Divine Ecstasy (The Guardians of the Realms Book 8) (16 page)

He brought a hand up to touch her bottom lip.

She softened at the gentle touch. He was still considering her, but not pushing.

She needed to contact Sirena and figure out what had happened in her home. Drake would probably have questions, but first she needed to know if something was truly wrong with their mating. They shouldn’t be going through the frenzy, but that was the only explanation for what they’d felt earlier.

He grunted. “Yes, call your healer.”

And then she took a deep breath and ported them inside, making sure to use the air currents to dry them before reforming them in the first bedroom. There would be clothes there.

She stretched her neck, feeling the surge of power and ability running through her veins from mating with Hades. She’d need to figure out what it all encompassed and how to use it at some point.

She felt him at her back, his heat warming her, and tendrils of desires started to form again. And they’d just had sex. She’d come multiple times only minutes ago; this couldn’t be normal.

“It’s not,” he growled, and she sucked in a breath at the wave of desire coming from him. She turned and saw his hungry gaze slide over her naked body before he spoke again, and he sounded frustrated. “I haven’t even tasted you yet. And already I can’t wait to get my cock back in you.”

She sucked in much-needed air and then focused to get the images of him going down on her out of her mind. When he leaned down and kissed her neck, she moaned at the gooseflesh that came with his touch, his warm breath. She forced herself to move back a few steps.

“Not yet,” she said through a haze. They definitely needed Sirena. Both were getting distracted way too easily. She couldn’t live like this.

Sirena, we need blood tests,
Sacha sent to her sister Guardian as she grabbed a robe. He moved out the door and reappeared seconds later wearing dark slacks.

She raised an eyebrow.

He grinned and answered, “This island is mine now. My things were moved from Pothos’ home yesterday.”

She couldn’t focus on what he’d said because her mind short-circuited at the sight of the bulge against the fly of his pants. The material was useless to hide his hardening length, and the waistband hung low on his hips, showing the thin trail of hair disappearing beneath.

He needed underwear.

She swore she could actually see the ridge of his cock in the outline of the fabric, and the need to cover him up was strong. His chest was bare because his wings were out, so there wasn’t much covering she could do there, but that bulge?

She knew he was grinning down at her; his amusement was slipping through the bond.

I’m here,
Sirena announced, and Sacha curbed the urge to cover him up.

It didn’t matter, Sirena wouldn’t care or notice, but Sacha would know his cock was on display. She clenched her fists at her sides, mentally striving for some calm before porting into the living room and away from his sexy, knowing grin. His eyes and emotion told her how pleased her shot of possessiveness had made him.

She mentally shook her head.
You understand what it means if I’m possessive?
It meant that the “God Groupies” would never be making a return appearance. Not ever.

I do, thisavre mou.
And there was a part of him that was definitely pleased under all the building desire to have her.

“What’s happening?” the blonde demanded. “Drake said he thought something was wrong. He said you thought you were in the frenzy.” Her violet eyes were serious, tinted with worry.

Sacha nodded. “There was pain, and it was like we were hit with a compulsion to have sex,” Sacha said with an edge of discomfort.

Her sister turned to pull out a needle from a small bag.

She could already feel the desire burning a little hotter, having his body so near.

“And the need is already coming back,” Sacha informed Sirena.

Her sister stared at her and nodded. The healer’s brow furrowed, obviously considering it all as she took Sacha’s arm. Hades didn’t like the sight of a needle in her flesh. It didn’t hurt and she let him know that even as another part of her warmed at his reaction.

Her sister spoke. “I’m not sure this will help. But I’ll test the blood. If it looks the same as other mated pairs, then you should be past this point.” Sirena turned her attention to Hades. “The soul bond is there, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Hades confirmed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“And you have no idea what Athena and Aphrodite went through?” Sirena demanded of Hades.

“No,” he growled, and Sacha could feel how much he hated that fact.

“You should be past this. The frenzy leads to sex, which leads to blood bonding to ease the way for the soul bond.”

