by Jaymin Eve
I pretty much ran down the long hall and threw myself onto their large, comfortable couch.
“Food me, bitch,” I hollered to Jacob when he burst into the room after me.
“On it,” he said, cutting left into the rustic-styled kitchen.
As the rest of my pack wandered in, rustling and clanking could be heard from the other room. Braxton gracefully dropped down on one side of me, Tyson on the other. Grace took the seat across from us, leaving enough distance between her and Braxton to label her as an outsider of our pack. I was wondering if Tyson’s tense face had anything to do with that distance.
I ran my hand through the wizard’s shorter hair. “I’m still a little weirded out seeing your hair all gone.”
His eyes crinkled. “Well a lot happened while you were missing, and none of it good. It’s in my hair’s best interest that you don’t get kidnapped again.”
I looked over at Grace and was not surprised to see a secret grin tipping up the corner of her lips. I had to give her props for not caving into the charismatic wizard. Even if she had forgiven him for past hurts – and I think she had – it was not as easily forgotten.
Braxton shifted next to me, and I found myself eyeballing him hard. “You ever going to tell me exactly what happened when I was kidnapped?”
He let me have that lazy grin of his. “I think it’s better that we don’t go too deeply into it. If the councils ever get their shit together and come calling, I’d rather you didn’t know the details.”
I punched him in the ribs. “Dude, if you go down, I go down. We ride or die, right? In this together forever.”
His grin spread, and he looked extremely pleased with that response. “Let’s just say I had to hurt a few people to get information about Larkspur, although no one was really up to date seeing he’d been absent for a thousand years.”
Jacob’s laughter could be heard from the kitchen. “Hurt?” He hollered between laughter. “I think the death count was five, including the bitch twins.”
I raised both of my eyebrows at him. “Five?” That was kind of scary and impressive.
“I can only really claim four,” he said. “The second twin killed herself before I could finish my interrogation.”
Might seem harsh to most, but I didn’t care. I would have done the same thing if someone had hurt or stolen one of my Compasses. I probably would have killed more than five just in the first few days of raging around.
Through our bond I could sense Braxton following my bloodthirsty thoughts.
“The boys stopped me from completely losing my mind and soul. The moment you were gone, the world stopped spinning for me. I lost who I was. I became a mindless beast. I killed one of the twins in a blink of an eye, and the other only survived then because I knew I needed information from her. The bond with my brothers is the reason I’m still Braxton.”
I leaned up and kissed him hard. “You’re the sweetest mate any supe could ask for.”
I peppered more kisses across his face.
“Humans would think we were all homicidal sociopaths if they spent any time with us,” Grace said.
Saying that, she reminded me of Mischa and how odd my sister was at times. Being raised with humans sounded a lot like being raised with alligators, weird and dangerous. We sat for a while chatting and relaxed. All except Cardia who was a stiff, silent supe. After about forty-minutes Jacob emerged from the kitchen and he was bearing gifts. Beautiful, beautiful gifts. I didn’t hesitate, jumping to my feet and dashing into the dining room.
“Hello, old friend,” I said as I ran my hands along the stunning table.
If one could have a favorite piece of furniture, this was mine. Not only was it absolutely spectacular, it had been carved by my mate. My hand fell to my stomach. Was I pregnant? Would our child one day sit at this table and enjoy massive family dinners like we had? The thought had me both freaked out and filled with joyful anticipation. I slid into my usual seat. Generally, Braxton would sit on one side and Maximus on the other, but now that he had Cardia, I wondered if my vampire would move so as not to annoy her further.
Jacob was next to venture into the room. He placed two large platters into the center of the table before heading back to the kitchen and returning moments later with two more huge platters. Lucky it was a really large table, because he’d just dropped enough food here to feed a small army. Chicken, pasta, scalloped potatoes, sandwiches, and heaps of other bits and pieces filled the large plates. Impressive. If this was his definition of frozen meals, I’d love to see a home cooked feast.
The others filed into the room, but not Braxton. I briefly wondered where he’d ducked off to, but didn’t worry too much, he’d be back for the food. I had no doubt of that. Tyson and Jacob settled in across from me, and my heart kind of fluttered when Maximus took his usual seat beside me, Cardia sliding in on his other side. Grace hovered in the doorway for a bit before she finally crossed and sat next to Jacob. Tyson’s face was stony but he didn’t say a single word to the witch. Everyone grabbed a plate and started filling it with whatever food they could reach.
For some reason I hesitated. Where was Braxton? My stomach growled, and I was just about to jump up and find him when his massive frame filled the doorway. He grinned as he crossed to me.
“Jess, you didn’t have to wait for me.”
I had been waiting for him. What sort of sappy, love-sick, shifter spell did he have me under?
He slid gracefully in beside me, and without hesitation piled ninety percent of the remaining food onto my plate.
“You eat first. I’ll finish what is left.”
Sigh. Shifter males … every female needed to get one. They were the best.
