Dark Alpha's Fury, page 27
All this time, the thing that Xaneth dreaded the most was Aisling dying. At least that’s what he’d believed. The truth was, he’d feared she would decide that she didn’t want him after she saw what he was. He knew his actions had probably led to her decision. But it proved that he couldn’t be what she needed. It was why he had stayed away to begin with.
The pain, however, was still the same. The magnitude was agonizing, the weight unbearable. The significance excruciating.
Whatever was left of him from his previous life withered and died at that moment. Xaneth had what he’d come for. It was time to move on. He’d let his friends and the woman he loved down. There was no coming back from that.
“Find her,” Balladyn said.
Xaneth pulled his feet from the sand and, with a thought, had his boots back on. He stood and took one more look at the water. “It’s better this way.”
“Explain everything to her,” Balladyn said as he rose. “Lay it all out. She needs to hear it from you. Everyone makes mistakes. Ask for her forgiveness.”
Xaneth looked at the former King of the Dark, now Reaper and Warden for the Skye Druids. “I wish you well, my friend.”
“I can tell you what you are.”
Xaneth paused and considered. Then he realized he didn’t care anymore. Nothing mattered without Aisling. “Farewell, Balladyn.”
Chapter Forty
It felt good getting back to what she was supposed to do. Aisling had just finished her last reaping. While she waited for her next assignment, she walked along the streets of Drogheda in twilight. The industrial port town was north of Dublin, situated between Dublin and Belfast, making it just another harbor for the Fae. Not that her kind didn’t enjoy smaller villages, but the hustle and bustle of the cities—as well as the tourists—were like beacons.
She had her veil firmly in place as she strolled. She didn’t go anywhere without her veil in place now. The only time she lowered it was when she returned to Death’s Realm, where she spent most of her free time of late. Earth no longer held the appeal it once did.
Aisling didn’t search for Xaneth. Well, she didn’t anymore. She hadn’t been able to help herself when she first ventured back to Earth, but it hurt too much to continue. Besides, what would she say? She was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to use words and would instead use her fists. And that wouldn’t do any good.
As she requested, no one said Xaneth’s name around her. He wasn’t mentioned at all. Her family went out of their way to ensure they didn’t, and it made her love them all the more. If there was one thing that’d come out of the heartache, it was that she was able to freely give her love to the Reapers and accept theirs in return.
She had bared her soul to Xaneth. That act had freed her in ways she’d seen every day since. She would never forget her daughter and the precious bond they had shared for those few months, but neither could Aisling continue carrying the weight of her baby’s death. It was time to let go—for herself and her child.
A rumble of thunder made Aisling pause and look east, where dark clouds gathered. A storm brewed. By the size and darkness of the clouds, it would be a fierce one. The waves were already white-capping in the distance as the seas turned choppy, heralding the tempest.
She had always loved storms. The lightning. The thunder. The wind. Aisling considered settling in to watch the gale’s approach and subsequent release. A bolt of lightning zigzagged across the sky, and she smiled at the sight of such power. Fae could do amazing things with their magic, but nothing could ever compare to the raw supremacy and domination of nature.
Her smile died when she thought about how Xaneth would enjoy the sight. Despite her resolve, he crept into her thoughts more often than not. How long would it take for her to get over him? She feared the answer was never. Thankfully, she hadn’t run into him. It was one of the reasons she didn’t stay long on Earth. She reaped those she was supposed to, and then Aisling returned home.
The approaching storm had swayed her to remain. Besides, she could go decades without coming face-to-face with Xaneth. No doubt he was doing his best to keep hidden from her. She snorted at that. It wasn’t as if she looked for him. Not now.
“Not ever again,” she murmured.
Her anger at his absence festered, gnawed at her. She needed to face that soon before it turned to bitterness. She had come too far to backtrack now and let him consume her life. He’d made his choice. And it hadn’t been her.
The sting of that would last her entire life. There had been something special between them. Something rare and beautiful. He hadn’t seen or felt it. That was on him, not her. She had held nothing back. While it would be easy to take the blame and say she hadn’t done or said the right thing, Aisling refused to do that this time. She’d done that in the past with her ex, and that had gotten her nowhere.
Xaneth might have carried her out of that Hell, but he hadn’t stuck around. That point got her every time. He’d promised to find her, which he had. But he’d never promised to stay. Balladyn believed that Xaneth would come to his senses one day after working things out, but she wasn’t holding onto that. Aisling hoped Xaneth found the answers he sought. As for a second chance? She wasn’t so sure she’d give him one.
A light misting of rain began. Aisling lifted her face to the Heavens, seeking the droplets. She released her hair from its gathering atop her head and let it fall down her back. It was time to braid it again. Maybe after some time in the storm.
She heard humans rushing about behind her, trying to get to their cars and inside buildings so they didn’t get wet. Her hearing picked up the drum of windshield wipers as they swiped across glass.
Aisling closed her eyes and held out her arms when larger droplets began splashing against her. Thunder rumbled, long and loud, shaking the earth. Alone and veiled, she felt the sky’s energy directed at the ground as lightning flashed behind her lids. She could pretend that she was the only one on the entire planet. That was how she wished to be now. Alone. With her wounded heart so she could find some way to heal.
