Bound By Darkness: Eternally Mated Novel Read online

  He hissed.

  It was all the encouragement she required. Sucking the head into her mouth, she swirled her tongue around the crown.

  He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, before lacing his fingers into her hair.

  She worked her way at a slow pace down his shaft then ran her nails over his balls. He snapped back to attention and stared down at her. “Oh, baby you are going to make me blow if you keep that up.”

  She worked him harder because that was her intention. She wanted to make this moment about only him so quickened her pace, giving his balls a light squeeze. Her succubus desire let loose and swirled around the room. He rubbed his thumb across her cheek then came with a fierce roar. She took every drop and continued licking until he pulled her away and looked down at her.

  “You’re a wicked female, but I’m not done yet.” A devilish grin played across his lips and he pulled her to her feet, kissing her as he walked her backwards toward the bed.

  When the back of her knees hit, he broke the kiss and gave her a shove, toppling her to the mattress. In a quick motion, he had her jeans and panties off and his head buried between her thighs. The sensation of his tongue gliding through her folds and across her clit sent shivers racing across her skin. He was relentless in his ministrations, bringing her to the edge several times, only to back off and deny her release.

  She pulled his hair in an attempt to encourage him to give her the orgasm she was so desperate for. He responded by inserting two fingers into her channel and sucking her nub into his mouth. The room tilted as she exploded, and her mind shattered into a million pieces. Thought escaped her as wave after delicious wave caressed her body, and rather than sate her, it only awakened more desire. Lyzander finally moved up her body, kissing every inch as he went, pulled her tee over her head, and tossed it aside. He paid close attention to each nipple, giving them slow wet kisses as he pressed his erection against her sex.

  “Please,” she begged.

  “Please, what?”

  “I need you inside me.” She dug her nails into his hard ass and wiggled under him.

  “She-devil,” he hissed.

  “Stop teasing.”

  He finally gave in to her begging and pressed the head of his cock against her opening, spreading her.

  “Fast or slow?” he asked.

  “Fast and hard.” She threw her arms over her head and met his steel blue gaze. “Take me like you own every inch of me.”

  It was all the encouragement he needed. He thrust hard, stretching her inner walls in a beautiful, burning sensation. He held her wrists firmly to the bed and kissed her. His mouth demanding surrender as he took her and played her body. She gladly surrendered to him. To the beautiful warrior that belonged only to her. With each thrust, he brought her closer to ecstasy and deepened their bond further.

  She dropped off the edge, and together they fell to earth in a shattering orgasm. When they both finally landed, he broke the kiss and gently nibbled her bottom lip, jawline, and up to place a kiss on each eye.

  “I don’t own you, love. It’s you who owns me. My heart belongs to you.”

  “I love you.” She smiled as the words passed her lips, because she had never thought she would be this utterly content in her entire life.

  * * *

  Lyzander lay awake as Kelana slept in his arms. With every peaceful breath she took, he made a vow that he would protect her always. There was no way he was letting her father get his talons into her again. He wasn’t sure of a plan yet, because he knew his mate wanted and deserved her revenge, so he couldn’t take that away from her. There had to be a way to get Malik and keep her safe at the same time.

  He opened his link to the others.

  Anyone awake? Screw them and their sleep, they didn’t need it. Fortunately, replies came back from both Cade and Raze. Ashley was likely busy with her mate.

  We need a plan to lure Malik in while keeping my mate safe.

  Agreed, Cade came back.

  You still letting her have the killing blow? Raze asked.

  I’ve no choice. I can’t take that away from her, and I’m already in deep shit for falling.

  Ah, guys? So, Ashley was monitoring the conversation. I have a simple solution, but I need to speak to Kelana and get her to agree. After all, the Maker did give her the right to choose his punishment. Meet for breakfast at seven sharp.

