Immortal Destiny (The Immortal Prophecy Saga) (6 page)

“Raphael raced to the island and followed her scent to the cave she was being held hostage in. He fought the thugs that were guarding her and then set her free. The two of them ran off into the night and were never heard of again…

“To this day though, there are sightings of the beautiful Eva and the handsome Raphael walking around this island, hand in hand, laughing with each other like they haven’t a care in the world. And so once the tale got around about what people had seen or heard happen that night, the name Fate’s End was given to this place.

“The place where the fate of Eva and Raphael came to an end.”

Ally sat caught up in the magic of the story. “What an awful man Marcus was.”

“Yes, but I think he got his justice in the end.”

Ally nodded. “So what happened to Raphael and Eva? Did he make her an immortal?”

“I would have…” he said with a meaningful look towards Ally. “But who knows?”

“I’d like to think he think did and they lived happily ever after.”

“Well, that’s the dream isn’t it…Happy ever after?” James said.

“For most people, yeah. But the dream for me is to not be killed by Vincent when the time comes.”

James reached over and took her hand in his. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Ally.”

Ally’s face held the sorrows of all mankind in that moment. “There are some things even you can’t protect me from, James, and you’ll need to keep yourself alive in the battle not worry about me.”

“That is an impossible task, little one,” he said grimly. “When the time comes you can be sure I’ll have one eye on you and one eye on my enemy.” He paused and poured another glass of wine and stood up. “Come with me… we’re going to the beach.”

“The beach?” Ally repeated as she followed him towards the front door.

Once outside he took her hand and led her across the green lawn and down the wooden steps and onto the white sandy beach they arrived on this morning.

He sat down and pulled her to him.

She dug her toes into the gritty sand and moved them around, enjoying the feeling of it moving between her toes, and let her head fall back and gazed up at the starry night sky. The unmistakeable scent of salt and seaweed filled her nose and she breathed it in deeply. The story of Eva and Raphael played over again in mind. It fascinated her and made her sad. It could easily have ended as a tragedy if it weren’t for his courage and his belief that she was still alive somewhere…he just had to find her before any harm befell his love. Something told her that he would have kept looking forever. That’s how an immortal was with their love.

It’s all or nothing.

Forever.

Ally found her gaze drift to the immortal beside her, and a deeper sense of how incredibly lucky she was began to find its way into her soul. Beside her was not only James, but she knew that like Raphael, he was an immortal…a man that would never give up on her, their love or their future. He would demand every part of her, down to the very threads of her soul, but in return she would have a love like no other, a loyalty that could never be swayed and protector she could trust her life with.

James was not perfect, she knew that. But he was perfect for
her.

He took a sip of his wine, looking at the dark, swirling sea in front of them, watching the moonlight playing on the gentle waves. “Is this romantic?”

“Very. Are you trying to seduce me again?” she asked playfully.

His eyes lit up with an emotion she couldn’t place. “Is it working?”

“Perhaps.”

James moved closer and put his arm around her pulling her in close and she snuggled into his warm body. “About this afternoon…I didn’t plan for that to happen, it just…did.”

She smiled into his shoulder.

“I just don’t want you to feel rushed or like I’m pushing you.”

Ally moved out from his arms so she could see his face. “I don’t feel rushed. You’ve been very patient, James and I know that goes against your nature so I appreciate it.” She moved back onto his chest and looked out to the ocean. “I didn’t think I was ready, but this afternoon…it felt so natural and so right to be with you. I surprised myself that I was so willing when I’ve been feeling hesitant. But I think the problem was I’ve put so much emphasis on it, that it kind of took on a life of its own and became more than just me and you.” Ally hesitated a second. “Am I rambling?”

James gave a quick squeeze. “No you’re not rambling. I’m learning, so keep going.”

Ally felt a warm glow flow through her. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m older than most girls when they’ve…done the deed I guess…or it’s just my personality. But I analyse things to death and then some, so it became this huge elephant in the bedroom in a way. I’ve wanted you that way since I was sixteen years old, but the thing that I’m coming to realise since this afternoon is that it’s not anything other than you and me expressing how we feel about each other. I love you very much, James and I know you’re my soulmate so it would’ve happened regardless, but I love you for
you
, and I want us to take things further and move on to the physical side of things.”

James held her so close that she almost couldn’t breathe but she didn’t mind in the least.

“I’m glad you told me all that, little one. It all makes sense to me now,” he said as he kissed the top of her head. “I knew you loved me, but part of me was worried that you weren’t that physically attracted to me.”

Ally scoffed. “Are you kidding me?”

“I may be an immortal, but I’ve got insecurities like any man.”

One of her eyebrows went up. “I’m surprised to hear that actually. You always give the impression of being supremely confident. I had no idea.”

“It’s all an illusion,” he said quietly. “Immortal men aren’t known for their weaknesses, but I’m willing to bet we all have them.”

Ally shook her head. “You lot really are cavemen, aren’t you?”

“Afraid so,” he said with a small laugh.

The soft sound of the waves crashing onto the sand caught her attention and she stared out in blissful peace before confiding to James. “There’s something else that worries me about being with you.”

“What is that?”

“Well,” she hesitated. “You’re three hundred years old, so you’ve got a lot of experience compared to my zero. I’m a bit worried that I won’t compare to the ones before me.”

James started to say something but stopped himself, and Ally noticed his sudden discomfort.
What did I say wrong?

“You didn’t say anything wrong, little one.”

“Then why are you squirming?”

“I…well…”

“What?”

James appeared to be blushing, Ally was at a loss as she thought over her last words, then she knew. James had never done this either!

“Seriously? You’re a virgin, too?”

