Page 10 of Gift from the Source (Source of Elementra #5)

Seven

Draken

My mind is blown.

Just when I always think shit can’t get crazier, it does. At least this time, in my opinion, it was a good kinda crazy.

I’m still whirling over what just happened as I walk around the small tree line of Willow’s mom’s cottage by myself. It obviously had to do with the three generations’ worth of blood being poured into the ground, but still, this is amazing.

I’ve never seen the land flourish like it did just then. Even on Tillman’s best days, he’s never created new colors before. I’m not trying to demean him by saying that. I just can’t wrap my head around this. The leaves themselves have a small vibration of power that my dragon can feel, and he purrs low as I roll one between my fingers.

It’s electrifying.

You know what else was electrifying? Elementra giving me a hug.

Knew I was one of her favorites.

I know the other guys got hugs too, but I doubt they’re as ecstatic about it as me.

All this power in the air, though, has my skin itching with the need to fly. My dragon is riding my ass to get some of this energy out, but that’s a no-go for now. So I’ve resorted to pacing around while the other guys easily jumped right into ‘finish the plans for today’ mode.

They’re still circled up over there, nailing down the details for us to get Carrington to the academy. I don’t think Dec and Xander will be willing to leave him, even at the academy. I’m pretty sure their whole Nexus will be moving.

My eyes follow the sound of Keeper and Gas-man laughing at something my little wanderer said to Tanith, Oakly, and Aria, and my chest clenches. Both in happiness and sadness for her.

It’s another confusing concoction.

After what just happened, I couldn’t find the right words to say, so I just lavished her in kisses, purrs, and pounded my bond with my unconditional love for her.

I thought my heart was going to stop watching what Uncle Oreo went through, but at the same time, fuck, I was so proud of him. I don’t think proud is really the right word. Maybe in awe. I don’t know. But to make those kinds of sacrifices for the people you love, lay so many damn pieces in place for things that are still years in the making.

It takes a level of intelligence and patience I’ll never have.

He’s the most badass person I know. Well, other than Willow.

Speaking of…

When we crossed through her portal—fuck, that felt amazing—and she didn’t come out after Tillman, I thought I was going to explode. If my little friend here didn’t warn me there was no danger and she needed to do what she was doing, I definitely, by accident, would’ve burned the forest down.

I was hesitant to listen to him, but my dragon was A-okay. I guess he just knows when there’s a creature of equal footing with him and far fucking wiser, we should listen.

“Most dragons I know do not think such scrambled thoughts all the time,” my friend, who’s yet to tell me his name, chimes in.

“I only know two dragons and they don’t mind it. Well, only one can actually read my thoughts. How is it you can, and you won’t stop doing it?”

“I am waiting for you to think something worth my while. The way your thoughts just travel across your mind with no regard is exhausting. But you have potential. I’m patiently waiting for you to ask the right questions so I can help.”

“First, you didn’t even answer my question. Second, why are all you creatures so damn mean?” I ask as my gaze moves fully to Tanith.

That dragon can surely be mean.

Also, I ignore anything else he said. Purposely.

“We aren’t mean, but once you live as long as we do, you earn the right to say whatever it is you want.”

I’m not sure age has much to do with it. Caspian kinda does that now to everyone. Whatever comes to his mind, he says. I at least try to keep what I want to say confined in my mind.

Except when I want to get Willow all hot and bothered.

“You okay?” As though my thought alone spoke him into existence, Cas asks, scaring me as he shadows out beside me.

“A little warning. I swear you’re quieter now than you’ve ever been,” I growl, rubbing my chest.

“Noticed that, did you? I don’t even have to focus on being silent. It just happens,” he says with a sinister little smirk.

I guess his stalking will be even easier.

Staring at him while he stares at Willow, I can’t help but think about all the power boost my brothers have gotten. Theirs have been gradually growing while mine seemed to burst free as soon as Willow’s dragon and mine bonded, then marked one another.

I mean, not that I really care. No one else but me can grow into a massive-ass dragon with blue flames that can burn anything. But I’ve learned enough now to know it’s strange that’s where mine tapped out.

