Beyond The Veil
Ashlynn Monroe
TEASE PUBLISHING LLC www.teasepublishingllc.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A Tease Publishing Book/E book Beyond the Veil Copyright© 2010 Ashlynn Monroe ISBN: 978-1-60767-154-1 Cover Artist: Amanda
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Tease Publishing LLC
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One Cerek stood in the darkness feeling the cool black velvet of the night’s shadows envelop him. The darkness embraced him with the sensuousness of a lover. The night owned him, and he relished the quiet stillness. Watching his target, fumbling with her keys near the doorway he felt a moment of anger. Her human movements and clumsiness could only be an act. She was one of the dark ones. Her people killed humans and paranormals alike, without discretion. They were dangerous, not just because they killed, but because they killed so openly. The tenuous secrecy he fought to protect could only be achieved with the eradication of her kind. These creatures lived off the blood of the hapless humans who ventured too close to the veil between the world of mortals and his land, or the paranormals foolish enough not to watch their back. Many on his side had fallen from the dark one’s bite. These creatures didn’t bite mortals to drink and live, as the vorvolaka. They could only live off the lifeblood of those with magic, like himself. When they bit a weak human their fangs injected venom that would kill the mortal, rendering the blood useless to them, they killed mortal men for sport. Cerek was all that stood between blind humanity and senselessly evil creatures who’d devour them. Creatures like the vorvolaka and shifters lived in the shadows trying to exist under the radar of humans. He didn’t hunt those magical creatures that’d crossed the veil without permission. If a blood drinker or shifter turned killer he never thought twice about hunting them. It was rare that he had to seek them out; most who escaped did so to live without the rule of the council. Those who chose to live outside of the centuries old laws feared the royal assassins. Cerek was feared more than most for his methodical cold way of dispensing justice. He’d been left at the training house as a babe, and they’d breed him to kill with mindless determination. Cerek watched the creature. He’d never seen such a well-acted disguise before, this dark one couldn’t have known he watched her, and yet her very graceless movements and silly mannerisms were endearingly human. She also seemed to be having problems seeing in the darkness. Very convincing, too bad he already knew she was evil and must die. Beauty could easily hide evil, and this creature wore one of the most beautiful disguises he’d ever seen. She wasn’t a classical beauty, but her ethereal look gave her a unique look. Slowly, Cerek came around the side of the building. His double daggers raised ready to behead the monster before she had a chance to show her true colors and strike. Raising his weapons, he was only a breath away from killing her. Then she did something that caused him to lower his weapons, and stop. The girl hiccupped. Dark ones didn’t have a diaphragm they couldn’t hiccup. He’d almost made a terrible mistake. Why would King Joffre tell him to come here and kill a human? Something was terribly amiss, and the girl had no idea how close to death she’d come. Curious about her now, he waited until she was inside the dwelling. It was time to find out just what interest King Joffre had in her. Mortals were no threat to the magical paranormals that inhabited his world. They also didn’t concern themselves with humans that killed other humans. The assassin served one purpose, keep the secret of their world. He listened for her, letting his keen senses feel her movements with his magical ability to detect other paranormals. His eyes caught glimpses of her activity inside. She appeared very ordinary. Her mailbox told him her name was Katy Miller. Very ordinary, but she captured his attention like no other mortal he’d seen, her movements certainly were the slow clumsy ones of a human, but something about her touched him in a way no mortal had before. Perhaps she did carry some kind of magic. The longer he watched her, the more bewitched with her he felt. Long dark brown hair flowed to her hips. Her eyes were an emerald green, unique and intelligent. Even if her beauty was unusual, the rest of her appeared just as human as any other mortal on this side of the veil. King Joffre had taken a vow to protect humanity, and for five thousand years, the man had ruled the supernatural world, with only one goal, protecting humans. His kingship, bestowed upon him at the end of the war with humanity, had kept chaos from overwhelming both their worlds. Joffre’s wisdom had created the veil, forever keeping humans and paranormals apart so another war was unlikely. The humans were primitives living on the brink of extinction by the end of the battles, all of their magic taken away. They were too emotional to wield power with true caution. When Cerek had gotten the order to meet the great leader in person, he’d been astounded. King Joffre lived in seclusion, under protection. Many longed for his crown, but a reign as long as his wasn’t achieved by being foolish. Few received an audience with him. His advisors were the figure head, but he was the wise benevolent
