Chapter 26

26

" H ow will we find the portal?" I ask as I fold our bedding and place it aside.

Nykander comes behind me, places his hands on my shoulders, and slowly massages them.

"I have been to this realm many times during my time in the military. It was one of our most heavily guarded areas because it leads directly to Tartareia."

"Directly? I thought the portals needed someone native to that world to operate them." I frown.

"Yes and no. There are different types of portals. Even here, there will be the universal portal that can take you anywhere. But the one we are heading for is specifically designed to facilitate travel to and from Tartareia."

I release a soft sigh as I lean further into his touch.

"Then we should have no trouble getting there."

"Yes, but before we leave, I want to teach you something."

I open my eyes to regard him.

"What?"

"Remember how I knew those men in the forest were demons? That is because of their energy signature. Anyone with strong physical abilities can judge another's energy signature. If we go like this, people in Tartareia will be alerted that there is an Aperite deity in their realm."

"So what do we do then?"

"I want to teach you how to hide your energy signature and move around unnoticed. It is a very simple trick, but one that will be very useful in the future."

"Okay." I nod. "Let's do it."

We finish packing our baggage and feed the dogs. As we let them play by themselves around their little pink house, Nykander and I go to a more secluded area of the forest to not disturb the dogs.

He takes a step back, his hands behind his back as he studies me.

"I told you that my kind is considered mature at three thousand years old. But what I failed to mention is that until we reach that milestone, we train nonstop to hone our abilities. It is the same for Aperite deities."

"You…trained for three thousand years?" I gawk at him.

He nods.

"Normally, you would need to train just as much, but since we don't have the luxury of time, I will give you a concise overview of how spiritual ability works and how you can improve."

"Okay…" I murmur.

"A deity is born with a certain amount of spiritual ability that is inherited from both parents. But during your lifetime, you can train and evolve. Generally, you can increase your spiritual ability by fifty to one hundred percent depending on how hard you train."

I blink in surprise. That is…unexpected. And kind of cool.

"But in order to do that, you must first reach your native potential. The first three thousand years are to max out your inherent spiritual ability, after which you start training toward increasing it. In your case, we need to find a way to max out your potential faster."

"You mean cram three thousand years in a few days?" I mutter dryly.

He smirks.

"I never said it was going to be too easy."

"Or feasible. How can you think that's possible?" I frown.

"Because there are ways we can speed up your progress," he adds.

"Okay, I'm listening," I say as I cross my arms over my chest.

"There are nine energy points—you can think of them as gates or checkpoints. Once you have completed all nine, your initial training is finished. In Aperion, despite being a deity by birth, you can only qualify as one after you open all nine checkpoints."

My brows shoot up.

"In Tartareia that's different?"

He smiles.

"We do not bother with those lofty titles, nor do we technically call ourselves deities. We are warriors. You either pass or you do not. And if you do not, you are useless and therefore expendable."

"You mean…"

"Those who do not open their nine checkpoints by the time they reach maturity are demoted and exiled. The Sons of Tenebreis cannot be anything less than perfect. Those who fail are not allowed to identify as one of us. They are still Tartareians, and they can perform other duties within the realm, but they can never erase the shame of having failed to qualify."

"So being a Son of Tenebreis is the highest honor?"

He nods.

"We are the foundation and core of Tartareia."

"I see," I murmur.

"By opening the first gate, you will be able to somewhat control your spiritual ability—at least enough to mask it. But before we plan our attack on Baine, you must open all nine," he continues.

"All nine?" I squeak. "Nyk, I think you're overestimating me. You had three thousand years! This is insane!"

"No, it is not. As long as you open up to your fourth gate on your own, there is one way to quickly advance to the ninth. It is a perilous road that not many survive, but I have trust in you." He purses his lips.

His expression is grave as he regards me, and I can't help but wonder why he wants me to open all nine gates at once. It seems ludicrous to even think about it! How can anyone do that in a few days when the norm is thousands of years?

"What are you talking about?"

