I ducked my head. “I am, yes. Although I didn’t ask for any of this either.”
Slade’s mother began dropping wooden bowls of steaming hot stew in front of each of us. Wrin jumped up and brought over a loaf of bread, while Leni served everyone some ale. Everything about it reminded me of my time with Tash and her family in Stoneham, from the delicious smell of the stew to the slightly bitter taste of the ale. Grief tried to sink its claws in me again, but I forced it back down. Stoneham and Tash were gone, but Clayridge and Slade’s family were alive, and I would do everything in my power to keep it that way.
When all the food was served, Yena plopped down across from us. “Eat! No need to wait for me.”
Slade wasted no time digging in and then he closed his eyes as he savored the stew. “It’s been far too long since I had good food like this.”
Yena smiled and patted her son’s hand. “There’s nothing better than a home cooked meal. Now eat up, you’re looking far too skinny after all that travel.”
I held in a laugh. Slade looked anything but skinny. He was a mountain of a man made of pure muscle with arms the size of tree trunks, but I sensed this was just Yena’s way.
She gave me a smile. “You too dear. You’re very pretty, but you could use some more meat on those bones of yours.”
I flushed and shoveled a spoonful of stew into my mouth. Warm flavors exploded on my lips, and I caught the taste of rabbit, carrots, and more. It was definitely better than the food we’d been eating while on the road. “Thank you. It’s delicious.”
“Glad you like it.” She barely touched her own food and instead took in the both of us while we ate, like she couldn’t drink in enough of us with her eyes to satisfy her.
Leni pointed her spoon at Slade. “You better start talking, or mother is going to burst with impatience.”
“Let them swallow their food at least,” Wrin said, shaking her head.
Slade slowed down, his bowl already half empty, and glanced at me. I had no idea how much these women knew already and I was completely overwhelmed by the situation, but I sensed he wanted me to speak. I set down my spoon and asked, “What did Slade tell you before he left?”
“We knew that the Earth God had chosen him for a great mission,” Yena said, her voice bursting with pride. “He was given great powers, and then was sent to find and protect you…although he was unable to tell us why.”
“None of us believed it at first, until he showed us his magic,” Wrin said.
I arched an eyebrow at Slade. “I thought you weren’t supposed to tell anyone about your encounter with the Earth God.”
Slade shrugged. “You try keeping a secret from these three.”
“He had to tell us something, or no one would have let him leave Clayridge,” Leni said.
Wrin nodded. “It’s true, my brother is a very important and respected member of this village. He could have been the next mayor, if he’d wanted.”
Slade scowled and shook his head. “I was a simple blacksmith, nothing more.”
“Nonsense, dear,” Yena said, before turning to me. “Slade worked hard to keep this town running and make sure it was safe. Beyond what he did as blacksmith, he volunteered with the town guard and convinced everyone to build the outer wall after an elemental attack took two lives. We’ve been attacked three more times since then, but we’ve always held them off thanks to Slade.”
“Three?” Slade asked, his spoon pausing halfway to his mouth. “There was another one while I was gone?”
“Yes, this time an air elemental, if you can believe that. Must have wandered far from the Air Realm to make it all the way out here.” Yena shrugged. “We were able to keep it out without any issue.”
“Good to hear,” Slade said, though I could tell it bothered him that he hadn’t been here to protect his town. He obviously cared a great deal for the people of Clayridge.
“Now hurry up and tell us where you’ve been all this time,” Leni said.
The others gave Slade expectant looks, and he finally sighed and launched into the tale of how the Earth God had chosen him as the new Jade Dragon, how he’d found me along with my other mates, and how we were on a quest to overthrow the Black Dragon and had recently joined up with the Resistance to help us get into the Earth Temple. I stayed quiet as I ate my stew, worried about what his family would think of all this—especially Slade sharing me with three other men.
“That’s quite a tale,” Yena said, when Slade lapsed into silence. “And it all sounds quite dangerous, but I’m sure the Earth God chose you because he knew you could handle it all. I’m very proud of you, Slade.”
