Corralling Dawn [Midnighter Seductions 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Corinne Davies

  “And I’d crush anyone who ever uttered them in your direction,” Storm stated.

  Her stomach chose that moment to let loose with an embarrassing rumble of its own, breaking the tension and making both men laugh.

  “We should be beaten for not taking care of you properly.” Derechos lowered her to her unsteady legs. Each of the men clasped one of her hands and headed toward the arched entrance.

  Dawn felt her cheeks heat up. Did anyone pass us in the hall? Is everyone talking about us in there?

  Neither Storm nor Derechos seemed fazed by her behavior or the least bit worried about entering the room. They passed through the arch, which revealed a series of large tables. Not all of them were full but no one sat alone. There were groups of them all over. A large dais lined the front of the room with a highly decorated table but no one sat at it.

  Dawn was fascinated by the details in everything around her. The men at the tables were as tall as Derechos and Storm as far as she could tell and were all muscular in varying degrees. More interesting was that they all had markings on their arms like tribal tattoos but she wondered if they had been burned into their skin. A terrifying prospect but she’d heard of people branding themselves like that. The exceptions were four men whose markings were black. Each pair of men had a woman sitting between them and the women had identical markings to the men on either side except it was much more delicate and looked iridescent, like mother of pearl inside a shell. Everyone wore clothes similar to what they were wearing but in different styles. Many of the men were completely shirtless but some wore vests similar to her men’s. Wait, my men? Whoa, back the hormone bus up. Fun times, nothing else, woman.

  Quite a few of them men openly stared at her as she walked between Derechos and Storm. The majority of them could easily be described as tall, dark, and delicious, although there were a couple blonds and one man had fiery red hair. They all looked at her as if she was a tall, cold beer and they’d been out gathering cattle all day.

  Storm and Derechos led her to the group she’d been looking at. As they approached, everyone turned and looked at them. Suddenly finding herself under the curious looks from such a large group was intimidating, but nothing worse than she’d faced in her twenties. A group of stuck-up trust-fund babies would tear you apart if you showed a single inkling of self-doubt. She let her social mask slip over her face and dull her emotions.

  “Oh, I knew it!” One of the women clapped and wriggled in her seat while the men on either side of her smiled. Dawn was struck by the devotion she saw on each of their faces as they gazed down at her. Her inner guard slipped for a moment before she hid behind it again.

  “Nochils, I’d like you to meet our Atan, Dawn.”

  The two men scowled at them but the woman smiled brightly and stood up, holding her hand out to Dawn. “Don’t mind them, they hate being called Nochil. Hi, my name’s Destiny and this is Rock and Jag.” She pointed to the men on either side of her. “This is my friend Hope and her men.”

  “It’s nice to meet you all.” Men? They both have two? “This is all a little overwhelming.”

  The other woman laughed as she leaned across the lap of the man next to her and reached out her hand. She had delicate iridescent markings on her arms as well that matched the black tattoos on the men. They were very pretty and Dawn wondered how they created them. “I completely understand. I felt the same way when I was dragged here but it’s not so bad.”

  Dragged here? Neither of these women is acting like they are here against their will. One of the men turned and looked at her and Dawn immediately recognized him. “You’re the bartender at Midnighters!”

  He laughed and nodded. “Yes, I’m Wolfe and this is my brother, Falcon.” He motioned to the man with long black hair on the other side of Hope.

  Derechos and Storm ushered her into a seat next to the large table. It was the most comfortable chair she’d every parked her butt in, almost as if it had been made for her. Derechos went to sit next to her and the chair expanded and lengthened.

  “Holy shit!” Dawn jumped up and watched as the seat shrunk to fit Derechos. Both he and Storm started laughing, making her feel like an idiot.

  “Come here.” Derechos wrapped his arms around her hips and pulled her into his lap before pressing a kiss against her temple. “I should have warned you about that.”

