Chapter Three
Icy cold water engulfed him. Anticipation hit Kyrie before the dread set in.
More and more often, Kyrie found himself pulled into the heavenly sea.
When the first dream came, Kyrie had woken alone and confused.
Everything had felt so weird—like he didn’t belong in the real world anymore.
His entire existence had turned colder. Each smile got harder to fake.
Kyrie found himself trying to get back to his peace.
Sometimes, Kyrie wondered if he had started down a slippery slope he couldn’t return from.
It seemed as if he diminished a little more every day.
One day, maybe he wouldn’t wake up—forever dreaming.
His feet gently landed in the sand. A warm, tropical breeze washed over him.
Peace settled into Kyrie’s soul, stealing away any rational thoughts.
Maybe he didn’t want to go back. Perhaps he had finally come to the point where he could leave the world behind no matter what the destination.
The smell of coconut teased his nose. Kyrie closed his eyes.
He loved that scent. It reminded him of a certain brand of body oil people used at the pool to get the perfect golden tan.
These dreams were as close as he would ever get to a vacation.
Life was expensive, and Kyrie was a little too used to human conveniences to live full time as a wolf.
He didn’t get into the whole letting nature provide, leaving worldly goods behind.
Kyrie loved worldly goods—like air conditioning and winter coats.
He was not an outdoor wolf, but he was in love with the ocean. One day, it would be his.
As the delicious scent engulfed him, so too did a set of familiar arms. Kyrie found himself lured backward against a very solid chest. He was cozy—like sinking into his favorite sleeping position. It really was too bad he didn’t know when that affection would turn to pain and fury.
Warm lips skimmed the shell of his ear.
Kyrie smiled. “Didn’t I just see you?”
He felt Monnie shrug. “You’re addicted to me. I can’t help it if you keep fighting your way back to me, but I’m okay with that.”
Of course, he was unbothered. It wasn’t his life that had been upended by this half-life. Once upon a time, he hadn’t minded. Lately, everything had turned against him. Real life was still empty. That was his only constant.
“You’re not alone. It looks like Fen has taken an interest.”
A small smile passed over his lips at just the sound of Fen’s name. As much as he hated to admit it, Fen gave him a reason to hope. But he needed to remember where he was and hide his thoughts. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t actually want to be interested.”
A soft chuckle rumbled against his neck.
“Fen might be a vampire, but he’s still a man.
Not even the gods can fight that.” Monnie’s hand slipped down Kyrie’s body, shaping every line and curve.
“It’s impossible for him to see this, combine it with the sunshine you bring into every room, and still stand firm in his black and white sense of morality. ”
Kyrie leaned his head back, fully relaxing against Monnie’s perfect body. Sometimes, he still wished nothing had changed between them. When he spoke, his voice wouldn’t work beyond a whisper. “I know things will turn out how fate decides, but…”
Monnie gently spun Kyrie. As always, Kyrie stopped breathing the instant he saw heaven swirling in Monnie’s unnatural blue eyes.
They didn’t only look like the sky. They were the sky.
His nearly white blond hair was the clouds.
Everything about him was as flawless as any god.
Irresistible. Monnie’s mouth quirked. “I need you to stop thinking about my body if you want me to be serious.”
Longing raced through Kyrie’s blood. Maybe if he seduced Monnie… “I’m tired of being serious.”
Monnie didn’t back down. “We don’t have much longer.
The clock is ticking, but I very much want everything you do.
” He held Kyrie’s stare while he pulled the bandana loose that Kyrie kept around his wrist at work.
It was all fake. He had to remember it wasn’t real.
Monnie slowly brought Kyrie’s wrist to his mouth and kissed it while never breaking eye contact.
An unsteady breath stuttered from Kyrie’s lungs.
“You have to focus on Fen. It’s time.” Monnie whispered the words between the sweet kisses he placed on Kyrie’s wrist. He looked so turned on and in love.
Kyrie swallowed hard, trying to fight the devastated tears.
None of this existed. Monnie was right. Kyrie had to focus on reality. It was time.
Fen sat in the corner and stared at Kyrie until his vision blurred.
Then he blinked and started the process all over again.
He watched tears flow from Kyrie’s eyes.
Fen desperately wanted to know why Kyrie cried in his sleep.
Maybe he was in physical pain from this mystery illness.
Fen had tried several times to poke at Kyrie’s mind.
There was nothing but an impenetrable wall.
Fen had never been so scared and confused.
Honestly, it was strange. He should be able to see Kyrie’s every thought.
Fen had no clue how Kyrie unconsciously blocked him.
Maybe he was nearer to not returning from this state than anyone realized. That was a heartbreaking thought.
Fen had lived several lifetimes. He had watched people he loved more than anything grow old and die or never even see middle age.
Fen didn’t know Kyrie that well. For some unexplainable reason, he couldn’t focus on anything other than Kyrie’s health right now.
Maybe it was the mystery of it. Not only was Kyrie immortal, but he was also young and seemingly healthy.
It made no sense for Kyrie to be in this position.
Kyrie’s eyes suddenly blinked open. His gaze landed on Fen as if he knew exactly where he sat and that he would be there.
They held each other’s stare. The exchange felt strangely pivotal, as if some silent and important message passed between them.
Fen didn’t know what happened, but he knew he didn’t want this to stop.
A delicious scent tickled his nose. It was a hell of a time for his hormones to spike.
What in the hell was actually wrong with him when it came to Kyrie?
