Dream Warriors 3_Kane Read online

  He grinned. “I’m pretty sure that would be a waste of time. Think about what happened with Phobetor.”

  “He made you feel like shit, then let me kick the stuffing out of the bastards who murdered Beth.”

  “Only after we completed the tasks did Beth appear with the clue.”

  “So we have to accomplish some sort of task before he’ll allow us to find the clue?” She looked into the disk and gasped. Kane lay across the mat as she rode him with great enthusiasm.

  “I guess I don’t have to ask what you saw.” His smile turned downright wolfish. “You said you weren’t opposed to this.”

  “I’m not. It’s just… Is he watching us?” Dora licked her lips. Her nipples gathered against the sturdy fabric of her gi. She’d been wearing a sports bra a second ago. If she continued stalling would Phantasos dissolve her clothes?

  “All the sons of Hypnos are non-corporeal.” He chuckled at her startled expression. “They have no bodies, so their only way to experience pleasure is vicariously through others. He can keep us here indefinitely, and he can make us unable to resist each other. I’d rather make love to you while we’re in control.” He unbuckled his sword belt and lowered the weapon to the mat. His boots followed before he shrugged out of his vest.

  “Doesn’t it bother you that we’re expected to perform?” She crossed her arms over her chest, stubbornness warring with desire. Kane appealed to her more than any man ever had, but the situation held her back. “I hate being manipulated.”

  “Haven’t you ever had an erotic fantasy?”

  She hadn’t until he appeared in her dream. Most men left her indifferent. Only Kane had been strong enough to reach beyond her emotional defenses. “He’s demanding a whole lot more than a fantasy.”

  “Actually, he’s not. If you were sitting at a stoplight in your car, entertaining naughty thoughts about me, it would be exactly the same. We’re the ones who changed the parameters by physically entering his domain.”

  “Can we just think about having sex?”

  He laughed and held out his hand. “Give me the disk.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to feel your fingers digging into my back while I --”

  “I get the point.” She passed him the disk and turned away as he shed his pants. The floor to ceiling mirror mocked her impulse. Every sculpted inch of his magnificent body was displayed on the reflective surface. He crouched, setting the disk on his piled clothes. His butt flexed and the muscles in his back rippled. Her mouth went completely dry.

  Turning to face her, he met her gaze in the mirror. “You weren’t nearly this shy before.”

  “Who do you see when you look at me?”

  “A strong, independent woman who happens to look a lot like a girl I used to know.”

  “That girl was your wife.”

  “Nearly two thousand years ago. This isn’t about Lyra. You appeal to me on a level she never reached.”

  Soothed by his assurance, she dared a glance at the rest of him. Fully erect, his shaft arched nearly to his navel. Her gaze flew back to his, her heart pounding in her chest. “Is Phantasos having fun at my expense?”

  His gaze narrowed and he moved in close, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Are you a virgin?”

  “No.” Her tone sounded a bit too insistent even in her own ears.

  “How many times have you made love?”

  “Never.” He dragged the elastic band off her hair. “I’ve had sex a few times, but it was…”

  He moved the hair away from the nape of her neck and breathed against her skin. “It was what?”

  “Awkward and uncomfortable.”

  “I’m pretty sure we can do better than that.” His mouth moved against her skin, sending tingles down her spine. Pretend we’re alone in your dojo. His voice sounded softly inside her mind. This is for us, only us.

  Us. We. The words soothed Dora, tempted her with longings she’d ignored for years. She wanted Kane, needed the comfort of his embrace, the intimacy of his caress. Unknotting her belt, she parted the front of her gi and guided his hands to her breasts. Their gazes met in the mirror, his shining with desire and tenderness. He cupped both breasts, rubbing his thumbs across her nipples.

  “Kiss me.” He whispered the words above her ear.

  Without turning around, she craned her neck, offering him her mouth. His hands remained on her breasts while his lips slid over and against hers. She traced the seam of his lips and murmured as he sucked her tongue into his mouth. Yes! She needed this. She needed him.

