She wanted him, and so she would have him. If Laban truly did reside inside Roux’s head, they could search for a way to free him and help his spirit move on to the afterlife. It was the right thing to do, yes? Unless Laban wished to stay there and have some sort of contact with his family?
Ugh. That part still required contemplation.
And what if Roux desired Blythe only because of her first consort’s presence, somehow tapping into Laban’s emotions and experiencing them himself?Will I lose him, too?
A worry for tomorrow. First up, getting her male home. No doubt he’d find a way on his own. The guy was an unstoppable force of nature. But why not help him for once? As harpies like to say, couples who slayed together stayed together. They could take care of vengeful wraiths, a (possibly) recovered Phoenix, and whatever had roared.
“Are you going back to kill him?” Isla asked, her brow wrinkled.
How to explain? Should she even try right now? “We’ll discuss my plans for him later. Here’s what we’re gonna do now,” she said, exploding to her feet and rushing about to grab what she needed. Isla’s key. Bag. Her own clothes. Favorite toiletries. Weapons. “I’m flashing to Ation.” Since she’d visited already, she didn’t need another door to facilitate her arrival. Only her departure. “You’ll stay here. Tell Aunt Taliyah what happened. She’ll supply you with a phantom feast tonight.” An assembly line of powerful immortals would strengthen the girl like never before. “In the morning, if I haven’t returned, you’ll open another door. Under no circumstances are you to speak with...Bus again. He’s a very bad man who harmed Mommy.”
“Oh.” Isla narrowed her eyes. “He didn’t tell me that part.”
“He’s crafty. He fooled me, too.” Again, Blythe crouched before her daughter and hugged her close. “I love you with all my heart. You know that, yes?”
“I do. I love you, too.”
“When I get back, we’ll chat about everything that’s happened. I’ll explain in detail. All right? Go on now. Do as you were told.”
Isla hugged her a second time before rushing from the room. Tears burned Blythe’s eyes. She stood, anchored the bag to her shoulder and breathed deep.To Ation we go.She flashed to the palace—a searing wind enveloped her. What the—what?
The palace was in rubble, and she balanced upon the remains. Cracks forked through the land, flames shooting forth. If Carrigan revived, she’d have to dig her way out. One threat eliminated at least. But for good or for a short time?
Blythe cast her gaze farther out. Smoke blackened the sky and tainted her inhalations. The only light came from multiple fires. Flames all around. Every silo a heap of stone and lumber.
A roar ripped through the darkness, and she detected as much pain and fury in the undertone. Battling Roux?
She flashed closer to the source, in the direction of Wraith Island. There! On the beach, in a haze of fire and smoke, Roux brutally murdered a dragon. The massive creature flopped to the ground, alongside four others.
Her heart beat with more force. Though she stood hundreds of yards away on moss-covered stones, the Astra heard the erratic drum. He must have. His head snapped up, his crimson eyes lasering to her. He was panting, splattered with blood, and so sexy she felt gobsmacked. His clothes were singed, his skin streaked with soot.
Onyx water stretched out behind him. On the island itself, the palace blazed like a bonfire. No sign of the wraiths.
Between one blink and the next, Roux appeared before her, a looming tower of menace. “You came back for me.”
“I planned to tag team any threats with you, but I see you’ve finished the game on your own.” She dropped the bag and threw her arms around him. “Let’s celebrate your victory.”
He dipped down to kiss the hollow of her neck where the ruby once resided. Voice throaty, he said, “You forgave me for our past.” The menace got replaced by raw savagery.
“I have.” She smiled at him. “We can’t go back and change our beginning, but we can start fresh and change our ending.”
“Yes.” He slammed his mouth to hers and tangled their tongues together. A ruthless claiming. This man owned her mouth.
Driven by desire, she yanked at his clothes. He shredded hers and drove her to the carpeted stone. They devoured each other. Clutched and kneaded. As his white-hot palms covered her with stardust, preparing her body for his invasion, a frenzy quickly took hold of them both.
“More,” she commanded. “Give me more. All. Everything.”
“You are mine. Understand? Mine!” He gripped her chin and captured her gaze. “Want me,” he demanded harshly. An order he clearly expected her to obey. “Only me.”
Stripped of all artifice, she offered a hoarse, honest response. “With every fiber of my being.”
“Never letting you go. Keeping you forever.”
“Always.”
He bared his teeth as though she’d dared to protest. “Woe to anyone who tries to take you away from me.”
Too intense! Too good! All-consuming. He kissed her again and slowly worked his way inside her. Sweat dotted brutal features tight with strain. Their exhalations mingled until they inhaled the other’s ragged breaths.