9. Nine

Nine

Draken

I'm not one to give a fuck if my mental block is up or down when we're at home and it's just us.

I couldn't care less if Tillman caught wind of the crazy shit that runs through my mind and I purposely like for my little wanderer to hear all the things I think about her, but after what she showed us, yeah, I figured it'd be best to keep it up.

She could easily break it down if she wanted to. We've already learned all it takes is her naked body to distract me, but she won't do that without asking me first and right now, she won't 'cause there's no doubt she senses the emotions running loose through me and my dragon.

Every burning part of me is screaming to go to Rebel Castle and eat that sorry fucking excuse of a rapist. As someone who's never known their father, I've liked to paint the picture fathers are good men. Like the Vito dads. I can't imagine how she's feeling finding out hers stole her mother from her Nexus and raped her. I couldn't find that out about my own, fuck no.

Franklin's going to die.

That little saber-toothed pussycat is lucky Daddy Dyce got to him and not me. He would've been a tasty snack. Probably a tad bit sharp going down, but I would've made it work.

And who the fuck does this Trex guy think he is? That wannabe Primary thief is lucky to be breathing. Why she insists on keeping that pitiful mind reader alive beats the hell out of me.

The other two…

Yeah, they're fucking dead when we find them.

"There's smoke blowing from your nostrils again." Willow's sweet voice wraps around the embers burning beneath my skin, extinguishing their heat immediately, and I reach out, pulling her into my lap.

"Sorry, little wanderer. Got lost in my thoughts."

"You don't have anything to apologize for, just don't get too lost in there." She taps my temples lightly and I pull her hand away, kissing each of her fingertips.

My heart bleeds for her. I know she's struggling with the fact her mating mark from me is ruined, and I can't pretend that it doesn't upset me, especially after watching what happened and why it happened.

It's not the sight of it that bothers me. Not in the slightest. Nothing about her could be anything other than perfect in my eyes, but it's the way it now makes her feel. That mind-blowing, amazing ceremony where our beast became one is now tainted for her because every time from here going forward, it'll be the torture she remembers.

I've sworn up and down to Elementra from the moment I felt her mate's message, that I'll do anything to fix it for her. I can't say for sure Elementra answered since I'm not her favorite—Willow is—but the calm that came over me after I no longer felt what she was going through seemed divine, so I take that as a good sign that Elementra listened to my promise.

And fuck do I promise it.

Mark my words, I'll find a way to wash away those scars for her.

"How are you feeling, princess?" Corentin asks, pulling me out of my head.

"Same as I did when you asked twenty minutes ago. Last time you said you were just worried about the magic I used broadcasting to everyone, but you're asking again, so I'd like the truth this time, please." She says it so sweet but also with sass, causing me to snort.

After we all simmered down, Oakly and her Nexus stayed for a little while longer, embracing Willow, making small talk here and there before they headed back home, but not before Jamie checked her over one more time and gave her instructions to spend some time outside to recharge what little magic she used.

Which translated to Corentin as "stay outside all damn day."

It only took a few minutes of us fussing over her profusely for her to order us to do something else, something useful since she doesn't need to be waited on hand and foot. So Gaster and Caspian pulled out books, looking for something, Tillman and Corentin started poring over plans for the Forsaken Forest and everything else Willow revealed to us, and I've stuck to her side like glue.

"I just want to make sure you're feeling okay." He huffs.

"He's waiting for his gift to come bursting out of you, Primary. It has him stressing out," Caspian supplies boredly, not looking up from the book that has his undivided attention. It earns him an eat shit and die look from Corentin and a curious look from Willow.

"Huh, you know, I've been thinking about that too, but with both Draken's and Tillman's gifts, I had some signs leading up that something was about to happen to me. I felt different."

"And you don't feel any different right now?" Corentin asks.

"No, not really. But then again, theirs was a brutal takeover of my body and mind. Maybe yours will come easily. Nice and calm and controlled." She smirks playfully.

We all laugh at her teasing banter while Corentin stares at her blankly, but with a few bats of those long brown lashes and sweet come fuck me eyes, his mask crumbles and a small little twitch on his lips gives him away.

