Divine Ecstasy (The Guardians of the Realms Book 8) (10 page)

“You don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to,” Brianne started, “but I will tell you that after you made Hades leave, he told P to send all his God groupies home.”

“God groupies,” Sacha muttered. Of course he’d have females all over him the moment he’d woken up; he was said to be a grand lover. She felt her grasp on her wineglass tighten and forced the hold to relax.

A gentle touch against their bond jolted her. He didn’t speak, but he slid his mind over the link and she eased just as he had.

She sat processing that.

“P said he can’t stand the touch of another female.”

“He went from here directly to other females?” she asked calmly, while beneath it all she seethed.

I did NOT go to other females.
His deep tone in her mind intensified the arousal sliding under the surface and stilled her. She barely heard Brianne explaining that P had told her that Hades had apparently forgotten an entire house full of females. She clenched her teeth.

This hadn’t even been something Sacha’d had time to consider, but now that it was in her head, he was fortunate that he hadn’t screwed one of them. She wouldn’t share her mate.

After hours catching up on patrols and all that Brianne had mentally shown her earlier, Sacha finally calmed. And it seemed Hades had as well. When Brianne mentioned there had been surges in demon-possessed and Hell beast attacks again, Sacha felt a pang of guilt that she wasn’t already back to work patrolling.

“Don’t feel guilty.”

Sacha narrowed her eyes at Brianne.

“I’ve been your friend for centuries. I know that look.”

Sacha felt her lips twitch.

“We have more help than ever. It’s covered.”

“Bastian and Natasha?” she asked of her son. She’d check on him once Sirena and Brianne left.

Sirena answered, “They’re good.”

Brianne turned her questions back to Hades at every chance, and this time Sacha paid attention. Anytime her sister Guardian had mentioned the God through the years, Sacha had admittedly tuned her out.

Even Sirena added, “I remember him doting on P whenever he came to Aphrodite’s palace. And he loves his sister. They were close,” the healer said, smiling. “And he is vaguely amusing.”

“Give him a chance,” Brianne finally said.

“I’m not fighting it,” she said. “I just needed time.”

Her sisters eyed her.

She took a long drink of wine. The need wouldn’t go away, and prolonging the unknown wasn’t going to help her or make any of this more comfortable. And if she refused to share him, then she’d better take him and have some faith in the fates that she could get through it all without losing her mind.

Because this was permanent.

Chapter 9

Sacha’s Paris Home, Earth Realm

Sacha closed her eyes as she slipped out of her steam-filled bath.

After having been connected to the God for over twenty-four hours, she’d finally realized that she couldn’t do it anymore. The need was too constant; she wasn’t even sure if it was his or hers since she felt so much emotion from him in the last hours. This wasn’t a painful surge punishing her for not feeding a frenzy, it was a relentless erotic caress. The only thing to do was feed it.

She’d spent the entire night writhing and wild in her empty bed. Her dreams had been a more vivid version of their first touch. In them he’d entered her. He’d taken her like he’d been so close to doing. She hadn’t felt memories or numbness; all that came was pure unending pleasure that felt hollow the moment she’d awoken.

All day she’d concentrated on every emotion to get to know him better and did mundane things in her home to avoid the inevitable until she was certain she could control her own memories of her past.

Throughout the day, she’d felt soft caresses on their bond, him attempting to ease her. And it had worked.

All she knew now was that she couldn’t do anything until they finished this. She couldn’t go see her son or anyone else, fighting some constant burn of arousal. She’d be mortified seeing her brethren with their enhanced senses, knowing they were likely scenting just how wet she was.

At least she’d spoken to Bastian last night after seeing Sirena and Brianne. Her son was worried, but she’d assured him she would be fine and was looking forward to seeing him in a few days.

And as much as she rebelled at being so emotionally open, at least she felt like she knew him now, and at least they were both equally exposed.

