Chapter 30

30

S tone

Azlan is sitting at the table fiddling with the radio Trent gave us while we wait for Rhianna to return. He presses buttons, turns knobs and occasionally a hiss of static pierces the air.

“Can you stop doing that?” I snap from where I’m pacing in front of the windows.

I’m irritable as fuck. I don’t like Rhi being away from us. Especially in a land full of people we’ve been fighting for the last several decades. Especially with a father rumored to be a vicious, dark, evil fuck. I scrub my hand through my beard. Why the hell did we let her go off on her own?

Azlan looks up at me. “I’m worried about Ellie.”

“And how is molesting that radio going to help with that?”

“If I can reach Winnie, maybe she can tell me what’s going on with my sister.” His eyes are full of concern and I remember the words Kennedy sneered at us only yesterday.

I let out a puff of air, and lay my hand on my friend’s shoulder, massaging the taut muscle.

“Ellie will be okay. Your father may be a jerk-wad but he loves your sister and he won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

“My father’s under my uncle’s control. He’s complicit with him.”

“It doesn’t mean he’ll let him hurt Ellie.”

Azlan looks unconvinced, but he lowers the radio anyway.

“Rhi’s been a long time,” I mutter.

“They’ve got a lot to talk about,” Tristan says, from the other side of the table.

“Should we go find her?” Azlan asks.

I’m beginning to nod my head, when there is a smart rap on the door.

Spencer sprints that way and flings it open.

Rhi stands in the doorway along with the Black Prince, tall and elegant in another embroidered cloak. It’s hard to reconcile this man with the one we were told about as kids – the dangerous, evil villain who would murder us all in our beds. The man who stands beside Rhi is handsome and oozes charm. He looks more like a hero than a villain.

“I am taking the princess on a tour of the city,” he announces. “I invite you to join us. I would be honored if you would.”

I try to read Rhi’s face, trying to decipher her emotions through the bond – avoiding the temptation to read the thoughts in her head. How did the conversation with her dad go?

Her emotions seem mixed – excitement, reservation, confusion.

Next, I try the Black Prince’s thoughts instead, but his are well guarded and it would take considerable force to penetrate them.

“Come,” the Black Prince says. “There is much to show you.”

I can’t deny the tour is impressive. We’re led through the streets of the city – wide sweeping avenues with the dark signature of the West fluttering on flags that line the route. Everything is new, well constructed, sleek, clean.

However, I also note that we’re heavily guarded wherever we go. Is it to stop us from fleeing? To stop us from snooping around? Or is it to protect the beloved leader from his people?

Many have come out on the streets to watch the procession of the Black Prince, his long-lost daughter and her five fated mates. People stop their everyday routine to stand and watch us pass. Others gather in places they hope will allow them to catch a glimpse of us.

I hear their thoughts, all jumbled and jabbering together. They’re not as well shielded as the guards but they are in the language of the West – a language I learned a little of back in the academy. Certain words jump out at me, but I can’t make sense of them, not in this context. What do they mean? I search for the memory but it’s out of reach.

There are words in those thoughts that stir something inside me. I may not understand them but they make me uneasy.

If the Black Prince hopes to convince us that the West is not a run-down shackle of a country, he’s made his point. But he also seems keen to convince us that his kingdom is better than the republic – fairer, kinder, more just. He leads us round the hi-tech clinic – available to all – magicals and non-magicals alike. He takes us to a school brimming with books and computers and eager students. He takes us to a shelter where those unable to work are given a bed and food.

The show seems to have Rhi convinced. She asks many considered questions and as the day progresses I can feel her doubts weakening and her admiration for her father growing.

By the time we return to the palace it’s nightfall.

“So,” the Black Prince says as we pass through the palace gates, a teasing smile on his face. “What do you make of this dilapidated and desolate kingdom of mine?”

“It’s wonderful,” Rhi says, giggling, clearly a little giddy. “I still can’t believe this is the West.”

