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DRAGAN

Mortal Ruins

My instincts cause me to stir when I sense the sun rising.

But it’s Myerdoth’s presence that forces me to awaken.

The gargoyle shouldn’t be moving at sunrise.

For a moment, I fear we may be under attack and that he’s come to warn me.

But my panic subsides when I see the cuff around his wrist. A cuff which allows Myerdoth to freely walk in the sunshine.

I smile at him. “Tell me, how does it feel to walk in daylight?”

Myerdoth scowls down at the runed metal. “It hurts my eyes.”

I bite my tongue to withhold my laughter. “Yes, it does.”

“I thought to watch the coming of dawn, but my vision blurred.”

“You will get used to it.”

He nods. “I’ve come to tell you your presence is requested in the war room,” Myerdoth announces. I take in a big breath and nod, moving to follow him.

***

DRAGAN

Mortal Ruins

“I need Zir’s assistance if our artificer isn’t needed by Cambion,” I announce as Variant is shackled and escorted out of the war room.

I suspect it takes a great deal of restraint for the powerful being to allow himself to be restrained after just gaining his freedom.

But we must be sure he won’t be a danger to the people in our care.

The people who have lost everything due to Morrigan’s hold on Variant.

We won’t allow his actions to go unpunished.

If we’re lenient, they may see us as weak and unable to protect them.

The last thing I want is for them to question Eilish’s judgement so soon after naming her their leader.

Where I failed as a king, Eilish has the strength to succeed.

Eilish releases Baron and allows him to leave with Pyre and the others.

She gives me a look that causes my cock to twitch.

I lean over to Myerdoth. “I must consult with our queen on matters of the ritual. Rest this morning and meet with me in the courtyard tonight.” Ever the loyal companion, Myerdoth doesn’t question me.

He leaves with the others, closing the door on his way out.

It shuts with a bang that echoes through the room.

I lick my lips as Eilish turns to face me, lust festering in her gaze.

“I’ve missed you, Dragan,” she purrs, causing me to swell in the confines of my trousers.

“And you’ve accomplished your mission to obtain the Grimoire.

Don’t you think you deserve something...

special? Perhaps a gift from your queen? ”

“I believe I deserve exactly that,” I respond.

She climbs into my lap and trails her tongue along the curve of my ear. Then she nips the tip and runs her hands down my chest. Those tantalizing fingers tease the throbbing length of my member through the fabric.

A low growl emits from my lips before I pull her in for a kiss.

Her wicked tongue swipes against my teeth before swirling with mine.

I tangle my fingers in her hair and taste the sweetness of her mouth.

She sucks my tongue and I yank her back.

I inhale sharply as her deft hands release me from the chafing cloth.

Long, elegant fingers wrap around my length and stroke from the base of my cock to the leaking tip.

She moans at the sight of my seed and I know she hungers for me.

“No,” I whisper. “Perhaps tonight I will let you taste me, but not now.”

She shivers at the dark tone of my voice as I slip my hand inside her pants. Strong thighs tremble at my touch and I tease the tip of my finger against her entrance. Eilish’s eyes flutter shut.

“Look at me.”

I thrust up into her hands. She releases me, lifting up to push her pants town.

I stare at the glistening folds of her sex as she bares herself to my gaze.

She climbs back into my lap and I hiss as her heat brushes against my erection.

She bites down on her lip as I hold her hips and slowly lower her onto my cock.

I feel the way her muscles stretch to accommodate my invasion, swelling and convulsing as I slide against her walls.

Eilish’s breath hitches and she begins to ride me. Her hands move to my shoulders, using them as leverage as she bounces and grinds. “You feel so good,” she moans against my cheek. “And I’ve missed you. I’ve missed… this.”

When her rhythm falters, I lift her higher before yanking her back down. I thrust up to meet her descent and rock my pelvis. Her back arches. I release her hips and tear open the front of her tunic. Succulent breasts bob within her corset. I lean forward and suck the beads of sweat from her flesh.

The pull of her hunger leeches the strength from my body even as her magic fills me with renewed energy.

I stand and press her chest against the table.

Eilish gasps as I enter her from behind.

My palm rests at the center of her back, holding her steady as I pound into her with relentless thrusts.

She reaches beneath the table and I feel her fingers prodding between her folds.

I lean forward and bite the back of her neck.

Brutal slaps fill the air. My wings open, spanning the length of the war room as I brace my boot against the table and sink deeper inside my woman.

Eilish screams and I feel the rush of her climax.

With a rapturous growl, I follow her into oblivion.

My softening cock slips free from her clenching channel and Eilish cleans us with a few muttered spells.

She tucks me back into my trousers and kisses me before I leave her.

***

DRAGAN

Mortal Ruins

I enter the courtyard as the sun disappears behind the tall structures in the distance. Myerdoth and Zir stand at the center, neither of them speaking a word to one another as I approach.

“Thank you for seeing us, Zir,” I say in greeting. “We know you’re working on things of great importance, but we may require your assistance. The language used in the Grimoire is one we’ve never encountered.”