She still felt anxious, but holding out longer just made her feel cowardly. She was a Guardian, she’d fought beasts for centuries, she could battle back an ancient past if it attempted to pull her back.

She took a deep breath to steel her nerves one last time and called to him,
Hades, come to me.

You’re sure, Sacha?
She felt his blinding need surge through the bond, and she smiled that he’d even asked.

Yes,
she breathed through the connection.

She dried quickly in the air currents and stayed nude. That was how she’d end up, so why bother dressing.

*****

Hades reformed inside Sacha’s home and grunted when the scent and feel of her so close hit him. Soft lights flickered everywhere in the darkened space. He glanced over and saw bright lights shining through the windowed doors facing out to the city below. That was of no importance because at that moment all he cared about was seeing his female. He could feel her anxiety.

The muted sounds of gurgling water from the indoor ponds were the only noise he heard through the ringing in his ears. Moonlight shone as if he were outside, and the pale glow only added to the soft flickering of lights she had in the trees and plants around the room.

He felt their link pulling him in, getting stronger by the second, building along with the need to have her. He gritted his teeth as he flexed his shoulders, hating the slide of cloth over his chest. The shirt was even constricting his arms. In an effort to ease his female, he’d retracted his wings and borrowed the dress shirt from his son before she’d even called to him. He’d felt her emotions and known she would call to him.

After their fitful night of shared erotic torment, it had only been a matter of time. He’d paced the evening away at the island in Tetartos. His new home. It was small, but more importantly it had been empty so that he’d been able to suffer alone as he attempted to plan their next meeting.

He would be damned if he evoked memories of her horrors this time. All she would feel in his presence was the pleasure they both needed. He forced a tight hold on his own desires and focused on her.

He stilled the second he caught sight of her. Everything inside him seized at the image she made. Fucking incredible.

And completely nude. His cock jerked as he took her in, standing in a doorway that likely led to her bedroom. He growled low as he scanned every bronze curve of her body completely bared to him, her flesh supple and begging for his hands and mouth. Long ebony hair fell down her back as her dark eyes assessed him. The moonlight cast a light sheen over her, and he’d never seen a more perfect example of the female body. Her curves were a thing of pure beauty. He couldn’t wait to taste every inch. His dick twitched just thinking of what he wanted to do with her heavy breasts, they deserved special attention, but her tiny waist and flared hips brought his mind back to the image of her pert, round ass when he’d seen it on the patio.

He bit back a curse and ran a hand over the back of his neck. Why hadn’t she worn clothes? He felt her nerves, and that was the only thing keeping him from taking her up on her beautiful offer.

He breathed in, mentally bracing himself. Going slow and easy with her would be the hardest thing he’d ever faced. There wasn’t a section of his aching flesh that wasn’t on fire for her. She’d spoken of the frenzy that Immortals experienced with their matings. He had a bad fucking feeling that was exactly what he was going through. This wasn’t anything like the mere desire he’d felt before for a warm, wet female. This was a craving, a compulsive need to consummate their soul bond. It was nothing like anything he’d ever imagined. And it wasn’t just about sex. His soul was thrumming again like it had when he’d first seen her.

He growled as he worked to gain control of the need.

When he refocused, he realized that he’d ported directly in front of her without having willed the movement. The pull to touch her was too damned strong. Everything about this situation was out of his realm. He’d never had to seduce a female in his life, but he was about to.

“You are beautiful.” He sighed as he lifted a hand to her soft cheek, just one touch. A gentle caress that he gave her plenty of time to back away from. Her skin was smooth and warm beneath his fingers. He held a breath while watching and feeling for any change in her emotion. Being this close to her scent was a torture all its own. She smelled of almonds and sweet wet female and fuck if that wasn’t erotic.

He was looking at
his
female. The one that he’d have at his side for eternity and it was up to him to make her crave him the way he craved her or it would be an excruciating existence for them both.

He’d never wanted a female more.

Their bond was tightening even as he stared down at her, the emotions getting clearer than ever.

