Chapter 20

Seated at a small wooden table that had been arranged in the center of his bedroom, Micha savored the glorious sense of peace.

He had a few fragmented memories of their return trip to New Orleans. He recalled his servants rushing to assist them the second they'd climbed out of the mountain, and being whisked through the air on his private jet. And even being half carried down to his private lair where he'd collapsed into bed with Skye held tight ly in his arms.

It was a full twenty-four hours before he had regained enough strength to take a hot shower, although he hadn't bothered to dress, instead pulling on a black silk robe. He planned on staying in his lair for the next mon th. Maybe year.

Once his brain felt clear enough to hold a coherent conversation, he'd made a call to Valen, revealing what had happened. In return, Valen had shared his confrontation with Kane and the fact that the large vampire was currently a guest i n his dungeons.

Eventually he would contact Sinjon and give a detailed explanation of Azra's descent into madness, but he wasn't ready to be forced to travel to Greece to make a full report. Or worse, have the powerful leader of the Cabal and his vast entourage appear o n his doorstep.

He had more important matte rs on his mind.

Far, far more important.

Leaning back in his seat, Micha studied the woman who was busily polishing off a bowl of jambalaya and an entire loaf o f garlic bread.

Skye Claremont.

Like him she was wearing a silk robe, although it was several sizes too large, and her hair was a damp mop of curls that framed her face with wild abandon. Micha was convinced he'd never seen anyone more beautiful.

More importantly, her deep sleep and an hour soaking in a bubble bath had restored the flush of health to her cheeks and the electric tingle of magic that hummed around her lik e a forcefield.

It was going to take time for her to recover her full strength, but he could sense she was settling into the lair. A knowledge that filled a place inside him that Micha hadn't realized was empty. And a desperate hope that she in tended to stay.

Swallowing the last chunk of bread, Skye pushed aside her empty bowl and reached for the glass of wine, releasing a soft sigh of contentment.

Micha bit back a groan as he was forced to battle the urge to toss aside the narrow table and scoop Skye into his arms. He wasn't a stickler when it came to etiquette but it seemed only polite to let her finish dinner b efore pouncing.

"Did Maya have any information about the Watcher?" he forced himself to ask.

Skye had been on the phone with her friend when he'd escorted her into the bedroom to reveal the feast he'd ordered while she was in the tub. And once she had hung up, she'd grabbed a spoon and devoured the meal with a gusto that warned she wasn't in the moo d for chitchat.

Now he was hoping that she'd discovered some information that would allow them to track down the creature that had disappeared with Lynx a nd the crystal.

It seemed impossible to believe that anyone—even a demon—could dig a pathway to the cavern. The entire mountain had collapsed as they'd been rushing away. But he wasn't going to take anything for granted. His logical brain wasn't satisfied with the vague certainty that the dragon was safely locked in h er hibernation.

Skye wrinkled her nose. "I'm not sure. She was weirdly cagey when I described him. Almost as if she didn't want to discuss who or what the Wat cher might be."

"Is that unusual?"

"Maya is like a two-by-four to the face. There's nothing sub tle about her."

Micha grimaced. He had deliberately blocked out the private conversation between the two mages, but no one could have missed Maya's shriek of fury when Skye told her friend that she intended to remain in New Orleans.

"Including her opinio n of vampires."

"Exactly."

Skye chuckled, not nearly so worried as Micha about her friend's reaction. Of course, she wasn't the one who was going to end up with a boil on her ass if the older mage managed to get close enough to curse him, he wryl y acknowledged.

"We can continue our own research here," he concluded, dismissing his concern. "There has to be information about the crystal and original Lynx hidden in one of the manuscripts I 've collected."

"I also warned Maya that there might be other Lynx wannabes out there," she said, her brow furrowed as she drained the last of her wi ne in one gulp.

Micha frowned. "Is something bothering you?"

"Just a feeling that I'm missing something," Skye muttered. "Someth ing important."

"It will come to you." His gaze skimmed over her delicate features, lingering on the dark eyes that smoldered with an ancient power that had prevented the world from being consumed with flames. But that wasn't the only thing he could see. There was also a sweet, utterly vulnerable woman who had been forced to sacrifice her entire life for her gifts. It was time that she be allowed to discover what made her happy, not what others wanted from her. "Right now we have more important matte rs to discuss."

