Chapter Three

Shiri

I clung to Drae while he flew above the white sandy beach, gentle waves lapping at the shoreline.

"Land there!" I called to him.

He slowed to a gentle glide and landed in the shallow surf, water spraying everywhere as he used his wings to stop us.

I squealed with delight as cool water soothed my skin and soaked my slippers. I wasn't worried about wet clothes when my fire mages could dry us off later. Coupled with the warm ocean air and heat from the overhead sun, my soul felt cleansed anew.

He whistled to his brothers as they circled above us. "Check the perimeter for threats."

He gently set me in the water, and I turned into him, running my hands down his bare chest before reaching for the drawstring on his trousers.

"Slow down, my love." He laughed, grabbing my wrist. "Let's wait for Nikkos and Blaze."

"I can't wait." I licked salt and sweat off his neck while cupping his bulge. "I need you now."

He nibbled my ear. "We didn't satisfy you enough after breakfast?"

"I'll never get enough," I said as I boldly slipped my hand beneath his trousers, rewarded with a very hard, very large silky shaft. "Besides, my monthly flow is coming soon, and I want to make love as many times as possible before it hits."

He pulled back, looking at me as if I'd grown a second head. "Your monthly flow?"

I gave him a questioning look. Surely, he'd been around enough women to know. "Yeah," I said, "that annoying thing girls get."

"I know." He frowned. "I was just hoping you wouldn't get it."

I gaped at him, my hand instinctively flying to my womb. "You want me to have babies now?"

"Not now." He slanted a smile. "Nine months from now, and I'd settle for one."

I didn't know what to say to that. My mates and I hadn't talked about having children yet. Then again, in the two weeks I'd known them, we hadn't exactly had much time to discuss growing our family, not when we were too busy trying to survive demon attacks and my evil aunt's court. Besides, we already had two children, my nieces, and they'd been more than enough. A blade twisted in my heart, for they were ours no longer now that we'd found their parents.

I tried to push the thoughts of losing my darling girls from my mind as I looked deeply into his eyes. "The Avias women always give birth to twin girls first."

His eyes flared as he slanted a smile. "I'd love it if you had our girls."

Our girls. That blade dug in deeper at the thought of replacing Ember and Aurora. It felt like a betrayal to want other children, to love other children, when my nieces already had half my heart. I swallowed back my rising sorrow while averting my gaze. "Is it wrong that I want it to just be us for a while?"

"No, not wrong at all." He wrapped an arm around my waist. The heat from the fire in his blood was like my personal furnace. "My next question was going to be how were you adjusting to all this?"

I caught the pity in his gaze and then looked away, shame and humiliation heating my face. "All what?" I pretended not to know what he was talking about. Avoiding the question seemed less painful than answering it.

He gently stroked my cheek. "Tari and her mates have taken over caring for the girls."

I resented the sympathy in his voice. "As they should." I refused to look into his eyes, fearing I'd fall apart at the look of pity I'd see reflecting in them. "They're their parents."

"Shiri."

I pulled away, wrapping my arms around myself as I stared at the endless cobalt ocean spread out before us. I thought I spied the Caldarian shoreline in the distance, though I knew it was only an illusion. Caldaria was a day's flight from here. "There's nothing I can do about it." I couldn't keep the bitterness from my voice. "I'm just the aunt."

"You're more than just the aunt. You've been their mother for two years."

I winced at Drae's words, for I was their mother no more. My breathing turned shallow.

Nikkos and Blaze landed beside us, spraying cool water on my skirts.

"More than two years," Nikkos said. "She took care of them when Tari lived with them, too."

Fighting back the tears that burned my eyes, I dared not look at Nikkos, lest I saw pity reflecting in his eyes, too. "Guys, stop," I said on a rush of air, my voice constricting.

"Shiri. Don't shut us out."

I stiffened when Drae grasped my shoulder.

Angry with myself for the tears that slipped over my eyes, I swiped them away while keeping my gaze focused on the ocean. "It's obvious their parents love them, and the girls are happy, so that's all that matters."

"Your feelings matter, too," Blaze said as he stood in front of me, taking my hand in his.

