Chapter 2
She was getting heavy, and I was tiring out, but I couldn’t stop. Not until I found my way out. Everything hurt. I’d never been more tired, but my will to survive was stronger than my need to rest. I pushed through, but ran into another dead in. I screamed in frustration and tried to keep my tears locked up tight, but I was slowly falling apart. Who the hell created a maze like this?
I sobbed and fell to the ground with my arms wrapped around the strange woman. I let out all of my fears and allowed myself time to cry. Then I’d pick myself back up and find my way out. I rocked back and forth holding tight to the only other person around—and she wasn’t even conscious.
I screamed when hands wrapped around my arm pulling me up from the ground. I kicked and tried to get away but the arms tightened holding me against a hard warm body. I couldn’t be taken—not again. I wouldn’t survive it again.
“Baby, calm down, it’s me.”
I froze and opened my eyes. Looking back at me were orange eyes ringed in dark circles. “Ciyrs?”
“Fucking hell baby, I’m so sorry!” Then he buried his face into my neck.
I didn’t have any fear it wasn’t him. His touch was right. I relaxed my body into his and then pulled back remembering the woman I’d found. “The woman, she’s hurt.”
Ciyrs looked down at the prone woman to see Gyyx pull her into his arms. His eyes were orange and a tear slid down his cheek.
“She’s mine. You were right.”
I slid down Ciyrs’s body ignoring his protest and fell to the floor. “She’s been out the whole time. Except at first. I don’t know what happened. I guess the shock finally wore off.”
Gyyx looked at me with his eye shining. “Thank you for taking her with you. Most people wouldn’t do that.”
I laid my hand on his and in a split second I was whipped away. Ciyrs growled. “You can’t touch him right now baby. I’m already going crazy.”
“He’s hurting. Look at him.”
“He’ll be fine as soon as we get back and I work on his mate. Better yet Eden will. He won’t want to rip her head off. I probably can’t get near her.”
“I know you won’t do anything Ciyrs, let’s get the hell out of here. We’ll tell the others to patrol here until we can burn this fucking building to the ground.”
I wrapped my arms around Ciyrs and shut my eyes as he sped from my own personal hell. I’d make sure this building burned. No one would suffer in those cells again. I looked at Gyyx and the woman I had found. She probably knew better than anyone else what is was like to be in their hands. It looked like she had been there for a while. The poor woman was rail thin and sickly looking. But I could tell by the look in the Denynso’s eyes that she was the most beautiful creature to him. It was the way Ciyrs looked at me.
With my head on his shoulder, I felt the cool rush of air as the wind whipped around us. He ran fast and I was grateful when I opened my eyes to find myself in his house. He kissed me and held me close while I sobbed. There were so many things to talk about, but all I wanted to do was fall apart and clean the Klimnu off of me.
“I tried finding you, and I failed. Eden tried to use her connection to help. She felt you but couldn’t figure out where you were. The warriors have been searching nonstop. I’m so sorry I failed you.” Ciyrs fell to his knees in front of me.
I placed my hand on his head. He had his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and he sobbed. I did my best to comfort him. “Oh Ciyrs, you didn’t fail me.”
He tipped his head up looking at me. I wiped his tears. “It’s not your fault I was taken.”
“I should have known. We’re mates. Our bond was formed.”
“Newly mated. Who knows how long it takes for it to really click. I don’t blame you.”
He nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t convinced. “I need to get cleaned up.”
Reluctantly he pulled away and gripped my hand like a life line as he led me to his bathroom. Without a word he turned on the shower and then he pulled off my clothes. I shivered when I was naked and didn’t miss the way his eyes glowed.
“Can I help?”
I nodded and nibbled my lip. I needed his closeness. No matter how dirty I felt.
He stripped off his clothes and led me into the shower. The warmth of the water eased the aches and pains and washed away the dirt, but it didn’t wash away the memory of the touch. I closed my eyes and Ciyrs spun me around. In a few moments I felt his hands in my hair lathering in some shampoo and then he tipped my head back rinsing my hair. I let him take care of me. I knew he needed it. He was a care giver. It’s what he did. He healed, and when his large hands stroked my body gently with the sudsy cloth he healed a part of me. I knew his touch. I knew he would never hurt me.
After all that had happened, I felt the ache between my legs. I couldn’t control the desire building and I turned facing him. He tensed when he scented my arousal and shook his head.
“I’d love to but I need to take care of you first.”
“But that is taking care of me.” I picked up his hand and brought it between my legs spreading them, allowing him to feel the wetness. “I need you. And I know you need me.”
His erection sprung to life and I wrapped my small hand around it. “See, you want me.”
He groaned when I slid my slick hand down and ran my thumb over the tip. “Of course I do Eliana. I’ve missed you like hell. I’ve nearly gone insane without you.”
I licked my lip. “Then show me.”
I needed to get my mind off of it all, and there was no better way than to lose myself in the man I loved—loved, that was the first time I admitted it to myself. I loved Ciyrs.