The Lost Alliance (Rise of the Drakens Book 2)

by Raven Storm

The admiration in his voice felt so real—I believed him. I held out a hand, offering myself as he led me to the massive bed. His arms pulled me down into the soft sheets as darkness settled through the hut like another blanket. Benedict’s hands held me down, gripping my waist as he started kissing my stomach. The sensation was new yet alluring, and I shivered in anticipation. My hands tangled in his hair and pulled—I wanted more. He chuckled against my skin, the heat of his breath welcome as the coolness of night descended. Then his mouth was rising up, and he tugged one breast into his mouth. My hands tightened in his hair, and he growled as I yanked.

  “More,” I demanded as his fangs grazed my chest.

  “I will take my time,” he growled in response, and I snarled and arched my body, my core pressing against his. He pinned me back down, pressing my hands into the mattress. I enjoyed struggling against him, but it was too slow—my head turned to the side and I saw Kieran, standing and watching with ill-concealed patience. I met his gaze, my eyes sending a silent challenge. Kieran’s fangs bared, and then his lips crashed onto mine. Benedict released my hands, keeping my body pinned down with his pelvis. My hands went to Kieran’s hair and pulled him closer, even as Benedict continued his slow, sensuous claim of my body with his tongue.

  When no immediate blood was shed as Kieran and Benedict both worked my body in tandem, I reached out a hand to find Ronan, standing on the other side of the bed. My hand traced his waist, drifting down to the raging hardness that protruded from his breeches. I slipped a finger inside the waistband, and he got the message, stripping quickly.

  “Too many clothes.”

  The sudden absence of everyone shocked me, all three of my mates stripping and returning to me with a speed only achievable by a draken. I laughed then moaned as warm bodies surrounded my own, all three of us fitting easily into the massive bed. Part of me tensed, not wanting them to get into fights over dominance or position.

  “Relax. We will figure it out.”

  Kieran was my rock, as always. He waited along with Ronan for Benedict, watching what he did before returning to me, taking care not to get in his way. Benedict’s hands returned to my breasts, pinching hard as his tongue went lower and lower. I writhed against him, but Kieran kissed me again and I ceased struggling. My hands sprawled out behind me, and I felt another hardness nudge against my arm. I brought my hand down to cup Ronan’s length, his eyes rolling back in pleasure as I stroked him with a steady, precise rhythm.

  The lower Benedict went, the lower Kieran went as well. Kieran left my mouth to devour my breasts, Benedicts fingers finding my wet core and stroking softly. I cried out in torturous pleasure, my hand unmoving around Ronan, who leaned down and claimed my mouth for himself.

  “Lay down and flip her over.”

  I could barely understand Benedict’s gravelly order, so lost was I in my own haze of blurry sensations. Kieran’s strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me up, and he laid down on his back, laying me down on top of him. His hands cupped my face, and he caught my bottom lip between his teeth. I felt Benedict behind me, his hands gripping my hips and ass, nudging them apart. He teased at my entrance, then he thrust into me from behind. A startled gasp escaped my lungs, momentary shock immediately replaced by a wave of hot, throbbing need. I whined as Kieran kissed me deeply, and then Benedict started to move. One of Kieran’s hands drifted to my breasts, twisting and rolling my nipples between his fingers. The other drifted south, wedging between our cores as he touched me, timing his strokes with Benedict’s powerful thrusts. Each one brought me closer to the edge, until finally Benedict bit down on the back of my neck, drawing my blood into his mouth. I screamed in release, the sound rattling the tree house and shaking the bed. Benedict’s pounding became furious, maniacal, and then he too was screaming, and there was light and energy and magick and then—

  Silence. Benedict fell forward, and we both took a moment to catch our breath. Kieran stroked my hair lovingly, his raging erection digging into my thigh. With a groan Benedict stood, taking a position to guard the bed. His full draken display was at its peak, wings high and claws out, the white bony ridge of his back spine pointed and sharp. I reached for him, but Kieran pulled me back. The wound on my neck dripped with blood, but no one made a move to heal it. It hurt.

