11. Livy

CHAPTER ELEVEN

LIVY

M alek heeled the clutch, changing gears as we mounted a thickly forested hill. The car's headlines and sparkling stars overhead were our only light source on the lonely country road.

Normally, Malek and I would have talked quite a bit by now, but neither of us said much since we left the castle an hour ago. His steely gaze was fixed on the road, his thoughts shrouded in mystery.

He'd been good to me so far, that was the only reason I trusted him enough to come all the way out here. But the longer the silence spanned between us, the more I had an inkling that something was off.

The car lagged to a creeping pace before parking on an unmarked piece of forest lined road. Dark somber bushes stared back at us as he turned off the ignition.

"This is as far as we can get by car. The Van Cromwell Caves are only a short walk from here. Your surprise is waiting inside." He opened his door and swung one leg outside without getting up from his seat.

"Okay, so I'm just supposed to trust you enough to go wandering through some dark lonely caves with you?" I finally asked .

"Have I ever done anything to make you doubt you could trust me?" His lashes fluttered in that irresistibly cute way that made him look like an innocent fawn instead of a dangerous warlord.

"No, but that's beside the point. I've never been in a cave, but my impression is that they're dark, cramped and possibly full of bugs. What can we do in there that we can't do out here?" I asked, but I wasn't afraid of bugs, the dark or cramped spaces. It was Malek. His secrets and the mystique that shrouded him made me uneasy. He was still a stranger. I had no idea what we were even doing out here.

Pocketing the keys, Malek came around to the passenger side door, opened it and drove his handsome face in so close to mine our noses touched. "If you're worried about possible dangers, I promise you'll be safer in the cave with me than out here on the sidewalk alone."

"I'm not afraid. I just like to know where I'm going and why beforehand. It's a wolf thing, we're very cautious creatures," I shrugged.

"I know, and that's one of the many things I love about you." He shot me a sweet smile that touched his eyes, one meant to captivate as much as disarm me.

"You think you can get me to do anything you like just because you're gorgeous? Don't think I'm not onto you. You've been using some sort of demonic mesmerism on me from the minute we met." I rotated my palms in circles. "Why else would your eyes look so sparkly every time you smile?"

"You think my eyes are sparkly?" Pink tinged his gray cheeks and his face brightened. "What else do you like about me? Do you like my horns?"

He stroked one of his horns, staring at me with the innocence of a puppy, dying for its owner to give him a belly rub to show approval .

"They're pretty cool." I muttered, looking away.

He planted a soothing kiss on my cheek that sent shockwaves of sensation gliding straight down to my sex. And it was really starting to get on my nerves just how easily Malek could push my naughty buttons .

His back straightened, lobbing his long black hair behind his shoulder. He just stood there outside the door, waiting for me.

Accepting the fact that he would stand there until he mummified if I didn't go with him, I exited the car and followed him into the trees.

Malek's impossibly wide back eclipsed the path and I followed him over exposed roots and soft soil.

"We're pretty far outside of the borders of my territory. So my demons rarely come here. Still, the spiritually aware visit because these woods are flooded with supernatural power." He perched his leg on a large root, taking me by the waist and lifting me over it like I weighed nothing.

Now that he mentioned it, the further we went, the more the hair on the back of my neck rose and cold shivers worked down my spine. It was like this forest was alive, emitting an energy field that all magic touched beings could feel.

A strange, yet familiar flickering noise drew my attention. My ears pricked up and I went on high alert.

The largest cockroach I had ever seen came flying toward my face. It cruised with such speed it was like it saw a buffet on my forehead and it hadn't eaten in a week.

I was a fighter and would willingly jump into battle with an alpha wolf, demi-god or even a mage without a second thought. But there was one thing that scared the crap out of me for as long as I could remember. The single thing that made my skin and every cell in my body crawl.

"Roach... Cockroach!" I panicked. My head lost to fear, both of my legs ran in different directions, leaving me stuck in the roach's flight path.

Malek crushed the vile creature against a nearby tree with the bottom of his boot.

"Are you okay?" He drew me against his chest, his protective hands exploring my face and neck for injuries.

"I'm okay," I said in a quick burst, embarrassment making me tremble .

His thunderous laugh chased the quiet away and my brows arched.

