Chapter Four

“I'm sorry, Vexen,” Xaedren said. “He doesn't want to see you.”

Yeah, I was hiding from Vex. Back to my avoiding arguments tactic. I still felt good about getting it all off my chest, but Vex had hit deep with his words too. I was recovering. I needed time to think. And he wasn't entirely wrong. I mean, about me not being in love with him yet. All that other stuff was total crap.

It was our first fight. Maybe it was na?ve of me, but I hadn't expected to fight with Vex. Not ever. Not like that. I thought we got along splendidly. I couldn't imagine what we could argue about. Well, I didn't have to imagine anymore.

“Could you give these to him?” Vexen's voice filtered into the bedroom where I was curled up beside Rath on the bed.

It had been two days—another mark against Vex. He should have tried to speak to me before then. Sure, it goes both ways, but I felt as if I were the injured party and as such, he was supposed to come to me and apologize. And he should have done it sooner.

I sighed and nestled closer to Rath. We had just made love. Talk about the timing. It meant my mood was good. I was rethinking the hiding thing. I started to get up to speak to Vex. Rath held me tighter.

“Don't,” Ratharin said. “Let him boil in it a bit longer.”

“Boil?”

“Yeah. Vexen needs to know that fucking up with you has consequences. You're special, Ember.” He bent his head and brushed his lips over mine.

For a second, I got lost in him. Ratharin was my first obsession. Not my first love, but that's only because he held back, and I got with Xae first. If Rath hadn't been scared of my mortality—of falling in love with a mortal who would one day die—we would have been together from the start. Rath was everything. Handsome like no other, with the Varraen pointed ears and lean build. His hair was long, pin-straight, and deep black. Blacker than a starless night. It made a startling contrast to his lavender-gray eyes. But what intrigued me the most about him, especially when we first met, was the scar across his left cheek.

Immortals don't scar. There's only one exception—childhood. The body is still growing, so although they are immortal, their healing isn't the same as an adult's. If it were, they'd never become adults. The thing is; magic can remove scars. Varraens possessed that magic. They were the only race that had ties to all four of the basic elements (not including Spirit). But Rath had gotten his scar during a Corrupted attack when he was a kid. He kept it to remind himself of why he's a wraith lord.

I loved that scar. It was the most beautiful part of Ratharin. Not just physically, but because it was a window into his soul. That scar said so much about the man I loved. I turned my head to kiss it as he withdrew. Rath lifted his brows at me.

“I love you,” I said. “Every part of you.”

“I love you too. Which is why I'm telling you to let Vexen boil. He's a good guy, but I don't like what he said to you.”

Yeah, I told Rath. I told all my lovers what had happened on my date with Vex. I had learned to be as open with them as possible when I started a new relationship. They had to feel included in the process. And none of them liked Vexen admonishing me for defending us.

Xaedren's response had been, “That motherfucker should have been proud of you. No, scratch that! He should have knocked his cousin on his ass. Then you wouldn't have had to step in.”

Taroc had grunted at that. Which was Taroc's way of saying, “I completely agree with Xaedren.”

Speaking of Xae; as I'd been focused on Rath, Xae had wrapped up his conversation with Vex and come back to the bedroom.

“You've got gifts,” Xaedren said and plopped a basket on the bed.

I sat up, the sheet falling to my waist. Rath and I were naked beneath it, but Xae had put on some thin cotton shorts to answer the door. His stare lowered to my waist, and he grimaced. I looked down to see that the sheet was bunched so that my bits were completely covered, not even a hint of them on display for Xaedren to enjoy.

Grinning at my Wolf Ladrin, I leaned forward, reaching for the basket. The sheet fell past my shaft. “Whoops.”

Xaedren chuckled and slid onto the bed beside me. “You always know what I need.”

“I could say the same about you.” I lifted my head to kiss him as I grabbed the basket, then sat back with it. “I like presents.”

“Who doesn't?” Rath leaned in to see what Vex had brought me. “Wine. That's a good start.”

“There are pastries too,” Xae said. “I can smell both sweet and savory versions. I think there's a meat pie.”

“Yup,” I said and handed it to him. “And custard buns. He knows I love custard buns.”

Xae made a happy sound as he took the pie, but it wasn't just about the food. As he sniffed the meat pie, his free hand slid over the upper crest of my ass and a finger delved between my cheeks. He smirked at me and said, “I love your buns.”

“Ugh, that was silly.” I pushed him away. “Don't eat all the pie.”

“You've already had dinner,” Xaedren said.

“That doesn't mean I can't eat. You've already had dinner and you want to eat.”

“I'm a Wolf Ladrin.”

“It is an odd time to bring you a picnic,” Rath said with a frown. “Dinner was only a few hours ago.”

“Vex knows I like a snack before bed,” I said absently as I removed the box of buns. To the side of the basket was a small bouquet of wildflowers. I recognized them as those that grew around Vexen's home. “Flowers. Huh.” I picked them up and gave them a sniff.

“How quaint,” Rath murmured.

Xaedren snorted.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Xae said with a smirk at Rath.