He's…different. Not a bad different, but something changed in him with their bonding. He always seemed to hold such tension in his body, but today he seems light as a feather. He's not once yelled at me, sighed, or shaken his head at me for anything. Even when he was bossing me around this morning, he was sweet about it.

I wish I could tell ol' Corentin how much I like his sweet side.

Huh, speaking of that…

"Are one of you going to teach me the whole talking back in your head's thing? I've got some stuff I want to say in private," I pipe in cheerfully now that the talk of gifts reminds me of my little wanderer's newest ability.

"No," Corentin and Tillman declare, while Willow easily agrees with a "yes."

"You mean you can do that on command? It wasn't just in the moment this CC stranger advised it?" Gaster asks Willow excitedly.

"Yeah, I can talk in Tillman's, Draken's, and Corentin's minds, but so far, Tillman's the only one who can talk back to me."

"There's no guarantee any of us will be able to speak back to her, Draken. Tillman is most likely having ease with it because of his gift, but it may just be a one-way thing with her gift," Caspian says, shrugging, trying to crush my dream.

"No, no way. I'm not accepting that. If Tillman can do it, so can I. So can the rest of us, including you when the two of you bond," I declare firmly.

I refuse to accept that I won't be able to whisper sweet nothings to everyone. And I already have a list of dirty praises I plan to shower Willow with right when she comes.

"Bad dragon. You don't have to talk in my mind or let me hear your thoughts to know what's on your mind. I feel it."

Her voice penetrating my thoughts only makes my dick more painfully hard from her teasing little shimmy she keeps doing on my lap and I want to fuck that cute little grin right off her face until all she can do is scream my name.

"Draken," Tillman barks.

By his stern glare and my sweetness's beet red face, I get the picture I definitely didn't hide that particular little thought.

Sorry not sorry.

They both snort at me while the others look around like they're confused, but I see a spark of excitement in the old man's eyes and as long as I've known him, that means one thing; he's about to teach me some shit.

"Hell yeah, Gaster's on board!" I announce eagerly, standing up and pulling Willow along with me.

"Gaster," Tillman and Corentin chide.

"What? I think it would be a wonderful lesson, plus what an advantage you all will have to be able to communicate with one another where no one else can hear you. And maybe, just maybe, you can communicate with all your bonds, Willow."

He sales it so perfectly that the other two aren't going to be able to argue with his logic.

"You think I can talk to you and Oakly?" she asks hopefully.

"I'm not putting anything past you, child. If there's a way, you'll surely find it."

Her excitement pulses through her bond to all of us, and the moment it hits Tillman and Corentin in the chest, their shoulders deflate because they know they've lost on this. What she wants, she gets, which also means I get to learn how to talk to everyone in their minds.

"Come on, kids, sit around. Now obviously I've never instructed anyone on this since it's only been recorded once before, but from those notes and the knowledge I have on mind transference, I believe we'll be able to get this right," Gaster says excitedly, moving the guys' papers out of their way without waiting on them too. "You as well, Caspian. You learn this now, you won't have to try to learn it later."

With a tsk and an eye roll, Caspian shuts his book and moves down the table to us, then pulls my little wanderer out of my lap and places her in his. I growl because what the fuck.

"Enough, dragon. If I can't participate in the mind connection with the rest of you, yet , she's sitting with me." He smiles at me darkly as a deep blush colors Willow's face.

We both caught that sly yet and while it turns her on, I wish he'd hurry the fuck up and do it already. I'm ready for him to feel the love she showers us with. He needs it more than anyone I know. What he gets from her now is nothing compared to what actually pumps down the bond. To be able to feel how someone truly feels about you from the depths of their soul…fuck, it's indescribable.

Plus, I got group activities planned and they're pointless if he's just sitting on the sideline watching.

"Okay, what's first, gramps?" I ask, earning myself a sneer before he softens his eyes and settles on Willow.

"Tell me, is it as easy as thinking and you can talk to them, or do you really have to focus? Explain to me what it's like."

"That first time was incredibly difficult with Tillman trying to push me out. It almost made it impossible. I think our distance from one another also made it harder, but I haven't had any problems since. I think of which one I want to talk to or all of them at the same time and send my words. I don't have to call on my magic or anything.

