Hunter Forsaken (Wild Hunt #2) (19 page)

She turned her head before her release took hold, and his parted lips skimmed over her cheek. “Please. I want you to feed from me.”

“Not now. That’s not all you are to me.”

No, he needed to feed. His hunger beat at her, demanding payment. She gripped his shirt. “I want the demons watching us to know who has the right to meet your needs.”

He tightened his grip on her hips but released her before she could cry out from the hard press of his blunt nails. “You want to stake your claim, huh?”

“Yes.” And to make sure he wouldn’t have to feed from another lover while she was gone.

He grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged it off. Her pants, underwear and bra joined them. With jerking motions, he undressed. His shirt tore in his haste. He threw the strips of fabric, save for one. She glanced from his heaving chest to his hand fisted around the piece of cotton, and finally to his face. Lust simmered there.

He took a step toward her. She backed up. Her bottom hit something cool. She spun. The main room of the Haven came into view.

A few incubuses stopped what they were doing and glanced up. Smiles spread on their faces. It didn’t surprise her. She stood naked, on display for them, with their prince at her back, ready to fuck her.

Ian planted one hand on the glass next to her head. His cock slid between her spread thighs. She panted. “All I can give you is hard and fast. You want that? You want me to fuck you and walk away. ’Cause that’s what I’m going to do. Fill you up, then leave you. No matter how much I love you, you’re not stopping me.”

“Yes. I want that.” But he was wrong about leaving. She refused to endanger his life.

“Tegan.” Sadness tinged her name, but he took her hands and placed them against the glass. With the soft, cinnamon-scented cotton, he blindfolded her. “I want you focused on me, not the demons watching us, understand?”

She nodded.

“Good, that’s good.” He tilted his hips and slid his erection into her.

His first full thrust stole her breath and sanity. He buried his face against the crook of her neck and moved in quickening strokes. He took her hard, exactly as he’d promised. Her breasts shook with each rough smack of his groin to her bottom. His cock thickened inside her the longer he pounded into her. She squeezed her inner muscles, craving his release as much as he needed hers.

“Do that again, and I’m going to come.”

Exactly as she wanted. She ground her hips to his and enjoyed his muttered curse.

“Killing me, angel.” He slid a hand to her lower belly and pressed down as he fucked her with short, quick thrusts. Her orgasm hit her at the same time that his hot seed spilled into her body. His cock jerked with each spasm. He pumped into her until he gave her everything. She felt a slight tug on her chest as he siphoned the power of her release. It cut off as quickly as it had come.

“You did it. I barely—” She tugged the cloth from her eyes. Her words got stuck in her throat at the sight of all the demons watching them from below. Shyness seized her. Their lustful gazes roamed over them. Even the women gazed at her with hunger.

She tensed. She’d never had sex in the main room. She’d always used the booths.

He caressed her lower belly. “You wanted them to get a show. We gave them one. Now they know who I want. No need to be nervous now.”

She fingered the cloth. “You guessed I would be.”

He laid a hand over her heart. “I’m here. I know you. The thought of people catching us excites you. I saw it in your eyes when we made love in the living room, but when Trevor walked in, you froze up.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “I hated putting you on display, but I didn’t want any of those demons to think you were free.”

She glanced at her palm where the two black circles stood out starkly. He’d made sure everyone watching saw it. She pressed it to her heart. “I can handle them.”

“I know.” He slipped from her body.

The loss of him hit her as nothing else ever had. An ache grew in her heart that she hadn’t expected to feel. Or maybe it was merely her guilt plaguing her.

She turned and waited until he’d pulled his jeans on before letting her Hunter form emerge. She stepped behind him, placed a hand against his lower back and shoved. He cursed and fell face-first onto the bed. Before he could scramble away, she flipped him and locked his arms and legs into the cuffs on the bedposts. The padded manacles were meant for sexual play. They’d never hold a Huntsman, but because of her, Ian no longer rode in the Wild Hunt. Trapped in a human body, even with his demon nature, he’d never break free.

“Tegan, what the hell are you doing?”

She yanked back her alternate form and dressed hastily. She returned to the bed. One knee on the mattress by his hip, she leaned over him and pressed her lips to his. He didn’t open for her kiss. She eased back, held his gaze and tried to ignore the anger and hurt in his eyes. “I’m going to meet the Triad’s challenge. If I can safely traverse the fairy realm the same way Harley can, then I will.”

