Page 8
Tari
I held my breath until we escaped the throne room. Once the heavy doors shut behind us, I heaved a sigh of relief, thankful that I wasn’t a pile of ash on Malvolia’s dining table. That bitch.
Cassandra and Gadea made excuses about getting out of their restrictive gowns and wigs, heading in the other direction, toward their bedroom suite.
“That was too close,” Shiri whispered aloud while we followed her and Drae.
“I know,” I said as I slipped across the slick tiles in ridiculous slippers that I planned to promptly burn as soon as we reached our suite.
“Do you?” Ash growled behind me.
I tossed a look over my shoulder, unnerved to see the simmering rage in his eyes while he carried the girls. Stopping, I turned to face him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Washed-up, old whore? he projected to me, his voice like rolling thunder.
I pressed my lips into a line, refusing to be intimidated by his glowing eyes or the fur sprouting on his face. She is.
He closed the distance between us, setting down the girls, his heated glare never leaving me. That old whore would’ve smoked you, Tari.
My magic was ready , I argued, summoning confidence I didn’t feel.
She would’ve turned you to ash and then the rest of us when we attacked her. His roar in my brain was so loud, I swore he rattled my eardrums. “If you don’t care about your own safety, then think of us,” he said aloud as claws sprouted on his fingers. “Think of the children!”
The girls gasped, clinging to my skirts.
“Ash,” I warned, motioning to the children, who looked up at us like frightened baby birds.
“Oh, now you think of them,” he grumbled, jarring my shoulder when he brushed past me. “I need some air.”
“Ash!” Tears sprang to my eyes when he refused to turn around. He shifted into a big, angry hybrid wolf beast and let out a howl before sprinting down a darkened hall, disappearing around a corner. I faced Helian. “What do I do?”
Helian brushed up against me, a look of pity in his eyes. “Let him go cool down.”
“But we should stick together,” I argued. There was no telling what the firemage guards outside would do to Ash when they saw him. “What if the mages mistake him for a demon?”
“I can go after him,” Drae said.
“No.” Helian shook his head. “We’ll keep an eye on him. I already called to Radnor and Isa.”
I grasped his arm. “We’re going riding?”
He nodded to a nearby window, where three dragon silhouettes circled outside, pale moonlight shining through the translucent membranes in their wings. “Yes.”
Aurora tugged on my skirt. “Can we go with you, Mommy?”
I was about to refuse her when Helian answered, “Sure.”
Helian , I projected to him. Do you think that’s a good idea? Triss isn’t ready for riders, and they don’t know how to ride. I didn’t want a repeat of the one time they’d flown Triss after escaping the demons. Triss had been flying erratically, and the children had nearly fallen off.
I don’t expect them to ride by themselves , he answered. We’ll each carry a child. Besides , he added with a wink, it will give me a chance to get to know my nieces.
My heart sighed as I got lost in the swirls of his silver-blue eyes. Thank you. They’d love that.
I smiled down at the children as they hugged my legs. “Looks like you can go.” I nodded toward Helian. “You can thank your uncle.”
“Yay!” They jumped up and down, clapping their hands, then threw themselves against Helian’s legs. “Thanks, Uncle Helian!”
His cheeks colored as he knelt in front of them. “It’s the least I can do, sprites, after almost blowing you up.”
Ember bit her lip and batted her lashes. “I don’t think you’re a bad man anymore, Uncle Helian.”
He crooked a smile, tugging on her braid. “Good. I’m rather fond of you too.”
My heart was so full, it was near to bursting, and I hadn’t realized until that moment how important it was that Helian had a good relationship with Ember and Aurora. But then my heart did burst when Ember held her hands up to him, and he picked her up, letting her cling to his neck.
Shiri cleared her throat. “We should go too.”
Drae tugged her toward his side, wrapping a wing around her shoulders. “Or we can spend some alone time together,” he whispered rather loudly.
I waggled my brows at Shiri. “Go spend some time with your mate.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip. “All right.”
Drae let out an excited holler and swept her into his arms, his wings lifting them off the ground as he ran toward their bedroom suite.
Aurora held my hand as we found the nearest exit, slipping between the startled firemage guards and wandering out into a verdant, moonlit garden.
Radnor landed with a heavy thud, squashing a row of shrubbery. He snarled down at us. I never agreed to hauling around Fae children. It’s undignified.
Ugh. I settled my hands on my hips. “Must you always be this way, Radnor?”
Helian chuckled while shaking his head. “Yes, he must.”
Radnor blew rings of smoke out of his nostrils. I’m a dragon, not a party pony for snot-nosed mongrel cubs.
Hot magic swirled through my veins. Of all the nerve!
Isa landed beside him, crushing a lovely little bench and two flowering bushes. Do it for Triss, darling , she purred while rubbing against his neck. Those snot-nosed mongrel cubs are her future riders.
Triss flapped above her parents while alternating between making animated grunts and whimpers.
Aurora cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling up to her dragon. “You tell him, Triss!”
Fine , Radnor grumbled while flashing his fangs. Don’t blame me if they fall off.
I swallowed at that, but Helian rolled his eyes. “Don’t believe him. He’s just trying to get under your skin.”
“Mission accomplished,” I muttered, then frowned down at my wide skirts. “I don’t think I can fly in this dress.”
Helian’s gaze drifted across my body before he crooked a smile. “You look like you’re wearing a lampshade.”
I gritted my teeth. “Thanks.”
He pulled a blade out of his pocket. “I can fix that.” After guiding me to turn around, he sliced open my bodice and helped me out of the ugly hoop beneath my dress, discarding it behind some bushes. I wished I could dispose of my flimsy slippers, but they were better than nothing. He helped me cinch my bodice, which hung loosely over one shoulder after he’d ripped it. I didn’t care. I planned on burning every garment Malvolia had given me, anyway.
Helian kissed my cheek, then picked up Ember. “Race you there!”
Before I could stop him, Helian had managed to climb up Radnor’s side with Ember clinging to his back. I was pretty sure my heart fell to the pit of my stomach while watching her swing from his neck until he positioned her in front of him, giving her safety instructions while tying a rope around her waist. To think, just last month, I’d flown in that same spot.
