Destiny Divided (24 page)

“An unnamed favor?” Sage asked Gethin, the infamous Red Dragon of Wales. “That’s a little vague. You could demand my first born or some shit like that.”

James itched to pull her behind him, but he didn’t dare. She’d made him promise he wouldn’t interfere. It went against every instinct, but promising not to meddle didn’t mean he wouldn’t be within arm’s reach though, ready to sweep her away the moment the situation became life-threatening.

It was starting to look that way already.
Gethin, like most dragons, was scary as hell.

He smiled and answered, “That’s a risk the Dark King was willing to take. If you want the door to stay open, you’ll have to take the same risk.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, I’m not really good with the whole random IOU thing, so we’re going to have to just go ahead and nail something down now.”

His
heart sped and he tried to warn her with his eyes not to anger the dragon.

Gethin’s smile didn’t fad
e but his eyes flashed yellow, a hint of the terrifying beast beneath.

Sage merely arched a brow and continued, “So, how about you keep working for me and I pay you whatever the going rate is for dragon door guardians?
And
, as a bonus, I won’t let anymore evil demons out to cause hell on earth and get you in trouble with whatever god left you in charge.”

The dragon’s eyes flared again and just when James thought he was going to shift, he burst out with a roaring laugh and waved a dismi
ssive hand in Sage’s direction.

“Fuck all,” he murmured to himself. “I don’t have time for this. All right,
Queen
,” he gave her a mocking bow, “payment is due at the beginning of the month.” He turned his attention to James. “You might want to teach her some manners, vampire. Little girls who talk back to dragons get gobbled up.” After one last smile, he disappeared.

Sage had held her own against a three tho
usand year old dragon. Why he’d ever thought her incapable of anything was beyond him.

“Well,” she said, letting out a shaky breath. “Now th
at that’s done, let’s go home.”

Sage had
brought out James’ vampire side more than he ever thought possible the last few days he’d been with her in the Underworld. He’d hated himself for so long he didn’t think he would ever feel comfortable with his fangs. Or his bloodlust. But Sage could sate it. Drinking from her was almost worth the last century and a half of misery.

Caerwyn was starting to feel less like home.
His time in Massachusetts seemed like a hazy dream. But Sage was as real as real could be – vibrant, alive, sometimes maddening, but always real.

He
took her hand, intertwining their fingers as they strolled through the forest trees toward
Rheol Hearn
. She’d been queen only a few weeks and already the dead trees were sprouting green leaves again.

“You were brilliant
,” he told her. “But I can’t say I liked the experience.”

She chuckled. “Sorry. You’ll have to get used to it though. I
am
the queen.”

“Yes, I know
,” he said on a sigh. “But perhaps you could hire me as your bodyguard. I’m also good at military strategy. And I’d like to think I could give you advice now and then.”

She tapped her chin. “Hmmm.
I was thinking I’d keep you as a sex slave.”

“Sex slave, huh?” Without warning
, he tackled her to the ground.

She yelped in surprise.

“Then I better do my job.”

***

On a rare patch of green grass, she laughed as James kissed her all over in a frenzy of silliness. He pulled her into his chest, wrapping both arms around her shoulders. She nuzzled him then playfully bit his nipple over his shirt then gasped when he slapped her ass.

The last week
had been tense for both of them. They hadn’t quite healed from the hurtful words they’d slung at each other in a fit of temper. But she was proud of James. He’d promised to be open minded about the Underworld. Even though it was hard for him to move past his hatred and prejudice, once she’d explained what had happened, he’d reluctantly agreed she couldn’t leave.

H
e still might only consider her job there temporary, but at least he’d made some headway. It would be a long, hard journey for both of them, but one she had a feeling would be worth it.

“I can’t believe you came for me,” she said
dreamily. “I thought you’d hate me after I left you in that cave.”

“Oh, I was plenty mad,
cariad
. I had all sorts of torturous plans for revenge.”

“You succeeded with some
of them.” Remembering the long night she’d spent at his mercy made a wave of lust rush through her.

His chest rumbled with laughter. “Yes, I’ll admit that was gratifying. And we do need to have a little talk about that cave incident. Especially now that you’re an all powerful…what did you call
it? Vwitcheress? We need to set some ground rules for this relationship.”

“Ground rules?”

“Yes. Like no tying up your mate without their permission.”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged
. “The handcuffs were kind of fun.”

His body stilled and when she looked up at hi
m, his eyes darkened with hunger. “Remind me you said that when we get home. I know just where I left them.”

She laughed
.

They lay i
n silence for a while, savoring the moment of peace. When her responsibilities crept into her thoughts, she sighed. “We should probably head back. I need to start planning a criminal system and get in touch with the witches about a hex to keep the demons from leaving.” She started to pull away but he tightened his grip.

