Green Tea and Black Death (The Godhunter, Book 5) (25 page)

   “
He told me that since I've seen Hell,” I smiled and sauntered over to my alpha lover, “it was time to go to Heaven. Wanna take me there?”

   “
I'll try my best,” he grinned and peeled his jeans off.

  
As he walked over to me, I looked him over thoroughly. I had missed this so much, just seeing him walking towards me, glorious in his nudity, with that smile on his face. He had that look he always got right before we made love. A kind of sexy excitement with an added twinkle of delight in his eyes. It screamed pleasure but it also sang softly of love.

  
When he reached me, I felt his hands go to the hem of my dress but I kept my eyes on his face. The material lifted over me, breaking my line of sight for one annoying moment. Then he was working my bra free and sliding my panties off. I thought he'd move us to the bed then but he didn't. He kissed me, arms coming around me tightly and body pressed to mine. It went on and on, tongues and teeth and lips, a ferocious dance that was going to leave me marked but excessively happy.

  
My hands were in his hair, pulling him even closer, and then his mouth was at my neck, biting, marking. He lifted my legs around him, rubbing against my center sensuously. I groaned and threw my head back, grinding against him. One of his hands trailed under my ass, delving between my legs and working me with gentle skill. He knew exactly where to touch me, exactly how.

  
I rode his hand and my pleasure to its crest, screaming in completion and shaking against him till I collapsed in a weak heap against his chest. I felt him adjusting us, working himself into me and came out of my stupor. He slid in, so perfect, not too huge that I'd be stretched uncomfortably but big enough to fill me completely. That was my Trevor, a perfect fit.

  
He slid an arm firmly under each of my thighs, lifting me up and bringing me down with ease. I clung to his shoulders in surprise. Soon the tempo was going and I got the hang of it, clenching my legs around him to help with the effort. I leaned back in rapture and his mouth found my breast, wet and hot over me. The sensation of being held in mid-air while he pumped into me and sucked at me, sent me reeling over the edge and I called out his name as I came again.

  
He finally let me down but not all the way, merely bent me over the end of the bed, right in the opening with the walls framing me. I tried to get up but he just pushed me back down and held me there with a hand on my back. I felt him spread my legs wide and wedge himself between them.

   “
You wanted me to take you to Heaven,” he growled as he leaned over me. “So let me do it.”

  
Again, he was inside me, sliding through my body and satisfying all the magic inside me. I clawed at the sheets, pushing up a little and back into his thrusts. His hands transferred from my ass to my breasts, grabbing hold of them hard and kneading. Fingers found my nipples and squeezed them together, just shy of pain. I cried out and thrashed my hair back, away from my face. A hand left my breast and wrapped in my hair, pulling my head back and baring my throat.

  
As his teeth bit into my neck, I knew what Heaven was.

Chapter Thirty-Five

  
A light knock sounded at my front door and both of my men rushed to get it. I knew who it was and so did they, which was explained the sudden rush. Azrael had sent a request a few days ago, in the form of a beautifully calligraphed letter. He wished to accompany me on a date tonight. He said to write my response on the back of the letter and leave it on my doorstep. I had responded with one word, yes, and the letter had disappeared as soon as I placed it on my porch.

   “
Hey,” Trevor greeted the angel, leaning against the door frame, like he was some overprotective shotgun father.

   “
Hello,” came the calm reply.

   “
Come on in, Azrael,” I called out from behind them.

  
Kirill and Trevor parted, with twin looks of annoyance sent my way. I had ruined their fun. Azrael smiled at them, shaking his head a little as he passed. He looked amazing. He was in dark slacks, a dark blue silk knit shirt, and a tailored leather jacket. His short hair hung over his forehead in a choppy side sweep and his light blue eyes shimmered very slightly beneath. In his hands was a bouquet of delicate orchids.

   “
For you,” he said and handed them over.

   “
Thank you,” I brought them up to my nose and inhaled the scent of vanilla. He'd brought me flowers that smelled like him. I hid my smile behind the blooms. It was kind of evilly brilliant. I'd be thinking of him even after our date, with this smell in my house. “Have a seat while I put these in water.”

  
He sat at the dining table, Kirill and Trevor sitting down across from him, as I went to find a vase in the kitchen. While I filled it with water, the boys made small talk, being surprisingly cordial to the angel. Trevor did look him over quite a bit but he seemed to decide that Azrael was passable because when I met his gaze, he gave me a brief nod.

   “
Okay, I'm ready,” I placed the vase in the center of the table and Az got to his feet. “Goodnight, boys. I'll see you later.” I kissed each man on the cheek and turned to the angel.

  
Azrael indicated we should go to the door, where we could trace, then put his arms around me. I focused on his glittering gaze as our bodies became thought and traveled through the Aether. We arrived in moments, in a dark paneled room that was actually quite bright. Two walls were open frames, black stone pillars connected by shiny black arches. They showcased a scene that could only exist in fantasy.