Okay, maybe it was silly to be scared of roaches. But I still had my pride, and watching him laugh like a hyena stung like a bee's sting.

"Sorry, Sunny. Don't look at me like that. I'm not laughing at you. It's just, well…." He rubbed the back of his head gazing skyward as if remembering. "……Things like this happened all the time years ago. Every roach or big fluffy insect to peek its head out would send you running. I'd kill them for you, not letting a single one touch you. You used to call me the roach terminator." He repeated the term again, his eyes widening to circles, expecting me to remember and join in the laugh.

"I'm sorry. It sounds like a great story, but I-I just don't remember any of it." My shoulders drew up and slowly fell.

He gave a hollow smile pretending it didn't bother him, but I saw right through it, straight to the pain that hid in the darkness of his eyes. "It's alright. Let's keep going."

We continued through the thickening oaks.

The spiritual power that permeated the forest intensified to the point where I could almost smell it. It grew stronger in the direction we went in. A divine presence warmed the air, the wind feeling like the caress of fingers over my face and shoulders.

This magical force was so strong, that it woke Mellow, sending her barreling to the surface.

Mellow's impatient growls tore open the channel between her and I.

"Useless girl! Why haven't you shifted in so long?" A spark of pain lit up the side of my head as Mellow's shouts triggered a headache. " I want to go hunting! I need to hunt something! Preferably a rabbit or deer!"

"I'm sorry I haven't shifted in a while, Mellow. Things have gotten a bit complicated recently." My eyes scrolled over Malek's back like a crayon as he pushed some branches out of our way .

"Where are our mates? What are you doing with a demon?" Surprise and anger twisted in her voice.

"Forget them, Mellow. They're bad men, they're dangerous. I'll explain it to you another time." Sadness bubbled up in my belly as memories of the demi-gods' betrayal replayed in my mind like a never-ending horror movie.

I could feel Mellow's attention hard on Malek, through my eyes she watched his every move, reading his power and aura in a way that only magic touched beings could. As the most magically inclined part of me, Mellow had a far stronger ability to read energy and spiritual power than I had.

"I don't like him. You said our mates are dangerous, but I think this demon you're with is dangerous. His soul is dark, evil and full of lies," she said.

"Come on, you don't like anyone," I argued. "Most of the time I ‘m pretty sure you don't even like me."

"True," she said plainly. I was waiting for a ‘but', however, one never came.

"Thanks for the love, partner."

"Call me if you need someone to save your butt, but don't wait until he's already torn you half to shreds. Remember, I'll be injured too if you shift while injured." Without bothering to say goodbye, Miss Congeniality went back to sleep.

"That's what I needed, Mellow. Real helpful!" I bit back, not sure if she even heard me.

The trees thinned out to nothing. The wide and dark mouth of a cave was edged out of the hillside in front of us.

A dark, ominous energy emanated from within, and it was deathly quiet.

Malek neared the cave, but I hesitated, Mellow's warning still fresh in my mind .

"We're here. Follow me." Malek pointed square into the darkness, his eyes bright enough to light up the night.

He passed the threshold, turning back to wait for me.

"Don't be afraid. I'll be with you all the way." He encouraged and after taking a deep breath, I followed.

Past the thick layer of shadow and gray, the dark passage widened, and we entered a spacious cavern.

"Oh my God." I said, my eyes exploring every bejeweled inch of splendor that surrounded me.

Precious and semi-precious stones glittered the walls like a work of art. Moonlight sauntered in through a hole in the ceiling leading to the outside. The moonlight filtered through a magnifying glass bolted to the ceiling, amplifying its light.

The light made the colorful stones sparkle so beautifully, it felt like I was inside a kaleidoscope.

Malek took me deeper inside, to where the precious stones were even bigger and reflected even more colorful lights.

The sound of waterfalls played like music as pools filled with water peeked out from behind a bend. The five pools were different sizes, presenting like majestic, limestone jacuzzis.

The largest pool fed water into the slightly smaller pool below it. The second feeds into the third and so on, connecting them all in an intricate chain. Each pool was based with a different gem color. So that the first pool was green from emeralds, the second was yellowish brown from topaz. The third was blue, the fourth was bright pink and the fifth was red, though I didn't know the names of those.