Isa lowered her neck toward the ground. I’m ready, Goddess.
I picked up Aurora and summoned a wind, using it to catapult both of us into the saddle. Our dresses bunched as we sat, hiking up to our knees and exposing our stockinged legs. Our evening gowns certainly didn’t make the best riding dresses, and we’d probably wish we’d worn jackets once we took off, but we’d delayed long enough. We had to find Ash. Helian tossed me extra rope, and I tied Aurora to a hook in the saddle. I hoped my knot was as secure as his, but before I could test it, the dragons lifted into the sky.
The girls squealed their delight, screaming “higher” and “faster,” proving they were definitely meant to be dragon riders. I clung to Aurora, the draft from Isa’s wings blowing back my hair and sending chills skittering across my body. We flew over a wooded area surrounding the castle that veered off into a narrow strip of trees that cut through the city.
Where is he? I projected to Helian while scanning the ground.
He pointed to where a dark shadow darted between a row of trees. Down there.
Isa and Radnor flew wingtip to wingtip with Triss flying above us, making happy grunts to remind us she was still there. I sure hoped the hatchling had mastered control of her bodily functions. I certainly didn’t want to be victim to a dragon rain shower—or worse.
We followed the path of trees that took a detour and skirted around the town. The dragons’ wings flapped slowly while they kept pace with my shifter mate, who plowed through brush and tree branches as if he hadn’t a care for his safety. My heart twisted and pitched. I hadn’t seen Ash this angry since the time he’d attacked Finn on the island of Thesan. He had to have been covered in cuts and welts by now, and yet he kept running. It was then I finally understood the gravity of my actions. I had allowed Malvolia to upset me and risked my life and all our lives. No doubt, my aunt had been waiting for an excuse to kill me, either to lash out after losing Mortimus or because she wanted Helian for herself—or both. What a fool I’d been.
Is he okay? I asked Helian through thought.
He’s fine.
I wasn’t reassured by Helian’s easy manner. He won’t look up at us.
He’s angry.
I bit my lip, worried when I lost him for a moment, only releasing a breath when I spied his shadow once more. I owe him an apology, don’t I?
What do you think?
I cut him a glare at the hardness in his words. Was Helian mad at me too?
“Look at all the treehouses!” Aurora squealed.
I’d been so focused on below, I hadn’t noticed the scenery above. I squeezed her tight while she pointed to tall, narrow turrets that resembled broken shards of glass jutting into the sky. A few did look like treehouses with wide platforms. One had a dome top, and firemages flew in and out of it, reminding me of birds visiting a nest.
“Neat, aren’t they?” I hollered into the wind.
Aurora vigorously nodded. “What are they for?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
They’re mostly taverns and meeting places for firemages , Helian answered through thought.
Can we go in one? I asked.
Ravini males are particular about who goes into their taverns. The warning in Helian’s words meant the Ravini wouldn’t be particularly pleased if three dragons and a Sidhe prince crashed their party. But I have another fun place to visit.
I scanned the ground again, panic slicing through my veins when I no longer saw the shadowy beast darting in and out of trees. Oh no! We lost Ash!
Don’t worry , Helian reassured me. Radnor is scenting him.
After flying past the towering wall that held back the violent northern shore waves, then over more tall towers and rows of houses crowded around cobblestone streets, we landed in a grassy park with a multitude of colorful bushes and a pretty stream that led into a wide pond, just at the edge of another wall that encircled the entire city.
I shuddered when Isa landed hard, rattling my brain. I rubbed warmth into Aurora’s arms, worrying the flight had been too cold for my girls. The frigid air had numbed my face, and I was sure my children were even colder.
Helian dismounted first, slipping off Radnor with ease before hauling Ember into his arms. He’d wrapped a blanket around her shoulders that he must’ve retrieved from his pack. I thanked him when he took Aurora from me and helped us both down. My dragon was fortunately smaller than Radnor, and also more thoughtful by lowering her head and neck fully to the ground, making dismounting not much higher than jumping from a horse.
Helian led the girls to a nearby bench and wrapped the blanket around both of their shoulders. Their little legs dangled in the air while they snuggled each other.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“A park,” Helian said.
I tossed a glance over my shoulder at the stone buildings lining the winding road behind us. “At the edge of the city?”
He motioned toward what appeared to be a temple at the other end of the pond. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
I rubbed warmth into my arms and pressed my numb lips together. “It reminds me of Ventus.” Even though I’d only flown over it, from what I could see, Windhaven’s capital city was beautiful.
“It does.” He swept a hand toward the pond. “The water is exceptionally warm. There’s a hot spring beneath.”
When he raised his brows, I knew he wanted to go for a swim. How could I forget all those times we’d swum together on the Fallax Islands? Our time together, though brief, had been magical. It felt like forever since it had been just Helian and me. I was a little sad realizing it would never be the two of us again, though I didn’t wish to go back to those days, for I loved my daughters and Ash and Finn too much to part from them again.
“Is it safe?” I called to Helian as he went to the edge of the spring and dipped his fingertips into the water.
He stood, wiping his hands down his pants. “Ravini swim here all the time. It’s a popular swimming hole during the day.”
I cringed at that. “Maybe it’s warm because they use it as a toilet.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so.” He motioned to a gentle waterfall cascading into the pond. “Fresh water constantly flows in and out.”
The girls jumped from their bench and went to the shoreline. “May we skip rocks, Mommy?” Aurora asked.
“Of course. Just stay close.” I plopped down onto the bench, watching as Aurora skipped rocks while Ember found smooth stones for her. Triss followed them like a loyal hound, making grunts of excitement when Aurora’s rock would sail across the pond.
Glancing behind me, I saw Radnor and Isa sitting at the edge of the forest, their tails slapping the earth like satisfied cats, their long necks entwined with one another’s. They acted like two lovestruck pups, though I knew better than to tease them. I was pleased for Isa. Hopefully, her influence would make Radnor more amenable, though I wasn’t going to get my hopes up.
Helian sat next to me.
“Where is Ash?” I asked him.
“He should be here momentarily. The dragons flew ahead of him.” He flashed a hesitant smile. “You better now?”