I stared down at our joined hands, resenting him for blocking my ocean view. I thought we'd come here to have sex, not force me to confront reality. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and swiped at more tears. "I don't want to acknowledge my feelings."

"Why?" He reached for me again.

Ugh. Turning from my mates, I sloshed through the water, not caring as I soaked the bottom of my dress. "Because I'm hurt and jealous. They already said they want to sleep with their mommy and daddies tonight."

Blaze lunged for me, turning me toward him. "Shiri, do you think they'll stop loving you?"

I couldn't hide the pain in my voice as I looked at my tormentor through a sheen of tears. "That would break me. I love them so much."

When Blaze took me in his arms, I couldn't hold back the sob that escaped me.

"They love you, too," he murmured while holding me close, "and they will always remember what you did for them."

I felt the heat from my other mates as they crowded around me.

"Is it so bad that we'll have more alone time together?" Nikkos asked as he stroked my hair.

"Time to get to know each other?" Drae added while rubbing my back.

"No." I looked up at my mates, forcing a smile. "It's not bad at all."

Blaze waggled his brows, a devilish gleam in his eyes. "We can sneak off to make love whenever we want."

I swallowed back my sorrow, giving my mates bold looks as desire coursed through my veins. I unlaced my bodice and pulled down my gown, my nipples hardening in the mild ocean air. "Then what are you waiting for?"

Being the fastest of the three brothers, Blaze was usually the first one to take me in his arms. He swept me into his warm, feathery embrace, trailing kisses down my neck and across my breasts and making me forget all dark thoughts while I clung to him, my hands coursing through his mop of windswept hair. He carried me to a dune of soft sand, laying me down while making quick work of his trousers. His brothers didn't follow us, leaving Blaze and me alone to focus on one another. This was how we'd been making love on the islands, one brother focused on me while the other two watched for threats.

I licked my lips when he freed his impressive member and fell on his knees between my legs, his black, feathered wings draped behind him. He helped me remove my dress and underthings, carefully spreading them out beside us before sinking into my welcome embrace. I crossed my ankles around his waist, grinding my wet heat against his length and clinging to him when he kissed me again. He tasted like brine and sage and something feral that made my blood boil. I groaned, reaching for him when he broke the kiss, pulling away. My sex throbbed like a heartbeat, swelling and dripping and aching to be filled.

A gasp escaped me when his hot mouth found one pebbled nipple, sucking on it like a babe trying to draw milk. I arched into him, clinging to his neck when his mouth found my other nipple, his tongue drawing lazy circles around my peak.

And then his wicked mouth traveled lower. And lower. And then, elements, I nearly flew off the sand when his tongue slid across my slick sex. When he latched onto my bottom, tilting up my hips while he feasted with wild abandon, I could do nothing but sink into the sand, reveling in the glorious euphoria of his talented tongue and mouth. He alternated between suckling and licking, stopping to swirl his tongue around and around my swollen bud. He drove into me with one, then two thick fingers, his tongue still swirling and swirling, and I feared I'd drown in my own euphoria. The orgasm hit me like a lightning bolt plunging through my body. My muscles seized, contracting around his fingers, a cry escaping my lips as I bowed outward while flooding his mouth.

He chuckled while lapping up my juices. When he climbed up the length of my body, feral flames swirling in his eyes, I shuddered in anticipation. He slid into my slick sex with one fluid thrust, then captured my mouth in a bruising kiss, his tongue sparring with mine. I tasted my sweet juices on his tongue as I clung to him, surrendering to our passion. I squeezed his round buttocks as he rolled his hips into me with the same rhythm as the undulating waves of the ocean that faded into the background.

The breeze ruffled his feathers and cooled the sweat on my forehead as he continued to roll his hips into mine, the sensation so exquisite I thought I'd die from the pleasure. And then he increased tempo, refusing to break the kiss as his wings fell over us, tickling my sides while shrouding me in a cocoon of love.

Blaze, I cried out in his mind, unable to say more, my mind robbed of reason. I felt like a falling comet, consumed by the flame that engulfed us while I strained for that pinnacle once more.

