Son of Ra Read online

  I, above all, wanted him to kiss me. His mouth twitched in a delectable way.

  “I have not and will not lie to you. The prophecy is real. I have watched it unfold for a decade now. I can’t see the outcome, but I’ve seen the events play out. I don’t count myself as a stranger anymore, for we have shared a plate.” His crooked smile played me. “I envision only fighting you for pleasure, and I most likely will not take you while you sleep without your permission.”

  Loss of breath and blurriness buried me before I refocused my eyes. His double meanings were giving me fits. He couldn’t just be forthright and come out with it. I couldn’t stand it anymore. If I didn’t I would explode. He had an inept way of making unreasonable pieces of information reasonable in the beholder’s eye.

  “How do you eat?” I changed the subject. My hands were covering my eyes.

  “Meaning?”

  “Do you kill people with your mouth?” Blunt now, the fire was growing inside.

  He’d been asked this before. “No! I keep my refrigerator well stocked. I’ve never bitten anyone if that’s what you’re fishing for.” His face said he was tight with fear, anger. His smooth words told me he was maintaining his cool only for the sake of me.

  That was the key to unlocking one of the final doors. A fire inside me burned fast. I couldn’t put it down. It consumed me. I felt the same feelings I felt emitting from the very fibers of his soul permeating back and forth like waves stuck in limbo.

  I rose on my knees and leapt onto him, landing against his chest with my mouth crushed into his. I was frantic. He didn’t hesitate in any way. I laid it all out. My mouth urged his open. I’d never forced a kiss like this. Heck, I’d only kissed one other and this was like an explosion of self-combustion flying in every direction. His tongue bumped my bottom lip and kept returning until I parted my lips further. Our tongues met and my body shivered all over. He pulled me in tighter as if I could possibly be cold from the warm fluttering sensations that were overtaking me. I braced for his tongue to come back knocking mine on his bottom lip for the invite. He was there. I wanted to feel every part of his mouth. Again and again.

  He held his hand tight around my neck now with the other hand resting into the small of my back. His hair twisted in my fingers. I tried to make myself stop, but he did first. He pulled back, taking air in. His yellow flecks completely dissolved and were full of a desire I’d only read about in books, flashing a reddish tint a second and then back to the gold. He wanted this too. I leaned into his face wanting more. I touched my lips to his.

  I can’t hurt you. I won’t!

  I jumped back and landed on my feet a full two feet away from the sofa. “Hurt me?”

  “Not what you think. I wouldn’t hurt you. I meant,” he was still breathing matching my own, “I mean I don’t want you to do this and then find out more and hate me tomorrow. It will hurt you. My selfishness kissed you back.”

  “You didn’t want to kiss me?” The traitor tear rose up on one side. Such a dang girl.

  “Anastacia Anat, I’ve never wanted anything more in this life than to have you or your lips or your thoughts or, heck, I want everything.” He leapt up with lightning speed pulling me up to his level and laying me on the sofa encasing me under him with his mouth and hands all over me.

  Like everything else with this man he was restrained and angry one minute and hot and needy the next. I couldn’t stay up with his mood swings.

  “Stop!” I yelled. “Like everything I’ve never known, I want you and I have no idea why. But I have to know. Will you hurt me?”

  He stayed up above me. I adjusted my dress appropriately and he didn’t bother to cover that glorious sun peeking up at me with my eyes wide on it.

  “I will never hurt you! No one will ever hurt you. Didn’t you hear me? I’ve protected you for a decade and vowed death before anyone harms you.”

  “Death! Why?”

  “Anastacia, you are the sun. I had to wait this long for you. I found you. I will be in a thousand pieces if you die. And that will not happen.” Anger wafted over me. He angered himself thinking of my own doom. He was so sincere. He said my name. Twice. His words said more.

  I leaned up in the air. He would misjudge my intentions, but that might turn out okay too. I pulled the ring out and put in on top of the dress. Why have I not been allowed to know you? I thought to him.

  I was made to stay distant. If they got me too, they would have killed all three of us a long time ago. Your father’s cleverness and amazingly loyal guards kept us all three alive. I couldn’t meet you. Although we a few times.

  I know. I touched his left shoulder blade.

  He smiled sheepishly.

  One other, Kissa.

  He pulled his right side of the t-shirt over to reveal a scar exactly like the left.

  Remember your first mission?

  I nodded. Where are you going with this?

  “You were sent into the Were court hideout near the side of the mountain. You were there for information only. I met you that night. I read your thoughts and you read mine. You didn’t want to kill anyone. That amazed me and kept me staring a second too long. Long enough you had time to see me and throw your #1 into my shoulder.”

  “I know what you said.” I remembered. It was clear as anything. “Someone from the darkness told me to look out when the two knives were coming behind me just after I struck you. You saved me.”

  He smiled proud. “And you have your knife back now I see.”

  My #1. It was you. And you saved me. I was overwhelmed. His mouth moved in sync with mine. Heady, potent. This was real. He was real. I will have this. I have too.