“It sounds incredible,” Leni said, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I wish I could have been there for all of it.”
“You’re not upset about me being only one of her mates?” Slade asked.
“It’s not something I’m comfortable with myself,” Yena said slowly, as she glanced at me. “But who are we to questions the Gods?”
Wrin nodded. “You can’t turn your back on the Earth God’s will. Do you think you’ll get to speak to him at the temple?”
“I expect so,” Slade said.
A knock sounded on the door and Yena got up to open it. Brin stood on the other side and was quickly ushered in. “You’re one of Slade and Kira’s companions aren’t you?” Yena asked. “You must join us!”
“Thank you,” Brin said with a smile as she stepped inside. Her eyes caught sight of Leni and her gaze seemed to linger there before she turned to me. “I simply wanted to let Kira know that we’ve booked rooms at the inn for the next few nights.”
“Very good,” Yena said. “I’d love to house you all, but as you can see my home is rather small. But please, sit with us and I’ll get you some food. And tell us your name, child.”
Brin hesitated, but then slid beside me. Across from Leni, who was definitely watching my friend with interest. “My name is Brin of House Pashona, and it’s an honor to join you for a meal.”
“House Pashona?” Leni asked, even more intrigued. She leaned forward, giving us a glimpse of her ample cleavage. “You’re nobility?”
Brin offered her an alluring smile. “I am, yes. From the Air Realm. But please, don’t let that change your opinion of me. As you can see, I’m simply one of Kira’s traveling companions now.”
“Brin is a good friend,” I said. “I’m lucky she agreed to join us. Being with four men all the time can get rather…complicated. It’s nice to have a woman I can talk with.”
Leni let out a dramatic sigh and rested her chin on her hand. “You’re all so lucky, traveling the world, fighting bandits and Dragons, helping the Resistance. I’d do anything to get out of this boring town.”
“Why don’t you?” Brin asked.
“Definitely not,” Slade said. “She’s too young.”
“I’m twenty-one!” Leni said, then turned to me and Brin. “How old are you two?”
“Twenty,” I replied, while Brin said, “Twenty-two.”
“See, they’re the same age as me,” Leni said. “And Slade, you started helping the Resistance at my age. Why am I not allowed to do anything?”
Yena returned and set a bowl in front of Brin, then patted Leni’s head like a child. “It’s not safe for you. Slade had to leave to fulfill his destiny, but your place is here.”
“My place is wherever I decide it is,” Leni said, as she rose to her feet. “And I don’t plan on staying in Clayridge for the rest of my life.”
She walked out of the house, while her mother sighed. “I’m sorry for that. She’s been like this ever since Slade left.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Slade said.
“She’ll get over it,” Wrin said. “Just like she got over that traveling merchant who stopped by. And the soldier before that.”
“Leni has always had her head full of big dreams. I’m not sure she’ll ever be satisfied here.” Yena waved it away with a sad smile. “But enough of that. Tell us more about you, Kira.
Where are you from?”
I took a deep breath and settled in to tell them about my life. I could already tell this was going to be a long night.
19
Auric
While Kira spent time with Slade’s family, the rest of us took over most of the inn. Brin grew restless and went off to explore the town on her own, while Reven, Jasin, and I shared a meal together. Jasin and I both ate like we had the hunger of five men after flying for much of the day, while Reven watched with amusement. We’d been served some sort of questionable stew common in the Earth Realm, a far cry from the fine dining of the Air Realm, but I was so hungry I didn’t care. And maybe I’d gotten used to such things after weeks of travel, because it actually tasted pretty good.
“Kira has an idea for how we can increase our bond,” Jasin said, in between bites. “If she returns tonight, we should meet for more…training.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Sounds promising.”
“Is that what you two call it?” Reven asked. “Training?”
“Jasin has been very instructive,” I said.
Reven snickered. “I’ll bet he has.”
