Chapter Thirteen

Helian

A fter my goddess and I were thoroughly sated, she'd popped our privacy bubble, and a cascade of flowery vines fell upon the bed. I hacked at the vines with my sword, making her laugh while pretending I was vanquishing our enemies. I tossed them on the floor, much to her rabbits' delight, then I joined her beneath the covers, relishing the feel of her in my arms while trying not to think too much about having to hand her over to my brothers. This bed would be a tight fit for three and impossible for four. No, make that six and soon to be seven. That would probably leave me on the floor.

Tari snuggled against my chest while I ran my fingers through her thick, soft hair. It felt so different holding her. She'd been so small in her human body compared to now, and I quite liked it. She had much more flesh to hold onto when I was thrusting into her. Though she packed quite a punch, too. My sore cheek was a reminder of that. My cock stirred at her delicate purring sounds when my fingers grazed her shoulder and caressed her neck. I sank into the pillows, knowing I didn't have it in me to make love to her again, though I sorely wanted to.

Tari sat up on her elbow and frowned down at me. "Your face is swollen."

I brushed her chestnut hair behind her shoulder. "I deserved it."

"You did." She slanted a smile, her eyes sparkling like gemstones. "But that's in the past now."

I flinched when she placed a hand on my cheek, then sank further into the bed when a warm tingling sensation spread through my face and seeped into my veins.

By the time she was done, my muscles had turned to porridge. I closed my eyes, hoping I could nap with her in my arms, knowing I wouldn't get her to myself very often.

Better?

My eyes flew open when I heard her voice in my head. Having her voice in my head was still a jarring experience, especially after getting rid of Nox. For too many years, I could only mind-speak Radnor and now Isa. I wondered if my bond with Tari would enable me to speak to my brothers through thought, too. I feared all those voices would be too much. Though I didn't regret the mating bond, I was still getting used to it.

"Much." I lifted her hand to my mouth, kissing her fingertips when I noticed they were swollen. My brows creased as I turned over her hand. "What about your hand?"

She shrugged, snuggling against me with a sigh. "I can get Nikkos to heal me."

I resumed running my fingers through her hair. "The youngest fire mage?"

"Yes."

I struggled to sit up with her on top of me. "I'll go get him."

"Not yet." She pushed me back down, her brow creased and worry reflecting in her eyes. "Tell me about what happened to Enso."

I grasped her shoulders, desperately searching her gaze. "Enso volunteered." She'd only just forgiven me for my engagement to Arabella. I didn't want to anger her again.

Her eyes softened. "I know."

I swallowed while gathering the nerve to confess. "Drae and Blaze came and got me and took me to a cave with mists." I didn't feel guilty for telling on her sister's mates. Tari would find out anyway.

She arched a brow. "And?" There was no mistaking the frustration in her voice.

"And we all swore blood oaths."

She clutched her throat, looking at me as if I'd roasted her bunnies. "Blood oaths?"

"That we wouldn't kill Enso or send Nox to hell."

She sat up and slipped her shift over her head. "I don't like this," she said as she laced the front, hiding away those beautiful breasts. "Demons are tricky."

"I know," I answered, "but what choice did we have?"

She looked at me with wide eyes, her hands stilling on her laces. "I'm not swearing an oath."

"You don't have to." I slipped into my trousers while heaving a sigh of regret, for it was clear our magical time in bed was over. "It's done."

She slipped off the bed and crossed over to the small wardrobe, pulling out a white robe. "So now what?" she asked as she slipped the robe over her head.

I stood, lacing my trousers. "Now he leads us toward the books that will help us defeat the other demons."

She gave me a long look, and I knew she didn't trust Nox.

I had just snatched my belt off the floor when I heard the demon's voice in my head. That sounded like quite a wild ride. I should've stayed in your body a little longer.

Dropping the belt, I staggered back and fell onto the bed as a cry tore through me.

Tari raced to my side. "Helian, what's wrong?"

I gaped at her, fear solidifying my veins to sludge. How? Was Nox still in my body? Had he tricked us, and if so, did that mean I'd just infected Tari? Elements save us!

How are you still in my head, demon? I responded through thought, not wanting Tari to know just yet that I might still be demon possessed.

I don't know, he answered with a mocking taunt. But I like it.

"Helian." Tari took my hands in hers. "Speak to me. What's wrong?"

No. No. No! Get out of my fucking head, I seethed, or I swear I'll end you.

