Ties That Bind: The Bellum Sisters 3 (paranormal erotic romance) (14 page)

CHAPTER 19

“Yes, that long,” Telal said, distracted.

His eyes watched her with a mixture of disbelief, desire, and confusion. Then he looked away and the bond between them broke. At Telal's look, Kearnyn hopped down from the cliff, kicking up a black ashy smoke cloud. He came towards them and Telal wasted no time touching both of their arms and porting them again.

Telal's office appeared and with only a glance at Telal she could see he looked as weary as she felt. Suddenly, she felt so tired, exhausted.

Her eyes grew heavy, her muscles lax, and she yawned broadly. “Come on, I'll take you to your room.”

She nodded and started walking with zombie-like steps to the door, but then he came up behind her and scooped her up in his arms. She let out a surprised sound and wrapped an arm around his neck, then when he didn't protest that, laid her heavy head on his shoulder. She sighed. It felt good.

He turned to Kearnyn. “When I get back, we have to talk. Wait here.” Then he was walking to the elevator and they were waiting in it as the machine slowly drifted down to her floor. She kept her heavy eyelids closed the whole time and let her body relax more and more by little increments. He smelled wonderful, sexy and male. He felt even better, strong and agile.

He'd kissed her, done more than that. There was something there. The fact that she hadn't made that up in her twisted mind brought a smile to her face. He opened the door and kicked it shut behind him. She opened her eyes at the cold, modern hotel-style room. Her few meager items were still on the dresser and floor. The sheets still ruffled and pulled down. It all looked the same, but it felt so much different now. He walked her to the bed, tightening his hold on her as he reached down to pull the covers back.

“Want your shoes off?” he asked in a gruff, quiet voice. She was so tired she could barely talk so she just nodded and toed them off. He set her in and pushed her legs under the covers, then pulled them up to her chest. She just looked up at him, trying to figure out what she should say about everything. He looked awful. Handsome, but awful. Lines etched across his forehead, his eyebrows were drawn down in consternation, and his lips down in a frown.

He started to pull away and she reached up, her fingertips gliding across his cheek and lips. “Don't be sad.” She didn't know how, but she'd do everything in her power to make things right, to help him. He jerked his head to the side in a 'no'.

No what? He couldn't not be sad or did he not want her to touch him? He stood and started to turn away but at the last moment, came back around and leaned down over her.

“Telal,” she said softly.

He half-laughed, who knew what about. “I like you better like this.” She pulled back in confusion.

“Like what?” He only shook his head again and pressed his lips against hers, softly, the touch barely there. Then he pulled away and went to the door. His eyes scanned the room one last time as if making sure it was clear of perpetrators. His eyes caught on something on the floor—probably her mess of clothes. He walked to the other side of the room and picked up and empty jar.

Lily's stomach hit the floor, her pulse raced. He brought the jar to his nose and sniffed, cringing.

“What is this?”

“For my pain.” His eyes lifted to hers.

“Should I make you some?”

Her heart melted. That he'd do that for her now almost made her want to cry.

She shook her head. “No, I don't hurt badly. Just some sore arms.” He nodded then set the jar on the dresser, then glanced down at the floor and picked up her other empty jar. He smelled that one too. “This one doesn't smell nearly as bad. Two different potions?”

Her heart pumped double time. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “Y-yes. Both for healing. One to heal faster, the other for pain.” Nodding, he set the empty jar next to the other one. At the door he turned back to her. “Good night, Lily.”

“Goodnight, Telal.” He left, closing the door quietly behind him. Only after she heard the elevator at the end of the hall ding, did she spring out of bed and race to the jars. She gripped them both, hugging them to her chest. That was so close, too close. Her mind raced, panicked. She'd lied to him. God that felt bad. Really bad. She wanted to go straight up to him now and confess. But she couldn't. They'd made so much progress, real progress. He'd talked to her for the first time tonight not in that snide, condescending way.

Fingers trembling she put away the pain jar and took the other over to her sack of goodies from Rosa's. The sweats came again, her fingers trembling. She'd been so tired before, reading to pass out and forget all about tonight, but now she'd seen the jar. No way could she get it out of her mind now. She mixed the herbs and liquid then poured it into the jar. She sniffed it delicately and grimaced. It did smell awful. Her stomach clenched with need and revulsion. Revulsion not at the drink but at herself.

