Fallen Embers (Fallen Guardians #9)

Chapter 32

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Nia wasn’t sure what to expect after her disclosure. She couldn’t blame Lore for his disbelief. After all, Michael had eyed her skeptically, too.

“You? You killed the seraph?” he asked, his voice still hoarse.

Remembering how close they’d both come to dying, her anger resurged. “Yes. He tried to kill me. He hurt me—” A low growl erupted. “It’s okay. I’m fine?—”

“Tell me.” An order.

She blew out a rough breath. “When he knelt near you, the blade poised, I think I lost my mind and flashed. I only knew I couldn’t let him kill you.”

He stared at her for several seconds, then nodded, satisfaction gleaming in his weary, red-rimmed eyes. “Good.”

Breathing easier, Nia unzipped her parka and dropped it on the bench at the foot of the bed. Then she knelt in front of him, her gaze trailing over his shirtless torso, smeared with blood. But she didn’t dare touch him. Lore wasn’t himself after that cruel fall. It was reflected in his haggard features, his sweat-dampened, lackluster hair, and his deathly pale face.

She found it hard to hold in her tears. “I thought I would lose you.”

“Then why aren’t you touching me?”

She bit her trembling lip, her throat tight. “It’s all still so fresh in my mind, touching you and watching my hand slide straight through your body…”

“Had I died, I would have found my way back to you, Nia.” He tucked a loosened strand of hair behind her ear. Then his warm palm cradled one side of her face. “I’m here because I chose you. In my endless life, the only thing that had ever mattered was serving the Celestial Realm.”

His throat moved. “Then I met you. It was like being hit by a meteorite. I no longer knew left from right. You took me apart, atom by atom, turning my life inside out, and as everything realigned, I was never the same again. And I knew… I just knew what I feel for you is unstoppable.”

God, yes! The same! Her heart blazed with love for him.

But she had to know. “Then why didn’t you tell me you’d chosen to fall? You even broke our mate bond. I felt it.”

Pain flickered in his eyes and his palm shook against her cheek. “It was the last thing I wanted, and the only thing I could do. I couldn’t take you with me, Nia. As far as I knew, it’s what soul-joined mate bonds do. Gaia suggested otherwise, but nothing in our world is ever given freely. Everything comes with a price. If I didn’t come through it alive, I wanted the guarantee that you’d have a chance at a life.”

Tears dripped, and she sniffed.

He wiped her tears away with his thumb, then pressed his fist to his chest. “This ancient, timeless, and incredible love I feel is for you, and you alone. Now, will you touch me?”

Shaky laughter escaped her.

He grasped her wrist and pressed her palm against his warm, bare chest, the slow thudding of his heart soothing her.

“See?” he said huskily. “I’m okay…well, better than when I awakened on that mountain.”

His arms banded around her, and he drew her closer. Her throat tight, she slipped her hands around his neck and held him. He grunted, the pained sound gutting her.

“Oh, God!” She jerked back, palms smeared with blood. “I’m so sorry, your wounds!” She wiped them on her jeans, shot to her feet, grabbed the jar from the bedside table, and scrambled on the bed to access his back?—

And felt as if she’d been punched in the chest.

Though the bleeding had stopped and the jagged wounds had closed to some extent, his skin appeared inflamed. Thick red scabs ran down both sides of his shoulder blades, the lesions bumpy and raw over his previously broken bones.

With gentle fingers, she stroked the bloodied, swollen skin. She opened the jar, and a mossy fragrance flooded the room. She scooped two fingerfuls of the paste and carefully smoothed it along his wounds.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, lightly applying more ointment. “I wanted you so much, so badly with me, I never thought, never realized it would be this devastating for you.” She sniffled and blinked away her tears. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have let you go through with it.”

“Nia, you didn’t know what I planned to do.”

“I know, but I hate seeing you suffer like this.” She continued smoothing the salve over the lesions. But the tension within her grew heavier. Even her head felt as if it weighed a ton. Prickles swamped her, and her powers roiled.

Teeth gritted, she tried to bolt her mind shields. She didn’t want to accidentally take what lingering powers he might still possess.

Her gaze settled on his ruined, wingless back, and she carefully massaged the swollen skin, using the salve for an easier glide.

His head lowered as if her touch soothed, and Nia let her energy flow into him, wanting to ease him…

“That feels good.” He shuddered, and a lightness seeped through her, surprising her as the suppressing weight lifted from her.

As long as it helped him, it was the only thing that mattered.

“Why would the seraphs want you dead when you chose to fall?” she asked him, continuing to gently massage the inflamed skin.

“I am old, Nia, and as a Power, I knew better. But like the Watchers, I broke a sacrosanct oath. I made love to you while still divine. Even though I survived the fall from grace, I had to die. I’m not surprised they came after me. Death was my punishment.”