  His fingers rolled her nipples, working them into hard little peaks. He turned her suddenly and pressed her back against the mirror. The kiss grew feverish. Their tongues dueled. Their lips clung. She breathed in his breath, savored his scent, relished his taste. Her hands stroked his back and squeezed his shoulders. Strong and capable, he was a warrior like herself.

  He growled into her open mouth and tugged her pants down. They caught on her hips and she wiggled, then kicked them aside. His mouth never left hers as he stroked her torso and belly. He pulled her forward and explored the silky contours of her bottom. His fingers traced the crease between her cheeks, teasing her damp folds from behind.

  She was just as bold, exploring every bulge and ripple of his muscular body. Her hand closed around his shaft and she trembled. Hot, hard, and incredibly thick, he felt even more impressive than he looked. Her core heated, melted, anticipating his entry.

  Keeping her pressed against the mirror, he sank to his knees. His mouth closed around one of her nipples and drew it deeply into his mouth. Pleasure darted from her breast and lodged between her thighs, making her acutely aware of her emptiness. She wanted him there, stretching her, filling her.

  He lifted her leg to his shoulder, and Dora buried her fingers in his hair. His warm breath wafted over her damp curls. Her inner muscles clenched, dragging a cry from her throat. She needed his touch, his kiss. Why was he teasing her? His chest expanded and she groaned. He was scenting her! The act was so savage, so elemental, it made her whimper.

  Then his tongue parted her folds, and her thoughts scattered. The world narrowed to this moment and this man. His mouth moved against her, his tongue stroking. She arched into his torrid kiss, needing the gentle swirl against her clit, but wanting the penetration of his tongue.

  He moved his hand between her thighs and pushed two fingers into her core. She gasped, canting her hips, taking him deeper. His tongue settled over her clit as he filled her with his fingers. The first ripple of pleasure caught her by surprise. She cried out, her fingers tightening in his hair. He flicked his tongue against her clit, until the last spasm passed.

  Kane eased her leg from his shoulder and swept her into his arms. He tried not to compare her to Lyra, but it was impossible. Lyra had been meek and docile. Dora’s spirit fascinated him.

  He sat, arranging her astride his lap, stroking her back, holding her close. She kissed him passionately before he could decide how to proceed. Never would Lyra have dared to take the lead. Desire coiled, tight and demanding. Thrilled by her passion, he accepted the bold thrust of her tongue and let her play.

  “Do you want me to return the favor?” Her lips moved against his as she spoke.

  “I don’t want to wait any longer. I need to be inside you.”

  She pushed to her knees and guided his cock to her entrance. Her slick folds encircled him, and he groaned. She’d seemed concerned when she first saw him. Her boldness strained his determination to the breaking point. He grasped her hips, steadying her, while allowing her to control her descent. She was hot and so damn tight he could hardly breathe.

  “Am I hurting you?” he gritted out between clenched teeth.

  “Not really,” she panted.

  “Not really” would never do. He cupped one breast and eased his other hand between their bodies. “Kiss me, while I touch you. We’re not doing this until you come again.”

  She traced his bottom lip with her
tongue, nibbling and teasing before she settled her mouth over his. He squeezed her breast, enjoying the weighty feel of her soft flesh. His middle finger found her clit and circled gently. Using the contractions of her inner muscles as a guide, he aroused her again.

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she took him deeper and deeper. She lifted her hips, dragging herself up along his shaft. “Wait,” he moaned.

  “I can’t.”

  She slid more easily now, tormenting him with her eagerness. He moved both hands to her breasts. With a wicked chuckle, she pushed him over and braced herself against his shoulders.

  “Oh gods, that feels good,” he whispered.

  Rocking her hips in a demanding rhythm, she took him deep over and over. Her neck arched, her breasts pressing into his palms, and her knees gripped his sides. She was so beautiful in her abandon. He wanted to prolong the pleasure so he could watch her come.