“You’re welcome to join us too,” Jasin said. “I’m sure Kira would enjoy that.”
Reven paused as he brought his tankard of ale to his lips. “Perhaps some other time.”
We retreated to our rooms after our meal. I’d splurged and gotten everyone their own rooms since the inn was empty and my father had given us plenty of gold for our journey. But as soon as I was alone in mine, a creeping loneliness settled over me. I’d spent the last few weeks sharing a tent with Jasin, and I found myself missing his presence. Who would have thought the two of us would become so close, when we’d originally hated each other?
I debated going to his room, but dismissed the thought as too childish. What would we even talk about? Jasin was a former soldier, and I was a former prince. We had little in common besides Kira. It was incredible we managed to get along at all.
I decided to open my notebook and add some notes about our journey while I waited. I’d recorded everything we’d been through so far in the hopes it would be of use someday, perhaps to our daughter when it was her turn to become the next Black Dragon. Assuming we didn’t fail—but I refused to entertain that thought.
When a knock sounded on my door an hour later, I rushed to open it. Jasin and Kira stood on the other side, and my heart pounded with anticipation.
“How was your evening with Slade’s family?” I asked, as they stepped inside my dimly-lit room.
“Good.” Kira sat on the edge of the bed. “Better than I expected, although it was a little overwhelming. I’m glad I got to meet his family though.” She rubbed the spot on the bed next to her. “But I’m happy to have some time away from them too. Did Jasin explain the plan?”
I sank onto the bed beside her. “Not in any detail.”
“She thinks the key to strengthening our bond is to share her body together,” Jasin said with a grin. He took the spot on the other side of Kira and began slowly massaging her shoulders.
I grinned back at him. “I like the sound of that.”
“We thought you might,” Kira said, as she leaned into Jasin’s touch. He slid his hands down her arms and began to kiss her neck, making her sigh. I watched them for a few moments, enjoying the sight of Jasin bringing my mate pleasure, but then I couldn’t resist joining in.
I took her mouth in a hungry kiss and cupped her breasts in my palms, teasing her hard nipples through the fabric of her dress. It had been a week since we’d bonded at the Air Temple, and I was eager to be inside her again. But even once we’d done this a thousand times, I knew I’d never get enough of her. She was my one and only—my mate.
Jasin and I both gripped the fabric of Kira’s dress and worked it up, pulling it above her head and tossing it aside. Once she was completely nude I let my eyes soak her in, devouring the sight of her bare skin and lush curves. Gods, I could stare at this woman forever.
The door creaked open behind me, and we all froze. I snapped out of it and quickly moved in front of Kira to block her from sight. The three of us turned as one to look at the door—and saw Reven standing there.
20
Kira
Reven paused in the doorway, his eyes slowly taking in the scene. “Apologies. I thought this was my room.”
From the tone of his voice, I didn’t believe that for a second—but I didn’t mind either. If anything, the thought that he’d come to join us only made my already racing heart pound even faster.
“Don’t go,” I said.
He lingered at the door, perhaps waiting for someone to protest or taking a moment to make up his mind. Or maybe he wanted even more of an invitation.
I reached toward him. “Join us.”
That finally brought him forward. He shut the door, his eyes never leaving the scene before him of my naked body pressed between Jasin and Auric. “I’ll stay…but just to watch.”
Reven crossed the room and sank into an armchair in the corner, his pose deceptively casual, and laced his arms behind his head as if waiting for the show to begin. Desire flared between my thighs at the thought of his piercing blue gaze on me the entire time I was making love to the other men.
But I couldn’t forget Auric and Jasin either. I wanted them to be comfortable with this. I touched both of their chests, glancing between them. “Are you all right with this?” I asked in a low voice.
Auric threaded his fingers through mine. “I want whatever makes you happy.”
Jasin’s lips touched my ear. “I invited him earlier. I didn’t think he would actually come though.”
“You did?” I asked.
A naughty grin touched his lips. “I thought you would like it.”
