Chapter Ten

Shiri

T ari had been too quiet during our bath, her mouth drawn as she wordlessly helped me wash the girls. I hated that I didn't know how to help her and wished so badly I could take away her pain.

After I put on my shift and robe, I tied back my wet hair and climbed into bed, chewing my lip while a thousand thoughts ran through my head. The girls had gone with Tari and her mates, preferring to climb all over Finn instead of coming to bed, though Tari had said the girls would sleep with me. I didn't mind. I was too preoccupied with my dark thoughts to take care of the girls anyway. I had to do something to help my sister, but what?

Blaze emerged from the bathing chamber looking far too delicious with dew drops clinging to his sun-kissed skin. I watched with disappointment as he laced the strings on his trousers, concealing that coarse thatch of hair above that long, large appendage on his body that I loved so much. I needed release so badly and was tempted to rip off his trousers and have my way with him, but first I had to take care of something. "I need you to light the way for me."

"Sure." He finished lacing his trousers. "Where are we going?"

I loved how he didn't ask why or complain. How my mate was eager to please me no matter what. "To pay Helian a visit."

His eyes flashed with flame. "Okay."

He took my hand, lighting the way with the other as we made our way down the dark and narrow tunnel toward Helian's cell. The prince was sitting in a darkened cell in a cage that was smaller than the pen my family had used to house our sow. It wasn't much cleaner than her pen either. A fitting space for a Fae who had no better manners than a pig. He sat with his back pressed against the bars, his head hanging between his knees, his long silvery hair dragging the floor. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

I cleared my throat to herald our arrival.

Helian lifted his head, his eyes widening when he saw me. "My love!"

I crossed my arms, scowling. Flame arced off Blaze's fingers as he let out a warning growl.

"Oh, sorry," Helian said, frowning. "I thought you were Anya."

Ire drilling a hole through my skull, I jutted my hands on my hips. "Why do you call her Anya when everyone else calls her Tari?"

He shrugged. "I've always called her Anya."

"That's not her name," I snapped, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice.

His shoulders stiffened. "It was her name when I first met her."

"The name the mind spinner gave her," I corrected.

He pulled his knees closer to his chest, his bare, grimy feet dragging the floor. "Maybe."

I eyed him through slits. "I think that's your problem."

His head snapped back as if he'd been struck. "What's my problem?"

I impatiently tapped my foot, frustrated with this thick-headed Fae. "You refuse to recognize her as her true self."

His mouth fell open. "I do recognize her true self."

I looked him over with a sneer. "She's more than that mousy little witch with no memories you met in the Werewood Forest."

He turned up his chin, defiance flashing in his eyes. "I know this."

"I don't think you do." I shook my head, clucking my tongue. "I think you see her as that same lost little girl, not a compassionate green witch, or a powerful white witch, or the mate to Ash and Finn, the mother of Ember and Aurora."

He slowly rose to his knees, his voice taking on an annoyed edge. "I see her as those things."

"Do you?" I crossed over to his cage, Blaze following at my heels. I stopped a few feet away from the cage, mindful that a demon still resided in Helian. "The elements were wise when they gave my sister so much power. They knew she wouldn't abuse it, that she'd use her magic to defend all creatures, not just you. And here you are, angry with her for not going against her very nature." My tone dripped with censure. "My sister won't eat animals. What makes you think she'd want to kill one?"

He crawled toward me, gripping the bars of his cage. "I don't think I'm asking too much to want to be rid of this demon."

Blaze tugged on my shoulder, and I took a step back. "I don't think I'm revealing too much by saying my sister deserves better." I leered at him as if he wasn't fit to lick the mold off my shoes.

He hung his head, sniffling. "You're right."

I wanted to throttle him. "I'm so grateful she has Ash and Finn, but you have a lot to atone for, Helian. You're fated mates, yet you agreed to marry another." When he opened his mouth, I held up a silencing hand. "I don't care what your father ordered you to do. You had a choice, and Tari being a white witch made it so much easier for you to defy him."

He sat back on his heels, splaying a hand across his heart. "I can't be the Fae she needs me to be with a demon inside me."

"And whose fault is that?" Was this Fae honestly expecting me to take pity on him? "If you hadn't been courting a demon bitch, none of this would've happened."

He hung his head. "I know."

"Meanwhile, Ash and Finn remained loyal to her for five years," I added, continuing to jab the verbal knife through his heart, "and they didn't even know if she was alive."

His features fell before he plastered on a vacant expression. "My brothers are better Fae than I."

I laughed. "A troll is a better Fae than you. So I'm going to repeat one more time." I paused, giving my words time to sink in. "My. Sister. Deserves. Better."