Mouth tight, she screwed on the jar’s lid and climbed off the bed. “I won’t stand for it.”

She set the tub down, then grabbed the brown bottle and opened it. The bile-churning odor of decaying roots permeated the air.

His gaze snapped up, and he eyed it suspiciously. “That doesn’t smell good.”

“I know, but Michael said it would help.”

With a sigh, he took the bottle and gulped some?—

“Hell.” He thrust it back at her.

At his disgusted look, a smile tugged at her mouth. She recapped and set the potion on the bedside table. “I won’t be long. I need to get a damp towel.”

Nia glanced around her, finally noticing the enormous bedroom with its high vaulted ceilings and granite stone walls. Tall windows flanked a huge fireplace, where a fire crackled and snapped, warming the room. Twin squat armchairs took up space on a lush carpet in front of the hearth.

On the adjacent wall were two doors. One remained open, showing an elegant living room.

She hurried to the shut one on the left. It opened into a dressing room with a sea of shelves, closets, and a padded bench in the middle. A doorway at the other end revealed an elegant light gray and navy bathroom with a shower stall and a clawfoot tub near the window with gold and ivory trim.

She dampened a navy towel in the basin and hurried back, only to find Lore had collapsed face-down on the bed.

Her heart hammering, she sprinted to the bed, dropped the towel, and shook his arm. “Lore?”

He didn’t stir.

Then she saw the slow rise and fall of his chest. He’d fallen asleep sideways on the mattress, revealing he had tried to settle down properly. Man, she didn’t have the muscle power to move him, nor could she teleport him the small distance to the pillow at the head of the bed. They might just end up outside the castle.

Sighing, she undid his boots, tugged them off, and dropped them to the floor, along with his socks. Picking up the damp towel, she carefully cleaned the dried blood on his sides and his back.

A soft knock sounded.

Nia pulled the throw at the foot of the bed over him, set the towel on the side table, then hurried across the room and opened the door.

“Hey.” Echo smiled, but her eyes were dark with concern. “I sensed you were back. I brought food.”

“Come.” Nia waved her inside. “I’d take the tray from you, but I’m dead sure I’d drop it.”

“No worries.” Echo entered, and Nia shut the door and followed her to the cozy turret room just off the bedroom, decked with a pearl-gray sectional. She set the tray on a wooden coffee table.

“Give me a sec.” Nia hurried back to the bathroom, used the toilet, and as she washed her hands, she looked into the mirror.

Good lord! Her features were drawn. Shadows smudged the skin beneath her amber eyes, making them stand out like twin flames. The tiny gold stud on her nose and the several piercings in her left ear glinted as if to try to draw one’s attention away from the wreck she was. And there were traces of dried blood on her left cheek. Ugh.

Hastily, she washed up, dried her face, refastened her hair into a ponytail, and returned to her sister.

Echo removed the silver dome off the tray, and a savory aroma teased Nia’s nose. “It’s grilled cheese sandwiches and roasted red pepper soup. There’s a light chicken soup for Lore when he awakens, since I think he’ll start eating now.”

“Thank you.” Nia sank onto the couch. “Do you think you can get someone to help me settle him more comfortably?” she asked.

“Of course.” Echo whipped out her cell and texted.

Despite exhaustion weighing her down, hunger had her pulling the steaming bowl closer. Lore might appear amiable now, but who knew how he’d be when he awakened with all his faculties up and running. He could just go back to being the hard-headed male she knew and fell for, and she’d need her strength.

Her gaze shifted back to the bed. Heck, she didn’t care. She’d handle all that if it arose.

“Eat,” Echo said softly. “Then you can join him and rest.”

She picked up a knife, cut the half sandwich into pieces, and dropped them in the creamy, orange soup. Spoon in hand, she scooped up a cheesy bite of sandwich and soup and ate it.

“God…” She moaned at the piquant flavors of peppers, parmesan cheese, and cream flooding her mouth. “This is sooo good. I didn’t realize how hungry I am.”

“You barely ate anything in the past week.”

Nia scrunched her nose as she ate some more. Usually, she liked her food, but Lore took precedence over everything, even food. “Thanks for this.”

Echo rubbed her brow, and though she smiled, she appeared pale beneath her honey skin.

Nia lowered her spoon. “What is it?”

“Just a bit of a headache?—”

A soft knock sounded. The door opened, and a tall, attractive man with steel-gray hair pulled into a braid entered. Yep, he was otherworldly, too.

His orange-green eyes shifted between them, then back to her again.

“Nia, this is Hedori,” Echo introduced him, her tone warm and affectionate. “He’s our all-around go-to man and protector when our guys are on patrol.”

His kind, unusual eyes crinkled at the corners, and he gave her a little bow. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Nia blinked. Wait, he was the one who brought her food while in Romania.