"They're incredible!" I ran my hand through the water in the red pool, dipping my toe in the blue pool after.

"It's called ‘Serenity's Kaleidoscope'. It only happens two to three times a year, when the moon is in perfect alignment." Malek made a cup with his hands, scooping up water from the red pool and watched as it sieved through his fingers.

"I've been sensing your hesitancy." His voice was a slow and deep drawl. "Every time we've been alone, I've felt your fear. Do you have any idea how it makes me feel that you, my Sunny, would fear me? The closest being I've ever cherished fears me."

His hand formed a fist as his gaze pivoted in my direction.

"I've already told you I don't scare so easily."

"I see it in the tremble of your eyes. You've never been able to hide anything from me." His nostrils flared as anger and sadness competed for dominance on his handsome face.

I drew back a few steps feeling his power rise and fill the cavern. I didn't want to be on the receiving end of it should he explode.

He gave me a good long stare, looking past my skin into the depths of my soul. His lips parted; but instead of saying anything further, he dug into his pockets.

"Malek, what are you up to?" I asked as he pulled out three glass vials.

"This water has been known to amplify demonic power when used correctly. There's something I want to try."

He caught some red water in one vial, blue water in the second vial and green in the third. Clutching all three in the center of his palm he set his attention intensely on me.

I stiffened, not liking the way sweat dampened his face and thin lines formed on his forehead.

He charged for me, backing me into a corner. My back hit the wall and my hand pressed into his chest, stopping him from coming closer.

"Wait. What are going to do with those?" I interrogated.

His oversized body enveloped mine and he was practically on top of me, his power dominating every inch of the corner .

His dark gaze burned into me like a branding iron. "I have to do this because you are mine, Sunny. From the tips of your toes to the ends of your silky hair. You are mine. All mine." He combed his fingers through my hair eyeing each strand with selfish possession.

"Your sweet lips were made for my kiss and I will stop at nothing until you remember me." Hot passion dripped in his deep voice.

The tip of his tongue smoothed over my bottom lip and my body quaked with desire. He inched closer, wrapping me in his warmth. My lips puckered, hungrily expecting his lips to find mine.

"If I channel my power just right into these sacred waters, I might be able to get your memories back." He whispered.

I'd expected a sweet kiss, one that would transport me to a beautiful, heavenly new world. But instead, Malek hastily emptied the vials by splashing their contents in my face. It was like a priest trying to exercise a demon with holy water.

I glared murderously at him wiping the water from my face.

"Remember me!" he begged, emptying the second vial all over my forehead.

Furious, I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, baring my teeth. "Hey, would it have killed you to warn me? When you said we were going on a date, I didn't expect a baptism."

"Wait, did you just say I could have my memories back?" I wiped my eyes dry with both hands.

"It's possible, but it should have worked by now. My energy isn't melding sufficiently with the water. Maybe if I…" Tossing the green and final vial into his mouth he grabbed me by the shoulders and drove his lips into mine.

Cool liquid flowed from his lips, passing into my mouth. The water plunged down my throat before I was fully aware it was even there.

"Please. Please tell me that it worked. Do you remember anything now?" Malek clasped his hands in prayer .

I swallowed the last of it, and blinked, falling into a daze.

Oh, something was happening alright, but what? It felt almost like I was drunk but also sober. Dreaming but also awake. My vision blurred, Malek's face morphing into something that was distorting it. It was like looking at him through a fun house mirror.

"I feel strange." I gripped his shirt for stability.

"Do you need to sit down? Let me help you." Malek's voice slowed, dropping several octaves, making him sound like he was talking through water.

My lungs fought the air that squeezed into my chest. The air felt like lava, burning me from the inside. My eyes shuttered closed as I coughed.

Visibly worried, Malek took a hold of my shoulder asking me something but I couldn't fully make it out.

"Sun-ny. Sun-ny!" He cried, his voice was choppy and turbulent.

My blood ran as cold as ice and my eyes broke open. Staring back at me, where Malek should be, was a dark hairy beast with talon-like claws and fangs that reached the base of its thick neck and flashing red eyes.

It looked like a horrific mix of a wolf, sasquatch and bear. Blood lust mirrored in its eyes and the eerie feeling of impending danger quickened my heart.

