T. Grey - Ties That Bind

“Lily!” he called out, his voice laced with lust. His hips picked up pace and his gliding strokes prolonged her orgasm into drawn-out erotic rush.

They fell onto the bed, each helping the other up to the pillows. “That was...”

He grunted and buried his face in her hair. “Fantastic.”

“Yeah, that's about right.”

Lily's muscles felt warm and she yawned as her body melted into the bed.

“You meant what you said?” she said.

His lips kissed over her ear soft and gentle. “I do.”

Her heart felt like it'd burst from her chest. “I love you, too.”

Lily curled up against Telal, and when his arm easily went across her waist to hold her, she smiled. Everything was finally looking up.

Hours later, something woke her. A sound, or a creak in the floorboards, something. Night had settled in casting the moon's glow through the window and creating shadows in the corners.

“Telal?”

Lily patted her stomach but didn't feel his arm. She turned around on a sigh and tossed her arm over him. Her arm landed on cold bed. Her eyes flew open.

“Telal!”

She was out of the bed and in the bathroom, and finding it empty in seconds. Her hands shook as she pulled on her clothes. She couldn’t seem to move fast enough. In the process of pulling on her underwear she snapped the seam.

“Damn it!”

She ran down the hall, her bare feet slapping on the cold stone floor. She came to Rosa's room and banged on the door with her fist. “Rosa! Open up now. Rosa!” She heard movement inside but couldn't stop her hand from hitting the door.

The door swung open hard and she couldn't halt her fist. Her swing glanced off Rosa’s cheek.

Rosa’s eyes darkened into a scowl. “What do you want?” Her accented voice sounded heavy from sleep.

“Telal's gone. Where's Kearnyn?”

“He's—” Rosa paused then ran back inside. Lily followed, flipping the light on. “He-he left?” Her big brown eyes shimmered with tears.

“I'm going to search downstairs maybe they haven't left yet.”

Lily searched the castle up and down. Her mind racing faster and faster. He couldn't have left yet? He wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow. He just told me he loved me! How could he do this?

She woke Chloe and Willow and found them both surprised that Tyrian and Lyonis were gone.

Lily's panic transformed into anger. “You really didn't know they planned to leave a day earlier?” she said to her sisters.

They shook their head. “No,” Chloe said, “Tyrian said they were leaving tomorrow. It looks like they fooled all of us.”

Lily ground her teeth until her jaw cracked. “Come on, Rosa.”

“Where are you going?” Willow called out.

“I'm going down there with them.”

Willow pulled her arm bringing her to a stop. “You can't go down there. They are trained warriors; there's going to be a battle down there. You'll get yourself hurt.”

Lily shrugged off her hand. “I can take care of myself. I'm going to get mother out. I promised her I would.”

“Take me with you,” Willow said.

Lily slowly shook her head. “No, Willow. You have a baby. Stay here with Mary and wait for Lyonis.” Willow looked like she'd argue but her eyes softened and she nodded.

“You're right, Lily.

Lily let out a deep breath she hadn't known she'd taken “Chloe, you're staying too.”

Chloe threw up her hands. “Fine with me, I didn't want to go in the first place.”

Lily laughed, she couldn’t help it. Chloe laughed with her and some of the tension inside Lily eased. There was only one last person she needed to talk to. Lily turned to Rosa. Her eyes looked hardened now, the tears long gone.

“Will you come with me? I could use your help but if you don't want to, I completely understand.”

Rosa nodded, her eyes sharp with knowledge and power. “Let's go.”

It took much longer than she liked to prepare two protection spells, gather the enchanted daggers and the potions she'd made before. Lily and Rosa pulled on a shoulder bag and stuffed their items inside. Each had a potion that would take them and her mother into the rift and one to take them out.

Lily had never seen Rosa look so resolute. She moved calmly but her power practically glowed around her.

“The protection spells won't last long. If we get hit physically or with magic, it'll take the brunt of a few blows, but depending on how hard or powerful it is, the spell won't last. We need to get in and out.”

“Got it,” Lily said.

They each double-checked their items and Lily wondered if Rosa's stomach tossed and turns like hers did. Sweat beaded her brow and her heart wouldn't stop pounding.

Chloe and Willow came forward. “Be safe,” Chloe said. Lily returned Chloe's hug and inhaled the fragrance of her sister’s hair just in case.

Willow hugged her even harder with her strong arms and she thought she heard a sniffle but when she pulled away Willow’s eyes shone clear. “Stay strong and tough. And do not give up.” Lily understood these words came from experience, from Willow's own dark experience under the rift.

“I will.”

Rosa pulled her in for a hug too. Surprised, Lily wrapped her arms around her long-time friend. Guilt ate at her with sharp teeth. She had brought her only friend into danger. If something happened to her... God, she didn't want to think about it.

Lily stiffened as Rosa whispered in her ear. “Remember my warning.”

I die from a dark man on a dark throne.

Lily knew that but she also believe she had a say in her own death. Visions can't always be accurate and if she had to prove it herself, she would. She needed to help Telal, and she needed to save her mother. That was more important than anything else. It’s what Papa would have wanted.

She already had the plan in her mind. Rescue her mother, send her back with Rosa, then go and help Telal. She didn't know how she knew it, but he'd need her help; all the evidence she needed was sitting right there writhing around in her gut. He'd need her.

Lily felt the need to say something back, but she stumbled over the words. Eventually she pulled away. “I love him, Rosa.”

She nodded, her lips pulled into a sad smile. “I know.”

They locked hands together, picked up their potions, and then drank the vile sludge. They both gagged and forced the drink down. Her stomach rolled and flexed trying to push the sludge back up her pipes and spew but she kept her lips sealed shut to keep it down. A hard gulp later and together they read the spell aloud. When the last word left them, the world spun, and darkness enveloped them.

The team conspired in the study in the middle of the night. Lyonis and his main lieutenants Jackie and Thane hung together, battle ready with armor and tight fitting clothing. Telal hadn't anticipated shapeshifters coming along but their skills could be a great asset. The demons didn't have any practice or experience fighting with shapeshifters, their great sizes, speed, and strength would help them much on this night.

Telal ran a hand across his mouth, still feeling the lingering taste of Lily from when he'd kissed her before he snuck away. He'd debated leaving a letter, even using the pen she'd bought him which had easily become his favorite utensil. But something had kept him from doing it. Whether the thought that he might not come back and she might cling to something so negative or because he might not have been able to leave if he stayed there for much longer.

He'd done one thing right at least. He told her he loved her. And he did. So much so that he planned behind her back to leave early while she slept. He knew she'd still try to come. It was in her nature to want to help him, protect him and even others. She was the same way with her sisters, her friend Rosa, wanting to help and protect anyway she can. This wasn't her battle though, and the thought of her being down there while battle raged on made him cold with sweat.