Chapter Thirty-Three

Well, this is an unexpected turn of events.

Darian sent me to go collect Abdiel. When we parted ways at the hunting shack that secretly houses the jail cells, he told me he was going up to the clearing to find Drake. We both knew he was there.

I’m not sure how I knew… Darian, sure. They’ve been connected since they were kids. Connected through blood and pain and emotions so deep they’re permanently carved onto their souls.

But me? I just got here.

I don’t even really know what I’m doing. All I know is that I’m infinitely grateful to Darian for his forgiveness, and now I truly see what Abdiel was clamoring about in the woods a few days ago…

He’s a King. The leader of The Principality… And potentially my leader? My Head Priest?

I’ll need to decide. Either I’m staying, or I’m facing whatever consequences come with choosing to leave, which is a terrifying thought now that I’ve seen what normally happens to trespassers on this land.

The thing is, though, it doesn’t really feel like a decision.

It feels like it’s already been decided.

Either way, Darian had one of the patrolmen drive me back. He told me to go get something to eat, get cleaned up and grab Abdiel, then bring him to the clearing.

We have work to do, he said in his mind.

He sounded determined. I’m nervous as much as I am anxious.

I just got done showering and dressing in something acceptable for frolicking in the forest… a light, flowy sweater dress and some boots I borrowed from Gem. It’s the middle of the night by the time I’m going to find Abdiel. I have a backpack ready, filled with items I found in his trailer. Flashlights, batteries, granola bars and water, a blanket, matches.

I hope I got everything… Darian didn’t exactly tell me what we’ll be doing up there, but I know it will be fucked up, because… ya know. That clearing gives me the creeps.

Yet with the three of them, I feel safe. It’s a crazy notion, one that has me greatly questioning my sanity. Feeling safe with three strangers, at least one of whom is a murderous sociopath, and another, his brother/lover, who locked me in a jail cell not twenty-four hours ago.

But after everything I’ve endured over the past two years, I want this crazy. I’m welcoming it. Maybe that’s what facing real evil does to you… It gives you the ability to seek out the light, even when it’s buried within the shades of your comfort.

Drake isn’t evil. I know he’s not. The things he’s doing, he thinks he has to. For Darian, and Abdiel and their family. But it doesn’t need to be that way.

He’s not a monster. We’ve known real monsters, and he couldn’t be more different from them.

Walking up to the Den, I see the patrolmen, recognizing two of them as the guys who put a bag over my head and drove me up to the jail. I gulp down my nerves, expecting them to stop me from going inside.

But to my surprise, they don’t. They simply stare me down, all eyes, the rest of their faces covered by bandanas. They don’t look like they’d want to engage in friendly chitchat with me anytime soon, but at least they’re not stopping me. Darian must have radioed to them…

It’s wild, being in a place without cell phones. They use walkie talkies to communicate with each other, but outside of that, you’re stuck searching for people. Like right now.

If we were Outside, I would just text Abdiel and tell him to get his ass down here. But I can’t do that. I’m left wandering through Darian’s house in search of him. First, I try the room we converged in those two times. But it’s empty.

Walking through these dimly lit halls at night, there’s a log cabin ambiance I really like. Sure, it’s summer, so there’s no fire burning or snow outside the windows, but I can only imagine how beautiful it is in winter.

I’d like to stick around to see it…

Creeping up the stairs, I pass a few bedrooms, all doors closed. I have no clue which one is Darian’s, but I have to assume it’s the one on the end. When I reach it, I decide against knocking, since I don’t want to wake anyone else. It would be difficult explaining to the wives what I’m doing…

I turn the doorknob, and it’s unlocked. Opening the door a crack, I peek inside to find Abdiel, sitting in a large, beautifully upholstered chair by the window. He’s dressed only in sweatpants, his features highlighted by the glow of the moon as it reaches inside to adorn him. His worry is prominent, around his eyes, the creases in his forehead.

I step into the room, and he turns fast, clearly anticipating Darian’s return. There’s no disappointment on his face when he realizes it’s me. Just surprise.

“We have to go,” I tell him softly. His brows zip together. “Darian called a meeting… On the mountain.”

His eyelashes flutter when he’s shocked and confused. It’s adorable. “What…? What kind of meeting? And how are you out?”

“He let me out,” I answer with a calm smile as I walk to him. He stands. “You were right. He’s a great man. Pretty much the best.”

His confusion morphs quickly into elation, eyes brightening with the grin on his full lips. “Pretty much?”

“You guys are all equally awesome.” I take his hands in mine. “Which I think is what the meeting is about. Drake is up at the clearing. Darian wants us all to go. We can take an ATV to get there faster.”