Wrapping an arm around herself, she stared at the foggy liquid and when the first tear slid down her cheek she swiped it away quickly. With three big gulps, she drained the jar. It fell loosely from her fingertips, rolling a few circles across the fancy white carpet. Her head whirled, the room spinning around her for a moment. She felt dizzy as the warmth spread throughout her body and cells. It took longer than usual for the feeling to come. She'd missed her evening drink, that's all.

The word withdrawal came to mind, but she quickly shoved it out of her mind. Then the feeling came.

Joy, pure happiness, rapture.

Lily fell back on the carpet, laughing, her lips split in a big grin. Her body felt amazing, loose, and warm. Her mind was quiet and happy, no nasty thoughts intruding.

Smiling until her cheeks hurt, she climbed across the floor and up into bed where he'd pulled the sheets back. She tucked herself in and felt—amazing.

CHAPTER 20

Kearnyn headed to Telal's office after a fitful night's sleep. This was definitely unusual for him because normally something really fucked up would have to happen to make him miss sleep. Even during war times, ages ago, when his shift was over he'd hunker down in his trench, pull up his furs with his sword clenched between his hands, and pass out like a baby to sounds of clashing metal and cries of pain. It was just how he was made. He slept heavy and deep like a hibernating bear.

But not last night. Last night he'd tossed and turned going so far as to turn completely around in his bed and try sleeping with his head at the foot of the extra-long frame. Didn't work. It's not like he'd had a whole lot on his mind. He hadn't. But something didn't feel right; he just didn't know what it was.

Of course, Telal looked like a mess last night. He'd never seen Telal look like that. There'd been only a few times he'd seen his boss even disheveled. The first had been when the news came that Tobius en Kulev had been killed and the other was last night. Everything about Telal had been off. His demeanor, his words, his look. He'd been passive, everything he said sounded like an afterthought. He'd looked...sad. Whatever happened in that rift had been bad, that much he knew.

Kearnyn bit back a curse as he went into the office. He stopped at once. The room was dark. What the... He checked his watch to make sure of the time. 6:00 in the morning on the dot. Telal was always up and working right now. Fuck, this must be worse than he'd thought.

Switching on the lights as he went, he opened Telal's bedroom door and flicked on the light switch. The lights flickered on to show an empty bed without as much as a wrinkle in the perfectly made comforter. Not a scrap of clothes were left on the floor—nothing.

This had to be really bad.

Kearnyn thought for a moment, and then went with his gut. He knew where he was.

Back at the elevator, he hit the button for floor thirty-five. The doors dinged open and a short path down the hall was a solid white door with a key code on the side. Kearnyn punched in the digits and the door unlocked with a whoosh of compressed air. Inside he heard a mixture of blaring noises, a television and music playing at the same time at a decibel that even a deaf person could hear. Cringing at the offensive sounds, he walked inside not knowing what to expect.

“Shit,” he cursed.

The rec room was Telal's personal space. To Telal, the space was more personal than his bedroom or office. This was where he went if he wanted to work out, meditate, or in this case...get stinking drunk while blaring every electronic in the apartment.

Telal sat in a leather chair, a beer in one hand, a bottle of Jack Daniels in the other. The Jack had only a sliver of liquid left inside. Only when Telal lifted the beer can to his lips did Kearnyn sigh with relief. At least he was still alive. Telal faced a large flat screen television that took up most of the wall with some kind of horror flick playing on it. A woman was running from a masked man with a big butcher's knife in his hand. Kearnyn smirked at it. Somehow, though she was running and he walking, the killer seemed to keep pretty darn close to her the whole time.

Stalking to the radio, blaring some kind of rap with a throbbing beat, Kearnyn killed the power. Instantly, the tension in his head eased. The woman on the television screamed as the killer neared her. Her cry seemed to pierce straight through his ear drums.

Kearnyn was trained for many things—picking up after his slobbering drunk boss was not one of them. Still, he went to him and hunkered down to meet him on eye level.

“Sir...” Shit, he stalled for words. He didn't know what to say.

Telal's gaze slowly slid from the TV to him. His eyes were red, glossy, and low-lidded. On closer inspection, everything about him looked wrong. His blue hair looked like a bird had made a nest out of it. It was fuzzy and matted like he'd spilled something in it; and its normal sheen looked dull and lifeless.

“Where'd the music go?” he slurred.

“I turned it off, sir. Can I help you get to your room?”

One eyebrow lifted. “Why'd I wanna go there? That song was my jam.”

Kearnyn frowned. This was more awkward and difficult than he'd thought it'd be. “
'Yous a hoe'
is your jam, sir?”

