by JL Madore
“Taking in the sights?” Dillan asks, leaning against the side of the van.
“Sometimes they steal my breath. Well, honestly, there are moments it all steals my breath.”
The bear grunts and nods. “Same. There are moments one of you will say something or do something and I feel like it’s all too perfect—like the hammer is about to drop or the alarm will go off and I’ll wake up and it’ll all disappear like a fading dream.”
“Do you think it’s because everything sucked so badly before them and we’re afraid to go back to that?”
“Maybe. My life didn’t suck but it certainly didn’t live up to this.”
“Do you miss being a doctor?”
He shrugs. “I had patients in a small town, local clinic with two other family practitioners. My patients will still get the care they need and I’ve done enough patching up of our own family to keep me busy… for now anyway. Maybe when things settle down I’ll look into private care here. Not sure.”
I sigh. “Part of me is afraid to lay roots. I worry I’m going to sleck it up and lose it all.”
Dillan lays a heavy arm across my shoulder and tilts his head to touch mine. “Then we make a pact. I won’t let you fuck it up if you do the same for me. Us aggressive, mouthy, hot-heads need to stick together.”
I laugh. “Sounds good.”
The two of us fall quiet for a moment and I’m back to watching Creed and Keyla. “It’s good to see them so much in love. The realm deserves an amazing couple at the helm.”
He nods. “It does… and they certainly are that. We’re pretty fucking lucky.”
“You don’t need to tell me.”
Dillan squeezes my shoulder and I meet his gaze. “Are you doing all right, Dragon? You haven’t talked about Vikarus and you don’t have to if you’re not ready, but I thought I should check. What went down with him and your mom… it was cold. It must’ve left deep cuts.”
“Oh, it did. I’m all kinds of messed up about it. I’m hurt and angry and a million other things but honestly, I don’t care. I’ve twisted myself in knots for years to make things right for my family and they hung me out to dry. I’m glad it worked out for them, but I’m out. You three are my life now.”
Doc nods. “Good call. We’ve got your back.”
Keyla
“They’re here, babe.”
I acknowledge Dillan’s update, see the quint coming through the main entrance of the portal hub, and then return my attention to our tunnel friends. “We have to run, but don’t be strangers. You are not unwanteds anymore. If there is ever anything we can do to help make life in Dornte better, please come to the castle and speak to us.”
“Yes, Milady,” Coal says.
I wink. “My friends call me Keyla, and you two most definitely fall into that category.”
The pixie, Tyree blushes and bows her head. “It was lovely to see you both again. Blessed be.”
“Blessed be,” Creed says, easing me back and redirecting us toward the crowd gathered at the shuttle bus. “Lukas, it’s good to have you back. Did you have any luck?”
He tilts his head from side to side, considering. “Some. I’ve cleared out her condo and everything I found interesting and worth a closer look, I boxed to bring to the castle.” He points to three large boxes stacked on a rolling cart. “There’s enough here to keep me busy for a long while.”
“Well, any help you can offer, is greatly appreciated. I had hoped that once the witch was dead, her curse would wane and Honor would wake.”
He shakes his head. “I would’ve been surprised if that’s how it worked. Not to worry. I’ll set up in the suite and continue to work on unraveling things. It’s not time to panic yet.”
Too late. Creed’s putting up a brave front, but I know he’s panicked that him killing the Blood Witch against Lukas’s advisement cost Honor her chance at recovery.
“I’m so grateful you’ve agreed to stay with us and try to help Honor,” I say, hugging Lukas. He stiffens at the contact and Calli chuckles at me as they approach. The two of us have been trying to wear Lukas down a little and get him conditioned to life with us.
Hugging is a big part of that.
I leave Creed to speak with Lukas and join Dillan as he closes the distance to greet Kotah and the quint.
My brother sweeps me up in a bone-crushing hug and kisses my temple. “I’ve missed you, little one.”
I chuckle. “I’m the queen of a quadrant now. I don’t think I’m your little one any longer.”
He scoffs and presses his forehead to mine. “You will always be my little sister.” Breathing deep, he makes no secret that he’s assessing my scent. “And the mating has been going well, I see. All four of your scents have merged quite completely. Come. I want you to tell me all about it.”
I chuckle. “Seriously? You want to know the details of how my sex life with my three mates is going?”
He laughs and eases back. “Not at all. A simple yes or no on the mating information and then details of your new life unfolding.”
“Then yes, everything is going very well—very, very well, actually.”
Calli grins. “Ignore him. I want you to dish all the nitty-gritty details.”
Kotah tenses and makes a face.
I take pity on him. “Later, when we’re alone.”
“Awesome.” Calli hugs me next and then points to the shuttle van. “Is this us?”
“Yeah.”
“Great. I’m going to grab a seat. I’m pooped.”
“I’ll sit with you, Chigua,” Kotah says. “Come, let’s get you off your feet.” I chuckle as my brother sweeps under Calli’s knees and carries her onto the bus.
“When he says he wants her off her feet, he’s quite literal,” Shadow says, smiling.
I smile at the elf, thankful that he made the trip to join us. “The four of them are so obsessively attentive over Calli and the baby it’s crazy. Little Liza will be spoiled before she’s even born.”
“That’s lovely, actually.”
“It is.” I eye up the suitcase beside his foot and take Shadow’s hands in mine. “Thank you for coming. I know this is a temporary thing while you explore what this realm has to offer you, but I hope you love it. I know you can do great things to help us heal the lives of the people of Dornte.”