Nox clucked his tongue. And miss the chance to defeat the demon army?

A strangled war cry escaped me. Get out of my head!

"Helian!" Tari shook my shoulders. "What is it?"

Still numb from shock, I looked at her. "He's still in my head."

She sat back on her heels, the rattle of fear in her voice. "Who?"

I grabbed my hair by the roots, crying out when Nox's laughter echoed in my skull. "The demon!"

Shiri

THE MIDDAY SUN BEAT down on me and plastered my hair to the back of my neck. I placed a hand to my aching gut, a painful reminder that my monthly flow had finally come, and squinted up at the pale sky, while wyverns flew in erratic circles like hornets whose nest had been kicked. I swallowed back a knot of dread, my mates standing protectively beside me while I faced my sister's mate. Helian was once again in chains and on his knees, the look of desperation in his eyes enough to make my heart falter. Ash held Tari while tears streaked her face. I could feel the despair pulsing off her, too, and I feared it would destroy my sister if Helian was still demon possessed.

Drae and Nikkos had carried the prince outside the temple, placing him next to Enso, who was being pinned down by Isa's clawed foot. Though he squawked in protest, she was easily three times his size, and he had no choice but to obey her. Several wyverns watched from the trees above as Isa sniffed Enso and Helian. I could scarcely breathe while waiting for Isa's determination.

Could the demon be in both Helian and the wyvern, or had a different demon transferred to Enso? If the ceremony hadn't worked and he still carried a demon, that would mean Tari had been demon infected, too. After consulting with Isa, she'd confirmed demon possessions could be transmitted through bites and sex. Tari's flaming cheeks had confirmed she'd slept with Helian. A demon with white witch powers would be catastrophic. What would we do if my sister was demon possessed? Tari would want us to kill her, if she didn't take her own life first. Tari's mates would shred us if we touched her, not that I could bring myself to harm my twin.

Isa finally frowned down at me. I sense no demons in the prince.

Helian let out a cry of relief, slumping forward.

Her admission nearly brought me to tears. "Thank you, Isa."

Tari shook like a leaf in a windstorm. "Get those chains off him!"

Isa released Enso and jutted a paw forward, peering down at Tari. Not yet. Let's make sure this demon can't still control him.

Isa actually arched back when my sister shot her a dark look. I knew my sister was holding onto her last thread of sanity. Maybe Isa did, too, for she didn't so much as growl in response.

Instead, Isa swayed her long neck toward me. See if the demon will respond to your siren voice. She nodded in Helian's direction.

Wary of Enso, who stretched his neck and wings while glaring at me through glowing eyes, I stepped closer toward Helian, my mates sticking close to my side. "Helian," I said to the prince, "I'm going to ask Nox some questions."

Helian sniffled, his face streaked with tears. "Alright." Then I turned toward Enso, my siren voice cutting through the humid spring air. "Nox, how are you still able to telepathically speak with Helian?"

Enso squawked and then Helian answered for him. "He says he doesn't know how." Helian cleared his throat. "But I suspect we have formed some sort of bond and can mind-speak."

I glared at the wyvern. "Is part of you still inside Helian?"

Helian shook his head. "He says he's not inside me."

"This might be a good thing," Drae blurted.

I shot my mate a sideways glare. "How is this a good thing?"

He waved toward Helian, his tone too casual. "Because we can easily communicate with the demon through him."

Helian snarled at my mate. "There's a demon in my head."

"I can fix that," I answered. I looked at Enso, wondering if any part of the original wyvern's soul was still inside his body. "Listen to me, demon," I said, my siren voice even more powerful than before. "You will not enter Helian's mind unless he speaks to you first. If you do, I will personally make sure you regret it." I paused giving the wyvern a long look. "Nod if you understand."

Enso let out another squawk and then nodded while tucking his wings behind him.

"Thank you," Helian breathed, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.

Tari crossed her arms, her heated gaze sweeping from Isa to my mates and me. "Now that we're all satisfied, can we please take off Helian's chains?"

When Isa nodded, my mates removed the chains from Helian. Ash helped him up, and he stumbled into Ash's and Tari's arms. Feeling like an interloper, I felt compelled to look away from their touching reunion as Tari's sobs of relief grew louder. I prayed my sister wouldn't remain angry with us, for it had been my idea to chain Helian. Though I supposed it didn't matter, for she'd be furious with me soon enough, for I was about to separate her from her children. I would appeal to my sister's mates first, letting them know that our mission was too dangerous for the girls. I only prayed they'd listen.

