Perfect Misfits Read online

  He whined before responding. “Rogue’s never seen anything so nice. Shouldn’t we be grateful? Isn’t that what Tempest taught me?”

  She let out a big sigh and rubbed her eyes before squatting in front of him. “Yes, Rogue, it is what I’ve taught you. You should always treat others how you would like to be treated. I guess I’m just tired.”

  She stood back up and spun in a circle. “I’m just scared all this will make us soft and unprepared for how we normally live. We can’t afford the luxury of being spoiled.” Her voice was harsh.

  The gargdog’s little wings fluttered. “I’m happy to be here for now. Tempest should be, too.”

  She gave up, shaking her head in defeat. Where else could they go, anyway? She wouldn’t leave in the dark.

  Rogue bounded through the room and stopped in front of the hearth, staring at the pot, which obviously contained food.

  “Okay, you win.” She joined him. “I’ll get you some food.”

  Tempest scooped a heaping spoon of food into a bowl for Rogue and one for herself. Sitting at the table, she stared out the window and attempted to use the spoon. A snore broke her concentration; Rogue had curled up in front of the fire and was sound asleep. Her thoughts returned to the pool of water behind the door at the end of the hall.

  Wearily, she stood, and soon found herself standing before the beautiful water. She removed the clothing Ryder had provided for her and set them in a pile on the floor.

  Smiling as she stuck her big toe cautiously into the water and found it warm. She stepped down into the pool. Water caressed every inch of her body. A ledge at the side of the pool held a bunch of bottles.

  Could it be?

  Tempest made her way toward them, picked up the bottle, and pulled the cork. A streak of pink mist mixed with silver sparkles raced from the top, swirling above her. Alarmed, she dropped the bottle into the water.

  “Demon’s dung!” she cursed, splashing in the water to retrieve the bottle. Before she had a chance to retrieve the bobbing glass, she felt a warm liquid touch her head. She reached for her hair and stopped as her eyes caught the tail end of the pink mist disappearing into it. She froze out of fear, but when she heard and felt her hair being lathered by the bubbles, her shoulders relaxed. She was sure she’d never felt anything so heavenly. Time ceased to exist as her hair and scalp were scrubbed and scoured. When the massage stopped, Tempest opened her eyes to see the mystical pink sparkling stream make its way back into the floating bottle.

  The sweet fragrance of new flowering blossoms was intoxicating. She spied a bar of soap on the ledge, and after a long leisurely wash, she plugged her nose and submerged under the water to wash the suds away.

  Her eyelids had become heavy with sleep. As she made her way out of the water, something touched the back of her thighs, causing her spin around…but nothing was there except for her long, white-blonde hair, which now wrapped around the front of her naked body.

  Her mouth hung open in amazement. She reached down and grabbed a handful of her long, silky locks. She’d had no idea her hair was really that long; it had been so matted before. To her immediate right was a folded towel sitting by her clothing.

  Wow! What other powers does that Gargoyle have?

  Before she reached for the towel, it danced up into the air and wrapped itself around her.

  She smiled. Perhaps Rogue was right. She would take advantage of these luxuries, if just for one night. Leaving the clothing on the floor, Tempest left the room and faced the door where the large bed was. Of course it opened. She stepped inside and moved to the closet, pushing past the moment of guilt that washed over her as the doors opened. A shimmering pale green garment caught her attention. She let her smile return when her fingers pulled the silk free and it floated before her like a dream.

  Of its own accord, the towel fell to the floor.

  She let out a squeak and tried to cover herself, but then she felt the silk slide over her head and slowly down her body. Without thinking, she lifted her arms until the beautiful gown caressed her fully. Unable to resist, she let her hands wander over the soft material.

  The multitude of sparkling lights on the ceiling made a trail to an object Tempest hadn’t noticed before. Her reflection stared back at her startling her and causing her step back toward the door.

  What is it?

  Soon, she realized the reflection must be of her. She approached with caution, staring at the unfamiliar sight. Her wet hair hung to below her knees. Her hand reached up and touched her cheek, then her red lips. Her eyes were green, matching the gown.

