Chapter Eleven

Helian

I 've survived falling from Radnor and breaking nearly every bone in my body, my father's brutal beating after I helped my teen brothers escape his wrath, being turned into a flaming comet by Mantus, and I'd even come back from death at the hands of Malvolia's dark mage.

Nothing had ever brought my spirit as low as the moment Tari had refused to save me from demonic possession, choosing instead the life of a wyvern over mine. Not that I blamed her. I wouldn't pick me, either, not after all I'd done.

And now here I sat on a grimy prison cell floor, my head between my legs, my face streaked with dried tears, wondering if she would ever pick me after I'd wasted my chance at redemption.

I looked up at the sound of footsteps echoing in the tunnel outside my cave prison.

Two of Shirina's mates stood before my cell, their faces grim as they lit the cave with their flames.

A lead ball fell to the pit of my stomach. "What's going on?"

One of them jutted a foot forward, producing an iron key. "Just shut up and come with us."

I didn't bother fighting as they unlocked my cell and hauled me to my feet, dragging me toward the tunnel, my chains clanking against the slate floor.

One of the mages shook me with a snarl. "It would be nice if you could help us."

I suddenly remembered my feet and slowly stood on trembling legs. It took a bit of effort to put one foot in front of the other after living in a cramped prison and with chains around my ankles, but I soon found my stride as the mages pulled me along. Drae and Blaze. Those were their names.

I didn't know why it mattered, but Drae appeared to be the oldest, the alpha, with long hair tied back in a queue and a broad chest to accommodate his wide wings, and Blaze the middle brother, with cropped, wild hair and a feral gleam in his eyes. I wondered if Drae was the alpha because he was the oldest, or perhaps he was the smartest and bravest. If that was how alphas were chosen, then Ash would be the alpha in our pack, and even though I was technically a king, I'd be beta. I was initially outraged by the idea, but Ash deserved to be the alpha after proving his loyalty to our mate. I supposed I should consider myself lucky if they let me into the pack at all.

So consumed was I in my thoughts, that I missed a step and tripped over the sagging length of chain between my ankles. I would've fallen hadn't it been for Blaze catching me with unnatural speed. These mages had more magical gifts than just fire and were fitting mates for a white witch.

He didn't respond to my ‘thanks,' reminding me that I was the pariah among our group.

Don't let them kill me, Nox hissed in my skull as I stumbled down the dark tunnel, and I will show you how to defeat the Lamashtu.

Though I was in no mood to talk to the demon, curiosity won over. Lamashtu? I asked. What is that?

The demon goddess who controls other demons.

We turned a corner and ended up in the wide cavern with all the heavenly smells of roasting garlic and buttery onions, definitely not the same slop they fed me. The demon goddess?

His impatient sigh resonated in my head . The one other demons call their mistress?

The demon the others followed? I gave a start when the mages latched onto my arms and lifted me into the air. I closed my eyes against the dizziness as they flew up the ramp toward the pyramid exit. After we emerged from the pyramid, I breathed in a warm gulp of fresh air, then swallowed back bile when I saw the dragon Isa staring at me as if she was contemplating whether to swallow me raw or roast me first. Beside her were about a dozen robed satyrs and Tari's sister, Shirina. I gave a start when thousands of wyverns took to the skies, creating a frightening vortex of wings and tails above us.

isa nodded toward a stone slab, and the mages dragged me to it.

"Sit down," Drae said gruffly.

I let them hoist me onto the slab, its cool surface against my thighs a welcome relief to the humid outside air. I tried not to think about the robed satyrs who approached me as the dragoness hovered over them.

I blinked up at the swirling wyverns and the moonlight shining through their membranes. Why would you betray her? I asked Nox.

She is not my mistress, he said on a hiss. I told you I was different.

Or else he was lying. Either way, I wasn't about to trust a demon. How is she not your mistress?

Because Lady Arabella never swore a blood oath to her, and Lady Arabella was my portal into the living realm.

That didn't mean he still wouldn't serve her. After all, her interests probably aligned more with his than ours. Why would you help us defeat the Lamashtu?

Because she wants to control all demons, and I serve no one.

I contemplated that for a moment. If he served no one, he certainly wouldn't serve us. So how were we supposed to trust him?

The dragoness made a low grunt and the vortex of wyverns parted, crying out like deranged birds before flying back toward the treetops. One wyvern separated from the pack, a large beast who flew toward us with slow, measured flaps.

He landed with a loud and deep squawk, then sidled up to Isa and bowed his head.

Isa peered down at me, steam pouring from her flared nostrils. Helian, this is Thanos. He is the oldest of the wyverns, and he wishes to end his life with honor. Tarianya can't have any objection to us using him to rid your demon.

I arched away from her sulfuric breath. "Then why isn't Tari here?"

