Page 34 of Those That Are Lost

“Maybe it's not as strong as the Fae, but think about it. Lean into your magic, what’s it telling you.”

I give him a sceptical look before feeling for my shadows. They’d beenhappily lounging at my feet, but with the pull on my power, they dance awake, jumping around in the flickering darkness of the fire. I let them loose to roam free.

Almost instantly they seek out Red, as they often do. A few of them thicken at her feet and race up her side. I see her stiffen the second she feels them, but she relaxes again as she realises what’s brushing up against her. She leans a hand down to her thigh and almost caresses the one wrapping itself around her leg.

My chest feels too small as I watch on. My heartbeat suddenly wild.

“Maybe it's not truly fated, but I think the magic pulls us towards what’s good. It helps bring good to the world. Would help bring you home should you wish for it.” Eetu gets to his feet and walks off, leaving me alone with that parting comment.

I leave my shadows to play as I sit heavy in my thoughts.

CHAPTER 17

AURORA

Metal crunches as the chains around my arms pull me tight against the seat. I fight, throwing my whole weight against them to break free. It's useless. My stomach roils as I’m thrown over, and over, and over again until I don’t know which way is up anymore.

“Don’t,” I scream again, bracing myself for the pain I know is coming.

The car slams to a halt on its roof and all I can smell is the metallic iron of blood and rich disturbed dirt. My cheeks grow wet as I yell once more, hot tears streaking down them. I scream until I’m panting, unable to draw in any more breath.

Then, I smell him.

Woodland and cinnamon. Warmth, comfort.

The cold chains disappear into strong arms that fold me into a familiar chest. I squeeze my eyes shut and inhale the scent that makes all the terrifying things disappear. After a couple of minutes, my breathing evens out and I can start to relax.

I’m safe.

As my awareness returns, a strong hand rubs gentle lines up and down my back as he holds me close. I unclench myhands, which had been balled into tight fists, and lay them on his naked pecs, needing to ground myself with his strong heartbeat.

“Ssshhhh, Red,” Ty breathes. “I’ve got you.”

I wiggle closer, tucking one of my legs between his, one of his between mine. I’m wearing loose sleep shorts and a cropped tank top, and he’s only in boxers, so there’s a lot of our skin pressed together. I feel his warmth seep into my skin. His hands stop stroking my back but stay there, fingers splayed, holding me close.

I shift again, causing his thigh to rub against my core, sending liquid fire through my centre and spreading out across my entire body. My breathing stutters for entirely different reasons, although I can still feel the lingering pain from my nightmare. I don’t want to feel pain. I want to feel pleasure.

I tilt my hips again, purposefully this time. The friction feels so good I think I moan with the wash of lust entering my bloodstream. I’m not lucid enough, however, to tell if the noise was out loud or just in my head.

Needing to taste him, I tip my head upwards slightly so my lips can reach the top of his chest, right where his collarbone meets his neck. I lay soft kisses along the joint, gently sucking on the skin to get his scent on my tongue.

I’m surrounded by him in all senses, and still, I want more.

Gently rocking my hips, I grind down on his thigh, building the pleasure, intensifying the heat. Still, it’s not enough.

I pull myself up his body further, until my pelvis is right at the juncture of his leg, mere inches from his crotch. As I press upwards, I feel his long hard length, fully erect and pulsing inside his boxers. I’m rewarded with a soft groan from above my head as he feels the contact too.

Suddenly, the arm that was wrapped around me is on mythigh, pulling me on top of him as he rolls onto his back. The movement untangles our legs and leaves me straddling him fully, his cock pinned beneath me, right in the exact place for me to ride it.

And so I do, not caring that there are clothes in the way. I rock up and down his length, turning the heat between my legs into an inferno. I know I’m going to come from just this. I’ve been so deprived of him that this contact will be enough.

“Red,” he pants underneath me. My upper body is still plastered to his chest so I feel the growl that follows.

“Red, do you know what you’re doing right now?” Ty’s voice is strained. His hands come to my waist to stop me. I don’t want to stop.

“Aurora, I need to know you’re conscious for this to carry on.” His fingers dig in deeper to my hips, stopping my movements.

The strong hold on me fires something in my brain.