“How is fulfilling
my
promise going to save
you
?”

“I might be gone for a while. I don’t know what I’ll encounter there.”

“So you’re going to leave me here. Trust me to remain faithful, right?”

The anger in his tone chilled her. She nodded anyway.

He laughed. “No wonder you couldn’t wait for me to fuck you. Feed me, then leave me under the watchful eyes of your brothers, right?”

She turned away. That hadn’t been her plan, had it? She shook her head. No, she simply didn’t want him to go. There was also no guarantee she’d be able to leave the fairy realm. She might be stuck there while he moved on. She’d rather suffer eternally than see Ian in pain one day.

She made her way to the door and flung it open.

“Angel?”

She glanced over her shoulder, unable to ignore the emotion thickening his voice.

“I still love you, but don’t think for a heartbeat that I’ll easily forgive you for this.”

She nodded and slipped from the room. It didn’t matter how long it took to earn his forgiveness. As long as she gained it, she’d be able to hold out.

Life without him would suck the life out of her.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ian yanked on the padded cuffs and cursed. He should’ve guessed at her intentions. She’d forgiven him too easily. Or maybe he’d just been too hungry to care. He’d known he needed the strength for his rescue mission. Hell, she’d no doubt suspected it too and led him right where she wanted him, sated and restrained, so she didn’t have to worry about him straying.

He reached out to her mind. A heavy veil surrounded him, blocking him from her. He pushed it aside.
“Tegan, come back. Let’s talk, okay? You’re making a mistake.”

Silence answered him. He knew she’d heard him. Her presence was a comforting shadow in his soul. She’d simply chosen to ignore him.

He let her mind slip free, the curtain falling back and cutting their connection. No need to waste his energy if she was refusing him.

“She’s going to fail,” he muttered.

“And take the rest of us down with her,” Rhys said.

Ian craned his head to look at the door. Rhys stood in the open entryway, a scowl on his face. “She went to the fairy ring. You need to stop her.”

“I know.” Rhys took a step into the room. “But I’m not going to bother trying to talk her out of it.”

Ian jerked on his bindings. They held fast. “Why the hell not? She’s so damn desperate to meet her challenge she’s twisting everything, looking for easy answers.”

“It’s because she’s stubborn.”

Rhys approached the bed. He snapped each cuff. The easy show of strength pissed Ian off. He’d had it for all of two weeks. He wanted it back. Fat chance of that happening. Best he could hope for was to keep his mate. Actually, that was all that mattered. He’d give up everything for her.

He sat up and swung his legs over the side. “Did she tell you what I discovered about the fairy rings?”

“Yes. It’ll come in handy too.”

Ian shoved his feet into his shoes and made his way to the door. “You need to put the hounds on guard. If the ring is destroyed, I don’t know how I’m going to get out.”

“Done. And how are you going to stop Tegan?”

“I’m not. I’m going in after her.” Ian flung open the door.

A man leaned against the wall on the other side, arms and ankles crossed.

“Lucas,” Rhys spat.

Ian didn’t need the confirmation. The beast, the aspect of his nature he associated with the demons, raised its head. It recognized Lucas for what he was to Ian—father. Short brown hair, brown eyes, a rough face and an impressive build—he could’ve been any number of men Ian had met. Not beautiful, not exactly memorable, but the power rolling off him stole Ian’s breath.

Lucas pushed from his spot. “Hello, Ian.”

Ian raised a brow instead of responding. He didn’t hate the demon. Ian simply didn’t care to get to know him. Besides, Lucas was blocking him from Tegan.

“I’m glad you survived.” Lucas swept his gaze over him. “You’re powerful. I’m not exactly surprised, considering who your mother is.”

“So I guess the secret’s out. Are you going after Arawn’s holdings now?”

Lucas shook his head. “I have no intention of taking over the Underworld, not now anyway. I simply want his daughter.”

“Why Rowan?” Rhys asked.

“Because I need to get out of Hell. I no longer want to be a fallen angel. I want to reclaim my name, my glory and my rightful position.”

