Raven and the Rose (3 page)

While they kissed, she whimpered and melted against his strong physique. Inhaling his scent

of fresh rainwater and woods, she kept sight of the problem at hand. Was it wrong for them to

indulge in such a moment? With a groan, she placed a palm on his chest, breaking their

connection. “Thank you, Storm. Are you coming to the council meeting tomorrow night?”

“Yes, of course,” he answered as his gaze brushed over her and made her weak in the knees.

“I’ll go with you when you take the potion to Niall.” Storm’s voice became gruff.

“I don’t want you two at each other’s throats,” she admitted, as they turned and walked up

the cobblestone trail leading to the back entrance of McQueen Manor.

“I’ve never liked that man,” Storm seethed. “I’ve stolen glimpses into his mind and I do not

approve of how he thinks of Dehlia. That combined with his words infuriates me.”

Rose’s chest tightened. “My niece needs to cap her feelings toward him. I’ve told that girl so

many times about the consequences of bedding that insidious vampire. But, she has ignored me.”

Storm snaked an arm around her waist. “Dehlia hasn’t allowed him into her bed yet, but

unfortunately, she’ll eventually do what she wants. At this point, she’s not thinking with her head, but with her body. She’s a grown woman Rose, but she’ll make her share of mistakes.”

Rose sighed as they climbed the stone stairs the banister encircled in roses to the terrace of

their chambers. “I know, but Niall is aware of what will happen if he takes her blood. He

constantly dangles that threat whenever he wants to piss me off.”

He chuckled softly. “And you allow him to do so.”

She lifted a brow and challenged Storm. “And you don’t?”

He simply laughed and squeezed her plush ass. Once inside her chambers, she pulled the

double doors closed. With a wave of her hand, soft light lit the room as she sat on the purple

velvet comforter of her bed to slip off her shoes.

Storm sat next to her. He propped her feet onto his lap and began massaging her ankles. “If

Clara trusted him, what makes you think we can’t?” he asked with curiosity.

“Clara only used him and his family to defeat the warlocks after the massacre of the McKay

Plantation. Their family retaliated against one of our ancestors. We would have lost many

McQueen witches if we hadn’t joined forces with Niall’s clan. Unfortunately, we sometimes must

work with vampires.”

“Does anyone know who that ancestor was?” he asked.

“No. Viola does, but she’s never shared that info with any of us.”

“What does The Book of Whispers say?” Storm worked his way from her ankles to her feet

his fingertips kneading between the tendons of her feet.

She groaned and reveled at the attention her man was gifting her with. “There’s nothing

embedded in the book regarding that incident.”

“Okay, what is the book saying about our current problems in Raven’s Falls?”

“With the exception of a few swirls of the glyphs, absolutely nothing. I’m at a complete loss.

Tobias and I went to the police station tonight.” Rose filled Storm in on everything that happened in his absence.

Lifting a dark brow, Storm ceased his actions. “Vampires sharing blood? Rose, we need to

find them quickly. I’ve made my rounds once returning to Raven’s Falls, but I haven’t seen a

vampire around for miles. The only vamp I’m sensing is Niall.”

“That’s not good. Do you think something else is impersonating a vampire?”

Storm nodded in agreement. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Uncle Corey has doubled up on police activity and declared a curfew for the protection of

citizens until we reach the bottom of this. I’m scared—Storm. A family of dragon shifters were

harassed in their home last night. We must reinforce the safety of everyone while regaining their trust. Has anything strange happened in Queensville? I sent Kezzie out to see what she could

find.”

He shrugged. “Everything is fine there, but there’s an imbalance in the spirit world.” He

shook his head. “Spirits have been tight lipped to me. My powers wane when I’m there. I don’t

know how outsiders are getting into Raven’s Falls, Rose. It makes no sense.”

“It makes a lot of sense,” she grumbled. “We have traitors within the city…sharing their

blood with vampires.”

“How are they slipping between the veils of both waterfalls without being detected?”