His brow arches. “You know how to drive one?”

I can’t help the scoff that bursts from my lips. “Yea, right. That’s funny.”

He laughs and shakes his head. I go to turn so we can leave, but before I make it, he grasps my face. His lips are on mine quick, a shock so thorough it turns all my limbs into jelly. I whimper into his mouth as he kisses me, just as soft and eager as I remember.

Abdiel has this elegant way of kissing that’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. Our lips dance a tango, sensual and seductive in its steps.

He pulls away, releasing a tender breath as he pulls me into his chest, hand on the back of my head, cradling me to him. “I’m so glad you’re alright. And that you’re here, Rhiannon.”

I nod, locking my arms around his waist and taking in his perfect smell. The smell of someone so inherently selfless, and beautiful down to the core of his person.

Abdiel Harmony is one-of-a-kind perfect.

“I’m here,” I whisper, warmth overcoming me.

Right now, I’m standing in the bedroom of someone I considered an enemy only days ago, who is now something of a guardian. It happened so fast, which is how I know it’s the real deal.

Darian is my leader. And I want to stay.

Regardless of what this all means, my attraction to Abdiel, my odd obsession with Drake, the chemistry between them all, and then me… I really have no idea how it will shake out.

But either way… I’m here.

“Let’s go,” Abdiel says.

He pulls on a shirt and his standard black boots, grabs the backpack for me, and we’re off. Fingers remaining threaded, we leave the Den, passing the patrol on the way out. I can’t help but smirk.

I don’t know what’s about to happen, and theoretically, I could be treading into certain danger.

But sometimes it’s fun to take a walk on the wild side.

darian

The woods guide me. They always have.

This forest is a part of Drake and me, and we’re a part of it. We breathe together, sing together, laugh and cry together. When we rage, the ground rumbles, and when we ache, the rains soothe us.

Being in this clearing brings a different sort of awareness. It still reminds me of when I came here seven years ago. The day after Lars and Jenny were found dead in the ravine beneath it.

I remember that night, after grieving for hours with tear-stained cheeks and red-rimmed eyes, confusion and anger clouding my mind.

I came up here to seek answers.

And I found them. But the thing about searching for the truth is that you always end up finding something you wish you hadn’t.

The forces didn’t show Abdiel the full scope of what happened that night… the night his parents fell from the cliff.

Tonight, they might.

“My jealousy did it,” the familiar voice rumbles at me from the ground as I walk up to the clearing, lantern in hand. “It was my fault.”

Stepping between the trees, I glance down at him where he’s lying, arms out wide at his sides. He’s wearing white linen pants only, his pale skin scattered in occasional black symbols, and scars.

And his eyes are closed while he speaks. “Evil atones.”

Placing the lantern down, I stand over him. “You’ve made many messes over the years, brother.”

His forehead creases in his clear anguish. I don’t enjoy seeing it. For as much as I crave his vulnerable side, I don’t want him to hurt. But with Drake, the hurt is inevitable. Eternal.

“I went to see the girl,” I tell him, pacing around in the clearing.

His eyes spring open, and he turns his head to watch me. “You did?”

“I did.” I nod. “Because after I got to thinking, about her misguided attempts at what she thought was saving people, I realized she reminded me of someone…”

My eyes find his once more, and I see him swallow.

“You’ve done so much for us, Drake,” I continue. “For me. My debt to you is endless…”

“You owe me nothing—”

“It wouldn’t matter anyway,” I growl, coming back to him. “Because I never wanted this. I wanted a partner in you, Drake. Not a henchman.” There is sorrow shining in his eyes, while mine smolder with frustration. “But you couldn’t give that to me, could you?”

He crawls onto his hands and knees, gazing up at me. “I wanted to… But I was afraid.”

“Afraid?” I crouch down to make us eye-level. “Of what?”

He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. It stirs my dick. “Of losing you. Of hurting you…”

“You wouldn’t—”

“Not on purpose, but it would happen. It’s bound to.” He scoots closer. “I’m not good, Darian. I never have been, but since that night, something has lived inside me. Something I can’t control…”

I take his face in my hands. “What I hear you saying, brother, is that I was never enough for you.”

“You always were,” he whispers.

“Then what is it really, Drake?” My tone fizzles in anger, volume rising. “What’s the fucking problem? Because I would have given up everything for you! But you couldn’t bring yourself to do the same!”

The earth beneath us vibrates in a matching fury. Drake’s chest is heaving back and forth as he grabs at the collar of my shirt. “I’m a monster, Darian! Don’t you get that??”

“We’re all monsters!” I roar in his face, pushing him back onto the ground.

