Gena Showalter - [Lords of the Underworld 13] (25 page)

Still. Eyes wide, she nodded.

“Oh, and here’s the big guy’s ring,” William said, handing her a plain, over-warm band that was vibrating.

Trembling, she slid the thing onto Kane’s finger, and finally he released her.

“It’s done,” he said, and there was a wealth of satisfaction in his voice.

Josephina could only nod, dazed.

A scream nearly split the daylight. “You’re not taking her away from me!”

Not Synda. But...the Phoenix?

Definitely. The entire back end of the garden burst into flames.

Kane threw Josephina over his shoulder.

“Not again,” she gritted out.

Lucien held out his arms. “I’ll take her now. And I’ll take good care of her, you have my word.”

“Change of plan,” Kane said. “She’s going with me. At least for now. Get the others to safety. And thanks for coming, my man.” He took off in a dead run. Smoke wafted to her nose, making her cough. Shouts of fear erupted through the crowd.

“How do you propose to leave the realm?” she asked, trying not to panic. Only a select group of Fae possessed a key between the human realm and this one. Kane wasn’t select, nor was he Fae. She had planned to steal Leopold’s for her own escape, but that was now an impossibility.

“Like this.” Kane withdrew a flesh-colored glove from his pocket—a key. “Before you ask, I stole it. And no, I’m not ashamed and I won’t return it.”

“I don’t want to chastise you, you silly man. I want to pat you on the back. Now, do you know how to use it?”

“Yeah.” He quickened his pace.

She expected some of the guards to chase him, no matter what her father had said, and she expected guests to try and pass him, desperate to get away from the fires, but he was moving too fast for anyone to catch. Within seconds, he was at the front gate and he wasn’t even winded.

He fit the glove over his hand and waved from high to low, side to side, in the shape of a door. A sheet of the landscape fell away from every place he touched, leaving a black hole.

“Think about where you want to go, and step through,” she hurried to explain, even though he’d claimed to know what to do.

He stalked into the darkness, and then, suddenly, they were out of the realm of the Fae and in the realm of the humans. Tall buildings knifed on both of her sides. Harried people strode along narrow sidewalks. The scent of coffee and car exhaust and even urine filled her nose.

“Close the door,” she said, and he obeyed, once again waving his hand through the air.

He set her on her feet, took her by the wrist, and tugged her forward. “Let’s go. The door might be closed, but I want you as far away from it as possible.”

“Where are we?”

“New York. I want you masked by the crowd.”

Should have guessed, she thought. She’d been here before, and there was no place like it.

“What about your friends?” she asked.

“They’ll be fine.”

“You were going to leave me in their keeping?”

“For a while, yes.”

A while. How long was a while?
Probably better not to know.

They walked for hours, and the more they walked, the busier the streets and sidewalks became. Any other time, the crowd would have bothered her, but just then her mind was too busy reeling. She was out of the Fae realm. She was with Kane. Maybe even married to him—had they truly finished the ceremony? They’d never kissed.

Didn’t matter, she supposed. For a little while, she would be safe from her family. She wouldn’t have to worry about being punished. She wouldn’t have to worry about the king hunting her down for a few days, at the very least. He would need time to plan a strategy against a man like Kane.

For the first time in her life, she was free.

Joy burst through her, and with the joy came an unquenchable desire to truly live. To do all the things she’d never dreamed possible. To fall in love, get married and—wait. She was already married. Maybe. She would have to talk to Kane about that. He probably hadn’t meant his vows. If he’d spoken any vows, that is. She could have slapped herself for not paying attention. For all she knew, she’d pledged to be his slave.

Whatever. It still didn’t matter. With this first taste of freedom, her entire world had changed. She’d already decided she was done accepting the abuse thrown her way. But now, she was done allowing fear to hold her captive. The future was hers to embrace, and she would hold on as tightly as she could.

Kane flicked a glance in her direction, did a double take. He stopped, and his eyes widened.

“What?” she asked, nearly bumping into him.

“You’re smiling.” There was a reverent tone to his voice, one he’d never used before.