"There is a lake in Tartareia, Velor—or otherwise called the Lake of Adversity. And just like the name implies, once you step inside, you experience every turbulent emotion; every nightmare materializes—or every dream. You can only come out of it if you defeat your own self and become a master of your emotions. But those who have successfully gone through it have doubled their spiritual ability. In your case, it should help you break through the ninth gate."

"You speak as if you have personal experience with it," I whisper.

A sad smile pulls at his lips.

"I have merely heard tales."

"So you want me to go into that lake?"

"Yes. Going against Baine is not going to be easy, and I will not take any chances with you. The only way I can have some peace of mind is if you are at full strength too."

"Okay." I take a deep breath.

That was a lot to take in, but if it's going to help him, then I'll do it. I would never want to be a burden to him, and this might be the first time I can prove myself to be useful. To be…strong.

A thrill of excitement goes down my back.

Me, strong. How cool is that?

I can finally be the heroine in the story, not just a passive spectator.

"Before you can step inside Velor, you need to open the first four gates. Otherwise, the lake will consume you. So we will start with the basics." He nods.

"And those are?" I ask on a giggle.

He narrows his eyes at me.

"Summon your energy at will and maintain it regardless of the circumstances. That is the first gate. Once you are able to do that, you will also be able to mask your energy signature."

"Oh, okay," I mumble.

We stare at each other for moments on end. Nyk taps his foot restlessly against the ground, his jaw ticking with impatience.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Summon your energy. You know how to do that," he instructs.

My lashes flutter in confusion.

Do I?

Until now, I've summoned it by chance when my emotions were out of control.

"Uhm, how do I do that?" I ask, embarrassed.

He blinks, raising his brows at me. He slowly realizes how overwhelmed I am by all of this because as he speaks again, his voice is softer.

"Focus on your energy and bring that pretty pink shield to the surface, sweetheart."

I take a deep breath and, closing my eyes, I try to focus on the shield.

Moments pass and nothing happens.

I release a sigh of frustration.

"I don't know how!"

"You do," Nykander counters. Taking a step forward, he cups my cheeks and presses a kiss on my lips. Heat travels down my body. A deep blush stains my cheeks.

But just as the kiss starts, it ends.

He backs away from me, a satisfied smile curving up his lips.

"See?" He nods toward me.

I look down at my body to see a pink shimmer surround me, the color slowly intensifying.

"Until you learn how to summon it at will, think of this," he says as he gives me another kiss. "Think of all the ways I want to kiss you. All the ways I have yet to kiss you."

"W-what ways?" I whisper.

My heart slams against my ribcage as I find myself utterly lost in those beautiful eyes of his. His pupils dilate, mirroring the desire reflected in my own.

"So many, Barbs." He smirks. "From here"—he lifts his hand and presses his fingers to my lips—"to here…" He trails his fingers down my neck, pausing over my breasts. My nipples are hard and poking against the material of my thin dress. I'm not wearing a bra, and as his eyes zero in on that area, he makes a low, sexy sound deep in his throat. "Then here…" He continues downward, his fingers brushing against my stomach before they settle over my hip bone. He splays his palm over my pubic bone, his fingers achingly close to that place between my thighs that weeps for him.

"And then?" I ask on a breathless whimper.

He gives me a lopsided smile, but he doesn't move, taunting me with that wicked pause.

Feeling my frustration mount, I grab his hand and push it lower until his palm curves around my mound. His touch is scorching hot, even though there are two layers of material separating it from my bare skin. He applies the slightest bit of pressure and I find myself moaning and throwing my head back in reckless abandon. Gripping his shirt in my fingers, I angle my body to give him better access.

"My greedy girl," he drawls, his voice sending shivers down my back. "Go ahead, baby. Take what you need."

My lips tremble as I'm unable to coherently express my desire or my wants. I fist his shirt tighter as I grind against his hand.

"Nyk," I whisper.

He presses his hand deeper between my thighs, cupping my sex and stroking me gently.

My breathing intensifies.

His eyes are on me, watching, waiting.