  The connections were broken, and Lyzander checked his internal clock. Funny how it worked now and hadn’t when he was being held prisoner. By his estimation, he had three hours until they met. He snuggled in closer and allowed sleep to take him, confident his new commander’s solution would be a viable one. After all, she was the Angel of Death, and that female could rip out a soul in a hot minute.

  At six sharp, Lyzander woke, showered, and dressed then got Kelana up and informed her of his previous conversation. As she hurried and showered, he paced the room. When she finally appeared, she stopped to stare at him.

  “You seem jittery.”

  “I’m just worried about you.”

  “I feel fine now. I’m pretty sure I have all my powers back and last night really helped.” She pulled on a pair of jeans, and he grew disappointed at her being clothed.

  “I did notice your power coming back to you while you slept.”

  “Really?” On went her shirt. Dammit.

  “I can sense many things about you.”

  She shoved her fingers through her wet hair. “I’ve noticed that, but I can’t read you the same way. How come?”

  He moved in front of her and placed his hands at her waist. “I’m sorry. I’m used to being closed off, not giving the enemy a chance to break through my defenses.” He dropped his barriers and left himself more vulnerable than he’d ever been, allowed how he really felt about Kelana to come through. Her eyes grew wide as his emotions mingled with hers.

  “I know you’ve said you love me, but to actually feel your emotions, that is... Amazing. Thank you.” She pressed her lips against his in a slow, sensual kiss. “We better get going.”

  When they finally reached the dining area, everyone was already there. Even Tegan and Seph had returned, and the reaper was busy piling bacon on his plate. Lyzander stepped next to him.

  “Think you might want to leave some for the rest of us?”

  Seph gave him a knowing grin. “Maybe you should have gotten here earlier.”

  “I’ll just take some of yours.” Lyzander grabbed a piece of bacon off Seph’s plate and popped it into his mouth. The reaper growled at him, as if Lyzander would really be intimidated.

  “Ashley, Lyzander said you had a plan. I’d love to hear it,” Kelana said from her seat at the table. She was already sipping coffee and had a plate of food in front of her. Lyzander hurried and filled his plate then sat next to her.

  “I do and this is totally up to you.” Ashley wiped a napkin across her lips. “Since your father has fallen, he now falls under my realm. I’ve recently learned that I can command those fallen to come to me.” She gave Lyzander, Cade, and Raze a stern looking over. “I could call him here and hold him while you decide his punishment.”

  “Why didn’t you say this earlier?” Lyzander asked more than a little pissed.

  She focused on Lyzander. “Because he hadn’t fallen until last night. My guess is shortly before Kelana saw him. Apparently, there is a gap of time before I sense those who have decided to do so.” She shrugged. “Sorry, but I’m still learning. Even though you were able to link to me telepathically last night, I only sensed a connection with you three idiots...” Again, her glare was pinned on Cade, Raze, and Lyzander. “Early this morning.”

  “So, what happens exactly if you call him here?” Kelana interrupted.

  “That’s up to you. I can rip his soul from his body and send it to Lulerain. I can send his physical body there as well or simply end his life.” She reached over and touched Kelana’s hand. “Or you can take the blade and end it yourself. Even though he is fa
llen, it still takes a blade forged in the fires of Hell to kill any angel.” She smiled. “I think I know where I can get one. Or two.”

  19

  Kelana studied the food on her plate. She had thought this would be a simple choice for her. Hadn’t she always wanted to shove cold steel into her father’s heart? Somehow, this seemed too easy. How could she have gone from hunting the bastard down, to knowing an angel who would be able to take his life with a flick of her wrist? Did she want him dead? Or was an eternity of suffering more in line of what he deserved? In her heart, she wanted answers from him more than anything. To know why he did it.

  “Can you contain him? I have questions that need answers.”

  “This place is equipped with a dungeon that strips any being of their power once they enter their cell.” Ashley leaned closer. “Your father made a fatal mistake by falling. He now belongs to me. But I doubt he realizes it yet.”

