Twin Flames (6 page)

“So beautiful,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin.

Her pussy trembled. Her heart pounded.

“Are you wet for me, sweetheart?” He pulled the blanket down until she was fully revealed. Spreading her legs, he licked one fingertip and trailed in across her cunt.

A scream of pleasure stuck in her throat. She trembled as he leaned forward to taste the wet flesh of her pussy.

“So desirable.”

She squirmed against the silk sheets, aching, wanting more. Desperate, she tried to pull him to her, but he avoided her seeking hands.

His teeth grazed the tender skin, sending her spiraling into heaven. Back arched, head thrown back, she screamed with pleasure.

He continued his assault, his quick tongue licking circles on her sensitive flesh, while he fingers kept a playful friction against her clitoris.

Lights splayed behind her eyelids as she lost control. Sensations surrounded her, pulling her in every direction imaginable. When he thrust inside her tight vagina, she spiraled even higher. Pure bliss unfurled inside her. She never wanted to leave the safety of his arms.

Chapter Six

Raven rolled onto her stomach, the bedspread in a tight ball at her feet. Unable to resist, she ran her fingertips down the expanse of Devlin’s bare chest, feeling the softness of his skin, the strength of the muscles that lay dormant underneath. Tears welled in her eyes. She must leave him, forever. How would she forget him? This?

He moved to face her, his hand cupping her face. “What is it, baby?”

She took a deep breath. “Did the Council decide when they would send me back? I have to go home. There are people that need me.”

“Raven.” He paused. Unease filled her belly.

“You did talk to them about it?” She moved away from him to lean against the headboard.

He sat up with a sigh. “There are things you don’t know, that you wouldn’t understand.”

Fear tightened in her belly. “What things? I know your people don’t want me. That was apparent yesterday. There is nothing to keep me here.”

There was pain in his eyes as he turned. “I want you. I want you to stay with me.”

She looked down, her hands knotted in the bedspread. “You know I can’t.”

“Do you love me, Raven?”

Her head shot up. “What? I barely know you.”

He shook his head. “Damn.”

“I need to go home. Now.”

“You can’t.”

The words were so soft she had to ask him to repeat them.

You can’t go home. Ever.” He leaned against the purple velvet headboard, staring down at her.

Raven rose to her elbows to glare at him. “You can’t be serious,” she snapped.

“There’s nothing to be done. That is how the cycle works. We’re bound together now.” He pushed his hair from his eyes.

“You’re saying I’m stuck here forever and there’s nothing I can do about it?” Anger sizzled in her stomach. She let it have its way, better to chase away the panic.

He must have sensed her mood. His arm wrapped tightly around her waist and pulled her against his naked body. “It’s not that bad,” he murmured. “We’ll be together. It’s the way of things.”

She shut her eyes and tried to gain control of her emotions. “So, I’m supposed to do what? Be your housewife?”

“We have no such things here. Our women are pampered and sheltered.”

Her jaw dropped. “And you assumed that’s what I would want?”

His grasp tightened around her waist. “That’s what all women want.”

She shoved him away. “Get off me.” Jumping to her feet, she paced nude beside the bed. “That may work for some, but not me. I want to go back, and you’re going to make it happen.”

He sighed, brushing one hand through his hair. “If you go back, I must follow. I’m needed here.”

“So I must stay,” she finished.

Nodding, he rose and began to dress. “There is no other choice. You must learn to understand.” He eased a shirt over his broad shoulders. Even furious, she couldn’t help but sigh at the ripple of those powerful muscles.

“I’m not going to learn to understand.” She threw his words back at him. “I’m going home. You can’t keep me here.”

His golden gaze settled on her face. “I don’t have time to discuss this. I have a meeting with Chalice.” He leaned down to kiss her lips, but met only her cheek. “At least try to understand. I don’t want to force you to stay, but I will.”

Incensed, plans fluttering in her mind, she watched him pull on his boots. He had dismissed her with a simple shrug of his broad shoulders.

Damn him. If he wouldn’t help her, she’d help herself.

He left soon after, seemingly unbothered that her heart was breaking in two. She would find her way home and he would not stop her.

Her plan concocted, she dressed in the burgundy silk slip dress Devlin had laid out on the bed and ventured outside the bedchamber. The guard who had been so kind to her the night before stood waiting.

How dare he put her under guard as if she were his captive?