My love, he answered while pounding into me, his long, thick member hitting that bundle of swollen nerves with relenting force. Come with me, my beautiful mate.

His words were enough to tip me over the edge. The next orgasm that hit was as powerful as the first, sending me spiraling into the heavens before falling with the stars.

He came with a roar, his thick cockhead spurting deep inside me while I clung to him, desperately trying to catch my breath as my heartbeat loudly pounded in my ears.

And then he rolled off me, taking me with him while cradling me in his arms, his thick member still buried deep inside me. I stretched out along his hard body, his wings wrapping around my back and shielding me from the sun's harsh rays while we shared a long, languid kiss. Magic hummed through my veins and warmed my chest, reminding me why white witches needed more lovers, for our lovemaking replenished my magic.

I love you so much, I said through thought. My heart and soul sighed while I sunk into him. So very much.

You are my world, Shiri, he answered while gently tickling my back with his wingtips. You are the blood in my veins and the fire in my soul.

I smiled against his hard chest, hugging him tighter. How could I be depressed when I had such an amazing mate? His heart knew exactly what mine needed.

I became aware of his brothers impatiently circling us. We had barely pulled apart, our bodies sweaty and sticky with each other's juices, when Drae spun me into his arms. I clung to his neck when he lifted me into the air. Cool air kissed my bare skin as we flew over a shallow lagoon not far from where we'd left his brothers. I hadn't known this lagoon was here, but it was beautiful, and peaceful, a mixture of brackish blue/green as water flowed from the cliffs above. The waterfall, though thin, was wide, shimmying down like an iridescent curtain. Colorful birds flew above us, snatching fish from the falls before returning to flowery treetops that lined the cliffs.

This place was a paradise. As I rested my head against Drae's broad chest, my heart swelled with happiness, and I was so thankful for my mates. We'd survived Malvolia's nightmarish court, plus war against Fachnan, and my family was safe, for however long. Though I longed for the wild lands and heady smell of pine at Abyssus, the only place that had ever felt like home, I would always cherish the memories we created on these islands.

Drae landed in a shallow part of the lagoon on top of a wide, flat rock slab submerged a few feet in the mild, refreshing water. After we both washed and I scrubbed sand from his wings and hair, I straddled his waist while he leaned back on the slab, his wings floating on top of the water. I smoothed my hands over his hard chest, tracing the swirling fire tattoos before my hands traveled across his flat, muscular abdomen. And then I took his swollen member in my hand, playfully biting my lip and batting my lashes while gently stroking him. He cupped my cheek, looking deeply into my eyes as I pumped him into my fist. He groaned, feathering his lips across mine before he latched onto my wrist, forcing me to stop.

I don't want to shoot off in your hand , he projected to me through thought.

I gently tugged on his plump bottom lip with my teeth. Where would you like to shoot off?

He answered by digging his fingers into my hips with a low growl before gently easing me onto him. I easily fit around him like a slick glove as I slid down, his girth stretching and filling me until I knew I couldn't accommodate another inch. When he latched onto my breasts, digging into them while flicking his thumbs across my nipples, a tremor shot through me, electrifying every nerve ending in my body as moisture flooded my sex. Pleasure ratcheted up my spine with each flick of his calloused thumbs across my sensitive, peaked flesh.

And then I began to move, water splashing around us, his mouth capturing my moans as his thick cockhead pounded my swollen sex. Though I wanted this moment to last, it felt so glorious, I was unable to slow down, digging my fingers into his shoulders and panting into his mouth as we both stretched toward that pinnacle with desperate grinding and groaning.

I'm going to come if you don't slow down, he warned.

I can't. I can't. I ground so hard and fast against him, I thought I'd die from the pleasure.

He dug his fingers into my waist, grunting as he stilled beneath me. I came so hard, I thought my heart would explode, violent tremors coursing through me while more magic flooded my veins.

With a heavy sigh, I turned to limp porridge in his arms, his length still buried deep inside me as he wrapped his wet wings around my back.

"You okay?" he asked, brushing hair off my face.

"I will be," I answered, clinging to him as gentle pulses still poured through me. "As long as I have you."

