Restraint (The Revelation Series Book 2) (23 page)

Asher
throws me a wink and a smile. “Kinky, siren. I like it,” he teases while pulling off his shirt then lays back.

Swallow
ing my nerves, I straddle him as his eyes cloud with desire. Slowly, I lean in so my mouth is a breath away from his lips. My fingers travel across his jaw, down his throat and over his bare chest, leaving a trail of goose bumps on his skin.

H
is eyes close in pleasure. “Open your eyes, Ash.” He does. Then he watches my every move through hooded lids.

I
leisurely dip my head and place a path of light kisses down his neck, causing him to moan.

Once I reach his chest, he
fists his hands in my hair as I move my lips over the place where he was stabbed, right through the protector tattoo. My heart clenches at the realization. It’s already healed but there’s a small scar in between the dragon and fire.

I lift my gaze and peer at him through my lashes.
His serious stare drops to my lips as I let them fall little by little onto the wound, kissing it. I push everything I feel for him into the touch. The hands tangled in my hair tighten at the intensity of the contact.

I let my tongue dart out
, tasting him then outlining the protector tattoo with it before returning my lips to kiss the scar. After a few moments of allowing my mouth to press on his tattoo, Asher tugs my hair, forcing my head up and bringing me forward to kiss his lips. Devouring me with so much pressure, I swear he’s trying to breathe me in.

The kiss last
s forever, yet not long enough. He pulls away panting. “No one has ever, ever, fucking kissed me so sensually before. Best. Kiss. Ever.” His voice is laced with want.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now let me go back and
you wake up.”

“Done.” He pulls me into his side and curls his body around mine
kissing the top of my head. “See you soon, siren.”

1
6
Fla
mes

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I woke up, but to be truthful, I didn’t really
anticipate Asher’s blue irises watching me. At the awareness he’s awake, I bolt straight up and literally jump on him. I wrap my arms and legs around his muscular body so tightly if I don’t let up, we might morph into one person.

“Holy shit, you really are
Sleeping Beauty,
” I whisper, stunned.

He chuckles. “Well, thank goodness I found my princess then.” After the words leave his mouth
, he stills for a brief moment.

Unsure of what happened, I pull back and scan his face
, letting my hands roam over it, memorizing each line and plane. “It’s so good to see you awake again. I didn’t think…” My throat tightens, and I let my voice trail off.

Asher leans forward and places a searing kiss on my lips. “I’ll always come back to you, siren.”

The
declaration causes my heart to take flight and I squeeze him even harder. “So much for us showing restraint.” I groan.

Asher
shrugs casually. “Restraint is overrated. Kissing you is much more fun,” he retorts, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

“Fun, but against the rules
,” I remind him.

He looks behind me for what feels like forever before speaking. “I don’t care right now
. I’m done trying to stay away.”

I smile. “Good, because I’
m yours if you’ll have me.”

His
rumble is deep. “Oh, I’ll have you alright.”

I giggle at his playfulness as he leans in
, kissing me one more time before we hear Callan.

“Eves? Hey listen, we need you to come upstairs. Gage is here,
and he has news.”

Asher and I both
freeze. For Gage to come here, something bad must be happening.

“I’ll be right there
,” I answer, my eyes locked with Asher’s.

“All right. We’re in the sitting room. Oh, and bring the gargoyle you’re lip locking with. We miss the bastard
,” he teases as the pink tint forms on my cheeks.
Damn gargoyles.

“How does he know?” I
inquire in a low voice, unable to mask my mortification.

Asher laughs. “It’s a gargoyle thing. Come on, siren. Let’s go see what Gage wants.” His name rolls with disgust off Asher’s lips.

I get off the bed and watch Asher stand up. “Wait.” I panic.

“What?”

“Are you okay? I mean…should you be standing?”

His eyes
twinkle. “Siren, I’ve just spent like three days in stone state. I could build a house with all the energy I have now. I’m good, I swear. Better than before.”

I
stare at his chest. “The scar? Is it permanent?”

He wraps his arms around my waist. “Yes. Just like you. Forever.”

I scan his face.
Crap, I’m in so much trouble.
“Forever?”

He
dips his chin and brushes the hair off my face with his hands. “It’s your mark. Each time I look at it, it will remind me how grateful I am that you’re safe.”

My knees go weak. “If you keep saying things like
that to me, we may never leave this chamber.”

A raw sound
grumbles in his chest as he catches my lips with his. Branding me, marking me as his. “I warned you already, the only thing that isn’t safe around me is your virtue.”

I lace my fingers with his, tugging him toward the stone stairs. “Let
’s go see what Gage wants.” My nerves start to go crazy once we reach the last step. I haven’t seen Gage since he saved me from Saraphina.

Once in the library, Asher close
s the chamber opening before he lets go of my hand to greet Callan and Keegan.

Callan walk
s up to Asher and embraces him tightly. “It’s good to see you up, man.”

“It
’s good to be up,” Asher responds.

Keegan d
oes the same, only his hug is stiff as he pats Asher on the back. “You okay, brother?”

Asher bl
ows out a breath, nodding. “I’m fine and ready to see what Gage Gallagher wants.” At the mention of Gage’s name, I feel my knees tremble, and I know I need to sit down.

“He’s waiting wit
h the ladies,” Callan explains, rubbing his jawline.

Asher shift
s his eyes to me and reaches out his hand. I squirm as my gaze darts from him to Callan then Keegan before placing my hand in his.