  
I hardly noticed that we were in a sort of library, that in itself spoke volumes of the view. I barely glanced at the beautiful books which filled the shelves lining the walls. I walked by the comfortable stuffed chairs covered in wine colored velvet, briefly saw the marble topped tables and curio cabinets filled with curiosities. I drifted out onto the balcony with barely a thought for anything other than the scenery outside of Azrael's home.

  
Spread out before me was a land of bright green grass, rolling hills, and four distinct rivers. Doesn't sound all that fantastical? Just wait. The rivers came from somewhere in the far distance and they were strangely colored. One was an opaque white, the second a golden amber, the third was a lighter gold, and the last was a rich red. They seemed to originate from one spot but then fanned out to spread across the land, stopping here and there to curve a little or splash down a slight decline.

  
In the center of this vibrancy, were two magnificent trees. One was gold but didn't appear in any way to be manufactured. This was a living tree which happened to be gold in color. It was full of broad leaves and heavy with a plum-colored, round fruit. The other was silver, in the same manner that the last tree was gold, and from it hung crystalline colored fruits, shaped like teardrops. Around those trees, forming a loose half-circle, was a magnificent garden with brightly colored trees in the full spectrum. It was all the seasons at once in this garden, a clear section for each but with a gentle blending of one into the other.

  
The white river ended in what was obviously Winter, the trees bare and covered with snow. Flowers were absent but the ice sparkling off the barren bushes and trees made the entire area seem like it was adorned with jewels. In the center of it was a pool of white, the river's end, crusted with crystallized formations all around it's edge.

  
Next over from that was Spring. Trees just starting to burst with buds, flowers sprouting from the ground and little animals scurrying about. The transition from stark white to soft green was actually gentle, a gradual blending till you couldn't see the seam. In places on the Spring side that bordered Winter, there were patches of melting snow and Winter in turn, held patches of green shoots along this edge. In the center of Spring was a pool of light gold, the ending of a river.

  
From Spring it went to Summer, a glorious, full-strength riot of color. Flowers were everywhere in full bloom, ivy climbed the lush trees, and bushes were heavy with berries. Fruits of red, yellow, orange, and dark purple, hung from the trees and the wildlife was extensive. Animals of every type walked through the scenery, sampling the offerings of Nature. In the center of all this, was the end to the deep red river. It looked right at home in Summer's harvest.

 
Last was Autumn, finishing the semi-circle on the right. Everything was brown, red, and yellow in this part of the garden. Leaves littered the ground thickly and animals scurried beneath them, searching for food. The colors were vibrant but totally different from Summer, a warmer range that heralded the cold to come. In the center of this was a pool of dark amber. The river leading to it seemed to move thicker than the others.

  
Beyond this garden were homes, elaborate houses in a range of styles. I saw Mediterranean influences next to stark adobe and Renaissance fretwork on modern metal. It all blended together like some crazed architect had run awry but somehow, it seemed to work together. To the left, far past the scattered dwellings, the sky went dark and a strange fear clutched my chest when I stared at the foggy land beneath it. I started to back away and ended up walking into Azrael.

   “
Don't look there,” he gently guided my face back to the garden. “It's a necessary evil but evil nonetheless.”

   “
What is it?” I turned to face him.

   “
A sort of Hell,” he shrugged. “A place where wicked people are tormented.”

   “
Ah,” I nodded and looked back to the garden. I hoped Nyavirezi was there.

  
I didn't want to focus on Hell though, when I could gaze upon Heaven. Oh duh, frickin' Rain. I should have known he was talking about Azrael. Which meant I was right, Azrael was going to be important to me. Rain wouldn't have brought it up if he wasn't.

I peered down, over the railing. The air was full of a combination of scents, the crisp clean of Winter, the freshness of Spring, the sweet scent of fruit and flowers of Summer, and the wet earthiness of Autumn. It was incredible and my inner beasts were loving all this stimulation.

   Az came up behind me, maneuvered to the side at the last moment, and took up a spot on the railing next to me. I was a little disappointed that he hadn't put his arms around me but I guess this was our first date and that would have seemed overly familiar.

  
He smiled at me like he knew what I was thinking. “Do you want me to tell you about Eden?”

  “
Eden?” I looked back at the garden. “This is the Garden of Eden?”

   “
Indeed,” he looked over it like he was seeing it anew. “The gold is the Tree of Life; the silver, the Tree of Knowledge.”

   “
I never pictured the Garden to have seasons,” I mused.

   “
It didn't at first,” he said. “We moved it here from Earth and changed it a little to remind us of where it had once been.”

   “
And the rivers?” I gestured out to them. “What are they made of?”

   “
Oh yes,” he perked up. “The white is milk, the light gold is oil, the dark red is wine, and the dark amber is honey.”