It looked like Cardia felt the same. She narrowed her eyes and growled a little at Maximus. My vampire quad got that look on his face, a cornered predator. On the one hand he knew he was in trouble for something, and on the other he had no freaking idea what it was. Vampires were not like shifters, they didn’t have the same relationship with food, and they treated their mates special in different ways. Still, he was being extra dismissive of Cardia, fighting the mate bond for some reason, and his girl knew it.
Knowing Braxton would wait until I was done, I ate as quickly as I could and then transferred the rest of the food across to his plate. We chatted over dinner, light conversations about nothing in particular, followed by moments of silverware clinking and comfortable silence. I wished Mischa was here right now. I had missed her. I hadn’t realized how much until we were back together, until our bond was cemented again.
I had so many bonds now. Were one of them the reason I didn’t have a complete mating bond with Braxton? What would I have to sacrifice? What choices would I have to make in the following days that might change everything?
Chapter 15
After dinner we all dispersed. Most of us were exhausted. I was way past exhausted, I was wrecked. I’d barely slept in days, and tomorrow was going to be hectic. After hugs and good-nights all round – Grace was all snuggled into my old room; I thought it was a perfect fit for her – I followed Braxton up the stairs to the highest room in the three-story home. He had the entire top floor, which was much smaller than the two floors below, but still a massive expanse of luxury and workmanship.
The bedroom’s décor was cozy and masculine. A king-sized bed dominating the space, the bed base and headboard were both hand-carved, dark timber. There were some other large, heavy furniture pieces scattered about, expensive looking but practical also. The wide floorboards were stained timber, set off by a few thick cream-colored rugs. A fire was crackling in the large fireplace near the foot of the bed, and since I loved the piney scent of freshly cut logs, I took a second to breathe it all in.
“Would you like a bath first, Jess?” Braxton stood beside his bed. The room was dim, just the natural wash of firelight.
I nodded, my body already humming at the thought of being naked with him. I crossed the space swiftly, but before I could push
past him into the large en suite, he swept me up into his arms.
“Tonight we do things my way,” he murmur-growled at me.
I patted his shoulder. We’ll see, mate, we’ll see.
I was distracted from arguing my point as I caught sight of something inside his large, white and navy tiled bathroom. I sucked in deeply, my heartbeat pattering so hard I could feel the surge of hot blood through my veins.
I had to blink more than once, trying not quite successfully to stem the tears sprinkling in the corner of my eyes.
“When did you have time to do this for me?” My voice was breathless, my heart still pounding. My overwhelming love for Braxton had me all lightheaded.
The bath was filled, bubbles fluffy across the surface. At the far edge was a bamboo board, the kind used to hold drinks and books while in the bath. Sitting atop of it was an array of cakes, and two glasses of what looked like wine but smelt like apple cider. Nonalcoholic.
I tilted my head up to him, letting all my emotions out. “Most guys would have filled the room with candles and rose petals or some shit,” I said. “But you, my mate, know for sure the way to this shifter’s heart.” I turned back to the tub, still astonished by the collection of beautiful desserts. I knew now where he’d disappeared to at dinner, but I had no idea how he’d managed to find so many cakes. I felt extra special tonight.
He gently lowered me down, and in seconds had stripped both of our clothes off, leaving my necklace in place. We both knew it had to stay there until I was ready to crush it into Larky’s heart.
Again Braxton distracted me from food as I drank in the sight of him. As much as I appreciated his body, I hated to think the new definition to his muscles was because he’d been doing nothing but training and fighting while I was gone. I hated that he’d been in so much pain.
Time to wash that away with some new memories.
I stepped into the warm bath. Braxton followed me, and as we both sank down, water splashed over the side. Settling back, I made myself comfortable. It was a large, deep bath, with powerful jets at either end.
Braxton’s strong features were relaxed as he settled in close to me and the tray. There were a multitude of jets pulsing around us. He pulled me back against him and I found myself going all tranquil-like. We sat like that for an hour. He fed me the cake, and I even shared some of it with him. We sipped the cider, and it was warming as it made its way through my body. Between the snacking we talked about Maximus and Mischa, and I was surprised to learn that Braxton had noticed no changes in my sister or her scent. So either he hadn’t paid close enough attention, or her hybrid child was masking itself. Thankfully he didn’t fight me on keeping it from Maximus, but I could see that he doubted the information would remain secret for very long.
As the water finally started to cool, I realized how boneless I felt. These peaceful moments with my mate had my body and mind in such a happy place. For the first time in a long time things felt right.
The longer I spent pressed against the length of muscled body beneath me, the more difficult it was to ignore the urges clenching my insides. Braxton and I were newly mated, and would usually have been locked away from all civilization for the first few months. Instead, we had barely had a night together, and had a lot of time to make up for.
I spun around so I was straddling him, and his lips were on mine in seconds. I was burning up, all rational thought gone.
His hands found their way under my ass, and I was pressed so firmly against him that I could feel each and every one of those very defined muscles. The kiss deepened, my body rocking of its own accord. I moaned as his lips left mine and he started to kiss down my neck, devouring me, tasting every part of me that he could reach.
He lifted us up then, flipping our positions to press me back against the far bath wall. My head settled comfortably into the indent of the bath as he raised my lower half out of the water.