Tari

NIKKOS HEALED MY SWOLLEN hand, and then I returned the favor by easing the discomfort in Shiri's womb. I didn't know if I was disappointed or relieved that my sister wasn't pregnant. Priestess Kaida was kind enough to bring Shiri a stack of clean rags as well as a bulky belt to hold them in place. The girls made fun of their aunt's ‘diaper' while we washed up, reminding me why I didn't miss my monthly flow.

The children and I returned to our bedchamber, and I felt ten shades of awkward as my three mates looked at me like dogs salivating over scraps of fat.

I sat on the bed while the girls went to the rabbits, feeding them a strand of sex flowers that had fallen to the floor. I was thankful they didn't ask how or why the white flowers suddenly carpeted the ceiling. Finn sat cross-legged next to the girls. My heart nearly burst with love when Ember sat in his lap, her thumb in her mouth while she rested against his chest.

You won't believe this, Helian projected to me through thought, his voice echoing, his eyes wide with excitement.

I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around my knees. What is it?

He sat on the edge of the bed and thumbed toward Ash and Finn. I can mind-speak my brothers, too.

My gaze snapped to Ash, who confirmed it with a nod. It must be through our connection to you, he said through thought.

Just like I'm able to mind-speak Radnor through Helian. Can you mind-speak the dragons? I asked them.

Ash frowned while leaning against the wall beside the bed. I don't think so.

I picked up a goblet of water, taking slow sips while eyeing my mates over the rim. "How do we do the sleeping arrangements?" I asked aloud.

You can sleep with the girls, Ash said. We'll sleep on the cots.

There was no mistaking the look of disappointment in Helian's eyes.

Okay. I noticed the satyrs had brought in a third cot, wedging it up against the wall.

We need to get to sleep soon, Ash said with a grimace. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.

I jerked back. We're leaving tomorrow?

Yes. Deep lines marred Ash's brow as he sat on the bed beside me, taking my hands in his. Tari, there's something we need to discuss.

I stilled, my heart slowing to a dull thud. Something was wrong. W-what?

Ash squeezed my hands, pity flashing in his eyes. Nox said at least one of these books was last spotted on the human side of the Periculian Mountains in the Werewood Forest.

Helian grimly nodded. That place is teeming with demons .

Who had it and what were they doing with it? My gaze shot to his. I know.

For that was where I had almost been eaten by a berchta before stumbling into Radnor. And even worse, Thorin had told me his demon mistress lived not far from the forest beneath the Periculian Mountains. If we go to this forest, there's a good chance we'll run into the demon mistress, I warned them.

Ash grimly nodded.

My heartrate quickened when Ash cast a furtive glance at the girls. I knew what he was going to say next, damn him!

My mind went numb, and it felt as if my soul would leave my body as his words rang in my head like a death knell.

This will be a dangerous mission. The girls will be safer here.

No. Dread carved a hole deep in my chest. We can't separate again.

Ash arched a brow, the wolf flashing in his eyes. You want to take our children to the Werewood Forest?

Damn him! No.

I hated the look of pity in his eyes. Then they have to stay.

Without us? Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision.

I'll stay.

My gaze shot to Finn flashing a wolfish grin while both girls sat in his lap on the floor. No, Finn.

"We have no choice," Ash said aloud, his wolf's rumble rattling my bones.

"We'll be safest if we stick together," I rasped.

Ash shook his head. You want to worry about shielding the girls while battling demons? he asked through thought.

My chest caved inward. No.

Helian cleared his throat. "Tari, this makes the most sense."

No. No. No! All my mates were against me! I had fallen into a fathomless pit, and there was no one to catch me.

"Mommy, can you grow the bunnies more flowers?"

I blinked at Aurora, who had somehow climbed off Finn and was standing in front of me, an expectant look in her innocent eyes. How could I leave her?

I tenderly stroked her soft cheek, emotion making it hard to push out the words. "I think they've had enough flowers, darling."

I turned away from her, unable to stop the tears. How could they expect me to leave my babies?

"What's wrong, Mommy?" Ember asked as she crawled onto the bed, settling herself on my knee.

I was barely aware of the pain as Aurora joined her sister on my other knee, her bony limbs digging into my shins on the way.

"Careful, girls," Finn reprimanded.