I hung my head in my hands while recalling my battle with Malvolia. “I shouldn’t let Malvolia get to me, but she’s such a bitch.”
“Not arguing with you there,” Helian grumbled.
I sat up, looking sideways at him. “What kind of an aunt flirts with her niece’s mate?”
He crooked a smile. “The same kind who orders her nieces’ executions when they’re still in the womb.”
Jumping from my seat, I tossed my hands in the air. “What should I do?”
“Ignore her,” he called at my back. “Focus on defeating the demons, and then we’ll deal with Malvolia.”
“You’re right.” My gaze trailed off as I watched Aurora throw stones. “I wish we didn’t have to stay here.”
“Where else would we go?” he asked.
“The Fallax Islands.” My voice broke on a plea. How badly I wanted to go. “Thesan.”
“Thebes is safest.” He motioned toward the tall stone wall that surrounded us. “It’s walled and protected by a ten-thousand mage army.”
I turned my gaze toward the castle with the pointy turrets jutting into the sky in the distance. “But that bitch is here.”
“Believe me.” Nervous-sounding laughter bubbled up from his throat. “I know.”
The dragons gave a start when the foliage rattled behind them. Radnor snarled at the wolf-beast that broke from the bushes: a seven-foot monster with tattered clothes hanging off two furry hind legs, nostrils and eyes flaring as if he was charging into battle.
I clasped my hands together. “Ash!”
“Papa!” The girls dropped their stones and ran to him.
Chest heaving, he whimpered as they clung to his legs, totally unafraid that their papa was a frightening beast. He shifted back into his Fae form, his clothes hanging off him in tatters. He had cuts and blood all over his arms and face.
I picked up my skirts, cursing my thin slippers, and hurried to his side. “You’re bleeding.”
He wiped blood and sweat from his brow. “Just a few cuts from the brush.”
Just a few cuts? He looked like he’d been beaten by a thousand whips. How was he not howling in pain? Was he too focused on being angry with me?
I swallowed back my apprehension while reaching for him. “Let me heal you.”
He jerked back, snatching his arm out of my grip. “It’s fine.”
Helian stepped in and led the girls away, asking them to show him how to skip rocks.
“Please, Ash.” Emotion thickened my voice and misted my eyes. “I’m sorry I lost my temper with Malvolia.”
“You didn’t only put yourself at risk.” Fur sprouted on his face and hands, and his voice dropped to a dark rumble. “You put us all at risk.”
“I know.” Magic slowly filtered into my fingers, swelling them as they itched to heal my mate. “It was careless and foolish.” Reaching for him, I desperately searched his eyes. “I won’t let it happen again.”
Much to my shock and relief, he pulled me against his chest, holding me tight. He kissed my forehead, murmuring in my ear. “I can’t lose you, Tari.”
“You won’t.” I melted in his embrace, overwhelmed with gratitude and relief that he was no longer angry with me. At least, I hoped he wasn’t. Upsetting Ash was the worst feeling ever. “I’ll ignore her next time, but we’re dining in Shiri’s suite from now on.”
“Good idea.” He stroked my back with warm hands. “Malvolia can eat alone.”
Boneless as a gutted fish, I moaned while he continued to rub my back. It felt so nice to be held in his warm embrace as I smoothed my healing hands across his cuts.
Helian loudly cleared his throat behind us. “Should we go for a swim?”
The girls squealed. “Yes!”
Ash broke the embrace far too soon, making me miss his warmth when he held me at arm’s length.
“Do you girls know how to swim?” I asked them as they held hands with Helian.
“Of course, they do,” Ash rumbled. “They’re shifters. It’s in their nature.”
Aurora straightened her shoulders. “Aunt Shiri taught us how to float if we get tired.”
“I don’t know.” I cast my gaze to the dark pond, its blackened waters illuminated by torches surrounding the opposite temple. “It’s so dark.”
The girls can ride Triss . Isa’s thought rang in my ears.
I spun around, facing my dragon, who hovered over us like a hawk watching her nest. “You want them to ride Triss?”
When she nodded, the girls jumped with joy. “Oh, can we, Mommy?”
I spun back around, giving them a helpless look. What if they fell into the water? It didn’t matter if they knew how to swim. Their heavy skirts would weigh them down. Besides, it was far too cold outside, even if the water was heated.
Triss will just float , Isa said. She knows not to fly. She nudged the little dragon’s wing. Don’t you, hatchling?
Triss answered with a happy grunt.
I twisted the hem of my dress while giving my mates nervous looks. “What if they fall off?”
Ash shrugged. “Then they swim to shore.”
I made an exasperated sound.
Or we pluck them from the water , Isa said.
I clutched my throat. “Pluck them?”
Radnor’s laugh echoed in my skull as he glared down at my children. We’ll try not to swallow them.
I curled my fingers into claws. “I still have that flatulence spell.”
He snorted at that. I’ll aim my behind at your doors all night.
Enough , Isa snarled, jarring against Radnor’s shoulder before turning back to me with a fanged grin. We can see under water, Goddess, even in the dark.
Radnor moaned like an injured lamb, looking at his mate as if she’d just stomped on his huge ballsack. Served him right.
I blinked up at Isa. “But it’s cold outside.”
She arched a scaled brow. You do know we breathe fire?
We’ll build a fire if they get cold , Radnor said, sounding far too contrite, or they can take shelter beneath my chest.
Shelter beneath his chest? I gave my mates a disbelieving look. Hell must’ve frozen over. Radnor is being nice.
Helian laughed aloud, ignoring Radnor’s snarls.
They’re fine , Isa reassured me again.
My shoulders fell as I reluctantly agreed. “Very well.”
The girls squealed and ran to Triss, climbing up her back like little squirrels.
Ash pulled me to his side, rumbling in my ear. “You’re too tense, Tari.”
I held my breath while watching Ember struggle to get up Isa’s scales. “I know.”
Ash wrapped a possessive arm around my waist, his large fingers fanning out across my side. “I know what you need—what we all need.”
Heat flooded my veins when his fingers grazed the underside of my breast. “The girls?”
Helian hovered over me, his breath hot and heavy in my ear. “There’s a private area inside the temple.”
