Chapter 27

Keir

Having Lillian in my bed all night was the stupidest thing I could've ever condemned myself to.

I didn't sleep.

Not a wink.

How could I when she was so close to me in her most vulnerable state? It was pitch black in my room, but I still managed to see her silhouette lying there, breathing softly, her chest rising and falling at a slow, steady rate.

Even in the dark, I was drawn to her, every fiber of my body wanting to reach over and pull her close to me. I wanted to envelop her with my body and never let go. I wanted to strip us both of our clothes and feel her bare skin against mine, touching every inch of her until I'd mapped it all out. I wanted to spread her legs so I could finally taste her, then fill her with every drop of cum I had.

Relief flooded me when the sun rose, and me with it.

She was still sleeping soundly when I returned from my morning shower. The sheets were at her waist, and her little top had ridden up, leaving the underneath of her breasts in view.

The yearning I felt to lick from her belly button to each of her nipples made my cock hard beneath the towel wrapped around my waist, despite the fact I'd just relieved myself in the shower. I quickly grabbed the clothes I'd forgotten and returned to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

By the time I was out, she was gone, the shape of her body still imprinted into the sheet. I forced the pang in my chest her loss left away, not wanting to start this morning dwelling on the body of the woman who would return to my bed tonight. It was going to be a long day as it was.

Lillian's first trial was tomorrow. She was about to face a fucking Hell Dragon. Alone.

The thought made me sick to my stomach, sweat breaking out on my skin at the prospect of losing her. My imagination ran rampant as images of Lillian dead or dying in my arms flashed through my mind. Her smooth skin was bruised, bloodied, and even burned. I saw the life leaving her body as I was powerless to stop it, and her eyes fluttered shut as she took her last breath.

The sound of glass breaking yanked me from my nightmare-ish daydream. I raced out to the hall toward the source of the commotion.

"Baby, are you okay?" I heard Nicholas ask.

Lilian. Fuck, was she okay?

"I'm al—alright. It slipped from m—my hands. I—I'm not sure what h—happened. It was an accident," she stuttered, her tone making my heart tighten in my chest.

"It's alright, little one," Aiden comforted her. "Let me lift you out of this mess, and we'll get it cleaned up."

"Don't be ridiculous. It's my mess. Hand me a broom," she argued.

When I entered the kitchen, she turned to face me, her expression somber.

"You're not risking hurting yourself, princess," I declared as I stalked to her side, avoiding the glass shards and picking her up bridal style. "They'll clean it up."

"Hey," the twins protested together, but I ignored them.

Lillian's arms instinctively wrapped around my neck to stabilize herself, our faces so close, I could smell the sweet, minty toothpaste on her breath. She looked confused, disturbed, and angry all at the same time, a bewildering mixture of emotions to see all together.

The sound of the twins cleaning the glass from the floor faded behind me as I took her to the living room and placed her on the couch. She didn't object as I took each of her hands in mine, flipping them over to examine them for any signs of injury, then doing the same with her legs and feet.

Thankfully, she was unscathed. I, however, was burning from the inside out as I was forced to remove my fingers from her skin once I'd confirmed she was unharmed.

"Are you alright?" I asked her, worry heavy on each word.

"I—I'm fine," she assured me, and I nodded, turning to head to the kitchen to check on the mess. "Do you really think that's what I'll look like when I die?"

I froze in place, unable to turn back to her or walk away. Fucking hell . She'd seen my thoughts. That's why she dropped the glass dish. It was all my fault. She could've gotten hurt. I was always putting her in precarious situations. When would it end?

I didn't realize I'd been standing silently for so long until I felt her small hand on my arm. She came around to stand in front of me. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to—"

I gathered her hands in mine. "You did nothing wrong. I am the one who should be apologizing. I let my thoughts get away from me. I didn't sleep well last night, and—"

"Because of me? Keir, you need sleep. Maybe I should sleep in my room tonight instead."

