Page 14 of Forbidden Desires

“I headed for one of the security guards, but he caught me before I made it.” She choked the words out like they were clawing at her throat to stay where they were. “He threw me against the wall and demanded I look into his eyes, or he would kill me. His hand around my throat told me he was serious.” The window to the soul. The humans had that right. Especially for an empath. Amelia didn’t need her eyes to connect with another, but if someone stronger and more devious came along, he couldfind his way into her psyche and soul by boring his gaze into hers.

“Then he demanded.” The tears started, the pain tearing her apart. “That I help them trap Jenna.” She stopped wiping at the snot coming from her nose. Zylar stripped the uninspiring shirt over her head and handed it to her. He was going to make sure she never wore it again.

“I dragged my feet, trying to find a way out. Each time I tried to warn Jenna, I couldn’t, I tried. I swear I tried!” She screamed. Her body started moving like it was trying to tear itself apart.

Zylar’s hand came down harder on her ass. Each smack reverberated through the room and her body, making her shake. Ten quick deadly smacks that had her hanging limp over his lap. Whatever tried to kill her was gone for now.

“Go on,” his voice was softer this time. He buried the compulsion deeply, knowing his rage at the Tan-ge who did this wouldn’t help his mate.

“When Jenna met SaKura they told me to wait. They were hoping for a way to kill him while giving Jenna to Jeffrey.” She hiccupped and went silent.

“Is there anything else? Not just about your cousins, but anything.” Her shoulders tensed and he waited.

“I think my uncle killed my parents. My mom was his sister, but he had her killed. Then my dad’s family, who shunned him, said that if I wanted to continue to be part of the family I would have to shun him and my mother. They would become non-people who I would never speak of again. It was like they never existed. All the pictures of my dad were gone. When I asked where they went, they said they burned them. Who does that? They took everything from my father except the two people he loved the most. My mother and me. I thought we could get over that, but then my grandfather died, and I learned that in my family we had to kiss the ring of the patriarch when he was inhis coffin. They said the ring would glow, announcing the new patriarch or matriarch of the family. I refused. They shunned me. The only family I have left is Jenna and Bella and they hate me.”

“What part of your family do you want to reunite with?”

“Jenna and Bella.” Her voice was small, as if he were asking her a question that could never happen.

“Your actions with the Astor family were honorable and you’re to be commended for it.” Her body loosened with release. Zylar told her what she knew, but feared she was clinging to for the sake of her mind.

His mind was on what the Tan-ge did to his mate, although he took a moment to realize that the power rolling through his mate came from her father’s line. He didn’t question why the male hadn’t trained his daughter because he was deceased, but he wasn’t happy with her father.

“Amelia, I don’t want you looking into anyone’s eyes until you learn to shield.”

“What? I can—” He spanked her like a spoiled child. He heard the tears and the painful agreement with him. She’d been spoiled and loved, but unlike others, she needed discipline because of what she was, not who she was.

He spanked her again with five hard smacks. This time, he didn’t say anything. He was inside of the quagmire that made up her empath emotions. She didn’t need his voice; he could directly reach the glamor the Tan-ge wrapped his commands in. He used the vicious smacks on her ass to hide the pain of him ripping the glamor away.

Step one was done. His fragile mate couldn’t take anymore today. He reached for the cooling salve he had sitting on the end of the couch. The scent of the black flower that grew on his planet permeated the room. He could tell it was doing its job when Amelia sighed and melted onto his legs. The black laithflower was unique in that it wouldn’t grow for everyone. If it found favor with you, then it would bless you with its healing magic. There were many times when he accused the flower of being an empath. He could almost hear it in his head, laughing. The scent reminded him of earth’s roses tinged with vanilla. It was calming and would take most of the inflammation out of her ass, leaving just enough to remind her of what happened tonight.

He spread it on her cheeks and the more area he covered the lazier she became. Her jaw cracked and yawns came from her. Once he massaged the salve in and closed the lid, he picked up his mate. She didn’t know who he was, but that didn’t stop her from cuddling in his arms. Her head lie against his chest as he carried her through the door to his bedroom.

He pulled the covers back and laid her on the bed. Amelia wore her rose-colored thong and matching bra. Her eyes felt like weights, and she barely opened them to watch as Zylar stripped and joined her on the bed. Another wide-open jaw-cracking yawn came, with her eyes drifting shut before she heard a fierce growl.

Her heart thudded, and she wanted to yell, but she was too tired, emotionally and physically. When it came again, she decided if death came while she was sleeping, it would be okay.

Chapter Nine

Amelia opened her eyes, feeling lighter and not so bad about herself. It felt like someone had lanced a boil and the poison running through her system wasn’t as great, or maybe the right phrase was as poisonous. She didn’t know, but this was the best she felt in a year. Then she remembered the carnivorous monster that wanted to eat her last night and it wasn’t Zylar. Why was she thinking about him first thing in the morning? She didn’t like that male and she needed her brain to get with the facts.

“Good morning.” God, why was his voice so deep? It caressed her skin and fired her nerves up and worse than all of that, it made her feel safe. It felt like as long as she was with him, everything would be okay. Which was funny. Nothing was ever going to be okay again. Although she was lying in this bed feeling better, with hope soaring through her veins, it was a strange feeling. Had she ever felt this way before?

“Why are you in my bed?” She knew it wasn’t her bed. Who said a good offense was a good defense?

“How could I sleep anywhere but beside you?” No, no, you’re supposed to fight and prove me right. Tell me more.

“You’re just like the black laith flower greedy for praise and love to grow stronger, more vital. You don’t know your strength. I’m not leaving you, Amelia. That might not bring you comfort right now, but one day it will.”

If she believed him, it would bring her comfort. Everyone left either of their own accord or she drove them away. It was the same for her although some may argue semantics.

“That’s what you say now. Talk to me in a month or two.” Her voice was sad. The heavy weight of depression was trying to worm its way in.

One minute she was lying on her back, looking at the ceiling. The next, Zylar wrapped her in muscular arms and the purple lips of an incredibly handsome monster were feather light against hers. She gasped. In shock, she assured herself.

Zylar took advantage of that gasp and his tongue swiped against hers. When was the last time anyone kissed her or she went on a date? Her mind drew a blank. It didn’t matter because her tongue was getting in on the action. Amelia was exploring his mouth while her nipples hardened, and small zings of desire started running through her body. She leaned closer until the full-throated sound of a predator on the loose filled the room. She almost fell off the bed and jerked back that fast.

“Helee!” That’s what it sounded like in English. “Show yourself.”

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