Heart of the Serpent: Hades' Carnival, Book 5 (6 page)

She stroked her hands over his chest and rubbed her fingertips over his flat nipples, drawing a deep groan from him. “You have to stop touching me.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I’m barely holding on to my control. I don’t want to hurt you.”

He was sweating and his entire body was tense to the point of snapping. She knew it wouldn’t take much. “You won’t hurt me,” she promised him. “Love me.”

It was as close as she’d get to telling him she loved him. It wouldn’t be fair to him to do otherwise. She was most likely going to die. And even if she lived, she didn’t want him to feel obligated to her. She wanted his love. But if she didn’t have that, she at least had his passion.

He fell on her like a starving beast. He pushed both arms under her and clasped his hands around her shoulders. Then he began to thrust. His hips hammered against hers, harder and faster than she thought possible. He kissed her everywhere he could reach—her lips, her jaw, her neck. He muttered words in a language she couldn’t understand.

She was powerless to do anything more than cling to him as passion flared between them. Each stroke of his powerful body brought her closer to another orgasm. Each time his cock retreated, she tried to bring him back again, moaning in relief when he filled her.

He shoved one hand under her left knee and pushed it up and out, opening her wide for his thrusts. He fucked her harder and harder, both of them gasping for breath.

Her pussy quivered around his shaft. She threw her head back against the pillow and cried out. It was too much, but it would never be enough. He called out her name and she felt the hot spurt of his release fill her. Her pussy spasmed around his cock, squeezing every last drop out of him.

Exhausted, Jessica let herself collapse against the mattress. Her entire body felt like jelly. Her limbs quivered and shook. Closing her eyes, she tried to catch her breath.

“Jessica.” Hard hands cupped her jaw. She managed to open her eyes and stare up at the man she loved. His dark eyes were filled with concern. She smiled at him and was rewarded when he smiled back. He looked so different than he usually did. More carefree. Younger in spite of his great age.

“That was amazing,” she told him, sensing he needed reassurance he hadn’t harmed her. Her warrior worried so much. That’s how she thought of him. Hers.

He slowly withdrew and lay down beside her, pulling her against him. She snuggled close, enjoying the after-sex cuddling. He stroked his fingers up and down her spine. She didn’t even think he was aware he was doing so. It felt nice.

Fatigue washed over her and it was suddenly too much trouble for Jessica to keep her eyes open. Like a balloon being deflated, she felt all the energy from their lovemaking dissipate, leaving her weaker than she’d been before.

Mordecai sensed the change and rolled her over until she was lying on her back. She could feel him staring at her, heard him call her name, but it was too much trouble for her to answer. The darkness inside her was growing thicker, blocking out her inner light.

Hades’ death curse was growing stronger, and she was afraid her battle was almost at an end.

Hades reclined on his throne and watched the image in the mirror with glee. This was even better than he’d hoped for. He’d known the serpent cared for the human, but he’d had no idea just how much. It made his victory all the sweeter. It was only a matter of hours now before Jessica succumbed to his curse and he was able to claim her soul. He planned on spending eternity taunting Mordecai with what he was doing to the woman deep in the bowels of Hell.

It really was delicious.

His entire body hummed with the power he’d stolen from a dozen of his demons. It was nothing compared to his usual strength, but it was better than feeling totally helpless as he had when the Lady of the Beasts had stripped him of his own power. He was using quite a lot of it to hinder communication between the Lady and her warriors, not to mention the amount of energy it had taken for him to create the death mark. It would soon be time for him to refuel.

He’d enjoyed walking through the ranks of his demons and picking some at random to kill. He had to take his fun where he could get it. It would be quite some time before he dared personally step into the human realm. Maybe decades or longer. His brothers were watching his every move. He could feel their spying eyes on him from time to time, and he played weak and pathetic whenever he sensed their presence.

They would lose interest in him over time. All he had to do was wait and slowly regain his power.

The picture in the mirror winked out the moment he sensed the presence of another god outside his door. He waved his hand at the entrance and it opened. He half expected it to be one of his brothers or at least one of their flunkies.

The sweet scent of wildflowers preceeded her as she strode into the room like she owned it, put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What are you up to, Hades?”

