Forty-Eight
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Logan
H er nails dug into my chest as she rode me hard and fast, a feverish
pitch to her rhythm as her hips rocked against me. My hands stayed
above my head as she’d asked. Hands clenched to the mattress edge.
I knew she needed control after having none for so long, and I gladly gave it to her. She could have the very soul from my body if she asked. I tried to keep my hips still, struggling not to push up into her, but it was growing increasingly difficult. Every muscle in my body begged me to fuck her. Not yet, not yet. She leaned back, gripping my thighs as she bucked faster
against me.
“Logan, baby, touch me, touch me.”
My body exploded into action. Her permission was all I needed. I sat up, driving my cock deep, eliciting a harsh scream from her. Oh, thank the gods. My hands cupped her ass, lifting and slamming her back down to meet my thrust. My mouth captured hers, tasting her cries of passion. Her hands caressed the back of my neck, pulling me closer.
I felt her clench around my cock as I dragged my mouth from hers, damn near screaming myself.
“Come with me, baby,” I groaned, the words pouring from my lips before reaching between us.
A single brush of my thumb along her clit and Neverra’s body shook, her head falling back, as she chanted my name. Her back arched as her orgasm ripped through her. The bite of her nails into my shoulders made me groan, her pussy clenching so hard around me I damn near saw stars.
We collapsed, still entangled in one another. I wrapped my arms tight around her, afraid if I let go, this would be just another dream, and I would
wake up alone. I knew she felt the same when she tucked herself closer.
I kissed her sweat-drenched forehead, eyelids, cheeks, and back again.
“I missed you. I missed you. I missed you.”
She snuggled closer, burying her head into the curve of my neck, and I heard her sniffle. “I missed you, too.”
It was quiet for a long moment, both of us trying to convince ourselves that this was real. It had been a few days since we’d returned. We had stayed up here, barely taking the time to eat or sleep, just being with each other and reconnecting in every way possible. No one bothered us. I doubted they would until we came downstairs. Not that I had any urge to leave this room. No, I wanted to take her, leave, and never return. That part scared me. I would never abandon my family, but I couldn’t endure that again. The thought of losing her had damn near destroyed me.
Her legs wrapped around me tighter, and she pressed a kiss to my neck, her hands roaming across my back.
“What are you thinking? Your heart is racing.”
“Running away and never coming back.”
Neverra looked up at me, brushing her lips along my jaw, her breath soft and warm against my skin. “Logan.”
“It’s been so bad, Nev. So bad.” I felt the tears prick my eyes, and I finally let them fall. Her fingers caressed my cheeks, wiping them away. “I swear we’re losing Samkiel. Dianna has been on the warpath. Not that I blame her, but I think she was the only thing that made him less catatonic.
We have no leads. The mortal ambassadors need coddling like children. I have this sick feeling that whatever is about to happen is only the beginning, and above all that, I lost you.”
Neverra cupped my face and kissed me. She pulled back just enough to whisper, “You didn’t lose me. I’m right here.” She placed a kiss on my forehead, then my lips, whispering against them, “We will never be apart again. I promise.”
I cupped the back of her head, my hand fisting in her hair as I deepened the kiss. My cock hardened again, and I flipped us, hovering above her for a moment before thrusting deep. I needed to claim her once more. “You’re whole, and you’re safe, and you’re here, and you’re mine.”
Her nails dragged down my back as I thrust again. “Yes, yes, yes.”
A fter a few more hours of being lost in each other , we took a shower and decided it was time for us to leave the room. Regardless of how much I wanted to lock Neverra away and keep her to myself, I knew the others were waiting to hear exactly where she had been and what she had seen.
We walked toward the meeting hall, and Neverra gripped my hand. I could hear the others talking, and I squeezed her hand before pushing the door open. The room fell silent, all eyes locking on Neverra.
“About time!” Cameron yelled as he stood and rushed over. He grabbed Neverra in his powerful arms, ripping her hand from mine. She laughed as he placed a kiss on her cheek and spun her.
“I missed you so much. I don’t even care that you smell like Logan’s—”
“Hey!” I snapped as he set her to her feet.
She barely got a breath in before the others rushed over. Their joy and relief at having her back were nearly overwhelming. I saw the tears Neverra and Imogen wiped away as they pulled back from their embrace. After her, they turned toward me, embracing me as if they had been just as worried about me. I returned it and even laughed when Cameron swore he’d kill me personally if I left him.
“I missed you all,” Neverra whispered, her smile tear-soaked.
