Chapter Thirty-Five

I showered alone. I couldn't risk getting sexy with Rath and Xae. Not when we were preparing to add Vexen to our group through sex. I paused under the hot spray, eyes closed and heartbeat picking up speed. Vex. After this was over, he would be forever bound to me. To all of us. If only I had been smart enough to bond Ara with everyone, then maybe he would have been strong enough to expel Death. But then again, maybe Death would have used that bond to kill my lovers. I don't know what would have happened. I couldn't let myself get weighed down by what I didn't do.

After I dried off, I dressed in some undershorts and a tunic, that was all. I didn't see the sense in wearing much else when it was all going to come off soon anyway. I made myself a drink and went to sip it in a chair by the bedroom window. Rath kissed my cheek on his way into the bathroom while Xae stripped down to his shorts and climbed on the bed. He laid back, crossed his thick arms behind his head, and stared at the bed canopy.

I slid my gaze over to him, focused on our link, and felt a trickle of unease. That had me sitting up straighter as I asked, “Xae? What's wrong?”

“It's coming,” Xae said.

A shiver ran down my spine. Ladrin had been known to experience random bouts of psychic vision. Something about how psychic abilities are kin to instinct—which Ladrin have a natural abundance of.

“What is?” I asked.

“The final battle.” He looked over at me. “I can feel it. It will be soon.”

My breath caught. “I hope so. Isn't that what you want too?”

Xae sat up and sighed, his wide shoulders sagging heavily. “Yes. If we win.”

I shot back the rest of my drink and set my glass aside as I stood up. “You don't think we will?” I sat down in front of him on the bed.

One of Xaedren's broad, warrior hands lifted and cupped my cheek. “I don't know, Ember.” His thumb rubbed the skin just beneath my eye. “I'm not having a vision. I don't know what's going to happen. And that's what scares me.” His hand fell away. “I have never been happier than I am with you. You opened my heart to many things. Love, yes, of course, but also hope. I've been hoping for so much lately.”

I nodded. “And with hope comes fear.”

“Yes, fear that I won't get what I want.”

“Well, if you don't, we'll be dead. So, it won't matter,” I teased.

Xae didn't laugh.

“Xaedren, I can't believe that we've come this far only to lose.” I moved to sit beside him and leaned my shoulder against his. “Death can't win. He just can't. It would destroy the world.”

“That doesn't make me feel better.”

I chuckled. “Then forget hope and fear. Focus on love and faith. Have faith in the Goddess, us, and yourself.”

Xae finally smiled. “I think I can do that.” Then he slid an arm around me and slid us down onto the pillows. Rolling onto his side, he tucked me in against him. “I love you, Ember.”

“I love you too, Xae.” I lifted my head to look at him. “Are you sure you want to live with Rath after the war?”

He lifted his brows at me.

I shrugged. “It could be just you and me again.”

“But then you'd be gone longer, visiting Rath on top of the others. And I'm not a lone wolf anymore. I have a pack now. I've missed this. I don't want to give it up.”

“Xae,” I whispered and stroked his chest. “I didn't think about that.”

Xae had lost his family and nearly his entire village to the war. Sixteen people had survived the attack, but they'd separated afterward. Xae joined the Wraith Lords to get vengeance. There were more Wolf Ladrin in the world, but he wasn't related or otherwise tied to any of them. So, he technically had a clan, but he didn't know them. There was no one who he had grown up with or been a neighbor to. He had no pack.

I never considered that Xae might replace his pack with us. It made sense now. Rath must have known. All of us shared a bond, but Ratharin and Xaedren had formed a special relationship that went deeper than the others between my men. Maybe because they'd been rivals once. Or maybe because it had been the three of us at first. Whatever the case, Xae had made a pack with us, all of us. But even in packs, there was a hierarchy. Family came first. Rath and I were family to Xae—his mate and brother.

“The shower's free,” Rath said as he came out of the bathroom.

He was drying his hair with magic, his hand sliding downward, collecting the water in a bubble to send back into the bathroom. It was such a casual display of power, done with barely any thought, that it impressed me even more. As a Varraen, Rath had been born with all the elemental magic, and he'd been damn good at them. Not mage level, but very good. I could still remember the first time I saw him fight. He'd been in a one-on-one with the Corrupter, using two swords instead of the standard sword and shield. And he had set fire to his blades. I was so in awe of him. I don't think I've ever stopped being in awe of Ratharin. But he wasn't this powerful when we first met. This level of expertise only came after we bonded and I added more men to our group. We were all impressive now. Even Xae had elemental magic.

Hair dry, Rath stopped short and smiled at us. “Someday, this will be our life. A string of relaxing days spent as we wish.”

