Revolution (The Revelation Series Book 4) (11 page)

“Your dad and I.” Uriel stops and clears his throat when I shoot a sharp look his way. “Michael and I will watch over Libby. When she’s ready, you’ll be the first person we bring to her side. Uncle Urie won’t let you down, kid.”

“Uncle Urie?” Michael repeats, throwing the other divine being a questioning look.

Uriel shrugs. “Yep. Apparently, her
favorite
uncle too.” He winks at me.

I roll my eyes and ignore the archangel. “Promise me that she’s safe.”

Michael’s gaze meets mine. “Eve, your mother is out of harm's way.”

“As soon as she is ready, I would like to see her,” I repeat the demand.

“Of course.” Michael’s focus shifts to Asher and back to me before he stumbles through his next words. “My apologies. Uriel and I are being called back.”

“Wait,” I screech. “About that favor.” I hold the angel’s gaze, pleading for him not to make me say more. I’d asked him to confirm the name of the traitor. I need proof before I turn Asher’s world upside-down.

“It’s my next priority,” he assures with a firm dip of his chin.

“Thank you,” I exhale.

“Mr. St. Michael, now that Libby has been extracted, timelines will surely be changed and the dark army’s efforts increased,” Michael states. “While I appreciate Marcus’ and the Manhattan clan’s hospitality and offer of safe haven, I’d prefer Eve’s protection in an area where alliances are strong, and other supernatural worlds and creatures are available for assistance. New York is a breeding ground for demon activity and my sources tell me the Declan clan is close. It’s probably best to return to one of your family compounds.”

“Agreed,” Asher concurs. “We’ll leave for England this evening.”

“Eve, I understand your behavior has been less than gracious under the London clan’s protection. Regardless of your headstrong manners, I expect you to abide by their guardianship. If Libby’s abduction has taught us anything, it’s the dark army will show no mercy if they capture you. Do you understand?” Michael scolds.

“I’ll stay with the London clan, under their protection.” My voice is weak as Michael lifts a questioning brow. “And I’ll consult Asher before I do anything in the future,” I grit out.

“By the grace, it’s about fucking time,” McKenna spits out.

“I’m going to hold you to that, siren,” Asher whispers from behind me.

Michael releases a heavy sigh. “Uriel and I will be in touch when we can. In the meantime, I suggest you all prepare for war.”

***

The jovial sprites open the double glass doors, allowing my entrance into the grand foyer gardens of the Emerald castle, in the Kingdom of the Fae. Stopping only for a moment to bask in the tranquility of the waterfalls and flora, I refocus and quickly make my way through the labyrinth of green hued, glass corridors.

I exhale a sigh of relief when I come to the arched doorway of the exquisite domed study belonging to Lady Finella. My hands run over the intricate flowers covering the heavy oak doors before I push them open. As I enter, I scan the vast space in search of the regal queen.

Oddly, the room is empty and my shoulders sag in disappointment. The French doors to her veranda are open and a warm, flower-scented breeze floats through, washing over me. Inhaling, I brush my fingers over the white flowers climbing on the walls. Basking in the perfume they too are giving off. It’s intoxicating. Every time I enter this kingdom, I’m immediately calm and peaceful.

“I love the smell of honeysuckle and lavender.” Sorceress Lunette’s voice startles me.

Slapping my hand over my heart, I spin around and stare at Nassa’s aunt. The older woman’s steel grey eyes twinkle in delight at the sight of me. Lunette’s bluish-purple, bell-sleeved, medieval dress hangs delicately on her slender body. Watching me, she continues to play with her long, blonde braid. Her gemstone ringed fingers run the length of it.

“Holy crap, Lunette. You scared the shit out of me,” I accuse.

She watches me for a few seconds in curiosity before she speaks.

“My apologies, dear. Didn’t I announce my presence?” A playful tone edges her voice.

My brows knit together. “Um, no.”

Her lips twitch as a smile threatens to break through. “Huh.”

Crap. I’d forgotten how bat-shit crazy she is. “What are you doing here?”

She appears distracted as her gaze shifts outside the veranda. Her attention is on the sky.