“I look forward to making a difference.” When a gust of a breeze catches his dark purple hair, he captures the errant strands and tucks them behind his long, pointed ears. “So, this is StoneHaven.”
“Part of it,” I say, “but the people of this realm have divided things differently over time. This is Dornte, one of four quadrants of the realm and in the center is the historical city of StoneHaven.”
“Much to learn, then,” he says.
“For us all.”
“Are we set?” Hawk asks, checking that we’re all here. “We’ve got a hungry bear and a female that’s dying to see her bestie.”
I giggle. “Then why are we hanging out at the portal station? Let’s go home.”
The whole gang climbs into the shuttle and everyone takes their seats.
“Did you mean what you said just now, Little Wolf?” Creed asks. “Do you consider the castle home?”
I think about that and the reality warms my insides. “Yes, I do. It’s where we belong, where we’re needed, but more than that, it’s where the four of us fell in love. If home is where the heart is, then Thornebane Castle is definitely our home.”
~~ THE END ~~
Thank you for reading Dark Crown the eighth book in the Guardians of the Fae Realms series and the final book of Keyla’s harem – The Darkness Trilogy.
If you are inclined to help a girl out, it would be amazing if you could leave a star rating or review for Dark Crown on Amazon. It tells me what you thought about the story, and helps other readers find books they might like.
Claim book 9 – Honor Restored and find out what happens next in the lives of the Guardians of the Fae Realms.
The reign of the usurper queen is over...
Since before the time of the Wars of Power, Thornebane siblings have ruled Dornte—the male as Guardian of the Quadrant and the female as the Guardian of the Crown.
Two years after my parents were murdered and their crown stolen, my brother reclaims leadership of the Dornte quadrant and rescues me from the prison she cursed me into.
My mentor is dead, my training incomplete, and my recent trauma more than I can deal with alone.
Thankfully, I’m not alone.
Claim your copy now: Honor Restored
Author Notes
Written on 06/9/2021
Thank you for reading Dark Crown and since you’re reading this, for sticking with me… lol.
I have three more trilogies planned for this series and am looking forward to writing the stories to come. Honor is next.
Like Rhylan said, To cut off the head of the snake is not enough. Weeding out the evils rooted and woven into the fabric of our society is necessary.
Don’t miss out on what happens next with Honor as she recovers and finds her footing with her mates.
I promise, it will be a fun and sexy ride.
Grab the first book in the trilogy on Amazon.
As always, if you want to check in with me, I welcome the chance to chat. I’m active on FB and pretty good at getting to my emails.
Hugs to all,
JL
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JL’s Email – [email protected]
My web page – www.jlmadore.com
Guardians of the Fae Realms (Reverse Harem)
Calli’s Harem
Book 1 – Rise of the Phoenix
Book 2 – Wolf’s Soul
Book 3 – Bear’s Strength
Book 4 – Hawk’s Heart
Book 5 – Jaguar’s Passion
Keyla’s Harem
Book 6 – Dark Curse
Book 7 – Dark Soul
Book 8 – Dark Crown
Honor’s Harem
Book 9 – Honor Restored
The Watchers of the Gray Series (Paranormal Romance)
Book 1 – Watcher Untethered (Zander)
Book 2 – Watcher Redeemed (Kyrian)
Book 3 – Watcher Reborn (Danel)
Book 4 – Watcher Divided (Phoenix)
Book 5 – Watcher United (Seth)
Book 6 – Watcher Compelled (Bo)
Book 7 – Watcher Unfeigned (Brennus)
Book 8 – Watcher Exposed (Hark)
The Scourge Survivor Series (Urban Fantasy Romance)
Book 1 – Blaze Ignites
Book 2 – Ursa Unearthed
Book 3 – Torrent of Tears
Book 4 – Blind Spirit
Book 5 – Fate’s Journey
Book 6 – Savage Love
Aliens of Atlantis Series (Sci-Fi Romance)
Book 1 – Taryn’s Tiderider
Book 2 – Kai’s Captive
Book 3 – Alyandra’s Shadow
In the Shadow of Vesuvius (Roman Time-Slip Romance)
In The Shadow of Vesuvius
Auburn Tempest
Pen Name for Fantasy Action Adventure (Not Romance)
Chronicles of an Urban Druid (Urban Fantasy)
Book 1 – A Gilded Cage
Book 2 – A Sacred Grove
Book 3 – A Family Oath
Book 4 – A Witch’s Revenge
Book 5 – A Broken Vow
Book 6 – A Druid Hexed
Book 7 – An Immortal’s Pain
Book 8 – A Shaman’s Power
Book 9 – A Fated Bond
Misty’s Magick and Mayhem Series (Urban Fantasy)
Book 1 – School for Reluctant Witches
Book 2 – School for Saucy Sorceresses
Book 3 – School for Unwitting Wiccans
Book 4 – Nine St. Gillian Street
Book 5 – The Ghost of Pirate’s Alley
Book 6 – Jinxing Jackson Square
Book 7 – Flame
Book 8 – Frost
Book 9 - Nocturne
Book 10 – Luna
Book 11 – Swamp Magic
Exemplar Hall (Urban Fantasy)
Prequel – Death of a Magi Knight
Book 1 – Drafted by the Magi
Book 2 – Jesse and the Magi Vault
Book 3 – The Makings of a Magi
