Claimed by Light (23 page)
Authors: Reese Monroe
Tags: #Forged by Fate, #Trilogy, #Reese Monroe, #na, #Bound by Hades, #Marked by Hades, #demon, #Paranormal, #Romance, #Mates, #Embrace, #entangled, #college, #New Adult, #Claimed by Light
Chapter Thirty-One
Slade floated toward Lena, unable to take his eyes off his beautiful Mate. Such an amazing, strong woman. It had taken him all day to help her heal from Lucifer’s brutal beating.
And he’d insisted on getting to the hot tub as soon as she’d felt up to it.
Her nostrils flared. “You ready for round two already?”
“The way your body turns my crank, I’ve got another two rounds in me.”
Lena sat up straighter, and the swell of her breasts broke through the water. The shadow of the rest of her naked body below the surface teased him.
“You think you can keep up with me, Mrs. Bennet?”
“Mmm. That sounds nice
.”
He reached for her, aching to touch her firm body again. Needing to. His hand met her bare flesh, and energy rushed through his fingertips, into his arm, and pumped his heart. “You’re pretty hot—for someone so old.”
“I’d like to see you even
try
to keep up with my stamina, frat boy.” She giggled.
“Challenge accepted.” He wove his other hand beneath her hair and drew her forward.
She smiled and licked her lips just before contact. Firm but tender. Demanding yet not. He tilted her head for better access. Deeper. More. He needed to taste her.
He traced his fingertips over her breast and around to her backside, lifting her to him. She moaned into his mouth. Those sexy sounds were just for him. Always just for him. They’d defeated Lucifer, and Addie was awake and healing from the damage Votar had done. Slade could finally enjoy his Mate without fear of assault.
He guided her legs around him, and with one gentle movement they were one. “I love you, Lena. Love you so much.”
“I’ll never tire of hearing that.” She tightened around him as she began to move. “Love you, too.”
With only the stars as a witness, he took his Mate to Heaven’s heights two more times before they got dressed and finally ventured inside to check on everyone.
“Worked up an appetite, I see.” Theo laughed as the kitchen light clicked on.
“Newly mated, remember?” Lena shot back and opened the fridge. “How are Sadie and the baby?”
“Fine. Noah’s tucked in Sadie’s arms, sleeping, and Addie’s safe and sound in her room. She’ll probably sleep the rest of the night for how worn out she was.”
“I’m not surprised. She was up and around quite a bit today,” Lena said. “She’s a strong little bugger.”
“Come on,” Theo said. “We’re all in the living room.”
Slade held out his hand to Theo. “Thank you. For everything.”
Theo shook it hard. “Of course. Grab some food, come in, and we’ll debrief.” He strode out of the room.
“He is efficient, isn’t he?” Lena smiled as she gathered what was left of a fruitcake, a couple of forks, and a bottle of wine. “Come on.”
Lena walked into the room ahead of Slade but stopped with a gasp. “Mother.”
A radiant woman with flowing ribbons of golden hair rose from the hearth and smiled, arms outstretched. Lena set the food on a small end table, then hurried to the woman and melted into her arms. Mother held her but raised a hand for Slade to take.
He grasped it, and a wave of warmth cascaded over him. Peace.
“How are you here?” Lena said, leaning away. Her face was glowing, and her bottom lip quivered.
“I came to see my children. A job well done deserves a hug, don’t you think?” She winked and nodded to the side. “I brought a friend, too.”
Brenton waved from the seat beside the hearth. His beads sang as he dipped his head in a silent greeting.
Slade and Lena settled into the love seat that faced her heavenly mother.
Justin and Yvonne sat together on a couch across from them, and Theo and Sadie sat in a chair, Sadie on his lap, cradling little Noah. Everyone’s attention was transfixed on the woman sitting on the fireplace hearth before them.
“Sadie. Your parents bid you hello and can’t wait to visit with their grandson again soon,” Sabrina said. “Considering what you all faced, you look well.” She pinned each with a long stare before continuing. “And Lucifer is where he is supposed to be.”
“And we can move on, Gatekeeping as usual,” Theo said. “I’m anxious to get back to the States and actually stay there for a spell.”
“What of Zander?” Lena asked as she popped a bit of cake into her mouth.
Sabrina smiled. “He’s not yet aware of his connection to all of this or how deep his magic truly runs, so we’ve assigned a few…guardians to ensure his safety from anything demonic looking to drag him back to Hades and exploit him.”
It sounded like there might be a story in there. “And Addie?”
Sabrina’s features softened, and a hint of sadness darkened her crystal eyes. “She has a long road ahead of her, but she’s on the right path. I mourn the suffering she endured, but I am confident she will overcome. You and Halena are instrumental in that.”
He dipped his head. “She woke up when Lucifer was banished.”
“The evil holding her soul captive weakened with Lucifer’s banishment. As did many bonds his demons had put in place. But don’t worry, her contract is broken. We made sure of that.”
