Page 24

Shiri

I woke to the gentle sway of our swinging bed rocking us like a cradle. The violent sounds of waves crashing against the northern seawall mixed with firemages practicing their war games. I looked down at my thin shift, noticing I wore no shoes or stockings. Who had undressed me and why was I in bed? Rolling onto my side, I smiled when I saw Blaze sleeping beside me. He was naked, save for a small pair of undershorts. I smoothed my fingers across the swirling tattoos of his hard, smooth chest, so relieved he was safe. Tari told me Nikkos had survived, but where was he?

I sank into Blaze, stroking the stubble on his face. “Blaze?”

His eyes flew open, and he pulled me closer against him. “I’m here,” he murmured, his feathers tickling my back.

“What happened?” I blurted.

He drew invisible circles on my shoulder. “You got much needed rest is what happened.”

“Did they bring Nikkos back?”

He paused, then resumed his tender touch. “Not yet.”

I sat up, frowning down at him, my hair falling across his chest. “They should’ve returned him to us by now.”

“They probably both needed to rest.” He grasped my arms, his gaze softening. “His injuries were extensive.”

I worried my lower lip while looking at the dusky pink sunlight seeping through the bed’s drapes. “You’re not worried?”

“No.” He stroked my arm while flashing a lazy smile. “You sensed when Nikkos was in trouble, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

His smile widened. “And what does your heart tell you now?”

My shoulders sagged in relief. He was right. They probably needed time to rest after healing. No doubt, Nikkos was in bad shape. “He’s safe.”

“Come here,” Blaze said, pulling me back into his loving embrace.

I snuggled against his chest, relishing in his warmth, a sigh of contentment escaping me when he stroked my back.

“You were amazing today.” He tenderly kissed my temple. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you.” His touch caused my gooseflesh to rise and awakened my desire. I wanted so badly to let him have his way with me, but I remembered that Father Derrick needed to be rid of his demon before he perished. “I should go. My father needs me.”

“Not yet,” he murmured while nibbling my ear.

Oh, Goddess, that felt so good. Loath though I was for him to stop, I tried to pull away. “But—"

“We need to replenish your magic,” he murmured against my skin, trailing hot kisses down my neck.

“Oh?” I knew we needed to leave, so why did I angle my neck to give him better access? My legs fell open when he lifted my shift above my hips. I didn’t fight him when he slipped it over my head, my nipples pebbling in the cool evening air.

He climbed between my legs with a predatory gleam in his eyes, his sex pressed against mine, and I melted into the mattress, surrendering to him when he wrapped his wings around us. His smooth shaft slid against my sex as he captured my mouth in a surprisingly tender kiss, his tongue gently coaxing my lips apart. I felt drunk on lust, letting him consume me. He could take whatever he wanted, so long as he didn’t stop.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, lifting my hips and urging him to slip inside me. When he continued to tease, grinding against my wet slit while massaging my breasts, I groaned in frustration. Elements. Our kisses growing desperate, I clung to him, panting in his mouth while we soared into the eye of ecstasy’s storm, and yet, he wouldn’t release us.

Blaze , I projected to him. Please stop teasing.

His chuckle reverberated in my mind. I’m not teasing you. I’m worshiping you.

I let out a cry of protest when he broke the kiss, but then his mouth trailed down my neck and across my collarbone before he found my breasts. Arching into him, I clung to his shoulders while he teased each nipple into submission, his hand massaging that tender spot between my legs. I thought I’d die when he finally slipped one thick finger inside me, torturing me with shallow pulses while he deftly swirled his thumb around my swollen nub.

I swelled and gushed into his hand until I could no longer hold back the flood of euphoria that spilled through me. Hot magic pulsed through me, and I cried out his name, my core clenching around his finger while he continued to stroke and tease, riding out one orgasm and coaxing me toward another.

Blaze, please , I cried out in his mind as I clung to him. I need to feel you inside me.

As you wish, Goddess.

He crawled between my legs, sheathing himself inside me in one fluid thrust. I groaned in relief as he filled every inch of me with his gloriously thick cock. We easily found our rhythm, two bodies becoming one, pulling apart and joining with each heavy pounding of my heart. I had no idea how he managed to last so long, but I fell apart again and again before he found his release, spilling into me while whispering words of love in my ear.

He captured my mouth in the tenderest of kisses as his deep voice reverberated in my mind. I love you, Shiri .

I plastered his face with kisses, unable to get enough of him. Blaze, I love you. I love you. I love you. My body was sated, my heart was full, and my magic felt near to bursting.

He slowly began to move inside me, and we made love again while the sun slipped beyond the horizon.

* * *

Shiri

F UELED BY BLAZE’S LOVE , I returned to my parents in the dungeon, no longer dreading the task ahead. I could do it. I could do anything.

I was a white witch.

A fucking goddess.

“Out of the way!” Blaze called as he followed close behind me.

I marched straight up to Father Derrick, ignoring my mother’s gasp as she stumbled out of the way. He was as still as a stone while Wolfy curled up on the bed at his feet, his tail slapping the mattress when he saw me. The dog smelled like fresh rosewater, so someone had bathed him. I gave him a good scratch behind the ears, telling him he was a good boy. Then I grasped my father’s arm.

