First And Last

chapter Twelve



The second we stepped back into the Otherworld, we were bombarded in the Foyer.

Quinney, Tyde, Azar and Misa babbled quickly. Ryker had Sabi wrapped in his arms. Obviously, she had another vision—being that she appeared utterly drained. Haven and Finn asked questions continually, and Kyden stood off to the side, arms crossed, smiling sultrily.

“Well, hello to you,” I said through the loudness that surrounded me. Everyone went quiet.

Zia chuckled. “That’s a bit better, I should say.”

“Come on.” I waved everyone on as I started toward the Council Hall. “Let’s get everyone together so we don’t have to go through this a thousand times.”

When we stepped into the Council’s Hall, Talon, Zade and Brax sat in their throne chairs. Then, like on cue, the chatter started all over again. But, one voice clearly broke through.

“I need you,” Kyden’s voice purred in my mind.

Zia’s gaze immediately fell to him, then me, and she winked. I slammed up my shield quickly to keep her out. Some things she just didn’t need to hear, and I was only too happy that at times like this I could keep my mind private.

“I want to enjoy every square…”

Haven tapped her foot impatiently, and kept repeating, “So, tell us, what happened?”

As much as I tried to ignore Kyden, I shivered slightly, the heat of his words poured through me. No one ever mentioned this part of the bond. Apparently, after a long separation, once you were reunited, the need to join would overwhelm. Focus became a challenge.

“Mammon has taken over the Underworld.” Quinney said,

“We came immediately,” Misa called out.

Ryker’s voice was slightly louder than the rest. “Sabi had a vision, but we couldn’t get to you in time. Another Demon has been summoned.”

“I want to spread your legs…”

Oh, Jesus!

“Quiet!” I exclaimed. “All of you.” I glanced at Kyden and gave him a stern look. “You, too.”

He responded with a smile that was purely sexual, which sent a blast of desire to steal my breath. Good God, the man could undo me with a simple look.

The voices around me finally quieted.

I cleared my throat, demanded my body to give it a rest. “Ryker, thanks for trying to get to us in time.” He nodded at the acknowledgment. Then, I glanced to Sabi. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Just tired.” She looked it too, the visions always felt so weak. Good thing I could fix that. I stepped forward, took her hand and gave her a blast of Spirit to revive her. In an instant, color returned to her face.

With that out of the way, I looked at Quinney. “Now then, what was that you said?” “Mammon has summoned Asmodeus, the second Demon Lord.”

I pointed at Sabi. “Yeah, old news, but thanks for the warning.”

Quinney gave an appreciative nod and continue, “They have returned to the Underworld and taken it over.” She gave me a meaningful look. “All have sworn allegiance to them.”

Big surprise there.

“We came immediately,” Misa repeated herself.

“I want to feel you wrapped around…”

My cheeks flushed. Dear God! My body trembled and everything else quivered in response too. Heat built in places that should remain cold when surrounded by this many people.

Tyde gave me a curious look. “Is everything all right, Nexi?”

“I’m fine,” I answered, gave a wave of my hand to dismiss him. No, I didn’t need them all to know this. Moving along was the only way I was going to get through this. “So, Mammon is powerful again?”

Tyde nodded. “Extremely. He appears almost fully restored. The second we saw him, we knew exactly what happened, so before we had to swear allegiance to him, we came here quickly.”

“Asmodeus is still very weak, but it won’t take long. I have a suspicion that they will all soon return.” Quinney added.

She was right on the marker.

“We appreciate your loyalty to us.” Kyden said, no hint of desire in his tone. How in the hell did he do that? To me, he said, “Feel you warm, wet…”

I exhaled a deep breath as my entire body warmed with a need that was uncontrollable. I squeezed my thighs together, prayed I didn’t do something very embarrassing here.

“Have you discovered anything in the Diabolous Somes?” Azar asked.

I could barely speak. My stomach clenched with a wild hunger to be with Kyden.

“She has found something, yes, but we also have just discovered how to stop this.” Zia responded for me.

Bless her heart for saying something. There was just no way in hell I could answer anything right now. My throat felt tight, my mind centered on the throb between my legs.

“What has taken place?” Talon asked.

