Heart of the Serpent: Hades' Carnival, Book 5 (7 page)

Hope filled Jessica and the glow grew even brighter. It was like being in the middle of the sun. She closed her eyes but could still see the light. She laughed and spun in a circle. Mordecai and the others must have found a way to defeat Hades’ curse.

She held out her hand to the light and it skipped over her palms, tickling them. It was a playful energy. It swirled in front of her and began to take a shape. A sense of anticipation filled her as the light coalesced.

It was a serpent. But not any serpent. It was Mordecai.

She frowned, not quite understanding.

Voices pulled at her attention. They seemed to be coming from far away. They were distracting her. There was something important she needed to know, needed to understand. But the voices wouldn’t go away.

Finally, she was forced to open her eyes. The first thing she saw were the faces of Arand and Sabrina leaning over her, both of them worried. She offered them a smile to let them know she was okay. The light still filled her and she had a feeling it always would. She felt great. Better than great. She felt invincible.

Everything inside her stilled. Invincible.

“Where’s Mordecai?” Why wasn’t he here with her? He never would have left her.

Arand shook his head and glanced to her side. She followed his gaze and cried out when she saw Mordecai’s lifeless body lying next to her on the bed. She surged upward, filled with purpose and determination. “What did he do?”

“He gave you his life force so you could live.” Tears rolled down Sabrina’s cheeks.

“No. It doesn’t have to be this way. Why did he give it all to me?”

“I think there was too much darkness in him,” Arand began.

“I don’t believe that,” she shot back. Really, she was tired of Mordecai and the others treating him as though he were defective.

She took a deep breath and centered herself. She muttered a quick protection spell and was shocked when it slammed down around her like a titanium shield that nothing dark could penetrate. “I’m not letting you go that easy, serpent.” Placing her hands on his chest, she concentrated. The light hesitated, but she wielded it ruthlessly.

Jessica sang a healing chant as she surged into Mordecai along with the light. The serpent was right alongside her, protecting her. The darkness surrounded her, trying to suffocate her. But she was stronger than the encroaching shadows. And she had something that could stand against all darkness.

I love you.
She said the words, not aloud but inside her, as she chased the darkness through his body. Like it had in her body, the light began to consume the blackness.
Mordecai, hear my voice and come to me.

The shadows went deep and she followed them. There was no way she was turning back. Better she be lost in the depths of Hell forever than to leave Mordecai to such a fate.

Laughter, sly and masculine, seemed to come from all around her. “You cannot beat me.” She recognized Hades’ voice before he stepped forward. The devil had come to claim their souls.

Then she did the one thing she knew he’d never expect. She turned her back on him. Fighting him would only increase his power. What she needed was something to counter it.

Love.

Mordecai. If you can hear me, I need you. I love you. Hades has come for me. Help me.
Jessica threw the plea out from the depths of her heart and waited. It was their only hope.

Mordecai knew he was already lost to madness. He was hearing Jessica’s voice calling to him. He tried to turn away from it, but it was impossible. Even if it was nothing more than a figment of his imagination, it was her voice.

He traveled toward the sound. It grew louder and clearer the closer he got until he understood her words. Hades had come for her and would not let her go.
No!
He would not let that happen.

Giving a fierce battle roar, Mordecai surged forward, pressing through the pitch black that fought to surround him. Nothing would keep him from Jessica.

He stumbled from the black void into a circle of light. Jessica. She was truly here. How had that happened?

As if sensing his presence, she turned and smiled at him. Behind her, Hades loomed, like the demon god he was, waiting to snatch her soul.

Mordecai snarled and pushed forward, ready to fight. But Jessica stopped him. She stepped into his path, blinding him with her radiance. He threw up his arm to block the light so he could see.

“Get behind me,” he roared. She was between him and the vengeful god. He tried to move her but couldn’t. She was shockingly powerful.

“No, my love. Fighting will only empower him. If you want to defeat him, there is only one way. You must trust me.”

Trust. It was the one thing he’d always had trouble with, even with the Lady and his fellow warriors. But Jessica he would trust even if she led him to the very depths of Hell for eternity.

“What would you have of me, my lady?”

Her eyes widened at his manner of address. The Lady might be his goddess, but Jessica was the lady of his heart.

“Do you love me?” she asked.

“With all of my being,” he freely offered.

Behind them, Hades gave a frustrated roar. “I will have your souls.”

Jessica turned and smiled at the god. “No, you won’t. Be gone from here. You cannot harm us now or ever. I am part of Mordecai now. I share his life force. If you try to harm either of us you will die. That was the deal you agreed to with the Lady.”

Hades’ roar practically deafened them. Darkness swept around them like a whirlwind, swirling madly. But it didn’t touch them. Their love anchored them.

More certain now, Mordecai poured all his love into Jessica. If that’s what it took to protect her, he would give it his all.

