Daughter Trilogy Bundle (83 page)

"I'm contending with an Aphrodite at all times.  I have to stay on my game in the seduction department," he jokes.

"You two are so gross," Hale says while mocking a gagging sound.

"We'll get married when Adisia wants to," Devin adds to comment on the earlier, desperate request from Hale.

I smile affectionately at Devin, and he kisses the hand that tells the world I'm his.  He smiles playfully as he steps back, and I laugh a little as he hops around like a boxer preparing for a fight.

I love it when he's playful - even if the world is threatening to close in on us.

"I'm ready when you are, babe," he playfully provokes.

"What's going on?" Jace asks curiously as he walks out of the water, and the entourage of eager women flocks behind him with their giggly demeanor.

"Devin is about to prove he's invincible to Adisia's powers," Hale answers distractedly as he sits down closer to where I'm standing.

"Is he?  I thought he was just immune to her Aphrodite stare like I am," Jace almost whimpers.

I see a smug smirk appear on Devin's face now that he has one-upped Jace.

"Apparently I'm immune to all of her deadly strikes," he gloats.

"Theoretically," I caution.

"Let's put the theory to the test," Devin prompts, and the smug smirk remains proudly on his face.

I roll my eyes and stifle the grin I don't wish to produce under these circumstances.  I can see the others emerging from the house to inspect the clambering outside.

I take a deep breath before the wind starts to stir.  I force it outwards, and it rushes toward him.  It splits just before it reaches him, and he walks toward me effortlessly as the wind continues to separate a path.

He reaches me, and his lips cover mine to prove the theory right.

"It worked," he breathes, and I can feel his seduced excitement.

"You're enjoying this far too much," I giggle.

"It's by far the hottest thing I've ever encountered, besides you," he teases.

I roll my eyes again and laugh at his near slip.  He laughs and shrugs innocently.

"Step it up a notch.  Bring out the lightning," Hale insists with his very uncharacteristic, businesslike air.

"That could kill him," I caution.

"Not if he's immune.  It's important to test this theory.  If Devin can cut through all of your attacks, we have a better shot of not repeating history," Hale cautions.

He's talking about me imploding and destroying the world before time reset itself.  Devin's eyes don't lose their playfulness despite the heaviness of Hale's last remark.

"I'm game, baby," he jokes before hustling back down the beach.

I'm less enthusiastic about this attack.  I feel the clouds crackling overhead, and I close my eyes and pray this works as the lightning crashes down with dreadfulness in its glare.

I open my eyes back up just in time to see the lightning splitting around him just as the wind had, and I sigh out in relief as it strikes beside him on each side without so much as flickering to him.

"Amazing," Theia gasps as she joins us.  "He's completely protected from and by her power.  I've never witnessed such an incredible display.  It's as if they were created specifically for each other."

I turn to face her, though I'm still a little rattled from this spontaneous expedition.

"We were," Devin smolders from directly behind me as he spins me around to face him.

His perfect lips play against mine, and I smile against the exciting kiss he's delivering.  He really is very enthused by this whole thing.

"It's possible she's just aware of what she's doing, and she's subconsciously handling the powers to keep him safe.  He may not be immune," Gemma chimes in.

Her effort to douse Devin's delight fails miserably when no one accepts her explanation as a possibility.

"No.  Adisia hasn't gathered the control to split lightning, and Devin walked right through her storm when she was geared against Slash.  Nothing she's done has ever inflicted the slightest bit of harm to him.  Anyone else in such proximity to her during these strikes might have been injured.  I don't know why I haven't noticed it sooner," Theia muses.

"It's by far the most extraordinary thing I've witnessed as well," Persia breathes with complete surprise.

"And I," Kahl adds.  "I didn't know such things were possible.  This is the boy she's marrying, correct?" he asks with a deeper tone.

"Yes, dear.  He's the one who kept her safe numerous times.  He loves her very much, and I suppose you can see how much she loves him as well," Persia comforts.

"I spoke to Adisia's adoptive father the first time around.  I would've asked for your permission as well, but I wasn't aware you were still alive," Devin says fearlessly.

"Well, now you know I'm alive," Kahl leads.

"And you don't really have a say or the right to be asked," I chirp with a little agitation for his intruding fatherly rights he hasn't earned.

