Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) (2 page)

The grounds encompassing the ginormous mansion went on forever.

Despite the darkness shrouding the estate, I could see for miles with my now super-human vision. The intimidating stone structure stood majestic, surrounded by a lake, a meadow, and a bit further, the Garden. The scent of flowers in bloom breezed through the warm air.

“It is vast, but you prefer your space. It’s how you designed it.”

“I did this?” That surprised me a little.

“Yes.” He tugged me closer. “In time, you’ll recall why.”

“If you say so.”

I was no architectural guru, but the mansion was something like an English fortress. Tudor, I think it’s called? But modern.

Cade opened the double doors and led me inside. He took my hand, and we strolled through a barren foyer and down a hall leading into an even larger foyer. The walls were white and lifeless.

The ceilings went on forever. Vaulted. Cold.

Nothing sparked any memory about this place.

We reached a spiral staircase, and lights flipped on by themselves throughout the room.

“Motion sensors?” I startled at the echo of my voice bouncing between the walls.

“Modern conveniences.”

“So, what’s down here? Nothing? It doesn’t feel familiar.”

“The lower level is for meetings. The Elder Hall is there.” Cade pointed to a set of white doors. “We hold Council meetings there. Occasionally entertain. Our living quarters are up these steps.” He ushered me ahead of him.

That would explain my lack of memory and why arriving felt like I was visiting an empty banquet hall.

Dragging my sore legs up the stairs, I reached the top after the hundredth step.

Lights danced across the ceiling, bringing a warmer space to life.

This
was familiar.

The ceilings were lower but still vaulted.

Although we just went upstairs, we were downstairs. I think.

Warm colors glazed the walls, and inviting décor filled the apartment. It was kind of outdated for my taste, going back twenty years or so. Needed a makeover for sure, but still something I could work with. I wondered what lifetime each decorative item belonged to.

As I wandered my new to me home, my breath caught at the sight of the piano calling me from across the room. My piano, from Cade’s apartment in Chicago.

I blew out a breath.

I’d miss music.

Cade stepped up behind me, lightly dragging his fingertips down my arms and covering my hands with his. He bent down and kissed along my neck, whispering into my ear.

“I’ve missed you, love.” He laced his fingers with mine. “Come. It’s time I put you to bed.”

Butterflies flooded my belly at the subtext of his loaded words.

Cade wasted no time leading me to another room—our bedroom. Soft. Feminine. My previous incarnation, Zoe 1.0, must’ve designed this, too.

The bed was ginormous. I didn’t know they made them bigger than a king.

Fluffy pastel bedding covered the mattress, neatly and quaint. Peaceful.

French doors stood open across the room. A light breeze brushed across my cheeks.

I let go of Cade’s hand and wandered out to a balcony? No, a terrace. We were on a lower level, overlooking what I assumed to be the Chayah Fountain, though I wasn’t sure.

I inhaled the scent of my peonies drifting over from the Garden.

Even shrouded in darkness, Aravot was breathtaking.

Cade stepped behind me, kissing my neck while he wrapped his arms around my waist.

I leaned back into his chest, his heartbeat racing, forcing mine to catch up. This synched hearts thing—another perk of being Cade’s Gemini—was going to be hard to get used to.

“I don’t know about you, love. But I would very much like a bath. I’ve been lying on a dungeon floor for many months.”

Although Raz had given Cade a change of clothes and some time to get cleaned up before we completed our Convergence Ceremony, Cade was right.

He kind of needed a shower.

He nuzzled his nose into my hair. “And I’m sure you would not mind getting out of these binding clothes.”

I stared down blankly at my shirt, specks of Lilith’s blood splattered across my chest. Memories of killing her flooded my head.

A knot tightened in my chest, and my breaths staggered.

Stop.

Cade didn’t deserve this.

I closed my eyes and leaned back onto his broad chest. Freeing my mind, I slowed my breathing to release the residual tension left behind from my rescue mission to hell.

Cade had waited twenty-one years to get me back, and I wasn’t about to let anything ruin what was supposed to be the best night of our life.

Of mine.

His gentle touch grazed across my arms, lips brushed against my earlobe, puffs of warm air blew along my shoulder.