  “Don’t let it bother you, Dawn. It took me forever to get used to stuff altering itself to my needs.” Destiny leaned to the side against one of her men while her hand rested on the other’s leg. Her fingers casually stroked his leg as if public displays of affection between three people were the norm.

  Storm kissed the top of her head, distracting her. “I’ll go get us something to eat.”

  Dawn looked back over Derechos’s shoulder as Storm walked away. His ass was a work of art, all tight muscle that made her want to dig her heels into it. His pants weren’t skintight but they were snug enough that she could tell his legs were muscular and strong. His vest was tighter and hugged his torso, showing off the V shape to his back that most men had to work out in a gym to create.

  “Dawn?”

  “Hmmm?” She looked up at Derechos, her brain filled with visions of both men naked and covered in chocolate sauce. He grinned down at her and it took a moment for her to realize that he was waiting for an answer to a question. “Sorry, my thoughts drifted.”

  “Would you like to tell me where?” he asked, making her blush.

  She had a feeling he knew exactly what she’d been staring at and where her thoughts had gone. “Not at this moment, no.”

  A deep dimple pierced his cheek as his robust laugh echoed in the room. It was the kind of laugh that made your heart feel big and warm. Like he didn’t care who knew he was happy. She’d spent so much time in the company of people who worried all the time about what they looked like and what they said, it was refreshing to see someone laugh for the enjoyment of it. His arms tightened around her, hugging her.

  “I’ll get the truth out of you later,” he whispered against the side of her head. “I wonder how many times I can make you peak before you tell me everything.”

  Her pussy warmed at the thought, a surprise considering she’d already had a number of orgasms since waking up. For a brief second she wondered if he was jealous of the time she spent with Storm but she quashed the thought. Neither of them had really shown her anything other than a good time. Jealousy would require that one or both of them care about her and it was far too soon for that.

  “Will the three of you be coming to the village tonight?” Hope leaned past Wolfe and asked them. “Did you hear about Tanja’s nephew?”

  “I saw her earlier today and she told me about him. It’s the start of a new generation of Midnighters and that is a cause for celebration.”

  Dawn’s confusion must have shown on her face because Hope quickly apologized. “Sorry, Dawn, I didn’t intend to make you feel excluded. The Midnighters are a group of male warriors that protect the people of this world.”

  “How do you know that a baby will grow up to be a warrior?”

  Derechos held up his arm. “We’re born with these markings, Atan. It’s a sign that we were chosen by the gods to protect what they created. Every Midnighter has a warrior brother who shares his markings.”

  “Is your partner born at the same time?”

  “It happens but not often. Wolfe and Falcon are brothers. Rock and Jag were born in the same village.”

  “What about you and Storm?”

  “We were born in different kaah, but found each other when we were both trying to seduce the same woman.”

  “What happened to her?” Dawn felt a stab of jealousy toward this unknown woman who’d attracted their attention.

  “She left us when she discovered we didn’t plan on showering her with gifts for the rest of her life.”

  That kind of attitude Dawn understood. Looks like there are gold diggers in every world. Her sister was a perfect example of that
.

  “We both knew she wasn’t meant to be ours.” Derechos stroked his fingers through the hair at her temple. “We were waiting for you.”

  Her heart felt like it skipped a beat. He looked so sincere and she wanted to believe him. But, it couldn’t be real. Of course, two days ago she wouldn’t have believed that another dimension was possible either. She didn’t understand the deep sense of calm she felt while sitting in his lap. She should be freaking out but there was a sense of rightness to it all she couldn’t explain.

  Storm returned and placed a large platter of food in front of them. It was piled high with a variety of foods, many of which she didn’t recognize but some she did. There was enough there to feed an entire family, let alone the three of them.

  The chair lengthened and made room for the three of them. Despite Derechos’s protest when she moved off her lap, she sat herself between them much as Destiny and Hope were doing. She knew that fitting in was better than standing out. And with her head fighting with her heart at the moment, she needed a little space.

