His chest rumbled and I loved the feel of it against me. “I promised you, didn’t I?”

  A real and honest smile came to my lips and it had been way too long since I felt so happy. “I love you so much, Zander Reid.”

  He pulled away from me only enough to look into my eyes. “I love you too, angel.” His eyes travelled behind me and landed on my wings. He set me back on the sand and turned me so he could examine the new parts of me. I felt powerful under his gaze, and entirely self-conscious as well.

  A large hand slid down the white feathers, continuing along the black ones below them, and I’m not going to lie. It felt amazing! I shuddered against Zander’s touch and turned back to him.

  His emerald eyes were dark and hungry. He was quiet, and a pang of uncertainty washed over me. I wasn’t a Throne, but I wasn’t any other type of angel either. What did that mean for us?

  I dropped my gaze from his. “I don’t know what it means, Zander. What if I’m not your mate after all?”

  He didn’t respond, so I chanced another look at him. He was… smiling? Why on earth was he smiling? I felt incredibly out of the loop and I wanted to smack him for his silence.

  “You better tell me right now why you have that goofy look on your face, Zander, or I’m going to freak the hell out!”

  He laughed and grabbed my face, pulling my lips to his. I swear, I went from mad to satisfied in less than a second. The kiss was sweet and so perfectly tender. His lips left mine and his fingers pushed a stray lock of hair away from my face.

  “Erin. How do you think I was able to find you all the way out here in the middle of nowhere?”

  He had a point. “I have no idea.”

  His thumb stroked my cheek as he continued to hold the sides of my face in his palms. “I was complaining to Riyon about feeling like a failure because I couldn’t find you, when a burning pain came from below my wings.”

  I gasped. “Oh my gosh! That happened to me too! Just before you got here!”

  He nodded, smiling like an adorable idiot. “That was us being marked for one another, Erin. Our mating mark made me connect with you and I could feel your soul from thousands of miles away. You’re mine, and I will always be yours.”

  My eyes widened and my own smile grew. “You’re my eternal mate?”

  He nodded. “Forever.”

  That was the end of my uncertainties. I crashed my lips to his, and he pulled me back into his arms, his hands sliding over my hips and under my thighs as he lifted me against him. I didn’t know if people were around, but I didn’t care one bit. I was claiming my mate, and nobody could stop me.

  My teeth gripped his bottom lip and I sucked it into my mouth. Zander groaned and where our lips connected I could feel the desire he had for me. Being in the Underworld, I couldn’t feel auras, and my ability was kicking into overdrive now that it was back in full force.

  Zander jumped into the air with me in his arms. I gasped and looked around us as we flew into the trees that lined the sandy beach. He landed on the forest floor and gently set me on my feet in a small grassy meadow. I kept my arms around his neck, not wanting to separate from him. I could still hear the waves only a short distance away.

  “Why did you bring me here?” I was out of breath, and all I wanted to do was keep kissing him. Zander’s shoulders shook and he pulled his wings into his back. He was the man I met under the willow tree again.

  He left one chaste kiss on my lips and his hands tightened on my hips. “Erin, I love your wings, but I want to lay with you on this grass and claim your body as mine, so I’m going to need you to pull them in for a bit.”

  Oh, dear lord.

  My mouth went dry and I had to hold back the shiver that just his words caused. “Umm… okay. How do I do that exactly?”

  The corners of his lips lifted. “Close your eyes. It’s easier to focus with them closed.” I obeyed. “Now just like you would pull in a breath of air, breathe the wings into yourself. It helps to move your back muscles a little, making space for them to fill you.”

  I could feel the wings filling me again, just like he said, but it wasn’t uncomfortable as they folded into my back. I opened my eyes and Zander smiled proudly at me. “You did it. You’re amazing, you know that?”

  I laughed. “I’m something, alright.” My eyes fell on his lips again as his tongue peeked out to lick them. “Now, you were saying something about claiming me?”