The very short artificer crosses her arms and follows us beyond the walls. We venture past the decrepit buildings and onto a patch of sand that lays along the coast. Waves crash against the shore as rays of silver moonlight reflect on the waters.

Myerdoth gathers the stones needed to create more of our kind.

Zir suggests we start with a dozen or so.

I’m eager to grow our numbers, but I agree.

The artificer measures the distance between each stone and I use my power to carve the symbols required by the spell.

Myerdoth carves the features and characteristics of each gargoyle, making them unique in their own right.

I remove the pouch from my belt and hand the artificer the ingredients for the ritual.

Myerdoth stands beside me and Zir hands me the words to the spell.

Myerdoth channels his power into me as I read the spell aloud.

Zir continues to draw markings in the sand, scientific symbols that beautifully meld with the magic runes.

My power builds, flowing into the spell until the stone begins to glow.

Hassari runs through the amber grasslands between the mores and the palace.

She places her hand on the stone and whispers for the ancient guardians to rise, to protect her from the soldiers.

Blue light spills across the land, searching for her as the coven fights against the invaders.

Tears flow from Hassari’s eyes. She turns to face her enemies.

Black riders with flocks of Obuqui birds approach.

There is nowhere to run. Her sisters have fallen…

The clouds part, washing her face in brilliant luminescence. A smile forms on her face as she stares up at the moon. Magic flows through her.

Hassari slams to her knees and presses her hands to the sodden earth.

She calls to the stone, to the rock, willing it to rise.

The ground trembles and bulges beneath her palms. A hand claws its way out of the mud.

Lightning streaks across the sky as a being of great strength climbs to its feet.

Wings, proud and erect, seem to span the length of the field.

The world shall tremble with fear, for a new race is born.

My eyes open and I find myself on the ground. Myerdoth stands over me, a worried expression pinching his features. He helps me stand.

Zir shakes her head and points to the stone figures. No life reflects in their eyes.

We’ve failed.

The hope I had once dared to feel defeats me.

“Leave them,” Myerdoth says. “Perhaps their existence will help others remember our race long after you and I have left this world, my friend.”

***

EILISH

Mortal Ruins

I stand in front of Theren’s bedchamber door in a torn tunic that hangs loosely from my corset. The door opens and Cambion’s eyes devour me from head to toe. I need his light. But now is not the time.

Cambion’s arms brace against the door jamb.

He leans down to brush a kiss against my lips.

I wrap my arms around him and he drags me into the room.

He walks me over to the side of the bed.

Theren’s bare chest catches me by surprise.

The roguish smirk on his face is breathtakingly handsome.

I hate that I must be the one to take that smile away.

“Elioth has risen,” I say. “That means he may come after you both.”

Theren’s gaze drops.

He unfolds his legs from the bed and stands.

I force myself to look away as he pulls his shirt on.

Cambion’s presence is soothing. It helps stave off my hunger, because he fulfills me in a different way.

Just the touch of his hand brings me peace and instills light within my spirit. Theren walks over to his mirror.

“Elioth is powerful. His time in the Chasm will have only made him stronger.” He reaches inside the enchanted glass. His eyes become as dark as the mirror’s surface.

“What do you see, brother?” Cambion asks.

Theren jumps back with a grimace. “Elioth is in Oronrel. If the Cockatrice is a follower of Abedon, then Elioth will have the Unseelie army in the palm of his hands.”

“Should we be worried about an attack?” I ask.

Theren seems unsure. “I was able to do serious damage to The Veil with my army and I was fighting against Morrigan’s spell, all the while. Elioth is acting of his own free will in service to Abedon. Imagine what he will be capable of…”

“I haven’t forgotten what happened in The Veil,” I reply. “And I know how malicious your father can be. Do you think you can watch him without him realizing?”

“It’s risky, but I can look in from time to time. The problem is that if Elioth catches me watching him, he can use his own catoptromancy to find us. Mirror magic is very dangerous.”

Cambion moves to Theren’s side. “Only do what you’re comfortable with.

Don’t push yourself, you’re already wounded and not up to your full potential.

” He places his hand on Theren’s shoulder.

Theren turns to me and holds his hand out, tugging me into the space between them.

I feel Theren’s warmth against my chest and Cambion’s behind me.

They fill my senses and I allow myself to melt against them. Strong arms circle me. Cambion’s lips caress the back of my neck where Dragan bit me. “So rough,” he whispers. “You deserve softness as well, Eilish.”

Theren moves closer, his lips brushing the opposite side of my neck. Chill bumps prickle across my skin. Calloused palms slide across the skin peeking beneath the edge of my corset... a knock on the door interrupts. Theren and Campion step back as Noni enters the room.

The little house brownie clucks her tongue in disapproval at the sight of my tattered clothing. “You can’t go to suppers like that! You a queen now! Noni make you a new dress. Very pretty with flowers and lace and pretty little bows. Come! Noni make you pretty clothes.”

Noni grabs my hand and leads me away.

I hear Theren’s frustrated sigh and grin.