  He pulled back again. Stop that! Thrusting the ring to fall away and make myself hear was the most important thought in my brain at the second.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Cas asked.

  “More positive than about anything else in my world. I want…” And I was back in. He let me search inside his mouth while he explored mine. I nipped his lip gently, he groaned and pressed me harder. We finally came up for air and he landed soft pop kisses on each lip before pulling me up and sitting me off him onto the sofa cushion. I sulked. His droll laugh was contagious.

  I laughed with him. It was a scene so intimate that I would keep hidden inside for the rest of my life. Opening myself up I said, I can’t live without this.

  Neither can I.

  I didn’t jump at his voice this time. You know, this thought reading could come in handy. It’s a great secret weapon.

  He frowned, guessing the worst. He pictured unhappy endings in great battles and losing me forever and all that jazz.

  I mean torture. I could torture you with this. My friend Maze, she learned me in the art of understanding men a little better.

  His eyes narrowed. Curiosity peaked but not the frown. “Really,” he moaned out loud with disbelief.

  Hmm! Like this. The daring girl who desperately wanted out of the box she’d hidden in for years was emerging. I followed her shadow.

  I stood up and walked to the balcony. I put my hands on the rail and leaned to ensure the ring dangled to open the frequency. Inexperienced, I was eager to see if I could affect him. I closed my eyes giving myself a mental image. I decided I’d mix a little something that would make him react possibly at Vampire speed.

  He wasn’t close which meant he was still on the sofa. I conjured up the arena room and the one ring where I still seemed to be lacking in trophies. I wanted another crack at the swords. I purposely pulled up my image of his bare chest and how I’d felt when I touched him in the kitchen. My mind’s eye held my hand there covering the sun. I wanted to run my hands up the side of his smooth skinned arms and stop at where his chin stubble started. I wanted—

  He was behind me now. But the tingly feeling on my neck was his lips, which did nothing to help me focus. Want to go for that crack at the swords?

  His hand was around the front of me holding the ring. This is easier tha
n I thought. A depressing thought entered my brain. Do all the girls do this to you?

  Never found out. You keep forgetting you’re the only one who can do this with me.

  Hmm! I liked that. But at the same time, it frightened me. His hands were on my waist now and he leaned down to what I thought, say something, but he didn’t. He nuzzled his face into the back of my hair.

  I felt a little guilty since we’d just met, but this boy just seemed to be under my skin. The way he kissed me. It was so amazing and… He was still standing behind me. Can you hear me?

  No answer.

  I’m ready to spar.

  “Well then, I’m listening.”

  I stomped away from him. “That was not fair.”

  “Torture. Not knowing your thoughts is torture. But I can torture too, my little Kissa.” The hard line of his jaw twisted every bit of the possessive tyrant he could be if needed. That should scare me, but it had the direct opposite effect. It thrilled me to know that someone actually could command me and I obeyed. Mostly. I never asked my father, therefore I was never denied. Forbidden, yes.

  He grabbed my hand and squeezed whether to remind me of his humor or for comfort, or both.

  I’ll take my turn later.

  We silently walked to our own rooms and changed. I put on my jeans at his request and left my room just as he was too. He felt compelled to skill me in combat on impulse because he presumed that most battles happen in the unexpected.

  “That’s because they do. I’ve trained since I was five.”

  “And I,” I announced to the wall eagerly walking ahead.

  “Yes, but I’ve guarded and shielded you since you were eight.”

  “Eight?” I blurted out.

  “Eight. For which you were eight also. I told you this.” He held his hand for me to lead the way into the door.

  “Yes, but were you Valkyrie or Vampire?” I was pulling my hair in a ponytail while we walked to the arena room.

  “Later on that, and you were irreplaceable and fragile then. It was a difficult job.” He added in that last part just to see my rage. Ruthless cutthroat!

  “Fragile. I’ll show you fragile,” I smiled wickedly.

  “Looking forward to it,” he said releasing another rare smile of his.

  I armed and attacked. I had the best time of my life not holding back an inch. I did however lose the ring for the fight time. It was exhilarating. I could tell he didn’t hold back. To see his face the way an opponent should when they are giving their all. Wow!

  “Can I ask you something?” I asked while cleaning up the last of my things. We were heading up the stairs now.

  “Anything?” he bent his head sideways.

  “Why do you not bite people?”

  “I don’t want to hurt people. I can’t help what I am.”

  “How did you get that way?” I tried again wanting to know more about him specifically. He looked down arranging his belt or something.

  I’ve never told anyone.

  “You don’t have to tell me.”

  I will. I was a baby. When my mother died, I was carried away from her. I was assigned to the kitchen at the Val court. At a young age, your father approached me about my marks, and I overheard him telling Szar something about you. I'd always been intrigued by you and I think he knew. I knew you had the mark too, but not what it was. After two years and saving you at the first mission, I vowed to find out the truth. I searched everywhere. I found the letters one day in your father’s study. I knew who I was and what I would become. I’d already met the Vampire lord once and sought him out. My new father found me late one night and the deed was already done before I could ask. Like destiny. He protected me and hid me from anyone who hurt me or let me hurt them. I grew up with a huge supply since he took work at the morgue.

