22. Chapter Twenty-Two

DEAKAN

Her lips are fucking blue.

As soon as Rose and Theo come stumbling out the cabin door as dawn crests, I pull her into my warmth.

Her teeth chitter, and frost-covered lashes frame her deep blues. "Magic didn't work in the cabin."

"Fucking hell," Mekhi, using his new fae strength, braces his boot against a Frostwillow as he snaps a giant limb off and tosses it on the fire.

Chaos immediately sends warming magic to envelop them both, as Kieran and I work to rub both their limbs. Jax unzips Rose's coat, shucking his own as he presses his body to hers, his dragon infusing as much heat into her as he can. So much that smoke pours from his nostrils, perfuming the air.

"Magic is fading faster than I thought." The god's eyes take on a haunted look. "It's becoming unpredictable."

Will it even last until summer is over?

And this field trip we're on isn't doing much, other than freezing us near to death. Last night, Jax and I were in our beast forms, which run much warmer than our fae ones. Mekhi didn't hesitate to crawl in between us to keep warm, while Kieran shrunk into his tiny snake form and slept under my mane. Chaos transformed himself into a fire golem and stayed toasty all night.

Our evening was uneventful. Quiet. Each of us just laid next to the fire, taking turns keeping watch. A lot of good that did, as nothing fucking happened.

If I'd known what was happening inside the cabin, I would've ripped it apart, log by log.

Or tried to.

It takes an hour to warm Rose and Theo, and just in time, too. A snowstorm approaches.

Jax's dragon's scales are rough against my legs, but the heat of his body seeping through my clothes is a welcome relief against the frigid gales, though the frosty gusts bite at my eyes and make them water.

I wish my lion had wings. But I suppose that would make me a griffin. So instead, I ride on the back of Jax's dragon.

The wind slices through us as we glide high above, with Jax's dragon cutting a path through the cold sky. I clutch his scales tightly, scanning the horizon yet distracted by the pocket of my thick coat where Kieran, now no bigger than a garden snake, makes a temporary home.

He's so adorable like this.

He twists and turns, adjusting his tiny body. The scales that once shimmered menacingly now catch the light in a more endearing way. He's a tiny, sinuous line of scales, his usual fierce eyes now comically large on his diminutive head. Despite his reduced size, Kieran's gaze darts around, still bright with his usual defiance.

Rose's reaction is priceless. Her eyes light up, her hands clasp together under her chin as she spots him, a squeal of delight escaping her lips. Her voice bubbling with laughter, floats closer in Theo's arms. She reaches out, her fingertips delicately extended towards Kieran. "Oh, look at how tiny and fierce you are!" she teases, her tone laced with warmth and amusement.

At her words, Kieran flicks his tongue out in a swift, sassy response, clearly not amused but bearing it for her sake. The gesture elicits a laugh from Rose that echoes across the stormy sky.

"Should've picked her pocket!" I shout, chuckling as I watch Rose's attempts to engage with the mini serpent. Kieran responds with a subtle slither deeper into the fabric, a clear sign he's had enough but isn't entirely opposed to the attention.

Rose's laughter, clear and joyful, fills the air as she playfully pokes at my pocket. "Come on, don't hide. It's just too adorable," she coaxes, a grin spreading across her face.

Just then, a deep rumbling echoes from Jax. It's not a sound of discomfort, rather a dragon's version of amusement. His huge head swoops low to get an eyeful of Kieran. The sight of the once mighty Kieran in his miniaturized state seems to tickle the giant beast immensely. A gust of warm air rushes out from its nostrils, causing Kieran to sway a bit, but he steadies himself, holding onto a loose thread of the fabric with his tiny claws.

Rose's laughter erupts anew at the scene. "I wuv my wittle mate," she coos at him in baby-talk, earning chuckles from the dragon, Theo, Mekhi, and me.

He tucks himself back inside my pocket fully, his tiny tail flicking in a final sign of mock protest. His sulk is short-lived, though, for the warmth of the pocket and the gentle rustle of fabric lull him into a sense of security.