  In the reflection, she could see a chair, which moved to just behind her. She grabbed her hair and sat, continuing to stare at herself. From behind, the hairbrush approached. She vaguely remembered what a hairbrush was. By magic, it began brushing in long stokes. Soon, her hair dried, and shone like the lights on the ceiling. She stood and stared again at her reflection and swung her head back and forth. She smiled, liking the way her hair swayed around her body feeling as silky as the gown she wore. The garment fit perfectly. Tiny beaded straps draped over each shoulder. The front dipped low between her breasts, exposing her mark.

  The crescent-shaped scar caught her total attention. She’d never had a chance to look at it like this before. She tilted her head from side to side, examining it in the reflection. Something else with it caught her attention. The top embedded diamond-shaped mark within the moon glowed red. Never before had this happened. Her fingers touched the spot, and she jerked her hand away–it was hot.

  Tempest shook her head, not understanding. A large yawn caused her to focus on the bed and the fluffy pillows. As she pulled the covers back and climbed beneath the soft sheets, her thoughts returned to him…to Ryder. Sleep beckoned, and memories of his laugh, his smile, and touching him drove her crazy, sending her into a frenzied, passionate dream state.

  Chapter Ten

  Ryder flew back out into the frigid snowy night and perch on the top of the highest peak he could find. Heat scorched him to his very soul, if he had one. Not even the temperature could dampen the desire pounding through his body. He was unaccustomed to unsatisfied desire, and in gargoyle form, the feelings were even more intense.

  Tempest has no idea how close I came to ravishing her right there on the ground when she touched me with those warm hands.

  He chanted a spell and instantly a bottle of alcohol appeared before him. He took a big swig and the warmth ran down his throat straight to his belly. He knew he’d pay for this, but at the moment, he didn’t give a fuck.

  Contemplated what else the little witch had learned about him today, he took another large gulp. She already knew that he’d failed in battle and lost his eye.

  Does she know how much I doubt my abilities to be the gargoyle legion commander? And does she know how badly I want to possess her, body and soul?

  What the fuck is it all about? What are the messed up monsters, Fedor, and his concubine hiding from Tempest? Obviously, they’re key to why she’s here.

  His senses dulled. In the distance through the falling snow, a small, twinkling hole stood out in the sky. It brightened, and then faded away. A smile crept to his face. He’d found it—he was sure of it. That small hole had to be the way off this mountain. Ryder grabbed the bottle and flew toward the anomaly. The light from the hole continued to pulse. As he approached, he waited for it to open up again. Sure enough, it did just that, and because he was close enough, he saw straight through it.

  “Fuck, yes!” he shouted. The city of Levare appeared through the small hole and disappeared when the light diminished. He continued to watch, prepared to leap through the next time it opened up. This mountain could go to hell! He’d be back home in no time.

  As the light began to build, a thought forced a grim reality on him. What if he couldn’t come back? His thoughts raced to Tempest. He might never see her again. Could he take that chance?

  She would be safe right now in the magical lodge he’d built for her
and her troublesome gargdog, but for how long?

  The light grew, and the opening spread, waiting for him to fly through, but he remained frozen in place. Tempest’s doll-like face and her odd-shaped green eyes were burned into his memory.

  “Why the fuck me?” he shouted into the opening and watched it close again. Drinking half the bottle, he did a nosedive in the opposite direction and headed back to the lodge…back to her.

  · · · · ·

  Ryder stood in male form, staring at the lodge he’d built earlier, and adjusted the patch over his eye. Thoroughly drunk, he approached. When the door opened, he ducked his head and entered.

  Rogue had been asleep, but quickly jumped to his feet upon Ryder’s entrance. The gargdog’s little wings thumped as though he were happy.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Ryder slurred. “You almost seem happy to see me.”

  Rogue lay back down in front of the fire. “I am,” he responded, and licked his large paw.

  He hadn’t expected that! Could this night get any fucking worse?