Samkiel, worn and looking beyond exhausted, approached, and the
others parted to make way for him.
“Neverra.”
Her voice broke. “Hey, boss.”
I expected him to start immediately questioning her, gathering information. I thought he might ask how she was at most, but I never expected what he did next. Samkiel studied her face, and then he hugged her tightly, his massive arms swallowing her small frame.
Neverra laughed, caught off guard, but the sound turned into soft sobs.
She leaned into him, accepting the safety and comfort he offered. We all stood frozen, everyone in the room shocked. Samkiel, although he risked his life for us, was never affectionate. He didn’t say the words ‘I love you’
to anyone. He hadn’t truly hugged anyone since his mom died. Yet, here he was, holding Neverra like he’d lost a part of himself when she’d disappeared, and I suppose, in a way, he had.
“I missed you too,” she whispered when he pulled back enough to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.
She glanced at me before nodding. “Yes. I’m okay.”
“Good,” Samkiel said and stepped back.
Neverra returned to my side and wrapped her arm around me, leaning against my side.
Samkiel glared at me, anger born of fear moving behind his eyes. “That was completely reckless. You understand that?”
I nodded.
“You could have died.”
“I know, but she is worth it. You knew I wouldn’t stop or rest until I found her, regardless of rules and obligations. I know to disobey orders is an act of treason amongst us, and if you—”
“I am glad you are okay,” he said, cutting me off. This time it was my turn to be shocked as he embraced me next in a hug. I smiled against his broad shoulder as he squeezed once then let me go. And just like that, it was over. He turned and strode back into the main room. Everyone took a deep breath and followed.
Imogen linked her arm with Neverra’s on her free side, just like old times. She leaned her head against Neverra’s shoulder, whispering, “Ugh, I missed you so much. You left me here with Cameron and Xavier. I almost didn’t survive.”
“Hey! I heard that, Imogen!” Cameron yelled.
Neverra laughed, and I could feel her relax with the normalcy of the exchange.
Inside the conference room, boxes were stacked against the walls, some still open and half-packed with books, scrolls, and papers.
“Are we leaving?” I asked.
“Yes,” Samkiel said, taking a seat at the head of the table. “But first, I have questions. I need to write this down, but we will keep it to ourselves.
Is that clear?”
We nodded, and Neverra took the seat closest to Samkiel. We all sat as he opened a large folder and grabbed a pen before looking at us.
“Haldnunen is dead.”
A hush fell across the room, and Cameron released a small whistle.
“You killed a King of Yejedin?” Samkiel almost dropped his pen.
“No, Dianna did.” I sat up straighter. “You should have seen it, seen her.
She moves like you, Samkiel, but she is deadlier. What all have you taught her?”
His throat bobbed, but I saw the look of pride cross his features. He was proud of her, even if he believed it was reckless. “Not a lot. I only perfected what she already knew.”
No one said anything, as if shock was the only thing they could master.
Not even Cameron could muster words.
Samkiel looked at Neverra, and his tone gentled. “I am going to ask you questions, but if it is too much for you at any time, we can stop.
Understood?”
Nev nodded, but I felt her hand on my thigh. I placed mine over hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I knew she needed the connection to remind her she was real, this was real and we were all here.
“What can you tell me about where you were? What happened?”
Neverra sighed and gripped my thigh tighter but said, “It was just a normal day. Gabriella was growing restless, stuck in the penthouse. Logan had left with you, so we decided to have some fun. We would have breakfast, get those fruity little drinks that fizz, and see Rick. I know I shouldn’t have, but I had snuck him over a few times so they could hang out, and this time was no different. With Dianna gone and busy, I think she was just lonely. Anyway, we were getting ready and singing this song she was obsessed with. Then, there was a knock at the door, and I went to answer it. I didn’t even know who he was, but I knew from his energy that he was a vampire. He said his name was Drake and that you’d sent him.”
I watched a vein throb in Samkiel’s temple, and he folded his hands across his lips. I had seen him make that face before, and I remembered how the creature who had caused it lost its head. Rage, pure rage, and I could feel it coming off him in waves.
“I barely had the door opened before Gabriella rushed forward and hugged him. They were old friends, or so I thought. He told us where you and Dianna were and what had happened. We told him where we were going, but something felt off. I tried to ignore it. I thought you had sent him.
Gabby knew him and seemed to care for him. I trusted it….”
Neverra stopped and closed her eyes, swallowing hard. Her hand clenched on my thigh, and her entire body shook as she tried to control her emotions.
