"The two species seem to have called a truce. Otherwise neither of them would really win, and both would lose."
His words brought to mind Sylvan. Though the fey overlords had the upper hand--at present--their use of slavery was corroding them, degenerating them. In the end, they would lose, even if Abyssian didn't invade with an army.
As quickly as the hellhounds had appeared, they vanished back into the brush, their fur camouflaging them.
Abyssian turned to her. "This can be an unforgiving world, Calliope. You have to respect the dangers. There are resin pits, quicksand traps, lava tides. I can go on all day."
"What about the dragons? Would they attack?"
"If we were separated, they might. But you're safe with me," he said. "If you'd like to become acquainted with the largest and oldest dragon shifter in existence, he currently roosts in our throne room."
"Uthyr."
"I haven't seen him in a day or two, but when he returns, I could set up a meeting." In a casual tone, Abyssian said, "You will have to meet my allies one day."
Didn't mean she'd be happy about it. "How did you get to be a Morior?" And can I make you stop being one? Preferably before she had to meet any of them.
His expression grew more animated. He liked simply thinking about his alliance, as if the mere idea of the Morior was a talisman for him.
"My sire was a member, so I was a legacy of sorts. After your death, I needed something to occupy my mind, so I sought out Orion. I was drawn to his views on the universe and decided to join him. He helped me through those first years." Abyssian added, "Now that we're wed, I will be more forthcoming about my alliance."
"Everyone talks about them as if they're larger than life. What are they really like? As people?"
Her interest clearly pleased him. "Blace is the primordial vampire, an expert swordsman and filled with wisdom. Darach Lyka, the oldest werewolf, is inconceivably strong, even more so when his beast rises. Allixta, the Overlady of Witches, is bent on imposing taxes on mystical expenditures. Before she became a Morior, she hexed me with a pain spell so excruciating, I was surprised I emerged from it with my sanity intact." Yet he didn't seem to have any lingering resentment. "Uthyr has the power of invisibility and can vary the fire he breathes, using it for everything from portals to shields to spurts of time travel."
Time travel. Could anyone stand against them? Sylvan certainly couldn't have.
"That wise old dragon has a dry sense of humor and loves television. Especially soap operas." At her look, he said, "I swear it's true."
"And the archer?"
"Rune Darklight is a brother to me. Has been for millennia."
Ugh. A bromance. "You said his mate was a halfling. What kind?"
"Josephine is part vampire and part phantom, one of the rarest and most powerful combinations. She possesses many abilities: tracing, telekinesis, levitation, incorporeality. She can even drink Rune's black blood."
Lila had never heard of such a thing. "Is she a Morior now?" Did that alliance just become stronger?
"No. And I don't know if she will be. She doesn't have much interest in politics." How nice that would be--to just bow out.
"What about your leader?" The one Nix was particularly keen to hear about.
"Orion is an enthralling male. His appearance constantly changes--no one knows what he truly looks like." How odd. "You were right--he can detect the weaknesses in everything--from a castle's defense to the instability of a society's foundation." Like Sylvan's. "He sleeps now, will wake once Tenebrous reaches Gaia."
"What's it like to travel in a moving dimension?"
"You would enjoy it very much. I'll take you there in time. I want to see your face when you stare out at the black ether and watch worlds flash by."
Though she would kill to see that, to learn firsthand about such a place, she didn't foresee a visit in her future. "What about the others? I heard there were a dozen of you."
"Only ten. We have two seats remaining at our war-room table. My other three allies are . . . not as easy to explain. I would rather you just meet them."
"You said you would be a soft touch. Can I convince you to draw back from"--quit forever--"the Morior?"
"They are my family. Just as they could never persuade me to relinquish my mate, you will never persuade me to relinquish my family. Mark my words, Calliope: I will always be a Morior." Moving in closer to her, he said, "Tell me why you hate my alliance so deeply."
I can't! Not until she trusted Abyssian more. She would have to trust him with her life.
A shadow passed over them. She craned her head up. Five dragons soared above! They were much smaller than Uthyr and had black scales. To her delight, one shot a stream of fire, then flew into the flames. "Why did he do that?"
"Warming up for the night's hunt. This is my favorite time of the day. The dragons set out from their roosts. Creatures rouse in the wilds. Soon the hounds will howl."
"You must've missed this place when you were in the Elserealms." The dragons continued on, one of them trailing a wing tip across the water's surface. "Will you have to return there?"
"If I do, you'll be coming with me." With an inscrutable expression, he said, "We will never live apart."
