Set In Flames (Morningstars Book 1) (23 page)

Maya got up, feeling a wave of dread hitting her. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t actually what she was feeling, but what Jaden felt. It was weird and wonderful at the same time to have his emotions in her.

“What is it?” she wanted to know, looking back at the warrior that now was hers for life.

“Seeing you get up makes me worry that life is about to come back in,” he grinned, letting his eyes roam over her body. It wasn’t really hard to figure out why he wanted to keep life right where it was: outside of their door. He wanted to do naughty things to her. It was more than clear in his eyes.

She laughed, turning around to fish for Jaden’s shirt. She needed food and so did he. Someone needed to take care of his more than human needs; he took care of all the others.

“Dearest Creator…” Jaden mumbled, being suddenly behind her. Maya could tell just by the heat of him brushing against her skin. He was floored and in awe, but she had no idea why until his finger went over her back.

Her tattoo! She had totally forgotten that the bond would have fully filled it now.

“Is it at least pretty?” she asked quietly, only half joking. Those lines had been anything but. Jaden’s lips went over her shoulder, just brushing the slightest bit of skin.

“Pretty? I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. Those lines…” He kept touching her, drawing them as if he was newly tattooing her. “Angel’s wings. That is what your lines created. They look as if they have been folded to your back. You are the race’s savior and your wings are representation of that.”

She was half way in heaven with the way he was touching and caressing her, barely registering his words. She was so lost in everything that she was feeling for Jaden, overwhelmed by the whole connection that had been forged between them, enjoying everything he felt: pride, longing, hurt, and regret. She had tried talking to him about the last one, but he had distracted her until she had forgotten about it.

“I wish this would never have to end,” Jaden whispered; despair pouring through their bond in huge waves. She was missing some vital information, but couldn’t figure out in which direction it would go.

“I’m turned. I’m fine. We have an eternity to spend together to forget all the hurt that you caused me,” she promised, wanting to make him feel better. He sat down on the bed and she stood in front of him, resting her lips against his forehead. He hugged her middle, pressing his cheek against her stomach.

“Besides, the day is not over yet,” she teased and he looked up at her, giving her a heartwarming smile.

“No, it’s not,” he agreed and in no time Maya found herself between the sheets, again, giggling because he hit all her ticklish spots, until he suddenly was teasing another spot altogether.

Kaden had never felt like he did that night when his brother was home, most likely beating himself up over the fact that he couldn’t find the one girl that meant the world to him. Kaden ran a hand through his hair, ready to tear the blond mass out while walking up and down in the base’s game room. Only tonight it was silent since no one even pretended to be busy. They just sat and wondered what they best could do, what they had possibly missed.

Colbin joined the warriors and tension spiked in the group. Ryder made his way over until he stood next to Kaden.

“You look like someone died,” Ryder remarked and Kaden had to agree. It made him want to throw up because right now there were only two people out there who could cause such an expression.

“Was she found? Is she okay? Is something wrong with Jaden? I need to know … how did it happen? Just speak,” Kaden pleaded. If they had died, either one of them, part of him would die, too.

“She’s back,” Colbin explained and Kaden heard a collective releasing of breath. It told Kaden all he needed to know: They all loved her and there was no chance they’d settle for anything less than seeing her.

“Is she okay? Can I see her?” Kaden asked, taking out his phone to call his brother. Jaden needed to know.

“Actually there’s no need for that call. She’s at your place, Kaden, and Colbin knows that he’s turning her tonight. That’s all. Nothing more happened,” Lex explained and Ryder pushed forward.

“I need to go there now,” Ryder bit out, wanting to leave, but Devon held him back.

“No one can enter that place until they decide to come out. Privacy is one of the perks of being bonded,” the Scotsman told them and everyone stared at him. “I tried to interrupt my parents once and they never found out. Until those two decided that their time was over, no one can take a step into that house,” he shrugged.

Kaden wanted to curse. He wanted to be there to make sure that his brother didn’t mess up. And Jaden had a tendency to do just that.

“Stop worrying, Kaden! I feel like my head is finally exploding,” Lex screamed and silence spread another time, everyone staring at him.

“Dearest Creator! I am not in love with her,” he said as realization hit him. “This is my twin’s Origin we are talking about! Jaden was on the way to depression and … I am not even sure we can get that, but anyways, he was rougher than usual whenever … when we shared. If something happened to Maya I fear he’ll go off the deep end.” He knew he left tons unsaid, but he just didn’t want to tell them that he worried Jaden could be rough with her. Too rough. He stopped that thought though as he caught Lex glaring at him from across the room. How had she twisted them all around her little finger with what little contact they actually had? Unless…

“You’ve all been visiting her, haven’t you?” he wanted to know, watching how a guilty expression crossed every face, even Red’s. It floored him because it meant each and every one of them would give their lives for her no matter what.