He applies more pressure on my clit before he moves his hand in slow, languorous circles. My body erupts in goose bumps as the anticipation builds.

His touch is hot and firm. His eyes become hooded as he watches me squirm and move against him.

"Nyk… I…" I whimper.

"Come for me," he murmurs, leaning in to brush his lips against mine. He rubs me faster through my clothes, the roughness of the material providing an additional stimulus. How I wish it were his bare hand, though. How I wish he could sink those thick fingers inside me, stretch me, and claim me until his touch becomes my sole definition for pleasure.

"Just like that, sweetheart. I can see it in your eyes. You're so close," he continues to whisper against my mouth. He slides his tongue over my lips, licking me and showing me the way he'd like to kiss me— there .

"I need…" I trail off as my brain short-circuits.

He plays my body like an instrument, and I feel compelled to sing for him. My moans become increasingly louder, the notes higher and higher.

His lips curve in a wicked smile as he continues to assault me with his devilish touch.

He splays his hand over my sex and presses hard. At the same time, he trails his lips over my face, reaching my ear. He nibbles at my earlobe before he commands me in a rough voice.

"Come for me, Barbi. Now!"

There is something in his voice that affects me like never before, as if it's speaking to me on a cellular level. The low bass of his tone caresses my skin, infiltrating into my flesh until it reaches the desired destination.

A fire builds within me the moment his command registers, and my body can do nothing but obey.

My mouth forms an inaudible O as my insides tighten and coil.

One second.

That's all it takes for the orgasm to ravage me. I start trembling uncontrollably as I slump against him, riding on those magnificent throes of pleasure.

"That's my girl," he praises me gently.

I let out a satisfied meowl as I burrow closer against him, leisurely licking his neck. Something pricks at my gums, and I nibble at his flesh in an attempt to alleviate that growing discomfort. His intoxicating scent fills my nostrils, and before I know it, my teeth penetrate his skin. Hot blood floods my mouth and I drink greedily.

He holds me tight, cradling my head as he urges me to drink from him.

I drink my fill, and as I lean back, I note the pink shimmer around me has intensified.

"Just like that, sweetheart. Fuck, you are the hottest thing I've ever seen," he rasps before he crashes his lips to mine.

This kiss is different.

It's urgent, animalistic.

His grip is almost bruising as he pulls me into him.

My mark burns in my chest, the pleasure intensifying with each swipe of his tongue. And it all culminates when he sinks his sharp fangs into my lips, biting me hard enough that blood immediately pools to the surface. In response, his own lips burst open. Our blood mixes together as we continue to kiss, and before I know it, another wave of pleasure hits me.

But this time, I'm not alone.

The shudders racking my body are mirrored by his own. We both tremble as pleasure ripples through us.

He groans and grunts, all sounds that I swallow then echo with my own moans.

It's almost an eternity later that he pulls himself away from me. He's breathing hard, his eyes a deep black that swirls with specks of silver.

"You, Barbi, are a dangerous female." He releases a thick groan as he scrubs a hand over his face.

I blink slowly, unable to catch his meaning.

"W-what?"

His gaze dips lower, and I follow it, my eyes widening as I realize what he means. A dark spot stains the front of his pants.

"You wanted another one of my firsts? You have it," he says with an amused grin. "It is the first time I have spilled my seed clothed."

"Oh," I murmur, my face turning a deep scarlet.

His laughter echoes in the forest as he excuses himself to go clean up.

Maybe before I would have been embarrassed by this. But now there is only an overflowing sense of pride that I did that. I made him come without even touching him.

A dreamy sigh slips past my lips as I succumb to the ground. I can't shake the silly smile painted on my face, nor the giddiness that makes me flail my arms and legs.

Of course, when he comes back, I calm down and present myself as the picture of composure.

Yet there is one big development in our training.

Nyk was right.

Now I only need to think of the pleasure he gave me and I can channel my energy to the surface.

"You did it, sweet girl." Nykander claps and praises me when I manage to summon and maintain my shield ten times in a row.

