Aurora’s Betrayal Page 9

  He leans back opposite me, the lethal grace clear in his body. “For now. The things here don’t like to cross the water and the things in the water will leave us alone.”

  I nod okay.

  “So, Aurora,” he sneers my name, “how do we get out of here?”

  Since our conversation in the woods, he became an asshole. I get being moody. He’s dead after all. But I’m trying to save his life, and with every sneer or rude remark he makes, I want to smack him.

  I manage to hold back my frustration at his attitude. “I have to bind us first. Then I follow my bindings to your brothers out of here.”

  “That will work?” His scorn is palpable.

  I stand in a rage and point at him, all my fear and worries over the binding exploding in one rant. “Look here, asshole. I came a long fucking way to find you. The only reason I’m not leaving your ungrateful ass here is because I care for your brothers and they would never forgive me.”

  I pace in front of him, muttering about how much of an asshole he is. His laugh makes me stop, and I turn to face him, my fists clenched. It doesn’t seem mocking this time, but you never know.

  “At least you’re honest, angel.” He leans forward. “So, you have to bind to me? Is that permanent?”

  At his questions, the fight goes out of me and I plop back down in front of him, rubbing my head wearily. “Yes.”

  I could explain what Perses said to me, but honestly, I’m too exhausted from my journey through these harsh lands.

  “Okay.” He nods.

  I stare at him in disbelief, the shock evident in my voice. “Just like that?”

  He sneers at me again. “Unless I’m not pretty enough for you, angel.”

  Mother fucker.

  “You won’t be when I cut off your dick and feed it to you!” I scream.

  Something about him pisses me off. It’s hard because, in my head, I keep remembering the old Darius with the soft smiles and mischievous twinkle in his eye, but here I’m faced with a major asshole with attitude problems.

  “Ah, so you’ve been thinking about my dick?”

  Un-fucking-believable. I glare at him silently.

  “So, how do we do this binding?” He leaves the attitude off for once.

  “I need to breach your mind and magic, and then we finish using blood,” I mutter, still angry over his attitude.

  “Awesome, your highness. Let’s do it.” He stands, and I stare at him in surprise.

  I guess I would be eager, too, if I was dead.

  “You deaf, angel? I said come on.” He smirks down at me.

  “Cum guzzler,” I mutter, getting to my feet. Reigning in my anger, I step toward him and stretch out my hands. “It’s easier if we’re touching.”

  “If you wanted to touch me, all you had to do was ask.”

  I grit my teeth and wait for him to put his hands in mine.

  A spark instantly runs through me to him, and he makes a noise.

  Ignoring him, I close my eyes and get ready to bind this giant asshole to me forever. Who says I’m not selfless? Alex and the guys owe me a bloody house made of cookies at this rate.

  My power stretches toward him, and his eagerly rushes up to meet mine. Violet and black twirl together, and I almost sag with the euphoria it creates.

  When I reach the barrier into his mind, it’s like a stone wall.

  Let me in, I whisper in his head.

  He answers out loud, “How, your highness?”

  I think I prefer angel.

  I consider his question. Drop the wall.

  The whisper floats into his mind, and he struggles with my suggestion, which is understandable. Letting someone into your mind voluntarily is not high on anyone’s to-do list. It leaves you vulnerable, and this man is acutely aware of that. Eventually, the wall drops, and I rush in before he reconsiders.

  I don’t look at his memories or thoughts. I don’t want to see them.

  Instead, I allow my mind and magic to merge together as one with his.

  We fall to our knees in pain and pleasure as our bodies are ripped apart and put back together again. I don’t know where he ends and I begin.

  I imagine a cut on my palm and feel the blood ooze from it. I imagine one appearing on his hand, and slowly, I push my bleeding palm to his. Our blood mingles and falls to the stone floor beneath us, every drop loud like a thunder.

  My ears fill with noise and it becomes too much. My blood pulls from my body and into his. I scream silently in my mind; his growl of pain echoing mine.

