Hunter Forsaken (Wild Hunt #2) (14 page)

She scratched at his back. Wetness slid over his skin. Blood. She’d dug her claws into him, not just her nails. Why? The question came and went. He couldn’t focus on it. Only the power she fed him mattered. She tasted better than anything, like the food of the gods. She was his ambrosia.

His heaven.

“Ian.”

The pain in her voice snapped him out of his euphoria. He opened his eyes and stared into the face of his mate. Pasty-white skin covered her sunken cheeks. He reared back and swept his gaze over her.

Her beautiful, curvy body had been replaced by a mere shell of the woman he loved.

Skin and bones.

He’d reduced her to skin and bones.

“What have I done?”

Chapter Eighteen

Tegan stared into the fear-stricken face of the incubus who’d just
fed
on her. She fought her first instinct to comfort him. Ian hadn’t suddenly turned into a sex demon. He had to have felt the hunger, known something wasn’t right, yet he hadn’t thought to ask her about it.

Before he gave her his half of the mate bond?

He ran a trembling hand down her chest to where her breasts had been reduced to deflated balloons. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on her. The death she’d endured for a millennium had claimed her again, only her lover had delivered it, not the cruel curse she hadn’t been able to escape. In a way, she was trapped once more in the living hell she’d thought she’d left behind.

Incubus, human, demigod or Huntsman—it didn’t matter what label she applied to him. Ian was literally hers. His body and soul belonged to her. If she refused him her heart, he’d be forever alone, like Rowan. She was half of what she could’ve been and more damaged than any of the Hunters.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He rained kisses over her cheeks, her eyelids, her mouth. “You’re immortal. Can’t die. Right? God, angel, please tell me you’re going to be okay.”

She’d be fine, but she couldn’t get the words out. Weakness gripped her. Although he hadn’t stopped her heart, it stuttered. Each passing second strengthened it, however.

“How can I help you? Should I go get Rhys?”

So she could watch her brother attack her lover because he couldn’t control himself?

“No,” she managed to whisper.

The familiar pain of regeneration started deep in her gut. She squeezed her eyelids shut against it. The dreaded sensation of pins and needles seized her anyway. Her skin burned with the pressure of her muscles’ rapid growth. Life returned to her body on a rush of fire that reignited all her nerve endings. She trembled and fought to contain her screams. Returning to life hurt as much as dying.

He cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over her parched lips. Something wet hit her cheek. She pried her eyelids apart. Ian’s dual-ringed eyes filled her vision. Green flecks dotted the light brown outer ring while the darker brown circle matching her eye color set off his pupil. Combined, his eyes held an almost three-dimensional feel to them. They were more captivating than anything she’d ever seen. Only the sheen of moisture covering them stopped her from failing under his spell.

“I didn’t realize what would happen. I was hungry, and you tasted of heaven.”

She shoved him away from her. “You knew were an incubus?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what I am, not exactly.”

She couldn’t tell either, even with his body joined to her. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was human.

He’s my Trojan horse. And a living reminder of the hell I’ve endured.

No, that wasn’t true. There was still time to break their bond.

She turned her palm over and stared at the incomplete mate mark. His circle stood out against her skin, while only the innermost section of hers showed. By tradition, the mating was completed when the other partner proclaimed their love. Harley had proved the words “I love you” weren’t necessary to finish the union. The sentiment itself would eventually solidify it if Tegan held the declaration back.

It would be stubbornness that stopped her too. She felt the deep emotion. Even what he’d done to her hadn’t killed it. Dimmed it, yes. A sense of betrayal clouded her love for him, but her love was still there, smoldering. She snorted.
Or maybe I have no clue what true love is supposed to be, and all I’ve held for him is lust.

She glanced into his mesmerizing, dual-ringed eyes. One look and everyone would know he was taken. His visual claim couldn’t be hidden. Hers could. She curled her fingers.

I can borrow a pair of Rowan’s gloves, fuck a stranger and be done with Ian once and for all.

A bitter laugh crawled up her throat. The very thought of allowing another man to touch her churned her gut. There was no denying it. She loved Ian, incubus or not. How foolish did that make her?

I’m in love with a man who needs to feed off sex. If I’m not there to meet his hunger, he’ll find a substitute.
Exclusive relationships meant nothing to demons. Harems were common for both sexes.

He held a hand out to her. “Come here. I have to touch you. Make sure you’re safe.”

