19. Raven

NINETEEN

RAVEN

The weight imprints against my palm, slamming my eyes shut and wobbling the ground beneath my feet. Colors flicker on the back of my eyelids as I open my mouth to gasp, but it lodges in my throat.

My pulse whirls in my ears, leaving me lightheaded as I try to blink my eyes open.

Everything is bright, too bright, and I have to shield my eyes with my free hand as color dances around us, banishing the gray hues that have haunted us for so long.

I see Eldon first, still standing right in front of me, but his gaze is taking in our surroundings. Looking for the others, I find them in the exact spots they were in moments earlier, only the ground beneath their feet isn’t filled with emptiness. It’s rich green grass with perfectly trimmed blades. The smell of lavender engulfs my senses as birds chirping in the distance register in my ears.

Turning, I put my back to the beaming sun so I can see without worrying that my retinas are going to fry. Everything feels the same, yet bursting with color and… happiness.

Shadows swarm us, dancing and twirling against every surface until they disappear from sight.

Confusion and self-doubt overwhelm any hope or faith until I’m suddenly swept off my feet. The arms aren’t familiar and my back stiffens defensively until I hear their voice.

“Raven. Oh, Raven! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

I glance over my shoulder to see Peta holding me tight as he bounces with blissful joy.

“Oh my gosh. I can’t believe it. I can’t,” Marieta bawls, launching herself at Brax, who returns his mother’s embrace just as tightly.

“We did it?” My voice trembles, stunned with disbelief as Peta lowers me to the floor.

“You fucking did it,” Zane corrects, scooping me up in his arms, forcing me to the tips of my toes as he crushes his mouth to mine in a blistering kiss.

The ruby is still in my right palm, but I tug at his hair with my other hand, basking in his delight as my own bursts inside of me.

Marieta isn’t the only one who can’t believe it. I’m still unsure if this is really happening too.

Zane releases me, my lips swollen from his touch. I stumble as I try to look around, but he catches my waist, stopping me from falling. A moment later, Eldon appears in front of me and I nervously hold out the ruby to him. Initially, he starts to shake his head, but he must see the certainty or panic in my eyes because he relents, taking the magical item from my hand.

“Where are we?” I rasp as Brax appears at my side.

If I looked deep enough, I’m certain I would find unshed tears in his eyes, but he quickly blinks it all away as he settles his gaze on me.

“We’re home.”

Turning, I see the same home I’ve visited a few times now, only this time, it’s in full color. Soft yellow covers most surfaces, with white trim around the windows and doors. The wraparound porch sits proudly in a bed of soft oak.

“It’s real? It happened?” I reiterate, locked in a somewhat trance.

“Yeah.”

Excitement buzzes inside me as I take a deep breath, exhaling long and hard as one of the heavy weights on my shoulders melts away.

“What now?” I ask, glancing at Creed, who stares at the house with the same wonder as I do.

He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as he leads me toward the house, which Marieta and Peta are already nearing.

“Now we rest before the world demands your brilliance once more.”

Damp hair clingsto my neck and back and I don’t bother to use my magic to dry it. It somehow makes me feel grounded and present, and I like it. Stepping out of the bathroom in an oversized t-shirt one of the guys offered me, I find myself in a new version of Brax’s bedroom.

When I stepped into the bathroom to take a shower, there was a single bed and childish trinkets everywhere, untouched and still holding memories from when he was younger. Now, a large bed, just like the one back at the academy, sits in the center of the room. Natural light filters in through the window, growing darker with every moment as dusk creeps upon us.

When the sun rises again, we’ll be back on target, refocused, and drenched in the mess that still requires our attention. For now, tonight is ours.

Eldon lounges on the bed with his back against the headboard, crooking his finger for me to come closer as Zane presses a kiss against my temple before slipping into the bathroom. I follow Eldon’s sultry order, sauntering over to him as Creed sits in a navy-blue chair that is now located in the corner by the window. His eyes are closed, but I know he’s not asleep. Not yet at least.

As I crawl up the bed, Eldon parts his legs to accommodate me and I lean back against his chest, basking in the warmth emitting from him as he bands his arms around my body.

“You smell like Heaven,” he murmurs against my ear, making me shiver, and Creed grunts, not bothering to open his eyes.

“She smells like home,” he corrects, and I feel Eldon’s lips curl against my skin as he peppers kisses along my neck.

“That too.”

I feel delirious, finally being in his arms for real. This is no dream, no alternate realm. We’re all here in the flesh. We can’t be separated like that ever again.

