King Tomb (Forever Evermore) (16 page)

He ran a hand up and down my back, and I realized I was trembling in his hold, truly sorry for hurting him. His voice was gruff when he stated, “I know, Lil. I know.” He kissed my temple. “I’ll always love you and help when I can.”

My voice shook, throat clogged as guilt and love rode me hard, hiccups interrupting my words. “I love…you, too…Dad.”

All the air rushed out of me as he crushed me in his arms; I was truly unable to breathe he held me so tightly, his strong arms killing my ribs. I didn’t complain, knowing he wasn’t meaning to hurt me, and I could only imagine the relief he was feeling at this day finally arriving, no longer hurting and unable to tell me about Isa’s father. I only held him back and unconsciously held my breath.

“Your hold’s too tight on her,” King Zeller said softly but firmly behind me. “She hasn’t taken a breath in a minute.”

Instantly I could breathe, Antonio’s grip loosening, and I inhaled heavily, waving off Antonio’s apology. “I would have said something eventually.”

Antonio’s chuckle was soft as he shook his head. “Or passed out.” He had a point, but I wouldn’t admit to it. He kissed my forehead, then he moved and kissed Isa’s forehead, unafraid of baring his neck to King Zeller. Then he surprised me by squeezing King Zeller’s shoulder gently before heading to the tent flap. He paused and glanced over his shoulder at me, eyebrows cocked, and without any of the kindness he showed moments before, he barked harshly, “I spelled your damn bedroom for a reason.” His finger jabbed at me. “Use it.”

My lips pinched with a smidge of humor as he turned and exited my tent in a huff, running hot and cold like normal. My attention went to Isa, hearing her burp loudly, King Zeller having finished feeding her the bottle. I started packing up the videos and other items from my spelled PO Box — although I did remove the photos and marriage certificate, not able to look at King Zeller now that Antonio was gone and we were alone again. “I’m going to keep the photos and marriage certificate in my bedroom since no one can get back there, and once you’re done with the videos, I’ll take it all back to where I had them before for safe keeping.”

He murmured, “That works for me right now.” King Zeller stood, Isa in his arms, and I watched him from the corner of my eye go to stand in front of the tent flap to my bedroom and toe the entrance with his boot. And, just as the spell had been created to work, his boot hit an invisible barrier before he could reach the flap. He grunted, reaching out to run his hand along the barrier, which extended the length of the wall including the outside, which he was probably realizing. “I want to see where my daughter sleeps,” his gaze was on me, I could feel it, “or she comes to my tent tonight.”

My teeth clenched, and I finally met his gaze. “Are you serious?” I threw my arms wide. “This is coming from the man who has drugs stashed in his room?”

His nostrils flared, and he spoke bluntly. “I could have it all removed in a matter of minutes, then you could inspect it.” He knocked on the barrier. “Your room, on the other hand, I can’t even see.”

My arms crossed in irritation as I stared. “I’ll do this because I understand fully where you are coming from, but know that I can take away your access just as quickly as I give it.” I pointed a finger at him. “So, if I allow you in and you breach my trust at a later date, I will revoke your entry.” I saw he didn’t like this, not at all, but intelligently he didn’t argue since my point was valid. I nodded, then I crossed my arms, compelled to also say, “And just because I’m allowing you back there, it doesn’t mean we will be doing...anything,” my hand fluttered, “sexual…in there.” My cheeks were starting to flush, but I didn’t glance away from his gaze, letting him know I meant it.

His lips pinched as he gazed at me, then they twitched.

I jabbed the finger at him again. “I’m serious.” Again, I watched his lips twitch. “And dammit, I’m not funny.”

He inhaled heavily, his breath coming out shakily as he tried damn hard not to laugh at me.

I scowled, lifting the pictures and marriage certificate from the table. “Well, I’m so thrilled you think what happened earlier was humorous.” I lightly shoved him out of the way so I was standing in front of the tent flap, and murmured quietly, “Permit Ezra Zeller.” The wall flashed solid gold for a moment, then went back to shimmering gold against the white fabric. I brushed the tent flap aside, stepping into my bedroom, and motioned grandly for him to cross the threshold. “Your annoying Highness may now enter.”

