Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars 1)

Caben palms the side of my face, traces his thumb across my chin, below my bottom lip. “That’s not what I asked.”

What do I believe?

The vision of my father’s terrified eyes; his head jerking back and forth; pleading for his life—I close my eyes. Try to block it out. “I believe I’m cursed.” Tainted.

My breaths sound loud in my ears. In—out. I keep my eyes shut. I belong in the darkness. I belong in a mental ward. I belong here.

The warmth of Caben’s sweet breath skims my lips as his face lowers closer to mine. “You’re anything but, Kaliope.”

Suddenly the dark brightens, and I can envision his blue eyes truly seeing me. Me—not a monster. Not a tainted woman. Just a woman. Seeing past what my own eyes glimpse. Giving me hope that maybe he’s right. Exhilarated relief floods me, and I cup the back of his head as his mouth descends upon mine.

He wraps me in his arms, pulling me closer to his chest. My mouth presses against his, motionless, unsure—and he nips my bottom lip with his teeth. I gasp, and his tongue darts inside. Lips parting and closing, his tongue tangling with mine, Caben guides me to match his rhythm. My fear subsides as we steal each other’s breath.

I lose all thoughts of mercury, clamps, fathers, and goddesses. I only know the feel of his soft lips, the touch of his hands on my skin—and I crave more. A low burn builds in my core, traveling the length of my body and spreading between my thighs. I rise up, pressing the ache against Caben’s hard form, and he groans against my lips.

A tremor courses through my body, and I pull him closer. But it’s not enough.

His hand slips underneath my tunic, fingertips glide across my skin. Heat pools in my blood as he cups the flesh of my breast, stroking, massaging. Reaching down, I grasp the hem of his tunic, and before I can question my actions, I slide the fabric over his head. He smiles down at me. I rake my fingers through his hair, pushing the unruly waves aside.

With deft hands, he strips me of my clothing; my shirt lands next to his, my pants somewhere else on the ground. All is done in a tumble of quick and needy movements, his hands never leaving my body, his lips never leaving my skin.

And when his thighs press against mine, his body bearing down, I wrap my arms around his back, anchoring myself to him. Dig my fingers into him as I squeeze my eyes closed—waiting.

“Kaliope.” His voice is deep and soothing. “Look at me.”

Opening my eyes, I take in the fiery want in his; the passion. The yearning to be with me.

No words are needed. I’ll not fool myself by thinking this is an exchange of love. Two souls bonding. Forever. It’s a moment. Something given freely and willingly. And as his hands roam down, pulling my leg around his hip, the proof of his want sliding hungrily against me—I lose myself in this man.

I desire him and want nothing more than for him to desire me back.

&nbs

p; Heat blooms in my lungs, a sharp pang in my chest, as the longing for this closeness is satisfied. As he rocks into me, his heavy breaths steal over my lips before he captures my mouth with his.

The pain comes quickly; a sudden, piercing bite. His movements still, giving me a moment to acclimate. Then, meeting my eyes with hunger burning in his, he begins again, slow and sure. Patient. And when the fire overwhelms my senses, the need returning to have him fulfill me, the pain eases. I move against him, my hips no longer hesitant as I thrust up to meet him. He deepens the kiss and moans, gripping my thigh tighter.

Unsure if it’s my body or his trembling, I cling to Caben, and he wraps his arms beneath my back, his hands pulling my shoulders to him as my back arches. His kisses trail my throat, and I lock my legs around his waist. I shudder as a violent tremor spikes my body, my skin tingling—and the ache deep within me tightens. “Oh, goddess.”

With one last, deep thrust, Caben groans and drops his head next to mine. His labored breaths hit the skin of my shoulder and I tremble. I run my fingers through his damp hair, my head and body light. The fluttering sensation pulsing inside of me matches the beat of his heart.

He pulls his head back and his gaze trails over my face. I glance at the glowing rivers lighting my arms and know what he sees—the swirling mercury on my face; around my eyes.

His thumb skims my cheek. “You’re my goddess.” Then his lips fall to mine as he rolls me to lie beside him.

Clang!

The door of the master cell opening rings out; a dull echo from the back of the tunnel.

Snapping his head up and breaking our kiss, Caben jerks his face toward the noise, his breaths ragged. “Time for our Reckoning.”

“Hell.” I tumble off the cot, swiping my hands along the floor to gather my clothing.

I knew we had little time left, but something like regret settles in my stomach, low and aching. Glancing at Caben as he slips his shirt over his head, I fight my lips as they break into a smile. I wish we had more time—to explore just what is between us—but I won’t regret anything that happened in the hell dimension.

He pulls me up beside him and stares down at me—something unsaid in his eyes. “This will be continued,” he says. Then he ties the string of my pants, kisses my forehead, and takes my hand to lead us into the tunnel.

Bax stands at the front of the master cell, his two hulking guards planted on either side of his muscled arms. He’s wearing a black hooded cape today, and he pulls it back from his head, exposing his pale skin and the silver rings over his eyes.