Keystone

by Chloe Adler

  My bare back?

  My eyes fling open. The five of us are suspended in midair. I can’t turn my head since Arch is kneeling over me, fucking my mouth, but I can see enough of my surroundings to know we’re no longer on the table.

  Whoever is between my legs inserts his cock, pumping at an exquisite pace and taking me over the edge.

  “Oh God, Amaya,” Arch moans as the head of his dick swells in my mouth a moment before orgasm.

  The other three men are groaning too, pushing faster into my hands and the one between my legs buries himself balls deep inside my hungry cunt.

  The intensity of our collective orgasm builds and we begin to spin like a top. I screw my eyes shut just as my own climax tears through the fabric of my central nervous system, igniting my soul and causing all of my men to climax with me.

  The rush of energy whirls us together in a tornado plummeting through space. Before I can even recover from the orgasm, we all slam down, hard, on a cool bed of grass.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The five us lay on the damp grass, moaning in a naked heap. The sun is dipping below the horizon, the sky a beautiful shade of burnt orange and magenta. Sunset, shit, we’re almost out of time. I’m lying on top of Forrest and Cedar, arms and legs akimbo. Bodhi and Arch are half on top of me. I push the guys off and roll up to stand. “We did it, we’re in Tara.”

  “Not only that,” says Bodhi, “we were levitating—”

  Arch leaps up. “—which means our powers must be back.”

  He throws his arms around me, pulling me in for a tight embrace before I realize where we are. I push him away.

  “We’ve gotta run, now.”

  I take off for the forest and the men scramble to follow.

  Cold water seeps over my bare feet. “Faster!” I yell and Arch passes me, scooping me up in his arms as he does so, like I’m a football.

  By the time we all reach the tree line, the water is up to our waists. Arch slams hard into the barrier, shakes his head and chucks me over. Then they all leap the invisible wall, panting on the other side, and the water rushes in. For once, I’m standing on the right side of this aquarium.

  Hands wrap around me and pull me tight, one man on either side.

  “What the hell was that?” asks Forrest.

  I peer up at him. “I thought you’d know.”

  “Well I know it was the Water Meadow but . . .” He raises his white brows at Cedar.

  “The Water Meadow never behaved that way before,” says Cedar.

  Forrest shakes his mane. “It only fills up a few inches.”

  “Not since Azotar, I guess.” I shrug. “It’s been doing that every single time I’ve come here, and more often than not, I drown in it.”

  “You poor thing.” Bodhi puts an arm around me. “I wish we could choose where we arrived.”

  “Maybe next time,” I agree. “But now the sun’s almost set and we have to get to the monolith.”

  “Why don’t we get Capatani and Zuri to come with, while we’re here?” asks Cedar.

  At least someone is thinking straight. The sky darkens overhead.

  “Talk to me about what?” Zuri flies out of a tree. The men let go of me and she lands on Cedar’s shoulder.

  “About Azotar,” Cedar says.

  “Is it time?” Zuri asks, then she pecks Cedar on the cheek. “Lovely to see you all.” She smiles at each of the warlocks.

  “And a pleasure to see you too, Zuri,” says Forrest.

  They each blow her a kiss.

  “Why are you all naked?” Zuri eyes the men up and down like they’re popsicles. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  I groan. “It’s a long story. Do you have anything we can use to cover ourselves?”

  Zuri giggles. “If I did, I wouldn’t give them to you.”

  “Zuri.” I put my hands on my hips. “Really?”

  “Fine. We have some clean bed sheets you can all tie around your lovely bits,” she points to a small basket hanging in the tree, overflowing with small pieces of colored fabric.

  Bodhi raids it and hands us each a scrap of fabric.

  Once we’re all properly covered, Arch asks, “Where’s Capatani?”

  “All the dryads are by their loke tree. Do you want me to get her?” Zuri flies off Cedar’s shoulder and buzzes around Forrest.

  “It’s not far, we’ll walk there.” Forrest makes eyes contact with both of us and we nod, walking behind him.

