Set In Sparks (Morningstars Book 2) (16 page)

Cany nodded, wondering how she could condense the story enough so this wouldn’t take all night. “Sydney had appeared right after Maya kicked him out. Needless to say, my mother is not impressed with the Queen’s manners.”

Ryder looked up, cocking his head. “I’m sure Maya couldn’t care less what your mother thinks.” Cany sure hoped he was right.

“Either way, she made a scene, screamed at me, and cried. Imagine that, my mother cried because obviously I put a mar on their reputation. I interrupted her, something I usually don’t do or dare, but I asked her if she knew that I was going to die. After all, that’s what it would’ve meant for me to stay with Sydney of I hadn’t been send to Maya’s court. I wouldn’t have found out that I’m an Origin. Can you imagine that my own mother didn’t want me to know that I could be happy and saved? Of course, she didn’t think there’d be a Queen anyways.” Cany paused as her emotions threaten to run wild again.

“The storm finally ceased,” Ryder mumbled and Cany’s head snapped up. She hadn’t thought about … how could she have been so careless? Stumbling over to the window she looked down into the gardens, seeing the warriors and her Queen trying to stop fires from spreading. The ground looked like a war zone: broken branches, shingles, and whatever else the wind had been able to pick up lay strewn across the lawn.

“Did anyone get hurt?” she asked, her voice tiny.

“Soaked, yes. Hurt? No,” Ryder answered and she felt him stepping closer. She couldn’t believe she had let her emotions get the best of her.

“Your mother thought you’d die and without a Queen it wouldn’t have mattered anyways. No one would have realized that you’re an Origin because changed or not, you would have been dead. But Maya changed it all, didn’t she? How could you not have known you’re an Origin? Aren’t you supposed to recognize each other?” Ryder asked, continuing her story as if he had been there with her.

“I never knew. I mean, I got told I wasn’t anything special. My parents promised me to a guy. I didn’t think they would do that if I were … I never … I wanted to be an Origin so bad. I wanted a guy who’d love me no matter what. I wanted one who’d never be afraid of me, but I thought fate wanted different things for me. Then I met you and you’ve been driving me insane since then. I felt as if I was betraying my mother, my father and Sydney just by…”

She bit her lip, wondering how best to say it, but then she figured that now there was nothing that should be standing between them, and since he very obviously planned on getting them much better acquainted than they were so far, she turned to him. “… Just by dreaming of you, thinking of you, needing you. Those times we’d meet during the day, when Maya woke up from Kaden’s dreams, those were the hardest. I wanted you to sweep me up and have your way with me right there on the kitchen counter. In those sacred hours, all I could think about was you being my first.”

Ryder never had felt his knees give in, but Cany’s words made him reach out for the window frame. He needed something to steady him. All those days he had thought about devouring her sweet little body she could have been his if only he’d been man enough to take the first step. Despite all her secrets he knew he had wanted her naked under him, but decency had stopped him from pursuing those needs.

If he only once had bothered to really touch her, these little dramas could have been prevented. Maybe she wouldn’t have been happy to realize she was his, maybe he wouldn’t have been happy, but somehow he just couldn’t see that.

He groaned as he realized that she was blushing, her thoughts probably taking her in a direction he had intended on going only later, but now, with her beautiful plum lips parted, he needed to taste her. He needed to own her.

Ryder needed to make sure she knew she always had a place to go.

“Cany,” he groaned and then she was in his arms, her lips on his, and her taste exploded across his taste buds, reminding him of summer rain, freshly cut grass and hints of perfect nights. Wondering about how he had ever thought other women were good kissers, he realized that he wouldn’t mind kissing Cany for all eternity. Oh, how glad he was that fate had made her his!

Taming down the frenzy he was feeling, Ryder brought her back to the bed, only to realize that his wet clothes had left a dark stain against her sky blue sheets. It reminded him that there was chaos going on outside; that he needed to change and that Maya needed to know Cany was okay. He had all the time in the world to change Cany and make her fully his, but for now they needed to deal with the fallout of the storm.

“I can almost feel you getting serious,” Cany groaned into the croak of his neck and he laughed, anticipation straining his voice. “We need to deal with the world outside of this room, don’t we?” she asked and he nodded, putting her down on her own feet before kissing her forehead.

“Mine. You’re mine. Nothing can change that. We have an eternity together, but for now we have chaos. Let’s go. But … don’t stray too far. I want you around when the day comes,” he said quietly, hoping she understood that she’d be by his side the entire day, no matter if they cuddled or did a lot more. She’d be by his side every day from there on if life went the way he wanted it.

Jaden watched his twin, noticing that he looked as exhausted as Jaden felt. The burning trees had taken the longest time to be extinguished, even if the rain should have done that on its own. After that, they had started picking up the branches that lay around everywhere.

“Boy, I’m so glad there are bigger trees around here,” Lex groaned, dropping a large branch onto the pile they had created. The area surrounding the house still looked horrible and even though there was no need to clean it up right now, Maya had insisted on starting to collect everything because she worried that the storm could pick up again.