“What are you doing here, dear?” she responds. “Where are your handsome gargoyles?”

“At a council meeting. I was hoping to see Lady Finella. And you?” I challenge and turn toward the land in search of what she might be looking at, but I don’t see anything.

“Do you ever wonder why you don’t hear birds chirping in this realm?” she asks, moving toward the balcony, admiring the scenery. “It would seem like a common sound in a land full of beautiful plant-life, warm sunshine, and bountiful water. Don’t you think, dear?”

Um. Wow. “I hadn’t given it much thought.” I force a stiff smile.

“No?” she asks, surprised. “Apparently, dear, you aren’t one for details. Nor would it appear that you study your surroundings all that well. Unless, of course, you’re surrounded by that delicious piece of protector specimen.” The quirky woman playfully points a purple polished finger at me. “Speaking of details, how is that piercing, dear?”

Ignoring her airiness, I make my way outside and stand next to her, leaning my hip against the stone railing and folding my arms. “Do you have a point, Sorceress Lunette?”

“They eat fairies.”

“Who?”

“The birds. They eat the fairies. It would be unsafe. They are predators and a danger to the sprites within the land. Lady Finella banished them centuries ago.” She sighs sadly.

I turn and place both hands on the top of the granite banister. “I suppose then, it makes sense. If they’re a threat, to remove them from the kingdom,” I offer.

Lunette is quiet for a moment. “You take me at my word. Another flaw.”

My brows elevate. “Excuse me?”

“Perhaps the birds were not a threat at all, but instead, dear, a scapegoat. A means of controlling the land and the beings within its borders. What if it were possible to work with the birds and live in peace?” she questions in a rare lucid moment.

“If that were the case, then I’m sure Lady Finella would have thoughtfully considered that course of action,” I defend.

“One would hope.” She inhales the fragrant air. “You adore this realm?”

My eyes scan the vast land covered in beautiful flowers and flittering fairies. “I do.”

“Did you know lavender helps calm one’s mind and body almost instantly?” she queries. “It’s such a soothing scent.” Her eyes slide to mine thoughtfully.

“I didn’t.”

After a moment, she continues. “If you and the dark prince ever need a little something, the smell of pumpkin serves as an aphrodisiac.” She winks and releases a light laugh.

“Good to know,” I mumble. My god. This woman has no sense of personal space.

“Jasmine,” the eccentric sorceress interrupts my thoughts.

“What?”

“The fragrance that you smell coming off the lovely, white climbing flowers in the study is jasmine, dear. Their perfume keeps depressive thoughts at bay,” she continues.

I remain quiet, not knowing where this conversation is going. With Lunette, does one ever really know where it’s going? Quietly, I start to piece together what she’s implying.

“Are you trying to tell me the scents in this land alter my moods? That I feel calm because of the lavender and happy from the jasmine?” I question.

A frail hand pats mine gently. “Well, duh. Plus, that wicked little duchess of sprites, Ainsley, doses the tea and herbed finger sandwiches with datura. When ingested, it causes euphoria. It’s why the sprites are always giggling. She seeps it into the soil as well.”

My mouth drops and I turn to Lunette. “They’re drugging me, the fairies, and the plants?”

Lunette’s face morphs into one of shock. “Wait, who’s drugging you, dear?”

And there goes the lucidity. Wow. “Never mind,” I whisper and move into the study.

“Well, I must be off. I can see that Lady Finella is not here, so my presence in her realm is uncalled for today,” Lunette sing-songs. “As always, it’s lovely spending some time with you, dear. Please tell Nassa I say hello and the Sorceresses of the Black Circle miss her terribly.”

“Um, okay.” What the hell?

Lunette leans in to embrace me. Just as she pulls me tighter to her, her lips hover over my ear. “Not all is what it seems, dear. Be mindful of who you are trusting. Our worlds are full of deceit. One side will rise to power. The other will fall to fate. Choose allies wisely, because losing, daughter of Heaven, is not an option.”

The sorceress pulls away and cups my cheeks, gently turning my head to the open French doors. I notice Noir, Nassa’s black crow, sitting on the railing of the veranda, watching us. The bird caws and tips its head to the sky. Dark grey, angry clouds roll in quickly, covering the once crystal blue and sunlight filled sky, engulfing us in darkness.

