Corrupt Cravings (25 page)

“They’re going to kill each other,” Jason said, walking up and kneeling beside them. Ambrose and Aaron lowered themselves on the other side, not once taking their eyes from the fight.

“They won’t. They can’t,” Samael corrected himself. “They’re brothers and pledged to each other. They’ll stop when one goes to make the killing blow, if it even gets that far. Dominic wouldn’t. Now Donavon, it might come to him having to feel their bond. When he does, he’ll remember the vows they took to one another in their past.

“Amazing, Marcella, your two mates are brothers and going at it like enemies. Who would have thought?”

“Wait, what?” Samael leaned forward while burning filled his chest.

Jason’s eyes snapped to him. “Oh shit, you haven’t heard? Our queen here accidently marked the wolf. They’re mated. Fucking broke my heart, but I’m still alive.”

Fucking fate. Fuck!
Nothing would come from his mouth. Hell, that had been a shocker. Two fucking mates, who would have thought? Now look what he’d done by bringing her back. Great. Another one for the bitch, destiny.

“I knew they resembled each other too much not to be related. And anyway, how was I to know that would happen? What’s done is done. I don’t regret anything. I have two mates. Enough, Jason. How many times have I had to hear this from you in the last week?”

As the guy opened his mouth, he stopped short, having to dodge Donavon as his brother hit him again. Damn wolf just wouldn’t give up. Good. Samael wasn’t so sure he liked him anymore. Now that he was connected to Marcella even more, bitterness took over.

Donavon’s teeth clamped onto Dominic’s shoulder, and a laugh came out of Samael’s mouth. The wolf instantly let go when fire literally came from the demon’s wound. Donavon turned into his human form and came after his brother in a flash of fists.

“Oh, come on. Is your anger not out yet? You can’t beat me.” The red flickered out of Dominic’s eyes as he addressed the mirror image of him, breathing heavily.

“You’re tougher than I thought.” Donavon panted.

“Of course I am. I’m your leader and, from what I remember, your brother.”

“Brother…Yeah, I kind of saw that when we were fighting.”

Dominic shrugged. “Yeah, well, this is kind of awkward. Sorry, but you still feel like a stranger.”

“I know what you mean.” Donavon ran his fingers through his spiky hair.

“Okay, enough of this,” Dominic said, looking toward Marcella. Dom turned and took a step closer to his brother. “If I ever see you put your hands on our queen like that again, I will rip out your throat, kin or not.”

Donavon gasped and spun around. Samael watched him reach Marcella, still practically running. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t want you to get hurt with my shift. I hit you harder than I intended.”

Holding her tighter to his body, Samael felt her head nod. Her silence did surprise him, though. The pain that flickered over the wolf’s face stirred absolutely no pity in his dark heart. This man had a piece of Marcella he would never hold. For that, numbness and hate took over.

“Who the hell is this?” Donavon connected eyes with him, and Samael made sure the beast inside him could smell the evil he carried. No doubt a warning ignited in that little brain of his that if he so much as fucked with him or Marcella, Samael would destroy him in the vilest way.

“That’s Samael. He’s a—”

“The fucking devil is what he is.” Donavon went to reach for Marcella, but she turned her face into Samael’s chest, once again shocking the shit out of him.

“Marcy, honey. Please. I’m not so sure I like this guy.”

“He’s my master,” Dominic said, stepping forward. “Our queen has his soul. He’s the one who brought us all back at her instance. He’s cool. You can trust him.”

Oh, no he fucking couldn’t.
No one that was considered one of her men should trust him. Shit, they’d be stupid to even think so. The only reason he didn’t kill them all was because of the heartache it would cause Marcella. She’d never forgive him. Losing her would destroy the only sanity he had left in this damn world. She
was
his life. It didn’t get more in-depth than that.

“Well, in that case, I guess I do feel a little better. Please, Marcy, look at me. This was what you were worried about, and I made it a reality. For that, I apologize, again.”

She turned back to him, and her body rotated against Samael’s chest. “I guess it had to happen. Are we going to have any more problems?”

“I think I know where I stand. But I couldn’t just submit. You don’t understand. My wolf just couldn’t.”

“No more, Donavon. Fighting amongst my men is the last thing I need.” Marcella turned to her other mate. “Dominic, this is Aaron. I believe he belongs to you.”

A smile came to the demon’s face. “And I believe you’re right. Welcome home, Aaron. It’s good to see you again. I thought you looked familiar. Tell me how much you remember.”

Marcella’s hand came up to stop them. “Why don’t you men go show Donavon and Aaron around and introduce them to everyone? Y’all can talk about it then. Ambrose, let the vampires know I’m back, and I’ll be down shortly. I need a moment alone with Samael.”

Everyone nodded, and the dark angel could sense Donavon’s hesitation to leave, but one by one they filed out of the room. Marcella twisted in his arms and peered up at him. A smile came to her face, freezing his heart.

“Thank you for coming. If you wouldn’t have shown up, I don’t know what would have happened.”

“Looks like I have perfect timing. Nothing more.”

“Well, thank you.” A yawn left her mouth. “Damn, the peace and quiet feels good. So tell me. How have you been since I’ve been away? I missed you. A lot.”