I looked at Xae and we grinned at Rath together.

“That's exactly what we were talking about.” I sat up so Xae could get out of bed.

The men traded places, Xae patting Rath on the shoulder as he passed by, heading into the bathroom. Rath only had his undershorts on, and he didn't seem inclined to add more. I started to wonder if we should get dressed. Vex might find it awkward to be greeted by half-naked men. Or maybe he'd love it. I thought about how much Vex had enjoyed being a bottom for me. Would he want to do it when it was all of us? Probably not. He was too new to it and he was a private man. It would be hard enough for him to perform in front of the others as it was. Hopefully, their bond would form quickly since ours was already in place. Then he wouldn't feel any awkwardness.

The outer suite door opened without a knock coming first. I leaned over to look through the bedroom doorway and saw Keltyr come in with Taroc. They got drinks from the side table in the outer room and then joined us.

“Well, don't you two look eager?” Keltyr said. He sat on the foot of the bed, but Taroc took the chair by the window, the one I had vacated earlier.

“We just showered,” I said. “There wasn't much reason to get dressed again.”

Taroc propped an elbow on the armrest of his chair to hold his drink aloft and sipped as he stared at me. A shiver went down my spine. Holding my stare, he undid his pants.

“Come here,” Taroc said.

“Shouldn't we wait for Vexen?” Keltyr asked.

“We're getting ready,” Taroc said as I went to him. To me, he said, “You know what to do.”

I knelt between Taroc's thighs. As he sipped his drink, I eased his undershorts down to expose his stirring cock. I bent my head to it, his spicy scent rushing up my nose, and nuzzled his warm flesh. My dick responded immediately, twitching in my shorts. It hardened as I sucked Taroc into my mouth, straining at the fabric.

“Good boy,” Taroc said and stroked my hair. “Just like that.”

I looked up to see Taroc sipping his drink again, his sapphire eyes glowing in the midday sun that came through the window. It set the glossy scales at his temples alight too, making him shimmer. I sighed and slid down his length.

“I leave for five minutes and come back to you sucking another man's cock,” Xaedren said as he strode up to us.

“He's just getting me hard,” Taroc said.

“In that case, he can move on to me. You're already hard.”

I looked over to see Xae grab the base of his thick cock. Groaning, I sucked my way off Taroc and crawled over to Xae. He had haphazardly dried himself, leaving water droplets in many places, and his damp hair clung to his wide shoulders. He tossed the towel on the ground before him, giving me something to kneel on.

Licking my lips, I took Xae's semi-hard cock from him and bent my head to suck it into my mouth. It hardened even as I drew it in, the shaft lengthening to press against the back of my throat. By the second slide down his huge length, I couldn't resist touching myself any longer. I shoved my undershorts down and grabbed my shaft.

“No!” Taroc said sharply. “Don't stroke yourself. You should be panting in need by the time Vexen gets here.”

I released my dick.

“Damn,” Keltyr exclaimed. “You're harsh.” But he also stripped and went to stand beside Xae. “And it's my turn now, Xae. He's got you ready.”

In answer, Xae grabbed the back of my head and pulled me further onto his cock, gagging me. He only did it once, just enough to make his point, but I still looked up at him chidingly. He grunted at me.

“Fine,” Kel said. “I'll just prepare Ember. Rath, could you toss me the oil?”

Rath took the bottle out of the bedside table and sent it to Kel on a breeze. Kel snatched it out of the air and coated his cock in oil, massaging the flaccid length. Then he coated the tip of his tail. As he stroked his cock, Kel slipped his tail between my cheeks and gently prodded me until he slid in.

I groaned around Xae and angled my hips to better receive Kel. The slender appendage moved in and out, gently working me open as it brought nerve endings to life. I glanced over to see Taroc watching the show, still sipping his drink with his cock sticking out of his pants. Slick sounds coming from behind me told me that Rath had brought out the other bottle of oil and was preparing himself without me.

And then the knock came.

“I'll get it,” Taroc said as he tucked himself away and fastened his pants. He stood up and walked past me, still holding his drink.

“Get on the bed,” Xae said as he pulled out of my mouth.

Keltyr pulled out as well, and I got up, pushing down my shorts as I did. I stepped out of them and got on the bed in only my tunic. Xae got into bed and under the blankets. Rath did the same, tossing his shorts aside. Keltyr just went back to sitting on the foot of the bed, comfortably naked. I sat in the middle of the bed cross-legged with my hands in my lap. And that was how Vex found us.

Taroc entered the bedroom first, then split off from Vex and went back to the chair. Vex didn't even glance at him. He stared only at me. Almost desperately.

