Fate Forgotten (25 page)

Only then did he slide out and into her again. Her skin softly rubbed against his. His muscles clenched. Unwavering desire churned in his gut.

She moaned and arched. Her hands grasped the skin on his back, fingers digging into his flesh, nails scoring his skin. “Please…”

He covered her mouth with his. While his thrusts remained soft and tender, he kissed her, fiery and heated. His lips slid down her throat, her scent wreaking chaos.

His jaw clenched, fighting the urge to go faster, deeper, harder. Hard, the hardest. The flick of her tongue, her nipples grazing his chest, those soft moans, her hands digging into his skin, everything stirred his demon. The creature lurked beneath the surface waiting for a slip of control to unleash itself on his mate. He couldn’t, just couldn’t. Her first time, he had to take his time.

But then she moved her hips, bringing him deeper. Her mouth lingered near his shoulder, then her tongue darted out licking the sweat misting his skin, and his control slipped.

Thrusting inside her more forcefully, she screamed. His lips trailed down her neck. The instinct to mark her neck, claiming her as his, reared its head.

Bite her,
the demon purred.
She’s ours.

He fought it, harder than he ever fought anything. He couldn’t, not now before he knew it was what she’d wanted too.

Feeling the reminder of his will deplete with each thrust of his hips and with each moan from her mouth, he kissed her, removing the temptation of her neck from sight. The pressing need inside him built higher and higher.

She screamed. Her body shuddered beneath his, her hands tightened around his neck, deepening their kiss. Then she came beautifully undone. Moaning, screaming, shuddering, pulsing…

“Jake!”

He knew. He felt it, felt it as if it were his own. Sweeter than the first.

“Jake…”

His name on her lips sent him over. He thrust harder, faster, deeper. Her legs, her arms tightening around him, her whole body began to shake.

He blew, the most powerful release of his life.

When he did, he lost the hold of his emotions, projecting his release.

“Oh, God…Jake…”

As the last of it faded, spent, he collapsed on top of her, making sure he rested his weight on his elbows.

Heart beating wildly, fighting to catch his breath, he kissed her lips, her forehead, every inch of her face. “I love you, Val,” he whispered.

No moment would ever top this one. His mate in arms after making love. Mere moments before, she’d told him she loved him.

Her eyes snapped open. “Jake…”

He cupped her face. “Yes…”

Her eyes welled. “I…”

Fear. Dread. He felt it emanating from her. Still afraid of him, or did he hurt her? He’d lost control and hurt his mate! “Did I hurt—”

“Of course not.” She smiled, sadly. “That was more than I’d ever thought…I mean…Why would anyone ever stop?”

He grinned. “If it wasn’t for Annie, I’d lock you in my room and throw away the key…for a few centuries, at least.”

“When…I…I don’t know if it’s possible…” Her cheeks tinted the perfect pink shade. “I think I felt your release…”

“You did. I projected it, accidentally.”

“I felt what you did then?”

He nodded.

“So you
did
enjoy yourself?”

Damn, was she still worried about that?

“No, I didn’t just enjoy myself, Val. For me, it was more than that, much more. I already want you again. I’ll never get enough. In close to six hundred years, I’ve never experienced anything like this. Us together, our first time…that memory will be seared in my mind for the rest of my life.”

She smiled. “I love you, Jake.”

He grinned, then shifted his weight. Lying on his side, he tucked her beside him. Eye to eye, her face close to his.

In seconds, she fell asleep.

He hadn’t told her she was his. It had been the perfect time, but her fear stopped him. What was she so afraid of? Him? Of being his? Of being tied to someone so young?

He wouldn’t dwell on that now. He’d tell her when her fear faded, when he was sure she wouldn’t run.

Thinking about what she’d just given him, he smiled. Then he let himself drift, too.

****

Jake woke startled, sitting up in bed, his gaze immediately searched for her—his mate.

He’d fallen asleep beside her, the warmth of her body soothing him, but then it was gone. He’d been so deep in sleep he hadn’t noticed, not until she left. Now, he ached. His body missed hers. The panic didn’t come though, because he sensed her close.

He materialized in the living room and found her, leaning against the door frame into the second room where Annie lay. She wore one of his shirts. It hung loose against her small frame, draping near her knees. His mate donning his clothes? Insane how something so small could gratify him so immensely.