Ian stared at the man for a long moment. An angel? His father was a fallen angel?
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Lucas held out his hand. “And I want to claim my son.”

Ian glanced from Lucas’s open palm to the demons standing at the end of the hallway. Two female demons gazed upon him with awe, not hunger. The third, a man who looked eerily similar to Lucas, studied him intently. Instead of hate, curiosity hovered in his eyes. Ian’s half brother, maybe?

“Do you renounce me?” Lucas asked.

Ian faced his demon father. Up close, his features appeared fuzzy, as if shrouded by…by a heavy veil, the same as he’d had to push aside in order to connect with Tegan. He took Lucas’s hand and willed the cloak aside. A blast of white light emanated from Lucas and brightened the hallway. His brown hair lightened into golden-blond strands, and his eyes turned blue-green. No longer ordinary, his features become starkly handsome. All in all, he was beautiful.

Angelic.

Lucas squeezed his hand. “Well, Ian? Do you acknowledge me as your father?”

“Yeah. I acknowledge you.” Ian was sure there was some significance to the little show, but he couldn’t deny the truth. “Who are you?”

Rhys stepped next to them. “He’s not allowed to say his name, but I will. He is the angel Lucifer, and his demon inner court consists of the angels who followed him into damnation.”

Lucas released Ian. The image of beauty disappeared, replaced by the ordinary one Ian had first seen.

Lucas crossed his arms over his chest. “And I will lead them back once I have Rowan tied to my soul.”

Ian closed his eyes and cursed. Tegan’s sister was no more than a tool in Lucas’s great plan. “She won’t ever mate you.” Because she couldn’t.

Lucas shrugged. “She will. I have the means to reverse her failed bond.”

Rhys cursed. “You know?”

A smile spread over Lucas’s face. “Of course.”

Ian hated to see Rowan in his father’s sights, but he had more pressing things to deal with at the moment. “Well, good luck with that.”
Or not.

He strode forward. Lucas grabbed his arm. “If your mate breaks your bond, you don’t need to worry about dying. As long as you feed regularly, you won’t age.”

“Tegan won’t abandon me.”

Lucas released him. “If you say so, son. Just remember my words.”

Ian turned his back on Lucas and hurried down the hall. He wanted to get to Tegan’s side as soon as possible. If the fairy realm toyed with its visitors, he suspected she too would be plagued with manifestations of her fears and desires. Since both involved him, he refused to allow her to be tempted or tortured because of his ugly face.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Tegan circled the fairy ring. On her third pass, she stopped and stepped over the mushroom tops. Nothing happened. Not surprising. Unless opened by a fairy or those tied to one, such as the redcaps, the portal only welcomed humans. But she too shared a connection to Harley through Calan. Ian had proved it would work in favor of the Huntsmen.

So why isn’t it working for me?

She moved to the center, closed her eyes and willed herself to slip into the alternate realm. Again, nothing.

Frustration tore a growl from her throat. Her talons slipped free. She curled her fingers, and blood dripped from where she pierced her palm. It hit the ground, and a tremor shook the earth, opening a vortex. She fell and whirled in nothingness for an endless moment. No sound, no light, only the endless sea of black surrounding her. Everything returned in a rush. She hit the ground and rolled, then hopped to her feet.

A duplicate setting surrounded her. Or was it the same? She couldn’t tell.

“Only one way to find out.” She stepped over the ring and walked back the way she’d come.

A few hundred feet into the woods, she froze at the sensation of someone watching her. She scanned the trees and bushes but couldn’t see anything unusual. Yet, the feeling remained. The first sliver of unease settled over her. She pushed it aside and forced her feet to move.

The wooded area thickened and darkened. Bushes and odd-looking flowers sprouted where none had been. The confirmation that her trip into the fairy realm had been a success didn’t exactly comfort her. The path before her no longer existed.

Trevor and Allie most likely would’ve stayed on a trail. Tegan turned to go back the way she’d come. Where the worn footpath had been, a single door stood.

“Tegan.”

Her name whispered on a mournful exhale carried on the breeze. Memories she’d thought long buried surfaced. The human who’d woken in her bed, cock pressed into the seam of her ass, had always murmured her name while he fucked her. For a moment, she felt Bjorn’s hands on her body, caressing and stimulating her. Over a millennium had passed, but she remembered his touch and the pleasure he’d been able to deliver. She shook her head, hating herself for recalling what they’d done together. She didn’t want to think of him.

