Queen of Ruin(Book three of the Immortals Series)
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN THE DATE

While he peered out the window over the city while waiting for Tessa, Rafik smiled at the reflection of himself as he recalled what he just witnessed. The sound of her pleasured cries of his name made a shiver shoot through his nerves to the

deepest places inside him.

Hearing the clicking of her shoes on the tile behind him, he turned to see his mate in all her post-coital splendor. She glowed like a fiery angel as he walked towards her and took her hand. Her face lit up in a golden-pink flush of color, and even her eyes smiled at him.

Be it the mate bond or just her gifted charms of seduction, his heart melted each time he saw her again. "You look radiant as always, my love."

In typical Tessa fashion, she wore a black pencil dress and black heels with the long string of black pearls Haldir bought her when she turned sixteen. Her monochromatic color scheme was more like a uniform than a conscious decision. The traumas of her youth had so terribly shaped her that she held rigidly to certain behaviors, and her sense of fashion was one of them. Her clothing was comforting and predictable, a stark contrast to the life she led. "Thank you. I'm so happy you came tonight, Rafik."

Kissing the back of her hand, he flashed back in his mind to her grabbing him for reassurance that he approved of her need to fulfill her darkest, most primal desires without shame. He wanted her to be all that she was born to be and only that, no matter the cost to his safety or pride. "Yes, so am I."

It took every ounce of willpower not to attack his lips right there as he helped her put on her belted black jacket. His scent was everywhere, and it set Tessa on fire. "Where are we going this time of night? I doubt we'll be able to get seated anywhere."

Neither had much of a childhood, and they would rediscover the pleasures of life together. He held both her hands and winked as he pulled her to the door. "You will see. I have taken care of everything."

Her pouty mouth begged to be devoured while they waited in the elevator during the slow ride downstairs, but Rafik tucked her into his side and resisted. He waited patiently for her for all these years and intended to take things slowly as he reclaimed what was rightfully his.

While they walked along the street together, he held tight to Tessa's hand. He was afraid that he was dreaming and that she would slip away at any minute.

The puff of air from Tessa's nose and the twisted lips she gave Rafik when they came to the small restaurant in a dark back alley wasn't a surprise to him. Of all the restaurants, this old cement block structure seemed like an odd choice for someone as romantic as him, and she pointed it out as they came to the entrance. "Is this it?"

A smile curled on his mouth as he opened the door and held out his hand for her. "Trust me."

By accident, he found this place while exploring his new home, and the ambiance was perfect for a couple who needed privacy. No one on Earth probably needed anonymity as much as the two of them.

She realized that her doubts about his ability to pick a spot for a meal were silly when she stepped down from the doorway.

The deep, burgundy walls and dark mahogany furniture were her style. There was fabric bunted from the ceilings that covered the windows so that the only light that graced them was from the romantic candles that lined the walls and tables. Since coming to England, Rafik could not recall when he felt comforted and warm, but when Tessa placed her hand on his chest, her touch lit every cell ablaze with a sense of home. "Oh, isn't this beautiful? This is like a fairytale." He took her hand from his chest and kissed it before leading her to a staircase that went to a private loft. When they came to a table overlooking the rest of the tiny restaurant, he helped her to her seat and sat down across from her. "It is to your liking then?"

Her cheeks were like two ripe apples when Tessa pushed her lips together and nodded. "Oh, yes. I'm sorry I doubted you; this is perfect."

Looking her over in the soft glow of the candlelight while the waiter poured the wine, Rafik smiled to himself for the secret they now shared. "So, do you do that often? Bring people to your home that way."

She grinned as she brought the glass to her lips. "Too often, probably. Quite an expensive hobby for a woman without a job."

He slid his finger around the bottom of his wine glass and bit his lip as he peeked up at Tessa. Knowing he had no right to expect her to be faithful to him all these years when she had no idea they were bound as man and wife, he hoped for the best, although his heart was already breaking. "Only women?"

"Yes." Never in her life did she ever feel the urge to explain her choices to anyone, but the hopeful look on his face made her want to navigate him through what he walked in on tonight. "I've never been with a man. In all honesty, I've never really been with a woman either. I'm more of a receiver."

