Surrender (8 page)

Set shook off the whirling air around him and advanced, his hands curling and uncurling at his sides. “It sounds like we have a rematch. I remember my daughter saving your life the last time. Perhaps you would be so kind as to ask her not to interfere this time.”

Jarek didn’t take his eyes off the god, and Kira saw from the set of his shoulders that he had no intention of going anywhere. She turned on her heel and raced up the stairs, desperation guiding her footsteps.

Flinging open the door to her mother’s chamber, she saw the neatly made bed and a crystal vase holding fresh flowers, and grief overtook her for the briefest of moments. Leaving Jarek to deal with the enemy below, she disappeared, trying fearfully to catch hold of her mother’s scent.

Jarek knew the exact moment Kira left, and though he desired to stay and finish the match with Set, he would not leave her alone again. Not this time. He inclined his head shortly in Set’s direction, muttered a quick, “Another time,” and disappeared.

He couldn’t see Kira, but he followed her aura, traveling along the waves of her pain and grief. He called to her through the mists, but she didn’t respond. Lapsing into silence, he allowed her the time alone while she endured the fruitless search for her mother.

His heart slamming against his chest, he sensed Kira’s bleak despair and materialized at her side. She knelt before a graceful woman with long, blonde hair and aquamarine eyes.

Another goddess. Jarek sensed it at once. Her aura swelled around her, both compelling and overwhelming.

The goddess rested her hand on Kira’s shoulder and raised her head in acknowledgment of his presence. “It is good you are here,” she said softly. “I am Ma’at.” One slim hand brushed the hair back from Kira’s brow. “I knew Kira’s mother well.”

The past tense didn’t escape him, and Jarek met the goddess’s eyes. “Has she crossed over?”

Ma’at bowed her head in acknowledgment. “She has.”

Kira scrambled to her feet, tears streaking her cheeks. “I want to see her.”

Ma’at embraced her, using soothing sounds and words in an attempt to calm her. “You know that is not allowed, Kira.”

Jarek understood Kira’s pain well. When his parents ascended, his own grief had enfolded him, threatened to crush him. He hadn’t known how to shake it, and he’d given into the pain…until Kira walked into his life.

He didn’t attempt to console Kira. Instead, he addressed the goddess. “Kira will be able to see her mother once the cleansing ceremony is complete. Correct?”

Something flickered in Ma’at’s eyes. “You know much of our customs.”

“I make it my business to know the customs of all gods.” He didn’t add the words
beneath me
, though he didn’t doubt the goddess picked up on the unspoken words.

Her nostrils flared. “He is correct, Kira. You will be allowed to see your mother in three days, but only briefly. It will be time enough for you to say goodbye.”

Kira walked out of the goddess’s embrace and away from Jarek. She kept her back to them. “You will take care of her, Ma’at?”

“You have my promise.”

“Kira, where are you going?” Jarek called after her.

She held up one hand. “I need time.”

He approached her, anger driving him to her side. “Time for what? You should not be alone.” When she looked into his eyes, he saw the red outlining her pupils. He snatched hold of her arm instantly. “I will not allow this, Kira. You cannot give in to this fury.”

“You know nothing of my fury.”

“I know it will destroy you if you give it free rein.”

Thick lashes lowered, and in a soft, smoky voice, she queried, “Do you honestly believe my mother died of natural causes?”

“We both know that’s not the case, but confronting Set will not make this better.” Fingers flexing against her skin, he implored her with his voice. “You cannot kill him, Kira, at least not now. Eventually, you will meet him again, and then the Fates will decide his destiny.”

Her upper lip curled into a decided sneer. “Fuck the Fates.” With those words, she slipped out of his grasp, disappearing into thin air.

For a moment, fear gripped his heart before peace regained control.

He would not lose her. In fact, he refused to even consider the idea. But it would take more than determination to save her.

Fortunately, Jarek had yet to lose a battle.

Chapter Seven

Pandemonium reigned through the small city, and as darkness descended, the gods of Enun wailed in despair.

