Warrior (Relentless #4)(236)

*


Pain woke me. I opened my eyes and stared up at the night sky in confusion. I was outdoors, lying on something cold and hard. Stone. I tried to move, but someone held my arms above my head. I tilted my head and saw a female vampire in a red dress. Another female, similarly attired, held my feet. In my weakened state, it didn’t require much effort for them to restrain me. I looked down at my body now dressed in a black tuxedo.

“You’re awake at last.”

Elena came into view, wearing a white dress and a tiara with a veil attached. A wedding gown. We were dressed as a bride and groom, and we were surrounded by vampires dressed like wedding guests.

She leaned down to press a kiss to my lips. “You’re doing so well, my love.”

“Sara?” I croaked.

Elena’s mouth hardened. “She will be along shortly. She is my wedding present to you, after all.”

Nikolas?

Sara’s voice filled my head, and I felt her coming toward me.

Sara. No, she couldn’t come here. It would kill her. I don’t want you to see this.

Warmth and love flowed through the bond. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.

I felt her fear but also her courage as she drew near. My Mori called to its mate as the crowd parted for her.

“Oh, God,” she cried.

I turned my head to see her. She was dressed in a flowing emerald dress, and her chestnut hair lay around her shoulders in soft waves. She was a vision, an angel in the midst of hell.

“My beautiful little warrior,” I said in a voice raw from pain. Look away, Sara. Please.

Elena clapped her hands, drawing all eyes but mine to her. I watched Sara.

“My children, we are gathered here for a very happy event. Tonight, I will take a mate.”

The vampires applauded and cheered. Sara stood frozen.

Elena called for silence. “The transformation has begun, and in a few hours my mate will be born.”

Sara stared at me. “No,” she screamed, her pain slicing through my own. She fought against the red-haired female holding her arm. The vampire released her, and she ran to me.

Her hands cupped my face, and I sighed at her touch.

“I’m here, Nikolas. I won’t leave you.” Fight it. Your Mori is strong. You can defeat this thing.

I felt the next surge of crippling pain coming, and I tried to close off the bond and block her from it. But I couldn’t hide the tremors that racked my body or keep the grimace from my face.

She wiped the sweat from my face. Listen to me, Nikolas. I’ve seen vamhir demons, and they’re weak. They control through pain. Fight the pain, and you’ll beat it.

I opened my eyes to look at her. I had to prepare her for the worst. She already knew I loved her, but I had to make sure she knew I would never stop.

“I’ll fight until my last breath for you. But if this thing takes my body, I want you to remember that my soul belongs to you. No matter what the demon does or says, I love you. I will always love only you.”

“I’ll fight too. I promise,” she whispered.

Her eyes widened, and a burst of excitement came through the bond. Nikolas, my power is coming back. Just hold on a little longer, and I’ll be strong enough for both of us.

My heart leapt. Her power wasn’t strong enough to take on a Master and houseful of vampires, but she could use it to escape. I would die knowing she was safe.

You can’t save me and fight Elena. Use your power to get away from here.

Her eyes widened in horror. No, I won’t leave you.

Get out of here, Sara, I pleaded desperately. Get help and come back for me.

She shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. “It’ll be too late.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Elena grabbed Sara’s shoulder.

“You two have had plenty of time to say your good-byes. It’s time to get on with my wedding.”

“Wait, Elena, please.” I gave her a beseeching look.

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, my love?”

“One kiss before you take her.”

Her face twisted into an ugly snarl. “You’re my groom, Nikolas. You don’t kiss another girl on your wedding day.”

I summoned a smile for her. “Just a good-bye kiss. You will have all the rest.”

“Oh,” she simpered. “Very well. One kiss.”

“My arms?” This would be the last time I touched Sara, and I needed to hold her.

“Fine. Get on with it,” Elena snapped.

“Nikolas, what are you doing?” Sara whispered when I wrapped my arms around her.

I smiled to hide my intentions. If she knew what I planned, she’d fight me. She would never try to save herself as long as I was here. That left only one thing for me to do.

But first, I would hold my beautiful little warrior and kiss her one last time.

I brushed her hair aside and framed her face with my hands, pulling her down to me. Our lips met, and I coaxed hers open to deepen the kiss and to lose myself in her.

She whimpered, her hot tears falling on my face. I wouldn’t give in to my grief over the life stolen from us. This moment was about her. She would survive this, and her last memory of me would be full of love and tenderness.

She stifled a sob, and I kissed away the tears streaming down her cheeks as I memorized her sweet face.