by Lili Zander
“Tesoro, you’ve made great strides in the last few days,” Mateo says gently. “But you’re not powerful enough to face the Dark Dragon.”
“He’s in Alaska, not Germany.”
“He can send his spirit walking abroad while his body is protected,” Mateo replies. “Remember our lesson this morning? Time and space are not constraints for a mage of Gideon’s power.”
Rhys puts his arm around my shoulder. “I’m sorry, love,” he says. “I know you want to help. But if you go, Erik and Bastian will be so busy worrying about you that they’ll be distracted.”
She sighs heavily. “Damn it, that makes sense.”
Rhys grins. “I’m more than a pretty face, love.”
“It doesn’t mean I like it,” Aria says pointedly. “Fine.” She puts her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. “You beat me at pool last week,” she whispers. “And I want revenge. You better stay safe, you hear me?”
I take a deep breath, and the light, floral scent of her washes over me. “Princess,” I smirk in an effort to lighten the mood. “You’ve been trying to beat me for weeks and failing miserably. When are you going to learn to give up?”
She punches my arm in reply.
As she hugs Bastian goodbye, I give Mateo a sidelong glance, and he nods slightly. We both know that there’s a good chance that Aria will try to follow us.
Mateo, Casius, and Rhys need to make sure she fails at that task.
15
Aria
I quietly make my way down the hallway, determination marking my every stride. The dragons might tell me not to worry, but I can’t let it go. Call me stubborn, but I should be helping Erik and Bastian. The need to just do something is too strong to ignore. So, despite the fact that I said I’d stay behind, I’m sneaking out to help.
A dark figure steps out of the shadows causing my heart to pound furiously in my chest. Mateo steps into the light, and I relax slightly.
“Where are you off to?” he asks casually. Too casually. He knows what I’m doing. Can I bluff my way out of this?
“I couldn’t sleep.” I shrug. It’s not a lie. It’s just not the whole truth.
“There seems to be a lot of that going around tonight. Right, Rhys?” Mateo asks over my shoulder.
Rhys has managed to sneak up on me with silent feet. I turn to find him only a few feet behind me. Damn it. They definitely know.
“Very true,” he replies. “So, Aria. Let’s cut to the chase. You’re running off after Bastian and Erik.”
I glare at the two of them. “Fine,” I admit. “That’s what I was doing. They don’t have magic, Mateo. What if Zyrian attacks them?”
Rhys puts his arms around me from behind. “You do them a disservice, love,” he breathes into my neck, his lips rasping against my skin with each syllable. “Bastian and Erik will be back before you know it.”
“I—” My breath catches as his hand slides up my body, resting just underneath my breast. His thumb rubs gentle circles on the underside of my breast. Even that relatively innocent touch has my insides clenching. Rhys is using our connection through the mating bond to distract me, and it’s working.
Mateo closes the distance between us until I’m caged between my two mates. It takes more willpower than I knew I possessed to push away from them. “I can’t do this,” I clench out. “Not when Bastian and Erik could be in danger.” The feeling that something’s wrong is growing. I give Mateo an imploring look. “Remember what happened to you,” I tell him, silently begging him to understand.
“You’re right,” he agrees. “Anything might happen. But Erik Valder and Bastian Jaeger are two of the most powerful dragons in the world. They are more than capable of taking care of themselves. Besides, we’re jumping to conclusions. Chances are that the meeting is exactly what it appears to be.”
“You don’t think the timing’s odd? This dragon hasn’t spoken to Erik for five hundred years, and all of a sudden, he wants to drop by for a chat?”
Mateo doesn’t reply. The door beside me opens revealing Casius, clad only in a pair of dark gray boxer briefs. “What is going on out here?”
“Aria’s sneaking out to help Valder and Jaeger. She doesn’t like being left behind.”
Mateo’s frustration rings loud and clear in his tone. I’m fairly certain he’d like to throttle me right now.
“Is that true, little thief?” Casius asks, quirking an eyebrow at me.
“Maybe?” I meant to say yes. I also meant to sound like a confident, magic-wielding, sword-using badass. Epic fail.
