Chapter 24

Monty grew to the size of a tiger and lay on the floor curled on his side. I glanced around the hut, looking for any kind of blanket or pillow or place to lie, but the room was sparse at best. I walked over to Monty and dropped to the floor and curled up next to him, using his stomach as a pillow. His tale whipped around and dropped over my body like a blanket. His body warmed, and for the first time since I'd gotten to Isramorta, I felt safe enough to let sleep take me. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander. Padonya told me to pray, and I had no idea how to do that, so I lay there for long moments trying to figure out how to start.

Dear Abba . . .

Abba almighty . . .

Yo, Abba girl . . .

Priestess Abba . . .

But none of them sounded or felt right. Praying wasn't something I did on a regular basis, so I was at a loss. Exhaustion took me closer to sleep, and I felt my body start to drift into the oblivion.

My body ached as I collected my things around the lone room I used at the brothel. I was going home to my sister tonight. I'd waited to return to her for as long as I could. Avalon had been due back from one of his trade runs days ago. But he never showed up, and deep down it felt like this was the beginning of the end. I tried to make excuses in my mind for why he didn't come. Perhaps business took too long, perhaps he got stopped by the authorities, perhaps he needed more supplies. But the list of perhapses was overshadowed by the thought that someday he would leave me and that time had arrived. My heart ached at the thought of trying to live through that loss.

I held my satchel in one hand and shoved my coins into it along with anything else I could sell off to pay for nectar for Rhode. I fought against the tears that threatened to spill over. I wouldn"t cry over Avalon. Tears over a man in a whorehouse was laughable. We all knew the score going in. Yet my stupid heart couldn't believe it. How could I have been so stupid to have fallen so far for him . . .

Shouts came from below and then heavy footfalls rushed to my room. I jumped back against the wall and held my satchel behind my back. Who knew what kind of people would come here? The door flew open and banged against the wall. Avalon stormed into the room, taking up the whole space. His face was sharp and serious as he gazed at me with his sapphire-blue eyes. His nostrils flared, and he slammed the door behind him.

Dirt marred his face and he rushed towards me. I dropped my satchel and threw my arms around his neck. He took my lips in a hard kiss. It was so different than the gentleness I'd grown used to. When his lips parted and his tongue wound with mine, there was a desperateness to it, like he couldn"t get close enough to me fast enough.

He pulled back for a second, taking in deep breaths. "I missed you."

"You were gone for longer than you said." He took my lips once more while stripping his jacket away and letting it fall to the ground.

"One of the pathways caved in." He backed me against the wall. "We had to go around."

"I thought you were through with me." I dug my fingers into the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

He gave me another kiss and pressed his entire body against mine. I could feel his hard length through his trousers and my dress. He pulled back once more and caught my eye. "I will never be through with you. I need you."

"Then take me." Desire flooded my body and heat pooled in my stomach.

His lips smashed into mine while we reached for each other. I made quick work of the ties on his trousers and freed him into my hand. As I ran my fingers over him, his hips bucked toward me. Avalon pulled my skirts up to my hips and ran his hands over me. I'd never known so much pleasure with a man before. He leaned down and hooked one of my legs around his hip.

"I can't wait." He reached between us and positioned himself just right. I sucked in a deep breath as he thrust forward and slammed into me.

Stretching, so much stretching. It was the thin line between pleasure and pain as he moved inside me. One hand dug into my thigh and the other dug into my hip as he pulled and pushed me to the rhythm he wanted. He pressed his forehead to mine and our breath mingled. It was too good, too close, too much. Connection between us sizzled like lightning, and I couldn't stop if I wanted to.

Avalon's hand ran down behind my other thigh, and he lifted me off the ground, forcing my legs to wrap around his hips. My back slammed into the wall as he drove into me. I threw my head back and a moan escaped my lips. He pressed his lips to my neck, kissing and nipping at my skin. I loved the feel of his tongue against my skin and the way his scent lingered in my nose. His muscles were warm and firm under my grip. Any time I opened my eyes to watch him, he was always watching me. I tightened my legs around his hips and dug my nails into his shoulders, pulling him as close as I could.

