Revolution (Risen Series Bk2)
Chapter 4 ~ Candlelight

(unedited)

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Sexual Content Warning

I managed to keep hold of my tongue until the bedroom door shut behind us. It gave me time to properly arrange what my argument against his plan would be but it also left the anger simmering away beneath the surface. Atanas hovered behind me, sensing the building torrent of words I was getting ready to throw at him. I folded my arms and turned to face him. "Mortal Kings sent soldiers to their deaths without blinking all the time. Airell sent his soldiers to their deaths too, are you not different?"

Blue eyes considered me carefully but Atanas didn't speak. He was willing to listen then. I was pleased he wasn't going to simply try and wave my worries away. He leaned against the wall, nodding slowly as if asking me to continue.

"If you let Gideon and Erik leave, they won't come back, Atanas. I don't know how I know it, but I do. I can feel it. This isn't the way. We can try to be sneaky but Airell is more so, he's the King of deception, he'll see straight through any act. He'll test them to their limits until they break, he'll make them do things against their conscious to prove their loyalty to him. Are you willing to let them do unspeakable things all so we can get breadcrumbs of information? He doesn't know them. Even if they manage to become a part of his army, they won't be privy to his inner circle. If two strange vampires showed up tonight to pledge their loyalty, would you trust them?" I ranted, feeling fury and fear build up until I was shaking.

Atanas sighed and shook his head. "Of course not. Like you say, they'd have to prove themselves but I'm not forcing Gideon to go, he offered."

"Of course he did, out of loyalty to you. He has no idea what he's getting himself into," I growled, stepping up to him.

"That's how this works, Shylah. Loyal people doing what needs to be done," he replied harshly. "We can't jump into a fight without knowing what we'll replace."

We stood glaring at each other for a moment, neither willing to back down in our beliefs. I turned away to gather my thoughts, rubbing face in frustration. "We need to be on the frontlines. Fuck politics, fuck waiting on allies and planning. The longer we wait, the stronger Airell gets, the closer he gets to what he wants. He'll expose us all to the world and the world will burn."

The weight of my words fell heavy on my shoulders. Fear filled my stomach with dread. If we lost this fight, Airell would destroy everything. He'd make cattle of mortals, slaves of our kind, and he'd kill any being that threatened his power. We couldn't let that happen. If he revealed us to humans, we'd be fighting enemies from every side.

"That's why I think we should replace what he wants first, the thing that will secure his strength. Hunting Leyla may help us hunt him down. There's also a few people we could visit along the way, people that may know more about what you are," Atanas said calmly, watching me pace along the carpet.

I looked at him like he'd grown another head. He wanted us to leave? We weren't secure here, we couldn't leave everyone behind! My first reaction was to burst out laughing but Atanas stood watching me with a stern expression and I knew he wasn't joking.

"You searched for centuries and couldn't replace her. You told our new council that Airell wouldn't be able to replace her!" I argued. "There's no point in us wasting time away from home, where we're needed, to chase a ghost."

Atanas sighed again then turned an accusing look my way. "You don't want us to replace her. Why? Because you're scared of her? Jealous of her?"

I blinked in confusion, my voice strained as I answered, "She's an all powerful being so yes, forgive me if I'm a little wary of her. Airell seems to think he'll be able to control her, that she'll be on his side, and she basically controlled and brainwashed you for centuries too, that makes me question her integrity just a little. So why the fuck would I be jealous of her?"

My hands curled into fists as I struggled to calm my breathing. Atanas sat on the bed, dropping his head into his hands, fingers gripping his hair. I had the itching need to throw something at his idiotic head but instead I stood grinding my teeth together. I was sure he'd have loved to hear that I was jealous because Leyla had him for far longer than I had, that maybe she'd be able to sway him back into her arms. But that wasn't true and that urge to throw something at him rose again.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

I blinked once, trying to remember the last time I'd heard him apologise. Defaulting, I slumped onto a stool. "I know you are."

Silence fell again. I hated fighting with him and I think Atanas hated it just as much. I'd never seen him look so unhappy before. Maybe I shouldn't have been trying to fight him on this. After all, he'd been ruling and fighting for far longer than I had. What did I really know about warfare? Nothing. But I knew Airell.

"We can't leave, Atanas," I said softly, smiling a little when his blue eyes met mine. "We're needed here. What are the chances he'll replace her when you couldn't?"

"Slim I suppose."

I nodded, praying he was right. I hated seeing my mate like this. He didn't look like the King that had strode into the meeting room earlier in the evening. He looked tired, weary, for once showing his age in the stiffness of his body. I stood and made my way to him, running my fingers through his dark hair.

"I love you, Atanas," I whispered, leaning down to kiss him softly, hoping to breathe life back into him.