“Why? Are you still hungry?”

He flinched and dropped his arm. “No.”

Of course, he wouldn’t be. He’d gorged himself on her. Thankfully, he couldn’t actually kill her, permanently anyway. “Why, Ian? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Silence stretched. Finally, he closed the distance between them and tipped up her chin.

“I wasn’t really sure what was going on until tonight.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “And we didn’t exactly have much time to talk.”

No, they’d come together in a rush of need. “Then why didn’t you feed when I first orgasmed?”

“I wanted you to know how much you matter to me, that I wasn’t touching you because I was hungry.” He took her hand in his and skimmed his fingertip over his half of the mark. “I love you, Tegan. I don’t want to spend eternity without you. Three years was enough.”

“I don’t want to be mated to an incubus.”

“You don’t love me. Is that it?”

She pressed her lips together. She refused to lie, but no way would she finish their bond tonight. One rash decision was enough. Here she’d thought it was the one she was meant to make. She sucked in a rough breath at the thought and turned her other hand over. A jagged black line stared back at her.

He laughed, a sound so bitter she cringed. “You actually thought allowing me to mate you would meet the Triad’s challenge?”

She’d hoped. She’d been wrong. Or had she? She hadn’t finished it.

He pushed away from her and climbed off the bed. With jerky movements, he grabbed a pair of sweats and a T-shirt from his dresser. He tugged the pants on and tossed the shirt at her. It landed in her lap. She left it there, her gaze locked on to his face.

“I’m the one who fucking sacrificed, not you. I gave myself to you. No second chances, remember?” He motioned toward her palm with its incomplete mark. “You can sever it, can’t you?”

She nodded, not bothering to deny it.

He stormed over to her and grabbed her hands, holding both so her palms showed. “Finish it. Make your damn sacrifice.”

A challenge shone in his eyes.

“I didn’t want to mate a sex demon.”

“Why? Am I unlovable?”

She shook her head.

The anger in his features softened. “I won’t…” His breath escaped in a shuddering exhale. “I won’t hurt you again. I’ll learn control. I promise you.”

The urge to comfort him overwhelmed her. “I know that, and after you do, I won’t even know when you feed from me. All I’ll feel is pleasure.”

“You know this from experience.”

A statement, not a question. She nodded anyway.

He rubbed his thumb over the incomplete mate mark. “Then why?”

“I can’t guarantee that if I’m not here to meet your needs, you won’t fuck any available woman.” She yanked her hand from his and pointed to the wall separating his bedroom from Rowan’s. “My sister is within easy access. She’s screwed too many incubuses to be able to resist your charms for long. Touch her, and she’ll spread her thighs and welcome you inside.”

His expression closed off. He released her other hand. “You don’t think very much of Rowan”—he narrowed his eyes—“or me.”

“I know what the sex demons are like. How addicting they are.”

“But I’m not one, not really. I’m not even a demigod. I’m nothing. Just a human Minerva damned before I even took my first breath.”

She crossed her arms under her breasts. “I’m sorry for that. I am. But it doesn’t change anything.”

He stepped closer and leaned into her personal space. The scent of cinnamon and man filled her lungs. “I promise you I will never cheat on you. You’re the only one I want.”

She gave him a wan smile. “But, you see, promises can be broken. Doing so will damn you, but you have free will. It’s your choice. You want to break a promise, then you suffer the consequences.”

“Nothing I say will prove my love, will it?”

She didn’t doubt his love. Or hers. It was life she didn’t trust. Temptation existed everywhere.

“Fine.” He strode across the room and flung open the door. “Get out.”

She stared at his back and considered her choices, but she only had one. That she could live with at least. Mate him then make damn sure he never hungered. She’d keep him satisfied. He’d never wander and seek out another lover. She’d make sure of it. The decision eased her worry and allowed her to make another, the most important one of her life. And maybe, just maybe, it’d heal her and be the one the Triad demanded.

She pulled the shirt over her head and walked over to him. His warmth drew her closer. She laid a hand on his back. He stiffened. “Ian?”

“What?”

“I…I…” She curled her fists. “I love you, Ian Callahan.”

Magic weaved through her to him. She felt the mystical circle close. The subtle completion washed over her, a response she might’ve missed if she hadn’t been expecting it. She’d heard it was like that, though. No need to be explosive like the first step in a mating. Love, the true kind, came without fanfare. It simply was.

