The Wicked (12 page)

As if on cue, little Witches and Guardians suddenly surrounded us.

“Look, there she is,” one of them said.

Each and every one of them looked like I was Santa Claus bringing Christmas presents. “Time to go,” I said quickly. Kyden stepped forward, pressed himself close to me. “I am injured. Take me home, Álainn.”

Now that sounded like a great idea. After quick good-byes, we headed back toward our residence. Once in the castle, I glanced up to Kyden. He looked horrible. “First thing you’re doing is washing your face. It’s disgusting.”

“If Zia healed me you wouldn’t have to look at it.”

“He looks like something out of a scary movie,”
Willow said, following behind us.

I laughed.

Kyden glanced to me, arching a swollen brow.

“Willow,” was all I had to say.

He nodded in understanding.

We were home in a jiffy. Kyden headed off to the bathroom while Willow went to eat some tuna I set out for her.

When Kyden came back out from the bathroom, his face didn’t look any better. In fact, it might have looked worse. His one eye was completely swollen shut and his bottom lip was puffy.

“Your face is terrible,” I said.

“I know.” He sighed. “Come. Make it better.”

He stripped quickly as did I. His one eye sort of smoldered—I think. He stepped toward me, pulled me tight against him and lowered his lips to mine. My body instantly responded sending wetness between my thighs. Just his presence alone usually caused that. I tried to kiss the left side of his mouth since it was the only place uninjured. It was beyond awkward.

He must have felt it too because he backed away.

“It hurts to do that,” he said as he brought us closer toward the bed. He lay down on his back—ready and willing.

I stood there, confused. “Shouldn’t I be lying down?”

“I am hurt.” His voice held pure sex appeal. “The job is yours.”

“You want me on top?” I managed. Okay, maybe I was dreading this moment a little bit. I had no clue what the hell to do. Plus, no matter how much he liked what he saw, I still felt exposed.

“I do,” he answered in a sultry purr.

I stood there staring at him, having no idea how to proceed here. What did I just jump on and go to town? Did I move back and forth? Up and down?

Kyden chuckled deeply. “Anytime will do, Álainn.”

“What do I do?” I asked, as I joined him on the bed.

“Whatever you like. I am yours to be had.”

I climbed on top of him, feeling almost sick with nerves. So, I was new to this and felt foolish. Sue me.

He held his erection up while I slid down onto him. “Mmmm…that’s it,” he drawled.

“Oh god,” I exclaimed almost in the exact moment. I was beginning to see why this was such a favored position by females. Slowly, I began to move. Still feeling unsure, I asked, “Am I doing this right?”

He groaned his answer and rubbed his hands along my body. I took that as a yes and began to move faster, rocking my hips as Kyden reached up to grasp my breasts.

My gaze swept across his face as it always did when we were intimate. I loved to watch him and he appreciated it just as much. But now, seeing his cuts, bruises, and swollen bits, I instantly felt awful. He wanted to give me pleasure and I wanted to cause him pain.

In an attempt to ignore it, I rocker harder against him and closed my eyes so I couldn’t see his injuries. Looking at that definitely didn’t water the fields. His grunts immediately deepened as I took him in a way that was all my own. “Yes, Álainn—that’s it,” he said in almost a shout.

His words encouraged me that I was doing this right, and boy did it feel right. Pleasure was sweeping through me as I moved against him. His body was mine to indulge in and I was doing just that.

He reached for my hips and gripped me tightly—demanding I move harder, faster. I answered his request and slammed into him with everything that I had.

I opened my eyes, catching a bit of his battered face, which now looked worse since his expression was as deep as it would be in pain. I closed my eyes quickly as adrenaline began to fill me. Adrenaline from what I had no idea, but the whys didn’t matter.

I lowered my head back as the sensation of being completely wild on him sent me rippling in rapture. He gripped harder around my hips, helped me gain further speed and strength as he tightened his legs, pushing himself farther into me, allowing for deeper penetration. The energy within me began to grow. My skin tingled with anticipation of my release.

