Dracian Legacy (36 page)

“Now, I know why God made women,”
Axel said in my mind. “
To teach man how to worship the beauty of an extraordinary miracle.”

I melted into a puddle.
“I love you.”

He said the most beautiful things, and that was all I could say?
Pathetic, Ren.

The bride’s music started. When the doors opened, I heard Joshua suck in a deep breath like someone kicked him in the gut. I couldn’t help but grin as I watched John escort Cassie down the aisle. The way she moved with grace and precision was surreal, like she walked on air. She never once took her eyes off Joshua, and he never took his off her. In that moment, they were the only two people in existence.

Love. Magic. Desire.

The look in her eyes when she saw Joshua’s hand playing with the matching macaroni bracelet tugged at my heart in ways I couldn’t imagine. My gaze flicked toward Axel. His eyes twinkled and his lips curved up, teeth in full view, beaming.

“Join us in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Pernell to their first dance as husband and wife.”

My parents were at the forefront of my thoughts. I remembered how they used to tease Joshua about his obsession with Cassie. How Cassie was the beauty that would tame his beast, his wild heart. Tight coils formed in the pit of my stomach at the memory. I imagined my parents sitting next to me, holding each other’s hands, as they watched their son and daughter-in-law.

My throat tightened with heaviness, constricting my airflow. I wished more than anything my parents could’ve been here to see this. My hand went up to my heart, aching for them. A teardrop escaped, rolling down my cheek, and a tissue waved in front of me. I looked up to find Dean with a compassionate smile. I took the tissue, patting the rogue tear.

“Dance with me, my maid-of-honor,” he said, smiling, his hand extended.

He walked me to the dance floor. He placed a hand on my waist and the other holding my hand to his chest.

“I wish Jim and Irene were here too, Nellie.”

I didn’t respond. He pulled me closer. I placed my head on his chest and moved to the music. When the song ended, I pulled back, but Dean held me tighter. “This might be my only chance…” I looked at him, confused, but didn’t complain.

My body tingled and I knew Axel was nearby. I searched for him without success.

“Mind if I cut in?”

Dean’s eyes saddened as he handed me to my new dancing partner.

“Hey, killer,” Joshua said, holding my hand in his.

I placed my wrist over his shoulder and smiled. “The man of the day.”

“You have no idea how much we appreciate all your efforts for our wedding.”

I hugged him. I noticed Dean dancing with Cassie not too far from us as they both talked and laughed. Dean glanced toward us and winked, giving me his famous heartbreaker smile.

“If they were here…” I choked, unable to finish the thought. “We’ll always have each other, right?”

“One way or another.” He kissed my forehead. “I love you, kiddo.”

“I love you, too.” Our song ended. “Hey, enough with the sappy. Go enjoy your new bride.”

When Joshua let go, a warm hand covered mine, pulling me to him with need.

I smiled.

“Do I get a dance with the most beautiful woman in the room?” Axel asked.

“Why, yes, of course.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and my lips sought his immediately.

“Mmhmm…” Axel licked his lips, grinning. “If I had known I’d be greeted in such a manner, I’d have approached you sooner, my lady.”

I chuckled. “If you came any sooner, you’d have missed it. I have this rule about kissing my
third
dancing partner at my brother’s wedding.”

My lips met his again and I couldn’t be happier.

A thirty-minute drive and a few walking blocks later, I felt the depths of exhaustion consume me at my core. I let my head droop on Axel’s shoulder. I felt light on my feet as he lifted me into his arms, pulling me to his chest.

“What are you doing?” I asked, unable to stop giggling.

“Carrying my over-exhausted, beautiful girlfriend.” He dropped a kiss on my nose.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, kicking my legs happily. We talked about the past couple of days here in Greece, the land rumored to be walked by the gods.

A cold breeze whipped through my hair. I took in the smell of sea mixed with burning wood and olives.
Olives?
I listened to the low tide swishing, drowning in its soft cries of the lurching bars of waves. The white foam crashing over the rocks echoed whispers, holding back secrets yet to be revealed. Calm, serenity, tranquility washed over me.

I lifted my feet one at a time to peel off my heels. Axel gently let my feet touch the cold sand before he, too, removed his shoes and pulled up his pant legs. He laced our fingers as we walked toward the sea. To our right, the waves broke gently on the shore, sending sprays of white water, sprinkling our bodies occasionally.

I jumped in and out of the sea, running along its path. Axel chased after me, nearly catching me every single time. I giggled and squealed, running and letting him dash after me.

Déjà vu.
I saw this exact scenario when we first kissed. I came to an abrupt stop. Axel caught up with me, wrapping his arm around my waist.

The black sky was full of glistening stars and a bright full moon that reflected over the restless waters.

Axel spun me around and pulled me to his chest, his arms secured around me, and our toes touched. His eyes glistened bright in the moonlight. His lips curved up with admiration. I have no idea who moved first. All I knew was the feel of his soft lips consuming mine with hunger.