Materializing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped, then easily leaned her head against his bare chest.

He lined kisses from her collarbone to her jaw. “Sweetheart.”

She smiled. “Possessive demon, I haven’t been gone for a minute.”

He chuckled. “Bed was cold.”

“Couldn’t have been, I only just left.”

“Okay, maybe it wasn’t cold. But you were gone. Even in sleep, I notice. You can’t get away from me.”

She turned, facing him, and teased, “I was just checking on Annie, not trying to escape.”

“Good. I doubt you could outrun me.”

“Just because you have superior senses?”

He arched a brow.

“You know witches and warlocks’ senses aren’t as acute as other immortal breeds.”

“That’s true?” He’d heard it, yes, but he thought it a rumor, one started to make other breeds underestimate them, giving them an upper hand.

She looked perplexed. “Yeah. How didn’t you know?”

“Heard it before, but I didn’t believe it.” He shrugged. “Demons, we generally stay on our plane, Treconomia. Because of our incontrollable natures, other breeds tend to keep their distance. When my king created the Guardians, the king of elves, Kellen, joined the fight against the Malums. Soon after, the king of vampires joined. The alpha were, Landon, only recently joined.”

“I suppose that makes sense. I’ve read tons about other breeds, and I don’t know if any of it is true.”

“You know about the basic weaknesses? Iron is poisonous to your kind, fairies, and elves. Silver to shifters and vampires and—”

She nodded. “Copper to yours.”

He nodded.

“So tell me what other weaknesses do demons have?”

He traced his fingers over her lips and smirked. “Plotting to kill me?”

She laughed. “Never. Besides, I have magic.”

“Yeah…” He caressed the side of her face. “Demons only have one other weakness.” He hesitated.

Her brows drew up. She narrowed her gaze, playfully. “Are you scared I’ll use it against you?”

“Our only other weakness…our mates.”

He sensed her shock as easily as he read it on her face.

“W-what do you mean? I thought mates were treasured among all immortal breeds.”

“They are, sweetheart, but nonetheless, they’re a weakness…” He thought back, remembering days ago when he’d caught glimpse of another man kissing her. The rage he felt so unlike any other he’d ever experienced. Despite the fact days had passed, he recalled and felt that rage, like it never faded, like it lived inside him. He’d been close, too close to turning, revealing himself and his kind to mortals. If Clyde and Ashley hadn’t been there, he would have killed the warlock. He would’ve been banished or killed and started a war among breeds on top of the one already brewing. Worst…Annie would have witnessed it all.

“We practice reining in and controlling our demons. Anything regarding our mates has the power to set us off, endangering ourselves and anyone around us.”

“I see, but isn’t it similar to other immortals, too?”

“In some ways.” The main difference—turned demons were naturally volatile and less likely to control themselves in a turned state. He wouldn’t share that fact. He didn’t want her to worry.

She looked thoughtful and tired.

He kissed her forehead. “We should get some sleep, love.”

Chapter 26

Ashley.

It came to her. Dread crept into her pores, seeped into her bones. Foresight. She hated it, always had and always would.

A split second later, the shrilling sound of the phone pierced her ears.

It had been ten days, ten beautiful days with Jake and Annie, and she
knew
answering that call would change everything. She didn’t want it to. She wanted to wake with Jake’s arms wrapped around her, wanted to start the day making breakfast for Annie and Jake, wanted to spend the day with them, caring for them both in any little way she could, and she wanted to end her night in Jake’s arms.

Things would change now. She didn’t know how exactly, not yet, but the beautiful days she spent with Jake and Annie had come to an end.

Val had a choice. Hand the phone to Jake, knowing bad news followed, or save Jake the shock of hearing it himself. She made the decision instantly. Walking to Jake’s cell phone on the coffee table, she answered it.

“Ashley.”

“Val.” Ashley’s voice laced in concern.

Not good, she thought. “H-hi.”

“Is Jake there?”

Anxiety knotting her stomach, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yeah.”

He came into the room. His gaze hit hers, and he knew, too. His body strung tight, fear in his unwavering gaze.

He stood beside her a moment later, and she handed him the phone. “Ashley wants to talk to you.”