Zane steps out of the bathroom with a flourish, steam billowing around him as Creed stands from the chair and wordlessly trades places with him.

“You don’t know how good that feels,” he states, running a towel over his hair as another clings to his hips, offering a spectacular view of his magical V leading down to his even more spectacular length.

It feels euphoric, that’s the best explanation I have, to be here with them in such a mundane scenario. I love it. I love them.

As if sensing my joy, my brain taints the happy moment and my gaze drops to my hands.

“We’re going to have to head back eventually,” I murmur, letting my magic ripple from my fingertips as I run them through my hair, drying the ends.

“We know, but that’s not for us to worry about tonight,” Eldon replies, stroking his hand over my arm.

“How are we even going to get back there?” I ask, and Zane shrugs.

“I don’t know, but that feels like a problem for tomorrow. For tonight, there’s something more important than that for us to handle,” he states, dropping the towel in his hands before letting the one at his waist crumple to the floor too.

My heart races, my eyes widening as I take him in. Eldon’s lips return to my neck, pressing firmer this time as he uses his feet to spread my legs wide.

I gasp, fully aware that I’m not wearing any panties right now, and Zane groans with delight as he gets the perfect view of my pussy. His cock is hard, needy, and demanding as he places his palms and knees on the bed and slowly climbs over the sheets as I had done earlier.

His palms drag over my thighs slowly, no urgency in his moves as he takes his time teasing me. His fingertips stop at the apex of my thighs, a breath away from where I want him most, and the smirk on his face tells me he knows the exact feelings he’s conjuring in me.

I can’t find the words to encourage him, my body begging for him desperately, and he doesn’t disappoint as his tongue presses against my folds, dragging from my entrance to my clit. I moan, unabashed, and instantly panic when I remember Brax’s parents are here somewhere.

Attempting to slam my legs shut, Zane looks up at me with a frown. “Give me my pussy right now, Dove,” he growls, and I shake my head.

“Marieta. Peta,” I stammer, and he shakes his head back at me.

“I soundproofed the room. Besides, they’re in the kitchen with Brax. If you’re nervous about it, then you can try to be quiet, but I’m having this pussy either way.”

Gaping at him, my body trembles, and despite my concern, I let my legs fall open when he pries at them. A devilish grin spreads across his face as he repeats the motion, his tongue making me dance between him and Eldon as ecstasy coats my skin.

Fuck. I can be quiet. I think. But he did say he had soundproofed the room.

Eldon’s hands swipe under my oversized tee, caressing my skin as he teases my hips and works his way to my breasts, feeling their weight in his palms as he nips at my neck.

“Fuck,” I rasp, my vision blurring at their combined touch.

The sound of a door clicking shut freezes me as panic zaps through my veins, and I turn to find Brax leaning against the door, eyes fixed on where his brothers are touching me.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he grunts, making a show of adjusting himself as his eyes meet mine. “In fact, I insist,” he adds with a nod.

Zane takes the opportunity to tease two fingers at my core while lapping at my clit, and I buck up off the bed as he thrusts them deep inside of me. My moan is muted, lodged in my throat as need dances over my skin, illuminating every touch from him and Eldon as Brax’s gaze only adds fuel to the fire.

“Make her come for us, Zane. I want your face painted in her release,” Brax orders, taking control as he usually does, and I shiver with anticipation.

“With pleasure,” he replies, doubling his efforts as he finger fucks me with precision, swirling around in my core as he rakes his teeth over my clit.

Eldon twists my nipples, lapping at my neck as my eyes fall to half mast just in time to see Creed open the bathroom door.

“Fuck. I leave you alone for two minutes and you’ve already got her on the brink of coming,” he grunts, dropping his towel while his onyx eyes remain fixed on mine. He reaches for his cock, tugging slowly at his length as he watches me come apart between his friends. A grunt sounds from Brax and I tilt my face in his direction to find him in the exact same position.

With Brax and Creed’s eyes on me, Zane’s tongue, Eldon’s lips, and both of their fingers, I’m a goner. The climax builds with haste, tingling from my toes all the way through my body as pleasure ripples through me in crashing waves.

My hips buck, my head falling back against Eldon as I moan low and raw while Zane’s movements don’t falter, dragging out every inch of my climax.

“How’s that?” he finally asks, lifting his face from my pussy to reveal glistening lips and remnants on his chin.

Fuck.

I should be embarrassed. Should being the keyword, because, really, that is hot as fuck.