He kissed me back, gripping my hips to pull me closer. "I love you too."

"You should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be another long night, I'm sure. We can't have you being grumpy and you really need to get out and feed soon," I teased, grinning when his lips twitched in amusement.

He nodded, falling back to the bed just as Shadow jumped up. Much to my surprise, the kitten curled up next to him and began purring. It was silly the way my heart clenched as Atanas tentatively began stroking Shadows fur.

"Are you going to join me in bed, Libertas Mea?" he asked, muffling a yawn behind his hand.

"I will. I need to get a drink or something to eat first."

He nodded but from the way his eyes lingered on me, I think he knew what I was really going to do. He didn't call me out on it though, and I was sure he'd fall asleep as he was, half sprawled out on the bed with my cat.

Making my way towards the stairs, my ears strained for the sound of movement, scenting the air for Gideon. It was close to sunrise, most of the manaions vampires would be in bed by now. The sound of a door closing downstairs caught my attention and I headed in that direction.

As if fate was with me, I spotted my mark heading towards his own bedroom.

"Gideon!" I called, jogging to catch up with him.

He turned and gave me a tight smile. "You're here to talk me out of going."

I gave him a look and he shrugged, tapping his temple. Rolling my eyes, I cursed that he could get a read on my thoughts so easily. "I just need to make sure you know how much danger you'd be walking into. Even with Erik."

"I know what I'm getting into. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't understand. You don't have to worry, or do you forget that I'll be able to tell if Airell or any of his people have suspicions? The moment anyone has intentions to harm us, we'll get out," he promised, giving me a confident smile. "We need the information I can get. Even if I can only replace out where Airell is or where he plans to go."

It was hard to argue with that. There was no fear or nerves in his eyes, he stood tall and confident. I wouldn't be able to dissuade him, k didn't need to be able to read minds to know that. Sighing, I decided to relent. "Anna will miss you. You've really been helping her."

"Everyone's going to miss me," he announced with a smirk, flicking blond hair away from his face.

I rolled my eyes, shoving his arm. Why was I surrounded by arrogant and arrogant men?

"Get some rest then, you'll need it. Make sure you come back in one piece," I ordered, backing towards the stair.

Another cocky grin and he saluted. "Yes, My Queen. Not a hair will be displaced!"

Laughing, I made my way slowly back to the bedroom, exhaustion catching up with me. Until I opened the door. My breath caught in my throat. Candles lit up the room, casting it in a warm orange glow and my topless mate stood by the bed.

"Atanas. . ." I breathed out, closing the door gently behind me. "I thought you were going to sleep."

"I couldn't go to sleep without showing that I truly am sorry for what I said. You're my mate and my queen, I should respect your opinions more," he said honestly.

My gaze flicked to the bed and I didn't miss the cord of rope resting on the sheets. A spark of excitement shot through me, settling as a throbbing heat between my thighs. When my eyes met Atanas' again, a flash of something untamed flickered in their blue depths as he smirked.

In that moment I felt very much like prey under the predators hungry eyes. I walked a little closer, my breathing rapid and I couldn't help but bite my lip as my gaze wandered over Atanas' chest.

"Are you nervous?" he asked gently, and I knew if I said the word we would simply go to bed and sleep.

I was nervous but not in a bad way. It was excitement and anticipation that raced through me. Instead I answered with, "I'm not scared."

Atanas chuckled and held his hand out for me. I took it tentatively, smiling as he tugged me to his chest. Looking up at him, I knew I trusted him completely and when he leaned down, my lips met his in a heated kiss. He wrapped an arm around my waist, keeping me firmly against him as his other hand tangled in my hair. I moaned as he gently nipped my lip and I only became more desperate to have him.

"Strip for me," he murmured, his lips brushing over my jaw.

I shivered, nerves flickering to life again. Stepping back, I slowly pulled my top off and I could feel the burn of Atanas' gaze drinking in every bit of flesh I revealed. He didn't seem to care that I was less than graceful as I kicked off my boots and shimmied out of my jeans, our eyes meeting as the last of my clothes dropped to the floor.

The light of the candles glittered off the scars that crisscrossed my skin. Before I could look down in shame, rough fingers gripped my chin and forced me to keep my head up. I didn't think I'd ever be able to look at myself without feeling sick but he didn't seem to care. Atanas carried his own scars too. Not as many, nor as easy to see, but I'd noticed the slightly, jagged pink line that cut down his left side. He was still a god, I looked worn and beaten.

I didn't have time to torture myself before Atanas was stepping out of his jeans and standing gloriously naked before me. My cheeks heated and my hands trembled by my side, the ache at my core becoming unbearable. I was sure he was going to draw this out longer than I could bear.

