38. Kami

38

Kami

I can't stop staring at Malkar. I know we had earthshattering sex, but it's a little hazy. I also know I had sex with him and Crash. Talk about firsts.

Yet for all it feels like it happened to someone else, my body is still so, so happy with the guys.

It's hours after we escaped from the nymph death pub.

Apparently, we have the barkeep to thank for still being alive. He must have felt some affection for one of his kind because he warned Oz about what to expect—sex with nymphs who get pregnant then let their babies feed on the babies' daddies.

Yeah, I was getting my brains screwed out while people were dying.

How is it I'm in the worst position of my life yet knowing such pleasure and intimacy with virtual strangers?

Except… Before, I felt affection for Oz and Ries. But now I blush whenever Malkar turns that knowing look my way, or when Crash eyes me as if he's staring at me like I'm naked .

But there's still that anger, that sense Crash doesn't like me.

Right now, I don't care. Those orgasms relieved the building tension that's been growing inside me for months.

The sex was only physical. Feelings didn't suddenly develop between me and Malkar or me and Crash or anything.

But we're closer than before.

It's so odd.

"Are you taller?" Oz asks.

I glance at him and see him staring at Malkar.

"Probably. Kami fed me really, really well." He sighs and puts his hands over his flat belly.

We're all sitting around a fire out by the lake we came upon. We see other fires in the distance, other groups apparently resting as well.

Ries blinks. "What kind of demon grows taller from sex? Incubus and succubus types just get stronger."

"So you're an expert on all things demonic?" Malkar asks, his tone lazy.

He seems much more mellow since our time at the death pub. Apparently, I sexed him up pretty good. Wish I could remember it in detail.

Crash's eyes narrow on Malkar as well. "Why do I remember you having a tail?"

We all look at Malkar, who smiles. "Who knows why you think anything you do? I'm just impressed you can. Think, that is."

Ries chuckles. I can't help smiling, and even Oz grins.

Crash swears. "I'll figure it out."

"I know you will, pet." Malkar sighs. "I need a nap."

Ries nods. "Good sex will knock you on your ass. And Kami's great at it. "

I blush. Not bad for a novice. That or the guys are just desperate.

Ries adds, "She's our glue, keeping us together."

Unlike most regulars who have a real problem with multiples in a union or with sex, most fae accept groups of three or more. Our kind supposedly came from a world where the ratio of females to males is far less than humankind.

Here, surrounded by so many different kinds of people still influenced by ethereal and human mores, sexual congress can be interpreted in many ways.

In one of the towns I passed through years ago, they would stone a woman if she knew a man intimately before marriage. Of course, that place was populated by regulars trying to return to humanity.

I'm biased, I know. I prefer fae and monsters to regulars. And don't ever let me get near a Pure. Those with 100% human backgrounds are the cruelest I've ever encountered. One of them destroyed my mother and my entire town.

Ries is looking at me with kindness, and I see approval there. But then, mermen have an especially easy view of sex since they need it more than most other species.

"I am pretty good," I brag with good humor.

To my pleased surprise, every one of the guys, even Crash, nod in agreement.

Feeling better about life in general despite these stupid trials, I settle in next to Malkar. "How much longer do you think we'll have with these trials?"

"Who knows?" He sighs and closes his eyes.

Oz shrugs. "I don't think time is working the way it should in the arena."

"We're still in the arena?" Ries asks with a frown. "Because I don't sense as much water surrounding us."

"Yes and no." Oz links his hands behind his head, his back against a large boulder across from me. "We were walked into the arena, which sits on Lake Divine. But they use the lake's magic to fuel this nightmare death match."

"By my count, we've already been here a few days." Crash frowns.

"That's what it feels like," Oz agrees. "But time is different down here. From what I know, the Radiant Trials take place as long as they need to, until all the killing is over and the proper ceremonies held. At some point they'll march the sacrifices—because that's what we are—into the arena. Then they'll watch us fight."

"But we've been down here fighting already," I say.

"Exactly. They're thinning us out, making sure only the strongest put on a good show. But all the deaths are still offered to Beyrthnel. So we're strengthening him even though we don't mean to."

"I hate this stupid war god," I mutter.

"Preach," Ries says.

Crash nods.

Malkar grins. "Yes, but his battle to overtake our world will be glorious."

We all glance at him, but he's starting to drift off, his eyes closed, his breathing deepening.

"So much mayhem, blood, and torture." He sighs and shifts to lie flat on the ground.

"His dreams are so much different than mine," Crash mutters. "I'll take first watch."

"You sure?" Oz asks.

"Yeah. I'm pretty awake now. Full of energy thanks to…" He flushes. "I'm good."

"Wake me in a few hours or if you get tired." Oz moves around the fire and scoots Ries out of the way, so that the orc is next to me, with Malkar on my other side .

"Fine, be a dick." Ries shoots Oz a gesture he ignores.

But the banter is soft, not threatening, and I feel like our group really is growing closer.

I like thinking that we're making our own weird little family, even if I know I'm the only one feeling this closeness.

But I need something to believe it, even if it's just for a little while.

I close my eyes and feel Oz cuddle up behind me. A blurred form moves around the fire. Ries sandwiches Oz between us, not touching but close.

Just to be extra safe, I shoot out a plea to the surrounding trees to let me know if anything comes close.

Nothing feels normal to me, though I feel a nearby rootlet peek through the grass and twine around my ankle.

Please don't be some version of a tree man.

I wiggle my ankle. Nothing happens, but the sapling sighs and strokes my skin with acceptance. With love for my affinity for its kind.

Surrounded by my team and this tiny ally, I let myself fall asleep.

And dream.