“This is what sealed Lucifer, wasn’t it?” Lena held up Slade’s hand, palm out.
Sadie leaned forward. “What is that?”
“Slade was the only one who could touch the Gem as the ordained Oracle for The Great One. It is by Slade’s hand alone that Lucifer was cast into Hades for good.” She rose, then took Slade’s hand in hers. “The mark of infinity, burned both on the captor and the captive.”
Slade didn’t like the sound of it.
“Bound by Hades,” Lena whispered. “What happens if Slade dies?”
“He won’t be leaving you anytime soon, my dear Halena. Do not fret. The ability to bind Lucifer came through the Chosen One. It cannot be easily broken, even in death.”
“The Artifacts have been separated and safely moved to the ends of the Earth with different Gatekeepers.” Sabrina smiled. “Obviously three will remain within this small group. Yvonne with Justin, the Necklace and Gem with Slade and Halena. Guard them well. Theo, you are entrusted with the locations of the others and the names of their guardians.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“I pass on a message from our Great One. He is pleased with you all.”
With that said, Sabrina vanished in a flash of bright light, as did Brenton.
Theo stood, guiding Sadie to her feet. “She’ll be with Brenton for a few years, continuing his training.” He motioned to Justin and Yvonne. “Ready to head home?”
“And then some,” Justin said, lifting Yvonne into his arms.
“I can walk, you know.”
“But this is so much more fun.” Justin nodded toward Slade and Lena. “Take care.”
Theo and his family stepped through Theo’s splice, leaving a calm and very welcome silence in the living room.
“Finally. You know, those guys are always around. Loud, bossy, and—”
Slade silenced her with his mouth.
After a long, hard taste, he leaned back. “I’ve seen the hot tub, but now I think I’m ready to tackle that second floor of your—
er
—our place.”
“That’s right. We haven’t made it up there yet.”
He stood, taking Lena into his arms, much like Justin had with Yvonne. And he was right—this was so much more fun.
“And now we’ve got an eternity of nights together in that bedroom.”
“Starting now, Mrs. Bennet.”
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Acknowledgments
There are so many people who helped make this book possible. It truly takes a village! Thank you to the following people for all your support and dedication!
Super Editors, Karen Grove and Nicole Steinhaus: Thank you for all the time you spent making this story shine and holding my hand through it all.
Super Agent, Nicole Resciniti: Your support means the world to me. Thank you for believing in me and my stories.
The Entangled Team: Heather, Debbie, Brittany, and the rest of the behind-the-scenes people who touch every book to ensure the great quality that Entangled is known for.
Brynna Curry: For helping us pick out the title of this third book.
The blogging community: Thank you for taking the time to support the Bound by Hades series by sharing it with your readers. I appreciate all you do!
Rachel Firasek: For hanging in with me during critiques, talking me off the ledge, and for being an all-around amazing friend.
Wendy Russo and Courtney Krueger: For helping me through the editing process with your super-fast critiques and encouraging words!
Vicki Tremper: For all your help with the French aspect throughout this entire trilogy.
My agency siblings over at The Seymour Agency: Your support and encouragement is unparalleled, and I’m proud to be a part of the agency with you all.
My BFF, Michele. I thank the Lord for our friendship every single day. I can’t imagine being on this crazy-awesome journey called life without you.
My RockStars: Michelle Corchis, CJ Schindler, Amanda Leigh Morey, Dawn Swiger, Maricris Patrimonlo Dimia, Angelica Maria Quintero, Sarit Dana-Yahalomi, Flutterfli Carol Reads, Sue M. Van, Dianna Slowey-Thomas, Sarah Long, Johanne Hurst, Laura Howard, Deby Wilson, Danica Ravenstahl-Taylor, Julie Jewels Bromley, LaLani Delk, Kat Smith, Mary Gurney, Zee Hayat, Ch’kara SilverWolf, Rhianna Walker, Carly Rose, Pam Rushen, Tanya Gaunt, Felicia Filion, Cassandra Jones, Stacey Nixon, Debbie Suzuki, Samantha Adams, Heather Graham, Lisa Hamilton, Crystal Bromke Woodmancy, Christina Marie Madison, Jennifer Swiger, Katrina Hill
YOU! Yes. I mean you. Thank you for reading my stories. I treasure every note, email, tweet, and message I get from you.
About the Author
Reese Monroe holds a psychology degree from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree in mental health therapy from the University of Iowa. Her experience as a former addictions therapist and competitive athlete lends to stories about complex heroines and the men who dare to love them.
Growing up in the land of 10,000 lakes and cold, snowy winters, Reese has been known to weave a little of that cool Minnesota climate into her stories, but these days, she much prefers desert living. She resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, and when she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training for her next endurance event.
Connect with Reese on Twitter (
@Rush_Monroe
), through Facebook (
Facebook.com/LynnRushWrites
), or her website
ReeseMonroe.net
.
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Discover the Bound by Hades series by
Reese Monroe
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