We’ll watch them. Isa nudged me with her snout. Go, Goddess.
I watched helplessly as the three dragons waddled into the water, my daughters giggling while riding Triss’s back.
Before I could object, Helian and Ash were pulling me to the other side of the pond. There were several benches and a wall next to stone steps that led to a shallow area.
Ash and Helian pulled me behind the wall that barely went up to my chin and quickly disrobed before helping me out of my skirts and underthings until we were all naked. I crossed my arms over my breasts when my nipples hardened in the cold air. I scanned the area, hoping nobody found us, then giggled while following my mates deeper into the pond until I could no longer touch the bottom. Good thing my father had taught me how to swim.
The water was surprisingly warm and smooth, like silk upon my skin. I didn’t ask what made it so, though I suspected some sort of silt. We swam until we were neck deep in the water.
What do you think? Helian asked through thought, his voice echoing, so I knew his brother heard him too.
I tread water by kicking my feet and praying the pond had no sirens. Actually, the thought made me queasy. I was certain Isa would come to my aid, though the siren would probably have eaten my feet by then.
“It-it feels good,” I stammered as my fear increased.
Helian arched a brow. “That’s it?”
I tried not to kick too hard while keeping my head above water, lest I attract sirens or other hungry creatures. “The last time I went swimming in a dark pond, a siren almost ate me.”
Helian’s jaw dropped. “What happened?”
Despite the warm water, a shudder coursed through me. “Finn saved me, but she bit us both, and we hallucinated.”
Ash laughed. “They fucked like rabbits.”
I cut him a glare, remembering how he’d attacked Finn after that, not realizing that I was their fated mate.
Ash swam closer to me, threading his fingers through mine. “I’d love to fuck like a rabbit right about now.”
“I don’t feel comfortable.” I wrapped my arms around him, tucking my feet against his legs. “I keep waiting for something to bite my toes.”
Helian nodded toward the stone building behind us, lit with softly glowing torches. “Do you want to go into the temple?”
“What’s in there?” I asked.
He waggled his brows. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
I shook my head. “The girls.”
“Are fine,” Ash cut in.
Helian swam up to me, cupping my chin in his hand. “Your mates need you, too, Tari.”
Guilt tightened my chest at the look of longing in his eyes, and I agreed. I just hoped the building was empty. With our luck, we’d expose ourselves to dozens of priestesses.
As if reading my mind, Helian said, “Don’t worry. Malvolia has enacted a curfew. Nobody will be there.”
A curfew? Which meant we weren’t supposed to be out, either. Oh well. I dared the bitch to enforce it.
I held on to Ash while we swam to another set of stairs that led to the temple. I kept looking over his shoulder. The girls were facing the other direction, clinging to Triss’s sides and giggling while the dragons blew bubbles in the water. Ash and Helian held my hands, leading me up the stairs and onto a landing that was ankle deep in water. We splashed across the path into the temple, which was not much more than a bathhouse with a brick pool and benches lining the walls, plus a stone hearth with a roaring fire at the far end.
“I thought you said it was a temple,” I said, shocked when my voice echoed across the walls.
“It was a Maiadran temple,” Helian said, “but Malvolia converted it to a public bathhouse. She doesn’t have much respect for the old goddesses.”
I remembered Shiri telling me that the bitch queen had made her tear down a temple dedicated to Kyan. The old goddesses had temples scattered across the Fae lands, though in Caldaria, at least, they had enough respect to maintain them, not destroy them.
My mates led me across the bridge and then down another set of stairs into the pool. The water was clearer and less silky, as if it had been filtered. It wasn’t as hot as the water in the spring, though it was still warm enough to ward off the chill.
I glanced over my shoulder as we sank into the water. The children and dragons were no longer visible from here, though I heard their giggles echoing in the distance.
Helian led us to a submerged bench and pulled me into his lap, his stiff member poking my backside.
I bit my lip while looking into his silvery eyes. “We can’t take long.”
He cupped my chin, brushing a kiss across my lips. “We can take as long as we need.”
But I didn’t want to wait. I needed to feel Helian inside me. Now. Fueled by a sense of urgency, I straddled his waist and draped my arms over his shoulders. I was about to kiss Helian when Ash pressed against my backside, feasting on my neck with a rumble. Letting out a satisfied groan, I fell back against him as his playful bites and kisses sent a trill racing down my spine. I gushed like a salivating siren when he grasped my breasts, kneading my sensitive flesh while rolling my nipples between calloused fingers. With my legs still wrapped around Helian’s waist, I arched back as Ash held me, and Helian stood with me attached to him. Lust clouded his vision as he licked his fingers and toyed with my slit, stroking in a maddening rhythm before plunging into me. As I writhed in Ash’s arms, water splashed around us while I begged Helian to fill me.
Despite the water’s friction, Helian slid easily inside my slippery sex, his long, delicious cock filling me completely. I gave a cry of protest when he pulled back, leaving just the tip inside. But then I fell apart in Ash’s arms when Helian slammed into me again and again and again. It didn’t take long for my climax to build. This angle was exquisite, and I was so swollen inside, the pleasure bordered on pain. Ash bit down on my neck and twisted and pinched my nipples while Helian simultaneously slammed into me, leaving me no choice but to surrender to the madness. I climaxed with such ferocity, I couldn’t contain my moans that I feared echoed outside the temple. At the moment, I didn’t care, though I knew I’d regret it later.
Helian’s eyes rolled into the back of his head as he stilled with a groan, then spasmed inside me while digging his fingers into my bottom. He pulled me out of Ash’s arms, holding me and plastering my face and neck with kisses while still impaling me. As he sat down on the bench, I clung to him, resting my head on his shoulder while he tenderly kissed the top of my head. Our heartbeats had only begun to slow when his cock twitched inside me and I was ready again.
But then Ash pulled me from Helian’s arms with a predatory rumble. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw dark looks pass between them. Were they each being possessive over me? How silly. We were supposed to be past that. Helian swam to the other end of the pool. I was expecting to be taken in Ash’s loving embrace while he made sweet, tender love to me, but my feral mate had other plans. He bade me kneel on the bench and splay my hands across the pool’s tile exterior. Digging rough fingers into my hips, he lifted me until my buttocks were well above the waterline and flush with his groin.