She stilled as his voice lowered, the air thickening with an awareness he no longer bothered to hide. Just for a second he feared that she might not be in the mood for what he desired. She had, after all, been on a road trip from hell that had ended with a life-or-death battle with a dragon. No one could blame her for needing some alone time to decompress.

Fiercely attempting to reconcile himself to the fact their night together would have to be postponed, Micha was prepared for her to rise to her feet and leave the room. Instead, she leaned forward, her expression softening with an invitation that made his unbeating hea rt leap in joy.

"What could be more importa nt?" she asked.

Micha smiled as he reached for the Café Du Monde box. "Dessert."

"Oh," she groaned in pleasure. "That smells amazing, bu t I'm stuffed."

"Who can resist beignets?" he teased, flipping open the lid. "Golden, deep-fried dough smothered in p owdered sugar."

She waved them away. "Lat er, I promise."

"Later is good," Micha assured her, setting aside the box as he held her dark gaze . "Much later."

"W hat about you?"

"I'm not hungry." His smile widened. "At least not for beignets."

A flush touched her cheeks. "You need to feed."

"When you're ready," he said, sharing his hope that she would eventually agree to become his donor. The thought of tasting blood from anyone but this female was repugnant. "There's no need to rush. We have an eter nity together."

Holding his gaze, she reached across the table to grasp his han d. "I'm ready."

Micha trembled. He'd put a lot of effort into bracing for her uncertainty. Feeding a vampire was not only incredibly intimate, but most creatures feared it would be painful. The fact that she sounded eager to offer her vein was making him tingle in all th e right places.

"You're sure?" The question left his lips before he could halt it.

Still gripping his hand, Skye rose to her feet. "M ore than sure."

Her voice was steady, the scent of laurel leaves scenting the air. Micha readily straightened, tugging her around the table so he could scoop he r off her feet.

If she was ready, he was m ore than ready.

In fact, h e was starving.

"Let's make ourselves more comfortable," he murmured, using his powers to switch on soft music and dim t he candlelight.

"Very romantic," Skye assured him as he perched on the edge of the bed, with her snugg led on his lap.

"Not really." He gazed down at her, engraving each delicate feature in his mind. Before he'd traveled to New York he would have sworn that he was perfectly content with his life. He had no interest in being distracted by lovers who would demand his time and attention. It had taken one glance at Skye Claremont to realize his life would never be complete without her at his side. "I've been a recluse for too long to have any skills in the romance department," he admitted, regretting the lack of luxury. He fully intended to refurbish the entire lair once Skye was settled in.

She reached up to brush her fingers over his cheek. "Then you must be a natural."

He bent his head to brush his lips over her mouth. "Or perhaps destiny formed each of us to perfectly fit together."

"Agreed." Her hand moved to cup his cheek, a sudden shiver racing thr ough her body.

Micha froze, reminded of the first time she'd touched him. They hadn't fully discussed what had happened in the cavern before it started to collapse. Or what it meant for the future. It'd been enough that they had survived. Now he realized h e had to know.

Tilting back her head, Skye eyed him with concern. "Is so mething wrong?"

"I'm trying to find the nerve to ask ," he admitted.

"Ask what?"

"Is the vision you saw when you first to uched me gone?"

Her fingers stroked over his face, pausing to trace the thrust of his fangs as if fascinated by their ra zor-sharp edge.

"It is," she murmured in di stracted tones.

"And no new one s?" he pressed.

"No visions." She touched her fingertip against the point of his fang. "Just dreams."

Micha shuddered as a ravenous hunger blasted through him. He desperately needed to sink his fangs deep into her soft flesh, sucking her warm blood as his cock slid deep into her body.

"Do they include me," he rasped, his erection hardening to press tight against the cu rve of her hip.

"Yes, but..." her words trailed away with a deliber ate enticement.

Desire clawed through him, joining the gnawing hunger until he struggled to think clearly. The heat and scent of her was enough to cloud his mind, but the feel of her snuggled in his lap was dissolving his thoughts until only his most basic inst incts remained.