“Seek an appointment with Priestess Arabella at once,” Lunette urges.

I turn back and look into her eyes. For the first time since I’ve met the sorceress, they’re clear and pointed.

“Be off now,” she orders as we both vanish.

11
Full Circle

NERVOUSLY, I PACE BACK AND FORTH, wearing a path in the medieval accent rug. The inside of my cheek is raw from the assault my teeth have imposed on it.
Where the hell are they? They should have been back from the council meeting hours ago.
I exhale my agitation and continue to walk back and forth with quick steps while wringing my hands.

After I awoke from my realm jump, I was so freaked out by the darkening skies in the Kingdom of the Fae, that I tried to go back, unsuccessfully. It’s almost as if the land put up a block to prevent me from returning. I’m trying to keep my promise to Asher not to run off somewhere, but it’s becoming more difficult with each minute he’s not here.

“Lass, if ye need somethin’ ta occupy yer hands, I have extra knittin’ needles.”

I turn to face the short, plump, older woman, draped on the sofa like a cat. Her frail hands nimbly interweave the loops of yarn over the large metal needles before placing them on her lap and pulling out two more needles from her gray haired bun.

Looking up, Fiona smiles warmly at me. “‘Tis why I have da bun.”

At the sight of the loving caretaker of La Gargouille Manor and the London clan, I’m reminded of how much I adore her. We came back to Wiltshire, England two nights ago. Under the weight of her stare, I decide to pretend like nothing’s wrong, I’m not in the mood for a lecture from the maternal shape-shifting panther.

“If ye’re thinkin’ o’ lying ta me lass, I’d rethink.” The alpha of the Pishyakan clowder pins me with her yellow-green cat eyes, twinkling with amusement.
Damn.
She pats the cushion next to her, instructing me to sit down.

I plop on the couch dramatically. “I’d forgotten you read female minds.”

Fiona releases a boisterous laugh. “Dat, and ye’re fergettin’ dat I have a daughter, Galena ‘tis like ye. Ye both wear yer hearts on yer sleeves. Just like me Barclay.” She smiles fondly, remembering her mate who is no longer with her.

My fingers run over the trail of wool she’s woven together. “What are you making?”

Picking up the needles, her hands begin to skillfully work the yarn again, hooking the fiber and bringing it forward. “A rug, I suppose, if ye keep wearin’ down dat der carpet.”

I laugh at Fiona’s sharp tongue and drop my head to her shoulder.

“Are Gage and Nassa still in Paris?” I inquire.

“Aye. I think da lad has a wee bit o’ crush on da witch,” she whispers conspiratorially.

“Me too,” I agree, hypnotized by her knitting movements.

“Who has a crush on who?” Asher asks from the doorway, causing me to bolt up into a standing position. “My girl behaving, Fi?” He smirks wickedly at me.

“She hasn’t stabbed me, if dat ‘tis what ye’re askin’,” she teases.

My gaze drops to hers. “Is this family going to ever let me live that down?”

“Most likely no, lass.” Fiona winks.

Asher makes his way to me and collects me in his arms. Pulling me closer, he drops his nose to my neck and inhales. “Fuck, I missed you, siren.”

Fiona clears her throat. “Watch ye language, lad,” she warns.

I jerk back. “Something’s happened. We need to go see Priestess Arabella immediately.”

Asher’s brows knit together and he groans. “Siren, I just got back. All I want to do is shower and then take you to the chamber and—” His thought is cut off by Fiona.

“If ye don’t want yer mouth ta get washed wit me bar o’ soap, I suggest ye don’t finish dat der statement, lad,” the panther scolds from the couch.

“Yes, ma’am.” He sighs and winks at me naughtily. Interlacing our fingers, Asher pulls me back onto the couch and drops a quick peck on Fiona’s cheek. “I like my scarf, Fi.”

She lovingly pats his cheek, her eyes full of adoration. “’Tis sweet of ye ta say dat, but ‘tis not fer ye. ‘Tis for Callan.” He pouts as Fiona turns her attention back her interweaving.

