Chapter Fifteen

Drin and Ekron were cuddled on the couch and watching one of his concerts when Vikor came in.

Ekron pressed his finger to his lips, and Vikor took his jacket off. Drin was snoring softly.

Vikor sighed and sat down. “You had to tie her up?”

Ekron shrugged. “She touched me, and I just about went off. It seemed the best option. I didn’t know she bruised like that.”

“The jeweller I use is backed up with all the items for that music award show. It will be a few more days.”

Ekron nodded. “Who is it?”

“Asterthel.”

“Give me a minute.” He contacted the jeweller. “Stethina, hi, it’s Ekron. I don’t suppose you would have a chance to get me something custom done before the awards.”

There was a pause, and he chuckled. “Great. Fill the order for Vikor. The cuffs and collar are for our partner, and she’s going to be with me on the red carpet. With or without the collar. If she isn’t wearing yours by then, I will have to call around to see who can fulfill the order.”

He waited as Stethina assured him they were putting all their technicians on it.

“Thank you. My mother is going all out with the dress, so there will be a lot of images circulating on this.” He heard the excitement in her tone, and he nodded. “Right. That soon. Excellent. Call Vikor when it’s done, and I will let you know what I think of them.”

He finished the call. Vikor was grinning at him. “Thanks, Ek.”

“No problem. They lick my boots regularly, and I don’t wear jewellery. What kind of mechanics are inside?”

Vikor explained the protrusions for attaching chains to the cuffs, as well as the magnetic clasps that would just hold her wrists together with a code sent to the cuffs.

“Tomorrow is also an option.” Ekron caressed her forehead. “They do amazing cut work for formal events if you want an everyday and fancy set. I am going to be taking her out in public... frequently. I don’t have to maintain an air of mystery like the master of Hell and the devastating legal mind that you possess. Even Klauz has more of a social presence than you do. And Techor likes to curl up with a good book when he isn’t going to charity events. So, she is going to be spending a lot of time with me.”

Vikor snorted. “Fine, but she spends most nights with me.”

Ekron smiled. “Uh-huh. You are insistent on that.”

“I am. I have dreamed of Drin for over a decade. I want her with me. It’s important.”

Ekron was about to argue when Drin murmured, “It’s important.”

He looked down at the elf wrapped in his arm, looking up at him with her rainbow eyes all sleepy and satisfied and sighed. “Fine. It’s important. Do we know why it is important?”

She chuckled. “He’s not done yet. Being with me will let him finish his activation.”

He stroked her cheek. “Finish?”

“He has a psychic component that hasn’t unlocked. I am going to unlock it.” She yawned and started sitting up.

He saw straight down her shirt, and his purr kicked into overdrive. She looked up at him and lifted herself as they kissed. Soft, wet, hot, all parts of her had the same characteristics. He wanted nothing more than to keep her with him, but the intensity of Vikor’s gaze had desperation in it. Ekron wanted her; Vikor needed her.

Need was going to win out.

* * * *

It was near nine at night when she got a call. “Vaken? What is it, sweetie?” She sat up from her reclining position on Vikor.

“Hiya, Auntie. Mom says that my dad’s family wants to meet me. Will you come?”

“Uh, I don’t know, buddy. When is it?”

“We are meeting at the playland tomorrow. The one where we had my birthday. Will you come?”

“Okay, Vaken. I will get there somehow. Transfer me to your mom.”

“Okay. Thanks, Auntie. I am nervous.”

“No problem, buddy.”

Shisha came on. “Drin, I am sorry to spring this on you, but I have been talking with Varun all night, and we agreed to meet them both tomorrow at nine at the playland on Sixty-second.”

“It’s fine. I am setting my alarm. I will see you there tomorrow.” They said their goodbyes, and Drin sat back.

Ekron sat up and scowled. Vikor grimaced as he caught the gist of the conversation. “My father wants to meet his grandson?”

“And your mother is going to be there, and we all know I am her favourite person.” Her sarcasm was heavy.

Techor arrived, and he was escorted in.

She sighed and looked at his haggard face. “Techor, are you all right?”

She sprinted to him and wrapped her arms around him. He held her tight and didn’t crush her but came close. He pressed his face to her neck and inhaled deeply. “Oh, sweet, feeling you all day was the bright point but also fucking frustrating.”

She laughed. “I just woke up. I shouldn’t have been frustrating you too badly.”

“You dreamed, Drin. It was enough to make me numb our link for a while.”

“Oh.” Her dreams had been hot and filled with purring and growling, with pastries playing a prominent role. “Sorry.”

