Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

EMBER

I t can't be this easy. It can't. I've kept so many secrets from these men who are my destined mates. Huge secrets--about who and what I am, and about the destiny that twines us all together. They should be horrified. Shocked.

I expected to be rejected and abandoned yet again.

But as I melt into Jianyu's kiss, his conviction washes over me, and the euphoria bubbling up inside my lungs is almost too much to bear.

"You're really okay with all of this," I mumble between kisses. "With sharing me--"

"He's had some practice," Rafe interrupts, and I laugh against Jianyu's mouth.

I look to Malik, still struggling to believe that he's really changed his attitude so much and so fast. Prickles of jealousy fire off in our connection, but there's the heat of desire in there, too.

I pull away from Jianyu's kiss, connecting my gaze to each of theirs in turn. "You're alright with all of it. The new mate and the magical powers and the...prophecy stuff."

"How many times do we have to tell you?" Jianyu asks, cradling my face between his strong hands. "We accept it all."

But I have to be sure. Nothing can be left unsaid anymore.

My voice quivers, "Including the fact that I'm a Shadow Dragon."

"We accept all of you," Malik promises.

But I'm not done. "And that we have to break into a hostile kingdom that's probably overrun with the Shadow King's forces--"

Rafe cracks his knuckles, one side of his mouth lifting. "Don't threaten me with a good time."

His humor buoys me, but I refuse to be derailed. "For the express purposes of finding my fourth mate, who will probably be an asshole."

"To paraphrase my companion," Jianyu says diplomatically, casting a glance backward at Rafe, "it wouldn't exactly be the first time."

A watery laugh escapes me, but I look again at Malik.

"If this man has been chosen for you by the gods, then I will approach him with an open mind," Malik vows.

As he speaks, he sinks to his knees alongside Jianyu. His hot hand settles on my thigh, and I quiver inside. My skin is electric, our bond overflowing with the combined power of the need swelling within each of us.

My breasts tighten, arousal blooming low in my belly, but I try to push my desire down.

"Once we're all mated--it's going to be dangerous." My voice catches. "If all the prophecy stuff is true, we're going to have to find a way to bring forth my dragon."

"Hell, yes," Rafe growls, his own dragon rising to the surface.

Malik's blue dragon and Jianyu's gray one lend a ripple of magic to the air as well, and deep inside my chest, there's a fluttering of wings. My dragon stirs, but it's not time yet. Her circle of mates is not complete.

It will be, though. I can feel it.

"We'll bring light to shadow," I say, barely more than a whisper, but the words echo, the reality of the undertaking finally beginning to seem real.

"And ascend to the Grand Throne." Jianyu's voice rumbles, deep and rough and full of power.

And those were the words the Shadow King said. I didn't entirely believe them at the time, but now, here, surrounded by these men, with my magic and my dragon both stirring, it seems true.

"We'll unite the dragon kingdoms," Rafe agrees.

Malik's brilliant blue eyes flash with light. "And end the war between dragonkind."

"Together," I breathe, and it's too much. I never wanted power; I never, ever imagined being any kind of leader--much less a fabled monarch.

But this is the path that destiny has chosen for me and my mates, and between one breath and the next, we embrace it.

I've barely finished speaking before Jianyu is reeling me back in again. Our kiss this time tastes like magic and light--like stone rising from bare ground and the power of the earth beneath my fingertips.

I give myself over to him, opening wide and welcoming the hot, wet stroke of his tongue. He scrapes his teeth over my lip, and between my legs, I flash molten.

A breathless, panting noise escapes me, and then Rafe is tugging at Jianyu's shoulder.

Jianyu pulls away, only for Rafe to drag me to stand. His strong arms enclose me. His golden eyes burning with need, he claims my lips for his own.

I moan into his mouth, my achy nipples pressing into the hard muscle of his chest. His skin is fiery hot against mine, and I need more. I put my hand to his throat, feeling the hum of life in his pulse, and he growls. He cups my ass, hauling me in even closer, until I can feel how huge and hard he is for me.

