Beautiful Salvation (14 page)

Saamal swayed into her grip, pressing more firmly against her hand as he met her eyes. “Whatever you decide, it must be your choice. My days of using brute force to give my people what they need are over.”

Tenoch snorted in disgust. “Don’t tell me you’ve let him talk you around to his side? Do you really intend to continue slaughtering your own people to satisfy a bargain he made with a monster at the beginning of time?”

The ghost’s voice reminded Aiyana that she and Saamal were not alone. She faced the specter, forcing herself to look at his scars, to remember what they meant. “What happened to you is inexcusable. You have every right to be furious, every right to hate those responsible. Know that I will do everything in my power to make certain it doesn’t happen again.”

She faced Saamal. “I’ve heard what you have to say and I will consider it. You’re right, if I am to be a good queen to my people, I cannot block them out just because they say something that is hard for me to hear. And Cipactli’s sacrifice must not be ignored or forgotten. I will…try to accept that there are those in my kingdom who may wish to sacrifice themselves, who want to honor Cipactli’s sacrifice in that manner.” She clenched her hands into fists and straightened her spine, fixing Saamal with a serious look. “But should that practice continue, there must be safety measures in place to ensure that the sacrifice is truly willing.”

Saamal bowed. “Agreed.”

There was another snort of disgust and Aiyana turned in time to see Tenoch vanish, his ghostly form dispersing like smoke in the wind. Her heart ached, wishing there was something she could do for him. Unfortunately, the time when Tenoch could be helped was passed. He was a spirit—

Aiayan froze. “Saamal?”

“Yes?”

“What Tenoch said about the Dreamworld, about me being asleep under that curse… Is that all true as well?”

“Yes.” His voice was more subdued this time, sad.

Aiyana found him watching her with shadows in his dark eyes. She stepped closer to him, her heart pounding. “You managed to travel here, but you are under no curse. Can you take me back to the…physical plane with you?”

Pain etched itself in lines across Saamal’s face. “I wish that I could. I have been trying to wake you for so long.” He closed his eyes for several long moments before opening them and meeting her gaze. “I have failed for over a century.”

“Doesn’t the prophecy say anything about how to end the spell?” Aiyana paced back and forth, sticks snapping under her heavy stride.

“Only that the kiss of Death will wake you.”

Aiyana’s heart nearly stopped and she halted abruptly, whirling to face Saamal. “I have to die?” Her throat had gone dry, and the words rasped from her lips.

Saamal met her eyes, silent confidence heavy in his stare. “No, you do not have to die. I am Death.”

Heat rose to Aiyana’s cheeks as her traitorous mind ran away with her, lost in the images that sprang to her mind. “Oh. So…you’re saying you have to kiss me?” Her voice was breathless and her cheeks burned hotter in embarrassment.

A smile tugged at Saamal’s mouth. “Yes.” He cleared his throat, confidence momentarily faltering. “Actually, I have tried to wake you with a kiss,” he admitted. His shoulders drooped and he rubbed the palm of one hand against the center of his chest. “I am obviously not worthy yet. You remain asleep despite numerous attempts.”

Aiyana’s heart pounded in her chest.
Numerous attempts?
Why did that thought please her? “Or perhaps you need to kiss me here, in the Dreamworld.” The words tumbled from her lips without conscious thought and her eyes widened.

Saamal jerked his head up, his eyes flashing crimson like the flicker of firelight over polished black stone. Something about the expression on his face, the sudden surge of energy in the air, made things low in Aiyana’s body tighten. The connection between them hummed, taking her breath away.

“Perhaps you’re right.” His voice was rougher, deeper than it had been a moment ago.

Aiyana’s heart leapt into her throat as he approached her, every movement graceful, powerful, as if the jaguar spirit inside him controlled his movements. His eyes never left her, dark orbs boring into her as if he could see her soul, the intensity of his gaze twisting things inside her, filling her with strange heat. Her blood grew hot and she found herself moving forward as well, not wanting to wait any longer than she had to.

She’d meant to stop when she reached him, to let him take her in his arms and kiss her. But as she grew closer, the need inside her grew stronger, more insistent. The energy roiled and crackled, urging her to move faster. Her steps quickened and she half threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck as soon as she could reach him, and pressing the curves of her body against the firm lines of his.

A growl that sounded like appreciation rumbled in Saamal’s throat, sending delicious vibrations down his body to thrum against hers. A second later, his mouth crashed down on hers, stealing her breath and sending her tumbling into a whirlwind of sensation.

It was her first kiss, but Aiyana had no time to feel awkward or embarrassed, no mind to be self-conscious. The heat of Saamal’s mouth melted against her lips, driving the need inside her to a frenzy. She parted her lips, welcoming him in, her tongue dueling with his as he invaded her mouth.
Sparks
lit up her nerves, and her head swam as Saamal’s arms rose to close around her like a vice.

A small sound escaped her throat, somewhere between a gasp and a moan. It seemed to drive Saamal further in his desire and he tightened his grip and ate at her mouth with renewed fervor. His body trembled as if fighting with himself not to throw her down, and a sharp spike of arousal sliced through her, making her press harder against him, wanting to be closer. The power inside them churned, rolling from his body to hers and back like a warm ocean of energy.