One glance at the sky told Jaden that they were safe for the night as the moon and the stars shone brightly down on them, not a single cloud in sight.

He looked around them, searching.

“Maya went to the front of the house. No one can get in if they want to harm her. I don’t know how it looks there, but maybe we should go check on…” Kaden’s voice faltered and Jaden went over, touching his shoulder.

“Our girl?” he supplied. Sure, it felt weird saying it out loud, but it didn’t leave the bad taste he would have always expected to feel.

“Yes,” Kaden agreed, looking almost relieved. Suddenly, Maya’s stomach dropped and Jaden felt his follow suit. Whatever was happening on the other side of the mansion, Maya didn’t like it one bit.

“What is it?” Kaden asked, stiffening, but Jaden just pointed for him to follow along.

Maya stood in front of three people. Jaden knew only one of them, giving Kaden a pointed look.

“Ciarda, hey. What happened?” Maya reached out, touching the other woman’s forehead. Jaden could smell the blood even if he hadn’t seen it.

“Do you see what I see?” Kaden asked and Jaden gave him a questioning look. “After the way Cia talked to Maya last time I am … aren’t you …?”

“Surprised that Maya puts aside whatever bothers her when seeing an injured person? No, I’m not,” Jaden stated. There was no doubt that her compassion could be her downfall, yet it was something that made Jaden love her all the more.

“Kaden!” Cia called out, making Maya turn. Jaden felt her jealousy spiking, but she quickly reined it in, even as the other woman hurried forward and fell around Kaden’s neck. Jaden joined Maya, placing his hand on her back. She was talking to what he assumed were Cia’s parents.

“The tree crashed right through the roof and her bedroom. The storm did the rest. We didn’t know where to come and you are the Queen,” the woman mumbled, holding onto her mate as if her life depended on it.

“You did right in coming here. I’m not sure if we have a first aid kit, but I will see what I can do to help your daughter. Meanwhile, just walk inside. If you turn to your right, there’s a sitting room with a lit fire. It’ll calm your nerves down. If you are hungry, there’s a maid somewhere inside, and…”

Maya trailed off as another family stepped through the gates, carrying a baby. She closed her eyes and then focused on him, obviously drawing strength from him before continuing on to his twin. Kaden still stood with Cia. Cold engulfed Maya, but she just gave Jaden a smile before turning back to Cia’s parents. Jaden shook his head. It was time Kaden really got an idea of how it was being mated to someone. But first they needed to get this night over with.

Maya told Ciarda’s parents to go while she tended to the newcomers. In the back of her mind, she was aware of the fact that Kaden was standing in front of the raven-haired beauty that used to be his lover, and it made her mad that she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Cursing herself, she gently reached out to touch the infant’s back.

“Hey, I’m Maya. Be very welcome to the Queen’s manor. Are you all okay?” she wanted to know. She had no idea if they knew who she was or not, all that mattered was that they’d find a place for the day if that was what they needed.

“We are fine,” the male said, his voice trembling. “There was so much water, it broke into the house. We don’t have much and it’s a ground-floor house, no second story to go to, and we didn’t know where else to come. We could hardly stay in the house,” he went on and Maya nodded, hearing more voices. She didn’t even want to look up.

“Walk up to the front door and turn right. There’s already a family in the sitting room. Just join them, I’ll be in shortly,” she smiled, then nodded for them to continue walking. Ten people stood in front of her now, four of them bleeding, one holding onto his other arm. It looked weird and Maya didn’t even want to think about what was wrong with it.

“What can I do?” Kaden joined her and she breathed a sigh of relief. After all, she could hardly be inside and take charge while welcoming people here.

“Yeah, give us a task,” Jaden said, coming to stand on her other side.

“Okay, one of you has to go and count the beds we have. I don’t think the higher class will show up here since most of their houses are rather sturdy, but the others … I don’t know how the lower classes are doing. Expect massive amounts of people to show. The second needs to round up clothes. I don’t care from where. Take another warrior and leave the rest. Do we know someone who can dress wounds? I’m not worried about the vampires, but the humans among the group inside will need tending to. Get everything together. Prepare for a long day.” The twins nodded and she turned back to the people in front of her when the warriors surprised her with a kiss to their respective sides of her head.

“We love you,” Jaden mumbled, then he left. It gave her strength knowing that those two were there.

“May, I need to go.” Before Maya even had said another word to the arrivals she was already interrupted again. Only this time there was nothing calm about the person. Thinking quickly, she pointed the ten to walk inside and promised them that she’d be with them in a bit, then she turned to Red.

He had his eyes lowered, no doubt trying to keep the red from shining and her heart broke for him, but she couldn’t afford to let one helping hand go. Going over, she hugged him. He was stiff under her hands and growled next to her ear.

“Hug me or I’ll never let go,” she threatened and Red’s arms reluctantly came around her until he was genuinely squeezing her. Only then did she step back.