“Thank you, your smartass Highness.” He stepped into my room, his gaze instantly scanning, analyzing everything he saw. He didn’t move any further until he had finished, then he made his way directly to Isa’s crib, not commenting on the sterile surroundings. I blinked when he paused in placing Isa in her crib and reached inside. Without glancing in my direction he held his arm out…with a buzzing bee printed bra dangling from his index finger. I quickly strode over and snatched it from his hand, muttering curses quietly under my breath as I tossed it into the bathroom, letting the tent flap close to hide its untidiness…and possibly more undergarments he could make fun of.

I watched as he kissed her cheek before placing her in the crib, earning a few happy babbles from her, and I froze. Staring. Because right here, right now, in the present day and time as he bent over the crib covering his daughter with her blanket and softly speaking to her…I saw the man I had watched onscreen. There was not an ounce of hardness on his face as he gazed down at her, completely letting down his guard — well, if he hadn’t strategically placed his body to protect himself from me — as he ran his fingers over her hair and spoke to her in such a soothing tone it threatened to make me sleepy.

I knew I was marveling, but I had not thought that man existed anymore, but of course, he did for Isa. His daughter. Just as I came
alive
with merely a thought of her. Anyone who couldn’t unconditionally love their child, an innocent baby, was a true monster. Though it was still a shock to my system seeing that love in him, the man who had just a week ago called himself heartless…and yes, he was when he needed to be, but not with her.

So there went my idea for going behind his back and filing for a divorce. There was a decent possibility that if I filed, the loopholes in Law One would be revoked, and we would be spelled for separation again, which I wouldn’t mind but…Isa. No, I couldn’t do that to her. She deserved to know this man who had already loved her unreservedly.

I jerked realizing King Zeller was staring at me from where he was bent over her. I flared my nostrils, not really knowing how long he had been watching me as I zoned out, but I stated the truth softly, “I won’t divorce you.”

One eyebrow rose. “I know. Just as I won’t divorce you for the same reasoning.” His head dipped, and I saw his predator peek out, his eyes glowing dimly as he stared. In the softest voice, he stated, “Earlier I said that I wouldn’t be nice if you ever attempted to permanently take her away from me, but the truth is, I will kill you.”

Truth.

I shrugged. “I know that.” And I let my eyes glow, let my wolf ride my voice. “And just the same, I’ll kill you if you do anything to take her away from me.”

Truth.

King Zeller’s lush lips lifted, and I saw the briefest flash of fang. “What a pair we are.”

I snorted, walking to my bed and flopping down on it, staring up at the ceiling. “We don’t trust each other. We have no reason to. We met only a week ago because I was trespassing not only into King Shadow, but into your home. And then there’s the tiny part where you,” my hand flittered, “tortured me.” I chuckled quietly, the action getting a smidge easier, if still sounding unused. “It wasn’t exactly the prime setting for starting our dysfunctional family.”

“Family,” King Zeller murmured in a soft tone, testing the word on his tongue. “I never would have guessed this was what I was mind raped for.” He stood for a few moments by Isa’s crib, then moved so he was standing where my knees hung over the bed.

I lifted my eyebrows, staring up at him. “Remember what I said before you entered.” My eyes went back to the ceiling, so I didn’t see temptation staring me in the face. “I may have had a temporary moment of insanity by starting that kiss earlier,” I paused, then stated begrudgingly, “which was fucking hot as hell,” I sighed heavily, “but it doesn’t mean we’re going to travel down the same path we did before. We’re both changed from this past year. That man and woman on those videos may be able to love their child, but when it comes to others…” I sighed, not bothering to finish.

He did it for me. “When it comes to others, love inevitably brings pain, which we both suffered immensely during this last year.”

I pointed at him. “Exactly.” Placing my hands under my head, I glanced at him where he stood like a huge helping of all things brutal and wild, fanning the flame of attraction and arousal low in my gut. I scowled, not appreciating where my thoughts continued taking me. “Maybe you could wear a sack over your head or something.”