I give him a cheeky wink.

"Now that the first phase is done, it's time we moved to the second."

The second one proves to be a little trickier, though.

"You need to feel your energy around you but imagine it is a thin layer that only you can see or feel," he explains. "Look at me."

He channels his dark shield.

"Do you sense my energy?"

"Is it like a hum under my skin?"

He nods, smiling.

"What about now?" he asks. He keeps his shield visible for my benefit, but I can no longer feel that hum.

"No." I shake my head.

"And now?"

This time, his shield disappears, and I can no longer see nor feel it.

I shake my head again.

"Your turn now. First, summon up your shield."

I do as he asks, and pink shimmery particles appear around the contour of my body.

"Good. Now focus on your shield. This is an extended part of you, Barbs. You are fully in control. You can decide whether I see or feel it."

"Okay. I'll try." I nod, closing my eyes.

I try to make contact with that source of energy I'd tapped earlier. I see it in my mind's eye. It's a swirling mass of pink that seemingly grows in size the more I stare at it.

"You are doing the opposite, Barbs," Nykander tsks.

My eyes flutter open and I immediately see what he means. Instead of hiding my shield, I've made it more conspicuous.

"I can do it," I tell him, closing my eyes once more.

I identify the same source of energy, but this time, instead of watching it grow larger, I tentatively step forward, willing it to become smaller until it can fit in the palm of my hand. Once it's within my reach, I let it wash over me, imagining it's coating me in an invisibility spell.

"Yes. That's it." Nykander's voice echoes in my ear. "I cannot see, nor feel it. You did it, Barbs."

I open my eyes, a wide smile on my face. But the moment my focus rattles, my shield becomes visible again, and the sphere of energy increases in size until I am but a dust speck next to it.

Nykander rushes to my side, his tentacles reaching around me to contain my shield from exploding.

"Almost there." He chuckles.

"Almost," I grumble.

He doesn't seem mad at my failure. On the contrary, he sweeps me off my feet and takes us back to camp, all the while praising me for my efforts.

When we get there, he lays me on the grass next to the dog house.

"You must be starving," he comments. "I will go get food. You rest."

"Is that an order?" I raise a brow.

He shakes his head and laughs.

"You can take it as such."

Smiling, I watch his retreating figure as I barely stop myself from rolling on the grass from too much giddiness.

I guess this is how it feels to be in love.

Ander spots me and runs to my arms, his little teeth already on my fingers, chewing away. I hold him tight to my chest.

PomPom and BonBon don't even bother with me. They're playing together, almost as if they were in their own little world.

BonBon has a wide smile on his face—well, for a dog—as he chases after PomPom.

It seems I am not the only one who's been hit by the love bug around here. And damn if that doesn't make me even happier.

Nykander returns a few moments later with some meat he'd caught, and he proposes we eat first before we leave.

"We're leaving today? I thought we'd wait a bit longer until I can perfect my technique."

"You will be doing that on the way there. You are already doing so much better than I expected, sweetheart."

I preen under his praise, and because the butterflies in my stomach are so restless, I place Ander on the grass and drag myself closer to Nykander.

He's with his back to me, tending to the fire.

I press and rub myself shamelessly against him.

"What do you think you are doing, you little minx?" His eyes crinkle around the corners as he half-turns to me.

"What am I doing?" I shrug innocently. "I'm merely making myself more comfortable."

"On me?" He raises a brow.

"Well… If you insist, I can find someone else to lean on," I mutter in feigned displeasure.

I move an inch to the side before I find myself on my back, with him looming on top of me.

The warmth in his gaze feeds the butterflies with their much-needed sunlight, and they violently flap their wings in my belly.

I lick my lips.

His gaze dips to my mouth.

But just as he leans in to give me a kiss, PomPom jumps between us, followed by BonBon and Ander.

They sniff and lick us, and without breaking eye contact, both Nykander and I start laughing.

"The kids come first," he whispers playfully.

My lashes flutter in surprise.

He thinks the dogs are our kids?

Swoon !