Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

~ Princess Blake ~

“ I ’m just saying it’s not fair that I missed seeing the massive birds in action,” Shade complains for the second time as she swallows down her beakful of fruit.

I shake my head at her and spear another piece of cured meat with my fork. Sweet Lady it’s delicious. In fact, all of the food on the table in front of me is mouthwatering. There’s even a dish with apricots, and I’m about ready to worship the pie like it’s a new deity.

After Princess Nerelia was officially crowned as queen, a grand banquet was called in our honor, but my mates and I requested a more private affair. The new queen sits at the head of the dining table with only Mason between us, both of the Perstalian royals in their non-centaur forms. Dante is on my other side, and Alaric, Prince Callan, and Nate sit opposite us.

“Is something wrong, my mate?” Mason asks, resting his large, callused hand on my thigh beneath the table. It takes me a moment to realize he must have noticed me shaking my head.

“Not at all,” I tell him with a smile, watching as Shade sticks her beak back into the flesh of a peach.

“So, what now?” Queen Nerelia asks softly, drawing my attention to her as she swirls her goblet of wine. “You’ve done us a great service. Will you stay and let us show our gratitude? You must be exhausted from all you have endured, and the celebrations will carry on for days.”

“Yesss, time for a vacay,” Shade comments eagerly, her face covered in peach.

“Vacay?” My friend always comes out with the weirdest language.

“Vacation,” she replies, exasperated. “We need to find out more about this Perstalian hospitality.”

I grin. “What we need, is to get home,” I remind her.

She sighs in my head. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

“Because it’s true.”

“Unfortunately, we need to get back home to Seral,” I say aloud to Queen Nerelia, though I’m speaking to Shade as well. “Who knows what the situation is like back there?”

Dante spears an olive with his fork. “Yes, I can’t imagine King Dalton is happy about his daughter’s disappearance.”

“I understand,” Queen Nerelia replies, not hiding her disappointment. Placing her goblet down, she turns to Mason. “And you, my brother. I presume you’re going with her?”

My heart stutters, and I nearly choke on my latest mouthful. My new mate and I haven’t had a chance to discuss what he plans to do now that King Celzar is out of the picture, and the Perstalians and rebels are free once again.

Like he can sense my stress, Mason’s hand tightens reassuringly on my thigh. “I must go with my mate. She helped save us, and now I must help her and demonkind.”

Queen Nerelia nods, and while there’s sadness in her eyes, she smiles, and it’s obvious she’s happy for her brother.

“But I will return,” he assures her. “While we are free from Celzar’s rule, the Perstalians are still confined below ground, in a world we didn’t choose. I will search for a way for us to return to the sun.”

Guilt twists inside me. I want to offer for the Perstalians to come to Seral. To say they can live amongst the demons, but that’s not a decision to be made lightly. There’s no telling if the witches have further infiltrated Seral City, and until I’m queen of the demon realm, times are uncertain. “We’ll figure something out,” I tell Queen Nerelia, and I bump Mason’s shoulder with my own. “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of him.”

Queen Nerelia’s lips quirk up. “Of that, I have no doubt,” she replies, her eyes sparkling. Still smiling, she lifts from her chair. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some rest. It’s been an… exciting day, and I’m sure tomorrow will also be eventful.”

She gives Mason one last look, and we all dip our heads respectfully as she leaves the room.

The moment she’s gone, Nate blows out a breath and relaxes in his chair. “So, when are we plannin’ to leave?” he asks, shoving three olives into his mouth at once, and then wrinkling his nose as he swallows them down.

Grinning, I say, “Tomorrow.” But then I frown, turning to Mason. “Is that possible?”

My centaur mate nods. “Now that we’re in possession of Celzar’s ring, I can create a portal to the surface whenever I wish.”

Relief trickles through me. “Good,” I say, and I grab a large piece of the apricot pie that’s sitting in front of me. It doesn’t quite have the same flavor as the apricots from outside Dante’s clan house, but it’s still delicious, and I finish it within seconds. I’m busy licking my fingers when I notice my mates are all staring at me. Ignoring them, I eye the pie, wondering whether I can fit in another piece. After the whole ordeal with King Clezar, it was like I hadn’t eaten in days, but the food I’ve already consumed tonight is starting to settle in my stomach.

“Apricots?” Dante questions, a slow sensual smile pulling across his face.

“What can I say? They’re my favorite fruit.” Grinning, I lick the jam off my bottom lip, and Dante’s eyes heat as he watches me. “That is, they’re my favorite, for now,” I add.

Now that I know there’s no chance of me accidentally killing my mates, I have no reason to hold back. No reason not to take what’s mine, and I enjoy the attention as all of my mates fixate on me.