“Finally, something worth my time,” my bird friend says, then hoots, causing Cas to flinch and glare at him.

I’ll come back to that…

“I’m fine. I mean, that was a lot to take in, but it was all worth it. Willow got the closure she needed on all fronts. So did we. We found out Darstein switched those vials to make Ale look like an idiot, which flipped the script for everything. The second family betraying us is now in the light. Well, except I guess two of them are working with us, not against us. We need to kind of dig into that more. Nexus brothers were reunited. We got new cool friends. The portals in the nonmagical realm are closed and the blood was returned. It was a pretty productive day, I’d say. I guess now we just got to find out the Summum-Master’s identity and see if that leads us to destroying him.”

I have to list it out like that so Cas knows I’m following. There’re obviously some other things I left out, but as long as he knows I got the gist of all the shit that went down today, he’s not going to force me to listen to him rehash every bit of it.

“The Master of Master’s identity is already available to the one who would look for it. Why his identity is important will follow that discovery.”

“What? How would you know that?” My head whips toward the bird and his seemingly all-knowing eyes blink before he cocks his head to the side at me.

“You’re communicating with the bird as well. I thought it was more like an animal thing going on between the two of you,” Cas mumbles and I peer over to see him staring at us with his full attention.

“He’s not a bird, he’s a—”

“Do not speak my species. You all may call me V if you so desperately need a label.”

“Well, is that your name?” I ask.

“Mostly.”

Huffing, I roll my eyes and tell Cas what he said. That, of course, doesn’t satisfy Mr. Need to have all the information and he scowls at V.

“How are the two of you communicating? Is it like how Tanith speaks to us? Why are you clinging specifically to Draken?”

“There’s no babbling in the Shadow God’s mind. Just many questions and answers. He’s a smart one as well.”

“I’m sure he’d enjoy you perching on his shoulder.”

“No. He’s not the one who needs me.”

I arch a brow for him to explain. He doesn’t. Instead, he ruffles his feathers out and kneads his damn talons into my shoulder .

“I don’t think he’s in the mood to give answers right now,” I tell Cas and he hums.

He reaches his hand out slowly and goes to run his fingers down V’s wing. I try to hiss out a warning, but I’m too late.

That sharp beak plucks down faster than I can reach my hand up to stop him and Caspian’s high-pitched yelp echoes around the backyard. There’s a beat of stunned silence as he looks down at the blood pouring from the cut. When his shocked eyes look up at me, I die laughing.

“I take back what I said. He’s a fool,” V says before releasing a series of squawks.

“You of all people should know better than to touch someone all willy-nilly. How would you like it if I tried to pet your arm?” I gasp out, choking back my chuckles.

“That fucking hurt. Asshole bird,” Cas sneers.

My entire body shakes from my laughter as I watch him shadow away and pop up in front of Willow. I can hear him snitching V out and the restraint it’s taking Willow not to laugh just causes me to chuckle harder. The sly smirk playing on his lips as she gives in and fusses over his finger causes me to roll my eyes at his dramatics.

I love to see how needy my brother’s gotten with her.

As the sound of my amusement eventually fades out, I sigh. It really has been a long day. Yeah, I’m happy and pleased with everything we did and discovered, but damn, I’m ready for a break. I wanna laze in bed with my little wanderer and brothers.

“A break…for now, you will have to be satisfied with the small moments you and your family get. It is almost time.”

“Riddles and secrets. Secrets and riddles. That seems to be the only thing you extra smart beings give us,” I grunt.

“Our reasoning is the same as yours. You’ve been keeping a secret from your beloved—mate—Primary, whatever, because you’re waiting for the right time to bring it up. My, the threads the two of you share. No wonder almost every thought of yours is consumed with her. ”

My eyes widen and I cover his beak with my hand, shushing him as though he spoke that out loud for everyone to hear. I’m not an idiot like Caspian, though, and I jerk my arm away before he can stab me.

“How do you know anything about that?”

“I know everything there is to know about you and filia. It is my job.”

“You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind. I’ve had enough for the day,” I declare as he presents yet another mystery in front of me.