“You are the light in my dark world,” he told her.

“And you are the light in mine,” she returned.

The thought of being anyone’s light astounded him, but he didn’t doubt her sincerity. A rainbow of light swirled around them and through them until no hint of darkness remained. He felt his serpent rise within him, more powerful than ever before.

“You did it,” he told her. “You drove away the darkness.”

“No, Mordecai, we drove back the darkness.” She took his hand and led him upward. “Now it’s time to return to the real world.”

He followed her. He who had grudgingly followed Roric for an eternity, followed this slight female without hesitation. She was his salvation.

But would she still want him when they returned to the real world?

Then it was too late for questions. The bright light receded and he felt his body lying on the bed, cradled by the soft covers. He sat up and looked around. Arand slapped him on the back. Sabrina was laughing and crying at the same time while she talked to someone on the phone. But he only had eyes for Jessica, and she was smiling at him.

Hades roared with fury as he landed back in his body. He hadn’t physically left Hell. He couldn’t. Not with Persephone watching him so closely. He’d imagined having problems with his brothers, not with his estranged wife. But he’d managed to send his spirit into the void created at the moment of Jessica’s death in order to claim her soul. It astounded him that she’d had the power to fight him. Even more incredible was the idea that the serpent had given the woman all of his life force, sacrificing himself for her.

Now the woman was lost from Hades and, along with her, his chance at vengeance against Mordecai. The serpent had been clever enough to discover the loophole in his plan. If the warrior shared his life force with a woman, she became a part of him. He’d honestly never expected Mordecai to do such a thing. It perplexed him.

Why anyone would give up power to another was beyond his comprehension. The goal in life was to be the most powerful of all. He curled his lip. The weak got trampled by the strong, and no one was going to walk on him. Not while there was life in his body.

He strode over to the gold-lacquered table and poured himself a drink. He tossed back the expensive liquor without a thought, enjoying the burn as it traveled to his stomach. He was ridiculously weak after expending so much energy. It was time to sacrifice a few more demons and recharge.

He set the crystal glass back on the sideboard and considered his options. There was still another woman he could go after. The corners of his mouth drew up in a smile. It wouldn’t be quite as satisfying as stealing Jessica from the serpent, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Her friend, what was her name? Tilly, yes, Tilly. She would have to do.

Chapter Seven

Jessica knew something was wrong. It had only been a matter of hours since they’d defeated Hades’ death curse. She was immortal now. That was hard to wrap her head around. She was filled with an abundance of energy and more alive than she’d ever felt in her life.

The only problem was that Mordecai seemed more distant than ever.

Of course, he’d been through a lot. She should probably give him time to come to grips with everything that had happened. But she feared if she did, he might disappear somewhere to the far reaches of the world. Not that she wouldn’t be able to find him. With his life force coursing through her veins, she could easily sense the serpent within him. She knew he was down in the yard even now.

Freshly bathed and dressed in a simple sundress, her hair hanging around her shoulders, Jessica walked barefoot down the stairs to the garden. Arand and Sabrina had retired to their home a few hours ago. Darkness now shrouded the world. She stepped out into the fragrant night and peered up at the sky, wishing she could see more of the stars shining there.

Like the last time she’d sought him out here, he was seated on a bench in the far corner, hiding in the shadows. It was time for him to step into the light.

She knew that he sensed her presence. He straightened, his shoulders tensing, but he didn’t turn to face her. With her new immortality, she was able to see him clearly even though the darkness clung to that corner of the yard. A handy skill for sure. Solar lights were scattered throughout the space, lending their glow to the thick foliage, but she no longer needed illumination in order to be able to see in the night.

She paused beside him and waited.

“You should be resting.” His low, rough voice gave her shivers, the good kind. She was naked beneath her dress. Her skin was sensitive to the brush of the fabric against it. Her breasts swelled and her nipples puckered.

“I had a long nap.” In truth, she’d slept most of the day away and had awakened totally invigorated. “If I should be resting, then you should be too.” She tentatively touched his shoulder and felt the muscles bunch beneath her fingertips. He was so wary, her dark warrior. “I feel fine. Better than fine.”

“Good.” He inhaled sharply and slowly released his breath. “That’s good.”

“There’s still no word from either Stavros or Phoenix. I’m worried about Tilly.” She wished she knew her friend was okay. Tilly hadn’t answered her phone and Jessica’s concern grew with each passing hour.

“No news is probably good news. If Hades had Tilly, Phoenix would have contacted us immediately.”

“I suppose so.” Still, she hated not knowing. Taking a chance, she sat alongside him. Her arm and leg touched his. So close but so far. “What’s wrong?” She had to know.

He shook his head, the distance between them a growing chasm.

“I won’t let you do this,” she told him. She reached out and took his hand in hers. “I won’t let you turn away without talking to me.”