Sacha’s heart chilled, worried that the healer would suggest starting at the beginning. Not having to blood bond was the one part she had been grateful for, the silver lining of not having someone see every dirty bit of her past. Hades didn’t like the tone of her thoughts, but he forced back his worry and agitation to send her soothing energies instead.

She could feel his power fluctuating as his worry for her increased. Winds were whipping against the house, joining the thunder cracking outside while the lightning flashed over the seas beyond the big windows. She felt one of his wings curling around her, and she sent back her own soothing thoughts.

She looked up and caught the flashing of his eyes as he pulled her into his hold. She didn’t fight it, he needed it, and that seemed to matter to her.

When she looked back at Sirena, she saw a hint of warmth and sadness in her sister’s violet gaze before she had time to mask it. Sacha felt a distinct pang in her heart at the sight. She wouldn’t voice it or draw attention to it, not with Hades there, but she sent a little prayer to the fates that Sirena wouldn’t feel so alone. Wouldn’t be alone.

A second later Sirena had Sacha’s blood vial stored and was holding out another needle. Hades wasn’t pleased, but he offered an arm. His stance was every bit the arrogant, annoyed God, and the twitching of his wing against her side brought a slight smile.

“It won’t hurt, big guy,” Sirena encouraged, her lips curving.

He growled, offended. “I know.”

His next thought would have brought a laugh if desire wasn’t distracting her. “Yes, Sirena knows you’re a God.”

Sirena laughed. “I see your arrogance is still alive and well under this suppressed, contained version of Hades.”

Sirena’s word use had her thinking. “Could suppressing power cause this?”

Sirena stared at her. “Tell me more.”

She braced herself. Brianne and some of the others knew about her ability because they’d been caged on Apollo’s island with her. She’d used her power to find ways through the palace, but she’d never spoken of it with the healer. She doubted anyone would have discussed it. They both needed to know if it was the problem.

She braced herself for what she was about to describe.

Chapter 17

Hroarr’s Palace, World of Thule

Gefn stepped beside her brothers to look in the holding cell deep beneath the palace keep. The shimmering blue power at the door kept the God from ever gaining freedom.

This wasn’t Gefn’s first glimpse of the dark-haired male, but her reaction was the same. His short dark hair and the arrogant set to his lips stirred nothing. Not fear, sympathy or even the slightest hint of arousal, which sadly wasn’t surprising. Nothing stirred the latter, but a small part of her had hoped.

She may have been unfazed, but she couldn’t say the same for Spa and Velspar. The beasts didn’t like him any more this time around than they had when Dagur had brought her down earlier.

She listened to her animals pace behind her with their scruffs raised. She stepped away from the hazy spell-covered doorway. She didn’t need to look into the darkened room anymore. Hroarr would have their answers soon enough.

Velspar bumped her in the back, and she shot the beast a glare.

They were always so protective. She shook her head, but ended up scratching their ears while her brothers continued their silent assessment of the prisoner.

The God demanded in the old language, “Release me now.”

Hroarr didn’t bother to speak. He just studied the male, and she could tell from Hroarr’s stance that the ruler of Thule found this God lacking.

“What do you want?” the male snapped.

Her brothers turned from him without answering. That seemed to infuriate the God if the slamming of something against the cell wall was any indication. She’d guess that was one of his fists since everything else was built into the room and unmovable. Hroarr wasn’t as rash as Dagur. He would wait, allowing the God to stew over his fate, and then return to learn all he wanted to know. No one withheld from him. Hroarr was fierce and intelligent and capable of harsh cruelty when crossed. He led their world with the ruthless determination of a warrior.

She’d feel sorry for the captive, but in reality his fate wasn’t all that terrible.

She may not have liked Dagur’s way of handling it, but in reality she was grateful her brother had found a much-needed God. She’d assumed they’d never find any.

She turned and walked through the flame-lit corridor. Three guards slipped from the shadows to trail behind Spa and Velspar.