With a final deep thrust down on him, my orgasm blasted through me with such intensity I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to survive it. He held me firm against him as his penis throbbed inside me, which only intensified the sensations that felt very close to ending my life.

When the powerful climax released, I dropped down on top of him, trying to catch my breath as his body shook beneath me as he came.

Many, many minutes later, I had enough strength to open my mouth.

“That…was…incredible.” I raised myself up, pushed against Kyden’s chest. When I met his gaze, it was to see his devilish grin on a completely healed face. “Oh for frig sake’s, I healed you.”

Gotta love dirty dreams, and I was in the heart of one dirty ass dream. Kyden had my legs wrapped around his shoulders as he answered my needs with vengeance. Hard deep pounds that should have rattled my teeth, but didn’t.

What the hell?

“That’s right, big boy. Take me, Talon. Take me.”

Wait, that’s not my voice.

“You like that, Zia,” Talon grunted. “You like it when I fuck you like this?”

I shot straight up in bed. “Oh gross.” I shook my entire body rubbed my arms nearly crying. “Eww, eww, eww.”

Then, like something that belonged in hell, the vision came back to me. Talon was moving faster as Zia screamed in ecstasy.

“Make it stop,” I pleaded. “Oh God, make it stop.” I jumped out of bed.

Kyden sat up slightly and stared at me as if I was one step away from the nuthouse. “Alright?” he asked.

“My block.” I bounced along the floor as if hot coals were beneath my feet. “Oh, God. Disgusting.” Since this wasn’t doing anything and the images of Zia and Talon reaching their end was stealing my mind, I stopped moving, and focused on raising my block. I didn’t need to picture the window anymore. Instead, I let the adrenaline of spirit build within my blood. Using feelings of images was just easier to hold onto.

When my mind returned to my own thoughts, I took a minute to recoup then my breath gasped out as I shuddered. “That was soooo gross. Seriously, I’m scarred for life.”

Kyden laughed and opened the sheets wide. “Come back to bed, Álainn.” When I settled in his arms he asked, “What was that all about?”

“Trust me you do
not
want to know,” I responded snuggling into his neck and the warmth of the hard lines of his body

“Are you okay?”
Willow asked then a little growl rose to her voice
. “And if you are, you better have a good reason for waking me up.”

“No, I’m not okay. I’m disturbed. Horrified. Any of that will do. What I just saw was wrong. So very, very, very wrong.”

Kyden laughed softly.

“Can we go back to sleep now?”
Willow grumbled in a low purr
. “I’m still tired.”

“You can. I won’t be.”

And I didn’t. I laid wrapped in Kyden’s arms in complete horror for the next three hours watching the numbers on the clock tick by.

“Alright?” Kyden asked as we sat at the kitchen table and ate breakfast.

“No, I’m not alright,” I responded, sharply.

“Tell me about it? Did you dream of something?”

“No,” I whispered. “It was a…”

Suddenly, a loud knock came at the door. Being that I was already on edge, I jumped sky high and shrieked.

Kyden laughed, stood and headed for the door.

I stared at my cereal. I couldn’t eat. How could I eat?

Moments later, the door creaked and Zia’s stern voice said, “Where is she?”

“In the kitchen,” Kyden replied, the curiosity in his voice was clear.

Begrudgingly, I stood from the chair and met them halfway, horrified to see Talon with her. My gaze hit Zia’s face then to Talon. Without an inkling of warning, I burst out laughing.

After a few minutes of my hysteria, Zia said exasperated, “You can stop laughing now.”

I wiped my tears, looked at them again and without as much as a word, I busted out laughing even harder. I ended up holding onto my stomach and sank to my knees trying to stop the pain.

Kyden grinned, but attempted to hide it.

Zia and Talon just looked pissed.