power that had kept the peace for so very long. Cerek had lived as a noble assassin his whole life, all two thousand years of it. His loyalty was without question. He felt awed to meet the mysterious King Joffre, an even a small amount of fear. The man held the power of life and death over all paranormals, he could kill him by just wishing it so. The man had said little, but to tell him where to find the target and wish him luck. This unique mission filled him with pride. Knowing that it was a ruse to kill a simple human woman made anger burn in his soul. Why would the king send him to do such a thing? The greatest crime for his kind was to kill a human. Why would the king besmirch his honor so thoroughly? What had he done to mark him for such shame? It was All Hallows Eve, a time when the veil was at its weakest and travel was easiest for those creatures that chose to escape the king’s rule. Of all nights, why would he send him on such a mission? The old king knew his skill should be in service at the veil with the rest of the royal peacekeepers. It was the one day when those who sought to do the greatest evil or who wanted to run from their world, had the greatest chance. The girl’s death must be of the greatest importance to the king. She didn’t look evil. Cerek watched Katy drink a warm cup of liquid and eat a slice of toasted bread, leaning sadly against her kitchen counter. This night humans celebrated with frivolity and childish play. They went about in groups to parties to drink and play at mating and merriment. She dined on the simple meal alone. Did Katy Miller have no one to participate in the celebration with? Her sad introspective look caused him to wonder what she was thinking. Cerek never concerned himself with humans, but something about this one had sparked his interest. It was more than the mystery. She reached a place inside he’d cut out long ago. Assassins didn’t take wives or lovers, but looking at her caused a deep longing in him. He wanted her. He’d never met his mate, after hundreds of years he’d taken his final vow to devote himself to the Order of the Nobel Assassin. He never thought he’d find the one who was born for him. Cerek could almost feel his body inside of hers. Was she innocent, or well versed in pleasing a man? The thought of another man touching her stirred a murderous need to kill whatever male had put his hands on her. Seeing the outline of her delicate body made him long to see her pale flesh nude as Eve in the moonlight. The thoughts brought his cock to life and he quickly forced his body to forget its desire. She titled her head and the highlights of her hair shown like diamonds. His eyes could see so much more than a mere mortal. There was something special about this one; he just wasn’t sure what it was. It wasn’t just her looks that appealed to him. He could feel some deep longing inside of her. She set herself apart from her kind of her own choice. Closing his eyes he caught glimpses of her past. Quiet secrets that no other knew, moments of loneliness and doubt, Katy Miller had lived with her confusion for her short mortal life. Her human emotions caused her an agony that he couldn’t fully comprehend. Sorrow for her pain made him care. He’d never given a moments thought to emotional mortal suffering but feeling it through her eyes gave him an ache in his stomach he’d never felt before. Why did he care? She was a growing enigma. How was she a danger to the supernatural world, to King Joffre? What had she done to deserve death in the darkness on this dangerous night of all nights? A sudden spike of fear caused his heart to seize and miss a beat. If he didn’t kill her would the king send another? The thought of her dead upset him; in all his long life, he’d never doubted a mission. Tonight certainly was full of firsts, and after living for millennia that startled him. What magic did she hold over him? He felt her moving through the dwelling again. He could see how tidy and orderly it was when he glimpsed in her windows. She believed in simplicity, as he also did. In a time of excess, he could see Katy Miller didn’t indulge in luxury and extravagance. Her home was much like her soul, full of purpose. She didn’t long for money or recognition, she longed for peace. When he touched her mind, he could feel it so clearly. He’d felt as she did for hundreds of years, until his muted emotions finally died. Touching her mind rekindled a spark of what it was to feel and it scared him even as he felt tantalized by the sensations. It had been so long since he’d felt more than the desire to see to his base needs. He fucked when his body told him to. He ate when he was hungry. He slept when he was too exhausted not to. It had been centuries since he’d held a woman because he wanted to feel her, or ate to appreciate the flavors, or slept to dream. Dreams were dead to him. As he lost his emotion, he lost the capacity to create. She went to bed, alone, if he was going to kill her now was the time. He waited until he could feel her slow steady breathing. Katy slumbered deeply. It would be nothing to end her life now. King Joffre had a reason to request her death. He couldn't disobey the great master of his entire world, could he? Feeling uncertain, he crept into her home, into her room, and stood at the foot of her