Kira arrived in a flurry of black leather and flowing, ebony hair. She had not doubt that the gods beneath her were trembling. As well they should. They would know their powers paled in comparison to hers.

As she walked the length of the city, what had once been her city, her home, her eyes searched for a distraction. Voices hushed and bodies melted into the walls, the floors, any place that hid them from the goddess’s view.

But they couldn’t hide from her. She’d find each and every one of the lesser gods, and before she left, Set would have nothing left to rule. She’d leave this city in ruins, giving him no option but to find her. And she’d make it easy for him. How appropriate would it be to destroy him on the streets of his own city?

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Kira said in a singsong voice.

No one dared respond, but it didn’t matter. She’d track the gods down, and before the night ended, she’d absorb the powers of them all. She wouldn’t stop until she was more powerful than Set could even imagine.

A plump god with golden eyes and a thatch of sandy brown hair tried to slink around the wall, attempting to hide his girth from her view.

“Athos, where are you going so quickly?” Her hand shot out and grabbed his neck.

“What do you want?” Athos squeaked out, his eyes as big as gold bouillons.

“Only your power.”

“Kira, come home.”

Kira’s hand dropped away from the quaking god’s neck as the familiar voice called out to her. She looked over her shoulder, and as her prey scurried away, she saw only empty air.

“Kira, come home.”

The repeated command had her spinning around in a circle, her gaze searching the darkness. “Where in the hell are you, Jarek?”

When he didn’t respond, she glowered at the sky overhead. “I’m not going anywhere, at least not until I’ve finished what I’ve come for. So stop wasting your time and your breath.”

She didn’t expend any more energy on an explanation. She doubted Jarek heard her anyway. Probably some thought projection he’d learned at Lamar’s feet.

She walked two paces, and a shadow fell across her path, probably another god trying to hide from her. “Do you wish to be next in line then?” She drew in a deep breath and stilled her thoughts. “I am ready for you.”

“I don’t think you are,” Jarek said as he stepped out of the darkness.

Kira stared at him. “How did you find me?”

“I only needed you to respond to the sound of my voice. As our souls are connected, I can find you when you talk to me.”

“Thanks for the tip,” she returned with a wave of her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”

“These gods have done nothing to you.”

Kira tossed her head back and sent him a glare designed to unnerve him. Jarek merely blinked back at her, unmoved, unconcerned. “This isn’t about them.”

“They would beg to differ.”

Kira exhaled an audible breath. “Can you stop being this paragon of virtue for one second? Set raised me to be what you see before you now. The only way I can right this is to eliminate him.”

Jarek raised one eyebrow and appeared to consider her statement, but when he spoke, Kira realized he’d been doing anything but. “The way I see it, you have a couple of options. Return with me to Timara willingly or return with me to Timara against your will. Either way, you’re coming home.”

She gave him a sullen look. “I don’t have a home.”

“Feeling sorry for yourself, are you?”

“Go to hell, Jarek.”

“I would if it would bring you back to your senses.”

She clamped a hand over her heart. “Is that supposed to touch me? It doesn’t. You’re wasting your breath.” She didn’t hang around to see if her words wounded him. They left a bitter taste in her mouth, though. She walked past him, head held high.

Jarek fell into step beside her. “So that’s it? Set wins?”

“He wins nothing. He’ll die soon enough.”

“Do you really think you can kill him?”

“You doubt my abilities that much?”

Jarek’s fingertips brushed hers as they walked side by side. “Absorbing the powers of lesser gods won’t help you in your battle against Set. He’s existed for centuries. What makes you think you can eliminate him?”

“You don’t understand,” Kira snapped back. “I have to kill him.”

“Will it bring your mother back?”

She stopped, whipping around so fast her hair smacked him in the face. “My mother is dead because of him. I don’t even know the entire story, and I doubt I’ll ever hear it now.”

Jarek’s face softened. “I’ll tell it to you.”

She bit her lower lip to keep from crying. “Jarek, please.”

“I know you think this anger will save you from feeling the pain, but it won’t. You may even succeed in killing Set, but when he lies dead at your feet, the pain will reappear. Not because of his death, but because of the realization that you can’t bring your mother back, no matter what you do.”