“Things aren’t always as they seem,” I say, gaze lingering on the Black Prince’s face. “But the truth always outs in the end.”

“It does.” The Black Prince bows his head with a sense of seriousness. “It has been a pleasure to show you this kingdom, but it has been a long day. Perhaps a quiet dinner in your quarters would be best tonight. We can meet again in the morning.” He snaps his fingers and the young girl from earlier comes scurrying out of nowhere. “Charmaine, show the princess and her fated ones back to their quarters.”

On the way back to our rooms, Rhi sidles up to me and pinches me hard on the bicep.

“Jeez,” I mutter, rubbing my arm. “What was that for?”

“Being rude to my dad.”

I lift my eyebrow. Dad ? Is that what we’re calling Daddy Dark Prince now?

“I was not.”

“Humph. What was all the,” she lowers her voice, “‘the truth will out’ business then? You basically called him a liar to his face.”

I flick my eyes towards her. I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to pour water on her hopes or squash this excitement she’s feeling. I also want to protect her.

“Because, maybe he is, Rhi? Your aunt–”

“He showed us the city. How was that a lie? You think he magiced up some incredible illusion and really the place is falling down and full of rats?” She sniffs.

“No,” I say, “but we didn’t speak to anyone, did we?”

“We spoke to the doctors at the hospital and the kids at the school.”

“We didn’t talk to any real people, Rhi. How do we know they are as happy as your father is making out?”

“You’re such a cynic, Stone.” She tuts her tongue in annoyance. “You never trust anyone or anything.”

“That isn’t true,” I say, feeling a little hurt.

“You didn’t trust me!”

“That was … this is … different.”

She snorts and I grab her arm and swing her around to face me.

“You are the most precious thing in my life, Miss Blackwaters. You can’t blame me for being a little cautious.”

“And he has promised to keep us safe. Safe from Christopher Kennedy.” Her face softens as she stares up at me. “You can’t blame me for being a little excited about this place. It’s so much …” she draws in a breath, “better than back home.” I manage a half smile, reluctant to pour any more scorn on her beliefs. “Stone, it’s okay to believe in people,” she whispers.

“I believe in you,” I whisper right back, and then I slide my hand into her soft hair and kiss her mouth, not caring that I’m keeping all the others waiting .

When she pulls away, I catch the eye of the young woman. She was obviously watching us, awe on her face, but now she averts her gaze. I am unable to penetrate her thoughts either, although I sense an unease about them. Is that because she’s in the company of people she would consider enemies? Or is there another reason?

I slide my hand down Rhi’s arm, making her shiver slightly under my touch, and grasp her hand in mine. Despite all my suspicions and wariness, a contentment floats through my blood, one I’ve only ever felt when I’m with her. The entire world could be burning to ashes around us, and as long as I’m with her, as long as I’m with her and she’s safe and happy, then I wouldn’t give a shit.

I smile to myself as we continue our walk along the corridors, swinging our hands like we’re two school kids.

Fuck, this could be the world’s stupidest trap, and yet I’m so freaking happy.

And then it hits me.

Cloudpuff.

It hits me like a freight train. Now I remember what that stuff is for.

My blood runs icy cold and my heart pounds in my chest.

As soon as we’re back in our quarters, I swing her into the nearest bedroom and slam the door shut behind us, ignoring all the outraged protests from her other mates.

“Cl-cl-cloudpuff?” I stutter.

“What?” she says, paling in front of me.

“Are you … Rhi, are you … pregnant?”

“Pregnant?!” Azlan says, standing in the now open doorway.

“What?” Rhi repeats. “No! Shhh!” She marches right past the two of us and slams the door closed .

“You’re pregnant?” Azlan says again, his voice faltering. He takes a step closer, dropping down to his knees so his face hovers right in front of Rhi’s belly.

A very flat belly.

“No, no, I’m not pregnant,” Rhi hisses, attempting to drag Azlan back up onto his feet. “I mean, I don’t think I am. I hope not. I took the cloudpuff to make sure.”