bed. The thin sheet highlighted every delicious curve of her body and he felt his cock grow hard again in response to the innocently seductive image of the sleeping woman. He raised his weapon, poised to end her life, eliminate whatever danger she presented to his people, his master. Then something happened to Cerek, something he’d never experienced before, he couldn’t obey. He couldn’t kill. Had he gone soft? What kind of Noble Assassin could refuse King Joffre? Stumbling away from his target, he closed his eyes and willed himself across the veil into the unseen lands of his kind. Each breath came out in a whoosh as he stood before the great chamber. His anger gave him reckless courage and he placed his hands on the heavy wood panels. Growling, he threw open the thick gilded doors. He boldly entered King Joffre’s great hall. Seeing the danger his hands gripped his blades and he unsheathed his weapons that hung at his sides under the trench coat. Guards rushed forward, shielding the king. More rushed in ready to stop his uninvited entrance, he whirled on them. His quick practice movements were no match for their less practiced formal style of fighting. Cerek had been raised to kill, to survive. His face was the last any enemy would see. The guards came at him from all directions; he didn’t blink or think as he moved in response to their thoughts. It was a useful skill. Cerek quickly dispatched them without fear of the consequences. He’d broken dozens of rules by storming into the king’s great hall. “Let him pass.” The king roared. The surviving guards backed down reluctantly. He could see the hatred in their faces. He’d killed their comrades. The utter failure of their duty was something they’d never forgive him for, even if the blame hung solely on their own shoulders. “What are you about Cerek? Have you dispatched your target?” “She wasn’t a dark one, I’m certain. Why would you send me to kill a human?” He prayed for a satisfying explanation. Serving this man had been his life’s work. “Is she dead?” The king offered nothing. “Your majesty, she’s not what you sent me to kill. There has been a mistake. Please recall your death orders.” Cerek felt like falling to his knees. Begging was something he’d never done, but his whole soul demanded Katy Miller live. King Joffre sighed, a brief look of remorse on his face caused Cerek to feel a moment of amazement. He'd always heard that the great King Joffre had transcended emotion to rule with nothing but morality and reason. “She must die.” *** Cerek felt nauseous as he stood once more outside of her dwelling. The king knew she was just a human woman, yet he insisted that she die. He had no right. His whole reign was in place to protect the mortals because his people had stripped them of their magic and magical memories, leaving them helpless savages. Sadly, he knew he’d no choice. He felt bound to serve the king. This girl…woman was special. There was something more, something magical about her; he just didn’t know what. Perhaps he’d been wrong and she could be some sort of paranormal entity after all. Who was he to make demands of his king? An explanation would’ve eased his guilt, but he’d killed with less reason before, he could do it again. All signs displayed her humanity boldly. Confused, ill, Cerek crept back inside and once again stood over her sleeping form. He raised his double daggers, ready to fulfill the dastardly command. Cerek was never careless, yet something about her distracted him, suddenly his elbow connected with a shelf of glass figurines and the delicate things fell to the wooden floor crashing loudly. He stood waiting for the girl to jump out of bed in a panic. Sadly, he knew he would have to look into her unique eyes as the light of her mortal life dulled and died at his hand. He moved with unnatural speed, ready to strike, holding his sharp blades to her throat. Katy didn’t move. Something was wrong. Some force placed her into a magical sleep. King Joffre had gone to much trouble to see the small mortal dead. Why send his best killer when even a child would suffice due to the spell. Cerek’s curiosity burned in him. Betrayal and anger clouded his judgment. He’d not kill someone so very helpless. Tenderly, he picked up a stray lock of her long hair, it smelled of fresh berries and slid lightly through his fingers, his cock stirred. His soul called to her, in that instant he recognized his mate. After centuries of life, he’d found her. Assassins weren’t supposed to have a mate. How could one of his people have a human as their other half? Katy was so much more than a simple woman. Confusion, anger, and joy battled inside of his
mind and heart. He’d heard other men speak of their mate, but until this moment, he’d never fully understood. Mine. The thought filled him with emotions he’d long thought dead. Overcome with the magnitude of his discovery he picked her up crushing her to him. Her sweet scent clung to him and he relished the possession of holding her. Her unnatural sleep worried him deeply. It was time to discover the truth. Closing his eyes, he hated to leave her, vulnerable. He’d return to her after he had the answers he needed to insure her protection and survival.