The nights are cold, colder than we're used to. The biting chill of the altitude is enough to have us pulling our coats tighter around ourselves, Kieran included. His small form burrows deeper into the warmth of my pocket, just a tiny lump of scales and petulance.

The skies shift color from azure to indigo, the stars leading our way like ancient mariners navigating by celestial waypoints. We fly above a blanket of clouds, their fluffy white tops turned silver in the moonlight. They morph and change, castles becoming dragons becoming ships as they drift lazily beneath us.

We tried touching down an hour ago, but the temperatures were far too cold to stay more than a minute or two. How is it that it's warmer this high up? Nothing makes sense here.

And there's still that giant wall of ice headed our way.

Fitting, I think. Magic going haywire, this fucking place lulling us into a sense of calm, Rose and Theo nearly freezing to death in the cabin last night. But hey, you get to be a god, but also, you might die, or someone you love might die, and you could lose your mating bond. For good. And your best friend did die, but hey.

You get to be a god.

What's a giant snowstorm headed our way?

I haven't said it out loud yet, but I'm freaking. I know our bond is solid, but I fear for the others. What if one of theirs is weak?

I'm terrified of what it'd do to our family if one of us were lost. It'd destroy Rose, and the rest of us in turn.

But I keep these thoughts to myself.

I'm the happy-go-lucky mate, and I'm worried what it'd do to our morale if I showed on my face how I'm really feeling.

All I want is to keep our family safe.

So, I hold tight to Jax's dragon, surveying the horizon for any threats. But they never come.

Our flight takes two whole days, always staying just ahead of the storm. We had to fly at breakneck speed to do it, though, and everyone is exhausted, even those in their beast forms who can recover quicker.

The snow is definitely going to dump on camp, so we spend extra time building lean-to structures against the cabin for sleeping bags to go. Chaos tried to go inside the cabin with Rose and me, but it stopped him at the door. Not even a god could circumvent whatever pre-existing rules the Aether Plains have in place that only allows two fae inside the cabin at the same time.

I think some of us wish we'd all opted out of this field trip. I'd give anything to be stuck in the Herbology greenhouse, sweating.

At least at night we'd all be together at Sanctuary.

The grass was definitely not greener on the other side. It's cold and dead.

Rose rubs her hands together as she faces the inside of the cramped cabin. I, for one, am thrilled to sleep in a real bed tonight with my mate. Just like clockwork, the door locks behind us.

"I think my balls froze off," she groans as she warms her hands against the fire I'm starting. Magic works tonight, surprisingly.

No freezing to death. Though, I was looking forward to sharing our body heat to get through it.

"I'd better check." I grin. The cheeky thing flashes me, full-frontal, and my throat dries up. "No balls," I squeak out.

"See?" She chuckles. "They froze off."

"Hmm, I think I need another look. My eyesight is poor."

Her laughter tinkles behind her as she sets a warming charm on the sheets before shucking her clothes and crawling in.

"Right, your poor eyesight," she mocks playfully, watching as I stumble towards the bed. She pats the spot beside her, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Come here, my sweet lion."

I grin and take my time slipping out of my clothes, damn near tripping over my own feet in my eagerness to join her. My body positively sings as I slide into the warm bed next to her, the proximity to Rose causing my skin to hum with anticipation.

Mine, my lion roars inside me.

She snuggles against me, her cold nose finding the hollow of my throat, making me chuckle.

"You're freezing." I pull her onto me, and her skin immediately flares a bright blue.

She looks up at me through her thick lashes, her face glowing like moonlight. "I'm not cold anymore," she purrs, her hand moving with playful intention down my chest.

"Good." I breathe out heavily as her hand finds its mark between us.

I let out a groan as her slender fingers encircle my cock, my control snapping as a surge of desire floods my senses. Her touch is electric, sending sparks through every nerve and ounce of me.

"Was someone going to fucking wake me?" Kieran grumbles from across the room, naked.

Rose and I both jump. "How the fuck did you get in here? Not even Chaos could?" I ask.

He points at my lump of clothes. "I was in your fucking pocket."

Rose gasps. "Only two fae can enter, but beasts can come in, too!"

Naked, she runs to the door and tries it. "Locked," she grumbles.