She gave the guard her best nonplussed smile. “I thought I’d take a stroll around the castle. It’s extraordinary.”

He flushed at her flirtatious tone. “I’d be happy to escort you, my lady, but a Council meeting has been called. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until I can return.”

A playful frown on her lips, she stared up at him and widened her eyes. “What harm could I come to on my own? I just want to look around.”

His hesitant glance betrayed his unease and she was quick to reassure him. “I promise I won’t go far.”

The guard cocked his head, his glance steady. “Don’t leave the galley.”

She had won. She pressed a quick kiss on his cheek. “I won’t. Don’t worry.” She hurried away before he could change his mind.

The halls of the castles were eerily silent. Everyone must be in the Council meeting. Even the women? She still wasn’t convinced they weren’t locked away somewhere to await the men’s pleasure.

She grimaced. What a life that would be. No thank you. Earth may have had its chauvinist pigs, but it beat the hell out of this society.

She plunged through the darkness, determined to find her way back to the village. Without fear of either citizens or guards, she moved freely through the halls. The problem was, she didn’t recognize anything. Corridor after corridor looked identical. The décor never changed, and the lack of windows kept her from viewing the outside and plotting her way toward it.

Eventually, she entered a long narrow hallway, different from all the rest. She let out a deep breath, convinced she had made some progress. Then she saw the light. A large stone door stood to her left, candlelight from the inside of the room casting a shadow through the hinges. The sound of raised voices echoed in the hall.

Knowing it was unwise, yet unable to resist, she crept forward.

“You will damn well choose and choose by the week hence.”

She jerked back at the hate in the voice. What were they talking about?

“My brother’s duty is here. If that means he must mate with someone other than his woman, he will do so, but you must not force the issue. The decision must be made without rush.”

“Unacceptable.”

A loud gasp followed the declaration. Who were they talking about?

“If I can not have her, you must find a way to send her home. We owe her a great debt.”

Devlin. Holy hell, they were talking about her. Raven backed up until she hit the wall.

“We owe her nothing. She should be grateful we do not kill her for bearing the blood of our enemy.”

It was too much. Tears streamed down Raven’s face as she raced back down the corridor. They hated her. She had been ripped from her home and trapped in a place where the rulers wanted her dead. And, Devlin… She didn’t understand it completely, but it sure sounded like he was going to toss her aside and choose another. What was she to be? His whore?

She had to find the exit. Had to get back to the gateway. Had to go home.

Blinded by tears, she pushed through the castle until she found it. A nearly invisible doorway that led into the darkness of the village. Without thought, relief flooding her senses like wine, she pushed her way through. The dirty underground air tickled her lungs. She was free.

She raced through the village, sparing no time to study the inhabitants or take in their fearful looks. The path they had taken was easy to find. She climbed the ladder that led to the surface, the torches blazing beside her. Now, how did she open the ground?

Devlin had used blood.

She slipped her dagger from her belt and sliced it across her palm, hissing at the pain. She pressed her palm against the dirt above her and prayed for the first time in years.

Her prayers were answered.

The ground shifted. She pushed it forward toward the light until there was just enough room to squeeze through. She had just reached the surface when she heard the alarm. Bells screamed beneath her in warning. She didn’t have much time. Why did they want her? Why wouldn’t they let her go?

She raced across the desert, her feet sinking in the soft dirt. Where was the gate? She circled the barren landscape until she found the spot she was looking for.

It had been right here. But where was it?

Panic threatened to consume her common sense. Where the hell was it?

What was she going to do now?

She fell to her knees in the dirt, tears streaming down her face. It was hopeless. Her life was over.

It was dark when Raven slipped out of her stupor. She jerked to her feet only to fall again. The ground was vibrating with a strong pounding rhythm.

The enemy.

She frantically searched for a place hide, but there was nothing. Nothing but dead trees and dirt.

The sound came closer, the pounding harder beneath her.

Terrified, she raced back to the entrance to Devlin’s village. She saw it from a distance. It had not closed completely and she could still slip inside. She squeezed her body through then moved to close the portal.

Something stopped her. The desire to see these people that were so feared overwhelmed her.

She watched as they marched past. Men, women and children, their hair so dark it disappeared in the night leaving only their pale ghostly faces visible. Their skin was like alabaster. It glistened in the moonlight like ivory, allowing the darkness of their gaze to glint menacingly.