  Cedar reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “You okay?” he whispers.

  “Yeah. I think so but . . . how do we get Sabin here? We can’t do this without him, even if we gather the other four leaders.”

  “Bodhi will bring him over. We’ll figure this out.” Cedar rubs the back of my knuckles with his thumb.

  “I hope you’re right.” I drop my gaze to our hands, intertwined.

  “Let’s give it some time, and if he’s not here by the time everyone else is ready, they’ll just have to wait while you go back and get him.”

  I ball my free hand into a fist and clench my teeth. Cedar’s right, I have to trust that this is going to work. We’ve come too far. The five of us stride through the forest together with Zuri flying fast to keep up.

  When we reach our destination, the dryads rush toward us but it’s obvious they’re happier to see Cedar, Bodhi, Arch and Forrest than me. After a few minutes of excited questions, the men stand aside and motion to me. The excitement dies down and the wingless dryads stand at attention.

  Capatani takes a step forward, folding her arms across her chest. “I know what you want and I’m willing to comply.”

  “Thank you.” I glance at Zuri, who nods and pulls a mini conch around her neck and blows into it.

  Several minutes later Japheth appears and Cedar helps me up and then climbs in front of me. Forrest hoists himself up behind.

  “Where are you going?” asks Arch. “Bodhi and I will meet you there.”

  “The Lake of Tales. It’s where Oceane will meet us, and Azotar already knows to set the monolith down at the site. Bodhi?”

  “Yes?” He strides over.

  “You’ll get Sabin?”

  “We won’t show up without him.” He blows me a kiss. “Have faith in us. I won’t let you down.”

  When he says it like that, it’s easy to let go of my worry and need to control every aspect of this situation. It’s time to trust.

  Forrest leans down and Capatani crawls into his hand. Zuri flies in front of Cedar, nestling between him and the abada’s green mane.

  “Everyone comfortable and holding on?” Cedar asks.

  “I am,” Zuri giggles from Cedar’s crotch.

  “We’re fine back here,” says Forrest.

  Cedar’s hand reaches back and he pats my thigh. “Amaya?”

  “All good.” I wrap my arms around Cedar and lean back into Forrest.

  Cedar keeps his hand on my thigh, leans forward and whispers into the abada’s ear. A second later, the mermaid-looking horse creature takes off, whipping the wind through my hair.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  When we reach the Lake of Tales, Zuri flies off and Cedar hops down to help me dismount. Japheth is larger than an Earth horse, so I appreciate the help. Forrest climbs down with Capatani on his shoulder.

  We search the sky but the monolith is nowhere in sight, though two full moons are hanging low in the sky. “How are we going to find Azotar? Where are we going to find Azotar?”

  Zuri flies up to Japheth’s ear and whispers something, then back to us. “We’ll go and bring it back.” She returns to the abada, sits behind his neck and nestles herself in his mane. The horse creature looks to Cedar, who nods, and wings burst from Japheth’s back.

  We watch him take off into the sky, Zuri too small to see.

  “I’ll be right back. I have to call Oceane,” I say.

  “Do you have to go far?” Forrest steps up to me and we’re face-to-face. He wraps steel arms around my frame, hold
ing me in place.

  Cedar grabs me from behind, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Do whatever you need to. We’ll be here.”

  I bounce on my tiptoes, leaning forward to kiss Forrest. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Forrest growls, pulling me in to deepen the kiss.

  “We love you,” Cedar whispers into my ear, pressing his solid back against me as I make out with his brother.

  Little tingles spark up and down my spine where the hard planes of his abs touch my midback.

  Forrest’s mouth is warm, his kiss sweet, and I open myself up to both men, savoring the moment.

  When Forrest lets me go and Cedar steps back, I smile. “Thank you, that’s exactly what I needed.”

  I spin around and walk to the water’s edge. “Can one of you hold me please, so I don’t accidentally topple in?” Both men rush to my side and I giggle. “I only need one of you for this job, thanks.”

