Ink Ever After

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Table of Contents

  Author Highlights

  Welcome to Ink Ever After

  Ink Ever After

  Dante’s Seduction

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  My Queen

  A Long Night

  Their Wicked Future

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  Choose the Night

  Aftermath

  Tattered Happiness

  Tempting Me

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  Have Me

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  Written in You

  My Forever

  A Note from Carrie Ann

  About Carrie Ann and her Books

  Ink Ever After

  An Anthology

  By

  Carrie Ann Ryan

  Ink Ever After

  By: Carrie Ann Ryan

  © 2016 Carrie Ann Ryan

  ISBN: 978-1-943123-65-0

  Cover Art by Charity Hendry

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.

  For more information, please join Carrie Ann Ryan’s MAILING LIST.

  To interact with Carrie Ann Ryan, you can join her FAN CLUB.

  Author Highlights

  Praise for Carrie Ann Ryan….

  “Carrie Ann Ryan knows how to pull your heartstrings and make your pulse pound! Her wonderful Redwood Pack series will draw you in and keep you reading long into the night. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the new generation, the Talons. Keep them coming, Carrie Ann!” –Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of CRAVE THE NIGHT

  “Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to draw readers in with passion, raw sensuality, and characters that pop off the page. Any book by Carrie Ann is an absolute treat.” – New York Times Bestselling Author J. Kenner

  "With snarky humor, sizzling love scenes, and brilliant, imaginative worldbuilding, The Dante's Circle series reads as if Carrie Ann Ryan peeked at my personal wish list!" – NYT Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione

  "Carrie Ann Ryan writes sexy shifters in a world full of passionate happily-ever-afters." – New York Times Bestselling Author Vivian Arend

  “Carrie Ann’s books are sexy with characters you can’t help but love from page one. They are heat and heart blended to perfection.” New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Rylon

  Carrie Ann Ryan's books are wickedly funny and deliciously hot, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. They'll keep you up all night!” USA Today Bestselling Author Cari Quinn

  "Once again, Carrie Ann Ryan knocks the Dante's Circle series out of the park. The queen of hot, sexy, enthralling paranormal romance, Carrie Ann is an author not to miss!" New York Times bestselling Author Marie Harte

  Welcome to Ink Ever After

  Thank you so much for picking up Ink Ever After! I love doing these projects in the Happy Ever After series because I get to go back to visit so many of my favorite characters. Each novella and short story in Ink Ever After and the rest of the Happy Ever After series goes back to couple I’ve previously written and shows off another side of them. Sometimes the story isn’t over after the happy ever after and here are a few of their stories.

  For those of you new to the series, you should be okay starting here. None of these romances are full-length novels or even stand alone romances. They are all about characters that have already fallen in love and had their HEAs. But it’s nice to go back behind the scenes as well as see what happens when a couple or triad is ready to start a family, plan a wedding, or just have a night out after a long week.

  Before each story, I’ll tell you where it falls within the series if you love reading in order, however no matter what, you can read these after the series is over or in the middle or any time you’d like.

  I hope you love them as much as I do and thank you for picking up Ink Ever After!

  Ink Ever After

  From the New York Times bestselling author of the Montgomery Ink and Talon Pack series comes an anthology filled with eleven bonus After-the-HEA novellas and short stories in most of her series.

  Dante’s Seduction (A Dante’s Circle Novella)

  Jace and Nadie see their dragon is in trouble and they have only one way to make sure he sees it too: seduction.

  My Queen (A Dante’s Circle Short Story)

  Eliana is ready to take the throne but she needs her men by her side.

  A Long Night (A Never Before Released Dante’s Circle Short Story)

  Eliana and Malik are in for a long night…until a special visitor arrives.

  Their Wicked Future (A Redwood Pack and Talon Pack Novella)

  Quinn and Gina are ready for the next step…they hope.

  Choose the Night (A Talon Pack Short Story)

  Brynn and Finn’s anniversary.

  Aftermath (A Never Before Released Talon Pack Short Story)

  Ryder and Leah learn to heal.

  Tattered Happiness (A Never Before Released Talon Pack Short Story)

  The Alpha of the Talon Pack needs to relax and only his submissive mate is able to help.

  Tempting Me (A Montgomery Ink Novella)

  Miranda and Decker are ready for one more change to their state of being. Hopefully.

  Have Me (A Never Before Released Montgomery Ink Novella)

  Meghan and Luc are nearing the end of her pregnancy and Luc wants to make sure she knows she’s loved.

  Written in You (A Never Before Released Montgomery Ink Short Story)

  Griffin needs to ask Autumn a very important question.

  My Forever (A Never Before Released Montgomery Ink Short Story)

  It’s date night for new parents Callie and Morgan.