He kissed my temple, his lips lingering. "You'll always have me, my love."

I melted even more in his embrace while his wingtips stroked my back. "Then I will be okay," I murmured, hoping if I said it enough, I'd believe it.

After snuggling for several more moments, we reluctantly pulled apart, and Drae flew off when Nikkos took his place. Nikkos and I swam in the lagoon, laughing and splashing one another before finally coming together in a tender embrace.

After he patiently waited for his brothers to have a turn, I wanted to do something special for him, so I led him to the shelf and bade him stand. Then I sat on my knees and took him in my mouth, though he was too long for me to suck to the root. I lathered up my hands with saliva, massaging his sack while he flexed his hips into me, groaning with each thrust. It didn't take us long to find our rhythm. Though he warned me he was close, I didn't care. When he stilled with a roar, I greedily swallowed down his seed, lapping up the last of his juices before his legs gave way and he sat in the water beside me, a dazed look in his eyes. I took advantage of his still very stiff erection, climbing on top of him and riding him while we were held captive to our carnal desires.

He cried out again as release hit me hard, a punch that rippled across my bones and turned my legs to mush. I fell against his chest with a shuddering groan, sighing when he wrapped me in a warm, feathery embrace.

After we cleaned up and put on our damp clothes, I rested my head against Nikko's warm chest while we flew back to camp. As we circled over the camp, and the girls' excited squeals filtered up from the jungle below, my heart clenched, though it didn't hurt as badly as before. It brought me comfort to know my nieces were so very loved. So was I, thanks to my amazing mates.

Tari

AURORA, EMBER, AND I went with Finn, while Ash was forced to play Helian's nurse, whether he wanted to or not. Finn helped Ember build a little fortress for her shell babies and the rabbits. Unfortunately, the rabbits tried to eat the babies, so he had to build a barrier to separate them. By the time he had finished, Ash returned with a deep scowl etched into his features. He and Aurora shot down a few fruits and Bea brought us fish just as Shiri and her mates returned.

Her dress was buttoned incorrectly, her clothes were wet, and her hair was a mess, but her smile stretched nearly ear to ear, so I'd say their little adventure had been worth it.

Her mates, all smiling broadly, quickly got to work building a fire.

Shiri sauntered up to me and draped an arm over my shoulder. Do you want us to watch the kids while you and your mates go for a walk? she asked through thought. There's a beautiful lagoon nearby.

No, thank you, I answered as I watched my mates play with their children. I don't want to separate the girls from their fathers. They had worked so hard to gain their trust. I didn't want to interrupt their time together now, no matter how badly I needed release.

I understand. She gave me a look of pity. Maybe tonight after they fall asleep.

Maybe. I chewed my lip, my gaze flickering to the tree where Helian was tied up. Ash, Finn, and I wouldn't be able to go too far, not with the mosquitoes and whatever other creatures ventured out at night, and I didn't want Helian to hear us.

I'm sure it would relax everyone, Shiri said with a wink.

I heaved a resigned sigh. I'm sure it would. Which meant my mates and I wouldn't be relaxing for a while.

Tari

AFTER SUPPER THAT NIGHT , we sat around the campfire sharing stories. Radnor was already asleep nearby, his deep snores rumbling the ground beneath us, his sulfuric breath fogging the air. Bea had flown off into a tree, her dark silhouette a stark contrast to the glowing moon above, the tree limb beneath her sagging from her weight. The rabbits were snuggled in tight in the little hidey house Finn had made them out of straw, grooming each other's ears, their bellies full from hay and flowers.

Ember and Aurora made a game of climbing all over Finn, while I sat between Ash's legs, resting the back of my head against his chest, his arms protectively wrapped around me. Just when I didn't think my heart could get any fuller, Helian had to remind me that our pack was fractured with his loud, pitiful sigh. I refused to look at him. Ash had tied him to a tree close enough to the fire to keep the mosquitoes at bay, but far enough away that he wasn't part of our happy circle.

"So what was it like in Malvolia's court?" Ash asked my sister and her mates, his deep baritone rattling my insides.