  Kelana was beginning to really like this woman. She looked like the pretty girl next door all the boys wanted to date, but she seemed to embrace her new position. Kelana supposed being the Angel of Death wasn’t an easy job, and from what Lyzander had told her of Ashley’s history, her human life had been torture. Kelana took in a calming breath.

  “Call him. I will decide his punishment after I speak to him.”

  Ashley nodded. “What about these three?”

  Everyone looked at Cade, Lyzander, and Raze, but Kelana focused on the two men across from her. “I can understand why Lyzander would forsake everything for me, but what the two of you did... It simply blows my mind. What you’ve given up is more punishment than I could ever give you. I understand now who was truly behind the murder of my family. We were all my father’s victims.” A new well of hatred opened for the man who sired her. “I only ask that you guys don’t go all rogue, or I will take your asses out.”

  Both men smiled.

  “We are forever in your debt,” Raze said, and Cade nodded in agreement.

  “I think we can call it even,” Kelana replied. What must it be like to sacrifice everything you are? She couldn’t even begin to imagine.

  Everyone quieted to finish their breakfast, and Kelana started thinking about her father. Would driving a blade into his heart make her feel any better? She was willing to find out.

  “How soon can we get this done and over with?”

  “Anytime you’re ready,” Ashley replied. “How’s now?”

  “Fine. Do it.” Kelana watched as Ashley closed her eyes and her lips moved, but no audible words came out. The angel wrinkled her nose and then her lids snapped open.

  “Something’s wrong. He’s here, but not in the cell,” Ashley said and started out of the room. Everyone jumped to their feet and followed her.

  “What do you mean, babe?” Eli asked. Concern etched on his face.

  “He’s outside.” Ashley stormed out the front door with everyone on her tail, and Kelana ran to catch up to her. Several guards fell in behind them, and then Kelana caught a glimpse of her father.

  The fallen angel was flanked by at least five other fallen and several demons. This didn’t look good, but the angel next to her, who had been nicknamed Death, had earned it for a reason. Certainly, she could contain these goons.

  “How dare you summon me,” her father growled, and Ashley bristled next to her but remained confident.

  “You may have avoided my dungeon, but I see you couldn’t stay away.” Ashley smiled. “I will allow those next to you to walk away without punishment, but they have ten seconds to do so.”

  Malik laughed. “You really want to test my power? You may be Death, but I have been around far longer than you have. I’ve seen your kind come and go in the blink of my eye. You are nothing more than a nuisance. A speck on my boot.”

  Ashley’s fingers touched Kelana’s hand. Take my hand. She interjected into Kelana’s mind and the instant Kelana obeyed, power ripped through her body. She would have stumbled backward had Lyzander not stepped next to her and placed his hand on her back.

  Holy shit! What did you just do to me?

  I have a connection to all demons, and I just infused you with my power. I’m not sure how long it will last, so make your choice quickly. Send him to purgatory or kill him.

  She doesn’t have the blade. Lyzander jumped into their mental conversation.

  Kelana doesn’t need it now. She has my power to take his soul but needs to suppress her angel and let her demon run this show.

  Could this be so easy? Kelana broke free from Ashley and Lyzander and started to walk to her father. She was still unsure of what she wanted to do as she stopped in front of him and tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

  “Daughter, have you come to give yourself up?”

  “I have questions.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Ask away. In the end it won’t matter, you’ll still be dead.”

  Boy, he was a confident bastard, and perhaps he was right. “Why did you have my mother killed?”

  He smiled and Kelana caught a glimpse of the handsome man he might have been. Understood what her mother had seen in him so long ago. “I will admit your mother was stunning, and the minute I laid eyes on her I wanted her for myself.” His features hardened. “It wasn’t until much later in our relationship that I discovered she was part succubus. I would have killed her then except she begged my forgiveness. I agreed only if she disappeared and never spoke of it to anyone.”

  Kelana swallowed her emotions and fought to keep a clear head.

