First And Last

chapter Three



The mirror couldn’t lie. I looked beautiful—more than I had ever looked in my life.

Haven had designed such a beautiful wedding gown. A strapless chiffon, floor-length dress, an empire line waist and a bust that held a deep bank of silver embroidery that looked very similar color to my sword. The deep ivory shade was a stunning contrast against my skin and I appeared almost tanned. Not an easy task since I was usually pale during mid-summer.

After about an hour on my hair, by the time she was done, I stood bewildered to say the least. If she wasn’t a witch, she’d be a hairdresser. Two French braids ran alongside my hairline and left the rest of my long dirty-blonde hair in loose messy curls.

Lastly, she finished off with my make-up. Earthy tones layered my lids, long black lashes defined my hazel eyes, soft peach cheeks gave a permanent glow, and shimmering lip-gloss glittered brightly along my lips.

“It’s time,” Haven said softly. I glanced at her through the mirror to see tears slide down her cheeks. She lunged at me and wrapped herself tight around my back. “I’m just so happy. I know we’re not supposed to talk about it, but I’m so thankful everything worked out.”

I reached up and held her hands that lay across my chest. “I know, Haven, me too.” I took a deep breath, determined not to cry. Haven hadn’t spent all this time making me pretty only to have me wash it all away.

“Come on, Haven,” Zia said as she entered the room. “Everyone is waiting.”

Haven gave me a quick kiss, as did Zia, then they left. I glanced down and ran my hands over the dress. The soft fabric tickled my hands, when a sudden gasp caught my attention. I spun around to see Valor walk into my bedroom.

The Patriarch. To werewolves he was their leader. The Alpha of all Alphas. To me, he was just Valor, my dearest and closest friend.

He stepped forward, eyes wide. “Kyden is extremely lucky, Nexi. You look absolutely stunning.”

I blushed. Sure, we were close, but he had never given me such a compliment before. It was strange coming from him. Supes weren’t overly affectionate, but that only solidified how close we’d become. “Thank you.”

He continued toward me and pulled me into a very warm hug. “I wouldn’t have missed this night. What a wonderful celebration.”

“I’m so glad you came.” I tilted my head so it rested against his chest.

Valor had special meaning to me and having him here for the ceremony came pretty close to having a family member here.

That thought had been on my mind constantly throughout the preparations for tonight. God, did I miss my parents. This night would have made them all so happy and it did hurt that they weren’t here to share in it.

“I…” he hesitated, reached into his pocket and drew out a necklace. He held it up, a wolf head pendant on a chain dangled from his finger. “I got this for you.”

I gasped, not caring that it was a very girly sound at that moment. It was extremely beautiful. He chuckled and spun me around, clasped the necklace around my neck. He turned me back around again, then smiled sweetly. “There, perfect.”

I reached up and touched the necklace. “It’s so pretty. Thank you, Valor.”

He nodded and held his arm out to me. “I know I’m in no way a replacement for who should be doing this for you, but it would be my greatest honor to lead you to the ceremony.” He offered, his gaze sweet and tone shaky, as if overcome with emotion.

Without hesitated, I wrapped my arm in his, my heart full. “I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

In no time, we headed down the hall and out of the castle toward the Witches Meadow. “So…is it crowded down there?” I asked hesitantly.

Valor winked. “Not too many.”

When we arrived at the meadow, I gave him a look that said he was a lying jerk. He chuckled. Not only was everyone from the Otherworld here, but everyone from the Underworld too.

I didn’t focus on that for too long since the meadow took precedent. It looked exquisite. Obviously, magic played a part here because it never looked this beautiful. It always took my breath away, so that was really saying a lot. The trees were all the same, but tonight, beautiful white dahlias adorned them everywhere. It made the meadow look so alive.

In addition, it wasn’t just that. Thousands of candles were everywhere. It was by far the most elegant and romantic setting I had ever seen. Haven did an amazing job—she took over the plans the moment she heard Kyden and I would be bonded. Trusting her was never a mistake. This was perfect and more than I was capable of dreaming up.

As we came into view, the entire crowd gasped, and low murmurs spread throughout.

My cheeks flamed as all eyes focused on me. “Why are those of the Underworld here?” I whispered to Valor as we started down the hill.