A beastly grumble vibrated up its furry throat and it lunged at me. My instinctive need to live suppressed the haze enough that I was to swing my body out of its line of rampage.

I took to my heels, racing for the exit. The monster growled ferociously and I screamed.

It relentlessly pursued me, his howls fracturing the air that filled the cave.

I entered the tunnel that led to the outside.

The muscles in my back contracted violently as I summoned the shift. Mellow was my only hope to survive an attack from a beast of this size .

My back muscles loosened, and the shift never came. I thought Mellow had refused me, but I knew better. Something in that water dulled my senses too severely for me to summon enough power to shift.

Outside the cave, the cool air stabbed my sweaty skin like icicles. My head jerked left and right as I desperately searched for a branch to strike the beast with.

"Stay back! Do you hear me?!" I threatened.

A loose branch rested on the ground under a nearby tree. I advanced on it as fast as my wobbly legs would take me.

A rough hand yanked me back, as I was a meager foot from the branch. I cursed, fear and anger flurrying through me.

I punched the beast's chest and its face as hard as I could.

In response, the monster just stood there calmly. It then drew a single dandelion right up close to my face. I was so confused I didn't know what to think as it sucked in a breath and blew the dandelion's fluffy pollen into my eyes.

Like a switch had been flipped, the haze cleared as did my disorientation. Finally, I could see the beast for what it had been all along, Malek.

Images and sounds shot through my head. A million memories a minute played through my mind's eye like a movie. First in bits and pieces, then in large gulps of time, it all came flying back to me.

I saw Malek as a child, we held hands as we roamed the forest together and played games by the river. His innocent little grin sparkled, his horns small and far less intimidating than they are now. I saw it all. I did know him back then. Malek was my friend.

But it wasn't always that way. Memories of our first meeting bubbled up next. The first day Malek approached me in the forest, I was immediately curious about him. I'd never seen a boy with gray skin and horns before, but my parents immediately knew what he was and wouldn't allow me to have anything to do with a demon .

It wasn't until a week later, when a poacher came after my mother while she was in wolf form. He wanted to kill her for her meat and her pelt.

Malek appeared just in time and saved her life, killing the poacher. From that day, my parents not only allowed it, but they encouraged our friendship. Because they knew Malek would always keep me safe. Almost every happy childhood memory I had, Malek shared a part of it. He, in all ways that mattered, was a part of my family.

Tears wet my cheeks. As the images slowed down, I looked up to Malek. His hopeful eyes speared differently than before. The darkness that lurked in them vanished. The air of unfamiliarity fled, and a warmth filled me.

"Do you remember?" His voice dripped with desperation.

"I remember." My fingers smoothed over his cheek.

His body quaked as joy possessed him, his hand eclipsing mine.

"And do you remember the promise I made you?" he asked breathlessly. I searched my memories for the answer, but little pieces were still slowly returning to me. "I promised you that I would always protect you and that as long as we still had each other, we would always have a home." His hand caressed my face as he leaned into me.

"I remember. And even though I forgot about you, you never gave up on finding me." A dozen emotions buzzed like bees through the field of my memories. I thought I lost everyone from my past and I was alone in this world. But I wasn't alone anymore. All because Malek refused to forget about me.

He scooped me up in his arms cradling me to his wall-like chest. Sealing my lips with his, he sucked the breath out of me in a way that left me lightheaded and swimming in a sea of giddiness and lust.

Slowly he walked us toward the mouth of the cave. All fear left me as if carried away by the wind. Malek was a friend all along and would never, in a million years, hurt me. I knew that now .

We dipped into the mouth of the cave. His kisses heightened in intensity and prompted a raging heat in me that was unlike any I'd ever felt.

My legs went limp in his powerful hands, my back arching slightly as hot desire threatened to take me and never let me go. I returned his kiss, wrapping my hands around his neck and hungrily feasting on his soft, scrumptious lips.

I still didn't have all the answers I needed. I still had no idea about what transpired in Malek's past before he came to Earth or how his past played in creating the ruler and conqueror he was today.

But right now, none of that mattered. We finally had each other again, and tonight we would celebrate like no wolf or demon pair on this planet ever had.