“Ouch…it hurts,” I breathed, attempting to gain an ounce of control. I pushed myself up and stood, unable to meet their eyes. I couldn’t. Not if I was going to refrain from laughing. “Sorry about that,” I told the floor.

“I would like to speak with you.” Zia grabbed my arm and towed me toward the bedroom. “Now.”

As Zia and I met the bedroom door, Kyden asked Talon. “What’s this all about?”

Talon grumbled something in response. I didn’t laugh even though I sure as hell wanted too. After Zia shut the door, I started, “Zia…I.”

But the second I sat on the bed and looked back at her, my words froze as she erupted in laughter. “You’re laughing?”

Zia nodded and came to join me on the bed. “I didn’t want to laugh in front of Talon. You know male pride and all.” She gave me a curious glance. “How much of that did you see?”

“Too much—too damn much.” I laughed, sighed and shuddered all at the same time. “I guess I’m finding it easier to get a read on you.”

“I believe you are right. Let’s set some ground rules—we will keep our blocks up at any time it could be intimate including sleep. Is this agreeable to you?”

“Damn right it is.”

“Good.” She fixed her hair and wiped under her eyes. “Does it look like I’ve been laughing?”

Her eyes were red rimmed, her face flushed. “A little,” I told her, honestly.

“Best we wait a while until I look better. Talon…is…well, where do you think Kyden gets it from? He will not be happy to know I was laughing about this.”

“Does he know…I saw it?”

“I felt your presence and blurted out your name.” She smiled. “I obviously had to explain.”

“Great,” I grumbled. “Guess I won’t be looking him in the eye for a while.”

Zia gave a knowing look. “This makes us even now, doesn’t it?”

She got me there. “I guess it does.”

We sat for a little while longer until Zia’s face returned to a normal shade. When we walked back into the room, I kept my gaze very focused on Kyden. But that didn’t help any. Talon must have told him because he was grinning from ear to ear.

I raised my hand. “Don’t you dare say one word! My stomach hurts enough from laughing.”

Talon muttered something and a slight scowl hit his face.

“Not that I’m saying it was funny, it—er—looked just fine,” I stumbled, hoping to save a little of his pride.

The scowl left his face and his mouth lifted. Then, his expression went blank. “Let’s be done with this.” He stood. “Are you taking her, Zia?”

“Taking me where?” I interjected

“Briar wants to meet with you again,” Zia replied.

After a kiss from Kyden, Zia and I were on our way.

“So, what’s this all about?” I asked Zia, as we entered the Council’s foyer.

“I spoke with Briar and told her of your progress,” Zia answered. “She wanted to make sure you were managing alright.”

I could only hope that I proved the progress I made was worth something. Sure, I was working my magic faster, but even then, it didn’t compare to what most witches were capable of.

Zia took my hand as she opened the door. The world faded away for a moment and when it came back, Briar was waiting for us by her front gate.

“Oh, my dearest, don’t you look lovely today,” she said to me.

I glanced down at my Guardian gear, looked like I always did, but I took the compliment. “As do you, Briar. How are you?”

“I am well.” She smiled, gloriously. “I found a new lover. He is a young musician. He serenades me every night and his tongue is wild.”

I coughed, trying not to laugh. Her comments were hard to get used too.

“Alright, dear?” she asked with a curious expression.

I nodded. “Yes I am fine.”

Willow nudged my leg.
“Ask her if she misses me?”
she said.

“Willow is wondering if you miss her?” I asked Briar.

Briar picked her up, tickled under her chin. “You are a special kitty, Willow. But no, I can’t say I’ve missed you. Your little meows were obnoxious. I am only too glad you were too young to have a voice.”

“Bitch,”
Willow hissed, and jumped out of her arms.

“Can’t say I disagree with you there,” I said, “But she’s actually growing on me.” Sure, she was a total bitch, but it was almost a breath of fresh air. Willow spoke her mind, said it like it was, and sometimes hearing the truth is just what I needed. Of course, other times I could blast the damn cat sky high for her little snarky comments.

