Page 5

Chapter 5

A n argument began and continued on around Mari without her input, but she wasn’t listening. The name Ashdei meant nothing to her. Cisco had taken her memories of the entire day and never spoken a word about what had happened. She had woken the next morning with a heavy necklace locked around her neck and, apparently, a husband-to-be that she knew nothing about.

This seemed like a very good time for some hysterical laughter, but she sincerely did not have the energy for it right now.

She sat quietly for several minutes contemplating how she felt about the new development, as the men she had claimed as her own continued to yell around her.

Honestly, she didn’t much care. She had no intention of marrying the demon she’d been betrothed to against her will, and she didn’t think he really had any recourse. Although she was going to ask Willow about demonic marriage contracts as soon as she had a few minutes to herself.

“It doesn’t matter,” she finally said, loudly, so they would hear her over their continued bickering.

They all quieted at once, looking her way expectantly.

“I’m not marrying him, no matter what he thinks. I hope that’s obvious.”

Dohal nodded. “I did not mean to imply that you should. But he will show up—sooner rather than later now that Basilio is gone—looking to take his place as the ruler of Las Vegas. And the easiest way to accomplish that is by claiming you as his rightful bride.”

She headed off the argument that almost began again with a glare. “Okay, we have another powerful enemy that’s coming for us. That’s just another Thursday.” She looked at each one of them in turn. “I don’t want to discuss him anymore if he’s not actively banging down our door trying to kill us. One problem at a time.”

Dohal was the first to incline his head in deference to her wishes, and one at a time, the rest followed suit.

She turned back toward Dante, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you for helping. I feel much better.”

She pressed her mouth to his and felt his magic perk up immediately in response to her. His hands slid around to grip her ass and hold her tighter to him. He was naked under her, having gone into his shifted form in order to run to her, and his cock stirred against her. The only thing separating them was her panties, and that was far too much.

She broke the kiss with a gasp. “I have a thing to do with Rio, but I need this first.”

Rio still sat beside them and raked her body with a slow, heated glance. “Take your time.”

Dohal moved to sit on the other side, his cosmic eyes taking in every detail. “By all means, sate your appetite.”

Cisco moved to stand close behind her and wrapped her hair around his fist, leaning to whisper in her ear, “Do you need permission to take a moment for yourself? Because you have it. Reach down between your legs and stroke his cock to feel how much he wants you right now.”

Having all of their attention focused on her at once was a heady thing. Even though she’d been tired and hurt for most of the day, the moment she wrapped her fingers around Dante she felt powerful. He was hot and hard and ready in her hand. She allowed herself the luxury of several long, slow glides over the silky heat of his cock.

The magic came to her slower than usual, a trickle rather than a torrent, but she was glad that it came at all after the day she’d had.

Cisco tugged her head back an inch. “Now pull your panties aside and touch yourself for all of us to watch. Not too fast. I’m not going to let you rush this. Savor it.” His voice was pure seduction.

She did as he ordered, moving the damp fabric out of the way and sliding her fingers over her clit. A shiver slinked up her spine as her arousal curled slow and low in her belly. She locked eyes with Dohal as she swirled her fingers in a gradual circle and a moan fell from her lips. He bit his generous lower lip with the tip of one fang as his eyes drank her in.

Dante splayed his fingers over her thighs, rocking his hips so that his cock nudged against her teasingly. The flirty smile he showed her made her want to eat him up.

Cisco nuzzled the side of her head. “You’re so fucking hot. Hold yourself open so he can slide into that luscious pussy.”

Again, she did exactly what he said, spreading her labia so that Dante could slide into her on his next thrust. An explosive moan shook her as he probed her cunt the barest inch before withdrawing again. “Oh, fuck.”

“Mmm,” Cisco murmured in her ear. “Look at Rio. He loves it when you get all turned on and breathy.”

She swiveled her gaze to Rio, who was watching her with the hottest smile ever, his eyes lit with his obvious enjoyment of the show she was putting on.

Cisco shifted his grip so that he held the back of her neck. “Go ahead, Dante.”