She dropped her arms to her sides and lowered her head. Opening her eyes, she saw the dark clouds moving her way. Fast. She searched the rain clouds, waiting to see more lightning. It didn’t disappoint as the blast backlit the clouds before connecting with the water. She gasped at the show, eager for more.
Aisling needed a better view. This one was good, but it wasn’t great. If she stayed, she wanted to see the entire spectacle in all its glory. She knew just the place. Just as she was about to leave, something drew her attention. She turned and stilled when her gaze landed on none other than Xaneth.
He stood a few feet behind her, his only movements those of the rise and fall of his chest and his eyes blinking the rain from his lashes. Aisling had dreaded the moment. She had hoped it wouldn’t happen, while secretly praying it did. She had seen this scenario play out a thousand different ways.
Now that he stood before her, all she wanted to do was get away before she unleashed her wrath. She didn’t want him to know how gravely he’d wounded her or how he’d shattered her pieced-together heart once and for all. How he had trampled on her dreams without a care.
His silver eyes searched hers. She kept her expression carefully blank. He would never know the tears she had shed for him and the future that could’ve been theirs. He would never know how she had taken herself far from everyone and screamed her anguish and grief until she curled into a ball when there was nothing left but the dull, throbbing misery of heartache.
“Aisling,” he whispered.
She heard the pleading in his voice, but she refused to break. It took everything she had to turn away. She teleported away before she did something stupid like answer him. Aisling found herself on a small inlet, the cove giving her a grand view of the thunderstorm barreling down on her—a tempest that matched her feelings. The rain hid the tears she was unable to hold back.
Her heart raced, and her lungs seized. Why did it have to hurt so much? Why did he have to run from her? What was wrong with her that made her unlovable? Why had she given her heart to someone who couldn’t return her affections?
She gasped for air, her throat closing from the thick emotions that robbed her of breath. So many things that she wished she would’ve said to him raced through her mind, but she knew it was better that she hadn’t. Her pain was too raw, too fresh.
Aisling squeezed her eyes closed. The storm had been ruined for her. Retreating to Death’s Realm was her best option. So much for the bravery Eoghan spoke of. She was anything but brave.
“Aisling.”
She jerked at the sound of Xaneth’s voice behind her.
“Please, don’t leave,” he hurried to say. “Just…hear me out.”
She tried to teleport, but he grabbed her wrist and prevented her. She gaped at his hand holding her. She jerked her arm out of his grip and spun to face him. “That was a mistake.”
“I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking for a little of your time,” he said, holding up his hands in front of him. “Please.”
“No.”
Damn if he didn’t stop her from teleporting again. This time, Aisling didn’t pull away. Instead, she lashed out with all her anger.
Bloody hell, she was the most magnificent creature Xaneth had ever beheld. Especially when she was furious. He had been looking for her since he’d left Skye. He hadn’t actually thought to find her, but when he had, he had drunk in the sight of her, realizing for the first time how much he’d missed her.
He blocked and dodged a few of her attacks, but not once did he strike back. She had every right to her anger. And he would take every hit she threw at him.
“Fight!” she bellowed.
The rain pelted them, the wet sand moving easily beneath their feet, gripping and sticking to their shoes. Lightning struck, and thunder rumbled almost in unison, growing louder and louder as the storm raced toward them.
Aisling’s long, black and silver hair fanned around her as she spun, her crimson eyes glittering with rage. She could’ve delivered orbs of magic meant to do him considerable damage. Instead, she struck him with her hands and feet, pelting him with blow after blow.
She lifted her leg as she spun, her foot connecting with the side of his head. The impact knocked him off balance. Xaneth struggled to stay on his feet. He shook his head to clear it from the hit. He would let her hit him all she wanted, but first, he needed to tell her everything.
Xaneth grabbed her wrists and held them above her head. She hollered in rage and tried to get free. He spun her, pinning her back against his chest.
“I’m sorry!” he shouted over the rain. “I should’ve been there!”
In answer, she threw back her head, connecting with his nose. The crunch of cartilage told him it was broken.
How dare he? Aisling stomped on his foot and twisted to get away from him. Being this close was too much. Hearing his voice, feeling his body. It was a kind of torture she couldn’t endure.
Aisling managed to free a wrist and elbowed him in the stomach. She took a step away, but to her shock, he managed to grab her again. This time, he held her so she faced him. She smiled at the blood running down his face from his broken nose that had already healed.
“I’ll take whatever you dole out to me.”
She snorted and lifted her knee that she directed to his groin. “Fek off.”
He managed to turn to the side at the last second, her knee glancing off his hip instead.
“Aisling, I let you down. Let me try to make it right.”
She glared at him, her chest heaving. “You want to make it right?”
Xaneth hesitated at her calm voice. “Aye.”
“Then go away. I never want to see you again.”
He’d known he would have to work for it, but hearing those words was agony. “Let me ex–”
“Explain?” she said over him. “I already know what you’ll say. Balladyn told me.”