I tensed when he swirled a finger around my puckered anus. What are you doing? I asked through thought.
His wolfish rumble rolled through me like a stampede of centaurs. Making you mine.
A shiver coursed through me, and I almost told him to stop until he slipped a finger into my anus. The pleasure was unlike anything I’d ever felt, and I instinctively angled my buttocks higher, giving him easier access.
He slipped his finger in deeper while grasping my hair by the roots, pulling until my scalp tingled and I was forced to arch back to relieve the strain. He was being so rough, so possessive, and holy Elements, I loved it! When he slid his big cock into my dripping slit, I thought I’d die from the pleasure.
He held on to my hair like a horse’s reins, alternating between pumping into me and circling my anus. Pleasure swept up my spine with the velocity of a raging inferno. Every nerve ending in my body came alive, consumed by the fire while he fucked me harder and harder.
You are mine, he projected to me, his growl a wolf’s rumble. I am your alpha.
I bit my lip to keep from crying out when he slipped two thick fingers into my anus. It hurt so badly, yet I didn’t want him to stop. What was this incredible feeling, the pleasure so intense I feared I’d combust?
I held my breath as I inched closer to climax, fearing I’d break this spell he held over me. When he released my hair and suddenly slid out of my sex, I gasped, wiggling my bottom. Ash, please. I was so close to orgasm. Why had he stopped?
“Say it,” he commanded aloud, his voice so deep, I feared he’d shifted into his beast form. “Say I’m your alpha.”
I looked at him over my shoulder. His nose had flattened and fur had sprouted along his face. With a shudder, I acquiesced, whimpering like a pup. “You’re my alpha.” I bit my lip and batted my lashes. “Please don’t stop.”
My breath hitched when he spread my buttocks with a snarl, the wolf flashing in his eyes as he probed my anus with his shaft. He wouldn’t. He’d never fit. I faced forward, my eyes falling shut when he breached my tight anus with his thick cockhead. Slowly, he worked his way inside me inch by agonizing inch until I feared he’d split me open with his girth.
But then he threaded his fingers through my hair again and began to pump into me with shallow thrusts while massaging my scalp.
Goddess, he’d made me his slave, for I’d never felt such intense pleasure in my life. My skin prickled, a waterfall of sensation cascading down my spine, leading to those sensitive, puckered muscles inside me that wept with each thrust. He was slowly killing me with desire. I couldn’t take it.
“Ash!” My nipples pebbled in the cool night air while he repeatedly claimed my body with each bruising thrust.
I’m your alpha , he repeated . Your alpha.
Yes, yes. Feeling like a naughty child, I immediately submitted to him. What had gotten into him? Was it because Helian had gone first? Ash had never been so possessive before.
I breathed through a hiss as he tunneled in deeper, stretching me so badly, I wept from the pain. Yet I couldn’t make him stop. I was a prisoner to pleasure’s brutal grip.
The orgasm hit me like a bolt of thunder ripping through my insides. My anus contracted and throbbed while tightening around his thick shaft, making him feel even bigger. I resisted the urge to scream as pleasure quickly turned to pain.
Ash! I cried. It hurts!
I heaved a sigh of relief when he slipped out of me, washing his cock in the water. When he latched on to my buttocks with sharp claws, I braced myself, closing my eyes. Goddess, he was part beast. I was afraid to open my eyes as he slid into my sex, but his shaft felt bigger than before, filling every inch of me. My anus still throbbed while he pumped into me. I wanted to beg him to finish, but then he circled a finger around my tender puckered hole once more, and glutton for punishment that I was, I bowed inward, raising my buttocks higher while he pounded me like a drum.
My veins buzzed with magic, and my skin tingled like a swarm of butterflies were blowing across me. Another orgasm was building as he thrust into me more slowly, dragging out the pleasure while heightening the sensation of his skin sliding into mine. Goddess, I’d never felt such intense lovemaking.
I’m your alpha , he projected to me again, his voice sounding strained while he gently scraped his claws down my back. You’re mine. Never forget it.
I won’t, Ash. I tensed beneath him, feeling helpless and vulnerable in this position. He could do and say whatever he wanted, so long as he didn’t pull out.
His predatory growl rolled through me again, making my flesh weep and swell. Come with me , he commanded, his tempo increasing, his thick cockhead battering my aching sex.
My eyes fell shut, and I came so hard, I stopped breathing, feeling as if my soul had left my body.
He stilled with a roar, his shaft throbbing and spilling inside me while he dug his claws into my buttocks.
I shuddered, then gasped, my chest heaving for breath. My bones turned to porridge when he slipped out and pulled me into his arms, plastering my face with kisses.
I rested my head against his chest, unable to look him in the eye after what we’d done, fearing the blood that heated my veins would turn me to dust. The sex had been so carnal, so wicked. I shouldn’t have enjoyed it, and yet, I couldn’t wait to do it again.
* * *
Shiri
I RELAXED AGAINST THE rim of the big circular tub, resting my head on warm linens while letting the heat sink into my bones. These past few days had been a test of my magic and my patience. We’d almost lost the girls to demons, and my father was possessed. Now we were testing fate daily with our unpredictable, deadly aunt and the ongoing threat of demons. Could our lives get any more stressful?
I opened my eyes to slits when I felt a rattle and heard a splash. Drae climbed into the tub opposite me in all his naked glory, his long sex swinging like a pendulum. As he slowly submerged into the water, my gaze was drawn to his broad chest and bronze skin swirling with flame tattoos. He draped his magnificent wings over the back of the tub, letting them hang like curtains. But it was his wicked smile that sent my heart racing and made my legs spread like melting butter.
Fire raced across my already heated skin when his legs entwined with mine. How badly I wanted to climb into his lap and ride him like a dragon.
He grabbed a jug of wine off the side table and poured two goblets, handing me one. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed, looking away. “I don’t want to be her heir. I want to live at Abyssus.”
He rubbed his foot up and down my calf, causing a trill to race down my spine. “You’re not bothered by the ghosts there?”