Kira dropped her gaze. “I don’t want to feel the pain.”

He ran one hand down her hair. “You don’t have a choice.” He stepped closer, and Kira saw his broad shoulder come into view. She knew he offered it as a pillow for her grief, but she couldn’t take it. She wouldn’t take it.

The tears came suddenly, the onslaught surprising her. With all of her strength, she couldn’t stem the tide, and as Jarek’s arms closed around her, banding her against his chest, she relented.

The grief speared her, rendering her helpless, and while Jarek held her in the middle of the deserted street of Enun, her heart broke, severed into tiny pieces as shattered as her world.

Jarek stroked her hair, her shoulders, her back, but said nothing. Kira welcomed the silence, save the sounds of her sobs. Even the wind stilled, for fear of angering the bitter goddess.

After the storm abated, Kira raised her head. She bumped her forehead against Jarek’s and wondered why she felt accustomed to his arms. “I don’t know what to say.”

Jarek kissed the tip of her nose. “Then say nothing.”

Before Kira could respond, Jarek transported them back to Timara. She saw the bed, the window, the marble floors, and while Jarek still held her, she rested her head against his shoulder, savoring the comforting feel of home.

“I’ve always been a dark goddess,” she whispered.

“But you’re not anymore,” Jarek returned with a light chuckle. “Here, you can be what you were truly meant to be.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “And you’ll want for nothing.”

Kira tapped two fingers against her chest. “I’m sure there’s a sexual reference in there somewhere.” The sound of his heart beneath her ear reassured her, reminded her she was alive.

His chest rumbled with laughter. “Actually, I wasn’t thinking about sex just then.”

She enjoyed the warmth of his skin, the rumble of his voice, and most importantly, she enjoyed his presence, knowing he was close.

“I have an idea.” He rested his cheek against hers for a brief moment.

“Now we’re getting to sex, aren’t we?”

“One can only hope.” His arms went around her. “Hang on.”

The air shifted around them, splintering into vivid colors, and in a matter of seconds, they stood in the center of the steam room adjoining his chamber.

The room was all polished marble and gleaming chrome faucets. Though cleanliness was as easy as blinking an eye, some gods chose to keep some of the pleasures of old, and as Jarek waltzed her toward the spigots, she was more than a little grateful.

“What are you doing?” Her voice sounded husky.

“You need to relax. What better way than a refreshing shower?”

“I don’t ordinarily use showers, Jarek. They’re very primitive.”

His hands splayed across her spine, holding her body close against his. “Primitive things can be good.”

A taunting smile curved her lips. “Do you like it hot?”

Jarek gave a little laugh. “Oh, yeah.”

Her tongue brushed the corners of her mouth. “I meant the water.”

His eyes were on her lips. “That too.”

Reaching around behind his back, she adjusted the spigots, allowing the water to flow over her fingers until the temperature was just right. Steam billowed out into the air surrounding them, vying for supremacy with the heat they were already generating.

Jarek didn’t give her time to undress. Her clothing, along with her willpower, fell away with his. Kira lifted her hands, brushing her damp hair away from her face. She heard the sharp intake of air and caught his gaze, saw the dark flash of desire and smiled. It was a smile of satisfaction, of knowing, and even surrender. “Is this what you wanted, my king?”

Her small, wet hands slid over his buttocks, kneading the skin softly, gently, and then changed directions, taking her toward the front of his body. Her fingers curled around the thickness of his cock while his breaths turned into pants.

Arching her back, Kira let the water slide over her face and down her chest.

Jarek’s gaze heated to the water’s temperature, raking over her body. “Kira, if you don’t stop touching me like that…” Words ceased as she increased her motions, sliding her damp hand toward his balls and then back up toward the head of his cock.

He groaned low in his throat and used the wall behind him for support. His hands found her hair, her throat, her breasts, never stopping, just brushing intimate caresses until her skin tingled with awareness. He filled his palm with soap and glided over her curves with gentle motions. He burned the imprint of his hand over her abdomen before covering her pussy.