Devin smirks, and Kahl continues staring expectantly at Devin despite my scolding.

"I'd love nothing more than to marry your daughter, and I hope you give your blessing for our union,
” Devin cordially offers.

Tears threaten Kahl's eyes the moment Devin asks, and I think it might have caught him off guard despite the fact he had essentially demanded it.

"I suppose I can bless it since the two of you are apparently meant to be together, but you'd better be good to her," he almost chokes out.

"I plan on it, sir," Devin says before turning back to me.

His thumb strokes across my lips, and I can tell he's fighting the arousal that has claimed both of us captives.  His being immune to my threat, and my being meant for him has completely fed his ego to no end.

For some twisted reason, it's completely provoked my lusting desire for him, and now it's all I can do not to repeat the incredible moment we shared not too long ago.

"I love you," he murmurs softly.

"I love you," I murmur through trembling lips.

"We should probably get back to the strategizing session," Theia mumbles to break apart the awkward moment we've forced everyone into.

Devin stifles a grin, and he scoops me into his arms.  I'm certain he's taking me back to the room, but we walk toward the ocean instead.

"Are we going to visit the ocean floor?" I giggle excitedly.

He laughs a little at my less than seductive squeal.

"No.  We're going to play with the others and blow off some steam," he chuckles out.

"I have a much better way to blow off steam," I seduce, and then I uncoil from the bridal style carry to strap my legs around his waist.

His eyes widen, and then he shakes his head.

"We'll pick this up later.  I never got to engage in the fun activities while at my family's place.  I want to be out here with you, and I want to see you laughing with me the way you did the others," he pouts.

"You think I just want you for sex?" I tease.

"I'd be perfectly fine with that arrangement," Hale chirps jokingly.

Devin actually laughs a little, and he whispers to avoid any other eavesdropping ears.

"No, but I still want to enjoy our relationship on different levels.  I want to play," he snickers out.

"I'll play," I seduce.

His eyes start to swirl, and then he forces a disapproving gaze.

"Fine, I'll
play
nice," I say in a reluctant huff.

"Better," he rolls out with a grin as he kisses me without letting his lips linger for too long on mine.

I'm almost throbbing now.  Why does he want to play but not
play?
  Oh this is so frustrating.

"Chicken?" Ther prompts.

"I'll be Adisia's partner this time," Devin says menacingly.

"Who am I going to play with then?" Ther pouts childishly.

"I'll do it," Gemma chimes in.

Devin grumbles lightly, and I can see the fun leaving his eyes.

"We're trying to enjoy ourselves and take a break from the bullshit.  Please don't do this right now," Devin pleads.

"I'm just offering to be Ther's partner.  I'm not running after you at this moment.  After Slash's little act, your face isn't exactly as tempting as it was," she lies.

I roll my eyes at her obvious load of crap, but the excitement in Ther's eyes is priceless.  I turn to whisper low enough so only Devin can hear.

"Give Ther this one."

He looks to his lovesick friend and then frowns before nodding to me.  Then his eyes swirl before the water beneath me churns wildly and lifts me to his shoulders.

I laugh a little, and his hands smoothly run up my legs to my thighs in an effort to steady my balance.

Mmm, his touch is so incredible.

"That sounds like a laugh, Adisia Titan.  I dare say you're having a good time already," he snickers.

"I dare say this is far hotter than last time," I giggle out.

"Hey," Ther gripes.

I shrug innocently, and Gemma uses the outstretched arms of the palm trees to lift her to Ther's shoulders.

She gives me a threatening grin, and I give her one right back.  The green surges to my eyes, and the winds instantly stir.

Kelp shoots up from the ocean, and it tries to restrain my wrists.  I feel the strength in me brewing and the wind snaps the kelp in half to free me from her grasp.

Devin's hands tighten on my legs as the wind picks up harder, and she falls with a shrill scream from her place on Ther's shoulders.

She surges to the top while I giggle triumphantly.  She slaps the water in disgust, making me laugh harder.

Suddenly, Devin launches me from his shoulders, and I splash against the water.  The ocean rushes up my nose - though it doesn't burn like it did when I was mortal.

Damn water lover.

Slowly, I rise to the top to give him a glare of disapproval, but he's laughing so hard I can't keep a straight face.  I love him so much, and I love seeing him this happy.