Two King Joffre looked casually bored when Cerek sliced his trusted guards with his double bladed daggers. The revered leader stood dressed in finely crafted robes of silk and fur. His dark eyes were still sharp, undiminished by age. His hair was long and white as the snow on Earth in winter. His body stood straight, age hadn’t bent or weakened him. The guard hadn’t obeyed his order to let the boy pass. He wouldn’t see Cerek harmed. The assassin twirled the blades around with practiced thoughtlessness as he returned them to their place in sheathes at his sides, just under his open tan trench coat. The sound of his angry steps causing his boots to click on the marble floor was the only noise in the tomb-like room. It was dark and stuffy. The throne sat in a dim light, apart and above all the people of Cerek’s world, a cold and lonely seat. King Joffre sat casually, unafraid and unmoving as Cerek strode towards him wearing a murderous expression. “Why would you send me? You had to know. She is mine. How can you expect me to kill my own mate? What has she done to deserve death?” “Cerek, it’s not what she has done. She is going to be the mother of destruction. You my dear boy will father that darkness. You must kill the girl before the two of you create a force that will rip our beloved world apart. You’ve sworn your life to the order, she was lost to you the day you made your vow. End her now or the consequences will be far more dire than you can imagine.” Shocked he paused, stepping back. What madness possessed the ancient king? “She’s just a mortal. There is no darkness in her.” “I supposed you’ll also tell me there is no darkness in you my loyal assassin? I see the threats to humanity. I’ve endured this burden for far too long. You have inner sight to, a rare familial trait. Have you ever wondered where that sight comes from? You are a child compared to me, I’ve had so much longer to strengthen and develop my vision. I see things that you are blind to, boy.” “I haven’t been a boy in centuries, Sire. There is no darkness in her. If you see evil in her, you are only seeing the part of her that belongs to me. For I am death, recall your orders and take my life. She’s reawakened my soul and I have no desire to go back to sleep.” For the second time Cerek was surprised by the great ruler as he laughed. There was far more to the man than he'd suspected. In a movement so sudden and quick that even Cerek didn’t see it coming the old one was in front of him, holding him by the neck. Choking, he fought the ancient warrior. Spots danced in front of his eyes and he struggled to hold onto consciousness. King Joffre might be an ancient, but he was strong. Finding himself released unexpectedly, Cerek crumpled to the floor gasping and coughing. “Don’t play games you cannot win, boy.” The last word came out in a snarling sneer. Humor returned to King Joffre’s ancient face as if nothing had transpired. He helped Cerek up, and then became serious. “I didn’t make this decision without much meditation and consideration. I’ve seen much in my long life. I’ve had visions of humanities end more times, than I can count, and yet they survive due to our intervention. I see no other solution. You’ll seed your woman's fertile womb with a trio of destroyers. Boys, evil children, bent on destroying their own. These three will become the most vicious hunters the world has ever seen. They’ll kill their own kind for revenge and sport. Your premature death and the brutal murder of their mother will leave them with anger and hatred for their own. I see only one solution. Lay the field fallow before it can bear the poisonous fruit. One of you must die; I thought to spare you, as you’re a valuable loyal warrior. The girl I can see nothing of other than this, I don’t know what I leave in the world if she lives, but I see only a benign existence for you.” “I don’t merely want to exist. I want my mate. If you deny me, I would rather die. I’ve fought for you, killed for you. I’ve given centuries to the realm. I never thought I’d have a mate to rekindle my emotions. I’ve lived for nothing but your orders for so long. Have mercy on me your highness. Let me claim my mate and I swear I’ll give her no children. If you won’t show this mercy then kill me and take the girl out of her unnatural sleep.”
