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  The pool in the center of the room formed into a chest high cylindrical shape. It pulsed as more water poured in from nowhere. The witches joined hands, creating a protection circle around it.

  As though they could stop this.

  The book on Mar’s lap rattled. She placed bare feet on the floor and coughed to draw her ancestor’s attention.

  Mar’s voice resonated with power as she read the words on the page out loud. “He who fights shadow shall be rewarded with light. We open the door to he who offers himself to death. For death in the service of love, we bid him entrance to the realm.”

  Pale light surrounded the water. Pulsed. Mar repeated the spell again and again. Until the pale light shimmered purple. Until her ancestors dropped their hands.

  Fingers, blistered and raw, pushed through the water. Heat spread over Mars chest.

  Neeren was here.

  A hand followed the fingers. Then his forearm speckled with dark hair. His foot slapped against the floor. Mar’s mouth watered as a defined calf appeared. Then an upper leg thick with muscles built from years of training.

  Mar's heart quickened. He'd come for her again. How had she ever thought he was a player? She walked to the edge of the swirling pool. The last bits of water on the floor tickling her toes. Her ancestors scattered as she approached. Actually, they'd scattered before then, as soon as her words filled the room, resonating with the voice of the goddess. They backed away till spines met wall.

  As Neeren’s head and chest pushed out of the water she met him. The look in his eyes when he saw her almost brought her to her knees. A savage growl carried across the room as he stepped from the water and enveloped her in his hot arms.

  As soon as their skin touched the water fell to the floor and disappeared. He kissed her head. Her forehead. Her eyes. Squeezed her so fiercely she thought she might break. She'd never felt so safe in her life. She loved him so hard it physically hurt. She kissed his chest. Rubbed her cheek on the arms wrapped around her. The quiet storm churning in her gut calmed. For a moment, they stood like statues. An island in the middle of chaos.

  His hot breath against her ear whipped up a storm of another kind in her belly. She pushed her body against his while wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Staring into her eyes, he asked, “Do you wish me to destroy them for you now, Maria?”

  The hopeful tone in his voice caused a genuine smile to curl her lips. Her ancestors sputtered angrily behind her, but none approached. The goddess had given her the tool to help Neeren come through. None of them would fight his right to be there.

  She chuckled. “No. I've decided I like them.”

  He sighed. “Very well.”

  He stepped back slightly, gripping her shoulders at arm’s length. As her ancestors gasped, awareness prickled her skin. Neeren stood in front of them all, completely naked. Mar immediately jumped back into his arms.

  “Um, maybe we should try and find you a wrap or something.”

  A wicked grin revealed pearl white teeth. “Are you embarrassed, little witch? Or are you trying to find an excuse to take me to your room?”

  She swatted his behind. He growled in her ear. Behind them her ancestors coughed. One of them, probably Xiomara, groaned, “Get a room.”

  Sofia loudly exclaimed. “A worthy male.”

  Maria ignored them. She should have known Neeren wouldn't be able to.

  He spoke directly to the women. “You took Maria against her will. Family or not—with her permission or not—should you think to do so again, I will hunt you down and harm you in ways you cannot yet imagine.”

  Xiomara glared. “We don't answer to you. We exist on a higher realm.”

  He sneered. “And yet I'm here aren't I? It seems I have friends in even higher places.”

  As the two stared each other down Xiomara looked away first. Mar stifled a giggle.

  “Do you wish to leave, Maria?”

  Both her ancestor and Neeren asked the question at the same time. Neeren's question sounding as though it weren't a question at all but rather a negotiation of when. Xiomara sounding as though she were asking for confirmation the kidnapping had been warranted.

  Mar grabbed a green wool blanket off the wooden rocking chair nearest her and wrapped it around Neeren's waist before answering either of them. She'd been blushing since he'd crossed the threshold, trying not to look down, while Neeren smirked. His “manhood” on display and growing at an alarming rate.

  “Can we please put a hold on this conversation until I find you something to wear?” Mar refused to look at Xiomara. “Sofia? Any chance there's male clothing lying around?”

  Her ancestor laughed. “Kid, this is a realm full to the brink with warriors. There's male clothing available. I'll just go pay Ragnar the Ravisher a little visit.”

  As she skipped out of the room, Xiomara yelled, “Back before dawn, you hussy.”

  Neeren's unexpected laughter curled Mar’s toes. She kissed his cheek. “I missed you.”

  He winked at her, leaned in, and growled in her ear. “Show me your room, little witch. I only need your body to warm me.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Maria shut the bedroom door and leaned into Neeren's rock hard back. Heat from his skin seeped into hers. She turned, burying her face into his chest once again.

  “How did you find me? A spell was gifted to me, to let you through, but only because you'd already started the journey.” As the reality of what she'd said set in Mar hit him. “Did you kill yourself, you idiot?”

  She gnashed her teeth together at his chuckled response.

  “I did. Glenn and I had a solid plan.” He gripped her chin in his hand, forcing her to look into his eyes. She melted as he spoke again.

  “I will always come for you. Death is inconsequential.”