“Why would you need to make sure?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest as Azlan continues to stare at Rhi’s belly.

Rhi meets my gaze head on.

“I forgot about the barrier spell. It happens.” She glares at me. “It’s actually really inconvenient, Professor Stone, to keep remembering the freaking spell each time, especially when my mates are so–”

“I agree,” I say. “As soon as … we’re not on the run, we can get you some less onerous contraception.”

“Me? What about you?” she asks, scowling like it’s entirely my fault that no one in the entire universe has thought to devise some suitable contraceptive for men.

“You know it doesn’t work like that, Miss Blackwaters.”

“What kind of contraception?”

“There’s a pill you can take every day.”

“Great. Not onerous at all!”

“There’s also an injection. It lasts a couple of months.”

“Oh-kay,” she says, sounding more satisfied with that option, “that actually sounds helpful.” She glances down at Azlan. He has a hold of her hips and is still staring transfixed at her belly.

“Erm, Az,” I prompt.

My friend blinks several times in a row as if coming out of a trance.

“Shit,” he clears his throat, “shit, I’m sorry. Just the thought of you … it kind of hit me out of nowhere. ”

“I’m not ready to have a baby,” Rhi says sternly.

“Yeah, I know, of course,” he says, nodding his head rapidly.

She gazes down at my friend and, just like earlier with me, her face softens and she strokes her fingers through his long hair.

“In the future though. If things are different … calmer. Then, I do want one, a whole family actually. Eventually,” she stresses. “Not right away.”

Azlan grunts, his grip tightening.

I groan.

“It’s … it’s, er, a mate thing, Rhi,” I try to explain. “The desire to knock you up can be–”

“Overwhelming,” Azlan growls.

Rhi swallows.

“Well, like I said,” she says, her voice trembling slightly with what I think is desire and not nerves, “I’m not ready for that just yet. But I do think it would be good to, you know, practice.”

“Practice,” Azlan growls a second time.

“Uh huh.”

“They do say practice makes perfect, Az,” I point out.

Azlan stands, and taking a hold of each of Rhi’s thighs, lifts her from the floor. “And this little mate of ours, does seem to be undertaking a fair bit of practicing.”

“Are you complaining?” she snarks.

“Not one little bit,” Azlan says, his mouth pressed against her throat. “I can’t get enough of listening to you come, little mate. Of listening to you getting fucked. Of fucking you myself.”

“Oh stars,” she mutters, legs winding around his waist, head falling backwards as he nibbles up her throat. And I understand what she means. Azlan is always so serious. When he breaks into the dirty talk, it’s fucking hot, especially with our girl in his arms, already shivering with lust.

“Can we share you, Miss Blackwaters?” I ask as my friend lays her down on the mattress, and yanks his shirt over his head. My heart ceases beating while I wait with bated breath for her reply.

We’ve already had her together once.

One time before. One time only.

She said she liked it. She says the idea of being shared turns her on. But those words were spoken when she was drunk. Has she changed her mind?

She peers over Azlan’s shoulder and crooks a finger in my direction. I don’t need to be asked twice. I’m stalking right over to the bed.

For a moment, I just stand and watch the two of them together – my fated mate and my best friend. He’s so much larger than her, so much stronger, packed solid with muscles that ripple on his naked back as he kisses her mouth and massages her tits hard with his hands. In comparison, she seems so small, so fragile, so soft.

The contrast is beautiful.

I watch as my friend draws back up onto his knees and, eyes locked on our mate, slowly threads each of the buttons of her shirt through their hole, drawing the garment open like a fucking birthday present. He sweeps it down her shoulders and then she’s lying there in her bra.

He shakes his head, muttering something about how beautiful she is, then snaps his fingers and the bra and the pants she was wearing are both gone. He bends down to lick at her nipples and I pull off my own shirt and undo the zipper of my pants, freeing my stiff cock. I catch Rhi’s gaze as I take my cock in my fist and rub up and down my shaft, my friend kissing down her body. He stops at the waistband of her panties and then yanks them down with his teeth.