He angled his head down and whispered in same hushed tone. “They have come to witness the ceremony of their leader. It’s only proper.”

One by one, as we passed by members of the Underworld, they all bowed. “Oh, will you just stop that,” I snapped.

Valor chuckled.

However, my annoyance immediately ceased when Kyden stepped in front of my willow. Haven got that right on the money. There was no other place in the world that I would want to do this than under my favorite tree.

My breath caught as I took him in completely. He was beyond gorgeous. He wore a kilt tonight that was similar to Talon’s. Its detailing was superb and fit his body tight. He also had glitter along his body. Apparently, it was a ritual in the Otherworld since Haven had put it on me too. Boy, oh boy, did I appreciate it on him more. It made his sleek body look that much more appetizing.

Valor stopped when we met up with Kyden. He leaned down and kissed my lips.

“Enough of that.” Kyden laughed, as did the crowd. He was never threatened. He knew the love Valor and I had for each other was entirely platonic. If anything, I knew it warmed him that we were close.

Valor leaned back, tears glittered in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn’t expected such an emotional outcome, but his face showed just how much joy it brought him that he was here to witness this ceremony. In fact, it showed on every face present.

Kyden took my hand and led us beneath the willow. When we stopped, his gaze ran the entire length of me, then met my gaze again. “Gods, Álainn, you’re lovely.”

I smiled at the compliment, and then glanced out to the crowd a little. Everyone was here. Haven, of course, was bawling. Even Talon looked a little teary-eyed. Briggs and Rynn gave me a little wave, as did Isla and Dante who stood beside them. Briar smiled bright. Thalia, the Mistress of the Mid-West, and Hayes nodded a hello. Brax, Master of Weres and Zade, Master of Vampires, looked proud. Misa and Azar appeared outrageously happy.

Zia drew my attention as she took our joined hands in hers. “Welcome. This is a night for us to rejoice in the bonding of our two friends.” She smiled down at me. “As in our ways of the Otherworld, please recite words of adoration to each other to state the reasons for your bond.”

She looked at Kyden, gave him a nod to begin.

He sighed deeply, looked to the ground, then met my eyes again—so much emotion displayed in them. “Since you came into my life it has been filled with nothing but chaos.”

Huh?

“Not a day passes that I do not fear for your safety, fight against others or battle for your honor.” Again, he sighed, even deeper. “Even your personality has been nothing but trying to me. Your unwillingness to let me help you, your hard headedness and your smart mouth are a constant pain to me.”

What in the hell? I snorted a loud sound of unhappiness. “It better get better than this.” Seriously, he is on the verge of losing a limb.

The crowd laughed in response.

Kyden smiled, gave me a wink. “On a nightly basis, I feel frustrated, irritated, and aggravated with you.”

I scowled at him. What type of non-romantic shit was this?

He laughed, rubbed away my frown lines with his fingers. “That night…” His smile drifted away as he swallowed deep. “That night, I would have died for you. I would have given my life for yours because, as much as you drive me to the high moons with your independence, it’s for all those reasons that you have captured my heart.”

My frustration dissolved and tears welled up in my eyes. My chin started doing that thing, the little quiver that let you know you were about to burst out into sobs.

“I would never change a thing about you.” He reached up and wiped my tears away. “Nothing—not one piece of who you are.” His hand cupped my cheek. “That night, I knew I was going to die, but I never feared it because if I only had a few short months to love you, then that was enough. I would have died fulfilled, with a need for nothing more.”

Tears ran down my face.

“It’s for those reasons that I chose this bond. If I have the chance to love you longer then I will do it, fully and completely. And will always be entirely grateful that I have been given that right.”

The crowd was silent enough to hear the wind rustle through the trees. After many quiet moments passed, Zia finally stepped forward, wiped her own tears.

Kyden’s eyes never left mine as she handed him a ring. I stayed locked in his gaze while he glided the ring over my finger. When it popped over my knuckle, I glanced down and my eyes went wide.

Valor’s diamond looked tiny compared to what was on my finger now. It was a sparkling fancy pink diamond. On either side of the cushion-shaped diamond sat shield-shaped diamonds, all mounted on a Victorian inspired platinum band.

It wasn’t normal to do a ring exchange at a bonding ceremony in the Otherworld, but I needed it. I liked the idea of having a symbol for our ceremony. Maybe there was a little human in me after all.