Chapter Six

Mordecai didn’t know what in the hell to do. He should never have made love with her. No, scratch that. He couldn’t bring himself to regret something so beautiful. He just hated feeling so fucking helpless.

After Jessica had passed out following their lovemaking, he’d carried her into the bathroom and tenderly bathed her in the tub. Once she was clean and dry, he’d taken her back to her bed, found another one of those sleeping gowns in a dresser drawer and put it on her. Then he’d dressed, aired out the room and disposed of the nightgown he’d ripped off her earlier.

That was hours ago. Dawn was almost upon them and she hadn’t stirred. He was beginning to fear she never would. He sat on the bed, simply watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, silently willing her to live. Arand and Sabrina had come and gone several times, checking on her. If they’d noticed Jessica was wearing different clothing, they didn’t comment on it. Perhaps they thought she’d simply bathed and changed herself.

Mordecai didn’t care what they thought about his constant presence by her bedside. He wasn’t leaving her.

Roric, Marko and Leander had all called, but Stavros hadn’t contacted them. Neither had Phoenix. That was worrying. But the phoenix would have to take care of Tilly on his own. All Mordecai’s concern was for the pale, slight woman lying so still in the bed beside him.

“Open your eyes, Jessica,” he begged. “I need you.” He, who had never needed anyone in his immortal life, not even his fellow warriors, needed this fragile human. If it wasn’t so tragic, it would be laughable. Brought to his knees by a woman.

He feared that when she died, what little light remaining inside him would dissipate and the threatening darkness would consume him forever. If that happened, he’d have to go to the Lady and ask her to destroy him. There was no other way. He didn’t want to live in the darkness any longer. He longed for the light, for Jessica.

The dawn light filtered in through the window, the beam falling on Jessica’s still body. After a moment, she turned her head toward it, as if seeking the warmth and light.

“Jessica.” He held his breath and willed her to open her eyes.

Her eyelids fluttered and finally opened. “Why is it so dark?”

Mordecai’s heart sank. Hades’ curse was getting worse. His darkness was overtaking her.

“It’s dawn. It will get lighter now,” he promised. He reached out and took her hand in his. Her skin was hot to the touch. She was running a fever again. Her usually vibrant eyes seemed dull and lifeless. Hades’ cursed mark was literally draining the life from her.

She licked her lips. “Is there something to drink?”

“Of course.” He lifted a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from the bedside table, glad Sabrina had brought it with her the last time she’d stopped in to check on her friend.

He put one hand behind her head and lifted her up to meet the rim of the glass. She was so weak she could barely take a few sips before she was done. Mordecai wanted to rage at the world and at the capricious gods. Why was this happening to someone as good as Jessica?

But he knew the answer. Goodness had little to do with it. The gods played games with all of mankind, and sometimes fate was a bitch.

He gently lowered her head back to the pillow and set the glass on the table. She licked her lips again and offered him a weak smile. “Is there anything I can do?” He wanted to do something. Anything.

She nodded. “Can you—” She broke off and her cheeks turned a charming pink.

“What is it?” He brushed a damp lock of her sunlit hair off her forehead.

“Can I see your dragon once more?”

Of all the things she could have asked him, he never would have guessed she’d ask him this. “You want to see my tattoo?”

“For starters.”

He stood and dragged his shirt over his head. Jessica watched him so intently it almost made him smile. He turned, presenting his back to her. Her murmur of awe had him flexing and tightening his back muscles.

“He’s so fierce.” He heard the slight rustle of the bed covers, and then she stroked her fingers over the beast’s wing. Mordecai arched his back into her touch.

“The serpent is just like you,” she continued. “Wild. Untamed. Unpredictable.” She continued her exploration, touching the serpent’s flat head. Mordecai bent his head to the left, feeling her caress just as the beast did. When she caressed the beast’s flanks, his cock roared to life.

He lowered his head as his breath came faster. He knew he should object, should make her lie down and conserve her waning strength. But her tiny, capable hands felt so right against his skin. That she accepted his serpent as readily as she did him astonished him. Most people feared his beast.