“Fine. I’m going to spend time with that glorious creature. When your mind finally rests, then I will answer your questions,” he gripes and his weight disappears from my shoulder as he glides across the air to Tanith.

She instantly perks up like she’s been waiting for him to pay attention to her but wasn’t going to be the one to invite him. My eyebrows rise when V lands feet in front of her and together they bow their heads at one another. The small action draws the attention of everyone, and even as I move closer to the rest of my Nexus slowly, we all stay quiet as we watch.

“Well, it looks like two best buds in the making,” Keeper says as he pats me on the shoulder.

“Me and V or V and Tanith?” I ask.

“I guess all three. Probably four including your beloved. Although I don’t know what the little owl is, I can sense his intelligence just as any can sense Tanith’s. Creatures of your kind tend to flock together.”

“He’s the strangest dragon I’ve ever seen.” My little wanderer picks as she walks up, catching the end of his sentence.

“Definitely not a dragon, but definitely on the same level as us,” I say to only her and wink down at the questions in her eyes.

How I know what he is without being told, I have no clue. I mean, I’ve obviously worked out it has to do with my slowly but surely emerging communal knowledge. But who would have those answers and pass them to me, though, I still haven’t the first idea.

“Will, you want to go say your goodbyes so we can get going?” Tillman asks, stealing her curious gaze from me.

“Yeah. One more stop, then I’m ready for a bath and to relax,” she says before pushing up on her toes to give me a kiss on the cheek.

Fuck yeah, I’m ready for a bath too .

My dragon purrs in my chest and I run my thumb across my bottom lip to hide my smirk as I watch Willow shiver as she walks away. That’ll always bring me the utmost satisfaction.

As she approaches Aria, Lyker, and his brothers, I turn to spark up a conversation with Keeper, only to come up short when I see Carrington sitting on the ground by her mom’s greenhouse. Trex, Codi, Dec, and Xander are only a few feet from him, but I got the sinking feeling in my gut, the young giant does things like that to seem smaller.

“I’m gonna go talk to Carrington before we go,” I tell Keeper so he doesn’t think I’m just ditching him.

His gaze moves over and his face softens. “He’s going to feel a little out of place for a while. Being locked up against your will, then being freed to a whole new and exciting realm. It’s a shock to the system,” he says knowingly.

“Yeah, it is. He won’t be alone, though.”

“No, he won’t be. Poor thing probably won’t know how to handle being adopted by all these people. The Adored doesn’t give much of a choice once she declares you’re family.” He chuckles and I mimic him.

“Sure doesn’t. Possessive little thing.”

I’m still smirking as I approach the group and each of the guys gives me nods as I pass them and perch my ass beside Carrington on the ground. His nerves are so strong, they vibrate the ground.

“How are you feeling, big guy?” I ask.

“I’m all right. Excited,” he says unconvincingly.

“Right…You know, I had to start at the academy when I was fourteen. I’d never been to school before then.”

“Isn’t that when you emerged? They told me everyone here had to go to an academy when they got their gifts and stuff?”

“Yeah, but before then, you’re supposed to attend normal school. Learn to read, write, history, all that shit. I didn’t go through all that. I was half-ass taught by a farmer and pretty behind,” I clarify, then watch his cheeks turn red.

“I learned that back home. It wasn’t like an academy or school. An Elgian…uh, I guess elder here, taught all the younglings in our vi llage. X and Dec taught me a little about the history of this realm but not much. I can read and write, though,” he says bashfully.

“Then you’re right on track,” I say with a smile that doesn’t work on him, so I get more serious and to the point I’m trying to make. “I was a fourteen-year-old dragon. The only one of my kind and everyone just thought I was a rabid killer. It was hard, but I wasn’t alone. And that made it worth it. You won’t be alone either. You’ll have us and you’ll make a handful of friends that you’ll fit right in with. People are going to stare and say shit behind your back because people are assholes. It won’t be easy at first, but you’ll learn to let it slide off your back.”

And I’ll fuck up any of those assholes. He’s a kid, they’re adults. They can keep their bullying to their own age bracket.

“Really?”

“Really, really,” I say and this time he does mimic my smile.