Sitting back on the couch, Asher turns his attention to me. “Alright, siren, talk to me.”

He sits quietly while I recount my realm jump to the Kingdom of the Fae and visit with Lunette. Once I’m done, he gives me a thoughtful look. “Okay, I’ll talk to Keegan and Callan and we’ll request an appointment as soon as we can with the priestess.”

“What about the fae realm?” I ask.

“I’m not sure. Maybe when Nassa returns, she can reach out to Lunette for more clarity.”

I nod. “Okay, that sounds like a good idea.”

“Are ye hungry, lad? I have supper waitin’ fer ye,” Fiona questions, her accent heavy.

Asher stands and pulls me to my feet. “Thanks, Fi,” he replies as his eyes roam my body. “But there’s only one thing I want to eat right now.” His voice is laced with desire.

My cheeks flush from embarrassment. “Oh. My. God. Asher,” I squeak.

Fiona smacks his leg with her needle. “Next time, lad, ‘tis gonna be yer behind I swat.”

Asher laughs and drags me out of the room. “Sorry, Fi, but there is only one woman who is allowed to swat my behind,” he throws over his shoulder, yanking me into the hallway.

“You seriously need to learn boundaries, Asher,” I chide.

A few seconds later, he pulls me into a small alcove under the stairs turning us so my back is pressed against the cool wall and we are out of sight.

“What are you doing?” I ask in a breathy voice.

Asher gives me a clever grin before pressing into me and parting my legs with his knee. Desire immediately slithers up my spine, like a bolt of electricity. His large fingers circle my wrists, his fingertips rest right above my pulse.

For a brief moment, I wonder if he can feel how rapidly my heart is racing. Swallowing, my eyes focus on his mouth as the tip of his tongue darts out and wets each perfectly pink lip. It’s been so long since he’s kissed me.

His hand comes up and he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, allowing his fingers to linger on my cheek. The touch causes my skin to tingle. The intensity billows between us, wrapping us in one another. Leaning down, Asher brushes his nose in my hair, pressing light kisses to the side of my head. My lips part as a soft sigh escapes my mouth.

“Siren?” Asher murmurs.

“Yes?”

“Prepare yourself.”

I pull back and meet his heated gaze. “For what?”

“To be mine, again.” He levels me with softly glowing irises.

Asher threads our fingers and pins my hands above my head. Pushing into me, his hips rock against mine, and my eyes flutter at the sensation.
Oh. God.
The mate mark on my lower back begins to pulse and blood rushes through every part of me.

My back arches off the wall and all coherent thoughts slip away as Asher captures my mouth with a blindingly savage assault. This kiss is feral and demanding. The kind of kiss that marks and scars you. Releasing my hands, he spins me roughly so my chest is pressed against the wall. Grabbing my wrists again, he lifts and slaps each palm on the wall above my head.

“Don’t move your hands,” he warns, releasing his hold as his hands slide down my arms and over my body until they reach my shoulders.

Swiftly, he wraps my hair around his right hand and yanks my head back so he can nip at my neck. I release pathetic whimpers with each small, painful bite. At the same time, his left hand wanders down my back, slowly tugging at my pajama bottoms, lowering them just enough so my mate mark is showing.

“Fuck, that’s sexy, siren,” he rasps out before dropping to his knees.

Asher’s fingers find their way to my hips and dig into the flesh, causing my back to bow. Slowly, his tongue traces the outline of his mark, almost sending me into an immediate orgasm.
Oh. My. God.
At my body’s response, I feel a triumphant smirk on his lips.

“You, being my mate, is the hottest fucking thing in the world,” he says with his lips still on his mark while my body continues to tremble under his touch.

Turning me to face him, Asher’s hands lower to the ribbon on my pajama bottoms. Holding my gaze, he slowly undoes the bow, allowing the fabric to fall to the ground. When he sees I’m not wearing panties, an animalist growl releases from the back of his throat.

His palms slide down my naked thighs, lifting each one of my legs until I’m pinned against the wall, beneath his weight, with both legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

I grab at his shirt, pulling him closer as our tongues entwine and he aligns our bodies. His skillful hands skate across my body, along my curves, over the arch of my breasts and hips as he rocks against me.