Rose’s jaw tightened. Only McQueen witches could pass through the falls, because of the

powerful magic in our blood. “That’s what we’ll be discussing at the council meeting. My mother and father are attending, but I don’t know why. Mother has always dodged McQueen power and

my father never approved of any of this. But, they ordained him and allowed him to attend

council meetings.”

Storm moved up next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Give them credit, Rose. At

least, they’re trying to be somewhat supportive of you. And your mom belongs at those meetings

just as much as anyone.”

An uneasy feeling glided over her. “I suppose you’re right.”

“How are you getting along with them?”

She snuggled against him. “Just casual conversation in passing, that’s it.”

“You know you need to change that, right? After all, they are your parents,” he chastised and

kissed her on the cheek.

“I’ve made a huge sacrifice tonight just by invoking Niall’s help. Right now, my parents are

the last thing on my mind.”

Storm visibly cringed. “Just don’t push them out, that’s all I ask.”

“I’ll try
.
Now…about Niall
.
Only a vampire can pull the memories from the blood of someone who’s experienced mind coercion at the hands of another vampire.”

Storm smiled and squeezed her tight. “I trust in your decision, Rose.”

“Which reminds me, I’ll need to make the potion soon. Daylight is only a few hours away. I

must keep my word to him.”

“Do you need any help?”

She squeezed his hand. “No, Storm. You should rest while I prepare the potion. We’ll need

to have our strength for the council meeting.”

He smiled and kissed her on the cheek as she rose from the bed. “You need to conserve your

energy just as much as I do,” he reminded her. “Rose, why do you feel the need to take on the

weight of the world on your shoulders?”

“It is my duty, Storm.” Sensing the direction the conversation was going, she tried moving

off the bed, but he held her hand tight.

“Is it the witch or the woman telling me this?”

“Both.”

“I think the witch smothers the woman. We both know there should be a balance between

the two.” He twirled the coils of her hair as he swept his gaze over her.

“Storm, let’s not discuss this now.”

“We
should
discuss it. You’re always putting it off.”

“This isn’t open for conversation.” She told him firmly.

“That’s exactly what I’m speaking of,” he challenged.

“There’s no rest for the wicked.”

“Ah, but you’re far from wicked. Unless, you count the bedroom.” His eyes narrowed and a

serious look crossed his face. “I’ve missed you, and I’ll dismiss this conversation…for now,” he promised in that familiar husky tone, letting her know he had plans for them once the potion was completed.

“You’ll have to wait,” she warned in a firm voice, reminding them both of the tasks at hand.

“Then, we’ll play.” She stood from the bed and moved away.

“Oh, but I want to play now.” Storm rolled off the bed and slowly strode over to where she

stood.

Rose’s breath hitched as the candlelight illuminated every inch of his tanned skin. The tribal

tattoo encased a raven and a rose, and seemed to move with every move he made. She licked her

lips at her mate’s naked body. She hated it when he teased her at the most crucial times. “Storm.”

“What?” he shrugged innocently. “I’m getting ready to shower.” He kissed her on the cheek,

then headed to the large bathroom.

Rose grinned before chuckling softly to herself. At the altar, she grabbed a few herbs, poured

them into a porcelain vial, then added purified water from the stream. “I’ve got a pleasant

surprise for you, Niall,” she called as she waved her hand over the vile.
“Om yi, kiu, to omla.”

She shivered and shifted, feeling Storm’s heavy gaze and she knew he was near. Her breath

quickened and her pulse raced. She had to complete the potion before it was too late. “There, it’s done.”

“Good.” Storm’s whisper felt a like a soft caress to her being as he pounced on her from the

right. Embracing her in his strong arms, he delivered moist kisses along the side of her neck.

“Where did you come from?”

“Ah, Rose. You underestimate the raven,” he teased. “You were deep in thought. You didn’t

feel me walk past you.” He frowned for a moment. “That worries me.”

“No need for worry.” She gasped and wiggled up along the erection throbbing against her

back. “Ah, Storm.” Thanks to his roaming hands, she couldn’t remember what she wanted to say.

“There’s more than enough time. I refuse to take no for an answer. I will have you one way

or the other.” He slid his left hand along the front of her robe, releasing the braided golden ties.