  And with that, his mouth found mine again. My hands explored his bare back as our mouths moved fast against each other’s. Without his wings, I could feel every muscle that tightened against my touch. Zander’s arms wrapped me up, and just like he said, he lowered me to the grass, stretching out on top of me.

  Our lips separated only enough for him to plant kisses along my jaw and down my neck. With each kiss, my body heated up and my breathing quickened. Zander’s tongue stroked along my collarbone and I gasped. “Oh…”

  I arched into him and his hand slid to my knee and pulled one of my legs around his hip as he continued to press kisses back up my neck to the sensitive spot below my ear. I brought my other leg up and connected my ankles behind him so that our bodies were tightly pressed together. Zander’s dark green eyes found mine again, and he made my favorite groaning sound deep in his chest.

  A need like I had never known before filled me. I needed to kiss him, so I dug my fingers into his hair and pulled his mouth back to mine. My tongue slid along his bottom lip and he opened his mouth to give me access. Our tongues moved together and a moan left me at the incredible feel of being so close to him. He pulled back to look down at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly with mine. I held power over this man, and I loved it.

  His voice was low and rough when he spoke. “Angel, are you sure you’re ready for this? We have eternity, so we can go home right now and continue this later.”

  I smiled. He was actually asking me that question? His minty breath fanned my face and I had no doubt that I was ready. He was my eternal mate, and I loved him with everything in me. What more did I need to know?

  “Zander. I told you already. I was ready for this from the first moment you told me you loved me.” I tightened my grip on his hips with my legs and stroked the stubble on his cheek with my fingers. His eyelids fluttered and he groaned again.

  In one motion, he lifted me off the ground and settled me on his lap with my legs still wrapped around him. His hands slid under my black torn shirt that I hated so much, and he pushed upward, lifting the fabric off of me.

  His hooded eyes raked over my bare skin, taking me in, and I could only imagine what he saw when he watched me bare and exposed like that. I was his everything, just as he was mine. He pulled me against him, our naked torsos fitting together perfectly as he stroked slow fingers down my spine. I shivered at the tingling trail he caused, and goosebumps rose up all over my body. I swear his touch was magic.

  The breeze picked up, sliding along my skin, and it only intensified my awareness of being uncovered for my eternal mate.

  “I’m ready, Zander.” I pressed my hungry lips to his neck and licked his earlobe.

  His fingers dug into me. “Do you know how hard it is to hold myself back when you do something like that?”

  He wanted to go slow, but I was beyond that. I pressed my palms against his chest and slid my hands down his abdomen until I reached the button on his dark jeans. His stomach sucked in and he let out a sharp breath. With quick fingers, I undid the button.

  He grabbed my wrists and pulled my hands behind his neck. “This is supposed to be slow, one step at a time so you can feel comfortable with me, angel.” Even though he said one thing, his words came out clipped and urgent.

  I smiled. “You’re mine. I’m done going slow.” I pressed my core against him and my fingers slid into his hair. “I need you now, Zander. Now.”

  Zander’s entire body tightened and he obeyed my words. He was done messing around as his lips and hands explored me to the point where I was burned into his mind for eternity, and I would never forget the feel of his touch again.

  Chapter 17

  * * *

  Zander and I spent hours wrapped in each other’s arms. He said he would claim me, and claim me, he did. I spent my own time proving that he was mine to claim as well, and I had never felt so complete before then.

  Our bodies fit together like there was no better match in the world. Just thinking about it makes my heart sigh.

  “Are you ready, angel?” He tucked my hair behind my ear, leaving his hand beside my neck. His smile was pure joy as he watched me. It was the middle of the night, but the full moon shone down on us.

  I shrugged. “If you keep looking at me like that, my answer will undoubtedly be no…” Maybe returning to Pen’s safe house would have to wait just a little longer.

  He chuckled and dropped his mouth to mine, tasting my swollen lips with his tongue before pulling away again. Nope, I wasn’t going anywhere.

