Page 39 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

My eyes squeezed tightly when Haden’s tongue licked my nipple before sucking me into his mouth, teasing me. With that, I came hard and fast. It was so powerful that the ground shook beneath us, and thunder echoed all around us. Lightning even struck the pond behind me. I'm sure the heavens and the stars heard his name fall from my mouth.

“Good girl, Storm; now show me those pretty eyes. Watch me as I cum inside of you.”?

My eyes met his, and he slammed me down twice more before he finally came, his frost shooting out in all directions as he did. He called my name to the stars, and then he stilled against me. His chest was heaving so much that I could feel his heart beating against my chest.

“I love you.” I grabbed his face and pulled it back. His lips parted as he tried to catch his breath.? His eyes were hazy with his pleasure. "Kiss me," I said as I leaned forward and kissed him with every ounce of love I had for him.

“I love you more.”?

Chapter 11

Della

“Ifeel like I haven’t seen you.” Mikel looked at me skeptically when I came home to take a bath and grab some clothes. I grabbed a dress and held it so my ring was covered from him.

“I know, I have been hanging out with—”

“Penelope,” he said in a way that made me look up at him. “Are you sure that is who you are going to see?”

I was going to have to tell my brother eventually, but I did not feel like having this conversation right now.

“Yes.”

Mikel frowned. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right? If maybe you are seeing someone that isn’t Penelope, I won’t judge you.”

I gave him a pointed look.

“You are literally the God of Judgment.”

He waved his hand. “You know what I mean.” He looked over at me like he could see I was different. “I won’t press it because Iknow that you’d tell me if you wanted me to know. But just know that I am here for you—always. Nothing will ever change that.”

“I know.” I smiled. Mikel wandered out of the room, slow enough to give me a chance to tell him what he wanted to know, but eventually he was gone. I glanced around, realizing I would not be living here after I married Haden. Would Mikel be alright being alone? He was going to love Haden’s family— soon to be my family. He might want to move to Elloryon to be close to us. Besides, if I met my mate, then Mikel should meet his soon, I would think.

I glanced in the mirror again to make sure I looked alright for Haden. I swallowed hard as that odd feeling overcame me again. For the past hour I had not been feeling well, like something was wrong. Something felt out of place.? At first, I thought it was keeping this secret from Mikel, but something like dread filled me to the point that I knew it was something else. A sharp pain slammed into my chest so forcefully that I dropped the dress in my hands as I fell to the floor. Fuck. I rubbed my chest, hoping it would pass.

Ardella!

Standing up, I grabbed my head as Holden’s voice pierced into my mind. What was happening?

Ardella!

I stumbled into the wall as the sound echoed around me. Fear froze me in place as I realized something was happening. I left everything as I summoned my star mist. When it moved away, I was in the field by Haden’s house. I frantically began looking around for the source of Holden’s panicked call. There was a faint sound of pain coming from somewhere in front of me, but I couldn’t see in the dark. I shot my starlight out to help me find him. A gasp escaped me when I saw his boots sticking out of the tall grass.

“Holden?” I hurried over to him and saw how much blood he was losing. “Oh, my gods! Holden, hold on.”

I fell to my knees and ripped open his tunic to see several stab wounds. Just as I was about to heal him, I heard another sound that sent a spike of fear straight to my core. It was Haden’s soft whisper close by. Panic raced through my chest as I froze. Maybe I was hearing things.

“Storm.” His pained sob made me realize I was not hearing things.

“No,” I scrambled to find him in the tall grass. It was hard to see anything in the darkness even with my magic illuminating the area. “Haden, where are you?” I cried out. Frantically, I started walking through the grass, begging the stars to help me find him.

I heard him let out a small whimper of pain somewhere close to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand sticking out of the grass. Rushing to him, I fell on my knees.

“No, Haden, please stay with me,” I begged. I ripped open his tunic and saw the same wounds as Holden. Who the fuck did this? I was sobbing as I tried to stop the blood. Haden was gasping for a breath. I could feel death lurking nearby.?My head was shaking back and forth as I tried to comprehend what was happening.

I grabbed his face, and blood ran out of his mouth.

“Haden, please do not leave me. You promised you’d never leave.”

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