Immediately, it fell to the floor around her ankles to reveal her full breasts to the moonlight filtering in from the windows of the terrace doors. “We’ve neglected so much, Rose. We’ve

neglected ourselves for far too long.”

Her breathing became erratic and she wished he would take her by force. Storm’s fingers

raked over her soft mound, up along her belly, only stopping briefly to toy with her breasts.

Hooking her arm with his right one, he continued roaming her smooth, sienna skin. His fingers

seemed to leave an invisible trail of fire along her flesh.

“You’re being selfish,” she whispered when he picked her up and carried her toward the

doors of the terrace.

With the force of his mind, the doors flew open, and he strolled out onto the stone terrace. “I won’t deny that,” he breathed huskily in her ear before nipping her lobe with his teeth. “I am a very selfish man when it comes to you, Rose. But you need this as much as I do.”

Gently, he placed her on the chaise lounge covered by a plush gold comforter. They’d

enjoyed many moments of lovemaking on the terrace.

Their eyes connected as Storm eagerly pushed her thighs apart. “Certainly as much as you,”

she teased.

Off in the distance, Rose heard the sound of the waterfall. While he gently tilted her back,

she wrapped her silken thighs around his body, until her heels dug into the flesh of his ass. She gasped when he pushed forward, invading her womanhood with his shaft.

“I’d say we’re equally wanton,” Storm confessed.

“Storm.” She gripped him tight as he surged in and out of her wet heat. Biting her lip, she

ran her hands along his back and through his black mane.

Their gazes continuously locked as his groans of pleasure heightened with every stroke he

made. “Ah, sweet Rose.” He grounded out into the night as he swept his hands beneath her

buttocks, forcing her hard against him. “Yes—fuck!” he cursed. “I want to strengthen your

powers, fly into the spirit world with you and make love until we plummet back to earth.”

“And we shall, once Raven’s Falls is safe,” she whispered and bucked her hips hard against

his, their rhythm matching perfectly. Their howls of pleasure sliced through the starlit sky.

Raking her nails across his skin, she flung her head back and screamed. “Harder, faster.”

“Mmm.” Storm slid his hand up from her back to her neck and into her shoulder length

tightly coiled strands. Roughly, he pulled her hair, forcing her to look at him and covered her mouth with his.

She witnessed a glint of triumph in her mate’s eyes.

Then a wicked smile curved the edges of his lips as he gently withdrew from her and stood

up.

“Fuck me long, hard, and deep.” Her voice trembled with need as they took a few steps

toward the terrace.

Spinning her around, he forced her over the terrace banister and slid hilt deep inside her.

Slowly, he withdrew and slid in harder, several times. Each time, penetrating her core deeper than the last.
“I want to devour you…”
He reached around to fondle her breasts and moaned before slipping out and then again, plunging deep into her wet cunt.

She protested when he withdrew from her body and hoisted her up.

Grabbing the comforter, he tossed it onto the stone floor of the terrace and lay her down. “I

shall
devour you,” he vowed and immediately slammed into her. He eased her legs back for a minute, then placed them over his shoulders.

“Fuck me.”

“I am.” He pounded her relentlessly, pressing her knees to her ears.

“Harder.” She needed this badly.

“Unnh.” Storm drilled repeatedly into her flesh, never allowing her to rest.

“Harder, baby…” she pleaded. “Faster. Fuck me. Harder. Pound me. Do it! Oh, Fuck! I need

you to come inside me.” She reveled in the sound of his heavy balls slapping against her ass. She saw Storm’s eyes gleamed.

For a split second, he looked like a crazed madman, seeking redemption deep inside the

walls of her womb. “I’m coming Rose.” He grounded out.

“Ah, oooh,” She felt his cock throb and spasm inside her. “Oh Storm, yes, yes, yes!” she

howled when he groaned, and deposited a thick load of cum deep inside her, still pounding her,

never stopping until their orgasms crested.

A strong surge of energy surrounded Storm, swirled throughout his body before passing into