Rath cleared his throat and looked away.

“What?” I asked again.

“You should tell him. He'll like it,” Xaedren said as he cut into the pie with the dagger he kept on the bedside table.

“Is that clean?” I looked pointedly at the dagger.

Xaedren shrugged. “Clean enough.”

I rolled my eyes but then settled my stare on Rath. “You don't have to tell me anything. You're allowed your secrets.”

Rath's eyes went wide. “You think I keep secrets from you?”

“Everyone has a few secrets. Even lovers shouldn't know everything about each other.”

“Yes, they should,” Xaedren said around a bite of pastry and meat. He swallowed, then added, “Let me clarify; we should.”

“Do you have secrets, Ember?” Ratharin asked urgently. “You need to be open with us. We've talked about this.”

“I mean minor things. Like whatever it is you're keeping from me,” I huffed. “Sheesh, relax. I can't even think of any secrets I have. Not specifically, but I'm sure there's something. Some things are private.”

“Is your secret private, Rath?” Xae asked with a twinkle in his pale blue eyes.

Xae looked like a savage with his long, blond hair hanging in wild disarray around his brutal shoulders. And his unkempt state wasn't because of all the sex we just had. Well, not only because of it. He always looked primal. I had to brush his hair, or he'd forget about it completely. It was adorable. Sometimes. At other times, it was annoying. Tonight, though, I wasn't interested in his hair. Not even the soft curls on his chest. I was hooked on his words and the teasing tone to them.

I looked at Rath. Then I blinked. “Are you blushing?”

“No,” Rath said.

Xae chortled.

“Xae, watch the crumbs,” I chided.

Xaedren just laughed more.

Rath sighed and got out of bed. I sighed too when I saw him cross before the bed naked, his lithe body corded with wraith lord muscles and his long hair brushing the top of his pert ass. I forgot all about my presents, even the custard buns, as I watched my lover walk into our dressing room.

Once he was out of sight, I recovered enough to ask Xae, “What's he doing?”

“Getting something,” Xae said and took another bite of his slice of meat pie. “This is good. I have to ask Vex where he got it. Tastes like venison.”

I scrunched up my nose. “I don't like venison.”

“How can you not like venison?” Xae gaped at me.

“Eww, shut your mouth, Xae.” I pushed his chin up. “You still have food in it.”

Xaedren chuckled and leaned back against the headboard, propping the pie on his belly. “Well, if you don't like venison, I'd better finish this.”

“Rath may want some.”

Xae snorted.

“He can have the pie,” Rath said as he emerged.

Rath had a pair of shorts on, which made me pout, but then he sat down beside me and opened his hand. In it was a teardrop-shaped piece of glass. I frowned and looked closer. Within the glass was a flower, just the bloom. It was yellow and simple. Not something deserving of preservation in such an elaborate manner. But there was beauty in that.

“That's pretty,” I said. “You should wear it.”

Rath's expression fell.

I frowned at his stricken face, then at the flower. Something about that flower was tickling a memory. I picked up the pendant—that's what it was; a pendant attached to a leather cord—and peered at it.

“Oh, Goddess,” I whispered. I met Rath's stare. “Is this the flower I made with Earth Magic in Levari?”

Rath's wounded eyes brightened, and he grinned. “Yes. The one you gave me.”

“Oh, Rath.” My hand closed around the pendant as I launched myself at him.

He caught me with a laugh, then hugged me tightly. “You don't think it's silly?”

“No, of course not.” I eased back enough to kiss his cheek. “I think it's romantic.”

“Told you,” Xaedren said.

“Shut up, Xaedren,” Rath growled. “We're having a moment.”

Xae laughed and got out of bed to let us have our moment. He went into the front room with the pie.

“Rath,” I whispered as I sat back. “I forgot all about this flower. But you kept it.”

“It means a lot to me. It was evidence of your power and your affection for me. I wanted to protect the memory. So, I preserved it. After you bonded us, and I was able to merge my magic, I put the preserved flower into glass.”

“You did this yourself?” I looked down at the pendant. “It's perfect.”

“Do you want it?”

“What?” I looked up at him. “No. I gave it to you. It makes me happy to know that you have it.” I lifted the pendant by its cord and slipped it over Rath's neck.

He smiled shyly at me as he reached behind his neck to adjust the length. “I would have worn it sooner, but . . .”

“You were embarrassed.”

“A little.”

“How did Xae find out?”

“He saw it by accident when I was putting away my clothes.” Rath grimaced. “He's enjoyed teasing me about it ever since.”

“That must not have been so long ago. Xae is horrible at keeping other people's secrets.”

Rath snorted. “So I've learned.”

I laid my hand over the pendant and his heart. “Is it wrong that I really want to fuck you right now?”

“Yes,” Rath said gravely.

“Oh.”

“You should want to make love to me.” He pulled me onto his lap.

I spread my legs to straddle him and grinned. “That's what I meant to say.” I rubbed my ass over the growing bulge in his shorts.

