Rebellion (Risen Series Bk1)

SEXUAL CONTENT WARNING

STEAMY SCENES AHEAD

Padraig sat against the wall, rocking Anna in his arms with a grief stricken face. She was pale, blood coating her lips as she lay limp and barely breathing. The wounds on her neck were healing slowly, but there was so much blood pooled around her, I couldn't believe she was still alive.

My hand tightened in Atanas' and I clenched my jaw to stop from letting out a sob. I refused to lose the only true friend I had in this world, but what else could I do to help her? It was a waiting game now.

"She's going to hate me," Padraig mumbled gruffly, ignoring the clean up that was happening around us.

Bodies were being dragged away to gods know where as we created our new base here so Padraig could have Cala-Phort back.

My eyes flicked to the line of captured vampires being dragged down to the cells where I'd spent the last few days before I crouched in front of Padraig. I didn't know what would become of them, and nor did I really want to.

"Why would she hate you, Padraig?" I asked, frowning, tearing my gaze back to him.

Her chest was rising and falling more evenly now, which meant somehow he'd saved her. But when my eyes found the healing bite marks on his wrist, I realised just how he'd done it. Pain filled eyes met mine, seeking forgiveness.

"She's not going to hate you. I promise. Let's get her to a room, I think she'd want what happens next to be away from prying eyes, don't you? She'll feel much better if she's in her own bed," I said gently, trying to offer a smile of support.

Padraig nodded just as a thunderous growl tore through the room. Whipping around, the giant grey Wulver was blocking a stray vampire from leaving. Irritation flared. I was so over fighting, over the sounds of growls and screams and the coppery smell of blood that seemed to fill every single breath.

I stood, rage fuelled and exhausted, and launched myself at the man trying to make a break for it. With swift movements, I tackled him to the ground, hissing with fangs only a breath away from his throat. He stared with wide eyes, trying to choke something out.

"Enough!" I yelled, pressing my weight against him, "You've lost, and if you want to keep your life, you'll follow our warriors down to the cells where you'll stay until you either pledge allegiance to us, or decide your own fate lies with an executioner."

When all he did was smirk at me, my hand tightened around his throat, ready to take one more life before an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back. I struggled uselessly before going limp, recognising Atanas' scent surrounding me. Lips pressed against my shoulder, a balm to my rage.

"You've fought enough today, Libertas Mea. Kincaid will take care of everything. You need to feed, and rest, and shower. Tomorrow is going to be another long day and Anna is going to need you by her side as well," Atanas murmured.

I looked around at the vampires that watched me warily and realised that even they were afraid of me. Had I seemed that violent? That lost? Elaine watched from beside the Wulver who was still alert, ears pinned back.

"Okay," I whispered, taking a step back as Kincaid grabbed the man and dragged him towards the basement.

As much as I wanted to follow him down, to check every lock on every cell for myself and then be the holder of the keys so I knew they were definitely locked in, I relented.

Padraig headed towards the front door but Atanas tried to guide me up the stairs. I froze, my chest constricting.

"I don't want to stay here," I stuttered, pulling back, "I can't, I...no, I don't want to sleep here."

Panic gripped me. Flashes of beheaded vampires and the feel of Airell's sickening touch had me almost doubling over.

"I can't," I repeated, not caring about the scene I was causing.

Atanas hushed me, cupping my face in his hands, "Take a deep breath, love. If you don't want to stay here, we won't. We can go back to Cala-Phort with Padraig."

I relaxed a little, my lungs finally opening to allow me to breathe. My fingers curled into the sleeves of his jacket to anchor myself.

"We need you here, my king," the female vampire from earlier spoke up as she tied long blonde hair into a pony tail.

"I'm going with my mate. She needs to feel safe and I will make sure she does. Kincaid can handle things until we return tomorrow night," he replied, "I think Anna will also be calmer if she wakes with Shylah there. We're going, you'll take Kincaid's orders as if they are my own, do you understand?"

She looked like she was going to argue for a moment but she bowed her head and moved to let us past. Padraig went first, stepping around the huge Wulver who followed him out the door as if he'd had enough or was bored.

My fingers tangled with Atanas' once more but he stopped before I could follow Padraig into the car. He bowed his head at the wolf.

"I'm sorry she was not here. Thank you for helping us, I hope you have better luck in your search," he said.

The Wulver bowed it's big head and chuffed, frustration in its odd coloured eyes. It turned and took off, blending into the shadows easily.

"Who was that?" I asked, looking up at Atanas.

He gave me a sad smile, turning to look at where the Wulver had disappeared, simply saying "That's Hunter."

My gaze followed his in confusion of his simple answer as if that would explain everything. I was too tired to push for more and allowed him to guide me into the car.

"Too scared to let me drive again?" I joked through a yawn.

Atanas chuckled and pulled me into his side in the back seat, making sure my seatbelt was in place, "I think we've all risked our lives enough for one evening."

My laugh was hoarse and I leaned into his side, giving into exhaustion. My eyes fluttered shut and Atanas wrapped his arms around me so I could use his chest as a pillow. I smiled at the rhythmic beat of his heart, an odd thing I'd missed.