  The insistent squeeze of her core sabotaged his determination to make it last. This was only the beginning. They could go slowly next time. His shaft throbbed, and his balls drew up tight against his body. He didn’t want it to end. Not now, not ever! Groaning, he moved his hands to her hips and thrust fast and hard. She cried out, her inner muscles rippling with release. He shuddered, arching off the mat as he emptied his seed deep inside her.

  As they clung to each other, savoring the languid aftermath, the mirror transformed, revealing a scene beyond the dojo. Lyra stood naked at the foot of an ornate bed, a man directly behind her. His large hands fondled her breasts, tugging firmly on her nipples.

  Kane stiffened, ready to lift Dora off him, when she whispered, “Can Chaos change his shape?”

  “No. He sent my image into Lyra’s mind.”

  “But that man isn’t even as tall as you. There’s no way that’s Chaos.”

  Lyra gasped as her lover slipped his hand between her thighs. “My lord, I did not expect you so soon.” Her voice sounded breathless and anxious. The man touched her, stimulated her, without speaking a word. “How is it that you…” Her sentence trailed away into a moan.

  Kane sat. Dora wrapped her legs around his waist. He clutched her to his chest, unable to tear his gaze from the scene. It wasn’t possible. Why would Chaos admit to something he hadn’t done? Tension banded Kane’s chest, and his pulse thundered through his veins.

  The man bent Lyra forward, entering her with one forceful lunge. Kane’s image appeared, faded to shadow, then appeared again as the imposter thrust into Lyra.

  “What the hell?” Dora whispered.

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  The light faded and the mirror returned. Stunned, Kane shook his head, silently denying the implication. “Is this the clue? Have I falsely accused my brother all these years?”

  Chapter Eight

  They dressed in silence and returned through the portal. Chaos waited in the gallery, his features tense and drawn.

  “Are you all right?” Dora moved closer to the demigod.

  He inclined his head. “Were you able to locate the clue?”

  Kane faced him squarely, shoulders back, eyes narrowed. “Answer me honestly, did you father Lyra’s bastard?”

  Chaos laughed and raked his hair with both hands. “After two thousand years of accusations, you dare to ask me now?”

  Tension pulsed between them. Dora caught her bottom lip between her teeth and turned to Kane. “What made you think Chaos was Lyra’s lover?”

  “He did.” Kane snarled out the words. “My introduction to the afterlife was only slightly less shocking than yours. I knew I was dead, but I had no idea who my true father was. Persephone despised me, and Chaos provoked me at every turn. Hades had no choice but to separate us.”

  “That’s when you became a Dream Warrior.” He nodded, and she looked at Chaos. “Why would you want him to think you seduced his wife if you didn’t?”

  “Who says I didn’t seduce her?”

  “I do,” Kane said emphatically. “Phantasos showed us Lyra’s lover, and it wasn’t you.”

  “Then who was it?” Chaos sneered.

  “Her lover literally took on Kane’s shape,” Dora explained. “Or at least a close enough facsimile to fool Lyra in the dark.” Kane balled his hands into fists. Dora squeezed his arm. “This has something to do with the succubus. Why else would Phantasos show us the truth?”

  “Why have you accepted the blame for a crime you didn’t commit?” Kane’s question was part demand, part plea.

  “I was guilty in my heart!” Chaos threw his hands up and glanced away. “Part of me wanted it to be true. I heard Father arguing with Persephone. He wanted to bring you to the Underworld and Persephone wouldn’t allow it. She’d relented with me, and this time she was determined to have her way.”

  Dora looked around, concerned they’d draw a crowd. Both men were practically shouting. She gave a mental shrug. Let the manager call security. They had to figure this out. “This was while Kane was still alive.” Chaos nodded. “So you searched for your brother?”

  He glared at her. “I was curious.”

  She fought back a smile. He was jealous as hell, but he’d never admit it.

  “When I found Kane, I also found Lyra.” His voice grew distant and hushed. “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was captivated by her grace, entranced by her innocence.”

  She glanced at Kane. Anger emanated off him in waves, but he miraculously held his tongue.

  “I watched her, longed for her,” Chaos went on. “I intended to seduce her as soon as Kane departed.”