  “Where’s Tempest?” he asked.

  Rogue looked up at him with narrowed eyes. “She’s asleep in the bed you made for her.”

  Without consciously knowing what he did, Ryder groaned, leaning his head back. “Damn!”

  Rogue’s growl snapped him out of thoughts of Tempest lying beneath the sheets…without him. “Rogue likes you, but don’t forget that Tempest is the most important thing in my world. I was willing to die with her. Are you? Don’t think about hurting her, or I’ll do my best to rip your throat out.”

  It took a moment for the words to resonate with Ryder, but then he laughed and put up his hands. “Right you are. You did want to die with her, didn’t you?” In his drunken stupor, he bowed low, sweeping his arm out in front of him. “You’d be a worthy gargoyle on any squadron.”

  He may have been drunk, but he didn’t miss the light shining in the gargdog’s eyes—appreciation, happiness, and hope. What a messed up place this was. Ryder scolded himself mentally. It would have been wrong for him to return home without helping these ones...these misfits.

  “I won’t hurt her.” He turned on his heel and headed toward the bedroom.

  He halted at the door; her scent drifted to his nose before he’d even opened the door. His nails turned to talons. Shocked, he spun, putting his back to the door. Never had the gargoyle beast within him reared its head without his approval and a chant.

  Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea.

  It was too late for that. The door swung open.

  Trepidation haunted him as he slowly turned and entered the room. He stood staring at her as if the air had been sucked from his lungs, unprepared for the onslaught of raw emotions.

  Her long, silky hair lay sprawled out over the covers. Gone were the mats and dirt.

  He swallowed hard. If he could imagine what a princess would look like, it was her. Innocence radiated from her small body.

  No matter how diligently he could have tried to prepare himself for this moment, it would have been impossible and uncontrollable. He staggered toward the edge of the bed.

  Her head moved from side to side as she moaned.

  She must be dreaming.

  Yet, he debated how such an innocent could look like she was in the throes of passion.

  Her arms and legs thrashed beneath the covers. If possible, his erection grew harder. His chest heaved. The smell of sweet honey and new flowering blooms spurred his actions. With one long claw, he reached down and swiped up a piece of her long, white hair. As if touching the softness of a flower petal, he brought it to his nose.

  She continued to moan seductively, and then, suddenly, she opened her brilliant green eyes. Before it could register, her arms reached up and around his neck, pulling him down.

  Tempest’s plump, warm lips crushed into his. Thoughts refused to register as he swung his legs up onto the bed and straddled her tiny body. She clung to him, pressing firmly to his chest. Powerless to fight her charms, he pinned her to the bed, giving her more of what she demanded.

  His tongue sought the warm flesh of her mouth. She pulled on him harder, and moaned beneath his embrace. Her hands left his neck and shoved at the covers, desperately trying to push them away. He withdrew from the kiss, but their eyes remained locked. She licked her lips. Ryder shifted his weight, and with one swipe of his large hand, removed the barrier of blankets separating their bodies. He straddled her legs, staring down at her luscious body squirming beneath the shimmering green silk. Tenderly, he rested his hands on her hips, sliding them over the fabric up to her breasts.

  With his touch, her nipples hardened to form peaks.

  I’m in big trouble.

  Passion flowed like a raging river in his blood. Tempest’s gaze never left his. She reached up, grabbing him by the shoulders, and tugged him down to where her lips collided with his.

  He was lost in a blazing fire he knew he’d never escape.

  As her lips parted his, and her tongue darted in and out of his mouth, he struggled for a breath and any form of control. She didn’t know what she was doing, but he knew what was going to happen.

  “Tempest. Please, you’re killing me. You don’t understand.”

  For a moment, she halted, panting and running her hands up and down his arms. “Am I hurting you?”

  He flung his head back. “Gods yes! I’m going to explode, and I want to do it inside you.” The look on her face showed her confusion.

  “Ryder, nothing that feels this good can be bad. I know I’m a misfit, but please don’t throw me away, too.”