“Thank you,” she said. “And for the supplies at the abbey. Angels don’t eat, and it escaped Lore’s attention that I needed food.”

“My pleasure.” A smile appeared, causing him to look far younger than the forty or so she thought him to be.

“I’ll be right back.” Echo got to her feet and dashed off.

“Let me settle the sire.” Hedori crossed to the huge bed. Nia jumped up and followed him. “Finish your meal, my lady. I’ve got this.” With an ease she envied, he carefully moved Lore to the pillows, leaving him on his belly. She grabbed the throw and pulled it over his hips again.

Hedori’s gaze flickered over Lore’s glaring wounds. “He will be fine.”

“I hope so,” Nia whispered, moving to the other side of the bed. “He’s lost so much.”

“Indeed, but he has you now. Don’t let guilt cloud the sacrifices made for the life you both fought for. Be happy.”

His expression held compassion. No wonder Echo loved him.

Nia sat on the bed, longing to move closer to Lore. But she had a visitor?—

Heck, she still had a castle full of people to meet. Her belly heaved at the thought. She looked up and found Hedori watching her.

“Pardon me, my lady, but your resemblance to Echo is uncanny.” A wry smile. “Even knowing you are twins, it’s still quite a shock.”

“For me, too. I always thought I was alone. Now I have a brother and sister.” Her gaze lowered to Lore. “And I have him. I’m so sorry for hiding out at the boathouse. Everyone must think me unsociable?—”

“No apologies necessary. I promise you, no one will hold it against you. Everyone here has been where you are at some point in their life.”

The door opened, and Echo hurried inside. “I brought you clothes. There’s more in the dressing room.” With a smile, she set the pile on the bed’s bench. “I know you’re exhausted. So, I’ll say goodnight then.”

With a little wave, she and Hedori left.

A tired yawn escaping her, Nia drew the drapes, shutting out the approaching morning light.

Ten minutes later, her shower over and clad in a tee and underwear, she stopped in the turret room and retrieved the glass of water from her dinner tray. She set it on the bedside table, then crawled into bed next to Lore, facing him.

His warmth surrounded her. With a deep sigh, she swept his hair away from his face, shut her eyes, and finally let sleep take her under…

A low growl dragged her out of slumber into a gloomy room. Prickles cascaded through her, and her heart thudded.

“Nia!”

She bolted upright, her sleep-fuzzy mind tracking online in seconds. “It’s okay, I’m here. You’re okay.”

Lore sat up and panted harshly, chest rising and falling. “I thought… I thought he killed you?—”

“It’s a dream. I’m right here.” She pushed back his dull hair.

“I don’t dream—” He grimaced.

“Your back’s hurting?”

He shook his head as if to clear it. “I’m fine.”

“Here.” She handed him the glass of water from the table.

He frowned, then took it and drank, finishing it in one go. And her heart squeezed, knowing he had to remember he could no longer survive the way the angels did. It didn’t matter. Soon, he would discover the sheer decadence, sensuality, and utter comfort food brought.

She took the empty glass and set it aside.

His gaze roved over her face. “Are you all right?”

“I am, see?” She took his palm and placed it on her cheek. His thumb gently caressed her chin.

“Hungry?” she asked.

His gaze slid to her mouth, and his thumb stroked her lower lip. “Yes.”

She laughed, her heart easing a little. He truly was on the road to recovery. “I meant for food.”

“And I meant you.” He slipped his palm to her nape and brushed his mouth across hers in a tender glide. “From the moment you first kissed me, my life was never the same.”

She huffed against his lips. “I only meant to kiss your cheek, but you turned at the same time.”

“I know, and I’m damn glad I did.”

She stroked his bristly jaw. As an angel, he never had facial hair. Guess this was another change he’d have to manually take care of. She loved the feel of it. She traced his beloved features from his eyebrows down his straight nose to his sensual lips. “Wow, cussing now, my love?”

He pulled back. “Did I? Then you can thank those warriors I’ve now joined ranks with. They live and breathe cursing.”

She laughed. “I haven’t met most of them yet, only Aethan.” Then she sobered and tangled her fingers in his hair. “I missed you so much in the last week…” Her eyes burned. “You could have died!” She thumped his chest. “And you nearly did. You heard what the goddess said. I could’ve kept you tethered, anchored you?—”

“Yes, under normal circumstances, but my fall was doomed from the onset, habibti . The Supreme Seraphim would never have let me live.” He glided his fingertips over her shoulder.

Her throat tightened. And they both would have died. Emotions choked her. Feeling as if her heart would explode, she slid her hands around his neck and hugged him. “I love you.”

His stroking fingers on her bare skin stilled. “It’s the first time you actually said it.”

“Well, it was always in here.” She tapped her chest.

