Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Demos
He heard Phobius giggle behind him, and Demos dropped the scope and started running. This time he wouldn’t let his brother catch him so that they’d be together when the game ended. Demos wanted to be the one to find their father. All by himself. Father. Demos still couldn’t believe the news. They had a father! A strong, handsome, brave father who loved them.
Had it only been a month ago when the visitor came to them and his aunt Dover? One day the world was one thing. The next it had expanded. Meeting his father had painted the world with new colors, and each morning, Demos couldn’t wait to feast his eyes upon what the day would bring.
He picked up his little legs and pumped his arms, gaining speed, zigzagging his way to where he just knew his father was hiding. He loved this game, and today he would be the one to win.
Demos slowed as he neared the rock wall. Where was he? Had he run too fast, too far?
“I see you,” his father sang playfully. “Do you see me?”
Grinning, Demos spun around, looking up, searching the branches. A hint of black rustled in the thick leaves the color of spring moss. A pair of eyes like ice chips winked. Of course his father would hide up high.
“Found you!” Finally, Demos had won the game, all on his own. He felt like a real man. Even though his small boy body was nowhere near the size of his father, at least in this he’d grown. One day he’d be just as big and just as wise. There was no one on Titus like Father.
The raven flew high into the sky, then circled around and landed at Demos’ booted feet. When the bird whose feathers never seemed to make up their mind, morphing from blue to purple to black, transformed into a tall man, Demos smiled.
His father patted him on the head. “Well done, son. Well done.”
Demos shook away the memory. Once, it had been a happy one to treasure, but a handful of years later, all the happiness from those childhood days were tainted with hurt, betrayal, disgust.
He studied Sierra for a moment. She looked dazed, which made sense. The lovely creature had swallowed the equivalent of a tome’s worth of information in two hours’ time. But there was nothing for it. Too much was at stake to keep her in the dark, not if they wanted to keep her safe. Grudgingly, he had Phobius to thank for that. Without his push, they’d still be stuck at square one.
I see you. Do you see me?
Only he and Phobius knew what the context of those words meant, the message in them. They weren’t for Sierra, oh no. They were meant for their father’s spawn, Demos and Phobius.
It was a taunt, a bitter poke, and a reminder that, no matter how much they and everyone involved had tried to bury Cael, in the end he had risen from the tainted ashes from which he’d been born.
Now, Demos caught Phobius’ eye. A wordless message passed between them. When his brother nodded, Phobius shifted to his crow, and with a loud ear-splitting caw, flew out of the cave and into the forest, where he’d find Lucius and give him word on Sierra’s location.
Demos breathed out a breath of relief. His Melos was safe, and By the Wind, Demos wouldn’t stray from her side ever again, even if it meant watching her share her life with her mate.
“Where’d he go?” she asked, her tone numb, her eyes dull.
“To find Lucius. Come here. We still have time before we need to leave.” He held out his arms.
She nodded. “Okay.”
Once she was on his lap, he touched her face and held it close. Her lips parted. Such luscious lips, rosy and made for loving. When her dull eyes came to life, they darkened. His breath hitched. By the Wind, he wanted her. He’d missed her every single second they’d been apart.
She closed the gap between them and touched her mouth to his. He moaned, giving in. He didn’t think there was a power on Titus that could stop him from accepting her kiss.
It started softly, sweet and chaste. At first. Then, as if the reins on their passion had been loosened, thrown into the void, their mouths joined into a dance of tongues and heat and breath.
She wrapped her arms around him, and he brought them both down to the cave floor. His hands caressed her neck, her shoulder, her hip. When she threw a leg over his thigh, he groaned. He needed to stop, for if he didn’t, he’d take her right here, and she was too precious to steal. He needed all of her, her heart and soul.
So he pulled back and contented himself with only looking at her, cherishing her with his eyes.
“I missed you, Demos.” She reached out and cupped his cheek. “While you were gone I did a lot of thinking. I want to know if you’ll still have me. As my mate. I don’t want to lose you, and I don’t want to wait anymore.”
So very brave, he thought as he stared down at her. She always wore that precious heart on her sleeve, no matter how unsure she was that her love might not be reciprocated. The first time he’d seen it in her, her love for him, it had broken his heart. Because of who she was and who he was, he had no claim on her. He had to deny her. She didn’t belong to him. The two of them had come together outside of fate; neither one prepared for such a thing. Forcing down those new feelings that day in the cabin had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Now, he held hope on a tight rein. “What about Lucius? He doesn’t seem the type of man to share, and I won’t have you by halves, Sierra,” he told her with as much seriousness as he could impart.
“He and I have already discussed it. He will abide by my wishes.” She cupped his face. “I love you, Demos. I have since I met you. It was fear and stubbornness that stopped me from accepting you before you left. I want you in my life, at my side, for as long as you’ll have me. And even if—if you’ve changed your mind, I’m no longer going to let fear dictate what I do any more, never again. I need to tell you how I feel. I love you. I want you. Do you still want me?”