He just shakes his head, grabs my hand, and leads me into his bedroom. Crap. I must’ve gotten turned around again because I totally didn’t realize I was so close to his guest suite. Resigned, I follow him.
I know they’re right. I’m acting like an idiot. An impulsive fool. But my skin is itchy with worry, and I can’t shake the ominous feeling that is threatening to suffocate me. I pace at the foot of the bed. Wearing out a hole in the carpet might not be productive, but it’s an outlet for the chaotic energy inside me.
“Tesoro.” Mateo’s smooth voice cuts through my cloud of fear. “Would you like for me to help you calm down?”
“How?”
“There is a spell. It will temporarily remove your worries.”
I give him a skeptical look. “Like a magical Prozac?”
“Not exactly. This gives you the same mellowness that drinking a glass of scotch would, but it’s temporary. At any time, I can make its effects disappear.”
“I don’t know…” I pause my pacing and consider his words. If something is really wrong, then I need to be calm. Ready to act. Freaking out is the least useful thing I can do. “Okay. What do I need to do?”
The tip of Mateo’s finger lengthens into a talon-like claw. The ability to partially shift takes immense control and concentration; it’s a testament to the power that Mateo has over not only his magic but his dragon too. “It starts with a simple blood exchange,” he says pricking his finger.
I offer him my own willingly. The sharp sting is gone as soon as Mateo’s bloodied finger touches mine.
“Relax,” Mateo’s says, his voice taking on the same cadence that Zyrian’s did when he was inside my mind. Except Mateo feels like a warm fuzzy blanket that I want to curl up in, and Zyrian’s was laced with darkness.
I close my eyes and concentrate on what Mateo is doing. My anxiety feels like a set of too-tight clothes, and his magic is removing them. When he’s done, he neatly folds it and puts it away in a drawer inside my mind. It’s still there. I can sense it, but I’m no longer overwhelmed by it.
“Better?” he asks.
“Much. Thank you.” I glance at my finger, and even though I shouldn’t be, I’m surprised to see it’s been healed. Mateo shrugs like it’s nothing, and I suppose to him it really isn’t.
Mateo pulls me into his arms, and flames of need lick across my skin. The blood magic a powerful aphrodisiac, one that I can’t deny. Suddenly I’m consumed by the desire to be closer to my dragons. Now.
Yes. I know it probably seems crazy to be thinking about sex at a time like this. It is crazy. Mateo’s removed the worry from my mind, but he hasn’t removed the voice of common sense that looks at me and says, Really? Is now the time?
Then again, why not? Mateo, Rhys, and Casius seem absolutely insistent that I stay inside the castle. The fog of fear in my mind is temporarily gone, and only lust remains in its wake. I might as well take advantage.
I grab Mateo by the back of his neck and pull his lips to mine. Without missing a beat, his tongue sweeps into my mouth, and he takes control of the kiss. “Need you,” I whimper into his mouth.
“Need you too, tesoro,” he groans. “Take off your clothes.”
“Only if you do too,” I taunt, feeling lighter than I have in days. Man, that blood magic is powerful stuff. Who needs Prozac when you’ve got a dragon mage around?
He quirks up an eyebrow, a broad smile parting his lips. Slowly,
he starts to strip. When his shirt hits the floor, I drop my own. He removes his shoes and socks, and I follow suit. Our pants are next, and I suck in a breath when his erection springs free. Mateo stands before me stripped bare like a Greek god. My mouth waters at the sight.
“You’re overdressed,” Rhys says, commenting on the fact that I’m still wearing my bra and panties. “Let me help with that.”
My underwear hits the floor, and then I’m tossed over Rhys’ shoulder. He unceremoniously drops me onto the bed, knocking the wind from my lungs. “Hey,” I protest.
He grins at me as he starts stripping out of his own clothes. “So impatient,” he says with a shake of his head, climbing on the bed and settling atop me. The bed dips to our right and then our left. I practically purr in anticipation as Mateo and Casius join us. It’s a little strange to have three of them in bed with me, but it also feels really right.
Rhys kisses his way down my body, settling between my legs with his mouth hovering over my pussy. Mateo and Casius suck my nipples between their lips, sending delicious heat spiraling through me.