   “
The land of milk and honey, eh?”

   “
And oil and wine,” he laughed. “Would you like to go take a closer look?”

   “
I'm allowed?”

   “
I'm allowing it,” he laughed. “This is Shehaquim. I rule here.”

   “
Then, hell yes,” I frowned. “I mean, heavens yes.”

 
He laughed and took my arm. We went from the balcony, through the room, and out a doorway. From there, we were on a landing circling a central stairway. He escorted me down the stairs, wood paneling surrounding us there as well, and out into a foyer. Azrael opened the double doors for me and led me down the stone steps into the Garden of Eden.

 
We entered Winter first and I shivered a bit, automatically pulling my arms around myself. I'd worn a simple black dress and heels. I had no idea I'd be tromping through a winter wonderland. Azrael immediately pulled off his leather jacket and put it around my shoulders. It was so sweet and such a normal date thing to do, I just stood and smiled at him a bit. I was standing in the Garden of Eden wearing an angel's leather jacket. If only my Momma could see me now. Or even better, my Christian grandmother.

  
We crunched through the snow and Azrael's hand reached for mine. I took it happily and trailed my free one out to touch the cold, shimmering barks of the sleeping trees. Soon, we came to the pool, with its river pouring slowly into it. I could smell the milk and I wasn't a big fan of it, so I pulled his hand to lead us to the next season.

   “
I don't like milk,” I said to his questioning look.

   “
Really?” He cocked his head. “I don't either, it tastes like dirty water.”

   “
Exactly!” I laughed. “It kinda smells funny too. I think I'll pass on the Cleopatra bath.”

  
Then we were in Spring, still a light chill in the air but much warmer than Winter. I stopped to look at the buds sprouting from the trees. Az seemed content to just let me wander but he laughed when I gave the oily pool a wide berth.

  
How hard would it be to get out of that pool if you accidentally fell in? I can be a little klutzy sometimes and images of me slipping and sliding inside that pool while trying to get a hand hold, filled my head. It would be ridiculous and I hardly wanted to be ridiculous on my first date with an angel. I'll save the silliness for the second.

  
I was finally right at home in Summer and I took the jacket off eagerly. Azrael took it from me so I could investigate. Now this pool I didn't mind in the least. If I fell in and couldn't get out, I could simply drink until I didn't care anymore. I'd just live there, become a wine mermaid... a winemaid... a wino... whatever.

   “
Can I pick the fruit?” I looked over a ripe nectarine and then back at him.

   “
Please,” he waved a hand.

  
It was the most perfect nectarine I'd ever tasted. So sweet and firm with juices spilling out of my mouth. I laughed as they ran down my chin. Azrael reached a finger out and collected the trail, sticking his finger into his mouth to suck at the juice. It was shockingly erotic, though he'd barely touched me, and I had to stop myself from leaping on him. I was going to take this slow, get to know him, make sure he wasn't some freaky death god who wanted to chain me to his bed. Hmmm, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea.

   “
Very sweet,” he said softly and I was lost.

  
I dropped the fruit and went to him. His hands came up to hold my face as my arms went around his waist. He paused once, to look at me steadily, his eyes sparking rainbows across his cheeks, before he dropped his lips to mine.

 
The kiss was absinthe and sugar, a drunken drowning of sweetness with a hint of bite. He poured it into my lips, to meld with the taste of the fruit, and it filled my body. It burned a little on the way down and I realized too late that this was magic, a type of marking. I tried to pull away but it was too late. Once again, I found myself marked by Death.

   “
It's just a little claiming,” Azrael whispered against my lips. “Don't fret, you're still your own woman.”

   “
Why?” I pulled back and looked at him, hoping I hadn't been wrong to trust him.

   “
You know why,” his eyes were so serious. “I know you remember me now. You remember how I came for you and took you, even though you were not mine to take. You remember how Odin asked me to carry you to the well instead of Heaven. What you don't know, what you can't possibly realize, is how those acts affected not only you and Odin but I as well. I changed the rules for you, I plucked a string of magic and it resonated, sending vibrations outward to cause a ripple effect. You have haunted me and it has taken every ounce of willpower I have to not search for you but human lives should not be trifled with. I did not want to bring you any harm. Besides, how does one find a soul in a new body? I had no idea what to even look for.”

   “
So you held back,” I swallowed hard, “even though you felt something for me?” What a difference between him and Odin, though Odin had loved me for a lifetime and it was probably unfair to compare him to the angel.

   “
Felt something?” he laughed and it had a bitter edge to it. “You still don't understand. Did you feel anything for me when I placed you into the well? Do you feel anything now?”

   “
Yes, I did,” I thought about how focused I was on his face and then more came back to me. “I couldn't forget your face. My life, Odin and my sons, I knew they'd be washed away but you, I wouldn't forget you. Yes, I feel something for you, I just don't understand it. How could your memory be stronger than those of the people I loved? Of my own children?”