"The sound is different, though, if that makes sense. Usually when I read their thoughts, it's quieter, softer, but with this, it's just as if we're having a conversation out loud. When I read their thoughts or even broadcast, there's usually a small pause in between the passing of information, but so far with me and Tillman communicating, there isn't any lapse in time. It's immediate."

"And, Tillman, what about you?" Gaster asks him.

"Same. As easy as thinking now. To both her and them."

"Remarkable. Wonderful, wonderful. So really, Corentin and Draken are who we need to focus on. Pair up then and let's practice."

"Dibs on little wanderer," I say, staking immediate claim on Willow being my partner.

Honestly, it's better this way anyway. If Corentin can't get it, he'll grow frustrated, and this sweet little bonding bubble he's in will pop. Tillman's a professional handling shit like that.

"Okay then. Draken and Corentin, pull your mental shields up so your thoughts don't interfere with your words." We both do as he says and at our nods, he continues, "Good. Now focus. Set your intentions clear. The clearer the intent, the easier it's going to be to bring forth the ability this first time. Keep eye contact throughout so you have a better connection with their minds and imagine yourself sending your internal monolog to them."

Set my intentions, say the crazy shit in my head louder. Okay.

Focusing as hard as I can on her, I wrap my mind around everything I want to say. There're so many thoughts to weed through, and it's not even the sexual ones. Right now, for the first time she hears me in her head, I want her to know how much I truly love her. How much I think of her, how she's so inspiring, powerful, badass, beautiful. She's literally my world. I'd do any and everything for her, no questions asked. I want her to know without a shadow of a doubt, she's my soul.

The longer I stare into her silver abyss, the more desperate I become to figure this out. I want—no, need this to work. I need to be able to hear her talk to me at all times, and I need to be able to talk to her whenever she isn't around me. I can't promise another situation like the one we just found ourselves in won't happen again because Elementra's proven it doesn't matter who we are in this realm, how powerful we are as a Nexus. If something has to happen a certain way, it's going to no matter what. So I need this peace of mind.

"Very good, Corentin my boy." Gaster's elated voice rings loudly in my ears, so I whip around and see Corentin and Tillman cheesing at one another.

"You got it already?" I ask incredulously.

"Yeah, I focused on our bond and pushed the words simultaneously until they broke through. Keep trying, Draken, it'll come," Corentin says, annoyingly supportive.

Keep trying, Draken, blah blah blah. Okay, Mr. Overachiever.

Turning back to my little wanderer, I focus on her soft, determined eyes and relish in the confidence she's sending toward me. She has full faith in me, and it's a heady, distracting feeling. I could just sit here and soak in it all day rather than do anything else.

"You're letting your mind wander too far off, Draken. Don't think about anything else but getting inside her mind, talking directly to her. Tell her exactly how you feel about her. Block everything else out, even your own internal rambling."

Talk directly to her.

Okay, I can do that.

Taking a deep breath, I center myself and blink a couple of times before concentrating back on her, clearing out every thought and blocking off every feeling coming from her.

"Little wanderer, I don't know if you can hear me, but I want you to know how fucking proud I am of you. You're stronger than anyone I've ever met, and as much as I love that, I wish you didn't have to be, but still, you own it. When I call you a goddess, I'm not blowing smoke up your ass. There's no doubt in my mind, there's no other that walks this realm that's above you. The closest being to that is Elementra herself, and she no longer walks on two legs.

"I can't tell you what an honor it is to be able to share the skies with you, to fly beside you as one. I'd never want to share this honor with anyone other than you. You…Willow, saying you're the best thing that's ever happened to me doesn't even come close to describing what my life is truly like with you in it. I'm so unbelievably grateful to you."

"Draken…"

"Willow, did you—"

"Yeah, every word."

A surprised laugh bursts out of me when I jump up from my seat. Snatching her up with me, I spin us around, making her laugh hysterically before I smother the sound with my tongue. She immediately lets me in, kissing me back just as hungrily.

I feast on the pride and happiness for me that she's pouring through our bond and drink down the desire that emerges like a man dying of thirst. Fuck, I'm so obsessed with her.

"Can you all hear me?" she asks when she reluctantly breaks our kiss.

"Yes."