"Never?" That was a word immortals didn't throw around lightly.
"Ever. As I said, a demon doesn't like to be away from his mate."
Sian was reminded of that last dance with Kari when he'd told her, You will be mine, Kari. For all time. I will never be separated from you.
But he had been. "Do you have a problem with a male keeping his wife by his side?"
Picking up on his change in demeanor, she glared. "Depends on if the male is a surly demon who gives his wife whiplash with his moods. Such a wife would wonder if such a husband recalled that they were skinny-dipping on a gorgeous day."
Fair point. Just enjoy this, Sian. . . .
A couple of dragon stragglers glided overhead. With her attention distracted, Sian decided on a prank to reclaim her good mood. He reached a wing around under the water and skimmed her calf.
Eyes darting, she eased closer. "What was that?"
Keeping his expression blank, he said, "What was what?"
"I felt something against my leg."
"Hmm. Could be a school of hatchlings."
"A school? Of baby serpents?"
"They're even more poisonous than the larger ones. Good thing you're immortal now." Unable to resist, he moved his wing again--
She screeched and leapt for him. Climbing him like a tree, she wrapped her arms around his head just below his horns. Her breasts pressed against his face, her legs locked around him. "T-trace us to the shore, Abyssian!"
He coiled his arms around her and turned his head, which put one of her nipples just out of his tongue's reach. So close, yet so far. The prank's on me. In a muffled voice, he said, "Or it could be your husband's wing touching you underwater."
"Oh, you dick!" she cried, releasing her grip on him. "You will pay for that one. Now put me down."
"Of course." He let her slowly inch down his body, her nipples raking his chest.
She sucked in a breath.
Already he could scent how aroused she was. His shaft throbbed for that honey. But he had to behave--somewhat--until she invited him to claim her. And right now, Sian felt a hot, aching hope that an invitation would be forthcoming soon.
Halfway down his body, she gasped, parting her glossy lips.
He was helpless to resist them. He cupped her ass, holding her aloft, then leaned down. She must know he was about to take her mouth, to kiss her tongue with his pointed one.
Her lids went heavy, and she raised her face.
She wants my kiss! Sian hesitated, savoring that he was about to take her lips.
After lifetimes of waiting, he'd wondered if his mind ha
d exaggerated how intense their one kiss had been.
He eased toward her mouth . . . an inch closer. He could feel her exhalations. Closer . . . Their lips met.
When his tongue touched hers, pinpoints of light exploded behind his lids. Heat and need erupted inside him. His mind had not exaggerated.
Kissing my mate. Lightning and balance. The rightness.
She moaned against his lips, wrapping her legs around his waist. Lusty female!
He squeezed her closer, kissing with all his longing, his ages-old yearning. If his first taste of his mate's lips had ruined him, this resurrected him.
Was she just as affected? He needed to see her ethereal face, to behold her reaction and commit it to memory. He drew back.
"Abyssian?" Her teal eyes were hooded and locked on his lips as she licked her own.
Between breaths, he said, "That was--"
"More, demon." She tugged on his hair to yank him back.
And all of a sudden, Abyssian Infernas comprehended the meaning of joy. . . .
THIRTY-SEVEN
Here are my fireworks! Lila returned the demon's blazing kiss.
Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingling. She fed on his groans, shivering when the tip of his pointed tongue teased her. She rubbed her body against his, undulating right as he thrust--
The tip of his dick met her entrance. They both froze.
She broke the kiss with a gasp. "Demon!" The crown lodged against her.
His eyes had flooded black, his horns shooting straight. With a shudder, he clamped his hands around her hips, holding her in place.
She didn't think he'd meant to hit the bull's-eye, but he wasn't in any hurry to right the situation either.
Was she? That pressure felt incredible. Even tempting.
Voice harsh, he bit out, "Closest I've ever been . . . to spending. Need--to--thrust. To fuck." He rocked his hips a touch, just as his hands pressed down. "Ahh! My mate's so tight."
She gasped at the new sensation: unbelievably good--laced with a definite twinge. Reminded of her overdue-volcano analogy, she said, "Abyssian, not here. Not now." Logic told her she would need a vat of wine, a lot of preparation, and a somewhat calm partner when losing her virginity.
"Then you must get . . . away. From me." Gnashing his fangs, he lifted her off him, setting her down. "Or I'll claim you . . . right here . . . wedge my cock so deep inside you."
Her body ached with loss, but she gave him a shaky nod and hurried through the currents.
As she climbed out of the water, his groan sounded over the waves.