  She sighed. “Only you would say such a thing.”

  His presence overwhelmed the space. Nothing could stop him. Neeren was a mass of power and energy, and she ultimately realized, love. This man who seemed so cold, so calculated, in truth was the most emotional person she'd ever met. His emotions controlled everything he did. Seething just below the surface. He burned with emotion, with his devotion to his family, and now to her. My goddess—he'd manipulated death to reach her. He was a Tsunami.

  She pulled away slightly, rocked by the revelation. “I love you.”

  He grinned. “Yes.”

  She smacked his chest. “Say the actual words out loud.”

  He shrugged as though it were tedious. “Very well. If you wish it. It changes nothing. My heart said this long before. You know this, Maria.”

  “Say them anyway.”

  He lightly kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks, her nose, her mouth. “I love you with all I am. I give my life and my death to you. I am yours. I was yours the moment I met you.”

  Tears streamed down her face and she swiped at them with the back of her hand like a child would. He laughed at her tears.

  She rolled her eyes. “You're so melodramatic.”

  He snarled and licked her ear, sending shivers up her spine. “Yes, witch. I am. Now, are you ready to leave this place?”

  Her heart pounded in her chest and she struggled to give him an answer. He'd come to save her, but she knew she couldn't leave yet.

  “Honestly?” she stuttered. “Not yet. I actually have a lot to learn and I think maybe I need to stay a bit.” Mar looked up at him sheepishly.

  He stroked her hair. “Are you certain?”

  “I think so.” She cleared the nervous tick in her throat. “I mean, I know you risked everything to come for me. And my ancestors totally were losers, but I kind of think I need to be here for a bit.”

  Butterflies churned in her stomach. She hesitated only a moment before relaying
the entire sordid story of her life. To Neeren’s credit, he stood patiently, hands resting beside hers. He flinched once but otherwise remained stoic. No trace of his thoughts on his face. When she finished, he rubbed the side of her cheek with his thumb.

  “Very well.” He ripped the blanket from his waist. “This room is a hovel. How could they think to place you in here? We may need to find another cottage with appropriate space.”

  Two reactions burst through her chest. First, her lover was a total snob. Second, her lover was a total hottie she utterly adored. She decided to run with the second. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  As he grinned his wicked grin, she licked her lips and grinned back. One good thing about having a legendary lover was she reaped the benefit of years of practice. She ran her hands up his rock-hard chest, reveling in the feel of him. His muscles jumped beneath her touch. Static energy sparked from her fingers as she traced a trail down his waist. Laughing at how deliciously wanton she felt, Mar slowly let her fingers trails over the tip of his cock before dancing away and racing to the four-poster bed.

  Neeren's breath was hot on her neck as he chased behind her. He grabbed her around the waist as she launched herself in the air to jump on the bed. Spinning, he fell so she landed on top of him on the lumpy mattress.

  Heat seared through her groin as he groaned. She pushed up, using his chest as leverage, rotating her wetness into him. He smelled so good. Like sandalwood and ocean salt.

  Like sex.

  She'd never been one for holding back. Refused to do so now. Reaching down, she pulled her dress up her legs and over her head. Straddling him in her panties, she gave herself over completely.

  “No bra, little witch?” he growled.

  She stuck her tongue out while trying to ignore the heat spreading through her body. His hands, secret weapons, slowly stroking across her flesh.

  “They kidnapped me with only a night shirt on. And I'm sure not borrowing one of the hippy sister’s bras.” Mar groaned and bit her lip as he pinched her nipples, lightly twisting them.

  “Ride me, Maria.” He released her breasts and gripped her thighs. Gently squeezing before moving his hands to push aside the fabric of her cotton panties.

  She cried out as he rubbed along the edge of her clitoris. “Do that again.”

  “Ride me as you've been told, little witch and I'll give you all you ask for tonight.” He removed his hands and gripped her thighs again. He waited, still as the moon.

  She whimpered for more.

  “You're so wet. Put me inside you.”

  Reaching down she grasped his cock and slowly slid it inside herself.

  He grabbed her waist, holding her tight. “Don't move yet.”

  She pushed against him and he slapped her ass. “I said don't move, witch.”

  Maria whimpered again. Fire spread from her stomach to her breasts. She desperately wanted to arch her back or rotate her hips but Neeren held her so tight she couldn't move. His hand wandered to her clit and she moaned. Jumped at the unexpected current of pleasure.

  He pulled his hand back and smacked her again. “Move again and I stop, Maria.”

  “I have to move,” she begged.

  “You do not. Control makes it sweeter.” She smacked his chest and he chuckled. “Hit me again and I end this.”

  “I hate you.”

  “And I love you.” His fingers strayed near her clit.

  She held herself rigid. Chewed on the inside of her cheek as he found her nub and started rubbing with his knuckle. Exerting just enough pressure to make her scream. With his thumb, he played with the folds of flesh. Twisted his hand and inserted two fingers into her next to his cock. She screamed but held herself still. Sweat broke out across her upper lip. He ground his knuckle into her clit hard, almost painfully. But beautiful pain. Sinful pain. She wept, and her legs quivered on the bed.