He swirls me around in the water, and I wrap my legs around his waist when he slows his twirling motion.  He grips me to his waist as his lips fold over mine, and I feel us resting up against the side of the dock.

He draws back to speak with his sultry tone.

"This isn't a private island.  There's a town about sixty miles from here.  Do you want to go out tonight?"

"Really?  Is that a good idea?  We've only got six more days until the army of dead return," I worry aloud.

"We can't spend every minute worrying about them.  I want to be with you right now, and I know we'll be ready when the time comes.  I think best when I'm not trying to force it," he comforts.

"I'm game for a nighttime excursion," Hale interjects.

"Here, here," Jace adds as he climbs out to plop down on the dock.

"I could use a minute of reprieve," Slash whines.

"Well?" Devin urges, his grin growing as his eyes stay fixated on mine.

"Yeah.  I'll see what else Persia has in my closet," I murmur hesitantly.

He tilts my chin up so my face meets his.

"Don't worry about immortal things, baby.  That's my job," he soothes while gauging my hesitance.

His lips find mine, and I can feel the water around us starting to boil.

"Ah, hell," Hale gripes.

"Let's go get ready," a girl prompts.

"We'll meet you guys at eight," Devin says menacingly as his eyes swirl mischievously.

My body heats more and the boiling bubbles begin to spread.  Devin's lips return to mine, and as soon as the last person flees our sight, my bathing suit is no longer blocking his body from mine.

I feel the water wrapping around me as he holds me to his perfectly toned masterpiece.  My head falls back as his lips scour my chest, and the salt water courses against my bare skin.

I moan as my lips reconnect with his, and the water rushes around me more with a swirling force.  The rain slips free from above, and adds to our wet seduction.

I feel his lips chartering new paths against my greedy body as I claw for more, and I only pray Kahl doesn't walk out of the house.

Chapter 13

Trouble in Paradise

"You ready, babe?" Devin murmurs with a completely sated tone to his delicious voice.

I smile as I step out of the bathroom to reveal the one-sleeved dress that rises to be just below my rear so that it shows off my legs.  The daring heels offer more seduction to the sleek ensemble.

His eyes dare me to seduce him, and I strut very confidently to accept the challenge.

"You like?" I smolder.

He sighs out with anguish as he grumbles, "I like it too much, and unfortunately the others will be joining us, including Kahl.  I'm not sure how he's going to fare with the way that dress is going to make me act tonight."

I laugh a little, and then my lips beseech his.  He responds without hesitance, and pulls me tighter to his body.

"Let's join the others," he mumbles very stiffly.

I giggle a little, and he pulls my hand into his before flashing down the stairs.

"You can pick a car," Persia offers to Devin as soon as we reach the main floor.

He smirks mischievously before responding, "Actually, I stowed something special on my jet.  We'll just meet you there."

I tilt my head to question his vague remark, and he flashes with me outside to avoid answering.  He drops my hand when we finally reach the jet, and holds one hand up to signal he needs a minute.

"I'll be right back," he says while smiling too big.

I almost giggle at his exciting behavior, and the back lowers to release a secret cargo hold.

I hear a roaring, and then I gasp when he drives off with a big, metallic blue motorcycle harnessed between his legs.  He grins fiercely and uses his head to motion for me to climb on.

"
Really
?  I think you're trying to get laid right now," I tease.

He laughs hard and props on the handle bars to seduce me further.

"I felt it warranted.  I was going to use it to entice you when you were still fighting with me, but now I just want you to ride," he says with a menacing wink.

"I'll ride," I seduce.

"I'll drive," he smolders back.

I laugh a little at the dirty banter before climbing onto the back of the gorgeous beast blaring its power to our ears.  The faint smell of gasoline intrudes momentarily before the thunderous roar erupts even louder.

A subtle jolt bobs my head when he peels out of the lot, and I breathe him in as my dress tries to stay in place.

I laugh ridiculously hard as he weaves playfully on the road and I gasp when he takes a sharp curve.  My hands grip tightly around his waist and one of his hands reaches behind him to jerk my body closer.

He returns his hand to the handle bars as he rattles out, "That's better.  That's kind of the whole point of this - keeping you as close as possible," he smolders.

