“But if I hadn’t been born, I—” Lanias was at the end of her rope, she’d managed so far with her will alone.
Now standing here, with her hand in the hold of the woman who’d have raised her if it wasn’t for Zaharis broke something inside her. Maybe her mother would have been able to escape if she hadn’t tried to protect her. “—If I had never been.”
“No,” Anais’ voice turned hard, as she drew her close. So, their foreheads pressed together. “You are my miracle. You are everything good between Eris and I.”
“How do you know,” Lanias demanded, the tears she’d fought so hard slipping from her eyes. “How do you know?” she whispered.
“Because you’re my daughter.” Her mother relaxed the embrace and smiled at her. “That’s how I know.”
Reaching up, Lanias tried to wipe her tears away, but they continued to fall. She was full out crying, “I-I’ve done so many bad things. I-could-I’m so tired of fighting.” She cried, as she leaned into her mother who welcomed her with open arms.
“I know I was never able to say this but know this.” Her mother whispered, “I will always be with you. No matter the chains of death, I will always be there.” Her voice grew faint.
Lanias pulled back, only to find her vision blurring. “Mom?” she called startled, “Mom, don’t go.”
The form of her mother faded, as the light dimmed.
“Stop, stop.” She pleaded with no one.
“Lanias, I’m always here.” Her mother whispered as she finally departed
Falling to her knees, Lanais found herself alone in a moderately lit room. Great sadness poured out, she looked up at a picture resting upon an altar dedicated to her mother. Lanais’ face crumpled as everything hit her. She wailed, falling forward she covered her face as she cried for the woman she’d never known. Also, for the little girl who’d wished for a mom who’d hug and love her.
The tears poured out, as she released heaving gasps of shuttering pain. She felt more than saw, the presence behind her.
“Lanias?”
She pushed herself up turned to burrow her face into Aleks neck. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
“Please, just.” She pulled back and lifted her chin pressing her lips to his. Drawing back, she looked at him with her cheeks still wet. “Make love to me.”
He searched deeply for her expression before he nodded. Leaning down he took her lips, in a soft and caring kiss. He didn’t know what had triggered her to cry, but his Queen had demanded he provide her comfort he wouldn’t deny her.
He easily transported them with his mist back to their assigned bedroom. He removed their clothing. Pulling Lanias close, he traced her arm before clasping her hands with his. She cradled him, taking him with ease.
“Ah,” she exclaimed, he paused meeting her gaze.
She offered him a watery smile, “Just sore.”
He nodded. “Do you wish me to stop.”
She shook her head, “No, I need you.”
Lifting her chin, she took his lips once more. He eased his way in, and Lanias felt immediately at peace. This time it wasn’t a powerful, passionate race to the end but a slow and arduous ride.
He drew gasps of pleasure, and little huffs of air from her. Her hips trembled in his grasp, as he refused to pick up speed. Sawing her to a slow crescendo. This time she whispered his name as a prayer.
She let everything else fall away to nowhere and placing her hands on his shoulder. She widened her legs taking him deeper. Alek was the contract holder to her very soul. And she didn’t want it any other way.
She tightened her legs just as the surge of need swept over her. The rising tide of satisfaction hit her when he hissed pressing his face into her shoulder. She drew her hands along his back to his hair that tickled her skin.
This was making love.
Lanias felt like she was being tied tighter and tighter to him. Lanias had never sought such a connection with another person. She’d been too focused on her own path. Now, she understood why others sought out their mates.
Even her toes sensed the orgasm that burned through her. Sweeping away her fear and sorrow.
As she closed her eyes she wondered, was Alek that important to her?