He dropped his chin to his chest and breathed heavily, but didn’t respond to her declaration.

“Did you hear me? I said I love you.”

He cleared his throat. “I heard you.”

“And that’s it?” She unclenched her fingers. Without looking at her palm, she shoved it in front of his face. “We’re mates.”

He cradled her hand as if it were made of glass. A long moment passed before he pressed his lips to her skin. “Yes, we are.”

“Are you happy?” Because she couldn’t tell. Sadness tinged his words.

“Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

The monotone response spiked her anxiety. She shoved it away. She’d hurt his feelings, but she knew how to make it up to him.

She gripped the waistband of his sweats and tugged. “Come to bed. I want to make love to you.”

He turned and slid his hands to her waist. His enchanting eyes became her world. Before she could get lost in them, he lifted her and set her on her feet in the hallway.

“Not tonight. I’m tired.”

The door closed with a click. She stared at the wood separating them for a long time, unable to believe what happened. Her mate had dismissed her.

Finally, she lifted her hand and studied the confirmation she didn’t need. Two interlocking circles shone on her skin. Beautiful and sacred. She choked on a sob.

Her mating hadn’t turned out the way she planned. She prayed it was enough, though.

Lip caught between her teeth, she turned her other hand over and forced her fingers to unclench. Her knees gave out. She crumbled to the floor and gaped at the evidence displayed.

The jagged black line still bisected her palm. She’d failed to meet her challenge. Or had she guessed wrong? No matter the reason, one truth remained.

She’d tied herself to an incubus for nothing.

“Not for nothing. I love him.”

But love wasn’t always enough. Her father could attest to that. Then again, so could Minerva.

Chapter Nineteen

Ian pushed his sunglasses onto the top of his head and stared at Trevor. Or more accurately, Ian fixated on the couch where he and Tegan had fucked yesterday.
Jesus, has it only been a day?
In twenty-four hours, he’d gone from euphoria at finally making love with her to regret over his jerkish reaction after they’d mated. Goddammit, he deserved her reluctance, her anger and her hatred. He’d sucked the life out of her, then selfishly coerced her into finishing their bond so he could do so again.

Asshole, anyone?
Yeah, he was the goddamn king of them.

I’m lucky she didn’t attack me for what I did.

It might’ve been better if she had. He’d hurt her. Fucking caused her pain. Right after declaring his love for her.

She had every right to be leery of him. It also pissed him off knowing her concerns were valid and nothing he said would eliminate her doubt. His raging hard-on for Rowan had proved his body would react to other women. It always had. He might’ve lived a celibate life the past few years, but he’d always lusted after women.

Did that make him a bastard? Probably. Still, he knew he wouldn’t act on his desires. He also understood words wouldn’t make Tegan trust him.

Time would. Except he felt theirs slipping away.

A balled piece of paper whacked him in the head and dragged him out of his thoughts. He blinked and brought Trevor’s image into focus. He sat on the sofa, feet planted on the coffee table, and a laptop propped on his thighs.

Trevor moved his computer to the table, then crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you going to tell me what’s up with your eyes, or not?”

Ian shrugged, a nonchalant move he didn’t feel. His gut was a mess. “I mated Tegan last night.”

Trevor’s brows rose. “The curvy little devil’s child?”

A growl rumbled deep in Ian’s chest. The teasing smirk on his friend’s face told him he hadn’t meant the words the way they sounded, but Ian couldn’t let the remark go. “Don’t mess with me. You ever talk about my mate that way again, I’ll make you hurt.”

The grin wiped from his face, Trevor held up a hand. “Noted. I’m happy your fantasy girl turned out to be Tegan. I just didn’t expect you to…ummm…mate her so soon.”

And maybe they should’ve waited. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d regret binding herself to him. No use worrying about it. He’d deal with the fallout of his actions while being the man she needed. He’d make it work. No biggie.

He snorted.
Yeah right. No biggie. Maybe I’ll grow wings and fly too. No wait, those are angels, and I’m a goddamn incubus, or half-demon, or whatever the fuck I am.

“I’ve wanted her for years. She gave me the opportunity to love her, and I took it. I’m not a fool.”
In all things.

“So Calan’s eyes weren’t always two different shades of blue?”

“No, they changed after mating Harley. It’s supposed to show everyone that the man is taken while the girl displays circles on her palm.”