“I have to taste you,” he said.
I pretty much orgasmed right then, like no touching required at all.
Okay, some touching better be–
He lowered his head and my eyes rolled back at the first sweeping brush of his tongue. He growled, low and hypnotic. “So sweet, so perfect.”
I had to reach out and grip the side of the tub so I didn’t drown. My muscles were pretty much useless. Braxton kicked it up a notch, using his talented tongue and hands together. My breathing echoed across the room as I fought to hold off my orgasm. I know, what moron tries to prolong something like that, but it felt so damn good having his mouth on me that I really could have stayed here, in this moment, in the warmth of this bath, forever.
There was no stopping the spiraling swirl of pleasure which started at my center and ricocheted outwards. I cried out and Braxton held me firmly, keeping his mouth against me and my body above the water. My release went on forever, and yet it was nowhere near long enough. My body shuddered as he moved his mouth against me, the sensations almost too much to handle.
I reached down and dragged him up to me, crashing our lips together, before moaning again.
“Bed, now!” I was all demanding and shit, but it was in his best interest. I was going to return the favor, and there was no way I could hold my breath long enough.
We wasted no time getting out of the water. I snagged a towel, but before any drying could happen Braxton was lifting me up and we were kissing again. Long, slow drugging kisses. The urgency built for me again, and I could see that he was hard … massively hard.
We didn’t make it to the bed. The first time he took me hard and fast on the thick rug in front of the fireplace. I was not remotely quiet as the orgasm flooded through me. Braxton was right there with me, groaning out his own release, my name on his lips.
“Shit, Brax, we didn’t use protection,” I slurred from pleasure and exhaustion.
He stared down at me, those eyes so mesmerizing. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re already carrying my young. I don’t want anything between us … are you worried about it?”
“I love you,” I said. “Even if I had a million choices for a mate, I would still always choose you. And no, I don’t want anything between us either.”
He went motionless above me, our bodies still intertwined, his strong arms holding most of his weight off me. Probably worried about squishing me and his possible baby. “I love you too, Jess. You know I always have. If you had a million mates, I would destroy every single one to get to you.”
He shifted to lie beside me, pulling me into him. The heat of the fire crackled against our naked skin and I couldn’t stop from running my lips along his chest. He had tasted me and now it was my turn. His eyes were electric as they followed my movements. I ran my tongue along each defined line of his abdomen, down to my favorite V in the world, the one which led to … damn, he was hard again, even though we’d only just finished. As I let my tongue run across him, tasting the salty sweetness of our lovemaking, I tried to figure out how I was going to fit him all in.
Huge dick was great and all, but I could already feel the ache in my jaw. Still, it was going to be fun to try, and we had plenty of hours left for me to get it right.
The night was almost over by the time we showered again and finally crawled into bed. I was spent, boneless, and as relaxed as a person could be who was not actually dead.
As I lay in the arms of my mate, thoughts slowing down, my animals inside quiet and calm, I did something pretty unusual for me. I prayed to the Faerie gods. I asked the shining ones to protect my loved ones during this battle. I needed this to last forever. I was not ready to lose one second of my life with them. With Braxton.
I hated the dragon king for so much, but if I lost even one person I loved in this coming battle, he would rue the day he decided to create his dragon marked curse and forcibly dragon mate souls. My dragon and I had already decided that we had to kill him just for that alone, for the fact that she should have grown up with her family in Faerie, that she should be the next ruling d
ragon queen.
Braxton’s arm snaked around me tighter, his large palm resting against my stomach. There was something both tender and possessive in his action and it gave me a sense of calm and home. Even though I didn’t want to waste one second on sleeping, my exhaustion pulled me under and I was gone into a dreamless slumber.
The sirens violently ripped us from the comfort of sleep. I was disoriented for a second before finding myself really freaking annoyed that my reprieve from the stress and worry of life had ended so abruptly.
At some point during the night we had moved slightly apart in our sleep, although Braxton still had a heavy arm draped protectively over me. That was just how shifters were, we liked to sleep in a big pile of comfort. Without saying anything, we both jumped up and were off the bed in a flash.
“Shit,” I said. “I don’t have any clean clothes here.” I really didn’t want to put on my old, dirty Faerie garments.
Braxton was already striding into his walk-in wardrobe. “In here, babe,” he said.
I scurried after him, wondering what sort of magic he had cooked up, and as I stepped inside I ground to a halt to see an entire shelf filled with my stuff.
“What the crap?” I shouldn’t be so surprised. My mate was nothing if not impressive and organized. “Did we move in together and you forgot to tell me?”
He grinned. “When you disappeared I might have dismantled most of your room at Jonathon’s and moved your stuff in here.”
I could see lots of my things now: clothes, shoes, little mementoes of my life scattered throughout the large closet.
“I just needed to feel that you were close to me. I needed to protect these things while I was searching for you.” His voice was low as he stood there naked, pouring out his pain and worry.
I couldn’t stop myself from crossing to him. “I love this, Brax,” I said, standing on my tiptoes so I could almost reach my arms around his neck. “Our stuff should be together, in our dragon den of sin.”