“I’ve been dying to do this all day,” he said between each kiss as he continued to explore my lips.
“I’ve missed you so much.”

Another moment of déjà vu.

“No freaking way!” I said, astonished.

“What?” he asked without breaking the contact of his lips against my skin.

I couldn’t respond when I was so lost in his touch. Low moans escaped my lips and I pushed him backward with my body, landing on the sand. I lay on top of him, kissing him more aggressively. He groaned and flipped me onto my back, taking full control.

Axel’s mouth left mine and I whimpered in protest. I tilted my head back, giving him easy access to my neck. Without missing a beat, his lips traveled to explore the bare skin. He fingers slowly moved the dress straps off my shoulders, followed by his mouth. He growled when I bucked under him.

We were so consumed within each other’s touch nothing else mattered in this world. A warm slobbery tongue grazed my face. Well, that was different. I didn’t think Axel was the slobber type. I opened my eyes to find a golden retriever now standing over us, licking Axel, then me.

Axel and I got to our knees, turning to pet the fur ball, giggling.

“Hey… You…,” I said.

“Are you lost, big guy?” Axel cooed at the dog.

Axel was on a roll, petting and baby-talking the dog. The dog rolled on his back, giving Axel free access to scratch him as the dog’s tongue lolled from his grinning mouth.

This was a side I hadn’t seen from Axel. My heart filled with adoration. Another vision came to mind from our first kiss. Axel playing with our kids, teaching them to crawl and walk and read…

“What?” He looked at me with amusement.

I smiled, feeling a rush of heat pool in my cheeks.

“Comet… I’m so sorry!” The owner apologized. “He normally doesn’t run away like that.”

“It’s no big deal.” Axel stood up.

I continued to pet Comet, my hand lazily snuggled around his neck, and he licked me in gratitude. “He’s adorable.”

“You can keep him,” he said, laughing. “I’m Van.” He smiled and stretched his hand toward Axel.

Axel hesitated for a second. “I’m Axel and this is Ren.”

I stood up and wiped my hands over my dress. I adjusted it to a more presentable length before reaching out to shake his hand.

“Sorry for the intrusion. We’ll get out of your way,” Van said, eyeing me carefully.

Axel didn’t miss a beat. He took my arm and placed it around his waist, pulling me to him.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to soften Axel’s protectiveness. “You too, Comet.” I rubbed behind his ear, making his tail wag happily.

“Come on, Comet,” Van called for him. The dog barked viciously, baring his teeth.

“Comet—”

Then multiple things happened at once. Van flew a few feet behind us, hitting the ground with a thud. Axel took a protective stance in front of me. And I heard a gut-wrenching voice that twisted the very core of my being.

“Well, well, well.” The voice purred. “If it isn’t the prince and his pathetic wench.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Axel growled as he pulled the dagger from his trousers, ready to attack.
Is he always this prepared?
His hand tightened around mine, cutting the circulation to my fingers. Van groaned a few yards away. I prayed he had a sense of self-preservation and stayed down.

“Lyla,” Axel said, spewing venom.

“You’re losing your touch, Prince Knight.” She laughed like a lunatic.

“Prince?”
I asked Axel through our connection.

“No bodyguards. Well, this’ll be easy.”

Axel snickered as if to dismiss her threats. My body trembled in fear. The last time I was face to face with
Lyla
, she infected me, possessing my body. Oh, and let’s not forget the nightmares.

“I’m right here, angel.”
Axel comforted me.

I squeezed his hand and smiled uneasily.

Lyla stared directly into my eyes and a shiver crept up my spine.

“Ren, luv, how’s Mummy?” she added in a sarcastic British accent, subduing what little confidence I possessed.

Axel snarled.

“Still talking too much I see,” I snapped back, surprising myself.

“What do you want, Lyla?” Axel asked.

She raised her eyebrows the same time Axel pushed me behind him. Her laugh echoed along the open space, raising goose bumps over my entire body.

“You surely can’t be that naïve, young prince.” As she said that, a dozen figures materialized behind her.

My body stiffened, my breath caught in my throat, and my gut sundered in fear.

“For the love of all things holy, angel, please stay calm. Whatever you do, stay behind me and follow my instructions when I tell you. Got it?”
I was too shocked to respond. “
Angel, do you understand?”

I sent him a mental nod. He let go of my hand and drew another dagger, handing it to me.

Where the heck does he have space to shove these things? And how the hell did I not feel them during our make-out session?

Focus, Ren, now’s not the time to think about his gorgeous body and how his hands explored while his lips left trails of succulent kisses…

“Amen to that.”
Axel chuckled. “
I need to protect you, so please let me focus. And I promise later we’ll…”

“Well, if you’re that stupid, so be it.” Lyla gestured with her hand and her dozen or so minions charged toward us, snapping their vicious teeth.