Lustful Cravings (The Seven Sin Sisters) (22 page)

These soldi
ers
—
Madden’s great-grandfather several times removed
—
became more than any scientist anticipated. Much of their strength was hidden to preserve them from harm themselves.
These soldiers concealed t
heir unanticipated need for blood as sustenance as best they could
by
utilizing the blood of those they killed in battle.
The
breeds
served until finally near the 160
0s when, with much thanks to
Spanish and English aid,
King Henry was forced to accept the Peace of
Cateau-Cambresis
and renounce any further claims to Italy.

But that did not end the power of these warriors, now known as the Valendite Breed
, named
fo
r the war in which they were created. Empowered with the role of preserving peace for their country, the Valendite breed warriors stayed
inconspicuous
, fearful of those who might be frightened or threatened by their gifts
.
They learned to drink from one another,
a
blood exchange that left them unfulfilled and empty.
Their accomplishments
in the war
hidden, buried to protect their identity
, they lived as simple men
. Until over the years, and despite their propensity to live elongated lives, these
men and their families were able to hide once again among the average men.

Madden watched Layla from where he stood outside the glass door to the library. Lost in her books, Layla seemed most at peace. He remained in the shadows, not yet wishing to be see
n
,
mesmerized by his mate. She was growing into her powers granted to her through an age-old prayer and a simple broken promise.

After
the Valendite breeds assimilated back into life on the hillsides of Italy, very few of their wives were able to conceive.
The breeds were not thriving.
The men assembled and brought their women to the steps of Rome, to the place most known for prayer and sanctity, to ask for God’s intervention in their lives.
Pleading, one woman by the name of Magdalena offered any sacrifice that might be asked of them in exchange for fertility.

Her plea was granted. Though reports of the event were never accurately transcribed, breed historians agree on a few basic events. Each woman present that day
—
seven in total
—
were filled by one of the seven deadly sins
, t
his
act
in exchange for the honor of bearing breed children, continuing the race and nourishing their breed mates.

All was well for
the breeds then. Their race flourished until the time
of another generation in the late 1800s. The women became unhappy in their role, seeking independence from the bonds that held them to the breeds. For without their mates, the women could survive
,
it w
as only the breed mate who suffered from separation.
Some began leaving, traveling to other countries.

A terrible storm struck the land on the day of Samhain
1804
. Terribly superstitious
, the women converged in the town’s large cathedral to pray. Winds stronger than were ever seen before or since tore down the stone structure, killing those women trapped inside. After the storm ended, though
,
very few women
—
only those not making it to the cathedral
—
remained alive.

An apparition appeared outside the cat
hedral ruins. The majestic angel stood before the women who bowed down on their knees in her presence. “You shall call me Magdalena. You shall pray to me as Goddess. For you are those I saved this day. You are true to the promise made so long ago
and granted to us through the grace of God. Your honor lies in claiming your breed mate. It is as it should be.”

The wom
en dared not move as they heard the men approach, remaining on their knees in respect for their Goddess with whom there was a connection. The soil warm beneath their legs, the air crisp and cool against their hands. Every sensation
, every movement and sound,
was
heightened
. Their change not subtle
,
the men
present that day at the cathedral
witnessed the transformation.

“You are no longer as you once were. Manifested in you n
ow are the elements. While others broke their promise, you held steadfast and are rewarded with powers in your own right. No longer shall you exist only to sustain your mate but to also sustain the earth. My blessings
be
upon you and your children after yo
u
. It is as it should be.”

Those gathered saw the apparition spiral in a colorful rainbow that seemed to draw every eye, a comforting scent and warmth flooded the courtyard where now only seven women remained alongside the breed men. A new beginning was upon them.

Madden saw Layla’s face flush, tears blooming and threatening to spill down her reddened cheeks. He could no longer stay in the shadows. He moved to her, kneeled down at her feet and laid his head upon her lap.

“Our history can be overwhelming.”

“It is beautiful what Magdalena was willing to do. She must’ve been very much in love.”

“I would agree,
Layla
love.”

“I would truly, Madden, do the same for you.” The whispered promise came to Madden as if Layla had shouted it from the
mountaintops
.
S
weeter yet, she’d said it just for him.