"No," I said far too quickly, startling us both.

"Okay then…" she whispered, looking down at our hands.

Lately, it seemed like my body was looking for any excuse to touch her, no matter what my brain thought it wanted. I, too, stared at the place where we were connected, begging my body to release her. I couldn't, though. It was like I was stuck in place, an immovable statue.

I closed my eyes as remnants of this morning's thoughts appeared, and I willed them to leave me alone. I felt her hands squeeze mine, and I opened my eyes to find her emerald green eyes wide with sympathy, looking glassy. A single drop fell down her cheek, and her gaze fell with it.

"Hey…" I brought my fingers under her chin and lifted, forcing her to look at me, then brushed her tear away with the back of my knuckle, grazing her skin so lightly, I almost didn't feel her at all. "That is not going to happen. Do you understand me?" I waited until she nodded, her sniffle tugging at my heart. "You are going to walk out of that cave in one piece and show my father you are not to be underestimated. You are not going to give up. You are not going to be beaten down. You are not going to stop until you have stomped the hope from his eyes yourself, until he realizes he grossly miscalculated his stupid fucking plan to try and take you from us. You. Will. Beat. Him."

Her eyes widened, and her breath stalled for a split second at my loud, passionate words. I was just as stunned myself, unsure where it all came from.

"I meant every damn word, princess," I promised her before she had a chance to start doubting me.

She held my gaze, and I swear, her face was coming closer to mine. Was she moving? Was I moving? I could almost taste her sweet lips on mine. They were so close, close enough that I could claim them right here, right now, and forever mark her body—and her fate—with mine.

The way I would devour her mouth…

The twins gracefully chose that moment to interrupt with breakfast, forcing us to break apart. Nicholas gave me an apologetic glance, but it was fine. This was fate's cruel way of telling me I couldn't have her, that I didn't deserve her.

Despite the hellacious day awaiting us tomorrow, everyone was in decent spirits. Lillian focused hard during her training, and though she never hit 666 ounces exactly, she got within .4 of it.

I felt like a damn watchdog protecting Lillian from the predatory advances of my brothers. It was as if they couldn't keep their hands off her. They were always touching her, kissing her, feeling her up. I refused to admit it was due to jealousy when Nicholas brought it up.

She talked and laughed a lot, sounds I never wanted to go without hearing ever again. She seemed determined to make the best of this day, and while I applauded her for her courage, a small part of me wondered if she was treating it as her last day—a thought that didn't sit well with me.

I tried to get her to open up about it during our last training, but she refused, saying she wanted to enjoy the day and not dwell on things she couldn't control. Her excuse only served to confirm my suspicions.

When I came to fetch her for bed, she was lying between the twins. As usual, I caught them preparing her for their carnal desires. They couldn't fucking put their dicks away for anything.

"Let's go," I prodded Lillian for the third time, growing impatient. I couldn't wait to have her in my room all to myself again—not that anything would actually happen. She was reluctant to leave her bed, which irritated me.

"Keir…" Aiden groaned. "You're such a fucking cockblock."

"It is a bit much. It's only seven o'clock," Nicholas added.

"Then it's a good thing I came for her early. Am I the only one respecting the ‘no sex' rule?"

They snickered, even Lillian.

"Yeah, but it's easier for you since you're not used to getting it every day." Aiden gestured to Lillian with his eyes.

"Fuck you, Aiden," I gritted out, my self-control paper thin now. I was ready to throw her over my shoulder and spank her ass the whole way to my room for making me deal with this shit. Why couldn't she just stop being a brat and listen to me?

"What's the harm, Keir?" Lillian's soft voice called out to me.