“Nexi,” Zia’s laugh was loud next to me. When I glanced up to her, it was obvious she’d said my name a couple times before I responded.

Kyden chuckled.

I took a long deep breath to stabilize myself. “I’m never going to get through this without being a blubbery mess.”

Low laughs ran through the crowd.

Kyden took my chin and our gazes locked. “It is you and I. Nothing else.”

I gathered every ounce of control on my emotions. I took another long breath, before I looked back at him. “When I first came here, my world had been shattered. My heart was broken until you loved me. You fixed my heart and became an undeniable part of my life.”

I gave him a small smile. “You might be possessive and a bit of a pushover.” The crowd laughed in response. So, I was getting him back a little. He smiled at the attempt. “But I understand the reasons behind it. You’re right. We are in constant battle with the world around us. The odds are always stacked against us. Loss has become something that I’ve grown to accept as part of my life. But nothing, no loss I’ve ever felt, compares to what went through me when I stared at you lying on the ground, lifeless.”

Zia burst out into tears in front of us and I could hear Haven’s deep sobs behind me.

As much as I could have fallen to pieces, I needed to get through this. He deserved to hear it. “When I lost my family, it was hard.” I sighed again. “So hard, but I knew once I met you, that it’d be okay. I could be happy again and would recover. But that night, I saw for the first time I couldn’t. My life held no meaning anymore. My world couldn’t exist if you weren’t in it.”

A tear fell down Kyden’s face and Talon behind him was in a similar state. I reached up and wiped away the tear as I cupped his cheek. “Since coming here, I’ve been in danger constantly. Every night seems to bring more scary stuff that I wish I could avoid, but I wouldn’t change it, not for anything because it brought me you. You have been, and will continue to be, the reason I want to keep going no matter how crazy life gets. That’s why I chose this bond, because there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here in your arms.”

Still crying, Zia handed me his ring. I had chosen a platinum tungsten carbide band. The contrast between the warm hues of the platinum against the cooler shade of tungsten carbide made for an amazing looking ring. It was a thick band and perfect for him, masculine in every way.

After I placed the ring on Kyden’s finger, he wrapped his hands around my face and took me in a brilliant kiss. His tears tickled my cheeks, as I was sure mine also did his.

He backed away. Zia was still bawling. I glanced to her and smiled. “Pull it together.” I laughed.

She smiled, wiped her tears, and took a few deep breaths. Haven was just a big ball of mess in Finn’s arms but I loved her for it. She loved me unconditionally and my happiness overwhelmed her. All I felt through our bond was happiness that never needed to explanation and just utter joy.

“Let’s continue.” Zia said as she glanced between Kyden and I. “As we’ve heard, you’re being joined tonight to fulfill your lives together, to enter into a new journey. Is this your wish?”

Our gazes glued to each other, we replied in unison. “It is.”

“As it’s your wish, I seal your bond.” When her words ended, power began to whip around us. Then, a bright white light flashed before my eyes, and what happened next was completely unexpected.

I saw myself through Kyden’s eyes. Saw the way he loved me. What it meant for him. The way my smile lifted him, how my being near him settled him, and the compelling need that lived within him to see me safe.

Every moment we’d ever experienced flashed before my eyes.

When the visions stopped, my eyes opened to Kyden’s brilliant smile. With that, feelings of complete and utter love filled me. However, they weren’t my feelings, but his.

He had said it would be similar to what I felt with Haven, but this was entirely different. It captured me deeper—affected me more. I figured it had something to do with being in love. Not that I didn’t love Haven, I did, but with Kyden it went many levels deeper.

Kyden pulled me into one of his earth-shattering kisses as loud applause broke out among the crowd. When Kyden backed away, I laughed at the joy of it.

Zia hugged us and wished us well, as did Talon. Willow gave us both a rub along our legs and Haven just bawled all over me. From there, it was a hundred congratulatory hugs. When the crowd started to dissipate as they went over to the food, Azar approached. “We need to proceed with our ceremony now.”

I glanced at Kyden. He shrugged in response. Little trickles of confusion filtered through me. Mine—his? Who knew?

“Now that you have accepted Kyden as your Lord,” Azar explained. “We must also accept him too. He must agree to adhere to the laws of the Underworld.”