The dragon scowled. She's sleeping.

No. I couldn't do this to my mate. She'd never forgive me. "Then wake her."

Shirina jutted a foot forward, her hands balled into fists. "Why would you subject her to watching Thanos's spirit leave his body?"

"I'm sorry," I said, my shoulders falling. "I can't let you perform the ceremony without Tari's permission."

Isa let out a roar so loud, it shook the stone beneath me. You are the most infuriating Fae I've ever met. No wonder Radnor picked you as his rider. Tell your mates to grab him, she said to Shirina. Let's get this over with.

Shirina gave her mates a look, and they advanced toward me.

"Wait!" I called, trying to lift my hands in defense despite the chains binding my wrists. "My demon tells me he can show us where the Lamashtu who is controlling the other demons is hiding."

Shiri gaped at me. "The one they call their mistress?"

I nodded.

She arched a brow. "How does he know this mistress is a Lamashtu?"

Before I could form an answer, my throat constricted and my tongue moved on its own accord.

An involuntary sibilant hiss escaped me. "I know her ways," a strange voice answered as my vision turned red. It took me a moment to realize that voice was mine and that Nox was controlling me.

Shiri turned to Isa with a frown. "Malvolia said she suspected the demon the others follow is called a Lamashtu. I saw the creature in the book of demons she showed me."

Isa let out a growl that rattled my bones as she hovered low enough to look me in the eyes. Tell us, demon. Where do we find her?

I tried to gain control of my voice, though it was no use. It was as if I was in a game of tug-of-war and Nox had oiled my end of the rope. "She is hiding beneath the Periculian Mountains," Nox said, "though the entrance into her underground tunnel is visible only to the demon eye."

Shirina rolled her eyes. "And I suppose only you can lead us there."

"I can. I will," Nox continued. "First you must promise you won't kill me after you put me in a wyvern."

I inwardly screamed, feeling like an interloper looking out of someone else's eyes as I fought to regain control of my mouth.

Shirina and Isa shared a long look before my mate's sister finally turned to me with a snarl. "Very well."

"And I want the first wyvern," Nox continued, using my mouth, though his oily voice sounded completely foreign. "The younger one."

"No deal." Drae stalked up to me, staring into my eyes as if he could see through me. "Let's put him in Thanos and get this over with. We will find this tunnel ourselves."

"You won't be able to defeat her even if you find her," Nox taunted.

Drae's wings snapped open, flames arcing off his upturned hands. "You think two white witches can't destroy a pesky demon?"

"Not this one," Nox answered, sounding all too confident as he turned up my chin and glared at Drae. "She has the power to resist the siren's call and deflect white magic. She has been killing witches and collecting their magic for centuries."

Drae's jaw dropped as he looked from Shirina back to me. "She can do that?"

"Yes," Nox answered. "She's assembling an army of the dead. Her forces will be unstoppable, even for two white witches. The dead listen to no one but their mistress. Not even the siren's call can control them."

Fuck. I hated how helpless I felt, unable to control the slightest of movements. If Nox could control me so easily, that meant he had the power the entire time.

Shirina bridged the distance between us before Drae blocked her path, preventing her from getting too close. Good. I wanted to tell her to stay back, but I had absolutely no control over my own body.

She looked me over with a scowl as if I carried the plague. "Then how do I defeat them?

"You can control any demon if you know their name and the spell with which to cast them back to hell," Nox said while rattling my chains.

Shirina arched back, letting out a low groan. "I'm tired of playing with you, demon," she said, her powerful siren voice rolling through me like a clap of thunder. "Tell the truth. Is the Lamashtu assembling an army of the dead?"

A sound came out of me that reminded me of a snake. "Yesss."

Everyone arched away, looking at me as if I were a ghoul. And perhaps I was. It was then I realized the true might of Nox's power, and that I had absolutely no control over the demon possessing me.

"How do I find out her name and the spell?"

"They are written in books," Nox answered.

"Which books?" she demanded, her siren voice as deep as Radnor's rumble.

A tremor rolled through me when the siren witch looked at me, and I knew I would walk off the edge of a cliff if she'd asked me. "The book of names and the book of spells are hidden. Only a white witch can reveal them."

Her eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"I don't know the exact location." The words spilled out of my mouth like vomit. "But I can lead you there."

"Why don't you know?" she pressed.

I felt like a puppet on a string as I raised my hands, tapping my nose while my chains rattled against my chest. "I will have to track the books by smell. The book of names was last spotted in the Werewood Forest many years ago, but it can be anywhere now."

Isa hunched back like a cat preparing to pounce on a mouse. He lies.

Bile projected into my throat and sweat dripped down my back as the dragon steamed my face.

Shirina shook her head. "He can't lie when I use my siren voice."