Her eyes are still on me, hungry eyes that drop to stare at me jerking myself off.

“You want this cock, Miss Blackwaters?”

“You know I do, Professor,” she mutters, spine arching as Azlan presses a kiss to her clit and opens her thighs. “And Azlan’s too.”

Azlan growls like he is the werebeast and not Spencer.

“You heard her, Azlan, lie out on your back and let her ride your cock.”

“But–” Rhi begins to protest.

“Miss Blackwaters, do not be a brat,” I say. “Do as you’re told.”

She glares at me but then Azlan is flipping them over and muttering the barrier spell as he shuffles down his pants and his underwear, kicking them away when they reach his calves.

His cock is as big as the rest of him, hard and stiff and framed by an impressive tuft of dark hair that traces up his groin towards his belly button. He takes his cock in his fist and holds it upright.

“Come on, little mate,” he tells her. “Come sit on my cock.”

Her gaze swings from him to me, then my cock and finally lands on his. Then she shuffles up his body, her knees resting on the mattress either side of his body, her thighs stretched wide open by the sheer size of the man.

At his groin, she leans forward, resting her hands on his shoulders, and giving me a perfect view of her ass cheeks and everything that lies between them. Lining herself up, she slowly sinks down onto his cock, both of them moaning in unison as she does. And then his hands are tight at her waist again as she grinds on top of him, the friction doing something to them both, making her wild on top of him and him groan beneath her.

“Fuck,” my usually mild-mannered friend grunts, lifting the little thing up his cock and then slamming her back down and I’m so transfixed by the sight of them together I forget what the hell we were planning to do.

Forget, until she tosses her hair and twists her head, peering over her shoulder at me.

“Stone,” she moans, biting down hard on her bottom lip.

And then I remember.

As I stalk closer, I mutter the incantation, loosening her back hole for me, making sure she’s not too tight and all lubed up. Closer, I can see the sweat shining on her body, her hair damp at the nape of her neck, can see the way her tight pussy swallows his thick cock, can see the way she slides up and down his column.

I lean over her, licking my tongue down the back of her neck, tasting salt on my tongue, nibbling my teeth along her shoulder as I reach for her ass, finding her hole between the plump cheeks and tickling at it.

“You want it?” I ask her, sliding my finger ever so slowly inside her.

“Oh fuck, yes,” she cries out, as Azlan thrums his thumb against her clit.

The incantation has done its job, but I pump my finger in and out of her anyway, loosening her up that little bit further, feeling how her internal muscles squeeze and flutter inside her. Then, I kneel up on the bed, positioning myself between Azlan’s bent knees and nibble at her neck again.

“Relax, sweetheart,” I tell her and then push myself inside her .

She’s tight and perfect and losing fucking control. She rolls her hips, noises of desire gurgling in her throat, arms stretched above her head, as I thrust into her.

I can feel Azlan through the walls of her channel, feel him moving inside her, moving against my cock.

It feels so fucking good, I lose control myself, dropping my hands to grip his waist beneath her just to find some kind of goddamn purchase.

“I’m going to come,” she wails.

“Yes, sweetheart,” I pant, “come for us. Come for your fucking mates.”

“I’m going to come so hard,” she cries.

And she’s not lying. She squeezes around my cock and jolts about on Azlan’s lap like she’s being zapped by a live wire. Her magic shoots through the air exploding in a multitude of colors around the bedroom.

It’s too much, feels too fucking good, and I come right after her, Azlan too, both of us pumping her full of our seed just like we promised.

And then all three of us are collapsing down on the bed; sweaty, sticky, satisfied.

Rhi lies out between the two of us, head resting on Azlan’s bicep, my own arm hooked over her belly.

“The practicing is good,” Azlan says, his voice low and throaty, “but one day we’re going to do that for real.”