Raven touched her face. Her skin had always had that same luster, her gaze that same darkness. Could it be true? Was she one of them?

An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her down. “What the hell are you doing? Trying to get us all killed?” Devlin closed the portal with his other hand, never losing his grip on her.

When they hit the ground, she pushed him away. “Tell me how to open the portal to Earth.”

He shook his head with a grimace. “I imagined that’s where you went, but had hoped you weren’t so stupid.”

Indignation flared. “Stupid? I’d be stupid to stay here while you marry someone else and your people ship me away or worse, kill me.”

“Where did you hear that?”

She ignored him and began walking back to the castle. She would try again tomorrow.

His hand grabbed her arm and jerked her around. “I asked you a question.”

“Is it true?” She gazed into his eyes, reading his regret.

“You weren’t supposed to find out this way. I would have told you.”

“When? After you were married and I was dead?”

“They are not going to kill you.”

She cocked a brow.

“I won’t let them. Chalice and I will protect you.”

She shook her head. “And I’m just supposed to go along with this?”

“There’s no other choice.”

“There’s always a choice.”

Chapter Seven

Raven woke to a soft kiss. She breathed into it, wanting to absorb the soft sensation. Then she remembered the events of the past day.

“Get off.” She pushed Devlin aside and rose to sit.

He moved away, jerking on his clothes. “The women will be waiting in the solar to welcome you. They will instruct you as to our customs. You are expected to make every effort to blend.”

“Are these the same women you’re going to be fucking until you find your ‘mate’?”

He cast her a sympathetic look that made her want to slug him. “It is the way of my people.”

“I don’t give a damn about the way of your people. I have no desire to spend time with these women.”

“You have no choice.” He rose from the bed, fully dressed. “My personal guard is outside the door. He will escort you. If you do not appear in ten minutes, he has orders to help you ready yourself.”

She stared at him in shock as he slammed out the door. How had she fallen in love with a bastard?

The guard smiled as she stepped into the hall. He obviously didn’t know he was supposed to treat her with disdain. Maybe she should tell him, she didn’t want him to get in trouble with Devlin.

He held out an arm encased in a blue velvet robe.

“I am to escort you to the ladies solar.”

“Anyone I should watch out for?” She sensed his reluctance to answer.

“It is said Isabella has her eye on the throne. You may want to steer clear of that one.” He flushed and stared down at the floor. “Excuse me if I’m speaking out of turn.”

She squeezed his arm. “Not at all. I’m glad you told me. The more help the better. This is going to be hard enough.”

The solar was a cave carved in crystal. The floor was covered by only a golden rug that held several large throw pillows. At least twenty women lay on the oversized pillows scattered around the room. Raven instantly recognized Isabella. A groan slipped past her lips. She wasn’t up to another catfight.

The other woman rose from the golden pillow, her black hair billowing behind her. “I see you were allowed to join us. How interesting.” She motioned for Raven to join her. “You must sit with us. We have so much to tell you.” The women who surrounded Isabella giggled and whispered behind their hands.

“Ignore them. We are not all so insanely jealous.” A soft, smooth voice flowed over Raven and she found herself relaxing. She turned to find a tall, golden-haired woman behind her. She was quite possibly the most beautiful being Raven had ever seen.

“Welcome. I am Melanie.” She took Raven gently by the arm and led her to a circle of pillows. “We decided I should welcome you since I am an outsider as well.”

“You are from my homeland?” Curious, Raven studied the other woman. Her frail features spoke of an unknown origin.

“No. I am from somewhere else, but arrived here in a similar manner.” The women around them giggled and Melanie rolled her eyes. “They are infatuated with my mate. The very thought of him sends them into a frenzy.”

“That doesn’t bother you?”

She threw her head back with a throaty laugh. “If it did, I’d be in a world of hurt. It goes along with belonging to such a spectacular specimen.” She grinned. “You’ll learn. Your Devlin is quite mesmerizing.”

Raven smiled to herself. He was definitely one of a kind. “Didn’t you want to go home?” she asked the other women, unable to imagine giving up so much.

Melanie smiled softly, her eyes tearing. “I still do sometimes. It’s a sacrifice, giving up all you’ve ever known, and I couldn’t do that to Alec. It would kill him to be so close to having everything he dreamed of only to have to give it up again.” A single tear trickled down her pale cheek. “I’ve never regretted my decision. The sadness is bearable.”