I was safe, finally, but I was still worried about Anna. It was rare, but not everybody survived the change, and it'd be even harder for Anna with the loss of her magic. I'd told Padraig she wouldn't hate him, but what if she did? What if she'd rather we'd let her die?

"You're overthinking something, Libertas Mea. Go to sleep, I promise everything is going to be okay, we're going home" he murmured in my hair.

I nodded, then jerked up with a gasp, "I forgot to tell you, Airell let the Fallen out. Some could have made it out the house the same way he managed to escape. We need to go after them, we-"

"Take a breath. We know they got out, we have people hunting them. You need to sleep, that's an order from your king," Atanas interrupted, tugging me back into him.

Sighing, I relaxed back against him and tried to force my worries out of my head. He was right, I was so tired my limbs were trembling, numb and tingling. As I fell asleep, Atanas murmured something in Latin and though I couldn't understand it, I felt the love in his words.

***

The sound of smashing glass and a woman screaming woke me up. Rolling over in bed, I groaned. Every single muscle ached and every bone seemed to throb along with the beat of my heart. Atanas' chest rose and fell with each breath and I smiled at the warmth his arms around me brought.

The muffled sound of yelling reached me again and I managed to peel tired eyes open. Atanas sighed wearily as something else smashed through the house.

"What's with all the racket?" I croaked, looking up to see that Atanas was indeed awake.

"Anna woke up. She's not taking it too well," he explained, tightening his arms around me and leaning down for a kiss.

I turned my head away, frowning, "You should have woken me, I could talk to her."

"She's not ready to listen, let her get her anger out. I'm sure Padraig can handle her wrath for a little while longer. I want to keep you in my arms," he replied softly, continuing when I went to get up anyway, "Your words will fall on deaf ears right now, Libertas Mea."

When I finally got myself into a sitting position, my head spun. Blood rushed to my head, darkening my vision with black dots that swam around.

"Maybe you're right...I could use longer in bed," I agreed, slowly lowering myself back down.

Atanas chuckled, tugging me back to his chest. His fingers stroked through my hair and his other hand was almost bruising my hip as if scared to let me go. Not that I would complain, I needed to feel him against me just as much to prove this wasn't all some dream that could slip away. I dreaded the thought of waking up and finding myself back in the dark cells.

"Are you okay?" Atanas asked.

Gods, the answer to that question was so complicated.

"I'm happy and relieved to be back in your arms, that you won and we can start making things right. In those things, I'm okay. Emotionally? I'm drained and physically, I feel like I've been hit by a full speed train," I answered honestly, "but we still have work to do so I have to push all that to one side to deal with later."

"I want you by my side but if you need a few days to recover-"

"No, I don't want you out of my sight. Not until I'm sure you won't disappear," I whispered, propping myself up so I could see him.

Messy black hair stuck up in all directions and bright blue eyes gazed adoringly at me. Just the look in those eyes had heat pooling low in my core. I'd missed him and I needed him. My fingers trailed down the lines of muscle on his abdomen, and a slow grin stretched at his lips.

His own hands slid slowly up my sides, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

"How does a warm bath sound, maybe with some candles, a massage?" Atanas murmured huskily, his nose trailing along my shoulder, teeth teasing the sensitive spot on my neck as he tangled his fingers in my hair to tug my head back.

A low moan left my lips, sensing the urgency in his touch and I nodded, biting my lip, "That's sounds incredible, as long as you plan on joining me."

"Of course,"

He kissed me again, harder, and I kissed back with everything I could give. I shifted to straddle him and couldn't help but grind myself against his hardening length that pressed so deliciously against me. Fingers tugged my head back again, baring my throat and I shuddered as he growled his possession of me.

"Maybe the bath can wait too," I whispered breathlessly until the sound of Anna screaming shattered the silence once more.

Sighing, I sat up and Atanas slumped back. It didn't matter what we both wanted, not when so much was now our responsibility. Isn't that what it meant to be rulers, that we had to put our needs after everyone else's?

Before I could make my second attempt to get out of bed, I was rolled onto my back with my wrists pinned firmly above my head. There was no flash of fear, no trepidation at being held down because I trusted this man with my life. I shifted slightly beneath him, enough to elicit a low groan of need from Atanas, one that had me grinning. He grinned back and rolled his hips slowly, making me gasp and arch in pleasure.

"I'm not letting you out of this bed until you've screamed my name at least once," he growled by my ear, tightening his grip on my wrists and sending another flood of heat through me.

My eyes fluttered shut as he kissed his way down and over the swell of my breast where he nipped pebbled flesh. I squirmed as hot breath fanned over the same spot, my thoughts scattered. The sound of my own heavy breathing and the best of my heart was all I could hear now.

"And as you're writhing in pleasure beneath me, I'm going to make sure everyone knows you're my mate, and that I am yours,"

"Yes," I hissed, tugging against his grip of me without really realising, just trying to press as much of myself as I could against him.