He slowly turned. His face could have been carved from stone. Gone was the man who’d professed his love in order to save her. In his place was the implacable warrior who’d spent decades in Hell.

“What is there to talk about? You’re safe. You’re free. And you’re immortal.” He tried to pull away from her, but she tightened her grip on his hand. “You have your entire existence ahead of you.”

That sounded like a goodbye if she’d ever heard one. Her heart sank and her stomach clenched in fear, but she fought it back. She’d come too far to give up now. “And you, Mordecai. What do you have?”

The laugh he gave was not the least bit pleasant. “Me, I have eternity as well.”

“You don’t sound happy about it,” she pointed out. She had to get him talking. Had to find out what was going on in that complex brain of his.

He shrugged. “It is what it is.”

The man was maddening. She was tempted to smack him but refrained. “Do you know what I want?” Better to lay it all out even if that meant he might break her heart. She really didn’t have any other choice.

He looked at her then, really looked at her. His eyes glowed in the darkness, their blackness so deep and compelling. “What do you want?”

“You, Mordecai. I want you.”

Mordecai had come out to the garden to contemplate his next move. He liked it out here, mostly because it had been created by Jessica. Her touch, her stamp was everywhere. He felt closer to her here even when he was alone.

How utterly pathetic.

He’d know the moment she’d stepped into the yard. Her presence filled the space like the sunrise drove back the night. Now she was sitting right next to him and it was all he could do not to grab her and take her away somewhere no one would ever find them.

But she deserved better than him.

Yet for some unknown reason, she wanted him. Her words reached deep within him, filling him with hope. He trampled the sensation, not quite believing in it even after everything that had happened.

“Did you mean what you said?” she asked him.

“When?” It was hard to concentrate with her sitting alongside him. The sweet scent of her soap and the natural muskiness of her skin combined to create the most delightful perfume known to mankind. He felt the press of her arm and leg against him and his cock responded eagerly. Every cell in his body hummed with recognition and his serpent was beside itself, demanding Mordecai claim her.

“When you said you loved me?”

There it was. The stark truth thrown down between them. He could lie. He should lie. He looked into her pale blue eyes and knew he could not. She trusted him. And, as he’d learned, trust was the most precious of commodities. Once lost, it was never truly regained.

“Yes.”

She caught her breath and then she smiled. By the Lady, she was the most breathtaking creature on the planet when she smiled. Her entire face lit up as if by some inner light. Her pale hair formed a halo around it.

“I love you too. I meant that.”

“I know you did.” He cupped her fragile jaw in his big, powerful hand. She didn’t flinch from him. Instead, she leaned into his touch. Such trust almost broke his heart. If he still had one. And he must, because it ached so much. “I’m not good for you, Jessica.” There, he’d said it. “You deserve better.”

She covered his hand with hers. “You’re a very good man. Better than you believe. And I deserve to get what I want. And I want you.”

He wanted to believe her so badly. “You don’t know the darkness that resides inside me.”

She shook her head. “No, Mordecai. It’s you who doesn’t know yourself. We drove the shadows from Hell out of you when we fought Hades. Look inside and see that I’m telling the truth.”

He curled his fingers around her and brought her hand to his lips, laying a tender kiss on each knuckle. “I don’t need to look. I know it is gone. But there is a natural darkness inside me. One the others don’t have.”

“Are you so sure of that?”

Her simple question caught him off-guard.

“There is dark and light within all of us. There must always be balance. And darkness is not always a bad thing.” She placed her free hand on his chest and caressed him through his shirt. “Take now, for instance. The night is hiding us from view of the neighbors. We could do whatever we wanted and they wouldn’t see us.”

Her philosophy of life, her belief in him was staggering. “Do you truly believe I am worthy of you? You trust I will not hurt or betray you?”

“Oh, Mordecai.” She slipped from the bench and knelt before him, her hands on his thighs. “You are more worthy than anyone I’ve ever met. You’ve been tested far more than anyone has a right to be and you emerged victorious.” She pulled the straps of her dress down, exposing her firm, round breasts. “And I know you’ll never hurt me. I know for a fact you’d give your life for me. And you said you loved me. What more can a girl ask for?”

Mordecai’s head was spinning. So many beliefs he’d held about himself lay shattered around him. And all because of the woman kneeling before him. He plucked her off the ground and into his arms. “You are too good for me. But I’m keeping you,” he pledged. “It’s too late to back out now.”

He needed her more than he needed air to breathe. Her delighted laughter pushed away the remaining shadows until there was only the two of them surrounded by love. He buried his face in the curve of her neck. “Goddess, I love you.”

Her hands threaded through his hair. “I love you too. Now. Always.” It was a vow and it sealed both their fates.

He became very aware of the press of her breasts against him. He pulled back and yanked off his shirt, needing to feel her skin to skin. “You’re sure you’re feeling better?”