“Oh,” I whispered.

Amusement flickered through me. I met Kyden’s gaze again. His expression didn’t give a clue to the humor he was feeling. I liked this bonding already. His unreadable expressions were history as I looked forward to the ability to feel everything he would feel from this day forth.

Azar stepped in front of Kyden and raised his hand for the others of the Underworld to quiet. They did so instantly.

“Kyden, our Lady has taken you as her Lord. Will you do what you must to protect her, and us, your minions? Will you stand beside her and support her as our Ruler of the Underworld? Will you put personal necessities aside to keep the Underworld safe? Will you do what you must to ensure its survival?”

Kyden nodded firmly. “I will.”

No emotion came through our bond, but I knew he meant what he said.

“By the laws of the Underworld,” Azar stated. “I hereby name you Lord of the Underworld.”

Immediately, Kyden stiffened and his pain tore right through me. He was being marked as a Leader of the Underworld. I’d been granted the tattoo of my weeping willow, which rested at the base of my neck. I’d been lost in its beauty for an entire hour as I watched it moving like a fall windy day in the mirror. Needless to say, I was quite curious what Kyden would be granted.

When his pain stopped, I released the breath I’d been holding and spun Kyden around. When I saw what rested on his back, I gasped.

“What is it?” Kyden asked, breathless.

“My sword.” I ran my fingers along the tattoo that rested between his shoulder blades and ran down the length of his back. I knew it was mine because the sword was slender, but the obvious factor was my name written along the blade, which moved ever so slightly.

Azar had told me you were granted something that was important to you and held special meaning. It touched me that Kyden’s tattoo was of my sword. The sword, a symbol of his Guardian role that he did indeed feel proud of, plus it being mine was the importance of me in his life—the importance of protecting me. It couldn’t have been a better mark.

Azar handed Kyden the mirrors and he looked at it. “It’s brilliant.”

“All hail, Lord Kyden!” Azar shouted.

“All hail, Lord Kyden!” those of the Underworld responded.

Everyone else laughed. Kyden and I didn’t as we had an obligation to the Underworld. They took this seriously, so we would too. Even so, Kyden’s amusement was obvious even without my new ability to sense it, as a little curve to the corners of his eyes would have told me as much.

He held his hand out to me. “Let’s go enjoy our night, Álainn.”

Boy did we ever. The Witches’ Meadow had seen many full moon parties, but tonight, it was more like a ball. None of the rowdiness that usually happened, just soft music, great friends, and way too much smiling. My cheeks hurt.

By the time the sun started to come up, the vampires had left for obvious reasons and the crowd began to dissolve slowly into just a few stragglers. Haven had gone to bed hours ago, obviously worn out from all her amazing preparations and all the excitement.

I stood chatting with a very drunk Talon. I would probably never get this chance again and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of his blubbering conversation about all the battles he’d been in.

Just as he began another round of stories, Kyden wrapped his arms around my waist. “Had enough?”

Leaning back, I rested my head against his chest and he leaned down to kiss my shoulder. “Yes.” His lips continued to kiss my skin as Talon babbled on.

Zia laughed, which drew my gaze. “I think it’s time to take Talon home.”

Talon actually swayed a moment, reached up and touched his head. “Yeeessss…I…home.”

“What?” I laughed.

Zia just waved it away, took his hand and gave him a shot of healing. In a moment, Talon looked clear headed again. He cleared his throat. “A few too many, I suppose.”

“Never, I loved your stories.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

“Go on, you two,” Zia said. “Come on Talon, you can help me clean up.”

I glanced up at Kyden. “Home then?”

He nodded. “Yes, home.” His body closed in on mine, and it was immediately apparent that sleep was far from his mind.

Feeling just as eager, I wiggled against him and he groaned. He grabbed my hand and walked with determined strides back to the castle.

Once we entered the bedroom, I let go of Kyden’s hand and stopped at the door. “I have a surprise for you.”

Kyden’s brow arched as he sat down on the bed, curiosity filled his eyes. “A surprise?”

I nodded, then glanced at Willow, who stood at my feet. “Time for you to get out.”

“We only just got back and you’re kicking me out?” She looked appalled in her own kitty way.

“Trust me, Willow, you don’t want to be around for this.”