  “We have no texts or stories about mateships with multiple partners. We must follow our instincts. If his tell him to guard us once he has finished, then we let him.”

  I sank back against his warm body and then Ronan was there, on top of me. I laughed as I was sandwiched between the two of them, not knowing where their bodies ended and mine began.

  “Here—turn around.”

  I let Kieran turn me around, so that I faced outwards toward Ronan. Kieran gently guided my hips down, and I understood. I slowly sank down backwards onto his length, grinning as he moaned in satisfaction. I moved up and down experimentally, which only served to draw more tortured sounds from Kieran. He trailed his fangs down my neck and collarbone then bit down, directly on top of the mark left by Benedict. I screamed, but it was cut short as Ronan seized my mouth again, distracting me with another kiss. The pain mixed with pleasure until I wasn’t sure what I wanted more. Kieran moved inside of me and Ronan grinded against me, and I was lost. Kieran’s pace increased, his fingers reaching around to tease the outsides of my wet folds. His fingers stroked gently, until I was grinding against his hand with abandon.

  “Keep going.”

  Ronan’s hand replaced Kieran’s, as both of Kieran’s hands gripped my waist and pushed me further down onto his length. I gasped, the angle new and painful and yet so thrillingly primal. Kieran moved faster, my body bouncing up and down until he came with a loud yell, his grip so tight on my hips I knew there would be bruises. As he finished Ronan growled against my ear, and I hissed in response. I still felt unfilled, like I could have more—

  “Switch me.”

  Ronan’s body replaced Kieran, who turned me so I straddled Ronan, our noses nearly touching. Kieran settled behind me, his hands caressing my buttocks. A moment later I was speared on top of Ronan, with Kieran’s fingers snaking around to my front, running over my breasts. We moved together as I inched closer to another completion, groans and moans surrounding me until I couldn’t tell who made what noise. Kieran was hard again behind me, nudging himself between my buttocks. I felt him freeze, waiting for permission.

  “Yes,” I managed, and he carefully, slowly pushed himself inside of me. Ronan went still, giving my body time to adjust to both their lengths buried inside of me.

  “I—”

  Ronan offered his throat and I bit down, his blood filling my mouth at the exact moment Kieran thrust inside me. I felt no pain as I greedily drank, only exquisite rapture as I felt utterly filled and completed. Benedict’s warning growl was ignored as Kieran and Ronan fucked with a careful give and take, making me moan in desperation. When Kieran reached around my front to pinch my nipple, I came hard. They went still as my inner walls trembled around them. Kieran withdrew, and I mourned the loss of him from my body. Ronan flipped me over and slammed into me. He bit down viciously on the back of my neck, the third set of teeth to sink into the soft, sensitive spot of flesh. This time I didn’t feel as much pain, just an all-encompassing feeling of security and protectiveness. He drew a few mouthfuls and fell back, my blood dripping from his lips. He thrust back into me, making an animalistic sound.

  I threw my head back, my mind hazy with satisfaction. I yawned happily as Ronan came. He fell on top of me, laughing.

  “You wound me, my lady.”

  He rolled away and then Benedict was there, sniffing and inspecting me. I lazily swatted a hand at him. He bent my neck forward, sniffing the three wounds that I knew were there, though I thought it odd they didn’t hurt anymore. Benedict licked it healed then let me go, grunting at whatever he saw.

  “What is it?” I yawned again, wanting nothing more than to sleep.

  “The mateship markings. He is checking them to
make sure everything is fine.” Kieran responded.

  “Is it?” I asked. I didn’t catch an answer as I dropped off to sleep, feeling all three of my mates around me. Home.

  Nine

  How do I know this isn’t a trap?”

  Kieran and I rolled our eyes, and Astrid ignored Benedict completely as she continued to tap on the sand dunes with a large stick, her skirts bunched up in her free hand. Pants were much more convenient, in my opinion.