I recited the spell “ Vadeo in domum tomun ” repeatedly, infusing siren into my voice until a portal opened on the wall behind us, a large, fleshy hole that made me think of the throat of a dragon. It pulsed and contracted like a living thing, sucking a screaming demon out of my father before closing with a snap.

A shudder rolled through me, reminding me I’d used a lot of magic. I didn’t care. I wouldn’t stop. Flinging myself into Blaze’s arms, I kissed him as if my life depended on it, feeling his love replenish my magic. I brushed past my mother as she stood outside the cell, gaping at me.

“Thank you, Shirina.” She reached for me, then pulled back as if she was afraid to touch me. She flashed a watery smile. “I knew you had a loving heart.”

“You didn’t, Mother,” I said, imagining my heart encased in iron, and only my mates held the key. “But it doesn’t matter now. I know my own heart, and so do my mates, which is good enough for me.”

My head held high, I brushed past her and walked up to the cell that held my demon-possessed mate. I pointed at my mate’s chest while looking into a stranger’s eyes. “Your time is almost up, demon,” I said on a snarl. Fatigue rolled through me. I didn’t have the strength to banish the demon tonight. I needed both Nikkos’s and Blaze’s love for that, for it would require every drop of my magical well.

Mephis raised his chin, flames flashing in his eyes. “You can’t get rid of me as easily. And even if you do, I’ll come back. Next time, maybe I’ll infect the child who can teleport.” His smile was wickedness incarnate. “Her magic will come in handy.”

Venom coursed through my veins. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“I’m the ruler of hell. Nothing will stop me from coming back through that portal.” He paused, devouring me with his eyes while licking his lips. “Your only chance of stopping me is in partnering with me. I can help you destroy the demon mistress and her army.”

Shards of ice burrowed deep in my bones. I resisted the urge to turn and run, choosing instead to banish my fear while locking gazes with the demon. “And why would you do that?”

“Because I want what you want,” he hissed. “To expel the demons to hell. They belong to me.”

“Don’t believe him, Shiri,” Blaze warned while threading his fingers through mine.

I won’t , I answered him through thought.

“But you’re here now,” I pressed, watching the demon for the slightest flicker of deceit in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you want to rule here?” I had a feeling the Fae realm was much nicer than the place the demons had come from.

“This is not my home. Release me.” He rattled his chains with a snarl. “I can help you defeat and banish the demons, and then I will return to hell with them.” His features froze, and his eyes shifted from red to brown. “Don’t listen to him, Shiri!” he yelled, his eyes wide with fright. “He’s lying.”

I clutched my throat, falling against Blaze. “Drae!”

Shadows fell across Drae’s face again, red flames flashing in his eyes. “Shut up, Fae!” he grumbled.

Great Goddess. Drae is still with us! I blinked up at Blaze. “Did you see that?”

He gaped at me. “His soul is still there!”

“No!” the demon cried out. “He will be gone by night’s end, unless you do what I say.”

I clutched the bars of his cell, eyes narrowing. “He can hear your thoughts, can’t he? He knows you’re lying. You won’t fight alongside me. You’ll try to destroy me.”

He averted his gaze for just a heartbeat. “No.”

Though I thought about asking him again with my siren voice, I didn’t need it. I released the bars, snarling. “You’re lying. I will remove you from my mate. I won’t fail him.”

His cheeks flushed, and his voice dropped to a frightening rumble. “You will not survive the demon war.”

“Maybe,” I called over my shoulder while walking toward Ash’s cell, “but neither will you.”

* * *

Tari

I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE Helian behind, but he insisted on remaining with the other dragon riders. Isa took Finn, the children, and me back to the town, so I could finally heal Nikkos. The plan was to return to Helian after I’d healed Nikkos and taken him back to Shiri. Some of the dragon riders still bore ill will toward Helian, and I didn’t trust them not to attack my mate in his sleep. He would be safer with us nearby, especially since the dragon riders were now terrified of Finn.

I didn’t care how tired I was; Nikkos had been waiting long enough for me to heal him. I felt terrible that I’d come specifically to save him, and yet, he still languished in that bed. Finn had tried to convince me to wait, but after a filling supper, I felt strong enough to heal Nikkos. He wasn’t as burned as Helian had been the night Radnor had saved me from the bertcha, though Nikkos’s wounds were still severe.

Moonlight filtered into the room by the time I finished healing Nikkos, and his feathers had grown back even blacker than before, his face as soft as a babe’s. Though I was tired again, I wasn’t completely exhausted. I would need to quickly replenish my magic in case the demons found us. I flashed Finn a coy look, knowing exactly how to fill my well of magic—by making love to my fierce and brave mates. I’d especially missed Finn so much and couldn’t wait until I could have a moment alone with him.

Finn shifted into his monster wolf form and lifted a sleeping Nikkos into his arms. After I left the rabbits in the corner of the room, happily munching oats, I grabbed the girls’ hands, and we teleported to Shiri’s sitting room.

