15

MAEVE

I WATCHED from the doorway as Ivy tucked the children into bed. Pillows were being used as barriers to keep them from fighting over sides, despite there being bunks available. But they wanted to share the same space, even if they fought over it. They couldn’t be alone.

I understood that need for certainty, for proximity. It was why I followed Ivy into the bedroom in the first place. The blood thirsty beast beneath my skin burned for her presence. It wanted her and no one else. It felt like I was crawling out of my skin, waiting for the moment I could finally be alone with my mate.

It was selfish to want her and yet trying to fight it was like stamping down on my basic instincts. Not having her as soon as we’d completed the bond was torture and having to see her take what she needed from her other mates fuelled a dangerous kind of jealousy within me.

Ivy pressed kisses to the tops of each head before rising. She frowned as she looked at the old lamp beside the bed, and her frustration was felt down the bond. It was an old witch item, made with captured sunlight and charmed to hold it until one blew on it. Then it would set like the sun did until morning.

Blow on it, I said, capturing her attention. Ivy glanced back with a frown, but she didn ’t question it. She leaned over and blew on the lamp, which lowered the light until it was a soft glow, and she left it like that. The youngest was already asleep by the time Ivy stepped away from their tucked in bodies. She stood watching them for a long moment, her anxiety palpable, like if she took her eyes off them again, they would be split up.

I couldn’t ignore the guilt and shame of forcing them apart. It was something, as team leader, I knew needed to happen. Splitting them up had worked temporarily to protect both her and the children.

But the part of me that was now eternally tied to Ivy understood the gravity of that decision.

Ivy released a shaky breath and turned towards me. She hugged her midsection, uncertainty playing in the depths of her dark eyes, but she strode towards me and buried her face in my neck. Her heart raced against mine, a heart I still wasn’t used to, a heart that beat only for her.

For over two centuries, I’d almost forgotten the vital organ that used to pump lifeblood throughout my body. For over twenty years, it’d been a staple in my everyday life, and then like a switch, it had been taken from me. A decade it had taken me to get used to it not echoing in my ears, not feeling it when I touched my wrist.

Would it take me another decade to feel its presence as something more than intrusive?

But with Ivy in my arms, it made it all the more...real.

After several long moments, she stepped away, and I missed her warmth and the feel of her body immediately. “Would it be okay if we...?” Ivy trailed off, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.

I frowned before taking her face in my hands. “What would you like, a mhuirnín ?”

Her eyes widened and she released her bottom lip. I followed the action with my eyes, and without thinking, I swiped my thumb over the plump flesh. The bloody beast in me yearned for another taste of her; of blood, perhaps a taste of her skin, the mound of flesh between her thighs a common desire that had been swimming in my head for weeks. Her arousal had always been a potent scent, one that was both intoxicating and overwhelming. My mouth watered with the thought of laying her out, claiming her in the way she deserved, in the way our bond demanded .

Ivy’s throat bobbed as she swallowed; she ducked her head, cheeks warming, and through the bond now tying us together, I caught snippets of her embarrassment. “Ivy?”

She shook her head, releasing a shaky breath as she did. “Sorry. I’m trying to...figure it out.” She glanced up, and an uncertain smile playing at her lips. “I don’t want to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. It’s not really like we made the mutual decision to...bond.”

There was a small wave of disappointment that rushed through me. “Are you disappointed in our mating?”

Ivy blinked in shock before sparing a quick glance at the three sleeping children. She tugged her bottom lip into her mouth again as she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room. I didn’t fight her as we entered the small hallway outside the bedrooms; there were three bunk rooms in total, with another two sharing larger beds.

The door to the children’s room clicked shut behind us. “That’s not at all what I’m implying, Maeve,” Ivy replied, sighing tiredly. “I’m sorry if that’s—” She stopped and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t really know what I want right now. A bath? Sleep? To have many, many orgasms? I’m exhausted but my magic is like a burning sensation under my skin with how close you are.”

As I traced my fingertips up her arm, her magic hummed like a livewire. A living, breathing creature beneath her skin. Ivy’s eyes widened as she stared, her plush lips parted slightly. Pink highlighted her cheekbones, and the urge to feel the warmth of her blush beneath my own fingers overwhelmed me.