They stared at each other. Silence was all around them. Demos could see her chest rising, waiting for his answer.
“If I take you, there is no going back, Melos. Do you understand?”
She swallowed. “I under—”
He took her sweet mouth, ravaging her, eating her words. Her hands went to his shoulders, then wound around his neck. Her little sounds of pleasure, of surrender, had his pulse rising. Finally, he pulled away, but only enough to speak. With his lips an inch from hers, he looked into her eyes, which were half-open with lust. And love.
“I accept your claim, Sierra Linden Dega. I give you all of myself, my body and my soul.” He had to have her right now. Right here in this cold desolate place, gods be damned. “I’m afraid I can’t be… gentle right now, Melos.” Even to his own ears, his voice sounded like that of a desperate man, whose control was hanging by a thread.
She started untying the ribbons of her bodice. “I need you, Demos. Take me however you want.”
In one swift moment, he undid his breeches and roughly pulled up her skirts, ripping at the silk barrier she wore under them before spreading her legs open to him. By the Wind, how long had it been since he’d buried himself inside her sweet heat? Too long.
He gave her no warning as he sheathed himself inside her in one tight thrust. The rush of air between them met mouth to mouth, and he kissed away her moan that followed one of his own. He would lose his mind from how good she felt.
No, he could not be gentle.
His taking her turned savage, his control a thing of the past. He gripped her thighs and wrapped them around him as he thrust his hips like a rutting beast.
Raising himself on his hands to look down at her, words in his native tongue spilled from his mouth. Words that said he loved her beyond all, that she was the loveliest creature to ever walk Titus. That his burning for her would never be quenched.
“I’m close, Melos,” he grunted, tensing his jaw. “Say the words.”
“I claim you, Demos of Erikos, as my mate.”
Quick as a flash, he had her on her stomach, pulling up her hips, and entered her once more. His mouth opened on a soundless moan as pleasure poured out of him and into her in the form of his seed that shot deep within her womb. He swiped her hair aside and found her nape. Instinct, primal and ancient, had him biting down hard on the soft skin there. He barely recognized the beast within that had taken over.
Though he hadn’t a trace of Alpha in his blood, what was there was similar: a predator that had captured his prey, his mate, binding her to him in a taking that was older than time. His cock grew inside her, and a loud, Titus-shattering roar of unleashed power poured from his chest. His gums ached as teeth sharpened, tearing the skin of her neck where her scent was greatest, a perfume that was made only for him.
Awareness of her screams below him was barely a consideration. He owned this woman and would fight for domination. He didn’t come down until he could sense her not from the outside, but from within. In his bones, in his blood.
They were now one.
Reality slowly bled into his consciousness. He knew his eyes were shut, knew he was drinking from her, knew his cock was locked inside her slick walls. Her blood was as sweet as honeysuckle, of aged wine, of sugared fruit on a summer Solstice.
When he started to shake, his teeth relinquished her and he lovingly, tortuously, licked his bite mark with a sigh.
There was a part of him that viewed the situation with horror at his actions, but a sudden exhaustion overcame all thought. He swayed over her until he found himself sinking into her. Before he knew it, everything went heavy and dark.
“Demos, are you all right?”
He felt her hands on his face, smelled her scent. His mate. Eyes struggling to open, he smiled. “I am more than all right.”
Her exhale had a smile in it. “Good. Um… you’re very heavy.”
That had him opening his eyes. His limbs and hers were a tangle, and he realized she was lying underneath him, trapped. He righted himself and sat up, looking around. He’d fallen asleep?
“My apologies. How long…?” How could he have passed out like that?
She giggled, probably at his expression. “Not long.”
He studied her face. Her hair was mussed, lips swollen. A wave of desire crashed upon him. “Come here.”
Turquoise eyes darkened, and when Demos pulled her to him, she let out a sound that heated his blood. His hands went to her perfect breasts. So warm, so soft. Though they didn’t have time, he wanted her just as desperately. As before.
Their kiss was a war of tongues and teeth. He could feel her heart beating under his hand. By the Wind, he loved this woman more than words could ever convey.
“I need you again,” he whispered against her mouth.
This time, when he spilled inside her he was prepared, and the only thing that followed their pleasure was a sigh of joy.
*****
After putting out the fire, Demos fastened his brother’s cloak around Sierra’s neck and shoulders, then glanced at her feet. He remembered she wore no shoes. But there was nothing for it; since he and his brother had flown here, she’d have to walk on bare feet and hope that Lucius and the rest of the others would catch up quickly.
Together, hand and hand, they walked out and met the gray light of winter morning. The ground was clear of snow, thankfully, but the sky promised its appearance sometime in the afternoon.