“Corentin mentioned he’s going to room me with another guy my age and the shifter instructor to help me get adjusted. You think I’m going to scare him?” he asks quietly.

Aww Layton, my buddy…

“To be honest with you, man, probably at first. His name’s Layton and he’s a rare shifter, but he’s been through some shit just like you. He spooks easy by anything, but he’s getting better every day.”

“Hopefully, it gets better for both of us,” he says so low I can barely hear him, but I sense the homesickness and heartache inside of him.

“It will,” I say confidently, patting him on his arm, well, attempting to. Damn, I look so small compared to him. “Come on, let’s get going.”

It takes me a second to get my balance as I try to stand because every move he makes shakes me. I try to hide it and continue to smile at him so I don’t make him feel bad.

“Thank you, Draken,” he says and fuck me, before I know it, I’m being lifted off the damn ground.

Oh, holy shit, this is terrifying.

You know? I kinda like it.

“Draken.” Willow snorts in my mind and I shoot her a wink from the air.

“Okay, put him down, Car. Time to go,” Dec shouts out, causing Carrington to grunt out an apology and put me down.

I give him a small punch on his forearm as I walk away, letting him know we’re all good. My Nexus all shakes their heads at me like they’re surprised or some shit and I just grin.

“We’re going to go straight to meet Vince. We’ll figure out a tour and all that later. For now, let’s just get them there and comfortable,” Corentin instructs as we all gather up.

“Thank fuck. I’m ready to go home,” Cas says, snuggling in close to Willow.

“On me,” she announces excitedly and Tillman scowls, causing her to place her hands on her hips. “I know good and well you’re not doubting me to transport everyone when I just opened a portal between realms.”

“No. I’m trying to figure out how the hell you know where Vince’s new place is since Corentin just told him to move again to accommodate Carrington. Literally just an hour ago,” he says, arching a jealous little brow, and I snicker at him.

“Oh,” she says, dropping her hands. “In that case, I don’t have any idea. I thought we were going to the other house where we dropped Layton off. You can dictate it then.”

Cas and I throw our heads back, laughing at the sweetness in her tone, while Corentin tries to hide his smirk.

I love when she’s bossy.

“Thank you, little warrior. On me,” T-man announces seriously although I hear the humor he’s trying to hide.

I should’ve volunteered to do it so I could try to feel how Tanith reacts to transporting. She can gloat all she wants, but I know better by the way my little wanderer was fussing discreetly over her.

No matter. As fast as we enter the darkness, we’re stepping out and to my disappointment, Tanith does just as good as she did earlier. Not that I really wanted her to get sick, but I am a little curious as to what a dragon throwing up would look like.

Would it be fire?

Maybe bones and bile ?

Guess I’ll never know.

Both Tillman and Willow make noises of disgust, aimed directly at me. I just shrug my shoulders. They should be used to it, so I won’t be defending my curiosity.

“Oh my goodness. What is this place?” Willow asks quietly when she turns her scrunched nose from me and takes in the house in front of us.

“My parents’ Nexus house. It was designed with higher ceilings, frames, and walls to fit Wesling better. It’ll still be a squeeze for Carrington, but we can modify what needs to be for him,” Tillman says softly, then clears his throat.

This place is a long-forgotten—well, not forgotten, more so off-limits—slice of paradise. It’s tucked away in the forest around the academy. From the front door, you can see the grounds, but from the academy, you can’t see it.

Tillman’s parents took great care of it. He’s made sure to do the same. I was made aware of its existence when I first arrived because he’d bring us with him to touch it up. House maintenance. But it was Cas who had to explain to me what it was and told me it wasn’t a topic for discussion.

So I’ve never brought it up. It looks like our big guy is ready to let it go, though.

“I don’t feel like I deserve all these upgrades I keep getting,” Vince announces as he bounds out the front door with a goofy feline grin on his face.

“You do. We wouldn’t trust anyone else with all these new responsibilities,” Corentin says as he pats Vince on the shoulder. “This is Carr—”

Corentin’s eyes grow wide as his sentence falls short and we all follow what’s stolen his attention.