“It's going to be fine,” I said. “They won't join in until you're ready. Just them being here with us should help to start the bonding.”

Vexen finally glanced at the other men and whatever he saw must have reassured him because he came forward and stood at the foot of the bed. Watching me, he undressed.

No one tried to stop him or said anything at all. This was best done quickly. Just get into it before Vex could think too much about it. For his part, Vex didn't hesitate once he started. As soon as his golden-brown body was revealed, he got on the bed and crawled over to me, determinedly not looking at Kel as he passed him.

I would have said something more to reassure Vex, but he kissed me before I could. And the kissing became everything. I can't even tell you how he got my tunic off me. All I know is that I uncrossed my legs and spread them around Vexen as we kissed. Then he had me naked and sprawled beneath him. His hands stroked my sides and quickly played with my nipples but there wasn't much more than that as far as foreplay went. It appeared that Vex knew about getting to it quickly too.

But I didn't want to rush things.

I pulled out of our kiss to say, “Take a breath. I want you to enjoy this.”

Vex sighed and bent over me, shoulders and head hanging. “Yes, you're right. Sorry.”

“Hey.” I cupped his face in my hands and moved his head to look at me. “Just focus on me for now.”

Vexen's pale green stare softened. “I can do that.”

He closed his eyes and trailed kisses down my throat. I didn't close my eyes. I was enjoying watching him too much. But I stroked Vexen's broad back as he sucked at my nipple, and I rubbed my legs against his flanks before winding them around his thighs. Between us, my cock pressed against his belly, demanding attention. Still, I was surprised when Vex moved down, over my stomach, and took me into his mouth.

My back arched and then bowed, bringing my hips forward. Vex moved with me, controlling the depth. With tight lips and an eager tongue, he worked me near to coming.

And then he pulled away.

I gasped and cried out, a little shocked, but Vex was already moving up my body, splitting my thighs. Coming with him inside me would be just as good, so I set my feet on the mattress to angle myself upward. He was there a second later, his tip prodding my prepared hole. Vexen's eyes popped open when he felt the slickness and he lifted an eyebrow.

“We thought it would make things easier,” I said.

At the mention of my other lovers, even subtle as it was, Vex stiffened. And not in a good way.

“It's still you and me,” I hurried to say. “Vex, open the bond. Focus on it. You'll be able to feel them reaching for you through me.”

Vexen frowned.

“All right forget about them. Just focus on me.” I undulated against him, trying to impale myself on his shaft. Except it was softening.

Vex sat up onto his haunches and ran a hand backward over his head. “Shit.”

“Everyone off the bed,” Taroc, who was still clothed and still in his chair, said. “Give them some space.”

Surprisingly, they all obeyed him without a fuss. Everyone abandoned the bed and backed away. When they were all standing beside Taroc, Vex released a sigh and lay down beside me. His expression was still strained, but it was better than before.

I rolled onto my side, blocking his view of the men while I faced him. “I love you.”

Vexen's sudden smile was brilliant. “I love you too, mate.”

“And that's what matters.” I laid my head on his chest, and his arms went around me immediately. “We can take all the time you need, Vex.”

He nuzzled my face, then kissed me before he said, “Ride me, mate.”

I didn't rush it. I moved slowly to straddle Vex, then teased him a little by rubbing myself over his shaft. Only when his breath started coming faster did I reach behind and hold him steady so I could slide onto him. I moved up and down on my knees, taking him a little deeper every time, while Vex loosely gripped my hips and watched me. He looked amazing laid out on that big bed, his hair spread beneath him and his eyes shining. Sun streamed in through the windows but the bed was in shadow, making Vexen's face seem darker than it was while his eyes gleamed like a cat's.

As I took him fully into me, Vexen's hands swept up my stomach to move in outward circles around my pecs, then come inward to tease my nipples. I groaned and arched into his touch as I continued to move over him. It felt luxurious, so hedonistic to be taking my pleasure with him while my other lovers watched. Thrills ran up my spine. I loved controlling the depth of Vexen's shaft. And the angle of it. A twist of my hips and he was hitting new nerve endings that had me shivering in delight. Then his hands settled on my shoulders and pulled me down as he arched up. I ground onto Vex, taking his cock as deep as I could.

And then I felt them move in around us.

My eyes popped open to find Vexen watching my other lovers, his stare shifting from side to side as they climbed onto the bed. Taroc was as naked as the others, but he waited patiently, his aggression banked for the moment. Xae, however, crawled over to me, grabbed the back of my head, and yanked me into a kiss.

Vex made a strange sound.