  Dawn sat quietly and observed as the conversation picked up around the table. The celebration that was being held tonight was a big deal to them but they also spoke of security and keeping everyone safe. Storm and Derechos were very involved in planning with the others, but neither of them forgot she was there. They both took turns putting food on her plate to try. Storm’s arm lay across the back of the chair but his hand rested on her back between her shoulder blades. Derechos was more inclined to talk with his hands but he repeatedly touched her thigh as if he wanted to reassure her that he knew she was there. Destiny and Hope were both active in the conversation as well and Dawn liked that their men didn’t dismiss their ideas or thoughts when they offered them.

  She looked down at the food each of them had put on her plate. The majority were things she recognized, mostly fruits, but there was a variety of things she didn’t recognize and frankly was afraid to ask. Sometimes it was best to try something before finding out where it came from or what it started out as, but she trusted that they wouldn’t put anything dangerous to her health in front of her. Again she was struck with that sense of being in the exact spot she was born to be. Could they be right and they were meant to be with me?

  Would they understand that she could only spare a day or two before needing to go back to the ranch? She needed to double-check the fencing and make certain that her cattle were healthy and there hadn’t been any more attacks. Funny, she was more worried about her ranch than her sister. But Sammy would leave as she arrived. With a flurry of drama that Dawn didn’t mind missing.

  As if they could sense the small flutter of anxiety she felt, each of them moved marginally closer to her. Derechos rubbed her leg slightly as Storm caressed small circles with his fingers along the top of her spine. Calm trickled through her, easing her thoughts and relaxing her. She’d stay a little longer before asking them to take her home.

  Chapter Four

  Derechos watched Dawn play with the children from the village. She didn’t understand but the villagers would have noticed his and Storm’s protective nature toward her immediately. Being their Atan would make shy and cautious children trust her to keep them safe. Many of them were fascinated by her pale coloring and her white-blonde hair.

  Even if she wasn’t meant to be theirs, he knew Dawn would be the type to care for those she felt would need her. The fact that she would ride out in the middle of the night to check on her animals was proof enough of that. Most people would have waited until sunup.

  As he watched, three of the more rambunctious boys tackled Dawn to the ground and started tickling her. Her laughing screams caught the attention of a few as she tickled them back, making everyone smile as more of the kids piled on her. A few of the warriors braved the sea of children and waded in to rescue her. Their presence diverted most of their attention because the boys knew they wouldn’t have to watch their strength with the warriors. Inside of a few moments, Storm himself had two boys on his back and a couple wrapped around each leg. Thunder had them hanging off every limb, playfully growling and roaring as he stomped across the ground, dragging them all with him. Dawn gathered the girls, and they all ran off across the field to a patch of wildflowers where Destiny, Hope, and a few other women sat weaving coronets.

  “The gods have chosen well for you.” The comment came with a light pat to his arm as IxChel stepped up beside him. She was the closest to a spiritual leader that their culture had, although she treated them all as their mothers had regardless of their size or age. “Should we expect our own Cha’an soon?”

  The Cha’an was a sacred celebration of joining among the warriors. They all spent so much time together that claiming a woman in front of their fellow brothers was an accepted part of life. But to claim their Atan at the same time with the Midnighters as witnesses was an action blessed by the gods. His and Storm’s arm markings would blacken and Dawn’s skin would accept their marks as she accepted their bodies.

  “I hope so but there is something that is holding Dawn back. I keep getting flashes of anxiety and discontent but I don’t understand what is bothering her.”

  “That is one of the many joys and frustrations of finding your Atan. You and Storm haven’t had to fight much for what you want in life, but I hope she changes that.”

  Derechos was shocked at IxChel’s comment. “I don’t agree. We’ve fought for a great many things.”

  “You and Storm have fought and defended your people and those you love. I’m not saying you haven’t faced tragedy, but neither of you have ever had to fight for what you want or go against those you call friends to obtain it.”