Isa flashed her fangs, and I feared Nox had pushed her too far. I will call Enso, she finally said. Then she turned her horned snout to the sky and let out a series of grunts.

The wyverns erupted from the trees once more, their shrieks more violent as the old wyvern Thanos stumbled and then lifted off the ground with an eerie howl before joining the other wyverns.

I couldn't control the trembling in my limbs. In fact, I couldn't control anything about my body. I prayed they would get this demon out of me soon.

"How will we control him once he's in the wyvern?" Drae asked Shirina.

She frowned then glared at me. "I don't know."

Drae rubbed his chin while looking me over with contempt. "It would be safer to leave him in Helian."

Goddess, no! I wanted to yell, but Nox still had control of my tongue.

Isa sat back, curling her tail around her paws. We force him to agree to a blood oath, and then we put him in Enso.

Shirina gave me a pointed look. "Will you agree to a blood oath, demon?"

I nodded, bobbling like a doll with a broken neck as Nox moved it for me. "I will, but only if you agree to a blood oath not to kill me once you've finished with me."

Isa jumped to all four paws, her rigid spine standing on end. You don't tell us what to do, demon.

"Then we don't have a deal," Nox said.

I wanted to scream, though the demon had complete control of my body.

"What is a blood oath?" Shirina asked Isa.

It's a dark magic usually used by demons, Isa answered. If I agree to his oath, my blood will boil and burn me from the inside out if I break it.

Nox rattled my chains. "I need blood oaths from the dragon, the white witches, and their mates."

Drae raised his fists, his feathers ruffling. "Absolutely not."

"Don't bring Tari into this." Shirina shook her head, snickering. "She'll try to stop us from putting you in Enso."

Nox gasped. "She would forsake her mate?"

Heat flushed my face when Shirina gave me a cool look. "She would."

She's right, I said to Nox, my heart faltering.

And yet you still want her. Nox's laughter echoed in my skull. "Then I will have your oath, witch," Nox said while snarling at Shirina. "You will use your siren voice to make sure you are first to open the book of names. You will destroy the page with my name, and you will not ever speak my name to anyone."

"Very well," Shirina grumbled while sharing a look with her mates. "Let's get this over with."

Shiri

I RESTED MY HEAD AGAINST Drae's shoulder, his wings rapidly flapping while we followed Isa and Blaze across the moonlit sky. I worried that we weren't making the right decision, though I feared we had no choice. I was only glad Nikkos was watching the children. At least he wouldn't have to sign the blood oath. I wished my other mates were with him, too. It wasn't fair subjecting them to this so that Helian could have his body back when he wouldn't be in this predicament if he'd stayed loyal to my sister.

Isa surprisingly let Esther and two beefy satyrs ride on her back while she clutched Helian in her claws, rattling him perhaps a little too hard, her dark chuckle reverberating through the humid air. Radnor let out an angry roar from somewhere below, though he didn't attempt to stop Isa.

I don't like this, Shiri. Drae's rumble resonated in my mind as we flew over the treetops.

Blaze concurred with lots of cursing.

Neither do I, I answered, feeling as if the weight of the world was pressing on my chest.

Demons are tricky, Blaze grumbled. We shouldn't bargain with them.

What choice do we have if my siren call can't control this undead army?

And that was the crux of the problem. The demon left us with no other options. I knew he wasn't lying about the army. He couldn't lie to my siren. What would happen if I couldn't stop them? And how could Tari kill them if they were already dead? We needed those books.

What happens when we're faced with killing this demon while being boiled alive? Drae asked.

I turned up my chin, looking in his eyes while the wind blew back my hair. Tari will kill him.

His eyes narrowed. Do you trust your sister?

With my life, I answered without hesitation.

If not, Nikkos can kill him, Blaze said.

Nikkos? No! He didn't have powerful magic like Tari. There was no way he could go up against a demon wyvern.

Ash and Finn can help him, Blaze added.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that, Drae said, the rattle in his voice setting me on edge.

We landed at the mouth of a cave which was at the base of the island's blackened volcano, whose top was obscured by a low-hanging fog.

When Isa dropped Helian on the ground, two satyrs scrambled off her back and picked him up, dragging him up stone steps carved into the side of the volcano.

Blaze helped Esther dismount, and we followed after Helian. I scowled at the black, sooty soil covering the stones, knowing my slippers would be ruined. Blaze was kind enough to sweep me into his arms and fly me up the stairs, following after Isa while Drae flew after us. We landed at the mouth of a cave carved into the volcano.

Isa's head barely cleared the cavern, and she tucked her tail in tight as we followed her inside. The cave was surprisingly cool inside as a musty odor wafted from the indigo walls. But what was most surprising was the flow of white mist that obscured our feet. My gaze traveled to the origin of the mist, a raised stone bed that reminded me of a fire pit, but as I approached, I realized it was a pool of water. My first thought was that the water must've been especially cold to have produced so much mist. My second thought was that the pool was magical. If so, how? What were these mists?

