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E very inch of me burned. The slick fucking of Caden’s fingers between my thighs, the tease against my clit, the bite of the silks around my wrists were all too much.

I groaned as another mark ignited, turning from henna to gold. I’d lost track of how many it had happened to already. I was wet to the ankles, lungs aching from panting, throat tight from every scream he had coaxed from me.

“Too much.”

Caden only purred, rising up to wrap his lips around my nipple, connecting the arc of electricity from his tongue to his fingers and setting me off again. Light glowed from the exposed marks, one on my arm disintegrating.

Did that mean they were actually working, absorbing my magic the way we had intended? Gods, I hoped so.

You make it very difficult to get anything done, precious . Yelena’s voice in my head was a soft caress. Those who want to participate are starting to congregate.

Participate in what? My brain was so fucking foggy.

The live show that usually turns into an orgy. We’ll start slow, give your henna time to set before you dive in.

I whimpered, my whole body tightening as Caden’s fangs scraped gently over my skin.

I will bother our dear panther since he’s keeping you occupied.

Caden jolted. His hazel eyes were like molten fire when they looked to me. “Do you still want to play in front of everyone?”

The mere idea of it sent a thrill through me. I couldn’t help but remember how much stronger every sensation had been the first time Seth watched us, or when Yelena had played with me in front of Velda before she had joined in. How much more intense might it be with even more eyes?

“Yes, please.”

Caden unleashed the silks binding me, and we both turned at a knock on the door before it swung open, Kendrick stepping inside. He stopped short, eyes going wide, cock visibly tenting.

“I—I, um, they sent me to fetch you so I could make sure you had the torque.” He slipped past us, grabbing it from inside the wards, not quite making eye contact as he carefully placed it around my neck.

Before he could rush away, I reached out, hooking my fingers in the collar of his shirt. “What’s wrong?”

He glanced nervously to Caden, then back to me.

As if he implicitly understood, Caden sighed. “If you treat her well, I have no problem with you.”

Kendrick swallowed hard and nodded. “I have no intention of treating her poorly.”

Caden scoffed. “You could’ve fooled me.”

“I like to believe we’re allowed to grow and change, much as it can be a slower process for shifters.”

“You are,” Caden acknowledged, “and you have, but I’ll believe it when I see it consistently.”

Kendrick practically vibrated in place, and I clocked it instantly, sliding my palm up to cup the back of his neck. “He won’t hurt you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do,” I insisted, turning to Caden, “because I’m very specifically asking him not to.”

My panther raised his hands in surrender. “And I’ll listen unless you do something really fucking stupid.”

“Well.” Kendrick cleared his throat. “Let’s all hope I don’t.”

It was truly unfair they didn’t feel any kinship between them, because my brain was already dancing around the idea of them taking me at the same time. A shiver rippled through me, drawing both of their attention.

What? Kendrick asked. Your cheeks are red as a cooked lobster.

Another mark burst into a plume of smoke, startling all three of us.

“What the fuck was that?” Kendrick stared at the spot as if it would reveal its secrets by that alone.

“Each time one absorbs enough power, that happens,” Caden explained.

“But her power grows when she’s…” Kendrick’s gaze slid to my face.

“Turned on? Yep.” Somehow my cheeks got even hotter.

Caden traced his finger down my back, weaving between the henna. “What were you thinking about?”

I squirmed, my head filled with flickering images of my body pressed between the two of them. Another symbol burst into smoke.

“ Logan ,” Caden said firmly. “We’re going into a fucking orgy. Whatever you’re thinking about can probably be accommodated.”

“But you don’t like each other.”

My stag and panther exchanged a look.

“You’re going to have to be more clear. Use your words.”

Gods. I hated using my words.

Tell me, witch. I can’t give you what you don’t ask me for.

If only telepathy worked in the way I needed it to. An unintentional mind reading that let me expose my secrets without having to give them voice.

I closed my eyes, suddenly unable to look at either of them. Maybe I could get away with as few words as possible. Caden would probably understand.

“Sandwich?”

“Does that—” Kendrick paused, swallowing hard. “—mean what I think it means?”

“That she wants us to fuck her at the same time?” Caden asked and Kendrick nodded. “Yes.”

Kendrick’s alpha scent joined Caden’s, like rolling fog on a mountainside, quiet whispers of the forest.

“We should get you upstairs if we’re going to indulge your fantasies,” Kendrick said.

I blinked up at him, the heat of both of their bodies and proximity triggering two more plumes of smoke. “Upstairs sounds good.”

“Enough of the henna on your legs has changed to the gold markings that you should be able to ride someone,” Caden pointed out. “You won’t be able to become the sandwich filling for a while, though.”

I glanced down to see what skin was bare. I might smush a symbol or two, but hopefully as soon as eyes were on me, I would smoke enough of them I could do as I pleased.

The energy shifted the closer we got to the throne room, now crowded with people.

The mood had changed, the air vibrating with anticipation.

I wasn’t sure what all they had been told.

Maybe they were all relieved and eager for a distraction now that the nest children were safe and those remaining could party like the world was going to end.

Hopefully it didn’t, but at least if it did, our last moments would be fun.

“Welcome,” Yelena said, addressing everyone from the dais. “Those of you who have brought items capable of absorbing magic, please bring them forward.”