Xaneth shook his head. “Not everything.”
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. You had your chance.”
She shouldn’t notice the hurt in his eyes. Or be bothered by it. Not after what Xaneth had done to her. But damn if she didn’t want to take her words back. She had stopped trying to pull out of his hold. The rain came down in buckets now, drenching everything. Lightning lit the sky like camera flashes, but she didn’t pay any attention to the magnificent display.
“Aisling,” he whispered huskily.
Suddenly, his face tightened. He lifted his gaze over her shoulder and released her. She watched as flames erupted across his body and head. Aisling glanced behind her to see a group of seven Dark.
“Go,” Xaneth told her.
Aisling rolled her eyes as she faced the group and dropped her veil. “And let you have all the fun? I don’t think so.”
There were no more words as the first orb came at Aisling. She sidestepped it while hurling her own. It fell wide, but it had been a distraction as she rolled and came up with spheres of magic in both hands. Her battle was over in seconds.
Aisling stared down at the pile of wet ash mixing with the sand, sad that she’d had to take a life. She then turned to her next target only to find that Xaneth had already taken out two and was fighting the last four.
He moved so fast that it was hard for even her to keep up with him. First one, then a second of the remaining four teleported away. Xaneth faced the last two, waiting for them to make a move. Meanwhile, the two who had jumped returned behind Xaneth. Aisling intercepted them, making quick work of them.
When she turned back to Xaneth, he stood watching her, the rain making the flames hiss. She looked into his eyes to see they had turned inky black. She reached out a hand to touch him, but Xaneth jerked back, his brow furrowing.
“Nay,” he said with a shake of his head.
Aisling squared her shoulders and tried again. This time, she anticipated his move and was able to grab hold. The panic on his face made her heart catch. Aisling looked down at where she held him to see the flames encompassing her hand.
“Does it hurt?” he asked so low she thought she imagined the words. Then his gaze lifted to hers, searching, seeking.
Aisling couldn’t find her voice, so she shook her head instead.
The relief that swept over his face told her more than his words ever could. His black eyes faded, gradually returning to silver, and the flames died. The desire she saw reflected at her made her stomach flutter. A bolt of lightning hit the ground mere feet from them. She felt the force of it, the energy that sizzled in the air, followed by the deafening boom of thunder. But all she saw was Xaneth.
They reached for each other at the same time, their mouths fusing as passion seized them. He cupped her face, his mouth hungry as his tongue swept into her mouth to mate with hers. The wind whipped violently around them, but they were too lost in each other to notice. She clung to him, wanting to get closer. He lowered his arms to wrap them around her, then bent, his hands cupping her arse before hauling her up to press his thick arousal into her stomach.
“I’m sorry,” he said between kisses down her neck. “I’m so damn sorry.”
Aisling dropped her head back as her center throbbed, needing him inside her. His fullness, his length. She moaned when he tore her shirt and bra away and closed his lips over her nipple, suckling. It felt so good. Each pull of his lips sent need straight to her sex, making it throb.
Then she was on her back, the gritty, wet sand meeting her flesh. Xaneth hovered over her, his hands on either side of her head as he watched her. Aisling reached between them and grasped his cock, moving her hand over its velvety thickness. Unable to wait a moment longer, she brought him to her entrance.
His eyes flared when he felt how wet she was. With one thrust, he was inside her. His moan, visceral and primal, made her breath catch. She brought his head down for another kiss as he began moving. Their hunger and yearning for the pleasure that awaited drove them. He plunged into her, hard and deep. The walls of her sex clutched at him, savoring each glide of his length in and out of her, bringing her ever closer to climax.
She locked her ankles around his waist as he tilted her hips toward him. On his next thrust, he rubbed against her sensitive clit. She moaned at the incredible feel of him, of them, together. She felt the ground tremble. Xaneth lifted his head from hers. Their eyes met as light flashed around them in a steady stream. Desire tightened low. She could feel the orgasm building rapidly. Xaneth’s eyes glittered as if he knew.
He smiled right before she stiffened, her body clutching his rod while waves of pleasure rippled through her. He buried himself deep and let out a bellow as his cock pulsed inside her. She felt his length throbbing. She squeezed her legs around him as her body continued quivering from the remnants of her climax.
When she opened her eyes, Xaneth leaned over her, protecting her from the worst of the rain. He pulled out of her a little before thrusting his hips. She moaned as her body shuddered with one last tremor that was a mini-orgasm in and of itself.
“I love you.”
Aisling’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at him, unsure if he had really said the words.
Xaneth swallowed hard. “I love you more than I thought it possible to love anything. I stayed away because I feared my flames would cause you harm. You have no idea how challenging it was to do that. It’s an excuse, I know. I’ll—”
She put a finger to his lips to quiet him. All her hurt and pain had been erased with three little words and the truth of them shining in Xaneth’s eyes. “Say it again.”
He searched her face for a moment. Then, a grin turning up his lips, he said, “I love you.”
Tears overflowed her lids, falling onto her cheeks to roll to her temples. “I love you.”