He ripped the buttoned front of his shirt, leaving his chest bare, exposing his three hearts to the old one’s blade. A look of sorrow crossed the wizened face and he sat in contemplation for a long moment. Cerek felt his anger growing. He willingly sacrificed for the only woman who could fulfill him and this old king sat staring at him, making him feel foolish. He didn’t know the woman; he only knew she’d make the difference between night and day in his existence. She was the dawn who’d finally awaken him from his nightmares. “I cannot kill you boy.” “I am no boy.” “When you’ve lived as long as I have, all men are boys.” The old king looked unbearably sad. “I won’t let you kill her. I give you my life, as is my duty. I demand my mate’s protection, as is my right. I claim Katy Miller here and now.” A look of horror crossed the King Joffre’s face. Cerek could have sworn he saw tears in the old one’s eyes. “I will not kill you Cerek. I am your father.” Shocked, Cerek stumbled back, tripping over one of the dead guards. He’d never known either of his parents. Yet the idea that he was some abandoned prince was just too fantastic to believe. How could this be? It had to be some sort of twisted trickery. “That’s not true.” His denial sounded juvenile to his own ears. “My son, you are the last of my line. All of my other children lay murdered down the long centuries, as was your mother with you still in her womb. My enemies killed her to stop your birth, but my most trusted guard found her body, moments too late. He made a choice taking the chance of finding you alive, viable. He cut you from her dead womb and breathed life into you. He brought you to me, bloody and weak. Your tiny cries woke my longing for an heir again. As much as I loved your mother and wanted to keep you I couldn’t let them know that they’d failed. I had you hidden. I’ve always watched over you. Your name is the name of our race. We are Cerek.” His newfound father morphed into his true form. The old man disappeared and in his place was a creature with the body of a leopard and the wings of a bird of prey. The creature had the head of a snake. A terrible cry emerged and Cerek found himself trembling. He was certainly not, what the man believed him to be. The old man returned to his usual form. Cerek was afraid to speak. “You will not have this form until my death. When you become the Cerek and rule the people, all will see you are my true heir. In the dark times, they murdered our kind until I was the last. We are the last. Your mother was human and my true mate. When she died all that was light in my world went with her. I should have protected her better.” They stared for a long moment in silence. Cerek saw a resemblance in the man’s face, it gave the story a ring of truth. As unbelievable as the tale, it was as possible as any other origin story. He’d entered an orphan and now stood staring at his sire, a prince. Finally, the old man spoke again. “I have broken the thread of fate by telling you who you are. Mayhap, you will be able to stop your death, your woman’s death. If we can keep your sons from hatred, we can save our world. I risk all that I have protected for thousands of years for your happiness my son, I can give you no greater gift. If we save your sons they are a new birth of our people, but they will have many enemies. The power of inner sight is a feared gift, the strength of our fighting abilities and long lives leave much jealousy in its wake.” “What of Katy Miller and her sleep?” “Go to her son, wake her with the call of our kind, it’s in you. When you are with her, you will feel the pride of the beast. Use its strength to call to her and unite her to you.” *** Without another word, Cerek found himself inside Katy’s bedroom again. No light crept into the room. She lay unharmed. The veil was closing. Only hours remained until it closed for a full year. King Joffre—his father, was right, he felt the call of his ancestors inside, letting the terrible cry out, a cleansing peace settled over him. He’d lived with doubts. So many of his lifelong questions now had answers. She sat up blinking sleepily at him with fear and confusion. It was almost midnight, soon the veil would be stronger—closed and his magic would be too weak to bring her home with him. His shirt lay open exposing his scarred chest. Cerek wondered if the sight of him in her bedroom would frighten her. When she spoke, he felt it working a miracle inside of him. Her voice sounded as sweet as a melody.