“Yes, in fact, buy me the rest of that artist's albums. I want all of his music. Pure genius, Kearnyn. Genius.”

“Yes...sir.” Kearnyn stood, not knowing what to do. “Sir, can I get you something? Food, water, a bed perhaps?”

Telal choked on a laugh. “You are funny, my friend. No, if you don't mind leave me now. I wish to drown alone, thank you.”

Drown alone? That sounded like some suicidal shit right there. Kearnyn took the bottle of Jack and beer out of Telal's hands and stalked to the kitchen. He'd leave, but first he was tossing all this shit out.

“Where are you going?” Telal asked in a deadly voice.

Suddenly pressure encased Kearnyn's body; his steps stopped, leg muscles spasming from some outside source, and tight suffocating pain enveloped him from head to toe. Fuck, not his magic. Sweat pooled on his brow. Burning pain breached his skin, singeing his nerves like he was standing over a fire. Then of their own accord, his body turned and he marched back to Telal. Telal’s glare held a spark of deep hatred that Kearnyn had never seen before. When Telal tore the bottle and can out of his hand he actually sighed in relief. As soon as he had them back, the look receded. The burning magic around him faded until he regained movement in his own body.

“Do not interrupt me until I say so. Got me, Kearnyn?”

“Yeah, I got you.” Kearnyn made his way for the door.

“Turn the music back on.”

Rolling his eyes, Kearnyn hit the power switch on the radio.
'Yous a Hoe'
came blasting through the speaker system, the bass loud enough to demolish an old building.

“I'm going to Rosa's to check on production of the weapons.” The only indication he received that Telal heard him was the bottle of Jack being raised in a salute in the air. “What about your guest?” The hand paused in mid-air then slowly lowered back into his lap.

Even over the loud music and the terrifying screams of someone being murdered on the TV, he still heard Telal's low demand. “Do not tell her where I am.”

Kearnyn shook his head. “You got it.”

CHAPTER 21

A brisk knock came at the door.

Arianna closed the journal she'd been writing in and went to answer it. She recognized the steward from the other night and instantly her gut tightened.

“Yes?”

“King Alrik has commanded your presence.”

Oh, God. “Well, I will have to change.”

The steward shook his head. “I'm afraid he's ordered your presence immediately.”

Arianna nodded, feeling like this couldn't be happening to her. Oh, but it was. She closed and locked the door behind her then followed the steward down the hall. She still hadn't recovered from their last dinner together, and it was too early for dinner now. Maybe he wanted to have breakfast with her. Or maybe he wanted... No, she couldn't think about that. That's
all
she'd been thinking about since he told her.

And now things had changed. She'd seen Telal, her betrothed, for the first time since the war. His appearance was like seeing someone brought back from the grave, she'd been shocked beyond belief and excited to see him. Then he'd publicly denounced their marriage. And that was that. Her opinion made no difference on the matter. Now Alrik wanted her for...sex. Even thinking it made strange feelings grow inside her, made breathing difficult. Who could have thought that such a simple task could be so troubling?

The steward led her down the hall to the royal dining room again. She sighed with relief. Whatever he had planned, he wouldn't be doing it in the dining room. Or would he? Her eyes widened. He'd touched her the first time in there, had made her feel...strange and exciting feelings. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit she wanted to explore those feelings. See just how much he could make her feel. But it all felt so wrong. If this had been before the war when he was a different man, things would be so different. Now he was dark, his heart black. He was not a good man.

The steward opened the double-wide doors. “After you, Lady Arianna.”

She walked inside and mentally checked to make sure her small smile was in place, her hands resting neatly at her sides, her chin up. Alrik was nowhere to be seen.

Arianna turned back to the steward just as he was closing the doors. “Where's the king?”

“He shall arrive momentarily, my lady.”

Arianna flinched as the doors closed. From the last booming echo of the door shutting, she felt as though her fate had been sealed. Silence filled the air. The chandeliers were lit and flickering over the grand table, but no plates were set for a meal. Unease trembled through her. Unsure what to do, she walked to the table then crossed back to the door. Again and again. What did he want with her? Why bring her here now? Without a formal appointment? Her gut twisted and churned. Her fingers began to tremble and she wrung them together to hide it.

The servant's door burst open and she stifled a yelp. King Alrik strode through it looking more tense and angry than usual. His brows were pulled down, his lips flat. He started towards her and she back up until her back hit the door. He stopped at the table and tossed down a packet of papers.