Rath made a happy sound and massaged my lower cheeks, pulling me closer as he leaned in to kiss me. Now this was real magic. The pulsing pleasure between us that exploded with the touch of our tongues. The shivers that ran down my spine. The glorious feel of Rath's skin beneath my hands. His tensing muscles. Hardening cock. All of it was magical.

I shoved Rath onto his back and kissed my way down his neck. Pausing over his pendants—the wraith lord moonstone hung just above the flower—I smiled. In a way, he had given me jewelry, but it was for him to wear. And I loved it more because of that. It was like a physical representation of our bond.

But I needed something more physical.

Moving outward and down, I nuzzled the tight bud of Rath's nipple. He groaned when I latched onto it with my mouth, sucking hard just as he liked it. His hands went into my hair and tightened. Pulled me closer. I tongued him, then moved to the other nipple.

Only when Rath was writhing did I move down to his belly and dip the tip of my tongue in the button there. I kissed the angle of his hips, following them inward, down to the waistband of his shorts. Rath lifted his hips for me when I pulled at the shorts, and I quickly drew them off.

The long, hard flesh that gave me so much pleasure wept for me, anxious for my attention. How could I disappoint it? I licked my lips, then the tip of Rath's cock, savoring his flavor. His herbal scent rose from his skin, the undertone of man coming with it, and I groaned over him, taking him across my tongue to hit the back of my throat. I loved that feeling.

“Ember,” Rath panted.

I moved over him firmly, lips tight and tongue pushing up against his underside. I didn't feel like taking him down my throat so I gripped the base of his shaft, drawing moisture over it before stroking it in time with my head bobbing.

“Oh, fuck,” Rath whispered. “If I'd known this would be your reaction, I would have shown you the flower sooner.”

I grinned as I slipped off him. “What would you prefer? You want me to suck you off or would you rather I ride you?”

“Suck me,” Rath growled. “I want to come in your mouth.”

“Oh, fuck, yes!” I dove for his dick and worked him even more enthusiastically. This was one of the great things about having multiple lovers. I didn't have to worry about getting off. I could do this for Rath, then count on Xae to fuck me and bring me completion.

I nestled between Rath's thighs and really got into it, putting all my love and lust into the long licks up his length, the swirls of my tongue around his tip, and the pounding motions of taking him into my mouth. It was phenomenal. I loved every second of his clenching thighs and rolling hips. The way he groaned my name made my cock twitch against the bed. I started undulating my hips too, rubbing myself against the sheets. Maybe I wouldn't need Xae after all.

“Ember!” Rath shouted, his hips lifting as he filled my mouth.

I moaned and sucked him down, lifting my stare to meet Rath's wild gaze. His hips jerked and seized up, arching against me. I watched his lips part as he crested, then his expression went lax. Only when he was coming down did I withdraw, sucking free of him. I sat up and licked my lips.

“I love you, Rath,” I said.

“I love you, Ember.”

“I love you too,” Xae said from the doorway. “And I see that you're still hard. You want some help with that?”

As an answer, I bent over and lifted my ass into the air.

Xaedren growled and pounced. The movement sent Vexen's basket rolling off the bed and the flowers flying. I didn't care. All I wanted was Xae's solid, thick flesh thrusting into me. Thank goodness I was still oiled from our last round.

I sighed in delight as Xae rubbed his tip against my hole, then grinned to see Rath pull himself up to lean against the headboard, settling in for the show. “If you get excited again, my mouth is ready for another fucking.”

Rath grinned. “So crass. I love it.” His hand lowered to cup his stirring cock. Then he looked up at Xae. “Fuck him hard. I want to see his dick slap his belly.”

I guess Rath was past that whole making love thing.

Xae chuckled as he slipped into me. “You don't have to ask me to do that.” Then he slammed forward, making all three of us groan. “That's it, Ember, take that cock. It's yours.” He grabbed my hips and started a slow pumping. “Take it deep.”

I pushed back against Xae, then got up to my hands and braced myself. “Xae, shut up and fuck me harder.”

“Oh, you're going to pay for that attitude, little boy,” Xae growled and slammed into me. Then his palm hit my ass.

The sound of the slap sent shivers down my spine even as the feel of it zinged through me. “Is that all you got?”

Xae was learning new alpha techniques from Taroc, but he hadn't mastered them yet. So, I couldn't help teasing him.

Xaedren snarled, slung an arm around my belly, and lifted me off the bed. He straightened onto his knees, and I had to adjust my feet to press them flat on the mattress. But not for long. As soon as Xae had me in position, he switched his hold to beneath my thighs and lifted me up and down on his cock.

Rath chuckled even as he stroked his cock and massaged his balls. “Thank you. There's the belly slapping I wanted to see.”

Sure enough, with every thrust, my cock flopped up and down, hitting my stomach. I was still able to touch the mattress with my toes, and I used them to steady myself as I reached behind to grab Xae's thick neck.

“Now this is more like it,” I said. “Take that ass, Xae. Fill my channel with your big cock.”

“Say it,” he growled.

I grinned and added, “It's yours. All of me is yours.”