She clasped his head in her hands so he was looking straight at her. “I’m sitting half-naked in your lap. Are you really asking me that?”

He chuckled. It sounded rusty, but it was a slight laugh. Jessica smiled at him as she ran her hands over his biceps and shoulders and down to his pecs. “You’re really wearing too much clothing.”

He stood and placed her on her feet in front of him. “We can’t have that,” he told her. He shoved her dress down her hips, and it fluttered to the ground around her feet. “You are exquisite.”

“And you’re still wearing too much clothing,” she teased. She reached for the opening of his pants, but he was too impatient. He yanked them open and shoved them down his legs and off. Naked, he stood before her.

“Mmm. Now this is what I’ve been dreaming of for the past few hours.” She reached out and cupped his sac, lightly massaging his balls. Every muscle in his body tensed, but he didn’t move. He wanted more of her touch.

She released him and slid her hand up his shaft from the root to the bulbous tip. His cock jerked toward her and liquid seeped from the slit. She rubbed her thumb over the top, spreading the moisture. “So hard. So strong. I love how you feel inside me.”

He growled and reached for her, but she took a step back. “Not yet. This time I get to touch you.”

“You are touching me,” he pointed out. His hunger for her was almost out of control.

“Sit.” She gave him a little push and he reluctantly sat back on the bench. When she knelt back in front of him, he thought his cock might explode.

His breathing was labored and he curled his fingers around the edge of the stone bench to keep from grabbing her. He needed to be inside her, to have her pussy squeezing him tight.

But Jessica had other ideas. She lowered her head and blew on the slick head of his cock. His balls pulled up tight. “Jessica,” he growled in warning.

“I just want to play for a while.” How could a woman who looked like an angel be so sexy. Like a nymph, she sat at his feet, her bare skin pearly white in the moonlight. Her rosy-pink lips got closer to his cock and he gritted his teeth.

Then she took him to Heaven. She licked the head of his shaft, swirling her tongue around and around, teasing the slit at the tip. He groaned when she opened her mouth and finally took him inside. Wet heat closed around his cock. She teased up and down the hard length with her tongue.

He gripped the stone bench tighter and swore when two pieces broke off. He held up his hands, each holding a piece of stone. He could see the laughter in her eyes and suddenly he was laughing too. He tossed the stone pieces behind him and heard them
thunk
on the ground when they landed.

Then she took him deeper and sucked. Laughter fled and he threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her closer. She gave a little hum of pleasure. He could smell her arousal and knew she was getting turned on by touching him.

But he didn’t want to come this way. Not this time. He needed to be joined to her once again, to feel a part of her.

He eased her head back and she released his dick with a wet pop. She stared quizzically.

“I need to be inside you.” Even as he spoke, he was lifting her. He sat back on the bench and positioned her so she was kneeling over him, her thighs on either side of him. “Take me, Jessica.”

She gripped his cock in her small, capable hands and shimmied closer until the head of his shaft was pressed against her opening. Their eyes met and she smiled as she pushed downward. Her pussy swallowed his cock, undulating around it as he went deeper and deeper. This was where he wanted to be. This was home.

With his hands on her hips, he guided her all the way down until he was fully inside her. He liked having her this way. It allowed him to easily cup her breasts. Her nipples were taut red berries waiting to be tasted.

Mordecai took one nipple into his mouth and suckled. Jessica rocked against him and that slight movement sent him over the edge.

Jessica had won. Happiness filled her to overflowing. Sexual need thrummed through her. It was all too much. They would have problems in the future. Of that she was sure. But what couple didn’t have them? And unlike most couples, they had eternity to figure things out.

Touching Mordecai, tasting him, bringing him pleasure had sent her temperature spiking. Her pussy was swollen and damp and she easily took him when he seated her on his lap.

He made a deep sound of pleasure as he sucked one of her nipples. The intense sexual pull shot down to her core. His cock pulsed within her. He was big and thick and stretched her pussy. The sensation was delicious. It also wasn’t enough. She had to move.

She rocked her hips and he groaned. She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. More. She needed more. She rose up slightly and then lowered herself.

Mordecai pulled away and threw back his head, exposing the long, thick column of his neck. He was panting hard, but so was she. “Now,” she implored him. “Hard.”

He moved so quickly, the world was a blur. One second they were seated, the next she was flat on the bench with him over her. He hooked her legs over his thighs, cupped her ass in his big hands and began to thrust.

Jessica gripped the edges of the bench, needing something to hold on to. His thrusts were so hard and deep she would have slid off the bench if he hadn’t held her so tightly. Each time he retreated she wanted him back. And each time he filled her was even better than the last.

His dark hair hung around his shoulders, his lips were parted and his nostrils flared. He looked as dark and dangerous as he was. And he was all hers.