Sacrifice of Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,33

you mean?”

“It would be understandable if you have…” His gaze lowered to their entwined fingers as if searching for the appropriate word. “Regrets.”

“Regrets about what?”

“Leaving the temple.”

Understanding hit Terra with stunning force. Javad wasn’t just concerned. He was worried that she missed her life as a Seraf.

Stepping forward, she framed his face in her hands and stared into his dark, beautiful eyes.

“Never,” she assured him in a voice that rang through the room with unshakable confidence. “Nothing has made me as happy as being your mate, Javad. You’re stuck with me for the rest of eternity.”

A stiffness drained from his body as he leaned down to press his mouth tenderly against her lips.

“Thank the goddess,” he rasped.

Terra shivered, excitement fluttering through her at the sharp press of his fangs. Less than an hour ago, she’d been in the shower when Javad entered to wrap her in his arms. Before the shower was done, she had her legs wrapped around his waist, and those fangs had been buried deep in her throat.

She swallowed a moan. Just the thought was enough to make her fingers itch to rip off his clothes and tumble him onto the nearby sofa.

“Let’s go before you distract me,” she murmured, stepping back.

His smile was smug. “I like distracting you.”

That was no lie. Over the past two weeks, he’d done just that, several times a day… Her answering smile was more than a little smug as well as she lifted her hand and opened a portal.

As soon as she stepped through, however, her easy expression disappeared.

The familiar smell of wildflowers wrapped around her along with the dazzling morning light that poured through the glass walls of the temple. The sun didn’t concern her. This was a place of magic. Javad wouldn’t be hurt by the sunshine. She did, however, quickly glance around to make sure there weren’t any unexpected visitors that might be dangerous.

Nothing.

Well, nothing beyond the crowd of white-robed Serafs gathered around the tall, gaunt-faced female with dark golden hair that was braided and folded like a crown on the top of her head.

The Matron.

Terra had chosen this particular moment because she knew that it was the traditional day of welcoming for the newest Serafs. It was the one time everyone gathered at the center of the temple.

There was a stir of curiosity as Javad stepped out of the portal, his arm instantly wrapping around her shoulders in a protective motion.

The older female stepped forward, her face hard as she took in Terra with a disapproving gaze. “You.”

Terra offered a stiff nod of her head. “Matron.”

The sound of a gasp could be heard as Cyra stepped from behind the Matron to study Terra in disbelief.

“Terra.” She pressed her hands to her chest. “I feared that you would never return.”

Terra forced her lips into a humorless smile. “Sorry I’m late. I was detained by a savage vampire who intended to kill me.”

Cyra’s gaze flicked toward Javad. “That vampire?”

“No.” Terra pressed closer to her mate. “Javad saved me.”

The Matron stiffened her spine, pressing her hands together. “No matter what he’s done to earn your gratitude, you have no right to desecrate our temple by bringing him here,” she snapped, her eyes blazing with fury. “Yet another example of your lack of respect for the Serafs.”

Terra met the Matron’s glare with one of her own. “What exactly should I respect?” She waved a hand. “A fancy temple? Pretty gardens? Your bulging treasure chests?”

“That is enough.”

“Brace yourself. I’m just getting started.”

The Matron frowned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Did you tell the new recruits that you dole out our gifts to the highest bidder?”

“I take care to choose who can enter our temple,” the Matron informed her in stiff tones. “It is my duty to protect my people.”

Terra snorted. “You barter us for profit.”

A buzz of whispers erupted from the Serafs behind the female. Like the rustle of leaves in a soft breeze.

The Matron’s jaw tightened. “That’s not true. You just admitted that you left the tower and were attacked. Is that what you want for your sisters?”

“Of course, not,” Terra instantly denied. “The temple is important to keep them safe. But there’s no reason we can’t offer our help to everyone who petitions for it. Or even travel through the world with proper guards to ensure that we aren’t hurt.”

The Matron flushed. “Blasphemy.”

It was a word that Terra had heard with monotonous regularity over the past centuries.

“No.” She pointed toward the vast emptiness that surrounded them. “This is