“Are you real, not just a dream this time? I’ve dreamed of you, loved you for so long. Is that really you? Please, let me touch you.” Awe and love hung on her words. He could hardly believe his ears. Hardly able to breathe he stepped forward and her long slim arms came up, pulling him to her. He knew they had little time, but he couldn’t deny her his body. Uncertainly, he relished her touch as she ran her hands over his face, a look of joyful disbelief in her exotic eyes. A smile slowly began to light her face, until it shone radiantly with the pure joy that he felt reflected from his own heart. She was his; he held no doubt. Pulling her to his lips, he kissed her crushing her with his desperation. The sensation of her soft red lips against his mouth ignited his passion and he felt his cock grow rock hard. He knew it pressed into her flesh so he tilted his pelvis and sat on her bed, pulling her roughly into his arms. Katy returned the passion more fully than he could have hoped. No thought to her frail humanity filled his head as he desperately began to rip her light soft sleep shirt from her body. Pulling at his coat and weapon slings then his shirt, she stripped him bare with desperation. Her soft hands touched him, making him feel alive. She was a treasure. He could hear her ragged breaths and smell her desire. Her soft floral perfume couldn’t mask the natural musk of her femininity. She was a living breathing woman, who desired him. Marveling Cerek realized that she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her. Raggedly she panted against his neck between kissing him and giving him love bites. “I don’t know your name, but I want you to fuck me until I scream.” The crude words seemed to contradict everything he’d learned about her so far, and it made them all the more seductive. Oh, he would give Katy Miller what she wanted and more. He’d fuck her until she couldn’t walk if she let him. He’d never been so hungry for another woman. The way the moonlight reflected off her pale skin, and the scent of her needy body drove him mad. “Cerek, that’s my name, oh God, yes I will. I want to be inside of you.” Her flushed skin and dilated pupils told him her own desire was escalating. Her soft naked perfection met his eyes and with unbelievable need, his lips and fingers caressed and tasted every inch of her flesh. She arched her back and cried out his name with reverence. He worshiped her nipples, but when he reached her sweet pussy he groaned. He’d never tasted anything so wonderful. She was ambrosia and he was starving. He hadn’t made love to a woman, not with his heart, before. It felt amazing to hold her. Every small sound of pleasure that escaped from her lips twisted his heart. Hearing the honesty of her enjoyment made him feel powerful. He branded her with his touch and watched her blossom under it. His ownership of her body had begun, but it was her heart he wanted. “Cerek, I can’t take it anymore. I’ve loved you for so long. I want you, please I’m ready.” Could it be true? How was it possible that she already loved him? “I’m not human Katy.” She paused to search his eyes. “I don’t care…fuck me.” Her answer came quickly he hoped she’d truly heard his words. His thumb rolled her clit and her shallow cries told him clearly that she was beginning to orgasm. He never stopped his thumb as he pulled her to him. Slowly, sliding her across his lap until he felt her damp heat against his cock, he wanted to drive into her clear to his balls. Facing him, he pushed her down on his cock, feeling her body clench him. His balls tightened and he knew he would cum, soon. Grinding his teeth he did all he could to hold back. Her pleasure was far more important, but his body had its limits. He’d never enjoyed hearing a woman’s delight as he did at this moment. Katy purred in his ear. He always saw his lovers, paid and volunteer, achieve release, but this was so different. It wasn’t a sense of honor that drove him to hold back, it was an aching passion. Her pleasure was his. His duty was to see to her joy, the release he found was all just bonus perfection. Crying out in his ear with her breathy voice, he felt her clawing at his back and he relished the pain and pleasure mingling to perfection. There had been a moment of disappointment when he realized she was not innocent. He soon pushed the thought aside and reminded himself of the countless meaningless couplings of his past. He’d erase all memory of others from her mind with his body. He could see in her heart she’d loved none before him. Thinking of her with another man still caused him pain but he thought, let another have her body as long as she gives me her heart. He’d kill any man, who looked at her with longing ever again, but the past was dead and together they’d make life. They’d create a future together and if his father was right, three sons who’d be in great need of guidance. With all his concentration, he kept himself from finding his own completion. His balls were as tight as he’d ever felt them, and he used his strong right arm to bounce her on his cock. His thumb of his free hand