Between my legs, a gush of wetness soaks me. I'm suddenly dizzy with desire. After the terror of the last twenty-four hours--not to mention the general trauma of the last forty-eight or so--I'm shaky and needy. The instinct to connect with my mates blinds me to everything else in the world. I have to feel them, be with them, remind myself that this is real and that I'm alive, despite all the odds.

"Need," I mumble, sliding my hand down to the collar of his shirt.

"Anything," Malik interrupts, slotting himself in behind me, and my knees wobble, my pussy throbbing at the heat of him as he blankets my spine. "Anything you want, beloved. Name it and it's yours."

"All of you--I need--I can't--" Can't find the words to speak my desires out loud, can't wait, can't bear the emptiness within me.

Rafe kisses my gibberish from my mouth, and I'm so grateful. I welcome the hot sweep of his tongue, gliding my palm down his chest while reaching backward with my other hand. Malik entwines his fingers with mine, and when Rafe pulls away, Malik is there.

Malik turns me and gazes deep into my eyes. He was so opposed to sharing me, but all I see in him now is hunger.

When he kisses me, it's gentle but firm. With quiet command, he slowly and methodically takes me apart, licking the taste of my other mates from my tongue. I'm breathless, unable to resist his assault--entirely too willing to be overcome.

By the time he releases me, I'm panting, gasping, my breasts aching and my pussy a slick mess of absolute need.

For the first time, a flicker of doubt flits across Malik's gaze. He glances between me and my other mates and back again. He swallows, and there's a vulnerability to his voice. "I do not know how this works."

"Haven't had a lot of foursomes, Your Majesty?" Rafe jabs.

But Malik refuses to rise to the bait. "None," he says earnestly.

He twines a hand in my still-damp hair and glides the other down my front, tracing through the valley between my swollen breasts.

His breath is hot against my mouth, our lips almost touching. "Show me how you like it," he breathes. "How you like your men to pleasure you."

I pulse inside, his words reaching into me and sending the kindling of my desire to a smoldering blaze.

"One at a time?" he prods, kissing me again, soft but brief. He drifts his lips across my cheek to my ear. "Or more than one of us?"

"I don't know." I turn my head to the side, giving him better access to the tender line of my throat. My fingers wrap themselves in his shirt, just trying to hold on. "It's not like I've had a foursome before, either."

Malik's mouth attaches wetly to a spot just above my pulse, and I let out a breathy moan. Rafe's hand is on my back, and Jianyu is right there, too, his need as sharp as my own.

Jianyu claims my mouth, one of his hands going to my breast. A high whine escapes me as he gives my nipple a twisting squeeze, and jolt of electricity shoots straight to my clit.

"We're all figuring it out, then," Rafe murmurs, gripping me by my waist and grinding his cock into my rear.

My pussy flutters--I scarcely know how I'm still standing. "You--"

Rafe lived a life of debauchery, once upon a time.

"Not like this." Rafe shakes his head, his beard scraping against my cheek in the most delicious way. "This is all for you."

Malik laughs, and sucks another hot mark against my collar bone. "Well, maybe not all for you..."

The arousal in his voice adds another layer to my need. I still can't believe he's changed so much.

Pulling away from Jianyu, I reach for Malik and curl my hand around the back of his neck, gently pulling him up. "But you--" He was so resolute about not sharing. "Are you sure?"

Malik parts from my skin and lifts his head, connecting his brilliant gaze with mine. "I behaved poorly when we met." A fresh burst of blue fire blooms in his eyes. "Allow me to show you how sure I am."

With that, he tugs me away from Rafe and Jianyu and drags me into his arms. He lifts me, and I let out a yelp, wrapping my legs around his waist. My yelp dissolves into a groan as his huge cock presses right against where I'm all hot and wet and wanting. He claims my mouth, but even as he does, he carries me back into the bedroom, and yes, please, finally.