“I am?” She reached up and patted her lips, and yes, she
was
smiling.

For the second time that day, his features softened. “You’re happy, and you wear it well.” But a second later, his cheeks blushed, and he turned away. “Come on. I haven’t slept in days and I’m about to crash. We need a place to stay.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

New York

W
IFE
.

The word echoed through Kane’s mind all through the night. He toyed with the ring William had given him, a simple gold band that should have been cool to the touch but wasn’t; the metal burned him and he wasn’t sure why.

Wife
.

He had a wife. A woman forever bound to his side. She was his, and he was hers. Not just instinctively, but legally. The knowledge did something to him. Something powerful. Before, he’d only scratched the surface of possessive. Now, the sensation dominated. Tink. Was. His.

Want and need combined, creating a combustible fire. He burned. He ached. He yearned.

Finally, he would have.

His hand shook as he reached out and smoothed a lock of hair from her cheek. The long, thick length of her eyelashes fluttered open, and he found himself peering into beautiful baby blues.

After renting the room, he’d climbed into bed and tucked her into the curve of his body. She hadn’t protested. He’d left the lamps on, and now, golden light cascaded over her. She was curled on her side, facing him. Locks of dark hair spilled over the pillow and sheets.

He should have given her to Lucien, as planned. The warrior would have taken her to the Realm of Blood and Shadows, and Kane would have gone about the business of finding a way to kill the demon. But the arrival of the Phoenix had changed everything. He’d wanted—needed—Tink within his sights, his to protect from the flames.

Even though she hadn’t wanted to marry him.

Now, it was done, and there was nothing she could do about it.

“I’m your husband,” he said, almost angrily. He didn’t pull his hand away.

“Maybe,” she whispered.

“What do you mean, maybe?”

She traced a fingertip along the shape of her lips, as if remembering something—or yearning for it. “Well, I don’t exactly remember what vows were exchanged.”

“You agreed to be my wife, and I agreed to be your husband. That’s enough. It’s done. There’s no changing it.”

“We could, I don’t know...get an annulment maybe. We’ve both been prisoners, Kane, and I’m not going to be your new cage.”

“You aren’t a cage. You’re my everything.” Moving with a speed he usually reserved for the battlefield, he cupped the back of her neck and dragged her against him. The softness of her body collided with the hardness of his, and he had to grind his teeth to silence a hiss of pleasure. “No annulment. Later, no divorce. Death is the only thing that will part us.”

Her eyes flared with hope, only to quickly narrow with suspicion. “Are you going to be with other women while we’re together?”

“No.” And that was the truth. “I didn’t sleep with Synda. I shouldn’t have lied. I’m not a liar, and I won’t do it again. Not for any reason. I was hurt by what you said, and lashing out.”

A pause, as if she didn’t dare hope he’d spoken honestly. “Really?” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s pretty low.”

“I know. But not as low as actually sleeping with her would have been,” he added, hoping she’d agree.

Slowly, she nodded. “All right. I’ll give you that.”

He’d been
devastated
by her rejection, and he’d wanted out of that ballroom so badly he’d leaped at the first opportunity. Sleeping with Synda had never been a consideration. “I tucked her in to bed, then sat on the couch in the adjacent room most of the night, making sure she stayed put and out of trouble. At least, I thought I was making sure. She used a secret passage I didn’t know about and snuck out to have sex with Red in the garden.”

Tink slid her hand across the small space between them and traced her fingers over the center of his chest, where the dragon brand had been. The pleasure...it was too much, not enough. He hooked one of her legs over his waist, twining their bodies as much as possible while they were still clothed.

He could barely breathe, but he could do nothing until he’d told her the truth about him. He’d made too many mistakes with her to make another. She would think less of him, yes. How could she not? But he was going to be with her. Here. Tonight. He wanted this marriage cemented. And if he had a negative reaction to something she did, he didn’t want her worried about the reason or thinking he didn’t want her.

“The other women I mentioned...I told the truth. I was with them before I found you. I thought sex with them would make me forget what had happened in hell, that I’d forget about being helpless, but it only made me feel worse. Memories taunted me and I...vomited after every encounter.”