  I kneel and Cedar grabs me, holding on to my legs.

  Forrest paces for a second, lets out an audible breath and sits down next to us.

  I bend down, stick my head into the frigid water and open my mouth. As loudly as I can underwater, I scream, “Calypso!” I elongate the o and keep my head submerged for as long as I can before pulling myself up.

  “Where is she?” Forrest stops pacing.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should try again.”

  “Look.” Cedar points and at the far end of the lake, the asrai’s tail flips up, breaking the water’s surface.

  A few moments later Oceane’s head appears below us. “You called?”

  Cedar and Forrest welcome her. Arch and Bodhi sprint out of the forest with Sabin in tow. Bodhi did it! The monolith slides into view, landing near the asrai and our dogged group.

  The door to the monolith slides open and Vasily steps out. He rushes me, kissing my face and running his hands up and down my arms.

  “I’m so glad to see you,” he whispers and my heart clenches. I don’t want to lose him. All of them. But there’s no time for that now. I have to focus on the task at hand.

  Turning around, he eyes the guys. “So, y’all got here naked, I presume?”

  I giggle.

  “Ah the images that conjures.” He winks at me.

  Betty and Verity step out of the monolith together, as if they’re old friends. And then more doors on the monolith pop open, as if responding to some signal I can’t perceive. The royalists spill out in droves, and before long, the shore of the lake is teeming with Tarans.

  “We ready to do this?” asks Betty.

  Vasily steps forward and clears his throat. “Before we start, I need everyone’s attention.”

  The gang gathers around, the Tarans behind them quieting as well. I exchange looks with Cedar, who shrugs.

  “As you all know, despite the time I wasn’t in Tara, I’ve been the ruler of the royals and royalists for many years.” His chest puffs out and it appears as if he’s grown an inch taller.

  The crowd nods and murmurs agreement, but I hold my breath.

  “Before I met Amaya,” he looks at me and I throw him a fake smile so he doesn’t see my grief, “I had planned to return to Tara when it was time and reclaim my position on the throne.”

  I glance at Verity, but she’s watching Vasily, her head held high.

  “Now, however, remaining here would mean that I’d have to give up the love of my life.” He looks at me, his eyes soft. “And I’m not willing to do that.”

  My heart soars so high, I’m sure it’s flown out of my body to perch atop the monolith. He takes one step toward me, grabs my hands in his and brings each one up to kiss.

  “What does this mean?” Zuri buzzes around us.

  “I am stepping off the throne. Permanently.”

  Everyone, except Verity, starts talking at once, lobbing questions at Vasily, but he drops one of my hands and holds his up.

  He motions to Verity, and she takes a step forward. “My twin sister will be taking my place.”

  “Tarans,” Verity’s voice is clear and strong, “I have accepted the transfer of power that my brother offered, but there will be changes. They will be slow, but eventually I hope to usher all of Tara into an era of democracy.”

  While everyone breaks into chatter again, I whirl on Vasily. “You know how much I want this, how much I love you, but—” I swallow, force my throat open. “But how can you do this? How can you sacrifice so much for me?”

  “Amaya, my love,” he runs a tender hand down my hair, then cradles my face, “you were willing to sacrifice your life. How could I do any less?”

  I love this man so much. And when he looks at me like that . . . I can almost forget the people of Tara. Almost. “What about your kingdom? What will they do without you?”

  “Isn’t the heart of democracy the ability to choose one’s leader?” His smile turns rueful. “Look at them. Look at Verity. They’ve already chosen.”

  I turn, and sure enough, Verity is surrounded by a sea of royalists and Tarans alike. Little Maeggi has latched onto the hem of her dress again, looking up at her new queen adoringly. All the royalists’ faces are concerned, yes, but they’re calming by the minute as she listens and responds to their concerns.

  Vasily wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his chest. “They’ll be in good hands, don’t you think?”

