Darkness Undone (18 page)

“What the hell does it mean?
Go back to the start. What you seek is but a tale away
?” Reynner snarled at Lucan, jabbing his finger toward the scroll.

Everything he’d endured and put Eve through, only to end up with the scroll giving them a fucking riddle.

Lucan frowned. “It’s never straightforward with scrolls and cryptic messages.
Go back
to the start,
would suggest our realm, where it started, but I don’t think that’s it—it has to be the mortal one.”

“You mean New York?” Reynner snapped, trying to hold in his impatience, wanting to take Eve and get out of there. He was aware she’d left the room. Better she was outside then with these horny bastards.

“Yes. It makes sense,” Lucan agreed. “It’s where the scroll was awakened. The Stone will be close. Keep Eve safe while the search is in progress.”

“From what I learned before I left Empyrea, Darkreans are gathering in force on this realm,” Northaen said then. “Security is paramount. It’s why I’m here.”

“Yeah, fine. Fill me in later.” Reynner pivoted and his heart nearly stopped. The couch opposite where Eve had sat was vacant. With her in that tenuous state of arousal—the truth slammed him like a sledgehammer.

He wouldn’t fucking dare!

Anger exploded in a flare of power, couches and table crashing into the walls. The others jumped out of the way as Reynner tore out of the room, down the corridor. If Aerén touched her, then what Reynner had done to bring down Hell when he’d broken free of his prison would be child’s play.

***

Eve broke away from Aerén.

Why couldn’t she want him? He was sexy, gorgeous,
and
gentle. He’d be perfect to ease the savage need riding her. But the bitter truth was that Aerén couldn’t ease the pain of wanting someone else.

Reynner was too filled with hatred and a darkness that sucked out every facet of emotion in him. His mind focused only on his quest and killing demoniis. Despite the sting of his rejection, she couldn’t change how she felt. And she really, really wished she could.

“Eve?”

She looked up. Her breath hitched, her body too jittery to calm down. Aerén stroked her cheek, his silver eyes bright with compassion and desire. “Let’s get out—”

A furious draft of wind flashed past them and snatched her away from Aerén, making her head spin. Eve stumbled and braced a hand on the wall to steady herself. A loud thud echoed in the hallway, followed by a body hitting something hard. A clay pot crashed to the floor. Soil scattered, dislodging a small, leafy plant.

Reynner stood in front of Aerén. Fists clenched, chest heaving, his body vibrating with barely leashed violence.

Aerén pushed away from the wall and straightened his shirt. His eyes glowed white with anger. Power rolled off him, and a sizzle ran through Eve.

She gasped, her body twitching. She didn’t need this added stimulant along with everything else she was going through.

“I will do what you won’t. I can always invoke our laws,” Aerén snapped in warning. “I will not let her suffer needlessly.”

Eve had no idea what that meant, didn’t care. But Reynner stiffened. The ice in his gaze turned molten. “We are not in Empyrea. Touch her again, and I will kill you. Prince or not.”

Aerén stilled. Then his expression morphed to a slow, dark smirk, like he just discovered something implausible.

Not caring what that was, she darted between them and glared at Reynner. “Don’t you dare! Why do you care who I’m with?” she cried, rubbing her arms to ease the tingles. “I never asked for any of this.” She flung her hand in the direction of the scroll. “I didn’t.”

She turned to Aerén, couldn’t see him with tears crowding her eyes. “I-I want to get out of here, please.”

A swim in the icy lake, and maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to breathe again.

A callused hand seized her wrist and hauled her out onto the balcony. Eve stumbled behind Reynner. Fabric ripped, resonating in the morning air as he tore off his tee and flung it aside. The ruined garment landed on the floor, and his wings reappeared in all their bronzed glory. His wild forest scent surrounded her.

She backed away. She didn’t want this. It hurt too much
.

His eyes a blazing blue, Reynner came at her like some avenging angel. He scooped her into his arms and soared off the balcony.

Eve’s horrified scream never made it past her lips. He captured her mouth in a fierce kiss, branding her with his touch, surrounding her with his warmth.

Her heart stuttered. How could he be so cruel to torment her like this?

She tore her mouth free from his and pushed at his chest. “How could you?”

“Stop, Eve. We’re mid-air.” He grabbed both of her hands with one of his. His other tightened around her waist, his erection pressing against her hips.

“How could you tell them what the scroll did to me?” she cried, betrayal crashing through her.

At her accusation, he growled, “I can smell your arousal from miles away—it seeps into my skin, coats my tongue, and haunts my senses. And they damn well could, too. You think I want them catching your scent. Getting worked into a frenzy by you?”

Eve froze. They’d smelled her?
That
was why they’d gone robot-still in the lounge? They were holding their breath?

Oh, God, it was worse than she imagined. Humiliating.

The moment Reynner landed them on the flat, sun-warmed boulders, Eve spun away and walked blindly into the trees. Unable to face him.

He came after her, blocking her path, eyes vivid with anger. His spread wings slapping against the branches in fury like he wanted the pain. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Leave me alone.” She tried to walk around him.

A snarl. “So you can be with Aerén?”

She didn’t care. Had nothing to lose. “At least he wants me!”

Eve didn’t see him move. Her back hit a tree trunk, his mouth taking hers in a bruising kiss. She fought him, pain crushing her heart. She didn’t want his pity. Furious, Eve bit him.

His head snapped back, blood beading on his lower lip.

“I’d rather a one-night-stand with Aerén than a pity fuck from you—”

“He’ll never have you!”

“Go to hell!”

“My life is hell, Eve…” The words seemed to be torn from him. “That’s all it’s ever been.”