Something rough touched the skin of my wrists then, making my eyes fly wide open. Looking up, a jerked a little at the sight of the rope he was wrapping around the headboard. Wild eyes met the calm blue of his but he kissed my fear away.

"Do you trust me?" he asked softly, nipping my jaw.

My eyes flicked to my now secured wrists and then back to his searching gaze. I nodded slowly, something akin to exhilaration buzzing through my body.

Should I have been enjoying this? It felt wrong, but oh so good having him take control from me, and I gave it willingly.

I was too wound up for his teasing touches that had me bucking and tugging against my restraints. Rough fingers touched the wet heat of my core and I moaned softly, allowing myself to fall into the waves of pleasure. His thumb circled my nub, and the sound of my panting filled the air. A low groan of desire left his chest, vibrating through my centre and I tried to tell him to stop, that I needed to feel him, but he showed no mercy.

Soft kisses were pressed along my jaw and down my neck, his fingers continuing to bring me to the edge and the moment his fangs sunk into the crook of my neck, claiming me as his mate, I screamed.

The world disappeared, my body arched to press against his and a shudder of ecstasy wracked through me.

"Mine," Atanas growled again, rocking his hips so I could feel the hardness of him against my core.

"Yours," I breathed, looking up at him with lust filled eyes.

Our lips met in a fierce kiss, his fangs nicking my lip so a bead of blood dripped slowly down. Atanas wasted no time licking it up, his eyes never leaving mine. My own fangs descended, my eyes narrowed in on his pulse point. I wanted to claim too, instincts demanded I did, but I wanted him in me. Lifting his hips, I couldn't stop the needy groan that slipped past my lips, making my mate chuckle huskily.

"Do you need something, Libertas Mea?" He asked lowly, rolling his hips again.

My throat closed, stopping any words from coming out. This was too much. I was too overwhelmed. Every place his body touched mine was on fire, and my core throbbed to the point of driving me mad.

"Please," I whimpered, squirming beneath him, the rope beginning to dig into my wrists with the way I struggled.

Another throaty chuckle, his lip pressing against my marked throat that only sent another bolt of heat through me, "Tell me what you want, Shylah."

"I want you," I replied, wrapping my legs around his waist to pull him closer.

He grinned and kissed me again, finally giving me what I craved. With one thrust, he filled me, hitting a spot that made me cry out his name in pleasure. I rolled my hips up to meet the rock of his, my head falling back in abandon as he stretched me so deliciously. The sound of his own pleasure echoed around us, our bodies pressed firmly together.

I nipped his jaw, mewling as his fingers once again found my sensitive bundle of nerves. My fangs grazed over his throat, small beads of blood scenting the air with the heady aroma of him.

"Do it," he groaned, baring his throat for me and I couldn't hold back my instincts anymore.

His blood filled my mouth as a bit down and Atanas' whole body shuddered above me. He was close, as was I, and my fangs sunk deeper just so I could hear him groan again.

My fingers itched to thread through his hair to keep him in place for me, to slide down his back to feel the coil of hard muscle beneath my touch. The headboard creaked loudly, the wood bending under the newfound strength that rushed through me.

Atanas' pace quickened until I could hardly breath with the force of it. His fingers kept playing over my core while his other hand slipped from my breast to my throat. An odd burst of arousal had me arching again, my eyes flicking open in uncertainty as his grip tightened around my neck ever so slightly. Our lips met again, the taste of my own blood on his tongue, as if to quiet any nerves.

I found myself enjoying this new, rougher side of him. I loved the control he had of my body that was his to play, and Gods he was good.

A harsh thrust that hit the same spot in me had me screaming something unintelligible into the air. My vision went black, my body bucking and writhing with the waves of pleasure that beat against me. A few more rough thrusts and my mate followed me off the edge, yelling my name and spilling hotly into me.

My hips bucked of their own accord, my legs sliding from around his waist to the bed in exhaustion. Panting hard, unable to open my eyes, a lazy smile graced my lips.

Butterfly kisses brushed along my jaw before a gentle one was placed on my lips. Peeling my eyes open, dark blues met mine. Slowly, Atanas released my wrists that were red from the rope and he placed soft kisses to each one, a frown creasing his brow.

Quickly, I cupped his cheek, pressing yet another heated kiss to his lips to show him I was okay, that I'd enjoyed his experiment, that I'd be more than willing for more.

"I love you, Atanas. Thank you for saving me," I smiled, still unable to believe I was here with him.

He smiled, rolling onto his back and pulling me with him into his chest. Tipping my chin up, he smiled back in contentment, "I love you too, and I will always save you, as you saved me."

"How did I save you?" I asked, confused, reaching up to stroke his cheek.

A deep breath he let out in a sigh, the sorrow in his eyes, and I think I knew what he meant. He had saved me the same way, we had saved each other from ourselves. It would have been easy for both of us to fall into darkness, to become just like Airell. I'd been so close to going down that path. But it hasn't just been Atanas that pulled me back, it was Anna and Padraig too.