I point at the empty spot next to me in the bed. "Your side is going to get cold."

She glances at Kieran. "Come to bed?" Hand outstretched, she reaches for him as she climbs in beside me.

It's no more than a full-size bed. At least it's bigger than a twin.

Kieran grumbles again, an eyeroll illuminating his irritation before he stalks toward the bed, his lithe form a shadow against the poorly lit cabin. He's still annoyed about the baby talk, I see. Or maybe about being left in my pants, not that anyone should be complaining about that.

I'm sure it's great in there.

With a fluid grace only a fae could muster, he collapses into the bed next to Rose, wrapping his strong arms around her and pulling her against him with a possessiveness that makes my inner beast growl in response.

Kieran must share.

He nestles his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as if he were drawing life from her very scent alone.

Pulling back, he meets my stare. It's a charged look.

Intriguing. Are we going to continue where we left off last time? I can't say I'm entirely opposed. In fact, I'm game. More than game.

"I heard you two from in there," Kieran grumbles, a hint of humor lacing his words. His hair falls into his eyes, and I watch as our mate brushes it out of them before placing a kiss on his nose.

"Then why didn't you join?" Rose asks, half teasing, half serious.

"Couldn't get out of those goddamned pants. Why in the gods' name do you wear such tight pants, Deak?"

"To show off my assets." I shrug, turning over to face them. The bed dips under my weight, Rose shifting slightly to accommodate my larger form. "So, we doing this or what?"

"Please," she begs, nipping at Kieran's jaw.

He snorts, pulling her closer to him. His hands begin to trace the outline of her body, dipping and curving around her figure. The sight alone is enough to stir the beast inside me, urging me forward. He grins, the devilish glimmer in his eyes matching the purr in his voice. "Always so impatient," he teases, fingers tracing up and down her spine with a feather-light touch.

I watch as he captures her lips with his, a raw show of possessiveness and passion that's far too intoxicating to simply observe. My own lips find the nape of her neck, tasting her skin that carries the sweetness of honey and the essence of pineapple from her shampoo. She gasps softly, her fingers clutching the sheets as we explore her together.

"We should've been doing this for months." My fingers dip into Rose's soaking heat, thumb finding her sweet spot, and I watch as her back arches and her mouth parts.

"Agreed," Kieran murmurs. His fingers thread through her hair, pulling her head back to expose the elegant line of her throat.

She whimpers our names, a plea, a prayer and an incantation all at once.

Kieran's lips brush against her throat, teeth nipping at tender spots while I continue my exploration.

"No more teasing, please," she begs. "I need you both. Now." She writhes against us.

"How do you want us?" Kieran whispers against her skin. "Do you want me to fuck this pretty little mouth? Or this pretty little pussy? And Deak can take this tight little ass?"

Fuck, I might come from his dirty talk alone.

She gives him a pointed but heated look. "Both of you," she growls, the word coming out more as a roar, her eyes blazing with an untamed lust that calls to my lion. "Inside me. Now."

Kieran grins, his gaze meeting mine over her trembling body. An unspoken agreement passes between us. We're going to need to prepare her for this.

Rose whimpers as the two of us begin our careful preparations, hands and mouths moving in tandem to explore every inch, every secret curve of her. Her body is a map, and we are the eager explorers traversing it, savoring every discovery. Two sets of fingers dip into her at the same time.

His mouth hovers over her pussy, saliva dribbling over our fingers and mixing with her arousal as I focus my attention on her breasts. My mouth envelops one nipple while my free hand kneads the other, rolling the hardened peak between my fingers. Kieran's tongue darts out, licking a heated trail down to where we're both buried in her warmth, which elicits a sharp cry from her.

Her body arches against us, her soft moans harmonizing with the creaking of the cabin around us, magnifying the raw intimacy of our shared desires.

My eyes meet Kieran's hooded ones, and he watches my reaction to the way Rose squirms between us. His eyes flash in their serpentine way just before his serpent tongue uncoils from his mouth, wrapping itself around her clit. He growls low in his throat, a rumble that vibrates against her sensitive flesh, sending another jolt through her that we can see as much as we can feel.