   “
This is why there are rules,” he didn't seem so upset that he'd broken them though. “When I carry the souls to Heaven or Hell, I have no physical contact with them. I remove the soul with my scythe and place the scythe into the territory the soul belongs in and the tool does the transfer for me. With you though, I wasn't transporting you to a place the scythe would recognize.”

  “
So you had to remove me from the scythe yourself,” I whispered.

   “
Yes,” he was still holding me, his hands running up and down my arms. “I touched your soul, quite literally, and that forbidden touch left its mark on both of us. I've tried to forget you, how bright you felt in my hands, how vibrant, like holding fire without the pain, but I couldn't. Your soul has been on my mind for centuries and I accepted that ache as penance for what I'd done.”

   “
But then we met,” I remembered the look on his face, how we just stared at each other. My soul had recognized him.

   “
And I knew,” he finished for me, “that this union is blessed. Despite my denial, my refusal to look for you, you were placed in my path. You could see me, when others could not, not even other gods. We were meant to find each other and I'll not let you go again.”

   “
I won't let you,” I whispered.

  
He pulled back and drew me down, beside the pool of wine. From the air, he pulled a chalice, gold and covered with intricate designs. It reminded me of the one the Grayel poured its magic elixir into. The same kind of markings adorned it. Azrael dunked it into the pool, scooping up some wine and then holding it out for me to drink.

   “
Will you drink of the sacred wine with me?” His eyes were so intense.

   “
What does it mean?”

   “
That we are committed to each other. It's a symbolic sharing of blood. I offer myself to you and you to me.”

   “
Like a marriage?” Oh shit, Trevor would kill me.

   “
Yes and no,” he smiled warmly. “It's a vow that you are mine and I am yours but it's not a binding. I don't need you to be bound to me, we obviously have a connection as deep as any magical bond that could be made. This ritual is more for us than anything else. So you know how important you are to me.”

   “
And you know how important you are to me,” I tried to take the cup from him but he just wrapped his other hand over mine and tilted the cup to my lips. I took a sip and then drank deep. It tasted wonderful.

  
Sharp but sweet, with hints of apples and strawberries. It was also dark, with a depth of vanilla and cherries. The cup lowered and Az looked at me over the rim. I pushed it in his direction, holding it to his mouth this time and feeling the click of ritual falling into place as he drank.

  
When the cup was empty, he tossed it aside and pushed me down into the thick grass. My body fit to his perfectly, legs spreading around him and arms pulling him in tight. His face hovered over mine and I traced the angles with my eyes. He was so beautiful, his choppy bangs falling forward a bit to touch my forehead.

  
He seemed to be waiting for something, so I raised my head, connecting my mouth to his. This kiss was as wild as the first but even more wonderful without the bite of magic and with the added heaviness of his body over mine. My hands traced his upper back, feeling the muscles tightening as I explored and he pushed against me intimately. His slacks barely restrained him, he was hard and long against my center. I ground myself against him and he broke the kiss, groaning.

   “
Vervain,” he panted. “Are you sure you're ready to take this step?”

   “
I don't know,” we'd just made a commitment to each other but sex was big for me and he seemed to know that.

   “
I want more from you than this. We can wait a little longer,” he pushed away and got to his feet, much to my disappointment. “Please, I've prepared a meal for us.”

   “
Really?” I took the hand he offered and let him pull me up.

 
With his jacket flung over one shoulder and his other hand holding mine, we wandered into Autumn. There, beside the pool of honey, was a picnic. It was such an absurdly normal thing in this fantastical setting, that I laughed in delight. He smiled back and led me to the striped blanket. I sat down and trailed a finger into the river beside us. I lifted it to my mouth and tasted the most glorious honey I'd ever had. It was almost effervescent on my tongue.

   “
Delicious,” I said as he started to empty the picnic basket.

  
His hands stilled as he followed the movement of my lips on my finger. I licked it teasingly and his mouth fell open.

   “
If you don't stop doing that,” he whispered. “I'm going to strip you naked and paint you with that honey, just so I can lick it off.”

  
Visions of him doing just that, filled my head and my legs clenched in response. This was silly. We were two consenting adults and we knew where this was going. It wasn't like a normal first date where a woman should hold out because no man liked it easy. This was different, Azrael wanted to be with me, we'd already established that, and he knew exactly how he'd fit into my life. There was no reason to prolong this agony. I deliberately dipped my finger into the pool again and slowly, while he watched intently, brought it to my mouth.

  
He was on me in seconds, eating the honey from my lips, sucking at my finger, and pulling at the hem of my dress. It was off and thrown into the trees in no time and I was lying before him in nothing but black lace. He took a deep breath, looking down my body and trailing a hand over my curves.