  “She kept her word for a time, but your mother loved fucking humans and couldn’t stay away. She made the mistake of bringing you into the human world, and it wasn’t long after that I discovered you.” He leaned closer to Kelana. “Your mother was a whore, but I might have let her live for breaking her promise. I understand your kind has no control over your desires. But I couldn’t allow my daughter to take another breath.”

  White-hot anger, mingled with rejection, fought for dominance, but again she shoved them away.

  “I had hoped my angels would kill you first while your mother watched, but they––” his gaze flashed to Lyzander, Cade, and then Raze. “Fucked that job up.”

  “You had no right.” Her voice cracked and before any more feelings could bombard her, she stepped into him and placed her hand on his chest. Instinct flowed through her as she reached inside him, searching for his mind. She had to see for herself the depths he had plunged to. At first, he didn’t fight her but allowed her access. Years of his sinful deeds replayed like movies in her mind. Once he had probably been good, but it was so far into his past she couldn’t see it. He began to resist her and tried to reverse her hold on him and use it against her.

  Clashing metal rang in her ears and glimpses of battle filtered into her peripheral vision. She realized the others were fighting all around them but could do nothing to help. His hold on her mind began to squeeze and sweat, or was it blood trickling from her nose? She dug deeper into his mind, looking for any redeeming quality.

  “I will destroy you,” he whispered and pain shot through her temples. They played a tug of war, and she felt herself slipping away. Her mind stuck in a vice, her body weakening.

  Kelana, sugar don’t you dare give up on me. Either break free or I will kill him myself. I will not lose you.

  She grabbed onto the voice in her head. The one who promised her a future of peace and love and found the last bit of strength she had left. Cold metal filled her palm, and she clenched her jaw as she commanded her muscles to move, but her nerves misfired, and instead her arm shook. Her father was stronger. Even with the boost of power from Ashley, she was failing.

  He was going to keep his promise. Her father was going to kill her.

  * * *

  Lyzander took out the demons coming at him with ease, but they just wouldn’t stop. The bastards must have been hiding, waiting to ambush. He swung his blade to and fro, whacking heads as if they were weeds in an effort to get to his mate. He f
elt her slipping away from him and panic welled in his gut. He built a wall around it. Reminding himself that even though he was fallen, he was still a warrior. He fell back into his training, brought forth the cold-blooded killer, and this time it was tinged with a darker side. Evil that seduced him and made sweet promises, which tempted him. He allowed it to creep in. Embraced the changes in his body as this new mistress sank her claws into his skin, and he liked how it felt. His muscles took on a new life as the darkness swept over him.

  He stood on the cliff. One foot dangled mid-air as he fought and tried to keep his balance between light and dark.

  Lyzander was a fallen warrior in Hell’s realm, and he only needed to find the power here that awaited him.

  You go rogue and I will be forced to kill you. Ashley whispered in his mind. But dammit, I can’t take Malik out or I risk Kelana too.

  His choice was clear. I have to save my mate. Then he stepped over the edge. Black power filled him, and he unleashed it, sending a shock wave across the ground. Bodies fell, both friend and enemy. It knew no distinction, only that his mate was dying, and he was desperate to get her away from the source of her distress. Snuff out what hurt her.

  A black funnel began to swirl around Kelana and Malik. It had a heartbeat of its own and was born from the power of the father and daughter who struggled to kill each other. Lyzander tried to step into it and reach his mate, but he was tossed backward like a rag doll.

  He leapt back to his feet more determined and dug deeper into his own bag of tricks.

  Lightning ripped through the sky, which had turned as black as coal from the battle of good and evil. The ground began to rumble. Cracks formed and opened, swallowing demons. Screams of pain filled the air, and the vultures of this world swarmed in to pick at those who were too weak to defend themselves.

  Kelana grew weaker, her grip on the blade of death loosened. Again, Lyzander rushed toward her, but this time he built a wall of darkness around him and broke through the barrier that threatened to keep him away from the female he loved. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, bringing his lips to her ear.