I didn't bother giving him time to respond as I took Blaze's hand and let him lead me out of the cell. Elements, I knew Drae had been hardheaded when I'd first met him, but he hadn't been this much of a dragon's ass, had he? I sure hoped my words pierced Helian's thick skull.

Shiri

MY HEART WAS HEAVY as I walked through the darkened tunnel with Blaze toward our bedchamber.

I gave his hand a squeeze as he lit the way with his other hand. "Thank you for coming with me."

"Of course." He smiled down at me, the light from the fire in his hand reflecting in his eyes. "I'd do anything for you."

Anything? I asked through thought, suddenly remembering how a few minutes earlier I'd seen him dressing, revealing that thatch of hair that led to his long appendage. I couldn't stop thinking of climbing on top of my fire mage and riding that appendage.

Anything, he answered, waggling his brows. Desire swirled in his eyes as we stopped at the entrance to the cavern with our adjoining bedchambers.

The girls' giggles echoed from inside the cavern as they called to their Dada Finn. Funny how I no longer felt envious of my sister and her mates for stealing the girls' hearts. I only felt relief that my nieces had so many more family members to love them.

I chewed my lip, my gaze darting to the cavern entrance. I had already told Tari my nieces could sleep with us tonight.

I looked up at Blaze, the heat between us a tangible thing. What I really want is for you to make love to me.

I can do that, he said on a growl, pulling me against his hard chest and gently cupping my cheek.

A sigh escaped me when he brushed his lips across mine, and a trill raced up my spine as the need for him made it hard to think a rational thought. The girls are sleeping with us again tonight.

He leaned his forehead against mine, taking both my hands as his flame extinguished. There's a smaller abandoned temple not far from here.

I laced my fingers through his, hardly thinking of anything past the thought of feeling him deep inside me. There is?

Yes, he answered. I spotted it on the way here. Should I take you there?

I bit my lip, thinking of his brothers, who probably wouldn't be happy if we left them out. Yes, please, I answered, then projected another thought outward, so his brothers could hear. Blaze and I will be outside if you want to join us.

I thought I heard them yelling, but Blaze swept me into his arms and flew us so quickly up the corridor that I couldn't hear their responses. I closed my eyes as we sped toward the temple exit at a dizzying speed, and I prayed we wouldn't crash into someone. Then I felt ashamed for my lack of faith in Blaze's abilities as we emerged without a scratch.

He flew me beneath the moonlit and starry night sky over a canopy of broad, leafy trees, slowing when we reached a grassy clearing among the thick jungle. I blinked then shook my head when I noticed several trees had leathery branches, but those were only wyverns sleeping in the treetops. They slept upright, their chins tucked against their chests, their wings pinned back, and their talons wrapped tightly around the tree limbs. It must've taken considerable strength and skill to sleep on those narrow branches without falling.

We hovered over a thatched roof and made a gentle descent toward the structure's stone steps. He'd brought us to a small temple, or maybe a pavilion that was large enough to accommodate a dragon, with three bamboo walls and a thatch roof.

I rested my head on his shoulder as he carried me up the stairs that spanned the entire length of the open side of the structure. The pavilion had a lit fire pit in the center that was surrounded by a low stone barrier and stone benches lined the walls.

What is this place? I asked through thought.

I don't know, he answered as he set me on my feet, and I don't care.

He led me to one of the benches along the wall and sat me down, kneeling between my legs. I gasped when he tossed up my robes and shift, the cool night air tickling my cleft and making my gooseflesh rise. Moisture pooled between my thighs as his hungry gaze focused on my exposed sex.

What are you doing? I asked as he dug his fingers into my thighs and spread my legs.

I must taste you, he said on a growl.

And before I could protest, he pulled me to the edge of the bench and draped my legs over his shoulders. And then he buried his head between my thighs and feasted.

Elements, I thought I'd combust, my aching sex throbbing with each drag of his tongue across my sensitive flesh. I dug my fingers into his scalp when he stopped to swirl the tip around my sensitive pearl. Spreading my legs wider, I laid my head back while he alternated between feasting and pumping a thick finger into me.

I thought I heard his brothers' voices and the rustle of wings behind us, but I was too far gone to care, held captive by Blaze's wicked tongue and deft fingers, stroking and teasing me until the pleasure spiraled out of control. I cried out while arching into him, the orgasm stealing my breath and ripping through me like a blade.

By the time the last of the throbs had subsided, I felt as gutted as a fish, boneless as Blaze picked me up again. I managed to wrap my legs around his waist as he stood on the bench and hoisted me against the wall, the ridges of the bamboo pressing into my back as he captured my lips in a passionate kiss while thrusting into me.

Once again, I became a prisoner to my passion, the breath stolen from my lungs as he rapidly pumped into me like a well-oiled sword sliding into its sheath.