She conjured Ian’s image. Memories of Bjorn faded. She sighed in relief. It didn’t last, however. Hot breath bathed the back of her neck. She spun, but nobody stood behind her.

“Tegan, come to me. You need to learn the truth. Arawn lied to you.”

Her father was many things, but he loved his children. He wouldn’t lie to them. Except…he had where Ian was concerned. More accurately, he’d played with his words to accomplish what he wanted, to rid himself of his mate’s child. And he wanted her to finish it by stripping Ian of the immortality he shared with her. Unless…unless his demon nature gave him eternal life. She wouldn’t know until she cut her tie to him permanently.

She gripped handfuls of her hair and tugged. Dammit, she had no intention of breaking her bond.

Ten minutes inside the fairy realm and the magic was already messing with her head. She thought she’d be able to resist it better. Obviously not. She needed a reminder of who she was, to ground herself in reality.

Calan wouldn’t be able to touch her mind, but Zeph had suggested trying modern technology when she’d shared her plan with him. She pulled out the cell phone she’d brought. A blank screen showed. She slipped it back into her pocket and closed her eyes.

“Ian, I need you.”

Silence met her. She couldn’t even feel his presence. The silky reminder of their bond remained calm and quiet…cold. He could be dead.

Would he be able to reach out to her as he’d done after she left him tied up in the Haven? If not, she wouldn’t know if he was alive or if he needed her. Sure, she’d ensured he was safe and sated, but time moved slower in the fairy realm. Ten minutes here could’ve been days in the human world. How long would he be able to go without feeding again?

No, this is my challenge. I must trust him.

Flashes of images danced through her head, all of them involving Ian and other women.

It’s not real, just the magic of this realm, toying with me.

She scanned the forest. Where trees had stood, a solid wall of vine-covered rocks surrounded her. She swallowed hard. The first inkling of fear took root. She’d expected illusions, but not to the extent of what she’d met so far.

The magic was hungry and feeding off her. She held the knowledge close. It wasn’t real. An illusion, that was all. Only, she’d never known how all-consuming it’d be. She made her way to the wall. Solid rock met her fingertips.

She faced the only exit. The living magic had taken her choices away and left her with only one. She dragged in a deep breath and moved toward the single wooden door. It opened before she touched the handle.

A familiar scent swept out on a cool breeze. Bjorn stepped into view, looking as regal as he was when she’d seen him last. His hair was pulled back with a thong, and a shadow of beard darkened his jaw. The stubble had always annoyed him. A man of his caliber should never look unkempt. He’d told her that often. He’d made up for the slip in his appearance with rich, elaborate garments and an entourage of servants who saw to his every need.

The leather sandals on his feet were never scuffed, and the deep-purple tunic with beads and stones decorating the neckline and sleeves was never wrinkled. It had been a fitting ensemble. He’d been royalty, next in line for the throne, and he’d worn his title in everything he did. From his smile to his confident amble, he’d exuded elegance, but he’d never held honor in his heart. She hadn’t realized it either. She’d been a fool.

“Sweet Tegan, come to me. I’ve missed you.” He held out his hand as he’d done many times before.

She glanced from his open hand to his face. “No.”

“Oh, my little Hunter, you were always so difficult.” He chuckled. “Until I got you naked. Then you did anything I wanted, didn’t you?”

He approached her. She backed up and reached for the doorknob. A solid wall met her fingers. She scanned the room. No door. No window. No escape.

Bjorn grabbed her hips and spun her into his arms. He pulled her close and brushed his lips over hers. The familiar greeting spurred more memories. Happy ones. They blended with the reminders of betrayal and left her as confused as the day he died.

How could she have been so wrong about him? What had she done to send him into another woman’s arms? She’d given him everything.

She’d loved him.

No! It’s an illusion. He’s dead and gone, no more than dust now.

The reminder helped. She pushed against his chest. He didn’t budge. She couldn’t break his hold unless she embraced her alternate form. For the moment, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She needed to understand why he’d cheated on her. The knowledge was essential to healing the wound he’d left on her heart.