He smiled, touching her chin and running his thumb along her lips. “No need to be sorry. I have to adapt to this situation just as you did.”

Vikor chuckled. “Hey, judge. I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

Ekron spoke, “The pool is out back.”

She stared at Techor in confusion. “Pool? Why would you need a pool?”

“My mother is from Hyreno. I don’t look it, but I can breathe underwater. Don’t worry. I know you can’t.” He smiled. “But I can breathe for you.”

She blinked. “How does that work?”

“Let me show you.”

She glanced at the two on the couch and chair, respectively, and they smiled. She clutched Techor’s hand, and he pulled her through the house while he undid his suit, vest, and shirt with one hand. Stella directed them to the pool, and Techor closed his eyes as he moved his hand through the water. “I do love a saltwater pool.”

He walked to a lounge chair and started draping his clothing over it with neat but speedy movements.

She stared at the colouration of his torso when he removed his shirt. He was blue! With stripes!

She stared when his shoes came off, his socks, and then his trousers. The underwear was the last block to his skin being in glorious lines of blue and black.

Drin watched him turn around, and he chuckled. “Yeah, no one guesses at the blue. Your face says surprised, but your mind says intrigued.”

She bit her lip, and she shrugged. “Sorry. I have just been given an invitation to enjoy myself with four men I trust. Intrigued is how I have been feeling all day.”

“Shortly followed by satisfaction each time.” He smiled and walked toward her. “Today is proving to you that you can trust us.”

Drin nodded as he unbuttoned the shirt she was wearing until it slipped from her shoulders.

He looked her over, and his kind eyes got hard as he looked her over from head to toe. Her wrists were still bruised, and she put her hands over the marks.

“I see you have caught some colour as well.” He touched her wrists delicately. “Ekron?”

“Good idea, missing some grace in the execution.”

He lifted her wrists and kissed each bruise, pulling her against his body until her hips cradled the deep blue erection. The ache in her wrists disappeared at the touch of his lips. She relaxed at the delicate touch. “I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Yes, your nephew. Your mind has a specific vibration for him. Are you telling me to get it over with?”

She chuckled. “No, but we can spend more time another day?”

“Understood. Now, the first thing I need you to know is that I can filter the air out of water for you. You just need to breathe through your mouth, and I will give you oxygen.” He smiled. “I will also be monitoring your mind, so don’t worry. I want to keep you alive and well.”

She smiled. “Let’s practice the breathing.”

He grinned, then sobered and kissed her. Breath pushed into her lungs, and she gasped.

He lifted his head. “You have to keep the seal, Drin. Let’s try again.”

She was up for that.

He laughed when she went up on her toes. She wasn’t close, but he brought his head down the rest of the way. The second attempt was more successful, but she said, “One more time to make sure I have it.”

He grinned, and then, they tried once more, and it was perfect.

He lifted her and carried her down the steps and into the pool. They went to the deep end, and he let her go, then started to frolic around her. He touched her below the surface of the water, and then, he pulled her down, and she held her breath.

His hands were warm, and each caress made her relax until he breathed for her and fitted himself to her. The saltwater made things difficult, but once her slick began to flow, he eased in, and at that point, she was dependent on him. He sank them to the bottom of the pool as he fucked her. He pressed her to the tile, and she dug her fingers into his back; the smooth texture of his skin didn’t allow for a lot of clawing.

Her lungs began to burn, and air became essential. He kissed her, and she got an influx of oxygen, and then, she felt the heat spilling into her. He groaned into her mouth, and she wrapped a leg around his hips.

He spurted and breathed for her for a minute, then tilted her upward and headed for the shallow end. He stood up in the water and pinned her against the wall, thrusting and rubbing her clit with one hand. The kiss went on and on, and soon, she moaned into his mouth as her body clasped his cock with soft pulses.

His lips dragged over hers, and he smiled. “First time underwater is terrifying, huh?”

“Little bit.”

She pressed against him and sighed. “This is nice.”

“If I have to use a comfortable environment to get you satisfaction, I will.”

She grinned. “I like a man with a plan.”

He backed away from the edge, turned, and threw Drin up into the air. She shrieked as she dropped back into the water, and he grabbed for her again. Once again, he threw her through the air, and she splashed down with a thud.

She felt a flicker of pain as she landed wrong.

He rushed to hold her and carried her to the steps, sitting down with her on his lap, and a soft kiss breathed a healing caress through her. She felt her bruises heating, and the elbow that had just caught her falling self was soothed in a cool wave.