"Fuck," I breathe. "Look at the way she moves, Kieran. Our pretty little mate is about to come all over that tongue. Are you going to be there to catch it, or do you want some help?"

His gaze shifts to follow mine, to the way her hips lift off the sheets and press into us. The way she writhes sensuously, an erotic dance only for us.

In response, Kieran intensifies the movements of his serpent tongue, flicking it faster against her engorged clit while his fingers continue their rhythmic dance inside her. I follow suit, my fingers matching his motion, the pace escalating as Rose's body trembles.

Not removing his tongue from its ministrations against her, he pulls back slightly while inclining his head, giving me enough room to press my mouth to her pussy while he continues his assault on her clit. I can feel his tongue writhing against mine.

And fuck, is it hot.

I've never kissed him before, but I like it. I like it a lot. Even better when I can lick her pussy at the same time.

Our tongues mingle, our rhythm in perfect sync as we work together to coax Rose to the edge. I can taste her arousal on my lips, an intoxicating flavor that has me groaning against her.

The essence of Rose fills us both, as we drink in her pleasure, her desire. Our bond with her amplifies the feeling, the connection between us growing stronger with every thrust of our fingers, every lick against her sensitive flesh. Every gasp she releases, every moan that escapes from her lips is a sonata to our ears. We share her, passing her essence between us, tongues sliding against each other as we push her closer to the precipice of climax.

Rose's body stiffens, her gasps transitioning into a long keening wail of pleasure. Her thighs squeeze around our heads as her climax hits, a wave of warmth soaking both Kieran and me. The intensity of her orgasm has her body bucking beneath us, her hips lifting off the sheets as she succumbs to the pleasure we've seduced from her.

We both draw back, not wanting to overstimulate her, the sight before us one of pure beauty. Rose's chest heaves, her skin flushed and shimmering in the ambient light. She breathes heavily, basking in the afterglow. Our hands roam across her sweaty body, trailing fingertips over her soft skin, tracing the lines of her curves, committing every inch of her to memory. Her eyes flutter open, and she reaches for us, pulling us closer in a silent demand for more contact.

We oblige.

Our bodies entwine on the bed—a mass of limbs as I scoot under her and Kieran crawls on top of her. Kieran gathers all of Rose's come, dragging it back to her ass with a languid stroke of his fingers. Her subsequent gasp echoes through the room, as he repeats the process, preparing her for me.

Meanwhile, I pull her to me, my fingers gently brushing through her hair, twining the strands around my fingers. Her body is still trembling, delightfully oversensitive after her climax. The touch of my fingers on her scalp earns a quiet moan from her, her eyes fluttering closed once again.

"She's ready for you." Kieran and I share a glance over her sated form.

"Is that right?" I whisper in her ear. "You want me to take your ass?"

She whimpers, nodding her head.

Kieran takes hold of my cock, giving it a few strokes, and I let out a groan. Fuck, that feels good. He gathers some of Rose's come and circles the head of my dick with it before aligning it with Rose's entrance. With his help, I press in slowly, feeling her body stretch around me, her breath hitching. Once fully sheathed, I pause, allowing her to adjust to the new sensation. Her hands clutch at Kieran above her, her fingers digging into his shoulder as she lets out a shaky exhale. I remain perfectly still, a low growl rumbling in my chest as I fight down the urge to move.

"Okay, baby?" I ask in a voice rough with suppressed desire, as I trace my fingers over the curve of her hip.

"Yes," she breathes out, "yes, you can move now."

With that, I start an unhurried rhythm, each thrust bringing a muffled moan from her lips.

Stroking his cock, Kieran watches as I fuck our mate, his hand fisting his length in slow, even strokes. My eyes meet his again, and I give him a nod. He takes his cue, shifting so he can position himself.

Grabbing Rose's hips, I lift them slightly, giving Kieran the access he needs to slide into her soaked pussy. He eases it in, and a joint growl rumbles through the room as we push deep within her.

Her body clenches around us, a cry parting from her lips, half pleasure, half pain. Kieran and I hold still, savoring the feel of her flesh around us. Twin snarls reverberate between us as Rose squirms beneath us. We wait for each other, biding time until she nods, whispering, "Okay."

