by Lisa Andel
"I'd prefer if you didn't do that in front of me.” Dark leaned forward in his chair, his expression hard.
"I won't, but only because you helped us.” Rainth drew himself to his full height. “She is, after all, mine.” He growled the last word.
Then he faced me again, and offered me his hand. “Let's go."
I took it and let him help me to my feet. “Wait for me outside?” I placed my palm against his chest over his heart.
He raised an eyebrow but nodded, then set out for the front of the house. Dark rose to his feet, and I went to him. He gathered me close, lowering his face to mine. We kissed passionately, then lightened it, ending with a brief peck.
"Thanks again, Vendor, for your help.” I was glad I had met him, and not just because of that.
"I'd like to give you the names of a couple of mages I know who might be willing to teach you how to control your magic."
"I'd like that. Right now, I'm not to sure how I feel about my House.” A decided understatement.
With the names clutched in my hand, I kissed him one last time at the door. He opened it for me, and I stepped out.
Rainth was leaning against the side of the SUV, arms crossed, his face etched in harsh lines. “Done?"
I blinked at him, wondering what was wrong. “What are you mad about?"
He just glared at me, and yanked open the passenger door.
Derek leaned forward and whispered to me before Rainth made it around the vehicle to the driver's side. “He just about went nuts last night thinking about you and that spell caster."
I was about to question him, when Rainth jerked his door open and threw himself into the seat. Far too soon we were back at the house. Rainth held me back while Krand and Derek went ahead of us.
"It occurred to me last night that once the spell was lifted you'd be going back to your House.” He glanced away from me, but not before I saw the raw pain in his eyes. “I ... I've never been in this position before, and I don't quite know what to do about it, how to handle it.” He raked his fingers through his hair.
I moved closer to him, placing my hands on his stomach. “What are you trying to say, Rainth?"
His eyes were dark and hooded with desire when he looked back at me. “I want to keep seeing you, having you in my bed.” He grasped my shoulders. “I found myself jealous of Derek, and then Dark. That's never happened to me before, didn't even know it could."
"Hey, I can't go back to the House yet, you know?” The corner of my mouth lifted in a partial smile.
His brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would you say that? Everything you should be has been released, restored."
"So I'm told, but I don't know how to do anything with what I've got. Dark gave me the names of a couple of guys who might be willing to teach me. Until I can do something with what I've got, I'm not going back.” The partial smile grew a little.
Rainth's mouth curved in a smile of his own.
"I see.” He leaned into me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and bending down until his lips hovered over mine. “And how long do you think it might take you to learn how to do these things?"
Looking up at his handsome, rugged face, into his dark, compelling eyes, I knew the answer. “As long as it takes."
He sank his lips into mine, and it felt like coming home.
* * * *
I walked down the path to my favorite clearing, a spring in my step that had not been there six months ago.
Sunlight sparkled on the dew that covered everything around me. The effect, as always, took my breath away. Moving to the very center of the area, I twirled with my arms out from my sides saying thanks for yet another glorious morning.
Taking deep breaths of the clean, crisp air, I noticed with my new senses when my cousin Meridith joined me.
"What do you have to be so happy about?” Her acid tone skimmed off me without effect.
"Everything,” I stated simply and turned to face her.
She looked much like the last time I'd seen her in this very spot. Only this time I saw a tarnish to her that I'd never noticed before—the edge of selfishness and darkness that ate away at her, warping the beauty that could have made her stunning.
Focusing solely on her eyes, I let my power edge into my gaze. She blinked, then narrowed her eyes at me.
"You bitch!” she screeched as she launched herself across the distance that separated us.
She bounced harmlessly off the shield I'd erected around myself to protect me from just this sort of attack. To protect me from the people of my House.
My House, no more.
"Mother!” Meridith screamed, backing it with a magical calling.
I waited patiently until her mother Pru arrived at her side. Pru looked at me, distaste twisting her face into an unattractive mask.
"What are you doing back here?” she snarled.
I could sense the unspoken part of her question, and allowed my powers to glide into her. What are you doing back here when I paid good money to that man to dispose of you?
An image of the blond man flashed through her mind. I opened my links, allowing the men that were still hanging back in the trees to see in her what I did.
"Pru, how good to see you after all this time.” I shook my head, saddened at all this woman had cost me.
Pru sniffed at me, her back going ramrod straight. “Come, Meridith, I wouldn't want you to catch something from this one."
She helped her daughter up, then pulled her several feet away. Before she had a chance to try and flash out, I said what I'd come there to say.
"I know what you did, Pru. And while I might not seek vengeance for your actions, there are others who most certainly will."
"I don't know what you're talking about.” She answered me in that haughty voice that irritated the hell out of me.
"Oh, I think you do,” Terethial said as he stepped behind her.
She spun around, her face instantly transforming into a thing of beauty. “Terethial, how good to see you. You're looking for Meridith, I presume?"
Her wheedling nearly made me gag.