  Then, it cuts off like a switch.

  I float back to my body and fall to my side on the stone floor. He does the same, our hands still clasped together, only now I feel him inside me. If I wanted to, I bet I could read his thoughts and emotions and even talk inside his head. I don’t do any of that, though. Instead, I allow my eyes to flick open.

  His dark-brown eyes meet my violet ones. Gaze soft, his eyes run over me with a strange expression. I am way too tired for that.

  “Sleep, angel. I’ll watch over you,” he whispers, the term no longer holding scorn but instead tenderness.

  I don’t know if he spoke in my mind or out loud. All I know is it’s the trigger needed to get me to pass out.

  When I wake, I feel Darius beside me. I’ll be able to find him anywhere now. I take the time to search through my body with my magic and find no damaged. Darius’s consciousness hovers at the edge of mine, and I don’t like it. I build a wall between us, blocking out his mind from mine.

  He gasps out loud, and I open my eyes.

  He sways where he sits, gripping his head. “What did you do?”

  I drag myself into an upright position. “Sorry. I don’t want you inside my head, and I figured you would feel the same.”

  My voice comes out rough, and I wait for him to acknowledge me.

  He doesn’t.

  I glance around and see we’re still in the cave.

  Eventually, the pain must ebb because he releases the vise around his head and looks at me with a growl. “Warn me next time, angel.”

  I nod. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it would hurt.”

  Despite my soft apology, he snorts and turns away from me. “Whatever. Now that you’ve finished napping, let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  I grit my teeth and stand. “Fine, asswipe.”

  “Good one.” He rolls his eyes at me.

  “Jackass,” I mutter.

  He narrows his eyes at me, but I smile innocently at him.

  “So, how does this work?” he asks.

  “I don’t really know. I was told I could follow the threads back.”

  “Bloody brilliant. Well, come on then.”

  Jesus, he’s a prick. I can’t believe I’m bound to him. I definitely prefer angel over princess as well.

  He must hear my thoughts because he flinches before he covers it with a smirk, and his response floats in my mind. Back at you, princess.

  I ignore him, choosing instead to close my eyes. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner I can be home. I concentrate on where I know the threads reside now. It’s hard with him so close so I push him away.

  The threads of my men flash in my mind, their colors bright. I smile. I can’t wait to see them.

  I wonder if they missed me like I did them.

  With a start, I realize the thought isn’t mine. This bonding will take some time to get used to, and the wall doesn’t seem to block everything. I grab on to the closest thread and think it through. I don’t think I can hold onto Darius as well.

  Give me your hand.

  So needy, princess. He does as I say, though.

  I grab the threads again and yank. We fall into the void from which I came through. The pain returns, and so does the bone-weary exhaustion, double this time as I bring someone else with me. Like carrying someone on my back.

  My knees weaken and almost give out. My head spins and roaring fills my ears. I grit my teeth and push through. Pain lances through
me with every step. It almost becomes too much.

  You can do it, angel.

  I gather strength from his voice and pull us through the void and out the other side.

  26

  Alexander

  “Hello, brother.”

  Spinning as fast as I can to stand guard in front of Aurora’s sleeping body, my mouth drops open in shock. Maybe I’ve finally gone mad from lack of sleep because my dead brother stands in front of me.

  “Darius?” I ask. He doesn’t smile. Despite his blank face and slimmer his body, I recognize him. “Are you real?”

  He nods and gazes down at Aurora with a little smile. “Why don’t you get the others and I’ll explain everything.”

  His voice isn’t as strong, nor as cocky, as normal, but it’s him.

  Everything is a blur after that until we are all sitting around the table in the kitchen in shock.

  Ben nearly fainted when he saw Darius. After he hesitantly hugged him, he burst into tears.

  Ezra breaks the silence. “How?”

  “Aurora.” That little smile comes again, and my jealousy rises.