Pressing my thighs together seemed to jolt Atanas into action. He gripped my wrists, holding them together so he could wind the cord of rope around them. I took a steady breath. It was these moments that I had to remind myself that I was safe with Atanas. The rope dug into my skin, and while a small flare of waryness flickered in my stomach, it was overwhelmed by the buzz of anticipation and lust.

I needed him.

As if sensing my slight hesitancy, Atanas kissed me again. I sank into him, getting lost in the feel of his hard body pressed against mine, my bound wrists caught between us. He turned us around and grazed sharp fangs across my bottom lip, drawing a low moan of need from me.

"Lie down," he ordered gruffly, his eyes darkening hungrily. "Hands above your head."

I did as he demanded eagerly, raising my hands up until my fingers brushed against the headboard. Atanas grinned and my skin flushed as his ravenous gaze raked over every inch of my body. My breath came out in shudders, my back arching instinctively as he stroked a finger up between the valley of my breasts, leaving a trail of heat behind. The path continued up to my wrists where he fastened them to the headboard, restricting my movement. Another shaky breath to try and keep myself calm, all worries dissipated as his fingers found my core.

I cried out something garbled, thoughts disappearing in a flash of electric heat. Atanas chuckled by my ear and his breath fanned over my skin, making goosebumps appear. Lifting my hips, I grinded myself desperately against his fingers, my body acting instinctively. But it wasn't enough. I wanted more.

As if sensing my craving through the bond, Atanas climbed onto the bed and kissed me roughly as he settled between my thighs. The hardness of him throbbed between my thighs and I wriggled again, rope digging into my wrists.

"Please, Atanas, I want to feel you," I whimpered pleadingly.

He didn't say anything, didn't move, simply watched with dark eyes as I bucked and writhed needily beneath him. I could see the tension in his features, how hard he was fighting for control, but I didn't need control. Not here, not with him. His lips twitched into a smirk as if he could hear my thoughts and suddenly he was gripping my thigh to press himself more firmly against my wet heat.

Slowly, he kissed his way down my neck and nipped the swell of my breast. The headboard creaked as I pulled, craving the feel of him beneath my hands.

The sting of his teeth against pebbled flesh had hot pleasure sparking over my skin, soothed by the warmth of his tongue. I lifted my hips, trying to demand what I needed from him when my mouth couldn't form the words. He murmured for me to keep still and I gasped as he ground himself against the most sensitive part of me.

Rocking myself up, I groaned in frustration when he merely continued his teasing touches, not rough enough for either of us. My fingers curled to dig into my palms, the sting only mingling with arousal. A mewl of annoyance left me at being kept in ever growing suspense. Just as I was about to scream my demand for him to have me, he finally thrust forward with a claiming growl.

I cried out something unintelligible as he filled me, a wave of pleasure crashing over me and leaving me shuddering. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe as he rocked into me over and over again and groaned against my breast. Meeting each thrust, I lost myself to feel of his weight on my body, one hand on my hip while the other tangled a fistful of my hair.

Baring my neck for him, my legs wrapped around his waist. He knew what I was offering and he nipped and sucked over my pulsepoint. The world shattered around me when his fangs pierced my skin. A thrill shot through me, heightened when strong fingers slid between my thighs to rub the bundle of nerves there.

My body arched of the bed and I screamed in ecstasy as his fingers helped bring me to release. The rope snapped from around my wrists. My hands flew to dig my nails into his shoulder as if to keep me anchored. I tried to replace the ability to breathe but pleasure overwhelmed every thought and feeling. Atanas drank from me greedily, pulling back to groan at the feel of my walls clenching around him. A few more erratic thrusts and he too came undone; hips jerking, muscles rolling and bunching beneath my touch.

Panting hard, my vision faded back. I slumped exhausted and thoroughly sated against the bed. Atanas chuckled huskily, grinning down at me while his thumbs brushed over burnt skin of my wrists. I didn't remember struggling against the rope, but the pain only had another shiver of delight rushing through me.

Lifting my chin, I kissed him deeply and tasted the copper of my own blood on his tongue. Fangs lowered, nicking soft skin and I greedily licked up the bead that pooled from his lip. A possessive growl rumbled from his chest and I couldn't help but grin up at him. I knew this had been a taster of things we were yet to explore in the bedroom.

"Am I forgiven for being a grumpy ass?" he asked, rolling his hips to rub against overly sensitive flesh.

I moaned, my eyes fluttering shut as my arousal grew once more. "I'm not sure."

Atanas looked displeased at that until his frown grew into a smirk. He rolled onto his back, pulling me on top of him and his hands gripping my rear to grind me against him.

"I suppose I'll have to try again then."