  Tenderly, he smiled and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Trust me…you are perfect in my eyes, but please...tell me to stop.”

  He closed his eyes.

  “I can’t. I want whatever this is that I’m feeling. I feel like I might die if you don’t make it stop. I’ve never been able to touch anyone…until now.” She turned her head to the side and trailed kisses over his hand and up his arm. “Make it go away, Ryder. Show me.”

  He descended upon her, lost in a torrent of passion. His tongue traced a path around her pointed ear and down the side of her neck. Gently, he pushed the glittering straps off her shoulders and kissed his way to her breasts. With an annoyed growl deep in his throat, he lifted off her body and with a wave of his hand, made the silk disappear into thin air.

  Tempest held her breath, and her eyes widened like saucers.

  “Tell me to stop, Tempest.”

  She took a gulp of air and ran her hand up his chest. “No.”

  I don’t know if I can keep this up.

  He stared down at her perfectly shaped body. She deserved to be worship like a princess. The mark on her breast matched his, and somehow, it spurred his actions further.

  She was made just for me.

  When he took her nipple into his mouth, Tempest cried out and pulled him closer. He positioned himself over her and felt her leg slide up the length of his thigh. He halted, lifting his head from the ravished nipple.

  “Tempest I should stop.”

  “No.” She demanded forcefully arching up to bite him in the neck.

  Her hands moved down the length of his body until she reached the piece of leather covering his cock. He stopped breathing and clutched her hand.

  “I want to touch you there,” she whispered. “Can you imagine what this feels like for me?” she purred. “Take it off…please.”

  “Tempest you need to stop.”

  “I can’t Ryder. I need to do this. Whatever it is. I’m aching all over, but especially here,” her hand snaked over her breast and down her flat stomach to rest between her legs.

  He almost lost it at that moment feeling the moistness escape from his cock.

  It seemed impossible to resist anything she asked. The confines of his bottoms disappeared as he sprang free. She stared up into his eyes while he towered above her.

  “My body is telling me to do this.” Seductive
ly she spread her legs wide. “And this.” Her fingers ran up and down the length of his engorged member.

  Ryder grabbed her hand, pulling it away.

  “Is that wrong?” she asked.

  “Gods no!”

  She murmured and lifted her hips toward him. “Fuck! Tempest stopping isn’t an option anymore.”

  He rolled to his side taking her with him. His stomach did somersaults filled with anticipation. This time his hand sank down her lithe body to the hot sensitive core of her being. She cried out his name wiggling closer to his touch. His fingers parted the tender folds of her cunt, and were immediately covered with her lush juices. His cock pulsed with pent up need.

  “This is where my cock belongs Tempest,” slowly he entered her with one finger. She flung her head back and squirmed closer. “Ryder…”

  He felt her body tighten and release adjusting to foreign intrusion. In and out he moved and added another finger.

  “Tempest I want you so badly.”

  Her breaths were coming in rapid sessions now. “Ryder…I feel like...”

  “Like what princess?” he encouraged plunging his fingers deeper inside her.

  “Oh Gods, I think, I’m going to…explode!” Her cunt tightened around him as she climaxed with a scream. He watched her ride the waves of ecstasy and slowly open her eyes.

  Gently he laid her on her back beneath him. “Tell me to stop Tempest.”

  She smiled and whispered. “No.”

  He pushed forward allowing the head of his cock to enter her. Her eyes went wide, but then she closed them with a moan and urged him deeper. When her legs lifted up and wrapped around his waist he was done. He plunged forward with a thrust of his hips and stopped waiting for her to adjust to his size. He never knew anything could feel so fucking good. She looked up at him. The movements were slow and controlled until she met him thrust for thrust. It was beyond control. Striving for ultimate bliss he moved faster and faster until at last she screamed his name again.

  Spiraling out of control, he kissed her deeply smothering her scream and let go. Like shooting stars he emptied himself deep within her body. Never in his years of existence had he ever felt this way. In a short period of time his world had been altered dramatically.