  Removing one hand from her leg, he pulled her chest down to his mouth. Lifting his hips, he pushed himself into her with aching slowness. “I'm going to make you come now. Do you want to come for me?”

  She moaned and cried at the same time, unable to talk as his hands and body filled her with sensuality. A connection to the Aphrodite. This was a hostage taking. Her body no longer her own. Controlled like it was his instrument. They hardly moved. She never been more wet in her life. More aching with need.

  As he moved—releasing and pushing slowly into her again, he twisted her clit and nipped her nipple. An orgasm rocketed through her with no warning. Her body gave out, surrendering completely to Neeren's control. As the waves swept over her again and again, he slammed her body on to his and groaned his own release.

  Chapter 25

  Neeren gulped back air and rolled them over until Maria rested against his chest. He stroked her hair, her back, her ribcage. Kissed her shoulder as she rested her head on his arm.

  “I'm sorry it took me so long to reach you.”

  “What? Don't be stupid.” She pushed herself up on her shoulder. The loss of her heat left him bereft.

  He grinned. “What do you insist on calling me stupid?”

  “Because you're acting like a dummy.” She jumped off the bed, grabbed the blanket thrown on the floor earlier, and flung it over them as she settled back on the bed.

  A peace he'd never known settled in his bones.

  “I can't believe you allowed yourself to die to reach me.”

  “Collum is watching my body on the other side. As soon as you are ready to return, he will pull me from the water and revive me. It is not a big deal.”

  “It is so a big deal. How did you even think of it?”

  “Glenn is useful for more than baking muffins and making coffee. Now, how long do you think we will remain here?”

  “We? You can't stay. You have a Kingdom to manage.”

  Neeren sat up, growling at her. “I am not leaving without you. How can you think such a thing?”

  “Well I mean, when you said ‘very well’ earlier, I assumed you were okay with me staying.”

  “I am okay with you staying. As long as I'm with you. Besides, I'm long past due a vacation.” Neeren laid back down pulling her tight against his chest. There was no goddamn way he was letting his little witch out of his sight again.

  “We will stay until you are ready to return. When we do, you need to tell Collum and my sister everything about your past and what happened in the catacombs.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “They're going to hate me.”

  “They could never hate you.” The scent of lemon and bourbon wafted from her hair to his nose. She'd forever be a dichotomy. Sweet and free spirited. Tough as nails. Using whatever means necessary to get what she wanted. She was wicked. Hot. Wild.

  “Collum needs to understand your history, your family, the relationship your mother has with the vampires. It is necessary to building a proper plan for protection.”

  Mar flopped against the bed. “You're right. I'm not going to let Isabella ruin another life. I need one week to train. Then we'll go back.”

  He admired her utter lack of artifice or guilt. With Maria, you got what you got. And once she made up her mind she ran with it. She was every breath of fresh air he'd dreamed of as a child.

  He tweaked her nose affectionately. “Very well. Now do you think those ancestors of yours can get word to Alex to let her know we are safe?”

  Mar winked. “Those birds are brimming over with magic. Sure thing they can send some kind of magical note to BFF and Dragonballs.”

  Joy exploded out of his throat. Control slipped away. His hardened shell cracked. A grin split his cheeks open as he laughed at the absurdity of the situation. He was dead, and yet he'd never felt more alive. “Excellent. Now can we please find a different blanket. This thing stinks like stale incense.”
/>   ~ ~ ~

  Neeren nursed a heathen drink Sofia handed him called Moonshine. Across the field, Maria sat cross legged on thick green grass. Her head bent over a musty spell book. Long mahogany hair covered her face. He knew she'd have her brows scrunched and she'd be chewing her lip. They'd been there four days. Each morning she spent studying in the field. Each afternoon practicing spells with her ancestors. Sometimes she'd land on her ass from the force of energy exerted. He'd jumped every time, ready to run to her, only to hear laughter ring out across the field.

  He hadn't realized how powerful she was. It shamed him, if he was honest with himself. Watching her whip up whirlwinds and energy fields, light bursting out of her body. She awed him. She was a force of nature and will. Her magic capable of swallowing him whole.

  “Finally realizing you're in the presence of greatness?”

  Xiomara's voice grated on his nerves as she positioned herself next to him on the wicker sofa. She refused to maintain a healthy distance. He'd given no indication he wished to speak with her. But still, she bothered him daily.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  He rolled his eyes while gritting his teeth. He wouldn't tell her to piss off. He wouldn't. “Very funny. I, of course, have never heard that before.”

  The woman smelled of sage. A scent he'd had about enough of. The entire building reeked of it. There was no logical reason witches needed to smell like sage. Should Maria burn it incessantly, as these women did, he would install an air filter in the castle. He sipped the moonshine, doing his best to pointedly ignore Xiomara.

  “You're going to have to talk to me eventually.”

  “No. I will not.”

  “Oh for goddess’s sake. I get it. You're upset we took Mar. She's over it. What can't you let it go?”

  Anger burned in his chest. “You fucked with my memory. You stole her from me.”