I eased back from the kiss to look at Vex. Instead of anxiety, I saw interest on his face. He licked his lips, then said, “I feel them.”

“We're reaching for you,” Rath said as he came up on my other side. His hand slid down my belly to grip my cock and he idly kissed me as he stroked it.

Vexen growled but in a sexy way. His hand went over Rath's and they worked me together, Vexen's big thumb rubbing my slit to spread the liquid there. Rath moved his hand down to cup my balls and lift them as if showing them off to Vex. Vexen growled again, sounding distinctly approving.

“What would you like to do, mate?” Vex asked me.

I bit my lip.

“It's all right. I feel your need. Just say it.”

“I want to suck Rath's cock,” I said.

Vex closed his eyes as if savoring my words, then said, “Do it. But angle yourself so I can watch.”

Rath grinned and moved up to kneel near Vexen's upper arm. He held his cock at the base, ready for me. I bent forward and out to the side, one hand on Vexen's chest and the other on the bed. When I opened my mouth for Rath, he slid inside, pushing that plum tip over my tongue to stimulate my tastebuds. As he thrust, I tightened my lips around him. Rath pushed back my hair, then held it with one hand so Vexen's view would be hindered.

“Oh, fuck,” Vexen groaned. “Oh, fuck, that's so fucking hot. I thought this would be awkward, but it feels so good.”

“That's because you're opening yourself up to us,” Kel said. “You can feel how good we feel, and we can feel you. This sharing thing is better than you'd think.”

“You won't believe how much pleasure you can experience with us,” Xae said.

“Oh, I believe it,” Vex groaned, then jerked upward. He cried out wordlessly as he did, and his release gushed into and through me.

Into all of us.

Like a receding wave, Vexen's orgasm rolled back to him carrying links to my other lovers with it. I felt the bonds snap into place, and then Vex was crying out again, filling me a second time. His hands gripped my hips hard, holding me in place as if he were afraid I'd leap away from him. But he wasn't afraid. I felt what he did, and it was as far from fear as it could get.

Rath went next, his cry coming on the heels of Vexen's, and he spurted hot seed into my mouth, making my cock ache in need. As his orgasm rocked me, my shaft found its release, and I screamed around Rath's shaft.

The others felt what we did and yet, they didn't come. They held themselves back. As soon as I sucked free of Rath, I discovered why.

Taroc lifted me off Vex, who eased back against the headboard and propped himself there to watch. With a smooth movement, Taroc positioned me on my hands and knees horizontally before Vex and was inside me in seconds. Xae took my mouth, and I braced myself as the two shapeshifters worked in tandem, thrusting into me while bracing each other. Their strong hands held my shoulders and hips so that even when I shuddered, I didn't wobble. I was mounted on their flesh, taking them deep and stretching around them deliciously. And there was nothing I wanted more.

Glancing to the side, I saw Vexen sitting with Rath, the two of them staring at us with obvious arousal. Already, their cocks stirred, but while Rath began stroking his, Vex waited. Kel, however, wasn't about to sit to the side and watch. He slid his head beneath my belly and idly licked and sucked at my cock. I moaned around Xaedren's flesh, my pleasure reaching impossible heights.

Xae gathered my hair at the top of my head and used it as a handhold as he pumped. His other hand went to my jaw and supported me there too. “Take me down your throat, Ember. That's it. Good boy. You like having that big cock choke you, don't you?”

I groaned my yes.

Taroc slapped my ass, then spread my cheeks. “Is your ass full of cum, little boy? Are you sure you want more?”

“Mmm-hmm,” I said around Xae.

“Good. Because you're about to get it.” Taroc locked up against me and gave me what he promised, his hips slamming so hard that Keltyr had to roll away. “Ember!” Taroc roared and dug his fingers into my flesh.

Taroc's cock kicked inside me and his ecstasy rushed through me in harmony with his seed rushing into my channel. He pulled out as soon as he was finished, but only moved to my side, not fully away. As he did, Keltyr took his place, his cock smoothly gliding into my slick entrance.

“Fuck,” Kel groaned. “You're so wet.”

“Squeeze him,” Taroc said as he did the same to my cock.

Keltyr groaned as I did as I was told.

“Good boy,” Taroc stroked me. “That's a real good boy. Keep squeezing Kel's dick. Squeeze all his cum out of him.”

“And suck my sacs,” Xae said as he pulled out and lifted his big cock, exposing the hanging balls beneath.

I eagerly tongued them, trying to get them into my mouth.

“Turn your head,” Xae said. “You can do it. Suck one into your mouth and then the other.”

“Holy fuck,” Vexen whispered. “Why am I so aroused by this?”