  I nod, not trusting myself to say anything right now. He can frame this however he likes, but this can’t be an easy thing for him to do. And he wouldn’t be doing it at all if it weren’t for me. So much love for me. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure he knows I’m not taking his sacrifice for granted.

  Vasily squeezes me once more, then lets go and walks over to his sister, tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention. Then he addresses the knot of Tarans surrounding them. “We can discuss the logistics and address your concerns later, but now, we have important work to complete. I am sure we can all agree on that.”

  People nod, a hush descending as they realize what’s about to happen.

  He returns to my side and clenches my hand. “Amaya? It’s time.”

  I suck in a lungful of air, raise my own chin and look between the four leaders. “Okay, let’s do this. Betty, should we come inside with Oceane, Sabin, Capatani and Zuri?”

  Betty shakes her head. “They just have to agree. Together, in one place.” She looks at Vasily. “That’s how it was bound, yes?”

  He nods.

  “Okay.” I look between the four of them and then at Verity. “Does everyone agree?”

  “On your life?” asks Oceane.

  Vasily growls, “That’s not happening, Oceane. You missed the memo. My warlocks are here to cast a contingency spell instead.”

  “Spoilsport,” she pouts. “Fine, cast it then.”

  “We have to go inside the monolith to do that,” I say. “What if the four of you agree and Verity comes inside with us and waits until its bound to add her vote?”

  “That works for me.” Zuri flutters to land on Verity’s shoulder. “I trust her. I agree.”

  “I agree too,” says Capatani. “I just want to go sleep.”

  “Don’t disappoint us.” Oceane glares at Verity.

  “I won’t.”

  “I’m in,” says Sabin.

  “Fine, I agree as well,” says Oceane. “But how are you going to cast that spell?”

  “We’ll take care of it.” Arch walks toward the monolith with his brothers.

  “They have their powers back?” Vasily whispers.

  I nod. “We’re pretty sure they do, anyway.”

  “Let’s go find out.” He walks back to the monolith with Betty and I trailing behind him.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Inside the monolith’s main room, we sit in a circle.

  “We don’t have what’s needed to cast a proper circle,” says Betty.

  “We don’t need candles,” says Arch. “We’ve been able to use Tara’s magic plenty of times wit
hout a circle.” He nods to each of his brothers and they all close their eyes. A minute later, their mouths move in a silent chant.

  Power thrums inside the tiny room. Everyone else exchanges looks but the men don’t open their eyes.

  “Is Azotar here?” asks Forrest.

  “I am,” says the gravelly voice of the fachan.

  “The circle is cast. Someone speak the binding stipulation,” says Bodhi.

  “After Azotar is made corporeal, both it and I will leave Tara forever,” says Betty.

  “As soon as possible,” I add.

  “Yes,” agrees Betty.

  “As soon as Azotar is corporeal,” says Cedar, “it will be unbound from the monolith.”

  “And allowed to leave Tara,” says Forrest.

  “If it ever returns to this land again,” says Betty, “it will immediately die.”

  “Verity, do you agree?” asks Vasily.

  “I do.” Her voice is calm and measured, like that of a true queen.

  The back of my neck tingles, and when I look around the room I see why. Everyone’s hair is raised, floating above their heads in an eerie display.

  Little zaps of lightning shoot from the men’s fingertips and I jerk away, like my finger is plugged into a light switch, but they both hold on tighter.

  Our hair swirls and the zaps become stronger until all at once, everything stops.

  “It’s done,” says Arch. “Azotar is unbound.”

  Now comes the hard part.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  “Thank you.” Azotar’s voice is deeper, more thoughtful somehow, but still retains its ghostlike, disembodied tone, as though it’s speaking over a wide chasm.

  “Can you make it corporeal now, Amaya?” Betty’s voice is whisper soft.

  “I think so.” I clear my throat, all nerves gone. I glance at each of men and they nod encouragingly. Raising my chin, I belt out the same song I sang to make Sabin corporeal. It’s hopeful and silly and brimming with all the energy my preteen self could muster, since that’s when I made it up.