I throw my head back as pleasure engulfs me. This is so good.
Casius releases my nipple from the deep suction of his mouth. With a hand buried in his hair, I pull his mouth to mine. Our kiss is wild and passionate and out-of-control. Rhys continues his delicious torture of my clit while Mateo nips and sucks my breast.
I rip my lips away from Casius on a moan. “Oh God, I’m gonna…”
“Give it to me, little thief.” Rhys buries his tongue inside me, rubbing little circles around my clit with his thumb. I cry out his name as my orgasm rolls through me.
Fuck. That was amazing. And judging by the looks in their eyes, we’re only getting started.
“Delicious,” Rhys says, sounding satisfied. He kisses me deeply, and I kiss him back, tasting myself on his lips. I’m still lost in post-orgasmic bliss when Rhys rolls us until I’m straddling him. I grind my hips into him and shudder when his hard cock presses against my clit. I work my hips back and forth, rubbing against him. “That’s it, love,” he encourages. “Ride me.”
Don’t mind if I do.
Reaching a hand between our bodies, I guide his cock to my entrance and slowly slide down his thick shaft. My head falls back as he fills me. I rock my hips, grinding down on him as I go. “Do you want more?” Rhys asks, holding my gaze in his. “Fancy kicking it up a notch?”
There’s three of them, so I don’t have to be a mind-reader to know what he’s talking about. And I’m game. “Always,” I reply, my lips tugging up in a smile.
“I thought you’d say that.” Rhys pulls me down against his chest, one firm hand on my lower back holding me still.
A cold drizzle of liquid drips down my ass followed by a gentle press of a finger—Casius’. I shudder as he slowly works his finger inside me, filling me in a way I’ve never felt before.
“Mmm… that’s it, love,” Rhys praises. “Casius is going to fuck that perfect ass of yours while I’m buried in this tight little pussy.”
My emotions are swinging between ‘holy fuck’ and ‘hell yes.’ Before I can settle on a state, Casius adds another finger, and I moan as he stretches my ass. I wiggle in Rhys hold, needing more. I’m not even sure what more is, but I need it. Then Casius’ fingers are gone, and I’m left desperate. “Please…” I sob.
Then he’s there. His thick cock pressing against my back hole. Slowly he presses forward until I feel the heat of his pelvis against my ass. I groan at how full I am, overwhelmed by it in the best possible way.
“You okay?” Rhys asks.
“Couldn’t be better.” I wriggle between them, wanting them to move. They are being so careful not to hurt me.
Not just during sex. They’re always watching out for me. Never smothering, but always there if I need them. I have it pretty damn good.
That realization makes me fall a little deeper for my dragons. I won’t say love—not yet—but I’m in deep with my mates. Scarily so.
“Move,” I urge.
“Once again, so impatient,” Casius says with a half-laugh.
He slowly pulls out, then pushes back in. They set a rhythm. Every time Casius withdraws, Rhys thrusts. Every time Casius thrusts, Rhys withdraws. I’m a mindless, boneless mess of sensation as they work my body.
I reach out to Mateo, wanting—no, needing—to feel connected to him as well. I grip his shaft in my hand and pump him in a way meant to drive him crazy. His groan spikes my desire.
I’m teetering on the edge of release. One more swivel of Rhys’ pelvis against my clit and I’m going to explode. I try to shy away from my impending climax. It feels bigger than anything I’ve ever felt before, and it scares me a little. Something tells me nothing will ever be the same after tonight. Trying to distract myself, I lean over and take Mateo into my mouth.
“Fuck, tesoro. Yes, suck me.” Not needing any encouragement, I suck him harder and deeper. I’m not sure why I thought this would be a distraction, because having him in my mouth is nothing but more pleasure. All I’ve done is add another level of arousal to the mix.
“I can’t hold on much longer,” Casius gasps.
“I’m right there with you.” Rhys punctuates the thought with a rough flick of his hips.
I clench around them in agreement because I’m there. Right there. My orgasm won’t be denied. My whole body spasms with my climax, and it’s only Mateo’s cock in my mouth that keeps me from screaming the castle down around us.
