Chapter 15: Eldritch

Chapter Fifteen

Eldritch

I wake up with a start in an unfamiliar office that smells exactly like my mate. The memories come rushing back like a river, but they don’t threaten to drown me. There’s a certain disconnect that I don’t have words to explain, but I am grateful for it.

I hit my feet, thankful to see I’m clothed. I’m unsure who took care of that, but if I had to guess, I would say the djinn is responsible.

My cock jolts as Charity’s pleasure radiates in the bond.

It’s not fully formed yet, but I intend to rectify that as soon as I lay eyes upon her. Tossing open the office door, I tilt my head to scent the air.

There are many smells, and still, I have no trouble discerning Charity’s cherry blossom scent. The partially formed link between us could aid in my ability to track her, because I’ve never been inside this building.

At least, not to my knowledge.

It doesn’t matter if I can’t locate her quickly; I’ll stop someone to ask for directions.

I’m unsure of the name for the area where I find Charity and Athos. It’s a small, enclosed viewing room of sorts that’s open at the front and looks down over the theater below.

There are five large chairs, all unoccupied and focused toward the stage below, but Athos has my mate bent over the railing as he fucks into her from behind.

The wyvern isn’t nearly as angry as I would imagine him to be. In our dreams, she informed me that the djinn is another of her mates. I can only assume that my beast recognizes and honors their connection.

Charity whimpers, and even the sounds of sexual debauchery coming from downstairs can’t distract me.

Athos’s head whips up to appraise who’s approaching, but he grins when he sees me.

Charity’s entire body shakes as her hands slide around the railing. Athos pulls her up with a hand on her sternum and nods for me.

I appear in front of her as she writhes around his chest.

“Hello, love,” I murmur, dipping to capture her mouth. She gasps into the kiss, clutching on to my forearms for dear life. My eyes fall shut as I savor her sweet scent in the air.

“Oh my god, Eldritch,” she says, pulling back.

“I’m here, sweet siren, and I’m not going anywhere.” I dive in for another kiss, but this time, I study her beautiful face.

“Again?” Athos still fucks her, even as she leans against my chest. “That’s perfectly fine.” He chuckles. “Come all over my cock while I claim you.” He smirks at me over her shoulder as he tugs the material of her dress to the side.

The wyvern finally rouses, and I can feel my eyes flash with his presence.

There’s no way we don’t claim her too.

Luckily, Athos is on the opposite side from where I’ve bitten her twice in our dreams. I have to crouch a bit to get to her neck.

She sobs and moans, and I strike.

Athos chuckles darkly as Charity gets louder. Her scent explodes in my mind as the universe binds our souls together properly.

My sweet mate is a bit like a lioness as her nails rake down my biceps, but it only makes my cock throb.

A moment later, her head bumps my mouth, and I’m sure it’s Athos claiming her on the other side. My vision goes spotty as I lap at my bite to clean and seal the wound.

Charity must accept him as her mate as well, because he snarls as he finishes inside her. His scent fills the bond next, but it’s not the smell of his cum. It’s his addition to our link.

Charity simply trembles between us, but her contentment is easy enough to decipher in the bond.

Now, I just have to ensure she doesn’t hate me for claiming her when she realizes what I was sent to the human realm to do.

Athos returns us to the courtyard my wyvern knows so well.

I hold on to my mate for dear life. Siphoning throws my system out of whack, and I stumble around like I’ve had too much fae wine.

“I didn’t know if you’d like to go to the nest at Bane’s or if you’d prefer to rest in your bed?” Athos places a hand on my lower back and simultaneously moves to cradle Charity’s shoulder. “You are an enigma. I’ve never seen a human or a fae handle siphoning even half as well as you do.”

“Thanks,” Charity says around a yawn. “It feels weird to invade Bane’s house when he isn’t home.”

“I assure you, he wouldn’t mind,” Athos says. “But I am more familiar with your kitchen. The two of you can settle in while I make us something to eat.”

“Okay,” our mate agrees.

I give the djinn a nod of thanks. He may have the strong urge to cook for her as a way to provide for her, but I also believe he’s giving me some one-on-one time to clear the air.

And fuck, do I ever need it.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to run you a bath?” I ask, trailing my hand over the back of Charity’s head as we lie, facing one another.

“No.” Her cheeks pinken as her eyes fall shut. “This is so strange, but my system wants to keep his scent all over me. I also kinda think his cum might be helping with the cramps and overall crappy feeling that I’ve been battling all day.”

“It isn’t weird. During the quickening, pheromones and semen from your partners can ease the discomfort of your symptoms.”

Her eyes pop open, crinkling at the edges, as she places a hand over my heart. “Do you know how happy I am to have you here?” Her sincerity filters through the bond, taking my breath away.

I bring my free hand up to cup hers. The resonating connection of the matebond makes everything more intense.

“I have to tell you something,” I admit.

The hollow ache in my chest is proof I should have told her before permanently tying her life to mine.

“It doesn’t matter,” she whispers.

“I’m afraid it does.” My eyes fall shut, and I breathe through the pain. “I was sent here to find the heir to the dragon throne. Ordered by my father to watch over my brother’s…” I search for an appropriate word to use in the human realm. “Offspring.” A heavy sigh escapes my lips. “Only, the warlock captured me before I could follow through with my directive.”

“I know,” Charity says, brushing her fingers over my heart.

My eyes pop open, searching for the vitriol and anger that I’m certain is coming.

“Listen,” she says softly. “I know how poorly your family treated you and all about how you were commanded here for a purpose. I just don’t know the specifics. I’d like to believe that, once you knew I was your mate, you wouldn’t have followed through, so please don’t tell me otherwise, even if it’s the truth.”

“Never.” My teeth grind together as my head shakes. “I would never put another child through what I experienced growing up. Before I found Veryn, I had already made up my mind. I intended to stay close by to watch over my nephew and to protect you…”

Violent images of the time I spent with the warlock spill through my mind.

The wyvern becomes agitated, and the yellowy-green glow of his eyes fills the room.

“Shh,” Charity coos, bringing both her hands to cradle my cheeks. “He’s gone, and you’re here with me.”

Clenching my eyes closed, I breathe through the anger. The wyvern tries to fight for control, but I don’t need him to protect me anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper as my eyes open. The room is no longer illuminated by the wyvern’s reptilian eyes.

“I have a child with your brother,” Charity says, her face contorting. “I’m the one who’s sorry. If I had?—”

“Don’t apologize for Veryn.” My fingers dig into her hair as I cradle her skull. “He’s perfect, and unlike Cyril, he’ll grow into an honorable alpha one day.”

“I really have tried to be a good mom.” Her head shakes. “And I appreciate you saying all of that. It’s just tough. Even thinking about it makes my stomach ache. It feels like I should have known he was lying when he said he was my mate.”

Lying about something as sacred as being fated?

All while having Norah waiting in Faere?

It disgusts me on a foundational level.

“No more guilt or sadness.” Using the hand in her hair, I pull her closer. “We’re together now, and that’s all that matters.”

I kiss her, and her lips part for my tongue as she tugs at my arms, pulling me on top of her.

She’s the softest thing I’ve ever had the honor of touching, and I certainly don’t mean physically.

I lose myself to the kiss as she writhes under me, but one thing is clear—Cyril will never take her from me.

I’ve sacrificed enough to our fucked-up family. The universe gave me a gift in the form of Charity and Veryn, and I intend to protect them with my life.