Mason’s hand slides up my thigh, and Dante leans closer, reaching over to turn my head toward him. “For now, or for always?”

I hesitate, my breathing becoming shallow, and Shade makes a whistling sound in my head.

“Whoa, that must be one good apricot pie. I need to get me some of that,” she comments.

“What?” I manage.

“Don’t worry, girl, I get the hint. I’ll meet you back in our room when you’re done.” Without waiting for me to respond, she launches into the air, swooping down to snatch up a small section of pie. Then she flies from the room, squeezing through the gap in the door.

I think about Dante’s question as I watch her go. For now, or for always? Opening my mouth, I’m about to tell Dante that as my mate, he’ll always be at least one of my favorites, but when I turn back to him, I find his chair is empty.

Right. Because he can turn invisible again. My gaze sweeps across the room, trying to find him though I know it’s impossible, and I let out a surprised noise when my chair tips back, and I’m dragged a few paces away from Mason and the table. When all four chair legs are back on the ground, I feel Dante’s warm breath by my ear as his tail wraps around my right leg, tying me to the chair.

“How long do you think it’ll be before one of your other mates intervenes?” Dante whispers, his lips pressing to my neck. His invisible hand slides up my left thigh, and I guess that he must be kneeling beside my chair. Going by the way the other four are all staring at me, their food forgotten, I’m guessing they’ve heard what he said. My body heats as my demon moves his hand, my skin prickling with awareness as he slides his fingers up under my dress.

“What are you—” I start, but my words die off as he pulls my panties to the side, stroking a single finger along my center. I suck in a sharp breath, desire ripping through me as he slides his finger up and down my wetness slowly, teasing my clit and then moving down again.

“I think we should make up for lost time, don’t you, princess?” Dante drawls against my neck as he touches me, his movements painfully slow, and I shudder as his breath puffs on my skin. “There’s nothing to hold you back now.”

His words aren’t entirely true. Neither Alaric nor Prince Callan have said anything about changing their minds and being willing to bond, but when it comes to simply enjoying my mates without killing them…well, my demon is right. Nate’s slitted gaze fixes on my flush face, his grip on his fork tightening to the point the steel utensil bends.

But it’s Mason who comes over to kneel on my other side first. We’d all explained our powers earlier, including Dante’s gift of invisibility, and the male doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by it.

“I, for one, have no reason to wait, my mate,” Mason murmurs, turning my head to him and claiming my mouth. His lips are soft and warm, and when his tongue explores into my mouth, I respond, enjoying the taste of him.

“That’s two,” Dante whispers, and like he’s rewarding me, he pushes a single finger inside me before pulling it back out.

I whimper, wanting more, and across the table, Nate’s fingers morph into claws as his expression turns predatory. “Like fuck if they’re the only ones who get to have you,” my shifter complains, his voice deepening like he’s struggling to keep from changing into his jaguar form. Climbing over the table, he stalks toward me and drops to his knees in front of my chair. The moment Mason releases my lips, Nate turns my face to him, demanding his own kiss. I still have this feeling that Nate is hiding something from me, but that doesn’t stop me now. Even if he’s only after some fun, I’m more than willing.

“Three,” Dante rasps, and this time he forces two fingers inside me, sliding them in deep. He pumps his fingers a few times before pulling them back out, teasing my entrance. I moan into Nate’s mouth, and he growls, his chest rumbling.

My eyes are shut, so I don’t see Prince Callan move. Not until a rush of air fans my body, the cool air pleasant against my hot skin. He pulls my chair back a little, and the prince’s finger slides down the edge of my right wing. “F-fuck, what are you doing?” I gasp, pulling my lips from Nate’s as I writhe at the sensation of him touching me like that. Because I had no idea my wings could feel that good. It’s almost like there’s a direct connection from my wings to between my legs, and merciful fates I can’t tell if the sensation is torture or pure pleasure. Prince Callan chuckles darkly from behind me as his fingers slide through my feathers, pressing on the sensitive membrane of my wings, and my body coils at the rich sound of his laugh. There’s no ice or reluctance, but only pleasure now as the archangel touches me.

“Four,” Dante says, sounding almost as tortured as I feel, as he pushes three fingers inside me and slowly fucks me with them. Mason slides his hand under my dress, massaging my clit, and it’s all too much. Too much sensation. Too much of them, and yet, I writhe, wanting more. Squirming, I pant in my chair, and all five of us stare at where Alaric is standing on the other side of the table. His face is tight, his brows pulled low, and the male almost looks like he's in pain. “I can’t, Enchantress,” he mutters, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

Dante doesn’t stop, continuing to move his fingers in and out of me. Nate kisses along my neck while Mason teases my clit, and Prince Callan continues to play with my wings, torturing me. But I don’t tear my eyes from Alaric. My other mate.