Rafe and Jianyu aren't far behind. Between kisses, I catch glimpses of Rafe beginning to peel off his clothes, and I want to laugh. He never has been shy about getting naked.

But there's no humor left in me as Malik sets me down and begins pulling at the pants I'm wearing. They're too big to start with; they slide off with no effort. Cool air hits my hot flesh, and I shiver.

Jianyu is behind me then, his hands on my hips. He glides them upward, skimming my waist before cupping my bare breasts. Arching into his touch, I open wider to Malik, sucking on his tongue as he thrusts it wetly past my lips.

Malik lets me go just long enough for Jianyu to pull my shirt off and over my head. I step out of the pool of fabric at my feet, and Malik tugs his own shirt off and throws it aside.

Rafe scoops me up then, and his naked skin against mine is an inferno. I wrap my hand around his huge cock and give it a slow stroke, just feeling its silky strength in my palm. He's dripping at the tip, so hard and ready, and my insides spasm with the need to be taken and filled and fucked and claimed by these men.

Malik and Jianyu waste no time stripping down, and the anticipation within me builds and builds, our shared connection steaming with the sheer heat of our combined need. Just as I'm getting ready to beg Rafe to throw me down on the mattress and press inside, Malik hauls me into his arms once more. I let out a yelp as he drags me with him onto the bed, but instead of spearing me on his cock, he pulls me in, twisting me until my spine is to his chest. Somehow, he maneuvers us so he's sitting with his back against the headboard, and I'm in his lap, his cock a searing line against the small of my back.

Malik's strong arms encircle me, and in one deft move, he spreads my thighs. I tremble as he hooks my legs with his own, and it leaves me so open, my soaked pussy presented to the other two men standing before us.

"Go on then," he challenges Jianyu and Malik. He drags his hands up the insides of my open thighs to my wet, hot center. As he slips his fingers through the swollen lips of my cunt, I let out a whimper that's pure desperation. "Tell me I don't know how to share."

"Kinky," Rafe mutters.

But Jianyu wastes no time. He comes to kneel before me and Malik. As he watches, Malik glides two thick fingers into me, opening me up, and I'm so wet and soft. My clit twitches, and I tilt my hips, trying to get more.

"Jianyu," I whimper, reaching for him.

With that, he closes the space between us, and it's so fucking hot. Malik's body cradles me from behind, holding me open for Jianyu to claim. I graze my knuckles along the underside of Jianyu's hard cock, and Malik slips his fingers out of me. He drags his hand up my chest, spreading my wetness over my breasts and tracing a slick line up to my mouth. I open for him, sucking my own liquid from his skin before letting him go, and then Jianyu is there. I tilt my head up for his kiss, and Malik pulls my thighs open even wider.

Jianyu strokes the thick head of his cock all up and down my seam, and I cry out against his mouth.

"Go on," Malik murmurs, his lips wet and hot against my ear. "Take her."

A full-body shudder travels through me--my God, he's talking to Jianyu, inviting him to have me. I feel like an object in the best possible way. Utterly possessed, and I let out a sob of pure relief as Jianyu starts to slowly, relentlessly drive inside.

"Jianyu," I breathe against his lips. Curling one hand around his neck, I reach the other back, holding Malik's mouth to my throat. He sucks and licks and kisses at that tender skin as Jianyu pushes in to the hilt, filling me completely. The stretch is almost too much, and it's perfect. I needed this so badly. "Malik," I murmur. I glance up to find Rafe kneeling right beside us, his huge cock in his hand as he watches Jianyu fuck me into Malik's solid hold. "Rafe--"

"That's it, baby," Rafe rumbles, his eyes dark and his lids heavy as he slowly strokes his enormous length. "You take him so well."

I pulse inside, squeezing Jianyu, and Jianyu groans as he starts to move in and out. It's too gentle, and it's exactly what I need--to be treated with loving care after the most harrowing ordeal of my life.

"Can't wait to watch you take his come." Rafe cups his balls and rolls them in his palm. "Can't wait to push him aside and fill you up while you're still all slick and messy with him."

