Tempting Ecstasy (The Guardians of the Realms Book 4) Read online

  “All mating gowns are simple and made for swift removal,” Alyssa said with a grin. She’d asked her for preferences earlier, but Dacia hadn’t been able to think of any. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to look like, so she’d left it in Alyssa’s hands and was so happy that she had. It was incredible.

  “You look like a queen,” Isa said, and the emotion in her sister’s eyes was almost her downfall. She wasn’t a crier, but her sisters were nearly pushing her there.

  She cleared her throat and slid her hands over the silk. Undergarments were not worn with mating dresses, and her skin felt sensitive and exposed under the soft rasp of the material. Her cheeks flushed with excitement from both she and her animal.

  “Alyssa’s like a little fairy godmother,” Zoe announced, and Rain cracked up, but Alyssa beamed at the compliment it was.

  “Thank you, it’s incredible,” Dacia told Alyssa, and the female waved it away, but Dacia saw the pride in her eyes and the genuine happiness for the day. She fought more emotion.

  Now that she was dressed, she just felt anxious to get to her mate and finish what they’d started. She wished her brother Jerric could be there, but he had days, if not weeks before he was in any condition to move around. Just rebuilding his blood would take time. He was alive and there, safe… That was all that mattered, and Dacia made sure her siblings knew the importance of keeping the Guardian’s secret. She wasn’t disappointed. They’d been united and determined in their dedication to guarding it. Conn had forever earned their loyalty.

  She took a deep breath and looked around at the females with her, her sisters, who were near tears, and her new Guardian family, and she felt relaxed, happy. She was already finding her place; she was where she should be.

  Sirena smiled. “Ready?”

  She nodded, and within minutes Sacha and Sirena had teleported them to the temple’s ledge. It sat high on a mountain cliff and looked into a tunnel of gold. After a moment they were all walking through to a cavern beyond. The shining walls flickered with the light of a candle chandelier. Beautiful.

  She glimpsed the Guardians and her brothers, but the second her eyes fell on Conn, her breath caught in her throat, and everything else disappeared. All she saw was the raw hunger in his eyes as they glowed in the room. His chest was bare, the only thing covering him was black silk pants, and he’d never looked more gorgeous or Godlike. Breathing was hard as she seemed to float rather than walk. His biceps and shoulders looked bigger, thicker under the ink, and his chest muscles rippled. He was so damned perfect. Her chest swelled that the powerful, beautiful male before her was hers forever. Her stomach fluttered, and she’d never been so happy or so grateful in her entire life.

  She barely heard Drake’s voice or the vows Conn spoke in another language about loving and cherishing her body and blood. She knew the meaning as much as she knew he wasn’t speaking in English.

  Open to me, love. His voice was a beautiful seduction in her mind. She opened and felt him do the same as Sirena lifted Dacia’s hand and placed it over the warm skin of his thick chest, and she felt the healer’s power flow through her. Sirena was helping her mark her male, her mate for eternity, with the two serpents, entwined by their tails in twin symbols of eternity. He let her feel the heat and reverence of taking the mark into his skin. The black ink was a permanent imprint that he was hers. It could never be taken; even if the skin was flayed from his body, it would grow back, such was Sirena’s ability. It felt biting and hot, sexy and arousing as the mark slid in to become a part of his skin.

  When it was over and Sirena’s hand fell away, he lifted her against his newly marked chest and kissed her deeply, with all the feeling and intensity of what they’d done.

  My turn, she said, and his body shook at the words. She was still in his mind and knew how much he wanted to see her skin bear the mark of his mate. It was tradition for the males to take ink, but the other Guardian mates had done it, and even Sam, Alex’s sister-in-law, had taken a symbol for Erik.

  Conn set her on her feet and watched her with banked need, his wolf riding him. His breath sawed from his lungs as she heard him wondering where she’d want his mark.

