Page 13 of Awakened Destiny (The Dark Ascendant #3)

Brigid

Their touches grow more urgent, their need for me as evident as mine for them. Suddenly, they exchange a look, and Rory nods before moving down to the end of the bed while Tiernan takes a position near the top.

Tiernan cups my chin, his grip firm yet gentle. "You need this, Brigid," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that resonates within my chest. "You need to let go, to be taken care of."

I nod, my eyes locked onto his. He's right; I do need this. I need to be free, unburdened, even if it's just for a moment.

He smiles, a slight upturn of his lips that holds a world of promise. "Good girl," he praises, and warmth blooms in my chest at his words.

Rory, ever the reassuring presence, chimes in from his position at the foot of the bed. "You're doing so good for us, Brigid. Just let go."

Tiernan's hand slides down to my shoulder, applying gentle pressure until I'm flat on my back. His touch trails down my collarbone, between my breasts, over my stomach, until he reaches my hips. He pats my thigh, a silent command, and I spread my legs for Rory, exposing myself completely.

Rory's hands slide under my ass, lifting me slightly as he moves his head between my legs. I can feel his breath, hot and damp against my most intimate place. I shiver in anticipation, my body aching with need.

Tiernan's hand finds my cheek, his thumb tracing my lips. "Open," he commands softly, and I obey, parting my lips to allow him entrance. He slides his thumb into my mouth, and I suck on it, swirling my tongue around the digit, tasting his skin.

He removes his thumb, replacing it with the velvety tip of his cock. He's hard, ready, and I open wider, taking him in. He slides into my mouth, inch by inch, until he reaches the back of my throat. I relax, accommodating him, letting him set the pace. I know he won ’ t push me farther than I can go.

Below, Rory's tongue finds my clit, circling the sensitive spot before sucking it into his mouth. I moan around Tiernan's cock, the vibrations causing him to groan in response. Rory's fingers join his mouth, sliding through my slick folds, preparing me for what's to come.

Tiernan's hands find my hair, gripping the strands tightly as he begins to move in earnest. He fucks my mouth, his hips thrusting forward as he takes his pleasure from me. I can feel the tension in his body, the strength in his thighs as he holds himself back, careful not to overwhelm me.

Rory's fingers slide into me, stretching me, filling me. His mouth continues its assault on my clit, his tongue lashing against it in a relentless rhythm. I can feel my orgasm building, a tightening sensation in my belly.

Tiernan knows what I need. He knows I need to be taken, to be freed from the burdens that have plagued me. And he's giving it to me, giving me what I crave. He's taking control, taking me in hand, and I'm flying, soaring, lost in the sensation, lost in them.

Rory's fingers curl inside me, hitting a spot that makes me see stars. My body t I can feel the climax crashing over me, waves of pleasure radiating from my core, but Rory doesn't let up. He continues to suck and lick, his fingers moving in sync with his mouth, drawing out every last shiver of ecstasy.

Tiernan pulls out of my mouth, his chest heaving as he looks down at me with lust-filled eyes. "Good girl," he murmurs, his thumb brushing against my cheek. "You're doing so well, Brigid."

Rory finally lifts his head from between my legs, his chin glistening with my arousal. "She's ready."

Tiernan nods, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "On all fours."

I obey, my body moving as if on autopilot. I crawl onto the bed, my limbs still shaking from the intensity of my orgasm. I can feel their eyes on me, their gazes like a physical touch as I position myself on my hands and knees.

Tiernan moves behind me, his hands running over the curves of my ass, the backs of my thighs. I can feel his cock, hard and insistent, pressing against my entrance. Rory climbs onto the bed in front of me, his own cock jutting out, the tip glistening with precum.

"Open," Rory says softly, his hand cupping my jaw. I part my lips, taking him into my mouth just as Tiernan thrusts into me from behind.

I'm filled, completely and utterly filled, sandwiched between the two of them. Tiernan's grip on my hips is bruising, his fingers digging into my flesh as he begins to move, his cock sliding in and out of me with a deliberate, punishing rhythm.

"Fuck, Brigid," Tiernan groans. "You feel so good. So tight. So wet."

Rory's hands reach under me and find my breasts, his fingers pinching and rolling my nipples. The feel of their hands on my body, their cocks inside me, their voices whispering praises and obscenities in my ear. It's so much, so intense.