"Does he always talk this much?" Malik grumbles.

Jianyu gasps as he slides even deeper into me, his voice gritty as he replies, "Always."

"Shut up." Rafe reaches into the space between me and Jianyu to pluck at my breast, and it's more fire shooting straight to my clit.

"Keep talking," I urge them all. Their voices are deep velvet, surrounding me, and I've never felt safer or more held or more desperate. "Fuck--"

"Oh, we will, beloved," Malik promises. His hand is on my other breast, and then he slides it lower, into humid space where Jianyu and I are joined.

I cry out at the first glancing stroke of Malik's fingertips on my clit, pulsing around Jianyu, and Jianyu lets out a rough grunt.

"Faster," I beg, dragging my nails over the hot skin of Jianyu's neck and down his shoulders. "Please--I need--"

The sharp ache of climax is so close I can taste it. I feel so soft and swollen, and Jianyu begins to fuck into me harder, and yes, yes, yes--

"Come for us," Malik whispers, and just like that, I tip over into ecstasy, throbbing and sobbing at the waves of pleasure that sweep me away.

Jianyu curses beneath his breath as my pussy clamps down around him in pulses. Holding onto me by my hips, he fucks me in earnest now. My orgasm crashes right into another, and I scream against Jianyu's mouth.

"Mate," Jianyu whispers, "Ember--"

His mouth drops open, and he rams into me a half dozen more times before slamming in to the hilt. His hot come pours into me in jets, and I shudder with a whole series of aftershocks as I milk him for every drop.

"Magnificent." Malik cups my breast, squeezing it harder, twisting my nipple between his forefinger and his thumb. His cock throbs against my back, hungry and waiting, and flashes of my night at the club, when I took Jianyu and Rafe at the same time drift back to me.

"Next time," I pant, as Jianyu begins to draw back. "Need you all--all together--"

I don't even know how it would work, but I have to have them. Two at a time--three--

Jesus-- four --

"Ambitious," Rafe grunts, moving forward the instant Jianyu has slipped free. Good to his word, he pushes Jianyu the rest of the way aside. "You got her?" he asks Malik.

"Always," Malik responds.

Without a moment's hesitation, Rafe fits himself to my gaping opening, and I throw my head back as he thrusts all the way inside.

"So wet." Rafe bottoms out effortlessly, despite his size, everything made easy and slick from my orgasms and Jianyu's come. "Love feeling you like this--"

"More than you love my ass?" I manage to ask.

He was obsessive about it before--babbling uncontrollably about how tight I was, about how good it felt to be the first man to fuck me there, about how much he loved being buried in my ass while Jianyu was thrusting deep into my cunt.

Rafe laughs, drawing back only to slam in to the hilt again. "Different," he manages to grit out. He glances up at Malik, over my shoulder. "You gotta try it next time, you won't believe how tight she is--"

"Oh, I believe," Malik intones, his voice rumbly and dark. He grinds against the small of my back, his calm composure threatening to crack.

"Gonna take all three of us, then, huh?" Rafe pounds into me faster and faster, and I don't know how he can find the presence of mind to talk so much at the same time, but I love it.

"Yes, yes--"

"Fucking hell," Jianyu mumbles from my side. He's stirring again after basically collapsing for a minute there. Sitting up, he pets my thigh, and being surrounded by these three men is too much.

It's not enough.

"All four," I mumble before I can stop myself, and I know that's messed up. How could I possibly want for more when I have everything?

How could I possibly be looking forward to having to accept Fury or Storm into my life again?

But the image comes to me--Storm hovering over me, feeding me his cock as I ride Malik and Rafe and stroke off Jianyu--

I come in a crushing wave, wetness flooding the place where Rafe is fucking me rough and raw.

"Fuck yes," Rafe moans, "fuck, so good--so perfect for us--"

And that seems impossible, but who am I to fight it at this point?

The gods gave me an impossible destiny, but they also gave me these men, and if they're perfect for me, then I must be perfect for them, and I won't fight it. I won't doubt it. Not anymore.