Casius is the first of my mates to follow me over the edge, followed by Mateo who floods my mouth with his release. Rhys buries himself to the hilt, his cock jerking inside me as he reaches his climax. I collapse on Rhys’ chest and suck in gasping breaths.
Awareness slowly returns. Mateo and Casius are on either side of us. Mateo runs a gentle hand through my hair. Casius’ hand cups one of my ass cheeks while Rhys cradles me against his body.
That’s when a shock runs through me, jolting my entire body. Mateo sits up, his face going white. “That’s an attack on the wards,” he says. “A powerful one. Something’s badly wrong.”
16
Aria
Mateo snaps his fingers and returns me to full alertness. The anxiety rushes back into my mind, and for an instant, I freeze, overwhelmed by fear.
And then, training takes over. Everything I’ve learned in my life comes to the fore. Surviving on the streets. Learning to steal. Learning to fight. My magic lessons. Everything I’ve done in my life has been to prepare me for this role.
Mateo’s face is strained as he struggles to shore up Maija Essen’s wards. I can feel the malevolent force outside the castle, battering at the wards, raging in anger at the failure to rip them down. “They’re holding,” he says. “For now.”
“What can I do?”
“I need you to find Erik and Bastian,” he says grimly. He takes a deep breath. “If they’re still alive.”
I’d know if they were dead, wouldn’t I? I have to believe I’d know.
My hands shake. Rhys laces his fingers in mine, and Casius puts a steadying arm on my shoulder. “We’re here for you, Aria,” he says. “Use our strength. Take what you need.”
I take a deep breath and reach for courage. I have to do this.
There’s a hard ball of fear in my throat. I should have followed them, but instead, I’d allowed Mateo, Rhys, and Casius to distract me. I’d been having sex. If something were to happen to Bastian and Erik, I’d never, ever be able to forgive myself.
Please. Please let this be okay.
Closing my eyes, I look for them. For Erik’s hulking yet surprisingly graceful presence, for Bastian’s bright one. Bastian seems angry, but Erik’s aura is dim. Even dimmer than Mateo’s had been.
“Erik,” I gasp, tears running down my cheeks. “He’s badly hurt. He’s…”
“Still alive?” Mateo asks sharply.
I nod.
“Good. Aria, remember Paris? You asked me if I could
translocate dragons, and I said no, not unless they were in my sight. You remember why?”
“Because you can’t sense them.”
“Exactly. But you can.”
He lifts the chain holding the Bloodstone from his neck and places it over mine. “I’ll feed you strength,” he says. “And so will Casius and Rhys. But Aria, I need you. You’ll need to find Erik and Bastian and bring them back into the castle.”
“Okay.” My lips are dry with fear. I haven’t been able to translocate anyone ever, but if there’s ever a time that I need to succeed, it’s now.
I rub my eyes. There’s no time for tears. I need to act. I grope for the red magic within me. Hey, you guys? I whisper to them. I really, really need your help.
My magic reacts, and not just my magic. The Bloodstone flares to life against my neck. I feel it glowing red-hot, burning my skin.
Just like it had in my dreams when I approached Zyrian’s castle.
Not now. I don’t have time for distractions. I send the threads of magic outward, my senses expanding, my focus unwavering. I patiently use the strands to weave a net around the two ethereal shapes of my mates. As much as it’s tempting to push the magic, I stay patient. It’s eager to cooperate. I just have to get out of the way.
When I start to falter, Mateo feeds me strength. I add his golden strands to the net I’m making. I take from Rhys and Casius too. The net needs to be strong. There’s magic acting to counter mine, but I will not fail.
It’s done. I yank with our combined strength. A tremor runs through the castle as Bastian and Erik hit the barrier of the castle wards, and then the wards part and let them through.
I’m already running outside.
Two giant dragons are slumped on the lawn. One of them, a scarlet dragon—instinctively, I know it’s Bastian—seems to be unconscious.
But it’s the other dragon that makes me gasp in horror. Sticking out from Erik’s chest, puncturing his jet-black scales, is a spear. Waves of cold evil emanate from it, and Erik’s light has almost been snuffed out.