  “If we have to go against our own beliefs or those we love to obtain something, it’s not worth having.”

  “Remember those words, Derechos.” IxChel looked so disappointed in him and he didn’t understand why. When she walked away and didn’t look back, he was tempted to follow and demand an explanation.

  “Derechos!”

  Tanja was walking toward him with a bundled baby in her arms. He decided to wait and speak to Storm about her cryptic comment. The small infant looked around, very alert for a child barely a few days old. The small swirled markings of a Midnighter were dark red against the delicate skin on the baby’s arm.

  “Oh, he’s beautiful.”

  Derechos had felt Dawn’s approach. Her energy was like a soothing balm to his agitated soul. IxChel must be confused. He and Storm were already connected to their Atan and knew she would never leave them. He stretched out his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders when she stepped next to him. A coronet of brightly colored flowers circled her head, a drastic contrast to her light hair. She reached out and stroked a finger over the baby’s hand, smiling when he curled his fingers around it.

  “Tanja, this is my Atan, Dawn.”

  Tanja smiled and nodded her head. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Dawn. This is my nephew, Oyama. He’s the first Midnighter to be born to our family.”

  “Is there a Midnighter born in every family?”

  “No. Rock was the first Midnighter to be born in our generation. It’s been centuries since warriors have walked on Lu’um.” Storm explained. “That’s how our people knew the portal was going to open.”

  “Our people have stayed hidden all this time. It wasn’t until the Nochil were born that we felt a sense of security. We knew that the return of the warriors meant the return of the Kimil.”

  “I don’t understand. Did you not have anyone to protect you?” Dawn looked around at the families that had gathered and then up at Derechos. “Who protected you as children?”

  “Our parents did the best they could. There are legends about the Midnighters in our history but we are only now learning what the truth is and what’s exaggerated.”

  Tanja continued the story. “The Kimil returned to our home and began attacking us when they heard that the Midnighters had returned. They wanted the portal to themselves but our people had been
given the task to protect and guard it.”

  “Many of our elders were slaughtered in those first few attacks. IxChel was one of the few to survive. Have you introduced her to Dawn yet?”

  Derechos tried not to frown at IxChel’s name. He knew they should have introduced her to the older woman the minute they came across the portal but at the time they’d been distracted. “I will as soon as we see her.”

  A slight wrinkle marred the skin between Tanja’s eyebrows as she gave him a look very similar to the one his mother used to give him when he was a boy. “You be sure to do that, Derechos. There are traditions to follow and that includes an ook’at.”

  “What’s that?” Dawn looked up from making cooing noises at the baby. He felt his skin flush and tried to cover it up by smiling and pressing a quick kiss against her nose. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Instead of the easy grin and shrug he expected, Dawn frowned up at him. “Any reason why you can’t say now?”

  “It’s private between you, Storm, and me.”

  “Oh.” A blush stained her skin and made her cheeks a dusty-rose color. He and Storm hadn’t decided when to tell Dawn about their traditions but they were going to have to do it soon. “Thank you for introducing me to Oyama, Tanja.” He wrapped two fingers and a thumb around the crook in the baby’s arm, modifying the traditional greeting between Midnighters. The baby’s hand rested against his wrist. “Blessings, little brother, grow your energy strong and I look forward to you joining us.”

  Oyama kicked his feet and nuzzled his face against the back of Derechos’s hand as Tanja smiled and bowed her head again. “I better get him back to his mother for a little bit before introducing him to anyone else. I think he’s getting hungry.”

  As soon as Tanja was out of earshot, Dawn turned on Derechos. “All right, now tell me what an ook’at is.”

  “It’s a traditional dance between warriors and their Atan. Storm and I dance for you and inflame your body with lust.” It wasn’t a lie but he left out a couple key points on purpose. He still believed that he and Storm needed to make her fall in love with their world so much she wouldn’t want to leave. Scaring her off wasn’t the best way to start that. They would tell her everything…soon.