Meridith simpered, fluttering her eyelashes, and pouting her lips at T. He bared his teeth at the women. “You had a spell cast on Allie when she was but an infant. A spell, Pru. All because your own flesh and blood needed an unfair advantage."
"I never...” the woman began.
Her words trailed off as Vendor Dark, along with three members of the king's council, stepped into the clearing. Dark flicked his wrist, casting a small spell that would compel her to tell the truth.
"You would have done the same for your child.” She turned large eyes on T, her illusion of earnestness just that.
"Goodbye, Pru.” He turned blank eyes on her daughter. “Goodbye to you as well, Meridith."
With that the king's men came forward, one guard touching each woman. Then they were gone.
"Thanks, Vendor. Do you need a lift home?” I grinned idiotically at him, happy that justice was being served.
The mage gave me an arrogant look, then dissolved into a mist that floated away.
It was just T and me in the clearing now. He came to me, and circled me with his arms. “How are you doing?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
"Wonderfully.” I smiled at him.
"I'm glad.” The lines in his face relaxed.
"What's her name?” I didn't flinch when I asked, but I knew he had moved on to someone else. Had known when he never got in touch with me on the communication device.
"You know me too well.” He sighed. “It's Zara."
I leaned back to look into his face. “Do you love her, or are you just passing the time?"
His expression was still guarded when he answered me. “I think she might be the one."
I kissed him briefly on the lips, hugging him as I did so. “I'm happy for you. Zara is a good catch."
"You really mean that?” I felt his body relax in my arms.
"Yes I do, T. I've found som
eone myself.” My foolish grin kicked up a notch.
"Have you now.” His tone had finally become that of the easy banter we'd had since we were children.
"Uh huh."
Rainth stepped into the clearing, taking in the scene. He moved up close behind me, the heat of his body warming my back. “Am I interrupting anything?” He sounded casual, except for the burr underlying his words that told me he was feeling possessive.
"T was just telling me about his woman,” I threw over my shoulder at the were.
"His woman?” The burr deepening in his voice, he leaned closer, careful not to touch Terethial.
Rainth and I had been over this topic several times during the past six months. I'd insist that Terethial had only bedded me out of a misguided feeling of obligation. Rainth simply couldn't understand any man not wanting me in his bed.
"Zara. You've probably run into her around here on one of your visits,” I informed him.
"This is the one you chose?” Terethial said, sounding incredulous.
"Yes. Why do you sound like that?” I scowled at him.
"I sound like this because I know what that man is like. He's insatiable.” Terethial frowned at me.
"He certainly is.” I smiled back at him wickedly.
T's mouth dropped open at my declaration. A shadow flitted behind his eyes, then he tipped his head back and laughed.
"If I'd only known.” The words came out a little breathlessly while he continued to chuckle.
I shoved his chest, hard, only getting his attention, not the release I was looking for.
"We've got to go, T,” I told him.
He sobered, his gaze assessing me for a long moment. “I'm glad you found what you were looking for,” he said honestly, then kissed me firmly on the lips.
I stepped out of Terethial's arms, and clasped Rainth's hand. With my other hand I drew the opal pendant out of my shirt.
"This time you have no excuse not to keep in touch.” I winked at my lifelong friend.
He winked back, his grin wide.
Then, with the pendant glinting brightly in the morning sun, Rainth threaded his fingers through mine, and I took us home.
Epilogue
We gathered in their sacred clearing under the silvery light of the full moon. Rainth's alpha had kept us apart for seven days, and I was itching with the need to feel him next to me. Had it not been for our link, I might not have made it.
The pack ranged out into a circle, standing silent and somber, to witness the most intimate of their ceremonies.
I stood in the center of that circle, wearing only a simple white sheath held together by an ornate silver clasp at one shoulder.
The alpha glided through his people, then came to stand at my back. The air simmered with a growing expectation.
I heard the rustle of movement, then watched as Derek, clad only in a white loincloth clasped at his hip, moved into the circle and came to stand at my left.
Another murmur of sound reached my ears, and with my heart beating harder in my chest I saw Rainth pass through the ring of people as he prowled slowly towards me. The love I felt for him crashed over me in a wave, as he took up his position on my right side.
In unison, as though they'd rehearsed this very moment, the two men lifted a hand, and placed it on my shoulder. Rainth turned me towards him, pulling me flush to his chest as he lowered his face to mine, and captured my lips.
I felt Derek move and press himself against my back, his mouth descending on my neck. Rainth dipped his tongue in next to mine, then stroked his way around my mouth, stealing my breath, and lighting my sex on fire. Derek sucked and nipped, then licked the tiny bites, flaming my passion higher.
As one, they released the clasp on my dress, as well as their own, and together our coverings fluttered to the ground.
Something primal and eager flared within the men as we stood naked together under the stars. Their beasts rose, calling out to me, causing my magic to grow. It filled me, then reached out towards them, drawing their magic inside of me, curling and twisting the separate powers together, making them one.