  Her hand went to his and lifted it to collar her neck, and he growled deep and hard. He liked it. His wolf howled that she would want the mark for all to see. Sirena’s palm came up, and the emotions and the intensity of the marking was so much that Dacia thought she’d die of wanting him by the time it was over. Her neck bore the warm heat of the design she’d worked out with Sirena. The ink was red, a beautifully scrolled version of the serpents with one change: Conn’s name had been scrolled into the design that wrapped around her neck like a beautiful necklace. He touched it with his thumb, caressed it before taking her lips. When he broke the kiss, his deep voice echoed through the room. “I love you so damned much.”

  “I love you,” she said with a smile as he lifted and carried her out to cheers and revelry. She couldn’t keep her fingers from the mark on his chest. Hers.

  Chapter 40

  Island Temple of Consummation, Tetartos Realm

  Conn took her moan into his mouth as they reformed on the sand. It was warm beneath his feet as he carried his beautiful mate up to the marble steps that led into the one-room temple. Stone pillars surrounded it, and the sound of the ocean sliding up the shore would have been peaceful if his body wasn’t so out of control. The moon shone bright on the sand and water, but he barely noticed anything beyond the salt air and the sweet scent of his gorgeous mate and the mark she bore on her fucking neck. Not just that she was a mated female, but that she was fucking his. She wore his name on her skin for eternity, and he still couldn’t breathe because of it. He wanted to touch and lick that mark so damned bad.

  His first look at her in the red mating dress had sucked the air from his lungs, and now he just wanted to see her naked wearing only his name. Not yet. The silk of the gown was soft between them. The deep dark red set off her midnight hair and golden eyes and made her appear more like a goddess of old than his young mate. He’d thought the frenzy was as out of control as he’d get, but he’d been fucking wrong. The ceremony had flayed him open and slid her deeper inside him. She touched his jaw, so much heat and love in her eyes it enthralled him. He wasn’t sure how he moved to the bed and set her down, following her to the bed and sliding to their sides so he could see her eyes.

  The blood bond first. It’s tradition to have a guard watch over us. He’d played sentry for Dorian and Gregoire both. They’d been lost for hours, while his brothers had said it felt like only minutes had passed in their minds. It was an intense experience, and worry had been eating him. He hated that she might be devastated by memories so old they shouldn’t haunt anybody anymore, but they’d made him, and she would see them whether he wanted that or not.

  I need this. It’ll make me truly feel a part of you, like the past doesn’t separate us.

  He nodded. Understood.

  Bastian is here.

  She nodded. They were both aware of Bastian’s quiet presence at the doorway. Far enough to give them privacy, his brother also gave them his back.

  Immortal mating ceremonies were traditionally for the female and showering her with whatever brought her the most pleasure. What he wanted was nothing compared to what his brothers had done. He was fucking happy his mate only wanted him.

  Yes, only you.

  Bastian will be here for the blood bonding.

  She was breathless. Yes.

  I’m going to be in you while we’re in each other’s memories. The second you’re free of the horrors, I want them gone. I want you only thinking of my cock inside you. I don’t want the past choking us. His finger trailed over her neck. This is meant to bring us closer. You already know the horrors you’ll see. I don’t want those memories to take away from us. I want them to dissolve into me loving you the second we wake. So I’m going to turn you around and lift the back of your skirt, love. I want to be deep before it starts. Bastian won’t se
e your beautiful pussy, he’ll stay turned away, but he’ll be here. Will you give me your sweet pussy with him at the door?

  He heard her breath catch and smelled how much wetter that made her. My greedy mate. He grinned wickedly, approvingly.

  Now, love, do you want to bite, or do we need a blade? My beast needs its teeth in your soft skin. What does yours need? he asked her, and her eyes flashed. Her animal was close to the surface.

  Bite, she growled.

  Good. Free my cock. He smiled into her eyes as he made his demand. Her fingers played over his stomach to the silk pants and loosened the tie and slid the front down.