“There,” he said.

Her brow arched. “There what?” she asked, breathless.

“Read it.”

With no other choice, she obeyed his order. She had to come close to get the papers, and he didn't move, which put her much closer to him than she wanted to be. It was inappropriate of him to stand so close to her but then again he'd had his hand down her dress last time. Her breath caught and she quickly starting reading over the papers. She shouldn't be surprised at what she read, but she was.

“So it's complete,” she said finally, her tongue dry.

“Yes.”

She nodded slowly then set the papers back on the table. “I am now officially...single.”

He shook his head. “No.”

Her brows pulled in confusion. “But this said I am not betrothed to anyone. Wouldn't that make me single?”

“Normally, but I have claimed you.”

She swallowed hard and closed her mouth to keep from panting. “What-what does that mean?” If he meant claim in the savage sense of the word then he certainly hadn't done that. She'd never lain with a man but she was certain she'd remember it. Especially by the dark king.

“It means that you are mine now.” He pulled out the chair beside him and dropped into it. He stared up at her with a lazy expression on his face, almost like he was bored. She tried to ignore his big legs kicked out and spread before him but she couldn’t help but notice how strong his legs were, how long. A blush crept over her face.

“But in what way? If we are not, that is, if we are not betrothed...” she whispered the last.

“Come here, Arianna.”

She stiffened but didn't move. Fear kept her immobilized.

“Come. Here,” he said again, an edge to his deep voice.

Arianna closed the space between them until she stood by his chair. His hand reached out to grab hers, then he yanked, and she fell into his lap. No lessons on manners or teachings of etiquette ever taught her how to deal with this. She stiffened awkwardly, and tried to keep her back straight but her bottom rested atop his spread thighs and her feet dangled off the side of the chair.

One strong arm slid around her back and instantly the strain in her back and abdomen lessened. His other dark hand came to rest on her stomach which clenched hard in response.

“We are not betrothed. You are mine now. I'd recommend that you don't let any males pursue you, Arianna. Now that the whole kingdoms heard what's happened, the males will come out to try to claim you.”

Her eyes darted to his gaze, and then quickly stared ahead at the wall. He meant to what, then? Keep her as some sort of concubine? The notion was absurd, degrading, and she hated him for it. A part of her wanted to say that if you don't want any males to claim me, then do it yourself, but that would only lead to huge, huge problems. Like what if he agreed? No way. No way could she be his wife.

The hand at her stomach flattened until she could feel the heat of his fingertips as though he was touching her skin to skin. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you. I've waited a really, really long time for you, Arianna.” The hand around her back curled around her hip.

Her breath stuttered out from her lips as little zaps of pleasure shot inside her like fireworks. Somehow she found the strength to look him in the eyes. “But you've changed so much,” she said softly.

His eyes froze over, the heat in them disappearing like a receding wave on a shore. The hands on her body tightened in what felt like a warning. Then in a flash of movement, the hand at her back vanished and cupped her neck, pulling her face towards his. Wild excitement, panic, and fear all combusted inside of her. She could feel his breath on her lips she was so close. Her stomach trembled. She wanted to feel the wicked heat he lit inside her last time. Wanted to see just how far he could take her; discover what exactly he could make her feel.

His eyes narrowed on hers. “Then remember me how I was.”

His mouth came down on hers hard, demanding. Her inexperienced mouth didn't know how to keep up. One thing she did notice was the metal loop in the corner of his bottom lip. It felt surprisingly cold but smooth and not very noticeable. He deepened the kiss, his hand moving to cup her jaw, and his thumb pressed down on her chin, opening her mouth. And then his tongue delved inside, thrusting, creating a stir of riotous feelings inside her.

A fog drifted over her at the different sensations. Warmth pervaded her every cell until her clothing felt suffocating. The hand at her stomach moved, curling around her hip and squeezing gently. A soft gasp came from her, out of nowhere. He seemed to eat it up because he groaned, thrusting his tongue inside her faster, hungrily. An all new sensation came forth, like the one he'd made her feel last time.

She suddenly had the need to spread her legs and pull him on top of her. She craved the heavy weight of his body—only he could ease the needy ache building inside of her.

He pulled away from her mouth. “Kiss me back,” he ordered, his deep voice ragged with something she was starting to understand. She felt the hunger inside of her, it made her feel strange. Deep in her belly felt empty as if something was missing from there, and her body leaned closer to his to get more of his touch.