Helian's guards dropped him on the floor beside the pool. The Fae hung his head, his hands chained in front of him.

I spun a slow circle, entranced by the threads of mist that crawled up the walls like moving vines. "What is this place?"

Esther nodded toward the raised pool as three robed figures emerged from the shadows, their hooves clomping on the hard earth, their heads bowed. I couldn't see their faces, though I noticed their furry hands crossed in front of them. "The mists have been here since the time of Kyan." The high priestess motioned toward the robed satyrs. "These priestesses have been protecting the mists since their first blush of womanhood."

Drae scratched the back of his head. "What do the mists do?"

"Many things if the witch using them is powerful enough," Esther said. "We were able to use them to see you and Tari approaching our islands a few weeks past. Tonight, they will help us conduct the ceremony to extract the demon from Helian and put it in Enso."

As if he heard the summons, a loud squawk sounded behind us, and Enso appeared, walking into the cavern with his head bowed and wings pinned behind him.

Helian looked up, his eyes flashing red. "And don't forget your blood oath," he said in a sibilant tone that made my gooseflesh rise.

Isa stomped a foot and cut him a cool look. "We haven't forgotten, demon."

"Who will lead the ceremony?" I asked.

Isa bowed her head low, her nostrils flaring as her gaze centered on me. The siphoning of spirits requires powerful white magic.

I tensed, giving my mates looks. "So me, then. What do I do?"

Esther cleared her throat. "First, you will extract blood from all those taking the oath. You will recite the oaths, and they will recite them back to you." She motioned to the mist behind her. "Then you will cast their blood into the mist while reading the spell."

I gasped when one of the priestesses pulled back her hood, revealing eyes that shone like moonlight, an effect, I suspected, of living with the mists. She drew a curved blade out of her robe and pressed it into my hands.

I gave Esther a look. "I'm just supposed to stab everyone?"

One corner of her mouth hitched up in a subtle smile. "Or prick their fingertips."

I craned my neck to look up at Isa. "And how do I get blood from you?"

She flashed her fangs. I'll help you.

I gave my mates wary looks. "Okay." I don't want to cut you , I projected to my mates through thought.

We'll help you, too, Blaze projected back.

Another priestess with blazing white eyes approached me and held out a goblet with swirling amber liquid. "Place the blood in the goblet," she whispered to me.

I nodded. Then Blaze took the blade from me and cut his finger, drawing enough blood to coat the tip. I dipped the tip of the blade into the goblet and let Drae repeat the process. Drae took the blade from me, and I winced when he pricked my thumb. I transferred my blood into the goblet and then let Drae prick Helian's thumb for me, careful not to approach him lest his demon try to bite me. Isa hovered over me and bit her lip, causing a rivulet of blood to drip down her chin. I caught a drop with the blade and put it in the goblet.

When all blood was collected, Esther took the goblet from me. She motioned toward the mists. "After you read from the scroll, you will dump the contents of the goblet into the mist."

"The scroll?" I asked.

The third priestess, whose eyes also glowed white, handed me a scroll.

"Read the words," she whispered.

I unrolled the scroll, squinting in the darkness. I smiled my thanks at my mates as they held flames over me so I could read the fresh ink.

"Isa Fireborn," I said aloud, "you hereby vow never to try to harm the demon known to us as Nox, either through flame, tooth, claw, or any other means, unless it is to defend you and your family from him. You also agree to protect him from other dragons and wyverns. Draevyn and Blaze Inferni and Helian Celsus, you vow not to harm Nox by flame, sword, or magic lest it is for self-protection or protection of your family." I swallowed back my apprehension when I got to my name. "And I, Shirina Avias, do hereby agree not to let anyone see Nox's real name via the book of spells. I will destroy the page containing his name, I will keep his name secret, and I will not use my siren voice or any other magic to harm him." Well, damn. "Unless it is to protect myself and others from him," I added, which made me feel better. "Demon known by the unfamiliar name of Nox," I said to Helian, "you hereby agree never to possess another Fae soul again or to infect a Fae with another demon. By inhabiting Enso's body, you will not use him to attack our allies or harm either white witch or their families and friends. By stating we all agree, the bond will be sealed. Those who break the bond will die an agonizing death as the elements turn your blood to fire. All say ‘aye' if you agree."

I swallowed again, looking to my mates as we all said, "Aye."

I carefully watched Helian as he said ‘aye' twice, once when he had red eyes and again when his eyes were a silvery blue.