  Then I register what he said, and I stare at him. “Explain.”

  He laughs, a bitter sound nothing like his usual carefree laugh.

  Jason lays a hand on my arm, his voice soft and soothing. “What Alex means is, will you tell us how?”

  Darius looks at us, marginally warmer. “Nothing changes, eh?”

  “Not everything is the same,” Ezra mutters.

  Ben’s been silent since he sat down, and I cast him a worried look.

  Darius begins, “Aurora saved my life. I don’t know all the details, so you’ll have to ask her.”

  “How can we?” Mikael moans.

  Darius smiles wide at this. “She’ll wake up soon. The binding and bringing me back took a lot out of her.”

  I rub my head. I don’t want to get my hopes up, and I feel the others doing the same.

  Binding? I need answers.

  “I think you better start from the top.” I lean back, my face expressionless.

  Darius nods and launches into his story.

  27

  Aurora

  Ugh, my head is killing me. I try to blink my eyes open but pain shoots through me, so I scrunch them close.

  Take it easy, angel.

  Jackass?

  I feel laughter echo in my head.

  That’s me. Just go slow.

  I allow my head time to stop throbbing, then slowly blink my eyes open. They’re fuzzy at first but soon clear.

  Everyone hovers around where I lay in the bed I first saw in the mirror. A giant exhale goes through the room, and I take in their grave expressions and tired eyes. Darius stands behind them, offering me a rare, supportive smile. I return the smile, glad I managed to bring him back. That definitely means he owes me cookies.

  My attention shifts to my guys once more, and when the silence stretches, my sarcastic side comes out to play. “Who died?”

  “You’re really awake.” Ben throws himself at me, burrowing his head against my neck, and tears hit my skin. His voice comes out low, and I feel his lips move against my skin as he talks. “Goddammit, sunshine, don’t do anything like that again.”

  “Sorry, Benny.”

  Ezra strides to my side and, in front of everyone, kisses my lips, quick and desperate. I look into his panicked eyes as his strokes my cheek gently like I’m made of glass. “Jesus, baby, I thought you weren’t coming back.”

  I untangle my hand from the bed and cup his cheek. His eyes close in bliss, and he leans into me. He kisses my hand tenderly and steps back.

  Alex takes his place. He kisses my forehead lovingly. “Never doubted you, kitten.”

  I smile at him in thanks.

  Jason tries to nudge Ben out of the way, but he clings to me like a monkey.

  Alex sighs and steps back to let Jason come around and take his spot.

  Jason leans down, his usual soft smile nowhere to be seen as he whispers in my ear, “You ever do anything like that again and I’ll tie you to my bed. Understand?”

  Despite my tired body, his words and the low growl in his voice spreads warmth through me. “I understand.”

  He squeezes my hand and steps back.

  I turn to Mikael, who hesitates like he’s unsure of his welcome. I notice the scar on his throat, and without saying a word, I hold my one free arm out to him. That’s all the encouragement he needs, and he rushes to my side. He sits on the bed and holds my hand, his usual stormy eyes muted.

  “Thank you, Aurora.” His eyes drop to the bed. “You saved my life.”

  I squeeze his hand and wait for him to look back at me. “Who else is going to sit playing Never Have I Ever all night with me?”

  At my soft smile, he answers with one of his own.

  “Well, this is touching, it really is, but do you think someone can show me where I can shower and then eat? It’s only been, like, five years.” Darius sneers, and Ben flinches against me.

  “Stop being an asswipe for one second,” I growl at him.

  His laughter brushes my mind.

  Mikael glances between us and stands with a sigh. “I’ll show you.”

  I go to protest, but he leans over. “I’ll come back. We have some catching up to do.”

  He gently kisses my cheek, then leads Darius out of the room, who throws me a wink on the way.

  “Can’t believe I’m bound to that asshat,” I groan.

  Ben laughs against my neck. Jason takes Mikael’s place, and Alex and Ezra stand at the foot of the bed.