His nostrils flared, and he blinked before he crossed his arms, making his shirt fabric pull tight, muscles showing plainly thanks to the golden sparks that contrasted shadow and light on his body. A purely carnal grin etched his features. “I can help you with that itch.” His gaze roamed my features, sliding down my body. “Because I have to tell you, now that I know why I was mind raped, and seeing some of my past I don’t remember, I’ll shortly be in the right place mentally to have sex.” He saw how my lips thinned even if I tried to hide it, the man appearing not to miss much, and his attention lifted from my mouth to my eyes. He bent slowly until his hands were on either side of my shoulders as he stared down at me. “And as you stated before about loyalty, the same has always held true for me. I am extremely loyal to those I care about, and fidelity in a committed relationship is a quality I have always respected in others.”

His head cocked as he watched me. “I hold no respect for those that cheat on their spouses, and I believe they should be held accountable for their actions…and not nicely.” He bent slowly, speaking softly, being blunt and honest. “So, with that said, and the fact you and I cannot divorce, when I want sex — and believe me, I will — I will be coming to my wife for it, even if I don’t particularly like or trust her.”

I tried not to show I had been holding my breath, so I breathed out shallowly, and stated just as bluntly and honestly, “I’m not a damn blow-up doll, King Zeller,”
asshole
, “as much as you may wish I was, so I seriously hope you have enough intelligence in that brain of yours to realize that sex unavoidably leads to stronger emotions, which will lead to us taking that same damn path to the same mistakes…and risk another spelled mind sweep and separation. All of those things are unbeneficial to Isa and ourselves.”

His grin was predatory as he lowered his face to a few inches from mine, his heat now surrounding me even if he had no weight on me, his feet still on the floor and upper weight on his arms. “Ah,” he chuckled, the sound cruel, “you’re forgetting something,” a slow drawl, “sweetheart.”

My gaze narrowed further. “And what is that,” I flashed my teeth, “baby?”

He rumbled quietly with forbidding humor, the sound oddly…comforting and nice. “It’s what you’ve already stated. We’re no longer those idiots from a year ago. Both of us have learned many manipulative skills and evasive tactics.” He bent his head, brushing his bristly, warm cheek against my own soft cheek to place his lips against my ear, and I felt his shadow of a beard. “Even if feelings become involved — and you’re correct, they might eventually — who better to hide an affair than the cruel, jaded, and merciless?”

My nostrils flared, and I scented he was already turned on. “Not that I don’t agree with your thought process, but I still believe it unwise for us to be involved sexually.” This was about self-preservation, an absolute must. “Why risk it?”

His chuckle was still soft, even with his lips still at my ear. “One question: do you want to spend our very
long
existence together thinking about your spouse, your husband,
me
, fucking other women?”

I know I froze under him. Something inside me — not my wolf and not my Vampire, just a primal part of my soul, possibly pride or greed — revoked at the thought that what was
mine
, and he was mine even if chosen by the young and inexperienced me, being touched by another woman, or him touching someone else. And the feeling was strong…so strong that my wolf woke and growled quietly. It was the sound of death stalking back and forth, waiting to pounce on anyone who so much as glanced at the asshole King. Miraculously, I loathed him, but I wanted him all for my own because…he was my husband, and he would be forever. A Mystical’s life was extremely long.

His Vampire responded in kind, his growl just as soft and deadly as mine, and it wasn’t a threat. It was more of an understanding of predators, a basic harmonized necessity to guard what was our own. Pushing back his Vampire, he lifted so he could meet my gaze, and he specified, “You hadn’t thought about this yet.” It was a statement.

I answered anyway, pushing my wolf back. “No, although I did think it odd you wanted to know if I had slept with anyone during the past year.” My lips pinched. “I get it now.” My head swung to Isa and stayed there, my gaze on her quietly babbling tiny form. “But still, I don’t know if it’s worth the risk. She deserves to know you. Abstinence may be our only option.”

King Zeller stared down at me, eyebrows raised. “You’re serious?”

I shrugged, turning my head back to face him. “Yes.” I paused. “Well, we would probably have to get together once every five years or so, since it could actually make me ill not to have intercourse.” Shifters, I swear we got the rotten end of the deal compared to other Mysticals.

He blinked slowly. “That’s…not really going to work for me.” He was starting to appear a little wide-eyed. “Other than this past year, I normally have an…overabundance…of sexual energy.”

It was my turn to stare as I put the puzzle pieces together, remembering his earlier comment about orgies. “I married a man-whore?”