I straddle him and hold his throat with my fingers, not tight enough to harm him, but enough that his pupils dilate as he gapes up at me, the winds whipping around us in turmoil.

“You don’t want me.” My voice snaps enough to prove the hurt behind my words. “You left me. That was why I went to Lars. Because you left!”

“I know…” he croaks.

“You packed up and moved out. Like I wasn’t yours. Like we weren’t meant for each other, when you know damn well we always have been. Don’t you?” He’s quiet until I bark again, “Don’t you?!”

“Yes,” he rasps, his fingers digging into the dirt by his sides. “We’re meant for each other.”

“You promised you’d always be mine.” I lean in closer, my face hovering over his. My hands are no longer holding his throat but caressing it. I feel him swallow on my fingertips. “Not just my brother… Mine.”

“Don’t you get it, Darian?” His hands move up onto my thighs. “We’re all yours. I couldn’t let you give it up for me… All of this, everything we’ve made. We built this, Dar. Us, together. And I’ve always been yours, baby. You’re my King.”

A breath leaves me at his words, a warm brush of air sweeping over our flesh.

He’s not being sarcastic or snarky, he’s not hiding me from his true thoughts, or covering up his feelings to keep me from seeing them.

He’s mine. I’m his King.

Always my King, beautiful. His snake eyes call to me, craving me as I hold his jaw and kiss him slowly. We both groan together, hands rushing all over, lips melded, tongues mingling while the trees rock above us. Our movements are instantly frenzied, his fingers ripping my shirt over my head, and mine dragging down his pants.

“I’m in love with you,” I whisper into his mouth while he unzips me, hand slinking inside to feel how hard I am for him. “I never won’t be.”

“I’ve been in love with you since I watched you sleep from across our bedroom,” he confesses, his truths like sugar on my tongue.

“Mmm… creepy.” I grin, and he chuckles, shoving my pants down below my ass, until my cock flops out onto his abs.

“I’m being serious,” he rumbles, though he’s squirming beneath me, arching his back to rub himself on my body. “It didn’t matter that you were my brother, or my best friend. I would have killed for you no matter what, baby. It was written.”

“Always.” I suck on his lip, fisting his inky black hair.

“Infinitely always.” Drake’s hands travel over my skin, a cool contrast to its heat for him.

We’re fire and ice.

Nothing has ever been this clear, and I feel momentarily stupid for never having seen it. The answer was here all along…

Pushing his back into the grass and dirt, I yank his pants off the rest of the way, then rid myself of mine until we’re both naked, shadowed by the darkness of the night, moonlight etching us while we kiss, rich with passion, writhing together in lust and even more love. The need I’ve always had for this man can’t be sated.

But I shall try.

“Fuck me,” he pleads, leaning back to present me his throat.

Trailing my lips down it, I scrape him with my teeth before sucking and biting, giving him marks from his King.

“I have literally nothing to use for lubrication.” I make my way to his chest, licking the lines, sucking his pink nipples between my lips until he cries a soft noise, his long cock flinching between us.

“There’s a bottle in my pocket,” he breathes.

Reaching to his pants, I pull out a small bottle of what looks like oil. Opening it, I’m immediately hit with a floral scent. It’s intoxicating.

“What is this?” I ask, my senses opening up as I continue to sniff.

“It’s an oil I made…” he mumbles, curling a fist around my erection, “From the trumpets.”

My eyes snap to his. “You mean… this…”

He nods, gaze flickering with voracious desire. “It has psychedelic properties, yes.”

“Holy fuck.” My eyes widen, a chuckle of disbelief leaving my mouth. “That’s incredible. I’m totally using this to fuck you.”

He laughs. “Okay, just be careful. That’s all I have. Don’t waste it basting your dick like a Thanksgiving turkey.”

I can’t help but cackle, pouring out a few drops onto my cock while he strokes me. “How fucked up will this make us?”

“I’m really not sure.” He grins, jerking me to spread the oil all over my erection.

I take his chin in my fingers and bring his mouth back to mine, kissing him, lapping and sucking at his mouth in leisurely movements. The surrounding air is calmly erotic, though there’s a buzzing chemistry popping like lightning.

Drake spreads his legs, and I take just a dab more of the oil before putting it away, sliding my slick fingers between the crack of his ass.

I’m already shaking. I’ve never done anything like this with Drake before. I mean, we’ve done a lot, but to my knowledge, nothing has ever gone into his ass. My love for being on the bottom always defined our sex, so I’d never considered that maybe he wanted me to…

“Put your cock in me,” he whines, circling my nipples with his thumbs while we grind our hardened dicks together. “I’ve been fantasizing about this for years.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I ask breathlessly. “Why have you never said anything?”