“We should bond,” I tell him through gasping breaths. “If we bond, we’ll all be stronger.”

Indecision flickers on the assassin’s face, but his hands remain clenched at his sides. And when he doesn’t come for me, the disappointment stings. I can still picture his face as he held me, telling me to fight and stay alive, and yet here we are. Still apart.

“There will be time to convince him when we’re back in Seral,” Dante murmurs reassuringly, his tail tightening around my leg.

“Fuck him,” Nate says. Using his claws, he cuts down the front of my dress, and Dante and Mason move their hands away as the fabric falls from me, exposing me to the cool air. Nate tears his own clothes off next, and I’m distracted as my gaze slides over the perfect specimen before me, and the extremely large cock between his legs. Holy Lady. I’d forgotten how big it is, and I would be terrified if I wasn’t already so sensitive, aching for more.

Mason squeezes my right breast, his mouth teasing my nipple as Prince Callan keeps playing with my wings, stroking and touching. Dante is the one playing with my clit now, and I moan as his fingers roll over the sensitive nub, teasing and torturing me. For a moment, Nate stays where he is, his eyes hooded as he drinks me in, enjoying the sight of me. Reaching down, he fists the base of his cock and begins stroking himself as he watches me, and as Dante’s fingers push inside me again, I shatter, gasping as I fall over the edge. My mates don’t take their hands off me, and the orgasm is barely over when Nate prowls forward.

“Fuck me, shifter,” I tell him, wanting more. I’m still so sensitive from all the teasing, and I’m relieved when he gives me a feral grin, desire swirling in his eyes. Dante’s tail loosens on my leg as Nate slides my ass to the edge of the chair, and then my shifter leans back, sitting on his heels, and pulls me from the chair onto him.

Nate positions me, and I gasp as he pushes his cock in a few inches before pausing, giving me time to stretch for him. And then he slides his cock in the rest of the way. Merciful Fates. I reach forward, digging my nails deep into his shoulders, needing something to hold onto, and his chest rumbles with approval making my pussy vibrate. I feel so fucking full, and when his hands tighten on my ass and he slowly starts bouncing me on his cock, pleasure rolls through me.

Mason kneels on my right side, his hands finding my breasts again as he teases and pinches my sensitive nipples, and I whimper. My core clenches, and Nate curses, moving me faster as he peers down, watching his cock pump in and out of me.

“How can it feel this good?” he rasps, his voice ragged.

I claw at him, almost like I’m holding on for dear life, and Nate removes one hand from my ass, sliding it down between my breasts toward my belly.

“That’s because she’s our mate,” Dante drawls, and he says it with such certainty that my heart hurts. My demon crouches on my left, and his tail moves between my legs, teasing my clit as Nate fucks me. “Knew you would take it like a good little princess,” he says, but his voice is strained. I turn my head, kissing the demon and clamping my teeth onto his lip, drawing blood before letting go. He chuckles, licking his lip and tasting his own blood. He’s naked now, all bronze skin and defined muscles, and I reach down, grabbing hold of his hard cock. Wrapping my hand around the base, I start stroking him, and Dante groans.

“Fuck, Blake, I can’t stop—” Nate rasps as he thrusts into me again.

I think he’s trying to warn me that he’s going to come, but then his cock fucking explodes. No, not explodes, but spines erupt on his cock, and a rush of pain shoots through me at the unexpected sensation. I cry out, and Nate curses as he stops moving immediately, panting as he holds me still.

“What the fuck just happened?” Dante asks, his voice suddenly serious.

“My barbs,” Nate explains, his face strained as spotted fur sprouts on his shoulders. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

Mason frowns, concern filling his features. “Will it hurt our mate?”

Nate blows out a worried breath. “Hard to say. I’ve never been with a demon before.”

Dante looks like he wants to pull me off Nate, but I shake my head, wiggling in Nate’s hold. “It’s okay,” I say slowly, my breathing still labored. “I can take it.” When I’d first met my mates, I was sure Lady Fate had made a mistake matching us. That I was somehow being punished. But now, I’m starting to think that just maybe, she wasn’t wrong after all. And if that’s true, then it makes sense that being with my mates shouldn’t be an issue. Not even if one of my mates has a massive, barbed penis.

“Gorgeous, you don’t have to—” Nate begins, looking unsure, but a smile forms on my face as I wiggle a little more, and the sensation of those spines turns from pain to pleasure.

“Fuck me, shifter,” I tell him. “Don’t hold back.” Because I need this. Fuck, I need him. “And if all goes wrong, I have my power now, so at least I know I’ll heal quickly,” I reassure him.