“One more thing.”

“What?”

“I love you,
” he whispered against her ear. His heart raced as his chest rose and fell erratically under her cheek.

She was glad he couldn’t see her face. She probably looked like a grinning fool.
Several moments passed in silence.

“Are you going to say something
?” he asked.

“Yes.” Although she’d never told anyone she loved them, and although it felt awkward and unnatural to do so, she
reluctantly said, “I love…your body.”

Ja
mes sat up, pulling her with him. “That’s all?”

She
shrugged. His eyes narrowed and his fangs lengthened under his lips.

“Oh, big deal. I have fangs to
o.” She plopped back down on the grass.

In a blink, James was inches from her face. “But mine are bigger.”

Her lips twitched then she threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, fine. I love you too.”

She pulled him to her mouth and he kissed her long an
d hard, making her head spin. Warm tingles ran up and down her body.

He loved her. Foul-mouth, bad temper, stubbornness and
all. Tears formed in her eyes.

“Ah,
yes, my delicious queen,” he said when he pulled his mouth from hers. “I love you more than anything.”

He kissed down her neck an
d landed at the spot between her neck and shoulder. She saw his gaze darken as he glared with desire at her tender skin.

“Mine,” he said wi
th a smile then he pressed a wet kiss on his favorite spot.

“Yes.”
With her heart full of trust, she opened her soul to him. “I’m yours, vampire. You can have me. All of me.” She kissed the palm of his hand and put it to her chest. “Heart and soul, too.”

Her vulnerab
ility was rewarded with a breathtaking smile. With a quick flip, he lay on his back, holding her draped halfway across his body. “Thank you,
cariad
.”

S
he knew he understood what it meant to give herself to him – how hard it was to let go of the hurt and mistrust she’d held onto her whole life. It felt as if an enormous amount of pressure built-up within her had been released. Like the weight of the world was just taken from her weary shoulders.

It was ironic
, since she was now in charge of an entire world, but she wasn’t alone anymore. She had, not only a lover, but an ally and a trusted friend. She couldn’t find words powerful enough to describe how she felt.

With watery eyes
, she whispered into his chest, “I’m so glad you came for me. I need you more than you can ever know. And I love you…more than…”

“I know,” he
said.

And she believed he did.

Six months later.

“More trashy motels?” Sage complained as they drove their rental car into the parking lot of the Welsh version of a Motel 6. The light was out on one of the letters and the place was a ghost town.

“Sorry
, darling,” James answered. “But it’s hard to make reservations when we don’t get satellite service most of the week.”

That
part of living in the Underworld, she hated. No cell phone service, no internet, no fast food chains. They’d begun traveling Topside once a week, sometimes staying overnight to catch up on “extra-curricular activities.” It was hard to find time, and privacy, when ruling a world in the midst of a war. They also stocked up on supplies.

Sage had left her usual q
ueen garb – including crown, leather, and sexy boots – back at the castle and opted for comfy jeans and a t-shirt instead. The costume was another thing she didn’t care for in the Underworld, but she needed to maintain an image for her people.

Shortly after settling in, J
ames left to get dinner for her. After freshening up, she pulled out her phone and scanned through the missed calls then the texts. Three were from Erin who was still in school in Albany.

Hey chica! Miss U :(

She smiled. She missed Erin too and it was hard not being able to text her anytime she wanted.

A few months ago, she’
d told Erin about sorcery and about James, but not about living in and ruling the Underworld. When it came to her sister, she had to reveal things slowly.

She flipped to the next text.

OMG! Some wizard guy is stalking me, trying to get me to go with him cuz u r in danger. WTF is going on?

She
gasped then hurried through the next one.

Are u in danger? Seriously. I’m freaking out.
Please txt me!

Each was a day apart, the las
t one sent two days ago. She stared at the wall, barely breathing. Was it the Counsel? Were they after her best friend and only family?

Once the panic subsided, the fury erupted.
Those fucking dickwads! She’d kill them all if they touched a single hair on Erin’s head!

Her whole body lit up with
blue light. She barely registered her crushed cell phone fall to pieces on the floor.

The motel room door unlocked and
James walked in, carrying a McDonald’s bag. He stopped short then rushed to calm her.

“
Cariad
,” he started, catching her gaze. “Take a deep breath. And push back the light.”

Although she still got carried away with her power once in a wh
ile, especially when her temper was challenged, it was easier to get back in control. Slowly, the light faded as her breathing deepened and her muscles relaxed.

“Now, what’s going –” He stopped when he spied the broken phone. With an irritated
glare he said, “That’s your third phone this month.”

“You keep buying me cheap ones.”