  I slid my hands up his torso and tugged him hard against me, my strength intensified. I could almost feel his body heat up and he growled as he gripped my stupidly clothed waist. “Erin. I’m supposed to be a powerful angel, but you are way too good at making me just a weak man.”

  My ego took a boost, and I smiled back at him. “Okay, okay. I guess we should go. There will be plenty of time for me to make you feel like a man later.” I winked and he growled again.

  “I’m just going to close my eyes while we travel. I can’t possibly look at you and not tear your clothes off.” He closed his eyes with a big goofy grin and held tightly to my waist.

  I giggled, and I could feel the energy he was pulling around us. In the blink of an eye, the air shifted and we were standing on the front porch of Pen’s house in the woods. It was a different time zone from wherever we were and the sun was already rising, making me shield my eyes from it.

  “Home sweet home,” I said, breathing in the clean scent of the pine trees.

  “Holy divinity! Erin!” Penelope’s high voice squealed behind me and I spun to her with my arms open wide.

  “Pen!” My voice cracked as tears threatened to fall. I let her crash into me, knocking me back into Zander.

  She sobbed on my shoulder, her blonde hair smothering my face with the scent of jasmine. It smelled like home. “I’m so, so, so sorry, Erin. I’m so sorry.” She croaked the words out through sobs.

  I pulled away from her with my eyebrows pressed together. What on earth did she have to be so sorry for? I asked her. “Why are you sorry?”

  She looked broken. Her pale blue eyes avoided me. “For the second time in our friendship, I have allowed you to be harmed under my watch. You were taken to the Underworld, and I was helpless to save you.”

  My mouth dropped open and I about slapped my beautiful friend. “Penelope!” I gripped her shoulders. Her apology was unacceptable. “Look at me right this instant!” Her eyes flicked up to mine and I shook my head. “You have been one of the very best things to ever happen to me. My sire is a cruel and relentless bastard, and you had no way of knowing that he would have me taken at that moment. You fought for me time and time again, and you accepted me, seeing the good in me, when almost nobody else did. I love you, Pen, and don’t you dare ever apologize to me again or I’ll smack you silly.”

  She sniffed back her tears and burst out laughing. I released her and my own crazy laughter escaped me. If anyone walked by seeing the two of us laughing like a couple maniacs with tears in our eyes, they’d have us committed.

  I wiped at my eyes and Penelope steadied her breath. “Holy smokes, Erin. You can be absolutely terrifying when you get angry.” Her eyes narrowed as she studied me. “You have a lot more power in you than before. I can feel it. And that outfit is just awful.”

  I looked down at myself. The black baggy shirt that looked like a torn rag hung over one shoulder and stopped just above the equally torn black skirt. I grimaced at the ensemble, knowing that the Underworld was not big on fashion.

  I focused on the power within me, realizing for the first time that I did feel stronger than I ever had. It had to be because of the night I spent with Zander. Just thinking about it in front of Pen had me blushing and her eyebrows rose when she noticed.

  She looked between me and Zander. “When exactly did you get back to earth?”

  I shuffled my feet. “Umm… sometime last night.”

  Her lips tilted up in a smile. “So, it took you all night to teleport here?” Her tongue clicked after her sentence.

  I glanced at Zander and he was trying to hide his own smile. I turned back to Pen. “Yeah… it was hard work.” Oh dear, what did I just say?

  Penelope smiled wider and just as she was about to make another retort, Riyon burst through the front door. “Erin! Thank the heavens!”

  He swept me up into his giant arms and for the first time, I didn’t feel like he was capable of squeezing the life out of me. I was stronger for some reason.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay, Ry. I was worried about you guys.” I hugged him back and then allowed him to set me down.

  His brown eyes twinkled and he stepped back, taking Pen’s hand in his. “We have been out of our minds worrying about you, little one. Pen has been tossing and turning each night over your capture.”