"But what?" He was proud he managed to form the words.

As if determined to shut down his brain completely, she reached to grasp the lapels of his robe, tugging them apart so she could slip her hands beneath the s ilken material.

"You didn't have so many clothes on," she said in husky tones, smoothing her palms over his bare chest.

Micha made a choked sound, his muscles clenching as the friction of her warm palms skimming over his body set off sp arks of desire.

"That can be rectified," he assured her, brushing his lips ove r her forehead.

"Can it?"

"With help."

"Ah." She trailed her hands downward to grasp the belt of his robe, easily tugging it away. "I'm a very good helper," she assured him, pushing the slick fabric down his arms.

"Yes, yes you are." Micha allowed the robe to slide away, leaving him naked as he turned to gently lay her in the center of the mattress. Moving to join her, he rolled onto his side and stretched out next to her reclined form. Staring down at her flushed face surrounded by a halo of golden curls, anticipation bubbled through him like the finest champagne. "And a kick-ass mage," he added as he reached for the be lt of her robe.

Pleasure danced in her eyes, her arms stretching above her head as he parted the robe to reveal her soft curves. She looked like a sensual cat beggin g to be petted.

"I did kick some as s," she agreed.

With a low growl, Micha reached to cup a full breast in his hand, his cock twitching as he watched the nipple clench with an eager need.

"Dragon ass," he added, low ering his head.

"Zanna wa sn't actually—"

He sealed her mouth with a kiss that warned he wasn't going to listen to any nonsense. Not if she was going to undermine her heroic efforts. Plus, it was the perfect excuse to taste her sw eet temptation.

Magic hit his tongue, tingling through him like an intoxicating potion. She'd already bewitched him. Now she was molding him into someone new. A male who would never be the same af ter this night.

"You kicked her ass and saved the world," he whispered against her parted lips, his thumb stroking her nipple until she me lted in desire.

"Perhaps, " she murmured.

He turned his head, scraping his fangs along the line of her jaw. "Eventually I'll convince you to believe in yourself ," he promised.

Releasing a shaky gasp, Skye wrapped her arms around his neck. "Well you did promise an eternity together." Holding his gaze, she slowly tilted back her head, exposing her throat in a blatant invitation. "That's a lot of time t o convince me."

Micha hissed as a soul-deep craving slammed into him. Not just for blood, but for the soft curves that promi sed pure bliss.

"Should I start here?" he growled, dragging his fangs down her throat, before pausing to stroke his tongue over the pulse that pounded just above her collarbone.

Her fingers dug into his back, the scent of her desire perfuming the air. "It's a n ice beginning."

Micha smiled as he felt her heart miss a beat. "There's more."

"Mmm." She pressed against him. "I like more."

He stroked his lips over the curve of her breast, allowing her small gasps to guide him as he used his tongue and lips to tease her nipple while his fingers explored the satin softness of her body. With intense devotion he traced the dip of her waist and over the contour of her stomach. She was perfect, he silently acknowledged, grasping the back of her leg to tug it over his hip. The position not only squeezed her tight against his throbbing cock, but it gave him the best access to provid e her pleasure.

With a last, lingering lick of her nipple, Micha lifted his head to gaze down at her features that had tensed with the same need that ech oed inside him.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice not e ntirely steady.

"Yes," she hi ssed. "Please."

Unable to resist another second, Micha parted his mouth and sank his fangs into the side of her throat. Skye flinched in surprise at his swift strike, but her arms tightened around him as if to reassure him that s he wasn't hurt.

Micha groaned as her warm blood hit his tongue, a heady sense of power rushing through him. He'd fed from demons, both goblins and fairies, as well as at least one mage, but none of them could compare to the raw strength that flowed through Skye's veins. It was no wonder she'd managed to face down a dragon, he acknowledged, feeling almost drunk as the magic rush ed through him.

Drinking deep, Micha ran his hands down her back and over the curve of her hip before he sought the heat between her legs. Easily locating her cleft, he dipped his fingers into the welcome honey, slipping upward to find the perfect spot. She groaned in delight, as he stroked over her bundle of pleasure, moving faster and faster as he sucked her blood. Her hips moved in a rhythm to match his strokes until she raked her nails down his back.