“No.” I laughed. “After living with Ember, I guess I’m used to it.” I sipped my wine. It was mild and fruity and ran down my throat like smooth silk, warming my veins with each swallow. “What do you want?” I barely pushed out the words, afraid I wouldn’t like his answer. How could I expect him to stay with me in Thebes when he was the Lord of Abyssus?
His dark eyes gleamed in the candlelight. “What I want is inconsequential.”
I set down my goblet and leaned toward him. “No, it isn’t.”
His cheeks flushed as guilt flashed in his eyes. “To remain with you and my brothers at Abyssus and raise a family.”
“It’s what I want too.” I nodded. “I’ve never felt more at home than there.” But how could we live there if I was forced to remain here?
“It warms my heart to hear you say that.” His broad smile was darkness and sunshine, temptation and salvation. “I thank the Elements each day for sending you to us.”
I stared at him, our legs still entwined, while the feel of his skin brushing against mine sent the blood pumping straight to the swelling juncture between my thighs. “I love you,” I rasped. I couldn’t lose him. I would find a way to give up the claim to my aunt’s throne.
“I love you, my beautiful, amazing mate.” Desire swirled in his eyes as he leaned forward, cupping my cheek with his warm, calloused hand, his thumb stroking my lower lip.
Another shiver coursed through me, making me gush with need. I climbed across the tub, straddling his lap and jutting my soapy breasts in his face. “Prove it.”
With a predatory growl, he captured my lips in an explosive kiss. Cupping the back of my neck, he tangled his fingers in my hair as he deepened the kiss, his tongue claiming my mouth with delicious strokes. He tasted of fire and wine, and I couldn’t get enough of him as I rubbed my clit against his engorged, silky sex. The feeling was exquisite madness, my clit swelling while he drove me toward climax without penetration.
But then he latched on to my hips, wrapping his wings around me and forcing me upward before sliding his thick length into me. I threw back my head with a groan while he feasted on my neck, driving his teeth into my flesh and anchoring me to him. He guided my hips while gyrating into me with bruising thrusts, and it took all my willpower not to unravel as I became my mate’s willing slave to passion. Each time his thick cockhead pounded deep inside me, I fell apart a little bit more until I was spiraling through the heavens, crying out his name while water splashed around us.
Oh, Drae, I can’t hold back! I cried out in his mind.
Rumbling like a dragon, he feasted on my neck again . Then don’t, my love. I want to make you come.
Clinging to his back, I finally fell apart as the climax held me in the throes of pleasure while he continued to piston into me.
My sex spasmed and shuddered when he stilled with a grunt, his cockhead throbbing and spilling deep inside me.
My pounding heart hadn’t yet slowed when Drae lifted us from the tub, his thick sex still buried deep inside me. I clung to his neck as he shook off his wings, spraying water everywhere. After we towel dried, he flew us to the bed, hanging from the ceiling like a secluded cocoon, and proceeded to pound me into oblivion. I clung to him as if my heart would stop beating if we parted. My firemage mate whispered words of love into my ear while feasting on my neck and breasts, driving away all my fears and demons, at least for one night.
* * *
Shiri
A FTER OUR HEART RATES slowed, I lay in Drae’s arms, sighing with contentment while his feathers tickled my back. I leaned up on my elbow, kissing his cheek. “Thank you, my love. That was exactly what I needed.”
He cupped my cheek, capturing my mouth in the tenderest of kisses. Me too , he answered through thought.
I gave a start when I heard the sitting room doors rattling below us. Wolfy let out a warning bark, and whoever was on the other side of the door made a startled gasp. I sat up, hugging my knees to my chest, and called down. “Who’s there?”
Drae snatched his trousers from the side of the bed with a curse. “I told the servants not to bug us.”
Should I come back later? a soft, feminine voice projected into my head. There was only one other woman who could project her voice into my head besides my sister.
“Veronica!” I grabbed Drae’s wrist. “It’s Veronica. Fly me down.”
I cleaned between my legs as best I could before slipping into a silk robe. Drae flew me down to the secondary sitting room beneath our bed. Wolfy had already lost interest in Veronica and had returned to his spot by the hearth, smelling up a big pillow that we’d probably have to burn later.
Drae kissed my cheek before heading toward a small buffet by the hearth. “Wine?” he asked us.
I gave him an appreciative smile. “Yes, please.”
Veronica held out her palms. “None for me. I won’t bother you for long.”
“You’re not bothering us,” I said, motioning toward a small sofa by the hearth, though she didn’t follow me.
She stood at the open doors leading to the balcony, staring out at the moonlight as a breeze blew her long, dark hair off her shoulders. It took a moment to register her stark changes. She was no longer dressed in fancy court attire, just a simple satin gown and no feather yoke. She looked so much younger with no makeup or wig, almost childlike while she blinked at me through pretty tapered eyes.
Depression clung to her like a thick fog, and she couldn’t hold eye contact for long before she turned her gaze back to the terrace. “I’m sorry for interrupting.” There was a wistfulness in her voice, a deep longing that made my heart ache and a chill sweep up my spine.
I slowly crossed over to her, as if I was cornering a wounded animal. “It’s fine. Why weren’t you at court?”
Her smile didn’t mask the sadness in her eyes. “I’m no longer welcome.”
No longer welcome? “Why?”
She exhaled a long breath, waving Drae away when he tried to offer her a goblet of wine. “For not warning our queen of Mortimus’s demise.”
Aww, troll turds. Of course, Veronica should’ve seen his death in her mists. She was a seer, after all. “Did you know he was going to die?”
“I saw two outcomes.” She folded her hands in front of her, appearing contrite—a stark contrast to the flirtatious and bold Lady Veronica I’d once despised. “Mortimus’s death was one of them. We don’t speak what we see for fear we twist fate.” She visibly swallowed. “Besides, the outcome with Mortimus’s death and Derrick’s injury and possession was far better than the other, where demonic spiders destroyed the entire city of Thebes, eating those who couldn’t fly away in time, including babes in their cradles.”
A tremor coursed through me at the thought of innocent babes dying in such a gruesome way. I didn’t envy Veronica’s magical gift, though I knew she’d made the right decision. Malvolia had to know, too, though selfish as she was, she’d rather babes be eaten by spiders than lose her flesh-eating horse.