  “But she already had a lover?”

  He made another helpless gesture with his hands. “I was there the night -- whoever he was appeared to Lyra. I knew it wasn’t Kane, but how could I warn her?”

  “By the gods, this is worse than I imagined! Did the whole world covet my wife?”

  Chaos looked at Dora and shook his head. “She was uncommonly fair.”

  Kane punched him in the jaw. Chaos staggered back, slamming into the wall mere inches from the display.

  “What if he’d broken the window?” Dora snapped. “This quest isn’t finished yet.”

  A woman with a plastic name badge paused in the entrance to the gallery. “Is everything all right in here?”

  “Everything is fine,” Kane replied, not taking his gaze off Chaos.

  “We close in fifteen minutes.” She looked Chaos up and down, then smiled flirtatiously. “Fabulous costume.”

  “Thank you. We’ll be along directly.” He turned back to the window, dismissing her.

  “If we’ve only got fifteen minutes, we better step through one of the portals while we figure this out.” Dora motioned toward the third brother. “What is his expertise?”

  “Icelus constructs dreams that reflect reality.”

  Dora looked into the disk and found Icelus staring back at her. “Yep. That’s the next stop on this adventure.” She shot Chaos a meaningful look. “We go through together this time.”

  They passed through the third portal and emerged into gray nothingness. Dora screamed, flailing her arms and legs. Nothing happened. She stopped struggling. The plummeting sensation never came. “Where are we?” She gasped, blood rushing through her ears.

  “We’re in the Dream Realm, but apparently Icelus isn’t in the mood to play.” Kane took her hand and pulled her toward him. She could only make out his silhouette in the dense fog.

  “I gave my solemn vow never to speak of these things, but the succubus is out of control,” a disembodied voice said. “You may each ask one question, and I will answer.”

  “That makes thing easy,” Chaos muttered from somewhere on her left. “What is Delilah’s real name?”

  “Lyra.”

  Dora’s heart missed a beat. She’d wondered if that’s where this was leading, but how was it possible?

  “How is that possible?” Kane echoed her thought, his voice harsh with disbelief. “Lyra was mortal.”

  “When a mor
tal’s life is ended prematurely, they are offered a last request. Lyra’s last request was to be brought to the sons of Hypnos. We struck a bargain with her, but she has abandoned the original parameters. We transformed her into a creature, part nightmare and part fantasy, with the ability to create illusions so realistic no mortal can tell the difference. Then we unleashed her in the Dream Realm and watched her torment Morpheus.”

  “You did this to spite Morpheus? He’s your brother.” Kane’s hand tightened around hers.

  “And he was set above us! Dream Master, he calls himself. The Dream Realm was never meant to have a master.”

  “What is Lyra’s fixation with the Dream Realm?” Chaos asked.

  “I already answered your question.”

  “Why have you allowed her destruction to continue when you know she is out of control?”

  “I answered your question as well, Dream Warrior.”

  The man who accused Lyra of being a whore now resided in the Dream Realm. Dora didn’t need clarification on that point. Kane’s question, however, bothered her. “Why wasn’t Lyra destroyed as soon as she violated your agreement?”

  “She must be destroyed by her creator,” Icelus told her.

  “You said you and your brothers created her.”

  “We facilitated her transformation, but the succubus was created by forces far stronger than us. You must unravel those forces or Lyra’s reign will never end.”

  They were thrown back through the portal, ending their interaction with Icelus.

  Kane picked himself up off the floor and dusted off the seat of his pants. He helped Dora to her feet and ignored Chaos.

  “Is he always so cryptic?” Dora rolled her shoulders and adjusted the overlapping halves of her uniform top. If Chaos hadn’t been present, Kane would have been happy to help her.

  “That’s the funny thing about reality,” Chaos began. “It can be twisted by perception and bias. Icelus was uncomfortable with his own involvement, so he manipulated the facts to shift the focus of blame.”

  “You think he could have destroyed Lyra all along?” Dora asked.

  “Perhaps not, but he certainly could have been more forthcoming.”