Over. And over. And over.

Pushing me up the wall with his buzzing wings, the feeling so exquisite I thought he'd taken me to heaven in his arms. And his kisses, so sublime, passionate, yet tender and so full of love, awakening the goddess within me.

When he groaned into my mouth, I knew his release was imminent. I lifted my hips, meeting each of his thrusts, pleasure inching up my spine until we both toppled over the edge of madness. He stilled, pouring into me while I rocked against him, my heart stopping with each pulse.

His wings gave way, and we slid down the wall together. He sat on the bench, taking me in his arms and kissing me so thoroughly, his love pouring into me, that I never wanted this moment to end.

After we finally came up for breath, panting in each other's mouths, I felt a tug on my hair. I looked up into Drae's expectant eyes and smiled.

You started without us, he projected through thought, his voice echoing, which meant his brothers were listening, too.

You'll get your turn, Blaze said on a growl before wrapping his wings around me and enveloping us in darkness.

Drae loudly sighed behind us.

I giggled while kissing Blaze again. You need to share, I scolded while gently nibbling on his lower lip.

He tightened his hold around me. I will... His chuckle resonated in my head. Eventually.

I swatted his chest and then my whole world shifted. Suddenly, I was sitting naked on Drae's lap, hovering over him as he looked up at me with heavy-lidded eyes, his wings spread out beneath him.

"Drae?" I asked aloud, momentarily dumbfounded until I remembered his time-stopping magic.

I looked around the room. Blaze was seated against the wall, his head hanging in his hands. Nikkos stood next to him, looking around as if he was waking up from a dream.

Drae pouted, speaking through thought. He wasn't sharing.

I laughed aloud. So you stopped time and switched us? I looked down at my bare breasts. And took off my robe?

He shrugged, squeezing my breast before rolling my nipple between his fingers. "I was tired of waiting," he said aloud, his voice slurring as if he was drunk.

I shook my head, clucking my tongue. "And now you've used up all your energy on stopping time."

He moved beneath me, pressing his very firm erection against my bottom while flashing a slow, languid smile. "I still have enough for you."

I reached between us and took him in my hand, slowly sliding down his length until I was seated fully on him. I leaned over him, planting my palms on his shoulders while he toyed with my nipples, pinching and pulling until the pleasure bordered on pain.

I slowly slid back up his length and then down again. He let out a groan of approval, his head falling back while I found a gentle and steady rhythm. When he lifted his hips to meet mine, slamming into me, he stirred to life my desire. I gushed onto him, swelling with each thrust, and soon we were moving faster, his thick cockhead banging me like a hammer smacking a gong.

Slow down, he warned, before I explode.

I can't. I hissed when he pinched and stretched my nipples, the exquisite pain sending me soaring into oblivion.

My wicked mate knew exactly what he was doing. He stilled with a roar, pouring his seed into me while my sheath convulsed around him. After heaving a shuddering breath, I collapsed on top of his chest, purring while he stroked my back and neck, sending delightful trills across my skin.

We laid like this for several moments, his thick cock still buried deep inside me, but then Nikkos was behind us, loudly clearing his throat.

"Here you go." Drae sat up and looked over my shoulder, no doubt smirking at Blaze. "I know how to share."

And then Nikkos lifted me into his arms and laid me on a blanket beside the fire. "I came prepared," he said with a wink.

I tenderly stroked his soft cheek. "Always thinking of my comfort."

His smile could've lit up the room. "Of course."

But before he could sink into my embrace, I had another idea. "Why don't you let me return the favor?"

His eyes lit up like starbursts as I rolled him onto his back, his magnificent wings fanned out beneath him. He laid back with a satisfied sigh as I took him in my mouth, slurping up and down his hard shaft with wild abandon while massaging my saliva into his heavy sack. It didn't take long for his sack to tighten beneath my hand. But then he pulled me off with a roar and flipped me onto my back. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he slid into my slippery sheath and pounded into me with wild abandon. I clung to him while we soared to the stars, exploding in a maelstrom of heavy panting and heavenly throbbing, arcing through the sky like a falling comet.

He collapsed beside me, taking me in his arms before his brothers joined us, taking turns loving me until we were all sated and spent.

Shiri

MY HAIR WAS IN TANGLES , my skirts were somewhere at my feet, and the cool air tickled my bare breasts, though I didn't care, for I was boneless and sated after being thoroughly loved by my ravens. After going one more round with my mates, I snuggled in Blaze's arms with a sigh while Nikkos pressed against my back, his leg draped over my hip, his still very firm length stabbing my buttocks. Drae was the only brother not relaxing with me. He had put on his pants shortly after and was standing at the top of the steps, staring out into the night, his wings drooped behind him. Something was obviously troubling him.