Both Tillman and Corentin respond, and I hear it clear as day in my mind as well, so I whip us around to face them. Bouncing my eyes between the two of them, I ask, "What about me?"

"Yeah, we hear you too, Draken," Corentin replies begrudgingly.

"That was a hell of a lot easier for you two than it was for me. Did you hear me this morning, Caspian, when I told everyone good morning?" Willow asks, beaming at all of us as she parks her pretty ass right back in his lap.

"No, Primary, I didn't. You're going to have to touch me and broadcast your thoughts, then read my mind for a response like Tillman's had to do up until now."

Her elated mood slightly deflates with disappointment, but she quickly brushes it away. No doubt she wants all her men to be able to talk in her head, but three out of four is better than none for now.

"All things considered, little warrior, you and I knew the two of their intentions and we didn't try to keep them out of our heads. Plus, between the bond and our close proximity, they were in much better situations to figure it out," Tillman says.

I know he's not trying to discredit our quick pickup but instead reassure her.

"Wait. Caspian, how did you know how to guide me on what to do?" I ask now that I think about how it was him who got my mind back on track and not Gaster.

"You don't think I haven't read every piece of research I could find since our Primary mentioned this ability?" he asks with an arched brow like I'm a damn idiot for not just knowing that.

"Have you?" Willow asks, turning in his lap to look at him.

"Of course I have, Primary. I wasn't going to be unprepared if something this rare were to occur in our Nexus. I just wasn't confident about our ability to speak back to you. Now that I know, have no worries, when we bond, I'll know what to do to get right inside your mind."

Well, fuck. Too bad I can't hide in the shadows and watch that.

"I'm going to take a bath," Willow announces as she stands from her sprawled out position on the couch, stretching her curvy little body out. Teasing me.

We ate a feast for dinner and for the past hour, we've been practically comatose. I don't know if it was just Chef's doing, wanting to fuel Willow through food or it was under orders from Corentin, but every single dish she's ever made a remark about liking was on the table waiting for us tonight.

"We'll come to bed when you're done, princess," Corentin says as he gives her a quick kiss on the forehead and heads over to the bar.

There's a goofy little smirk on his face that's pretty much been there all day and that shit cracks me up. My little wanderer's bond has done burrowed itself in him, sweetening and softening him up like a cinnamon roll.

Just as I go to talk shit, Willow's unease settles in my chest and I shut my mouth to look over at her, still standing where she was, fiddling with her shirt. Her body language screams discomfort, and I don't know why.

"What's wrong, little wanderer?"

"I…"

"I don't want to go to the bath alone. I'm not quite ready for a break from all your overprotective, watchful eyes," she says aloud.

No explanation is needed as the four of us are up and out of our seats, surrounding her in a Vito Nexus circle. With a bright smile, the previous unfavorable emotions vanish and are replaced with deep-seated delight.

There's no hesitation in her as we step into her favorite place in this whole mansion and she strips her clothes away, blessing us with the most glorious view in all the realm. Popping her hair on top of her head, she wastes no time stepping right into her bath, releasing a happy sigh as the hot water welcomes her in.

Corentin, Caspian, and Tillman perch their asses on her counter quietly and make themselves comfortable, while I stand here, mesmerized. We all know how long she likes to lie around in this mini pool of hers, and I'm not going to miss an opportunity to shower my little wanderer in some love and comfort.

"Room for one more, sweetness?" I ask, already stripping my shirt off.

"Always," she says with a bright smile just for me.

I'm fucking incredibly proud of my dick for behaving right now because that gorgeous smile and the fraction of tension that dropped in her shoulders could bring me to my knees where I'd beg her to let me worship every inch of her. I couldn't give a shit if everyone were to catch a glimpse at a boner the sight of her caused, but right now, she just wants to feel surrounded by us, and I want to give her that without her thinking I expect anything in return.

Deciding that keeping my boxers on is the wisest choice, I climb in behind her and pull her until she's nestled between my legs. As soon as her soft skin touches mine, I start purring for her as she leans back easily, embracing me fully. There's no greater sensation in the realm than feeling her tension leave her body as she sinks closer to me, bathing in me.

"How are you feeling, princess?" Corentin asks once again, breaking my sweet moment.