With one hand pressed on the pulsating mark, his other hand descends between us. Asher’s fingers slide up and down the place I need him the most. They play and tease before sliding unannounced into me in a scissor motion causing me to quickly spasm.

Pulling his lips away, Asher drops his forehead to mine, allowing us time to catch our breath while his fingers push further between my thighs and cause a delicious friction at a frenzied speed. I clutched onto his shoulders and my body writhes in pleasure.

“Holy shit, Asher,” I rasp as he continues to brutally assault me, pushing me to the edge.

“Christ, you’re so fucking wet, siren.” He grunts and smoothly pulls each finger from me.

Impatiently, his hands find their way to the top of his jeans, unbuttoning them and tugging the fabric down just enough to expose his length. Positioned at my opening, his eyes seek mine as the cool feel of metal hits my sensitive skin. My panting has become almost embarrassing as I cling to Asher’s body.

“Tell me you’re mine,” he demands through ragged breaths across my bruised mouth.

“I’m yours,” I cry out as he fills me with one solid, harsh thrust.

“Fuck, siren,” he pants, pulls out, and plunges back into me again.

My eyes literally roll into the back of my head with the movement. With his chest pressed into mine, I can feel the erratic pace of his heartbeats, matching my own. He picks up a grueling rhythm as his hips slam into me, over and over again. The piercing hits the perfect spot with each thrust.

Asher isn’t being gentle. He’s punishing me. Drenched in sweat, my body begins to burn with sparks of familiar pleasure from the brutal ecstasy he’s causing. Something like anguish passes over his features as he forces me to look at him.

The energy between us increases with every one of his movements. My skin begins to slightly glow while our black healing energy swirls around us. Morphing into a tethered ribbon, making us one again.

“Oh. My. God, Asher,” I pant out in a pathetic and needy voice.

He buries his face in my neck. “Fuck, siren,” he says on a strangled grunt.

With one final slam into me, my body shakes in bliss with the full intrusion of him, and waves of pleasure roll through me. His. Mine. Both wrap us up, making us one. Asher exhales a rough groan of his own before becoming rigid. His body jerks and shakes with his release.

“That was incredible,” I blow out on a long exhale.

Asher touches his forehead to my shoulder and chuckles.

“I think it’s safe to say, siren, that you complete my awesomeness.”

“I beg to differ, gargoyle. The piercing completes your awesomeness,” I retort, tired.

Lifting his head, Asher flashes his sexy smile. “So you admit, I’m awesome?”

“At the risk of inflating your already large ego, yeah, Asher. You’re pretty fucking amazing.” I brush the damp hair out of his eyes and smile at him.

Asher withdraws from me, putting the smallest amount of space between us before carefully placing my legs on the floor. They feel like jelly and it takes me a moment to steady myself. When I finally do, Asher bends down to redress us both. Straightening his spine, he returns the favor and brushes the hair off my face with both hands before taking my cheeks into his palms and placing a light kiss across my lips. The gesture is soft and loving.

“Thank you, pretty boy,” I exhale.

“For what, siren?”

“Granting me forgiveness.”

We hold one another’s stare for a few moments, just basking in the moment of us.

“Let’s go get cleaned up before Fiona finds us and swats us both, yeah?” he teases.

I giggle and allow Asher to interlace our fingers and guide me up the stairs. Once we reach the top landing, we run into Keegan, who looks unhappy.

“A word, Asher,” he says coolly.

“Eve and I were just—,” Asher begins but Keegan interjects.

“It’s important,” Keegan states, using his military stance.

Asher dips his chin once and turns to me. “I’ll be along shortly, siren.”

“Alright,” I agree because I’m too spent to put up a fight.

Leaving Asher to deal with Keegan’s unreadable tone, I make my way into my suite and head into the shower. I stand under the hot liquid until my fingers begin to prune then towel off and pick up the dark grey
Property of London
shirt that Asher must have left. Bringing it up to my nose, I inhale his scent, smoky wood and leather, and a small smile graces my lips.