never left her clit and she moaned. Her keening wail let him know that she had found bliss with him. Her sweet velvet pussy spammed against him as her orgasm seemed endless. She blinked into his face with surprise before her head rolled back and her eyes closed and Katy gave into the intensity of the sensation. Her body was still shaking with release and she pulled herself closer to him. Katy had tears on her face and she clutched him around the neck. She still kept her eyes closed tightly. Her soft pink lips whispered in his ear. “I love you Cerek.” Her body was still clutching him with her pleasure. Her muscles milked his cock until he could hold back no more. Hot cum poured into her and he hissed with the unbearable delight. No man deserved such a wonderful feeling. When they lay spent, chilled as the cool night breeze dried their perspiration. Cerek held her to him tightly. Whatever fate had planned for them, he’d never let her go. He would protect any offspring their coupling created. For all he knew he’d planted the first of his son’s inside of his mate this very night. The thought made him smile for the first time in centuries. He’d never thought about being a father, but giving Katy Miller children appealed to him. He’d never let his enemies best him; leaving his heart, his mate, to bleed her loss in misery, exposed to dangerous enemies. She snuggled against him, her warm ass stirring his cock to life once more. Kissing the back of his neck, he whispered with angry passion into her hair. “You are mine, none will part us.” Her soft words, tumbled from her lips on a sigh, filled his heart with joy. “I’ve always loved you. Only you Cerek, I’m yours.” “You will come with me.” It wasn’t an invitation it was a demand. “Where do you want to take me?” He heard her uncertain fear. The sound pained him. “I’ll bring you home to a world of magic where I can protect you and love you. We must hurry, after midnight I won’t be able to bring you across any longer. It will be a full year until I’d be able to bring you home.” He could hear the panic in his voice and feel his heart thundering in her chest. “This is my home. What about my family?” “I am your family now, where I am so too will be your home.” He hoped she believed it as strongly as he did. A moment of uncertainty passed over her face, but she glanced at the clock, two minutes to midnight. Halloween was almost over, did she feel the urgency as fully as he did. “Promise me I’m safe.” “Always, I’ll let nothing hurt you. I love you Katy Miller.” He’d die for her, if she only knew just how fiercely he’d fight to protect her she’d never doubt his love. She took his hand and nodded. Standing as naked as the day she was born she just nodded, accepting his words. He was humbled. “I take you into my keeping, you are my true mate. Katy Miller I claim you.” She blushed. “I claim you too.” Awkwardly she said the words, uncertain of just how binding of a promise they’d made. She was his now, for all their lives. He moved his hand in front of her, and she was clothed in the finest of garments of his people. She glanced down startled. “It’s time to go, close your eyes.” He watched her trust him, his heart bursting with love. He returned across the veil, gripping his mate’s hand firmly. They’d made it across without a moment to spare. She opened her eyes, gasping at the wondrous world around her. In that moment, he saw the beauty of his home world so much more clearly, only because she was there. Katy Miller was the only good thing ever to happen to him, and he fell to his knees in front of her. “I pledge my life to you.” She squeezed his hand and an unspoken but profound moment passed between them. “You’re my home now Cerek. I’ve loved you my whole life. Are you sure I’m not dreaming?” “If you are promise me you won’t wake up.” He’d have to face the council of the guard and tell them he’d found his mate. Many challenges lay ahead that his mortal mate was unaware of, but together they’d face them. He’d gone to her world to end a life, but it was a life he hadn’t expected to take. He’d killed an assassin without ties, and found a man with a heritage and a mate. Katy Miller was his salvation and he silently vowed to repay her with his love everyday of his life.
Biography Ashlynn Monroe is a busy working mom. She loves her kids and family. Her greatest joy is creating stories to entertain others, and she hopes they bring a little more romance into the world. She’s been writing since her teens for her own enjoyment but decided in her thirties to share her imagination with readers. Ashlynn enjoys biking, camping, reading, video games, and filling her home and life with love. If she’s not working or chasing children, you can find her daydreaming up her next tale of romance.
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