"It's okay." I swiped at my tears and then held out my arms. "Mommy needs a hug."

I grunted when they dug their knees into my pelvis before slamming onto my chest. I held them tight, kissing their cheeks while more tears fell. They smelled of soap and earth and sugar. How could I leave them?

Aurora was the first to pull away. Her brows drew together, and her eyes nearly crossed as she gave me an adorably serious expression. "Are you sad because you have to leave us?"

I blinked back tears. "You know?"

She motioned toward Ember. "We heard our papas and uncles talking with Auntie."

"How do you feel about that?" I asked them.

Ember frowned, dropping her hands in her lap. "We don't want you to leave us."

Ugh. Her words were verbal spears straight to my heart. "Neither do I."

Aurora nudged her sister. "But our papas say it's safest if we stay."

"What do you think?" I asked them.

"We don't want to go into the dark forest," Aurora said, fear flashing in her eyes.

"Yeah." Ember visibly shivered, and I wondered if her ghost friends had warned her of the forest.

"You won't be mad at me for leaving you?" I asked them.

"No, Mommy." Aurora straddled my leg, grasping my shoulders. "We know you have to go fight the bad demons to keep us safe."

When Ember voiced her agreement, I squeezed them both to my chest, relief sweeping through me. "Thank you, girls. I love you both so very much."

"Just please come back," Ember pleaded, her voice breaking with emotion.

My heart imploded again and again. "I will return to you." I kissed them both while rocking them in my arms. "Not even an army of demons will keep me from you."

Lady Arabella Viggo

ARABELLA PULLED THE threadbare blanket up to her chin, staring blankly at the fire as the flame's shadows danced across the cavern wall. She tucked the frayed weave of the blanket over her knuckles, careful not to expose her swollen hands to the elements. It had been nearly a week since Princess Tarianya Avias had ruined her dream wedding to Prince Helian by calling to Empusa, the demon witch who lived inside Arabella.

And now all of Arabella's hopes and dreams were lost, for Prince Helian would never want her now. In fact, no one would want her, not even her lover and uncle, Duke Viggo, who looked at her with repulsion in his eyes from across their small fire. For though Arabella had done everything she could to send that crone back into hiding, one vestige of her demon witch remained, her hideous hands. She had bloated, bent sausages for fingers, liver spots on the backs of her hands, and deep wrinkles cutting into her knuckles—a sharp contrast to her beautiful face and curvaceous body.

Why wouldn't the crone go away?

After all her tears had been spent, and she had not a drop of moisture left in her body, she hunched in front of the fire, the last of her strength having seeped out of her. The duke had refused to offer her comfort, not even a hug or a kind word. It was as if he had loved her only for her flawless body. The realization was too depressing to comprehend. Had she meant nothing to the uncle who'd once treated her as more than a lover? The same Fae who had once wanted to take her as a wife?

Her stomach growled, twisting and turning inside a hollow drum. The small fish her uncle had caught had not been enough to sate her hunger, as the crone inside her demanded more food. She tried hard to ignore the crone's demands, though with each new hunger pang, the infection on her hands spread, until both her forearms were covered in liver spots and wrinkles. She sipped water from a bladder her uncle had given her, inwardly cringing when she remembered his refusal to drink after her while scowling at her ugly hands as if she had the plague.

How she loathed Tarianya Avias for calling on her crone. This was all her fault, for she had been able to control the ugly witch before then. Now she feared the duke would abandon her if they couldn't find a cure for her hands, or even worse, if the curse continued to spread.

She drank the last drops from the bladder, her throat still sore and parched after her uncle had denied her water for most of their flight across the Fae lands. They had been traveling southward for days. Today she caught the first glimpse of the looming troll-infested Periculian Mountains in the distance. Was that their destination? And what would happen to her there?

She summoned the nerve to speak. "Where are we going, Uncle?"

He looked at her through hooded eyes, shadows from the firelight dancing across his handsome face. "Back to the striga who made you."

Arabella arched back, icy fear coursing through her veins. "No, not her."

"She put this curse upon you." He waved at her with a scowl, making it obvious her very presence repulsed him. "I will make her remove it, or I will bite off her head."

Arabella froze when the crone inside her laughed, a dark demonic rumble.

Why do you laugh? she asked through thought, but the crone went silent. Arabella suspected she knew the answer. That her uncle wouldn't be able to control the striga. No, the witch would control them, and their miserable lives were about to become far worse.