“I need your head in the game.” She shot a quick look over her shoulder, finding a little girl walking towards her. She couldn’t have been more than four. And she was alone. She looked lost and dirty, her face smeared with what Maya hoped was grime instead of soot. She had eyes so dark they looked black, complimenting her golden skin and strawberry blonde hair. She definitely was well fed, her little face chubby. The clothes she wore once had been good quality, but now they were torn in places, especially the yellow sundress. Her stockings seemed to be fine, but one of her shoes was missing.

“Maya, I can’t –”

“Go back to the compound. We need clothes, blankets, Lara, and whatever you think is useful, bring it over. Even if there’s no use for the stuff later on, at least we’ll be prepared,” she pleaded and then was glad when he nodded, determination on his face.

“I’ll be back soon. Thank you,” he said and she gave him a strained smile before picking up the little girl.

“Hey there, sweetie. Where’s your mom?”

“Hurt home,” the girl mumbled, pointing her thumb over shoulder as if the house was just around the corner.

“How did you get here?” Maya asked, noticing that the tips of the blonde pigtails the girl wore were covered in blood.

“Ran fast. I can. Mom taught me.”
A vampire child
, Maya thought. That way the little girl at least would heal quickly if she were injured. Her parents though were a different matter. Maya had no doubt that they would have accompanied the little girl if they could. She swallowed hard, kissing the little girl’s blonde head, making her way back to the stairs. She figured if the gates and the front doors were open, the people would just know to walk in while she could take care of some injured people inside.

As she came up the front stairs, Cia stood there, a Band-Aid plastered to the wound on her forehead.

“Warriors?” Maya asked, not having time or energy to fight or discuss with Cia.

“Everywhere,” Cia replied, her voice small. Thankfully Maya spotted Matt and Lex then. The mind reader was exactly what she needed.

Holding out the girl while ignoring Cia, who followed her, she looked at Lex. “Where are her parents? Can we save them?”

It took only a moment until Lex’s face crumbled. “I don’t know. It looks bad in her memory.”

“Can you get there? Take Matt.”

“Maya, I don’t think we should be leaving. It looks like our hands are better use here,” Matt injected and Maya gave him a sharp look.

“If there’s any chance bringing back at least one parent, we’ll take it. I’m not weak or lazy. I can get stuff done. Go,” she ordered and Matt ground his teeth, but stayed quiet. She knew he was sure that there was no hope for the little girl’s parents, but Maya couldn’t think like that. She needed something good right about then. The two left and Maya wondered where best to go with the little vampire in her arms.

“Give her to me, that way you can tend to others,” Cia suggested quietly and Maya turned back to her, shifting the little girl so it was sitting half on her hip, giving Maya the chance to reach out and touch Cia’s head.

“Have you eaten? Drank something? Are you feeling dizzy? You’re an injured human in my house. I will not risk you breaking down because I forced you to do something you shouldn’t have done. Kaden would never forgive me and frankly neither would I. You’re a victim, Ciarda, and I want to…”

“Just give me the girl. I promise I’ll sit down the moment I have a feeling I can’t take it anymore, okay?” Maya debated on that just when five more dirty, bleeding people came into the entrance hall. That actually made the decision for her.

“Hey sweetie, I’m gonna hand you over to my friend now, okay? She’ll give you some chocolate in the kitchen through there.” Maya pointed at a closed door and Cia nodded, understanding the hint. “There’s a TV, too. Maybe Cia can find you a nice cartoon to watch, huh?” she asked and the little girl nodded against her shoulder. “If she falls asleep, walk up the stairs and take the first room on the left. If you don’t mind sharing with her, I’d be grateful if you two could take one room. That way maybe it’ll be possible to assign a room to everyone who needs it.”

“Whatever helps,” Cia agreed and Maya pulled her hair back into a messy ponytail, flinching when Cia grabbed her wrist.

“You’re hurt.” A deep cut run from Maya’s palm down her forearm. It would heal in a little bit if she’d just rest the injury for a moment, only she didn’t have the time.

“I’m fine. It was glass. I picked up some debris outside and hadn’t realized what I held. I’ll be absolutely fine,” she insisted, spotting Kaden. “Kade,” she called and he came over, freezing momentarily. Outside the rain had been enough to tone down the smell of her blood so neither of the twins had realized it, but now it grew stronger.

“Maya,” he snarled, looking her up and down. She moved her arm out of his sight.

“Right hand,” Cia quipped in and Maya gave her a death glare.

“I’m fine, Kaden, please. Can you show Cia the kitchen? And while being there, get some food together for the humans. I don’t think the maid will manage alone,” she pleaded and he reached out for her hand. He only stared at her blood as if he could see her life draining out of her.

“Cia,” she reminded him, her tone saying it all.

“Find Jaden, get blood,” he half pleaded, half ordered and she rolled her eyes, knowing she didn’t have the time to indulge in a good session of blood sucking.