“
I’m formally making the clan aware that Eve is mine. I’d like to keep it between the four of us until we get things worked out with Michael and the ascension. But make no mistake, she belongs to me and is privy to all that comes with the designation.”

At his proclamation
, my entire body glows with hope and a shiver of excitement runs down my spine.

Callan rolls his eyes. “As if this is breaking news?”
He laughs to himself.

With a curt nod, Keegan motion
s for us to head toward the sitting room. Once in the hallway, we see McKenna standing outside the room, guarding the door. She stands straight when she sees us. “It’s good to see you awake, Ash.”

He pulls her into a hug and whispers his gratitude to her
. For what, I didn’t hear. At his words, she fidgets uncomfortably and steps away, schooling her face. “The traitor is in with Abby.”

The
five of us enter only to have Abby throw herself at Asher in a deep embrace. “It’s so good to see you. Thank you for saving me,” she says before releasing him and pecking his cheek with a light kiss then winking at me.

Gage is standing near the fireplace with his back to us. He’s dressed in his usual black attire. At the commotion
, he turns and locks eyes with me. A sensation I can’t describe overwhelms me and I inhale sharply.

Asher must have
interpreted my emotions as anxiety because he pulls me behind him in a protective stance. “Gage.”

“Keegan, Callan and Asher.”
Gage greets them before turning to me. “Love.” At his voice, my stomach does a nosedive.

Keegan step
s forward and a low growling sound of disapproval releases from deep within his chest. “Protocol states that when greeting your pri-” Asher interrupts his directive.

“
What do you want, Gage?” Asher’s voice is cold and distant.

“Nice to see you too
, your highness.” Gage smirks, amused at the jab. “I’m here with a warning.”

Callan scoff
s. “Why?”

Gage trains
his eyes on me as Asher steps into his line of sight, blocking me from view. “Lucifer is unhappy that one of you killed Dimia, his favorite mate. The pain and utter devastation caused by the death of one’s mate pushes one to do the unthinkable.”

At his words, I hold my breath.
He continues. “Lucifer was on a war path before in order to gain control over the supernatural world. Now, it’s completely spiraling out of control.” He sighs.

“Why are you telling us this?”
Asher’s demeanor is cool and aloof.

Gage smiles but it’
s not friendly as he levels his stare at Asher. “I owe Deacon a favor for Camilla. I intend to pay him back. The rest of the drama doesn’t interest me. Your clan’s actions in London have set off a full-blown war. Lucifer has stepped up his deadlines and the Dark Army’s efforts, placing your beautiful charge in even greater danger. Your kin killed a gargoyle and demon mate.”

“Shit.” Callan blows out on an
exhale.

“
Not only is the underworld gunning for Eve but they’ll see to it that she suffers, for your actions. They’ll make sure you all do. You have no idea the level of evil you’re dealing with or what kind of flood gates Dimia’s death has opened.” Gage’s words are firm. “I suggest you get your end game together, old friend. Heed my warning. It’s the only one you’ll get from me.”

Asher bristles at his last statement and w
ith that, Gage walks right past us to the door. Before he exits, he throws over his shoulder, “We’re even now, prince. Consider my debt to you paid.” Then he vanishes.

It feels like everyone exhales at the same time. Asher slides his glance to me. “We’ve got this. Don’t worry.” I
stand tall, trying to emanate strength and not show my fear.
Holy shit, I’m fucked.

Keegan steps to Asher’s side. “We should
head back to London and regroup with the other clans, as well as Michael.”

“It might also be time to bring the councils in
,” Callan suggests.

“Agreed
,” Asher replies.

“Let
’s roll,” Callan exclaims as we all make our way to the Escalade.

Asher leans into my ear and drops his voice to a
low murmur. “Listen, don’t get pissed, but I think it’s best if you wait at my place with Abby and Kenna. We’ll most likely be meeting with the other clans, Michael, and key members from both the Angelic Council and the Royal Council of Protectors when we return. I’d rather them not pick up on any signals we might inadvertently give off that we’re more than a protector and charge.”

I snap my eyes from the rolling scenery
to his face. “Shouldn’t I be involved in these meetings if they’re about me?”

He shakes his head. “
Strategy.” He twists his body towards me and picks up a strand of my hair, playing with it. “You’re mine, siren. But they can’t know that yet. We need to get through this war, your ascension and anything else that comes up before we take on the councils and fight for one another. I promise the day will come when I lay my sword at your feet and everyone in the world knows you belong with me. For now, we need to keep it low key. Agreed?”

My lips move
to argue but Keegan announces we’re back at the flats in London. As we pull into the garage, my eyes are drawn to the spot where Asher was lying lifeless. Memories of his body bleeding out flood me, reminding me of what could happen if we don’t follow the rules. My heart shatters in my chest. I couldn’t survive anything happening to him.

“
Okay,” I consent and I feel his entire body relax.

He kisses my temple. “
Thank you.”

***

“
Focus, Eve. This is extremely important,” Abby states, her face serious.

“Yeah
, blood of Eden. Don’t fuck this up,” McKenna says, her arms crossed.

“
Fine,” I grit out.

“Come on
, you’ve got this,” Abby encourages. 

“
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Before Sunrise/Before Sunset/Before Midnight and Endless Love.
In that order too.” I direct.

Abby slap
s her hands and rubs them together. “Good movie choices for girls’ time. Kenna, get the door. That’s the food,” she orders.