“Are you no longer in my aunt’s coven?”
She visibly swallowed, looking away. “She disassembled the coven.”
Drae handed me a goblet of wine, his mouth set in a grim line. “She has no familiar, no lovers, and no coven?” he grumbled. “She’s going to drive herself mad, if she hasn’t already.” He fell onto the sofa behind me, taking a long sip of wine.
I nodded while palming my goblet. “My aunt seems to think she’s going to die. Did you see something in her future?” I asked Veronica.
“As I’ve said.” She turned her gaze to the floor, smoothing imaginary wrinkles in her gown. “We don’t speak of what we see.”
There was something Veronica wasn’t telling me. The fine hair on the nape of my neck stood on end. I set down the goblet, facing her. “Then, what’s the point of having that gift?”
A burst of sad, dark laughter escaped her throat. “I ask myself that question every day, though it matters naught, now that Malvolia has destroyed my seeing mists.”
I remembered the pool of mists in the chamber where I’d first met Malvolia’s coven. Why would my aunt destroy them? And did this mean Veronica would no longer be able to see the future?
“Malvolia has no mists at all?” Drae asked.
Veronica shrugged. “Malvolia relies mostly on her spymaster for guidance now, but she’s brought in new seers from the temples in Thebes and Ventus. I’m not sure if they’ve rebuilt the mists, but I know Gadea is rebuilding hers at the temple in Thebes.”
“Will the new mists help the priestesses see what the demons are planning?” Drae asked.
Veronica visibly swallowed as her cheeks reddened. “Another seer is coming. One with the gift of sight that is unmatched by any of us.”
I arched a brow. “Who?”
Veronica’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “A child. He will reveal himself soon. You must protect him.”
I shared a look with Drae. “A child?”
He answered with a shrug.
When Veronica lowered herself into a chair opposite us, I sat beside Drae, tucking my legs beneath me.
“Do you know if I’ll be able to return to Abyssus with my mates?” I asked her, though I feared I wouldn’t like her answer.
“It depends on how this war goes.”
I swallowed back my unease, forcing out the question. “If we lose?”
It felt as if the very air had been sucked out of the room as she gave me a hard stare. “You don’t need to be a gray witch to know, if you lose, then all of Faedom will fall.”
I clenched my hands to keep them from trembling. “And if we win?”
“Before my mists were destroyed, I saw two outcomes.” She stood and went to the open terrace doors again before giving me a pitying look. “The most likely one is that, no, you won’t be returning to Abyssus.”
No! I bit down on my knuckles to keep from crying out. “But I hate it here.”
Drae grasped my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze. Your mates will be with you, my love, no matter where you go.
It took all my willpower not to throw myself into his arms and fall apart. Thank you, darling.
“Why don’t you want to stay here?” Veronica asked.
Emotion clogged my throat. “Because it’s not Abyssus.”
Veronica motioned to the darkened sky. “There is much of the city and the countryside you have yet to explore. Besides, once the court is yours, you may feel differently about it here.”
Once the court is mine? “So you’re saying Malvolia is going to die?”
Her brow creased, annoyance flashing in her eyes. “I’ve said enough. I’ve just come to welcome you back.” She gave a quick curtsy, her features twisting before she marched toward the exit. “If you’ll excuse me, I must retire.”
“Off to collect feathers?” I knew the minute the words escaped my lips, it was the wrong thing to say, but I was flustered and worried. I didn’t want to rule Delfi.
“No!” Veronica stopped as if she’d hit an invisible wall, then spun quickly, her expression resembling a frightened animal in a trap. “Malvolia will kill me if she catches me with a lover.”
I nervously twisted my fingers in my lap. “Surely, you don’t believe her.”
Her features fell as she dropped her voice to a hushed whisper. “You haven’t heard?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed back my nausea as my heart beat an erratic rhythm. “I heard her threatening her army today. I doubt that threat extends to us.”
The stricken look in her eyes rendered me mute.
“So you haven’t heard about Daminica?” she rasped.
Drae squeezed my trembling hand with a curse.
No. No. No!
“W-what?”
Veronica’s hands flew to her mouth, stifling a sob. “Malvolia caught her with one of the guards. Turned them both to ash.”
Despite the rattling in my bones, I jumped to my feet. “No! It can’t be true!” Surely, she was mistaken. She had to be.
A tear slipped down her cheek. “Death to all unmarried or unmated Fae who are caught with lovers in their beds.”
“Holy Elements!” I clutched my throat as Drae and I exchanged horrified looks.
Veronica swiped at her tears, wiping her hands on her gown. “She says it’s to stop the spread of demon infestations.”
“And what do you think?” I asked, then held my breath, awaiting her answer.
She cut me a sharp glare, her mouth unmoving as her words projected into my head. That she’s a psychotic bitch who killed my best friend because I didn’t warn her about Mortimus.
She was right. Malvolia was evil. Pure evil. If she could so easily kill Daminica, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill Tari. My insides quaked with fear for my sister’s safety, as I realized just how close she’d come to being killed by Malvolia tonight.
I pushed out the words through a voice thick with sorrow. “Veronica, I’m so sorry.”
Lady Veronica thanked Drae when he swiped a napkin from the bar and handed it to her.
“Daminica was a talented green witch who had always been loyal to her queen.” She dabbed her eyes and then blew her nose with an unladylike honk. “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. The mists didn’t warn me that I’d lose her.”
“I’m so sorry,” I heard myself repeating, though it sounded as if someone else was speaking for me. How could Malvolia have killed such a kind, gentle witch?
That bitch’s demise can’t come soon enough. Veronica’s mouth didn’t move as she projected the thought into my head. Then she exited our suite in an angry swish of skirts.
Drae led me to the sofa before my legs gave out. As a sob escaped me, he tenderly rocked me and kissed my forehead.
Dear Elements, Malvolia had succumbed to madness. No wonder my mother had mistrusted me my whole life. She’d assumed I would succumb to the insanity too. I would’ve probably loathed me as well. I was honestly surprised she or Father Derrick hadn’t abandoned me in the heart of the Periculian Forest.