The beast born of bloodlust wanted to feed again from her throat. It wanted to feel her writhe beneath us, hear her moans of pleasure and fear as I pulled her lifeblood from her tender flesh, taste her magic and essence on my tongue.

My fangs elongated and pressed against my bottom lip. Heart racing, I lowered my face to hers. Breathing in, I took her scent into my lungs as if she were the only air I could breathe. Arousal hung heavily around her, clinging to her body, while her comforting scent of coffee tickled my nose like an afterthought. My body tensed as our lips brushed.

A different scent crashed into me, and my head shot up as Elias entered the hall. He crossed his arms over his chest, a frown darkening his face. “For all our sanities, take it into the bedroom.”

Ivy ducked her head and pressed her face into my shoulder. Her embarrassment seeped down the bond. “Sorry,” she grumbled, barely loud enough for either of us to hear.

Elias gazed down at her with so much adoration, that I couldn’t help the pang of jealousy that ignited within me. My jaw clenched. I tried to hide that particular emotion, though I struggled with the knowledge that Ivy had free access to the inner workings of my mind. I wasn’t sure how Adrian and Elias handled it. They seemed so at ease with it. But it was like a war in my own mind.

For so long, I’d been so used to hiding everything—for myself and others. Knowing Ivy had access to the darkness in my mind ignited a fear I had no means of quenching.

What would she do or say if she learned of what I’d done in my past? Of the horrible acts I’d committed in the name of my Sire?

Ivy wrapped her arms around me and squeezed without saying a word. It was enough to pull me out of my thoughts and bring me back to the present.

“Are you okay?” Ivy asked, gently pulling back to meet my stare.

I nodded, though it didn’t feel like the full truth. But Elias had a point; we shouldn’t be out here like this— I shouldn ’t be out here like this. Not with my bloodlust running high and our bond feeling so...incomplete.

I glanced towards Elias, who was now looking at me. His nod was barely perceptible, but he seemed to understand the struggle I was going through, battling with the other side of myself. Maybe he understood it too well.

Ivy took my hand and guided me into the second bedroom. It had a similar layout to the one we’d put the children in, with a full-sized bed, two side tables with sunset lamps, and a small porthole above the bed that looked out over the darkened ocean. The door clicked shut behind us, but we didn’t move from the end of the bed.

Tension ran thick between us; it was a palpable energy, humming with power that was becoming unavoidable. My own blood thrummed in my veins as a response to the heaviness in the room. Anticipation flooded me, awakening something I’d long since put to rest.

“Nothing has to happen tonight,” Ivy murmured, her soft, pillowy lips forming a gentle smile. She squeezed my hand in reassurance, but it only served to heighten the need building within me.

My fangs lengthened and broke the skin of my bottom lip. Ivy sucked in a breath, her gaze dropping to the blood. She averted her gaze quickly, but as I scented the air, I caught the gentle aroma of her arousal.

The beast in me clawed its way to the forefront of my mind. It didn’t just want her blood. It wanted more.

I descended upon her without letting reason win and claimed her soft mouth in a hard kiss. She moaned against my lips and raked her hands over my gear before threading her fingers through my hair. I tore my mouth from her and took in her heaving chest and wild, desire filled eyes.

And yet, hesitation filled me. As much as I wanted her in all the ways that made a bond, I couldn’t muster the courage to take that next step.

Ivy seemed to sense that, and she offered me a soft smile. “Cuddling is also a viable option.”

“But you need—”

She cut me off with a shake of her head. “I’m more worried about what you need, Maeve. I’m fine. And all I need right now is you, here with me.”

I swallowed thickly, bowing my head. The few bags we brought with us had made it to the bedroom, and so I moved towards the one belonging to Ivy. She said nothing as I picked through the items and found a t-shirt and sleep-shorts for her.

Turning, I took in her bloodied gear. “Would you like my help? With…cleaning up?”

Ivy’s soft gaze found mine and she nodded. “I’d really appreciate it.”

We didn’t speak as I helped her out of the gear. Some of it was salvageable, but I wanted it gone. I wanted no memory of the crash, of her pain-filled cries and the sound of her body as the car rolled. I’d heard her almost break her leg. The snap of the seatbelt as it clamped across her chest.

