Wasteland (32 page)

My rubber legs sent me stumbling, but with the coordination of a newborn, I stayed upright.

“I will have the Guardians cook you much food. You must be weak.”

“Feeling better by the minute, knowing I am here with you and not alone in a wasteland.” I pulled her close.

She covered my mouth with hers. “I was so scared I would be alone,” she said between kisses. “The cut was so deep.”

“I will never leave you.”

“I know now what you went through when holding me together. I hope to never go through that again.”

I went to kiss her neck, but she ducked out from my embrace. “Wait, where—”

She unzipped the bag and pulled out a small, square object. She stood, staring at me and backed up to the water’s edge. Her fingers went to the zipper on her shirt and tugged. Water rippled around her ankles as she stepped into the pool.

She peeled her shirt off and let it fall. My heart spiked into overdrive. Long, slender fingers slid over her hips, taking her stretch pants with them. The moonlight offered a silver outline of her naked body.

She waved me to her and dove into the water.

I drew in my wings, desire chasing away the fatigue gnawing at my bones. She was all I needed. All I would ever need.

I made haste shedding my ratted, blood splattered jeans and dove in. The cool, refreshing water revived my sore limbs. I surfaced and found Beka three feet away. The water lapped against her bare shoulders. Long, bright hair slicked back against her head, and her green gaze swung my direction.

“Come here.” She rubbed something between her hands, barely above the water’s surface. Suds bubbled in front of her.

“Turn around.” She winked.

I obeyed. Her strong fingers wove through my hair, massaging my scalp. The smell of soap mingled with a hint of lilac poured over me. Her hands kneaded the knotted muscles in my neck.

“This feel okay?” Her lips feathered a kiss to my shoulder.

Thoughts scrambled. Words scattered, unable to form sentences to describe what her touch did to me. So I let out a moan.

Her body flattened against my back, and her hands grazed my chest, washing the soot away. A firestorm of heat engulfed my stomach. She paused at my neck, and I turned, rustling up gritty sand between my toes.

“I thought I’d lost you.” She kneaded my chest with her soapy palms, keeping her gaze locked on my throat.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you.”

Her fingers combed through my hair again, massaging. “Rinse.”

I tipped back, dipping beneath the cool water, and resurfaced, free of the cleansing suds.

I reached for the bar of soap. “Let me.”

I lathered and ran my hands through her hair, washing the grime and blood from the golden locks. My sudsy fingers massaged her neck, shoulders, following the slick skin to her breasts. She leaned back.

The moonlight reflected her smooth skin casting a glow about her. “You are so beautiful.”

She turned and disappeared beneath the water. She resurfaced free of soap, and I palmed her back guiding her to me.

“This is what Michael meant about loving you.” I trailed my fingers the length of her. “I know that now.”

“Michael?” Beka paused, hands resting on my chest.

I wove my arms around her narrow waist. “I met him.”

“The Archangel?”

I touched a kiss to her nose. “He asked me…” A kiss to her chin. “if I wanted…” A kiss to her chest. “…to stay with you.” A kiss to her Mark. “To protect you and love you.”

Beka clasped her hands around my neck and pulled her body flush to mine, stealing my breath more than the cool water. Heat coursed through my veins, coiling my spine.

“He sent you from heaven’s door back to me?”

“I am not sure it was heaven, but it was somewhere without you, so it was hell.” I tilted closer to her mouth. “He also told me of my mother.” I teased my lips against hers. “And my father.”

“Father?” she said, her breath ragged. Her moist tongue fanned the flames flickering beneath my skin. I chased her tongue into her mouth, and it felt like returning home. All the doubt and fear of my ability to be king dissolved beneath her feverish body.

I guided her up, and her bare legs encircled my waist. “I shall tell you everything.”

We both moaned with our union.

“But first, I’d like to get back to the love part.”

She tightened around me, and crushed her mouth to mine with a hunger matching my own. Fingers danced up my spine. The water rippled as I shuddered from her smoldering touch.

“Then we’ll introduce you to the Guardians. They are anxious to meet their king.” She pulsed against me. “But later.”

I leaned in for another kiss. “Much later.”

CHAPTER 48

“How did we get these fresh clothes?” I stepped into cool denim jeans. The damp sand from the river’s bank sifted between my toes.