I kiss his back through his shirt and snuggle up to him so my body is as close as it can possibly be.  The wind whips my hair, and I still it so it doesn't completely undo the hard work I put into my style.

"That's cheating.  You're robbing yourself of the full experience," he laughs.

"If we were mortal, we'd be wearing helmets.  It's the same difference," I giggle back.

"We're not mortal.  Just enjoy it," he dares, and I release the wind to let it do with me as it wishes.

The roar slows to a purr as we reach an island bar that looks exactly as tropical as I envisioned one to be.

The pineapple leaf decorations are displayed proudly as a live band plays music for a singer humming lyrics in a language I can't understand.  The sweat drips from the mortals, and drunkenness joins the aroma.

I laugh a little as Devin takes my hand and swivels me in a twirl before leading me up the small steps to the outdoor party.  Paper lanterns trim the edges and offer a light glow to illuminate the large space.  Wild, drunken mortals dance and holler to the music, and I see our very crowded group taking up half the seating area.

Devin pulls me into his lap as he sits down in a chair beside Deacon.  The waitress instantly brings over scotch as if he's already ordered, and she hands me a clear liquid that is filling the glass to the brim.

I smile as I sip the strong liquid that offers little burn.

"How did she know what we wanted?"

"I ordered before you got here," Deacon answers.

Camara's eyes are swirling wildly, and she stands to grab Deacon's hand.

"Dance with me," she commands.

"I don't dance, lass," he jokes.

"You do now, lad," she taunts, and she jerks his grumbling self to the dance floor.

Devin leans over to kiss the back of my neck, and I feel the air lightly stirring in response.

"Do you want to dance?" he smolders.

"I don't really know how to dance to this sort of music," I mumble out self-consciously.

"I do," he dares, and he lifts me to my feet before swirling me into his arms.

He slowly seduces my body as his eyes burn into mine, and I'm forced to endure the torture of his body heating me.

Please don't let my passion or my fire singe this dress.  I'm not wearing anything underneath.

The slow, tantalizing song only adds ambience to our already sizzling bodies, and Devin's lips fold over mine to offer even more zest.

"I love having fun with you," he seduces.

"I love being with you in any sense," I murmur sincerely.

His lips find mine once more, until we're interrupted by a bar fight breaking out between two mortals.  Devin's eyes instantly scold Deacon, but he holds his hands up innocently.

"It wasn't me," he defends.

I roll my eyes and part the skies for the rain to brew, and I throw a gust of wind to knock them outside.  Devin smirks as the water sobers the men up a little, but then they just jump back into the fight.

"I'll break it up," Jace grumbles as he leaps over the railing.

He jerks the men apart, his light grip used to keep from breaking their fragile bodies.  I stare at the scene until a girl walks over to stand beside Devin.

"I'm Simone," she bluntly offers.  "And you are?" she continues.

"I'm engaged," he chuckles out as he glances down at the jealously fuming from my face.

The fucking nerve.

This bitch doesn't realize what I'm capable of, or she shouldn't be so bold.

Then I notice something.  She's not sweating.  The air is hot, thick, and muggier now.  She should have some perspiration.

Before I can say anything, Kahl leaps between us.

"You don't have any reason to mess with her.  You came for me, and here I am," he pleads.

"She's your daughter.  I can see your blood in her veins.  I want you both now," she threatens.

"Get the mortals out," Persia yells to the others.

Her eyes flicker, and Kahl quickly looks away as if he's deliberately avoiding her gaze.  Devin does the same when her eyes turn to him, and I don't have a clue what's going on.

White floods my eyes, and I grab the bitch by the throat before I realize what's going on.

"Adisia, no!  Don't look into her eyes!" Kahl screeches.

I throw her onto a table, and she smiles as I stare into her flickering eyes, but that smile fades when whatever she was expecting to happens fails.

"What the hell?" she gasps, and my grip tightens around her throat when she struggles to free herself.

"What's wrong?" my voice echoes.  "Expecting me to fold to you?  I fold to no one," my dark voice releases.

"Who
… what are you?" she pleads.

"The last thing you'll ever see," I growl, but then several new faces flash into the room.

"Release her$, daughter of Kaos, or I swear I'll rip your unwavering eyes from their sockets," a man hisses.