Dante rocked his hips again, pushing into her. This time when he started to withdraw, Cisco pressed her down into his lap. She groaned as her body stretched to accommodate the unicorn’s thick cock. His magic flowed into her, wild and sweet.

Dante leaned his head back, surrendering everything to her. “You feel so good every time,” he said in a reverent whisper.

Cisco dug his fingers in a bit, so she felt the faintest prick of his claws. “You’re going to ride him slow and easy. I want you to feel every inch of him parting that slick pussy.”

Mari’s breath stuttered as Cisco began to rock her up and down in an agonizingly slow rhythm. She met Dohal’s blazing eyes again.

His lips were slightly curled as he watched her sliding over Dante’s cock. “Pull up your dress, bavi, so I can see you better.”

She did as he asked, dragging the silky fabric up along her torso to clear his view. His gaze slowly roamed down her body as she moved under Cisco’s command.

Dante’s cock plunged deep with every stroke, dragging inside her with such perfect friction that she thought she would self-combust.

Cisco’s grip on her neck tightened again as he drove her faster, so that her tits bounced. She slid her hands up to palm them and panned her eyes toward Rio, who watched her chest with avid appreciation.

Their attention sparked something inside her that was hungry for them. Dante wrapped his hands around her ass as she picked up speed again, groaning into the base of her neck as she rode him hard. The slapping of their skin on every thrust filled the room.

Cisco no longer directed her, just supported her as her movements became more frantic. “Come all over his cock, Mariana.”

She cried out as her muscles contracted, squeezing around Dante as she continued to move along his length, enjoying the sensation of his cock pushing through the pressure. His hips jerked as he followed her after a handful of strokes, his magic and his cum pumping into her.

Mari relaxed against Dante as her body continued to shudder around him. “I like the fun way much better,” she murmured into his shoulder.

He chuckled and slid his hand up her back. “Me too.”

Rio traced his fingers lightly over her arm. “Are you feeling better?”

“Mmhmm. Much,” she said with a drowsy smile.

Cisco rubbed her neck. “Good.”

Dohal leaned to kiss her shoulder. “I am very glad.”

Mari grumbled the whole way up the stairs to the guest rooms, just for fun. Rio had agreed to let Mari go with him to talk to Tristan only if she let him carry her. And since Mari was feeling quite a bit perkier after her sexy times with Dante in the ballroom, she was quite enjoying the ride, letting her magic rub up against Rio and teasing him into a frenzy.

When they arrived at the door, Rio set her gently on her espadrilles and pushed her into the wall with a searing kiss that made her wrap a leg around him. She squeaked against his mouth when he grabbed a handful of her ass under her dress and pulled her hard against him.

He gave her a scorching look as he pulled away an inch. “You keep making noises like that and I’m going to drop to my knees right here in this hallway.”

She gave his arm an indignant swat and laughed. “Not in this hallway.”

“Is there another hallway that’s better for you?” He dipped his head for another brief kiss. “Because I can just carry you over there.”

“You’re impossible.” She tipped her head back and laughed again, and he peppered her throat with nibbling kisses.

He let out a playful growl and pulled away slightly. “Okay, let’s get this done, because I need under that dress in the worst way.”

Rio knocked on the door, but didn’t step away from where he had her pinned until the last second.

This time Halcyon answered the door. He raised his eyebrows in question without saying anything.

“Mari had an idea about something that might help.”

Still no response, and if anything, Halcyon looked more skeptical.

Mari said, “Greta thinks he’s in stasis, right? Waiting for it to be safe. Well, what if Rio tells him it’s safe?”

Halcyon didn’t say anything but lifted his chin indicating they should come with him.

They followed him into the bedroom once again, where Clarion lay beside Tristan with one arm draped across the phoenix. Clarion’s red eyes came open the second they crossed the threshold. He didn’t growl when Rio came closer, but it looked like a near thing.

Rio sat next to Tristan and picked up his hand. He took a breath before he began, “I’ve missed the hell out of you, Tris.”