"Micha!" She arched forward, her eyes closed in intense bliss as her orgasm hi t. "I can't..."

"Let go," he urged, sliding out his fangs and using the tip of his tongue to seal shut t he tiny wounds.

"Yes," she gasped, her body tremb ling. "Oh yes."

The climax was still convulsing through her as Micha rolled her onto her back and thrust into her with an urgency he'd never felt before. Probably because he'd waited for an eternity for this female to come into his life.

Threading his fingers in her golden curls, he gazed down at her exquisite face, allowing himself to drown in the ancient beauty of her dark eyes. The feel of her squeezed tight around his arousal was just as glorious as he'd anticipated. The pleasure so intense it was swiftly spiraling him toward a looming climax. But it was the tenderness that flooded through him that caught him off guard.

And the absolute certainty that he would never love another woman for the re st of eternity.

"Micha." With a tiny laugh of delight, Skye wrapped her arms tight around his neck while her legs folded around his thrusting hips. "W e're floating."

He buried his face in her neck, the climax blasting through him with enough force to send them spinning through the room. " Hold on tight."

"Forev er," she swore.

* * * *

Skye snuggled against Micha as she struggled to catch her breath. Wow. That was the only word that captured the explosive pleasure that continued to pulse through her. It wasn't just the numerous climaxes that had clenched her body in ecstasy, although they had been spectacular, but the realization that Micha's feeding had mentally connected them.

She couldn't read his mind, but she could sense his emotions. And for the first time since she'd crossed paths with the shockingly gorgeous male, she no longer doubted his utter commitment to her. It didn't matter that he had the power to command a Gyre with thousands of demons who called him master. Or that he was capable of causing earthquakes that could destroy entire cities. In fact, nothing about their mating made any sense at all, but fate had somehow chosen to put them together. And she intended to relish every single minute.

Smoothing his hand down the curve of her back, Micha propped himself on his elbow to stare down at her with a searching gaze.

"You're quiet ," he murmured.

She smiled as a shiver of awareness raced through her. He was just so damned gorgeous. Even in the shadows of the cavern his raw beauty was like a punch to the gut. And then there was that sexy, naked body. Was it any wonder she was finding it hard to do more than melt against him i n mindless joy?

"I'm savoring the moment," she admitted in a husky voice.

He dipped his head, pressing his lips against her c urls. "Me too."

Skye tilted back her head, suddenly sensing a tension in the air that hadn't bee n there before.

"Are you?" she asked, a pang of unease tugging her heart as he gri maced. "Micha?"

"I want you to be happy here." The words were clipped, as if they'd bu rst out of him.

"I don't understan d. I am happy."

"For now," he agreed, his expression suddenly troubled. "But this lair is remote and far away from your friends. And there are times when I'll have to be away for hours or even nights at a time to deal with the duties of the Gyre. I don't want you to become bored or lonely." His jaw tightened, as if he was clenching his fangs. "Or worse, feel like you've sacrificed your own life to be with me."

Skye reached up to cup his face in her hands. It seemed impossible to believe this male could doubt how much she adored him. Or that she would ever willingly walk away. But there was no mistaking the vulnerability that smoldered deep in h is golden eyes.

"Micha, if I'm bored or lonely, I'm perfectly capable of finding a way to fill my days with projects that interest me. And I have every intention of traveling to Jersey to spend time with my friends, and hopefully, they'll come and stay here on a regular basis." She lifted her head off the pillow to brush a light kiss over his lips. "The only sacrifice would be if I had to exis t without you."

He returned her kiss with a burning intensity, the hand on her lower back pressing her tight against his thick ening erection.

"Never, never, never," he growled. "Nothing will ever co me between us."

Readily melting into his kiss, Skye skimmed her fingers over his chiseled features. She was tracing the sharp line of his jaw when a random thought abruptly shattered the passion flarin g between them.

"Micha." She pressed her hands against his chest, too distracted to appreciate his skillful touch. "Wait."