A dozen or so people laid out handfuls of crystals and jewelry around the raised platform they’d set up in the middle of everything, a mattress more akin to gym mats lying atop it all, presumably to make cleanup easy.

I could only assume the crystals were a backup in case the symbols didn’t do their job. I appreciated them thinking ahead because I really didn’t want to accidentally burn down the nest.

“As we begin,” Yelena continued, “please note you are all free to play so long as your partners are consenting. No one is to touch the performers without their permission. Anyone who breaks either of those rules will be escorted out immediately.”

I waited for Yelena to usher me over, making sure I wasn’t stepping on before my time. I turned to Caden before heading up. “Do you mind if I perform with Kendrick first?”

“ Me ?” Kendrick asked before Caden could answer. “I can’t let you be on top in front of everyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

I barked a laugh. “Reputation?”

“The predators have a very different idea of me than the prey shifters do.”

Eyeing him up and down, I hummed. “So you don’t want to get on your knees for me?”

He opened his mouth and closed it again, eyes narrowing. Are you teasing me for a purpose or are you being a brat?

Both. I grinned at him. Bring out your antlers, get naked at your leisure, and get up on the platform if you want to play with me.

Kendrick stared at me for a long moment, a shiver rolling through him before he slipped his shirt overhead. Why do you want my antlers when I hurt you with them?

Let me heal from that in my own way.

And what’s the purpose of teasing me?

I want you to understand the crossroads between predator and prey. I am both and neither. Balls of light formed in my open palms, glowing like tiny suns. I want you to know the comfort of surrender.

He swallowed hard. I’m plenty comfortable without it.

I think we both know that’s not true. Trust me to show you what it can be like. I know the peace it can bring. I know you have to crave it the way I do. Hand me the power and I’ll take care of you. “Strip and kneel.”

Those congregated stared at him, gazes curious, waiting to see if he would comply or push back the way he usually did with everything else.

Fire blazed in his eyes. His breathing was hard like a bull pawing the ground and ready to charge despite his cock standing at full attention. That particular appendage knew as well as I did how much he wanted to follow my lead.

His pride was a barrier he hadn’t conquered.

Yet .

I stepped a little closer and felt the tension peak in those gathered.

Were they worried how he would react? He had already hurt me once, nearly killed me, however accidental it had been.

Kendrick had let his fear guide him, and as much as it had the potential to keep him safe, it wasn’t a way to live forever.

I waited for him to follow my instructions, my magic absorbing back into my skin in a flare of light.

Trust me.

I don’t trust anyone .

Time to start. “I won’t tell you again. You can have me so long as you listen.” Or you can leave and have me in private.

With one shaking breath, Kendrick slipped out of his pants and underwear, kicking them to the side, and climbed onto the mattress. There, he lowered slowly, one knee hitting the bed and then the other. The sight of him was like a shot of whiskey, the fire of it burning through me.

I stepped up there with him and reached out, cupping his cheek. “There’s a good boy.”

He shuddered but still didn’t relax. I stepped even closer so his face was level with my chest and I could see the little surge of defiance, the tensing of his muscles as he leaned forward. I caught his antlers with both hands.

“You just can’t resist, can you?”

He growled. “I shouldn’t have to resist.”

I tugged on his antlers, directing him down, pushing with barely the force of two fingers, but he followed me until I was on my knees in front of him.

He allowed me to arrange him, pushing him by the antlers until he was flat on his back as I braced him against the floor.

“But you want to give in. I’ve seen it. I’m very familiar with how incredible it feels to let go.

I can give that to you if you allow me to. ”

His whole body vibrated under my hands. He let out a low moan before relaxing entirely.

“There we go.” I flipped my leg over his waist, trapping his cock between us, still keeping one hand on his antlers and using the other to stroke his cheek. “How does that feel?”

He didn’t say a word, but his trembling grew stronger.

“If you don’t use your words, we’re going to have to stop playing.”

“ Good ,” he gasped out. “It feels good.”

No wonder Caden liked playing with me like this. Delight and adrenaline surged through my system, and even all my magic hadn’t made me feel this powerful.

Every eye in the room was a warm weight on me.

I cooed softly and reached a little further, stroking over Kendrick’s shoulders. “That’s it. You’re doing so well. Now that I have you down here, I want you to listen to me, okay? Say your answer.”

“Okay.” He was breathing so hard, trying to stay exactly where he was and not end the game for the sake of his pride.

“I know you’re strong, Kendrick. Every person in the nest knows that. But I need you to understand that submitting is not weakness. It takes strength to give someone else power over you.”

I traced my fingers around the smooth antler tips. His hot breath ghosted over my chest, and I tipped forward, lifting one breast in offering, rocking my hips against his cock when his lips wrapped around the peak. A scattering of the symbols incinerated, tendrils of smoke whispering around me.

That’s fucking hot, Lo.

Kendrick’s eyes opened wide. Had Seth shared that particular thought with him too?

I’ll join when you’re ready. Just let me know.

With a quick nod, I threaded my fingers through Kendrick’s hair, already squirming. Slick dripped between us. I held on to the antlers for support, letting the tips brush against my skin. He wasn’t so scary when faced head-on.

Precious, Yelena warned. Don’t play with fire.

I am fire.