“You know me so well,” I said, before catching that grin in a passionate kiss. Not long ago I’d been a virgin. Now the thought of multiple men touching me at the same time seemed not only natural, but right. I blamed Jasin for corrupting me, although it was Auric who’d first initiated these training sessions. Maybe he was to blame too. Not that I minded one bit.
The two men surrounding me resumed their kissing and touching, as if we’d never been interrupted and didn’t have another man watching our every move. I helped remove their clothes, sliding my hands along their smooth, hard bodies that I loved so much. They were both so perfect, sometimes it was hard to believe they were mine.
“Tonight we’re going to try something new as part of your training,” Jasin said, as his hand slipped between my thighs, finding me already wet. But then his fingers slid back, back, back, to my other, forbidden entrance. “I’m going to take you here tonight, while Auric takes you from the front.”
My eyes widened. He’d talked about claiming me from behind before, and the idea had intrigued me—especially if it meant joining with both of them at the same time. “Will it hurt?”
“A little, but it will feel good too.” He nibbled on my ear. “Trust me.”
I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. “I do.”
With his other hand, he reached for a vial of liquid from the nightstand. “I got this in the Air Realm. The oil will make it easier, and we’ll go slow. If it’s too much, we’ll stop.”
I nodded, eager to get started, even though I was nervous too. While Auric began slowly stroking me between my legs, Jasin coated his fingers in oil and began to work it into me from behind. I gasped at the sensation, though it didn’t hurt, not at all. When Auric’s fingers entered me in front too, I got a glimpse of what the rest of the night would be like…and I wanted more. I bore down against their hands, taking them deeper, and Auric’s mouth found mine again. While the two of them stretched me out and moved inside me, my tongue slid against Auric’s in a sensual dance. Jasin kissed the back of my neck, and everything felt so good I wasn’t sure how it could ever get better…but knew this was just the beginning.
“Good,” Jasin said. “You’re ready. Now sit on Auric, but don’t take him
inside you yet.”
Auric gathered me into his arms and I climbed onto his lap, straddling his hips, his cock brushing up against me. I took his length in hand and began to stroke it, while leaning forward to kiss him some more. His hands found my breasts and he began caressing my nipples, while I felt Jasin’s cock brush against me from behind. I tensed up, but he kissed my shoulder and whispered, “Relax.”
His warm voice calmed me, and my body became pliant at his touch. He began to push inside my back entrance, and at first the stretching was so intense it took my breath away. He already felt huge, and it seemed impossible he’d be able to fit completely inside, but he kept going. Gods, it was so tight, I wasn’t sure I could stand it. My fingers dug into Auric’s shoulders and Jasin paused.
“You’re doing great,” Jasin said, kissing my neck some more. “Almost there.”
“Keep going,” I said, as I willed my body to relax. “I want this.”
Auric’s fingers found my clit while I continued stroking him, and when he began to rub me there it all got so much easier. The sensations were so intense, and I found myself pushing back against Jasin, wanting more. The pain vanished, until only pleasure remained.
When he was fully sheathed, we both let out a delirious sigh. Jasin felt huge inside me, but still it wasn’t enough. I needed Auric too.
Without words, Jasin and Auric shared a look that communicated everything that had to be done. Jasin’s fingers dug into my hips as he lifted me slightly, while Auric guided himself into me. I sank down onto his hard cock, taking him deep inside, and if I’d thought it was a tight fit before, it was nothing compared to having both of them inside me. As my hips rested against Auric’s, I closed my eyes and savored the exquisite fullness with both of them inside me, their bodies pressed tight against me on all sides.
“Still all right?” Jasin asked.
“It’s amazing,” I said, breathless. I turned my head and drew Jasin in for a kiss, then brought Auric close for one too. Their mouths both pressed against my lips, their tongues sliding into me, and I found myself kissing them both at the same time. The kiss deepened, the three of our lips and tongues tangling together in the most intimate way. Soon I had no idea where I ended or any of them began. We’d truly all become one.
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 41