I recalled those demons in Delfi whom I'd compelled to tell me about their mistress, and I realized a similar blood oath had caused them to explode in flesh and blood. So if my mates and I tried to kill Nox, we would die a gruesome death. That didn't mean Tari couldn't kill him, though I knew she wouldn't harm the wyvern Enso. Nox knew it, too, so now the wyvern was stuck with this demon in his body forever. My sister would never forgive us.

I swallowed when Esther took the blade from me and handed me the goblet with our blood. No turning back now. "Say, ‘I sacrifice our blood to the elements,'" she whispered.

"I sacrifice our blood to the elements." I tossed the contents of the goblet into the mists.

The pool bubbled and boiled, steaming water shooting from it like a geyser before a deep rumble shook the ground beneath us.

"Watch out!" Blaze shielded me with his wing when the geyser shot into the air.

Isa let out a roar, falling over Enso as she stumbled toward the exit, blocking the way out.

A massive explosion shook the room, and I screamed, fearing we'd all turn to ash, but as I peered through Blaze's feathers, I was shocked to see we were surrounded by a smoky gray membrane. A curse chamber! And Drae was holding it up!

"Drae," I blurted, stunned to see his chamber encompassed not just the three of us, but the satyrs and Helian as well. "I didn't know you could make curse chambers."

He looked up at his hands as they pressed against the gray membrane. "Neither did I."

This was amazing. Only Malvolia and a few of her top mages could summon curse chambers. I was so proud of my mate.

"Sorry." Esther frowned. "I didn't know that would happen."

None of us did . Isa's deep rumble filled my head. We've never done a blood bond before, especially not one with a demon.

I squinted outside the chamber. She was hunched on the ground, her wings shielding her and Enso.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, my voice sounding muffled inside the chamber.

She arched back, shaking out her wings. My scales protected me.

Drae popped the bubble, and we looked around the cavern. Steam rose from the wet floor and walls.

I kissed Drae's cheek, speaking to him through thought. Remind me to reward you later for saving us.

He waggled his brows. Believe me, I will.

And you're going to need to practice your new magic, Blaze added. I suspect we'll need it again soon.

Drae nodded his agreement.

"Now what?" I asked aloud.

Esther grimaced. "Now we put Nox in Enso."

"How?" I asked.

She pulled the blade from her robes and went to Enso, gently stroking his neck and whispering in his ear before pricking his wing with the tip of the blade. Then she waved Helian forward. "Press your cut against Enso's cut," she said to him.

The satyrs helped Helian stand, his chains rattling as they led him toward the wyvern.

They pressed their cuts together, but nothing appeared to happen.

Use your siren, Shirina, Isa said to me. Command Nox to go into Enso. I remembered the demon in Bertram had said we'd need a Tau stone to silence the demon first, and I wondered why we didn't use one for the ceremony. Perhaps because this demon was willing to go, or perhaps because my siren voice was all that was needed.

Magic flooded my veins as I cleared my throat. "Nox, I command you to leave Helian's body and go into Enso." My siren voice rang through the stagnant air and echoed off the cavern walls.

Helian collapsed onto the floor, his eyes rolling into the back of his head.

"Did it work?" Blaze asked aloud.

Enso tilted back his head and let out a loud squawk, red flashing in his eyes.

I swallowed back bile. "Yeah, it appears so. Elements help us."

Tari

SO MANY MEMORIES ASSAILED me as I sat up in bed all alone, twisting the frayed edge of our homespun blanket in my lap. I tried mentally cataloging them, arranging them in chronological order, but there were just too many thoughts crowding my mind, like thousands of wyverns all diving for the same fish. The feeling was overwhelming, especially since the memories that mostly prevailed were those dark days after I'd thought my mates had been killed by Fachnan's army. That feeling of desolation, even though I still had my babies, parents, and twin. Losing Ash and Finn felt like my heart had cracked down the middle, one side completely crumbling to dust.

I didn't think my heart could ever survive such a loss again. And now my family and I had to go to battle against a demon army. What if I couldn't keep them all safe? Would I be forced to endure life like our mother and my father Derrick without Marius? I couldn't imagine losing Ash or Finn, but it was a real possibility. Would my heart crack again, and if it did, would both sides wither to dust?

My gaze wandered over to my rabbits, happily snuggling in the corner of the room. Their bodies were pressed together, both of their legs stretched behind them, while they alternated grooming each other's ears. It was the purest, sweetest thing I'd ever seen, two innocent, content creatures loving one another. I was envious of my rabbits. To be so happy. They put their trust in each other and in me to keep them safe. Little did they know their world could easily come crashing down, just like that fateful morning my mates and I had woken to screams and smoke.