  My gentle giant won’t look at me, and I don’t like it.

  Alex crosses his arms, his blank mask in place. “You have some explaining to do, kitten.”

  My nickname rolling out of his mouth soothes any worries. God, I missed them. I nod my understanding.

  “Can I have a cookie first?” I ask sweetly.

  Ben and Jason laugh, and Alex’s lips twitch. Ezra doesn’t even move from glaring at the comforter. I watch him, then flick my eyes to Alex.

  He nods. “Okay. Jason and Ben with me. We’ll sort out food for everyone, and Ezra can help Aurora.”

  His smiles gently at me and I smile my thanks. My green giant needs me.

  Both Jason and Ben protest, but one look from Alex silences them.

  Ben mutters something on his way out.

  Jason offers me a smile and follows.

  Alex kisses my forehead again and whispers, “Go easy with him, kitten.”

  He follows his brothers out.

  I stare at Ezra, but he doesn’t look at me.

  “Cupcake?” I whisper.

  He swallows but doesn’t move.

  Okay. If he won’t come to me, I’ll go to him.

  When I try to sit up, he comes to my side in a second. “What are you doing?”

  “You needed me, so I was coming to you,” I say, annoyed.

  He helps me sit up so my legs hang off the bed, then kneels in front of me. Before I know it, his head rests in my lap. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  His broken whisper tugs at something in me.

  I run my hands through his hair. It’s longer than last time I saw him, with the natural wave more pronounced. “Nah, I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

  He doesn’t laugh, just sits with his arms wrapped around me like a teddy bear.

  “I missed you,” I say softly.

  He moans and lifts his head, tears swimming in his eyes. “I missed you, too.”

  I lean forward and tenderly kiss him. He doesn’t respond, but I don’t stop. I kiss each eyelid, his forehead, his cheeks, then back down to his lips.

  This time, he pulls me to him like he’s starving and devours me. I let him, knowing he needs this.

  Eventually, he pulls away, breathing me in. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

  I nod. I would agree to anything for him.

  “And don’t think you’re not in trouble for going
to Purgatory.” His usual growl returns, but he could never scare me.

  I lean forward and quickly kiss him happily. “I can’t wait.”

  He moans and leans back on his heels. He gazes at me, emotion swirling in his eyes. “You’ll be the death of me.”

  I pretend not to hear.

  He sighs. “Come on before they all come back looking for you.”

  He jumps up and scoops me into his arms. I wrap mine around his neck and cuddle into him. I really did miss my teddy bear.

  “Where are we?” I ask as he strides down the hallway.

  He looks down at me, his lips twitching. “It’s a long story.”

  I nod. They’ll tell me when they’re ready.

  He carries me to the kitchen where all conversation dies when we walk in. Ezra gently sets me in a chair at the wooden table and they all sit down around me.

  “Tea is cooking,” Jason offers helpfully.

  He then sets a bag of cookies in down front of me. I look at them in wonder, my eyes filling with tears because of the thoughtfulness.

  “Is she crying?” Ben whispers.

  They all laugh.

  “Doesn’t cry when she nearly dies or comes back from Purgatory, but cries at cookies.” Ben chokes.

  I ignore him, snatch them off the table, and bite into the chocolate deliciousness.

  28

  Aurora

  Only wanting to do this conversation once, I wait for Darius to come back.

  I sort through my thoughts as I go. It’s hard knowing where to begin. My time with Perses and Purgatory made me realize I need to trust and open up more, and I’m really going to try. I’ll start by telling them everything.

  When Darius slides into the room and the seat opposite me, I have to stop my jaw from dropping. He cleaned up, his hair now shaved close to his head. His clothes are tight but fit him. I’m guessing they’re Ben’s. Overall, he looks good.

  Blaming the binding for the need pulsing through me, I glance away before I do something stupid.

  A snort sounds in my head, but I ignore it.