“Oh, Kane,” she said, shifting her fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry.”

No judgment. Just compassion.

Once he had thought he hated compassion, the cousin to pity. Not today. “You make me crave things I never thought I’d crave again.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “I want to be with you, Tinker Bell.” Wanted everything she had to give.

“I...I...want to be with you, too. I want to smother your bad memories with good. I want to be all you know, all you see.” So softly admitted. “What I said at the ball, in the secret room...Kane, I believe in you. I really do. You are the strongest, bravest male I know, but I couldn’t bear the thought of being the reason your life was thrown into another war.”

Any remaining hurt was soothed.

War.
Disaster laughed.
I’ll give her war. I’ll make sure you break her heart before I kill her.

He wouldn’t break her heart. He wouldn’t let her be hurt...ever.

“Some things are worth fighting for, Tink, and I’ll prove it. Give me a minute.” Kane left her in bed and prowled through the room, stacking all lamps and wall hangings in the bathroom, then shutting the door and rigging the lock. Soft moonlight drifted into the space as he crawled back into bed.

Tink softened against him, warm and welcoming.

Now...now he was finally going to have her.

“I want you,” he said, the hunger gnawing at him now. “All of you.”

A moment passed before she nodded.

“Roll over.”

This time, there was no hesitation. She obeyed.

“I want to be everything you need,” she said, “the way you’re everything I need.”

A heart he’d thought hardened beyond redemption thrilled. “You already are.” He rose on an elbow and unbuttoned the back of her uniform. As the material parted, his eyes adjusted to the dark and he was able to see the plain white undergarments she wore. Lovely. Pure.

Every inch his.

“All right. On your back.”

Again she obeyed.

As he eased the gown from her shoulders, down her waist, and over her feet, she shivered. The undergarments and then her ring and gloves received the same treatment, at last leaving her bare. Beautifully, exquisitely bare.

He looked her over more leisurely. She lay utterly still, allowing him to drink his fill. He could only marvel. Every inch of her had been made for his specific tastes. Lush, yet slender. Ripe for plucking, yet delightfully innocent. She undid him. Destroyed him. Ruined him for all other females.

My woman is perfect.

“Wait, my ring,” she said, trying to swipe it out of his hold.

He held it back, out of reach. “Not until you promise the gloves are gone for good.”

“I don’t know why it’s so important to you, but all right.”

“We’re going to be what’s known as a disgustingly lovey-dovey couple. I want skin, not leather.”

As her features softened, she said, “I promise.”

He slid the ring back on her finger.

Her lips lifted in a
slooow
grin. A vixen’s grin. “Now, it’s time for
you
to take something off. It’s only fair.”

“I do want to be fair.” A dark fever drove him as he ripped off his clothing. Tink’s eyes devoured with the same greed he had displayed. He wished he had the patience to let her study as he had studied, but need could no longer be denied. He stretched on top of her, remembering at the last second to brace his weight on his elbows, and oh, the agony. The agony of being this close to her and not being inside her.

Have to get inside her.

“Spread your legs,” he demanded, and she obeyed.

Suddenly he could feel her against him, the most intimate part of her, all barriers gone; the exquisite, moist heat nearly pushed him over the edge.

“Oh, Kane. It’s...it’s...” With her nails in his back, she arched against him.

As he swooped in to kiss her, the bed began to shake, stopping him even while grinding him against her with far more force.

He hissed. She cried out.

“Silly demon,” she said on a moan. “This is actually...oh...
oh!
Don’t stop, Kane. Please, don’t stop.”

Disaster cursed. The bed ceased moving.

Growling, Kane smashed his mouth into her. He’d meant to proceed gently, but...screw gentleness. She hadn’t wanted it any time before.

She opened for him immediately, welcoming him, moaning with her pleasure; he swallowed the sound. He kissed her, kissed her harder, kissed her deeper, every second wrought with more tension than the last. As his hands moved on her breasts, her stomach, between her legs, she came alive.

A crack echoed. He caught the scent of plaster in the air. The wall was taking the brunt of the demon’s fury.