Regardless, Willow and I snort because he's so worked up over the fact the pattern of what happens after she bonds has been broken.

"I'm fine, your highness. No signs of the sun bursting out of me while I'm naked for everyone to see," she teases and we all laugh at Corentin's expense.

"Very funny. I just want to be ready for however it may emerge." He huffs.

"It may not emerge, but based on how everything else has happened to me, just expect it to be epic and inconvenient. How are you feeling? Any crazy power up?"

"Not that I've noticed yet, but I also haven't been in a situation to let my gift out full force, nor have I gotten riled up like Draken and Tillman did when their first ability boost happened."

"First ability boost? You think there will be more? I mean my dragon can already shift into any size I've commanded. I haven't found anything my blue fire can't burn and now the mental connection. What else could there be?" I ask curiously. I for one am very satisfied with the power boost I've already received and don't care if anything else happens or not. I wouldn't have cared in the first place. I'm a dragon, for fuck's sake, and the bond with Willow is all I wanted.

"Who knows, dragon. Who fucking knows," Caspian says ominously and with him darkening the light conversation, we all fall quiet in our thoughts, while I gently wash my sweetness's body.

No one tries to fill the silence. The small little content sighs and happy hums Willow lets out as I massage her shoulders and back are enough for us. The day started full of stress, heartache, and rage. It's nice to end it on a much calmer, easier note.

I give her plenty of time to just lie in the bath and relax against my chest before finally picking her up out of the tub bridal style and immediately the guys get to work.

Corentin's air dries her body while Caspian uses his element to remove all the water on me and my boxers, followed by Tillman dressing the two of us in some pajamas. Life can be super fucking convenient and seamless with brothers like I got.

"We're spoiled princesses, little wanderer."

"That we are." She laughs before clearing her throat.

"Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful day today. I know it started a little rough, but I…I feel so much better. Physically and mentally," Willow says sweetly as the five of us crawl into bed.

"It's not a race to feel better, princess. We aren't rushing you to move on from this or anything of the nature, so you take as much time as you need, and we'll be here no matter what. You name it and we'll do it," Corentin swears seriously.

Really, all day she's held herself together remarkably well. Those two occurrences earlier this morning were the only times she broke down, and she genuinely doesn't feel like she's burying her emotions or hiding them from us.

"I know that, I do, but…" she trails off.

"But what, Primary?"

"I needed today. I did. I needed today to break down, cry as hard as I could, tell the truth of everything, and then just spend time with you all, Gaster, and Oakly. It's what my bonds needed, my mind, heart, everything. Now, I really do feel better. Not in the sense of I'm just over it. I don't know if I'll ever be "over it," but I don't feel crippled by it." She pauses, releasing a deep sigh as she looks around at us. "I need to move toward the next step and…and I think the next step in me feeling better is by actually doing something. I don't need another day sitting in the house tomorrow."

The four of us glance between one another, waiting to see which of us will speak. Not gonna lie, we kinda had it planned to keep her right here in the mansion for the week, safe and surrounded by us. Tillman has Ry running the E.F. teams. Corentin's new male assistant is handling admin work, sending him everything he needs here. Plus , there are no classes, and Caspian and Gaster can do whatever research they want. Me, I just planned to be with her.

The only issue we were running into was, we're ready to interrogate fucking Franklin and the Primary thief, but we figured letting them stew a couple days, worry about when they're going to die, may work in our favor getting answers from them.

"Princess, maybe you should—"

"I know what you're going to say, and I don't want any more time. There's so much we need to do and sitting around here isn't going to get it done. The academy still needs to be repaired. We have to figure out how the wards were brought down. Was it Jarod's Emittium gem that led them to us, not to mention, we have to get into the Forsaken Forest sooner rather than later. Plus, our prisoners."

Ah fuck, we didn't tell her about Gima.

"What about her?" Willow's head whips to me with narrowed eyes and a growl rumbles in her chest.

Fuck me, that's so hot.

I don't attempt to hide the pleasure on my face from her possessive little outburst. I swear it pleases me and my dragon to no end hearing that angry little thunder tumble out of her over us.