“Sometimes words are good, too.”

Her heart constricted, remembering who he’d been—an angel who lived eons with no emotion and didn’t know what love was. “I love you, I love you, I love you!”

“Much better.” Amusement lit his eyes. He lowered his brow to hers. “ Habibti ?—”

“What does it mean?”

A slow smile. It made her want to kiss him until the end of her days.

“It exasperates you not knowing, hmm?” She rolled her eyes, and he laughed, the sound making her own lips respond. “It means ‘ my love ’ in the Arabic language.”

Her heart skipped a beat, basking in the warmth of the love reflected in his eyes. “You know Arabic?”

“I have been around for eons. Though I haven’t spent much time with humans, the languages fascinate me.”

“And habun ?” she asked.

“Love,” he murmured, drawing her closer.

She swallowed hard and pressed her mouth to his. He deepened the kiss and tugged her tee?—

“Wait, no tearing.” She grabbed the hem, pulled it off, and shimmied out of her underwear, then paused. “What about your back? Maybe we should wait until you feel stronger.”

He frowned. Nope, her angel didn’t like being seen as weak.

“I have waited millennia,” he growled. “I’m not waiting another second.”

Okay, that worked, too, though he remained frustratingly silent about his back. Carefully, she unbuttoned and tugged at his pants. “No clothes.”

Soft laughter as he fumbled them off, leaving him gloriously naked.

Her gaze slid down his muscled torso to his lean hips and the heavy jut of his erection.

“This…” She stroked his dick. “Is wasted on angels.”

He snorted, but his eyes grew darker with need. “Come to me, ruh . Give me back my breath, then shatter me again.”

Nia forgot to breathe, forgot the new word he called her as he gently pushed her flat on her back and settled between her parted thighs. He kissed her tenderly.

He cupped her breasts, then he shifted lower, his tongue circling one tip before suckling and tugging it. As if a string was strummed, desire hummed straight to her core, and she grabbed his hair. Her clit ached for his touch. His mouth moved to her other breast, and she rubbed herself against his erection. Without stopping his torment of her nipple, he slipped his hand between them, and his fingers found and lightly teased her achy clit.

“Lore, please. You can play later. Right now, I need you so badly.”

“And I want to rediscover this luscious body. Make sure my memory didn’t default on me.”

“Ugh,” she groaned. “I’m so screwed.”

“Soon.”

She huffed. “How do you know things like that? Isn’t it against your celibate, devout nature? I meant in the past.”

“Nia, I know how words can be used.” Smiling, he slid farther down her body, trailing heated kisses along her sternum. “So far so good. Just as I recall?—”

He licked the side of her waist?—

“Lore!” she squealed, twisting and trying to move him away from the ticklish place. He lifted his head. “You have a tiny black spot there. I didn’t notice this before.” More kisses followed, causing her lust to soar, but her angel refused to hurry.

“And you have another here.” He kissed her hip.

“It’s called a beauty spot.”

“Good name.”

She laughed.

He stroked his fingers through the hair covering her sex, and as he parted her folds, he said, “You have a beauty spot on this lip.”

“Lore, I wouldn’t know. It’s not like I examine myself down there!”

“That’s all right. I’ll do so.”

She groaned, and just as fast, a moan escaped her when he sucked on said lip. He was driving her crazy. He slicked his tongue along her slit, finding and teasing her throbbing nub with soft licks and strokes, stirring every nerve ending. God! Her core ached, needing more.

His lips grasped her aching flesh?—

Nia nearly came off the bed as he suckled. His eyes held hers as he slid a finger into her, retreated, then added another.

A whimper escaped her. Pressure built, and she grabbed his hair, pressing into his mouth. “Lore, please…”

He grunted. With a lick and a suck, his lips tightened on her clit, and he tugged gently?—

“Lore—” Her orgasm broke free, sending her spiraling with pleasure…

He moved up her body and kissed her, leaving her completely breathless. But she wanted more, wanted him. She grasped his dick. Man, he was like silken heat over steel. Her thumb stroked the precum there.

His jaw clenched, his gaze locked on hers as she slid the rounded tip through her cleft and positioned him at her opening.

With a low growl, he took over and pushed. With another thrust, he slid all the way in. Her breath caught at the slight discomfort as he stretched her. As tight as the fit was, she loved the feel of him inside her.

“Okay?” he rasped, shifting a little, and more pleasure stirred.

“Yes,” she breathed.

He’d just made her come, and already, her body revved up again. He thumbed her clit, and tingles cascaded through her, stirring up every nerve ending once more—the same ones she’d awakened to—like sparks of electricity.

She gasped, her gaze darting to his. His eyes had turned a molten silver, not a hint of green evident. Those prickling sensations were coming from him. After everything they’d been through…

Oh, God , please don’t let anything ruin this.