  Roll over so I can slip up the dress and slide deep, love. He heard her breathing speed up along with her heart rate. Remember, only pleasure, let the horrors go and feel me when it’s over. He thought he’d come when she rolled with her back to him and her ass pushed against his uncovered dick. Her head rested on his bicep, and he slid the skirt up slowly, letting her feel the silk leave her bare. Lift your leg back over mine. Open to me, but make sure the front covers your sweet pussy from Bastian. He can know, he’ll smell it, but he won’t see you open and taking me. She moaned and opened as he shifted her hair and kissed down her neck, to the sexy mark. He ran his lips and teeth over the part he could reach. His hands slid back down to her ass exposed to him. First one, then two fingers dipped into her channel. Finger fucking her so that she’d get him all slicked. He nipped at her ear. So fucking wet. Are you ready for my cock?

  Yes.

  “Is your pussy covered?” he whispered in her ear.

  She moaned. He slipped his fingers out and wrapped them around his cock to guide it in. She panted and moved her hips back against him. That’s it, take what you want. Arch your back so your ass is against me. She did, and he sank all the way inside before sliding her skirt to cover where they were joined. His hand slid over the silk to her throat, and then moved higher to give her a taste of her desire. She licked it off as he rubbed his temple against her silky hair.

  He tilted his forearm to her lips. Ready?

  Yes.

  Then bite, love. Make me yours. He growled in the link with enough power to her wolf that there was no hesitation. The animal had been right there, the bite clean. He moaned and sank his teeth into the crease of her shoulder.

  The first flash started with her as a young child.

  Agitation and thoughts of fire. Missing her parents. Playing with dolls as Mia teased and fed her cookies to take away the fear.

  Dizzy, disoriented, her sisters crying as heat licked at her small body, but no fire. She felt fire. Panic. Pain. Anguish. Death.

  Years later, still a child, but bigger now.

  Nerves. Refusal to go on the train. Her sister Isa looking concerned, and Gunn’s frustrated face, but she refused to go. Throwing a tantrum when Gunn tried to go without them. Relief when the train left.

  Loud screeching metal on metal and a crash of fire and smoke; sounds of the fire engines. Her sister’s and Gunn’s assessing looks at her.

  Memory after memory like that.

  The anxious nerves and acrid scent of an explosion. Her wolf agitated.

  The ground rocking and fear and panic that Conn might be dead.

  Another flash.

  Frenzy, heat and awe of her new mate, but fear and uncertainty. Doubting her animal. Shocked at the wildness, her beast, at wanting to play with Conn.

  Again.

  Love. Conn standing angry in the moonlight. Pain and fear that she wouldn’t have all of him, wouldn’t be enough.

  Another.

  Weakness and worry. Fear for her mate. More. Panic then realization, dizziness, loss of strength. Death. Jerric.

  Again.

  Surety and reverence as her eyes tracked the mating mark on his skin. Love and beauty of taking his mark on her neck. Happiness.

  He came back to himself and took a deep breath before kissing the mark on her neck. She was still in his memories as he held her, thinking of all he’d seen. She was so much more powerful than she even knew. She’d always thought her ability was instinct. He’d have to tell her it was more. It was a lot like Alex’s knowing. It was rare, more rare than she truly understood.

  Creators, how he loved her. He loved waking up held deep inside her body, knowing she was his. He’d happily live every moment buried that way.

  Bastian, you can go. Thank you, man.

  He looked up and saw Bastian nod and slip away into the darkness, leaving him with his mate. He kissed her neck again and held her close until he felt her wake on a sob. His heart broke, knowing she’d finally seen the things he’d shared. Finally understood completely who he was and why. Hearing the words was different than seeing and experiencing it.

  He whispered, Feel me, love. I’m here. It’s past. Let it out. Let it go as I love you. He started moving inside her. Her pussy was still wet, and he’d stayed impaled in her sweet cunt.

  “It’s past. It’s done,” he whispered.

  She whimpered as he wiped her tears and tilted her chin back to his lips. He pumped inside her until she was moaning and pushing back for more.