As our bodies move in unison, time seems to lose its meaning, each thrust done in tandem. Rose's body writhes between us, her moans drowned out by the growls that rip through Kieran and me.

Rose grabs Kieran's shoulders, pulling him in for a soul-searing kiss, her tongue meeting his in a fierce battle of dominance. Her nails dig into his skin, a low moan escaping her lips as he deepens the kiss, his hands roaming freely over her bare skin.

Simultaneously, as though by some unspoken agreement, we both pull back slightly, only to plunge deeper within her. Rose breaks off her kiss, craning her neck so she can look expectantly between Kieran and me.

She wants to see us kiss.

Without pausing in our rhythm, Kieran and I lean towards each other. Our lips meet as the heat of our mate surrounds us, linking us further than any simple physical connection. We kiss hard and deep, just as we thrust into Rose, our partner in pleasure and power. The taste of my own lips on his sends a jolt, a spark that spreads like wildfire through our veins. His tongue piercing gently grazes my lower lip before he nips at it, sending another wave of pleasure coursing down to where our bodies meet with Rose's.

Our mate's body responds in kind, squeezing our cocks as she lets out a low, guttural groan. Her hips arch, seeking more, demanding more. We quicken our pace, her body spasming between us as I thrust one more time, roaring out my release as I spill into her. Kieran follows suit, his groan filling the room as her body clamps down on us, her own climax rushing through her as she moans. Each pulse sends additional waves of satisfaction through us until we're spent.

Kieran falls to the side, but never leaves her, and we stay connected like this, a tangle of sated limbs, bodies pressed tight against each other.

"That was so hot," she breathes, resting her head on my bicep.

I meet Kieran's green eyes, and I see a hesitation there, a quiet intensity as though he's gauging my reaction. He watches as I lick my lips, still tasting the aftermath of our kiss on my tongue.

I reach for him, pulling him in for another searing kiss, this one slower, deeper, full of promise. Rose whimpers between us, and I feel her clamp down. He relaxes underneath my touch, and I can feel him mirroring my own gratification.

Slowly, I pull back, whispering against his lips, "Yeah, it was. Hopefully there's more of that to come."

Kieran and I rest our heads on the pillow, turning our attentions to our mate.

"You liked that, did you?" he asks her.

"So, so much," she gasps out, her voice barely a whisper. She licks her lips, and I catch a glimpse of the satisfied smirk playing on them. "I didn't just like it … I loved it."

She purrs, her body vibrating with the aftershocks of pleasure. Her fingers trace lazy circles on our chests, a soft smile gracing her lips. The look in her eyes is one of pure contentment, a blue hue swirling in them as a playful glint sparks to life.

"Seems like you two enjoyed it, too." Her tone is teasing, a hint of mischief in her eyes as she toys with a loose strand of his raven hair. "You're turning quite the shade of pink, Kieran."

His cheeks grow even redder at that, but he simply grunts in response, a smile playing on his lips as he buries his head against her neck.

"Sing to me?" Rose whispers into the dark.

Kieran lifts his head at her request, emerald-green eyes meeting her blue ones. The corners of his lips lift into a soft smile and he obliges, his voice a gentle yet resonant baritone that fills the room. He starts to sing an old fae lullaby, one that touches something deep within our souls, the melody wrapping around us like a warm, comforting blanket, softening the edges of reality and lulling us into a state of peace. It's magic, weaving an enchanting spell that encapsulates all the essence of the fae realms. His voice paints vivid images in the air, of blossoming wildflowers and verdant forests, of clear waters and star-studded skies, of moonlit dances and laughter piercing through the woods.

As his voice caresses the lyrics, a sense of calm descends over us, washing away our worries and soothing our restless souls.

Rose sighs, her eyes fluttering closed as she sinks deeper into the rough sheets beneath her. The rise and fall of her chest slows as she syncs with the music, her heart beating in time with the rhythm Kieran has set. There's a soft hum, harmonizing with the crooning melody, stirring up a feeling of nostalgia among us all.

I just knew she'd be the one to bring everyone together. To heal him. I just didn't expect it'd heal me, too.