CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

ARIA'S POV

Tossing and turning. Hot. Everything was so hot.

I tried to sleep, but as soon as I would hit REM, the cascading fire in my stomach would jerk me back awake. Not fully awake, but a weird half-consciousness where I could only make out bits and pieces of words but couldn't open my eyes.

I could feel something wet and heavy on my forehead as well as the dripping sweat down my face.

Where was Bastion? It felt like it had been days. I prayed to the gods that he was okay.

I heard Rory whisper something about bringing Bastion back, and I had never been so relieved. I told him I loved him. At least I thought I did, but it was so damn hard to talk when I felt like I was melting into a pile of goop and hormones.

I heard the door open and close twice, then felt a different hand on mine. It didn't evoke feelings of comfort or desire, so I knew it couldn't be my loves. My suspicions were confirmed when I heard Anthony's sultry voice.

"Aria? Can you hear me?"

I didn't respond because I physically couldn't. I had used all my energy reaching out to Rory, so I lay there panting like a fish out of water. He sighed, stroking my burning flesh with his thumb.

"Your mother is very special to me, sweetheart."

If I wasn't already hyperventilating, I would've gasped. Was he saying...?

"I lost my royal when Rory was born twenty years ago. My beautiful Maria. She was everything to me, my whole world. She was to be my wife right after she delivered our child, but it never came to be. The birth was too hard on her body, and she passed before even getting to hold our son."

His voice cracked, and I could tell he was crying. I had no idea that Rory had never met his mom.

"I know that you are worried about me replacing Jasper in your mother's heart, but I want you to know that it isn't possible. Just like Kim could never replace Maria. However... your mother makes me a very happy man. Her smile lights up my life. I know it seems twisted for a whole plethora of reasons... your dad having been my best friend, your relationship with my son... shit, even the fact that she's a wolf. But... I want to give it a try. I want to try to hold someone again, even if we lack the divine sparks."

Oh my Goddess. My mind was bursting trying to process his confession. Anthony and my mom. My mom and Anthony. She... she lied to me. Why would she do that?

"I know that you would want to hear this from your mother. Don't worry... I believe she will tell you one day. I think she is scared of losing your respect. I've tried telling her to trust in your relationship, but she cares about you so much that she doesn't want to hurt you. Please forgive her."

This man was talking about my mom with such admiration and respect. If I weren't still in blistering heat, I would've hugged him. But as it was, I couldn't move or even talk until I had my mate back.

The Bach ringtone of his cell phone sounded, and I could hear Rory on the other line.

"Bastion is coming to relieve you. He found us an army, General. Meet us two miles south of city limits. Kim will text you the coordinates."

"Yes, King."

He cleared his throat before hanging up. I felt his cool lips on my cheek as he patted my hand.

"Relief is coming, darling."

The room was dead quiet for what felt for ages. I could only hear the faint popping and cracking of the fireplace, and I wished it would be doused. I was sweating buckets, and my throat was getting dry.

Suddenly, I felt a kick start to my senses, and I breathed in the smell of Hugo, mint, and Nevada sand. Bastion. I heard his feet pounding up the stairs and come to a halt beside the bed.

"Fuck, Aria. You smell amazing."

It must've been the hormones I was releasing, because I couldn't possibly have smelt that great. The weight moved from my forehead and splashed into a bowl on the bedside table.

Then, he touched me. My eyes flew open at the chilling sensation. The ice water felt like lava compared to the soothing properties of his hands on my face. His head moved to my neck, pressing gentle kisses against my skin and breathing me in. He groaned.

"Aria."

"Bastion." I choked through my scratchy throat.

His ice cold hands traveled beneath the thin sheet covering me, tossing it off along the way so he could get better access.

"Please." I begged, reaching for him with deadened hands.

He growled, locking my wrists in one of his hands. "I need to taste you, baby. You taste so fucking sweet."

His refreshing tongue traced up my naked flesh, leaving a shiver in its wake. Peaches again? His mouth latched onto my nipple, sucking hungrily as if it could sustain him. I gasped, my body pushing into him even more. I needed more relief.

He let me go and stepped back, making me whimper my disapproval, but when I opened my eyes I saw him slipping out of a pair of basketball shorts with haste. Then, his hands were on my knees, spreading my legs and leaving me panting.

"I need you." I cried.

"I know baby, I'm here. It'll be over soon."

He moved between my spread thighs and lowered himself into me with surprising gentleness, all while staring deeply into my eyes. I bit my lip.

"Mate." Sella cooed in my head.

Once he was fully sheathed, he let out a deep groan. "Aria, baby. I'm going to give you my come, but I'm going to need to take you again afterwards. I want to take my time once your heat is gone."

He had never taken his time when it came to sex. He didn't do foreplay like Rory. Excitement at the prospect of Bastion's mouth between my legs had me rolling my hips against his shaft.

"Okay, okay."

He fell on top of me, moving his hands to knot my hair and his mouth to my neck. "I'm going to fuck you fast. Tell me if I hurt you."

Then, it started. His hips connected with mine over and over again, and I was worried I would crack under the force, but I wouldn't mind. It felt incredible, especially combined with his icy kisses down my throat and along my collarbone.

I growled, extending my claws into his bare back. This only made him pick up the pace, my legs shaking in the pleasure washing away the heat.

"Yes, Bastion! I need your come!" I shouted, dragging my claws down and spilling traces of his blood along his shoulder blades. My legs stiffened, my pelvis lifting from the mattress to connect with his.

"God, I love you, Aria." Bastion groaned out, his seed filling me and cooling every ounce of heat left in my body. I gasped in relief. I could breathe again.

That was the first time he had said he loved me since we first mated, and I had never been happier. My mate.

I retracted my claws, allowing my arms to fall back to the bed, staining the sheets with his delicious blood. Oh shit, he was bleeding. He seemed utterly content with cuddling me, but I had to close his wounds.

I pushed him to sit, and he reluctantly agreed. Then, I crawled around him on the bed, sitting up on my knees so I could lick the blood I had spilled down his body. He shivered at the strokes of my tongue, swallowing hard when the holes healed.

"I'm already hard for you again, baby." He whispered huskily, making my heart go wild.

He reached around his back, grabbing hold of my hand and placing it on his rock hard shaft. I bit back a growl, gripping it firmly in my small hands. Now it was my turn to satisfy him.