She screamed when she saw us. Finn handed Nikkos to Blaze, who flew him up to their swinging bed.

Shiri gave me a fierce hug, then pulled back, searching my eyes. “I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m sorry.” I wiped a tear from her eye. “Disguising Cyrene and Abyssus exhausted me.” I also explained what happened to the shifter stronghold and our meeting with the satyrs on Fallax. “He’ll probably sleep through the night,” I said to them after Blaze returned from dropping off Nikkos in bed. “He was in bad shape.”

Shiri wiped more tears from her eyes as Blaze draped his wing over her shoulder. “All that matters is that he’s safe and well now.” She lurched forward, taking me in another fierce hug. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“No need to thank me.” I rubbed her back, holding her tight. “What I did was nothing compared to the sacrifices you’ve made for the girls all these years.”

She kissed my cheek, rubbing my arms. “It was an easy sacrifice. They’re easy to love, just like their mother.”

Now it was my turn to cry. After we shared another tearful hug, I reluctantly pulled away. I hated pressuring her, but I needed to know if she’d made any progress with her siren. “How’s Ash?” I asked, then tensed.

She slanted a smile, motioning toward the terrace. “Ask him yourself.”

I swear my heart fell out of my chest when I saw Ash standing in the doorway, his silvery eyes glowing beneath the moonlight.

“Ash,” I breathed.

The girls reached him before I did, letting out wild little howls and slamming into his legs. He fell to his knees, holding them against his chest. My legs felt like they’d buckle beneath me as I gaped at him, then at Shiri.

“You did it?” It was more of a question than a statement. I still couldn’t believe Ash was here, demon free and laughing while the girls climbed all over him.

She nodded. “You should’ve seen it. A portal opened up and sucked the demon right out of him.”

I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.

Blaze flew down to Shiri, pulling her to his side while beaming with pride. “I never had a doubt she would do it.”

I had no idea how I’d managed to get to Ash with trembling limbs. Maybe I’d leaned on Finn. One moment, I was gaping at him, and the next, I was on the floor with him, melting into his strong arms and sobbing tears of joy while he stroked my hair.

The girls had crawled off him and were at the buffet table, helping themselves to juice.

After we finished hugging, we broke the news to him about the shifter stronghold. He took it better than Finn had, though I could tell he was holding in his emotions. Finn told them about Helian and Ivar and his goons. I thought the news would’ve pleased Ash, but he seemed more disturbed by that news than the plight of the shifter stronghold.

“I should’ve been there to help you,” he kept grumbling.

I rubbed his arm, assuring him all was well, though it didn’t seem to soothe him.

“Where’s our mother?” Finn asked.

“She has gone to the new temple to enlist help from the other witches to interpret the book of spells,” Blaze answered. “I’ll send word to her that everyone is well.”

“Thank you.” Finn splayed a hand across his heart. “What about your father and Drae?”

“Father is healed. I’m working on Drae tomorrow,” Shiri said, her wary gaze straying to Blaze. “His demon is harder. With both Blaze and Nikkos helping me, I should be able to do it.”

Blaze squeezed Shiri’s shoulder. “You will be able to do it.”

She kissed his cheek, then said to me, “Malvolia has requested you return as soon as possible. Gadea has warned her that a flying giant with the strength of ten dragons is coming, along with other flying creatures and a demon army.”

“A flying giant and other flying creatures?” Would we have enough dragons and wyverns to defeat them? I clutched my throat, my insides churning. “Our plan is to return now that Helian has control of the dragon army. Does Malvolia intend on behaving this time?”

Shiri visibly swallowed. “After she woke from Thorin’s spell, she was mortified by her behavior toward you and Helian.”

I shared a stunned look with my mates. “Really?”

Shiri threw out her hands. “Shocking, I know, but Malvolia is being”—she paused, as if searching for the right word—“nice.”

Finn scratched the back of his head. “Then maybe there’s hope for Arabella.”

Ash snorted through his laughter. “If Arabella’s nice, then I’m a bunny shifter.”

“Our father still doesn’t wake,” Shiri said to me, frowning. “They need your healing magic.”

“Of course.” I clung to Ash, not wanting to let him go. “May we leave the children with you?” I asked her.

“Absolutely.” She clasped her hands, smiling. “I’ve missed them.”

Aurora tugged on Shiri’s skirts. “We want tarts.”

Ember went boneless against her aunt’s legs. “We’ve only had vegetables and bread.”

“I think castle life has spoiled them.” Shiri laughed while ruffling their hair. “It wasn’t long ago that we were lucky to have porridge for all three meals.”

Both girls made a face.

“I’ll send the servants for tarts,” Shiri said, eliciting squeals of joy. “We’ll be here when you get back,” she said to me.

I let Ash and Finn help me up. “What happens if we run into Malvolia?” I asked my sister.

She shrugged. “No need to worry. I’m sure she’ll be kind to you.”

I had little faith that our aunt had truly changed, but Arabella had saved my children, so maybe there was hope for Malvolia. I would still watch mine and my mates’ backs when at her castle. It would take more than Malvolia telling Shiri she’d changed for me to trust in the woman who’d haunted my childhood nightmares.