* * *
Shiri
W RINGING MY HANDS TOGETHER , I paced the sitting chamber, refusing when Drae offered me a drink. My aunt had gone too far. Killing demon-possessed mages was one thing, but killing a green witch for having sex was another. Not only had Daminica been a kind witch, but we needed healers for the coming war. With one less healer, that put more work on Tari and the other green witches.
I thought about all the people Malvolia had killed during the Crimson Tide, and I realized now the extent of my aunt’s madness. She had to be stopped, but how? Despite my powerful magic, I couldn’t deny I was terrified of her, for she could still turn me to ash. She was far too ruthless and cunning. Why had I thought that I could change her? That I could make her see reason? Probably most unsettling of all was that my mother had thought I’d turn out to be a monster like my aunt. I couldn’t imagine sinking to such depravity, killing innocent witches out of spite. Now I wondered how much of Malvolia’s madness during the Crimson Tide had been caused by Thorin’s spell and how much had been her own doing.
Wolfy barked, and I gave a start at a loud bang coming from the terrace. I spun, my siren at the ready, but it was only Helian jumping off Radnor. How had I not heard the dragons approaching? I went outside and took Ember from him, adjusting her on my hip. Radnor flapped his wings hard, putting distance between us and him, and then Isa took his place, hovering over the balcony like a sea bird catching a pocket of air.
Ash slipped off her paw with the dexterity of a cat jumping from a tree, landing on the terrace with a fanged grin. Using her wind, Tari floated down from Isa with Aurora in her arms, shafts of moonlight reflecting off her iridescent gown like she was the goddess Maiadra descending from the veil.
“Hi!” Tari said as she gently touched down on the terrace as if she weighed no more than a feather. Her hair was wet, dripping all down her back. Had she gone swimming?
Wolfy barked excitedly, running big, clumsy circles around our feet.
“Where’ve you been?” I asked, my voice sounding clipped and cold, even to my own ears.
She gave me a curious look before brushing past me. “Swimming at the prettiest little pond. It was so invigorating.”
I took note of Ash’s and Helian’s red cheeks and the glazed expression in their eyes and wondered if they’d done more than swim.
As I followed Tari on numb legs, Ember felt like a deadweight in my arms. My niece squirmed out of my embrace and immediately went to the buffet with Helian, Ash, and Aurora, piling a plate with tarts and other food while Wolfy dodged their heels, begging for scraps. The hound still smelled like death warmed over, and I realized there wasn’t enough soap in Delfi to expunge the stench of old dog from the room.
I returned to the sofa, sitting down while my extremities went numb. I still couldn’t believe she’d killed Daminica.
“Shiri, what’s wrong?” My sister sat beside me, her brow creased with concern.
I felt as if someone else was speaking through my mouth as I said the words. “Malvolia killed Daminica.” My throat tightened, and I looked away. Saying it aloud made it much more real, and I still didn’t want to believe it.
“Who?”
“A kind green witch,” Drae said as he handed Tari a towel. “She was Shiri’s lady-in-waiting.”
Tari wrapped her hair in the towel. “Malvolia killed a green witch?”
Not just any green witch , I projected to her, my words laced with bitterness. My friend.
I’m sorry, sister. Tari grabbed my hand, and I was shocked at the chill radiating off her.
I motioned to Drae. “My sister feels like a block of ice.”
Drae closed the open doors leading to the terrace, stoked the fire, then grabbed a blanket off a nearby chair and held it to his chest, his hands turning as red as coals. He handed the heated blanket to Tari.
“Thank you,” she said as she draped it across her lap.
Helian handed Tari a goblet with juice and a plate piled with smoked fish, cheese, and fruit. Then he grabbed another plate piled high with food and sat in a chair across from us. “In Caldaria,” he said while popping a piece of fruit into his mouth, “the offense for killing a green witch is death by dragon fire.”
“Why would anyone kill a healer?” Ash asked as he sat in a chair beside his brother, his plate also piled high. “They are the gentlest of the witches.”
I wiped tears from my eyes. “She did it to punish Daminica’s best friend, Lady Veronica, a seer who didn’t warn her that Mortimus would be killed.”
“Why didn’t Veronica warn her?” Ash asked.
“The same reason she didn’t warn Derrick he would be attacked.” I placed a hand on my queasy stomach. “Because the other outcome was far worse.”
Drae folded his arms across his chest, his expression grim. “Malvolia’s madness is worse than I feared.”
Tari pushed food around on her plate before looking up at me. “Sister, she issued a warrant for our execution while we were in the womb. She’s always been a crazy bitch.”
I tensed, looking around the room for any stray servants, grateful when I saw none. “But now that Mortimus is dead,” I said on a hushed whisper, “she’s even more unhinged. You must be very careful around her.”
“I know that now.” Her eyes darted to Ash, then softened. “I will be.”
“Will you?” I asked, still not convinced. “Your magic might be stronger, but she’s more cunning and faster, especially now that you’re drinking the tea.”
Snarling, Ash leaned toward us. “Maybe we should kill her now.”
“No!” A bolt of panic shot through me, and I instinctively jumped to my feet. “Don’t underestimate her.” My sister and her mates gaped at me as I swept the room with a hard glare. Only Drae’s stony expression mirrored how I felt. “I did once and nearly died.” I worked hard to unclench my fists as I slowly lowered back onto the sofa. “Besides, I have a feeling she won’t survive this war. I suspect Lady Veronica, the seer, has seen her demise. Malvolia knows it too.” Though some twisted part of me would mourn her, a more dominant part wanted her gone, so she couldn’t threaten our family again.
Tari arched a brow. “Do you think the demons will kill her?”
I heaved a weary breath. Why did our aunt have to be this way? What arrow of madness had struck her heart? “I’m not sure, but the next time she taunts you, just let me handle her.”
Tari visibly swallowed. “But what if she tries to kill you ?”
“She won’t,” I said, while hoping, praying, I was right.
She leaned toward me, eyes narrowing. “How do you know?”
I dragged my hands through my hair with a groan. “Because she’s already named me heir to her cursed kingdom.”