And yet, it's exactly what I need. Exactly what I crave. This loss of control, this freedom in submission, this escape from the darkness that lurks inside me. I ’ m not thinking. I don ’ t want to think or remember. With Tiernan and Rory right now, I can let go, can give in, can just... be.

Tiernan's thrusts grow more urgent, his body slapping against mine as he chases his release. Rory's cock pulses in my mouth, a sure sign that he's close too. I hollow out my cheeks, sucking him deeper, eager to taste his cum, to feel Tiernan's hot release filling me.

"Come with us, Brigid," Tiernan growls, his voice a low command. "Come with our cocks filling you."

His words send me spiraling, my body convulsing as another orgasm rips through me. I scream around Rory's cock, the sound muffled as I feel him pulse, feel the hot spurt of his cum.

Tiernan follows suit, his body going rigid as he finds his own release, his cock pumping, spurting deep inside me. I can feel it, feel the warmth of his cum filling me, feel the wetness as it begins to drip out.

For a long moment, we stay like that, our bodies connected, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Then, slowly, gently, they pull out, their cocks slipping from my body.

I feel empty, bereft, but also sated, complete. I collapse onto the bed, my body aching, my arms and legs heavy with exhaustion. Tiernan and Rory move to either side of me, their hands running over my body, their voices whispering soft words of praise and comfort.

"You did so good, love," Rory murmurs, his hand cupping my cheek. "So good for us."

Tiernan nods, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my spine. "You're incredible," he agrees, his voice soft. "Absolutely incredible."

I smile, my eyes fluttering closed as I bask in their warmth, their love. I feel safe, protected. And in this moment, that's enough. It has to be.

Because tomorrow, the real world awaits. Tomorrow, the darkness will return, the shadows will creep back in. But for now, for tonight, I'm content to lose myself in them, to forget about everything but the feel of their bodies pressed against mine, the sound of their voices in my ear, the knowledge that, no matter what happens, they'll be by my side.

Always.

I drift in and out of consciousness, and time loses all meaning as I sink deeper into the most restful sleep I've had in what feels like forever. My body feels unburdened, finally.

I'm vaguely aware of soft voices and gentle movements around me, but I can't rouse myself enough to care. My body craves this rest, needs it desperately after everything I've endured. So I let myself sink further.

When I finally begin to surface, it's to the feather-light brush of lips against my forehead. I stir, my eyelids fluttering as I struggle to wake. A warm, solid body presses against my back, strong arms encircling my waist.

"Morning, mo chroí," Rory's lilting voice whispers, his breath tickling my ear.

I mumble incoherently, burrowing deeper into the warmth surrounding me. Tiernan's deep chuckle rumbles through his chest, where it's pressed against my back.

"I think she needs more convincing," he murmurs, his lips brushing the nape of my neck.

I wriggle back into him, my body slowly coming alive. "Mmm, five more minutes," I groan, my voice thick with sleep.

Rory laughs softly. "Come on, sleepyhead. Time to rejoin the land of the living."

I crack one eye open, taking in Rory's tousled blond hair and big smile as he grins at me, dimples on full display. Despite my lingering exhaustion, I smile back.

"There she is," Tiernan says, his arms tightening around me. "How are you feeling?"

I consider the question, taking stock of my body. I'm sore in all the right places, but the bone-deep weariness is something that will linger for a while. "Better," I say. "How long was I out?"

"About eighteen hours," Rory says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You needed it."

I blink in surprise. "Guess I did," I murmur.

As I become more alert, I notice the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. It ’ s almost too perfect, too serene, and I know that the minute I step outside of this room, the spell will be broken. Even if I were to hide away in here forever, there ’ s still no escape from the death goddess still trapped inside me. She ’ s quiet, but she ’ s not gone—just folded up into something small, tucked away in a corner, my shadows standing guard and keeping her there. I swallow hard, memories of the past few days threatening to overwhelm me. But I push them away, focusing on the present, on the safety and comfort of my mates' arms.

"Thank you," I whisper, reaching out to cup Rory's cheek. "For everything."

He turns his head, pressing a kiss to my palm. "Always, mo chroí. Always."

A sharp knock at the door shatters our peaceful bubble. I tense, my heart rate spiking. Tiernan's arms tighten around me protectively.

"Who the fuck is that?" Rory growls, his eyes flashing amber with a hint of the wolf.

I push myself up and grab the sheet covering my naked body to my chest.