“Did Devlin ask you to speak to me about this?” Suspicion loomed in the back of Raven’s mind, but the other woman’s look of shock put her instantly at ease.

“Of course not. And, even if he did, I would have spoken to you about it anyway. You deserve to know what you’re giving up.” She quickly glanced around the room. “Have you made your decision?”

“I am not being given a choice.”

“He loves you. Eventually, he will give you a choice. Just make sure you make the right decision. It affects not only the two of you, but this world as well.”

Raven shrugged. “I just wish he had told me all of this before I agreed to help him.”

“And do you regret helping him?”

Raven paused. Despite everything, how could she? This was Devlin’s home. She only wished things had turned out differently.

“The Council would kill me if they could.”

“They are just frightened. They treated me the same way at first. You just have to show them you are not a threat.”

Raven didn’t believe that for a minute. How had things gotten so out of control? Devlin’s appearance stopped her from replying. He strode into the solar, looking every inch the prince. Power resonated from him, shimmering in every direction. Raven ached to go to him, to throw herself in his arms.

He moved forward until his lean body towered above her. “Come with me.” Hand outstretched he met her eyes, the demand clear.

Shifting her gaze to Melanie, she noticed the other woman’s grin and flushed. She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet.

The second they left the solar, he pulled her to the wall, pressing her body against the hard crystal. His mouth captured hers, his tongue thrusting inside her lips.

“I need you,” he growled. His hands grasped her ass, lifting her until she could wrap her legs around his waist. He freed himself in one swift movement, thrusting inside her damp pussy, sending her into orbit.

Their mouths tangling, he slammed inside her again and again until they both exploded. Her orgasm was so powerful it knocked the breath from her lungs, and she clung to him, unable to do much else.

“I have to go back,” he murmured against her mouth. “They’re waiting for me.”

She nodded against his chest, not wanting to let him go. “Can it wait?” She shifted her hips and felt him grow hard deep inside her.

Growling, he pushed her back against the wall. His teeth nipped at the tender flesh of her neck. Then he pulled back. “Can’t. Have to go.” He eased her down the wall to the floor. “We’ll finish this later.”

She watched his dark shadow disappear down the corridor, bitterness tainting her thoughts. His callousness was appalling. He thought he could sweep in here, make love to her, then pretend she didn’t exist? Did he think she was his whore? That he could dress her up and parade her in front of his people and it would change her? Make her one of them?

It would never happen. She would never fit in here. Never find the happiness she deserved. The portal had been opened. It could be again. She was going home. But how would she ever be able to leave Devlin behind?

Devlin pressed his palms against the cool glass windowpane as he stared down at the gardens below. He wanted to open the glass, let the sting of the wind whip around him, but he did not want Raven to get chilled.

Raven. How could he make her understand?

The situation was quickly getting out of hand. At first, she had been pure fantasy. A dream that stiffened his cock and made him ache for her sweet pussy. The fantasy had been mild in comparison to the woman lying in his bed.

She held his life in her hands. The bond between them was so strong—one could not live without the other. She would come to love this world.

She must.

It would take a miracle to convince his people she was a proper mate. Even as a fugitive prince, his obligations required him to provide a suitable heir. Raven was not of their people. Her blood was impure.

It was madness. He wanted her, was already in love with her. He wouldn’t forget that merely because she was different. Obligations be damned.

The bedcovers rustled, giving him a glance of one smooth thigh splayed against the golden material. His cock swelled in expectation and a groan slid from his lips. Had she not been exhausted, he would have taken her, giving her no time for thought. As it was, he was sweating with the pain of separation from her silky body.

“Devlin?” Raised on one elbow, her long black hair cascading past her shoulder, she gazed at him. “Is everything all right?”

“Of course,” he lied. “Go back to sleep.”

She slid from the silken covers and walked toward him. Her pale nude body made him desperate to be inside her, to feel the warm strength of her vagina wrap around his cock. The candlelight accentuated the length of her legs. Following the line of her thigh, he gazed at her flat belly, but it was her breasts that stopped him.

Perfect. The round globes jiggled as she moved. Her soft pink nipples hardened with awareness. She was his. No other man would touch those perfect breasts. No other man would run his hand down the smoothness of her thigh to feel her damp pussy at his fingertips.

With a growl, he sprang towards her, flinging her back on the bed. His mouth slammed against hers. He loved her taste, erotic yet feminine.

She was his. The consequences be damned.