They moved through a doorway guarded by warriors, each bearing the golden staff of the dragon. Hroarr’s insignia.

The three remained silent until they were in Hroarr’s study.

The room was two stories high, containing walls filled with shelves of ancient artifacts and books they’d found in all of their thousands upon thousands of years of existence. The space was dark and masculine and fit her brother well.

The second the door shut behind them, Hroarr snarled, “I will learn his secrets later, and then I will see this world. Why is Kara not here?”

Gefn felt rising excitement at the idea of visiting a new world. As much as she hated that they’d lost so many warriors, she was curious to see those who’d been able to best them.

She shook off those thoughts to answer her brother. “Dagur and I both sent messengers to Kara.” Her reckless brother was staying quiet, which was likely wise.

“When?”

Her teeth set at his demanding tone. “Mine left a few hours ago. Almost as soon as I arrived.”

“I sent for her weeks ago, and the warrior returned days ago with word that she would be here within a day,” Dagur growled.

“Maybe you need to learn how to send a summons,” Hroarr bit out as he rubbed his hand over his bearded chin. She knew that meant he was considering everything.

Her golden-eyed brother’s silence ended on a growl. “Or my siblings could actually come when I say they are
urgently
needed.”

Gefn changed the subject when Hroarr’s eyes hardened. “If Kara doesn’t return in the next couple of days, I will go retrieve her myself.” That would give Gefn the time to refuel the ability needed to open portals there and back, at least for her and her sister.

“Yes,” Hroarr agreed as he turned his attention from her to Dagur. “Are the priestesses well?” The females would have been the ones to heal the wounded and release the dead.

“They are resting in the baths,” Dagur growled, and if Gefn had to guess, she’d say the females were no doubt furious with Dagur as well.

Dozens dead when they had so few…

They needed the God, but that didn’t ease the harsh pang of loss.

Gefn added, “Now that you’re here, I will go see the priestesses. Inform me when you learn something from the God. We’ll also need to make arrangements for the families of the fallen.” She eyed her brothers as Hroarr nodded his agreement.

The second she slipped from the tension of the study, Laire matched pace at her side. The massive blond warrior had been with her for centuries, just as his father had before him. His broad muscled chest was bare but for the crisscrossing leather straps holding blades at his back. The leather of his kilt barely moved as he stalked at her side with all the grace of a beast instead of a mere mortal.

He was unfazed by Spa and Velspar. They’d long ago approved of him, and he knew it.

“We are going to see the priestesses.” She turned to see a wicked grin form on his usually calm features. She shook her head and cocked a brow. “I’m not sure they will be in the mood for entertainment, Laire.” But what did Gefn know? Her guard had always been favored by the females, and he might improve their spirits. She could only wish for the desire they had, it might improve her own mood.

“Yes, my Goddess.” She didn’t miss the fact that his smile had fallen when he added, “Hroarr was in the middle of dealing with two warring clans. He would not return without knowing why, and then he demanded to know everything.”

“I assumed as much.” She nodded. The male was loyal to her, but she’d put him in a difficult position when sending him to Hroarr with instructions not to tell her brother about the losses. “I’m not angry.” Hroarr was the ruling God of their world. You didn’t go against him, assuming you were even capable.

They came to the end of the corridor, and two guards moved aside as she sent power to splay the doors wide. She stepped inside, feeling the warm steam immediately caress her skin. Bright light came through frosted glass all around them, and it glittered off the wet skin of the females standing in one of the pools.

Three sets of glittering eyes set on them as they stepped through and the doors shut quietly behind them.

Chapter 18

Hades’ Island, Tetartos Realm

Hades waited with the healer as Sacha searched for the words to explain her suppressed ability. “I believe it’s a mutation of teleportation, but the two are not linked.” She paused. “I’m not sure what it would have become. I haven’t used it since before I became a Guardian and then only in dire circumstances.”

He saw Sirena nod and go behind the kitchen counter as she spoke calmly. “Brianne once told me that you’d been able to get into almost any part of Apollo’s palace.”