  The day after my coronation I had awoken happy and content, though my mates were in a flurry of activity. I was given a hurriedly packed satchel, and we met the witches at the edge of the southern valley. Benedict had left Ronan in charge, which lessened the sting of staying behind considerably. Moments later, we were off to look for the blood witches—Kieran, Benedict, Astrid, and myself. Or the water witches. It wasn’t exactly clear how our goal had shifted so quickly, but it might have been the reason Benedict was in such an awful mood.

  “You are a paranoid little shit, you know that?”

  My eyes widened as Benedict froze, Astrid’s tone nonchalant and bored. She shot Benedict a scathing look over her shoulder.

  “Put the claws away.”

  Kieran snickered as Benedict lowered his raised hand, a snarl already on his lips. Astrid continued her steady rhythm of tapping on each raised dune we found. Life was certainly more interesting with the witches around. Benedict tried again.

  “Blood witches do not live by the ocean. They live—”

  “—where the northern forest used to be. Before we go charging into the Overlord’s territory, it makes sense to see if the sea witches know more. Their territory ranges up towards the Overlord’s coast, after all, the closest to where the blood witches were last seen.” Vela finished, her tone light but full of reprimand.

  Benedict opened his mouth again, but Vela anticipated his next argument.

  “The sea witches will be wary, but they have no reason to have joined the Overlord. Not yet. You should try trusting others, draken king.”

  I put a warning hand on Benedict’s arm, but he shook it off.

  “When one’s family and species is all dead—”

  “Ach, none of that.”

  Astrid cut Benedict’s diatribe off before it even began. I raised an eyebrow, intent on remembering that trick. She paused in her tapping, turning to face Benedict fully.

  “Everyone has suffered loss. My losses are no greater than yours, and yours are no greater than anyone else’s.” She whipped back around, her silver braid flying around her body.

  “What matters is what you do after.”

  “I for one, am thankful for our king’s bloodline talents,” Kieran injected, throwing an easy smile at Astrid. “Otherwise, this adventure would have been far more arduous on foot.”

  Astrid had not been entirely certain where the sea witches were, so allowed Benedict to use his shadows to transport us to her best guesses. From the shoreline, dark hordes continued to fly east towards Lyoness, unable to pass the wards but also refusing to leave. The drakens and their allies were trapped. Benedict fisted his hands in anger, instead staring out across the sea towards Lyoness.

  “We will add to the wards—all witches will.” Astrid promised, laying her delicate hand on his massive bicep. He jerked away, and Astrid continued her search for the sea witches.

  A bird call lit the air, and Astrid smiled.

  “Found them.”

  The sea witches (or water witches, as Astrid had said they were technically called) had long, blonde hair with eyes that ranged from the brightest blue to the darkest green. All colors of the ocean were represented, and they covered their bodies in seashells and simple linen shifts, much like the air witches. The ones who were out to sea wore even less. The one who answered our call eyed us with suspicion, only granting us access after her eyes settled on Astrid. We were hurriedly hustled into one of the sand dunes, down below ground into one of the most intricate dwellings I had ever seen. The walls were supported with large beams of driftwood and decorated with shells and sea glass. The glittering surfaces reminded me of Dark Haven, making that space appear larger than it actually was. I only felt a small tingle of claustrophobia from my inner draken.

  “You are lucky it is I who found you, and not Meruse.”

  Our host's long hair hung in dreadlocks past her waist.

  “Witches have gone missing, so we have taken to hiding in our dunes to wait out the danger. Meruse wouldn’t take kindly to strangers wandering our shores, even a female draken.”

  Astrid frowned, a deep crease marring her brow.

  “And what danger is present, Merrow?”

  The sea witch reluctantly waved at them to sit. They settled around a large ship’s wheel that had been propped up to serve as a table, sitting down on reeds woven together into mats.

  “Meruse and I have ruled this coven for many years, and I have been content to mind my charges at home and sea while she roves further inland, gathering whispers and seeking secrets. I suspect she tells me only half of what she hears.”

  “What has she heard?” Benedict demanded, looking borderline ridiculous as he crouched uncomfortably in the small space, his wings tucked tight against his shoulders. Kieran didn’t look any more at home.