He lifted his head. “I can only do that for someone I have affection toward.”

She looked at her wrists and the normal colouration. She flexed her elbow. “So, were you manic or just happy?”

He grinned. “Just happy. Sorry about the elbow.”

“I am a little tired, or my entry to the water would have been slightly more graceful.”

“You were very graceful for a beginner. Klauz has family in Hyreno as well. I think it would be fun to take a vacation to a nearby resort and have you visit my grandparents and his sisters.”

She smiled wistfully. “It sounds nice, but I don’t have that much holiday time, and what I do have, I spend with Vaken. I honestly don’t have any left right now. Oh, but I can work from home.”

He looked at her. “We will see about that. I am finding that my six weeks per year will be empty without you.”

She stared at him. “Six weeks? I start with two and maybe earn another one in a few years. Then, there are the other three, though I am pretty sure Klauz doesn’t take much time off. I really didn’t think this through.”

He chuckled. “We are all finding our way through this. It is new territory. But, we can all satisfy you, keep the hunger at bay. Your education is up to you. We are willing to sponsor any area of study that will let you free up your time.”

She nodded. “Oh, I got the money from the insurance today. I can sponsor my own...” She paused. “I don’t have to work. Vaken’s money is locked in, and this is what Vaka left me.”

She stared off into space. “I think I might not need a job.”

He smoothed a hand down her back. “I think that might be the case. It is up to you, but you have complete control over this. We can help you make a decision, but the final choice is up to you.”

“You know, the more people say that the less I think it is up to me.” She started to shiver. “I think I need to dry off. You are warm, but the water is pulling a lot of heat out of me.”

He nodded and stroked her hair before he went to the shower and rinsed her off with the fresh water. He wrapped her in a towel and then washed the salt off himself. His towel went around his hips, and he lay out on the lounger, coaxing her to lie on top of him. Another towel was draped over her to keep her warm, and he sighed happily. “So, I now owe Vikor a present for contacting me after your court case and not before. An ethics board just went over all contact with you to make sure my decision wasn’t compromised. Thankfully, when they did the scans on my mind, they only found my initial contact with you in the pre-court questioning and the introduction afterward. So, I get to remain a judge, but if you end up in court, I can only be a witness. So, don’t end up in court because I know all the judges.” He chuckled and stroked her hair.

“I am a law-abiding citizen. It was Vikor who broke the court order, and I just didn’t run.”

“But you thought about it.”

“Oh, yeah.”

He laughed. “It is still front and centre in your mind.”

She buried her face against his chest. “Maybe.”

“Did you know that you smell sweet?”

“It was mentioned when I was on a date with someone. We went to the opera, and he whispered it in my ear. Behind the mask, my face was on fire.”

He stroked his hand up and under her towel. “It was a very wise man who noticed that. Handsome, too.”

She chuckled.

“So, you are still unsettled by all of us?”

“Yeah. It’s like being surrounded by predators.”

“No like about it. Even Klauz has a brutal side. He tempers it with work, but he wants to unleash a little. He enjoys doting on you. Well, we all do. When you are happy, we can feel it, and you shine.”

She breathed in deeply until she found herself falling asleep. She jerked awake.

Drin looked up at him, and he looked relaxed and rested. He was also looking at her with amusement in his gaze.

“You want to go to Vikor’s.”

“That is where the clothing is, so that is where I need to be. I have to be at the perimeter by nine in the morning, and I need my sleep. It’s a bit of a drive, and I have to book a car.”

“Why don’t you get Vikor to drive you?”

“Um, he gets a weekend off, just like you and Ekron do. My messy family stuff doesn’t need to dip in.”

“Your messy family is now our messy family.”

She propped her chin on a fist. “You are serious.”

He chuckled. “I am. We are. You will figure it out in time. Ekron wants you dressed in a flattering manner so that you feel confident. Klauz wants you fed so that the insecurity of your hunger doesn’t strike you down. Vikor has always wanted you and is trying to make you content to be with him, and I am keeping an eye on your mental state and your growing connection to the others and myself. You are still wary, but we have all proven that we won’t injure you, and we like you happy. So, next comes settling into life with us. We still have to work out permanent accommodation. None of the places seem to suit us, though this one is very nice.”

Ekron spoke from the shadows, “It is at the consortium’s disposal. I like it, it is nice and quiet. No fans. No stalkers. And no tabloid drones.”

She pushed upright on Techor’s chest. “Stalkers?”