“You did?” There was no way he could keep the surprised expression off his face.

“Yes, I did. I really wish you’d reconsider moving in. I’m not sure why, but I really think—” She stopped and shook her head. “No, I really
feel
like you should be here. I’m not sure what you’re hiding from me, Samael, but you don’t appear as what you really are. You have more good than you’ll let yourself believe.”

He laughed. “Nonsense. I come from darkness. If I hold any good, it’s your doing. You’re such a bad influence.”

“Am I?” Her smile grew but sobered in an instant. “Stay, Samael. I know you don’t like this situation any more than Donavon does, but please. You belong here. With me.”

Ah, shit. There was that look. It was the one that made denying her anything impossible. Why was it the one that he loved the most? His best guess was because he was one sick, masochistic fuck.

“What if I say I’ll think about it? Would you be happy?”

Marcella adjusted herself in his arms, bringing her closer to his face. Damn, all he’d have to do is lower just the smallest fraction and their lips would touch. What would she do? Would she recoil in disgust, or go along with the act, only to regret what happened after? Either one would only hurt him in the end. No use making things worse.

“I would be happy if you’d just give in and stay here with me.”

“I bet you would.” He laughed and nuzzled her nose, cursing himself the moment he realized what he was doing. Pleasure erupted over every inch of his body.
Great going, dumbass. Another long night to look forward to. You’ve got to be the stupidest motherfucker on this earth.

“I would.” She positively glowed while she looked up at him. Damn it, he needed to get out here. It was time to end this and make her mad at him, once again.

“To submit to you so easily would be no fun at all. Perhaps I’ll drag this thing out for eternity. I kind of like having you at my mercy. Tell me, my queen, how would you like to be under my control? I bet I could make you forget those men of yours in mere seconds.”

“Impossible. You’re not up for the challenge. Plus, it wouldn’t happen, and you said you’d never share me, so you’d lose in the end.”

She stood and peered down at him with a seductive look. Mother of all that was holy, if he wasn’t half tempted to give it a go. He stood, looming over her. A smile came to his lips and he knew it was the one he used to make women melt. The parting of her own led him to believe she could picture exactly what was crossing his mind.

“I’ll leave you now, my queen. And just so you know, you’re the one who’s not up for the challenge. You see, I never lose. Never.”

Samael vanished and appeared lying on his bed. Who was he kidding? As much as he hoped she really wanted him, he knew it was nothing more than the connection they shared. She couldn’t help but feel something. Hell, she’d been created for that reason. For him.

Sighing, he rolled to his side and made his clothes disappear. The throbbing of his cock made a groan pour from his mouth. Flashes of her smile only worsened the ache. Palming his thickness, he brought his hand up his long length. With a jolt, Samael jerked forward. Yep, it was going to be one long fucking night.

* * * *

Marcella stared at the open air area where the dark angel had disappeared. What had just happened between them? And why in the hell did she practically keep throwing herself at him like a bitch in heat? Something had to be wrong with her. She had four men. Four! The last thing she needed was one more, but she’d be damned if there wasn’t something between them.

If she could only recall the past, she was sure it would answer all the problems she was going to face and why she was so drawn to Samael. But remembering wasn’t going to happen. Not any time soon.

Putting her crown, necklace, and dagger into place, she closed her eyes and appeared in the great hall. Laughter died out, and the moment she opened her eyes, two vampires rushed toward her. Ben engulfed her in a hug, lifting her off the ground. Sebastian stood next to them.

“It’s good to see you again. I think we all were going a bit crazy without you here,” Ben said breathlessly.

Surprised, Marcella felt her head rear back. “I missed you all, too. But I thought I was the only one who felt our bonding.” She hugged Ben tightly, and he placed her on the ground.

Sebastian looked down shyly. “No, I felt it, too. All we’ve done since you’ve left is train and talk about your return.” The smile couldn’t be hidden. Marcella felt absolutely delighted. Children, that’s exactly the way she felt about them, like a mother figure. She walked over and embraced the vampire she’d had the most trouble with.

“You did cross my mind while I was gone. I’d hoped we would be able to put the past behind us and start fresh. What do you so say?”

Sebastian looked up, his cheeks reddening. He obviously had fed recently. “I would love nothing more.”

“Good.” Marcella led them to the large table where everyone was seated. After they took their seats, she walked to her main position at the end. Waving her hand, she made a variety of foods appear. The flan was specially put in front of Donavon. He smiled, turning to her.

“Amazing. Do you know how much trouble you could have saved if you would’ve done that to begin with? No. You labored over a hot stove for hours to make us meals. Why?”

“Because I love you. You had to see that. This,” she gestured toward the table. “I knew would eventually come, but you needed to see firsthand what I would do for you. Because if I couldn’t materialize, I’d be in front of that stove right now, cooking for every single person in the fortress. Without each other, we’re nothing.”

Donavon slowly shook his head. “You are
wonderful
.”

The smile Donavon gave her cracked his lip back open. His left eye wasn’t any better. Purple shadowed around the slightly puffy skin, and it looked like Dominic had just made it ten times worse.