Sounds grew sharper, scents grew stronger. An awareness that she couldn’t explain filled Aiyana’s mind. As Saamal held her against him, Aiyana felt as though she were flying. In that moment, she could do anything. Saamal’s thickly muscled thigh shifted, sliding between her legs and a sharp flash of pleasure arced through Aiyana. She tore her mouth from his, crying out as her body tried to drive itself closer to him, seeking more of the wondrous sensations he had to offer.

Her eyes met his. The obsidian orbs had changed, deepened. They were bottomless, neverending. She stared into his eyes and felt herself falling, felt herself being swallowed up by the infinite darkness. She swayed in his arms.

“Aiyana.”

Saamal’s voice seemed to come from far away. Aiyana blinked, gradually realizing that she’d slumped in his arms, that he was holding her, keeping her from sliding to the ground. He stroked her hair back and her eyes fluttered closed. She smiled and reached up without looking, brushing her hands through his hair, reveling in the freedom to touch him, the bond she’d sensed between them from the beginning seeming stronger.

They were both breathing heavy, hearts still pounding in the wake of their kiss. Aiyana opened her eyes, slowly regaining her feet. Saamal’s arms tensed around her, as if he were fighting to make himself release her and she chuckled. She leaned up and placed another soft kiss on his mouth.

“Were you trying to entrance me?” she whispered against his lips, teasing.

Saamal’s breath caught as she continued to kiss along his jaw. He shook his head, trying twice to speak before any sound came out. “No,” he rasped. “I…forgot that touching you increased my power. It has been a while since I’ve had this much…” He rolled his head, pressing his mouth against her jaw, heat singing her nerves. “Forgive me.”

“I suppose.” Aiyana tilted her head back to allow him better access. Saamal’s teeth grazed over her skin and she moaned as the fresh wave of shivers that raced down her spine. She tightened her fingers on his shoulders, relishing the strength of the muscles bunching under her grip. Saamal groaned and drew her closer, tightening his embrace.

“Does this mean I haven’t woken up?” Aiyana tried to focus past the dizzying sensations in her mind. She glanced around, blinking at the trees. Nothing looked any different. “We’re still here. I’m still here. Does that mean I’m still sleeping?”

Saamal pressed his forehead to hers, his attention hovering on her mouth. “Perhaps. Or perhaps I must return to the physical world and see if I can awaken you now.”

“With a kiss?” Aiyana teased, rubbing her cheek against his.

Saamal’s grin widened. “Yes.”

Suddenly Aiyana’s shoulders drooped and she pulled back, a sudden realization draining away the pleasant fuzziness of a few moments ago. “You’re leaving me now then. Leaving me in this…false world.” Pressure pressed against her from all sides, as if the air itself grew thicker, tried to smother her. None of what she saw was real. Saamal nuzzled the side of her face, but the gesture had lost its warmth for her. It was as if she could already feel him pulling away, leaving her behind.

“Not a false world, Aiyana.” Saamal took her chin in his grip, tilted her face up to meet his. His eyes were dark, but they were no longer the bottomless pits she’d fallen into earlier. “This world is an echo of the physical, a realm more malleable, but still very real. And I will not rest until you are able to wake in the physical world, until you are able to meet your subjects and let them see how terribly lucky they are.”

“You barely know me.” The protest sounded breathy, an embarrassingly pathetic sound. She struggled against his hold and he let her go, let her step away.

Saamal’s voice was quiet and confident when he spoke. “Aiyana, I have learned more about you in this short time than I could have after years of courting you. I have heard you speak about your people and your land with passion, I have seen how fiercely you fight. You are no simpering queen to sit on a throne and let others do the hard work. You are strong and you are passionate, and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be honored to have you as my wife.”

“Are you proposing?” Her heart nearly stopped. The Black God was proposing to her? And she was thinking about it, seriously thinking about it.
What is wrong with me?

Saamal’s lips parted and he blinked. He tried to hide his surprise, tried to compose his facial features into his previous mask of indifference, but he was too late.

“It never crossed your mind, did it?” Aiyana observed. She seized the insult, desperate to let anger take the place of the confusing emotions muddling her mind. She crossed her arms, as she stared him down. “In your mind it’s already a done deal.”

“I have much to learn as well?” Saamal offered.

The attempt at humor strained her determination to remain detached, but Aiyana pressed her lips into a thin line and held fast. She fed her temper with reminders of her curse, how all this time she’d been living a lie in the Dreamworld while the real world went on without her—her people went on without her. Aiyana stepped back, trying to gather the shreds of her dignity to her. “Go to the physical world and wake me up. We will discuss it then.”

Saamal woke with a start, coming back to his physical body like a dragon falling out of the sky. His lips still thrummed with the memory of Aiyana’s kiss, his blood still running hot with the desire he’d had to fight not to satisfy like a beast. The remembered pleasure brought a rush of guilt as he remembered the expression on her face when he’d mentioned leaving, the pinched expression and pain shining in her eyes as she’d watched him fade away. He’d robbed her of the ignorance that had let her live a normal life in the Dreamworld. She knew it wasn’t real, knew that she was missing real life. He had to wake her up. As soon as he registered his surroundings, realized he was truly back in the physical world, he shoved himself off the bed to go to Aiyana—and promptly collapsed. Pain radiated through his knees as he hit the stone floor and a streak of creative curses fell from his lips.

“Whoa, there.” Adonis rounded the bed and bent to offer Saamal a hand up. “Take it easy, the sinicuichi is still in your system and you’re going to feel a little weak for a while. Don’t try to run yet.”