She leaned back to meet his gaze. “You’re dead.”

“In the human world, I am. Arawn killed me because he knew you loved me. He refused to allow the third in his army to be weakened by that useless emotion.” Bjorn caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “He told me right before he forced me to plunge that dagger into my heart.”

“No.” She shook her head. “He’d already removed your Huntsman’s mark. You’d faded to the mortal world. He couldn’t control you there.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes.”

He raised a brow. “You know of all his abilities, then? Are you saying he’s revealed everything to you, even the reason you were condemned to suffer for his sins?”

What was he talking about? Dar had tricked them. That was the reason they’d been imprisoned. Wasn’t it?

Arawn had claimed the time the Huntsmen had spent in the fairy prison was because of his failure. She hadn’t let her father explain what he’d meant. Was there more to the story than merely his guilt over not being all-powerful enough to anticipate everyone’s actions or protect his children?

Doubt gripped her. It must’ve shown on her face. Bjorn chuckled.

“Oh, my sweet, naïve Tegan, your father implanted a compulsion in my mind to kill myself. His words taunted me. Whether it was him speaking or the memory of him, I can’t say, but it was too powerful to withstand. I would never have left you otherwise.”

Arawn had exposed Bjorn’s sins and shown him what awaited him once he died. Had he taken it further? Compelled Bjorn to end his life? No. No, Arawn valued human life…but, then again, Bjorn wasn’t innocent. Confusion rushed up. She couldn’t make sense of anything.

“I don’t believe he would do that. What would be the point? He’d already taken your immortality away.”

“But you could’ve still mated me. He refused to allow that to happen. He’d never let you or any of his children go. He sacrificed everything for his army, broke his vow of fidelity to Minerva and gave up his ability to have more children.” He shook his head and snorted. “No. Love would turn you into a weakened shell unable to exact retribution. He refused to allow that. It was too risky. I had to die.”

She shook her head. How would he know of Arawn’s sacrifices?
Because he’s taking the knowledge from me. He’s a figment on my imagination.

No matter what Bjorn had been, Arawn wouldn’t kill the man she loved or compel him to do so…but he had. He’d ripped Ian’s Huntsman’s mark away and killed him.
Only our mating saved him. And I’d refused to mate Bjorn.

What Bjorn said was possible. She could see the motivation behind it. Arawn had rushed to get his hands on angel’s tears in order to sever Calan and Harley’s bond. Yes, they’d survived and ultimately given the world and the Huntsmen hope, but had it been because of Arawn’s gift, or Harley and Calan’s love?

Arawn wanted to
help
her too.

“You cheated on me. Had women and children scattered across the countryside.”

He sighed and cupped her face between his hands. “Never, my love. I remained faithful to you.”

“But—”

“Did you ever look for these women and babes I supposedly left behind?”

“No, that doesn’t—”

“Then that’s your answer. Arawn lied to you.”

She hated when he cut her off. He always had, and he’d shrugged off her complaints, blaming it on his upbringing. Times were different then. She was only a woman, Hunter or not.

“Most noblemen have many lovers.” She stated the fact that had stopped her from mating him in the first place, her fear that he’d do exactly what her father had claimed. Funny, it was the same one she struggled with in her relationship with Ian. She hadn’t learned a damn thing.

“And I did until I met you, my sweet Hunter. You were always woman enough for me.” Bjorn grinned. “We can have the life denied to us.” He slid his hands to her bottom and tugged her against him. “You just have to love me and give me life.”

“No, I’m mated. I’ve moved on.”

“Then let me be your fantasy. He doesn’t need to know. You can come to me when you feel neglected and then return to him. You can access this realm at will.”

His words stopped her from embracing her darker side and ripping his throat out. “You know where there’s another portal?”

“Yes. I’ve lived here for many, many years. I know all the secrets of this place.”

“Have you seen—”

“Quiet, woman. I’m going to fuck you now and remind you why you loved me first.” He took her mouth on a rough kiss and tugged down the cup of her bra. With nimble fingers, he rolled and tugged on her nipple. She bit at his lips and reached for her Hunter form. It slipped through her fingers. The power of the Hunt had no hold in the fairy realm.

“No! Ian, please. Help me.”

But he couldn’t. She’d left him behind.