Even when they’d roamed the world in days long past, the other warriors had garnered the awe of the people. Mordecai was feared and, in some cases, reviled. His lip curled and he sneered. Humans should be afraid of him. He was an immortal warrior.

He was so caught up in Jessica’s tender touch that he didn’t sense anyone around them until the door opened. Instinctually, he shifted. His dragon burst from inside him. His head changed shape, flattening and elongating. His body lengthened and thick, protective scales took the place of skin. Tough, leathery wings burst from his back. Long, vicious claws sprang from the tips of his fingers. The room was too small to contain him and he was forced to curve his twenty-foot long body. But that wasn’t a bad thing. His large form provided a shield for Jessica.

He knocked Jessica back with his tail, being as gentle as possible. She gasped and cried out, but it was quickly lost in his battle roar as he faced the intruder.

Arand stood outlined in the doorway, his mate shoved behind him. “What in the name of the Lady are you doing?” his friend yelled.

Mordecai calmed his racing heart. It was only Arand. It wasn’t Hades come to attack Jessica. He huffed and a billow of smoke was released from his nostrils. At least he’d remembered not to breathe fire.

“Jessica,” Sabrina yelled from behind her mate. “Are you okay?”

Had he scared her? Mordecai didn’t know if he could live with himself if he had.

“I’m fine,” Jessica called back. “Isn’t he cool?”

Mordecai gave a chuff of laughter. Only Jessica found him cool and not ugly. His body was a combination of browns and greens. Earth tones that easily blended with the wild forests of the world.

“You can stand down now, big guy,” Arand told him. Smug bastard was laughing at him, but Mordecai didn’t care. Jessica thought his serpent was cool.

He morphed, taking his human form once again. His chest was still bare, but he conjured pants so as not to embarrass either woman. Sabrina peeked around Arand’s shoulder and grinned at him. Then she looked at Jessica and gave her a thumbs up.

Mordecai shook his head. Would he ever understand these modern women?

“How are you feeling, sweetie?” Sabrina rushed over to the bed, the bangles on her arm jangling.

“Okay,” Jessica replied, but he could hear the fatigue she tried to hide.

He returned to her side and inserted his body between her and Sabrina, practically muscling the other woman out of his way. He picked Jessica up and shifted her to the head of the bed, propping her against the pillows. She smiled her thanks. But he wasn’t done. He tucked the covers around her and smoothed them once again. Then he snagged the juice and held it to her lips until she had several more sips. Once he’d done everything in his power to make her more comfortable, he turned to her visitors.

“Any news?” he asked, dreading the answer. He could see the answer in the bleakness in Sabrina’s eyes.

“No. Stavros hasn’t been in contact and neither has Phoenix. Roric and the others have joined the hunt to find the Lady, but this is a big world. Without the connection to her, she’s going to be difficult to find.” Sabrina tried to offer them hope. “While their men are gone, the women are researching possible ways of breaking the curse.”

It was such a blessing for the warriors to have their powers back, to be able to jump from place to place with only a thought. But Sabrina was right. The world was a large place. As for fighting the curse, Mordecai wasn’t sure that was even possible. Hades, even at his weakest, was a formidable opponent.

Jessica started to speak but grabbed her throat and began to wheeze. Heart pounding in his chest, he caught her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. “Breathe. Look at me, Jessica.” He waited until her blue eyes met his black ones. “You can do this. Breathe with me.” He inhaled and exhaled slowly, willing her to follow his example.

He heard Sabrina and Arand behind them but had no idea what they were saying. Only Jessica mattered. Her eyes bulged slightly. She grabbed his wrists and squeezed tight. He could feel and see her panic. Her skin began to take on a bluish cast.

He was losing her.

“No. He can’t have you. Do you hear me, Jessica? Breathe,” he commanded.

She managed to suck in a small amount of air. It whistled into her lungs. Just as quickly, the air passage was cut off. It was as though the devil himself was choking her.

Arand sat on the bed opposite him. Sabrina was on the phone, urgently speaking with someone. He heard her say Aimee’s name and knew she was trying to find out if Roric’s mate had discovered anything that could help Jessica.