The relief in his chest was immediate, and he smiled as he relaxed into his chair. The subject of her virginity was on his mind ever since he was old enough to understand such things. "That is good."

Surprised by how well he seemed to be taking everything, she glanced around his face as he watched the other people below them. "It doesn't bother you?"

A small huff came from his mouth before a grin rose on the side, and his eyes returned to Tessa. "No, not at all. It would be cruel to deny you those things that make you happy, especially when I wasn't around to do so."

The unending patience and understanding Rafik had for her made Tessa shake her head. "I don't know why you're so unbelievably kind to me. I'm a terrible person, Rafik. Even when we were children, I was awful to you, and you spoke so well to me anyway. I didn't deserve it."

He reached his hand across the table and put his fingers to hers. "How else should I be? You are mine."

Curling her fingers around his, she nodded. "I know I am. I knew the minute you looked in my eyes at the table that night."

As she thought back about tonight and what happened, she glanced around the room and tried to replace the words to defend herself. "Rafik, every man that I've tried to, I couldn't because all I ever did was hear your voice."

Letting go of her hand, he picked up his chair, brought it to Tessa, and then sat beside her. He took her hand in his and fingered the curls on her head with his other as his eyes fell down her face and met hers. "You called me husband tonight. Did you mean it?"

Even with her anger all these years, he was all she desired; she could not see herself with anyone else. "I've called myself Tessa Idrissi so many times when I'm all alone. It feels good to say it for real this time."

As the waiter brought the food to the table, Rafik backed away but held on to Tessa's fingers. When they left, he kissed her hand and kept it on his chest. "It is the most pleasant sound my ears have ever heard. However, here, I am Amari Blake; you are Tessa Blake now. You must remember this, my love, for both our sakes."

The idea of living in secret again made her stomach turn, and her head shook off his demand. "I know that, but why? Who's after you? All our family is gone now; there isn't anyone left to keep this stupid feud going."

It was hardly dinner conversation, and this evening had gone too well, so he let it go for now as he motioned to the food. "Eat, my love. We will discuss this later."

While he walked her back after dinner, he pulled her close to his side. For the first time in his life, he wore his wife proudly, and he meant to do so often. "Do you know much about your family? Your mothers, I mean." She shook her head as she looked in the shop windows when they passed by. "Not much at all. I'm not sure that any of the Abiyoe's even exist on Earth anymore."

If they were to live in any kind of peace, she needed to understand the stakes involved, so he kissed the top of her head and began the history lesson. "Your mother's people are royalty amongst the witches on Earth, and my people did not wish to be ruled in this new world, but your family knew no other way. There are few of us left now, but your mother's parents remain alive and well somewhere in the shadows."

Waiting for the light to change, Rafik looked down at Tessa. All he wanted was to be her man, but being anywhere near her was dangerous. "It is your mother's parents that I'm in hiding from, Tessa. I'm to be executed for Isabelle's murder." As he led her across the street, she took in what he said, but it made no sense at all to her. "My grandparents?" She pulled on his hand to stop him as they reached the sidewalk. While she panted for air that would not fill her panicked chest quick enough, Tessa grabbed his coat in her hand and pulled him closer. "My grandparents are trying to kill you?"

"Yes." Rafik held his hand over her head as the drizzle began to fall on her. "They didn't care that I was a boy, and they do not know that I am your mate. They would never accept such a thing between us no matter what the Fates intended. Billy sent me here with that name, and I prayed that the Fates would let you replace me even so, and you did."

The stupidity of this grudge was infuriating, but the fact that neither of them wanted to be part of it in the first place made the tragedy ten years ago even more horrible. "But why would they even care about a daughter they hadn't bothered with in over 200 years? I've never even met them. I wouldn't have the faintest idea where to even look for them."

He bent down to meet her eyes and put his hand around the back of her head. "And hopefully that will be the case until we leave this place, but you and I both know that our people are devious. So, you are Mrs. Blake for now. Do you understand?"

Wiping the cold rain away from her face, he waited for her to answer him. This time, it was Tessa who held Rafik's life in her hands. "I understand."