Tink started.

“Forget him,” Kane said. He fit his hand between her lower back and the mattress, and lifted her, drawing her more firmly against him, fitting them together until not even a whisper separated them.

She gasped. Her fingers shifted through his hair, tugging the strands. “Already done. Now give me more.”

“Always.” His lips returned to hers in a fierce meeting of mouths, dueling tongues, and nipping teeth. The passion...the utter rapture. The ecstasy.

“I want to touch you, too.”

“Yes.”

Her hands roamed over him, exploring him, learning him, fisting his length, and that should have bothered him, but he was too relieved to be with her to entertain even a glimmer of reservation. The past fell away. There was only Tink and this moment and the pleasure and the light. Here, in her arms, surrounded by her, accepted by her, needed by her, the wounds inside his soul finally began to heal. Strength infused his bones, plumped his muscles. The blood in his veins became molten, his need for her too intense to ever again deny.

“I like this,” she said on a groan.

“Glad.”

“I want...the rest...” The words ended on a groan. “Do the rest.”

“Soon.” He took over completely. Awed by her—
mine, she’s mine, and I can have her, can have
this,
as many times as I desire
—he did everything in his power to prepare her for his invasion. His mouth, on her body. All over it, lingering. Her taste, down his throat. Like honey. His fingers, between her legs. Rubbing, playing. She moaned, again and again, and the sounds were like music.

He
liiicked
. Sucked. Kneaded. Played again. Worked his fingers in
slllowly
...picking up speed...faster and faster...all while he whispered to her, praising her sweetness.

“I’m going to...something’s happening...”

“Let go, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

She erupted, the pleasure hitting her, making her spasm and gasp. And when she came back down to earth a few minutes later, he started up all over again.

Panting, she said, “That was...that was...”

“Next time I’ll be in you, and it’ll be even better.”

“Yes,” she said, a plea, barely discernable. “Please. If you don’t...I’m going to...oh, I need that again...
please
.”

Yes. Now. No more waiting. She was his. He needed to claim her. Brand her from the inside out.

He donned a condom and moved into position, settling between her eagerly opened thighs. Concern for her was the only power strong enough to stop him from immediately thrusting home. “It’s going to hurt at first. There’s nothing I can do about that, but it’ll get better. I promise it’ll get better. But I’ll stay still until you’re ready, okay?”

“Hurts
now
. Just. Do. Something.”

He surged inside her, roaring, the reins of his control instantly shredded, the power of the joining utterly overwhelming him.

She cried out, the sound laced with pleasure and pain.

Mine. She’s all mine now.
Claimed. Possessed.

He remained still, as promised. Sweat poured from him. His heart thundered at the incredible pressure inside him. Pressure he resisted with all of his might.

Any second, he would break apart.

“Want me to...pull out?” he panted.
Please, don’t want me to pull out
.

“No. Go! Finally doing...what I...need.”

He almost laughed. Almost.

He slid backward, and she squeezed at him, trying to hold him inside. Then, he slammed forward, giving her more, giving her harder, all hope of regaining control gone. He utterly ravaged her. His need for her was too great, and she liked it, was still grasping at him, once again begging for more, and more, and more.

“You feel so good,” he moaned. He told her how much he wanted her, needed her, had to have her, and she responded with soft mewls. “Don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”

“Kane.”

“Tink, my Tink.”

His already frenzied rhythm quickened, and when she gave another cry, this one high-pitched and broken, a testament of her release, the pleasure utterly consumed him. He roared with the sublime satisfaction of his.

When the last of his shudders subsided, he collapsed on top of her. Drained. Sated.

Awed.

Panting, she said, “That was...that was...”

“Awesome and wonderful.” He rolled onto his side, freeing her from his weight. “Like you.”

She kissed the hammering pulse at the base of his neck. “No wonder you did it so many times before coming after me.”

No condemnation. Still no judgment. Was there any woman like her? “Sweetheart, nothing has ever compared to this.”

She snuggled against him, a content little kitten, rubbing her cheek against his chest. “Husband?”