  Dante’s Seduction

  A Dante’s Circle Novella

  Author Note: Dante’s Seduction is a short story set in the Dante’s Circle world. Jace, Nadie, and Dante are from the novel, Tangled Innocence and have been through a whirlwind before they finally had their HEA. It’s meant for readers of the series and can be read at any time after, Tangled Innocence (Dante’s Circle Book 4). I hope you enjoy Dante, Jace, and Nadie’s little slice of life!

  ONE

  Dante

  There was an ache in my bones that refused to go away. I’d lived through countless wars and seen civilizations rise and fall, and yet, I had thought the ache had vanished. Over the last few months, I’d found my mates, ended a war, and created a new Conclave. Or rather, I’d helped the Conclave find a new place and foundation so we weren’t killing everyone that went against us in a fit of rage.

  Since all of that was now behind me, I figured I’d be able to sleep a little better and just…be. Only it hadn’t quite worked out that way. Sure, I saw my mates, Nadie and Jace, daily and knew there was a bright future down the road; only I was too fucking tired to deal with it.

  I wiped down the bar countertop one last time and rolled my shoulders. A huge storm had blown in from the west and brought a late rush of people into the bar, a last stop on their way home. Usually, I would have had help, but I’d sent everyone else home so they could be with their families. I honestly hadn
’t expected the rush, and now I was going to be late getting home back to my mates.

  I don’t know why I kept Dante’s Circle open. But I loved the damn bar. Using spells and glamour, I had been able to own and operate it for over six decades. Before Nadie had walked into the bar and changed my life, I figured I’d end up being a bartender for another few decades before setting up shop somewhere else. Or maybe I would have found a new profession. I’d been a carpenter, a doctor, a scientist, and much more in my time. All the while, hiding the fact that I was also the blue dragon prince.

  Then Nadie had shown up, and finally, Jace had done the same, and my plans had changed. I’d also been called up to be a Conclave member. One of two dragons who helped rule all the realms. The world I’d lived in, the world I’d made for myself was damn tiring. Between that, my mates, the bar, and the fact that every time one of our friends found their mate—or mates—I had to deal with a new edge of war, I was damn tired. Exhausted, really. I didn’t know if I could keep up with running the bar as I was. Something had to change. I wouldn’t give it up, not with the memories, but I needed to make a plan.

  I let out a breath and clicked my tongue ring against my teeth. The last patron had just walked out the door, and all I wanted was to go home to bed. I was a ten-thousand-year-old dragon, and, apparently, a cranky one.

  My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see that Tristan had texted with an update. I closed my eyes and tried to center myself. Another friend had found his mate, his true half, and now I had to wonder what would happen next. Would I lose my friends because of another realm’s pain? Would I lose my mates because of a war I couldn’t predict?

  My head hurt, and I knew if I didn’t get out of this funk, I’d end up worrying myself into a brain aneurysm or something. Instead of banging my forehead against the wall, I opened my eyes and finished closing up the bar. I’d go home, hold my mates, and try to figure out how to relax.

  My phone buzzed again, this time with a message from another Conclave member with a question. I sent a quick text back and headed to my SUV. By the time I made it home through the worst of the storm, I almost wished I had made a portal to get there—even if it were a waste of energy. Or maybe I should have just shifted into my dragon form and flown home. It would have taken a fraction of the time.

  I pulled into the garage and shut off the engine. Though I was practically dead on my feet, I shuffled upstairs, stripping off my clothes as I did. I left a trail in my wake and knew Nadie would scold me for it later, but I didn’t mind. I kind of liked it when she got all angry and sported that cute little scowl.

  As soon as I entered our bedroom, the scent of sex filled my senses. I smiled. My mates had apparently been busy while I was at the bar. They’d been in the bear realm for a date of their own, and thankfully, had come home instead of staying at Jace’s family’s overnight. I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t been there when I got home. Though I was naked, exhausted, and weary, I probably would have made my way to them in any realm, just so I could hold them in my arms.

  Jace lay on his side, Nadie in his arms as they faced one another. The sheet had fallen, leaving Jace naked above the waist. I was pretty damn sure he was naked underneath the covers, as well. Because Nadie was so much smaller, the blanket had slid under her ass so only her legs were covered. As tired as I was, my cock stirred at the sight of them.

  Yeah, I was worn-out, but I’d do anything for them. They turned me on, made me want them, made me love them. With each breath.

  They made everything I did worth it.

  I slid into bed behind Nadie and spooned her from the back. She mumbled something in her sleep and pressed her ass firmly against my cock. I smiled, knowing she was dead to the world but still needed my touch. Jace’s arm came around Nadie and slid over my skin. I let out a sigh and wrapped my arm around them both.

  With a smile on my face, the tension eased out of me and I slept.

  Finally.

  TWO

  Nadie

  I pressed my lips together and tried to focus on the tablet in front of me. Why couldn’t I come up with a decent plan? It was as if every single idea I had about what to do about the problem at hand had flown the coop of my mind.