“Chayah.”

My official Genesis title resonated through his bare chest, his voice like silk. Low. Sensual. He’d removed his shirt and shoes, and now stood barefoot behind me, nothing but a pair of tight jeans showing off every asset.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “My body has missed you.”

He left light kisses along my neck, sending goose bumps rising across my sensitive skin.

My pulse sped up, and my body shook.

This is really happening.

“Come.” Cade took my hand and led me back inside, past our bedroom, to an adjoining bathroom. It was the size of Cade’s front room in Chicago. A huge tub stood in the corner.

Cade went to set up the bath, while I leaned against the doorframe, trying to keep my knees from giving out.

“Are you feeling all right?” He returned to me, skimming his hand across my cheek. “Your skin is pale.”

I couldn’t get out any words.

“Chayah.” He brushed my hair over my shoulders and cupped my cheeks. “Don’t be afraid. I promise not to rush you. We have Eternity, love. When you’re ready…”

“Oh, I’m ready,” I mumbled a little louder than I meant to. My eyes grew wide, and I pressed my lips together.

Cade narrowed his eyes, showing off that sexy crooked smile. “There you are.”

“So, there’s like—” My eyes darted through the room. “No time limit for us to, um.” I swallowed. “You know.”

“Not at all. The Ceremony has begun the Convergence, and it cannot be broken. We must merge physically, but we have as long as you need.” He tilted my chin, running his thumb along my bottom lip. “You’ve spent the past three months worrying about me. Tonight is about you, love. Let me care for you.”

The knot in my chest loosened. A little. Nervous energy pushed through each limb of this new body I’d recently inherited.

For the first time in my life, I trusted someone completely.

I trusted Cade with my heart and my soul.

And tonight, with my body.

I was ready to give myself to him, in every way a girl could.

“This may sound weird, since the night hasn’t really started, but—” I bit my lip. “I don’t want it to end.”

Cade’s breathing became heavy as the aura surrounding him fired to life. The corners of his lips curved up, and his gaze burned into me.

“For now, my love, it is the still of night. And night it shall remain. For as long as you wish.”

He tilted my chin, leaving a soft, sensual kiss to my lips.

“Tonight is ours.” He leaned closer, running his thumb across my bottom lip. “And for this night—time stands still.”

Zoe

“May I?” Cade tilted his head toward his fingers that firmly gripped the hem of my tank top, waiting for my consent.

I couldn’t manage a single word, just nodded, my tongue nearly hanging out of my mouth.

I squeaked out a
yes
, and Cade promptly tiptoed his fingertips up to my waist, letting them drag slowly, torturously against my skin while he peeled my shirt up and off my grimy body.

Damn.

I sucked in a breath, the whisper of Cade’s touch forcing goose bumps dashing across my skin.

I’d waited for this night for months. Years, even.

Two days ago, however, I wasn’t sure this moment was ever going to happen, and yet here we were. Twin Souls preparing to Converge.

Even the sound of the words spinning inside my brain set butterflies fluttering in my belly. I wasn’t quite sure what converging souls meant, but at that moment, as Cade undressed me with his eyes, I couldn’t wait to find out.

Cade gazed hungrily, never wavering focus as he tossed my nasty shirt in the trash. He set my hands on his bare waist, no doubt, inspiring them to explore.

Cade was sweaty and definitely needed a bath.

Didn’t matter, though. No amount of grime could keep my hands steady. It had been a rare occasion I’d seen my Gemini bare-chested, and with unlimited access now, I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.

I chewed on my bottom lip, my gaze wandering down his broad chest to his abs. Despite the fact he’d been captive in a rotting cell for the past two months, his body told a different story. Firm, traceable lines made my fingertips greedy, inspiring them to follow the unexplored path across his tan stomach.

I hummed beneath my breath, and Cade let out a quiet laugh, lifting my chin to regain my attention.

He hovered over me at six-foot five, give or take an inch. I held my own, a dash shy of six feet now, but I liked being smaller than him. It was comforting when he held me.

I was protected. Safe.

Loved.

“Sit.” He gestured to the ledge of the tub, and I sat on the edge.