Within a moment, I thought I’d almost lost her.

I’m right here , she whispered through the bond. I’m fine .

A lump formed in my throat as I guided her to a bowl stationed in the corner of the room. Filling it with soaps, I pressed a charm carved into the edge of the porcelain and watched it fill.

“Maeve?”

The beast in my chest coiled tighter as I forced myself to take in her naked, delicate body. The peaks of her breasts hardened, puckering with her arousal, which perfumed the air. But I couldn’t focus on that. The need to make sure she was safe—not hurt, not in pain—overwhelmed me more.

Blood still clung to her skin. To her knees, her arms. Dirt and oil from the crash lined her nails.

“I need to care for you, tonight. That’s it, a mhuirnín. Can I do that?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

Ivy nodded; taking a washcloth off a pile of towels, I dipped it in the water. My mate held her breath as I ran the cloth over her collarbone.

“The first time I found you covered in blood, I almost lost my mind to the blood lust,” I admitted, cleaning the dried substance off her skin. All that was left behind was a bruise, but even that seemed like too much. “I’d thought…I thought you’d been injured. I couldn’t believe you were still alive.”

I skimmed my fingers down her arm. A shiver followed the movement, puckering her skin as I took her hand and brought it between us so I could clean her fingers.

My heart stuttered. “I never gave myself the chance to hope.”

As I cleaned her hands, Ivy said, “I did.”

I stiffened, but she continued, “Maybe it was a little selfish of me. But from the moment I met you—I wanted you.”

I hesitantly met her stare. It was filled with warmth, and the same hope brightened the bond. “I might not have believed it possible to claim you as my mate. But I certainly—selfishly—wanted you, too.”

Blush warmed her cheeks. I cleaned the rest of her body slowly, taking in the pink and white lines that curved her stomach and thighs. It took every ounce of strength and power within me to not kiss each one, to not worship each stretch mark on her body. A body so powerful it protected her when I could not.

By the time I was done, the water had turned from clear to muddy. I pressed my thumb into the charm again and the water disappeared.

Guiding Ivy back to the bed, I helped her dress, unable to help myself as I ran my eyes over her once again.

“I’m okay. A couple of bruises. Nothing serious,” Ivy joked, taking both my hands. “Do you need help?”

“I’ll change but…” My heart rate quickened, and my breathing came quicker. “I am…unsure about sharing my body just yet.”

Ivy cocked her head, pursing her lips, but she nodded. “I’ll close my eyes if that makes you more comfortable.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, leaning down and kissing her lightly. Her lips still tasted like our Fae feast and wine. But I pulled back quickly, so as not to tempt myself further.

I remained still as Ivy crawled into the bed and brought the comforter up to her chin. She closed her eyes after a moment, and although uncertainty shuddered through me, I trusted my mate. And eventually, I would show her the damage of my past.

But not tonight . Not when everything was finally falling into place. I knew she wouldn’t look upon me with disgust. But it was still a dark insecurity. The scars would live with me for the rest of my long life.

But I dressed in something lightweight and comfortable, and hesitantly slid into the bed beside Ivy. Her eyes opened, but she only smiled.

“It’s likely I won’t sleep,” I reminded her.

Ivy shrugged, curling in towards me. “That’s okay.”

I eyed her warily. “Ask, a mhuirnín. I’ll answer your questions.”

Her eyes darkened, and at first, she shook her head. “It’s nothing, not really. Just a…weird feeling.”

I moved in closer and cupped her cheek. “Ask.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Kerry isn’t here…is she?” she asked carefully, a slight tremble in her voice.

I shook my head and gently brought her into my side so her head rested on my chest. “No.”

Ivy blew out a harsh breath. “Then where?”

“She’s already in Avalon,” I replied, running my hand over her still-braided hair. “Marion has a cabin and is already aboard. You probably won’t see her, which is for the best. And your belongings were loaded with a transportation spell.”

Ivy shuddered. “But how does that…work, exactly?”

“Some things can move between worlds without accessing the ferry. Usually, things that aren’t living.” Her heart raced rapidly, but I continued, “The potion came through as it did because it is not alive.”

“But…back home. You sent a hellhound back to Avalon?” she asked, her curiosity and pain clear through the bond.

I tightened my hold on her. “Do you really wish to discuss this?”