He took them first to a stream and filled his canteen up with fresh water, and then they started their trek. On the way, Sierra became quiet, more reserved. He wondered about it, hoping that her silence had nothing to do with regret at what they’d done.
“Did I hurt you, Melos?”
She turned bright eyes at him and smiled. “Oh, no. Not at all.” Touching the back of her neck, she winced but her scent spoke of lust not pain. “Just… a lot to think about. You and I are the only thing that makes sense right now.”
Relief washed over him, and he let out a sigh as they kept walking.
“What took so long? You coming back,” she asked.
“That is a long story. And a rather boring one. I rather you tell me about all I missed. What happened after I left the night of the feast?”
As she spoke, her spirits improved, especially when she talked about having her own cottage, about the people of Ordelpho and how she wanted to start an arts vocation for apprenticeship there. When she got to the part about her tonics not working, which had brought on her second estrus, Demos ground his teeth in anger.
Even though the he and the Ongahri seers had the same goal, their methods weren’t the same. Manipulation… Well, Demos took that thought back. He would be a hypocrite if he didn’t see his own machinations, which started way before he’d left Providence with the Fealty Bride.
“So it was because of them that I went into heat. Lucius…” She paused on his name, and Demos could hear so much in her voice: love, desire, heartache, and an unbreakable bond. “Lucius saved me, though. And from that I was claimed.”
“With your consent?” He couldn’t help the bite contained in his question.
But she smiled, it was both sad and wondrous. “Of course. And things were truly wonderful. Up until yesterday.” She shook her head, and the white locks that were a tangled mess around her shoulders shimmered in the light. “Anyway, I met the Sapera of Ordelpho. Went through the rite of Delphos, then got caught up in all this White Queen craziness.”
He nodded. “Lady Lordes said you had gone through the rite. That was very brave, Sierra.”
Her smile was rueful. “Well, I don’t know about that. I seemed to have bitten off more than I can chew. I just want to live my life, Demos.” She stopped walking and placed her cool hand on his arm. “Seems like every time I try to start, something keeps me from doing it.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but a presence in the woods alerted him. Demos grabbed her hand and tucked her into his side.
It was only Phobius. Demos relaxed and resumed walking, but with Sierra close by.
In a whoosh of black wings, the crow flew beside them, then shifted into man, effortlessly walking beside Demos without missing a step.
“Brother,” Phobius greeted.
“Well?”
“About an hour south. Since they are on horseback, they should be here any moment.”
“Lucius?” Sierra asked, leaning forward to catch Phobius’ eye.
“Indeed. And they’ll have adequate clothing for you.” Dark blue eyes scanned her from crown to feet, and Demos growled, pulling Sierra behind him to meet his brother face to face.
Phobius raised an eyebrow. “Already?” He chuckled. “You couldn’t wait until you at least found an inn?” Tsking, Phobius crossed his arms and shook his head. “I take it when we meet up with the others, you’ll be staying with them, then.”
Demos said nothing. He felt… strange. Bigger, wilder. Naked.
Of course he did. He’d bonded with her. All his life he had thought a bonding like he and Sierra had was a myth, but no. He could… feel her inside his skin, her being lying on his heart, her soul whispering in his blood.
He realized he was growling.
“By the Wind,” Phobius said, stepping back just enough to let Demos know that, whatever his brother saw in his stance, it was dangerous. “This will be interesting to watch unfold.”
“What?” Sierra asked, trying to go around Demos. “What’s going on now?” But he held her back, his arm out.
“Want me to tell her you’re losing control?”
Demos started. This whole time they’d been speaking in their mother tongue and he hadn’t even been aware of it.
“By the Wind” was right. Whatever the bond had unleashed, Demos’ faculties were compromised.
“Will someone please tell me what’s going on? “
The cocky act dropped away as Phobius took in his brother. “I suggest you fly, Demos,” he said, ignoring her pleas. “Get some of that out of your system before you meet the others. We’re about to meet two other hot-heads any minute now. We don’t need three.” Before him was the Phobius Demos knew before things between them grew too weighty, too murky, too… tender. “I’ll stay by her side until you return. Take as much time as you need.”
Can I trust him? The question seemed to float from the void. And it was more proof that he wasn’t in his right mind. He and his brother might not get along, and the Mother knew how much bad history stood between them, but the day Demos stopped trusting his brother…
He nodded. “I won’t be long.” He turned to Sierra now. “Everything is fine. I’ll be right back. Stay with Phobius and keep walking. Lucius and his men will be here in no time. I’ll be flying over you.” He kissed her confused face and shifted, becoming his owl. He didn’t miss the gasp that escaped her, nor the widening of her eyes before he glided into the trees and sky.
He’d need to pull himself together quickly, because seeing Sierra’s other bond mate might just make him lose what little control he had right now.