Standing a few feet away from us, Carrington’s eyes have completely bled orange and he’s shaking violently. None of us have any clue what it is that’s set him off and we all jump into a protective stance.

“Carrington…” Xander coaxes softly, but the giant just growls, stomping past him.

My heart crawls up my throat when I realize he’s not charging into the forest, or even the house, but the person standing in front of it. My own protective instincts flare to life and my eyes fully shift as my fear for Layton intensifies. I attempt to shove my way through my Nexus to get to him in time, but my little wanderer latches onto me with all her might.

“No, Draken, stop. Stop,” she purrs and my body shivers from the command. “Oh, Elementra.”

“What is happening?” I growl.

“Watch,” she breathes.

I turn my head back in just enough time to catch the biggest and brightest smiles I’ve ever seen on the little chameleon’s face right before he’s lifted off the ground.

Power explodes around us, sending us sliding feet back as a flash of light from a shift steals our sight. It’s so blinding we each cover our faces until the heat from it simmers down.

That bright halo stays covering the two of them and as it finally fades, my jaw drops to the ground.

My gaze falls on Layton first, who looks happier than I’ve ever seen him. He stands taller, more confident, and due to his excitement, his skin keeps shifting colors.

Carrington…fuck, Carrington is a mixture of confusion and pure joy. His orange eyes are glowing, but his body…

Shit.

No longer stands twelve feet tall. From the distance separating us, he’s still got a couple inches on me, maybe Tillman, but he’s no longer the giant we brought with us.

“What the fuck?” Cas murmurs.

“You all found one of my brothers,” Layton cheers before crossing the distance between us and wrapping me in a hug.

In my state of shock, all I can do is pat him on the back as I look at my Nexus for some guidance.

And I mouth, “What the fuck,” back to Cas.

“Layton, let’s properly introduce you, okay?” Willow asks sugary sweet, and he beams at her.

“I can’t believe it happened this fast. I didn’t even know you all were going to another academy already,” he says and all of us shift .

This will be a story he and Carrington need to share together, but at least, it doesn’t seem to faze Layton that just a few moments ago, his new Nexus brother was a literal giant.

Hell, he might have not even noticed.

“My job just keeps getting better and better,” Vince says before letting out a victory roar, followed by embracing Carrington in a hug that catches him off guard.

I can’t help but laugh as Layton joins in and hollers for me to join. The lighthearted moment dies out in my chest as I pull back from the kid and watch him punch his new Nexus brother in the arm like they’ve known each other for years.

Fuck…what if we never found him? Either of them?

Where would they both be?

“It’s all a part of the plan, dragon. All the pieces are falling into place. This is the start of their story,” my little wanderer says softly.

Falling into her gentle eyes, I see the truth there.

All our stories are starting.

“Our lesson plans are going to be changing up now,” Vince says as we walk out the front door.

Layton jumped all over showing Carrington around the house and we just let them be. It’s time for our Nexus to get home.

Plus, if I don’t let my dragon out, he’s gonna start making me burp up fireballs.

“Your lesson plans, man. I’m just here to assist,” I say, clapping Vince on the shoulder.

“Absolutely not. You’re just as much their instructor as me. Plus, now we’re going to be able to incorporate your dragon’s strength with honing in Carrington’s. He’s going to need that guidance and you’re the perfect man for the job. ”

I don’t have it in me to douse any of his excitement, especially when he’s looking at me like he can’t wait to start teaching. I’m not so sure I’m instructor material, though. I mean…I used to trap the other students in rings of fire to teach them lessons.

The work we’ve been doing with Layton hasn’t much felt like a traditional class, though. We’ve been helping him at his pace and he hasn’t complained about the way I explain things.

We’ll see how it goes adding another kid in our little improv class.

“I’ll message you tomorrow, kitty cat,” I say, jogging away as he tries to swipe me with his claws.

Swooping my little wanderer up, I purr into her neck as she squeals in surprise.

Fuck, I’m so ready to get home, but I’ve got to get in the skies first.

“I’m gonna fly back to the palace, little wanderer. He’s driving me crazy.”

“Care if I join? She needs to stretch her wings. Do some twists and turns.”

Fuck yes.