After a moment, she sighed. “Probably not. Curiosity got the best of me, I think. And…wondering if Kerry was here just…I don’t think I would have been able to sleep if she was.”

“I know,” I murmured. “But she’s not. She’s already in Avalon. Demons can travel in ways we cannot. That is how the hellhound was transported. Kerry was moved in a similar yet different manner because of her death. But she is being cared for. You have nothing to worry about there.”

Ivy looked up through her lashes, eyes shining with unshed tears. Not for the first time, my heart squeezed at her nearness. “Thank you.”

I kissed the top of her head. “Sleep, a mhuirnín . And I will watch over you while you dream.”

~

Ivy slept soundly in my arms, her chest rising and falling without the struggle of her nightmares. I couldn’t take my eyes off her; the way her lashes fluttered, the slight pink tinge to her cheeks, the gentle hold she had on my hand that tightened every so often as her dreams took hold of her mind. I didn’t have to prod the bond much to know she was deep in her sleep, and yet I couldn’t join her there.

The brief conversation I’d had with Rowan picked at something in my brain. I knew I couldn’t rest until I had answers.

I pressed a gentle kiss to Ivy’s temple before slipping out from beneath the heavy covers. I pulled my boots on and sheathed my daggers out of habit rather than necessity. We were safe on the ferry, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop something that had been so ingrained in me.

The rest of the ship was quiet, and I made my way to a corner by the spelled window. As the illusions moved and reshaped themselves, I gathered the courage to reach out to the Seer. Uncertainty tightened like a clamp around my stomach, and with each breath, I strengthened my resolve.

I sent a message to Sable, and as I awaited her response, I considered the past few weeks. Sable designing our group and the oddness of it all. Pulling all active agents into the hall to assess them had seemed strange at the time, but now, it was clear as day.

But what else did the Seer know? What else was she hiding?

I drummed my fingers on the desk, until the video call request appeared. All hesitancy disappeared asI accepted it, sitting straighter when the Seer’s weathered face filled the screen. She had a smug smile settled across her lips, a brightness in her eyes that washed away any doubts I’d had.

“You’ve always known,” I said, pressing my hands into my lap.

The Seer shrugged. “I know more than most ,” she replied. “What are you referring to, immortal one?”

I tightened my hands into fists. “That the team you created is the new Queen’s fated mates.” The smile slipped into a full-blown grin, and she laughed hoarsely, throwing her head back. “You find this amusing,” I deadpanned.

Her snickering laugh quietened as she found her composure. “ Took you long enough. ” She rubbed her hands together, massaging her knuckles. “ I really thought my son would’ve figured it out sooner. He is a romantic, after all. Although, I did have money on you working it out. Again, I didn’t think it would take you so long.”

I clenched my jaw and shook my head. My shoulder tensed as I fought off my own anger. “Seer, I do not play games.”

Games did not end well—not for any involved. And especially not with Ivy caught in the crosshairs. I had to clamp down on another wave of irrational anger—anger directed at myself, at the Seer, at everyone involved in this mess.

“ Oh, I’m well aware, vampire .” Her face smoothed out as the smile slipped from her lips. “ You have to understand, it is not something I can just reveal. Mate bonds are special, and for her, necessary. As her mates, you must work for your bonds, to prove not only to her, but to the Goddess, why you were Chosen.”

I drew in a breath and released it slowly. The old woman had a point, though I was reluctant to admit it considering the hoops I’d had to jump through to make this connection. I always knew there would be hurdles when it came to Ivy’s bonds—I just had no idea I was part of that.

“I understand,” I replied, “but why put us on this path?”

The Seer’s eyes darkened as she rested her chin on her hand. “ I think you know why, immortal one. ”

I pressed my lips into a thin line as I sat back. “The organisation hunting her.”

Sable nodded, her eyes grave. “ The Goddess put you on this path by using me, but that’s it. She’s always watching, and now, it’s on you to figure out the rest .”

My stomach twisted uncomfortably, and as the call ended, I scrubbed a hand over my face.

We were given to Ivy early because she was in danger, and even with our presence in her life, she was still at risk. It seemed no matter what the Goddess and the Seer did, my mate would always be destined to fall into their hands.

But did we have the power to save her?