She nodded quickly then wrapped her arm around his neck. His lips parted and their tongues met. A beam of electricity passed between them at the touch. She struggled to breathe and kiss him at the same time, but somehow she managed it.

She slid her tongue against his rougher one and a burst of feelings erupted inside her. She squirmed in his lap feeling hot, needy, tight, and achy all at the same time. Her breasts felt taut, nipples hard and chafing against her dress. She parried her tongue against his thrusting one and wondered, if she asked, would he put his hand on her again.

He pulled back, breathing rough and ragged. “You are beautiful.”

She might have blushed if her cheeks weren't already flushed. “Thank you, King Alrik.”

“I told you to call me Alrik.” His thumb rubbed up and down next to her lips, distracting her.

“That's right. I'm sorry.”

He stood, taking her in his arms. “You taste so good.” His lips slid across hers, then pressed deep. When her mouth opened on a sigh, he slid deep and provoking. He set her on the table and stepped between her legs, but her long dress restricted him from pushing deep. He growled and grabbed the hem and started shoving the gown up to the tops of her thighs.

Arianna couldn't find her tongue long enough to voice her protest, because it felt thick and clunky in her mouth.

He pressed into her, his body warming her. He was just so hot. His hands settled on her waist and then, with a jerk, he scooted her forward pressing himself to the vee of her legs. She gasped, startled, as a flood of wetness escaped her. A fiery blush stole over her cheeks.

“This is inappropriate,” she whispered.

His lips found her neck, wreaking havoc with lips, tongue and teeth. Arianna couldn't hold her head up, it was too heavy, and it fell to the side. Not only that, but suddenly her entire body felt too heavy. She just wanted to fall back against the table and pull his heavy body atop hers and rub the spot aching between her legs against him. Just thinking such wild thoughts made her flush down to her toes.

His teeth caught at the juncture of her throat, imprisoning her. Pleasure bloomed from the bite, spreading to her chest, stomach, and legs. Strange things were happening in her body, tightening, heating, spasming; all from his simple touches. Her mouth opened to try to suck in more air.

“You are so soft, Ari,” he said, sounding pleased.

He called her Ari, the little nickname he used to. Her heart panged in her chest.

Before she could voice, or try to, some kind of response, the hands on her hips tightened and he rocked himself against her. A strangle cry escaped her. Her hands flew to his shoulders and held tight. More, more of that, she wanted to say, but her tongue had long abandoned her. He rocked against her again and this time she concentrated on the feeling. He was hard, rigid, and long as he pushed against her. That one touch eased the empty hole inside her and brought forth a new feeling. This one she was familiar with. She'd pleasured herself before, but none of those times were nearly as exciting as this was.

Hot lips trailed down her collar bone, kissing, licking, then down further to the edge of her bodice. Yes, yes! Her breasts were tight and full. They needed to be squeezed to alleviate the pain inside them.

Her hands bunched and squeezed at his shoulders in an unending kneading rhythm. “So eager.” His deep voice had gone husky with passion. The sound made her tremble.

She thought she nodded but couldn't be sure. Everything around her was happening too fast and too slow. Tentatively, she pushed her hips against him and moaned deliriously. She pushed against him again and another moan escaped. It felt so good. It pushed the neediest part of her against him and brought forth those intense clenching feelings in her womb, the ones that would send her shuddering with hot bursting sensations in her belly and flying outward.

“Fuck,” he cursed. And then something happened. Something was let loose inside him.

Alrik pushed her back against the table, following her down. Her heart jumped then started racing in an erratic pattern.

He reached behind her, gripped the back of her dress and tugged. She gasped as small pearly buttons shattered across the table. He was ruthless like a conqueror, pulling her dress down to uncover her breasts.

He kissed her lips hard then made his way down to the slope of one breast, pressing kisses around the rim of it. She trembled as her nipple pulled even tighter in response.

“Hold on to me,” he said between clenched lips, and she did, gripping the fabric at his shoulders in tight fists.

His tongue flicked out, tracing a path around her puckered tip over and over again. She squirmed beneath him, chest rising and falling in great heaves. Unable to contain herself, she lifted her chest, her nipple, to his mouth. His lips parted and she thought he was finally going to take the bud between his lips, but then his eyes trailed up to meet hers.

What she saw there made her gasp, made her hips pump up and meet his hard cock. Possession, burning need, barely leashed. She wondered at the look. Did her eyes reflect the same, because she surely felt the same simmering passion inside her right now? Then he closed his eyes and sucked her nipple between his lips.