“It looks like she’s ready for more,” Brax replies, his gaze fixating on mine as he grins. “Would you agree?” he asks, but deep down, I know it’s not a question, not a question at all. This is him making it clear his plans aren’t done with yet.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, my core clenching with desire.

The corner of his mouth tips up, but he doesn’t offer an explanation. He just uses his magic to remove the clothes from his body and takes a step toward the bed.

His gaze leaves mine, locking with each of the guys as they hold a silent conversation. They must decide on something, fuck knows what, but they each nod in agreement before Eldon’s hands move to my waist.

“This is for me, Little Bird,” he murmurs, lifting me off the bed slightly, and his cock nudges against my ass, confirming what he means.

Fuck.

“You’re going to want me in here first, though, Dove,” Zane adds, grabbing my thighs and banding them around his waist as he lines his length up with my entrance.

My hands fall to the sheet on either side of Zane’s waist as I cling on for dear life, both excited and nervous for what’s to follow. There’s no warning before he slams his cock deep into my core, making me moan louder than before as my pussy stretches around his girth.

His thrusts don’t pause to offer me a chance at acclimating to him, and a moment later, I feel Eldon’s fingers teasing at my ass, eager to fill me completely.

Gasping, I let them take my weight, focusing on thrusting between them as they both stretch me out in the most blissful way possible. I can barely see straight as I feel the weight shift beneath me, and a cock presses against my lips.

I look up to find Creed peering down at me with his length, eager for more of me. I part my lips, tasting him on my tongue at the same time Eldon’s fingers are replaced with his lubed-dick.

Holy fuck.

Holy fuck. Holy fuck. Holy fuck.

Zane stills, allowing Eldon to take control of the pace between my thighs while Creed fucks my mouth, slamming to the back of my throat in one swift move.

My moans become garbled, and my body stiffens at Eldon filling me so much, but after a few seconds, I melt into him.

One thrust, two thrusts, three.

Eldon.

Zane.

Creed.

One after the other, they dominate me, seeking their own pleasure while showering me with my own. I feel full, fuller than full. It’s on the brink of too much while being perfectly everything I need all at once.

Someone is missing, though.

Forcing my eyes open, I glance at Brax as Creed continues to fuck my mouth.

“I’m here, Shadow. Right where I want to be,” he states, seemingly feeling my urgency to find him too.

I settle once more, grinding my hips along with Zane and Eldon’s thrusts.

“Come for us, Little Bird. Show us how much you’ve missed us,” Eldon murmurs against my ear, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I want to tell him to paint me with his release, fill me with his seed, show me how much they’ve missed me too, but something tells me that order won’t be necessary.

Leaning one hand behind me, I grab on to Eldon’s hair while lifting the other to Creed’s thigh, digging my nails into his skin as he fucks my mouth relentlessly.

Zane presses his thumb against my clit, making me gasp, and I can’t take any more. With his cock filling my core, Eldon’s stretching my tight muscles, and Creed hitting the back of my throat, all while Brax’s gaze burns me, I come apart.

I moan around Creed’s length, succumbing to the pleasure as I explode.

The tang of Creed’s release hits my tongue first, heightening the pleasure running through me as he groans low and deep. Eldon’s moves stutter next, his fingers gripping my waist in a bruising hold as he mutters my name against my ear.

“Fuck, Dove. Fuck,” Zane bites, baring his teeth as his neck flares red and he comes inside of me.

My chest rises and falls harshly as exhaustion clings to me, and I manage to catch a full breath when Creed leans back, releasing his cock from my mouth. The second he does, I feel the warm splutter of cum against my chest and find Brax hovering over me with blazing eyes and desire ticking at his jaw.

I feel raw and emotional, on the verge of tears for some reason, and I can’t explain why. Before I can even try to verbalize anything, Creed, Zane, and Eldon all say my name in sync.

“Raven.” I blink up in a daze, releasing my hold on Eldon and Creed as they continue to speak as one, making my heart stutter.

“Raven Hendrix, I am Zane Denver. I pledge to help with all that I am, all that I could be, and all I wish to be.”

“Raven Hendrix, I am Creed Wylder. I pledge to help with all that I am, all that I could be, and all I wish to be.”

“Raven Hendrix, I am Eldon Rhodes. I pledge to help with all that I am, all that I could be, and all I wish to be.”

Tears prick the back of my eyes, rendering me speechless as I feel their gaze on mine. After a moment, my chest still heaving with every breath, I hear Eldon growl Brax’s name. “Pledge your oath to her,” he insists, and despite the emotion bubbling inside of me, I chuckle as Brax responds.

“I already have.”