Kyden’s arched brow rose higher at that comment. I simply smiled in return.

“Perverts.” Willow hissed and scampered out of the room.

With her gone, I gave Kyden a sheepish smile and headed toward the bathroom. I quickly closed the door behind me.

Nerves tickled every part of me. Haven had given me a gift before the ceremony and told me to use it. A little bonding gift for Kyden, she said, and I knew exactly what to do to make this night a special one. Our bonding night had to be memorable.

I reached behind me, unzipped my dress, stepped out of it as it fell to my feet and hung it on the back of the door, I rushed over to the antique bookcase that rested next to the sink and grabbed the small black boutique bag that sat on the counter.

I reached in and took out the white lace bra, tiny thong—like what’s the point of it—tiny garters, and thigh high stockings with lacy tops. Quickly, I slinked into the lingerie, pulled up the garters, and attached the stockings to each clip.

“What are you doing in there?” Kyden snapped from the other side of the door.

“Patience, my Guardian, patience.” A heavy sigh came thereafter.

I laughed, fluffed my hair and looked myself over in the mirror. I had to admit, I looked damn sexy—fit to be a playboy centerfold. I took a couple of long deep breaths to dispel every ounce of my nervousness as I slipped into the three inch stilettos. I wouldn’t pull off this outfit if filled of nerves.

With a last glance in the mirror, I grabbed the door handle and opened it. It was almost comical what happened next. Kyden sat on the bed, his head lifted as I walked into the room. When he looked me over, his eyes went wider than I’d ever seen them. His famous unreadable face showed so many emotions—shock, awe, desire, were just the ones I knew well and all those emotions rushed through me just as quickly.

“Do. Not. Move,” Kyden growled.

I chuckled and leaned as sexily as I could against the doorframe. One arm up, legs crossed—I had him eating out of the palm of my hand. “You like what you see?”

“That…Álainn…” Words were lost to him.

I lightly ran a lazy finger down around the curve of each breast. His eyes followed the movement without missing a beat. “I said, do you like what you see?”

He gulped and nodded. His jaw was so tight, muscles contracted with each clench. He made a sound in his chest that wasn’t just need but pure possession. I slowly started to move toward him.

“No,” he shouted. I jumped, startled by the loudness of his voice. “Do not move. Let me admire you there.”

I played along, stepped away from the door and slowly did a little spin, let him enjoy all there was to see of me. When I turned back around his eyes were hooded—almost slits as his desire rushed through our bond.

“I’ll never know what I did to deserve such a beauty as you.” He stood up, took a step forward and touched my breast. I slapped his hand away. He met my gaze with a fierce wanting. “I’m not to touch you?”

I made a tsk, tsk sound and shook my finger at him. “No.” His shoulders sank a little. “Not yet anyway.”

His eyes glowed with the need to devour me. “What is it you wish of me then?”

“Go and sit on the bed.” I slowly walked over to the CD player on the dresser, an extra wiggle in my hips that caused Kyden to groan with each step I took. Once there, I pressed play and Little Bird by Annie Lennox sprang to life from the speakers.

So, I stole the idea from Striptease. I needed a little help in this area, I’d never done anything like this before, and hoped I didn’t trip and make an ass out of myself. Hell, if Demi Moore could do it, so could I. I killed vampires for Christ sakes!

I spun around and ran my hands slowly down my body to let Kyden know my intention. He stood quickly and looked ready to pounce. I shook my head at him, waved my finger again. “Sit back down.” He let out a frustrated groan, but took a seat. “The rules are as follows…”

He arched a brow. “There are rules?”

I nodded as I continued to run my hands up and down my stomach. “Tonight, there’s no touching me. Got it? We have a strict hands-off policy here.”

“I will comply.” His eyes burned, every intention to break that rule clear. I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he sat on his hands to insure he kept to the rules.

I stepped closer toward him and got right down to business. I slowly danced in front of him, rubbed myself to please him. He never said a word. He didn’t have to. His eyes said it all, plus the little flickers of desire coursing through our bond told me he enjoyed himself immensely.

When I had him ready to beg for more, I straddled his thighs to continue my dance on top of him. His breath came out in sharp gasps. “You’re going to kill me, if you continue this.”

“Mmm… you like this?” I teased.