The door swings open without waiting for an answer, and there stands Fiona, her white hair wild and her glasses slightly askew. She's wearing a violently purple sweater adorned with chunky turquoise jewelry. The sight of her sends a pang through me and a gnawing apprehension. I remember the Morrigan ’ s anger at being thwarted from fully possessing me and that anger being directed at Fiona. And the potion that Fiona made me swallow, I know now that it was the only thing that kept me from disappearing into the ether.

"Rise and shine!" Fiona announces, her focus zeroing in on me. "Callen and Lochan filled me in. But we need to talk, Brigid."

Rory and Tiernan exchange a look over my head.

"We'll go grab some breakfast," Tiernan says. "Give you two some privacy."

Fiona ogles the boys as they dress and leave, not even attempting to be discreet about it, either. No matter who she really is, I guess there were some parts of her personality that were real when we were friends. I pull the sheets tighter around me.

Fiona plops down on the edge of the bed, her expression softening. "How are you holding up, girl?"

"Define 'holding up."

She reaches out, her fingers brushing my arm. The touch sends a spark of recognition through me, but I can't quite place it.

Fiona peers at me. “ She ’ s in there, still.”

“ Yes.” I don ’ t elaborate.

“ And she ’ s contained?”

“ Yes. Thanks to the shadow magic that Marius gave to me.”

She nods, thoughtfully. “ We ’ ll come back to that, but right now, I owe you an explanation that I ’ m finally able to give. There's something I need to tell you," Fiona says with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Something I should have told you a long time ago."

I brace myself. "What is it?"

Fiona takes a deep breath. "I'm not who you think I am. My name isn't really Fiona. It's Sirona. I'm... well, I'm like the Morrigan. You know, divine and all that." Her cheeks are pink and she seems flustered.

I stare at her, but I know it ’ s the truth. I feel it. "A goddess?"

A goddess. My friend—or someone who used to be my friend—is a fucking goddess.

"You lied to me," I whisper. "All this time."

Fiona—no, Sirona—winces. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I had my reasons."

"Reasons? What reasons could possibly justify deceiving me like this?"

She sighs, her shoulders sagging. "To protect you, Brigid. From the moment you were born. I've been watching over you, guiding you—"

"Manipulating me."

"No, not manipulating. Protecting," Fiona-Sirona insists. Her eyes are earnest. "There are things at play that you can't even begin to imagine."

I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Part of me wants to scream, to rage at her for the years of lies. But another part... another part understands. I ’ ve always known I didn ’ t belong in Newton, and Fiona was kind of the same. We were fish out of water, two people with nothing and everything in common who became friends. No, not friends. She was watching me. Waiting. Never really my friend. That thought makes me sadder than anything.

"Tell me everything," I say, opening my eyes to look at her. "No more secrets."

Fiona nods, her relief obvious. "It started long ago, before the Shadow War..."

As she speaks, telling tales of ancient goddesses and cosmic chess games that I never would have believed just a short time ago, I feel an understanding dawning. And despite my anger, despite my hurt, I'm grateful for it. It ’ s no small gift to not feel that confusion that once made me feel so lost and alone.

I nod slowly, absorbing the weight of Fiona's words. I can ’ t bring myself to call her Sirona yet. It sounds too odd on my tongue and my brain won ’ t let me. The revelation presses against my chest, a mix of burden and strange relief. "I need time to process all this," I say.

She reaches out, her hand hovering near mine. "I understand, Brigid. And I'm sorry, truly. I hope one day you can forgive me."

I pull back, not ready for that touch. "I can't promise forgiveness. But I get why you did it. Sort of."

She nods, accepting my words. As she leaves, I sink onto my bed.

I'm lost in thought when the door bursts open. Rory bounds in, arms laden with a tray piled high with pastries. Tiernan follows, balancing coffee cups.

"Breakfast is served, m'lady!" Rory announces with a flourish.

The scent of coffee hits me, and I reach for it gratefully. "You two are lifesavers."

Tiernan settles beside me. "How are you feeling?"

I take a sip, buying time. "Overwhelmed. But okay, I think."

Rory, meanwhile, has already stuffed half a danish in his mouth. "Mmph?" he asks, crumbs flying.

I laugh. "Rory, how do you even fit that much in there?"

He grins, cheeks bulging. "Talent," he manages to say.

Tiernan rolls his eyes.

I feel a knot in my chest loosen. The problems are still there, but for now, in this moment with these two men, I can breathe. I can laugh. And maybe, just maybe, I can face whatever comes next.