I look up fearlessly, and then my blaring eyes threaten the surrounding mass of new threats.  There are as many of them as there are of us now, and every one of our people steps up behind me.

"I'll let her go when she stops breathing," I eerily stream out.

"We've come for him this time, we'll let you go this once," the man hisses again as he points to Kahl.  "He killed several of our people.  He has to pay the price," the man continues.

"He killed them in self defense, in case you've forgotten.  He had to get to me.  This petty group only disgusts me, and I won't waste another second on your insolence," Asteria blares through me and in that moment I lose the control completely.

I watch as the white exudes from my body for the first time, and screams erupt as the girl beneath my hand bursts into ashes from the cosmic flow.

The group charges me, but before anyone behind me can launch the first attack, the white expels itself from me once more, and it burns hotter than the fire I had felt earlier.  Ashes splash around as the bodies combust from the intensity of the fire, and yells for retreat erupt from all around.

Devin spins the water to block their path of retreat, and then he corals them into one big huddle.  The lightning surges from the sky, and they scatter to avoid the blasts.

I stalk toward them with predatory ambition, and fear spreads throughout the air as I near without falter.

One large guy blasts a blaze toward me, but I don't flinch as my body absorbs it like water.  I breathe it in as if it's a refreshing gust of air, and their eyes panic that much more.

I feel invincible, and my smirk dares them to try something else.

Another girl steps up, and I see thorns flying at me from the ground.  They stop midair, then turn and rush back into her body when I use the wind to deflect them.

I brush off the few strays that made it to me, but they have proven to be as harmless as mortal thorns.

I smile bigger as I let one last burst of the brilliant white burn escape from me, and they turn to complete ash just as the others had.  The aqua corral slowly slinks back to the ocean, and the rain steadily slows to a halt.

The wind shifts to a gentle pace, and the thunder dully rolls until it completely retreats from the air.

Devin's arms wrap around me, but the white still stains my eyes.  He's staring fearlessly, and his lips bring the sanity back to the surface.  I sink into his arms, and he pulls me close to him as the white disappears.

"Holy fucking shit," Jace gasps.  "Did she really just take down all of them?  Most of them were stronger than some of ours."

"Yeah, and she stared into the eyes of a Medusa without turning to stone," Kahl murmurs in disbelief.

"She absorbed fire," Persia almost cries as she comes down from her adrenaline terror.

"She deflected the spikes of a Manticore," Hale sighs in complete stupefied wonder.

"Asteria took over again," I grumble.

"She didn't do anything wrong this time.  She was protecting her son," Devin soothes.

"My mother wasn't that strong," Kahl interjects.  "That was her channeling the power Adisia has, but it wasn't her the whole time," he finishes.

"No.  Aphrodite jumped in somewhere along the way, and I'm the one who started the fight," I explain.

"You have no idea how much power you just exerted, do you?" Devin spouts in awe.

Suddenly, everyone kneels to one knee and bows their heads to me as if I'm royalty.  Devin starts to do the same, but I grip his hand and glare at him.

"Don't even think about it," I scold.  He lets a small smirk escape, and I turn to gripe at the rest of the room.  "Stop that right now."

Hale and Deacon stifle a grin, and Camara covers her mouth when she's unable to do so successfully.  Persia and Kahl continue to bow, and I scowl at them.

"You two had me.  Get off your damn knees right now," I blare.

Devin finally lets a small chuckle escape, and Deidra scolds him.

"It's very improper to laugh at the Emperian, especially after showing such dominance."

"The only thing improper is the overreaction you're all giving me.  I'm still Adisia.  Don't act like that fact has changed.  I still don't want to be the Emperian either," I gripe.

"Don't you see?  You took control the moment trouble entered the picture.  You assume the role of Emperian better than I ever did," Deidra pronounces.

"Feeling protective and being in charge are two different things," I exasperate.  "I need more vodka."

I storm to the bar, and the bartender is cowering in the corner as I lean over to grab the bottle.  I roll my eyes and turn back to face the group.

"Someone needs to erase that crap from his mind," I growl.

Theia walks past me to do as I ordered. 
Oh great.  I ordered her around.

Devin walks up and hands me the only unbroken glass I see in the room.  His eyes are swirling, and I know he's been thoroughly turned on by all of this.

"You're sick, you know?" I say with an insuppressible grin.