He finally turned to us, his brow drawn low. "We're wasting time."

I sat up on my elbows, my nipples pebbling in the cool air. "Oh, sorry." I didn't bother hiding the venom in my voice. "I didn't know you thought making love to me was a waste."

He shook his head, smirking. "I was talking about waiting to get that demon out of the prince."

I bit my lip, my cheeks flushing. "Oh. Sorry."

He winked, waggling his brows while staring at my breasts, making my skin flush even more.

"What can we do?" Blaze asked as he sat up, crossing his legs while wrapping himself up in his wings.

"We don't need Tari for the ceremony," Drae answered.

I tensed. "She'll never forgive us." And after missing my sister for two years, I wasn't willing to risk being the cause of another rift between us.

Drae stalked up to me, his feathers ruffling behind him. "Shiri, if the human towns are gone, how long before the demons attack the Fae?"

I sucked in a sharp breath while staring up at my mate, the crackling fire behind me echoing in my skull. It felt as if all air had been sucked from the room as the stark realization hit me. "I-I don't know," I stammered. What if the demons attacked the Fae while we were gone? Who would defend them?

Nikkos squeezed me to his side. "We must return to the Fae lands."

Drae nodded. "Caldaria is without a king. They need Prince Helian, and we must warn the Fae that a demon fleet of warships will be landing on their shores."

I gaped at my mates. "What if Malvolia tries to kill us?"

Drae knelt in front of me, taking my hand in his, a strange gleam in his eyes. "Then you and your sister must kill her, but I'm hoping it won't come to that. With Helian as king, maybe we can form a truce between the nations and finally convince your aunt that Thorin tricked her."

"She knew," I answered, doubtful that we could reason with my aunt. "She just refused to accept it."

Drae released my hand and stood. "Maybe now she'll listen when she realizes the demon army is her biggest threat." He spun on his heel, swearing when a roar sounded above us.

My mates jumped to their feet, blocking me, and I quickly threw my robe over my head, not bothering to lace it as Radnor stomped into the temple, a scowl etched into his features.

Are you finished yet? His deep bellow echoed in my head.

I cinched the belt on my robe. "Oh, Radnor. We didn't know this was your spot."

It was until you defiled it, he said on a huff of air.

I rolled my eyes at the grumpy drake, even while pretending the sticky seed between my legs wasn't dripping onto the floor. "I'm sure you can cleanse it with your dragon fire."

He turned up his nose, looking down at us from beneath hooded eyes. Why should I have to clean up after you?

"Very well." I waved him off, aggravation pounding a nail in my skull. "Sleep somewhere else. See if I care." This dragon was so annoying. I didn't blame Isa for rejecting him.

You're a hateful shrew, just like your sister. He hovered over us, snarling like a rabid dog.

My mates swore and stepped back, trying to shield me with their wings.

Don't bother, I projected to them. He won't hurt us.

"And you're a liar." I jutted my hands on my hips, refusing to show the dragon fear. "My sister is nothing but goodness, and you know it. But now I see why you're Helian's dragon. You're a prick, just like him."

I'm no one's dragon, and mind how you speak about my rider. The dragon puffed up his chest, a ball of flame visible beneath his scales.

I refused to cower, even as my mates pushed me back and icy tendrils of fear seeped into my bones. "Mind how you speak about my sister," I called.

Blaze swore, sweeping me into his arms when that flame raced up the dragon's throat.

Magic buzzed through my veins and rattled my chest. "Put away your fire, Radnor!" I hollered, my siren voice ricocheting through the small temple. "And stand down."

With a whimper, Radnor fell to his belly in a crouch, the flame dissipating as smoke poured from his mouth.

I climbed out of Blaze's arms, smoothing my robe with trembling hands as I walked toward the dragon, anger fueling my movements. "Now you will heed my words," I said, my siren voice losing its strength as I forced myself to calm down. "It's not our fault your mate rejected you. Find a way to make up with Isa. Beg and grovel if you must but stop taking out your frustrations on everyone else!" The tremor in my voice was masked by the ire that punctured my words. "And think before you act, you stupid drake." I wagged a finger in his face. "You're already at the bottom of Isa's dung pile. Do you think she would forgive you if you turned us to ash?"

He answered with a whimper.

I jutted a finger toward the night sky, my siren voice taking over once more. "Leave us! Do not come back here until we're gone."

He sniffled and then turned his back to us, nearly smacking me with his huge tail. Luckily, Blaze was fast enough to yank me out of the way as the drake jumped into the sky.

My knees nearly buckled, and I leaned against Blaze for support as I realized just how close we'd come to being turned to ash.