I let out a breath so I didn't snap at her. "You need rest. Tomorrow is a big day, a huge day. If you're tired because of them…"

"I'm a big girl," she teased. "Besides, if this is my last nigh—"

"No," I said loudly—too loudly, apparently, given that everyone jumped. Not only did I not want her to say that , but I was also a little hurt she'd want to spend her last night with them instead of me—not that I'd given her much of a reason to choose me, but it still hurt. "Don't you dare finish that sentence." She swallowed the rest of her words and nodded. "Please," I implored her. "Come to bed with me tonight, and tomorrow, you can sleep in your bed like normal. I promise."

I could see the conflict in her eyes. She was battling between her choices: coming with me or staying with them. Did she know if she chose the latter, I'd throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my bed anyway?

She appeared to settle on her decision as she straightened her spine and stood.

Good choice .

Was it a choice? she countered, making me smirk.

Maybe, I thought playfully.

Aiden grabbed her arm before she made it very far and pulled her to stand between his legs as he sat on the edge of the bed. He whispered something that sounded like he loved her and would miss her, which I rolled my eyes at, then pulled her in for a hug and grabbed her ass as he stared at me, mocking me.

"Scream if Keir tries anything, little one," Aiden teased. "He hasn't been laid in ages, so he may attempt an attack on you."

I snarled, but Lillian seemed pleased with the last statement, possibly even relieved.

Lucky for my little brother, she was grabbed by Nicholas, saving him from my wrath.

"Get some good sleep. I'll make sure breakfast is ready for you when you wake up. Any requests?" Nicholas kissed her.

She perked up a bit at his question, which pushed her plump, round ass toward me. The long list of foods she wanted on the table in the morning was drowned out as I thought about how many smacks it would take to turn her pale ass red. My hand would look so spectacular branded across her cheeks.

Nicholas's arms snaked around her waist, and he tightened them enough to pull her off her feet and make her squeal. I ignored the stab in my gut and cleared my throat, signaling that it was time to go.

After giving each of my brother's another quick kiss, she walked in my direction, grabbing some folded clothes from her nightstand. "I'm ready."

She was wearing a robe, and the sides were pulling away from each other enough to reveal too much of her tits. The end of it barely covered her thighs, and I swear to Satan, she wasn't wearing any underwear. When she noticed me staring, she giggled.

For the first time in, well, ever, I felt heat rise to my cheeks. I was embarrassed, but there was no hiding the fact that this woman had just made me blush. Me, the fucking heir to Hell's throne, blushing at a human woman.

She wasn't just any woman, though. She was everything. The women before her were nothing. I'd practically forgotten I'd ever been with anyone else, after seeing her offer herself on our altar, and I'd not been with anyone since. I blamed the strange feelings on her being my destined love, but the more time I spent with her, the more I leaned toward it being more than fate.

The way her hips swung side to side as she walked in front of me made my mouth water and my cock whine. My limited restraint was ready to break, my hands itching to grab her and remind her who she belonged to. It seemed she'd forgotten she wasn't just the twins'. If only she knew about the pull that bonded us and its importance.

She side-eyed me as we got to my door. "I'm going to shower first." She paused. "If that's okay."

I closed the door behind me, almost wishing I was on the other side.

For fucking Satan's sake, of course she wanted to shower in my room. She couldn't have requested this at a worse time. Knowing she would be naked in the other room while no one else was around? That was a recipe for disaster, one I'd been fighting every instinct to avoid.

I turned away from her. "That's fine. It's over there. Towels are hanging on the wall." I half-heartedly pointed toward my bathroom, as if she hadn't been here last night, like she couldn't see the mirror and sink through the cracked door.

I stared at an invisible speck sitting on my bedpost until the door clicked shut. Only then did my body relax. Barely.

The shower turned on, and I picked up a book that had been sitting on my nightstand, desperately needing the distraction. Hell's Portals and Its Mysteries was a book I'd read so many times growing up, Ida had to have a local book conservator fix the binding several times.

I'd read it eight more times since Lillian had come to Hell with us. She was the fucking mystery, though. Fate was a bitch, bringing me the one person I had to have yet would never be able to claim.