"We didn't want to overwhelm you with anything, so we haven't told you everything yet, but don't worry about the academy. Gaster's already taken care of the training fields and the gym reconstruction is already underway. Plus, classes for the week are canceled," Corentin says cautiously, treading carefully with how close to the surface her dragon is.

This is the first hint of her I've seen all day and fuck do I wish all of her would come out.

"That doesn't tell me what that bitch has to do with anything." She growls.

With a reluctant sigh, Tillman wraps his hand around the back of Willow's neck, and they both go statue still, staring into one another's eyes. The rest of us wait, knowing she's about to be pissed all the way off.

Only a few seconds pass when her emotions start a slow crawl across my chest, then suddenly, they ignite into an inferno of pure, unfiltered rage. She's quick to pull it back in, but her eyes have completely shifted, and my dragon pushes fast and hard to the surface, seeking hers out.

"I'm going to rip her to fucking shreds when I get my hands on her. There's not going to be a single fingernail left to find when I'm done."

The deep timbre that takes over her musical voice causes a purr to fall from my chest and a smile to take over my whole face. My little wanderer is so sexy when she's pissed, and this little crazy side of hers calls to my beast. He's incredibly pleased with his mate's declaration. Caspian agrees based on the delighted smirk on his face, but Tillman and Corentin look a little uneasy, like they're waiting for her to shift right here in our bed and go fly off looking for Gima right now.

"I'll serve her up for you on a silver platter if that's what you want, Primary." Caspian hums, wrapping his hand around Willow's throat, tilting her head back far enough so he can plaster his mouth to hers.

It takes me by surprise for a split second because it's so fucking weird seeing him show affection so passionately like that, but damn, by the desire pulsing through her and those sweet little muffled noises he's causing her to make, I hope he starts doing this shit more times a day.

"That's exactly what I want." She pants out when he finally breaks away from her.

"My dad has relayed the message to my mom that the Everglow family is one of the two betraying us, and for now, until they figure out who's family number two, the plan is to pretend we have no clue so we can prepare to take both families down at the same time. My office received a message from Gima's father this morning, informing us that they feel with this attack it's best she doesn't return to the academy until we can ensure we have better security in place to protect her and the other highly important students," Corentin spits out bitterly, breaking up the yummy sexual tension in the air.

Willow turns her attention to him, and the purple slowly fades from her eyes while her chest falls in a more controlled rhythm. Her anger's still pumping through my chest, but it's not near as blazing as it was seconds ago.

"So what are we to do?" she finally asks.

"Are you sure you don't want to take the week off?" Corentin follows up.

"I'm sure. One hundred percent."

"Then we'll start at Rebel Castle. Aria was able to place a rune around both of the prisoners, but she said their marks are different than any she's seen so far. They're still tied to the Summum-Master, but it's not like the others. She said it'll keep the Summum-Master from killing them, but she's not sure what will happen if we pry into their minds," Tillman informs us.

"We can start with Trex. Franklin probably possesses more useful information, but he's not going to be cooperative in the slightest and as much as I want him dead, we have to get information from him first," Willow says, eyeing Caspian, who looks ready with an argument on his tongue.

"You think just because he didn't physically participate in what happened, he's going to just willingly speak to us, give us whatever information we want?" he asks coldly.

"No, but I think there's something in it for him. He's selfish, was selfish with everything he said and did, but I don't think this is the life he chose for himself."

I'm not so sure about that. I rarely, if ever, would doubt anything she said or believed in, but this is a grown-ass man we're talking about. He's old enough, been old enough, to make decisions on his own. This isn't like Layton, who's just a kid.

"Is his comment about his brothers the reason you think that?" I ask. That could be the only thing that would convince me he's not doing this by his own free will. There's not much I wouldn't do for my brothers.

"Mostly yes. It was obvious that he didn't care for the other three. There was no true brotherhood between the four of them. He has motives for something, and I don't think they aligned with the Mastery's, but the Mastery was his way of getting what he wants."

"The mind reader first and then we'll go from there," Tillman states sternly, leaving no room for argument from any of us.

He's been steadfast and sure in all of Willow's decisions surrounding this whole ordeal and if they're both that confident in questioning the Primary thief than letting me just eat him alive, then fine.

For now.

"Let's get some sleep then, little wanderer. Looks like we're going back to work tomorrow."