  Tonight I’ll claim every inch of you, love. Your lips, cunt and sweet ass will be mine until you pass out beneath me. I’ve taken all your innocence, you gifted me every tight virgin sweetness, and now I’m going to have them all again. Fill you full, own you like you own me. His fingers dipped into her mouth as he shifted over her to thrust harder into her pussy. That’s it, love. Suck my finger like you’ll suck my cock after your pussy milks me dry. My cock will be down your throat as I bury my face in you and taste how fucking good we are together. He gave her his weight and took her hard the way she loved it. She was keening and sucking his fingers, biting as she pushed her hips back and bucked for more until she came all over his cock.

  He stripped her bare as she looked for Bastian. “He’s gone, love,” he said on a grin and saw her relief. “It’s just us, and I’m going to lick that pussy while you’re wearing nothing but my mark, my fucking name on your skin.” He groaned and flipped her so she straddled his face and his cock was at her lips. Everything was his tonight. Every night. For fucking ever.

  Chapter 41

  Elizabeth’s Compound, Tetartos Realm

  “What do you mean you don’t know what’s holding him or how to break it?” Elizabeth snapped at her scientists. She was furious. She finally had her love, and he wasn’t awake. For a damned week they’d been working on it. She’d hoped the blood would have woken him. Why hadn’t it? She raged and threw a vial of something to crash against the wall.

  Her temper was even worse after transporting three more Mageia’s souls to the Tria as payment for the hell beast attacks on the cities. It pissed her off that they’d demanded more. She clenched her teeth. She might still need the Tria, so she’d done it, but now she worried she’d miscalculated. Her ranks were thinned. She’d killed those loyal to Kane, and then the unknown enemy had taken another dozen from her before Reve found their new location. Now she’d killed six damned more total for the attacks a week ago.

  She paced the room, clenching her fists. Killing the Mageia usually pleased her, but not this time. This time her anger only heightened. She’d done everything to perfection, the plan had been flawless, and now he wouldn’t wake up. He just lay there, and she couldn’t even touch his gorgeous skin and take any pleasure because he was covered in that damn pale blue barrier.

  Her hellhounds tracked her movements as she fought the need to harm the only males who might find answers.

  “Figure it out,” she said through gritted teeth. “You stay here until he’s free!” she commanded the males and left the room. When the beasts cleared, the barred door slammed shut.

  “Mistress,” Reve said, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

  “What?” she snapped.

  “We have a problem.”

  “What problem? Speak!”

  “Two guards dead. Heads on spikes; bodies burned. It seems we’ve be
en found.”

  Chapter 42

  Paradeisos Island, Tetartos Realm

  “Better, Mia?” Dacia asked. Mia still didn’t seem herself. The salty breeze slid over her skin as she turned to look at her sister. Dacia was still getting used to the new power flowing in her veins. It was a constant rush to her system.

  “I’m just tired. I fell asleep during the massage,” she said derisively. Her sister’s beast was still fixated on Jax, but Conn hoped she’d find a mate in the clans. He’d finally cleared her brothers and set up the meetings, and she was glad, nervous, and so were her sisters. She worried as much for them finding mates as not. Having families of their own would make them happy, but she liked them close and safe at the Guardian manor, and that was selfish.

  They’d all needed to relax. That’s why they were on Paradeisos Island.

  Zoe laughed at something Mia said about her other spa treatments.

  Dacia stretched her arms over her head on the cushioned lounge. They had their own canopy, and the view of their private area was of Rain, Isa and Tynan, the dark-haired and charming owner of the island, all laughing and splashing in the water. The Aletheia had a beautiful smile and seemed quite enthralled with their older sister.

  “It’s so weird to see her flirting. That’s what that is, right?” Dacia asked her other sisters as she stared at Isa’s behavior in the water. Isa was smiling and laughing. Dacia was happy at least two of her sisters were doing well in their new life, but she really worried for Mia.

  Zoe laughed again. “Yes, that’s what that is.” When she looked over, she saw Zoe shaking her head and grinning as she watched Isa.

  A few minutes passed before Zoe asked on a whisper, “How is the hunt today?”

  “Nothing,” Dacia responded. Conn had been working nonstop shifts for the past two weeks. All the Guardians had, and come up with no Elizabeth and no Apollo.