The moisture evaporated from my mouth when my mates emerged from the bathing room, their wet hair slicked back, their hard bodies glistening with moisture. Remembering I wore nothing but a thin shift, I crossed my arms as Ash approached the bed with a predatory gleam in his eyes. My mates and I had already tucked the girls in to sleep in Shiri's bed, and now we had our bedchamber to ourselves. For the first time since the war, I had the opportunity to make love to my mates. So why did I get butterflies in my stomach when Ash climbed onto the bed, his masculine scents of sage and earth hitting my senses like a frying pan to the skull?

I scooted back against the wall when Finn climbed onto the other side of the bed, looking at me like I was an injured lamb and he a hungry dragon.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I projected to them through thought. Is everyone asleep?

I looked in on them , Finn answered while scooting closer to me. The girls are asleep. Nikkos is with them.

I straightened at that. What about Shiri?

She must've gone off somewhere with Drae and Blaze, Ash drawled as he sat on my other side, his big hand on my knee, the wolf in his eyes looking ready to devour me whole.

Should we bring the girls in here? I asked. When we'd put the girls to bed, Shiri and her other mates had been there. Why would my sister leave them alone with Nikkos? Not that I didn't trust Nikkos, but I wanted all of them protecting our girls.

And risk waking them? Finn shook his head. I'm sure your sister will be back soon.

I crossed my arms, feeling less sure of this arrangement. Okay.

Finn and Ash shared a look before Ash sat facing me.

I looked away from his penetrating gaze. Everything felt so awkward, and I wondered if it was because this would be the first time we made love after my memories returned. The first time we'd made love, I'd been a na?ve girl of seventeen. And I was in love. So in love. That night had been the happiest of my life, and I'd foolishly thought we'd always be together. I had put all dark thoughts of my murderous aunt out of my mind. I'd thought nothing would ever come between us.

And then the next morning, we awoke to a nightmare, and the mates I'd fallen so in love with were ripped from my arms. What if it happened again? What if I lost them? Or the girls? Or Shiri? What if the demon army took everything from me again?

Tari, look at me. Ash cupped my chin in his strong grip. They're fine. We're all fine.

I gaped at him a long moment. How did you know what I'd been thinking? I hadn't voiced aloud my fears, too afraid I'd upset my mates.

He tenderly stroked my lower lip with the pad of his thumb, his gaze softening. Because when you're upset, your thoughts project.

"Oh," I breathed out.

"Tari, you aren't alone anymore," Finn whispered while kissing my bare shoulder. "You have us, plus another white witch, three fire mages, two dragons, and thousands of wyverns."

I swallowed back my emotion, vaguely aware he'd left out Helian, though his brother might not ever be able to join us.

"We're finally alone." Ash nibbled my earlobe. "I'm desperate to make love to you."

A sigh escaped me, and I melted against him while he pulled the blanket off my legs and slid his hand up my thigh.

Finn rubbed my other thigh and trailed kisses down my neck, causing my legs to part. I squirmed beneath them, my bones turning to lava while they kissed and touched. I was powerless to stop Ash when he lifted my shift over my head. And when my mates feasted on my bare breasts, I practically flew off the bed.

"What if they hear us?" I said through a groan. "The curtain is so thin."

Ash growled against me before taking my nipple between his teeth. "I don't care."

Elements. When Finn circled his finger around the top of my cleft, it took all my willpower not to orgasm.

"Wait," I cried, bucking against them. Or maybe I was moving with them.

But my mates paused, and I somehow gathered enough of my wits to summon my magic. Pale magic poured from my fingertips, materializing as a translucent bubble that shrouded the bed.

Ash squinted up at the clear canopy surrounding us. "What did you do?"

I got lost in his mesmerizing gaze. "It's a magic bubble. Nobody will be able to see or hear us in here."

Finn laughed, kissing my cheek. "You clever witch."

"Mm," I said as I laid back and spread my legs wider. "Less talking. More loving."

My mates were only happy to oblige. I smiled down at Finn, running my fingers through his silky hair as he positioned his head between my legs. A cry tore through me when he licked up my slit.

But then Ash's lips found mine, his tongue diving in my mouth, and I sank into the mattress with a groan as my mates consumed me. I clenched Ash's hair by the roots, greedily devouring his kisses while his brother lapped up the juices that spilled out of me. All while my sex throbbed and ached, wanting more of Finn's tongue, but also begging to be filled by either of my mates' thick cocks.

Magic raced through my veins like wildfire as my mates continued to feast on my body. I cried in protest when Finn pulled away, but then he climbed between my legs, his engorged length pointing at me like a lance, and holy elements, how badly I wanted to be impaled.

But I remembered I had two mates with me, and I wanted them both to feel pleasure, too. I looked into Ash's eyes, giving him an imploring look as Finn prepared to slide into me.

"Onto your side," Ash commanded.

He rolled me over, and Finn rolled with me. I draped my leg around Finn's hips as he dug his fingers into my ass and slid into me. I threw back my head with a moan, resting against Ash's chest as he pressed into my back.