He kissed her again. Not in anger, but one filled with need. Gently, he traced the seams of her lips with his tongue. Then there was only his mouth sliding against hers... She melted against him.

He lifted his head. His skin pulled taut across the sculptured bones of his face. “You think I don’t want you?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” she whispered.

He stared at her for a long, heart-shattering second. “Undress.”

“Wh-what?”

“Undress, Eve. Now.”

At his demand, she swallowed. She would be naked in front of a man who showed no softness. Had none to give. Still, she wanted him so badly; it hurt just to breathe. With trembling fingers, she reached for the first button on her shirt, but her hands shook too much.

The next moment, he reached out and swiftly undid the buttons and peeled her top off. He tossed it aside. Warm, callused palms slid to her back and her bra followed. Goosebumps flooded her skin at the cool air. Her nipples hardened. At his dark, caressing stare, she covered her breasts with her arms. He shook his head. “Don’t.”

He moved her hands away and his gaze swept slowly down her body. His warm palms spanned her waist then slid up in a sensual glide to cup her breasts, leaving behind a trail of heat in its wake. Squeezing gently, he pressed an open-mouthed kiss on the scar on her left breast, then dragged his tongue over her nipple.

Oh, God! Eve shuddered, her body thrown into a maelstrom of sensations.

His leathers creaking, he hunkered before her and snapped open the button of her jeans, his beautiful wings sweeping the damp leaves scattered on the ground. He unzipped, then parted the fly, and dragged another heated kiss down her stomach.

Eve grabbed his shoulders as he pulled the denim down her hips. She stepped out of them, and he tossed the garment aside. He gently nipped her stomach, eliciting another shudder from her. With his teeth, he caught the edge of her panties and pulled the scrap of cotton down her thighs, yanking them off.

He was at eye level and could see her—would see everything. Instinctively, she flung one arm across her breasts and the other covered her femininity.

“Eve.” He removed her hands, keeping them in a gentle but firm hold at her sides. “Look at me.”

Heat washed her face. Her heart raced. Biting back the urge to cover herself again, Eve met his burning gaze. Sunlight filtered through the treetops and dappled his pale hair in shimmering gold and silver hues. He was so beautiful.

“You are beautiful, Eve.”

The intensity of his stare made her tremble. And just like the time in his room, he was crouched before her once more. Except there was no fear in her now. Instead, desire and a deep yearning to be in his arms took hold.

“Reynner, please…kiss me.”

He did.

Parting her legs, he put his mouth right on her core. The first lick of his tongue nearly took her over the edge. A choked moan escaped her, his gaze flashed to hers. He pulled back.

“Reynner?”

“Not here.” He rose, picked her up, and carried her farther into the trees—away from the decaying smell of vegetation—and laid her down on the soft, green grass. The sweet, clean scent perfumed the air.

Eve reached for the waist of his leathers. He shook his head and removed his pants, his heated gaze not leaving hers for a second.

Like some haloed, celestial being, his wings tucked against his body, he moved over her. Warm skin and powerful muscles slid seductively over her bare skin. His hard, hot length pressed against her inner thigh.

Showered with sensations, Eve inhaled an unsteady breath. She ran her palms over his shoulders to his back, and caressed the silky arches of his wings. His cock jerked, and he stiffened. Seconds later, in a swish, his wings disappeared.

Her fingers clenched. “Reynner?”

He shook his head and covered her mouth in a scorching kiss, pulling her back into his passionate warmth. Hot, possessive, he kissed her deeper and deeper…

Panting for air, Eve broke away. He didn’t stop but latched onto her breast with his mouth. With his tongue and lips, he tormented her nipple—sucking and licking first one, then he moved to the other.

Desire like a gale force took hold as he tormented her nipple—sucking and licking first one, then he moving to the other.

She moaned, shifting her hips. He let go of her nipple and slid lower. His pale hair swept over her body in a million silky strokes as he trailed more kisses down to her navel. Spreading her thighs with his hands, he lowered his head.

This time, it wasn’t just for a taste. He put his mouth on her and licked down one side of her cleft and up the other side. Pleasure grew and spread like a heat wave. She grasped his hair, holding on as her mind lost all cognizance. Every inch of her focused on the sensations coursing through her body.

Reynner explored her with a deep eroticism she’d only read about, licking around her neglected bundle of nerves and teasing her opening with his tongue, driving her wild out of her mind. When he suddenly locked his mouth on her swollen clit, she near came off the ground, a rasping cry tearing from her throat.

He held her down, tormenting her with soft licks and firm pulls. God, she didn't think she could last this sensual onslaught. “Reynner, please…”

He lifted his head, his lips glistening wet from her. “Please what, Eve?”

“More,” she whimpered, needing him to ease the unbearable ache inside her.

Slowly, he eased a finger into her wetness, watching her face. But at the alien intrusion, she stiffened. He pulled out. His thumb glided over her clit, once, twice, then his finger pushed in again. After another slick glide of his thumb, he added another finger. Desire sharpened.

“Better?” he asked, voice rough.

Powerless to answer with the emotions crowding her, she nodded. Release hovered…so close. Pressure built between her thighs, she arched her hips up.

He lowered his head. As his fingers worked her, he sucked her clit again, teasing it with firm pulls and soft licks, then a sharp nip.

Eve cried out as unbelievable pleasure exploded through her, yanking her up and tossing her over.

It took her a few minutes—maybe several hours to get her breath back before she became aware of him gently kissing her there, his gaze on her.

Her hands still tangled in his hair, she tugged him up. “Now.”

He moved up her body, his masculine heat surrounding her. She released her grip on him and glanced down. At the sizeable length of his sex, a moment of doubt invaded her. He was huge. And she’d never been with anyone, but when she met his heated stare, her hesitation vanished.