Grunts of his pleasure sounded in my ears, and my body responded. "Fuck, Lily, you're so beautiful."

I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. Pleasure racked my body, and all I could feel was him. Avalon overwhelmed me on a regular basis, like there was nothing else in the world but him. He spun away from the wall and walked me over to the bed. With each step he took, I bounced on him. I thought he would throw me on the bed, but he turned and sat down, and I let my knees fall on either side of his hips. His fingers dug into my ass, and he closed his eyes for a moment and bit his lip.

"Do what you want."

"What?" The one word was breathless as it escaped my lips.

He leaned back and put his hands behind him and met my eyes. "Do what you want."

I straddled his hips and tentatively began to move over him. His head fell back, and he ground his teeth together. "More."

I leaned forward and let my body rub against his as I began to ride him harder. He pulled the straps of my dress down, letting my breasts spring free. He ducked his head, taking one into his mouth as I rubbed myself on him. I cried out, finding a pace that would bring us both pleasure. The sensations were unbelievable. The feel of his tongue on my breasts, the way his hands curled each time he held my hips, and how his hips moved in rhythm with mine was all so close to euphoria. Together, Avalon and I were perfection. Every moment with him chased away the emptiness I felt.

His hands dug into my hips and he pushed me to go faster and harder. The sound of our skin coming together filled the room and sweat soaked my skin. My dress pooled around my hips, hiding our connection like it was some kind of secret. I closed my eyes, feeling my ecstasy growing closer and closer.

"Come on, love. Come on." He leaned forward and took my other breast into his mouth.

I arched my back and pleasure slammed into my body, rocking me from head to toe. I cried out, calling his name as I came around him. His pace quickened and he followed me, soaring toward his own pleasure. His body pulsed within mine and warmth spread between the two of us. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me closer. His chest heaved, and our breaths were almost in sync. He held me close to him as he twisted and pulled me down to lie next to him on the bed.

I lay curled on my side next to him with my head on his chest and my leg thrown over his. The sound of his heartbeat filled my ears, and my head rose and fell with each breath he took. He came back. He came back for me. He brushed his fingers through the tips of my hair as we lay there in silence.

"I will always come back for you," he whispered. "Believe that."

I wanted to believe it with all my heart, because Avalon had my heart completely. I'd shatter without him. I closed my eyes, relishing this moment. "I'll try."

"Where were you going when I got here?"

"Nowhere," I lied. I didn't want him to know about my family or the reasons why I did what I did. My secrets were my own, and I'd deal with them on my own. I just wanted a few more moments before I had to get to Rhode. Just a few more minutes and I would get to her.

. . . get to her.

. . . get to Rhode.

. . . get to her.

. . . get to Rhode.

My eyes shot wide open, and I sat up in a rush. I sucked in a deep sharp breath and ran my hand through my hair. "Fucking memories."

It was too hot. The walls were too close. Memories of Avalon and Rhode swirled in my mind. I jumped to my feet, and Monty peeked his head up. "It's okay, buddy, just stay there."

I marched out onto the small wooden porch and placed my hands on the railing looking out over the swamp. A gray green haze filled the air and lingered over the water. Rhode was with me that night. The night of the sacrifice. We'd died together and came back together. I knew that now. I gazed toward the Shadow Mountains, knowing the vampires were just on the other side of it. I tightened my grip on the wooden railing and whispered, "You better be there."

"DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU BETTER BE THERE!" I yelled at the top of my lungs toward the mountains.

She better be okay. New hope renewed in my chest. My sister was here, and I was going to get to her. I would help the demons gain their freedom, then I'd figure out how to make my way to the vampires. But first, I had the biggest thing to deal with . . . Avalon.

I knew that now. To help the demons and find my sister, I needed him. I had my memories to follow, but he knew everything now. There was a thin line between love and hate, and that demon hated me with the fire of a thousand suns. So, love couldn't be far behind.

Now I just have to let him find me. It was time to surrender . . .