Zia explained the past events as Kyden continued to whisper enticing words to me. By the end of it, I could barely even stand, even squirmed a little. Haven eyeballed me as if I was out of my mind. Obviously, hearing of this crazy shit shouldn’t be arousing.

After Zia finished, Talon asked, “We need to do what?”

Zia nodded grimly. “You didn’t mistake what I said. Ember instructed us to let Mammon summon all the Demon Lords. It’s the only way to send them back to the Realm of the Dead and close it. They need to be together to do it, since that’s the way they entered the realm.”

“Rubbing along…”

I shivered, tried everything to keep my focus on Zia. I couldn’t look at Kyden. My control barely hung on, and if I met those light green eyes, I’d be a goner.

“But if we allow that, human lives will be taken.” Haven squeaked.

“I know that, but we don’t really have a choice, now do we?” I was horrified to note that my voice came out husky and deep.

Everyone’s gaze flashed to mine, clearly not understanding the tone of my voice. I smiled, embarrassed, and gave a nervous laugh.

Haven leaned forward and whispered, “Um, are you okay?”

I nodded. My face burned, red heat blasted my cheeks. Suddenly, it became quite apparent that I had been rubbing my thighs together. In front of everyone, too.

Dear God!

“Mmm…your body needs me…”

I forced myself to stop moving about, focused on my shield harder. I wanted, needed, to keep Kyden out. I put everything I had into it, held it firm.

“Craves and wants me…”

Shit! It didn’t work. I couldn’t block him out.

Everyone looked at me as if I was right off my rocker, as my breath became pants. Not only was this deathly embarrassing, but seriously, the desire running through me was unbearable and completely uncontrollable.

“Just continue,” I said urgently, desperate to think of something else.

Thankfully, Zade listened. “I suppose we don’t have a choice here. If it will ensure the Demon Lords will never return, this has to be done. We have a responsibility to finish this.”

“My cock begs for you…”

That was it. Without thought, I snapped my gaze toward Kyden, the desire that I had been trying to keep at bay flooded me. He looked equal parts amused and aroused. Unable to stop myself, I ran toward him. He picked me up, grasped me tight, and leveled me with a kiss that was desire at its best. He began to walk, the air breezed past as he hurried out of the Council’s Hall.

Talon cleared his throat. “Kyden…”

Kyden growled in response, never stopped our departure or kissing me.

A few minutes later, a door slammed and before I knew it, I was sprawled upon our bed. He drew away from my lips with an expression that left me breathless, tore off his kilt, while I removed my shorts.

Instantly, he was on me. He grasped my hips, raised my ass off the bed and impaled me with fierce determination. I screamed out at the intensity of it, the intrusion of such hardness forcing its way into my body.

Separation from each other caused his body to respond with full-blown need. The meaning of the word woody came with a whole new understanding. This wasn’t meant to be lovemaking, but to release the tension he’d suffered from our separation. His need to have my body sailed through me and soared through our bond. I felt it just as strong, my body so ready for him and eager to find its release.

His thrusts were rough and fast. The hardness within me almost hurt with the pleasure it gave. I gripped his flanks as he demolished me with his body. His gaze stayed glued on me, intense and completely focused on staking his claim. The heavy weight that slammed against me forced screams from my throat that illustrated just how incredible this was.

Within minutes, his grunts had deepened and I was on the brink of eternal glory. He gripped my shoulders, using that advantage to gain speed. And he gave it.

Thrusts that showed his strength, proved just how powerful he was. My body responded completely and I screamed louder to urge him on. So close, almost there. My entire body tensed.

After a hard thrust, he grabbed onto my legs and put them over his shoulders. The angle was an instant rush to my senses. He was in so deep, right to my very core and I could feel it all throughout my body. He placed his hands next to me on the bed and angled me up further, so he could fill me as much as he could. My eyes went wide as “oh shit” echoed from my mouth.

He grinned devilishly and my body squeezed around him, responded to just how sexy I found that smile. Then, he leveled me with hard thrusts that no woman should be able to survive, yet I begged for more. My screams, his deep grunts, settled through the room. He angled me even more and it was just the spot. “Don’t stop…oh God…”

Kyden growled as my body went into full spasms around him. His thrusts increased in speed and that was all it took. I screamed, he roared, and we both got lost in our own surrenders.