His expression hardened. He clutched the phone and brought it to his ear. “Ash.”

Intent on leaving if only to give him privacy, she turned, but his hand gripped her wrist and tightened. He shook his head.

“The council has made a decision.” With her superior hearing, she heard Ashley say, “They’ll announce it this afternoon. They requested you and Annie be present.”

His face fell, those handsome features displaying grief, grief so thick it spilled from him.

Val had never seen a man break right before her eyes. He lost everything in split second…Hopes. Dreams. Everything. Seeing that, and that man being Jake, the man she’d fallen in love with, it felt like she’d broken, too.

She fought the tears welling her eyes, wanting so desperately to save him that. Every cell in her body compelling her to comfort the man she loved, yet she knew nothing she said or did would make any difference
.

“Thanks, Ash.”

Hearing the desolation in his voice crippled her. She did what she could. She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in the broad expanse of his chest trying to provide the smallest comfort.

“It’s not over yet, honey. Please…it’s not. Don’t lose hope.” Pulling away, she met his gaze and made a promise. “They aren’t taking her away. I promise.”

He sighed heavily, resting his arms around her shoulders. “There’s nothing we can do, sweetheart. The decision has been made.”

She drew away. “We’ll see about that.”

Annie stepped into the room. “Uncle Jake? Val? What’s wrong?”

“It’s time to go home, pupa.”

Annie looked from her uncle to her. She sensed the depth of emotions around her and didn’t argue or ask. Her face fell. “Okay.”

Not ten minutes later, they’d gathered their bags and Jake materialized them to the demon compound. She tried to hide her worry for Annie’s sake, especially, but couldn’t. Her anxiousness grew with every passing minute, so she excused herself, claiming she wanted to freshen up.

Once in her apartment, she paced. No way in hell she’d allow anyone to take Annie away from Jake, but she needed a plan.

Nathan appeared; his expression blank.

Her pacing ceased. “Hi, Nathan.”

“I think you should come with me.”

“Why? I mean…I can’t right now. I’m going with Jake and Annie. They need me.”

His eyes softened. “Val, this doesn’t concern either of them. It concerns you.”

She stilled. “What’s going on?”

“Your parents—”

Shaking her head, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I don’t have any.”

“Everyone has parents. Yours were absent, but it doesn’t change the fact they exist. They’re here now and would like to speak to you.”

Her jaw dropped. After twenty-three years? They’d abandoned her. She never put much thought into ever seeing them again. Her family was and always would be her coven, and they were gone now.

“Nathan, they abandoned me when I was a baby.” She took a deep breath hoping to steady her nerves. “I don’t have time now.” Without a pause, she asked, “How did they even find me?”

“While you were gone, we were approached by a couple of covens requesting to join the Guardians. As it turns out, your parents are part of one of those. They say they only recently discovered you weren’t killed along with your coven.”

Recently found out she hadn’t been killed? Did that mean they’d kept tabs on her?

It didn’t matter.

“Aren’t you even a bit curious?”

“No…I’m not.” The lie burned the pit of her stomach. She had often wondered what her parents were like, who she’d inherited her auburn hair and honey eyes from and the mother of all questions—why they’d abandoned her. But that wasn’t the point. Today wasn’t the day for a reunion.

“The announcement won’t come until later this afternoon. You can spare a couple of minutes for them, set another day and time to meet.”

He had a point. Besides, leaving Nathan, a Guardian, to deal with it made her feel guilty. He, too, had other, better, more important things to worry about.

She nodded. “Fine, I’ll see them.”

Headed into the elevator, she stood beside Nathan stiffly as they ascended. When the elevators halted on the kitchen and dining floor, she took a deep breath, hesitating. Nathan nudged her.

Reluctantly, she stepped forward and out of the elevator meeting a set of eyes so similar to hers. Except they weren’t her mother’s, they were her father’s. A warlock, tall and lean, the very opposite of Jake. Except for her eyes, Valerie was the spitting image of her mother, the same petite frame, heart-shaped face, high cheekbones, and auburn hair. Though her mother’s was styled shorter than her own, it felt like looking in a mirror. She didn’t need a DNA test to conclude they were her parents, the very ones who’d abandoned her.