“Nala is my lady’s maid. When the Guardians started for Arizona, they brought her with. She brought clothes for me.” She combed out her hair with a brush. “And Durk, one of the Guardians, is about your size. You’re wearing an extra pair of his jeans.”

I fastened the button. “So, Nala travels with you, wherever you go?”

She nodded.

“Human?”

“Guardian. Just a different station.” She smiled. “Remember, on the roof? When Russell interrupted us, my shirt was on the ground?”

“Too well, actually.”

“I’m their Queen. No one is allowed to see me indecent. Only my Lady’s Maid, Nala, can assist me in dressing should I need it.”

“I remember you saying that you wanted me to see you in a way no man has. But what I also remember—” I gathered her to me. “Russell stabbed me and the blade went through me and into you.”

“Yes. He won’t stop apologizing, either. It’s been over thirty-five years, too.” Batting her dark lashes, she smiled and touched a kiss to my chin. “I also remember you sinking your teeth into his neck, defending my honor.”

I would always defend her honor. No matter what.

“Don’t worry. He’s not mentioned anything else about seeing me like that. He’s too embarrassed.”

I circled my thumb over the silky fabric hiding her breasts from my sight. “No one will see you in this way again, other than me.”

“Nor would I want anyone else to.” She threaded her arms through mine. “I am yours and yours alone until my breath leaves me.”

I buried my face in her neck, inhaling the scent streaming from her long hair. “As I am only yours, wife.” Nothing ever felt so right. So true.

“We should get you to camp so your people can meet their king.” She handed me a silken t-shirt. Stretchy fabric, cool to the touch.

“I am not sure what kind of king I will make, Beka, but with you by my side, I will do my best.” I poked my head through the material and slid it over my chest. “A little snug.”

“Nala didn’t have much time to make it exact. She used Durk as the model, but had to guess where to make the slits for the wings.”

“This is a shirt like yours?”

“Indeed. Can’t have you walking around bareback forever. I will not stand for the other women gawking at your beauty. That is for me alone to do.” She winked. “And you will do fine as king.”

We let our wings unfold and took to the sky. A refreshing bath, the love of my wife, and a fresh set of clothes made me feel back to normal, if I knew what normal was, because from today forward, I was a Guardian King.

Until four days ago, I knew only the life of a demon. Now I was a husband, an Angel, and a king.

The campfire came into view. People scurried from tent to tent. My heart slammed into my chest, fearing demons had attacked in our absence. I dove toward the camp.

“Russell?”

He appeared between two tall Guardians. “What’s wrong?”

“Why is everyone scurrying around? I feared a demon had come.”

Beka landed beside me with a slight breeze. Her wing grazed mine, and she winked, not worried in the slightest.

“Nothing’s wrong. We just prepare for your arrival. Nala alerted us that you were to clean up and return for introductions.”

I glanced at Beka, and she dipped her head.

My heart slowed a notch, and I tucked my wings close to me but left them out. “Oh. I’m sorry. I thought…”

“That’s okay. You have every right to be jumpy after all that you’ve been through the last few days.” Russell gripped my shoulders. “I’m glad you are well, majesty.”

I huffed.

“David. Sorry.”

I faced Beka. “I think that will be the first rule to change. No more calling me King or Majesty.”

“That might be a hard one to change for the old ones like Russell and Durk,” Beka said.

A tall, husky man with a scar running down the center of his face stepped forward. “Your majesty. I am Durk, at your service.”

“Of the seven here, Durk is the oldest, besides me of course,” Russell said. “Behind him are Saul, Isreal, and Abarim.” He motioned them near. “Come, meet your King.”

A short man, with hair as bleached as Beka’s feathers, stepped forward and bowed. “Majesty. I am Saul. At your service.”

“I am Isreal.” A thick-necked, bald man clutched my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Israel.”

He moved aside, revealing a meek, timid guy. “I am Abarim, Majesty.”

How would I ever remember these names?

Russell pointed to the right. “And lurking near Jessica’s tent are Joshua and Andrew. Joshua is the redhead and the short guy is Andrew. I think he stopped growing when he was twelve.”

A chuckle resonated from my mouth. It surprised me, because I hadn’t felt any reason to laugh in so long. I’d almost forgotten how.