“That’s a little…well…” Trevor gave him a sympathetic look. “Permanent.”

“No shit. They’re demigods. Their rules are different for a reason. And, well, I’m one of them too. Always have been. Just never knew it.”

Trevor leaned forward. “Excuse me?”

Ian explained the little he knew about his heritage and the new spin his life had taken because of what he’d done to Tegan last night.

“So the goddess of love cheated on the devil with an incubus, and you’re the result.” Trevor chuckled. “That sucks.”

Ian grunted. “Sure does. At least I don’t have to worry about dying, now that I’m mated to Tegan.”

“Please tell me that’s not why you tied yourself to her. She’s not naïve like Cynthia was, you know. I guarantee that if you start drooling over other women, Tegan won’t dismiss it like Cynthia did as being a guy thing. Tegan will have your balls.”

Trevor knew about Ian’s dream encounters with Tegan and how they’d messed with his mind and dick. He’d been a wreck for years. So damn lost except for those occasional meetings with Tegan. Then he’d felt right. Sane.

She completed him.

He wouldn’t lose her.

“Why I mated Tegan is none of your goddamn business.”

“But it is mine, human. Tell
me
why.”

Ian whipped his head toward the patio doors. Rowan stood in the opening. She wore the same pair of fingerless gloves, but instead of the skintight leather pants, she had on a green metallic dress that reached just past her crotch. The front of it was cut in a vee from shoulder to waist and barely covered her nipples.

His dick twitched.

Fucking hell.
He forced his gaze from her boobs spilling out of the outfit to her glinting catlike eyes. The hatred displayed there killed the stirrings of lust tightening his body.
Thank God.

Rowan strode forward until only a couple of feet separated them. “Answer me before I go tell her about our little encounter yesterday.”

“Yesterday was a mistake.” He cracked his jaw. “It won’t happen again.”

She sneered. “That so?”

“Yeah, I was a little confused about things. I’m not now.” He motioned toward his eyes. “And I’m mated.”

She chuckled and stepped closer. Her scent, so similar to Tegan’s, invaded him. His body reacted as if trained to respond. His cock thickened. His balls drew up.

Shame filled him.

Dammit, I won’t do this to Tegan. I won’t give her a reason not to trust me.

Rowan covered the bulge in his pants and stroked him. He choked on a groan. She slid her other hand to the back of his neck. Her breasts pressed into him, and he fought his uncontrollable response to her.

“Unless this hard cock is for your human friend, I’d say you might still be confused about which sister excites you.”

He grabbed her wrist, but she unleashed her claws before he could yank her hand off him. He froze, held in place by the sharp talons on his dick and neck.

A growl trickled from her lips. “Answer me, or your mate’s going to learn about how you ground yourself into my ass. You would’ve fucked me right then and there if I’d dropped my panties for you.”

Trevor stepped next to them. “Get your hands off him.”

“Why should I? He had his on me yesterday.”

“Dressed like that, it’s no wonder why,” Trevor spat.

Trevor had a way of pissing women off. Usually, it amused Ian to watch Trevor talk his way out of the holes he dug for himself. At the moment, his uncensored remarks directed at the woman who held Ian’s dick in a deadly grip were far from amusing. “Stay out of this, Trevor.”

“Yeah, Trevor, stay out of this. The incubus and I have unfinished business.” She stood on her tiptoes, bringing herself eye level, and leaned in to kiss him. He wrenched his head to the side. Her claws tore chunks from his skin. Blood trickled down his throat.

He conjured Tegan’s face. It strengthened him and replaced the lust gripping him. He breathed a sigh. She was his key to remaining honorable, a gift he’d treasure.

He bent close to Rowan. “Yesterday was a one-off. You were close. I was hungry but didn’t understand why. I only knew you’d taste good. I decided I preferred a stiff cock over anything you could give me. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

She dropped her hands and stepped back, studying him as if she’d never actually seen him before. “And what happens—”

“When I need to feed again?”

She nodded.

“I’ll seek out my mate. The woman I fucking love.” He motioned to his limp cock. “I am not ruled by my dick. Incubus or not, I won’t cheat on her.”

Sympathy softened her features. She gave a small shake of her head. “She’ll never trust you. She got burned once already by a man.”

He curled his fingers. “I am not Bjorn. He didn’t love her. I do.”

She swept her gaze over him once more and sighed. “And that’s what makes it worse.”