“I wanted you to figure it out on your own,” he mutters quietly. I pull back enough to give him a look.

“You’re the ultimate stubborn brat, you know that?” I bite his lip hard until he mewls. “Honestly.”

“I love you,” he whispers, looking every bit like the temptation his serpent personifies. Wickedly sinful in every sense.

And my chest is on fire.

“I love you so much,” I mumble, taking my cock in my fist, dragging it down to his ass.

Swirling the crown around on his hole gives me his shivers. “Don’t hold back… Please.”

My balls are aching. “You’ll be the death of me, Serpent.”

With his hands on my ass, trying to pull me into him harder, I have to take a moment, let him sweat it out. For all those times he controlled me with Empyrean, for manipulating me when he didn’t have to…

Wait… Something clicks in my mind.

I blink at him.

“What?” He asks in a desperate whisper, his mind echoing his need.

I can hear his thoughts, plain as day. Stop fucking around and fuck me, Darian. Please… I need it.

Drake, I think. I can hear you.

Yea, no shit, his impatient and irritable thoughts respond.

You haven’t given me Empyrean in like… a long time. It’s been… I literally can’t even remember the last time I had it. Solstice? Earlier??

Drake’s face is still while he shimmers up at me. The corner of his mouth curves.

I shake my head down at him. What else have you been hiding?

This isn’t a secret, baby. I’ve tried telling you, but you wouldn’t listen. He grabs my face in his hands. Your mind’s eye is open, Darian, and it has been for many years. Your Ecdysis happened long ago. You don’t need Empyrean to hear anymore. You don’t need the drugs to see… You’re awake.

My heart jumps inside me. My fingers are trembling as I touch them to his lips. I’m blown away by what I’m hearing. All of his thoughts, everything in his head.

I never needed solitude; I never needed a weekly injection of Empyrean…

My gifts live inside me.

“Well, I would argue that you still needed your solitude,” Drake says. “You definitely needed your weekly dose of me.”

I narrow my gaze at him. “I’m going to eat you alive, snake eyes. You better be careful.”

“Do lions eat snakes?” His grin goes wide.

“I guess we’ll find out.”

My mouth takes his in a kiss that doesn’t stop, not while I hold his waist, aiming my cock into him. I suck his lips as I push, fighting the resistance of his body. He shivers in the grass while I force myself inside him, and finally it breaks.

“Fuck…” he hisses as I nudge my cock into his ass, trying like hell to be gentle, but holy fuck this is amazing.

So tight… so so tight. “You’re strangling my cock,” I growl, thrusting deeper while he whimpers.

“You’ve never fucked before, have you, my King?” He gasps when I hit that spot, the one that makes me soar. I shift to do it again and he cries, digging his fingers into my skin.

“My dick technically went inside Lauris once.” I huff a breathless chuckle, holding his throat while my hips push into him, slowly, pulling back and then pressing deeper.

“That’s a disturbing thought,” he rumbles. Then his eyes roll back in his head. “Good God, fuck me. Your cock is too fucking thick…”

My lips lower to his jaw. “You love it.”

“I do,” he groans as I pump between his legs.

He wraps them around me, our hands all over one another, touching and squeezing and holding while I bottom out, dick so deep in him, his balls are on my pelvis, and it’s the most exquisite thing I’ve ever felt. Shy of him doing it to me, of course.

The sounds of him being fucked into the dirt, his deep voice rasping out more more more… I can’t tell if they’re his thoughts or his actual words, but it doesn’t matter. This is everything I need right now, to soothe my soul.

It’s a balm for the hurt we’ve unintentionally caused each other over the years.

It’s healing. Cathartic.

We’re one, in this moment. The King and his Serpent.

I hold his hands down, threading our fingers in the damp earth while I push and pull, stroking my cock in and out of the tight depths of his body. Our foreheads together, breaths mingling, praises singing like the songs of doves.

I love you, my King.

I love you so much, my Serpent.

It doesn’t take long before Drake’s hoarse, choked words are tumbling from his lips, “You’re making me… come.”

And his long cock pulses out streams of slickness, all over our chests while we rub together, muscles straining and skin sticky from sweat and his orgasm.

I break next, sucking vigorously on his neck as I explode into a mind-numbing climax. Colors zip all around behind my vision. I’m not sure if it’s from the trumpets in this oil on my cock, or if the orgasm is just that spectacular. Probably both.

But either way, I’m free falling into an abyss, surrounded by rippling light and shapes. My loins are racked apart, crumbling like old stones as I cry into my brother’s throat.

When we catch our breaths, clutching one another for dear life, we both turn to the side, our hearts collectively thumping into each other.

It’s here.

The black rock.