"Hell." Drae chuckled, his wings stiffening. "What about Fachnan's court?"

"Hell," Ash answered. "Literally. The Viggos were demon possessed, and we never knew when someone would try to plunge a knife into our backs."

"The Viggos?" Nikkos asked, ruffling his wings while Shiri rested in his embrace.

"Duke Viggo and Lady Arabella," Finn answered.

"Oh." Blaze cast a side-eyed glare in Helian's direction. "How did Helian come to be demon possessed?"

Heat crept into my cheeks as I leered at Helian. Why did I fear the reason had something to do with Arabella?

"I don't know," Ash grumbled.

Everyone went silent, staring at Helian, the sound of the crackling fire like a thunderclap in my ears while I held my breath, fearing the answer.

Helian's pale skin turned crimson. "It happened when Arabella kissed me," he finally answered.

"Oh?" I was unable to mask the hurt in my voice.

He gave me an imploring look. "She forced herself on me and bit my lip."

"I see." I worked hard to unclench my jaw. "Was this before or after you agreed to marry her?"

"Anya." His voice rose with each syllable. "My father didn't leave me a choice."

My heart sank like a stone. I was disappointed he was still relying on that excuse instead of just admitting his mistake.

"Trollshit," Ash rumbled, the deep timbre of his voice rattling my bones. "You had a choice. You did it to hurt Tari."

I flinched at Ash's words, not because they were harsh, but because I knew them to be true. I was grateful when he tightened his hold on me, as if he could keep the threads of my shattered soul from unraveling.

Helian heaved a defeated groan. "I did it because I was a fool."

"You're still a fool," Ash snapped, "unless you grew a brain in a few days."

Helian's eyes flared. "Fuck off, Ash."

My gaze darted to the girls when they gasped. They'd gone eerily still in Finn's arms, staring at Helian as if he was a ghoul come to steal their souls.

"It's Asher," my mate rumbled, "and watch your mouth around our children."

I wanted to tell Ash that when he hurt Helian, he hurt me, too, but he was right. Helian had a lot to atone for, and I appreciated Ash looking out for the children and me.

Radnor made a loud snorting sound, and one golden eye shot open. He snarled then sat up, hovering over us like a cobra preparing to strike. Do you smell something odd? he projected to me.

"No." The hair on my nape stood on end as I searched the darkened forest for threats. "Why?"

Nothing, the dragon grumbled before resting his chin on his paws.

"I remember you saying something about a strange smell last time we were on the islands." I leaned forward, eyeing him intently. "What do you smell?"

He looked away. It must be my imagination.

I wasn't reassured.

"I didn't think dragons had imaginations," Shiri said aloud.

My gaze snapped to my sister.

Radnor snarled at her, crouching on all fours like a cat prepared to pounce. How do you hear me, witch?

Shiri's mates jumped to their feet, their wings snapping open while they stood protectively beside her. Finn stood, pushing the girls behind him while Ash sat up on his knees behind me, the tension radiating off him a palpable thing.

What's he saying? Ash asked me through thought, his voice ringing in my skull.

He's just being his usual grumpy self, I answered back to both my mates.

Shiri laughed out loud, and I realized she'd heard our conversation. Then she tilted her head, appearing unbothered by Radnor's dragitude while giving him a curious look. "What do you mean?"

Dragons can only talk to their riders, he said on a snarl.

"Obviously not." She gave him a dismissive look. Either she was oblivious to the dangers of pissing off a dragon, or she didn't care.

Shiri's mates tensed, their feathers ruffling when Radnor growled again.

I'm tired of playing your games . He pulled back his lips, exposing his long, sharp fangs. How do you speak to me, witch?

Shiri threw up her hands. "How should I know? Maybe it's because I can listen in on the telepathic conversations of fated mates."

That didn't make any sense. "Radnor isn't my fated mate," I answered. "I'm not his rider, and I can mind-speak him." Why was that? For over a week, we'd tried, and failed, to come up with an answer.

"Perhaps we can mind-speak because you are bonded to Helian," Shiri said to me.

I cringed at the mention of Helian's name, for I could feel his eyes upon me from across the clearing like a dog salivating over his master's steak.