“They always do,” Briar responded, and took my hand. “They always do.”

We made our way out to the garden. Zia went into the herb garden, Briar still holding my hand as we walked into the center surrounded by natural beauty.

I glanced around a moment, marveling, then met Briar’s gaze. “What’s on the agenda today?”

“Zia tells me you have gained more control and told me of your special ability,” she replied. “I was hoping I could see it.”

“Oh, right, the deflecting thing.” It never clued in that this was probably what interested Briar more than my ability with the Fire Element. But then, a thought rose. “Are you going to throw Fire at me?”

“Well, that’s the idea.”

“Is this safe? I mean, you could burn me?”

“Don’t let it hit you then.” Briar said, matter-of-factly, then stepped back putting some space between us.

I glanced at Zia worriedly. She gave me a soft encouraging smile. Hesitantly, I focused back on Briar.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

I drew in a deep breath and focused on that sense of energy within me. The power, the protectiveness and I allowed it to fill me, guard me from her magic. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” was my only response.

Briar reached down, touched the grass and in an instant, fire came barreling toward me. The flames crackled as it speed through the air circling as it approached. I put a little oomph into my hold and gritted my teeth when it was just a hairsbreadth away.

To my complete surprise when the fire hit my shield, it didn’t block it—it just sent it spiraling back toward Briar. I blinked. Then, Briar stood, completely naked with her hair still on fire.

“Holy shit,” I gasped, quickly drawing the fire away with a loud and deep inhale. I ran toward her. “Oh my god. Are you okay?” She smelled of burnt hair and it was still smoking. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the laughter.

Zia quickly ran over. She took one look at Briar, then fell to the ground laughing. “That is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen,” she managed.

“I am naked,” Briar remarked as she reached up to feel her hair. “Is my hair gone?”

I nodded, unable to speak, not wanting to laugh in her face.

“I am naked,” she said again.

I took a quick glance over her, and yessirree, she certainly was that. May I just add, this Grammy looked damn good that way too. She had a beautiful figure, everything tight and purely female.

Feeling horribly guilty, I reached up and laid a hand on her shoulder, focusing on what I wanted to happen—drawing on my wish to return her to her original shape.

Immediately, she gasped loudly as her hair shimmered to its normal softness and her skin was hidden away by clothing.

“You have mastered the art of healing, I see,” Briar stated as she glanced down and ran her hands along her skirt. Then, she snapped her eyes back up and met my gaze. “I cannot believe what just happened!”

“I’m so sorry,” I said, abashed.

“Don’t be,” Briar snapped. “Zia, did you see that?”

Zia stood from her kneeling position and wiped tears off her face. “I did. That was not only very funny, but also quite remarkable. You used her magic back on her, Nexi.”

The whole naked bit had stolen my mind, but now, even I couldn’t believe what had just happened. “I guess I did.”

“Your talent seems to be growing,” Briar said. Then, she looked to a bush. “Burn that one.”

I focused on it, allowed the heat within me to build to an all-consuming level. Then, a second later, I released my Fire. As expected, the bush erupted into flames. “I really hate burning things up.” I grumbled as I quickly withdrew the fire and scooted over to the bush to heal it.

When I glanced back, Briar said, “I believe, my dearest, your training is complete.”

“It is?” I asked, surprised. “Just like that, I’m done? Isn’t there anything else?”

“I wish there was,” Briar answered. “Having you around is much amusement for me, but you have your control. That is all you need. Your focus has gotten stronger. It only takes you seconds now to ask your magic to come. There is no more I can teach you than that. Just keep practicing and calling it to you. Soon it will be instantaneous.”

I glanced at Zia. “No more training then? Is there some sort of trials I have to take?”

“We do have similar trials as the Guardians,” she answered, “But I do not feel it necessary to test you. You have shown your power to me, which definitely meets the Council’s standards.”