“Neverra, do you need a break?” Samkiel asked, and I had never respected or loved him so much.
Neverra shook her head and took a couple of deep breaths. Then, she opened her eyes and cleared her throat before continuing. “We left together and met Rick at the coffee shop. We were in line, chatting as we waited to order. I didn’t sense or hear him, but suddenly, Kaden was there. It happened so fast, too fast. I woke up in chains in Yejedin. Gabriella was chained next to me, and she was crying. Rick lay on the floor a few feet from us. He was dead, marks and scratches covering his body as if he’d fought.”
I squeezed Neverra’s hand, our bond rousing with her distress.
“We were down there for a while, just us two. I tried comforting her, but she was lost in grief about Rick and only cared about Dianna and me. She was sweet. I tried everything I could think of to keep her distracted and calm while we sat and waited. The truth is, she helped me as much as I did her, but that was just Gabby. She was good to her core. We were down there for hours, maybe a day? I couldn’t tell.”
Neverra stopped and sniffled, reaching up to wipe at her face.
“That’s enough for today, Neverra.” Samkiel had stopped writing and started to close the book, clearly not wanting to upset her more.
Neverra reached out and stopped him. “No, you need to know. I need to say it, and you need to write it down.”
She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. I poured strength through our bond, letting her feel my love surrounding her.
“Kaden came. I thought he would take me too, but he only took her. She never came back, and I knew the worst had happened. Yejedin shook, Samkiel. It shook, and it wasn’t Kaden. I know that with my whole heart. I know it sounds crazy, but I swear I heard Dianna scream, and then something shifted in Yejedin. The creatures watching me felt it, too. They seemed nervous and scared. I sat down there for I don’t know how long.
They brought me food, but I refused it until I couldn’t any longer. I remember hearing what sounded like machines. It sounded like a metal factory, and I could smell iron and blood in the air. Some days it was so hot
I expected lava to fill the cell. I don’t know what he is making. I never got a look, but from what I heard and felt, it sounded like there was a lot of it.”
“She’s right,” I cut in. “There were so many weapons, and if Kaden is creating them for an army, they outnumber us, even with all the people on Onuna.”
Samkiel shifted in his seat, and the chair groaned beneath him. “Okay.”
Neverra squeezed my hand. “He’s heartless, Samkiel. I mean that with my whole being. He feels no remorse for what he has planned and doesn’t care about who is in his way. Kaden only cares about her. He will come for Dianna. I heard them talking about how they need her for something. I can’t remember what they called it, but I think it started with an E? I don’t know.
It was so loud with all the machines and the creatures there.”
I rubbed my hand over the small of her back in a small act of comfort.
“Thank you, Neverra,” Samkiel said, closing the book and standing.
Neverra nodded and took a shuddering breath. The rest of us got to our feet to stand with him.
“We will return to the Council of Hadrameil, where we will remain.
Anything spoken here is not to be repeated. I will be the spearhead when speaking to the council and relaying all that has taken place. Understood?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good. I need you all to pack. Vincent will have his team take over Silver City while we are away. I have already lifted the curfew and ban, given that the threats, for the most part, have been eliminated—”
“Where is she? Dianna?” Neverra asked. “How is she?”
Samkiel stopped mid-speech and lowered his head slightly.
“She is, umm, in modern terms, healing. She’s still asleep.”
“Still?”
“Yes.” He glanced at us, his lips twitching just a bit. “It has been over a week since you all returned.”
Cameron shot me a wicked look. I shook my head and gave him my best hard stare. Xavier snickered.
“A week?” Neverra squeaked. “Why didn’t you tell us or come get us? I would have helped sooner.”
“You and Logan have already helped enough. Besides, your time together is more important given the circumstances.”
“I want to see her. I need to tell her something.”
Samkiel seemed almost hesitant to oblige but finally nodded. “Perhaps when she wakes.”
Neverra nodded, and that was that. We all filed out of the room behind him, Neverra reaching for my hand again. I noticed how the others kept an eye on her, as if they, too, were afraid she would slip away if we blinked.
“Are you hungry?” I whispered to her.
“Gods, yes.”
My smile reached my ears. I called after the others, “We’re going to get something to eat. We will meet you all there.”
They nodded and waved, continuing to follow after Samkiel.
Once out of sight and halfway to our room, I asked her, “What do you need to tell Dianna?”
Neverra glanced at her hands, and I could feel the sorrow eating at her through our bond. “Just a message her sister left.”
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