And then he swirled a finger around my anus, and I nearly combusted.

Finn continued to pump into me, though only halfway and at a maddeningly slow pace as Ash tortured and teased. I draped my arm around Ash's head, cooing while he gently nibbled my ear.

Finn cupped my breast and traced delicate kisses across my neck and jawline, still sliding only halfway into me, though he moved slightly faster.

Ash lubed my anus with saliva. Then the tip of his thick cock replaced his finger, and every nerve ending in my body came alive.

Finn toyed with and pinched my nipple with calloused fingers, making me gush and swell while he slid in a little deeper, barely punching that sweet spot deep inside me that ached for more pressure.

Ash slid into my anus, his cock so big I feared I'd split in two. It hurt so much, but both my mates stilled inside me, caressing me and whispering words of love. I went boneless in their arms, relaxing while accommodating their intrusions.

When they both began to move, slamming into me at the same time, I surrendered to the fiery bliss that consumed me, riding the tide of their timed thrusts, a sob tearing through me as they gently guided me toward climax.

When the orgasm finally hit, I couldn't tell its origin as a bright ball of magic expanded deep inside me, taking me to a higher level of heaven. Pulses of pleasure reverberated through my body, carrying me from one orgasm into another as I surrendered to the madness. My mates stilled, roaring as they poured themselves into me, and we sunk into oblivion together.

After we finally regained our breathing, my mates took turns rocking into me. I cherished each kiss, thrust, and tender word while clinging to them, knowing each day with them was a blessing, and each night a magical gift I'd never take for granted.

Tari

I HAD ONLY JUST POPPED our magic bubble and fallen asleep in my mates' arms when I felt a familiar presence nearby. Two low growls resonated around me as I slowly stirred from my slumber. My eyes shot open, and I sat up. I pulled a blanket to cover my bare chest when Ash and Finn jumped from the bed, shifting into giant were-beasts, their furry backs hunched and corded with muscle, their fingers distended into the blade-like claws that had shredded Fachnan into ribbons, and their maws lengthening with distended fangs that could snap the head off a Fae.

And standing beneath them was Helian, blinking up at his brothers with those same silver-blue eyes.

"Helian?" I breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"The demon is gone," he said as he visibly swallowed.

I cringed when Ash swatted a flowery vine out of his face with a growl. Oh, no. My sex flowers! How could I have forgotten? Several vines draped from the darkened ceiling, and there were flower petals on the bed and floor. Demon and Angel had a vine to themselves, happily munching on the petals.

Ash panted while hovering over Helian, his claws raised. "Where did it go?" His deep rumble rattled my bones.

"He made a deal with Isa," Helian answered. "He's in Enso."

My world tipped. "What?" I rasped. How could they go behind my back and kill Enso?

"Anya..." Helian trailed off as his gaze flitted from his brothers to me. "Tari."

The breath expelled from my lungs at hearing my true name from his lips. Such a small change, and yet it meant everything, for it felt as if he wasn't just acknowledging my name, but also my true self. Was he ready to love me for me? To accept that as a white witch I needed three mates? More importantly, was he ready to set aside his jealousy and get along with his brothers?

"Everyone agreed to it." He flashed a shaky smile. "They're not killing Enso. The demon is going to lead us to the books that will help us take down the demon mistress."

"You've got to be kidding," Finn barked.

"Why would you do that to Enso?" I snapped, rage pulsing through me. And everyone agreed to it? Who was everyone? Isa? My sister? The sting of their betrayal cut deep into my chest.

Helian jutted a foot forward then stepped back when Ash and Finn snapped their maws with warning growls.

"Tari," Helian continued, his hands fisted by his sides, "the demon mistress is assembling an army of the dead. They can't be swayed by the siren's call. The only way to defeat her is to know her name and the spell to banish her to hell, and Nox is going to help us."

An army of the dead? My stomach twisted and soured as I recalled those empty human towns. She'd killed them to create her army.

"I don't believe it," Ash said on a snarl.

Helian blinked up at his brother. "It's true."

"Why are you here, Helian?" I snapped, still angry with him for burdening Enso with a demon. That blade in my chest twisted when I realized why my sister and two of her mates weren't in bed. She'd helped put that demon in Enso.

"To-to tell you I'm free of the demon," Helian stammered.

"So?" Ash raised his fists. "Did you think we'd welcome you into our bed?"

"Brother." Helian heaved a sigh. "I don't want to fight." His voice broke as he gave his brother an imploring look.

Something tugged at my heart, and that's when I felt the strong pull, an invisible, taut leash leading from me to Helian. It took all my willpower not to jump from the bed and run into his arms. But no. Fated mate or not, I still didn't trust him, and I wasn't sure if I could ever forgive him for all he'd done.