Her laugh wraps around me as I spin us again. “Nothing would make me happier. Are the guys going up too?”

Tanith, Keeper, Gaster, and V have already headed back to the palace, so it could just be our Nexus in the sky alone for the first time in a while.

“We’re going to pass this time. I’ve had enough twists and turns for one day,” Corentin declares, pulling Willow into his arms. “Straight to the palace. No trouble up there, princess.”

“No trouble at all.” She smirks.

He shakes his head, attempting to hide his amusement, and Tillman steps in his place and lays a blistering kiss to her lips.

“See you when you get home.” He winks and I catch the growing blush crawling across her skin.

“Give the dragon hell, Primary,” Cas murmurs, crowding behind her, making her bond thud wildly in my chest .

I drape my arm over her shoulder, and we wave them off as they gather together to transport out. As soon as they poof away, she releases a heavy breath.

Leaning down to her ear, I ask, “What’s got you so worked up, sweetness?”

“Let’s shift,” she says hastily and I chuckle as she scurries off.

I’ll never grow tired of watching her shift. It’s the most magical thing. I obsessively stare as she transforms from a fucking beautiful woman to a beautiful beast. There’s simply no comparison to what it’s like witnessing the only other being in any realm do what only you can do. It’s enchanting.

And so damn sexy.

I wait until she’s in her fifteen-foot size before I finally let my own dragon free. He can’t help but let out a roar that shakes the trees and we race after our mate as she shoots into the clouds.

Our playful dance immediately commences as soon as I’m close enough to blow smoke around her tail. Every twist, turn, or roll she does, I match. Every flip, dive, or back soaring I do, she matches.

Together in the air or on the ground, we match each other perfectly.

After a few minutes of our dragons burning out their apprehension from the day, we slow our pace and just enjoy the sight of the sky.

The palace comes into view far faster than I would’ve liked. The need to keep flying, though, gets burned away when that little spark of excitement returns to my sweetness.

Our claws touch down and we shift. I’m on her in a second, purring in her ear.

“Ready for a shower and bed?”

“Yep,” she squeaks, and I chuckle as I transport us to her bedroom in the south wing.

A sigh of relief falls from her lips when we enter the empty room and some of the nervous energy that’s mixed in with some much more delicious feelings, settles down. I look down at her, arching a brow, but she turns her beautiful flushing face from me.

“Solo shower, dragon,” she murmurs as she pats my chest and giggles at my groan .

“I’ll be back in a few minutes with the guys,” I tell her, giving her a kiss and releasing her to shower. Alone.

I retreat to my room—well, run—and take my own shower.

It’s torturous.

The thrum in her bond is too addictive to ignore. The jumbling of emotions all throughout her call to me. I can’t tell if she wants us to just hold her, talk to her, fuck her, or maybe all the above.

She’s tired from her long day, yet wired.

Nerves are skittering through her, but at the same time, she’s giddy with excitement.

Hell, I don’t know what’s going on with my little wanderer.

“Something’s got Willow’s wings ruffled. I can’t keep up with what’s going on inside of her,” I say immediately when I step out of my room at the same time the guys do.

Their heads turn to me, then they shake them with little snorts.

I don’t know what they find so funny.

“Maybe you should learn to mind your business, dragon,” Cas says.

“She’s had a very long, confusing, and emotional day. Give her a breath,” Core adds, all reasonable and shit.

It’s the shit-eating grin on the giant’s face that I pay attention to, though.

“What do you know that we don’t?” I ask and the brothers turn their heads to him.

“Not a thing.”

“Lie,” all three of us say.

“You all will see.”

Fucking mind reader.

I want to be able to read her mind.

We put a little pep in our step as we make our way back to her room and I crash through the door. My shoulders drop when I don’t see her freshly showered with wild hair waiting for us.

“Patience, dragon.” Tillman laughs, clapping me on the shoulder as he walks by, and I sneer .

It feels like we wait forever for her to emerge from the bathroom. The three of them discuss the day, while I stare at the bathroom door. The intensity of the nerves and the thrill in her bond is next level now and I need to lay my eyes on her.

As the door opens, we all turn toward it as one.