  My mouth dropped open and I looked at their entwined fingers, my own teasing smile spreading. “And how exactly do you know what Pen does while she’s sleeping?”

  If it were possible, a small pink hue glowed behind his dark cheeks, barely discernible. “Well, it is not unusual one to sleep beside one’s eternal mate…”

  Penelope stifled another giggle and I spun on Zander. “You couldn’t have told me this last night? This is urgent information!”

  He placed a hand on his chest and gasped at me. “Why am I in trouble? I kind of had other, and in my opinion, more important things to think about.” His eyebrow rose and a crooked smile came to his perfect face.

  Do not jump this man’s bones in public, Erin.

  I blushed all over again and had to force my eyes away from him. Bad choice! My eyes found Pen and Riyon looking much too knowingly at me with big silly grins.

  “Don’t you two start! We all have eternal mates. It’s a glorious and magical development, but discussing the acts between a man and woman are not on my to-do list this morning.” All happy eyes watched me with a twinkle of humor and I couldn’t help but let the joy fill my soul. “Anyways. As you might have guessed, I have wings… and I have about a million questions to go along with them.”

  Riyon cleared his throat, getting serious. “Actually, save your questions at this moment. We have visitors… and, not to scare you, but we have a lot of them.”

  I was scared. Why do people say “not to scare you” and then scare the living crap out of you? It just wastes time! I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked past him to the opened front door.

  “Are these visitors in there?” I pointed to the house.

  Penelope and Riyon nodded together. Zander wrapped an arm around my shoulders, apparently unaware of the visitors. “Are they angels? Should we be on guard?”

  Riyon shrugged and that worried me even more. “Just come inside.”

  I wanted to turn and run the other way, but I trusted my friends. I took a deep breath, stood to my tallest height and followed them into the home. The further we went into the house, the louder the voices carried to my ears.

  There was too much talking to know who was who or what was even being said, but I realized why when we got to the large living room area at the back of the spacious home. At least thirty Power angels filled the space, some with red wings out, and others barebacked. Still, it was obvious that they were all powerful Divine creatures.

  My eyes widened and I pressed farther into Zander’s side. “Um… Hello?”

  I figured if they were going to have me executed it was too late to run. Either way, I imagined Riyon and Penelope wouldn’t have let them in if that was still a risk.

  All of the angels stopped talking at once when they spotted me. With the silence in the room, I was sure everyone could hear my heartbeat. I didn’t know what to say, but a voice from the back of the crowd helped break the tension.

  “Everyone, this is Erin Porter, our Divine One.”

  What the hell does that mean? I knew that voice. I searched for Morian in the group of angels and he stepped through to look down at me, his blonde hair pushed back behind his head. His imposing golden wings were gone, and it made him seem so much smaller, though still at least six-foot-seven.

  I nodded to the Throne angel. “Morian. I’d say it’s good to see you again, but considering how I was chased out of your city…” I didn’t feel a need to finish that sentence.

  It was his army that tried to capture me and execute me. Zander tensed next to me, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the snippy tone in my voice, or his worry over my protection. Maybe both.

  Morian nodded back, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Believe it or not, Miss Porter, your attempted capture was none of my doing. It seems that Osca had his own agenda, and lied to many in order to see you extinguished.”

  Extinguished? Harsh.

  I looked at Zander and his eyes met mine. I didn’t have to read his thoughts to know he believed Morian. Osca never showed anything but hostility toward me, so I wouldn’t have put the whole thing past him.

  “If that’s true, why didn’t you come sooner? And what will happen to Osca now?” I wanted him punished, but he was still my friend’s father, or sire, even when it was obvious that Batya was nothing like him.

  “Osca was killed by the phoenix.” The voice came from the hallway behind me. Amell.

  I turned to Amell and he was still just as handsome as the last time I saw him, when he was helping me and my friends leave the Divine City. His long golden locks were pulled back in his signature man-bun and he was at least the size of his father, Morian, as he filled the entire hallway.