"There won't be any fighting because you're leaving." Ash jutted a finger toward the door.

"Thanks for letting us know, Helian," Finn added, his tone much softer than Ash's. "If you don't mind, our mate needs rest."

Helian stepped back, pressing against the wall behind him and crushing a flowery vine when Ash advanced. He clasped his hands in a prayer pose, giving his brother an imploring look. "What can I do to make it up to all of you?"

Ash heaved a guttural groan while dragging his claws across his scalp. "You can start by letting us sleep."

Helian's face fell, and his shoulders caved inward. "Okay."

Ash stepped back, letting Helian pass. Helian didn't look at me as he turned to go like a mongrel with his tail between his legs.

"Wait!" I jumped from the bed and wrapped the blanket around me, petals scattering everywhere.

Helian slowly spun around. "Tari," he whispered, his mouth curving up in a smile, his eyes full of hope and longing.

Ignoring Ash's and Finn's warning growls, I walked toward Helian until there was an arm's length between us.

"Tari?" Helian pleaded.

"I want to make sure the demon is gone." I ignored the twisting of my heart at his crestfallen look as I searched his eyes. He had no dark shadows shrouding him, no foul odors, and I didn't sense the parasite. Could it be true? He was free of the demon?

"Is it gone?" Finn asked at my back.

I swallowed back the knot that had formed in my throat, a vortex of emotions swirling through me. "Yes."

Helian held out his arms. "Can't I even have a small hug?"

"If you want a hug, go ask Radnor." I stepped back, pressing against Ash, relieved when he draped a possessive arm down my front, his meaty paw resting on my hip. "You need to make amends to him, too."

A look of pain flashed in his eyes. "I have already."

"Ash is my alpha," I blurted, feeling as if someone else was speaking for me, for surely I wasn't foolish enough to push Helian away.

His jaw dropped. "What?"

"He's my alpha." I turned up my chin while keeping my tone cool. "He will always be my alpha. He and Finn have protected me when you would not." I smiled up at my frightening beast mates, rewarded with fanged grins, before turning back to Helian. "They have been loyal to me for five years, even when they suspected I was dead."

Helian's cheeks reddened. "I know that."

"And Finn is my beta and the girls' protector." I leaned against Finn as he let out a low purr. "He gets first say on their care." I gave Helian a sharp look. "Do you understand everything I'm saying to you?"

His features hardened. "Yes."

"My mates and I need our sleep." I gave Helian a curt nod, my tone dismissive. "Goodnight."

He plucked a flower from the wall, squeezing it in his fist, his features unreadable. "Goodnight."

I turned on Helian, not bothering to watch if he left our bedchamber as I climbed back into bed. I knew my mates would handle it. I tensed at the rustle of our bedroom curtain and then Helian's retreating footsteps echoing down the hall. I should've been proud of myself for standing up to Helian, and yet my heart ached at the look of despair in his eyes.

My mates shifted back into their human form and slipped beneath the blankets with me.

Finn kissed my shoulder, his lips lingering on my skin. You handled him well, he projected to me through thought.

Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to breathe through a constricted throat. Then why do I feel terrible about it?

Don't. Ash snuggled against me, rubbing warmth into my arm. He doesn't deserve any pity.

I know. I swiped away tears and looked into Ash's wolf-touched eyes. I'm not trying to convince you to forgive him, but did you know that night he set off the bomb, King Fachnan was going to send you instead?

Ash grimaced. Finn told me. He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes, but do you think we would've listened to Fachnan?

You would have to save me, I answered. Fachnan's dragons already dropped the bomb into Malvolia's camp, but it didn't go off. Helian retrieved it, but they wanted to send one of you.

Ash arched a brow. And you're saying they didn't ask us because Helian volunteered to go instead?

I nodded. They said as my mates you could've found the ball faster because you could scent my magic.

We can, Finn said.

Ash took my hand in his, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he brushed a kiss across my knuckles. It smells like you, honeysuckle and earth.

I swallowed back my sorrow and inhaled the fragrant flowery smell that permeated the air. Helian went in your stead because he didn't want you to die, and this isn't the first time Helian has risked his life for yours.

A long pause stretched between us, and I dwelled on memories of Helian and me making love while traveling up the Fallax Islands. Then I thought of that magical night I'd spent in Ash's and Finn's arms before everything fell apart. These were the mates I wanted to spend my eternity with, and I shouldn't have to choose between them.

Ash finally cleared his throat. "So you want us to forgive him?" he asked aloud, his voice gruffer than usual.

I rolled into him, cupping his unshaven, abrasive cheek. "I just want you to have an open mind."

Ash silently nodded.

Finn placed a hand on my back, turning me toward him. He kissed the tip of my nose, his eyes sparkling with adoration. "We can do that."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."