A deep purr falls from my chest as my eyes devour her.

The long satin robe may hide what’s underneath, but I can outline her body like a map. I know beneath that little slip of material, there’s nothing else.

The four of us take a step forward in a trance, but she holds her hand up, stopping us.

“The four of you are in trouble,” she breathes.

Trouble?

What did I do?

“Primary,” Cas warns, and her eyes shoot to him.

“Especially you. You’re the reason everyone else is in trouble.”

He crosses his arms, but I glare at him. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Wrong. You shadowed through Franklin’s alone and gathered all the people there. That was dangerous and it scared me. Therefore, you all will be punished.”

My glare at Cas slowly melts into a devilish smile.

I’m so down for my sweetness’s punishment.

She can tie me up all she wants.

“Okay then, Primary. Give us our punishment,” Cas says smugly, even bowing. He’s such a little shit. He’s taunting her.

The saucy little smirk that crosses her lips as she slowly starts walking toward us has my beast rumbling.

Fuck, she’s so sexy when she prowls toward us like a predator.

Once she’s close enough to us, we all reach out, but again she stops us.

“Nope. No touching,” she says, chuckling low as all our eyes widen.

Nope. I don’t like this punishment anymore .

We move out of her way and turn our bodies to face her as she leans against the bed. Her eyes trace over each of us and I’m literally about to come just from that look.

Her hands slowly roam her own body until she reaches the cord holding her robe together. My mouth waters as it comes undone, but she doesn’t let it reveal my deepest desire.

“That’s going to be your punishment. You get to look but not touch. Until I say otherwise. Goes for yourselves as well. You touch yourself and my fun stops.”

My world stops as the slip of satin hits the ground when she finishes talking.

Fuck me. I’m not going to have to touch myself.

She’s going to finish me off just standing there in all her glory.

She slowly pushes herself up on the bed and I hang my head, groaning as her legs part. The sight of her glistening pussy open like that is just begging for me to feast on it.

I watch her hand trail down her body and fuck, I want it to be mine.

We all do. We all take a step forward the second her finger slips to her clit.

“Don’t make me restrain you, boys,” she pants as she pulls her hand away. “Be good and I’ll let you have what you all want.”

My breaths come fast as her finger dips back down into my dessert.

The faster her finger moves, the faster my chest and dick rise.

“Pump those fingers into that greedy pussy, little warrior. Let us see what we’re missing,” Tillman says and I grunt.

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl at him.

I’m already on the edge. I can’t take much more.

Her pleasure is my undoing. It belongs to me.

On my face. My tongue. My fingers. My cock.

It’s mine.

She listens to him, though.

Her finger disappears inside of her and her head falls back on a moan that shakes my spine.

“Come lick it off, dragon,” she orders .

I growl as I pounce.

I hold her wrist in a death grip, fearful she may take it from me.

My hum vibrates through her as the taste of her explodes across my tongue. It’s my favorite fucking flavor. I need her to let me feast on it.

“Soon. You all can take turns cleaning me up once I’m done.”

Between the sexual confidence pouring off her and those sexy-ass commands coming from her sweet lips, I’ll make myself wait until the end of time if she tells me to.

My brothers crowd in closer as we stare down at her.

The four of us can’t decide if we want to watch her face as she pleasures herself or watch her finger work her pussy.

“I’ll never do that shit again,” Cas groans.

“No, the fuck you won’t,” Corentin says.

Cas’s eyes are dark as he stares down at her. His shadows swirl around him, but he’s following her rules.

“What’s wrong, Cas? Is it too much?” She moans.

“Yes, Primary, it is. You’re keeping our fucking drug from us. Can’t you see how we’re all at your feet, feening for a little taste?”

“I can see. And I fucking love it,” she cries, and her fingers work faster.

Yes, sweetness. Work that pussy. Get it nice and ready for us.

Chill bumps spread across her skin and her nipples tighten. Quiet little pants of our names fall out of her mouth with her breaths and I count the seconds down.

“Fuck.”

She screams, throwing her head back, and her body locks up as the orgasm rips through her. We close in around her.

