Balance (Book 9 )

I took Gabriel’s hand, leaving the sword, and teleported to our home. The room is warm and inviting, as always. Scones hissed with the flames giving off a warm glow. The windows looking out to the garden let the smell of honeysuckle and light into the room.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked with an accusing tone and folded my arms.

His response was lightning quick. Gabriel came to me and embraced me tightly to him. His lips found mine with a passion I have not felt in centuries. He sent his tendril to mine and sent his power to me, telling me of the love he had for me.

I wanted to melt in his strong arms and kiss him back. My loins pulsed at the promise of his touch. My heart beat heavily in my chest. I have missed him terribly.

“Do not do this.” I breathed. Gabriel ignored me and silently nibbled on my neck and cupped a breast. “NO!” I shouted and backed away from him.

My body shook, and I felt sick to my stomach. Gabriel’s touch was so right and felt absolutely wrong at the same time. I have not been touched by Anubis for so long. I felt guilty for desiring a dead vampire.

“Anput, it is ok that you desire this body. I am your husband either way. I will be who you desire. If this image pleases you, then use it and love me.”

I did want his body on mine. I desired his command. I wished to feel as though I was his goddess and have the perfect harmony we once had. Gabriel heard my thoughts and took his shirt off. I turned around ashamed. His perfect, powerful framed called to me in the worst way. I could hardly breathe.

“Look at me, Lara.”

His voice is deep and commanding. My heart raced, and tears filled my eyes. I missed Gabriel’s voice. It is music to my ears. I desperately wanted to do as he asked; however, I must resist my need. No matter what he says, I should desire Anubis, not Gabriel. He is my past.

A powerful hand forced me around and took my chin. Glowing green eyes bore into my soul and weakened my knees. The familiar knots began tightening, and tears freely fell. I did not want this, and yet I desperately needed him.

An arm slipped around my waist and held me to him. I resisted his embrace, trying to clear my mind. His honey scent radiated off him. His muscular chest called to me to touch it. My body quivered under his gaze and his commanding presence. He simply held me and watched the war within me rage.

Air locked in my lungs. I resisted panting and tried to control the emotions I had. My heart raced, trying to jump out of my chest, making it harder to breathe. I could feel myself become lost to his spell as his powerful arms held me allowing his spell to take effect. I could not look away.

I stopped resisting his embrace and shakily raised my hand to gently touch his chest. The warmth of his skin is comforting. Joy and love enveloped me, willing me to take satisfaction from him.

I have never truly been able to resist Gabriel. I have been under his spell since the day he appeared as a bloodied human on my throne floor. It was then this jackal stole my heart and pretended to give me a choice.

I could not stand the power he held over me. It was like a drug I was addicted to. A simple look stopped my thoughts and weakened my knees. After all this time, why does he return? My mind lifted from the fog, and I looked away from him. His arms tightened around me, and his lips softly touched my ear.

“Let me love you, my mate.” He whispered.

If he was not holding me to him, I would have lost my balance. I could no longer resist him. He had command over my heart. I would do anything he wished. The lock in my lungs broke, and I took a deep breath.

“I am yours.” I breathed and embraced him. I took in his honey scent and let a soft moan out as I relaxed in his powerful arms.

Gabriel picked me up and gently took me to the bed and helped me undress as I drank in his powerful frame. Gabriel laid on me and looked longingly into my eyes. I could feel his power circle my soul and hold it gently lovingly. His hand gently brushed my hair back. His kiss was deep and commanded my lips to his. Longing for me threatened to suffocate me.

I kissed him back and traced the muscles in his back. It excited me. His hands caressed my sides, and his fangs nibbled my neck. I willed him to take me for his pleasure. I offered my body to him through the tendril and gave him permission to do as he pleases. I could feel his desire mount as the familiarity of my body came to him.

He missed this image as much as I did. My silky skin under his fingers gave him chills, and the curves of my body excited him. His fang broke skin along the curve of my neck. He tasted my blood and took a deep breath bringing in my scent to his mind. To know I was his fully made him thankful. He would never again take advantage of my heart. He tested the warmth of my loins for him and found I was ready to receive him fully.

The connection was more than I could stand. My body arched into Gabriel’s arms of its own free will, and a loud moan escaped my lungs. I felt as though I was a maiden giving herself to her husband for the first time. Tears of joy trailed down my cheeks as I held onto Gabriel with all my strength.

Gabriel’s chest rumbled as a low purr caressed his lips in answer to my moan of ecstasy. The feeling of our connection is intoxicating. His thrusts were smooth and slow at first drinking in the moment and dwelling in the pleasure I gave him. Then his signature powerful, demanding thrusts began. Knots formed in my stomach, and my desire screamed for release. It awakened my love for him. The world disappeared as I only wished to please my mate. I found I had control of my body. Pain and pleasure could be controlled once again. I moved with him taking my pleasure from him. My body rose to a new level of passion. “Allow me to love you, my mate. Accept me.”

Gabriel looked me in the eyes to watch the struggle to keep myself for him. He fed off it encouraging him to be demanding. With his last powerful thrust, he released his desire. It exhilarated me. I wished to moan with his pleasure.

“Give me your love.” He commanded as he nibbled on my neck.

I moved under him feeling my body and allowing my desire to mount. My body went rigid as I exploded against him. I moaned with pleasure as the heat from my ankles came to my hips and forced me to spasm against Gabriel. I embraced him, never wanting to let him go.

“Master of my heart, you have been gone too long. I have missed you dearly.”

I felt full and alive like I had woke from a nightmare and fed off a human. My heart felt freer than I have felt in centuries.

“I am so sorry, Anput. Please forgive me.” Gabriel whispered against my ear.

His mournful voice hurt my heart. I continued to hold him to me, touching his body with my hands, allowing the image of his frame to take form in my mind.

As the joy settled, I began feeling the despair fight for control over my heart.

“You did not answer my question. Why are you starting a war? That is not your place.” My voice became hollow and demanding.

Gabriel rolled over to his side and faced me. “The world is dying. The balance between life and death is uneven. If it fully tips over, our realm and everyone in it will perish. I fight to save our family. I cannot bear to think of your soul being destroyed if I can help it. I cannot do this alone. Your need to protect the earth is the only way we will be able to even the balance. The gods have lost faith and longer care. They wait for death.”

Gabriel made a vow to protect his family at all costs. If that meant a war, then he would gladly fight. He prefers the solidarity of the underworld.

His father was a chaotic warrior. Anubis watched and learned from Set as he grew up and learned the art of war. Anubis is dangerous with a weapon. However, he did not need a weapon to kill. He mastered the art of the mind and body as well. Torturing a living person to death was just as easy and just as satisfying. The mind is a powerful thing that is truly underestimated. Anubis is a dangerous god to anger.

“Then, let us go to Mum’s place and begin.” I replied