Rainth and Derek lowered me to the ground, until I lay flat on my back between them. Each man placed a hand on a breast, squeezing, fondling, while Rainth bent forward and kissed my lips. Then he kissed his way down to my nipple, while Derek moved over me and took my mouth. Rainth's hand then parted my labia, his finger slicking through the very center.
He brushed his lips down my ribs, over my stomach, then lower, while Derek laved and sucked my nipple. Rainth ran his tongue the entire length of my sex, dipping once into my vagina, then circling my clit, and lightly nipping it.
He rocked back on his heels, and watched while Derek eased between my legs and repeated the ritual.
Then Derek was the one who moved back, the two men exchanging a look before Rainth positioned himself above me, between my thighs, and guided his cock to the opening of my vagina. Looking into my eyes with a love and hunger that consumed me, he drove himself in.
I cried out, my back arching, as he forged his way between muscles that hadn't been used in days. He thrust in and out of me for several minutes, then buried himself deep, locked me in his arms, and rolled over, taking me with him.
While he held me tight, I felt Derek move between our legs, the heat of his body warming my back. He grasped my hip, tension vibrating in his hand while he positioned the head of his cock against my anus.
With exquisite care, Derek worked his shaft into my dark passage, his breath sawing in his lungs as he struggled to maintain his control.
When he was buried to the hilt, he lowered himself over my back, bracing himself with his arms. Rainth looked over my shoulder, then crushed my mouth with his, possessing its depths with his tongue as the two men began moving.
They were soon working in counterpoint, and the incredible bite of pleasure that being so filled brought to me nearly reduced me to tears. Rainth broke the kiss, moving his lips down my neck to the place where it met my shoulder, while Derek mirrored him on the other side. Again, as one, they sank their fangs into my flesh while they increased the speed and power of their strokes.
Our magic condensed, tightened, along with my body, building towards the ultimate release.
Derek's hips started working faster, and Rainth changed his rhythm to match. Within a few strokes, the pleasure became too much, and I exploded, a sob torn from my throat, as our powers blasted through me. When it shot through the men, they both tensed, then began slamming, digging into me, shooting their semen into my depths, as they both breached my mind. Together the three of us were caught up in a loop of orgasm more powerful then anything I had ever known.
When I came back to earth, Derek's weight was crushing me down onto Rainth.
Our magics slowly uncurled, each seeking its rightful home, yet taking with it a small part of the others.
Voices rose to a yowl around the circle, and I was reminded of where I was, and the significance of what the three of us had just done.
Derek slowly backed out of my rectum, then helped me to my feet. When Rainth rose, he was much more graceful than I had been. When we were all standing, Derek took me in his arms and kissed me with a passion and possession that I both relished and wondered about.
But then Rainth was kissing me, and I forgot about everything else.
* * * *
Rainth broke from the kiss and looked in amazement at the woman who had agreed to spend her life with him. Then he looked to his friend, Derek, and sighed, knowing that Allie didn't really understand the man's role in their lives now.
"How are we going to tell her?" he asked Derek.
"Carefully." Derek's laughter filled his head.
"Is that all there is?” Allie smiled up at him.
"Not quite. But the rest comes in the privacy of our own home.” Unless she kills me.
Leaving the ceremonial garb on the ground, he led his woman away from their pack, down the leaf-strewn trail to the home that
he lived in whenever he wasn't out on patrol.
He sat down with her on the couch, and motioned Derek to get them all a drink. Taking her hand in his, he stroked her palm while he waited for the other were to return.
"I need to make sure you understand your responsibilities to your bondmate,” he began.
"Sure.” She took a sip of her drink, then gasped at its bite.
"Were-brew.” He glanced at Derek, then continued. “You know Derek's role is as a back-up protector, as well as being personally responsible for you should something happen to me."
She nodded.
"In return, until Derek finds his mate, you're to see to his sexual needs. You won't sleep with him—spend the night, that is—you will always sleep with me, in our bed. Unless we invite him to join us there."
"Boy, that sucks for you, doesn't it?"
"You're not mad?” He studied her, while he waited for her answer.
"I can live with it.” She turned to Derek. “Sorry, big guy, but I hope you find your true love in the not too distant future."
"Then let's go to the bedroom, and complete the binding.” He breathed a sigh of relief.
* * * *
The binding apparently consisted of both men taking me in every way possible, both individually, and together.
All night long.
Derek finally left around six o'clock the following evening, and I wondered if I'd ever be able to walk again.
I showered and threw on one of Rainth's T-shirts while he was off attending to some detail or other with the alpha. He found me in the kitchen, digging through the fridge, when he returned home.
I found some meat and cheese cubes, and set those out. Rainth poured us each a glass of were-wine, which I tasted, and found to my liking.
After we'd eaten, Rainth took me outside to stand on the back deck of the house, which faced a small pond. The sun was setting, casting a brilliant display of reds, pinks, and oranges. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and pulled me to his chest.
I rested my head back against him, letting his warmth envelop me in the cool evening air.
"I still think back to the first time I saw you.” He nuzzled the hair on the top of my head. “You were the sexiest, most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. I think I realized, in that moment, that I would do anything to make you mine."