“Because it's arousing,” Rath said. “I don't like being so dominant with Ember, but I do enjoy watching others dominate him.”

“Kel,” Xae growled. “Give me a little tail.”

Vexen's eyes widened as Kel's long tail stretched behind Xae to slide into his ass.

“Fuck!” Xae cried out, jerked his hips forward, and arced a stream of cum onto my back.

I kept sucking on his sacs as he came, luxuriating in the feel of the warmth hitting my skin. But then Xae fell to the side, and I looked to my left at Vex. I licked my lips and lowered my stare to his cock. It was all the invitation he needed.

Vex rushed over to me, his cock bobbing, then grabbed his shaft to offer it to me. I grinned up at him before tonguing his tip, sliding around it and nudging the slit. Vex moaned brokenly as I moved the tight ring of my mouth along his cock, taking it full length into me.

“He's yours now,” Taroc said to Vexen. “Tell him what you want.”

I looked up to see Vex blink, then grin. A shudder of excitement rocked through me.

“Swirl your tongue around me,” Vex said.

I did it.

“Good. Now suck down my shaft. Tighter. Oh, fuck. Yes. Great Goddess, I want to face fuck you.”

“Do it,” Taroc said. “Take him. He wants it.”

I made a sound of agreement.

Vexen panted, eyes wide. “I'm supposed to protect you.”

“You aren't hurting him,” Kel said. “He's enjoying this. We all are. Fuck his mouth hard, brother. Give it to him good!”

Keltyr slammed forward to punctuate his words, and I moaned happily as it drove Vexen's cock down my throat. I loosened up and looked up at him eagerly.

“I love you, mate,” Vexen said, his voice gone rough, then he grabbed the sides of my face and started slamming his cock into my mouth.

I took every inch. Eyes rolling back in my head, I let the pleasure wash through me, coming up my spine from Keltyr's long cock and down from Vexen's unrelenting shaft. And between them, Taroc's big hand worked me. I was nearly there.

Then Taroc squeezed the end of my dick. “No. You will not come yet, Ember.”

I whimpered.

Vexen's breath came faster, as did his thrusts. “He can stop himself from coming?”

“For us, he will,” Taroc said. “Won't you, my good boy?”

“Mmm-hmm,” I said.

“Of course, my squeezing his dick shut helps.”

I whimpered again.

“What a good boy,” Vexen said as he brushed my hair back. “And you're going to swallow every drop I give you, won't you?”

“Mmmhmm,” I said.

“Hey, Vexen, do you want a little tail action?” Keltyr asked.

I looked at Vex. He looked at me. I blinked.

“I do,” Vexen said.

No one acted surprised, not even Keltyr. He just slid his tail around Vexen's rear and pumped it into him.

The instant Kel's tail penetrated Vex, he arched into me, his head going back, and came. I pulled back so I could taste him before I swallowed, then moaned over that pulsing cock, my tongue sweeping along its length. With a last grab of my hair and thrust in my mouth, Vex finished, then fell backward onto the bed.

“Good boy,” Taroc said as Keltyr shouted my name and came inside my channel.

When Kel pulled out and went to lie down, Taroc took his place. But this time, he rolled me onto my back, letting me relax.

“Good boys get rewarded,” Taroc said, his hand sliding possessively over my chest. “What do you want me to do to you, Ember?”

“Fuck my ass hard, please. Then come all over my chest.”

Taroc grinned. “As you wish.”

“I had no idea,” Vexen groaned and rolled over to kiss me.

Taroc started thrusting into me as we kissed, but Vex didn't mind. He eased back from me but laid his head down beside mine to watch Taroc's powerful body bow and arch, his thick arms holding my legs aloft and out to the sides, and his massive cock plowing into me, making wet sounds.

“You're so full of cum,” Taroc said and paused. He pulled out, then slipped a finger into me.

I felt magic tingle inside me and gasped as it gathered the cum in my channel. It slid out of my ass, making me shudder and sigh, then Taroc sent it into the bathroom—a thick milky ribbon.

“Holy fuck!” Keltyr exclaimed. “We can do that?”

“I can do that. I don't know what you can do,” Taroc said as he thrust back into me. “And now, my good boy.” He grabbed my cock and pumped it. “Are you sure you want me to come on your chest?”

I grinned. “No. I want you to refill my ass.”

“That's what I thought,” Taroc said.

“Oh, fuck. I need to get back inside him soon,” Vexen said. “His tight channel, not his mouth. My tiger wants to replace what you removed.”

“I understand. Give me a few minutes,” Taroc grunted, then sped up. “Or maybe a few seconds.”

I smiled as my life became even more magical.