Nate raises his brows, but he starts moving slowly, cautiously, as he tests me, all while watching my face. Now that the pain is gone, all I feel is an intense pleasure as those spines stretch me, and when I moan, throwing my head back, the uncertainty leaves his expression. A lopsided smile crawls onto his face, and when he thrusts into me, I feel like I’m unraveling in his arms. Realizing that he’s not hurting me, the shifter doesn’t hold back. He picks up speed until he’s fucking into me hard and fast, his hands gripping my ass tightly.

The next time I look at Nate, he’s staring at me with complete awe on his face, and I swear my heart nearly stops in that moment. “You really are mine, aren’t you gorgeous?” he growls low, and I swallow, unable to find the words to respond.

Reaching to the sides, I grab Dante’s cock again, and this time, I grab Mason’s as well. I stroke the pair of them as Nate fucks me, slamming into me hard, his hands holding me tightly, and when Prince Callan comes up behind me again, his hands stroking along my wings, the orgasm rips through me. It’s even more forceful than the last one, and stars burst behind my eyes as tingles race along my skin. Nate growls, his face strained as his muscles tighten, and he finds his own release, spilling into me.

I continue to stroke Mason and Dante, and they come soon after, their muscles bunching as they find their own release.

Nate holds me as my body shudders, his chest heaving, and when I sag in his arms, he looks at me with a bewildered expression. “I lost control,” he admits softly. “That’s never happened before. Not since I learned how to control my animal side.”

I fight to catch my breath, grinning at him. “Well, let’s hope next time you can do it on purpose.” His cock is still inside me, but I’m surprised that I miss the sensation of his spines. Leaning forward, he brushes a strand of sweaty hair away from my eyes, and his touch is gentle as his slitted gaze roams over my face. “Next time…” He trails off, and I get the feeling he’s testing out how the words sound in his mouth. I wonder if it’s because he’s not used to being with a single female for a longer period of time. In any case, I try not to read into it.

“Yes,” I say slowly. “You’re my fated mate, and now that King Celzar isn’t trying to kill us, I expect a whole lot more of,” I circle my finger in his general direction and grin, “this.” I don’t explain how I’m no longer worried that I’ll accidentally kill him. Telling him that would open up a whole can of worms about Kai and Dante, and the unknown deadly power in Seral, and I feel too good to let myself think about that right now.

There’s a flicker of something in the shifter’s eyes. Indecision, maybe? I can’t tell, but the expression is gone a second later when he winks. “Whenever you wish, gorgeous.”

When I’ve stopped shuddering, Nate lifts me off him and sets me on my feet. His hands are still gripping my waist, but I step from him and walk to where Prince Callan is standing.

My archangel remains dressed, and his eyes darken as he watches me approach. I still feel uncertain about him. I mean, the guy has been a giant asshole since he found out we are mates, but the moment I’m close enough, he reaches out, his hands sliding behind my back as he kisses me deeply, drowning me in him. His lips are cool, soft, and perfect, and my arms wind around his neck as he kisses me like I’m his…everything.

When he pulls back, I’m panting again, and I peer into his eyes. “Never again,” he whispers, almost like it’s a promise to himself.

“What?”

“I’ll never let you come that close to death again,” he says, and his words are filled with such conviction that I have no choice but to believe him. I squirm, not used to being treated like…well, like my death would matter. I mean, sure, I always knew Dad would be disappointed if I failed one of his tests and died, but that’s because it’d make him look bad. Right now, Prince Callan is speaking like he simply…cares.

“What’s changed, Callan?” I ask, wondering how the archangel in front of me, can seem so different to the prince I first met.

His gaze lingers on my lips. “Everything,” he murmurs, and then his expression changes, that cold edge making its way back into his eyes. “And also, nothing.”

I frown, feeling more confused than ever. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He sighs, and I can’t be certain, but I’m pretty sure his gaze finds Nate before settling back on my face. “Let’s get you home, Blake. And then I will explain.”

A part of me wants to demand that he tells me now, but we’ve been through so much, and despite the surge of desire that sizzles inside me, I yawn, exhaustion pulling at my limbs. Mason scoops me into his arms, pressing me against his hard chest.

“I can walk, you know,” I remind him. And fly, but I didn’t point that out.

He only grips me tighter, his callused hands not letting me go. “You will need to learn to let us treasure you, my mate,” he replies.

I roll my eyes, admittedly probably because I’m not used to this kind of attention, but I don’t fight him. Partly, because it feels too damn good to be pressed against him, and partly, because I get the feeling he needs this. Prince Callan, Nate, and Dante follow behind, and before we exit the room, I scan the dining hall. “Alaric?” I ask, but the assassin isn’t there.