Sacha stared up at him as he fought for sanity in the face of her nude body.

He’d had the entire night and day to come to terms with the fact that she was feeling him on a level he’d never have allowed anyone to know. Neither had liked being this open, but there was no way for him to shield from her. Nor her from him. He gritted his teeth, knowing just how much fate was leading them.

He felt her need and eased some. She wanted him. But it was with a sense of determination that wasn’t right. And the hints of anxiety mixed in kept him from pulling her into his arms.

Fucking hell. He needed to get out of there. Needed to cover her up. “Come with me,” he said with a slight curve to his lips meant to ease her while ensuring his words were that of an invitation as opposed to a demand.

He moved into her space and lifted her hand in his. He set his lips to her warm palm while watching and feeling her every reaction to the simple touch. “Outside.”

Hades wasn’t willing to wait a second more to find her damned clothes. He released the buttons from his shirt and slipped it off and over her while reassuring, “I hate covering your gorgeous skin, but it’s night. And cold.” He fucking hoped it was cold. Hell, he hoped for a damned blizzard of snow to pack around his aching dick.

He swore he caught sight of a twitch to her pouty lips and a hint of amusement through the link. He wasn’t sure if that was good or bad at this point. His only relief came as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. He buttoned them hastily, hissing out a breath when he saw the finished result. He was fucked. Her nipples were still visible through the white material, and her skin looked so damned sexy against the stark color.

He gritted his teeth, feeling the vague sensation of being ripped limb from limb. He’d never in his life actually
covered
a female’s body up.

He wanted to lift her into his arms, but instead slid her small palm in his, twining their fingers. Baby fucking steps were going to kill him. No big displays of power, no fast movements. And he wasn’t even certain this was the right thing to do, but he knew he wouldn’t survive her sending his ass away again. He needed to figure out a way to show her how much pleasure he could give her without tripping bad memories and shutting her down.

Chapter 10

Sacha’s Paris Home, Earth Realm

Sacha’s first glance at Hades had surprised her. He was beautiful with or without wings, but the difference was compelling. Because she knew the reasons behind it, she felt the sweet sense of logic deep inside. His emotions were coming through the bond even clearer now that he was so near. And they were in this together.

He fully intended on seducing her while she’d intentionally been naked so they could just get through this part and see what happened. She’d softened with this attempt at making her feel comfortable.

Her skin tingled with desire at the simple touch of his hand. They walked to the patio doors, both a little out of control and instinctually fighting to get it back.

She tried not to let her lips twitch when she realized he wasn’t even going to teleport them, he was so worried about showing his power, as if she couldn’t feel it. It almost made her wonder if he forgotten she was a Kairos? That porting was the main power of those of her race, not to mention she was a Guardian who held a wide array of other gifts given to her by the Creators.

He glanced down at her and cocked a brow. “I haven’t forgotten, Sacha.” She couldn’t find fault in his approach, because he was trying and that warmed her. Add his sexy tone to the gentle, seemingly innocent clasp of her hand and it was entrancing her. He slid his thumb over hers, sending tingles of pleasure all the way to her aching nipples.

Her anxiety still buzzed in the far recesses of her mind, but she felt better than she had.

He lifted her hand up to kiss it gently as he smiled down at her. “There’s no need to rush.”

He said the words, but the heat of desire coming from him and rolling through her was strong. Enough that every inch of her skin felt tight.

His power glided around them, but he tried to keep it from licking across her skin. She wasn’t sure if the wildness of it was from their mating. She had a feeling that might only be part of it. There was no mistaking the immense strength of his ability; it was nearly lifting her hair.

She couldn’t help tilting her head to see more of his beautiful face. A muscle kept twitching along his jaw.

Her lips curved when he gratefully sucked in the cold night air. She was Immortal and could handle the temperatures with ease, which made his excuse for putting her in the flimsy dress shirt amusing when she knew he’d been excited by the sight of her nude.