“I’ve never…” he started, but when I rubbed myself against his hardened length, he groaned loudly, unable to resume his words.

Only a few minutes later, his need made his face squint in pain. I could’ve drawn this out just to tease him more, but I felt the same. I needed more of him.

Kneeling down front of him, I unclipped his kilt. He lifted his hips and I removed his shorts. His eyebrow arched in a sultry question, which I answered in the only way I knew how. I took him into my hand then devoured him. He jumped, then instantly fell back on the bed as I took him with all the passion I felt in my soul.

There was no hesitation, stopping or slow movements. His groans were louder than I’d ever heard. He was at a complete loss for control as I swept over his body with my mouth and hands in a way that was purely primitive.

The bond just encouraged me. His pleasure washed through me, showed me what he liked most. How he liked the swirl of my tongue, the rough stroke of my hand, the way I took him in so very deep.

His body bucked against me as his climax approached. “Stop…you must stop,” he shouted. “I’m…” His words cut off with a loud grunt as his orgasm rippled through him.

When he gasped at the sensitivity of his completion, I lowered my hands and sat back on my legs, waited for him to come around. I was more than pleased that I’d just rocked his body.

He laid there for a moment, his stomach moving up and down in heavy long breaths. When he raised his head, his expression stunned me. He wasn’t sated or relaxed as I expected. Oh no, what burned in him was a need to take me for everything I had.

In a second, he had me on my side, my panties shredded, and drove into me with a force that stole my breath. He pulled my thigh up while he drove me to places where stars existed. The hardness of his erection left me flabbergasted. He had finished, there was no doubt of that. How he was capable of being so ready with this type of enthusiasm had me floored. But who cared! This was incredible. Now that we were bonded, not only was I feeling my pleasure, but I experienced his as well. “Sweet glorious Jesus,” I gasped.

“Mmmm,” was Kyden’s only response.

With only a few more of those mindboggling thrusts, I skyrocketed into an orgasm where I swore my body for all of a second died. As I plummeted back to reality, he pulled out and lay on his back.

In a way that only a strong male could pull off, he raised me above him until I gripped the headboard. He placed his mouth against my core, and within seconds, I screamed in heavenly bliss as his mouth lavished with a desire that had me panting in seconds. Intensifying the sensations, he groaned and the vibration that trembled along my skin had me gripping my thighs against his head and shuddering deeply as another climax soared through me.

When reality returned to me, I was surprised to find myself flipped on my back as Kyden knelt between my legs. He pressed his fingers against my opening and only sat gently for a moment. Then his fingers continued the pursuit to render me unconscious. His muscles bulged as he used his strength to slam pleasure into every part of my being.

With each hard insertion, his hand played against my G-spot and began to spark the mother of all orgasms. Heat began to soar through me as my entire body gripped, tightening against the pleasure tearing within me. Tears streamed down my face as intense delight blasted me to the point of pain. Kyden increased his speed, and it was all it took to send my body in another climax that was all consuming. My body tightened around his fingers as warm liquid washed along my thighs.

Before I could ask, am I dead? he flipped me back over onto my stomach and thrust into me with every ounce of his power. My body was tender, sore from the intense ecstasy, tight from muscle contractions. The moment my body gave way to his entry, he leveled me in a way meant to satisfy his urges.

Moments later, we were both completely sated.

I laughed, a sound that was part exhaustion, part amazement. “I’m dead. I really am. You killed me with orgasms.”

“Arouse me like that again and you’ll get worse,” Kyden said, his tone quite serious.

He withdrew and lay on his side. I turned over toward him and snuggled against his chest as he wrapped an arm around me. “Christ. If I knew you were capable of that I would have done that sooner.” I leaned up and kissed his lips. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

His grin was sleepy. “I’ve never been so aroused. Feeling your intensity is unbelievable.”

“I’d say. Well, there’s something to be said about a little loss of control.” His eyes lit up. “Just not now, I’ll be surprised if I can even walk.” That was a lie. My abilities could heal me instantly, but I liked this feeling. Worn out from a good romping just felt good and I wasn’t about to erase the effects of tonight.

A few minutes passed as sleep began to settle in. “Kyden.” My voice came out as a soft whisper.

“Mmm…”

“I love you.”

He gave my ass a little pat. “Back atcha, Álainn.”