “sex outfit.” Dark blue with silver threads and softer than anything Ismini had ever felt, a part of her was beyond giddy to wear it.

She couldn’t wait to know if Dyletri liked it.

“Here. Before you put it on,” Dimithinia said, popping up in front of Ismini and holding her chin. She applied eyeliner to Ismini’s eyes, then stepped back as Liz and Sil let go of her arms.

Soleria stepped in front of her. “Ready?”

The sins promised in the light blue depths of her eyes almost had Ismini shaking her head. Until she remembered what she would be doing and
who
she was supposed to commit said “sins” with.

A stab of need went through her, almost knocking her off her feet. Her pussy clenched so tight she was barely able to hide her response. It didn’t matter. They all noticed anyway.

“Oh, yeah. She is,” Soleria said, laughing with the others.

Ismini raised her arms and let Soleria slide on the dress. “You’re freaky. The shit you can sense isn’t normal. You’re no
mere
human. Considering you’re already a witch, that’s saying something.”

Soleria nodded. “I suspect that, as well. I’ve asked this one right here, but she’s refusing to tell me anything. Come on, just admit it. I’m superwoman in dormancy, and one of these days I’m gonna rush forth and rule the world.”

Nylicia appearence was straight-up impassive. “All in due time, Sol. All in due time.”

“See? She’s impossible,” Soleria scoffed, holding back her smile.

“No. I’m fucking awesome. And you all love me for it.”

They all laughed at the serious look on Nylicia’s face.

Ismini nearly jumped seventeen feet in the air when she heard Dyletri screaming from the outside. “Get the hell out of there! I know you’ve sexified my girl up to the point that I probably won’t survive! What more must you do?”

The girls laughed, and once again, Ismini wished Evesse could have been there. Then Dyletri called in again, and what he said made her knees go weak.

“I’m coming in there, and I’m fucking taking what’s mine. Get the fuck out.
Now!
”

“Jesus, dude. You sound like something out of
The Exorcist
. What the fuck? Why am I here again? Should I call a priest?”

“Shut it, Cy. We volunteered to come with him,” Ian said, clearly amused.

Ismini didn’t miss how Soleria paused when she heard his voice. The colors of her aura came to mind again. Dark blue, white, and deep red, the first two colors weren’t lost on Ismini. She had some suspicions about what they meant.

Soleria winked at Ismini before turning to the others. “Let’s get out of here before we end up witnessing the sacrilege about to take place.”

Ismini stuck her tongue out at her friend, and the others laughed.

“Keep that tongue in your mouth ‘til your man gets in here. I have no use for it.”

This time, Ismini gave Soleria the finger. One by one, the others hugged her.

Nylicia pointed to the bed as she walked out, the sunlight piercing through her form. “Get your ass on there. Remember what I said.”

Ismini hurried to do as she said but had barely settled against the huge, blue silk-covered pillows when Dyletri appeared. He flashed in so fast and hard, the canopy on the bed flew all over the place, and the walls shook from the force of his power. Her heart nearly stopped.

He was in full fucking battle armor.

“Holy shit,” they both said at the same time.

Chapter 30

Ismini leaned up on her elbows and bit her lip, her skin breaking out in goose bumps as she took in his appearance. She was shaking all over as his eyes turned completely black and his canines extended. He examined every inch of her and appeared so hungry that she felt gorgeous, wanted.

No, fuck that. She felt
needed.

“Look at you.” Dyletri smirked lasciviously and reached for his armor. Every inch of his body appeared dangerous. His legs and ass were fucking hot in those tight leather pants.

The moment the latches on either side of his armor released, Ismini couldn’t help but let out a moan. He was on her in an instant. Bare-chested and sexier than any being should ever be allowed to be, he appeared over her in a blur of color. He didn’t touch her right away but just leaned over her and growled while taking in his fill.

His aura flared out from him in a cacophony of white, blue, and silver that actually touched her. It clashed and mixed with her aura. She could feel it. She sighed, reaching for him. Her fingers grazed his shoulder. They moaned at the same time, and she had to clench her thighs together to stop the throb that threatened to overtake her pussy.

Dyletri’s nostrils flared, a shudder going through him as Ismini lightly ran her fingers up toward her mark. She’d never felt this powerful. Had never wanted something this freaking much.