Ekron walked closer, and he grinned. She looked down, and her towel had been worked open with Techor’s handling. Her breasts were on display.

She looked at him. “What is your obsession with my breasts?”

Ekron chuckled and crouched next to them. “No idea, but I find them fascinating.”

She blushed and pressed her forehead to the judge’s chest.

Techor whispered in her ear the reason, and she blinked and looked down at them again. “Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. I do like it.”

He chuckled. “I know. I also know...” He whispered in her ear again, and she squirmed in embarrassment.

“Well, don’t tell anyone that one. It’s embarrassing.”

“But it is a fantasy that is easily fulfilled.”

“Maybe, but it isn’t something that will be done underwater.”

“Being underwater isn’t necessary; it was just a good way of getting privacy with the other two glaring at me for taking their pet away. Taking you in the pool was the only way to not have one of the watching or barging in.”

She checked the time and nodded. “Right.”

He laughed.

Ekron frowned. “Are you on the clock?”

“No, my heads-up display is in my mask. I am just trying to calculate the amount of time to get back to Vikor’s and get some sleep, and then, I have to pick out a non-trampy outfit to meet my nephew at the playpark, and then, it is an hour’s drive from downtown to the park. So, to get five hours of sleep, I need to leave here in an hour.” She groaned. “And I forgot to add in time for breakfast.”

Ekron crouched next to her. “So, stay here, in Vikor’s room. I will sneak in when he’s asleep and spoon with you. You can have breakfast here. Stella’s not in Klauz’s league, but the food is good.”

“I don’t have any clothes here, and I have to be in something subdued for tomorrow. Vikor’s dad is touchy enough without me looking like I cleared out Vikor’s bank account.”

Ekron chuckled and stroked her hair. “This sounds like a topic for our first family meeting.”

Vikor walked out and carefully settled in a lounger. “Someone said family meeting?”

She looked at him, and he grinned. “You were taking too long. So, you have had experience with the watery wonder?”

She blinked.

Techor cuddled her close. “Yes, and surprisingly little panic for being pinned to the bottom of a swimming pool.”

Drin nodded. “Even when you delayed breathing for me for a few extra seconds just so you would be able to see if I lost my shit.”

“It was a test, and I wouldn’t have held you if you struggled, but you just trusted me to get you the oxygen on time. You are so sweet, Drin. You didn’t bite or thrash or anything.”

Vikor contributed, “She saves her biting for above the water.”

Drin nodded. “Otherwise, I gargle.”

She got a message on her com and read it, thudding her head down on Techor’s chest. “My family sucks.”

Techor frowned. “What is it?”

“My sister-in-law said that just because I started dating the master of Hell does not mean I can bring him to the wedding. So, it looks like I am not going to my brother’s wedding.”

The three men around her jolted.

Vikor frowned. “I am fine with not coming with you. Take Ekron. Everyone loves him.”

“They have rescinded my plus one. I can’t bring anyone.”

Ekron shrugged. “You will probably be too busy with the wedding party.”

“Oh, I am not in the wedding party. In theory, it was because of my feeding requirements, but my sister-in-law hates my guts. I was only invited to Hell that day to do the singing challenge so she could get free drinks.” Drin shrugged.

“What about your brother?”

“He does what she says. She’s cheated on him several times, but he keeps coming back.”

Drin brought up her keyboard and sent her retraction of her RSVP to her brother. “There. All settled.”

Techor stroked her head. “And relief is filling you. That’s not a good family relationship.”

“Nope. Never has been. My brother is human, and I was embarrassing.” She pressed her forehead back to Techor’s chest. The cool waves in his mind washed over her.

Vikor’s huge hand wrapped around her waist, and he plucked her up and held her, comforting her. She pressed her lips to his shoulder and inhaled his scent. She was relaxed and aroused in under a minute.

Techor sat up and chuckled. “Well, that settles that. One drag from your body, and she’s calm and slick at the same time.”

Ekron inhaled near her, and he started purring. She started laughing. He shrugged and kept rumbling.

Vikor chuckled. “Seeing her does the same thing to me. Always has.”

She blushed and leaned her head against him.

Ekron grinned. “Now, I am going to dedicate the next ten minutes to convincing the guys to move here for the weekends.”

Vikor snorted. “Why would that work?”

Drin looked at him. “I like it here, and it is closer to Vaken. I just need clothes and you, and I am perfectly comfy here.”

He groaned and sat back down. “Ekron, start talking.”

Drin stroked his chest and listened to Ekron convince him that the move to the edge of the city was a good thing.