Before I could even remember my own name, a hiss came beside my head. I glanced over to find Willow glaring at us. “Next time you two decide to treat each others’ bodies like a battering ram, would you mind letting me know so I can move. Now get off, you’re on my tail.”

“Oh, shit! Sorry Willow, I didn’t know you were under there.” I lifted my back and she jumped off the bed and hissed at us.

We both chuckled.

“The bond, the need to have you so intensely was not something I expected.” Kyden jumped off the bed and reached for me. “But we have more important matters to get back to.”

I laughed. “Really? Sex in the middle of this isn’t important?”

“Not that it isn’t important—having you will always top my priority list—but as Talon once told us, getting our rocks off should be done at more appropriate times.”

That made me act and act quickly. Talon was going to be pissed. Kyden and I were known for one thing, our lack of control. Facing the Devil actually appealed to me more right now than what I’d face when we saw Talon again.

I quickly got dressed and was out the door only a minute later. As we headed down the hall towards the foyer, I glanced at Kyden. “This is going to be embarrassing, you do realize that everyone knows we just…you know.”

He winked, but said nothing. Classic Kyden, ashamed of nothing, and would never apologize for his needs.

When we stepped through the Council’s Hall, I expected Talon to be angry. He knew our control lacked when it came to each other, and it pissed him off more than once, when we acted on our impulses at inappropriate times. This was clearly an inappropriate time. But I was surprised when I met Talon’s gaze, he looked far from upset. In fact, he looked amused.

“Sorry about that,” I said, flustered.

Talon waved it away and smiled. “You’re newly bonded. It is to be expected.”

Phew!

Misa cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we do have pressing matters here.”

“Right. Back to business.”

Azar continued if we hadn’t just left. “It won’t take long before Mammon summons them all and their strength is restored.”

“Not long like what, a day, a week…what?” I asked.

“A few nights.”

I sighed very, very, deeply, and glanced at Kyden. “We have our work cut out for us with this one.”

He nodded grimly and glanced at Quinney. “If it wouldn’t be any trouble, I was curious if you assist me to test the shield Nexi provides to me.”

Quinney’s brows rose in surprise. “You want me to attack you?”

Dammit! I was hoping he forgot about that little test he had in his mind. Not that I didn’t want him by me through this, I did. I just didn’t like the idea of him being attacked, and having to watch it. It came with mixed feelings.

In response, Kyden took my hand in his and squeezed it. “I trust you will deal with this, but it’s important I’m there with you. I…”

He was being sweet, trying to be supportive and not his usual overbearing self. I gave him a little kiss for that. “I want you there. I need you there,” I told him truthfully. I just didn’t like the idea of this test. Watch while he is attacked unsettled me.

“Good.” He said with a firm nod, then turned toward Quinney. “Let’s do this.”

Finn piped up. “Time for us to go, Haven.”

“I’m not leaving.” Haven griped.

My gaze fell to hers and she was giving Finn a stare down. It made me giggle. Haven is very soft, all the time, but this pregnancy was giving her an edge I hadn’t seen before. She looked so determined. So pissed off.

Finn gave her a hard look. “It will not be safe for you here.”

“Stop treating me like that,” Haven retorted. “I’m fine. I’m not breakable, you know.”

“That is my youngling that rests in you. Mine to protect.” Finn’s voice came stern. “That is the end of it.”

Haven scowled and complete anger filled her and ran through my blood then grew beyond measure. “Haven…no.” She didn’t hear me as rage consumed her. Finn’s eyes went wide just before she slapped him across the cheek.

I instantly burst out laughing. Who knew she had that kind of strength. She was so tiny, so not usually a physical type of person. Yes, I resorted to violence when my anger overtook me but she never acted like this.

“I told you to stop bossing me around, you big bully.”

Without any hint of warning, she bent down and touched the ground, blasted him with her magic. To my utter shock, she moved the ground beneath him. He bounced around like a basketball, then went sailing through the air to crash against the wall—hard.

My smile vanished.

“Bloody hell, Haven,” Kyden shouted. “What have you done?”

“What does it look like I’ve done?” she replied, quite proud of herself. “Big lug got what he deserved.”