  “Why are you afraid to tell this?” We were in the Sun room now.

  “Because my real father must have known something. My mother was chosen and having me was her only goal in the plan. She was unneeded. As was…”

  He didn’t finish. What was he going to say?

  I was made a Vampire to go through a change of form.

  A sighed escaped me. My mind was replaying the prophecy. Nothing. His letter. Do not let her go alone. As the son of Ra, you are bound by all orders of our kind and hers. When choosing another form, take care that you are taught properly. The ring will return to you for the both of you.

  “To protect you.”

  Me?

  He nodded barely.

  “Who are you?” I want to know. I could see it in his face.

  “Valkyrie.”

  I know that. If ever been asked if all this would come to pass, I’d call them fools. And to think, he’d lived with this knowledge for so long. Keeping it to himself and not being able to tell me or anyone who was somehow part of this whacked out equation of doom.

  “And who was your father?”

  I searched my memory to find someone who left the Val court but that would have been when I was very young. Yet, I studied our history extensively. It was there, I just could not find the memory. He said he was in the kitchens.

  I will tell you soon.

  I stood and ran to the balcony. It was becoming fast my favorite place to catch my breath. On top of that, I was dry heaving my guts out. I leaned over the balcony rail and felt the wet roll off my face so I wiped it away before he saw.

  I’m sorry.

  “What for?” he stressed aloud treading lightly.

  “You kept all this inside.”

  “Necessary.” More a statement than a question.

  “Because I’d never have become cornered into a life of the prison I lived being the princess sheltered from the entire world. I have been dying to get out.” My anger blazed as it does with his surety.

  “No, you would have still become the person you are sitting with me now.” He pointed to my stomach. “You will be great! And you have choices.”

  “What kind of choice? We have none. NONE!” My own irritated gazed latched onto him.

  “You’ll know when the time is right.”

  And you prefer to remain cryptic enough with how much you tell me for the sake of saving me some kind of great pain? Just like my father. I let my chain fall forward to send the message clearly.

  “I only have your best interest.”

  “So do you all. What about what I want?”

  “And what is that?”

  I walked into that one. I fell back resting the ring on my skin. It seemed to chill itself magically after just seconds away from my pores. “I don’t know at the moment. I’m really confused.”

  “Understandable. Will you grant me something?”

  “What?” I said flatly, my flare for rudeness seeping out. I called it keeping my defenses up, but with him I could see it floundering to keep from hurting him. I’d never met anyone who made me want to be a better person.

  “Will you tell me when you know?”

  That I could do. “Yes.”

  “Will you stop giving me half-truths and treat me like I’m trustworthy enough with the truth and not shield me as if I were a lost child who cannot handle what is to come?”

  “Mostly.”

  Aaaa! Maddening.

  “Tomorrow, things change.”

  “How?” I was still mad. I tucked in the ring trying to latch it shorter on my neck. It seemed to pick and choose when to work, but wouldn’t latch the length I chose. He stopped and did it for me.

  “Your friends arrive.”

  I sat up fast. I’d become accustomed rather quickly to just being there. With the place so much like my own, I nestled right in. And things had changed. Cas, or Thorn, was my sun. What would become of this? I could not stay here even if I wanted to but I wasn't satisfied with what I knew.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  I narrowed my eyes thinking, no way mister, but he didn’t hear.

  “Will you do me the honor of keeping my company tonig
ht?”

  “Doing what?” I didn’t want to commit to anything.

  “A night out.”

  I wasn’t sure what to think so I think so I didn’t say yes or no.

  “One hour, the balcony, dress comfortable.”

  Fine. I couldn’t find any way to say no to him. I’m not even sure I want to leave him no matter how mad he makes me sometimes. And define sometimes. I’ve known him all of two days. Yet, I feel like I’ve known him a lifetime.

  Someone appeared around the side of him. The guard. Standing like the gothic picture of darkness I'd always equated to Vampires, he was blonde and a force to be reckoned with.

  “Sir.” the guarded said to Cas.

  Cas demanded my attention a second longer before rubbing a thumb across my cheek and telling me, “I need to take care of something. Tonight.” He ended with a assuming tone to his voice.

  I nodded and watched both of them retreat away from me. Why did I not notice that he was so take charge authoritative like? I wanted to know who he really was.

  Chapter Eight

  …is not worth living.

  We flew off into the night with a satcheled bag on his shoulder. He’d filled it with two spiced ciders and leftover sweetbread found in the kitchen. There was something else in there by the weight of it, but I couldn’t decipher the contents.

  He brought me down to the ground softly and stood there sending a jolt of pure excitement up through the center of me. I knew he was watching me. By now, in this short amount of time, I didn’t have to ask. I felt the same way, but I was not ready or willing to admit it yet. I’d said enough with my lips earlier. We sat on a stone bench situated in the center of a forest-like garden area.

  “Where are we?” I asked still looking around conspicuous of where we were. He still hadn’t stopped staring.