*
*
*
*

Layla’s sisters stood circling Madden and Anton. Behind them stood others gathered for their
Pronou
ncement
.
Swirls of white flowers floated from the branches of nearby trees with small white lig
hts setting the evening on fire.
Tradition called for a twilight wedding
and Adelina select
ed a beautiful
grove
in the Santucci’s vineyard
.
T
he moment could not have been more beautiful as Layla cast her eyes upon the scene.
She took deep cleansing breaths and felt the
tingling she now re
cognized as her powers flow through her in calming waves.
Layla took o
ne-step
in front of the other until her parents stood at her side.

“You are most beautiful,
my daughter
.” Her mother looked her regal self, draped in a gauzy
moss green
dress
.
Their hands slid palm to palm, their fingers laced
. N
ext
,
Layla placed her hand through her father’s waiting arm so that as three, they walked toward the circle.

Layla’s father stood tall and strong beside her.
His presence
—
the strength of a man so powerful
—
wrapp
ed
itself,
as wings would surround an angel
. Her newfound knowledge of his breed’s rich history caused any space between them to shrink in size. In awe of this man, the love he shared with her
mother
and the realization that she now owned the same bond with her m
ate
could’ve taken Layla to her knees. Except as she looked ahead, there stood her mate.

Madden would always
astound her
.
As was tradition, he stood before her in only tan trousers and a white shirt left unbuttoned to expose his neck to her.
Old world sandals and leather strips adorned his arms.
His beautiful silver eyes sparkled in the lights surrounding them. His stoic expression and dark, brooding looks were softer
this night
and framed by
ebony
strands of dark hair she wanted to stroke her fi
ngers through. His smile as he took her in caused flutters
—
actual flutters
—
in her tummy.
With those dimples on each side of his smile, h
e was delicious.

She heard her sisters’ giggles.
Of course, t
hey
were
read
ing
her thoughts
.
N
ever opting to give anyone privacy, they shared everything and Layla wouldn’t change that now
.
She listened to her sisters
.
“
She’s so in love,
” said Amelia.
“
You
did it
, little sister
,” said Sadie.
“
Definitely delicious
,” said Gemma.
“
Go get him,
” said Paige.
“
I will miss you
,” said Gracie.
“
I so wish I was you
,” said Eloise.

Madden
’s grin grew wider, likely realizing her attention was drawn inward as she communicated with her sisters. He shook his head and nodded to Anton standing next to him.
Anton st
ood
shoulder to shoulder with Madden now and gaz
ed
on her with such open affection
.
Layla nearly forgot to breathe. Anton’s soft looks cast beside Madden’s darker appearance
was
striking
.
“Two men, my daughter
, two mates.
So few are so lucky to be cared for as such
.
”
Chiara’s words were a whisper beside Layla’s ear.
T
he twinkle of white lights surrounding th
e grove illuminated the single tear that escaped her eyes.

As Layla entered the circle and her parents moved to stand on the perimeter
with the others
, it was
now
only Anton, Layla and Madden inside the
circle. It was as if they were
alone despite
being
surrounded by those who loved them
.
T
hey moved towards one another
until they could touch
.

Anton’s light ginger fragrance hung in the air
.
Layla breathed and a mist seemingly from out of nowhere surrounded the triad.
Madden’s hand slipped into hers while Anton pivoted to face them. They stood side by side ready to become mated.

Anton raised his voice so all gathered could hear him. They would be the only words spoken until the ceremony was complete. “I am honored to make this Pronouncement. For Madden and Layla.
And for myself.”

First Anton kneeled before them with his head bowed, a sign of
his respect. Layla followed him down onto her knees, capturing his hand in her own. Together they bowed before Madden for only a moment before he too kneeled upon the ground. Palm to palm to complete their
triad;
the three formed an unbreakable link.

A low chanting rose from the women gathered. Smoke rose and swirled around the triad; they were alone within this sanctuary, guarded. Each drank from
the other in the same pattern they kneeled
. Anton drank from Layla and then from Madden. Layla drank from Madden and then from Anton. At last, Madden took his sips from the others. The chanting grew louder, the smoke more colorful until sparks of light bu
rst from them.
Layla smiled, feeling cocooned by love. Everything was truly as it should be.

*
THE END
*

About The Author

Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the Contemporary
and
Paranormal realms.
Happily married and l
iving a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education. Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories and they are anything but PG.

Connect with Paloma on her website at http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com or on
her
facebook
page
at http://www.facebook.com/SevenSinSistersSeries.

www.secretcravingspublishing.com