I ran over to Finn, who still hadn’t moved. I nudged him a little and gave him a shake, but he still didn’t move. “Haven, you knocked him out cold.”

She nodded, unconcerned. “Being bossy—I warned him to stop doing that to me.”

I laughed, unable to stop myself. This was so not funny, but then again, it kind of was. I reached out and gave Finn a jolt of Spirit to revive him.

Instantly, he jumped to his feet and scowled at her.

Haven’s loud shout echoed through the room, “Don’t ever do that again.” With that, she stomped off.

Finn followed behind, more pissed than I’d ever seen him. Couldn’t really blame him there. Good grief, she’d become Haven the Avenger.

Sabi interrupted my laughter. “I’m not needed anymore then, right?”

“There’s no point for you to warn us of the summoning rituals, but you’ll need to let Nexi know once the demons have all regained their strength.” Quinney answered.

“That, I can do.” She took Ryker’s hand and they left, too.

“The Demon Lords will plot against you,” Misa said to the Council. “Once they have gained their strength. They’ll plot against you all. Seek to destroy the Otherworld.”

Zia nodded. “It was an obvious assumption.”

“Sabi will know of it and then we’ll stop them.” I added.

“You,” Talon said quietly. I glanced to him in confusion. “You will stop them,” he clarified, but didn’t look at all happy about it. Sending his daughter-in law to fight a bunch of scary-ass demons wasn’t exactly ideal.

I felt the love.

“No,” Kyden interjected. “We.” Then, he motioned for Quinney and she began to approach him.

“Wait,” I shouted, taking a step forward in front of Kyden to stop him. “What if it doesn’t hold?”

That stumped her. Clearly she didn’t know what to say and said nothing.

“Start small at first,” Kyden offered. “Then, if it fails, Nexi can heal me. If it holds you can increase your power slowly.”

Quinney nodded.

My stomach sank with fear as Kyden stepped around me and approached her. He stood strong before her, I’d give him that. No emotions surged through our bond except determination. He obviously wanted the support, but no way in hell, would he let me do this alone. He needed this to work and would see that it did.

Quinney slowly withered away to black smoke and began to circle around him. The shield held. Her essence couldn’t find a way through. Kyden had no fear or hesitation. Just the determination that this wouldn’t fail.

Quinney started moving faster, quicker around him. Her piercing scream came loud, but the shield held strong and never wavered. Suddenly, Tyde joined in.

“No.” Fear spread through me.

Two demons, this was ludicrous! Down deep, I understood the need to do it, even if I didn’t like it. They were two Supreme Demons. If the shield held against both their strengths, it would hold against the Demon Lords. It had to be done.

Tyde and Quinney combined their strength together as one. I’d never witnessed anything like it before. The black smoke grew to twice the size and darkened. Within the smoke, flames erupted. Orange and blue spirals circled around Kyden, yet he never faltered.

As they released more of their power, horror began to sink in through our bond. For the first time, Kyden experienced Black Magic. The wrongness of it, the evil that crept through every part of it. Quinney and Tyde’s screams grew louder. We all sunk to our knees to cover our ears, Kyden included.

Emotions poured through our bond, his fight against such evil, the need to stop its existence and the helplessness he felt knowing there was nothing he could do. His revulsion slammed into me as he saw the truth to Black Magic. To understand exactly what it is and means.

I understood his dismay. God, had I been there. I never closed my eyes. Never stopped watching, but the shield was unbreakable. He was safe, and I was relieved.

Only a second later, the shrieking ceased, then Quinney and Tyde appeared, looking proud.

“That was brilliant,” Tyde exclaimed.

Kyden lowered his hands, as did I, and sadness flew straight through me. His sadness.

I rushed to him, sank down in front of him and ran my hands along his body, searching for injuries. I grasped his face and pulled it down to meet his gaze. “What’s wrong?”

Never had I seen such misery. “You have faced that alone.” He gave his head a shake, although it didn’t move much in my grip. “You shouldn’t have ever faced that alone.”

My breath left my body as I realized his sadness was for me. He was upset that he wasn’t there to help me through this, to feel this with me. I leaned in close to his lips. “Well, I won’t ever have to again, will I?”

He closed the distance between us. “No, you will not.”

His mouth met mine.