Ash growled behind me, every muscle in his body feeling as hard as iron before he loosened his grip.

"We aren't bonded," I grumbled, still refusing to make eye contact with Helian. "We haven't taken each other's blood." And I'm not sure if we ever would, I wanted to add.

"Then I'm not sure how." Shiri shrugged as Radnor narrowed his eyes while snarling. "Perhaps it's a white witch thing."

"Perhaps," I said, my gaze flitting to Radnor as he huffed out a plume of smoke before plopping back down and shaking the ground beneath us.

It took a bit of convincing for Shiri to get her mates to sit back down. Finn and the girls returned first. They clung to his neck while warily eyeing Radnor.

I patted the seat beside me while offering them a reassuring smile. Finn sat beside me, and the girls crawled into his lap, both sucking their thumbs while their gazes flitted from me to Radnor.

"He won't hurt you, girls." I stroked each of their cheeks. "His smoke is worse than his fire. Trust me."

I can hear you, witch. Radnor's voice echoed in my mind.

I shot him a cool look. "Good. Remember to mind your temper around my children."

He arched a scaled brow, but then Helian cut in. "Not around the children, Radnor."

I tensed, not sure how I felt about Helian coming to my defense.

Radnor blew out a plume of smoke while scowling at Helian. Since when did you care about children?

"I care about these children," Helian answered. "They're Anya's daughters and my nieces."

Again, Ash tensed behind me while the girls gaped at Helian. I couldn't help the tug at my heart at Helian's words. This was the first time he'd said anything nice about the girls. Until this moment, I wasn't sure how he felt about them. Then again, he could've been pretending to care about them just to get in my good graces. I wrapped my arms around myself, doing my best to ignore the weight of Helian's heavy stare upon me. When Ash tugged on my waist, I leaned against him again, feeling like I was being crushed by the longing that pulsed off Helian.

Finn scented the air. "That smell is stronger."

"What smell?" I asked.

He scratched the back of his head, his gaze darting from Radnor to me. "Other dragons."

I gasped. "You smell it?"

Finn nodded. "My wolf's nose can smell many things."

Radnor perked up, his golden eyes widening. How many dragons does he smell? he asked me.

I repeated the question to Finn.

Finn scented the air again. "Two," he answered.

I turned to Ash, who nodded his agreement.

Radnor let out what sounded like a puppy's whimper. How far?

"He asks how far?" I asked my mates.

Ash stood, his nostrils flaring while he turned his gaze to the night sky. "Their scent carries on the breeze. Perhaps the next island."

Radnor made another pitiful whimper.

"How?" I asked. "Dragons and wyverns don't exactly coexist."

Finn shrugged. "I don't know."

It's a trick.

My gaze shot to Radnor's. "How do you know?"

His top lip pulled back in a snarl. Because I recognize one of the dragons.

I gave him a curious look. "And?"

He jumped to his feet, a crazed look in his eyes, his tail waving erratically behind him. And she's been long dead.

Tari

I WOKE IN THE MIDDLE of the night to the call of nature and a rumble in my tummy. Helian's child couldn't have been more than a peanut, and already he was making demands. I extricated myself from Ash's arms, careful not to wake our sleeping children as they clung to Finn.

Though I thought I'd been quiet, Ash latched onto my ankle, opening one glowing eye as I tried to crawl away. Where are you going? His dark, protective voice echoed in my skull.

To the toilet, I answered on a sigh while peeling his fingers off me.

Both eyes shot open, two feral slits reflecting his inner wolf. I'm coming.

My tummy grumbled again, and my bladder felt ready to explode. I'd rather have my privacy.

He slowly sat up, dragging a hand down his face, the fatigue visible in the lines framing his eyes. Not on a strange island.

I won't go far, I reassured him while placing a hand on his chest. Sleep. I'll be right back.

He let out a grumble, but surprisingly fell back onto the furs. You have five minutes, and then I'm coming after you, he warned.