Kira was sure she’d whispered his name, but the pounding of the water and their panting breaths drowned out any other sounds. His fingers taught her things about her own body that she’d never known, had never learned before.

Jarek dipped his head to the hollow of her throat, to the V of her breasts before he paid special attention to one turgid nipple, drawing it deep within the hot wetness of his mouth.

Her knees threatened to buckle, his actions forcing her to release his cock to clasp his forearms. She bit down hard on her lower lip while his hands slid around to the back of her thighs. He lifted her, fitting her closely against his body.

Snug in the center of his thighs, Kira felt the hard length of his shaft burning against her inner thigh, and her hands framed his face, meeting his gaze. “Take me, Jarek. Fuck me now.”

He needed no further encouragement. Drawing back slightly, he pushed into her heated core, fusing their bodies. Turning, he pressed her back against the wall, bracketing his hands on either side of her to begin a slow, rhythmic dance.

But Kira wasn’t waiting. She didn’t want slow. She wanted now. Grinding her fingers into his buttocks, she pumped her hips, forcing him to keep time with her. The dance became feverish, pushing, urging, and finally, driving them over the edge into a shattering climax.

Jarek rested his forehead against hers, drawing in deep, steadying breaths. He held onto her for several more long moments.

“Mmm…” Kira couldn’t think of anything better to say. It was very possible that she’d lost a few brain cells, leaving her without the ability to articulate a complete sentence. Possible. Probable. And she didn’t care. Her hands rested on his shoulders, her fingers toying with the damp strands of his hair. “I think that about sums it up,” she finally managed to respond.

“We should get out.” He didn’t move.

“Yeah.” Kira’s head drooped to his shoulder. “Can you move?”

He laughed a little shakily. “I’m not sure. My legs aren’t all that steady, but I’ll try.”

Kira wound her legs around his hips. “If you’re really as powerful as you say you are, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting us out of here.”

Laughter rumbling in the back of his throat, Jarek held her naked body tightly and whisked them out of the steam room and into his bedchamber. As the warmth of the room closed around them, Kira sighed with contentment.

For the first time in a very long time, she didn’t worry about her father’s wrath or what was expected of her. This felt right. Being with Jarek felt right. And arguing with her heart was pointless, especially when Jarek wrapped his arms around her and lowered her to the bed.

“I hope you didn’t have anywhere else to be,” he whispered in her ear.

“Planning a long night?”

He kissed her softly. “I’m planning a long week.”

Her laughter joined his before they both succumbed to the desire building once more.

Jarek left Kira sleeping as he crept out of the bed to answer Devlin’s summons. The god practically danced from foot to foot before he handed Jarek the crinkled message.

Jarek scanned the piece of paper, and his jaw clenched. He met Devlin’s eyes. “I’m not surprised. Set didn’t seem the type to give up without a fight.”

“Do you really think he will make good on his threat?”

Jarek shot a grim look over his shoulder and lowered his voice. “I do, but deep inside, I know he doesn’t really want Kira.”

Devlin looked confused and puckering his lips, he leaned in closer. “Why not?”

“He’s never wanted her as much as he wants Timara. Besides, Kira would make every effort to kill him now. He knows that.”

Devlin’s eyes widened. “Set is very powerful. Do you really believe he is worried about Kira’s attempts on his life?”

Jarek’s face tightened. “Divide and conquer. You’re exactly right, Devlin.” He pondered the situation a moment longer before nodding his head. Then he clapped Devlin’s shoulder and backed toward his chamber. “Good thinking.”

“Thank you,” Devlin muttered, though the confusion never left his face.

Jarek sat on the edge of the bed, brushing the tangled hair from Kira’s face. With her eyes closed in slumber and her lips relaxed, she looked like a porcelain doll. He bent to brush a kiss over her cheek and she stirred, her eyelids fluttering.

“Good morning,” he whispered.

Kira stretched luxuriously, kicking the sheet away from her naked curves. “Good morning.”

He saw her wince and his eyes flew to her body. “Are you hurt?” His hands moved over her skin for an inspection.