Cade kneeled in front of me, picking up each foot, one at a time, unlacing each boot and tossing it aside.

Butterflies swarmed. Knots tightened. Sweat pooled on my forehead, nervous energy building inside me.

Cade rose to his feet, a naughty crooked smile splashed across his face. He unbuttoned his jeans, pushing them down and kicking them off slowly, never taking his gaze from mine.

Iridescent wisps swirled in his eyes while he stood before me, absolutely bare.

And so. Freaking. Beautiful.

My breath caught. Gazing over his perfect body, I bit my bottom lip.

Couldn’t help it.

I’d never seen a man naked before.

Wow.

Cade grinned, reaching for my hands, and pulled me to my feet.

“You okay, love? You’re very quiet.”

I nodded, letting out the breath I was holding.

Here goes nothing.

I blinked slowly. Inhaling, my gaze fixed to his as I unbuttoned my fatigues and nervously pushed them down past my thighs.

Cade set his hands on my hips, skating them behind my back. Leaning down, he kissed my neck, his breath breezing over my skin.

“Relax love,” he whispered, unhooking my bra. He moved his hands up to my shoulders and pushed the straps off, leaving me nearly naked and nervous as hell.

I think I was in shock, standing there in nothing but my panties.

Not only had I never seen a naked man, but I’d never been naked in front of one. Yeah, my nerves were a butterfly’s paradise.

I would’ve worn something more sexy had I planned ahead—not that it would’ve mattered, I didn’t seem to be spending much time in these undergarments anyway.

I’d hardly thought about stuff like sex or romance since Eli left. Until Cade showed up, then my body came to life, waking to his touch. Some primal need pulled from deep inside, drawing me to him like gravity.

The whole Twin Soul thing started to make sense. My body craved Cade, to be close to him. To share his space.

Cade reached for my hair and pulled it out of its tie, letting the curls spill down across my shoulder. He pushed the mass of ebony hair back and kissed my neck.

My pulse grew erratic.

“So beautiful. I’ve missed you desperately.”

My body shook as he grasped my panties and pushed them past my hips.

A night of firsts for sure.

Cade took my hands and led me to the tub. He stepped up and got in, guiding me in after him. He settled back against the far wall, hands still holding mine.

“You’re all right, love.”

I went to sit beside him, but he reached for my hips and sat me in his lap, taking my arm and wrapping it behind his shoulder.

I took my cue and let the water and his embrace envelop me.

“Better?” Cade pushed my hair off my shoulder.

“Mm-hmm.” I hummed. I set my cheek against his chest and listened to his heart beating beneath me, instantly soothing my scattered nerves.

What was it about his heart that made me feel so at peace?

The heat of the water and the fizzing bubbles only intensified everything.

Cade reached for a bath sponge and soaped it up, running it across my arms and shoulders, my back. Down to my stomach.

My eyes squeezed shut as he cleaned me up, erasing traces of Lilith from my pounding chest.

After cleaning himself off, he tossed the sponge across the room, landing in the sink. Hands on my neck, Cade loosened my muscles with his firm, yet gentle grip.

“It’s been an arduous incarnation,” Cade said. “You should not have had to endure such grief on my behalf.”

I tilted my head to the side and stared into his amazing eyes. “I’d do it again.”

And it wasn’t a lie.

I never wanted to be away from Cade again. My life was empty before him.

He dropped a kiss to my forehead. “As would I.”

“So what now?” I asked. “What happens after tonight?”

“We take a well-deserved holiday. No work, only play. Relaxation. We celebrate our reunion. Then on the Vernal Equinox, March, we return to Aravot and prepare for the Summer Solstice.”

“Prepare for what? Aren’t we done?”

“Not quite. We have one further task before the Tree is officially sealed and replenished.”

“What kind of task?”

“Our Sealing Ceremony.”

“Another ceremony?” I scoffed. “Who made this stuff up?”

“One more, then it’s over. Usually by then, you’ve matched all the Firstborns with their Gemini, and they also have a ceremony. Only once, in your last incarnation, had a Firstborn gone unmatched. I assume Julian is first in line.”

“Oh, he’s already spoken for. No worries there.”

“Ah. So it was Julian you matched. Is it Rainah?”