My bones quaked at the thought. Did I want Ash coming after me? Mm. Maybe I did. I'd like him to pin me against a tree and maybe tie me up like he'd done to Helian, only I wouldn't want him to stop there. So consumed was I with images of Ash having his way with me, I stumbled over a root and nearly landed on my face. I heard Radnor's deep chuckle, and my gaze darted to the annoying drake as he looked at me through slits, his tail curled around his legs while he rested between the camp and Helian.

I still haven't used that spell of flatulence on you, I said to him through thought.

Do it, and I'll aim my behind at your camp, the dragon warned.

I didn't have a good retort, so I stuck out my tongue at the annoying beast. Ugh. He made me so angry—just like his rider. I walked past him and Helian, refusing to look at the prince, though I heard movement coming from his direction.

I found a bush and squatted behind it, amazed at the prodigious amount of urine that came out of me. After dropping my skirts, I must've stood too fast, because I was overcome by a wave of dizziness. I had to lean against a tree until the nausea subsided. Ugh. Was this what pregnancy felt like? I didn't have memories of my last pregnancy, so I had no way to gauge if this was normal.

Tari, Ash called to me through thought.

Give me a moment to finish up, I said, not wanting him to worry about my dizzy spell. I slowly made my way back, my mouth watering for something sweet, maybe a ripe fruit. I searched the trees for a low-hanging fruit and spotted one on the tree behind Helian. That's when I accidentally made eye contact with him.

"Anya," he whispered, the longing in his eyes reflected in the moonlight.

"What?" I snapped, hating that I sounded like a shrew as I made my way toward him. Why did he bring out the worst in me?

His face fell. "Won't you even look at me?"

"What do you want, Helian?" I walked around him and snatched the fruit from the tree.

"A drink would be nice. A kind smile even nicer."

I gaped at him before smashing the fruit on a rock. "Do you deserve it?" I asked as I split the fruit in two.

He hung his head. "No."

A frustrated groan tore through me before I knelt in front of him and held the fruit to his lips. "Here."

He looked at me as if I held the moon and stars in my eyes while drinking from the shell.

When he was finished, I tossed the half of the shell to the ground, then sat in front of him and drank from the other half. The fruit was mild and refreshing, and the sweet flesh inside was even tastier. I dug it out without care for manners, sucking the fruit off my fingers, very aware that Helian watched my every move.

"Thank you for defending my children with Radnor," I finally said, feeling a slight tug of guilt that I hadn't said one kind word to him this evening. I hated how conflicted I felt, for I also knew he didn't deserve my kindness. This demon possession was all his fault for courting Arabella.

"You don't need to thank me for standing up for my nieces," he answered, flashing a faint smile. "I'm sorry he frightened them. How do you feel?"

Ugh. Why did he have to be so kind? Were his sweet words about the girls and his concern for me genuine? Damn him for shaking my trust in him! I groaned when my world tipped, and I burped up acidy fruit. "Nauseous."

"I'm sorry. Is it the baby?"

He had a look in his eyes, like he wanted to take me in his arms and kiss me senseless. I knew being tied to that tree was killing him, but what choice did we have?

"Yes." I leered at him from beneath my lashes, knowing I wouldn't be in this predicament if it hadn't been for him. Then again, that week we'd spent together had been magical. What I wouldn't give for one more day with Helian, his hard thighs straddling mine while we soared through the sky on Radnor's back, feeding each other fruit by the fire, or making love beside a waterfall.

"Anything I can do for you?"

Heat flushed my face as my gaze snapped to his, and I forced myself to put all thoughts of making love to Helian from my mind. "What could you possibly do for me?"

His eyes shone with moonlight. "I can love you and be loyal to you from now until eternity."

I swallowed back my regret and looked away. If only I could forgive him so easily and forget that he'd pledged himself to another.

Tari, Ash called to me through thought.

I'm coming, I answered, turning my back on Helian.

"Anya, wait!" Helian loudly whispered.

I refused to answer him as I made my way back to Ash. Though I wanted to tell Helian he was too late with his empty promises and flowery words, I bit my lip and returned to bed, turning my back on Helian while snuggling in Ash's arms. My big shifter asked no questions and hurled no accusations while holding me tight. And to think, I'd once chosen Helian over him.