“You’re awake. That’s awesome.” Frost looked relieved as hell as he breezed inside the room. He focused on Fen. “I’m sorry. I have to ask you to step away for a bit while I speak with my patient.”
Fen got it. Frost had already broken patient privacy once, and Kyrie had been furious. He wouldn’t risk that twice. Frost needed to look as professional as possible now.
Fen dipped his chin, acknowledging the request. He focused on Kyrie. “I’ll be around if you need me.”
A sweet smile passed over Kyrie’s lips. “Okay.”
Fen left, closing the door behind him. His heightened hearing caught the first few words.
“I’m thrilled to see you awake. As much as I hate to press the issue, it’s gone beyond critical to know your parentage. The only way—”
Gemini appeared in the mouth of the hallway. “Hey. I thought I heard someone moving around. Come join me outside. It’s a nice night and I have beer.”
Fen wasn’t blind, nor was he dumb. Gemini had Frost’s back on the privacy issue.
Fen pasted on a smile and headed Gemini’s way.
“Sounds great.” He let Gemini lead him outside.
As they stepped out, he was greeted by more people than expected.
Leif and Audor were there. Since both men were Frost’s guards, he had known they were likely there somewhere.
He hadn’t realized Audor’s husband, and the town’s pack leader, Waylon, was also there, along with Frost’s best friend and her husband, Jacen and Deidra.
The fairies were another staple in Frost’s home.
The only genuine surprise was Stone. Stone had guarded the Scottish vampire king at Fen’s side for years and had been assigned to join Fen in America.
He was always all smiles and naughty behavior. The guy was impossible to hate.
Fen nodded at everyone as he headed for the empty seat at Stone’s side. “Hey. Where have you been hiding?”
A bright smile lit Stone’s face. “You know me, getting to know the town.” AKA, trying out as many beds as possible.
Fen shook his head. “Someone will find a way to kill you someday.”
Stone winked. “Not when you’re good.”
He wanted to be irritated with Stone’s flippancy, but there was just something about the guy. Before Fen could think of a way to respond, Stone took control of the conversation.
“How’s your boy?”
Fen opened his mouth to say Kyrie wasn’t his. The thought was gone as quickly as it formed. “Honestly. I don’t know. Frost is in with him now. Hopefully, he’ll figure this out.”
Stone nodded along. “Frost was sent here for a purpose, just as we were. Kyrie will pull through.”
Frost stepped outside and headed Fen’s way.
Fen went on alert.
Thankfully, Frost didn’t make him ask. He motioned toward the house. “Kyrie wants to go home. You should be the one to take him.”
Fen tried to decipher Frost’s tone without luck. There was something there. Frost seemed worried and distracted.
Still, Fen stood. “Of course.”
Before Fen made it two steps. Frost touched his arm, stopping him.
His eyes seemed slightly desperate. “Will you stay with him? I always have Gemini’s protection. You should focus on this. I’m certain Celeste would understand.”
Since Frost seemed to have a direct line to their goddess, he dipped his chin. “Nae harm will come to him.”
Frost’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Thank you.”
Fen didn’t bother saying Frost didn’t need to thank him.
They both already knew. For whatever reason, Kyrie was his responsibility, and Fen never shirked his duties.
Fen headed for Kyrie’s room. The same amazing scent overwhelmed him as soon as he reached the mouth of the hallway.
Fen didn’t know how he knew it was Kyrie, but he did.
He smelled like the sea and freedom. Tropical flowers and a fruity drink on the beach.
Coconuts. Fen’s mouth watered. His stomach clenched with hunger.
He froze. It had been a while since he’d fed.
He should do that before going home with Kyrie.
The last thing he wanted was to be in a position of Kyrie smelling like the perfect meal while he starved.
Bring me my wolf.
Fen shook his head. The hallucinations were back. For fuck’s sake. Maybe they really were fueled by the strange hunger he had suffered since his abduction. He would let Kyrie know he needed a moment to feed before they left.
Kyrie appeared in the hallway. The scent got stronger.
Fen felt his fangs grow.
Something passed over Kyrie’s features. “Your hunger pains are sitting on my chest.” He motioned Fen closer.
Fen’s feet moved a few steps. He stopped. His mind went fuzzy until Fen shook it off again. “Nae. I’ll be fine. You need your strength.”
Kyrie simply held his stare, leaving Fen to fight with himself.
He didn’t press Fen. Fen was the one who couldn’t stop thinking about Kyrie’s blood.
He had sipped from him that one tiny time, testing his blood for dehydration.
Fen swore he could already taste him. His pulse pounded in his ears.
No. Kyrie’s pulse beat at his eardrums. He moved closer, like his body was on autopilot.
Fen smelled the unique blood that pumped through Kyrie’s delectable body.
He tasted like paradise, and Fen knew it.
Kyrie held his hand out, wrist up, tempting Fen closer.
Fen gently took his offered arm. He stared down at the tiny blue lines just beneath the skin’s surface.
The sound of rushing blood got even louder.
It was all Fen could hear. Two tiny white scars caught and held Fen’s attention.
He brushed his thumb over the marks. A sharp pain stabbed him through the chest unexpectedly.
Fen lifted his gaze. “You have a mate.”
Kyrie held his stare with something desperate in his eyes. “I do.”
An image flashed through Fen’s mind. He saw himself barely sinking his fangs into Kyrie’s wrist for half a second. “Dear Goddess. It’s me.”