James smiled nervously and nodded. “Not every immortal abstains from sex. It’s a personal choice. I’ve known that you were coming since the day I was born, Ally. I knew that nothing else would ever compare and I didn’t want to bother with imitations, so I chose to wait…for you.”

Ally was completely taken aback.

“I wish you had told me that sooner,” she said with a playful slap on his arm.

“I wanted to, but didn’t really know how to tell you,” he said, his trademark smile returning. “But as you can see, you have nothing to worry about. And even if I had it wouldn’t matter. We were made for each other so it would have been better than anyone before you anyway.”

Ally smiled up at her love and kissed him with everything she had.

“I like the effect this place is having on you,” James said, when she broke the kiss.

“Ha ha,” she shot back and snuggled back into his warm body.

“Which bedroom do you want me to sleep in?” James asked, his nervousness evident.

She turned her face up to his and the look in her eyes was unmistakable. It was love and passion. Any doubts had melted away in that second.

“My room.” She grabbed his hand, pulled him up, then kissed him again. Slowly and tantalisingly. Their wine glasses forgotten, she broke the kiss and smiled at him, then turned back towards the house. She walked a few steps then turned around to James. “Are you coming?”

James was by her side in a second. He swept her up into his arms, and she giggled in delight. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. She did as he asked without question, and only felt the breeze around her face for a minute before he whispered again, “You can open them now.”

Ally gasped. The beach was gone. He had taken her into the bedroom. “Why did I have to close my eyes?”

“I didn’t want you to get dizzy,” he answered, as he put her down. “I want this night to be something we never forget, not one with you feeling ill from moving so fast, little miss motion sickness.”

She scrunched her face together. “How did you know I suffered from that?”

“I watched you for a long time, remember?”

“Stalker,” she quipped back.

He walked towards her and she was reminded of the first time she had seen him again at the masquerade ball. He had the same predatory look about him again that sent shivers down her spine. She felt a mixture of nervous excitement and terror at what she might be getting herself into. He was a passionate man and would demand the same from her.

James voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Trust me, Ally.”

Those were the last words uttered as he pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep searing kiss that she felt down to her toes. She put her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. His hands moved down to the bottom of her top and he grabbed hold, slowly pulling it up and over her head to reveal her smooth, creamy stomach and her black lingerie.

She helped him with his shirt, nervously undoing each button then pushed it off his shoulders. Ally felt the familiar urge to run her hands over the hard planes, but this time she didn’t resist. He kissed her neck sending lightning bolts throughout her body.

James picked her up, carried her over to the bed and laid her down. He hesitated for a brief second. Ally reached up and pulled him down to her. He kissed her and removed the rest of their clothes, the final barrier between them.

They both groaned in pleasure as their naked skin touched and their eyes locked, both lost in the haze of love and lust they felt for each other.

Before he took things to the final step, he touched her cheek and whispered, “So beautiful.”

Ally smiled, and he felt his heart leap inside his chest.

No more words were needed between them that night. Words would never have been able to express what they felt about each other or the moment they now shared.

It was a magical night and it changed things for Ally more than she would ever have thought possible.

Chapter Eight

Ally woke up feeling the warmth of James’ body wrapped around hers. She stretched and slightly winced, as she discovered that she was sore in places she never knew existed. But the contentment that ran throughout her sated body made her almost delirious with happiness.

She couldn’t bring herself to regret last night in any way. It had been beautiful and something so special, she was sure she’d never forget it. But she was also glad that they had waited until the timing had been right. It was nice that there was no else around, just them, the island and ocean for miles.

She twisted in his arms to glance up at him. When she moved, she saw James was awake and wore the same contented expression that she had.

“Morning, little one.”

She smiled at the pet name he called her. “Morning.”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“No, it was perfect.”

James gave her a lazy smile and pulled her in closer as she replayed the events of last night through her mind again. She felt her body grow warm and dizzy as she remembered what had transpired between them. James felt her reaction and growled.

Ally loved it when he did that.

He kissed her hungrily and she gave back what she got. They were on fire for each other.

A knock on the door interrupted the couple. “That man has got to work on his timing,” he said with a feral look in his eyes. “That’s the second time he’s done that.”

“Whoever it is, let him knock. We’re busy,” Ally said and kissed him again.

James’ eyes lit up at the suggestion. “I like this new side of you.”

The knocking continued and James had no choice but to answer.

Ally stayed in bed while James went to deal with the man at the door. In a few minutes he came back looking very annoyed.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Housekeeping has arrived from the mainland and they want to clean up.”

“Oh,” she said feeling disappointed.

“I’m sorry, Ally.”

“It’s not your fault,” she said as she got out of bed and began to get dressed.

James looked like someone had just kicked his puppy. She couldn’t resist going over and giving him a kiss. “Cheer up,” she said. “We can continue this later.”

He perked up a little. “So what do you wanna do today?”

“Training?” she suggested hopefully.

“Training it is. We can start with mind reading in the garden and move onto the other stuff when the staff leave.”

“Can’t go throwing fireballs with humans running around.”

“No, not really.” James laughed. “I’ll go see to them and then we’ll make a start.”

When James returned, he took her hand and led her into the back garden. They both sat down on the flat green grass facing each other.

“Ok, I’m going to think something and you have to tell me what it is.”

“Right,” Ally said and began to concentrate. She felt her mind pushing outwards around her and trying to grab onto something but she couldn’t focus it.

“Try closing your eyes,” James suggested. “And imagine that silver thread running from my mind to yours. Sometimes the visualisation of the act can help.”

She nodded and closed her eyes this time, picturing the thread. She focused with everything she had and felt the pushing again, but this time it was stronger.

Blurred words began to shimmer in her mind. She focused even harder but before she could decipher what he said, the bubble burst.