  I rubbed my temples and scrunched my face. I could do this. I was a freaking succubus mated to not only a dragon but also a bear. This was my thing. My destiny of sorts.

  But I needed a plan.

  I needed to seduce my mate.

  Oh, it might sound crazy, but it really wasn’t.

  Dante had been so freaking busy, we hadn’t made love in a month. In a freaking month. Sure we kissed, and I had given him a nice day-starter blowjob just that morning, but he’d been called away to deal with Conclave business so he hadn’t even been able to get me off. Jace had helped me out, and Dante had looked like he wanted to hit someone on his way out of the house, but still.

  A girl has needs.

  And this girl needed her dragon.

  “Just take off your clothes and say, ‘do me,’” Jace said with a grin by my side. “I’m really not understanding why you’re thinking so hard about this. He’s our mate. He needs to relax. And I think a nice, sexy threesome for a weekend, no wait, make that an entire week, will be just the ticket.”

  I rolled my eyes and leaned into his broad shoulder. “I want it to be special. We could have sweaty sex any night, but he’s been so…tired. I just want him to be happy.”

  Jace sighed and lifted his arm to wrap it around my shoulders. He kissed the top of my head and leaned on me a bit. “He doesn’t know how to ask for help. And frankly, he doesn’t know how to take help even if it shows up at his door with a freaking bow on it.”

  I sat up and smiled, an idea sparking. “Oh…”

  Jace’s eyes darkened. “Please tell me you’re going to wear a bow. And nothing but the bow. I’ll offer to help you tie it so I can watch Dante unwrap you. Slowly.”

  I snorted then set my tablet down on the coffee table so I could straddle his lap. His cock pressed firmly against my heat and I grinned. “You have the same dirty mind as I do, and I freaking love it. I love you, my sexy grizzly bear.”

  He kissed me softly and I opened for him, loving his taste on my tongue. My inner succubus woke up, and the never-ending hunger flared. I needed sex daily in order to survive. Usually, it wasn’t a problem. But with the way Dante had been absent lately, Jace had been picking up the slack. But from the feel of him under me, and the look in his eyes, he wasn’t complaining.

  He just wanted Dante back, too.

  Jace’s hands covered my ass, and I rocked into him. Damn I loved the feel of this man. And soon, I’d be able to feel our other man underneath me, as well. I’d just wrap myself up all nice and shiny and turn off that damn phone of his.

  It was time to seduce my dragon, but first, I needed to make love to my sexy bear.

  THREE

  Jace

  I ran a hand over my face and tried to remember that this was going to be fun. Eventually. Nadie just needed a few minutes to set up the bedroom, and that meant I needed to keep Dante distracted…and in the house. The bar was covered thanks to our friend Becca, and I might have hidden Dante’s phone. If anyone needed us, they could call me, or they could use their powers and send a physic blast.

  Sure, phones were easier, but that was why we were in this mess to begin with.

  So while Nadie wrapped herself up all nice and sexy—without me, I might add—I got to get sweaty with Dante.

  But not in a sexy way.

  Okay, that was a lie. Because my inked, built, pierced, and sexy-as-fuck dragon was shirtless, wearing only a pair of sweats that hugged his hips low and tight. Yeah, super sexy. I wanted to bend him over and fuck him against the table in the gym that held our weights, but I knew that wasn’t part of the plan.

  So I willed my cock not to act like too much of a dick—ha!—and rolled my shoulders. I wore only a pair of cut-off sweats and had let my hair down so it to
uched my shoulders. Dante had done the same, so now we truly looked like the “dark and light angels” Nadie called us. We might not be angels like our friends Shade and Ambrose, but we had the looks. Apparently. I was blond, where Dante had black hair with blue streaks. When I’d first met the man, I had thought he dyed it to match the ink and piercings, but I’d been wrong. Dante was a blue, royal dragon so the hair came with his human form.

  Did I mention he was sexy as fuck?

  “So, you said you wanted to fight?” Dante asked. He looked tired. And the damn man shouldn’t be looking tired. Dragons could go days without sleep and be fine, but Dante looked as though he hadn’t slept for far longer than that. He was trying to do too much and it was hurting him.

  And as Dante was my mate, I wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt him. Even himself.

  “I need to spar a bit,” I answered as I rolled my shoulders again. “I figured you could get rid of some tension yourself.” I gave him a knowing look and he winced.

  “I know I haven’t been around. I’m sorry for that. I just need to find a balance.” He shrugged, and I wanted to rub those shoulders. And I would. After I beat the crap out of him—or let him try to beat the crap out of me. It helped that we were both predatory shifters. We could let loose and just have fun while kicking each other’s asses.

  “And you’re going to let Nadie and me help you.” I didn’t pose it as a question. There was no way I was going to let this continue. Not with all the shit we’d been through.