Russell smirked, pointed to the female, and beckoned her to us.

“Nala,” Beka said with a smile.

“Your majesty.” Long, charcoal hair spilled over her shoulders. Her ice-blue gaze bounced from me to Beka. “I am the Queen’s Lady’s Maid, but will assist you both should you need anything.”

“Thank you, Nala.” Beka twined her fingers with mine. “I couldn’t have gotten through the years without you had it not been for her.”

I bowed. “Then I am most grateful to you, Nala.”

A ring of darkness formed on Nala’s pale cheeks, and she backed away, to the fire where the rest of the Guardians gathered.

I eyed each Guardian as Beka stood by my side. “Nice to meet you all.”

“David?” A squeaky, but muffled voice, shouted from behind the wall of people staring. “David?”

The click of a zipper filled the air.

“Let me through,” a high-pitched voice I recognized as Jessica’s said. “David.”

I released Beka’s hand and moved around the fire. The last time I’d seen her, Jessica was a frail pile of bones, hidden beneath a thick blanket, withering away by the hour.

Durk and Saul moved aside, and Jessica burst through them, right into my embrace. Her dainty arms linked around my neck. I hugged her close enough to feel her heart thudding against my chest. A subtle scent of peaches and vanilla wafted from her shiny hair.

“I was so worried for you.” She burrowed her face to my neck. “I couldn’t see what would become of you after the fight with Locien.”

“No need to worry. I am here. You are okay?” I petted her hair.

She eased down from me and stood next to Durk’s towering frame. “Yeah, I’m fine. Slow to heal, but getting there.”

“You look much better than the last time I saw you.” I offered her my hand. “Come, sit with us.”

I led her to Beka, and we sat on the gravel surrounding the fire pit. Russell handed me a bowl of food, then one to Beka. “Are you hungry, Jessica?”

“Starved.”

“I’ll be back with another bowl. Eat up majesties. We leave at sunrise,” Russell said.

“You killed Locien.” A grin filled Jessica’s face.

“With Beka’s help.”

“I knew you would, but I was scared.”

“Scared he would die?” Beka asked.

Russell approached with another bowl. He settled near Jessica and completed our half circle around the fire.

“Taste good?” Russell asked.

I took a bite of the hearty stew. “Thank you. I am famished.”

“Two days you were out of it. Rebeka wouldn’t leave your side,” Russell said. “She refused to give up on you.”

I winked at my wife, then focused on Jessica. “Did you know he was my father?”

Russell gasped. A murmur rolled through those surrounding us. Besides Durk, I didn’t remember any of the names. That would take time, and I didn’t even know how many others there were at home.

“Yeah. I guess I did.” Jessica studied her untouched food.

“Your father? Who? What?” Russell asked.

“Why did you not tell me?” I asked Jessica.

“Would that have made a difference?”

“No.”

“You say that now. But had I told you up front he was your father, things might have turned out differently.” She picked at her bowl of stew.

“How is he your father?” Russell asked. “That’s impossible.”

I studied my fork. Images of Locien raping my mother flashed before my eyes. I’d never seen her before, but the thought of someone violating my Beka in such a manner made my blood pulse with rage.

“His mother made the deal with Lucifer, then Locien raped her. It was one big, dirty, disgusting plan,” Jessica said. “From day one.”

“Plan?” Russell set his empty bowl on the sand.

Amber flecks deep within Jessica’s chestnut eyes flickered. “Lucifer knew all along your mother was to give birth to the prophesied angel destined to unite with Rebeka. He tricked your mother, she sold your soul, and hers, then she died while giving birth to you. Locien figured that if his blood flowed through you, you’d give in to darkness immediately and embrace your demon nature. He tried to take your right to choose away.”

“But you remained strong and resisted.” Beka teased her hand up my spine, sucking the breath from my lungs. “For me.”

“Locien thought it would bring favor for him in Lucifer’s eyes to have fathered the angel, and to sway him to darkness. He didn’t know about the Archangel clause.” Jessica smiled. “And when you kept resisting, and he couldn’t kill you, it drove him nuts.”

“Nuts?” Russell asked.

I set my empty bowl on the sandy gravel in front of me. Within seconds, Durk retrieved it and replaced it with a full one. He bowed his head and resumed his place behind Jessica.