He laced his fingers with the phoenix’s and thought for a moment. “I don’t know what happened to you, or where you went. I thought you died, and it killed me.” He took a moment to hold back the tears that roughened his voice. “I’m sorry that when you came back looking for me, you found Vincent.”

“That piece of shit is dead. My partner killed him.” Rio smiled at her. “I’d love to tell you all about her. She’s really great.”

Rio rubbed Tristan’s hand lightly. “These guys seem pretty dedicated to you. I know you don’t know them real well, but they won’t let anything hurt you from now on.” He leaned down and kissed Tristan’s forehead. “You’re safe, Tris. I promise.”

The room was quiet after Rio finished. He sat there for several minutes and then offered Clarion a sympathetic shrug. “It was worth a shot, anyway.” With a final pat for Tristan’s hand, he rose and walked to Mari.

She hugged him tight, until she thought she might crack some ribs, and wished that she could help.

“Is that her?” a hoarse voice asked from behind him.

Rio whipped around at the same time Clarion sat up, reaching for Tris’s face. The hellhound thought better of forcing contact on him and pulled back his hand. Halcyon closed the distance to the bed and stood looking over Tristan, his expression astonished.

Tristan hadn’t moved much, but his eyes were open, and he was looking at Rio.

“Hey,” Rio said, stepping closer cautiously, aware that the hellhounds were on a hair trigger. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

“I’m not sure I am. I’m pretty confused about where I am.” Tristan looked between the hellhounds who were desperate to touch him but trying to give him space. “And when I am.”

Rio waited until Halcyon gave him a careful nod to sit at the foot of the bed. “Well first, this is Halcyon and Clarion.” He pointed at each of them in turn. “They have mating bonds attached to you, which is probably a scary thing to think about, but it’s important to explain why they’re hovering.”

Clarion said, “It’s not a thing we would ever force on you.”

“But we want to take care of you while you’re recovering,” said Halcyon immediately afterwards.

“Hi.” Tristan shifted his hand to be closer to Clarion’s on the coverlet. “I get it. I knew some hellhounds in L.A. You can help. I’m just going to need some time for the rest of it.”

“Yeah, absolutely,” Halcyon assured him at the same time Clarion nodded.

“And this is Mari,” Rio said as he held out a hand to her.

She came closer and took Rio’s hand. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Tristan showed her a weak smile. “She glows like an angel.”

Rio laughed and brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss. “She really does.” He cleared his throat. “You’re in our house. And you’re safe. That’s the most important thing.”

Tristan nodded. “I don’t remember a lot from when I was here before. Mostly what I remember is growing up with you in the foster home with Maddie and Donna.”

Rio swallowed. “Those were good times. If you have to remember anything, those are good memories.”

“Everything since I came back here is really murky.”

Rio nodded. “We can talk about that all later.”

“Are you hungry?” Clarion asked, quite obviously changing the subject. “We can get you some food.”

“Yeah, actually. Starving.”

Halcyon darted out at top speed and there was the noise of some dishes being moved around in the other room.

Rio said, “Greta is our resident life witch, and I’m sure she’d love to take another look at you now that you’re awake. Meanwhile, I’ll let these guys take care of you tonight and then I can come back in the morning, and we can talk?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Tristan sighed. “It’s good to see you again, Rio.”

“You too. I’m so glad you’re here.” Rio took Mari’s hand and led her out of the suite.

Once they were outside and the door was closed, he fell against the wall. “I have no idea what I’m going to tell him. There’s so much. And a lot of it is real fucking bad.”

Mari leaned against his shoulder. “Just answer his questions and be honest with him. I’m sure more than anything he just wants to figure out why he’s here.”

They walked down the hall to Greta’s door and told her that Tristan was awake. She was bleary-eyed and looked to have been asleep, her bright pink hair sticking up every which way. But she rallied quickly, grabbing her bag and running to the end of the hall.

Rio scooped Mari up into his arms and she made a half-hearted grumpy protest, just for appearances, and then settled against him.