Page 6 of Omission: Part 2

Of her blatant contempt for me. How she hates me while coveting what’s mine.

As if she has a right to him.

I don’t understand why this is bothering menow. It shouldn’t matter after I’ve marked him and we’ve mated with each other, but for some reason, it slams into the forefront of my mind, holding me captive.

“Look at me, precious one.” There’s concern coming from his side of the bond; he’s unhappy, but I don’t acknowledge it.Not yet. Just like I’m unaware of my eyes leaving his face or when my fangs drop, because I’m mesmerized by a single bead of red that falls onto his right pectoral. I’m following its slow track across his skin, and while a minor sting comes from my top lip and the area is wet, I can’t pull away.

Pure, unadulterated pride flames inside my chest as the sanguine drop pools at the center of his torso and begins to dry. Another mark. Another emotion battling for my attention, and this one wins momentarily.

Its hold is short-lived.

Just enough to send my love through the bond that connects us. A tug my king responds to, his force near staggering, but then I’m back toher.

To him. I’m being pulled by memories and vacillating between the emotions attached to each: love, desire—and anger.Jealousyanddarkness.

This possessiveness is so unlike me. I’ve grown up giving without ever taking, but it’s something I find myself accepting without question. It’s now as much a part of me as breathing is—just as my love for him will always burn bright during our time walking this earth, and the centuries beyond.

However, the darkness I understand on a different level. Recognize the familiarity.

Tilting my head, I take note of the way the blueish tint in my blood contrasts against my king’s flesh, mixing with his scent. I study the saccharine marker as a thought runs through my mind. Another recollection, this one is from my childhood: my mother’s words and warnings.

“Pure-hearted faes are easier to distinguish when you know what you’re looking for, my little Aya. Those with the dark sickness reek of it—it clings to their being—and you need to heed that warning, young one. Those high-priced sentences are paid for by their magical essence, rotting them from within, for wielding forbidden magic.”

“Only the fae, Maman?”

“No. Every breathing creature can be tempted, and those that fall prey carry the pungent note.”

She gave me some hard truths about my father that day. She also gave me hope.

What to watch out for, and it makes sense now why this memory is important.

Because I finally understand what Maman meant by saying my mate is mypeace.

And, how others can be tempted by power. Darkness.

That witch?—

“Anaya, look at me.” The sharp command pulls me from my thoughts, and my eyes snap to Leo’s. His stare is penetrating, almost reproachful, and I don’t like it. Hate the look of disappointment on his face. “I’d never look at another woman, my love.”

“I know this, Leo. There’s just something that?—”

“No one could measure to the perfection that is my fae queen. Do you understand that, precious one? That no other being on this planet could ever hold my heart?” I nod in response, but that earns me a sharp smack across my right asscheek. It stings, then settles into a warmth that spreads in the most delicious way. It causes a rush of wetness to slip from me and onto his skin. “Use your words.”

“Yes.” A little more than breathless. An unconscious whine slips and my hips gyrate against his hold.I’m not angry with you, my king.Just remembered something important.“I believe you.”

“Good girl.” Two words spoken in that sleep-rumbled tone mixed with his natural deep timbre, and I melt against him. Can’t help but lower my face to his, our lips hovering while goosebumps rise across my sensitive skin. “Now kiss me, Anaya. I promise we’ll talk after.”Whatever’s bothering you, I will fix it. Whatever you need, I’m here.

Our connection thrums with his love and sincerity. There’s also worry there, but his need to reassure me overrides everything, and I’m quickly pinned beneath him. A tiny squeal slips from me, my heart beating fast at the move, but the sound only excites him.

He’s nestled between my thighs, hard and throbbing against my slick flesh. Then, there’s the way his nostrils flare and he bares his teeth, a tell I’ve picked up on—Leo’s need for me is uncontrollable, and I welcome his hunger with my own.

I’ll never get over how good it feels to connect with you like this.I’ve said this to him before. Our private link is like a pleasurable caress to my senses and completely different from what I’d been subjugated to by my father. There’s no pain when we communicate like this—just sweetness. It fills me with peace and security.How each touch is better than the last.

“I can’t fucking live without you.”Just like I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting your heart, precious one.His face is inches from mine; I breathe in his every exhale while licking my lips. It’s then I realize my fangs are still out, and a blush sweeps across my cheeks. The heat almost makes me cover my face with my hands; my hands leave his arms for a second, but that’s as far as they go.

He gives a small shake of the head and I stop, placing them back on his skin. An action Leo approves of, the praise clear in his heated blue eyes—the way this powerful male breathes me in and then groans before pecking me once. “You’re perfection, Anaya. My female.”

“And I’m going to need more than that, mon amour.Make me yours,my king.”

---