Micha lifted his head, regarding her with a sudden concern. "What's wrong?"

"I ju st remembered."

"Re membered what?"

"Where I 've seen Lynx."

Micha arched his brows, but he didn't point out that it was an odd time for her to be thinking a bout other men.

"The fairy?" he aske d in confusion.

She shook her head. "The original Lynx. The one who negotiated the Dragon Treaty."

His features instantly tightened, his fangs lengthening. He was still annoyed that the crystal had been snatched away by the mysterious creature. Skye didn't doubt it was an itch that wasn't going to be satisfied until they knew the full truth of who had appeared in the cavern.

"Tell me, " he commanded.

"When we activated the memory spell that revealed the moment the Dragon Treaty was sealed I was certain there was something familiar about the original Lynx, but I couldn't pinpoint why," sh e reminded him.

"And now?"

"I saw a picture of a male who looked very similar."

"In on e of my books?"

"No, in a photo that Peri and Valen found hidden at Wisdom Ranch."

"Wisdom Ranch." It took Micha a second to place the name. "That's the homestead in Wyoming where Peri's mother lived with her coven, right?"

"Yes," Skye agreed. The ranch had once been a remote, secretive area like Area 51. Now it was a beautiful vacation spot for ch ildren in need.

"Who was i n the picture?"

"Supposedly Peri's dad. At least that's what her mother told her." Skye wrinkled her nose. Brenda Sanguis had been pathologically ambitious and willing to do whatever was necessary to gain power, including the murder of her own daughter. Which meant it would be foolish to believe anything she'd told Peri without verification. Still, for the moment, Skye was willing to accept that the male truly was related to her friend. "Peri never met him. Or had any contact that I know of, but she brought the pictures back to Jersey. That's wh en I saw them."

"And he looked like the original Lynx?"

"Not an exact copy, but they have to be related."

He nodded, his expression distant as he considered the implications of her revelation.

"Azra did mention there were several descendants spread around the world," he finally reminded her. "It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine Peri is a great-great-great-grandchild." He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. "And it would explain a few things."

Skye blinked. As far as she was concerned, the fact that Peri might be related to the mysterious creatures only added another layer to her confusion.

" Explains what?"

"Her ability to tap into her wild magic." He held up a hand, as if he thought she might be angered by his words. "Not that I'm taking away from her enormous talent, but it's been endless centuries since any mage has been able to do more than skim a small fraction of that power. It's possible her ancestry gave her the unique ability to rele ase the magic."

Skye couldn't argue with his logic. "It would also explain why the magic that Peri had loaded onto my charms reacted so strongly in the cavern," she murmured, recalling the thread of power that had led them past the lava and the ability to nearly destr oy the crystal.

"True."

Skye pursed her lips as she considered the possibilities. She'd always suspected her friend was special. Unfortunately, they were no closer to the answe rs they needed.

"Even if she is related, it doesn't reveal the truth of who or what he was, or the identity of the male who appeared in the cavern to snatch Lynx and the crystal," she admitted, frustration bubbli ng through her.

"It's possible we could do som e DNA testing."

Skye released a sharp laugh. "Are you kidding? You think Valen would allow you to start poking and prod ding his mate?"

They shared a glance of dread at the mere thought of convincing the rabidly overprotective vampire to allow Peri to become a lab rat for the Cabal. Then, with a shake of his head, Micha visibly pushed aside the pending battle.

"A worry for later." His features softened as his fingers drifted over the curve of her hi p. "For now..."

Skye's frustration was drowned beneath a wave of desire as she smoothed her palms over his chest, fascinated by the sculpted muscles that rippled ben eath her touch.

"For now? " she prompted.

His cock pressed against her hip, his fangs fully extended. "I have a more interesting suggestion to pass the time."

Without warning, Skye pushed hard against his chest, tumbling him flat on his back. Not waiting for him to realize what she intended, she climbed on top of his sprawled body.

"It's my turn to decide how we pass the time," sh e informed him.

The candlelight flared and soft music filled the cavern as he gazed up at her in wonderment.

"Anything to please you, Skye Claremont," he softly promis ed. "Anything."