Free Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon

loudly, it left her hoarse.
    Yeah, he definitely made up for his earlier quick-draw release.
    And then some.
    Reeling and breathless, she draped herself over his body. “That was incredible.”
    â€œMmm,” he breathed against her hair as he carefully separated the folds of her body with his fingers while he began growing hard again. “Surely you didn’t think I was done with you so soon?”
    Jo couldn’t respond as she slowly rode his fingers.
    His smile widened. “Like that, too?”
    She nodded.
    â€œGood, ’cause I intend to fulfill my promise about the night.”
    And that he did. Over and over, until she was weak and spent, and sleeping like a baby in the circle of his muscular arms.
    Completely satiated for the first time in his life, Cadegan played idly in Josette’s dark hair as he listened to her soft, gentle snore, while she slumbered on top of him. He still couldn’t believe this was real. That she’d shared her body with him so thoroughly, and now lay draped over him like the warmest blanket he’d ever known. For no real reason, other than she’d desired him.
    He couldn’t fathom it.
    And in that moment, he wanted to keep her here in his arms. Nothing else would give him more pleasure. You can’t do that to her, and you know it.
    He ground his teeth as anger flogged his reason. Why couldn’t he?
    You know why.
    It would be wrong. She didn’t belong in this cold, drab world. Not when she had the bright, brilliant realm she called home, waiting for her.
    Family and friends who would mourn her absence.
    Yet in this quiet moment, he didn’t want to do the right thing. He was so tired of being alone. Of being punished for a birth he’d never wanted. Begging for a death that was denied him.
    Was it too much to ask that he be granted one person, just one, who could cherish his presence? Seek him out for warmth and companionship?
    One person who could love him?
    â€œFor your crimes, I curse you to eternity alone!”
    Cradling her head against him, he flinched at the angry voice that was never far from his thoughts.
    Maybe this was his new hell. After all these centuries, he’d finally purged the memories of a woman’s body from his heart and learned to live without longing.
    Now, the memories were fresh, and far sweeter than they’d been before. Josette hadn’t used him for protection. She hadn’t lied to him and given him false hope.
    She seemed to even like him.
    His heart breaking, he glanced around the dingy walls that had been his home for countless centuries. This night with her had been a mistake. He should have let the graylings take her.
    But from the moment he’d heard her scream and looked upon the face of an angel, he’d been sunk.
    Damn you all for this.
    There was nothing to be done for it. At least he’d had one night with her.
    As with all things, he’d find a way through the pain. Learn to soldier on past it.
    Lifting her hand, he laid her palm against his cheek and wished for things he couldn’t have. Wished for impossible dreams.
    Most of all, he wished upon her the life she deserved. A man who would cherish her. Children who would adore her. Peace, and eternal happiness.
    Aye, a soul so kind and generous had earned that and more. As soon as she awoke, he’d take her home and set her free to live for both of them. In the realm of light.
    But he knew the bitter truth of it. He’d spend the rest of her life watching her from this shadowed realm, wishing he could be with her in hers.
    That would be his true hell. To see her, and never again touch her so intimately.
    He winced at the future he didn’t want to face.
    You win, Father … Leucious. I cede victory to you both. You’ve done what you set out to do.
    They’d finally broken him completely.

 
    5

    Jo sighed contentedly as she awoke to the most incredible sensation of warmth and security.