  “Birds are fleeing the northern mountains in droves, pushing south past Cantrada and down into Aldur. The larger ones are braving the journey across the ocean. It is no small reason that they would do so.”

  “We have lived in those mountains for hundreds of years and never once sensed this darkness of which you speak.”

  Benedict’s voice dripped with contempt, as if he were being forced to hear the council of storytellers and mystics, rather than valuable allies. Merrow’s eyes narrowed.

  “Then you are not paying attention, king.”

  I put my clawed foot on Benedict’s, a silent warning that any more rudeness would be punished. He exhaled heavily through his nose, a large puff of air that signaled his distaste. He didn’t respond, so Merrow continued.

  “The sea witches who have vanished lived close to our northern borders, next to the mountains. That is where Meruse is—she may be able to give you more information. It will be a few days journey, but…”

  “Describe the closet landmark, and we will be there within the hour.” Benedict said shortly. Merrow lifted an eyebrow, the shells around her ankles and wrists rattling.

  “Very well. The base of the northern mountains, closest to the shore. That is where you will find her. I wish you luck.”

  Benedict quickly refused Merrow’s offer of some salted fish and fried seaweed, but I caught Kieran staring longingly at the sizzling scup fish cooking in the corner. I swatted his arm gently, and he blushed. Merrow passed along further details of her sister’s location to Benedict, who closed his eyes as if trying to imagine it. He held out his hands, and I immediately grabbed on, my fingers trailing along his scales and flesh. His eyes opened and pinned me with their gaze, and I could have sworn I saw a look of hunger before it was replaced by detachment.

  Astrid whispered furiously to Merrow behind us, a look of anger on her normally serene face. Merrow seemed to shrink under her gaze, until Astrid threw her hands in the air and stalked our way. Benedict tilted his head, but he merely thinned her lips at him.

  “Let’s go. There’s nothing for us here.”

  Her hand found Kieran’s, who found mine. We disappeared, hoping to find more answers further north.

  There were no answers, simply because there were no witches. Astrid wandered from dune to dune, tapping and whistling, but no one answered. All was quiet, except for the crashing of the waves and the rustling of the tall grass. In the distance a large pier sat, its wooden planks stretching far out into the sea, sagging with age and neglect. Kieran followed my gaze, grasping my hand.

  “The shallows drop off into a sheer cliff underwater at the edge of the pier. I remember before the war, ships would pull right up to the pier to unload cargo or peop
le from across the sea. Visitors. Those were happier times. This used to be a small village, right Benedict?”

  Benedict grunted, and stomped away. Astrid turned and waved at the pier with an elegant gesture.

  “Yes. The town was called Cove’s Den, I believe. I met a rather gifted lutist here once. Oh, the things he could do with those fingers…”

  Her gaze drifted for a moment to the mountains of the north that loomed before us, dark and foreboding. She sighed and turned away.

  “It was a human town, so it is no surprise it no longer exists. As humans disappear, so do any signs of them.”

  She continued to walk along the shoreline, tapping with an ever-present patience that was frustrating to behold. I let Kieran stay with her and went after Benedict.

  He stood alone, gazing at the mountains. I put one hand on his lower back and ran it along his wing scales. His eyes closed as he relaxed against me.

  “That is not a fair fight.”

  I choked back a laugh and leaned into him. My heart swelled when he returned the gesture, his arm going around my waist to tuck me further into him. His wings flared outwards, shielding me from the wind.

  “Why do you dislike the witches so much?” I asked. They had been nothing but kind to us so far, so I didn’t understand why Benedict could barely keep his temper around them. He glanced back at the mountains again, and I wondered what was going through his mind. Was he relieved to have left the shadow of the Overlord, or did he regret being forced to leave?

  “I dislike those who left us to die alone with the humans during the Demon Wars.”

  His voice was a deep growl, and I squeezed his hand.

  “Astrid apologized. What will it take for you to forgive them? The air and earth witches have already done so much—”

  “When their families are all dead around them, and they have been trapped, and they have had everything ripped from them--”

  “You would have the whole world burn just to even the score?”