“Because you keep breaking them!” He placed the McDonald’s bag on the corner table. “So what happened this time? Did Ruby tell you the world is coming to an end? Cause you know she’s only joking –”

“The Counsel went af
ter Erin.”

“What?”

She thrust out a hand. “Gimme your phone. I need to call her.”

R
eluctantly, he handed her his. She paced while the phone rang twice…three times…four times then Erin’s voicemail picked up.

She growled
and felt the light return to her body as the muscles in her hand involuntarily flexed. “She’s not answering!”

James
narrowed his eyes. “Not,” he snatched the phone from her hand, “the Droid.”

“I’m going to get her.”
She rushed to the door but James got there first.

“No, you’re not,
” he told her blocking the doorway with his body.

“James…
”

He put a hand softly on her cheek. “J
ust listen to me for a moment.”

She sighed but nodded.

“They’re baiting you, sweetheart. And I don’t think it’s for a diplomatic discussion. I’m sure they’d love nothing more than to have the Queen of the Underworld’s beautiful head on a pike. Putting yourself in danger –”

S
he interrupted him with a scoff.

“
– is irresponsible to your kingdom. You know I’m right.” He leaned in and placed his hand on the back of her neck, caressing her, calming her. With his forehead resting on hers, it forced her to concentrate on his slow breathing.

“
Not to mention your head happens to be very important to me.” More sternly, he told her, “I won’t let you walk into a trap.”

In a calmer state of mind
, she could see his point. It was beginning to sound a lot like a trap. But she couldn’t abandon her sister to a fate unknown either. Even though Erin technically wasn’t blood, she was as much her family as she’d ever had.

“
Okay. I won’t go. But someone needs to –”

“I agree. I’ll go.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I need you with me.”

“But there’s no one else we trust.”

“Hang on. Isn’t Marcelo Topside?”

“I think so. He said he had a –”

“Quest.” She rolled her eyes. “I know.”

Marcelo had left the Underworld short
ly after James had arrived. She missed the friend she’d gotten to know so well in a short period of time. He was the only other person she could trust to pick up her sister, protect her, and deliver her to Sage in the Underworld. And with his ability to
traverse, it would be quick and easy. She could only hope he would agree.

She
held out her hand again. “Your phone.”

James eyed her warily.

“I won’t break it.”

He didn’t look convinced. “If you do, you’re giving me your blood every day for three weeks.”

“Three weeks? That’s steep.”

“It’s a brand new Droid. I just personalized it.” He held it out to face her. “Look, I downloaded Bejeweled.”

Her lips twitched. “Two weeks.”

“Three.”

She sighed and put a hand on her hip, making a big show of the concession. Though it wasn’t much of a sacrifice to let him drink from her, sometimes she just didn’t feel like being somebody’s meal. A girl’s gotta have her space now and then.

“Fine,”
she said with a sigh.

She reached out to take his phone but he yanked it back. “And if Marcelo agrees to get Erin, we go on with our plans.”

“Another demand?”

He took a step closer and slid his hand softly down her side, from breasts to hips. “I have things I want to do to this
body.”

Any other day and she would’
ve been covered in goose bumps, but with Erin in danger, she couldn’t concentrate until she knew her sister would be okay.

She leaned in
and pouted her lips for a kiss. He bent down and slowly seduced her with his mouth. Twenty long seconds later, she had his phone in her hand and was already making her call. She turned back around to give him a sly smile.

“You are a dangerous woman,” he said shaking his head.

Marcelo answered his phone with his customary formal greeting, “
Reina
. What can I do for you?”

“Umm.
I don’t suppose you’ve ever been to Albany?”

***

Sage had convinced Marcelo to traverse to Albany, hunt down Erin, and then deposit her in Wales where she would be waiting. James had taken a shower while she worked out the details with Marcelo and sent a picture of Erin via text.

When he came out of the bathroom with a towel
hung loosely around his waist, his hair shimmering and slick with water, smelling like soap and desire, she boldly looked him over and licked her lips.

He caught her gaze and gave a sexy half-smile. She felt his phone still in her hand and with one easy flex of a muscle, crushed the outer case. It was
easy enough to fix, but broken, temporarily, nonetheless.

He
looked at the phone then back to Sage, a brow raised at the bold challenge.

“Oh, you’re going to pay for that,
cariad
.” His eyes twinkled with wicked promises.

A shiver
crawled down her spine.

She didn’t even see him move before s
he was pinned to the bed, his naked body on top hers.

He looked into her eyes for a long moment, then extended his fangs and thrust deep into her neck. Shock and pleasure filled her while James dr
ank her soul, her very essence.

Raising his head from her neck, he said, “Forever with you, darling, is going
to be quite an adventure.”