As I hurtle toward yet another orgasm, I strain against Malik's grip, wanting to fold my legs around Rafe and tug him even deeper inside, but Malik's hold is firm. I let out a whine, and Rafe silences me with his kiss.

And then he's shoving himself into me harder and faster. It hurts, and it feels so good, and I'm teetering on the edge...

"Ember," Rafe growls. Hot come erupts inside me, and that's all I need. I hurtle off into oblivion once more, utterly wrung out.

But not done.

"Malik." I can feel his need against my back, and I can feel it in my bond.

"Beloved," he rasps.

Rafe shudders and lets loose the last jet of his seed. "Okay, okay..."

Panting, Rafe pulls himself away from me, and we're all soaked in sweat, exhausted. My pussy cries out as he slips free. I'm gaping and open, fucked-out in the extreme. Thick gobs of come leak out of me, but I need more.

"Malik," I whimper again.

"I've got you," he promises, and he unhooks his legs from under mine.

I whine, my hips sore from being held open, my legs jelly from coming so many times. But limp and wrung out as I am, I allow myself to be moved. Malik gets me on my knees, straddling him, my back still to his front. He lifts me, and more come gushes down my thighs.

And then he's lowering me down onto his enormous cock.

I scream as I sink over him. The angle is different, and he hits this place so deep within me, so good and so perfect.

"Yes, yes," he babbles, coaxing me into a rhythm.

As I ride him, my breasts bounce. My thighs burn, but I push myself to fuck myself on his cock at a punishing pace.

"You're a miracle," Jianyu says, voice full of awe.

And he's right there--Rafe is, too. They're both watching me, and I feel so deliciously exposed. I look down, and there's no artifice at all. My wet, pink pussy is dripping come all over the thick, dark umber of Malik's fat cock as it disappears inside of me over and over again.

I groan, wanton and in absolute ecstasy. Malik rocks his hips, and he presses his thumb to my swollen clit, and I can't hold on. I'm being torn apart, pushed to my limit, and yet I'm still not done.

Next time, there will be more. Another man, another cock, and I feel like a goddess. I never thought it could be like this--never imagined--

"Love this," I pant, breathless and ready to shatter yet again. "Love--" And the words are right there; why should I hold them back? I reach behind myself for Malik, and his hand grasps mine. My gaze connects with Rafe's and with Jianyu's, and our connection ignites.

Fire and molten rock and cool water rush within me, all coming to a boil.

"Love you," I cry out, and then I'm falling, tumbling. Orgasm blanks my vision.

Malik grunts and holds me closer, and his cock kicks within me. I tremble at the wet pulses of his orgasm as he empties himself into my pussy.

Hot hands catch me from all sides, and Rafe's mouth is on mine.

"Mate," he says, and is he crying? His voice shakes, and he kisses me and kisses me. "My own, I love you--"

"So much," Jianyu vows, stealing my lips. "I've loved you since the first moment."

"And yet it's more," Malik pants, still coming inside me. "Every day, I love you more."

Jianyu releases my lips, and Malik cups the side of my face to tilt my lips toward his. I crane my neck to his kiss, and I feel it. Their love is a binding force, and I'm enveloped in it. I let out a sob of relief, feeling so, so close to complete.

"We'll find him," Rafe says, quiet and low. "Your other mate."

"No matter what it takes," Jianyu agrees.

Their vow tips me over into a final, soft, throbbing climax. Malik's fingers press into my clit, helping extend the pleasure. My inner walls squeeze around his slowly subsiding cock, until the last wave crests, and I collapse back into him.

For a moment, the four of us lie there in a sweaty, sticky, blissed-out pile.

Jianyu, having had the longest to recover, comes back to his senses first. He strokes his knuckles along my bare thigh. "So. I guess we're heading to the Air Kingdom, then."

"Great." Rafe reaches for the sheets and pulls them up over our bodies. "Just wake me up when it's time to leave."