Pleading. Waiting for her command to set us free.

I grunt as cum soaks my boxers. I fall forward with my hands on each side of her thighs, careful not to touch her but desperately wanting to. My eyes shift and heavy breaths fan across her pussy.

“Eat, dragon. Touch me,” she both begs and commands.

We fucking pounce.

I drag my tongue from her ass to her clit, making sure I lick up every fucking drop of her. It won’t be wasted .

My brothers don’t leave a section of her skin untouched.

Her thighs tighten around my head and she attempts to escape me, but I don’t allow it. I bury my face in even further.

I will taste her next release. Then I’ll do whatever she wants me to do.

None of us let up on her as she arches her body.

“Please. Someone please fuck me,” she begs beautifully.

With one last drag of my tongue, I stand and flip her over to all fours.

I move out of the way and let Corentin roam his hands all over her ass cheeks as I move on the bed to kneel in front of her.

One hand runs through her hair as I tilt her head back. The other pulls my sweats over my hips to let my dick spring free. The evidence of my release drips from my tip and she licks her lips as she stares at it.

“I want you to taste me, sweetness. Taste what you do to me while my brothers take turns fucking that delectable pussy.”

She’s already made me come once and I damn near did it again tasting her. It’s only fair my brothers get to fuck her while she sucks my mess off me.

“Yes.” She moans and that’s all the permission Corentin needs.

He slams into her and smacks her ass at the same time.

I push my dick into her open mouth and steal the sweet little purrs coming out of it.

“Yes, baby. That’s it, right there. Push back on my cock and drag him with you,” Corentin says as he takes the strands of her hair fanning across her back and wraps them around his fist.

The two of us find our rhythm and my eyes roll back into my head.

Her hot mouth sucks and slurps me down.

Heat blazes down my back, but I hold it in and refuse to come again until she’s had all her men.

It’s so fucking hard.

My dick and not spilling down her throat.

I breathe through my need to explode as Corentin buries himself inside of her and she screams around my cock.

The two-second break we both get as he and Tillman switch places was not fucking long enough .

“You’re doing so fucking good, Will. Taking every inch of me and the dragon. You know just what to do with this pussy and that mouth.”

His words cause her to groan, sucking down on me even harder, and I hiss as my head leans back.

Breathe, dragon. You can hold off.

It’s fucking torture.

Pure agony.

It’s the best feeling in the realm.

Tillman pounds into her until she’s gagging around me, and I wipe the tears streaming down her face.

“Need me to pull out, sweetness?”

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

That’s my dragon goddess.

When he comes, the whole bed shakes and her body quivers.

“Such a good girl. My naughty little Primary,” Cas says as he comes up behind her. “Let’s fill all these holes for your finale, shall we?”

He chuckles as a guttural vibration in the back of her throat has me nearly snatching out of her mouth.

“Fuck off, Caspian,” I grunt as she holds the tip of my dick in her mouth while he works his little shadow toy into her ass.

“It’s not me. It’s her. You’ve been torturing the dragon, Primary. Give him what he deserves.”

He plows into her and both my hands fly to her hair. I don’t shove her down or control anything she does.

She doesn’t need any guidance from me, but fuck if I don’t need some grounding from her.

My hips start twitching involuntarily and I know I’m not going to be able to hold back much longer. She’s already got me on my knees, but she’s about to leave me as a puddle on the floor.

“Come, Draken. Come down my throat.”

Fuck. Yep. That does it.

Fire shoots through my body as I spill every last drop into her mouth and she accepts it all. She keeps sucking my dick as though more will come out, but all she’s going to do is suck my soul from my body .

She doesn’t remove her mouth as Cas explodes inside of her. I can’t stop twitching.

As soon as he pulls free of her, I pull her off my dick and fall back on the bed with her in my arms. I have to fight desperately to catch my breath.

I’m seeing stars.

For the first time ever, I’m slack as shit and don’t take her to the bathroom immediately. Instead, I chuff an order through my mind for the guys to clean her up right where she lies.

They chuckle, but they do as I ask.

Her soft sighs warm my heart, and my eyes drift shut.

My little wanderer puts my ass right to sleep.