Fear. It was something he’d known intimately in his years with Hades, but nothing he’d ever been through compared to this. “Jessica.” He tried to infuse every ounce of his determination into his voice. “You will breathe. Do you understand?”

She tried, but she was so weak. Her hands fell away from his wrists, flopping back to her sides. The mark on her arm seemed to pulse with dark power. Her eyelids slowly lowered. He roared when he lost sight of her blue eyes. Was it the last time he’d ever see them?

“No, you can’t die. You must live.” He shook her. Her body flopped around like a rag doll, lifeless and boneless.

Arand touched his shoulder. “There is nothing more you can do.”

“There has to be,” he snarled. He’d taken on Hades and beaten him. He could defeat this death curse. “There has to be a way to save her.”

His friend went still beside him. Mordecai pinned him with his black gaze. “What is it?”

“You could share your life force with her. That might be enough to drive out Hades’ darkness.”

For the first time since he’d come into being, Mordecai wished he’d been more like his fellow warriors. But his soul was dark and stained. “I fear I have only darkness to give her.” He saw the growing understanding in Arand’s eyes. “It might only hasten her death.”

“She’s dying anyway,” Arand pointed out.

“Do it,” Sabrina demanded. She’d tucked away her phone and now climbed onto the bed next to her mate. “Save her.”

“She’ll be tied to me forever,” he warned.

“Better that then dead.” Sabrina’s bluntness drove the point home. What did it matter as long as Jessica lived? And if he had to give her every last drop of his life force, he would. Because he’d already decided he didn’t want to live without her.

He only prayed he didn’t taint her with his darkness.

She was lying on the bed, her skin damp with perspiration, her face pale, her lips turning blue. Mordecai leaned down and gently touched his mouth to hers. “I won’t let you die,” he promised her.

He closed his eyes and placed his hands over her heart. Digging deep, he searched for the light of his goddess. It was a rainbow of color, hidden beneath layers of shadow. It tried to conceal itself from him, but he ruthlessly yanked it from its hiding spot and shoved it into Jessica. As though sensing more light energy, it flowed eagerly from him into her.

Good. That was good. The heat was intense, even more so than the bowels of hell. But Mordecai held firm. Jessica’s life was in the balance.

His serpent roared, lending its strength to the battle. Like him, the beast didn’t care if he lived or died as long as Jessica survived.

Darkness swarmed around him. It poured into him until he could no longer see or sense the world. He was blind and deaf. It was the same sensation he’d gotten every time he’d stepped into one of Hades’ dark portals. It was like being imprisoned in a void of nothingness. Staying here for long would drive him mad, would make him pray for death.

Still, he held on. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Jessica.

It dawned on him as the darkness consumed him that he loved her. He’d never understood the emotion, wasn’t even sure he’d believed in it. But this had to be what it was. He put her well-being above his own, willing to do whatever it took to make her healthy. He wanted her happiness above his own. Even if that meant his death.

She belonged to him and he would take care of her.

As the last of the light streamed from his hands, he prayed to the Lady to save her.

Jessica wasn’t sure if she was dying or if she was already dead. She couldn’t breath. The suffocating feeling enveloped her despite Mordecai’s attempts to help her. She felt so bad for him. He was so alone. He needed her to love him even if he didn’t realize it.

But time had run out and Hades had won this round. She wondered what Hell would be like, because she had no doubt the god would be coming for her soul.

The light faded, leaving only darkness. Fear gripped her. She fought through the thick black, searching for a light. She centered herself and concentrated, not without, but within. The light wasn’t outside her, she carried it with her.

It began as a mere difference in shade. A pinpoint of black became gray. She imagined a circle of power around her, blocking out the negative. It grew brighter. Hopeful, Jessica concentrated on the point until the faintest glow emerged.

She nurtured the ember and it grew bigger and bigger until it surrounded her. She was the sole light in the pitch black. Then the world went supernova. As though a star exploded, the world around her lit up in a rainbow of color. It poured in, driving out the blackness. The dark could not survive in the face of such beauty.

The light was alive and it was more powerful than anything she’d ever imagined. It chased the darkness, opening up and swallowing it whole. It was destroying the death curse.