“You really must have hated me for trying to keep her from you all. It explains the way you all acted,” Colbin said finally and Kaden felt as if they had a breakthrough.

“I didn’t think you would have noticed because I didn’t change anything towards you,” Matthew mumbled, but Colbin just gave them all a smile.

“Not obviously, but little gestures told me all I needed to know. I just wondered what the reason was… Now I know,” Colbin sighed. Kaden had the feeling there was much more he wanted to say, but their leader stayed silent after that. By Lex’s expression it was pretty obvious a lot of secrets were kept that night, but in this moment Kaden didn’t care.

“If they are back by tonight, we’ll go and hunt that bitch of a mother. There’s a good chance Maya knows where we have to go. Try to get some sleep, now that you know she is okay. This might be an intense night. That is, if we run into the mother,” Colbin explained then, leaving the rest alone again.

Jaden went through Maya’s soft curls, knowing that the moment she woke up they needed to get ready. There was a high chance Destra would try run, and if he had any say in it, Jaden preferred intercepting her.

Maybe, just maybe he’d get lucky that night and the chase of Destra would take precedence over moving Maya to the new court. Maybe he could keep her one more night. Maybe that wasn’t the night yet where she found out that he had agreed to let her go. That position had changed, but so far he hadn’t talked to Colbin about that. He knew he wanted to be with Maya, but he sure as hell didn’t want to go against his leader in this decision. He was a warrior after all and duty was something he held high.

He could already imagine how she felt once she heard that they were going to be separated, no matter for how long that was. It would feel like the ultimate betrayal to her and that thought sent pain running through his body.

Maya awoke with a gasp. He caught her in his arms, pulling her shaking body against him.

“What in the world was that?” she wanted to know, her lips pressing against his shoulder while she talked. It made him take a deep breath, ready to say all the things he needed to get out before they left, but nothing came over his lips. He couldn’t tell her. If he just had a few more hours he had a chance to convince her that he truly loved her and would do everything for her. He could make her trust him enough to believe him when he said he would have never promised to let her go if he’d only known what she’d come to mean to him.

He couldn’t tell her that he loved her because at a point that he feared was coming way too fast she was going to resent him even more for the ‘lies’ he had told her. She’d doubt every word he’d say now.

“Maya…” She moved out of his arm so she could look at him. Her expression was somber even though she had been glowing just a few seconds ago.

“Must be serious. I think I can count the times you called me Maya on one hand.” She cupped his cheek, making his heart hurt. It wanted to split open with the pain he’d cause her soon. No matter how he twisted and turned it, there was no way around that.

He forced a grin on his face, hoping that he’d be able to control his emotions enough so his body wouldn’t betray him through the bond.

“We can’t stay in this bed forever even though I wish it was possible. Our time ends now,” he whispered, all humor leaving his voice towards the end of this sentence. A smile broke over her face and she leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose.

“This time does, but I’m yours for life. There’ll always be another time coming,” she laughed and he felt bittersweet at her words.

“Promise that you’ll never forget that, Cupcake. Promise you won’t forget you are mine for life, no matter what’s coming,” he insisted, catching her face in his hands so he could see her eyes. Insecurity flashed through them for a moment.

“No matter what, Maya, say it,” he urged and she finally smiled.

“Yours for life,” she whispered and he kissed her another time before he let her get up. “I’m gonna hit the shower and no, this time you can’t come,” she grinned. Her hair reached her back, leading his eyes to follow them down to the tattoo and then even further down to her nice, round ass. His lust must have spiked because she looked over her shoulder, blowing him a kiss before walking into the bathroom. In the doorframe she paused, hanging her head. Happiness and nervousness swirled inside of her.

“Cupcake?” he inquired and she finally met his eyes.

“I love you, Jaden. Thank you for being my savior,” she said, then she went into the bathroom, luckily not waiting for an answer from him. He took a few deep breaths. Afterwards he pulled out his phone.

One message was there: Killing the mother tonight if we find her. We move the girl tomorrow night. Court is ready.

Jaden felt his heart race. He had one more day with her before all shit would hit the fan. He just hoped he could somehow prevent the worst from coming to happen.